Mental, Drivel

Both Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Superman (Christopher Reeve) were born today. Coincidence? Or white supremacist conspiracy?

I'm 34 and only finding out today that confab is short for confabulation. This is distressing because a derivative of the root has different meaning in Psychology (confabulate: unconsciously synthesize or supplant fact with fantasy in one's memory). I never noticed the similarity.

• Trying to stop suiciders—which we're doing a pretty good job of on occasion—is difficult to do. And what the Iraqis are going to have to eventually do is convince those who are conducting suiciders who are not inspired by Al Qaeda, for example, to realize there's a peaceful tomorrow.
  George w. Bush, Washington, DC, 05/24/2006

End of the Five

The weather has been so temperamental. This morning the sun was out again like nothing happened. Yet it started getting dark again a little after lunch. Now it looks like it can go either way. Crazy. Will sneak in some kayaking this weekend if it stays bright for a few hours.

I have a few hours of work for sometime this weekend but I don't have many other plans. Tanning in a few minutes then seeing Jerome for bit. Then Junior Vasquez is spinning at the Saloon for $10 so I'm there. Other than that I'll be sifting music and gaming. Yay. Or something.

Current iCount: 373 songs, 0 Videos, 1 Podcasts, 0 Pictures, 3 Games, 0 Contacts. (147gb free)

Severe Weather

Apparently there were tornadoes out on the western border of the state this morning. Yet a little after lunch the sun was peeking through clouds occasionally. Driving home there were a few droplets on the windshield but it was really dark out west. Getting out of the car in the parking ramp I heard the siren. Kinda freaky but mostly annoying. Some old lady was in the foyer looking outside curiously.

The siren wound down but it just started up again. The rain has gone from sheets to near fog thickness. The radio is saying the tornado warning is for my county, but at the south. The occasional thunder sounds like car crashing in the streets below. Fun times! Sorta want to go out and walk around. Maybe later. =)

Money Well Spent?

Colby would be smirking at me right now, but thankfully he's a few times zones away.




It really is too expensive but I love ignoring cost when I want something. What started me iThinking was seeing RJ's alluring collection completely contained and how smooth the car-to-home transition is. My music tastes are finally maturing so there's a reason for all the space.¹ Not sure what pushed me over though. Being able to do the pictures and movies I suppose—nerd novelty.

The final barrier was my distaste for iTunes. The interface is too Mac plus I'm naturally adverse to anything that conceals data and enforces order. Yet I've been able to work with it in the past, even removing DRM with Colby's help.² It will do the album covers and lyrics, which are my minimal requirements so I'll acclimate.

Took six years to overcome my iPrejudice. Wonder if I'll ever get an iMac? Sure hope not.

Current iCount: 172 songs, 0 Videos, 0 Podcasts, 0 Pictures, 0 Contacts. (147gb free)

---

1. All of my music prior to 2000 ripped to just over 12gb. In the last seven years that has more than tripled.
2. Hopefully that process has gotten smoother.

Signs of Age

Hard to believe that Robert Jordan died yesterday. I remember picking up The Eye of the World when I first moved to Salt Lake. It felt almost self-contained but then I found out there were another five fat novels waiting for me. I was planning to reread them all when the twelfth, A Memory of Light?, was published. Guess I'll do the eleven and see what happens.

Does make me feel older… along with other things. As of the 5^th of this month I've been at my job twelve years. More and more of the songs from my youth are being covered or their melodies are stolen by hip-hop artists. The “hot” porn stars and waiters look so damn young. Guys younger than me have been in relationships longer than I've been single. It takes more than one hand to count the important people in my life that have died.

Now there's so much in my brain that its randomness can be startling. Like getting into work I found myself singing INXS's Disappear out of the blue. Or the way seeing or hearing things in everyday life take me back to places more than two decades away. Nothing to do but *sigh*.

Never heard of Pat Monahan until this morning, but I've really enjoyed listening to Last of Seven which went on sale today. Despite the age thing, it's nice that there are still surprises.

• I am barely stable
  I am afraid to be alone
  I am sorry that I always enable
  And every day I try to find another way to you
  
  I can't admit to my addictions
  And wish that I could be a better friend
  I am three kinds of crazy
  And every day I try to find another way to you
  Pat Monahan, Someday

Random Street Person

Pulling out of the garage I noticed a cute guy walking along the sidewalk with an insulated lunch bag in hand. I saw him look toward me but I looked away to check traffic. As I merged onto the street I met his still-lingering gaze with a smile. Still find moments like that validating, even though they're meaningless. Got my Monday off to a good start anyway.

Honesty is Its Own Reward

Coworker back in Utah got a promotion so I felt obligated to congratulate her. I loathe doing so because she's sweet, genuine, self-effacing, and easily engaged. It's impossible to disentangle my self abruptly as per my usual since it's akin to whacking an innocent, doe-eyed bunny with a 2x4. *sigh* In her appreciative reply she asked how I was and if I'd read any good books lately. My response was:

Doing well, thanks! Little dating, little drinking, and a good bit of sleep. Enjoying the last spurt of summery warmth with cold temperatures just a month a way! *cheers* How about you? Have you killed anyone yet?

Last book I read was James McGreevey's autobiography. Currently working through David Eddings' "How I Write Books" book. Probably not things you'd consider too exciting. What have you read? Is it K-12?

Hope all is well and not burning!

I'm so passive-aggressive with my spite. I would stop doing it if I didn't find it so amusing.