le4

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:44:48 GMT

I'm functioning at 50%...if that...

sorry that this is such a sucky post but what do you expect, I'm functioning at 50%...

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:44:18 GMT

The High Priestess
You scored 43 change, 51 wellbeing, 60 wisdom, and 67 truth

This card represents the subconscious mind. It is the balancing force between pairs. The pillars to her sides represent the opposites, light and dark, and she sits in the middle of them, impartial to one or the other. The curtain behind her connects the pairs. The letters on the pillars are B and J. The B is symbolic of the number 2 falling as the second letter in the alphabet. The letter J is the 10th letter in the alphabet, in numerology, this is reduced to 1. So on the pillars we have the numbers 1 and 2. This is symbolic of male and female, the two opposites. The Priestess is holding a scroll of universal and personal knowledge, but only part of it is showing, because god has more yet to reveal. The High Priestess is the link, the conscious mind formulates ideas and the subconscious sets them into action in a fashion of order, represented by the block on which she sits. This card falls under the vibration of the number 2.

some extra words:

staying nonactive
withdrawing from involvement
allowing events to proceed without intervention
being receptive to influence
becoming calm
being passive
waiting patiently

accessing the unconscious
using your intuition
seeking guidance from within
trusting your inner voice
opening to dreams and the imagination
being aware of a larger reality

seeing the potential
understanding the possibilities
opening to what could be
seeing your hidden talents
allowing development
letting what is there flower

sensing the mystery
looking beyond the obvious
approaching a closed off area
opening to the unknown
remembering something important
sensing the secret and hidden
seeking what is concealed
acknowledging the Shadow

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 99% on change

You scored higher than 99% on wellbeing

You scored higher than 99% on wisdom

You scored higher than 99% on truth

Link: The What tarot card resembles you Test written by KamikazeParrot on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 01:07:36 GMT

Your results are in!

The Backrubber
Deliberate Gentle Sex Dreamer (DGSDm)

Lusty but indirect. Kind, but also using friendship as a means to sex. Oh, that feels gooood. You are The Backrubber.

We call you "The Backrubber" because you straddle that fine line between coming on to someone and just treating her nicely. Backrubs are just one example; you'd meet for coffee, or talk about books/movies, or even argue a little bit, all the while mostly preferring to screw.

Your indirect approach is not some evil trickery, but rather a result of your open mind. You'd enjoy either love or sex, but the latter definitely doesn't require the former. While you are responsible and ambitious, you absolutely DON'T have uptight views on relationships. So ultimately, you just enjoy a woman, and let things take their course. If she wants you, great. If not, that's fine too.

Though you're not thinking too much about Love at this point in your life, odds are, when the time comes, you'll be very happy settling down. Your ideal mate is gentle and horny, just like you.

Your exact opposite:
The Vapor Trail
Random Brutal Love Master

ALWAYS AVOID: The Peach

CONSIDER: The Playstation

randomness...

Wed, 17 May 2006 16:42:56 GMT

My drive to hit the gym 3-4 days a week has really been down over the last couple weeks. I’m not sure why. I still go to the gym, but I really don’t work that hard while I’m there. Really, I have no reason to, I’m not a pro athlete, I’m not trying to lose weight, so why work hard?

Yes, I want to be in good shape for sports like tennis, golf, hockey (maybe eventually), skiing (water and alpine), wakeboarding (if I can ever get up) and anything else. Yes, I want to gain weight, but to do that I also need to eat more. Which has also been lacking over the last couple months.

I can’t remember the last time I bought a pound of beef to make tacos or sloppy joes. And I haven’t even been taking protein shakes daily either (I should get back into that). My main dinner time sustenance comes from pasta, fishsticks, or chicken nuggets. Yes, I know it’s quite sad. For a while my weight was down too, but now it seems to be back up to a consistent 160.

I feel weaker at the gym too. Probably because I don’t really push myself. It might be different if I had a workout partner, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Also because there’s really no reason to other than adding weight, which I can’t seem to surpass 160 with my current habits. Call me sexist, but it would be nice to have a girlfriend who wants to feed me.

(am I already starting to repeat myself…shit…)

A few weeks ago my sister randomly called me up to give me some funny and ego-boosting news. At least it was funny to her and somewhat ego-boosting to me. She has recently started going to the gym with a co-worker of hers. Apparently her co-worker is getting married next year and my sister will be in the wedding. They are both trying to get in better shape for that. Well, after the gym, or sometime, my sister had showed some pictures of our other sister’s wedding. The co-worker and another girl (I think another co-worker, but I’m not sure) saw me and asked who I was. Of course my sister said it was her brother. Both the other girls said that I was “hot” (I’m not sure of the exact quote but that’s the basic idea). My sister thought it was funny because it was the first time that a friend of hers has mentioned that they though I was attractive. She called to let me know because it is somewhat of an ego boost. But I have not met either of these girls, so I don’t know how much of a boost it is. (if you catch my drift)

(jump)

It’s rained a lot recently, which has been depressing. I did see the sun yesterday and today already, so it might be over soon. Hopefully soon, I’d really like to go golfing again. I went to the driving range last Sunday and totally sucked. The last two time I’ve went I ended up with a pain in my back, which I think means my swing is f’ed up. I looked up some tips online and have adjusted my grip and stance, so now I just need to try it out at the range and on the course.

