Having off from work has it's perks, like no work for instance, but apparently it has it's downsides as well. Let me give you an example. I was off for 4 days and returned to work at 4 PM yesterday only to find out that I was officially put back on the schedule for New Year's Eve, a day that we were closed and that we are now open. Apparently we are also open on New Year's Day so I guess it could be worse. What I don't like is how this little plan was hatched on Monday and I found on when I got in the office on Wednesday. Did anyone ever hear of a phone? What if I was going out of town? I do have on until the 4th of January, so it wouldn't be preposterous that I was leaving town.
Well this little snafu seals the deal that I am definitely not going away for new year's. My choices are narrowing down and I guess at some point I'll have to decide what to do. Since I'm about to go to work until 10 PM tonight and I'm back in at 10 AM tomorrow morning, I guess I won't be making said decision until the last fucking minute.
Things are also looking dreadful on the living front. My lease is up in 32 days and the dream of living in Brother Mike's new house are falling apart. Mainly due to the fact that there is no new house to live in. I have to consider renting, the financially aspect of that and whether or not I want to live with people. I also have a car which plays a role in where I can go. I forgot how much I dislike moving. I'm so unprepared. FUCK!
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
And....We're Back
I kind of took some time off from yapping about my daily grind and instead tried to enjoy my time off from work. A quick recap of the last 48 hours of my life goes something like this:
Watched the Door in the Floor on Sunday night. Ugh. Dreadful. Usually I like John Irving stories (Garp, Cider House, Simon Birch) but this one was just sad. Jeff Bridges is better than the material that's for sure.
Monday I went shopping. Got a pair of jeans at Old Navy for cheap. Got a hoodie that makes me look like a piece of sausage the way it encases me. But it was $13. Quite a deal even if it doesn't fit. Subsequently I wore the jeans I bought and went on to Old Navy dot com and bought 3 more pairs of pants that should come shortly in the mail. I have been rocking the same two pairs of pants since about April and they are about to fall off me, so this purchase of pants is long overdue. Slid over to Best Buy after the Old Navy purchase and tried to eye up something to get with my $150 in gift cards. I decided to hold off until I find a new place to live to see if I will need any appliances, namely a microwave. Instead I grabbed a 10 pack of CD-R's for $8 and made several impulsive buys near the register of movies that I think I like. Or at least I remember liking them...and they were all $6.00...and I used a gift card, so back off. The Gauntlet by Clint Eastwood, Best Laid Plans, the original Night of the Living Dead and Logan's Run. Knowing me, I will never actually view these DVDs, it's all about the ownership. I have quite a few movies that I have yet to watch that I have owned for years. It's amazing how they put shit up by the register that just begs to be purchased.
Monday night I went to see Life Aquatic with a couple friends. I think we were all in agreement that it was good, but not Wes Anderson's best work. I laughed, but not enough. I loved the look and the cast, it's just I was hopping for a quicker pace and more comedy. In any case, it was nice to go out as a group and I got to see some people I haven't seen in a while.
Monday night (continued) we watched the Eagles get whooped on Monday Night Football, drank some beers and played the What the Fuck drinking game for the second time. Listened to the really good Wicker Park soundtrack in the background.
Today I went to the mall with my sister Candace. I had gotten a watch that didn't fit my meaty wrist for XMAS from my stepfather and had to exchange it. I managed to get a watch I like, that fits and a credit of $16.00 that I could give my stepfather. Nice job! My sister had shit to return to Lane Bryant which is a creepy store. Lots of big bras and panties and pastels. On our way out of the mall, I couldn't help myself and "had" to stop in Bath and Body Works. I told myself I was just going to grab a loofa...$32 later I wound up with enough products for people to question my sexuality. I have always maintained the philosophy that if you can't get a girl to share your bed, at least you can make it smell like you do. I'm a sucker for body splash, fancy soaps, candles, all things fem. It's kind of sad actually.
Tomorrow I return to work. Yikes. Thankfully it's only for 2 days and then I'm off again for a few days. I still have no idea what I am doing for New Year's Eve and frankly I don't care all that much. I think it's a highly overrated holiday. I'm sure something will come up and I'll manage to enjoy it. Go with the flow...
Watched the Door in the Floor on Sunday night. Ugh. Dreadful. Usually I like John Irving stories (Garp, Cider House, Simon Birch) but this one was just sad. Jeff Bridges is better than the material that's for sure.
Monday I went shopping. Got a pair of jeans at Old Navy for cheap. Got a hoodie that makes me look like a piece of sausage the way it encases me. But it was $13. Quite a deal even if it doesn't fit. Subsequently I wore the jeans I bought and went on to Old Navy dot com and bought 3 more pairs of pants that should come shortly in the mail. I have been rocking the same two pairs of pants since about April and they are about to fall off me, so this purchase of pants is long overdue. Slid over to Best Buy after the Old Navy purchase and tried to eye up something to get with my $150 in gift cards. I decided to hold off until I find a new place to live to see if I will need any appliances, namely a microwave. Instead I grabbed a 10 pack of CD-R's for $8 and made several impulsive buys near the register of movies that I think I like. Or at least I remember liking them...and they were all $6.00...and I used a gift card, so back off. The Gauntlet by Clint Eastwood, Best Laid Plans, the original Night of the Living Dead and Logan's Run. Knowing me, I will never actually view these DVDs, it's all about the ownership. I have quite a few movies that I have yet to watch that I have owned for years. It's amazing how they put shit up by the register that just begs to be purchased.
Monday night I went to see Life Aquatic with a couple friends. I think we were all in agreement that it was good, but not Wes Anderson's best work. I laughed, but not enough. I loved the look and the cast, it's just I was hopping for a quicker pace and more comedy. In any case, it was nice to go out as a group and I got to see some people I haven't seen in a while.
Monday night (continued) we watched the Eagles get whooped on Monday Night Football, drank some beers and played the What the Fuck drinking game for the second time. Listened to the really good Wicker Park soundtrack in the background.
Today I went to the mall with my sister Candace. I had gotten a watch that didn't fit my meaty wrist for XMAS from my stepfather and had to exchange it. I managed to get a watch I like, that fits and a credit of $16.00 that I could give my stepfather. Nice job! My sister had shit to return to Lane Bryant which is a creepy store. Lots of big bras and panties and pastels. On our way out of the mall, I couldn't help myself and "had" to stop in Bath and Body Works. I told myself I was just going to grab a loofa...$32 later I wound up with enough products for people to question my sexuality. I have always maintained the philosophy that if you can't get a girl to share your bed, at least you can make it smell like you do. I'm a sucker for body splash, fancy soaps, candles, all things fem. It's kind of sad actually.
Tomorrow I return to work. Yikes. Thankfully it's only for 2 days and then I'm off again for a few days. I still have no idea what I am doing for New Year's Eve and frankly I don't care all that much. I think it's a highly overrated holiday. I'm sure something will come up and I'll manage to enjoy it. Go with the flow...
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Unwrapped
Ah, XMAS. It's over. This one is in the can and no one seems to have been hurt by the making of it. This is quite a feat for my family. Usually a fight or two develops that forces us all to choose sides or at the very least belittle the participant on the opposite side of ours to death. Not this year. Apparently my brothers sat down my stepfather the eve before the eve and put some sense in his ear. Flashback: this past Thanksgiving a fist fight almost broke out between my stepfather and his younger sister, my aunt. This was five minutes into the holiday dinner. I think everyone was bracing for a repeat performance...
