Thursday, December 30, 2004

Swag and Work

So, um, Christmas was good to me. Crazy ridiculously good. Gamecube with Windwaker and LOTR: Third Age; Star Wars Original Trilogy on DVD, Farscape Season 1, Kill Bill vol. 2, and Equilibrium; Clothes, as was expected; Franz Ferdinand, as previously mentioned, as well as a Johnny Cash Christmas album; Lego Millenium Falcon, Darth Vader, Storm Trooper, and Super Battle Droid; and a cell phone, which is the most useful of the things I got, by and far; two bottle of wine (yum-yum, yummy wine); and that's all I can think of at the moment.

Also, I have a job. Picker/puller for the K-Mart distribution center in Greensboro. $9/hr, required overtime, second shift. Not terribly exciting, but it's work.

Further note: hate the speed of mail and packages during the holidays. Rah.

Saturday, December 25, 2004

This Fffire

This fire is outta control!
Gonna burn this city, burn this city!

So Hugh gets mad props for getting me Franz Ferdinand (the version with the bonus disc) for Christmas. They rock it hard. And they're 'modern,' which is truly odd. I don't tend to like 'new' music. But Franz Ferdinand rocks out. And they get crazy bonus points for naming their band after the man whose assassination started the First World War.

Merry Christmas

I'm of the age that's squarely between any age that appreciates Christmas specials and movies. Too old to be excited about watching Rudolph or Miracle on 34th Street. And far too young to be nostalgic for the feeling that one gets when watching It's a Wonderful Life as one gets older. Which, when thought about, saddens me a little bit. To be annoyed by the innundation of old movies, new movies, remakes, etc. Though I think TBS's 24 hours of A Christmas Story is a crime against humanity no matter how you slice it. It's just a bad movie. But it's Christmas. Or at least it will be by the time this thing is posted. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. And if you are offended by me wishing you a Merry Christmas instead of a Happy Holidays (as John Scalzi put it, let's look at the etymology. Holiday = holy + day. Move on.) or Season's Greetings, you're missing the point. And I won't much care, really. I'm going to have a most excellent day tomorrow, eating too much, spending time with a rather large (and extended) family that is close and loving. So fie on you Scrooges and Grinches.

And God bless us, everyone.

Friday, December 24, 2004

Christmas Wishes

Christmas hasn't been simple since my 12th, back in '94. Then came separation of the parents. Then I was a teenager. Then just a bunch of...stuff. Mess, really. Doesn't look like this year's going to be any different. The whole mess with the parents has been as settled as it's going to get for this year. Christmas Eve here, and thusly also Christmas morning. Christmas lunch with my dad's mother, then to my dad's that evening. Then off to Bristol for Christmas with my mom's family on the 26th from Hickory. Alas, but both I will not be able to see Holly again until after I get back from Bristol on the 28th, but that works out for the best. The USPS was, even for this season, retardly slow is getting payment for Holly's present to the business from which the purchases came. 10 days! 10! For envelopes going to Texas and Tennessee! From North Carolina! WTF?! So I'm looking to get them in next week very early. Oh well. What can you do? I have Midnight Mass to look forward to, which is one of my little personal holiday traditions. Very beautiful service, if you go in for that sort of thing. But old languages, tradtional hymns and centuries old rituals are right up my alley. I'm happy. I really am. These last couple of days, I've been a little tired, head a little sore. So I apologize if I've been a bit impatient and snappy. Despite a little hiccup in the plan here or there, life is good. It'd be great, but the world puts a far greater concern and importance on money than I do, but thus is the world, I suppose.

Anyway, I'm going to be far, far too busy to blog tomorrow, and I'll be separated from the internet (nnnoooooooooo!) for the majority of the next few days, so no blogs until after Christmas. I know my three member audience will weep for their loss, but my heart is hardened to their tears. Nay, indeed it lives for the salty sweetness of their embittered grief! Or, um...yeah. Stuff.

Ego te amo, mea carissime, mea Holly.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

All Hail Largo!

So Megatokyo was very funny today. Largo speaks to the heart of why I loathe Gateway, Dell and the like. There's something special about a custom built, hand forged box. It is the essence of l33t.

In other news, Holly came over. So yay me. :D

Monday, December 20, 2004

Family squabble! Yum!

Ah, the wonder that is the divorced parentage. Years pass, and you think it's finally over and done with. Then come the holidays, ever the massive heap of unpleasant baggage. As part of the child support agreement between my parents, my father was supposed to be allowed to have us, his children every other Christmas. Thus far, this has not happened. Once. Since 1995. This year, it seems my brother and sister want to go to Dad's for Christmas Eve, coming by our house here for Christmas with my mother, and then Christmas with Dad's mother, then leaving the 26th for my mother's mother's. If it's done this way, two things will happen. First, I'll get stuck having to go to Randy's sister's for Christmas with Randy's family. I can at least tolerate most of Randy's family, except his sister Cathy, who tends towards pushy bossy, and even more so when drinking wine. Which she always does. To excess. And secondly, my mom will spend the most of Christmas crying. Because my dad will have put his foot down about this whole Christmas thing, and there would have been a lot of crap floating about the house in the form of negative emotions. And I don't want to do that. Which I actually find somewhat odd. I tend to favor my dad to my mom in most things. But she's still my mother. I have no desire to have caused her to cry on Christmas morning. I'd much rather spend Christmas Eve here and Christmas day with my dad. That seems the best thing overall. Plus, if I'm here for Christmas Eve, I can go to Midnight Mass, as I have since my senior year in High School. I think this will be the fifth year running. It's becoming a little tradtion for me. Also, I don't know when I'll be able to "do Christmas" with Holly. I just don't like the circumstances. Next year it won't matter so much, as I will be living in Greensboro. Then I'll be able to remove myself from the mess.

In a much more minor note, Jerod's trying to turn me, or through me, Holly, into the antagonist because of Megan's "schedule" to be able to roleplay. Because I didn't call Holly at his command to figure out when Holly will be getting home on Wednesday, he's trying to make so she doesn't get to play because he wants Megan, his girlfriend, to play tomorrow. To which I replied, and I meant it, that if he's going to pull that and force playing to happen when Holly won't even be there, so his girlfriend can start playing, where mine's already been playing, I won't play either. Because he's being an ass about it. And I mean it. If he's going to force my hand, I'll take my cleric and leave. That'd be no cleric, no mage, and Shaun killed his NPC off last session, albeit valiently and nobly, because more people were joining in for the next session. I'm not going to willingly exclude Holly so Megan, or anyone else for that matter, can play. I've excluded a girlfriend before, but The Great Whore of Babylon was a terrible roleplayer, and no one likes playing with her. Holly's been roleplaying almost as long as I have, and know how to play with a party. Megan I don't think has ever played before. It's stupid. And I think I'm done venting now.

I miss my girlfriend.

Untitled, Dec. 20th

It appears I have been neglecting my little blog here the past few days. Haven't really felt a need to vent anything I suppose. The last few days have been quite pleasant, really. We'll start with Wednesday.

Wednesday - Started by hitting up a temp agency and, apparently, being impressive. Then picked up the Sgt. jones from his teaching job, and being treated as VIP, given my status as Captain of the Royal Guard at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Which is kinda crazy, but the kids, middle school kids, looked sharp. Then back for my appointment at the temp agency, scored for the same afternoon due to my overwhelming impressiveness. Paperwork and tests later, and it's 5PM. Which means I couldn't call Holly to make some plans (she turned 21 Wednesday), but I was able to hang out for a while. She actually invited me to play in the Hackmaster game that was going on, which was touching. She was being very sweet. She didn't want me to go, but I felt like I was intruding, so I left about 7PM. Wednesday ended.

Thursday - Woke up and showered and was ready for lunch with Holly, set up the day before. She got pulled for speeding, but didn't get a ticket. So, yay me, I got to be all comforting. She liked her birthday present, Inu Yasha episodes 1-126, but, as I expected, thought it was too much, but not in an offended kind of way, just a "she's not used to this kind of treatment" kind of way. Which makes me smile, being able to show her this better way. After a moment she leaned up and kissed me. Lunch was pleasant, if a little late, and she got to make a character for Shaun's D&D campaign. More sweetness and cuddling and a long good bye.

Friday - Woke up, did some cleaning, and Holly came over around 4:30, finished her character, and we headed out to the Rummage's to roleplay. Played until about 1, which was crazy, but we all had fun. She was cuddly and sweet. It's a sad state when I am used to not receiving affection, and am surprised by it in a relationship, but it makes me thankful for even the littlest of kindnesses. One really long goodbye and it was the end of the third day.

Saturday - Headed out to my dad's in Hickory for Christmas with my grandfather, so yay warm family pleasantness. Played a whole lot of Halo with ma familia and Jenna's boyfriend Tyler. Seems like a nice guy. Came back, tidied again. talked with Holly a little bit.

Sunday - Kinda blurry, really. I remember Holly calling to tell me she was running too late to stop by on her way to her grandmother's in Chapel Hill (What? I'm getting called? Whoa!) but there were pleasant and encouraging words. Her grandfather's got Alzheimer's and hardly remembers anyone, which is hard on her and her family. I wish I could be there with her, but I'll be here when she gets back. It started to flurry a bit, so I called her again, to see if it was snowing there. It wasn't, of course, but I got to talk to her for a little bit at least.

Today - Had lunch with my brother, Hugh, Tony(cousin), and our friend Nick, who was visiting from Tennessee. Then we all gathered back at my house for a ridiculous amount of 6 player Halo on two TV's over the LAN. It was all quite very sweet, and that's where we are right now!