(along those sports lines)

I haven’t been skating recently. I have pretty much “mastered” (not really) a hockey stop using just my right leg. It seems easier to me to do a one skate stop as opposed to a two skate. I’m really not too sure what to do with my left leg. I think that if I use it I’ll catch an edge and fall. Maybe t-bone has some tips. Also, I can’t nearly skate as well with my left leg in general. I can’t really use it to stop, hockey or half plow, and I find it awkward to do left over right crossovers. I this might be due to my skating situation. Whenever I go skating they start with counter-clockwise. This means right over left crossovers and stops with my right foot are more comfortable. They are supposed to resurface the ice halfway through and then skate clockwise. But they don’t always resurface the ice (depends on the number of people skating) and the attendants don’t always reverse the skating direction (bastards!). I find the later really disappointing. While many of the skaters are kids and just trying to make it around the rink (so the direction does not matter), I am at a level that I would like the opposite direction. To keep my skill level balanced between right and left. I also have a problem with the kids that like to skate whichever direction they choose and don’t look where they are going. I would also like to be in a skating situation where I could wear hockey gear and practice more with hockey drills. I think wearing the gear will give me a greater will to push myself. This is because I’ll have less fear of hurting myself should I go beyond my limits. The ice arena does offer private lessons, but they’re expensive and short. I think an adult hockey clinic would be good, but I haven’t found one yet.

(jump)

Yesterday I received a notice from my apartment complex about what my re-lease cost is. Unfortunately it has gone up, but I think it’s still an acceptable amount. I really like where I live and I don’t feel like moving. I need to read it again, but I think it said if you are not going to re-lease you need to provide a written statement 60 days in advance to the end of your lease. Well, my lease ends after June and they just sent this out May 15. I’m no math expert but they’re only giving me ~45 days notice on my re-lease costs, yet require 60 days notice if I’m not staying? Wtf? Oh well, I was planning on staying anyway, as long as rent was still acceptable.

(in other mail received yesterday)

I received the Michigan Tech Magazine yesterday. I paged through it but didn’t really read any article. They had some about the 3 world records set during carnival, but I already knew that. I did however read through the last couple pages which announce weddings, birth, job placements, etc. The first name I noticed was the girl who inspired the asshole club. Then I noticed one of my sr design partners and a guy I work with. Then right below him, I noticed my name (spelled wrong of course) and they listed the wrong town for where I live. It’s funny, two guys listed as graduating the same year (he was may ’04 and I’m dec ’04), with almost identical names (if people only knew our middle initials stand for the same name) are working for the same company as associate engineers (if only they knew we are in the same group and sit about 30 ft from each other). Crazy. I’m thinking that this stuff is taken from the career website if you give feedback to the job offers you accept after graduation. I think it’s a little weird that I’m in it now, because I have been in this position for over a year now, and even longer for my similarly named co-worker. Weird.

Amen...

Wed, 10 May 2006 21:19:58 GMT

Mama Don't Preach: Thoughts on Respecting Parenthood Decisions
By Amy Reiter

Dumping the Parental Bandwagon

I just got off the phone with a customer service representative at my credit card company. I called to dispute a charge -- the hospital where I birthed a baby boy seven weeks ago made a billing mistake -- and the next thing I knew I was having an extended conversation about labor and delivery with the stranger on the other end of the line.

She's due in a few months with her second child. She told me the birth story from her first: They overdid it on her drugs and she was totally numb up to her ears for hours. I told her mine: I had a c-section that didn't heal right and had to be (stop reading if you're squeamish) reopened, picked at, prodded, and allowed to just sit there as a gaping wound for weeks, healing gradually.

Yes, it hurt. More than labor, in fact. I was in the hospital for a week and a visiting nurse came to tend to me twice a day for more than a month after that, at which time my husband was charged with latex-gloving up and ministering to my slit midsection on a daily basis. Sexy? I think not.

Sharing Stories, Not Sentiments

Though my childbirth scenario was a bit heavy on the pain and hers a bit too light, we both agreed that actually having the baby was completely amazing. True, we'd suffered, but we'd each been rewarded with a big prize -- a healthy, delicious child.

"I cried for three weeks afterward every time I looked at her," she shared.

"Yes," I agreed, having dampened many a onesie with tears of both the gently rolling and the sobby gulping variety. "I've done a lot of that, too. The whole thing is pretty emotionally intense."

Then she said, "I don't understand how anyone can not have children. They're missing out on the best thing in life."

At that point, I got off the phone. Because you know what? Thrilled as I am to be a mother and to hang with this astoundingly adorable little person sprung from within, I refuse to jump on this particular parental bandwagon, the one packed with proselytizers peddling their baby-centric life view.

Meant-to-Be Moms?

If you're living a child-free life, you probably know what I'm talking about: People who start out celebrating their own decision to have kids and end up casting aspersion on your choice not to -- or at least not to have them just yet. They'll carry on -- with great concern about your ticking biological clock, of course -- about how their lives before children were (and implicitly, your life without them is) empty, lonely, devoid of meaning, even downright selfish.

These procreation proponents stepped up a few years ago, revved up by Sylvia Ann Hewlett's Creating a Life: Professional Women and the Quest for Children, in which the author declares that women today are in a "crisis of childlessness." Wait too long, she warns the ladies, and you may suddenly wake up seized with regret and unable to conceive.