Alas, no such luck. Everyone behaved themselves almost to the point of boredom. At various points, I was on the verge of throwing a fit just to spice things up a bit. My family has a nasty habit of not telling me what the plans for the holiday are and this year I was shocked to find out on XMAS Eve that we were not having dinner at my Grandmother's house on XMAS Day which is customary. Instead we were eating the XMAS meal at my stepfather's wife's sister's house. Now of course, my Grandmother played on the fact that I'm out of the loop and threw in her offer to eat at her house on XMAS morning more or less to try and piss off my stepfather's wife. Considering that both parties didn't decide to call me ahead of time and invite me anywhere, I was tempted to just not go anywhere and head home to eat tuna from a can by myself. But then I realized that this behavior isn't new, I haven't been invited anywhere from my family in so long that it has become "the way."
XMAS Eve was the pollyanna unveiling amongst my siblings. Everyone agreed this year that we MUST go back to picking names from a hat around Thanksgiving because the "grab bag" method just blows. Nobody understands the rules and some of the gifts were geared too much toward a particular gender which is no one's fault. In any case, I escaped with a Best Buy card for $50....and put forth a Target card for the same that Brother Mike swallowed up. The rest of the night consisted of seeing old faces from the neighborhood that pop in this one time a year to visit and a quick stop over at my roommate's parent's house down the block.
XMAS morning is was low key. I arrived late enough to miss the little kids tearing apart their presents. (I have a sister that is 2 and Brother Mike who lives at the old childhood home has that little stud Mikey.) But made it in time to take part in the feast we call breakfast. I got to open my gifts and then we watched Elf before dinner at the aforementioned stepfather's wife's sister's house. I love Elf as the new staple of XMAS. Move over A Christmas Story...
Dinner was brief, we rolled out as soon as our plates were empty to make an appearance at Granny's house before we hit up a movie at the suburbian multiplex. Our selection this year was Spanglish which is a great movie for a 13 year old girl. I'm not saying it was bad, but it was like Stella or My Girl....a mixture of comedy, drama and pre-teen subplots that are just hard for me to relate to. Paz Vega was hot, Tea Leoni was good as a bitch and Adam Sandler proved he can act in something that doesn't require a baby voice. It was a compromise since my sisters (3 of them between 19-20) just don't get Wes Anderson. I have no choice but to check out Life Aquatic over the next 3 days while I'm off from work. The important thing was that we made it to the movie this holiday...our tradition is back on track.
A recap of my XMAS gifts:
1. $190 cash
2. $100 to Best Buy
3. King of Queens Season 1 on DVD
4. $50 to Regal Cinema
5. 2 Shirts and a watch
6. $50 to Best Buy
7. David Sedaris' latest book
8. Eternal Sunshine on DVD
9. A Wine Tasting Guide
10. Discovered Covered by the Late Great Daniel Johnston
11. $25 to AMC Cinema
12. Wilco: A Ghost is Born
13. Elvis Costello: Almost Blue Enhanced CD
I'm sure there will be some more gifts trickling in over the next couple days. But I'm pretty satisfied with my lot. Giving is the fun part, getting them is gravy in my opinion.
Oh well. It's time to do something for me today. I'm done with the family shenanigans for now. I need to relax, unwind and visit with some folks. And do wash. Lots of laundry to do. XMAS is over.
Alas, no such luck. Everyone behaved themselves almost to the point of boredom. At various points, I was on the verge of throwing a fit just to spice things up a bit. My family has a nasty habit of not telling me what the plans for the holiday are and this year I was shocked to find out on XMAS Eve that we were not having dinner at my Grandmother's house on XMAS Day which is customary. Instead we were eating the XMAS meal at my stepfather's wife's sister's house. Now of course, my Grandmother played on the fact that I'm out of the loop and threw in her offer to eat at her house on XMAS morning more or less to try and piss off my stepfather's wife. Considering that both parties didn't decide to call me ahead of time and invite me anywhere, I was tempted to just not go anywhere and head home to eat tuna from a can by myself. But then I realized that this behavior isn't new, I haven't been invited anywhere from my family in so long that it has become "the way."
XMAS Eve was the pollyanna unveiling amongst my siblings. Everyone agreed this year that we MUST go back to picking names from a hat around Thanksgiving because the "grab bag" method just blows. Nobody understands the rules and some of the gifts were geared too much toward a particular gender which is no one's fault. In any case, I escaped with a Best Buy card for $50....and put forth a Target card for the same that Brother Mike swallowed up. The rest of the night consisted of seeing old faces from the neighborhood that pop in this one time a year to visit and a quick stop over at my roommate's parent's house down the block.
XMAS morning is was low key. I arrived late enough to miss the little kids tearing apart their presents. (I have a sister that is 2 and Brother Mike who lives at the old childhood home has that little stud Mikey.) But made it in time to take part in the feast we call breakfast. I got to open my gifts and then we watched Elf before dinner at the aforementioned stepfather's wife's sister's house. I love Elf as the new staple of XMAS. Move over A Christmas Story...
Dinner was brief, we rolled out as soon as our plates were empty to make an appearance at Granny's house before we hit up a movie at the suburbian multiplex. Our selection this year was Spanglish which is a great movie for a 13 year old girl. I'm not saying it was bad, but it was like Stella or My Girl....a mixture of comedy, drama and pre-teen subplots that are just hard for me to relate to. Paz Vega was hot, Tea Leoni was good as a bitch and Adam Sandler proved he can act in something that doesn't require a baby voice. It was a compromise since my sisters (3 of them between 19-20) just don't get Wes Anderson. I have no choice but to check out Life Aquatic over the next 3 days while I'm off from work. The important thing was that we made it to the movie this holiday...our tradition is back on track.
A recap of my XMAS gifts:
1. $190 cash
2. $100 to Best Buy
3. King of Queens Season 1 on DVD
4. $50 to Regal Cinema
5. 2 Shirts and a watch
6. $50 to Best Buy
7. David Sedaris' latest book
8. Eternal Sunshine on DVD
9. A Wine Tasting Guide
10. Discovered Covered by the Late Great Daniel Johnston
11. $25 to AMC Cinema
12. Wilco: A Ghost is Born
13. Elvis Costello: Almost Blue Enhanced CD
I'm sure there will be some more gifts trickling in over the next couple days. But I'm pretty satisfied with my lot. Giving is the fun part, getting them is gravy in my opinion.
Oh well. It's time to do something for me today. I'm done with the family shenanigans for now. I need to relax, unwind and visit with some folks. And do wash. Lots of laundry to do. XMAS is over.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Can't Fake The Funk
And can't shake the sick. I'm back to feeling like hell again today. Stuffy, achy and generally feeling ill. I was pooping liquid at work all yesterday, so I knew something was up. I guess I got a nasty cold/flu/yucky stuff thing that is going to stick around for the xmas joy. After the debacle that was Thanksgiving for my family, I can't wait to see what is going to go down this weekend. I plan on staying on the sidelines. Possibly with a fever.
Went and saw Oceans 12 with Brother Mike today. Hadn't been to a movie with Mike in probably a few years now. Those guys probably had the best time making that movie. It reeked of fun. The plot was thin in spots, but overall I enjoyed it. I like the rapport those guys have with each other. I loved the cameos, the Julie Roberts plot line, the one liners by Scott Caan, Casey Affleck and Eliot Gould. They could have done more with Carl Reiner and Bernie Mac, but with a movie like this you aren't going for character development. You are going for sheer entertainment value. And in that capacity it delivers.
Catherine Zeta Jones is smoking hot. Again. I really don't like her, but man is she pretty. She's like movie star pretty. Julia Roberts is earning new respect for me lately. She looks like shit in this movie, just like she did in Closer. And I like that about her. She's like "fuck it, I'm over this Pretty Woman shit." You gotta respect that.