I hope Holly's Christmas present hurries up. I have a feeling it will get here in time for Christmas, but I am anxious. Which reminds me. I need to check the mail. Peace out.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Ha-HA! The day is mine!

That is all.

thank you darrell hammond

Monday, December 13, 2004

Colossal Death Robot! Go!

Optimus Prime!
Which Colossal Death Robot Are You?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

"You are Optimus Prime!

Vast, red and ready to turn into a lorry at the slightest provocation, you are a robot to be reckoned with. Although sickeningly noble, you just can't resist a good interplanetary war, especially when Orson Welles is involved. You have friends who can shoot tapes from their chests. Tapes that turn into panthers. And other friends who are dinosaurs. Dinosaurs who jump out of planes. "


You've got the touch! You've got the pooowwaaaaaa!!!

Tanking the Sickness Sucktastic

Isn't that title just the wittiest thing ever? No? Oh. Well, I tried. But right now I feel rather beat up. Drove the fever out, willed the cough into submission, but the ache remains. Sore. Sleepy. Don't want to be. Not supposed to be able to get sick. Argh. Will save. Fortitude save. Rah. Only 6:45, and I'm already sleepish. Bleh. Fie on you my weak and mortal flesh.

Writing is Scary

It's an uncomfortable process, writing. Or at least it can be. Especially if you're branching out into a new type of writing you've never done before. I've done fiction, poetry, non-fiction. But there are some things I've thought, and thought poetic, but have never commited to any kind of media. Which is, on the one hand, a shame, as I think it has a place, an appreciable artistic quality. On the other hand, I'm somewhat shy and afraid to put such things onto a permanant media, such as paper or a word-processor document. Love isn't always an easy thing to express, but I think I manage well. However, Love is a large thing, covering many different types and expressions. I've always had a handle of the noble parts of Love. Passion, though. I've felt it to be sure, passion, desire, I am but a man. Though perhaps I have spent too many years concealing my passion, and so it is obscured from those whom I would show. I believe it's a matter of inexperience, really. It's still such a new and unusual thing for me. Only in two persons have I felt a strong passion at all, and only one has been worthy of my desire. But how to express that? How do you tell someone you care about them and their happiness, and in the same moment tell them you want them, that they move you in a way that cannot be described? I'm trying to work that out, but it's uncomfortable for me to get those thoughts from mind to media. Somewhat like new shoes. Certainly much better than the old ragged pair I had before, but still needing to be worn in. Well, we'll just have to see how it goes, I suppose.

Update: Because I don't want to make a new post for this small piece of news. 4 pages. 4! for one poem. Of course, anyone I'd feel comfortable to proofread the thing isn't online. So it'll just have to be edited later, I suppose. Oh well, 2:30. Time for bed.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Paladin/Cleric confirmed.

You scored as Neutral Good. A Neutral Good person tries to do the "goodest" thing possible. These people are willing to work with the law to accomplish their goal, but if the law is corrupt they are just as willing to tear it down. To these people, doing what's right is the most important thing, regardless of rules, customs, or laws.


Neutral Good


80%

Lawful Good


75%

Chaotic Good


60%

Lawful Neutral


60%

True Neutral


40%

Neutral Evil


40%

Lawful Evil


25%

Chaotic Neutral


20%

Chaotic Evil


10%

What is your Alignment?
created with QuizFarm.com


Once again, a little quiz found on Holly's journal. And look at that. Not at all surprised at the results. Whee.

my moment is at hand, very soon now

Monday, December 06, 2004

Untitled, Dec. 06, 2004.

Seriously. Can't think of a title. Rah.

Why is it that things never go according to plan? Hmm? Can someone tell me that? Saturday went as close to the plan as I could have hoped, I suppose, but I was wanting better. Work sucks. Sucks a whole heck of a lot. I don't need to be trained on anything else. I'm not going to be there any longer than I can help. I need the tips from working out front, that's what I started working there in the first place. Got out a little early, but I was still there for 8 1/2 hours vacuuming cars out. Saturday night, however, was far more pleasant. At least it was for me, anyway. Heh, poor Holly. The Madrigal Dinner was entertaining, and listening to the chorus sing is always pleasant, as the East Rowan High School choral program is on of the best in the state, and I dare say the nation. Then off the Greensboro for a little wine, wind down, and hanging out. I wish Holly would have stayed, but that's rant space for later.

Sunday was alright. Cooked up some tasty breakfast, and got to hang out with Lani and Doug. Then we all three went to see the Grudge. Which was interesting, at least. It incorporated a healthy dose of Japanese culture, with a Sam Raimi flare. Then later that afternoon, Chris calls not 20 miles out from home. His car had snapped a belt, and no worky car. So Chris, Doug, and I get to push a car about a mile up the ramp and down the road to the closest gas station. Nothing to be done at the moment, so we went back to the apartment, grabbed some groceries and stopped in an apartment complex. Heh heh. Link forthcoming. This is the place, Bridford Lake. We're looking at the Carlton floor plan. 3 bed, 2 bath, nearly 1500 square feet. The complex is very nice, and putting it all together, it'll come to about $500 a person. Gated community. It's going to be great! I can't wait until May/June! So a little more wine and wind down. Also, Madeira is good wine. (Have some Madeira, my dear?)

Monday. Ah, yes. Monday. So Chris and I go out and get the necessary belts and run a couple of other errands. Eat lunch. Then we get to Chris' car. Only to find we can't put the belts on because a part that's supposed to be able to loosen and move isn't loosening at all. So after two hours or more, we finally give up. Chris, thanks to being a member of the NC Nat'l Guard, has some nifty AAA-like priveleges, so he'll be able to at least get the car to his apartment until he can figure out what to do with it. Then the job search. Struck out in a few places, but got some good leads. When I went to the Pier 1, the lady actually asked if I could fill out the application right then and there. I took that as a good sign. I'm hopeful for better employment. I have to be. I hate my current job.

But Holly. Dear, dear Holly. She's starting to open up a little more, a small step every time I see her. Still slower than I'd like. But I'm impetuous and impatient. I can wait. I have to, really. I think things will come together so that I might actually be able to spend Christmas with someone for once. But what is to be done? She needs someone to lead her. And I am willing to lead if she'll just follow.

I've also started working on my Dark Elf Warhammer Fantasy army for no real reason. But they're starting to look really good anyway. I started reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, too. I enjoyed the other three books, and this one's just as good as the others. But I went ahead and borrowed Chris's copy of The Order of the Phoenix as well, given that these are pretty fast reads.

*sigh* The road goes ever on and on...

and it's raining, all over the world

Monday, November 29, 2004

PCChips, May They Rot in Hell

Well. The Rummatron is finally completed. Took long enough, no thanks to the PCChips brand. If you're ever looking into doing your own upgrades, never ever ever buy PCChips. The motherboard I ordered to replace the PCChips motherboard (which was, in itself, a replacement for the faulty one I got sent the first time) came in a full three days earlier than expected. That's $2.99 well spent on the rush processing. So it's finally done. The Rummatron. And I might be able to at least upgrade one system if not build a new one outright for Holly. Yay!

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Ev'rybody wants to be a piiiiirate...

My pirate name is:

Iron John Cash

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

I blame Holly for that. Oh well. Iron John Cash works.

So things are good. Not great, but good. And still improving. Just slowly.

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Bittersweet Thoughts, Like Fine Wine

I smelled snow.

It was a truly beautiful night out tonight, though I didn't get to spend near as much time as I'd have liked actually out in it. But when one is extorted into making an appearance at one's step-family's Thanksgiving dinner, one has to stick around indoors, lest one appear antisocial. My mother is very big on appearances.

I smelled snow in the air. The faint draught flowing in from the West, carrying a subtle scent of falling purity from the mountains. It's a soothing smell I can't quite describe. Icy, but not dry. Cold, but not frigid. If you can smell snow, you're right there with me, but if you can't, I'm afraid you're stuck in the dark. But my nose is sensitive anyway.

Yellow Tail, an Austrailian vineyard, makes good wine, by the way.

So as the motions and rituals of departure were observed by the family. and ignored by me, I took a step outside. The moon was near full, bright. Beautiful. Casting a cool, pale light across the world, washing it in silver-blue. And not for the first time did I think of you today. With those thoughts came a subtle flow of bittersweet rememberance. I sipped of the flow, tasting it, carefully, slowly. A bouquet of fondness with a hint of sadness. Not overbearing, very subtle. Enhancing and mixing with the feeling of family and affection (and a very full stomach. God bless American gluttony on this day) to make a very potent poignancy. I think you'd like my family. not Randy's family, but my dad's side of the family. They're all pretty open about people we bring to family functions like Thanksgiving. My dad, aunts and uncles and grandparents all, trust our, being my siblings and cousins, judgements in that if we think the people we bring are worthy of inclusion, they're willing to see what we see in a person. They're pretty sarcastic, but in a way only family can be. Lovingly jabbing at one another, smiles all the while. Though really it was tonight I would have liked to have had you there with me, briefly though the moment lasted. A moment, a perfect, bittersweet moment. There in the moonlight and chill air, the hint of snow on the wind. I would have liked to have been able to share that moment with you. God willing, perhaps someday, a similar moment.

