I'm having a very odd end of 2005.
I think I will use this whole "new years" thing as a new start... is that cliche?
It's been a pretty great year, thanks all.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
Halloween.
I was Mario and my best friend was luige. Red suit, overalls – the whole shabang. I was 22 and had just moved to New York. We were accompanied by female Ghost Busters, Jersey trash, and a flamboyant gay man on roller-skates. The night went according to plan, there were drinks, dancing, drinks, flirting, drinks, kissing, and an impromptu ride back to the Ghost Buster’s apartment in a stretch limousine. We lost roller-boy at some point in the evening to the drinks and he skated off home before we got to there. We gave him a set of keys. After buying three large pizzas we approached the door to the world of settling.
Roller-Boy had the only set of keys. He left them in the apartment, locked in the apartment. 3:45am Locked out of the apartment. No one else was home in the building. There was talk of Locksmiths, no one on those fancy sticker they place next to the locks were answering. 411 had no help either. What was Mario to do? Why - he was go climb up the castle walls.
He went around the corner until he found a escape ladder 4 buildings away. Jumped from a staircase railing and pulled himself on to the first landing. His overalls and red cap continued up to the top landing. The escape did not go all the way to the roof, but the final landing was only a window away from an adjoining rooftop. If Mario got the big star with the super speed he could vault from the landing to the window to the roof four floors above ground.
He did not have the special star. However, the window to the apartment was open and the lights were off, if he went inside the apartment and out the window he could easily reach the roof next door.
“Hello? Helloooo?”
Push the window open, right foot in, lean over, swing torso around, left foot in. Up down up down, left right, left right A B, A B, select start. The cheats were put into the program for a reason. Mario was in the hidden level, the music speeds up, there is no one chasing him there are TV shaped stars and stereo shaped stars everywhere, but there isn’t time… there is an extra bonus for speed.
He goes straight into the hallway, turns left and goes toward a door. He turns left into the door into the special bedroom chamber… still no princess, he has a long way to go. He goes to the window – opens it and steps onto the ledge. Holding onto the window dangling floors above the mysterious emptiness that we all know leads to death (he is on his last man, and can’t afford to fail). He leans over and slightly jumps horizontally onto the next rooftop. Pressing the A button he runs from one roof to the next, climbs a short wall to the next, and to the final rooftop.
The door is locked.
This must be the wrong tube.
He looks for another tube, there is one towards the back of the building, it leads to a patio where the treasure is kept two floors down. He shimmies between the vent and the wall. Success.
The door is locked.
The window is unlocked; he opens it, breaks through the flimsy screen and is in. He goes to the intercom and presses the magic button and says the password, “comeonup”. And he has released the princesses – the Ghost Busters have their castle back.
...there is a reason I didn't finish my novel...
Roller-Boy had the only set of keys. He left them in the apartment, locked in the apartment. 3:45am Locked out of the apartment. No one else was home in the building. There was talk of Locksmiths, no one on those fancy sticker they place next to the locks were answering. 411 had no help either. What was Mario to do? Why - he was go climb up the castle walls.
He went around the corner until he found a escape ladder 4 buildings away. Jumped from a staircase railing and pulled himself on to the first landing. His overalls and red cap continued up to the top landing. The escape did not go all the way to the roof, but the final landing was only a window away from an adjoining rooftop. If Mario got the big star with the super speed he could vault from the landing to the window to the roof four floors above ground.
He did not have the special star. However, the window to the apartment was open and the lights were off, if he went inside the apartment and out the window he could easily reach the roof next door.
“Hello? Helloooo?”
Push the window open, right foot in, lean over, swing torso around, left foot in. Up down up down, left right, left right A B, A B, select start. The cheats were put into the program for a reason. Mario was in the hidden level, the music speeds up, there is no one chasing him there are TV shaped stars and stereo shaped stars everywhere, but there isn’t time… there is an extra bonus for speed.
He goes straight into the hallway, turns left and goes toward a door. He turns left into the door into the special bedroom chamber… still no princess, he has a long way to go. He goes to the window – opens it and steps onto the ledge. Holding onto the window dangling floors above the mysterious emptiness that we all know leads to death (he is on his last man, and can’t afford to fail). He leans over and slightly jumps horizontally onto the next rooftop. Pressing the A button he runs from one roof to the next, climbs a short wall to the next, and to the final rooftop.
The door is locked.
This must be the wrong tube.
He looks for another tube, there is one towards the back of the building, it leads to a patio where the treasure is kept two floors down. He shimmies between the vent and the wall. Success.
The door is locked.
The window is unlocked; he opens it, breaks through the flimsy screen and is in. He goes to the intercom and presses the magic button and says the password, “comeonup”. And he has released the princesses – the Ghost Busters have their castle back.
...there is a reason I didn't finish my novel...
Monday, December 26, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Pre-Christmas routine
I have stayed up way past my bed time on Christmas eve once again. This time I was watching "miracle on 34th st." - it's cute... even the new version.
No, my gifts aren't wrapped yet... get off my back.
I figured I would share with all of you my family's christmas routine in photos.
It starts with my mom's side of the family.
We have dinner
and then coffee and then exchange gifts - white elephant style...
For those of you who have never given or received ala white elephant - you are missing out. We start with the oldest person choosing a gift. The next youngest can either take an unwrapped gift or tempt fate with a wrapped gift. Not all of the gifts are good, not all are bad. It is a bit luck, and a bit strategy.
Then we play.
Now, for the other side of the family there are a few more long-standing traditions. It is held on christmas eve. It used to be semi-formal, but now it has become a formal event.
Everyone shows up, we mingle. whores de overs are served.
Santa shows up.
He gives gifts.
We sing.
We take a photo.
He leaves.
We eat. a Lot.
