Vague Notions

Just Fucking Insane

2012-01-26T18:08:00.003-06:00

Today on The Janet Mefferd Show, Newt Gingrich said that an intolerant “elite” made up of “secular judges and religious bigots” are trying to promote “radical Islam over Christianity and Judaism.” Gingrich, who told John Hagee’s church that America may soon be “a secular atheist country, potentially one dominated by radical Islamists,” said that there was a conspiracy between the Justice Department and the “Organization of Islamic Countries” [sic] to “begin to enforce censorship against American citizens to protect radical Islam.”

Has it really been that long?

2012-01-24T21:42:00.000-06:00

I couldn't resist this one. I laughed out loud, and am proud to say, got every single reference.

Back From Hiatus or... Sake and Samurai Regrets

2010-09-08T18:35:00.000-05:00

Why is the Sunday before Labor Day the fastest day of the year? I feel like I didn't get to talk to anybody at all this year. Leelu, Lummox, the Captain and Mrs. Redbeard, Jeanne, Elaine, Gobula, Aerin, Tiger-- practically everybody! I can't think of one substantial conversation I had at all this year. Which is pretty sad. I think everyone had a good time, but it is strange to look back on the night and not be able to think "It sure was good catching up with X." What this tells me is that I need to come back as soon as humanly possible. Which, unfortunately, will be some weekend in October. I'm thinking of the first or second weekend. I would like to make it to the Ren Fest if anybody is up for it.

The other thing that strikes me after returning from S&S VII is how much I miss KC. I have been missing it for years now, but the pangs of homesickness are starting to get quite acute. I'm going to have to start working real hard at finding a way to get there before too awful long. If I'm not living there a year from now I'm going to be deeply deeply disappointed. So that's the goal. One year from now, permanent residence in KC. Wish me luck.

Also, I'm going to try to blog more (difficult without a home internet connection, but still) because I really want to keep in touch better with everyone. Talk to you soon.

Well...

2010-08-01T17:11:00.000-05:00

I remain busy beyond belief. Today, I am in Carbondale, Illinois for the second time in a week to do hearings. My workload remains daunting. Overwhelming, even. I think that I'm actually quite near to a nervous breakdown, if I were to be honest. Which, of course, truly blows. I was so near to one for so long due to unemployment, and now I'm very near to one because of my job. At this point I think I might benefit from some sort of anti-depressant medication. Large doses. Intravenously.

But seriously. I do think I'm experiencing a depressive episode. Not fun. Not fun at all. People with depressive tendencies shouldn't work in windowless rooms.

Update

2010-07-20T20:42:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm settling into the job. But damn, am I busy. Recently another attorney was let go... thus ramping up the workload to the nth degree. His job loss is my job security. There is no way that place could function if anybody else were let go.

On Saturday I get to move into my new apartment, which I'm really looking forward to. I haven't had my own space for a long time, and I think I'll be able to truly relax for the first time in a really long time. I'm also really looking forward to getting an internet connection and streaming Netflix through the PS3. It might be some time before I can really enjoy it though, because--at least for the next couple of weeks--I'll be buried under work. Still, it's better than unemployment.

The Week of Electronics

2010-07-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

The past week has found me busily adapting to the realities of being a practicing attorney (that's a mixed bag, I'll admit), and blowing through the money I inherited from my dad at an alarming pace. I'm typing this post from my brand spanking new laptop, for instance. And earlier this evening, I spent some quality time with my also quite new PS3. These things make me very happy.

Aside from the material advantages that employment (and inherited money) has given me, well, the job is a job. The euphoria of actually being employed is beginning to wear off a bit, as the actual scope of my future work life becomes clearer to me. The thing is that I've ended up in an area of the law that I never envisioned being in. And, quite frankly, it's an area that I don't see holding my interest over the long term. I'm not complaining--I really am happy to be doing it--for now. But, I certainly don't see myself making a career out of it. (Well, maybe... but only if I can leverage my current experience into a cushy government sector job). I just don't see what I'm doing, or where I'm doing it, as a place that I'd be comfortable settling in at for a long time. And, between you and me, settling in somewhere sounds pretty good at this point. So, I guess what I'm saying is that my life, improved though it may be, remains in transition. How long this transitional period will last, I cannot say. But--while I will be working to do my best while I'm here--I'll still be looking forward to the next place I'll be, and hopefully, that one will be one where I'm ready to stop moving for a while.

Busy Busy BUSY

2010-07-05T19:13:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, but I've been a bit busy moving and learning a new job, and fun stuff like that. Luckily, the euphoria of actually being employed has remained more powerful than the fear of learning and doing a new job, so that is nice.

And, then there is this, which is long overdue:

One Day Down

2010-06-21T23:15:00.000-05:00

First day completed. Two hearings attended, one client hearing prep, and two client intake meetings.

Tomorrow: more of the same, plus appeals briefs, issuance of firm laptop.

Later this week: Firm retreat.

Next week: off to my own office... and paycheck.

Department of Good News/Bad News

2010-06-14T15:18:00.000-05:00

JOB!!!!!

not in KC

I Hate Goodreads

2010-06-13T15:41:00.000-05:00

I've been playing around with Goodreads this afternoon. I hate hate hate hate it. In my humble opinion, Goodreads has one of the absolute worst User Interfaces I have ever had the misfortune to use. Horrible, awkward, counter-intuitive. It just sucks.