Another sip, smoothly down it goes, cool to the taste, warm in the heart. I remember other moments. Moments shared, moments lost. Others who have been held fond in my heart, and I send off a quick prayer, a sincere whim, really. Wishing, hoping, praying that they're days had been for them what mine had been for me. And I thanked God that they were, or perhaps once were, in my life. I thanked Him for many things. Living here in this nation where there is such plenty that I may eat until my IQ has dropped several points from sheer mass of intake; having the family I have, loving, supporting; my friends, close, near, and dear advisors and advisees, good hearts all; my change of fortune, if fortune it truly could be called, for it has truly changed; and of course, you, though I might not be wise in saying these things so openly. But I think they need to be said. That and all this bittersweet ponderance and introspection has caused a waxing poetical that needs an outlet. So here it is in all it's wine-induced glory.

So yeah. I thought of you. I hope your family has been good for you, as that's really what this season, this day is all about. Sure, there's a lot of good food to eat. Football (though what the heck was going on in the Bears/Cowboys game? Major suck! Learn to play! You're getting paid way too much for it as it is, yeesh) if you're into that sort of thing. History, rememberance, thanks, and all the rest. But it's about family, blooded and extended, kith, kin, and friends. And family, to me, thank God for this, means love.

"And these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. The greatest of these is Love."

I love you all. And I thank God that I am able to be here with you all, and that you all are here with me. God bless you all.

Amen.




I smelled snow.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

And the LORD spake, saying "Patience."

Once again, I am being told to have patience. For those three of you out there that read this and haven't heard, the Firefly movie Serenity has been delayed. Originally slated for April 2005, it's been bumped back to September 30th. However, Joss, the director of the film, agrees with the delay. He has said many times that Universal has been working with him every step of the way, not interfering in the creative process, basically being as cool as possible. From what the Mighty Joss tells us, Universal wants Serenity to do as well as it possibly can. And coming out just before Episode III, while it has its benefits, might lead to it getting buried as there's a lot coming out in April. So we wait a few more months. I will do what I can to be patient. It's the best thing I can do. Get people to see the DVD's. Hype up the movie. Cheer at the trailers.

It's just another thing I need patience for. God has gifted me with, what has been called by the only person that matters at the moment, Legendary patience.

"Cool yer jets, kid. Take it easy. Isn't that the way you like to do it, anyway? Isn't that the Way I showed you? Isn't that the Better Way?" God's apparently a very down to earth conversationalist. "Bub." And sounds like Wolverine reads in the comics.
"Yes, LORD. I know. It's just that I don't want to wait."
"Aren't you the one that's always touting about the difference between Needs and Wants?"
"Yes, Father. But I don't wanna."
"Justin..."
"Alright, alright. Jeezy creezy." Apologies to Mr. Izzard.

Yes, I'm nuts. But name me one sane prophet in the whole of the Bible. Go ahead. Try. That's right, you can't. Because they were nuts. You can't be touched by God and remain sane by the standards of the world, y'know?

Bad Joke to Improve Your Mood

This is a bad joke. But while the group it makes fun of and location are *insert here* variables, I decided to go with the South and rednecks. Because as a white man living in the South, that's the only group I can get away with messing with.

A mild-mannered man walks into a bar. This bar is on the fourth floor of a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. He orders ten shots of the strongest rotgut in the bar. He downs the ten shots in rapid succession, and promptly jumps out the window. A crowd goes to the window, and see the man dust himself off and walk away. A group of rednecks go back to their booth and get to talking. They'd had several pitchers of Bud already, and seeing as how alcohol improves one's judgement, they saunter up to the bar. They demanded ten shots of whatever that man had just had. They all take the shots and stumble over to the large opening and fall out, crashing into the street below. The bartender sighs, and shakes his head. He dials 911. "Hello? Yes, I have an emergency. This is Joe down at Mack's at the Plaza. Yes. Fourth floor. It seems that Superman is screwing with the rednecks again."

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week.

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Can Ya, Will Ya, Do Ya

can ya, will ya, do ya (unh)
do ya love me too

when we dance
dancin' close and slow
that's how I know
I know you love me so
can ya, will ya, do ya (unh)
do ya love me too

oh baby when we talk
whisper soft and low
my lips caress your cheek
and I say I love you so
can ya, will ya, do ya (unh)
do ya love me true

and when we love
sweet hot lovin', whoa
baby can you feel it?
how I love you so
can ya, will ya, make ya (unh)
make ya love with me

sweetness, when you doubt
we're human, it's alight
just go on, let it on out
I'll tell you as you cry
can I, will I, do I (unh)
how I love you so

and when we love
sweet hot lovin', whoa
baby can you feel it?
how I love you so
can ya, will ya, do ya (unh)
do ya love me too

can ya (unh)
will ya (unh)
do ya (yeah, yeah)
do ya love me too

Friday, November 19, 2004

Fools Rush In

So I've discovered an artist I admire that I can actually sing along with. Elvis! That's right, the King himself. The song "Fools Rush In" has been in my head of late. It's appropriate to my situation right now. Have a look-see:

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
for I can't help falling in love with you

Of course, then I started looking up and downloading all the Elvis songs I liked. Then I started listening. Then I started singing. While his normal range is in my upper limits, I find that when I sing higher into the tenor range than my usual baritone, I end up with a softer quality of sound. And when you're singing most Elvis love songs, isn't that what you want? Now, to serenade!

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Let's see where this goes.

All day today there's been a million things running around in my mind. I feel like my brain is about to explode and splatter on the inside of my skull. Holly came down and spent the evening,and then some. Which, all told, was great. We talked a lot, learned a lot. She's in a rough spot, though. Stress is piling up on her. It's not enough that she's stage managing a rather large show, but she's got issues with her friends. She likes her firends, but has to move out of the apartment she shares with them because they're driving her nuts. And she wants to still be friends which is why she feels she has to move out. But they've told her in no uncertain terms that while they'll work out the paperwork on the rent/lease/whatever, if she moves out, they won't be her friend any more. And that leaves me feeling bad. I'm not exactly close by. And I want nothing more than to comfort her, but I really can't.

Hate being powerless.

There seems like there's something else I need to be writing, something else that needs to come out. I think I know what it might be, but that's not something I care to put forth for public scrutiny. Or at least that might be part of it. Urrah. I need to live in Greensboro. That's all there is to it. Find decent work, move into a comfortable place. Perhaps with a certain person as a roommate. Though that'd be the shame of my family. Oh no. Co-habitation! Living in sin! Aieee!! Wouldn't be the first time I pulled a black-sheep moment, probably not the last. But this is me getting waaaaaaaaaay ahead of myself. I'm trying to keep it under control, keep the horse reigned in, but it wants to run. And I want to let it run. It's a sad state of affairs that even this mopey kind of love feels so much better than the hate and bitterness I'd grown accustomed to. It's not been but 12 hours since I last physically saw her, but I miss her still.

I'm strangely without doubt. I've only known her, what, a month? I think it's a strong possibility that I love her already. But that's not really all that surpising. When I let my guard down, I fall in love easily. And she got my guard down. Really, this whole year since June has been leading up to a lessening of the wall, an opening of the doors and such. And the Faire season did nothing but help. So many wonderful people finding themselves in my path. Or me in theirs. Chris, Lani, Michelle, Lenore, Jeff, Heather, the other Heather, Phil, Shirley, Craig, Maria, and, of course and especially, Holly. I count myself blessed to have such people in my life, making it possible for me to be happy again.

Though, way to go, Chris. Getting all sick. You're throwing off the groove and making my life slightly more complicated. Loser.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

I place my curse upon the employment process

For two months, or more, I have been seeking employment. No one would hire me, I imagine because I think my skills and experiences should equal a paltry sum more than they want to pay. In the form of one whole extra dollar an hour than starting wages. But then my cousin stops by, calls a guy he used to work with, I go up to the place, fill out an application, have an interview and get hired. In the space of an HOUR.

What the hell.

So now I'm gainfully employed in a full-time capacity. Washing cars. For $6/hr plus tips. Which isn't too bad for the work. Now I need to find another job for my evenings. Something to run from like 7PM to midnight during the week. I could handle that. Or maybe I'll just work crazy mad hours at the current job. Who knows. I've a job. That's the importat part.

Now to find work in Greensboro.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Survey says!

Found this on Holly's LiveJournal (see the link down there on the side) and thought I might fill it out while I did some laundry.

ANGER
1. Who did you last get angry with? Fat Alice
2. What is your weapon of choice? my dark blade, Morelen
3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? physical impossibility. my body won't let me
4. How about of the same sex? if given a reason
5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you? my step-dad
6. What is your pet peeve? Stupid people.
7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily? I don't forget things easily.

SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time? laundry
2. What is the latest you've ever woken up? 5 pm.
3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't: my cousin, Tony
4. What is the last lame excuse you made? Stuck in traffic.
5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through (one of the long ones...)? No
6. When was the last time you got a good workout in? tossing Michelle about in the pool
7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today? Alarm? what?

GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice? Espresso smoothie
2. Meat eater? Me am meativore
3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event? 5 oz. of Peppermint schnaps, 8 oz. Capt. Morgan's Private stock, one Irish car bomb, one Killian's Irish red, three shots of Jameson's Irish Whiskey (12 year), and a bottle and a half of mead. Barely drunk, no hangover.
4. Have you ever used a professional diet company? Hell no.
5. Do you have an issue with your weight? weight's not an issue. size is, and that's being worked on
6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods? foods is foods
7. Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "LUNCH!"? nah, too small. a cow on the other hand...