Now, at this point is when I don't have any photos, but it is true... I sing the "Muffin Man" and call people at my will to solo in front of everyone about their knowledge of the muffin man and where he resides. This has been going on for around 40 years. I am probably the 8th muffin man and I have been doing it for about 5 years... whew.
Everyone gets scared, then it is over and we laugh. ha ha. We have the results of the guessing games (how many candies... how much money is in the jar). Then we may sing some more (this isn't as old of a tradition - but we are instituting a new "twelve days of christmas" bit.
Then we have dessert, run around the house, play with our new toys and try to get everyone tired so that they will fall asleep faster.
Maybe later you can hear about christmas day...
No, my gifts aren't wrapped yet... get off my back.
I figured I would share with all of you my family's christmas routine in photos.
It starts with my mom's side of the family.
We have dinner
and then coffee and then exchange gifts - white elephant style...
For those of you who have never given or received ala white elephant - you are missing out. We start with the oldest person choosing a gift. The next youngest can either take an unwrapped gift or tempt fate with a wrapped gift. Not all of the gifts are good, not all are bad. It is a bit luck, and a bit strategy.
Then we play.
Now, for the other side of the family there are a few more long-standing traditions. It is held on christmas eve. It used to be semi-formal, but now it has become a formal event.
Everyone shows up, we mingle. whores de overs are served.
Santa shows up.
He gives gifts.
We sing.
We take a photo.
He leaves.
We eat. a Lot.
Now, at this point is when I don't have any photos, but it is true... I sing the "Muffin Man" and call people at my will to solo in front of everyone about their knowledge of the muffin man and where he resides. This has been going on for around 40 years. I am probably the 8th muffin man and I have been doing it for about 5 years... whew.
Everyone gets scared, then it is over and we laugh. ha ha. We have the results of the guessing games (how many candies... how much money is in the jar). Then we may sing some more (this isn't as old of a tradition - but we are instituting a new "twelve days of christmas" bit.
Then we have dessert, run around the house, play with our new toys and try to get everyone tired so that they will fall asleep faster.
Maybe later you can hear about christmas day...
Thursday, December 22, 2005
funds and cabs
I braved the trip to Manhattan. It was a lot easier than I though, I got to the Williamsburg bridge and a random guy offered me a ride on the nearly empty streets to a block from my location. 9 pm.
My final destination was the living room. I'm a big fan. I went to see a friend play at an Eliott Smith tribute / fundraiser. The fundraiser was for the Jennifer Falkenstern Medical Fund. She needs a bone marrow transplant and the fund is to try and help with the costs.
I once was sent information to be tested to be a bone marrow donor. I didn't follow through because I was too busy. I feel really bad about that. I'll make sure to get back on the list.
I normally would have gone home after this very nice concert... but my friends don't party lightly.
This is when the molestation started. they came from everywhere.... crossed streets slowed down to watch us pass, three, four at a time would all stop for us.
Cabs.
Empty cabs - everywhere.
This went on until 4 or 5 in the morning - it was an infestation of empty cabs, walking one block in the east village would allow at least 8 available cab sightings. It was amazing, legendary even. It may never happen again, but last night was the best cab weather in NYC ever. I didn't know there were that many cabs in the city.
I felt dirty.
My final destination was the living room. I'm a big fan. I went to see a friend play at an Eliott Smith tribute / fundraiser. The fundraiser was for the Jennifer Falkenstern Medical Fund. She needs a bone marrow transplant and the fund is to try and help with the costs.
I once was sent information to be tested to be a bone marrow donor. I didn't follow through because I was too busy. I feel really bad about that. I'll make sure to get back on the list.
I normally would have gone home after this very nice concert... but my friends don't party lightly.
This is when the molestation started. they came from everywhere.... crossed streets slowed down to watch us pass, three, four at a time would all stop for us.
Cabs.
Empty cabs - everywhere.
This went on until 4 or 5 in the morning - it was an infestation of empty cabs, walking one block in the east village would allow at least 8 available cab sightings. It was amazing, legendary even. It may never happen again, but last night was the best cab weather in NYC ever. I didn't know there were that many cabs in the city.
I felt dirty.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Annoying.
Things are just annoying. I think that is one of the reasons I haven't been blogging.
I never realized how much I used my car until it was gone. I also used it as storage - I just kept a whole lot of junk in it... which led to a very messy room for a few weeks, it's fine now.
I also miss the trains, and though I usually have sympathy for the unions - not this time. This time I think they are being selfish jerks.
I don't feel like getting into the annoying politics of the spying and finger pointing (though I would like a whole "vote of no-confidence thing" like England). However this is pretty bad -
but don't worry, space robot spiders may soon rule the world.
Also annoying - too many parties from November 24 to Jan 1. I am really excited to go to Hawaii. (this is for real this time - from the 1st to the 8th of january.)
I may now skateboard into the city to listen to some music. Maybe...
So annoying.
I never realized how much I used my car until it was gone. I also used it as storage - I just kept a whole lot of junk in it... which led to a very messy room for a few weeks, it's fine now.
I also miss the trains, and though I usually have sympathy for the unions - not this time. This time I think they are being selfish jerks.
I don't feel like getting into the annoying politics of the spying and finger pointing (though I would like a whole "vote of no-confidence thing" like England). However this is pretty bad -
The Ohio Patriot Act has made it to the Taft's desk, and with the stroke of a pen, it would most likely become the toughest terrorism bill in the country. The lengthy piece of legislation would let police arrest people in public places who will not give their names, address and birth dates, even if they are not doing anything wrong.good idea.
but don't worry, space robot spiders may soon rule the world.
Also annoying - too many parties from November 24 to Jan 1. I am really excited to go to Hawaii. (this is for real this time - from the 1st to the 8th of january.)
I may now skateboard into the city to listen to some music. Maybe...
So annoying.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Friday, December 16, 2005
nothin' to report, back to you -
nope, nothin'.