He Would've Fucking Loved That

2010-05-30T22:37:00.002-05:00

Drunk History Vol. 5 w/ Will Ferrell, Don Cheadle & Zooey Deschanel from Will Ferrell

I hereby volunteer to do "Drunk History: The Truman-MacArthur Conflict."

For Degolar and Lummox: Bringing Down the Tone

2010-05-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

Teach the Controversy

2010-05-27T02:22:00.002-05:00

Christian Groups: Biblical Armageddon Must Be Taught Alongside Global Warming

Man, It SUCKS Living Next to a Golf Course!

2010-05-23T00:34:00.002-05:00

Please...

2010-05-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

On my way to Panera this afternoon I made the mistake of listening to the Bott Radio Network. Oh. My. God. Note to White Christian Men: Despite your bleatings the fact remains that you are not, in fact, the most discriminated against group in human history. Quite the contrary, you are the most powerful class in the richest, most powerful nation in the history of the world, so you should--with all due respect--shut the fuck up. And your ignorance about what the First Amendment guarantees is stunning.

Upon my arrival at Panera I was treated to another spectacle. A suit jacket pop-collared Christian rock star wannabe telling his companion all about how he's going to be the next big thing. Amusing, disgusting, bizarre.

What I Want

2010-05-17T01:05:00.000-05:00

I think that what I really really want out of life is this: to be a British celebrity. That way I could hang out with David Mitchell, appear on cool and funny chat shows, and above all-- take a lap in a reasonably priced car.

Milestones: The 500th Post or... The Renaissance Project

2010-05-03T00:22:00.001-05:00

Every once in a while I pause and take a look at the state of my life. I'm not always happy with what I see... not the big picture anyway. This has, over the years, led to many (mostly stillborn) self-improvement projects. Collectively, at least within the confines of my own head, these have been referred to as "The Renaissance Project." I cannot tell you how many times those words, or some variation of them (ren project, renproj, etc) appear on scraps of paper, file folders, notebooks, or computer files in my possession.

In any event, I find myself, once again, ready to embark upon "The Project," though this time I think it should live up to its name and be more systematic, and--even more importantly--not abandoned before it even gets started. I think that one of the major problems I've had in the past with sticking to any kind of self-improvement regime is that I've left them all so ill-defined. As Joe Jackson so eloquently said "you can't get what you want, 'til you know what you want." Nothing is ever written down, nothing is ever planned. So, on this go-around, I'm thinking I need to set goals, maybe even timelines... and keep track of them. Stick to them.

This is not just about, say, reading books that have been left unread, or going to the gym, or eating healthier. It is about those things, but it's really more comprehensive than that. It is, at the risk of sounding too pretentious, about living a different life. Well, that may be overstating the case a bit..., but still. Maybe it's about being less boring (or more interesting), or even more simply, just making better use of my time. Maybe it's about taking action towards all of the "somedays" that never seem to happen today. Doing things instead of just thinking about them. Being the person I want to be. I think that is the essence of it: doing and being. Not just thinking and planning and worrying. So....

In a sense, I've already started. I can, after all, check "graduate degree" off the big list. Which is nice. I might, in fact, check "second graduate degree" off of that list at some point, perhaps sooner rather than later, but that's another post entirely. So, in a nutshell, here's what I need (and intend) to do: make a plan (which, by it's very nature will be continually revised); and then track progress to keep myself honest. Of course, how else would I do that, other than by blog?

Update (or here, I haven't made up my mind yet...).

A Re-Used Graphic That Perfectly Illustrates the Process of Attempting To Get a Job in Today's Economy, A Repeat Edition of The Brit-Com Quote of the Week, Mostly Good But Probably Irrelevant News, And A Proposal

2010-04-28T16:17:00.001-05:00

"Ever get the feeling you're spinning away into a great black void of failure and lonliness with one last despairing scream?"

"Everybody feels like that, that's normal. You just get up, and have breakfast."

Coupling, Season IV, episode 5 "The Naked Living Room";

I have a job interview next week, but it's not for a real job, just a temp job, but at least it's a temp attorney job... so, you know.

So, I'll be in KC next weekend (May 8th-9th), we should do something. (that's the proposal).

I Just Remembered

2010-04-26T12:20:00.000-05:00

... why I hate Starbucks: no free wi-fi. Fuck you Starbucks, fuck you and your fancy overpriced shit-coffee. Luckily, the Waxy O'Shea's across the street has wi-fi, and I've managed to pick that up. It's a weak weak weak signal, but still.

Next time, I'll be going to Panera, where they don't insult you by insisting that you pay for your internet access in addition to your overpriced food and drink.

Last Night, I Dreamt of a Blog

2010-04-22T04:23:00.000-05:00

Well, actually, tonight, I dreamt of a blog. Just now actually. And already, so quickly, that dream is fading from my memory. The best dreams, it seems, always fade the quickest.

I dreamt of a new blog (Vague Notions 2.0?) that was less rant and more... journalism? Less seat of the pants pontificating, one sentence movie reviews, Brit-com quote of the week (how long has that been), and more... lengthy well thought out essays that might be published in Rolling Stone or Harper's or... ok, probably Rolling Stone, because I reserve the right to all of my "fuck"s. (But do I just want to be another Matt Taibbi?--not that that is a bad thing). Ok, already the vision in my dream is fading-- fast, and this sounds like just another eruption of "blogophrenia." Maybe things just seem so fresh and unique when you're asleep.