LUST
1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family)? 1
2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting physicians/family)? 1?
3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation? well, duh
4. Have you "done it"? Virgin, 1st Class
5. What is your favorite body part on a person of your gender of choice? ye gads, there's so many. I do have a fondness for necks, cheeks, lips, earlobes, and thighs, but I think my favorite is that soft sweet space between the belly button and the gloried temple below
6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute? Nope
7. Have you ever had to get tested for an STD or pregnancy? nope

GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own? uno
2. What's your guilty pleasure store? eBay
3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it? give a lot away, buy some really neat toys and live for about 10 years without the need for work
4. Would you rather be rich, or famous? famous. When I become Emperor, thanks to my fame, money enough for comfort will come on it's own
5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks? for a while. I can make any job interesting
6. Have you ever stolen anything? Nothing significant, but I'm working on a heart
7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive? 1582 +/-20

PRIDE
1. What one thing have you done that you're most proud of? a tour of duty with Fat Alice
2. What one thing have you done that your parents are most proud of? graduating with honors
3. What thing would you like to accomplish in your life? become Emperor of America. Either that or settle down, own a house, make a family. I wouldn't mind being able to get my act together and write a novel.
4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place? depends. in some situations, the lady should always come first. Beware the double entendre
5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors? not that I recall
6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score? No.
7. What did you do today that you're proud of? told her I was falling in love with her

ENVY
1. What item (or person) of your friends' would you most want to have for your own? there's not a whole lot I want that someone else has. there are things I want that no one has, though
2. Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with? Lani
3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be? Grey, cleric and paladin of Cuthbert
4. Have you ever been cheated on? you have no idea.
5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own? fuller facial hair.
6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself? light-heartedness
7. Do you wish you'd come up with this survey? psh, no
8. Finally, what is your favorite deadly sin? lust would be nice, but I'm such a lover of food, so I'll have to go with gluttony

FAITH
1. What religion do you follow? Christian, ancient
2. What religion were you raised as? Christian, Protestant
3. Do you believe that forgiveness is a religious property, or a human property? Yes
4. Do you believe in magic? I've seen spells, and I've seen the power of faith in God
5. What was the last promise you broke? I don't break promises
6. Have you ever said the words to a prayer and not meant it? in my darker, pagan days
7. Do you believe that anyone could be perfect? nope. Humans are born flawed, but that's part of the beauty of it all

HOPE
1. Did you get everything you wanted over the last holiday season? no, but I wasn't disappointed
2. Regarding your future, what is the best thing you could hope for? security
3. Do you let yourself get your hopes up for something even if you know that there is a large chance of failure? Yes.
5. Have you ever bought a lottery ticket? yep
6. Do you gamble? from time to time
7. Have you ever had something called off on account of bad weather, but then gone ahead and done it anyway? not that I can remember

CHARITY
1. What causes do you support? friends
2. What causes have you given money or time to? church offerings, Salvation Army, friends, beggars
3. Have you ever worked in a soup kitchen or done another kind of outreach for the homeless? yep
4. Would you ever consider joining the Peace Corps, Amnesty International, or another travel-inherent worldwide charity group? not in particular
5. Do you give money to the homeless on the street? I have
6. Have you ever helped out a friend with basic needs, like rent or food? Da
7.What's the greatest extent to which you've gone to help a friend in need? helping a friend move like five times

FORTITUDE
1. What are you most afraid of? I fear nothing save the pain and loss of the ones I love
2. What did you do today that was really brave? confessed my love
3. Who is your favorite super hero, and why? Cyclops, strong, stalwart leader guy
4. Would you put your life in danger to rescue someone? immediately
5. If you were to face the Wizard, would you want more courage, more brains, or more heart? Prophets need not the wizard, I would have been happy enough with helping Dorothy get there
6. Have you ever gotten stage fright? da
7. Do you consider yourself to be a leader or a follower? I lead, it's what prophets do

JUSTICE
1. Have you ever been summoned for jury duty? no
2. If they reinstituted the draft (for both genders), would you go, or would find some way out of it? If, God forbid, a draft was reinstituted, I'd go enlist
3. Do you support capital punishment (the death penalty)? yes
4. What should be legalized? the carrying of swords in public
5. Do you believe that Dubya is rightfully President of the USA? right or wrong, he's the pres.
6. What was your favorite media circus trial? OJ, baby
7. Have you ever written a letter to a politician? not yet

TEMPERANCE
1. What do you have the hardest time moderating yourself on? moderation
2. Do you collect anything? comic books, Warhammer, Transformers
3. Are you addicted to anything? caffiene
4. Have you ever put anything on layaway or used an installment plan? no
5. What's your preferred method of paying for things? debit card
6. Tell us one thing you wish you hadn't let yourself do: get as far in with Fat Alice as I did
7. Do you feel that you obsess over things? sometimes

PRUDENCE
1. Who is the wisest person you know? Harold Fisher
2. Have you ever participated in a vigil? yep
3. Do you take advice when it's given? a lot of the advice I get I already follow
4. What area are you wisest in? one area? Um...matters of the heart
5. Do you drive defensively? ish
6. What did you learn in the last past week? I'm am so wholly impatient it's maddening

Monday, November 15, 2004

Dark Wings in the Light

In the ruins
Devestation of old battles
won and lost in ages old
She stands alone
A meeting of ruined places
A figure walks in the mists
Baptized in old battles
won and lost in ages old
reaffirmed, atoned
A paladin bathed in light
renewed again, the Old Light
Cloak of charcoaled color
sits heavily on his shoulders
he sheaths his blade
dark and heavy
darkness bound within
he spies her alone in the ruin
fae, tall, sad, beautiful
he stands before her
no words are spoken
grey eyes and hers brown
no words are needed
his arms held wide
the light glow from his raiment
casts a warmth upon her, comforting
she steps into his arms
he holds her tight and smiles
his black wings envelope the embrace
warm and comforting
as Dawn's red glow
leaps from the mountains
a warm wind blows from the West
dark wings in the light

Chemical Imbalance

I'm 22 years old and still prone to moodiness. What the heck.

This weekend proved bittersweet, but I expected no less. I love the Ren-Fest. It's my little escape. It's my chance to be who I really think I am for a few hours a day. Or at least a close approximation. It's tiring, though. And being the lazy bum I can be sometimes, I do miss sleeping in on Saturdays. But there's so many people there that I like, and that like me (who knew?). Many of them I see once a month or so, for our Royal Court meetings, some I don't see but the weeks of Faire. I'll miss the ones I won't see, and I can't wait to see them again.

But the end of Faire isn't the only emotional ride I get to take these days. New romance, all fragile and slow and stuff, is being something of a roller coaster for me. And it doesn't help that I'm not used to feeling this much...well, feeling. It's...hard to be patient. I want to be patient. I don't want to screw this up, as I'm prone to do. I don't want to cause discomfort or pain. And I don't want to be hurt again. It's hard to admit that, hard to be self-aware, self-serving like that. At least it is for me. I'm more servant than master. Not in any dominance/submission kind of way. Just try to pull that dominatrix stuff out and see how fast I get pissed. But in dealing with someone of a more passive nature, there's a lot of responsibility. For one, I have to learn to trust what my instincts say, and trust that what I'm reading is the real thing. I've dealt with manipulators and liars in the past. Putting forth one thing, knowing I'll pick it up, just so they can say that it was my idea, my fault. I'm willing to jump on into this, head-first. I don't want to get hurt, but I'm willing to risk it. Just sitting around and waiting, well, nothing's going to happen that way. At least it hasn't in the past. But I like things spelled out simply. Just tell me what you want, tell me what you need. And if it's at all within my power, well, you'll get it. Is it possible to be both master and servant? To lead, but lead to the needs of the one whom you are leading?

I feel so much more complete than I have since I was very young. The ancient and pure part of me has finally come back. It's not the same, but I'm not 12 anymore. Not a child. It's integrated into the Cleric. The Paladin that fell. The fallen became penitent. Penitence birthed the Cleric. The Cleric sought atonement. Atonement was achieved and the Paladin restored. Completed, though. Integrating all the parts. White, Dark, Grey. Grey, washed clean, with the Holy might of White, but still maintaining the stoicism, the silent strength of Grey. And Dark, forged and bound into a weapon, not roaming free in the mind.

Ramble on! I think I brought up the topic of a solidified, "official" relationship too soon. It was my mistake to make, of course, but I am eager, impatient really, to share my life. I've never liked or understood how one could like being single. This is not to say that I have not been happy while being single, just never happy with being single. Even in the happiest of moments with my wonderful friends, there was always that fragment of incompleteness that came from not having that special someone, a lover. She knows my intentions. I have told her. Gently, of course, and romantically. But it is my intention to be her man. I do not seek to make her mine, but to become hers.

And I've written a lot, but my mind has been going crazy all weekend and I've not had the outlet for all this madness. And, the chemical imbalance passes with a healthy (read: massive) dose of caffiene and sugar and talking to Buttons.

The Return of the Eldest

Long ago in an ancient land there came the eldest. The First of the Council. In the first days, the world was new, bright. The Eldest was the Son of the Good King Harry. The Eldest was but a child, yet he grew up strong, tall, bright.

But one day, the Good King left. The Eldest was left alone, and unguided, and very impressionable. The land fell to Darkness. Years passed, and the Darkness grew, and the Darkness grew within the Heart of the Eldest. And then came the Dark.

Battle was joined, but the Eldest, his heart poisoned, could not defeat the Dark. The Eldest was defeated, and taken away by the Powers, mortally wounded. The Dark stood tall and brazen. He spoke boldly and loudly, arrogantly defying the God of the Eldest, declaring the land a haven for the Darkness. For many years it was thus.

