i am ski

Ambition, or Lack Thereof


One of the things I've decided I need to do is to follow through on some of my ideas, complete projects in a decent amount of time, and generally get things done. I've been wanting to try modding my own PC case, and have been reading forums and how-to's, and I've even gone so far as to strip a case I had lying around down to the bare bones. But I haven't ever bothered to start the actual work.

The reason I bring this up is because of a site I recently saw. The Mushroom House is the creation of a guy (aptly named "Zube") who came up with the idea in the late '70s. It's an incredible piece of work, with detail that's just astounding. The house itself, interior and exterior, reminds me of a hobbit hole, and the whole "nature" motif is carried throughout the house.

Obviously Zube (I love saying that name) must have had an incredible passion, for this took 22 years to complete. The only thing I've done for 22 years is breathe. I'd like to have this kind of determination and desire to have such a vision, and decide to do it, however out of this world the idea might seem.

The Return of the King


It's nice to be looking forward to seeing the final installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There's been some movies where it just seems pointless to even bother with a third one...

In celebration of this, I bring to you the LOTR Survival tips

  1. Stand up halfway through the movie and yell loudly, "Wait...where the hell is Harry Potter?"

  2. Block the entrance to the theater while screaming: "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" - After the movie, say "Lucas could have done it better."

  3. At some point during the movie, stand up and shout: "I must go! Middle Earth needs me!" and run and try to jump into the screen. After bouncing off, return quietly to your seat.

  4. Play a drinking game where you have to take a sip every time someone says: "The Ring."

  5. Point and laugh whenever someone dies.

  6. Ask the nearest ring-nut if he thinks Gandalf went to Hogwarts

  7. Finish off every one of Elrond's lines with "Mr. Anderson."

  8. When Aragorn is crowned king, stand up and at the top of your lungs sing, "And I did it....MY way...!"

  9. At the end, complain that Gollum was offensive to Ethiopians

  10. Talk like Gollum all through the movie. At the end, bite off someone's finger and fall down the stairs.

  11. When Shelob appears, pinch the guy in front of you on the back of the neck.

  12. Dress up as old ladies and reenact "The Battle of Helms Deep" Monty Python style.

  13. When Denethor lights the fire, shout "Barbecue!"

  14. Ask people around you who they think is the next "Terminator" sent from the Middle Earth of the future to assassinate Frodo Baggins

  15. In The Two Towers, when the Ents decide to march to war, stand up and shout "RUN FOREST, RUN!"

  16. Every time someone kills an Orc, yell: "That's what I'm Tolkien about!" See how long it takes before you get kicked out of the theatre.

  17. During a wide shot of a battle, inquire, "Where's Waldo?"

  18. Talk loudly about how you heard that there is a single frame of a nude Elf hidden somewhere in the movie.

  19. Start an Orc sing-a-long.

  20. Come to the premiere dressed as Frankenfurter and wander around looking terribly confused.

Number 7 made me laugh :)

I Don't Get It


If you've been using computers for any amount of time, along with the Internet, you've inevitably run across the "Windows vs. Mac (or Linux)" argument. All sides have created[1] websites dedicated to how much a particular OS sucks, but honestly, what's the point?

I, personally, use all three systems. I have Win 98 and XP, RedHat Linux, and am typing this using my Mac Powerbook on OS X 10.2.8. Simply put, I use what works best for what I want to do.

The reason I brought this up was because of a recent article in the online version of PC Mag (Not sure if it's in the print version). The author started the article with "I know this is wrong....". If you're going to start a nationally syndicated article with those five words, perhaps you should stop right there. Basically this article is a big "nee ner nee ner" to Mac users.

Pathetic.

I did find a nice response over at The Register. At least this author seems to have a head on his shoulders.

[1] I tried to go to macsucks.com/net/org, but it was currently down. Wonder if it was running on Windows servers. KIDDING!

More Amusement


This particular person seems to IM me quite a bit, persistently, even after I've flat out told her to stop IM'ing me...

JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:23:07 PM): wat up
Shad (9:23:22 PM): You're IM'ing me again...
Shad (9:23:26 PM): you must stop
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:23:27 PM): yea
Shad (9:23:28 PM): now
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:23:32 PM): y
Shad (9:23:35 PM): or you're going to make me start twitching
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:23:45 PM): twitching
Shad (9:23:50 PM): and when I start twitching, I have to take my medicine...
Shad (9:23:53 PM): but I'm out
Shad (9:23:56 PM): and the store is closed
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:24:01 PM): no
Shad (9:24:01 PM): and I don't want to twitch
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:24:09 PM): please stay
Shad (9:24:09 PM): bad things happen when I start to twitch
Shad (9:24:14 PM): so stop IM'ing me
Shad (9:24:16 PM): Now.
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:24:17 PM): bad things like
Shad (9:25:37 PM): Milk turns sour. Leaves fall dead off trees. Bread turns moldy. Michael Jackson is found innocent....bad, Bad Things!
JuelzBallerGirl6 (9:25:47 PM): LOL


What was funny was she stopped IMing me :)

I also found a couple of interesting words/definitions in the dictionary tonight. For instance:

sesquipedalian: A long word (No kidding!)
antinovel: A fictional work that lacks traditional elements of the novel, such as coherent plot structure or realistic character development.

Does that mean the definition of antimusic would have a picture of Britany Spears or Justin Timberlake next to it?

New Marketing Tactic?


I feel like I was hit upside the head with a moldy sack of potatoes after this one...

SHADIQ107 (3:31:42 PM): Have you read the street book NO EXIT?
Shad (3:31:58 PM): No. Who are you?
SHADIQ107 (3:32:53 PM): shadiq I'am promoting the book NO EXIT. It's about NEWARK
Shad (3:33:10 PM): And why are you IM'ing me about it?
SHADIQ107 (3:33:42 PM): So you can get it.
Shad (3:33:56 PM): What makes you think I'd want to read about Newark of all things?
SHADIQ107 (3:34:54 PM): It's a real good book and it's informative information.
Shad (3:35:29 PM): Everything I've wanted to know about Newark, eh?
Shad (3:36:00 PM): About the only thing I'm interested in Newark would be where the bypasses are, so I don't have to go to Newark
SHADIQ107 (3:36:45 PM): Not like that but it puts you right there in the story.
SHADIQ107 (3:37:13 PM): And Newark isn't that bad!
Shad (3:37:17 PM): And what story would that be?
SHADIQ107 (3:37:36 PM): Get the book
SHADIQ107 (3:38:18 PM): Amazon.com. Look at the cover.
SHADIQ107 (3:39:05 PM): NO EXIT Alsaadiq Banks
Shad (3:41:30 PM): Is this some new sort of Marketing technique? Pick some random screen name, IM them and try to sell a book?
Shad (3:41:44 PM): Could've at least made it interesting or something...
Shad (3:41:51 PM): But a book about Newark?
SHADIQ107 (3:43:42 PM): No. Your name popped on my buddy list, and Newark is interesting.
Shad (3:44:16 PM): So, why'd you put me on your buddy list then, just to talk about this book about Newark?
Shad (3:44:42 PM): Coulda picked a better city, like New York or something...that might have been more interesting to talk about.
SHADIQ107 (3:44:56 PM): Newark is the largest city in N.J
Shad (3:45:41 PM): Well, I'm happy for it then
SHADIQ107 (3:46:34 PM): Well I live in Newark and as I said I'am promoting the book about Newark the story was interesting.
Shad (3:47:07 PM): Isn't this where we started?
SHADIQ107 (3:48:11 PM): I thought others would like to read a book that was real and not fake as other books that are out there right know.
Shad (3:48:46 PM): There's other books that are fake??
Shad (3:48:52 PM): What's a fake book look like?
Shad (3:49:23 PM): Does it dress like a book, but it's really a TV Dinner?
SHADIQ107 (3:51:13 PM): A fake book is a book that its contents are fiction. Someone just sat there and made it up. But this book where real experiences that people in newark experience everyday. That's what makes it a real book.
Shad (3:53:33 PM): So, something like Harry Potter isn't a real book....
Shad (3:53:41 PM): is that what you're saying?
SHADIQ107 (3:54:11 PM): Harry Potter is real if you beleive in magic. But most people do not beleive in magic.
Shad (3:54:52 PM): So, if one doesn't believe in magic, then Harry Potter is not a real book, is what you're saying...
Shad (3:55:15 PM): So while I don't believe in magic, this big ass, 700lbs book sitting on the table here isn't real?
Shad (3:55:23 PM): It's just a figment of my imagination?
Shad (3:55:29 PM): Am I hallucinating?
Shad (3:55:33 PM): Whoa...
Shad (3:55:41 PM): wonder what else isn't real around here...
SHADIQ107 (3:56:49 PM): Reality is what is real to you. No the book in a phgysical from makes it real because you can see it or touch it. But its contents, meaning whatthe author worte does not have to be real experiences. The book No Exit is real experiences and real in form.
Shad (3:58:17 PM): So, then back to the real question, WHY did you IM ME about this book, that I have absolutly NO interest in?
SHADIQ107 (3:59:33 PM): Well how do you know you don't have interest in it if you have not read it. It might be interesting. Don't judge a book by its cover or title.
Shad (4:04:31 PM): How about by it's marketing promotion?
SHADIQ107 (4:06:04 PM): You where not marketed through a mailing list. When you signed on your name came on my computer. I wanted to know who you were and see if you would be interested in a book.
Shad (4:07:34 PM): Seems to me if you wanted to know who I was, you might have said something like, oh say "Who's this?" Or "Hi, your name appeared on my buddy list, do I know you?" instead of "Have you read the street book NO EXIT?"
SHADIQ107 (4:08:45 PM): O.K. you have a valid point. but stop beating a dead horse. Dis you read the book? HA!
SHADIQ107 (4:09:27 PM): did you read the book.
Shad (4:10:08 PM): You think after all that, I've actually read the book?
Shad (4:10:11 PM): That's funny...
Shad (4:10:25 PM): But in case all the sarcasm went by you earlier, No, I have not read the book
Shad (4:10:32 PM): Nor do I plan on reading the book
Shad (4:10:36 PM): There, does that help?
SHADIQ107 (4:11:00 PM): Yes, it does Help? You have a nice life.
Shad (4:11:20 PM): I imagine I will, thank you very much....
SHADIQ107 (4:11:39 PM): LOL