It was my father's birthday, my friend Jeremy's birthday. I've seen some good shows, heard some good music, and tomorrow may be a snow day - depending on the possible and illeagal strike.
Maybe I will try to be entertaining tomorrow. But for now it is bed time, my room is almost clean, and we have a new roommate - cute, little design student. Fun Fun.
Where are the New Year's Party Invitations?
Amuse yourself with homestarrunner and House of Cosbys (as a friend warned me, there is no need to watch #5 of house of cosbys... but the others, oh - the others...)
It was my father's birthday, my friend Jeremy's birthday. I've seen some good shows, heard some good music, and tomorrow may be a snow day - depending on the possible and illeagal strike.
Maybe I will try to be entertaining tomorrow. But for now it is bed time, my room is almost clean, and we have a new roommate - cute, little design student. Fun Fun.
Where are the New Year's Party Invitations?
Amuse yourself with homestarrunner and House of Cosbys (as a friend warned me, there is no need to watch #5 of house of cosbys... but the others, oh - the others...)
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
Nothing important in the world...
I know, let's make up the news.
I live in NYC... Brooklyn, and YES, that is still in New York City.
Supposedly I am in the middle of a terrible snow storm. Or so CNN would have me believe.
Say, CNN, what does it look like outside?
Oh, look at all that snow... what about outside of central park?
Oh, look at how hard that looks... I better not leave the house!
"Winter storm dumps on Northeast 'You shovel it and it comes right back'"
Oh NO! oh NO! I'll just look out my window, right now, and see what it looks like...
Amazing.
so, how about this... use current photos rather than AP File photos... whaddya say? Though, I am excited about our, "doozy of a snowstorm" coming up.
At least it isn't getting any warmer...
I live in NYC... Brooklyn, and YES, that is still in New York City.
Supposedly I am in the middle of a terrible snow storm. Or so CNN would have me believe.
Say, CNN, what does it look like outside?
Oh, look at all that snow... what about outside of central park?
Oh, look at how hard that looks... I better not leave the house!"Winter storm dumps on Northeast 'You shovel it and it comes right back'"
Oh NO! oh NO! I'll just look out my window, right now, and see what it looks like...
Amazing.
so, how about this... use current photos rather than AP File photos... whaddya say? Though, I am excited about our, "doozy of a snowstorm" coming up.
At least it isn't getting any warmer...
I'm not funny.
Not in the least.
My sarcasm needs a little help. My last entry was full of lies. More than one of you were confused.
I did not make an emergency 1 day trip to the whole of Asia.
I was trying to show my excitement over a TV show from the SciFi Network.
I now know I should have said something more unbelievable like, "I am traveling to the moon to better watch the episodes of Battlestar Galactica on my iPod and then I will be going to the middle of the pacific to watch the newest episode of Lost."
From the help of Au Bon Pain (and a case of food poisoning) I was able to stay home yesterday and watch a lot of very small television.
Today I am trying to find a new roommate. Let me know if you are interested.
I will not try to make silly comments in the future, people get hurt. I am sorry.
Here, this is from CNN. It is not funny.
My sarcasm needs a little help. My last entry was full of lies. More than one of you were confused.
I did not make an emergency 1 day trip to the whole of Asia.
I was trying to show my excitement over a TV show from the SciFi Network.
I now know I should have said something more unbelievable like, "I am traveling to the moon to better watch the episodes of Battlestar Galactica on my iPod and then I will be going to the middle of the pacific to watch the newest episode of Lost."
From the help of Au Bon Pain (and a case of food poisoning) I was able to stay home yesterday and watch a lot of very small television.
Today I am trying to find a new roommate. Let me know if you are interested.
I will not try to make silly comments in the future, people get hurt. I am sorry.
Here, this is from CNN. It is not funny.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
I'm in trouble.
OK, I have the iPod video. It is amazing. If you have seen me in the past month you know I probably bring it out once a conversation. Apple is now expanding their iTunes store for more television. Now, I will be able to loose myself in "Knight Rider", see my boy in "The Office", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" classics, and the most deadly? "Battlestar Galactica".
All of you thought that I went to Buenos Aires... nope, just watched "Lost" for a week... now I'm going... um... asia, yeah, asia... somewhere for about a miniseries - I mean month, no 23 episodes - DAYS... a week, yeah.
I will be out of town, starting today, for a week, going to asia, sorry about the short notice, goodbye.
All of you thought that I went to Buenos Aires... nope, just watched "Lost" for a week... now I'm going... um... asia, yeah, asia... somewhere for about a miniseries - I mean month, no 23 episodes - DAYS... a week, yeah.
I will be out of town, starting today, for a week, going to asia, sorry about the short notice, goodbye.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
I love the smell of winter air.
let's see - recap...
I got to hear Matt play on thursday, Roland on Friday, Sami sing on Saturday, and Sunday I got to hear Matt and John play together and Chris play in his apartment.
Toss in there Robyn's birthday, a little "Trapped in the Closet", a photoshoot with James and Sami, and a Wild/Ranger game and it was a pretty long and entertaining weekend.
There was even a sighting of bizarro chad on the streets of New York City wearing a non-ironic sporting Jersey and Cap.
here, view a few photos.
and, yes, there is a grand piano in an apartment in manhattan... inwood, though.
I got to hear Matt play on thursday, Roland on Friday, Sami sing on Saturday, and Sunday I got to hear Matt and John play together and Chris play in his apartment.
Toss in there Robyn's birthday, a little "Trapped in the Closet", a photoshoot with James and Sami, and a Wild/Ranger game and it was a pretty long and entertaining weekend.
There was even a sighting of bizarro chad on the streets of New York City wearing a non-ironic sporting Jersey and Cap.
here, view a few photos.
and, yes, there is a grand piano in an apartment in manhattan... inwood, though.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Monday, December 05, 2005
humph
my computer has chosen not to work.
I had a very fulfilling weekend.