I'm past 30 and a brand-new parent. At this point in my life, though not before, having a baby feels completely, euphorically right for me. I'm deliriously happy with my decision to spawn. But who am I -- or who is anyone else -- to say that having a baby is the best thing for everyone?

They Say No -- and That's Okay

Not only do I not think that the only meaningful life is one that includes children, but I'd also go so far as to say that there are people in the world who should not have children.

I'm not talking about people who are, say, prone to abuse. Those people are givens. I'm talking about perfectly nice, everyday folk who don't really want children. People who are happy with their lives as they are and are uninterested in turning them upside down to meet the needs and whims of a growing child.

Like marriage only more so, having children is an irrational act, a total leap of faith for all who attempt it. If you worked up a cost-benefit analysis of childbearing and -rearing, the cost side would be filled with real sacrifices -- financial, physical, emotional -- and the benefit side would feature things like "When my baby smiles at me, I go all gooey inside."

Ugly Sides of Parenthood: Body Woes

Having a baby and raising a child pushes you to your physical and emotional limits...and way, way beyond. You need that fire-in-the-belly thing to light your way through the dark patches: the exhaustion from middle-of-the-night feedings, the incessant worry over every random cough and snurfle, the physical strain of hefting an infant who refuses to be put down, the constant suspicion that you and your spouse simply don't know enough to be parents. It's an emotional labyrinth, and you can really get lost in there.

Particularly if you happen to be a woman.

New Mommy Body

The physical consequences of pregnancy and childbirth alone can be unpleasant and ongoing. I have friends (at least two of them in my immediate circle) who are doomed to lives of maxi pad wearing because, since giving birth, they can't sneeze or cough without a little pee leakage.

I have another friend who, more than a year after her son was born, still consistently endures nether-regional pain -- mild on a good day, not so mild on a bad one. Another buddy recently told me that, since the doctor stitched her up "a little too enthusiastically" after the birth of her first baby, sex has been downright unpleasant.

Not to mention the new sags, bumps, lines and wrinkles that will keep your body from ever looking the same. "The new normal" is what my husband calls it, but he's just being nice, considerably nicer than I am to myself when I work up the courage to look in the mirror. Factor in the toll that sleepless nights and random bouts of worry -- or out-and-out fear -- take on your skin and other odd corporal goings-on and, well, sister, you ain't no nubile teenager anymore.

Ugly Sides of Parenthood: Worries Galore

And that's just the physical side of things. A friend of mine who just had a textbook vaginal delivery told me she felt so traumatized by the exigencies of labor and delivery that she's planning to start therapy just to come to terms with the emotions it all stirred up. Another friend has been coping with postpartum depression so debilitating she has been unable to return to work as planned.

Even in the best new-baby scenarios -- mine, for instance, if you discount the abdominal-wound factor -- there are moments of severe self-doubt and self-pity in the midst of the baby bliss. Is the baby nursing enough? Is he nursing too much? Why won't he go to sleep? Will he ever go to sleep? Is it my fault he won't go to sleep? You have to summon all your own inner strength -- and the help of your partner (if you're lucky enough to have one), family and friends -- to pull through the first few hormonally rocky, sleep-deprived weeks.

Get past them and you're hardly in the clear. The need to make a living can feel, as a friend who went back to work last week, leaving her 14-week-old daughter at home, put it, "like some kind of primal wrong."

Think the trouble's all in her head? Try in her breasts, swollen beyond belief with milk her baby is not around to drink on her normal schedule. Pumping only goes so far when your baby goes on a hunger strike, refusing a bottle and crying incessantly until you get home to feed her from your own body, only to wake you up every two hours all night long because she's starved from her milk-free day. But have fun explaining that to a boss who doesn't understand why you never work past 5:00 anymore or why you're too tired to take on extra work the way you used to.

See you on the mommy track, girlfriend.

The Way We Were

And while we're doggedly running round and round it, we can talk about all the things we miss from our old lives. Like going to movies or the theater or the ballet. Like enjoying a leisurely meal at a restaurant. Like getting up in the morning and going to the gym without first negotiating with your spouse for your 40-minute parental leave.

I'm not complaining. I wanted to be here, gazing into my newborn's eyes instead of, say, getting all dressed up and going to the spate of black-tie shindigs I get invited to each spring. The little fella may not say much yet, but he's already a better conversationalist than most of the tablemates I've been compelled to chat with at such events over the years.

Taking a Stand

But parenthood as panacea? I'm not buying it, and neither should anyone who's not really into the idea of being a mom or pop.

I'm here as a new parent to stand up for all those nonparents out there -- the ones who haven't yet made up their minds about kids and the ones who definitely have -- and proclaim that there is nothing wrong with not having children. I did it for more than three decades and led what I'd consider a pretty rich life, filled with learning, love, travel, adventure, laughter...and other people's children.

You're not being selfish. Your life won't be empty. And you're certainly not destined for a sad, lonely end. People can find meaning in their lives in ways that don't include progeny.

So the next time some well-intentioned parent harasses you about your decision not to have kids -- or at least not to have them yet -- just let yourself off society's hook, go out and live the life you've chosen with no regrets. Find fulfillment by climbing a mountain, jumping out of an airplane, taking a job in Asia or, hell, reading the Sunday paper without interruption. Then tell us breeders about it. And feel free to gloat.