I dreamt I was writing an essay about my hometown, and the church that I went to as a kid, and how now that church has become a Koresh-like cult (actually, that part isn't true--not in real life anyway, but it was in the dream-world I just left).

I also dreamt that it was St. Paddy's day and I was walking to a bar in Columbia, had just run into Paul, but I didn't want to go where Paul was going because I needed to go back to where I had just been because they had free refills and I needed some more hot chocolate, but then Paul convinced me to go where he was going because this girl (girl? should you stop calling them girls when they're 36?) that I like was there, so he convinced me and we started that way, but then I spilled my hot chocolate all over myself, and certainly there was no way I was going into this bar where this girl (woman?) I liked was, with me looking like a hot-chocolatey douche, but luckily, oh so luckily, I had my suitcase with me and it became a frantic look through it in a public restroom that--I hoped-- would produce something suitable to wear, and what I thought was a Cubs jersey was actually a White Sox jersey, and I thought "What the fuck am I doing with a White Sox jersey," because a Royals fan could possibly justify a Cubs jersey, but never a fucking White Sox one, and there, at the bottom of the suitcase it looked like I had possibly found an acceptable shirt to wear, and wouldn't you know, that is when the dream ended.

That last sentence was deliberately presented in run-on form with questionable grammar because it was describing a dream, and that seemed to be the best way to do the dream justice. And now, I'm almost fully awake... which is unfortunate, partly because it is only 4:22 a.m., and partly because now I've lost the heady optimism I had while I was dreaming of journalism and 36-year-old-girl-women in bars.

Someone, Please, Take My Scissors Away...

2010-03-30T00:14:00.000-05:00

I was planning on quoting this article extensively. But it soon became apparent that you should just read the whole thing. It might be advisable to clear the area around your computer of sharp objects and firearms before you do however. And if excessive tragic irony or mind-boggling incoherence and rank stupidity cause you indigestion you might want to skip it entirely.

So, just a little taste:

When Tom Grimes lost his job as a financial consultant 15 months ago, he called his congressman, a Democrat, for help getting government health care.

Then he found a new full-time occupation: Tea Party activist.

Stupid should hurt. So, if those guns and knives are safely stowed away, and you've got a Costco sized bottle of Tums ready, go read about the stupidest people alive.

I would be remiss if I didn't toss in a "Fucktards."

But, Sometimes...

2010-03-29T23:56:00.000-05:00

I don't always agree with Bill Maher, in fact, I'm rather hot and cold on him. I enjoyed Religulous, but often find his foolish Libertarianism and his anti-vaccine BS a little annoying. This time though, he hit the nail on the head.

Sure, It's a Commercial, But It's Cool.

2010-03-26T15:16:00.002-05:00

Neglect

2010-03-22T23:06:00.000-05:00

I've been neglecting you dear readers, and I do apologize. Why?-- you might ask. And I'm not sure I have an answer for that. A quick look at the archive links on the right side of the page indicates that my blogging productivity has been in decline for quite a while. Perhaps the whole process just got old. Maybe, given the state of my life currently, I felt I couldn't maintain the "no-whinging" pledge that I made way back in 2007. Maybe it's just because I like to write when and where I have some privacy, and I have precious little of that these days. I don't know. But I'll try to rectify that. I owe you some posts.

One Sentence Movie Review: The Da Vinci Code

2010-02-28T14:56:00.001-06:00

A deeply stupid movie, based on a deeply stupid book.

Really?

2010-02-20T08:01:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here wondering what sort of perverted vanity would drive a parent to put a picture of their child on the local morning news in honor of their first birthday. Let me speak for the community here-- we don't care that your rugrat has had a birthday. Your kid is not special (unless you're reading this, in which case I'm sure that your kid is a not yet toddler whose existence needs to be proclaimed to the world). By all means, celebrate your child's birth, but why put them on TV? A one-year old isn't going to remember their party anyway, so any celebration should really be for you, your friends, and any older siblings. Putting their picture on TV, though, seems kinda pointless. I don't think that your child will really feel all that warm and fuzzy about seeing that videotape 20 years from now-- and I don't see why you would either.

I guess I just don't get it. And if I've offended anyone, I apologize.

I'm Sick of Winter

2010-02-19T17:04:00.000-06:00

And I actually like cold weather. But this winter has been too much, and I'm longing for spring. Despite yesterday's beautiful weather, it doesn't appear that spring is near just yet. So,... ugh.

I had my second job interview in the space of eight days today. Third this year. So, on that score, 2010 is off to a good start. Much better than the last few months of 2009. The job I interviewed for today is one that I really really really want, but I don't know what kind of impression I made. The fact of the matter is that I don't interview well, and I don't seem to be getting better at it, despite all of the practice I've been getting over the last couple of years. I did have good recommendations from people that the judge I interviewed with actually knew, so that has to help, but I was nervous, and couldn't really get a sense of what he thought of me. I HATE looking for a job-- more than anything else, really.

I want Buffalo Wings. I know, that was random.

The Universal Post

2010-01-26T00:12:00.002-06:00

The rest of the internet has just been rendered redundant. And the comments thread is a hoot as well. And to quote Homer Simpson "It's funny. It's funny because it's true."