Then out of the mists came the Grey One. A thick fog settled over the ruined battlements of the Castle of the Eldest. Dark sat, brooding on an icy throne. A bright star fell from the sky, swooping low. The land, hard and cold, thawed in the heat and light of the star. From the mists came Retribution. The Grey One stalked the icy tower and came upon the throne. He stood silently before the Dark. With no words, the two joined into battle. The battle waged on and on, exploding forth from the icy tower, into the fields and hills. Mountains were leveled, plains upturned. In the end, the Dark was defeated, but only just. Drawing on the power and might of the Old God, the One, Eru, the Grey bound the essence of the Dark into an unholy blade, Morelen, sealing the power of the Dark within, tainting only the bearer of the blade. Grey walked wearily up the stairs and stood, alone in the ruined throne room. He drove the Unholy Blade into the empty throne. The land was brightened lowly, but still lost to the Day. Grey stood and stared out of the hole in the wall.

Years passed.

Many ages of passed on, and still Grey kept his silent vigil, but one day, the sun pierced through the clouds, and lighted upon a small sprig of dark green in the falling snow. Dark green and bright red, a branch of Holly. And the night fell, and then came the dawn. The return of the Dawn came. Riding in from the East with the sun was the Eldest. Healed, restored. The sun cast its eyes on the land, green returned, warmth, peace. As The Eldest climbed the stairs to the throne room, Grey turned to face the great doors. A single tear rolled from his face, and he smiled. As the Eldest pushed the doors wide, the Grey passed into the fading mist as a ghost. The Eldest walked to the throne and grasped the Unholy Blade and pulled it from the throne. The Darkness pulsed from the blade, but forfeited to the Might of the Eldest. He turned to the East windows as the sun rose.

"I am the White. Grey has atoned for the fall. The Paladin has returned from the Lands of the Dead. I was carried to the West, have passed through the Darkness, and was taken the Gates of Morn. Justice the White, the Eldest King is King once more."

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

A Public Letter to a Private Person

Holly Lynne Burgess, my dear, my sweet,

Normally, it's not my style to do things like this. My whole approach involves spending time befriending a girl, getting to know her over a period of time, always variable, before even considering a relationship. But then, I don't "date" per se. Not the casual, hey you're hot, let's go grab a meal and be romantic then find out we've got nothing in common and hate each other. It's the way I've always done things. I don't need or want casual attentions and affections, nor do I care to give casual affection or attention. And the non-casual approach still holds true. While you coming into my life has certainly added a certain amount of whim and impulse to my thinking, my intentions are...serious is a bad word, here, makes it seem too stiff...genuine/thoughtful/honest/earnest/pensive. Sometimes it just doesn't translate into English very well. Deep. My intentions are deep. Not shallow.

But here's the difference. I haven't known you for very long. At the same time, though, I feel like I've known you for a much longer time than I have. And every little new bit of you I discover, I like. It's as if there's a checklist of all the things I could want or need or like in a girl. And I learn something about you, and boom, another box is checked off. Only I never made a checklist. I kept my "type" pretty open to change and difference. Seemed logical. Increases the odds if you're not stuck on any one particular type. But regardless, there you are. Ever since that first time you touched me, I knew there was something there I liked, something...compatible, resonant with myself.

I have a sense for these things. A certain "spark" that is unique to but a few people I've met in my lifetime. It's not the same type of spark, but just that the said spark is in you. Kinda like being Force Sensitive and knowing that, yes, "the Force is strong in this one." But my senses are a topic for another day.

I sense some deep hurt inside you. I can't tell for sure, but while you claim that you were called the manipulative one, the bad one, I have a feeling the words were of spite, anger, and bitterness, not truth. I sense that you were the one that was betrayed, that was hurt more. I've seen the wall. You've lowered the bridge, and while you've been cleaning the gears, the portcullis, the gate is still closed. But lucky for this cleric of Cuthbert, I am errant. A Wanderer Knight. I've got nowhere else I need to be. I can sit here at the gate as long as you need me to. I can fend off attackers while I'm here, if it comes to it. It's what I was designed for: the rescue of damsels. And also the sharing of burdens. I am built both physicall and mentally for the carrying of weight. I'm big tough guy, heap big. Carry things well.

But also, as you well know, I have a gentle healing touch. I used to be a Paladin once. I know the "laying of hands" trick. Still managed to carry some of the abilites over to my clerichood.

I've got hurt in my past too, it happens to us nice guys. Just something I got used to, I suppose. But you don't have to worry about me comparing you with the ones of the past, especially not Fat Alice. All the comparisons were made that night. Over and done with. Swiftly two. One very swift sidelong glance at the two profiles, and hers was tossed away. I hardly knew you, and I could already tell you blew her away, even comparing your worst with her best. But I know how that hurt can take time to recover from. I know how it can make trust hard. So I can wait. But I also know that hurt heals better with the help of someone else. Trust grows back faster with aid. I hope that you can feel the trustworthiness in my hands, the safety of my eyes, the comfort of my embrace. Those first steps out of that crumbling, neglected tower are scary. The daylight's kinda painful. I know. But I'm here. I'll be holding your hand the whole way. I've even got a pair of sunglasses handy until your eyes get used to it. Whenever you're ready, my hand is extended to you.

But I warn you. I will be persistent and goofy. I shall be stubborn and unwavering in my adoration of you. And with all the consternation and obstinance of the most unruly mule will I be kind and gentle and patient with you. I will be loyal. I will be caring. I will be romantic to such levels that you will be able to make a fortune in canned vegetables for all the corn. But in every glance, in every caress, in every kiss, there will be the same tenderness and care.

I won't brandish about the "L word," not for a while. But I think I just might be that way. I am quit taken. Smitten even. I like you a lot. There's not a part of you I don't like. Even your passive nature, even your reluctance are dear little flaws to me. You could be perfect, but then you wouldn't be human. You aren't perfect, but each of these little imperfections only endear you to me even more. The little scars there on your chin, for example. They are but a part of your face, and it is that face that I find so beautiful. Tall, slender, smooth. So very smooth. Smooth kisses like velvet cream and silk. A long soft tummy, that fits the caress of my fingers so very pleasingly. And litanies of the glorification of legs and cheeks and hair. Tomes of passion for ears and eyes and lips. It is for you and all these things that are you that I am willing to wait. Admiration and yearning and longing all tempered by patience of superhuman and epic scale.

Halcyon and on and on.
Justin

Monday, November 08, 2004

Addendum

My weekend, however, was good. It would have been great, but there was a hiccup in "the Plan" Saturday night. It all seemed to have resolved itself in the morning, but put a bit of a dampener on my mood right before bed.

But as I said, it's all good. Holly looked fantastic in her skirt and knee boots and fishnets and black top and all that. Is fantastic the word I'm looking for? Amazing? Stunning, delicious, hot, sexy, delectible, tempting, sensuous. And some other words that all add up to me liking what I saw.

Yep. Smitten.

Home is for Troubles

This most reason season at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and, indeed, since this summer, I have discovered more and more how much of a dicotomy exists in my life. Any time I am not at home, the world smiles upon me, troubles do not exist, plans all work, and surprises are always pleasant. Then the weekend comes to a close, and Monday arrives. I arise from my bad at home, and wake to a world where nothing works unless it works against me. Examples you say? Well, sure, why not?

I've been working for nigh unto a month, if not longer, on this computer for John's parents. I've sent back the motherboard for a replacement. I've replaced the power supply. I've tried shorting the connection for the power switch. Nada. Crappo. And, of course, my life has sucked away all the profit I made off that machine such to the point where I cannot afford to dip into my own funds to buy a different motherboard. Learn this lesson from me. NEVER BUY PCCHIPS. EVER.

There is some issue with the insurance on my car. Due to a miscommunication, my entire policy was cancelled when I dropped the insurance on the van I just sold. So I had a lapse. So I get that taken care of, having to sign up for a new policy at TWICE what I used to pay because of the lapse. And then I get a letter saying that I still have to surrender the tag for 30 days. What the hell. I have insurance, but they still want my tag. Which will do wonders for my job search.

Billie never came to the Ren-Fest this weekend to return my cloak and Firefly DVD's, so I can only hope that she dropped them off at her parents' house. I really want my DVD's.

Holly lives in Greensboro. An hour and a quarter of a tank of gas away from me. And I can't foresee any way I can get into Greensboro until after the end of the year. Which is a little bit of what might look like too much forward planning, but I wanted to move to Greensboro to find work and not be in Salisbury before I met Holly. I just have even more reason to want to live there.

So much crap here. None of it reaches me when I'm not here at home.

I thihnk I could make the most of it go away if I have about $5000. That'd take care of every kind of debt and standing financial obligation I have, plus give me enough to either take care of every little issue with my car or buy a different one outright. But the likelihood of me getting $5000 without obligation or the need to pay it back is nonexistent.

Blargh.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

An Open Letter on the Election

Democrats:
Your guy didn't win. But it was close! You should be pleased that it was so close. And did you see the numbers? We all got out and voted in the highest voter turn out since I was born in '82, and, really, it was one of the highest voter turnouts in our nation's history!

Things look kinda down right now, given the Republican majority in most of the fedeal levels of the government right now. But keep your chin up. It's not over. You've still got a voice. Keep in touch with your representatives and senators. Support bipartisan endeavors and cooperation.

Republicans:
Congratulations on an electoral and popular victory this time around. Of course we can all be thankful for the swiftness of the resolution of this election. You've got a majority in Congress as well. Now, it's up to you to be responsible with your majority. Work with the Democrats. They aren't your enemies. They just have a different point of view. Also, remember that all this can change in the space of two or another four years.

Everyone else:
Good job on getting out there and voting. Even in my little state of North Carolina, and my little county, there were a lot of Libertarians on the ballot! Even if you can't vote for your party, you voted for who you thought was best. And it's not over for you guys either. It's still important to be politically active.