Amy Reiter is a writer and editor at Salon. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.

interesting...

Wed, 10 May 2006 16:00:15 GMT

Does Birth Order Determine Success?

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

All men may be created equal; but a look at their pay stubs will tell you that their incomes are not. Blame it on social class, education -- even luck, but according to Dalton Conley, New York University professor of sociology and public policy, inequality begins at home.

In his book "The Pecking Order: Which Siblings Succeed and Why," Conley says that 75 percent of the income inequality between individuals in the United States occurs between siblings in the same families. He points to the diverse fortunes of Bill and Roger Clinton, and Jimmy and Billy Carter as examples.

Research shows that first borns (and onlys) lead the pack in terms of educational attainment, occupational prestige, income and net worth. Conversely middle children in large families tend to fare the worst. (Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!)

"A child's position in the family impacts his personality, his behavior, his learning and ultimately his earning power," states Michael Grose, author of "Why First Born Rule the World and Last-borns Want to Change It." "Most people have an intuitive knowledge that birth order somehow has an impact on development, but they underestimate how far-reaching and just how significant that impact really is."

Conley concedes that birth order is significant in shaping individual success, but only for children of large families -- four or more siblings -- and in families where finances and parental time are constrained. (In wealthy families, like the Bushes and Kennedys, it has less effect.)

Here's a look at what impact your birth-order may have on you:

First Borns:
More conscientious, ambitious and aggressive than their younger siblings, first borns are over-represented at Harvard and Yale as well as disciplines requiring higher education such as medicine, engineering or law. Every astronaut to go into space has been either the oldest child in his or her family or the eldest boy. And throughout history -- even when large families were the norm -- more than half of all Nobel Prize winners and U.S. presidents have been first born. Famous eldest children include: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, J.K. Rowling and Winston Churchill. And macho movie stars are First Born, too, including Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and all the actors who have played James Bond.

Middles:
Middle children are more easy going and peer-oriented. Since they can get lost in the shuffle of their own families, they learn to build bridges to other sources of support and therefore tend to have excellent people skills. Middle children often take on the role of mediator and peacemaker. Famous middle children include: Bill Gates, J.F.K., Madonna and Princess Diana.

Youngest:
The youngest child tends to be the most creative and can be very charming -- even manipulative. Because they often identify with the underdog, they tend to champion egalitarian causes. (Youngest siblings were the earliest backers of the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment.) Successful in journalism, advertising, sales and the arts, famous youngest children include Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Drew Carey, Rosie O'Donnell, Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal.

Only Children:
Only children have similar characteristics to first borns and are frequently burdened with high parental expectations. Research shows they are more confident, articulate and likely to use their imagination than other children. They also expect a lot from others, hate criticism, can be inflexible and are likely to be perfectionists. Well-known only children include Rudy Guiliani, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alan Greenspan, Tiger Woods, tennis' teen queen Maria Sharapova and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Twins:
Because they hold equal status and are treated so similarly, twins turn out similarly in most cases. Consider advice columnists "Dear Abby" and "Ann Landers" (Abigail and Esther Friedman), and Harold and Bernard Shapiro, who became presidents of Princeton University and Canada's McGill University respectively.

Dr. Frank Sulloway, a behavioral scientist and visiting professor at the Institute of Personality and Social Research at University of California, Berkeley and author of the book, "Born To Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics and Creative Lives," says first borns are more similar in personality to first borns in other families than they are to their own younger siblings and that youngest children are often more similar to the youngest child in another family than his or her own elder siblings. He says this is because the family is not as much a "shared environment" as a set of niches that provide siblings with different outlooks.

Conley agrees, but stresses that these are just general trends -- and that the whole birth-order theory can be turned on its head depending on the child's personality, the age gap between siblings and the family circumstances each child experiences during his or her formative years.

Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

this has nothing to do with my sexuality...it's just plain funny...

Wed, 10 May 2006 13:42:34 GMT

For all those men who say, Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free. Here's an update for you: Nowadays, 80% of women are against marriage, WHY? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

Men are like....

1. Men are like ... Laxatives ... They irritate the crap out of you.
2. Men are like ... Bananas ... The older they get, the less firm they are.
3. Men are like ... Weather ... Nothing can be done to change them.
4. Men are like ... Blenders ... You need one, but you're not quite sure why.
5. Men are like ... Chocolate Bars ... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.
6. Men are like ... Commercials ... You can't believe a word they say.
7. Men are like ... Department Stores ... Their clothes are always 1/2 off.
8. Men are like ... Government Bonds ... They take soooooooo long to mature.
9. Men are like ... Mascara ... They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
10. Men are like ... Popcorn ... They satisfy you, but only for a little while.
11. Men are like ... Snowstorms ... You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.
12. Men are like ... Lava Lamps ... Fun to look at, but not very bright.
13. Men are like ... Parking Spots ... All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

To whom it may concern...

Thu, 04 May 2006 15:58:54 GMT

for those of you not paying attention to the NHL playoffs...the first round was completed last night with Anaheim beating Calgary.

With that result, the top 4 seeds in the Western Conference were knocked out in the first round. Meanwhile, the 4 top seeds in the Eastern Conference advanced.

