Thanksgiving Morning At Freeway Park

Here's some pics for you all to enjoy. Also, I'm reconnected to the internet, so expect emails and chess games to resume shortly. And by shortly, I mean this evening or tomorrow morning.
























I'd like to write a brief description of each photo, but I'm running a bit late for work. Maybe later.

yay!!

i have the internet in my house. i am very happy. i came home ant thetre it was.

Well...

I couldn't take the pressure and haven't posted for the last few days. It's not really my fault, what with my internet connection being down and all.

Anyway, with any luck I'll be hooked back up this afternoon and ready to resume posting. I'm still going to try and finish the month out, even if I have missed a few days.

Also, I got up early yesterday morning and headed out to Freeway Park with Marie's new camera. I took about one hundred pics and am currently culling the weaker ones so I can post the best for you all to enjoy.

Today...

I went to Lake City and visited Elo and Pam at work. They were very busy and didn't have to much time to chit-chat, but it was nice to see them none-the-less. I meant to stop by the hobby/gaming shop across the street, but when the time came I decided against going in as I didn't have too much money to spare and a trip there would have cost me tons.

To sum up: I rode the bus for an hour, spent about half an hour talking to some friends and spent another hour on the bus to get home. The solitude was nice.

And on the way home I went through downtown and got to ride in the bus tunnel for the first time. It was neat, but creepy in a Silent Hill sort of way.

???????

I wrote an entry, but it hasn't shown up yet. I hope it does.

Games at Eric's

Well, I'm back at Kinko's paying for internet access. It's only .20 cents a minute and it really beats using the library's computer.

New stuff... I went over to my new friend Eric's house last night. We played some games, the best of which is called Cash and Guns. The gist of the game is that each turn all the players sort of re-enact the closing scene of Reservoir Dogs. Everyone has a toy gun. At the count of three everyone points their gun at another player. If a lot of guns are pointed at you you can opt to duck and lose your shot and any money you may have earned for that round. It's a fun party game and the more people playing the better it is.

We also played a game called Mall Of Horror, where you play as a group of survivors hiding in the Monroeville Mall (yay!) during a zombie apocalypse. Instead of fighting the zombies, every one in the store which is being attacked votes on who gets shoved out the door to feed the living dead.

When Eric's wife got home I was surprised (though I shouldn't have been) to find that I recognized her. She's a regular at Value Village. It seems that anywhere I go in Seattle I see someone that I at least know by face, if not by name, just because they shop at the Village.

That is all for today. See you tomorrow.

post

No internet for another week. Can you hear my soul weeping?

Look Out For Open Manholes

I was on my way to the library to blog when I fell down a manhole. I was drinking a cup of coffee and thinking so I didn't notice that the cover was off. Nor did I notice the yellow caution tape or the bright orange pylons stacked all around the manhole. Oh, and I didn't notice the man in the yellow hardhat yelling. Well, that's not actually true. I heard him yelling but I didn't think that the, "Hey, Buddy! You're going to fall down that manhole!" was directed at me.

Yes, I'm OK. Luck was with me. The fall was pretty far but there was a big mushy pile of mud at the bottom. I did spill my coffee though. That sucked.

Anyway, once I worked my way out of the big mushy pile of mud I started to look around for a way to get back out again. I could hear the traffic above me and what sounded like the guy in the yellow hard hat yelling at someone. At first I figured that I could just wait until the guy in the yellow hard hat yelled at enough people to get me out. However it was very very smelly down there next to the big pile of mushy mud. In fact, upon inspecting the big pile mushy mud it seemed that it wasn't only mushy, it was slimy too.

I let my eyes adjust to the darkness, tucking my nose in the collar of my t-shirt to help filter out some of the stink. It was then that I saw it- a big, mean, hairy dog like thing hunched in the corner under some pipes. There was slime dripping out from between its teeth. Not good.

Don't get me wrong, I like dogs but this thing wasn't going to go on my Cute or Friendly list any time soon. In fact this thing had just moved directly to the top of my Things I Wouldn't Want to Be Stuck 30 Feet Below Street Level In a Confined Space With list.

It made this very low, gravely growling noise in the back of it's throat and clicked it's teeth together slowly. I backed up trying to feel behind me for something I could use as a weapon. All I felt was that disgusting slime coating everything.

