| 10/01/2003 |
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FORTUNATE SOUL
This might be a bit more personal and introspective than you are used to hearing from me in such a forum. Yet, when the mood hits... sometimes you've just got to go with it. Besides what is a blog for if not for such personal expression?
(I'm also going to apologize for any typos or omissions of important words, as I am prone to do. I've proof read this enough that the words aren't even making sense anymore.)
I consider myself very fortunate. When I sit down and think about my life and what I have or don't have, there is certainly a lot more stacking up in the + column when compared to the - column.
Oprah had some gimmick going for a while about having a Gratitude Journal. The concept was pretty basic. You kept a diary/journal/list of the things each day that you were grateful for. It could be something as monumental as winning the lottery. It might be something as simple as just being able to breathe. I never personally used it, but I told quite a few of my callers who were down about their lives to give something like that a try. Maybe this is my time to have my own little 'grateful' moment.
Don't get me wrong! I'm not down or depressed about anything right now. Life is pretty damned good, if I do say so. But that is what is important, I think... Sometimes we have so much happen and we have to figure out ways to pick up ourselves up by the bootstraps when we are down, that when we are up, the good things might be taken for granted.
I don't want to take any positive thing in my life for granted, if I can help it.
Jeniflower has been posting recently about how much she loves Mike. If you missed the post about the picture-note he secretly put in her sack lunch then you missed a very sweet moment. Her blog is even currently sporting an angelic rendering he did of his beloved. Obviously, she is not taking the gestures for granted and it is plain that he doesn't take her for granted. Just knowing them both and seeing how much they care for each other is wonderful. Having friends like them in my life is certainly a plus column item, for sure!
I recently have been in re-contact with a good friend from High School. I saw Charity over the weekend while I was having lunch with Chad. I didn't get a chance to say "hi" at the time, but I emailed her post haste. I say re-contacted, because even tho she lives only an hour away for some reason we never stay in contact as much as I would like. Yet, when we do, for me, it is like not much time has passed. We pick up right where we left off. I've got a good group of friends that I graduated that are like that. I try not to take them for granted, but I know that I occasionally do.
These are just a couple examples. Friends are just one MAJOR part of my life that I try and appreciate as much as possible. I’ve said on several occasions that my friends ARE my family.
While my family puts the 'fun' in dysfunctional, they are what they are. I am who I am today because of them. Sure, there are things I would have liked to have experienced differently, but when compared to what those things have brought me now...
I wouldn't have my brother, Nick and sister, Desiree... both of whom, I love and think the world of.
Seeing how some of my other cousins ended up, who knows where I would personally be. Would I be IN a group home instead of working for one?
Not enough can be said about Grandparents who will take in an infant only years before they are about to retire, themselves, having raised two children already.
Through a lot of ups and downs and introspective searches I've found out a lot about myself. I have someone very special in my life that I care about very much, and who cares about me very much in return. Having seen how many relationships end up and play out, I would like to believe that my pickiness has been resulted in someone who was worth the wait.
I was fortunate enough to get a job right out of college in the field I studied, at a place that I was hoping for. I am doing what I set out to do.
Health! Health! Health! While talking to my Grandmother just the other day, her doctor remarked about her excellent health for someone who is 81. My great grandmother was the same way... We've got some stout German blood flowing in the veins. No histories of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or such typical things are found. Just hair loss... But I think I can live with that. ;-)
I'm not saying these things to try and boast. Far from it... Quite the opposite actually. Hopefully anyone who is reading this (and was willing to read this far) is taking a few moments to think about all the things in their own life that they are grateful for.
Thanks for bearing with my fifteen minutes of self-indulgence.
Ok Kids... Blame Chad for this one. I stole it from him. He's stolen from my blog, so it's only fair. It's a long one. I was bored at work. What can I say..? Here's my life in a 'nut shell'. No pun intended.
-[ Basic ]-
Nicknames: Big Cris. “Cwis Wah-gers”
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Birthday: September 8th, Year of the Tiger
Height: 5’11”
Hair colour: Brown going black in back (reddish in the sun)
Eye colour: Brown
Do you wear glasses or contacts?: Glasses when I drive.
Do you have braces?: No
Is your hair long or short?: Short
Where were you born?: Columbus, NE
Current location: Omaha, NE
Zodiac sign: Virgo
How many languages do you know?: English. A little Spanish to get by, but nothing to travel on.
Piercings: No
Piercings you want: Toyed with the idea a couple times, but gave up the idea.
