808 Turn Volvo

Quickly

2007-01-19T16:57:00.000-06:00

Lucky you! I was so focused on my client's time zone that I forgot 4 o'clock my time is indeed 4 o'clock my time and not 5 o'clock. So, I finished an hour early. Now begins Daddy Weekend. The Mrs. is out of state until late tomorrow night. It's just me and the little 808's for 30 hours (give or take). What have I been up to lately? Music - After speaking with my new friend, Mr.

Uh, Happy New Year's!

2007-01-08T14:41:00.000-06:00

Luckily, updating my blog was not one of my New Year's resolutions. This year's list is fairly simple: Get a new job Make more money Put a trash can in the laundry room so I don't have to carry the lint screen 20 feet to empty it Let the dentist pull the tooth he's been trying to pull for a year Let the dentist crown the other tooth before he has to pull it too

Here come the Dundees!

2006-12-01T16:46:00.000-06:00

Geez. What's it been? Two months since I posted. Sorry, folks. Sometimes the crazy adult-life gets the best of you. I'm still here, alive, a year older and still working the same job. Yes, the job search has gone oh so well. Winter finally moved in after a beautiful, three-month Fall. Right now, it's 32 degrees with a wind-chill of 24 degrees. (For those of you who live in climates

2006-09-26T14:21:00.000-05:00

Guess I better post something, eh? Before the natives get restless and all. I'm feeling a bit uninspired these days, so here's a list: My iPod's current Top 25 Most Played. Safe from Harm - Massive Attack Mankind - Pearl Jam Whipping - Pearl Jam Bastard - Ben Folds Hatfield 1980 - Everything But The Girl Jesus of Suburbia - Green Day Go - Pearl Jam Packt Like Sardines in a Crushed

9/11 and 808.2

2006-09-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

It wasn't the alarm clock that woke me that morning, it was the phone ringing incessantly. Who could be calling me and why in the hell won't they stop? As I stumbled out from the bedroom, I could hear his voice but it didn't make sense. He was still in Missouri and wouldn't be home until later today. We had flown home on Thursday for a long weekend and I flew back to LA last night because I was

Welcome to September - Friday 8

2006-09-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

1. I hate the Waiting Game on so many levels. I'm usually a very patient person (less so since I having children.) Today's Waiting Game: How early will the boss let us go for the weekend? Will it be a 1/2 hour?An hour? Holy Crap! The boss is bringing in Minsky's pizza for everyone working all day. I'll shut up now. 2. Latest book read: Stephen King's Salem's Lot. I just finished it

Give your fingers a rest

2006-08-24T19:45:00.000-05:00

That would mean "No." This was the one job I really wanted too.Yes, it's been exactly two months since I graduated and still no new job. Do I feel discouraged? You betcha. It's the whole catch-22 of a career change... Need experience to get the job, need the job to get experience. Some lucky bastards find a company willing to take the risk. Apparently, I am not one of them.Thank you for your

Keep 'em crossed

2006-08-24T00:12:00.000-05:00

Please. I should have an answer by 5 pm today. I'm trying to be patient and optimistic.Waiting sucks.

Cross 'em

2006-08-22T09:19:00.000-05:00

Please cross your fingers for me today. Especially around 1:30 pm CST. Thank you!

27

2006-08-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

This year is the 25th anniversary of his death. Today would be his 27th birthday. My parents seldom speak of him and if I mention a birthday or anniversary, it's always met with silence and then, "Oh, you're right. I guess it is," like they didn't remember. I am often frustrated that the only two people who knew him as I did will not talk about him. The only story I have learned in recent

Do you see the irony?

2006-08-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

That Darn Cat: I'm not a cat person. I grew up with two of them (one of which passed away this year after 16 years), have owned two of them (their names were Fatass and Little Shit) and for the past 3 years, Obi-wan/Kitty/Tim has been the pride and joy of 808.11's life. Yes, she changed the cat's name three times.

Another Tuesday, another 8 List.