You're Gonna Love This

2010-01-13T12:48:00.000-06:00

He Abides.

Winter Wonderland Part II, or... How I Spent My Day

2010-01-09T23:11:00.000-06:00

Sadly, the video quality suffered, first when saving as a .wmv file, and then again when uploading. The original .avi file of the first video was much better, but it was also a monster. Likewise, the original capture files of the second video were of noticeably higher quality than the finished and uploaded product.

Winter Wonderland, or... Random Pictures From My Unemployment

2009-12-30T13:15:00.000-06:00

New Look

2009-12-29T16:36:00.002-06:00

What do you think?

Home Improvement Lessons Learned

2009-12-29T16:35:00.000-06:00

When taking out the old, leaky kitchen faucet make sure to unhook all the hoses before loosening the faucet itself. If the hose couplings are at all rusty or calcified they can be a real bitch to unhook and you might need the extra leverage of a firmly secured housing. Otherwise you might find yourself laying under the sink screaming "FUCK" at the top of your lungs and blaming your pliers for their inadequate grip-- when everything would have gone just fine had you thought out your plan of attack a bit more thoroughly before you began unscrewing things. That is all.

Blogophrenia

2009-12-28T11:04:00.002-06:00

Once again, I'm thinking about changing things around here. But more than that. As the new year, and the new decade begins*, I'm thinking about changing a lot of things. There will be more on that later. But for now, I'll concentrate on blog changes. Specifically, I'm reassessing what it is I want to accomplish by blogging, and what the best way to do that is. When I first thought about and started blogging I didn't think of it as strictly a way to keep in touch with friends. Instead, I thought of it as a way to reach a wider audience, to be a part of wider online discussion about a variety of topics. Over the years I've started a variety of blogs in addition to this one, none of which went anywhere--one for legal blogging, one for book reviews, etc. etc. Well, now I'm thinking about trying to do some serious topical blogging again. The question that then occurs to me is-- what is the best way to approach that? Do I separate my blogging efforts my topic, i.e. one blog for politics, one for literature, one for law-- or do I put it all in one place? Do I isolate my personal blogging for friends from what I present to the wide world, or do I integrate it all? And then, where is the line drawn? So, I'll be experimenting in the near future... and all thoughts are welcome.

*okay, I know that technically the new decade doesn't start until 2011, but still....

The Internet is Making Us Illiterate

2009-12-23T23:43:00.002-06:00

In support of my proposition I offer you this bit of mangled prose. If you care at all about the English language, think twice before clicking that link.

Why?

2009-12-09T12:21:00.002-06:00

Why is it that videos always stream slower from MSN? I mean, shouldn't the company that invented the fucking operating system that my computer (and theirs) runs on be able to construct a website that delivers video at a watchable speed? Annoying.

But Wait, There's More!

2009-11-25T16:18:00.002-06:00

This Twilight I Kind Of Liked

2009-11-25T01:16:00.004-06:00

Brilliant, just bloody fucking brilliant.

The creator's explanation:

In this re-imagined narrative, Edward Cullen from the Twilight Series meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's an example of transformative storytelling serving as a pro-feminist visual critique of Edward's character and generally creepy behavior. Seen through Buffy's eyes, some of the more sexist gender roles and patriarchal Hollywood themes embedded in the Twilight saga are exposed - in hilarious ways. Ultimately this remix is about more than a decisive showdown between the slayer and the sparkly vampire. It also doubles as a metaphor for the ongoing battle between two opposing visions of gender roles in the 21st century.

Questions

2009-11-11T18:40:00.003-06:00

First, ala Degolar: Is anyone actually reading this anymore? I really expected a more robust comments thread from the last post.

And Second: Has anyone had many dealings with outside book vendors that you can purchase from through Amazon? I ask because on some out of print titles they seem to have really great prices (for example), but I've never dealt with any of the outside vendors at all and don't know about reliability, service, etc. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Fuck The Law, I Should've Been A Waiter

2009-11-08T01:20:00.001-06:00

From Waiter Rant

I Present, The Count

2009-11-05T22:33:00.000-06:00

Fun With Maps

2009-11-03T23:08:00.002-06:00

Hmmm... I must admit I was pleasantly surprised that Missouri did as well as it did. I also find it interesting that the three states in which I would feel most at home in politically are also three states where I think I would enjoy the climate. I think I'm leaning towards Vermont.

Time For NaNoWriMo

2009-10-31T16:25:00.000-05:00

National Novel Writing Month, that is. I'm doing it this year... who's with me?

Not At All Surprising

2009-10-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

My Political Views
I am a far-left social moderate
Left: 7.98, Libertarian: 0.54

Political Spectrum Quiz

Did I Mention?

2009-10-18T00:46:00.001-05:00

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I love this site.

First link when you google it. I'm so proud.

Connection Woes

2009-10-17T21:37:00.001-05:00

They continue. I think the problem is a defective router. But I can't be sure. And it is that uncertainty that really bugs me.

Coming Attractions

2009-10-15T01:05:00.003-05:00

In the next couple of days expect these posts: "The Best Of" wherein I link to what I think are the best posts I've made in the four years I've been doing this blog, and "The Renaissance Project" -- which will be a little more serious.