Tonight is household Pollyanna at the Ridge. I'm looking forward to it. What I'm not looking forward to is working 9-3 tomorrow. I have a feeling it will be non-stop complaint calls from people who were expecting their packages/giftcards before the holiday. I can't recall the last time I got up before 10 AM, so this should be interesting. Guess I'll chug some Nyquil tonight to put me out. I fucking need it. (Cough)
Went and saw Oceans 12 with Brother Mike today. Hadn't been to a movie with Mike in probably a few years now. Those guys probably had the best time making that movie. It reeked of fun. The plot was thin in spots, but overall I enjoyed it. I like the rapport those guys have with each other. I loved the cameos, the Julie Roberts plot line, the one liners by Scott Caan, Casey Affleck and Eliot Gould. They could have done more with Carl Reiner and Bernie Mac, but with a movie like this you aren't going for character development. You are going for sheer entertainment value. And in that capacity it delivers.
Catherine Zeta Jones is smoking hot. Again. I really don't like her, but man is she pretty. She's like movie star pretty. Julia Roberts is earning new respect for me lately. She looks like shit in this movie, just like she did in Closer. And I like that about her. She's like "fuck it, I'm over this Pretty Woman shit." You gotta respect that.
Tonight is household Pollyanna at the Ridge. I'm looking forward to it. What I'm not looking forward to is working 9-3 tomorrow. I have a feeling it will be non-stop complaint calls from people who were expecting their packages/giftcards before the holiday. I can't recall the last time I got up before 10 AM, so this should be interesting. Guess I'll chug some Nyquil tonight to put me out. I fucking need it. (Cough)
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
McGlincheys
It has been about 5 years at least since I stepped foot into the old dive bar in the city that I spent every Thursday night of my late teens/early twenties. Since my dear friend Rob was in from San Fran for the holiday and he was along side me for many of those Thursday nights and because I work literally 4 blocks away from it, we decided to take a trip down memory lane at Midnight last night and visit old McGlincheys for a couple brews.
Oh my God how some things never change. The decor is the same as it was 10 years ago. The guy working at the door is an old bike courier who used to be in there drinking like I was back in the day. Houston was bartending still. It was ridiculous how much this place fit like an old tee shirt you find tucked away in your attic. Even the way my clothes reeked of cigarettes when I came home was something I had long forgotten.
I had a couple $1.90 pints of Rolling Rock (a beer you have to drink when you go to McGlincheys) and took a piss in the entirely too small nasty ass bathroom. The lights came on at 2 AM and we got kicked out into the cold where the homeless await you to beg for money and most of the patrons sway to their locked bikes to try and maintian their balance for the short ride home to west or south philly.
Complete and utter nostalgia my friends. Or Deja Vu. In any case, it was really nice and comfortable. And seeing Rob, which happens only once a year these days, was brief but fulfilling. We are such good friends that it is easy to just talk about the good old days, or movies, or our current lives with such ease. His baby sis, Beth, was along for the visit as she has managed to be for the last couple of holiday get togethers. I don't think I know two finer people. A great end to a long day.
Oh my God how some things never change. The decor is the same as it was 10 years ago. The guy working at the door is an old bike courier who used to be in there drinking like I was back in the day. Houston was bartending still. It was ridiculous how much this place fit like an old tee shirt you find tucked away in your attic. Even the way my clothes reeked of cigarettes when I came home was something I had long forgotten.
I had a couple $1.90 pints of Rolling Rock (a beer you have to drink when you go to McGlincheys) and took a piss in the entirely too small nasty ass bathroom. The lights came on at 2 AM and we got kicked out into the cold where the homeless await you to beg for money and most of the patrons sway to their locked bikes to try and maintian their balance for the short ride home to west or south philly.
Complete and utter nostalgia my friends. Or Deja Vu. In any case, it was really nice and comfortable. And seeing Rob, which happens only once a year these days, was brief but fulfilling. We are such good friends that it is easy to just talk about the good old days, or movies, or our current lives with such ease. His baby sis, Beth, was along for the visit as she has managed to be for the last couple of holiday get togethers. I don't think I know two finer people. A great end to a long day.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Holidaze Volume 1
Fake XMAS at my sister's in the god awful state of Jersey is officially a part of history now. I'm still aching from my flu(?) that came upon me on Friday and I spent much of the weekend in a Robitusin stupor, but it all turned out okay. I was happy to see my Dad and as per usual he went a shade overboard on his gift giving. My sister's kids are spoiled rotten to begin with, but Grandpa Joe just adds more fuel to the fire when he shows up with a car load full of toys that make the most unbearable noises. Is a talking bank necessary?
I was happy with my gifts for Dad this year, mainly because I decided against anything golf related. Over the last 10 years I have given a golf related gift to my Dad for every birthday, XMAS and Father's Day. It was time to let my sister be the bearer of golf balls and golf themed goodies. Instead, I turned to DVDs, something he will appreciate when he retires shortly. You can't golf every day. So I got him Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 1, About Schmidt and the complete The Office Series which I think he was happy about. Curb's a no-brainer, who doesn't like Curb? I was a little worried about the Office since he hasn't seen it, but I know he will like it. About Schmidt I know he likes. And as a bonus he saw Sideways last week and was raving about it, so the idea of a different Alexander Payne movie fit in nicely.
Despite having a prearranged agreement that I would get nothing for XMAS due to a loan I took from him for a tax situation I got myself into earlier this year, my Dad opted to get me a couple gifts. That bastard. I wound up with King of Queens Season 1 on DVD (this show is a constant talking point between the two of us as we both see a little of Doug in ourselves), $50 in cold hard cash, $100 Best Buy Gift Card and $50 to Regal Cinemas. Not bad at all. I'll tell you what, that guy is alright.
I was sad to see my dear old Dad's hopes of winning my fantasy football league wash away today. And not just because I know he would have tipped me nicely as comissioner. The man was so into it. I was happy that I was out of the playoffs so I could just sit back and watch the games. The poor guy did nothing but pace for an hour today checking his scores to see how bad he was getting beat by. There's always next year.
I was happy with my gifts for Dad this year, mainly because I decided against anything golf related. Over the last 10 years I have given a golf related gift to my Dad for every birthday, XMAS and Father's Day. It was time to let my sister be the bearer of golf balls and golf themed goodies. Instead, I turned to DVDs, something he will appreciate when he retires shortly. You can't golf every day. So I got him Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 1, About Schmidt and the complete The Office Series which I think he was happy about. Curb's a no-brainer, who doesn't like Curb? I was a little worried about the Office since he hasn't seen it, but I know he will like it. About Schmidt I know he likes. And as a bonus he saw Sideways last week and was raving about it, so the idea of a different Alexander Payne movie fit in nicely.
Despite having a prearranged agreement that I would get nothing for XMAS due to a loan I took from him for a tax situation I got myself into earlier this year, my Dad opted to get me a couple gifts. That bastard. I wound up with King of Queens Season 1 on DVD (this show is a constant talking point between the two of us as we both see a little of Doug in ourselves), $50 in cold hard cash, $100 Best Buy Gift Card and $50 to Regal Cinemas. Not bad at all. I'll tell you what, that guy is alright.
I was sad to see my dear old Dad's hopes of winning my fantasy football league wash away today. And not just because I know he would have tipped me nicely as comissioner. The man was so into it. I was happy that I was out of the playoffs so I could just sit back and watch the games. The poor guy did nothing but pace for an hour today checking his scores to see how bad he was getting beat by. There's always next year.
Friday, December 17, 2004
I'm Sick
I'm run down to the point that I am officially sick now.
I just came off of two 9 1/2 hours shifts at work in the last 28 hours and all day long my throat was scratchy and I was irritable. I think not having the heat on last night coupled with an ice cold shower at 10:20 AM this morning had something to do with it. I have never been so cold in my life than I was today in that shower.