Now I am off to watch some hockey.
whoo hoo.
more tomorrow.
I had a very fulfilling weekend.
Now I am off to watch some hockey.
whoo hoo.
more tomorrow.
Friday, December 02, 2005
wee...
I went skating tonight. It was fun. For the first time ever I was one of the best ice skaters on the rink.
I heart NYC.
I heart NYC.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Death.
This isn't going to be a long post, no one likes to be preached to, this is just what happened with my own discoveries.
I never really gave the death penalty much thought until a few years ago. Once DNA actually meant something.
I used to think that if people were convicted for something bad - then they should be put to death to soothe the injured parties and to save the tax payers' money.
Well, I changed my mind. I realized that "something bad" is not the same for everyone. I realized that another's death may not ease the heart of the wounded. I realized that it didn't save any money. I realized that it is not right to kill someone. And the real clincher? ? ?
. . . I realized that people could be falsely convicted . . .
There is no room for error when death is the punishment and humans are not perfect.
Tonight I went to a protest/march/speech taking place at Columbia University. Many were there to support the freeing of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Others were there to admonish John Ashcroft who was at the college to give a speech on... something. (I would have heard it but they did not allow my bag in the auditorium and I had no where to store it.)
Williams was not granted a stay from the courts, however he "plans to make a compelling case before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger or his staff at a December 8 clemency hearing to commute Williams' sentence to life in prison without parole."
Spend some time and learn about this. This is something that can be changed.
And now - here are my photos of The Man himself, John Aschcroft, everyone... and me being a paparazzi...
I found the obvious side door that he would go to and hung out there. Soon other kids from Columbia started hangin' out there too. I snapped away. They snapped. He shook hands. Then the boo-ing started... and it actually caught him by surprise. I think he thought he was in safe ground after seeing the happy cops... and photographers don't usually "boo", I guess...
Thanks Fancy Robot for the information.
P.S. - I got Apple's Aperture... it's awesome.
P.P.S. - I'm a little bit of a geek.
I never really gave the death penalty much thought until a few years ago. Once DNA actually meant something.
I used to think that if people were convicted for something bad - then they should be put to death to soothe the injured parties and to save the tax payers' money.
Well, I changed my mind. I realized that "something bad" is not the same for everyone. I realized that another's death may not ease the heart of the wounded. I realized that it didn't save any money. I realized that it is not right to kill someone. And the real clincher? ? ?
. . . I realized that people could be falsely convicted . . .
There is no room for error when death is the punishment and humans are not perfect.
Tonight I went to a protest/march/speech taking place at Columbia University. Many were there to support the freeing of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Others were there to admonish John Ashcroft who was at the college to give a speech on... something. (I would have heard it but they did not allow my bag in the auditorium and I had no where to store it.)
Williams was not granted a stay from the courts, however he "plans to make a compelling case before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger or his staff at a December 8 clemency hearing to commute Williams' sentence to life in prison without parole."
Spend some time and learn about this. This is something that can be changed.
And now - here are my photos of The Man himself, John Aschcroft, everyone... and me being a paparazzi...
I found the obvious side door that he would go to and hung out there. Soon other kids from Columbia started hangin' out there too. I snapped away. They snapped. He shook hands. Then the boo-ing started... and it actually caught him by surprise. I think he thought he was in safe ground after seeing the happy cops... and photographers don't usually "boo", I guess...
Thanks Fancy Robot for the information.
P.S. - I got Apple's Aperture... it's awesome.
P.P.S. - I'm a little bit of a geek.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
mood
Shaved the beard today, I don't know why - just was in the mood... at this point last year I was very heavily bearded. I will miss the extra warmth of the beard, but not the icicles that live in it while outdoors.
Also, with lack of an automobile and a bike with no parts I am searching for alternate forms of transportation. I heard people "walk" in NYC... but that takes too long. The bus is not very reliable and the subway is neat, but doesn't always take me where I want to go.
So I am going to get a moped. I am going to try and win one from American Express on Wednesday (I've never won anything - I figure this is about my time). Otherwise I may give myself a Christmas present with my insurance money.
And here is a picture of my brother walking away from me, because I told him to.
Also, with lack of an automobile and a bike with no parts I am searching for alternate forms of transportation. I heard people "walk" in NYC... but that takes too long. The bus is not very reliable and the subway is neat, but doesn't always take me where I want to go.
So I am going to get a moped. I am going to try and win one from American Express on Wednesday (I've never won anything - I figure this is about my time). Otherwise I may give myself a Christmas present with my insurance money.
And here is a picture of my brother walking away from me, because I told him to.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
In my head
I have a great thanksgiving post in my head.
it is right next to my great novel.
It's way past my bedtime, but I would like to share some of my nice weekend so far.
Post cards it is.
went to a farm
saw some animals, like a goat and chicken
Saw a hockey game (*see the puck just passing the goalie?)
Had Thanksgiving Dinner with the fam.
goofed off
and then got our dinner.
Same ol' same ol'.
It's a whole new world here in MN.
it is right next to my great novel.
It's way past my bedtime, but I would like to share some of my nice weekend so far.
Post cards it is.
went to a farm
saw some animals, like a goat and chicken
Saw a hockey game (*see the puck just passing the goalie?)
Had Thanksgiving Dinner with the fam.
goofed off
and then got our dinner.
Same ol' same ol'.
It's a whole new world here in MN.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Unendliche Geschichte
My mom just called asking what sort of pies I may want.
Thanksgiving is fun.
Chad B was on the scene last night. He was foolish. Silly Vikings and their drinking fans. I apologize if I harassed you.
This girl sort of looks like Shannon from Lost, poor Shannon.
Unlike that fictitious character, this one is a teacher.
She had an affair with her 14 year old student.
I don't understand... that's weird... isn't it? Why do all of these cases happen in Florida? I'm guessing there aren't many nice men in Florida... except my cousin, he's nice.