Kids what can't vote yet:
Don't be afraid. There aren't going to be any drafts. That's a vile, vicious rumor spread about to scare you into supporting non-Bush. No one wants a draft. A draft is bad for re-election. It's immoral and unpopular. So relax and register the MOMENT you turn 18. Have your voice heard.

Non-voters:
What, were you guys asleep? All three of you? Every-ruttin'-body else voted, where were you?! I better not hear you complain. If you can't bother with putting your one voice out there, you've got no complaining rights. Worthless slackers.

Monday, November 01, 2004

Destiny, Non-Aggression, and the Luck of Turin

Somehow I have tapped into the nigh-unto-infinite energies that are tied to Turin Swift. Turin Swift is capable of impossible things, like dodging the magical equivalent of a small nuclear explosion. In an inclosed hallway. With no nearby exits. In his sleep. There are times when I can tap into this phenominally impossible Luck, though only rarely. But the results, while extraordinary, pale in comparison to the times when I stumble into said Luck. Because blind, stupid luck is the very heart of the Luck of Turin. Though perhaps Luck isn't the proper term. Perhaps Destiny is a better term. What seems impossible in the terms of random Chance, is possible when something is just Meant to be. For most of my life Fate and Chance have been forces that have conspired against me. I cannot rely on Chance for help or hope. If I am given 50/50 odds on anything, I will lose 99.9% of the time. "Playing the Odds" is a false comfort in my case. Destiny, however, takes pity on me, as does her older brother Doom. Destiny.

To digress, I have had a Non-Aggresstion Pact with romance since my mid-teens. Whenever I sought after romance and love, I was always sorely rejected. Fantastically and terribly so. Beautiful, god-like failures of epic, monumental scope. I do not stumble. I fall as a Texas sized meteor slamming into the earth's surface at Mach 10, scattering fire and destruction in my wake as I create a crater the size of the Gulf of Mexico. So that's why I developed a philosophy of not actively seeking love. The two most memorable objects of my affection in my lifetime found me, not the other way around. Same with this most recent occurance, some two and a half years in the waiting. I don't know her that well, but I am learning more that just make me like her more and more. She is tall, slender, soft. A soothing alto, with hints of sensuality. Reserved, somewhat shy, but I believe it has more to do with her unfamiliarity with the group of people who so swiftly accepted her, myself included. She's into AD&D and Whitewolf RPG's, she likes video games. She's into the whole Ren-Fest thing. And she opened herself up to me first. Simply, and quietly, just playing in a pool, then she was the one who leaned on me later that evening as we were all hanging out, relaxing on the balcony. I am smitten in a way I have not been in a very long time. And I couldn't be happier.

Destiny has whispered to Autumn.
A warm smile parts her lips,
her hair,
flecked with the bright reds,
oranges,
and yellows
of the leaves wild and untamed.
Autumn smiles upon me
at the request of Destiny.
They both smile
An opportunity is presented,
simple, like a brown paper package.
Carefully placed inside
is the chance for new love.
Prepared,
set aside for the day
when my heart was ready
to love again.

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Weekend of Strange.

What a weekend I have had. To begin the unusual tone that would dominate this weekend, my friend Chris was doing his NC Nat'l Guard duty weekend this weekend. Which means no beer and meat, and which meant that I would be waking up in my own bed for once on a Saturday morning, rarity that it is. So I intend to wake up at 7:00, take a shower, pack and get everything up and going by 8:00 so I can pick up friend Lenore (Buttons the Royal Court Lovable Jester[tm]) by around 8:30 and get to cast call for the Carolina Renaissance Faire (still going, weekends, now through Nov. 14th). So of course, even though the alarm is set for 7AM and it works, even after waking up and sitting up at 7:30, I promptly fall back asleep until 8:10. Still needing a shower, I take one, pick up Lenore at 10 til 9AM. So, once again, Justin(me) is late for cast call.

It's a rather dreary looking, cool day, so the crowd is somewhat thin. And of course, Mark the "Other Captain" decides he wants to come on a Saturday instead of his usual Sunday. Which throws my schedule all to poop. John had a school obligations, so he wasn't there. continuing to throw off the groove. Come evening time, our normal entourage staying at the hotel was down to 2 people. 2 rooms, 6 beds, 2 people. So Heather and I check in, cancel one room, and ponder foodstuffs. We are both broke as can be, but Rennie's take care of their own, and there was a massive bratwurst, sausage dog, hot dog, spaghetti cook out thing at Phil's "Royal Court Compound" in the CRF campsite, so we had a lot fo Free Food(tm). Which was tasty and well. We get back to our room, change and go for our usual soak in the hot tub and pool there. We laugh at all you campers. We have beds. And heat and air. Hor tubs, pools, hot showers, free breakfast. Mwahaha. We're soaking along, achingly and quietly. It's quiet because apparently, the major draw of the hotel hot tub is Chris. None of our usual peoples were there. The Sheltons(3), Lenore, Doug(congratulations on becoming an uncle), Kristie, Logan, Michelle, and John all had plans and obligations all at the same time Chris had Guard duty. Coincidence? Luckily, Chris' wife, Lani, showed up while we were soaking and livened things up. That's right, one room, two very attractive and friendly females, and me. So I slept on the fold out couch in the other part of the room, while they each got a bed. Because I'm dripping with decency and propriety. Friend, Safe, with Big Brother cluster and a rank of Virgin, 1st Class.

Continuing on. Sunday. Left when I was supposed to, and I was still late to cast call. Just can't make it on time if left to my own devices. After cast call, the men got pulled aside because a bit we did the week before with peasant girls caused offense somewhere. The words "sexual harassment" was tossed around. Speaking personally, I was conscious of the fact that the girl who happened to be in my lap wasn't of the age of 18. I don't know how old she was, but probably no more than 16. However. Before it even took place, Chris, the great planner that he is, talked to each of the girls and told them that if they weren't comfortable with any of it, they didn't have to. It was ok. Chris just wanted to do this bit, and wanted to include some of the other casts. For my part, it seemed my girl was having at least a little fun. No one was disrespectful, that I could see. She fed me apple slices, I fed her apple slices, and there weren't any involuntary reactions to cute girl in my lap that might have been offensive. However, I could see how a bystander might look at the situation and cry "Dirty old perverts!" There was a highly noticable age gap between us guys and the girls. 22 is the youngest male involved at that was me. On stage, flirty flirt flirt. Off stage, respect of the age difference, professional, we thanked them, let them know they could stop or leave if they felt uncomfortable.

First Joust. Two guards are supposed to escort the Queen on the field so that she might hold some rings for the jousters to lance at. Normally, I can hear her Majesty clopping down our rotted, ancient decrepit reviewing stand, but today, she snuck out on me. She was getting ready to get out on the field before I even saw her. So the other guard with me, Derek, and I come running out onto the field behind her looking as if she had snuck past us somehow. because she did. I went with that and came to a skidding stop just behind her majesty in a bit of a cartoony gesture of catching up. It worked, it's funny, we'll be doing it that way from now on. Huzzah. At another joust, I broke through the floor just by standing on it's rotted planks. I have been told that it's ok if I break it some more. Yay!

Cast-wise, we were majorly short. However, an actress from Minnesota's faire, who shares our queen, and two actresses from the Arizona ren-Fest's Royal Court(ARF is our sister faire, owned by the same rich, cheap bastard), joined us. So we were filled out alright, and we got to play with new people.

I wish I could remember more of the weirdness, because there was a lot, or at least just a general sense of "not right" hanging about in the air. All told, it was a productive and mostly fun weekend. I look forward to next weekend, however, as that's our Halloween weekend, and I hope to break out the chainmail. If nothing else, it's a fun weekend, and there's the whole hotel hot tub alcohol relax friends hang out smoke hooka thing.

Huzzah.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Let the Dead stay Dead!

Back into your cold earthen bed, ye dead! I have killed you! Sleep, wretched life, and do not stir in your slumber. You are neither needed nor wanted. Back I say! Back! Wretched abomination, in the Name of the Most Holy One, I command you! Let the Dead remain Dead.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Disillusionment

Why is the current situation in my country making it so hard for me to vote for candidates from my own party? It's not that the Democrats are more in line with my ideology, because they are, by and far, not, it's just I find that the Republicans that are up for election aren't the better of the two options. What the hell? Bush could have been a good president. But he listens to his advisors. And his advisors are terrible, hand-wringing, double-dealing, stereotypical rich white guys. And I hate that they get the term neo-conservative. Isn't "new" supposed to be "better?" Does that make me a "Paleoconservative?" Paleo - Old, ancient. Conservative - Favoring traditional views and values; moderate, cautious. That is me. A conservative of the values and flavors of older times. An often anachronistic adherence to old traditions and values. I may be out of date, but just because it's new, doesn't mean it's better. I give you Cheney, King of the Neocons.

Also, it's damn near impossible to get a job these days, because I can't just talk to a person anymore. It's all computers and test and answers. Gone are the days when you can walk into a place and talk to a manager or owner. I have to file an application and call only to have the hiring manager be gone on a two week vacation, gone for the day, looking over applications next week, or already have passed the applications to the district manager whom I have no means of contacting. I have charisma, I can deal well with authority figures. But why deal with people and gauge someone person-to-person when you can sit back and let a program tell you who would make a good employee based on what could be a massive list of lies.

When I am Emperor Iustus Pius Augustus, I won't have to worry about that.

Of course, if Prophet was still a paying gig, I'd have a job.

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Superman is dead. Long live Superman.

Christopher Reeve has passed into the next life. Here's the USA Today obituary. He will always be an inspiration. He was a hero on film, but truly, he was Superman in life. Long live Superman.