I was just reading over my latest post about the Globes and noticed a hundred spelling errors. I'm blaming my shitty state of health. What sucks is that I was supposed to hit up a party tonight in Old City that would have been SWANK. And instead I'm sniffling away in my room listening to the latest Wilco CD. I could probably still head down there and force myself through the onslaught of whatever this ailment is, but I have to drive to my sister's house for "fake" XMAS tomorrow with my Dad and I kind of want to be in good spirits.
Fuck it in a bucket.
I just came off of two 9 1/2 hours shifts at work in the last 28 hours and all day long my throat was scratchy and I was irritable. I think not having the heat on last night coupled with an ice cold shower at 10:20 AM this morning had something to do with it. I have never been so cold in my life than I was today in that shower.
I was just reading over my latest post about the Globes and noticed a hundred spelling errors. I'm blaming my shitty state of health. What sucks is that I was supposed to hit up a party tonight in Old City that would have been SWANK. And instead I'm sniffling away in my room listening to the latest Wilco CD. I could probably still head down there and force myself through the onslaught of whatever this ailment is, but I have to drive to my sister's house for "fake" XMAS tomorrow with my Dad and I kind of want to be in good spirits.
Fuck it in a bucket.
Golden Globes
The Golden Globes nominations came out this past week and I took the liberty of telling you who will win and a whole lot of other pointless shit about the films and television shows nominated. Mind you I haven't even seen most of these films, but I have a lot to say about a lot, so why should this be any different?
Noms for Best Picture, Drama: "The Aviator," "Closer," "Finding Neverland," "Hotel Rwanda," "Kinsey," "Million Dollar Baby."
Will Win: Finding Neverland
Actress, Drama: Scarlett Johansson, "A Love Song for Bobby Long"; Nicole Kidman, "Birth," Imelda Staunton, "Vera Drake"; Hilary Swank, "Million Dollar Baby"; Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2."
Will Win: Imelda Staunton. Why? Mike Liegh's films are always wonderfully acted and the foriegn press picks the winner. Imelda is foriegn you know.
Actor, Drama: Javier Bardem, "The Sea Inside"; Don Cheadle, "Hotel Rwanda"; Johnny Depp, "Finding Neverland"; Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Aviator"; Liam Neeson, "Kinsey."
Tough call on this one. Johnny Depp was robbed of an Oscar last year for Pirates, but is his performance stronger than Javier's quadrapalegic? Maybe. I'll take Mr. Depp by a nose.
Picture, Musical or Comedy: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Incredibles," "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera," "Ray," "Sideways."
Another very tough call. Sideways was such a good movie, but I am in love with Eternal Sunshine. Considering that this category has the fucking Pixar junk in it, I'll go with The Incredibles as a winner. Fucking sad.
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, "Being Julia"; Ashley Judd, "De-Lovely"; Emmy Rossum, "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera," Kate Winslet, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Renee Zellweger, "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason."
What garbage. Winslet is amazing, but the Zellwegger can't lose. They love her. (Keep an eye on Bening...)
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jim Carrey, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"; Jamie Foxx, "Ray"; Paul Giamatti, "Sideways"; Kevin Kline, "De-Lovely"; Kevin Spacey, "Beyond the Sea."
I would have said Jim Carrey hands down until Jamie Foxx showed up in that Ray trailer looking creepily like Mr. Charles and Paul G was given a great lead role finally. In a tight race, I'm going with the breakout performance of Jamie Foxx.
Foreign Language: "The Chorus," France; "House of Flying Daggers," China; "The Motorcycle Diaries," Brazil; "The Sea Inside," Spain; "A Very Long Engagement," France.
Flying Daggers. No doubt.
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator"; Laura Linney, "Kinsey"; Virginia Madsen, "Sideways"; Natalie Portman, "Closer"; Meryl Streep, "The Manchurian Candidate."
Portman was a bright spot in Closer for me, but Madsen was resurrected in Sideways. Virginia all the way.
Supporting Actor: David Carradine, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2"; Thomas Haden Church, "Sideways"; Jamie Foxx, "Collateral"; Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"; Clive Owen, "Closer."
Foxx has a better chance with Ray than this one. Clive Owen was another bright spot in Closer and was able to go from nice guy, to prick, to down and out flawlessly, but Thomas Haden Church was just too fucking funny not to win this one.
Director: Clint Eastwood, "Million Dollar Baby"; Marc Forster, "Finding Neverland"; Mike Nichols, "Closer"; Alexander Payne, "Sideways"; Martin Scorsese, "The Aviator."
Forster. I don't even know why.
Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"; John Logan, "The Aviator"; David Magee, "Finding Neverland"; Patrick Marber, "Closer"; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, "Sideways."
For me, Sunshine and Sideways are a toss up. Kaufman has the edge.
TV
Drama Series: "24," Fox; "Deadwood," HBO; "Lost," ABC; "Nip/Tuck," FX; "The Sopranos," HBO.
Lost is hot right now. I don't watch any of the others, so fuck me.
Actress, Drama Series: Edie Falco, "The Sopranos"; Jennifer Garner, "Alias"; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; Christine Lahti, "Jack & Bobby"; Joely Richardson, "Nip/Tuck."
Jennifer Garner is hot.
Actor, Drama Series: Michael Chiklis, "The Shield"; Denis Leary, "Rescue Me"; Julian McMahon, "Nip/Tuck"; Ian McShane, "Deadwood"; James Spader, "Boston Legal."
Spader is the man. But they love Chiklis and I'm assuming Leary falls into Chiklis status with a nomination from a show no one watches.
Series, Musical or Comedy: "Arrested Development," Fox; "Desperate Housewives," ABC; "Entourage, HBO; "Sex and the City," HBO; "Will & Grace," NBC.
I loved Entourage, but it's only like 10 episodes long. Arrested Development is the funniest show on TV right now. Fuck those Desperate Housewives. I'm already sick of the hype.
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, "Desperate Housewives"; Teri Hatcher, "Desperate Housewives"; Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives"; Debra Messing, "Will & Grace"; Sarah Jessica Parker, "Sex and the City."
Does it matter? SJP because Sex is over and all those Housewives cancel each other out.
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development"; Zach Braff, "Scrubs"; Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"; Matt LeBlanc, "Joey"; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"; Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men."
Incredibly hard choice between Larry David and Jason Bateman for me. I think I'll go with Bateman. But Shaloub seems to win like Chiklis for a show that NO ONE WATCHES!
Supporting Actress, Miniseries, Movie or Series: Drea de Matteo, "The Sopranos"; Anjelica Huston, "Iron Jawed Angels"; Nicollette Sheridan, "Desperate Housewives"; Charlize Theron, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers"; Emily Watson, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers."
Didn't de Matteo die on Sopranos. If so, she wins.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries, Movie or Series: Sean Hayes, "Will & Grace"; Michael Imperioli, "The Sopranos"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"; Oliver Platt, "Huff"; William Shatner, "Boston Legal."
Jeremy Piven and the Shat are both incredible. Make this one a tie. Pretty please.
Noms for Best Picture, Drama: "The Aviator," "Closer," "Finding Neverland," "Hotel Rwanda," "Kinsey," "Million Dollar Baby."
Will Win: Finding Neverland
Actress, Drama: Scarlett Johansson, "A Love Song for Bobby Long"; Nicole Kidman, "Birth," Imelda Staunton, "Vera Drake"; Hilary Swank, "Million Dollar Baby"; Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2."
Will Win: Imelda Staunton. Why? Mike Liegh's films are always wonderfully acted and the foriegn press picks the winner. Imelda is foriegn you know.
Actor, Drama: Javier Bardem, "The Sea Inside"; Don Cheadle, "Hotel Rwanda"; Johnny Depp, "Finding Neverland"; Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Aviator"; Liam Neeson, "Kinsey."