It feels like a Friday.
Here is a turtle for your not-Friday.
gotta love the Neverending Story.
Thanksgiving is fun.
Chad B was on the scene last night. He was foolish. Silly Vikings and their drinking fans. I apologize if I harassed you.
This girl sort of looks like Shannon from Lost, poor Shannon.Unlike that fictitious character, this one is a teacher.
She had an affair with her 14 year old student.
I don't understand... that's weird... isn't it? Why do all of these cases happen in Florida? I'm guessing there aren't many nice men in Florida... except my cousin, he's nice.
It feels like a Friday.
Here is a turtle for your not-Friday.
gotta love the Neverending Story.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Pass the Tedaday...
I am addicted to my iPod... no longer just music - but TV... particularly "lost".
Anyway - I figured out how to record things from tv to my iPod and show it on other TVs (you can use the same cable you have for your other video players - you just change the yellow and red). My friend was on CNBC today and now I can show off his stuttering on live television in a room full of drunk football fans.
In other news, I've decided I want to be a photo journalist. It is the photography I enjoy most - catching the brief moments of clarity that can illustrate an event. Yeah, so if anyone knows how to get into that - lemme know.
This is a shot from my brother's host family's courtyard. They would sit around and chat and drink Tedaday (I don't know how to spell it for real - but that's how it sounds.). How Tedaday works is the same way as drinking yerba mate works in other places... except cold. You fill up a glass or gourd or horn with the tea and place a metal straw with a guard at the bottom. The cup is then filled with cold water and drunk through the straw. The taste is like an exotic ice tea - good. After finishing the glass it is passed back to the person with the water and he fills it again and passes it to the next person. Set on repeat.
The other juice on the table is a strawberry juice drink - hand squeezed, of course. I changed into my shorts after seeing that all the cool kids were wearing khaki shorts and T-shirts. Everyone was very relaxed and very kind.
In the house lived the mother and father, their son and daughter with husband and two children.
This is the cute one year old. She was fun.
I'll try to explain her sister at a later date.
Anyway - I figured out how to record things from tv to my iPod and show it on other TVs (you can use the same cable you have for your other video players - you just change the yellow and red). My friend was on CNBC today and now I can show off his stuttering on live television in a room full of drunk football fans.
In other news, I've decided I want to be a photo journalist. It is the photography I enjoy most - catching the brief moments of clarity that can illustrate an event. Yeah, so if anyone knows how to get into that - lemme know.
This is a shot from my brother's host family's courtyard. They would sit around and chat and drink Tedaday (I don't know how to spell it for real - but that's how it sounds.). How Tedaday works is the same way as drinking yerba mate works in other places... except cold. You fill up a glass or gourd or horn with the tea and place a metal straw with a guard at the bottom. The cup is then filled with cold water and drunk through the straw. The taste is like an exotic ice tea - good. After finishing the glass it is passed back to the person with the water and he fills it again and passes it to the next person. Set on repeat.
The other juice on the table is a strawberry juice drink - hand squeezed, of course. I changed into my shorts after seeing that all the cool kids were wearing khaki shorts and T-shirts. Everyone was very relaxed and very kind.
In the house lived the mother and father, their son and daughter with husband and two children.
This is the cute one year old. She was fun.
I'll try to explain her sister at a later date.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Futbol
we call it soccer, why? Why do we call Football, Football? Silly.
Boca Juniors or CABJ... they are my new international futbol team. Big fan.
I saw a game in Buenos Aires against Brazil's International team. The good guys won 4-1. Two of the goals were scored within 2 minutes of eachother - with the second the crowd stormed towards the fence, still excited from the last goal. The only way to go was up.
Before the game we had to find tickets, rather than buy them before from expensive offices. My brother thought that he could buy scalped tickets before the game.
We couldn't. there were hundreds of people all waiting for tickets... ok, so we did find someone scalping tickets to the standing only area directly behind the goal. Great spot for watching - I paid a bit too much, but it was worth it.
It was a great experience... I definitely had the lightest hair in the stadium.
Boca Juniors or CABJ... they are my new international futbol team. Big fan.
I saw a game in Buenos Aires against Brazil's International team. The good guys won 4-1. Two of the goals were scored within 2 minutes of eachother - with the second the crowd stormed towards the fence, still excited from the last goal. The only way to go was up.
Before the game we had to find tickets, rather than buy them before from expensive offices. My brother thought that he could buy scalped tickets before the game.
We couldn't. there were hundreds of people all waiting for tickets... ok, so we did find someone scalping tickets to the standing only area directly behind the goal. Great spot for watching - I paid a bit too much, but it was worth it.
It was a great experience... I definitely had the lightest hair in the stadium.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
I'm back, for a while.
ok, no one wished me* happy birthday. You are all in trouble... I was sulking, that's why I haven't posted... ok, that and I have been recovering - I tend to do that. Play hard, rest hard.
*by "me" I meant my blog... sorry for any major guilt or confusion.
I'm back, safe and happy. You are forgiven. Minnesota next week.
I'll try to keep posting photos from my trip and explaining the context.
Here we go...
This was BBQ time at my brother's host family in Asuncion, Paraguay. They were wood coals he was burning with the exhaust of a vacuum. The father is an air traffic controller and that is why he is wearing the uniform. The other man was someone they hired to cook the meat so that the father could be with the family.
We ate for about a half an hour and then talked for another 4 hours. I actually understood them, and asked when I didn't - my brother said that they were talking more slowly for our benefit. Probably. Except for one guy - I had to concentrate with every ounce of energy I had just to pick out every other word. He mumbled, spoke in slang, and spoke very, very quickly.
It was a tougher meat than we had throughout the trip - but it had heart. I learned more about the country in that night than in all the guide books I read.
*by "me" I meant my blog... sorry for any major guilt or confusion.