New Stupidity Level Reached


I've been known to do a stupid thing or two. I broke my wrist once showing off for a girl. I've tried seeing how far I can ski with my eyes closed.

But I surpassed myself yesterday.

Remember in the last entry I said I had basically the rest of the year off? LOTS of time to get stuff done, such as shopping?

Guess what I did yesterday, Saturday afternoon.

I went shopping.

It was without a doubt the STUPIDEST thing I've done in a long, long time. After spending 3 hours threading my way through crowds, trying to find stuff that was no longer available, being accosted by every salesperson available, I decided it was time to leave. Empty handed.

And then it took me 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot.

I came home, and finished my shopping online. Why I didn't do that before, I have no idea. Maybe I had some "Need to live the WHOLE holiday experience" sort of wish.

*twitch*

Naturally


Friday afternoon, about 4pm, I got to wondering when I was going to be able to get around to do some holiday shopping. I was thinking maybe I should take a day off, so I wrote to our admin, asking how much time I had left, thinking I should have a couple of days or so.

She wrote back: "You have 144.08 hours, and 56 will carry over..."

Well then. If 56 carry over, that means, I have 88 hours left. Which is 11 days. Which, coincidentally enough, is exactly the number of work days left this year. I told my boss about this, and she said "Use them or lose them! See you next year..."

So, suddenly, I find myself off for the rest of the year, and not even sure how what to do with myself, aside from the aforementioned shopping.

Wow.

Oh, and naturally, I'm sitting here typing this in on Saturday morning, having woken up about 6-ish, unable to go back to sleep.

Damnit.

Sometimes I Get One Who Plays Along


Sometimes, I get someone who plays along.