Tough call on this one. Johnny Depp was robbed of an Oscar last year for Pirates, but is his performance stronger than Javier's quadrapalegic? Maybe. I'll take Mr. Depp by a nose.
Picture, Musical or Comedy: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Incredibles," "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera," "Ray," "Sideways."
Another very tough call. Sideways was such a good movie, but I am in love with Eternal Sunshine. Considering that this category has the fucking Pixar junk in it, I'll go with The Incredibles as a winner. Fucking sad.
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, "Being Julia"; Ashley Judd, "De-Lovely"; Emmy Rossum, "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera," Kate Winslet, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Renee Zellweger, "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason."
What garbage. Winslet is amazing, but the Zellwegger can't lose. They love her. (Keep an eye on Bening...)
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jim Carrey, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"; Jamie Foxx, "Ray"; Paul Giamatti, "Sideways"; Kevin Kline, "De-Lovely"; Kevin Spacey, "Beyond the Sea."
I would have said Jim Carrey hands down until Jamie Foxx showed up in that Ray trailer looking creepily like Mr. Charles and Paul G was given a great lead role finally. In a tight race, I'm going with the breakout performance of Jamie Foxx.
Foreign Language: "The Chorus," France; "House of Flying Daggers," China; "The Motorcycle Diaries," Brazil; "The Sea Inside," Spain; "A Very Long Engagement," France.
Flying Daggers. No doubt.
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator"; Laura Linney, "Kinsey"; Virginia Madsen, "Sideways"; Natalie Portman, "Closer"; Meryl Streep, "The Manchurian Candidate."
Portman was a bright spot in Closer for me, but Madsen was resurrected in Sideways. Virginia all the way.
Supporting Actor: David Carradine, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2"; Thomas Haden Church, "Sideways"; Jamie Foxx, "Collateral"; Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"; Clive Owen, "Closer."
Foxx has a better chance with Ray than this one. Clive Owen was another bright spot in Closer and was able to go from nice guy, to prick, to down and out flawlessly, but Thomas Haden Church was just too fucking funny not to win this one.
Director: Clint Eastwood, "Million Dollar Baby"; Marc Forster, "Finding Neverland"; Mike Nichols, "Closer"; Alexander Payne, "Sideways"; Martin Scorsese, "The Aviator."
Forster. I don't even know why.
Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"; John Logan, "The Aviator"; David Magee, "Finding Neverland"; Patrick Marber, "Closer"; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, "Sideways."
For me, Sunshine and Sideways are a toss up. Kaufman has the edge.
TV
Drama Series: "24," Fox; "Deadwood," HBO; "Lost," ABC; "Nip/Tuck," FX; "The Sopranos," HBO.
Lost is hot right now. I don't watch any of the others, so fuck me.
Actress, Drama Series: Edie Falco, "The Sopranos"; Jennifer Garner, "Alias"; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; Christine Lahti, "Jack & Bobby"; Joely Richardson, "Nip/Tuck."
Jennifer Garner is hot.
Actor, Drama Series: Michael Chiklis, "The Shield"; Denis Leary, "Rescue Me"; Julian McMahon, "Nip/Tuck"; Ian McShane, "Deadwood"; James Spader, "Boston Legal."
Spader is the man. But they love Chiklis and I'm assuming Leary falls into Chiklis status with a nomination from a show no one watches.
Series, Musical or Comedy: "Arrested Development," Fox; "Desperate Housewives," ABC; "Entourage, HBO; "Sex and the City," HBO; "Will & Grace," NBC.
I loved Entourage, but it's only like 10 episodes long. Arrested Development is the funniest show on TV right now. Fuck those Desperate Housewives. I'm already sick of the hype.
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, "Desperate Housewives"; Teri Hatcher, "Desperate Housewives"; Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives"; Debra Messing, "Will & Grace"; Sarah Jessica Parker, "Sex and the City."
Does it matter? SJP because Sex is over and all those Housewives cancel each other out.
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development"; Zach Braff, "Scrubs"; Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"; Matt LeBlanc, "Joey"; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"; Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men."
Incredibly hard choice between Larry David and Jason Bateman for me. I think I'll go with Bateman. But Shaloub seems to win like Chiklis for a show that NO ONE WATCHES!
Supporting Actress, Miniseries, Movie or Series: Drea de Matteo, "The Sopranos"; Anjelica Huston, "Iron Jawed Angels"; Nicollette Sheridan, "Desperate Housewives"; Charlize Theron, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers"; Emily Watson, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers."
Didn't de Matteo die on Sopranos. If so, she wins.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries, Movie or Series: Sean Hayes, "Will & Grace"; Michael Imperioli, "The Sopranos"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"; Oliver Platt, "Huff"; William Shatner, "Boston Legal."
Jeremy Piven and the Shat are both incredible. Make this one a tie. Pretty please.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Sidenote: Horrible Upcoming Movies
I forgot to rant about this the other day when I came home from Finding Neverland. How is it possible that some movies even get made? Don't the people making the movie realize it's a hunk of shit? If the preview can't interest you, then how do they expect the movie to actually make money once it is released?
There is the movie about a dog that smiles that stars Jeff Daniels as a minister and Dave Matthews as I guess himself. It's fucking dreadful looking, schmaltzy, Disney-esque crap. And then there is the fucking Zebra Seasbiscuit jawn with that hot little girl from Remember the Titans (man is she growing up fine....but verging on those ackward teen years of 16-18 as evidenced by the preview for this one....sort of like a female version of Haley Joel Osment in Secondhand Lions.) and Raising Helen. This one features talking animals, including the smart ass flies played by David Spade and that the tall King Of Comedy guy who hosted Showtime at the Apollo. This movie couldn't look worse if it tried. Now don't get me wrong, I do fully understand that these movies are geared towards kids and that I probably am not their target market. It just makes me angry when I know that there is a really good indie that might not get a shot at exposure because a company has invested millions in crap like Racing Stripes or Fucking Dog Smile at the Winn Dixie. A movie like A Very Long Engagement or the Woodsmen should be at every other mulitplex, not National Treasure.
I'm working on handicapping the Golden Globes, so stay tuned for future "the state of cinema" diatribes from me.
There is the movie about a dog that smiles that stars Jeff Daniels as a minister and Dave Matthews as I guess himself. It's fucking dreadful looking, schmaltzy, Disney-esque crap. And then there is the fucking Zebra Seasbiscuit jawn with that hot little girl from Remember the Titans (man is she growing up fine....but verging on those ackward teen years of 16-18 as evidenced by the preview for this one....sort of like a female version of Haley Joel Osment in Secondhand Lions.) and Raising Helen. This one features talking animals, including the smart ass flies played by David Spade and that the tall King Of Comedy guy who hosted Showtime at the Apollo. This movie couldn't look worse if it tried. Now don't get me wrong, I do fully understand that these movies are geared towards kids and that I probably am not their target market. It just makes me angry when I know that there is a really good indie that might not get a shot at exposure because a company has invested millions in crap like Racing Stripes or Fucking Dog Smile at the Winn Dixie. A movie like A Very Long Engagement or the Woodsmen should be at every other mulitplex, not National Treasure.
I'm working on handicapping the Golden Globes, so stay tuned for future "the state of cinema" diatribes from me.
Cat and Mouse
Watched Infernal Affairs last night in the wee hours. Pretty cool Japanese movie centered on two moles, one is a cop infiltrating the Triads (Japanese Mafia) and the other is a triad who is a cop. Very intricate plot, clever cat and mouse game between the two operatives who don't know who the other is and are both trying not to get caught. I have been informed that this movie has 2 more chapters, one of which is a prequel that is quite good as well. I'm considering renting the whole series to see how this story develops. One word of warning, Japanese music is awful. It all sounds like that horrible karaoke backing track shit you hear in those Chinatown karaoke bars.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
It's Over, or Has It Begun?