2006-08-15T11:32:00.000-05:00

1… I hope each and every one of you has a Tween girl someday. 808.11 starts middle school this week and this formerly sweet, complacent girl is changing. She also returned from her week trip to LA to visit her father and his family. After each visit, we enter a two-week transition back to reality phase, which is often nerve-racking. It is amazing how in one week, she can be so spoiled that

It's the Official 808 Day!!!

2006-08-08T17:05:00.000-05:00

If I had the time to hunt down a clip or flash file of a fluorescent light slowing coming to life and revealing a dusty basement office, that's what I would post right now. That's how I feel as I write this post after a two-month sabbatical. How can I get back into the groove of blogging? Hmmm, let me see... I know... in celebration of this year's Official 808 day, I'll give you: Tuesday's

Thursday's 8

2006-06-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

1... 16 days of school left. Yes, 16. Is it dragging? No, it's flying by and I'm freaking out about how must I have left to do. In a week, we will present our senior project. Guess what I'm working on as soon as I post this?2... On the topic of school, it's time for a poll. Most people seem to think I should do this, but I just don't feel right about it. If you're 30 and graduating college, do

4

2006-06-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

She's the Rotel to my Velveeta.Today marks our four year anniversary. We were married in a Malibu canyon by Reverend Fred. The Reverend, whose family had owned the land for many decades, was quite a character. When the Mrs. choked up during her vows, he quickly took over. Sometimes, I like to remind my wife that I

3.5

2006-05-31T16:52:00.000-05:00

Hello, Loyal Readers! I may possibly be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Possibly maybe. There are 3.5 weeks of school left. Yes, it's almost celebration time, or as I like to think of it... a chance to breathe. 3.5 weeks left. OH SHIT! Yes, freedom smells sweet, and if I ever get some serious nibbles on a job lead, that will be the icing on the cake. But it also means 3.5 weeks

Tuesday's 8 List

2006-05-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

The Cryptic One (mostly) 1... Have you ever found something exciting, and you do what you need to do to get it, but then you find out the cost is not worth your effort. So, you bag the idea and go with a different option. Yeah, that sucks. 2... 5 1/2 weeks to go. The Graduate list is posted in the halls now and I saw my name on it. I can't wait, especially considering... 3... My big

Too L8te for the Tuesday 8???

2006-05-12T16:44:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that header annoys at least one of my readers. Now, to further annoy my readers, my first point is from a guest commenter, one of Bruce's students. 1... Happy Birthday to Mr. Bruce! Today is his birthday and on this day, 29 years ago, he was born. Today, he is all grown up and is a teacher in a small town while he lives in another small town. He is a very great teacher, even

Tuesday 8

2006-05-02T16:28:00.000-05:00

1... It is over. The Avs knocked the Stars out of the playoffs on Sunday and I wrapped up the first half-semester with a completed research paper submitted. With the dreaded research paper completed, I sighed in relief, checked the syllabus for my humanities class and see that I have to write another research paper. 2... 8 weeks to go, my friends. 8 weeks. 3... My city has Spring

Tuesday's 8 on Wednesday

2006-04-26T13:28:00.000-05:00

1... Can you live off 4 hours of sleep a night? I'm dying here. It's finals week and I have a 10 page research paper, an essay and a comprehensive science test. On top of that, almost every evening this week has something happening. I'm just WIPED OUT.2... 8 1/2 weeks to go.3... The week and a half leading up to this point has seen all three children with some sort of illness, whether it be 808.3

Good Friday, my ass...

2006-04-14T12:20:00.000-05:00

Why didn't I take today off? Seriously, what was I thinking. It's 9:25 and I am bored out of my mind. I ran two reports and compiled all my information for a rollout that won't occur for another two weeks. I ate six chocolate gem donuts and half a sesame bagel. I walked my wife out to the car after the employee bake sale because she was smart enough to take the day off. I responded to a dozen

Tuesday 8

2006-04-11T15:21:00.000-05:00

1... It is indeed a small world. My wife and I worked for rival dot.com's and possibly passed each other in toy stores when we were doing emergency shopping during the holiday seasons. That was the first time we said, "Hey, what a coincidence." Then we found the one that's just odd. The father of her middle-school friend grew up in the same small town as my parents, and was just a year younger