I'm back, safe and happy. You are forgiven. Minnesota next week.
I'll try to keep posting photos from my trip and explaining the context.
Here we go...
This was BBQ time at my brother's host family in Asuncion, Paraguay. They were wood coals he was burning with the exhaust of a vacuum. The father is an air traffic controller and that is why he is wearing the uniform. The other man was someone they hired to cook the meat so that the father could be with the family.
We ate for about a half an hour and then talked for another 4 hours. I actually understood them, and asked when I didn't - my brother said that they were talking more slowly for our benefit. Probably. Except for one guy - I had to concentrate with every ounce of energy I had just to pick out every other word. He mumbled, spoke in slang, and spoke very, very quickly.
It was a tougher meat than we had throughout the trip - but it had heart. I learned more about the country in that night than in all the guide books I read.
Friday, November 11, 2005
happy birthday - icopythat!
hangin´ by a thread
Originally uploaded by seanich.
read below for more about my (our) birthday.
tomorrow we head into paraguay.
18 hour bus ride, wooh hoo.
· you have to ´hold it´ the entire time.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
One year.
November 11th 2004 was my first entry into blogging. Also into photoblogging - you see, I had to host my picture somewhere and so I found flickr.
Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from my year (a good way to catch up on your icopythat reading)-
At that point I had just come back from scotland, wanted to buy a building for a theater etc., and had been in shock for 8 days. A few weeks earlier I met a girl and wanted to impress her by having a blog... so icopythat came to life.
A few days later my car was hitandrun... as it was hit again a week ago. Chubb totaled it. I am now carless - at least it was easier than selling it and I didn´t get that oil change I should have - so I saved 30 dollars.
I went to africa and london. I went to Minnesota and back to NYC.
Talked about FIGs.
Worked in films and tv, had a birthday, made a new friend, and grew and shaved a really big beard.
There were dogs, gates, and greenestreet.
Bought a new camera (the beginning of the end).
Had a memory.
went to Paris, France, and switzerland. Just did random stuff.
did more film stuff and talked politics (sorry mel, that ten years later doesn´t sound great when looking back, I think I was frustrated.)
I got myself an office and a buisness card and called myself a photographer. (the office didn´t turn out well)
Don´t complement the pan.
horses, more talk about my car and my 3rd annual 4th of july party. went back to MN.
Went to the Hamptons. Went to CT.
I went on a cross country train trip and to LA.
I introduced some of my new thoughts on Love and happiness.
Sam Bassett Opening.
My roommate and I had our moments of fame (his was much more monumentusable)
I went on a fast (sorry I haven´t summed that up yet, i will.)
shot another IE event and now have a new and final 3rd roommate.
Won midnight madness.
Started a novel, best friend got engaged and asked me to be his best man, car done for, and now i am in Argentina and soon Paraguay.
All the while talking about what funny things blogs are.
And to all of you fine, fine ladies who are pining after me - don´t you worry your pretty little heads, I´ve only seen the girl I started writing this blog for twice in the past year... I guess I need a new muse because my book isn´t cruising along as it should be... I´ll start taking muse resumes when I get back to NYC.
Amuse me.
I´ll try to continue to amuse you with wicked cool icopythat entries forever and ever, infinity plus one.
Amuse... I like that, I´m going to use it more often.
Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from my year (a good way to catch up on your icopythat reading)-
At that point I had just come back from scotland, wanted to buy a building for a theater etc., and had been in shock for 8 days. A few weeks earlier I met a girl and wanted to impress her by having a blog... so icopythat came to life.
A few days later my car was hitandrun... as it was hit again a week ago. Chubb totaled it. I am now carless - at least it was easier than selling it and I didn´t get that oil change I should have - so I saved 30 dollars.
I went to africa and london. I went to Minnesota and back to NYC.
Talked about FIGs.
Worked in films and tv, had a birthday, made a new friend, and grew and shaved a really big beard.
There were dogs, gates, and greenestreet.
Bought a new camera (the beginning of the end).
Had a memory.
went to Paris, France, and switzerland. Just did random stuff.
did more film stuff and talked politics (sorry mel, that ten years later doesn´t sound great when looking back, I think I was frustrated.)
I got myself an office and a buisness card and called myself a photographer. (the office didn´t turn out well)
Don´t complement the pan.
horses, more talk about my car and my 3rd annual 4th of july party. went back to MN.
Went to the Hamptons. Went to CT.
I went on a cross country train trip and to LA.
I introduced some of my new thoughts on Love and happiness.
Sam Bassett Opening.
My roommate and I had our moments of fame (his was much more monumentusable)
I went on a fast (sorry I haven´t summed that up yet, i will.)
shot another IE event and now have a new and final 3rd roommate.
Won midnight madness.
Started a novel, best friend got engaged and asked me to be his best man, car done for, and now i am in Argentina and soon Paraguay.
All the while talking about what funny things blogs are.
And to all of you fine, fine ladies who are pining after me - don´t you worry your pretty little heads, I´ve only seen the girl I started writing this blog for twice in the past year... I guess I need a new muse because my book isn´t cruising along as it should be... I´ll start taking muse resumes when I get back to NYC.
Amuse me.
I´ll try to continue to amuse you with wicked cool icopythat entries forever and ever, infinity plus one.
Amuse... I like that, I´m going to use it more often.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
growl.
he was angry at the panther next door.
Originally uploaded by seanich.
went to the zoo today, it was grrrrrrreat!
gardens were beautiful as well.
shopping is fantastic - everything is stylish and cheep...doesn´t mean I bought anything though... I´ll try next time.
Check out the picture big... I´m not usually an animal photo guy, but this one - well, he´s cool.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
wee.
tango in the street.
Originally uploaded by seanich.
we played outside a lot today. muesems, street stuff... I´m tired. I have no post prcessing thingies to make the picture brighter, but view it big, it´s fun.
http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=61370552&size=l
Monday, November 07, 2005
I like it here.