The big, mean, hairy dog-thing raised it's head up. I could see the slime covering it's black nose. Then it suddenly sneezed. Yes, it sneezed and covered me in slime. The hairy dog thing then lowered its head and wined. The damned thing had a cold.

Before I could really decide what to do, the last five feet of a white nylon rope plopped on my head. I looked up and saw that the guy in the yellow hard hat (who was still yelling) had gathered a group of people together and managed to send a rope down to me. From what I could see it looked like they were poised to haul me up. The dog thing with a cold started making those noises again so I grabbed the rope, eager to avoid another slime bath and I was pulled up.

So, I had to go back home shower and burn my clothes and then head back to the library, this time looking out for open manholes.

Phone Issues and Dramatic Weight Loss

At the library again...

After I bought the Ghoul her cell phone I decided the family no longer needed a land line. It was cancelled and all was good until we received a call from the Nielsens. They need us to have a land line for their equipment to call out on. I was unwilling to hook it back up so they offered to pay for it.

It took a few weeks and a few visits from the phone company and the Nielsen people, but yesterday the phone was hooked back up and everyone was happy. Or rather, should have been happy. You see, because our phone line is in someone else's name it has a different account number and line into the house. Our house is old and only has one phone line, so that means our dsl got pushed out of the way to make room for the phone. No internet for me.

I talked to Qwest yesterday and they told me it would cost about $100 dollars to have them come out and wire our house for two lines. I meant to call the Nielsen people today and ask them to pay for it (I'm sure they will) but I decided I needed to go to the library and keep up with this whole NaBloPoMo thing instead. Maybe tomorrow.

And in some news of the weird I've been rapidly losing weight. I think it has a lot to do with my erratic sleep schedule and how I skip at least one meal a day. And maybe because my appetite is suppressed by all the coffee I drink. Since I'm always tired I'm always drinking coffee... or Dew... or an energy drink.

Anyway in the last three months I've lost about thirty pounds. None of my clothes fit any more. My belt has a bunch of new holes added to it and pants that were far too tight during the summer now hang loosely on me.

Losing this much weight this fast is making me nervous. I'm thinking about scheduling a physical just to make sure there's nothing wrong with me.

Aaargh!

Here's another short post. My internet is down due to telephone problems. It'll be at least four days before I have internet access again. I'm at the library typing this and all the while there's a little clock in the corner that is counting down how much time I have left before I'm automatically logged out.

No one is ever in the mood for stress, so it just seems silly for me to say "I don't need this right now", so I'm not going to. But really, I don't need this right now.


I'm still tired and pretty cranky. At least I close the store tomorrow so I don't have to go in until the afternoon. I'm going to sleep late.

Bye.

Yet Another Post By Me

Alright, looking back I see a weeks worth of pretty weak posts. I don't know if I'm up to blogging everyday, but I'm determined to see this month through to the end.

So, let's see what I can come up with today.

Hmmm.... A co-worker described me as fearless the other day due to how aggressively I confronted a shoplifter. I didn't have the heart to tell her that in truth I'm afraid of a lot of things, it's just that shoplifters aren't one of them. Still it made my day.

On Sunday I hung around in Freeway Park for a while. Freeway Park is this big mass of concrete and trees in the middle of downtown. It's built above the freeway (hence the name) and stretches along for a few blocks. It's laid out in a really interesting way. I may take some pics this weekend and post them.

Well, fuck, this is another weak post, I guess. I need some sleep.

I apologize for not keeping up on reading all my friends blogs and I apologize profusely and unreservedly to those of you who are waiting on emails from me. All blogs will be read and all emails will be sent in good time.

I hate working with deadlines. I'm making this opst with just minutes to spare because I went to the basr after work and now I am drunk and I have to open the store in the mornign.

and the bus didn't come so I had to walk home.

Oh, Shit!

So there I was, laying in bed and falling asleep when it hit me...

I didn't post today.

So here I am. I don't really have anything to say.

I went to a party last night. It was fun.

That is all.

Lame Post

I'm going to be busy all day so this weak post is as good as it's going to get.

I stole this pic from PostSecret. Though it's not my secret it may as well be.