Branson, Missouri: Monkey Friendly

2009-10-13T20:02:00.002-05:00

When all else fails, it will remain the vacation destination for everyone with an "emotional support monkey."

I have very little tolerance for those that I encounter in my hometown. I think that this is largely because I start off with a healthy measure of disrespect for anyone that chooses to vacation here. I suppose that is petty of me, but I reserve the right to be petty.

Those of you that have had the good sense to avoid Monkeytown, USA, might not know that it has notoriously bad traffic. I have very simple rules for when I will or will not let people into traffic. If I know you, I'll let you into traffic. Failing that your only hope is to be really hot, or some sort of obviously disabled veteran. Does that make me an asshole? I don't care.

I know that its time to get out, mainly because I have the lyrics to a "Baldknobber's Jamboree Show" commercial stuck in my head. That's not good.

Thoughts on College Football

2009-10-11T13:20:00.005-05:00

The Mizzou-Nebraska game Thursday night was a colossal embarrassment . It was, most unfortunately, not entirely surprising. I was not alone in saying, when observing the Mizzou passing game in non-conference play, that such sloppiness would be punished and punished hard the first time they faced a Big 12 secondary. And punished hard, it was. Two back to back interceptions led to two back to back Nebraska touchdowns, and that was it. Ugly.

I propose a new rule for all football commentators: the word "competitor," or any variation or derivative thereof should be banned from their vocabularies. "The coach says there is just one word to describe this guy...'competitor.'" "I tell you what Jim, he just loves to compete, he's a real competitor." "That young quarterback is really competitive Bob, and that makes a real difference." Stop it! We know that they're competitors! You know why? Because it's a fucking competition. It's college fucking football for Christ's sake! I expect college athletes to be competitive competitors, otherwise, what’s the fucking point? Please, give “competitor” a rest.

Something further that jumped out at me from the commentary on Thursday night’s game. There was some comment regarding the importance of the game vis-à-vis the Big 12 North championship race. Basically to the effect that the game would probably decide who won the Big 12 North. Now, I’m going to put aside all team loyalty and partisan induced sports delusion right now. I’m going to be objective, detached, and not let rivalry color my thinking and say this: What about Kansas, assholes? That’s right, the devils in Blue and Red. From where I’m sitting, the team to beat, the team that has the best chance of taking the North, is the Jayhawks. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. (But truth be told, in football, I think I actually hate the Huskers more—they’re just way more arrogant). No other team got as many offensive starters back as KU did, and given how good that offense has been over the past few years, that is really saying something. I really hope that Kansas destroys Nebraska when they get the chance. In any event, I’ve started rooting for Kansas in all games other than against Mizzou and K-State. Why, you ask? Because it makes the conference look good (it’s time the Big 12 North got some goddamned respect) and it will also make the Tiger’s victory at Arrowhead all the sweeter.

Omissions

2009-10-11T13:08:00.002-05:00

I find it very odd that this article did not place the situation in historical context.

(You don't have to read the whole thing to get the gist, just saying).

Frustration

2009-10-08T18:00:00.002-05:00

I'm typing this from my laptop, utilizing the brandspanking new wireless network I've set up in my mom's house... after much cussing. Over the years I've found nothing more frustrating when dealing with computers than attempting to get wireless routers to work properly and consistently. I'm absolutely certain that my connection will fail before I even finish this post. Then, I will scream. It fails for no reason whatsoever. My DLink router is in serious peril of becoming a target.

Important Stuff

2009-09-20T00:59:00.003-05:00

So, something really big has happened, and I wanted to let all of you know about it as soon as possible. I mean, this is probably one of the most important days in my life and its really important that I share it with as many people as possible. You see, the thing is... hey... wait a minute... isn't that... It is!

Anyone Need A Lawsuit Filed in Missouri?

2009-09-17T15:19:00.004-05:00

Because, I can do that now. Really. Legally. I'm 100% officially official. Esquire. Attorney at Law. License and Everything. "Unemployed" now becomes euphemistically "solo practitioner."
Yeah. Business is a little slow right now. Zero clients. But, you know, more shit to hang on my wall.

Pictures and Pizza

2009-09-12T13:08:00.005-05:00

The closest I've ever come to making a pizza completely from scratch. The crust is completely homemade, but the sauce is simply plain canned tomato sauce with my own spices added to make it pizza sauce. And no, I did not grow the olives, or make the pepperoni and cheese. Still, I think it was an unqualified success. Delicious, if I do say so myself.

Must. Hunt. Bugs. In. Lamp.

Yeah, Exactly.

2009-09-11T00:51:00.002-05:00

On petulant Congresstroll Joe Wilson of South Carolina, and what might have happened had he been a Democrat and President Obama a Republican. And yeah, he's probably a racist piece of shit.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Sweet Jesus I Hate Republicans, Part IV (?)

2009-09-09T23:16:00.002-05:00

Because of this. Because it is so terribly fucking accurate. Christ, I sometimes wonder if we're actually fit for self-government in this fucking country.

Licensed Attorney Bitches!

2009-09-08T18:55:00.001-05:00

Or should that be "Licensed Attorney, Bitches!"?

They didn't teach me grammar.

Sake, Samurai.

2009-09-06T12:02:00.001-05:00

So it begins.

This might be heaven...

2009-09-03T14:56:00.002-05:00

Here.