Tattoos: None
Tattoos you want: I want get a gecko or tree frog on my shoulder like it’s crawling up it. They’re cool looking. Or maybe a tribal design. A little faddish and overdone, but they’re cool looking.
-[ Family ]-
Mother's name: Becky
Father's name: Jeff
Brother's name: Nick
Sister's name: Desiree
Favourite aunt: None…
Favourite uncle: Ken
Favourite grandparent: The ones who took me in and raised me. I love you.
Worst relative: See Parents…
Best relative: The ones I talk to.
Do you get along with your parents?: We’ll use Grandparents for this scenario. I seem to have a better understanding about them and with them now that I’m moved out.
Do they understand you?: I think they do to a certain point.
-[ Favourites ]-
Number: 8
Clothing brand: I am a Target whore… Anything there.
Shoes: something comfortable or nothing at all.
TV show: Alias. Jenifer Garner is the shiznit.
Vegetable: Corn
Fruit: Apples
Movie: The Goonies
Magazine: People, Rolling Stone National Geographic.
Actor: Russell Crowe or Pierce Brosnan
Actress: Jenifer Garner or Cate Blanchett
Candy: Peeps
Scent: Rain or freshly cut grass
Candy bar: Three Musketeers
Ice cream flavour: Cookie dough
Colour: Green
Season: Spring going into Summer
Holiday: 4th of July
Type of music: ANY
Thing in your room: Piano keyboard
Place to be: with loved ones
Overall food: Italian
Fast food: Arby’s or Runza
Shape: Abstract
Time of day: That after work feeling.
State: of the Union? Washington. It’s so lush and green.
Boy's name: Gregory or Conner.
Girl's name: Hannah or Angela
Shampoo: Pert
Swear word: Some days I’m like a trucker, but I do like coming up with funnier more comical ways to swear.
Month: May or September
-[ Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you hear... ]-
Eminem: Fool
Dog: Roscoe
Hot: Cold
N'SYNC: N*City
Orange: Fruit
Fuck: a duck
Black: and white
Rainbow: of Skittles
Cherry: bomb
Cucumber: dip
Shark: attack
Lighthouse: Foghorn
Bat: Man
Leather: Coat
Whip: WhooooPAH
America: USA
Water: Fall
Volcano: Lava
-[ Private life ]-
Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?: Yes
Do you have a crush?: See above.
Do you love anyone right now?: Yes
Have you ever been in love?: Yes
How many people broke your heart?: None that I want to think about and remember.
Do you go by looks or personality?: Personality, but looks can get my attention too. They just hold less water than personality in the long haul.
Ever kiss a friend?: Yes
So moving along... do you smoke?: No
Do you smoke weed?: I swear I just normally have the munchies! Honest!!
Beer good or beer bad?: Good
Are you the sissy who drinks wine coolers?: If you chug them instead of drink them does that make you a sissy still?
Do you like Smirnoff Ice?: Yes
Prefer beer or liquor?: Beer. I’m a cheap drunk.
Are you a virgin?: Your mother may be reading this!
-[ Would you ever ]-
Bungee jump: No
Sky dive: With someone… yes. Alone… no.
Swim with dolphins: With a life jacket.
Scuba dive: Maybe
Steal a friend's boyfriend/girlfriend: No
Crossdress: All I can think of is the scene from the Simpsons with Barney dress up as Marge.
Lie to the police: about what?
Run from the police: No. I can’t lose ANYONE in a chase…
Lie to your parents: Not flat out.
Walk up to a stranger and kiss them: No
Be an exotic dancer: Not in public.
Walk out of a restaurant without paying: I’ve considered it.
-[ Have you ever ]-
Been to Michigan: I don’t think so. I can’t be responsibly for my whereabouts ALL the time.
Gotten really, really wasted: Yes. My last birthday. Thank God for good friends will drive my drunk ass home and watch me stumble into the wrong apartment building.
Gone to jail or juvi: No
Skateboarded: Barely
Stolen anything: Yes. I was young.
Pegged someone in the head with a snowball: Not that I can recall.
Broke a beer bottle: Not for weapon usage.
Gotten into a bar, under-aged: Not with the intent of drinking.
Kissed someone of the same sex: w00t!!
Gone on a road trip: Yes.
Been to a concert: Yes. A handful.
Been to another country: Yes. My father was stationed in Europe. So I visited for a few months one summer.
Talked back to an adult: Yes.