I Took A Quiz

Law's Game Style created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Storyteller You're more inclined toward the role playing side of the equation and less interested in numbers or experience points. You're quick to compromise if you can help move the story forward, and get bored when the game slows down for a long planning session. You want to play out a story that moves like it's orchestrated by a skilled novelist or film director. Storyteller 92% Tactician 75% Method Actor 75% Specialist 50% Power Gamer 33% Butt-Kicker 17% Casual Gamer 0% I'm not surprised I scored so low in the Butt-kicker category. We haven't had any combat for our last two game sessions as I keep talking my way out of trouble or finding some way to trick my opponents. I think my DM is getting frustrated.

Music

Today I'm going to discuss some bands I like.



The first up is Seattle's own Optimus Rhyme. I caught them a long while back at El Corazon with MC Chris and their cd School The Indie Rockers has not left my mp3 player since. I guess they're considered nerdcore, but their version of geek themed rap is a lot less nerdy and much more mature than others I've heard (ahem, MC Chris). If you follow the link above make sure you turn on the music player in the upper right corner of their home page. The first song is Just Forget It. It is good.



Now, If you've talked to me about music before you'll probably have heard of Kyuss. I picked up their second cd, Blues For The Red Sun, shortly after it was released. I'd never heard of them, but their name was so similar to the Sons Of Kyuss (from the D&D book Fiend Folio) that I thought I'd give them a chance. It was the best impulse buy ever. Blues For The Red Sun and Kyuss' next cd Welcome To Sky Valley rank among my all time favorite cds. Good stoner rock. Always melodic and usually heavy Kyuss stands head and shoulders above anything the various members have done since (ahem, Queens of the Stone Age). I'm waiting patiently for a reunion tour. You should watch some Kyuss videos on YouTube. Here's Demon Cleaner and here's Green Machine.

I was going to write about Clutch, but time restraints are making that impossible. I'll just say that I like everything from Impetus to The Elephant Riders. They kinda lost me when they released Pure Rock Fury. I lost interest and haven't sought out any of their newer cds.

p.s. My eye is much better this morning. It's still sore and I have a killer headache (I think from squinting all night), but I'm not blind or anything.

My Eye!!!!

This afternoon, while running for the bus, I reached up to grab the lit cigarette from my mouth. I misjudged the distance and instead of grabbing the cigarette I mashed it into my face. Sparks flew up into my eyes.

Intense pain! It sucked. I made it to the bus, my eye watering profusely. Something (burning tobacco, duh) was stuck in it.

But when I got home in front of a mirror there was nothing to be found. Upon very close inspection an oval portion of my eyeball is discolored and has a funky texture.

Dr. Dave's analysis? I BURNED MY FUCKING EYEBALL WITH A CIGARETTE!

I am so bummed and in so much pain.

Killer Bunnies Redux and No Work For Gerard Butler

Alright, I've had a chance to play Killer Bunnies. It was an enjoyable experience. Though the game play is different, the general feel of the game is similar to Munchkin. Each player plays cards to strengthen his position while his opponents do everything in their power to hinder him. Or in my case Player One wallows in miserable stagnation while Players Two and Three (or as I call them: Marie and the Ghoul) gang up on him and play cards to help each other.

So, to sum up: Killer Bunnies is an alright game, but with around 10 expansion decks priced at $12.95 each I don't know if I'll be collecting the whole set.

In other news, Gerard Butler will no longer be playing Snake Plisskin in the 2009 remake of Escape From New York. He backed out citing creative differences. Other sources report that Kurt Russell threw a hissy fit when told a Scot would be playing Snake, the quintessential American anti-hero. The truth? Who knows. I'm only reporting what I heard. You can read the article here, but it won't tell you any more than I just did.

Also, it appears Mr. Butler will no longer be playing the zombie slaying priest, Ivan Isaacs, in the movie adaption of the manga Priest. I think he could have played either of those characters well.

He is still in the running (neck and neck with Bruce Campbell) to play me (Dave) in the movie of my life, tentatively titled Naked Came I or Demon Orgy (more on this film much later).

See ya tomorrow.

The Walking Dead

Marie and I bummed around Pioneer Square and Downtown today. We stopped by Golden Age Collectibles and I was shocked by the number of games they have which I don't. I grabbed the new issue of The Walking Dead and got out quick before I overspent myself.