A full ten days until the Eve of Christmas and I am done with my shopping. A world record for me. Usually I have at least one or two hold out gifts that I need as the day looms large, but not this year. I probably spent more than I should, and I know I bought for way too many people I shouldn't have, but it's all good. I think everyone will enjoy what I've managed to procure them this year. I have written all my cards (well over 100 this year) and wrapped 90% of the gifts, so now I can go on cruise control and start handing them out.
In other Holly Jolly news, looks like I will be donning a Santa Suit for the ladies at work some time in the near future. The price one must pay for being rotund enough. Since I appear to be in good spirits this year, I guess it's only befitting that I sweat in that red straight jacket for everyone's amusement. I'm sure the kids will be lining up to sit on my lap and tell me what they want from Santa. God help me.
Work is getting hairy. Guess all those last minute shoppers are losing their patience...I'm sure that someone's holiday will be ruined by the likes of me. I have the power to make or break some teenage rich kids life this year and I intend to use it. "I'm sorry, your Ask Yoda doll won't be making it on time....no really I am."
To celebrate my completion of shopping for the holiday, I took in Finding Neverland today. (Ah, AMC giftcards...I love you.) Well, Mr. Depp has done it again, another superb performance. I cried like a little bitch about mid way into it, even though I'm not that big a fan of Peter Pan the story. It's mushy and fantastical, so if you like that type of crap, go see it. I did find it funny that Dustin Hoffman played the producer of JM Barrie's plays in the film and was once Hook in that crappy Robin Williams movie. Hmmm, interesting casting choice I suppose. My only word of warning, don't expect to see Kate Winslet looking her finest. Dumpy and dying she is. (oops....)
In other Holly Jolly news, looks like I will be donning a Santa Suit for the ladies at work some time in the near future. The price one must pay for being rotund enough. Since I appear to be in good spirits this year, I guess it's only befitting that I sweat in that red straight jacket for everyone's amusement. I'm sure the kids will be lining up to sit on my lap and tell me what they want from Santa. God help me.
Work is getting hairy. Guess all those last minute shoppers are losing their patience...I'm sure that someone's holiday will be ruined by the likes of me. I have the power to make or break some teenage rich kids life this year and I intend to use it. "I'm sorry, your Ask Yoda doll won't be making it on time....no really I am."
To celebrate my completion of shopping for the holiday, I took in Finding Neverland today. (Ah, AMC giftcards...I love you.) Well, Mr. Depp has done it again, another superb performance. I cried like a little bitch about mid way into it, even though I'm not that big a fan of Peter Pan the story. It's mushy and fantastical, so if you like that type of crap, go see it. I did find it funny that Dustin Hoffman played the producer of JM Barrie's plays in the film and was once Hook in that crappy Robin Williams movie. Hmmm, interesting casting choice I suppose. My only word of warning, don't expect to see Kate Winslet looking her finest. Dumpy and dying she is. (oops....)
Monday, December 13, 2004
Smooth Sailing
Well, it's another weekend of working the closing shift at work both Saturday and Sunday night. Can't complain since it's been relatively relaxed cosidering it's retail and we're less than 2 weeks from XMAS. When I work until midnight on the weekends I really start to feel detached from the real world. So many people are doing things on their weekend and I'm just going to work like it's Monday morning. Oh well, I'm off this coming weekend and will be celebrating XMAS early with my Dad over in Jersey at my sister's crib. I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year. I have no idea why? This post is utter bullshit and I'm going to end it right now.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Dating and the Modern Man
So tonight I went on a date. It's been years since I have actually gone on a date, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm happy to report that it was fine. Nothing overly romantic, just nice flowing conversation and enjoyable food. Oddly enough, I managed to eat Morrocan food without shitting my pants. (The half bottle of Pepto washing down 2 Imodium on the drive to her place probably helped with that.) The downer was that we chose to see Closer at the Ritz and it was absolute shit. Great actors, great director, horrible movie. Not a likable character in the bunch. Clive Owen has some killer lines however.
It was nice to get back on the dating horse. It went well and I'm happy about that. Good for me.
It was nice to get back on the dating horse. It went well and I'm happy about that. Good for me.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Thursday, December 09, 2004
CONICELLI FUCK YOU!
The other day I got a junk email from the car dealership that I purchased my ECHO from and I decided to send them back a nasty email about their constant bombardment of letters and emails to a guy that they fucked over. I paid for floormats that never came in the mail and it's been over a year. Anyway, read the emails below and laugh hysterically. Now.
Dear Mr. Richard:
I received your e-mail today and I was very upset that you are obviously unhappy with our dealership. I went back and read your first e-mail that was received on 4-14-04. I never personally received this e-mail. It went right to the salesperson and I was never given the opportunity to help you.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced. It is very upsetting to receive an e-mail that displays such anger from one of our customers.
We do care very much about our customer and I can assure you that, I can still help, I will. Please let me know what I can do. My email address is lconicelli@conicelliautoplex.com.
Thank you,
UNSIGNED
Dear Mr. Conicelli,
I appreciate the concern, although I am quite skeptical that there is any meaning behind it. I bought a car from Larry Palmer over a year ago. When I bought the car, he said that someone had stolen the floor mats from the car in the lot, but it was no problem...he would have a set sent to my house direct from Toyota.
After waiting about a month, I followed up. After all, I did pay for the mats. It wasn't like I was cut a break for the car missing them or anything. So Larry goes over the instructions he gave to Toyota and apparently he provided an incorrect house number for my address. A case of not being able to read his own handwriting. He left me with the idea that he would take care of getting them re-sent to the proper address lickety split.
Fast forward to the end of another month with no mats arriving. I made calls to Larry that went unanswered. I have emailed. I have mailed letters. You guys send out so much propaganda about how NICE you are...when I first bought the car, I got literally 15 letters from every employee there...but when I send in a letter, or email or make a call...NOTHING. It's sad. I paid for mats, didn't get them. Larry Palmer is an asshole. (Sorry, but he is...and I bet he doens't even work there anymore based on his history which I had to hear about endlessly on my test drive.)
This was my first car purchase on my own at the age of 31. I was gullible and took the Conicelli name to mean something more than it did. What's funny is that when I first came home with my new car and told my Dad about the mats, his words to me were....DID YOU GET IT IN WRITING THAT THEY WOULD SEND YOU A SET? I said no. And he said, YOU'LL NEVER SEE THEM. I thought otherwise. Looks like Father Knows Best afterall.
I honestly don't care what you do about this situation now. I can live without floor mats. But trust me. You'll never see my face again....not for service, not for another car, not if my life depended on it. I constantly warn people to avoid the Conicelli name at all costs, which isn't much, but it's the only leverage I have. You care about customer loyalty and increasing market share....and I'm gonna try what I can to make sure that both are that much harder. One man vs. the Goliath. Oh well. It's all I can do.
Thanks,
Scott Richard
Proud Toyota Echo Owner (minus floormats)
Former Conicelli Customer
Dear Mr. Richard:
I received your e-mail today and I was very upset that you are obviously unhappy with our dealership. I went back and read your first e-mail that was received on 4-14-04. I never personally received this e-mail. It went right to the salesperson and I was never given the opportunity to help you.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced. It is very upsetting to receive an e-mail that displays such anger from one of our customers.
We do care very much about our customer and I can assure you that, I can still help, I will. Please let me know what I can do. My email address is lconicelli@conicelliautoplex.com.