Got pulled over: Yes.
Broke a law: Yes.
Broke a Commandment: Sounds like a weekend.
Given money to a homeless person: Yes.
Tried to kill yourself: Never actually done anything.
Cried to get out of trouble: No.
-[ Opinions ]-
What do you think...
about pop music: Good stuff.
About boy bands: Some songs… are a guilty pleasure.
About flag burning: Yikes!
About rock/metal music: Good stuff.
Where do you think you'll be in 10 years: I don’t know. Sorry… I can’t be funny all the time.
-[ What did you do... ]-
Last birthday: My good friend Zaida threw a party for me. Two great groups of friend finally got to mingle. I had a GREAT time.
Last weekend: Alumni party with Chad.
Christmas: Spent the holiday time with my family. Luckily my family from Kentucky braved the weather to come visit. Yay!
Thanksgiving: Dinner with my surrogate family.
-[ The last ]-
Thing you ate: Funyuns
Thing you drank: Water
Thing you wore: NYPD tshirt and jeans
Place you went: To work
Thing you got pierced/tattooed: My finger when I poked myself with a sharp knife.
Person you saw: Zaida
Person you kissed: *innocent whistle* ;-)
Person you talked to: Zaida
Song you heard: Maroon 5 – “Harder To Breathe”
-[ Now ]-
What are you eating: Nothing
What are you drinking: Water. Are you taking a census?
What are you wearing: See above.
Any shoes on: Yes
Hair: More?
Listening to: The fluorescent lights hum.
-[ Yes or no ]-
Are you a vegetarian?: No. Pigs are magical animals! Bacon, ham, sausage, pepperoni, pork chops.
Do you like cows?: Yes. With ketchup or steak sauce.
Are you a bitch?: I can be, but not regularly.
Are you artistic?: Modestly, yes.
Are you a fast runner?: I can sprint.
Can you ski?: Never had the chance to.
Are you British?: No.
Do you want to spear Britney?: What?
Did you ever give Barbie a haircut?: Is that a euphamism?
Would you eat mac & cheese with hot dogs in it?: There are people that wouldn’t?
Do you think Disney creators were on acid when they made 'Alice in Wonderland'?: I think the better subject would be Fantasia.
Are you straight?: My hobby was once arranging things. What do you think?
Are you fat?: According to body mass index yes. But I would say generally no.
Are you skinny?: Arms… yes. Legs… no.
Are you short?: No
Are you tall?: No. It’s like a game of “Guess Who”
Do you own a hot pink shirt?: So I can be seen from orbit? Um.. no.
How about orange pants?: How about them?
Are you evil?: The voices say I am.
Do you like Marilyn Manson?: As a person? No.
Do you shop at Hot Topic?: Not lately
-[ Random questions ]-
If you could be any animal, what would you be?: Maybe a tiger, or a wolf, or a bear.
Do you remember any of your dreams?: Usually
Do you dream in colour or black and white?: Both
Do you admit when you need help with a problem?: yes.
What's your biggest fear?: Not being remembered.
Can you drive?: Yes
Are you spoiled?: Yes
Are you anti-social?: No
Now that this is over, what are you going to do?: See a doctor about carpal tunnel. Then go back to work.
Can't Get You Outta My Head
Like I've stated on several occasions, I typically have a song stuck in my head at any given time. For the better part of this weekend I've been singing Neil Diamond's - Cherry Cherry
I like the song, but I'm some days when it's a song I don't like yet I still have it stuck in my head... It's my own private little hell... In the meantime, groove along with me!
Baby loves me
Yes, yes she does
Ah, the girl's outta sight, yeah
Says she loves me
Yes, yes she does
Gonna show me tonight, yeah
She got the way to move me, Cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me
Weekend Update
Yes. Yes... I know that it is Wednesday evening, but when you're feeling just short of "like crap" updating a blog is not top priority. It's amazing how much difference a few degrees makes when we are talking about internal body temperature.
Chad and I went to the zoo on Sunday. We were accompanied by Jay and his friend Elizabeth. It was a beautiful day. Couldn't ask for a better weather to enjoy good company and the zoo. A little bummed we couldn't get to see the gorill-ill-ill-ill-ill-a house, but only because they were building up a new encampment for them. It looks to be pretty impressive.