One Sentence Movie Review

2009-08-25T20:31:00.001-05:00

G.I. Joe: The magnitude of its suck is mind-boggling.

If You Don't Know Why This Is Funny...

2009-08-23T11:33:00.002-05:00

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted...

2009-08-07T19:04:00.002-05:00

The thing about vacations is this: you always end up a lot more tired than you thought you were going to be. You need a vacation from your vacation. I suppose it's lucky that I don't have a job to come back to. I am exhausted. I was pretty relaxed by Wednesday, but now, I'm just tired again. Part of that is spending an entire week in a house with nine members of my family. Another part of it is the simple fact that I have had no time to myself whatsoever. And yet another part of it is the push to "do" something that comes over a group of people on vacation like this. Left to my own devices I would have been entirely content to sit on the beach and stare at the ocean a lot more than I did. I'm afraid my earlier vacation post may have given you an overly bucolic view of how things were going here in the Deep South. There has been a fair amount of activity. Of course, I think that one sign of a good vacation is that you reach a point where you are satisfied and are ready to go home. I'm definitely there. Unfortunately, I don't really have a home at the moment-- I'm headed back to Mom and Dad's. That's not entirely a bad thing. I really need to spend some quality time at home, especially since, as I cryptically alluded to in my last post, my father is in extremely poor health. That has been weighing pretty heavily on my mind lately, and it might influence what I do and where I go in the coming months. So, things are really up in the air at the moment.

All of that aside, I would like to start my vacation from my vacation now. I could use some time alone. I'm going to have to look into that. Anyway, I have one last night to spend on the beach, so I should go and enjoy that, because tomorrow is the marathon of driving back to Missouri-- and that is not going to be fun at all.

Wasting Away Again

2009-08-03T22:01:00.002-05:00

I've been a bit out of touch lately, and I apologize, but the last week has been pretty fucking hellish. Two days of the bar exam, followed by a couple of days of moving left me about as exhausted as I've ever been in my life. Unfortunately, I was not offered the latest job I interviewed for-- which is a real shame, since it was pretty much the perfect job. On the plus side, however, that means I'm on vacation this week instead of scrambling to move and preparing for an avalanche of work. Had I gotten the job, I probably would have had to start today... so, mixed bag there.

When I originally was thinking about this post, I had some serious stuff to share. But, right now, I don't want to think about that stuff, so I'll save it for later. There are some things going on in my life right now that are a little tough to deal with, so I've been doing some heavy thinking about what I'm going to be doing in the coming months. Plans may be changing (I guess it's lucky that I don't really have any, eh?). For now, however, I'm not going to think about plans, or jobs, or any of the situations that are bothering me at the moment. For the time being I'm going to focus on the immediate tasks at hand. For instance, I've got several more days of this to take care of:

Ain't No Closet Big Enough, Part III-- The Video Edition

2009-07-15T14:10:00.000-05:00

Proof That You're Old, or... What I Was Listening To in 1997

2009-07-08T14:27:00.003-05:00

Note to MTV: We know he's saying "crystal meth" and bleeping it only makes kids curious as to what they're not hearing. They're more likely to miss it if you leave it in. Cutting it only makes them curious and spurs them to go look up the lyrics.
Such a cheery song for being about being strung out and hitting rock bottom. Of course, all of the sex references help.

Okay, technically this is from 1994, not 1997. So, my senior year of college instead of one of the graduate school years. Still, it works-- I was listening to this in 1997, and it's proof that I'm old.

The ultimate bitter-break-up/creepy-stalker-fantasy song. I listened to this a lot in 1997.

I Won't Mince Words

2009-07-08T01:46:00.002-05:00

No matter how much I may like you, no matter how nice a person you are, no matter how moral or kind, or fun to hang out with you happen to be, no matter whether you are my friend or a member of my family, no matter if you're cute or funny or just a generally wonderful human being... if you're a Republican, you're a FUCKING IDIOT.*

*or at least, there's a 70% chance.

Headlines

2009-07-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

Man beaten after teens misinterpret woman's sex screams

Yeah, that's right.

Son of a Bitch

2009-07-03T01:13:00.000-05:00

I used to own that domain name. Motherfucker.

Travel Fail

2009-07-01T17:57:00.003-05:00

37 years, and these are the only states I've been to? Sad. And I was being generous by counting airport layovers. (And, I'm not actually sure about Georgia...).

visited 22 states (44%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or Like this? try: Mapped Web

Panic, Day 1

2009-07-01T15:48:00.001-05:00

The Missouri Bar Exam is four weeks from yesterday. Panic and massive studying are my immediate future.

Before September... We Have To Get Some Of This

2009-06-15T14:44:00.002-05:00

This is Hilarious

2009-06-12T20:46:00.001-05:00

I just sat here and watched the whole series.

Pet Peeve # 345, 671

2009-06-09T13:48:00.002-05:00

"Cannon" and "Canon," learn the fucking difference.

Oh, My.

2009-06-06T01:31:00.000-05:00

Almost Completely Officially Official

2009-06-04T16:51:00.002-05:00

Grades have been posted, and although my degree has not been recorded, it does appear that I have, in fact, actually graduated.

Now, I just have to get a license.

Hadrian, J.D.

Your Strange Thought of the Day

2009-05-17T21:17:00.001-05:00

I have a doctorate.