The Walking Dead issue #43. Fuck. It's crazy. The last few issues have been really good. I have a feeling the next few are going to be even better... if the sneak peeks we've been allowed to see are true.

Check out this ad if your interested.

No One Is Safe

They've never been shy about killing off characters. I just hope some one I like makes it. But, to be truthful, I hope Lori dies. She bugs the crap out of me.

Geek Out!

As I promised last night here are some pics from our last D&D session.

Some background, perhaps? I'm playing Derrick, a half-elf 2nd level rogue/1st level sorcerer of unknown parentage. I and my companion, Mog (a 3rd level half-orc barbarian), somehow got mixed up in an attack on the Temple of Mystra in Freeport (an island in the ocean somewhere between Waterdeep and Amn in the Forgotten Realms). Now mysterious bad guys are trying to kill us while we are doing our best to solve the crime and save the day (and hopefully the world).

Our house was trashed by the above unknown bad guys so we spent the night in an inn. I guess we weren't secretive enough about it because in the middle of the night we were attacked. Some sort of sleep inducing smoke grenade was lobbed into our room. The first thing I did was fail my save and I passed out before the combat even began.

My figure is the one in the middle laying down, asleep.



Raixel (the DM) positions an enemy.



Eventually I woke up and joined the fight in time to win. My miniature is the one on the left standing on the rectangle which, if you use your imagination, is actually a bed.



In true D&D fashion we stripped the bodies of their treasure before the city guard came. I got a set of masterwork leather armor. Of course I had to explain to the guards why our attacker was dead and in his underwear in my room. But it all ended up OK.

Tonight when we play, Mog and I have an appointment to meet with the head of the Thieves Guild to negotiate for access to the sewers. I've heard they are full of were-rats.

Killer Bunnies

Today I went to work and I worked all day. I'm sure some interesting or noteworthy thing happened but for the life of me I can not think of one right now. I am worn out.

I did buy a new game. It's called Killer Bunnies. I have not played it yet but it looks fun in a nice, friendly bunny rabbit murdering way. The object is to keep your bunnies alive and collect carrots while trying to kill your opponents bunnies. I don't know if you can steal carrots from people. I will post a review when I finally get around to playing it. It may take a while as I have not even played Star Munchkin yet and that one was purchased weeks ago.

This is a pretty short post. Tomorrows will be better. I may post some pics of our D&D game in action. Or maybe not 'cuz they're kinda lame. Most of the pictures I took are just of our miniatures arranged on the battle mat.

Oh, and when I picked up Killer Bunnies I bought Marie a t-shirt that says "Nerds Have Big Hard Drives".

I Never Finish Anything

I'd like to start this post by discussing my "To Read" pile. It is large. Larger than it has been for a long time. And it is growing. With purchases, loans and library books the list expands daily. So why don't I read some of them and get the pile back to manageable levels?

Well, it's not so easy. My new work schedule prohibits spending long periods of time on any project including reading. And the fact is I can't acquire a new book without beginning to read it, at least to "test the water", as it were. So in addition to having large amounts of books which need to be read I have large amounts of partially read books littering my house. Fifty pages read in this one, one hundred read in that one. So when I do find a moment to read it's not as easy as picking up whatever book I'm currently reading and having a go at it. I have to decide which book I'm reading I'd like to continue with at that moment.

The same goes for video games. I'm currently playing no less than than four games so of course none of them are in any way approaching completion. Not even Fallout 2, in which I am so near the end I can taste it.

What's going on here? I certainly have the desire to see things through to the end, but it's no so easy in practice. Like I said my work schedule is a little crazy. Some days I open the store, other days I close it. I feel tired a lot just because I can't get on a steady sleep schedule. I've stopped (once again) casting spells in an attempt to clear my mind. So far it hasn't worked. I've come to the conclusion that I simply need to buckle down and and use whatever time I have to it's fullest.

My goals? Read those books, write those stories, email my writing exercises to Erin, send James the pirate ships I promised him, finish those games and get off my ass!

This is my promise to you: I WILL DO STUFF!!! (as soon as I get around to it).

NABLOPOMO

Well, I almost didn't do this whole month of posting thing. Every time I tried to sign up my computer froze. Finally, the fourth time worked.

So what are the rules for this? Do weak posts like this one count? 'Cuz this is all I'm posting today.

I'm tired. And a little cranky.