Thank you,
UNSIGNED
Dear Mr. Conicelli,
I appreciate the concern, although I am quite skeptical that there is any meaning behind it. I bought a car from Larry Palmer over a year ago. When I bought the car, he said that someone had stolen the floor mats from the car in the lot, but it was no problem...he would have a set sent to my house direct from Toyota.
After waiting about a month, I followed up. After all, I did pay for the mats. It wasn't like I was cut a break for the car missing them or anything. So Larry goes over the instructions he gave to Toyota and apparently he provided an incorrect house number for my address. A case of not being able to read his own handwriting. He left me with the idea that he would take care of getting them re-sent to the proper address lickety split.
Fast forward to the end of another month with no mats arriving. I made calls to Larry that went unanswered. I have emailed. I have mailed letters. You guys send out so much propaganda about how NICE you are...when I first bought the car, I got literally 15 letters from every employee there...but when I send in a letter, or email or make a call...NOTHING. It's sad. I paid for mats, didn't get them. Larry Palmer is an asshole. (Sorry, but he is...and I bet he doens't even work there anymore based on his history which I had to hear about endlessly on my test drive.)
This was my first car purchase on my own at the age of 31. I was gullible and took the Conicelli name to mean something more than it did. What's funny is that when I first came home with my new car and told my Dad about the mats, his words to me were....DID YOU GET IT IN WRITING THAT THEY WOULD SEND YOU A SET? I said no. And he said, YOU'LL NEVER SEE THEM. I thought otherwise. Looks like Father Knows Best afterall.
I honestly don't care what you do about this situation now. I can live without floor mats. But trust me. You'll never see my face again....not for service, not for another car, not if my life depended on it. I constantly warn people to avoid the Conicelli name at all costs, which isn't much, but it's the only leverage I have. You care about customer loyalty and increasing market share....and I'm gonna try what I can to make sure that both are that much harder. One man vs. the Goliath. Oh well. It's all I can do.
Thanks,
Scott Richard
Proud Toyota Echo Owner (minus floormats)
Former Conicelli Customer
What's Worse?
Would you rather be a Columbian Drug Mule or an albino?
I watched Maria Full of Grace late last night and boy was it good. It had the feel of a documentary almost, it was inimate and involving. I particularly liked the realistic nature in which the writer/director explored the concept of a drug mule, especially the realism concerning how the drugs are smuggled. Very gritty shit. Made me think about how I'm happy I don't need to turn to something like being a mule to survive.
I also bought a Smoothie in town yesterday and was assisted by a man who was in his late 30's and albino. I thought about how his life must be so different than mine just because of how he looks. A kid I work with said he used to work at the smoothie place in question and knew the guy. Apparently he is a total Dungeons and Dragons guy, lives for managing the smoothie place and has zero "real" friends. This confirmed my suspicion that being an albino must suck.
I watched Maria Full of Grace late last night and boy was it good. It had the feel of a documentary almost, it was inimate and involving. I particularly liked the realistic nature in which the writer/director explored the concept of a drug mule, especially the realism concerning how the drugs are smuggled. Very gritty shit. Made me think about how I'm happy I don't need to turn to something like being a mule to survive.
I also bought a Smoothie in town yesterday and was assisted by a man who was in his late 30's and albino. I thought about how his life must be so different than mine just because of how he looks. A kid I work with said he used to work at the smoothie place in question and knew the guy. Apparently he is a total Dungeons and Dragons guy, lives for managing the smoothie place and has zero "real" friends. This confirmed my suspicion that being an albino must suck.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Maybe I should eat dinner....
People really know how to spend money. It's odd working in a catalogue/website call center this time of year. Yesterday we took something like 6500 calls, probably 3500 were for orders placed over the phone. It's nuts.
I'm trying to remain positive and upbeat because there ain't no sense in being upset about work. It's going to be busy and ocassionally suck, but oh well. It's a living.
XAMS shopping is plugging along nicely. We picked our household pollyanna last night and I had some luck with brainstorming on what people I know would like. It's kind of fun buying things for people...spending money sucks, but the process of picking things out can be fun. It's time consuming though. I've been on every inch of Amazon the last couple days and I'm still struggling in the little kid department. How do I know what a 5 year old girl wants? I don't even know what a 21 year old girl wants. I know what a 21 year old doesn't want....an over 30, porky boss staring at their tits.
I'm trying to remain positive and upbeat because there ain't no sense in being upset about work. It's going to be busy and ocassionally suck, but oh well. It's a living.
XAMS shopping is plugging along nicely. We picked our household pollyanna last night and I had some luck with brainstorming on what people I know would like. It's kind of fun buying things for people...spending money sucks, but the process of picking things out can be fun. It's time consuming though. I've been on every inch of Amazon the last couple days and I'm still struggling in the little kid department. How do I know what a 5 year old girl wants? I don't even know what a 21 year old girl wants. I know what a 21 year old doesn't want....an over 30, porky boss staring at their tits.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Why I Hate Raccoons
1. This big fucker keeps getting into our trash besides the house like there's pussy in them thar cans. And this week I was responsible for taking the cans to the curb for trash removal tomorrow morning. So I just spent the last 20 minutes shoveling up wet trash from all over the place and getting all nice and pretty for the trash truck men. It was wet and nasty, like a crack whore's box and now I stink.
2. That long car ride back from Conneaut Lake, PA when I was 12 years old and my aunt Barb and uncle Sam decided they wanted to take a raccoon as a pet back to Philly without a cage. (After all Uncle Tom practically house broke 'em) I spent a grueling 9 hours wedged into the space between the back of the driver's seat and the bottom of the back seat covered by a blanket fending off a wild fucking racoon that would eventually have to be shot for "getting out of line" with a neighbor kid or some shit a few years later. Did I mention that the other factors that contributed to this ride being the most miserable of my life were my screaming 2 year old cousin Todd who was riddled with the flu and the fact that I was recently bitten by a bat and suffering from the effects of rabies. It's a long story...
2. That long car ride back from Conneaut Lake, PA when I was 12 years old and my aunt Barb and uncle Sam decided they wanted to take a raccoon as a pet back to Philly without a cage. (After all Uncle Tom practically house broke 'em) I spent a grueling 9 hours wedged into the space between the back of the driver's seat and the bottom of the back seat covered by a blanket fending off a wild fucking racoon that would eventually have to be shot for "getting out of line" with a neighbor kid or some shit a few years later. Did I mention that the other factors that contributed to this ride being the most miserable of my life were my screaming 2 year old cousin Todd who was riddled with the flu and the fact that I was recently bitten by a bat and suffering from the effects of rabies. It's a long story...
Friday, December 03, 2004
Getting the XMAS show on the road...
December, as a month, really just seems like a build up to one day and then shortly after, we are in a new year. The undertaking of the holidays can be consuming at times, with so many things to worry about and the inevitable money issues that always seem to crop up around this time of year. I usually am pretty well planned out when it comes to attacking XMAS like the beast that it is.
Yesterday I contributed to the last XMAS at the Ridge by buying a tinsel tree from work. The 40% discount made the purchase of such an item easier to swallow. And I loathe real trees. I think it's kind of selfish to kill a tree just to hang decorations on it. So my tree looks kind of sad, but I love it. It's blue and shiney and slender. It will get the job done, despite looking a little out of place in our living/dining area which looks like the Grizwalds decorated this year.
Phase 2 of the holiday season kick off is sending out your XMAS cards which I laborously licked, stuffed, wrote, signed, stamped and sealed today. Going out in the mail Monday so that most of them get to the recipient in plenty of time to reciprocate the sentiment. (You reading this??? Yes, you!)