End of the Road

2009-05-15T17:59:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm less than 48 hours away from graduation now. I suppose I should feel some sense of relief, but I don't. Seriously, I really want to know, for a fact, that I passed all of my classes this semester before I feel relieved.

That might be one reason I'm not feeling especially festive this evening. Tonight is the traditional end of the year booze-up. I'm going, it's tradition. Hopefully it will be fun. The other reason that I'm not feeling particularly festive is that an uncle that I was really close to passed away yesterday, which sucks. Not that it was totally unexpected, so I'm not traumatized, but it still sucks-- and puts a damper on my mood even if I'm not thinking about it. Of course, I was already not feeling very celebratory because of the grade-worry. I know, I know, I worry about them every semester, but I felt especially bad about at least one of these classes. I just have no idea if I did well enough on that final. And, of course, it would suck to not graduate because of a single bad day on a test. At the very least I would hope for a pity-pass.

So, I'm still stressed out. Maybe I'll feel better on Monday.

If Eddie Izzard and the Conchords Had a Love Child...

2009-05-09T00:41:00.002-05:00

... it would be Australian Tim Minchin.

Ha.

2009-04-25T16:35:00.002-05:00

Funny. Wrong.

2009-04-24T15:18:00.001-05:00

Best. Cartoon. Ever.

2009-04-24T08:12:00.001-05:00

A lot of truth in a small package.

I Hate To Admit It

2009-04-23T15:33:00.001-05:00

... but quite a lot of this stuff actually looked pretty good to me. Of course, much of it was really disgusting too.

And of course, this, is a testament to the greatness of my favorite city.

25 Days, 4 hours

2009-04-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

School of Law

Hooding Ceremony

1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 17

Jesse Auditorium

Reception follows

Law School Courtyard

A Trend

2009-04-17T16:35:00.002-05:00

Apparently I've had dogs on the brain lately. I suppose that is not too surprising, since it's been almost a year since Chaucer moved on to Sheltie heaven (which, I'm sure is chock full of things to herd). The dog in this video is absolutely adorable, and really reminds me of Chauce.

What A Kitchen Floor Should Look Like

2009-04-14T20:03:00.001-05:00

It's a link, click to watch, couldn't get it to embed properly.

33 Days

2009-04-13T16:32:00.002-05:00

Fuck. And that's the count until the very end. It's about half that until I have to take my finals. Let panic ensue.

Crap, I need a job.

Do I really want to be a lawyer? Who knows, too late now anyway.

I need to make this a long post, because I'm sick of looking at Elrond Hubbard, and I need to push that post down the page.

This is the common theme amongst my classmates, but it is so true-- I have no motivation for school left at all. None.

Advanced apathy.

I need a video here to fill space.

Finally

2009-04-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

Science researches something useful.

Neither the Software, Nor the Skills

2009-04-07T20:00:00.003-05:00

... but ask and you shall receive:

Ambivalence & Random Observations

2009-04-01T10:04:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, as I was pulling into the Hitt Street Parking Structure it struck me that I should be starting to get nostalgic about my time at this fabled institution. Instead, I've mostly just been really anxious to get the fuck out. And anxious (other meaning) about getting a job after getting the fuck out of here. And scared about what kind of job that might be and whether I have any fucking clue how to be a lawyer. And really really scared about taking that goddamn licensing exam. FUCK.

Okay, on the other hand I did have a brief tinge of pre-emptive nostalgia this morning in Criminal Procedure, where the thought struck me that I'm going to (at least a little bit) miss being a student. On the whole though, I'm ready to get back into the real world. And, hopefully, be able to start paying down some debt and maybe, just maybe, get a care wherein the AC functions.

Did someone slip some LSD into my Dr. Pepper at lunch? Maybe... it's the only explanation I have at the moment for why I saw three six foot tall Teletubbies in the Jesus Circle this afternoon (and, at some other time, a gorilla).

It Bears Repeating

2009-03-31T22:26:00.000-05:00

MS Word is the fucking devil.

Hilarious

2009-03-31T01:19:00.000-05:00

In The Know: Are Reality Shows Setting Unrealistic Standards For Skanks?

Pet Peeve # 221,368

2009-03-17T16:14:00.003-05:00

When people call chimpanzees "monkeys." Chimpanzees are not monkeys, they're apes. Don't call a chimp a monkey. Would you call a dog a bear?

Simple Answers to Simple Questions about Simpletons

2009-03-11T17:51:00.000-05:00

Given the thunderous silence of Christian Right leaders about Limbaugh's worldview, one wonders if talk radio's man of excessive individualism and political extremism has replaced the biblical witness as a moral compass.

Um... I think the answer to your question is yes, yes it has.

The full story.

Sweet

2009-03-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

Restless and Random

2009-03-09T16:19:00.003-05:00

I'm getting tired of this template and color scheme again... expect a change soon. Or, I may migrate over to the wordpress site. I know... it's kinda boring over there at the moment. I really did like the "urban red" template I had over at wordpress way back in the day... but it was a little hard on the eyes. I wonder where all of those posts went... lost to time no doubt. That's not such a big deal-- I'm sure there was very little of worth there to begin with.

I really want a video camera-- a good video camera. Of course, a job is more important at this point. I have all sorts of gadget desires once I get an income. (Of course, paying off debts, both personal and professional is a higher priority-- that and a new car).