WTF?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:19:47 GMT

pirating internet at home on my 4 day weekend...

only worked 4 days last week, 3 days this upcoming week, and the following week I'm in Anderson...

half pound burger...

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:52:19 GMT

i've been very bad...i haven't updated this with a real post in a long time...

i am a procrastinator, i like to put things off. it is worst when i do not have a lot going on. i've heard people say "i get so much more done when i am busy". well no sh*t sherlock, the more you have to do, the more stuff gets done! (assuming you are completeing all your tasks). I bet you are also amazed that something is always in the last place you look!

what they mean is "i am so much more efficient when i have a lot of things to do". this is what i agree with. if i have a lot of things to get done, i knock them off like crazy. i am decisive and a real AK47. but when i am not fully utilized, i slow down. i take my time, probably over think things and just generally keep things lingering. some of my thoughts are, "why get this done right now? then what am i going to do?".

deep down i know that more things always come along, but if none are in sight, why finish off my current things? this does apply to my work life, but I try to keep it in check (especially with my current project). but, mostly i am refering to my home life.

it could be something as simple as doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom or kitchen, doing laundry, setting up my work dry cleaning program, etc. all things that do eventually get done, once i am properly motivated (lack of clean dishes or clothes, company coming over, etc.)

some other thoughts i have are that a problem/situation will just fix itself, work out or go away if i wait long enough. this applies to things like my heat not working one morning. i layed in bed for like an hour before being sure that the heat was not working. i'm sure someone else might have jumped up as soon as they suspected there to be a problem. if i had to guess, this philosophy of mine might stem from being the youngest child. i never really had to do anything. most things were just provided for me. i think school also reinforced this behavior. i never really had to work hard for good grades (my highest admiration goes out to those who did have to, and were successful). this just meant that i could coast along without any effort and still do better than most kids. this is very dangerous to do in the working world. if you don't do your work, nobody else will. you will end up in trouble and out of a job. i have been able to suppress this in my work life, so i've got that going for me.

one area of my personal life that i have not been able to overcome this is my "love life". i still think that some girl will just come along and reverse caveman me (she beats me over the head and drags me back to her cave). i don't know if i am just that lazy (that i don't want to do the pursuing myself) or i am just that attracted to girls who go after what they want. unfortunatley for me, most girls still enjoy being the pursued. either that or the forward girls are not interested in me. i may never know for sure.

i don't think that i am any good at pursuing someone. whether or not t-bone agrees, he has a natural talent to talk to people and i wish i could talk the way he can. i cannot meet someone new and actively make them like me. i need to have multiple exposures to people for them to get a true idea of my personality. because of this, i'm sure that i will never pick up a girl in a bar or club. i may be picked up by a girl there, but i will not be the one making the first move. right now, my best chance to find "the one" is through work (in a co-worker(not likely) or through a co-worker) or by introduction through a friend or family member. a number of people mention this type of thing to me, but i never take it serious.

i hope this doesn't sound like whining or depressed, i'm just stating it like i see it. as i've said before, i'm fine with being alone. the only two times of the day that i miss having someone is at dinner and at bedtime.

i'm not sure how well this turned out, i've just been ranting through my lunch hour. and i've been interrupted a couple times, hopefully it still flows together.

so far at work...

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 20:17:41 GMT

the number one reaction to hearing that I got a new mustang is..."you didn't get an automatic, did you?"

clearly, I wouldn't be able to show my face around here if I had...my "male card" would have definitely been revoked...

the car search is over...

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:45:28 GMT

i picked up a 2006 Mustang GT (V8-manual, of course!) last saturday. It is black with 18" polished aluminum wheels. there are pics on facebook, so check them out.

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:17:10 GMT

Ahhhhhhhh!!!

(deep breath)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 17:51:36 GMT

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Physical Touch.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		11
Physical Touch:		8
Acts of Service:		5
Words of Affirmation:		5
Receiving Gifts:		1

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

don't get your hopes up...

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:20:32 GMT

this is going to be a slow week for me considering some people went to germany and left me here:(

yesterday I finally got my skates sharpened and went the the public skate at the Novi ice areana. I got back into it pretty well, considering its been over a year since i've skated. I wanted to work on hockey stops but there were really too many people to do so. it was interesting trying to avoid all the flailing arms/bodies of the THOUSANDS of little kids. i did a few balance checks, but nothing spectacular and no falls. I want to pursue picking hockey up as a hobby, but you got to skate well first.

I also did my taxes this weekend, when I was at my parents. My dad was making me nervous by telling me that I would not do as well as my sisters, becuase I don't have a morgage. I had visions of not getting anything back, or worse, having to pay. It turns out that I'm getting a decent amount back. Enough to make 4 payments of my lease. Which is nice because that means I can pay it off early and not have to pay for the extra mileage (or at least as much). now I just need to decide on what I want to get. contenders are another F-150 (boring), a Mustang GT (manual=fun, rear wheel drive=sucks for the 5 days of the year we get snow), and volvo S6 (either AWD or manual). whatever I choose, it needs to cost equal or less than my current lease and insurance.

time to go...maybe more to come...