SweetieBwn (12:22 PM): a
SweetieBwn (12:23 PM): who are you
Shad (12:26 PM): Shad. Who are you?
SweetieBwn (12:26 PM): Taquela
Shad (12:26 PM): Sorry. You have the wrong person
Shad (12:27 PM): I don't know a Taquela...
SweetieBwn (12:27 PM): no i don't do you know dawn
SweetieBwn (12:27 PM): a
SweetieBwn (12:28 PM): who do they call u
Shad (12:30 PM): No, don't know a Dawn, who is "who" and whoever they are, they call me Shad.
SweetieBwn (12:30 PM): do you have a page on blackplanet
Shad (12:30 PM): No
SweetieBwn (12:30 PM): all
SweetieBwn (12:31 PM): do u know my mom
Shad (12:32 PM): No. Should I?
SweetieBwn (12:32 PM): yes
Shad (12:32 PM): Why should I?
SweetieBwn (12:33 PM): You Are On Her Buddy List
Shad (12:33 PM): Is she some sort of famour person?
Shad (12:33 PM): famous*
Shad (12:33 PM): Ah. Maybe I'm the famous one 'cause I'm on her buddy list. You think?
SweetieBwn (12:33 PM): Yeah Right
Shad (12:34 PM): I'm not famous?
Shad (12:34 PM): probably not
Shad (12:34 PM): but I don't have her on my buddy list, yet she has me on hers, so I'm probably more famous
SweetieBwn (12:34 PM): What Ever
SweetieBwn (12:34 PM): Your Not Famous
SweetieBwn (12:35 PM): Shad What's Your Middle Name
SweetieBwn (12:36 PM): Shad! Are You There
Shad (12:36 PM): Shad What's Your Middle Name? Who's that?
Shad (12:36 PM): Am I more famous than he is?
SweetieBwn (12:37 PM): My Middle NAme Is Gregory
Shad (12:37 PM): Gregory?
SweetieBwn (12:37 PM): My Last Name Moss
Shad (12:37 PM): Dude!!! You're Bow Wow!!!
Shad (12:37 PM): I so worship you
SweetieBwn (12:38 PM): Yeah!
Shad (12:38 PM): I even use your first name as my screen name
Shad (12:38 PM): Damn!
Shad (12:38 PM): this is so cool!
Shad (12:38 PM): I've never chatted with anyone famous before
SweetieBwn (12:38 PM): Can I Tell You Something
Shad (12:38 PM): Sure!
SweetieBwn (12:38 PM): YOUR NOT ME!
Shad (12:38 PM): I know!
Shad (12:38 PM): you're you!
Shad (12:40 PM): I like, worship the ground you walk on
Shad (12:40 PM): and have all your albums
Shad (12:40 PM): and all your posters on my wall
SweetieBwn (12:40 PM): Where You Live At? So I Can Give You Some Tickets To My Next Tour In Your City
Shad (12:41 PM): SERIOUSLY?!??!
Shad (12:41 PM): That'd Be SO COOL!!!!
Shad (12:41 PM): I live in DC
SweetieBwn (12:41 PM): How Old Are You
Shad (12:41 PM): 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
SweetieBwn (12:42 PM): Hold Up I'm Bout To Eat I'll Be Back In A Hot Second.
Shad (12:45 PM): So, you going to send me tickets, right?
SweetieBwn (12:45 PM): Yeah! You Live In The White House
Shad (12:45 PM): yeah! Huge Fan, me and Laura both.
Shad (12:46 PM): Kids will be VERY jealous
Shad (12:46 PM): though the twins will probably be in jail again.
SweetieBwn (12:47 PM): How Old Are You
SweetieBwn (12:48 PM): Are You There
Shad (12:48 PM): 57
Shad (12:48 PM): Born July 6th, 1946
Shad (12:48 PM): I'm way hip for my age though
SweetieBwn (12:49 PM): You Are Very Smart Mouth
Shad (12:49 PM): well, you have to be to become President, don'tchaknow...
SweetieBwn (12:49 PM): 57 Years Old With My Pictures In Your Room
Shad (12:51 PM): Yeah, Laura isn't too crazy about them, I keep covering up her Britney Spears posters with yours, but you kick major bootie over Britney Spears, so it's all good