Lots of stuff going on right now... ugh. Just a few days to get my bar application completed and in the mail with the massive cashier's check to go with it. Have to pay those BarBri bastards my remaining tuition balance by April 1 for the Bar review course. They don't tell you, when you start law school, how expensive the last semester will be. It's ugly.

Yeah, really getting tired of the green here.

I Need A Fenced In Yard

2009-03-01T15:04:00.004-06:00

I should be studying for class or the MPRE, which is why I am at the library. But, while updating my ZooToo account to make sure that it counted towards our local shelter winning a makeover I started to browse around the internet. I found this little guy. His name is Teddy. He is at a rescue in Topeka. Topeka, which is in North-East Kansas. I can only assume that Teddy came from a breeder that is also in North-East Kansas. So did Chaucer. Sure, all Shelties look alike, but the resemblance here is uncanny (especially that third picture). I think Teddy may be a long-lost relative. And Teddy NEEDS A HOME. I'm going to stop now, before I start to cry.

UPDATE: I forgot the link.

Crap, This is Real...

2009-02-24T19:34:00.002-06:00

School of Law

Hooding Ceremony

1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 17

Jesse Auditorium

Reception follows

Law School Courtyard

Miss Kansas!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

2009-02-23T22:01:00.001-06:00

Shocking.

How The University Ruined My Lunch... and Other Stuff... or Not.

2009-02-16T17:09:00.002-06:00

The University has ruined my lunch. Bastards. By completely redesigning Memorial Union and vastly curtailing the food options available there they put a big dent in my lunch options. Okay, a marginal dent, but a dent nonetheless. Because, once upon a time, Memorial Union was a reasonable lunch choice. Now that all you can get there are overpriced shitty "gourmet" sandwiches that you have to wait half-a-fucking-hour to get it is no longer an option.

Then the powers that be decided to remodel Brady Commons with a less than stellar plan in place to do so. The new wing is built, University Bookstore is moved into it, and the food court is closed. Why!?!?!? There is no construction going on in the food court/convenience store area-- why did it have to close NOW? Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh. They throw us a bone with the inclusion of "Tiger Takeout" in the back corner of the new bookstore. How is that supposed to work exactly? There's no room! It's a complete clusterfuck. Now, Brady wasn't always my first choice for lunch, but it was convenient. Very convenient. And now, between the fucking up of both student unions in the central area of campus I am left with no convenient lunch options (especially since the makeover of these two buildings has exponentially increased the lunchtime crowds at the campus McDonald's-- the only other thing close to the Law School).

And why isn't Bones on? It's five o'clock TNT-- you're supposed to be showing me Bones-- not Law and Order. I'm very disappointed. I might even have to do homework. All this food talk has made me hungry.

Vague Notions

Just Fucking Insane

Has it really been that long?

Back From Hiatus or... Sake and Samurai Regrets

Well...

Update

The Week of Electronics

Busy Busy BUSY

One Day Down

Department of Good News/Bad News

I Hate Goodreads

He Would've Fucking Loved That

For Degolar and Lummox: Bringing Down the Tone

Teach the Controversy

Man, It SUCKS Living Next to a Golf Course!

Please...

What I Want

Milestones: The 500th Post or... The Renaissance Project

A Re-Used Graphic That Perfectly Illustrates the Process of Attempting To Get a Job in Today's Economy, A Repeat Edition of The Brit-Com Quote of the Week, Mostly Good But Probably Irrelevant News, And A Proposal

I Just Remembered

Last Night, I Dreamt of a Blog

Someone, Please, Take My Scissors Away...

But, Sometimes...

Sure, It's a Commercial, But It's Cool.

Neglect

One Sentence Movie Review: The Da Vinci Code

Really?

I'm Sick of Winter

The Universal Post

You're Gonna Love This

Winter Wonderland Part II, or... How I Spent My Day

Winter Wonderland, or... Random Pictures From My Unemployment

New Look

Home Improvement Lessons Learned

Blogophrenia

The Internet is Making Us Illiterate

More Fun With Real Documents, or... I Must Get Out!!!!!

Why?

But Wait, There's More!

This Twilight I Kind Of Liked

Questions

Fuck The Law, I Should've Been A Waiter

I Present, The Count

Fun With Maps

Time For NaNoWriMo

Not At All Surprising

Did I Mention?

Connection Woes

Coming Attractions

Branson, Missouri: Monkey Friendly

Thoughts on College Football

Omissions

Frustration

Important Stuff

Anyone Need A Lawsuit Filed in Missouri?

Pictures and Pizza

Yeah, Exactly.

Sweet Jesus I Hate Republicans, Part IV (?)

Licensed Attorney Bitches!

Sake, Samurai.

This might be heaven...

One Sentence Movie Review

If You Don't Know Why This Is Funny...

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted...

Wasting Away Again

Ain't No Closet Big Enough, Part III-- The Video Edition

Proof That You're Old, or... What I Was Listening To in 1997

I Won't Mince Words

Headlines

Son of a Bitch

Travel Fail

Panic, Day 1

Before September... We Have To Get Some Of This

This is Hilarious

Pet Peeve # 345, 671

Oh, My.

Almost Completely Officially Official

Your Strange Thought of the Day

End of the Road

If Eddie Izzard and the Conchords Had a Love Child...