Friday, October 01, 2004

I knew you, before the fall of Rome.

I think it's entirely possible some part of me was emperor Justinian, of the Byzantine Empire. He created a codified system of laws that became the predecessor for our current legal system. He also married a prostitute (who quit after becoming all married and rich, I assume) who was strong of will and vital to the survival of Constantinople during a religious riot. I think some part of you was her. I never called you a whore, or thought you as such. You said it, not me. Though you do have a fascination with Satine from Moulin Rouge. I think that's why you'll always be familiar to me. I think that's why you were as familiar as you were. We were together once. Hundreds of years ago. An empire was held together by our combined strength, once. Hundreds of years ago. We were together once. Not too long ago. I didn't choose to have us part, that was your idea. I didn't cut off all of your hair, all you. I put one about the same weight you did, but at the same time, I weighed 100 more pounds than you did. I tried to lead you down the best path I could see for us both. It wasn't perfect. I warned you of the pitfalls associated with walking with me. You said it was ok. Every time we came to a new step, a new level, you said it was ok, or it was your idea to go on. You make these choices that harm you, that could lead to your destruction. I don't make these choices for you. Oh sure, you'll just say that it's harmless, that it's safe. You've thrown in with a man you hardly know, though you know him better than you ever knew me. But you never really did want to "know" me did you. I don't think you ever really loved me. I was just the one that got away, and you couldn't have that. And once you got me, well, where was the chase? Where was the prize? How dare I not meet your expectations of what I was supposed to be. Fine, go ahead. Blame me for your descent. Blame me for your perversion. Call me the sick freak. Fine. That's ok. In fact, I will whole-heartedly accept that. Because then you will be happy. Happy knowing that it's not your fault you're destroying yourself. No, it's my fault you're making these choices, not yours. Or perhaps your abusive parents are to blame. But no, not you. Innocent, victimized you. I am the sick freak. But who of us has maintained purity, and who has not? Who of us partakes of illegal substances, and who does not? Who of us was willing to make a lifetime's commitment before even considering laying with the other, and who was not? Who is righteous and who is not?! You are laughing or fuming at my indignation. Maybe even both. Deluding yourself into believing you have the moral high ground, that you are, indeed, the righteous one. However, come Judgement, we will see who lives and who is cast into the pits of hell. And you will wish me to suffer the pits of hell. And that is fine. I, however, wish God to save you from the consequences of your life. I wish his Son to come into your heart, or at least save you from harm that your days in this life may be healthy and happy. And I pray that the Holy Spirit watch over you, and keep you.

"Bless those that curse you."

Save the Innocent.
Smite the Wicked.

Monday, September 27, 2004

Bad Year 2002 comes to a close.

Bad Year 2002 is finally coming to a close. Having extended its reign to a truly phenominal 39 months, we were afraid it would last forever. But a recent string of good days, counting 10 or more, depending on the reckoning, has shown the Streak is over. While 2004 will most likely still show in the red, there is significant improvement in the beginning of quarter 4. Experts believe the oncoming Carolina Renaissance Festival, bolstered with a good foundation of summer Mountains of Meat, Copious Beer, and Excellent Music, is a strong impetus for the sudden rise in mood. Stay tuned for futher updates.

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

I found me some work!

So John's parents gave the green light for their new computer, which means I just found me some work. It's not much, but the pay's decent, even if I am giving them a $200 discount. Pay is pay, and it's enough to keep me afloat for another week or two if I can't find anything else.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Happy Birthday Jerod!

My younger brother, Jerod, turns 21 today! So happy birthday to him! Check out his blog, A Little Place for My Thoughts.

A Lesson in Bash and Respond

John Scalzi recently posted an entry in his blog "Whatever" about his opinions on the nature of slamming and response on the internet. Check it out here. Essentially, he believes that if you're going to write an entry bashing someone or their beliefs or ideas, you should allow for that person to respond to you directly. Or else he will write many words about his frustration and they will be not kind and well written. Which is one of the things I like about Scalzi's work is even his angry stuff is intelligent and thoughful. And generally lacking in low language and swearing, which is important. I've always thought that excessive cussing showed a decided lack of vocabulary and thinking.

Monday, September 20, 2004

Weapons of Mass Distraction

So this weekend was amazingly fun! It started Friday night. I saw Sky Captain and thw World of Tomorrow. It was everything I hoped it would be. It captured the look and feel of the serial sci-fi films of the 30's and 40's, and added to them modern fi;m sophistication. The entire cast gave entertaining performances, lending sympathy and caring for the characters they portrayed. It had action, but was light-hearted. Good stuff. And then He rested, and it was the First Day.

And then it was Saturday. We had a Royal Court meeting for the Carolina Renaissance Festival (our last Royal Court meeting before the season starts next weekend. YAY!) which is always fun. Because we're all wacky silly people and love to hang out with each other. So the meeting is done and since we're all at Phil's Bunker, well, we slid right on into party/cookout mode! Phil's parties are something of the legnedary ilk. There were tasty steaks and sides for all, plus ridiculous amounts of tasty alcohol. While getting drunk wasn't the goal, (we drink because the drinks are tasty), some of us were inebriated.



Somewhere betweent he alcohol and the double-apple tobacco in the hooka, we had the brilliantest of ideas. Make a trebuchet. So we planned to do that the next day. Towards the end of the evening, somehow we managed to start watching Univision and Sabado Gigante (Big Saturday) with hoochie makeovers, dancing twats, and lots and lots of really strange things in spanish that we couldn't understand, but was fun to watch. And the commercials for a night-time soap called Rubi. This is important remember it later. And there was hooka and hot tub. And it was good. And it was the evening of the second day, and He rested.

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Breakfast consisted of thick sliced Guiness bacon, Guiness bacon eggs with shredded extra shapr vermont cheddar, grands and crescent rolls, and much tastiness. And so we built a trebuchet. In the space of an afternoon. And we named her Rubi, after our favorite commercial from the night before. And it was good. And we celebrated with all you can eat chinese after a few test fires.


(left to right: back row - Doug, Jeremy, Craig, Chris, Derek. front row - Phil, me)

Friday, September 17, 2004

The Types of Jobs.

Near as I can reckon, there are three types of jobs in this world.

1) Retarded entry level trained ape jobs that pay you a pittance, not a wage.

2) Good paying jobs in fields I have no compatibility with, be it because I've never worked anything nearly like it and/or they require experience in the field and/or they require some sort of degree in that field.

3) Jobs that pay decent that I would be able to succeed in if it weren't for the fact that the particular job I'm looking at is already filled.

There is a theoretical fourth kind, involving good pay, compatability, and an opening, but I've never seen this job with my own eyes, so I am inclined to disbelieve.

Still here.

Got some jobs lined up for the fall, a couple of computer building jobs. Simple work, and it's for friends, so the profit's not great, but I'm not going to not give friends a discount. That's what friends are for, the hook up. They lead people to me, I give them discounts. It's the way it goes. John was kind enough to post flyers all about Catawba College's campus for me, and I'll be giving flyers to other folk, so soon it should start picking up. Which is good. The sooner I can support myself building computers the happier I'll be.

Monday, September 13, 2004

ne obliviscaris redux

My previous entry down there had some Latin in the title maybe not all of you recognize. It means "Never Forget." It's also the Clan Campbell motto. By virtue of my mother being a Thomas, I am a member of Clan Campbell. Fate? Coincidence?

A Little Place for My (Brother's) Thoughts

So Jerod changed his blog around on me. It's now called A Little Place for My Thoughts. You may check it out again all over again.

Sunday, September 12, 2004

ne obliviscaris

I made a post on Fireflyfans.net about September 11th, thought I'd put it here.

I remember wishing that I could go to class and learn that day. But they cancelled classes. I remember going to see my girlfriend for lunch at her school (She was 17, I was 19) and everyone was terrified.

I remember being annoyed at the stupidity of the public. People living in rural North Carolina, at least an hour from any major financial or urban area going home from school or work in fear.

I remember being outraged at our own citizens lashing out at innocent muslims who had nothing to do with the attacks. I remember wishing death on the flag burning muslims laughing at our tragedy.

I remember feeling nothing as the second plane hit the towers. I remember sitting there watching the towers fall with the same boredom and disinterest as I do when watching the news any other day. This wasn't shock, this was a lack of feeling. Death has never bothered me, nor tragedy.

I remember, but what I remember, no one else seems to recall.

Mercenary Tactics

Found work today. Not much, simple transport job. Girl wanted to see a guy. Guy's hung up on his ex, but fools around with the girl. I was at John's doing some maintenance on his machine when she pops in, asked John for a ride. John will have nothing to do with the whole soap opera. She asks me. I ask if she's got money. She asks how much. I say twenty bucks. Twenty minutes later, she's stabbing herself in the proverbial stupid and I'm $20 richer. Bein' a merc's not always easy, but pay is pay.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Die Unicru!!!

For those of you who have ever done an online application, you probably know what I'm talking about. Unicru makes/runs/provides online applications/software. These applications have the usual personal information and work history, but then asks you OVER 100 QUESTIONS!!! Most of the repeats and rewords of things like "Are you a leader?" "Are you pleasant?" Over and over and over. The actual application takes maybe 15 minutes. The questions, anywhere from 26-37 pages of 4 or 5 questions, take 30-40 minutes to do. It's pointless. And is stupid. Liars get interviews, honest people don't get looked at because they answer honestly as opposed to the set criteria the software is looking for. I, however, am a master at giving the answers these things want. But it's still a pain in the ass. Just let me give you my information and then, if you think I might be good for the job TALK TO ME for Pete's sake. Use your judgement. Don't let some piece of software tell you who would make a good employee. Aiyah...