-----
(added 2/28/06)
I forgot to mention this. in addition to the THOUSANDS of kids, the public skate also featured a group of seemingly asian FOBs (definitely asian, seemingly FOBs). there were about 10-12 of them, all probably in their 20s. i think at one point they were trying to have a relay race through the crowds, not a good idea. it didn't seem to last long, so either they got tired of it or the attendants put a stop to it. which is a good thing, because none of them could skate very well. at some point three of them were holding on to each other in a single file line, with the first person pulling the other two. then they all fell down. it was quite hilarious...

I got the last seven wrong too...

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:42:46 GMT

First-grade teacher, Ms. Brooks, was having trouble with one of her  students. The teacher asked, "Harry, what's your problem?" Harry answered, "I'm too smart for the 1st grade. My sister is in the 3rd grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the 3rd grade too!" Ms. Brooks had had enough. She took Harry to the principal's office.

While Harry waited in the outer office, the teacher explained to the principal what the situation was. The principal told Ms. Brooks he would give the boy a test. If he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the 1st grade and behave. She agreed. Harry was brought in and the conditions were explained to him and he agreed to take the test.

Principal: "What is 3 x 3?"
Harry: "9."

Principal: "What is 6 x 6?"
Harry: "36."

And so it went with every question the principal thought a 3rd grader should know. The principal looks at Ms. Brooks and tells her, "I think Harry can go to the 3rd grade." Ms. Brooks says to the principal, "Let me ask him some questions." The principal and Harry both agreed.

Ms. Brooks asks, "What does a cow have four of that I have only two of?"
Harry, after a moment: "Legs."

Ms. Brooks: "What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?"
The principal wondered why would she ask such a question!
Harry replied: "Pockets."

Ms. Brooks: "What does a dog do that a man steps into?"
Harry: "Pants."

Ms. Brooks: What starts with a C, ends with a T, is hairy, oval, delicious and contains thin, whitish liquid?"
Harry: "Coconut."

The principal sat forward with his mouth hanging open.

Ms. Brooks: "What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft and sticky?"
The principal's eyes opened really wide and before he could stop the answer, Harry replied, "Bubble gum."

Ms. Brooks: "What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and a dog does on three legs?"
Harry: "Shake hands."

The principal was trembling.

Ms. Brooks: "What word starts with an 'F' and ends in 'K' that means a lot of heat and excitement?"
Harry: "Firetruck."

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and told the teacher, "Put Harry in the fifth-grade, I got the last seven questions wrong..."

not really a steak...maybe a chicken nugget...

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 17:52:43 GMT

This is sort of in relation to what someone else wrote on January 18. (if you don't know, too bad)

For a while now, I’ve had this feeling that I need to find someone to be with. After all, I’ve completed college, got a job and moved out on my own. Aren’t the next steps to find a nice girl, get married and have kids? At least I think that’s what society expects of me.

While I agree that there are times that I wish I had someone to share my life with, most of the time I am happy to be alone. Call me selfish, but I like not having to coordinate my life with someone else. I can go out wherever and whenever I want. I can sleep whenever I want. I can eat whatever I want. I can watch anything on TV whenever I want. Etc, etc, etc. Borrowing from a comedian (I can’t remember who; this is paraphrasing), “I could be gay , if it weren’t for the whole sex thing. Without that, you’re just hanging out with your buddies.” So true…

While that works for most of the day, there are two times of the day that I wish there was someone with me.

The first time is dinner. It sucks to cook for one. You either have to cook just enough to eat, or make something that you’re willing to eat for leftovers. This limits the variety of what I eat. Another thing, (and this could just be me) I don’t like having to plan my own meals, it never seems like I vary them enough. Granted, if I did have someone, they might not exactly be pleased to plan all the meals, but at least we could do it together.

The second time of the day that I wish I had someone is bedtime. If you think that’s just to have sex whenever, you’re wrong. It’s more than that; sometimes it’s nice to just sleep with someone.

I doubt that I can find someone to just be around for dinner and bedtime. I’ll probably have to compromise somehow. I don’t really see myself ever getting married and having kids. I would much rather have a Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell type of thing. Marriage is just a way to share health benefits and legally guarantees you’ll lose half your stuff if you separate. I admit that my feelings can change with time; this is just what I feel right now. Ideally, I can find a girl who wants to remain independent and not have kids. That would be perfect.

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:54:25 GMT

I know I haven't put of a "meat-y" posting in a long time. I don't want to make excuses but I have actually been busy at work for a while. Sure I could take my computer home and write it, but once you fall out of practice its hard to get back into it.

i was about to say that i have a little bit of time before going home, so i was going to at least start a post. but i just got an e-mail that should be handled before i go. so this is put on hold again. sorry.

Corporate Lessons

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:53:50 GMT

Corporate Lesson 1
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel." After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 dollars and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies. "Great!" the husband says, "Did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

-----

Corporate Lesson 2
A priest offered a lift to a Nun. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

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Corporate Lesson 3
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish." "Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! She's gone. "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He's gone. "OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

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Corporate Lesson 4
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A rabbit asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?" The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. A fox jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very high up.

-----

Corporate Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got the energy". "Well, why don't you nibble on my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:44:27 GMT

Theory is when you understand everything but nothing works.
Practice is when everything works but you don't understand why.
In engineering we combine theory with practice: nothing works and no one knows why.

Cowboy in a Gay Bar:

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 12:42:28 GMT

A cowboy walks into a bar and two steps in he realizes it's a gay bar.