For as many times as I see it I am always impressed by the Aquarium tunnel. There is something relaxing, yet stirring about having sharks and rays swimming above you. This was my first time to get a chance to see the 'underside' of the Desert Dome. I'd heard some people say it wasn't that impressive or not as cool as they hoped it would be. I didn't have too many expectations for it, so I found it quite enjoyable. I was very impressed by the bat displays. It was freaky, in a cool Halloween kinda way.
After a much anticipated meal at China Buffet (China Bucket or Catapiller for those who may know it by different names) it was back to my place to watch Daredevil. It has been agreed that Jennifer Garner is butt-kicking amazing!
We also got the the chance to see Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. I'm a huge Drew and Lucy fan so this was right up my alley. I'm not sure why I didn't go see it in the theater. Oh well... Like I've said before with films like Crouching Tiger and Kill Bill. I'm ok with wire-fu acrobatics and fight scenes. And this movie had it's fair share. There was also the occasional 70's throw-back to the original series which I thorougly enjoyed. I'll watch the original series when I can catch it on cable. I hope they do a third movie. It also had a great soundtrack. Gotta love the music!
Thus... my current song playing is:
Nickelback f. Kid Rock - Saturday Night's Alright
I am a Musical Thinker
Musical thinkers:
Tend to think in sounds, and may also think in rhythms and melodies
Are sensitive to the sounds and rhythms of words as well as their meanings.
Feel a strong connection between music and emotions
Like many musical thinkers, Leonardo loved to sing, and had a fine voice Other Musical Thinkers include
Mozart, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix
Careers which suit Musical Thinkers include
Musician, Music teacher, Sound engineer, Recording technician
What kind of a thinker are you?
You say "Theatre" I say $8.50!?!
My main reason for posting it here is to serve as a reminder or what movies I want to see. I know some of you have already seen a few of these, but suggestions and spoiler-free critiques are welcome. I might take the time to link these to IMDB.com but for now you can just cut and paste if you don't know what the movie is about. :-)
Cold Creek Manor
Intolerable Cruelity
Kill Bill Vol 1.
Lost In Translation
Secondhand Lions
School Of Rock
No Hablo Español
Dad told not to talk to girl in Spanish
If you haven't read about this in the local Omaha paper, the basic jist is this. The father of a 5 year old little girl has been ordered by judge Ronald E. Reagan, to not "speak Hispanic" around his daughter while on visitations.
Granted, the father has done jail time and just recently has learned he has a daughter. The larger point I am finding an issue with is the fact that the father has been told what language to speak around his child.
I'll admit that, having met and knowing a little about the father (friend of a friend), that I am biased on this. There has also been some mudslinging that has been done. Still tho... How can a judge, who by conduct code, has sworn to "perform judicial duties without prejudice" order something like that?
The mother says that it is confusing and frightening for the child. Could it perhaps be that the daughter is scared more by the bickering and the newness of meeting her biological father? The judge says that, "It's difficult enough to learn the English language, you know." Don't children have a greater ability to learn a language when they are younger? Thus programs like Dora or the bilingual segments on Sesame Street? She better not go to Taco Bell just to be on the safe side. God forbid the school lunch serve her a burrito. What will she do?!
Father: "Are you telling me I can teach it to her, but I can't speak it to her?"
Judge: "That's right."
It's unfortuante that a visitation conflict is being played out like this and the real one being hurt is a 5 year old little girl.
The judge needs to be reprimanded for such an order.
Dream Weaver
I was having lunch with Mike (a.k.a. Remy) today and he brought up an interesting idea. After telling him about a dream I had, he suggested I blog it. I'm sure there are people out there who do that, but none that either of us have come across... Not that I've really looked or cared to look. I haven't decided if I want to post them for open debate or just to share, but whatever comments come from them, so be it. :-)
I've always been interested in dreams, dream interpretation, dream study, and meanings... I've done a couple papers and reports on them as part of my speech or psychology classes. So It's not been just a passing hobby for me.
So without further Apu... my latest dream.
The government had come up with a machine that could create earthquakes. They had decided to test it on an open field. Now this may not mean much to some that read this, but the 'field' they were going to test happened to be the soccer field at Hayward Elementary school in Nebraska City. So if you know where it is, then you know what I'd visualized. There were all sort of spectators and families that had gathered around the edge of the field to watch the test. I was trekking across the field about the time they announced over loud speakers that the test was about to begin. I remember the feeling of the rumbling earth and at some point I yelled, "Oh my God!" I woke up at this point. I don't know if I yelled it only in my dream or truly out loud in the waking world. Either way....