Senate building
Originally uploaded by seanich.
I would like to thank my parents and my school. Spanish words just come flooding back - I can actually get what I want, and understand what others need me to do.
awesome.
It is great here, and it seems like we haven´t seen much of it at all. I highly recommend buenos aires. The dollar is very strong here. very strong.
Not writing as much as I should... it will be interesting when push comes to shove. lots of anti bush graffiti, but no one seems to mind us, they are friendly... edgar friendly... (isn´t there someone you wish to kill?)... sorry, sometimes sly movies come out of me.
nap time before dinner, then we go out again, when in rome...
chau.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
greetings from buenos aires
greetings from buenos aires
Originally uploaded by seanich.
my first post from the other hemisphere. it is good, the water does go the other way in the toilet.
time is running out, but we are safe and entertained.
chau.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
I'm stalling from writing
Well, I'm stalling by organizing, but I hope to spend my 12 hours on a plane doing a lot of writing. I splurged some more. I bought the new iPod video. It is amazing. Really. It's awesome.
and, for your viewing enjoyment, see my car that went to bagdad without me, and the glass it left behind.
I have to pack, get my visa stuff ready and go back to the apple store (I accidentally got a charger, rather than the battery I wanted, silly me).
Has anyone ever registered anything with customs on the way out of a country? I, for the first time ever, am traveling with expensive things that I would miss... any thoughts - besides hotel safes?
and, for your viewing enjoyment, see my car that went to bagdad without me, and the glass it left behind.
I have to pack, get my visa stuff ready and go back to the apple store (I accidentally got a charger, rather than the battery I wanted, silly me).
Has anyone ever registered anything with customs on the way out of a country? I, for the first time ever, am traveling with expensive things that I would miss... any thoughts - besides hotel safes?
Friday, November 04, 2005
Wee Man
I've realized that the more I post, the more people read... amazing.
I met a procussionist from Argentina last night. I told him that I was going to Buenos Aires on Sunday and asked him if there was anything look out for, see, or do.
He thought for a moment and said, "Wee Man".
I thought, hmmm - that guy from Jackass that kicks himself in the head... so, I do what I always do when I don't quite know what people are talking about. I repeated "Wee man". Then I understood. I often pick up accents of people I am talking with. "Yes, Argintine women are spectacular". He is a funny dude.
I think I am going to like it down there.
If anyone has a link to that disney parrot that traveled to brazil and argintina in that '50s cartoon - I would love that.
oooo, found it -
I want that for my birthday.
I met a procussionist from Argentina last night. I told him that I was going to Buenos Aires on Sunday and asked him if there was anything look out for, see, or do.
He thought for a moment and said, "Wee Man".
I thought, hmmm - that guy from Jackass that kicks himself in the head... so, I do what I always do when I don't quite know what people are talking about. I repeated "Wee man". Then I understood. I often pick up accents of people I am talking with. "Yes, Argintine women are spectacular". He is a funny dude.
I think I am going to like it down there.
If anyone has a link to that disney parrot that traveled to brazil and argintina in that '50s cartoon - I would love that.
oooo, found it -
As a Disney oddity, they don't get much odder than Three Caballeros. Donald Duck receives a birthday package from South America, and the film proceeds to unravel like some peyote-induced hallucination. It starts out reminiscent of other Disney films, where shorts are cobbled together, such as "Make Mine Music" or "Fun and Fancy Free." The film has vignettes such as "The Cold-Blooded Penguin" and "The Flying Guachito." After them it careens straight into part-travelogue, part-stream-of-consciousness animation. Not helping out much are Donald's "friends," Joe Carioca (a parrot) and Panchito (a rooster). They spend most of the rest of the film watching Donald chase skirt. That's right, Donald Duck is a wolf in this movie, and he chases every live-action señorita who bustles across the screen. Although some will say otherwise, Caballeros is for die-hard Disney, Donald, or psychedelia fans only. --Keith Simanton
I want that for my birthday.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
uh.
yeah, so I couldn't sleep. I wrote, I can't update at the NaNo site for some reason - but over 3,700 words... which is on pace, whoop whoop. (doesn't mean brilliance [yet], just on pace)
my day may be screwed, but it is all for the art.
Oh, I can't even get away from US politics in Argentina, drat.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's "government has praised plans for massive anti-Bush protests that organizers hope will draw 50,000 to the streets outside the summit."
Great, me and all of my photographic stuff will have a great time through customs... oh, and I haven't booked a hotel yet.
uh, oops.
my day may be screwed, but it is all for the art.
Oh, I can't even get away from US politics in Argentina, drat.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's "government has praised plans for massive anti-Bush protests that organizers hope will draw 50,000 to the streets outside the summit."
Great, me and all of my photographic stuff will have a great time through customs... oh, and I haven't booked a hotel yet.
uh, oops.
oh what a night...
the day had all the makings of legends.
I started out with going to watch my roommate do acrobatic stunts... it fell through - ah well...
I put together some photos for the next (and last) greenestreet salon - it hopes to be fantastic - tomorrow night, you should go.
I ran to soho and passed off the disk.
I met up with my best friend who is getting married. He asked me to be his best man. I happily said yes. We then met up with some of the other wedding party and proceeded to the best BBQ place in town and gorged ourselves.
We then went to a swanky club for some after hour drinks... a good time was had by all.
And now - this is when I am sad I left my camera cable at work because there were some good photos taken by yours truly.
I traveled homeward. I got to my car and decided to duck into an alley to urinate (public, I know, shameful - I know) and I saw a perfect spot behind my car.
The rear of my car was totaled.
TOTALED.
It looked as though a grenade had gone off mere feet from the rear of my car. The back window and driver's side were crumpled - shattered windows and glass all over the road. There were skid marks and a pile of glass all on the street beside my car.