I have been working on my XMAS list for a few weeks and can already claim a couple of small shopping victories prior to December 1. The only piece of the puzzle missing at this point is the Ridge pollyanna which seems to have hit an impass. I'm looking to keep it in the family, since last year's included a couple guys who have all but become invisible to these parts. Since the 5 of us have been in the house a few times this week and we haven't picked yet, I'm kind of wondering if this think is even going to happen. Assuming it will shortly, I have narrowed my list this year down to a very managable 25 people including the homefront pollyanna. My siblings are still testing out this new fangled anti-Pollyanna thing that was put into effect last year which I'm not sure I actually like. I'm not sure anyone likes it, but we are hardly ever in the same room to pick names that we basically have no choice. So everyone buys a generic gift and we blindly pick one from the pile and enjoy. I may still be bitter from last year when I became the proud owner of a back massager that was exchanged for random purchases at Target before january 1. What's tragic in all of this is that between house mates and siblings, I have about 12-15 people that would appreciate an Urban Outfitters purchase, but I will only have 2 of these people to buy for and my discount becomes useless in the family one. And God knows I will have an impossible time finding something at UO for my Grandparents. "look grandpa, it's a belt buckle and a bottle opener! Sorry. I forgot you wore only elastic waisted pants these days."
In any case, I guess you could say that the holiday season does make me feel hopeful and happy. I love giving gifts to people. I love seeing people that I don't often see. I love the idea of drinking a beer on a cold winter evening with my dear friends. I even think I like seeing my family on XMAS. Maybe I'm having an allergic reaction to the envelope glue on my XMAS cards?
Yesterday I contributed to the last XMAS at the Ridge by buying a tinsel tree from work. The 40% discount made the purchase of such an item easier to swallow. And I loathe real trees. I think it's kind of selfish to kill a tree just to hang decorations on it. So my tree looks kind of sad, but I love it. It's blue and shiney and slender. It will get the job done, despite looking a little out of place in our living/dining area which looks like the Grizwalds decorated this year.
Phase 2 of the holiday season kick off is sending out your XMAS cards which I laborously licked, stuffed, wrote, signed, stamped and sealed today. Going out in the mail Monday so that most of them get to the recipient in plenty of time to reciprocate the sentiment. (You reading this??? Yes, you!)
I have been working on my XMAS list for a few weeks and can already claim a couple of small shopping victories prior to December 1. The only piece of the puzzle missing at this point is the Ridge pollyanna which seems to have hit an impass. I'm looking to keep it in the family, since last year's included a couple guys who have all but become invisible to these parts. Since the 5 of us have been in the house a few times this week and we haven't picked yet, I'm kind of wondering if this think is even going to happen. Assuming it will shortly, I have narrowed my list this year down to a very managable 25 people including the homefront pollyanna. My siblings are still testing out this new fangled anti-Pollyanna thing that was put into effect last year which I'm not sure I actually like. I'm not sure anyone likes it, but we are hardly ever in the same room to pick names that we basically have no choice. So everyone buys a generic gift and we blindly pick one from the pile and enjoy. I may still be bitter from last year when I became the proud owner of a back massager that was exchanged for random purchases at Target before january 1. What's tragic in all of this is that between house mates and siblings, I have about 12-15 people that would appreciate an Urban Outfitters purchase, but I will only have 2 of these people to buy for and my discount becomes useless in the family one. And God knows I will have an impossible time finding something at UO for my Grandparents. "look grandpa, it's a belt buckle and a bottle opener! Sorry. I forgot you wore only elastic waisted pants these days."
In any case, I guess you could say that the holiday season does make me feel hopeful and happy. I love giving gifts to people. I love seeing people that I don't often see. I love the idea of drinking a beer on a cold winter evening with my dear friends. I even think I like seeing my family on XMAS. Maybe I'm having an allergic reaction to the envelope glue on my XMAS cards?
Thursday, December 02, 2004
December Has Blown In
So today was my first day of parking at a new garage in town. I signed up to pay for a parking spot monthly since I refuse to take the fucking bus anymore. SEPTA wants to raise fares, cut off weekend service, etc. and they can blow me before I'll give them another dime. Plus I do pay quite a bit monthly to drive my precious Echo, so I figured why the hell not?
Anyway, I squared away all the necessary shit with this woman at my company and when I pressed her for my first day protocol at the garage and she told me the following, "pull in and tell them you are a new monthly" and that was it, I kind of sensed I was in trouble.
Naturally I get there today and they have no clue who I am. The guy was cool and told me that I could park there, fill out some exception form and I should be cool. I was shocked that he was so chill about it. It wasn't until I picked my car up at 12:15 AM that I realized why he was so cool. He wasn't fucking there and didn't care. The dude working at night didn't have a fucking clue about anything. He almost didn't want to give me my fucking car. It's ridiculous, but would you expect any less at this point? Tomorrow is another day.
The good news from today is that I got a picture taken with Santa. My gal pal Joolie from work was gracious enough to come with me and we got matching pictures taken. They look rad. It's the kick off of employee appreciation at work and they had some dude dress up for a couple of hours for employees to get pics with the fat man in the red suit. Sadly though, I was bigger than the guy playing Santa. Thankfully I have no self esteem left to lose.
I have to get a crown fitting tomorrow morning, so I absolutely need to get up earlier than I am used to these days. It's a tooth thing, not a royalty thing. My schedule has me so out of wack anymore I can barely tell what day it is. On Tuesday, I was sound asleep at 11:50 AM and my boss called asking if I was coming to work since I was supposed to be there at 11 AM. I'm not sure if I'm coming or going anymore. Maybe it's old age? Maybe my night owl tendencies?
In other news, the whole lactose intolerant thing was a fallacy. I have been taking these stupid Diary Relief pills before I eat, but I'm still shitting like a cancer patient. I have to call my doctor tomorrow and make that physical appointment. Life was so much easier when you had a parent to do this shit for you. I think this is why people have kids....to make them do all the shit they don't want to do. "Get me a glass of water! and Paint the house!"
Clearly I'm rambling. And I'm tired. And my back hurts. And I need to get laid.
Anyway, I squared away all the necessary shit with this woman at my company and when I pressed her for my first day protocol at the garage and she told me the following, "pull in and tell them you are a new monthly" and that was it, I kind of sensed I was in trouble.
Naturally I get there today and they have no clue who I am. The guy was cool and told me that I could park there, fill out some exception form and I should be cool. I was shocked that he was so chill about it. It wasn't until I picked my car up at 12:15 AM that I realized why he was so cool. He wasn't fucking there and didn't care. The dude working at night didn't have a fucking clue about anything. He almost didn't want to give me my fucking car. It's ridiculous, but would you expect any less at this point? Tomorrow is another day.
The good news from today is that I got a picture taken with Santa. My gal pal Joolie from work was gracious enough to come with me and we got matching pictures taken. They look rad. It's the kick off of employee appreciation at work and they had some dude dress up for a couple of hours for employees to get pics with the fat man in the red suit. Sadly though, I was bigger than the guy playing Santa. Thankfully I have no self esteem left to lose.
I have to get a crown fitting tomorrow morning, so I absolutely need to get up earlier than I am used to these days. It's a tooth thing, not a royalty thing. My schedule has me so out of wack anymore I can barely tell what day it is. On Tuesday, I was sound asleep at 11:50 AM and my boss called asking if I was coming to work since I was supposed to be there at 11 AM. I'm not sure if I'm coming or going anymore. Maybe it's old age? Maybe my night owl tendencies?
In other news, the whole lactose intolerant thing was a fallacy. I have been taking these stupid Diary Relief pills before I eat, but I'm still shitting like a cancer patient. I have to call my doctor tomorrow and make that physical appointment. Life was so much easier when you had a parent to do this shit for you. I think this is why people have kids....to make them do all the shit they don't want to do. "Get me a glass of water! and Paint the house!"
Clearly I'm rambling. And I'm tired. And my back hurts. And I need to get laid.
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