"What the heck," he says to himself, "I really want a drink."

When the gay waiter approaches, he says to the cowboy, "What's the name of your willy?"

The cowboy says, "Look, I'm not into any of that. All I want is a drink."

The gay waiter says, "I'm sorry but I can't serve you until you tell me the name of your willy. Mine for instance is called NIKE, for the slogan 'Just Do It.' That guy down at the end of the bar calls his SNICKERS, because 'It really Satisfies."

The cowboy looks dumbfounded, so the bartender tells him he will give him a second to think it over.

So the cowboy asks the man sitting to his left who is sipping on a beer, "Hey bud, what's the name of yours?"

The man looks back and says with a smile, "TIMEX." The thirsty cowboy asks, "Why Timex?" The fella proudly replies, " 'Cause it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin!'"

A little shaken, the cowboy turns to two fella's on his right, who happen to be sharing a fruity Margarita and says, "So, what do you guys call yours?"

The first man turns to him and proudly exclaims, "FORD, because 'Quality is Job One'". Then he adds, "Have you driven a Ford lately?"

The guy next to him then says, "I call mine CHEVY.....'Like a Rock!'. And gives a wink!

Even more shaken, the Cowboy has to think for a moment before he comes up with a name for his manhood.

Finally, he turns to the bartender and exclaims, "The name of my willy is SECRET. Now give me a beer."

The bartender begins to pour the cowboy a beer, but with a puzzled look asks, "Why Secret?"

The cowboy says, "Because it's 'STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN, BUT MADE FOR A WOMAN!!!!

here's your steak...

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 17:57:48 GMT

I'm not really sure how good this is, but I have to go into a meeting in a few minutes, so I'll leave it as is and maybe modify it later.
-----

seeing that we are in the full swing of the holiday season, I thought it would be appropriate to give my view of things.

as a child I loved christmas because it meant being surprised with lots of new toys. Also, I never really tried to uphold the fact that it was actually a religious holiday, but since I went to catholic school(K-4) I knew that there was more to it than just a fat man in a red suit delivering gifts. I think that fact gets burried deeper and deeper every year. I'm not sure (nor do I have any knowledge of instances), but I think that there are people out there that are not christian that do celebrate christmas. my sisters brought up the fact that some parents may give their children gifts, so that they don't feel left out (when it comes to their classmates). Which I can see being a good thing to do so that your children can fit it, but it also takes the holiday and makes it a consumers day as opposed to a religious day.

christmas now means to me I HAVE to go out and buy things for people, when I have no idea
what they want or need. at the same time people HAVE to go out and buy things for me that I don't even want. a couple weeks ago my mom called me to see what I want for christmas. I naturally had no real idea. She mentioned that my sister had a thought, which I knew was a set of golf clubs, which I would like. So that's what she appears to be getting me (on thanksgiving they went through the ads to find a set, right in from of me no less). Though she does keep insisting to buy me a dining table.

I hate when people ask me what I want for my birthday or christmas. If I don't come to you and say, "hey please get me this", then don't get me anything. I do have things that I would like, but they are either too expensive for one person to buy, something I want to pick out myself or you can't buy them at all. Examples - laptop, surround sound, pool table, dining table, H1, Jaguar XKR, cable/internet, world peace, and oh yeah...a girlfriend. having to ask someone what they want makes it more like a business transaction than a special gift. I wouldn't have a problem receiving gifts from people if they truely knew what I'd like (though there'd still be that awkwardsness of me not getting them anything b/c I wouldn't know what to give). The problem is that my eldest sister is really the only person who even comes close to that.

recently we have actually volunteered ideas to the other (for birthdays). I asked her to help me get a tattoo (since she had already done it twice), and she even payed for it too. She asked me to get tickets and go with her to the weezer/foo fighters concert. I did tell her that I'd like a set of golf clubs, but it appears that my mom stole the idea. I did come up with something else for my sister to help me with, but I'm not sure what will come of it. It falls into the category of things you can't just buy. If it follows through, their will be things to buy, but that's not really important, I have plenty of money.

That's what the holiday season should be, people helping others reach their goals/dreams. If along the way money becomes involved, so be it, but that should not be the goal of this time of the year. I say "holiday season" because I don't want to confuse this with the actual holiday of christmas. That should stay a religious day where christians buy gifts for each other. I no longer see myself as catholic (yes that is what I was raised as, but I choose to disagree with it). If you want to label me, I prefer agnostic.

I think people should spend the entire year trying to help others, but I realize that people need a time to rejouvenate their enthusiasm for such, thus the "holiday season" (it can be called something else, this is just a start).

I'm a 6 baby...yea...

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 16:46:47 GMT

Birth Test

Let me know your number. Once you have discovered your Birth Number, forward this email to the rest of your friends, including the one who sent this to you. Put your "number" in the "Subject" and Pass it on.
Your birth date describes who we are, what we are good at and what our inborn abilities are. It also points to what we have to learn and the challenges we are facing.

To figure out your Birth Number, add all the numbers in the birth date together, like in the example, until there is only one digit. A Birth Number does not prevent you from being anything you want to be, it will just color your choice differently and give you a little insight.