SweetieBwn (12:51 PM): Welll I'm Not Shad Moss! I'm Young Chuck The New Up Ans Coming Artist Stright Out Of C.O. That's Real
SweetieBwn (12:51 PM): Shad Moss Aint Got Nothing On Me And He Can Rep His State Where He From Get Real
Shad (12:52 PM): What is C.O, why are you talking all in caps, and what the hell...you're NOT Bow Wow?
Shad (12:52 PM): Dude, that was SO uncool, I was all excited and stuff
SweetieBwn (12:52 PM): If You Talk To Him Ask!
SweetieBwn (12:52 PM): Ask Me!
SweetieBwn (12:53 PM): Can You Talk To Shad Moss
Shad (12:53 PM): Man, I thought I WAS talking to Shad Moss, aka Bow Wow, aka, Rap God...
Shad (12:53 PM): damn
Shad (12:53 PM): what a let down
Shad (12:53 PM): So you say you're Young Chuck, Rapper extrodinaire, eh?
Shad (12:54 PM): Well, Young Chuck, if I ever see one of your albums, I'm going to pee all over it, because you made me mad
Shad (12:54 PM): and as President, I can do that, I can have the Secret Service guys form a ring around me in Tower Records, and I'll throw down your album and pee all over it.
SweetieBwn (12:55 PM): A! I'm With Lil John And The East Side Boyz So Chill Out
Shad (12:55 PM): whatever
SweetieBwn (12:56 PM): Get Krunk!
Shad (12:56 PM): Like I believe you
Shad (12:56 PM): you liar
Shad (12:56 PM): you're nothing but a big fat liar!
Shad (12:56 PM): Liar Liar Pants On Fire!
SweetieBwn (12:56 PM): A Young Chuck HAs A Album Bout to Come Out in Jan.
Shad (12:56 PM): I'll find it and go pee on it just because then.
SweetieBwn (12:57 PM): When Ever You Talk To Bow Wow Tell Him He Got A Cousim In Columbus That Got Skills And He Is Real To The RAp GAme
SweetieBwn (12:58 PM): Yeah1
Shad (12:58 PM): I won't
Shad (12:58 PM): I'll tell him he has a Cousin in Columbus that is a BIG FAT LIAR
SweetieBwn (12:59 PM): how Would You Like If I Told You That I'm Really Bow Wow
SweetieBwn (12:59 PM): Shad Gregory Moss A.K.A Mr. 106 And Park
Shad (1:00 PM): I don't believe anything you say any more
Shad (1:00 PM): lie to me
Shad (1:00 PM): rotten dirty thing to do
SweetieBwn (1:00 PM): Lol
I'm The Real Shad That..... Ummm
SweetieBwn (1:01 PM): Rap For Columbia Records
SweetieBwn (1:01 PM): Shad Well I'm Out Of Her And I Have To Go I Holla
SweetieBwn (1:01 PM): Bye Bye
Shad (1:02 PM): bye liar

Jingle Bells, What the Hell


My pod-neighbor across the wall here at work has been playing Christmas music for about the past week.

Non-stop.

All day long.

Look for me as the headlining news topic on tonight's 6 o'clock news, as I'm sure to have blown a fuse by then.

PreXmasjaculation


There's people decorating their pods for Christmas around the office. Little Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling, reindeer around the walls, even some Christmas tunes can be heard.

I hate it.

Now, I'm not saying I hate Christmas itself. I hate the commercialization of it. I hate the fact that 99% of the stores out there start celebrating it before Thanksgiving. Some, right after Halloween.

But not one :)

At the mall last night, a friend of mine told me that Nordstroms had a sign that said "We believe in celebrating the holidays the old fashioned way. One day at a time...." I had to go see for myself. Sure enough, there it was. It went on to state that they wouldn't put up any holiday decorations until after Thanksgiving.

If it wasn't so expensive, I actually might consider shopping there 'cause of that.