The dream was in full color. I can recall the warm late afternoon day that it was. Even down to the echo of the loud speaker across the open field. I didn't wake up feeling scared, worried, or anything like that... It only recall a feeling of "whoa, that was realistic" and sitting there for a bit before falling back to sleep.
I'll probably share more about my dream philosophies in future dream posts.
We now return to your regularly scheduled scandal
Just when I thought it was safe to read the news again, they toss THIS back in our faces.
Kobe Bryant's Lawyers Play Hardball in Rape Case
All I can think of is it's OJ Simpson all over again. So help me Christ if they preempt The Price Is Right to give me an update on any of this nonsense.
Granted, a woman is stating that she was raped, and I do not wish anything like that on anyone. Nor do I wish to minimize her situation, but how many rapes occur in the U.S. on a daily basis? We all know the only reason anyone gives two flying pigs about all this is because the accused is a celebrity.
At this point I would be happy if they would just deal with the case like they would any other case and not give it all the media attention. But would a news report be without the daily tragedies and traumas of it's fellow Americans? Is there nothing more enlightening or newsworthy than the mudslinging Laurel & Hardy antics of a few legal eagles over the sexual conduct of a basketball.
Are there not better things to report about? On some level the irony of me even paying a lip service to all this even here bothers me. But I do so more with the purpose of trying to say how it should stop.
Kobe's cantankerous canoodling is not news. Period. Let's move on folks!
"Jay... Pull my fingah!!"
Someone in Ah-nold's PR department has to work on what photo ops are being allowed. Granted that even the most normal things can look goofy when frozen at a particular moment in time (think about what you look like when you sneeze). But still... Arnold Arnold Arnold... Man! You've got Sonny Bono rolling in his grave.
;-)
Gra, Dilseacht agus Cairdeas
Is it globally warm in here or is it just me?
Hey... so far I'm off to a good start. Look what I just read about!
160,000 Said Dying Yearly from Global Warming
Now while I don't claim to be a scientist and least of all a scholar of any sort... I do think I can recognize an over reaction when I read one. First off let's take a look at the comedic side of this all.
The World Health Organization is a branch of the United Nations Organization. So UNO WHO (Say it out loud a couple times, kids. It'll sink in.) is saying that 160,000 are dying from global warming. More specifically, the "side-effects" of global warming. While I can see the train of thought they are attempt to highjack, it sounds more like a grand conclusion. It would be similar in saying that we should be worried about cows and cattle. Red meat comes from bovine. If humans were to eat enough of red meat, it could cause heart problems to say the least of such cardio vascular related diseases. Let alone the occasional Mad Cow breakout.
UNO WHO reports that because of these small increases in temperature, illnesses such as malaria and malnutrition could double by the year 2020. While I don't doubt that the rise in such illnesses is a concern, I think the blame is being placed a little lofty. Let's say, that all of this is true. Global warming is responsible for such increases and health problems. Wouldn't have made more sense for the braintrust at the UNO WHO to spend money on treating, curing, and preventing the illness and not the possible overall grand cause? We can't move the sun folks! Making cows jog on treadmills and lift weights to make them 'healthier isn't going to solve the issue their either Much like in prisons across the country. The cow goes in to prison... Have plenty of time to work out and read up on a good case for an appeal. The cow comes out stronger than ever. And don't even think that, when given even half a chance, a cow would kill you and everyone you love.
The countries that they say are feeling the major effects of global warming are Africa, Latin American, and Southeast Asia. Some of the most heavily populated and overun areas in the world. Maybe some of that research money could be sent to Africa to help inform them about the mosquito repelling wonder of citronella (which sounds like a good name for a comic book heroin). Mayeb Southeast Asia could get some financial support from UNO WHO to clean up their act as well.
Other sources have said that the Earth is actually getting warmer, but it is such a marginal amount that the damage wouldn't be noticed for millions of years. But not too worry... The Aliens will have come and gone by then, leaving behind our new Overlords to worry about it. I'm sure they will have sort of space contraption to solve this problem. Something similar to a giant space fan. Perhaps on of the misting bottles with the battery operated fan attached that you see funpark peasants hawking at unreasonable prices.
When it's all said and done, the Earth is getting warm. Dress in layers. Oh but, wait... you might not want to go outside for a while. Too many chances that you could get bitten by a mosquito. But that works out too, then we aren't driving around creating more greenhouse gases warming the planet to a steamy temp. |
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I posted this @ 10/01/2003 09:05:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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