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Greedo Doesn't Shoot First

It seems that the on going petitions and lobbying from Star Wars fans upset about Greedo shooting first in the cantina scene of the special edition of A New Hope did some good. Lucas has tweaked that scene, again, and some others, cleaning up some of the details. You can check out the article here. I had planned on buying the trilogy set anyway, but now even more so. That Greedo scene was the only one I didn't like from the Original Trilogy, but now even that's been fixed! Yay!

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

My Younger Brother!

Captain's Blog - Supplemental

That's my brother's blog. Not much there, but it's there.

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

T3h John, Elder Rummage Son

So my friend has taken an idea from me and started his own blog titled Meet My Winged Cat. He's not your normal kinda guy, but his ramblings are usually quite amusing. Give it a read.

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Honest Work for an Honest Merc

Work's run dry once again here in Salisbury for me. So, if there's any ships out there what needs a good muscle man, I'm for hire. I come pretty cheap, just my fair share of any take, room, board and the like. I can fight, do computer work. I can be trusted under fire. I'm able to lift heavy things, plus I have an IQ of 143. Many talents and skills. Have weapons, will travel.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

FIREFLYFANS.NET and JedSoft Computers

A special thanks to FIREFLYFANS.NET for the space in their marketplace. It's a really awesome board, too.

Monday, August 30, 2004

You bastards!

If you have bit torrent, SHARE YOUR BLOODY BANDWIDTH. If you're using Kazaa or any other p2p software, SHARE YOUR BLOODY BANDWIDTH! Here's how p2p works. You download from someone else, and they download from you. But this only works if people want to use that program. And no one is going to want to use the program if they CAN'T GET ANY DOWNLOADING BANDWIDTH! So SHARE SOME F***ING BANDWIDTH YOU CHEAP BASTARDS!!!

That is all.

Saturday, August 28, 2004

No Power in the 'Verse Can Stop Me

I have challenged the devil herself. She may do as she pleases, but ne'er again shall I sway from the path of Righteousness. Fiat iustis et pereat mundus. Long live the fighters. I am the kwisatz haderach.

Ready for CRF 2004 to start.

I am so completely ready for the season to start. CRF is the Carolina Renaissance Festival, Running through all of October and the first three weeks of November. I'm Captain Julien Grey of the Royal Guard, and this will be my fifth season at CRF. I'm just ready to dress up in my silly Renaissance clothes, shiny sword, and big feathered hat. Is it weird that I feel more comfortable in my Ren-Fest garb than normal clothes?

Could be I'm just weird.

Naaaaah.

Friday, August 27, 2004

Penny Arcade! is 1337(leet)

Penny Arcade! is hosting they're own convention, PAX, and there were 1337 pre-registrees. PA is 1337. That is all.

The 11 Rules of Justin

It occurs to me that not everyone (or anyone for that matter) knows the Rules of Justin. So here ya go:

1. Justin has no cash.
a. Justin sometimes has plastic.

2. Justin is always hungry.

3. Justin shall hit Hugh in the kidneys.

4. The Fourth Rule of Justin is you do not talk about Fight Club.

5. The Fifth Rule of Justin is you do not talk about Fight Club.

6. Justin shall be underappreciated at work, school, and home.

7. Justin shall perform one Thankless Task every day.

8. Justin shall be single.
a. Justin shall have random encounters with women. Or Anglee.

9. Justin shall be entrusted with a Holy Tome (melee weapon; Holy Relic; counts as Power Weapon; grants 4+ invulnerable save) which gives him 1d6 extra attacks in close combat.

10. Justin shall have Lackeys. Which includes (but is not limited to) the Tall One, the Sensitive One, the Pyro, the Klepto, the Army Brat, the Loud-Mouthed Guy, the Starving Actor, and siblings of various ages and sizes.

11. The Car of Justin shall be unstoppable, save by anti-tank shells and rising gas prices.
a. the Eleventh Rule does not apply to anything manufactured by Honda Corporation.

Week of Suck

Apologies for the harshness of tone, but this week has been the Week of Suck. All this week at work we have been remodeling a ceiling. Which means spending eight hours scraping and sanding the spackle off a ceiling while your neck is tilted back at least 90 degrees. Arms up and pressing, neck back. Eight hours. Covered in dust for the first two days. Then yesterday and today we paint said ceiling. So two more days of neck back and arms up for eight hours. Covered in paint. And today. Today was supposed to be a half-day. Only the bossmanuncle says I have to weed-eat around the building we're working on. Then dig a ditch. Then sweep the floor. Then vacuum the floor. Then put all the vent covers back on. So I end up working an hour after my usual clock out time. I know, 'but isn't that more time for you to get paid?' Well, not really. It's not enough to put me into overtime by any stretch of the imagination, so that hour's wage really doesn't matter all that much. Then home. Not enough money to move out any time, well, probably ever. Because the Cosmos likes to laugh at me. But tonight there was the cute girl what works at the coffee shop I like. Turns out she's my age and single. Booya. So I'll be there tomorrow night. Whee. This week really sucked. But hey, it's the weekend, right? Isn't it about time they let me make a withdrawal from the Bank of Karma? I've been putting in a lot of extra hours, paying more than my fair share of karmic dues. I am owed. A lot. I know all that good karma's going to something. I don't need a lot. Just a little. It'll be covered before the end of next Monday. Easy. Because of the 6th and 7th Rules of Justin.

Thursday, August 26, 2004

MegaTokyo - relax, we advertise j00

I will be advertising Jed-Soft at MegaTokyo from Sept. 13th to the 16th! Yay! Also, I'm testing the blogger button on the Googlebar add in for Mozilla's Firefox 0.9. Yay!

Monday, August 23, 2004

JedSoft is now!

http://www.jed-soft.com

Domain is set, site is go. Though I found it interesting to note that jedsoft.com (no hyphen) was apparently the currently under construction site for a software firm of Spanish-speaking origin. Interesting only in that it put a slight thorn in my side. But that's ok. JedSoft is still go! So anyone who might actually be reading this, feel free to be looking at the site. It'll be prettier in a couple of weeks. It's HTML right now, but it will become Flash based very soon.

In accordance with the Prophecy.

*hammer hammer* *saw saw*

Jed-soft.com is nearly ready. Hosting: Done. Domain: Pending. Site: Building.

Booya.

Thursday, August 19, 2004

Justin needs his own place, reason #48

My basement room as a sliding door what leads to the outside world, which is useful, since the only other door is on the farthest end of the house from my room. However, having the little step-brother just waltz into my room without asking because he's coming inside from the backyard is really annoying. My room! Not foyer! Out!

Justin needs his own place, reason #47

It sucks when one comes home from one's construction job only to find that one's harpy-ass step-father is in the shower, thus meaning there is no hot water for you until he gets out, and not much when he finally gets out. And when one's construction job involves things like spackle, stain, sealant, sanding, and painting, you tend to get a little DIRTY! GORRAMNIT!

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Conversions and Apartment Seeking

I visited my friend's little place in Winston this evening, and finally got to show her the pilot episode of Firefly. Which, of course, she immediately liked and wanted to know more. So she is currently borrowing my copy of the complete series. Yay! More converts to the Browncoat Cult! Yay! Also, she wants a bigger place, and there's a house next door to her converted upstairs apartment thing that's for sale pretty cheap. So currently she's checking to see when she would be able to get a loan and buy a house. Since the house is as low in cost as it is, $83,000, the payments, with utilities would be the same, if not less than if I was living next door to her in the other converted upstairs apartment thing. Failing that, it would be really easy to open the separating door to the two places and make it one big place, which would make sense. So yay happy fun looks good for me being able to move out of this dungeon of mine.

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Ah, Firefly (Here ya go, Chris.)

"Dear diary; Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy...
Today we were captured by hillfolk, never to be seen again. It was the best day ever."

JedSoft, what is.

JedSoft, the pipe dream. I love building computers. And I have been told I build good computers. I also have this grass-roots, savings for the little guy, entrepreneurial spirit thing going on. So I'm currently in the works of designing a site for a computer building business. I offer powerful machines at a much lower price than most mainstream computers. And even when the machine I make comes to close to the same as a mainstream machine, there are little things I do to make the difference. Like larger cases, for easier expansion and better airflow. Also is the addition of fans, with the option for clear side panels and LED fans for the make the machine 'l33t'. Plus, I only install the software you ask for. No software packages you don't need or want. Whee. So once I get website made, I'll put a link up in here for everyone, in case you wanna take a look-see.

Monday, August 16, 2004

Holy Crap OMGWTF!!!1

And so it is that you shall all be subjected to my mad, mad, mad, mad ramblings. I suppose for the first post we ought to give a general overview of where things are, just get people up to speed. I'm 22 years old, and live in my parents basement doing construction work for my aunt and uncle. I live in North Carolina, Salisbury to be exact. I'm a gamer and a roleplayer. I do re-enacting at the Carolina Renaissance Festival where I am Captain Julien Grey, Their Majesties' Royal Guard. The basement thing is temporary. I'm going to look at a place that's right next to my best friend, and I hope to move in there by month's end, provided I can find gainful employment, or Jedsoft (computer building business I'm trying to start, more on that later) takes off in a phenominal and completely unexpected way. Given that it's in Winston-Salem and right on top of the North Carolina School of the Arts and Forsyth Tech, I can actually get back into the whole school thing too, which would only serve to please my parents. The future looks bright. I am optimistic. Fear me, mortals.