The Tale of Brave 808... Art Salesman

2006-04-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time (1998), in a magical land called Crystal City (Virginia), there lived a young lad named, 808. Our hero moved to the east coast to escape certain doom as a small town waiter for a new start in the kingdom's capitol. He quickly found work as a waiter in a big city, franchise restaurant. There, he diligently served lunch to the lawmakers, lobbyists, diplomat and tourists. His weekly

Tuesday 8

2006-04-04T13:23:00.000-05:00

1... I finally watched Lords of Dogtown this weekend. While I enjoyed it, I still think Peralta's documentary, Dogtown and Z-Boys was better. I had a lot of friends who were skaters, but I just never got the hang of it. I wish I did though. I woke up Sunday wondering if a 30 yr old could become a skater. Probably not..2..

back to the future, pt III...

2006-04-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

3 of 3...The first week of January, during the millennium for the past 5 centuries. I love a good practical joke and want to start a legend that this horrific monster appears around the world during the first week of the each new century. This will require a resourceful assistant who can aide me in pyrotechnics and costume design. There will be heavy travel during these weeks as we globe-trot in

Back to the future...

2006-03-30T14:26:00.000-06:00

Today's random question... If I could get this flux capacitor working, what year or era would you like to go back in time to experience? You can pick three, but must explain your decisions. Guidelines? None other than you must take me for it is my DeLorean. Bonus points: Create your alter ego for each of the

Dave's Long Box

2006-03-29T13:28:00.000-06:00

Happy 1st Anniversary to Dave's Long Box! If you've never checked Dave's blog out, you should, even if you are not a comic book fan. Check it out! http://daveslongbox.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 8 - The List

2006-03-27T16:59:00.000-06:00

Tuesday 8 - The List is my new regular (read as semi-regular) feature. What's the point? Shit, I don't know. I'm just setting a goal for myself and that is to post a list of random thoughts or events every Tuesday. So, let's do it.1... I still insist that in my old age, I want to move back in with my children and make them take care of me. No nursing home for me. Hell, if I gotta wear a diaper,

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T11:49:00.000-06:00

Top O' the morning and a Happy St. Patrick's day to all of you with Irish roots. Is it silly that I'm thirty and giddy about wearing green today? Hey, I'm white and therefore lack culture, so I need to embrace some part of my heritage. Let's face it; I'm about as diluted as they come. Something like 80% of my ancestors was here prior to the Civil War. My genes represent the Irish, English, German

The Truth - Part V

2006-03-03T11:23:00.000-06:00

5. I've had eight teeth pulled and still have four that never grew in.False. Sort of. I lied about the numbers. Prior to getting braces back in '89, my orthodontist declared there were just too many teeth in my mouth. An appointment was quickly scheduled to remove two of my lower molars. Fast-forward 6 years and all four wisdom teeth were pulled.Teeth pulled = 6.I do have two lower teeth that

The Truth - Part IV

2006-03-02T13:08:00.000-06:00

4. My maternal grandparents once had Harry S. Truman over for dinner.True. Before Truman was President, when he was running for some state office, he came across my maternal grandparents’ farm in northern Missouri. They were sitting down to dinner and my grandfather, the life-long Democrat, asked him to join them. He did and that's how my grandparents had dinner with the future president."Hey 808

The Truth - Part III

2006-03-02T08:08:00.000-06:00

3. I've worked with Nuwanda from Dead Poet's Society.True. Back in the eToys days, I worked with Gale Hanson, better known to Dead Poet’s Society fanatics as Charlie, aka Nuwanda. One friend learned you shouldn’t say, “Hey Nuwanda, get me some coffee.” Another dubbed him Crazy Gale Hanson, but I don’t remember why. I always got a long with him. After eToys folded, I ran into him on Larchmont.