Now, maybe the gods decided that I needed some fodder for my novel, but seriously, seriously - my car has already been hit and ran (can you say hit and ran?)... I don't need to pay another grand for a higher word count.
I called the insurance company, called the police. They were very nice and very sympathetic. Nothing to be done.
I cleaned out everything in my car - opened all of the compartments and taped up signs inside my car stating, "NOTHING to Steal".
That is, except my radio... I wonder how long that will last.
sigh.
I started out with going to watch my roommate do acrobatic stunts... it fell through - ah well...
I put together some photos for the next (and last) greenestreet salon - it hopes to be fantastic - tomorrow night, you should go.
I ran to soho and passed off the disk.
I met up with my best friend who is getting married. He asked me to be his best man. I happily said yes. We then met up with some of the other wedding party and proceeded to the best BBQ place in town and gorged ourselves.
We then went to a swanky club for some after hour drinks... a good time was had by all.
And now - this is when I am sad I left my camera cable at work because there were some good photos taken by yours truly.
I traveled homeward. I got to my car and decided to duck into an alley to urinate (public, I know, shameful - I know) and I saw a perfect spot behind my car.
The rear of my car was totaled.
TOTALED.
It looked as though a grenade had gone off mere feet from the rear of my car. The back window and driver's side were crumpled - shattered windows and glass all over the road. There were skid marks and a pile of glass all on the street beside my car.
Now, maybe the gods decided that I needed some fodder for my novel, but seriously, seriously - my car has already been hit and ran (can you say hit and ran?)... I don't need to pay another grand for a higher word count.
I called the insurance company, called the police. They were very nice and very sympathetic. Nothing to be done.
I cleaned out everything in my car - opened all of the compartments and taped up signs inside my car stating, "NOTHING to Steal".
That is, except my radio... I wonder how long that will last.
sigh.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
halloweeny
here are some of my halloween shots.
there may be more soon.
being productive is only a state of mind.
there may be more soon.
being productive is only a state of mind.
346
word 346 in my novel is "love".
crap.
how did that happen?
maybe someone will have to die, that always helps a story... mmmm.
...I don't want the whole thing to be about girls... but it probably will be... poop. girls and poop. or even poopy girls. Her name is Elese... She's sort of boring so far... maybe she should kill someone - or someone kills her... oh, see - isn't writing fun?
I suppose I should go to sleep.
yup.
night... this may be an odd, odd month.
crap.
how did that happen?
maybe someone will have to die, that always helps a story... mmmm.
...I don't want the whole thing to be about girls... but it probably will be... poop. girls and poop. or even poopy girls. Her name is Elese... She's sort of boring so far... maybe she should kill someone - or someone kills her... oh, see - isn't writing fun?
I suppose I should go to sleep.
yup.
night... this may be an odd, odd month.
Monday, October 31, 2005
So close, so much...
It hopes to be an... eventful month. At a minute after midnight I will begin writing my novel - a novel that has no characters or storyline... only style, mmmm style.
I have to get a visa to get into Paraguay after spending next week in Argentina with my brother. I have to book a ticket back to Minnesota for thanksgiving.
oh, and I have to Plan my trip to Argentina... I thank, in advance, the authors of lonely planet - and my father for the lifetime membership to International Youth Hostels.
oh, oh oh... I should probably brush up on my spanish - any hints? Sure, I "studied" it for 13 years, but that was 8 years ago. I can understand the gist of most things and get my point across with grammatically incorrect phrases and hand signals - I just forget a lot of the vocab... maybe because I cheated on the tests - may this be a lesson to all of you.
May go to the halloween parade this evening, I was already Paul Bunyon on Saturday, weee.
I have to get a visa to get into Paraguay after spending next week in Argentina with my brother. I have to book a ticket back to Minnesota for thanksgiving.
oh, and I have to Plan my trip to Argentina... I thank, in advance, the authors of lonely planet - and my father for the lifetime membership to International Youth Hostels.
oh, oh oh... I should probably brush up on my spanish - any hints? Sure, I "studied" it for 13 years, but that was 8 years ago. I can understand the gist of most things and get my point across with grammatically incorrect phrases and hand signals - I just forget a lot of the vocab... maybe because I cheated on the tests - may this be a lesson to all of you.
May go to the halloween parade this evening, I was already Paul Bunyon on Saturday, weee.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
dorkin' out.
So... I spent a lot of money on two new lenses.
They are awesome... what this means for you, loyal reader - is cool new shots, like my new fisheye...
The playing with the lenses got me to reading up on how to clean my camera - which very quickly led me to other questions and ideas surrounding my camera... I then spend four hours rereading my camera manual - cover to cover. I don't think I have ever done that before. I dorked out hard core... on a friday night... awesome.
Next dork project - cataloging all of my books and video on a great program called - Delicious Library. All you do is scan the barcodes of your books and DVDs with your webcam and the program creates a visual and factual library on your computer. You can then check those objects out to whomever you wish and the program will set up return times and automatic reminder emails. Big fan.
and in other dork news, I am sure everyone has heard that sulu is gay... did you see the picture? it's awesome...
live long and prosper.
They are awesome... what this means for you, loyal reader - is cool new shots, like my new fisheye...
The playing with the lenses got me to reading up on how to clean my camera - which very quickly led me to other questions and ideas surrounding my camera... I then spend four hours rereading my camera manual - cover to cover. I don't think I have ever done that before. I dorked out hard core... on a friday night... awesome.
Next dork project - cataloging all of my books and video on a great program called - Delicious Library. All you do is scan the barcodes of your books and DVDs with your webcam and the program creates a visual and factual library on your computer. You can then check those objects out to whomever you wish and the program will set up return times and automatic reminder emails. Big fan.
and in other dork news, I am sure everyone has heard that sulu is gay... did you see the picture? it's awesome...
live long and prosper.
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