Example March 20, 1950
3 + 20 + 1950 = 1973
1 + 9 + 7 + 3 = 20
2 + 0 = 2

(it also seems to work this way too: 3+2+0+1+9+5+0=20, 2+0=2. let me know if you get the same number using both methods)

Keep going until you end up with a single digit number. 2 is the Birth Number to read for the birth date in the example.

#1 THE ORIGINATOR
#2 THE PEACEMAKER
#3 THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
#4 THE CONSERVATIVE
#5 THE NONCONFORMIST
#6 THE ROMANTIC
#7 THE INTELLECTUAL
#8 THE BIG SHOT
#9 THE PERFORMER

====================================================
# 1 - THE ORIGINATOR
1's are originals. Coming up with new ideas and executing them is natural. Having things their own way is another trait that gets them as being stubborn and arrogant. 1's are extremely honest and do well to learn some diplomacy skills. They like to take the initiative and are often leaders or bosses, as they like to be the best. Being self- employed is definitely helpful for them. Lesson to learn Others' ideas might be just as good or better and to stay open minded.

Famous 1's Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Hulk Hogan, Carol Burnett, Wynona Judd, Nancy Reagan, Raquel Welch.

#2 - THE PEACEMAKER
2's are the born diplomats. They are aware of others' needs and moods and often think of others before themselves. Naturally analytical and very intuitive they don't like to be alone. Friendship and companionship is very important and can lead them to be successful in life, but on the other hand they'd rather be alone than in an uncomfortable relationship. Being naturally shy they should learn to boost their self-esteem and express themselves freely and seize the moment and not put things off.

Famous 2's President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Whoopee Goldberg, Thomas Edison, Wolfgang Amadeus, Mozart.

# 3 - THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
3's are idealists. They are very creative, social, charming, romantic, and easygoing. They start many things, but don't always see them through. They like others to be happy and go to great lengths to achieve it. They are very popular and idealistic. They should learn to see the world from a more realistic point of view.

Famous 3's Alan Alda, Ann Landers, Bill Cosby, Melanie Griffith, Salvador Dali, Jodi Foster

# 4 - THE CONSERVATIVE
4's are sensible and traditional. They like order and routine. They only act when they fully understand what they are expected to do. They like getting their hands dirty and working hard. They are attracted to the outdoors and feel an affinity with nature. They are prepared to wait and can be stubborn and persistent. They should learn to be more flexible and to be nice to themselves.

Famous 4's Neil Diamond, Margaret Thatcher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tina Turner, Paul Hogan, Oprah Winfrey

# 5 - THE NONCONFORMIST
5's are the explorers. Their natural curiosity, risk taking, and enthusiasm often land them in hot water. They need diversity, and don't like to be stuck in a rut. The whole world is their school and they see a learning possibility in every situation. The questions never stop. They are well advised to look before they take action and make sure they have all the facts before jumping to conclusions.

Famous 5's Abraham Lincoln, Charlotte Bronte, Jessica WalterVincent Van Gogh, Bette Midler, Helen Keller, Mark Hail.

# 6 - THE ROMANTIC
6's are idealistic and need to feel useful to be happy. A strong family connection is important to them. Their actions influence their decisions. They have a strong urge to take care of others and to help. They are very loyal and make great teachers. They like art or music. They make loyal friends who take the friendship seriously. 6's should learn to differentiate between what they can change and what they cannot.

Famous 6's Albert Einstein, Jane Seymour, John Denver, Meryl Steep, Christopher Columbus, and Goldie Hawn

#7 - THE INTELLECTUAL
7's are the searchers. Always probing for hidden information, they find it difficult to accept things at face value. Emotions don't sway their decisions. Questioning everything in life, they don't like to be questioned themselves. They're never off to a fast start, and their motto is slow and steady wins the race. They come across as philosophers and being very knowledgeable, and sometimes as a loner also. They are technically i nclined and make great researchers uncovering information. They like secrets. They live in their own world and should learn what is acceptable and what not in the world at large .

Famous 7's William Shakespeare, Lucille Ball, Michael Jackson, Joan Baez, Princess Diana

# 8 - THE BIG SHOT
8's are the problem solvers. They are professional, blunt and to the point, have good judgment and are decisive. They have grand plans and like to live the good life. They take charge of people. They view people objectively. They let you know in no uncertain terms that they are the boss. They should learn to exude their decisions on their own needs rather than on what others want.

Famous 8's Edgar Cayce, Barbra Streisand, George Harrison, Jane Fonda, Pablo Picasso, Aretha Franklin, Nostrodamus, and Ron Connolly(Bragger!!!!!!!)

#9 - THE PERFORMER
9's are natural entertainers. They are very caring and generous, giving away their last dollar to help. With their charm, they have no problem making friends and nobody is a stranger to them. They have so many different personalities that people around them have a hard time understanding them. They are like chameleons, ever changing and blending in. They have tremendous luck, but also can suffer from extremes in fortune and mood. To be successful, they need to build a loving foundation.

Famous 9's
Albert Schweitzer, Shirley MacLaine, Harrison Ford, Jimmy Carter, Elvis

idiot!!!

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 17:53:07 GMT

http://www.break.com/articles/hugeidiot.html

WORLD’S BEST FAIRYTALE

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 18:20:39 GMT

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl “Will you marry me?”

The girl said “NO!”

The guy then went hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, played golf, drank beer, farted whenever he wanted and lived happily ever after.

THE END