The Truth - Part II

2006-03-01T12:56:00.000-06:00

2. I've given money to a bum who wanted to legally change his name to Skunk.True. When I lived in DC and worked at the Bertucci’s at 2000 Penn., there was a homeless man that would meet me at the Foggy Bottom station and follow me the two blocks to work every morning. A friend once bought a sandwich for a man outside the grocery store. The friend would nightly buy his dinner at the store, and the

The Truth - Part I

2006-03-01T00:43:00.000-06:00

My old friend, Indy, had a fun TPA yesterday."One of my statements about myself is a blatant lie. The TPA: Figure out which statement is the falsehood, and then post five statements of your own, with one being the hidden lie..."I decided to reveal the my lie in a series of posts. Starting with the first of my five answers, which can be found in his comments, I will tell my story.1. I've been a

Yes, I'm posting...

2006-02-24T00:44:00.000-06:00

Been awhile, eh? Sorry for the delay folks, it’s been crazy. Let’s break it down:School – Three days left in this semester and I begin the 16 week march to graduation. Yes, three years later, my quest for a degree will finally be over. This next couple of months is going to be pretty hectic though. I’m going out with 18 credit hours.Work – Big Brother moved in at work. “Hi Guys!” ‘Nuff

Kids say the darndest things...

2006-01-24T08:36:00.000-06:00

I watched Daddy Day Care with my children last night. During one scene with Eddie Murphy's character and his son, my three year old suddenly blurted, "Daddy, he's black!" Was this just an innocent observation from a toddler becoming aware that some people look different than others? I tried explaining why, but I don't think she grasped the concept. Switching the topic from people

Fear of Fours

2006-01-18T16:41:00.000-06:00

I have posts in my head I want to get out, but don't have the time to commit. So, I'll steal from Billy and Will and settle for another meme...FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE1...Waiter (one job required that I wear a pink shirt and green bowtie)2...Mass-produced art salesman, y'know, the guys who sell it out of their car3...Frozen chicken-piece sorter (Hey Bruce, remember the chicken slobber?)4

From the Photo Vault...

2006-01-16T16:41:00.000-06:00

Scanning through some old discs today, I came across a few pictures from my bachelor party. These pictures must be early in the evening as the following things are missing:1. I'm not wearing the purple pimp hat Burger bought for me.2. LDG is not there yet, nor are his freeloading friends, Minh and Jema.3. Mr. Rehab does not look like he about to go all Jeremy Piven on the strippers.How young do

A Meme from Bruce...

2006-01-09T12:27:00.000-06:00

Challenged by Bruce, here’s the meme: Name the Best Album released during each of the following years…- The year you were born.- The year your significant other was born (if different from yours).- The year you started driving. (Driving and music go so well together after all.)- The year you graduated high school.- The year you got married/your child was born/something else significant (your

A Green Christmas

2005-12-27T11:46:00.000-06:00

“Hey, 808, where the hell have you been all month?"Great question. After my last post, I became mired in elephant-assloads of schoolwork and finals. Add a big steamy pile of work-crap on top of that and I barely had time to even read blogs, let alone leave the occasional comment. School wrapped with successful finals the weekend of the 17th. Unfortunately, work did not. I had some posts in my

20 things (or Absolutely 808's Mood)...

2005-12-01T13:35:00.000-06:00

1. Sick of my job (but really, who isn't?)2. Behind on my Technical Writing class3. Behind on my Business Programming II class4. Two pen marks on my left hand5. Still fighting the death cough6. Proud of my eldest child for easily obtaining her Orange belt last night7. Stressed out about bills (again, who isn't?)8. Not in the holiday spirit9. Sick of cold weather (only 4 more months to go)10.

Continuing with Quiz Week...

2005-11-30T13:41:00.000-06:00

You are 71% Conspiracy NutYou are a conspiracy nut. The government tops your list as the least trustworthy. You are into looking behind what you are given and analyzing propaganda to discover the truth. It's out there.Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

I'm still not joining any clubs, but...

2005-11-29T10:31:00.000-06:00

You are a Social Liberal(68% permissive)and an... Economic Liberal(23% permissive)You are best described as a:Democrat