http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61700-2005Jan9.html

Date:	2005-01-04 02:24
Subject:	The Ten Best Albums of all time (andstuff)
Security:	Public
Mood:	giddy
Music:	too many songs to list

There are times when work gets incredibly boring and slow; I live for those times, because that's when the good conversations start, and when I get my good ideas. Today, our conversation wove itself into music. Somehow, we all started talking about what we thought the best albums were of all time. We each made a list, then checked them out. I decided to post my list here on my LJ for your viewing, and more to the point, listening, edification. I've put them in what I believe to be chronological order to avoid saying which of these albums are better than the others - some are easy to pick out as superior, others not so much. I'd love to see if you guys think I'm crazy, or if I forgot one that you feel should of made my cut.

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
The Beatles - The Beatles (White Album) (1968)
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust (1972)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
Prince - Purple Rain (1984)
U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)
Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

Woo hoo!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/23/oxfam.goats/index.html

You Are a "Don't Tread On Me" Libertarian

You distrust the government, are fiercely independent, and don't belong in either party. Religion and politics should never mix, in your opinion... and you feel opressed by both. You don't want the government to cramp your self made style. Or anyone else's for that matter. You're proud to say that you're pro-choice on absolutely everything!

Well, ALMOST pro-choice on everything - I'm pro-life on abortion for my own personal reasons.

I found out yesterday that my hunch about the wallet was correct - the lady that had the foodstamps problem was the culprit. The lady had taken the wallet off the check-writing ledge, left the store, and started using the wallet's credit cards the next day. As my whereabouts were easily verifiable during the times the stolen credit cards were used, I was quickly exonerated. The police tracked her down with the attempted credit card purchases. I'm upset that I was never told this - I had to inquire about it from the manager, and I was told in an "oh, yeah, by the way" kind of way. I'd love to know exactly when I was going to be told - you're thinking never? So am I.

Recently we've been dumped with some hardcore snow, which of course means I dust off my snow haiku:

Growing piles of white
Diamonds falling from the sky
Shovel again?...damn.

I've made no secret that I detest winter, in the purest sense of the word detest, which comes from the Latin "detestari", which means "to denounce with one's testimony". Well let me tell you my testimony, winter sucks the big one, kids. It's not the two feet of snow I trudge through, or the salt corroding my car, or even the wind chill factor that hits below zero tempretures. It's that even indoors, I never get fully warm. There are times when I can feel the outside chill inside, like a pale reminder of the white nightmare that scurries around my house. That was part of my thinking of getting out of Ohio by October, before my little crystal friends dropped by for a five month visit.

This appears to be my last year as an active staff member of Ohayocon - moving so far away, I won't be able to do what I've been doing for over three years with the convention. If the new structure goes through, I'll be a member of the board, which really is more of an advisory postion than anything. Still, one can never predict the future...unless your name is Kenny Kingston.

Date:	2004-12-06 01:41
Subject:	It wasn't there
Security:	Public
Mood:	irritated
Music:	"That Thing You Do" movie soundtrack

So about an hour before leaving for the day, after I closed my register, I saw that a lady had left her wallet behind, where the groceries are bagged. It was only about a minute after she had left, so I thought I could still catch her. I picked up the wallet and ran outside, checking the parking lot. Unfortunately, I didn't see her. Coming back inside with the wallet, I was going up to the service desk so we could try calling her. However, I was waylaid by a cashier that needed help. A woman was paying with foodstamps, which is Ohio is done with an electronic card - no paper "money" anymore. The cashier had overcharged her card, and wasn't sure how to correct it. The customer was getting very irate also. I stopped to correct the problem, and as I was finishing, the girl up at the service asked if I could watch the desk for a few minutes, because if she didn't go the bathroom, she'd explode. I was headed that way anyway, so I told her no problem. At the desk, I was writing out a raincheck, when the lady with the missing wallet came up. I knew why she was there, and I didn't even give her a chance to say anything; I said, "Yes, you did," and reached next to me for the wallet...

...which wasn't there.

I told her to hold on, I would go get it for her. I had assumed I must of just set it down for a second - we're talking a space of a minute for all of what you just read. I went out to the registers to get the wallet...

...which wasn't there.

I checked every register, up and down. I asked the cashiers there if they saw it; none did. I had to go back to the lady and tell her it was missing again, which dumbfounded me. It was right there, in my hand, and then poof, it wasn't. The managers went over the tapes, but it's hard to make out; they're very grainy. There's a small ledge where customers write their checks out, and is next to the foodstamp machine. The ledge has a bright white paper on it describing the check cashing policy. When I arrive, you can't see the ledge, I'm in front of it, but when I move, you can see the ledge isn't very bright - perhaps something is on it, obstructing the bright white paper? The lady with the foodstamps puts her purse on the ledge, and I swing around to the other side of the register to turn a key to complete the order. That's when the service desk girl came up to ask if I could cover the desk for a few minutes. The lady then moves in front of the ledge, putting her purse on it. When the lady with the foodstamps leaves, the ledge is considerably brighter again - as if the thing that might have been obstructing the paper is now gone...

I do know that I didn't have it in my hand when I turned the key, as it's a two-handed operation - one turns the key, the other types the password on the cashier's keyboard. Certainly it looks like what you think it looks like - I set the wallet down on that ledge to help the lady with the foodstamps, and the lady picked up the wallet when she left. That's my guess, and it was the guess of the managers as well. But of course, we couldn't tell the woman who lost her wallet that - we're not in a position to accuse people. And like I said, it's very grainy, not to mention far away on the tape.

So that was yesterday, and today the police called, asking me questions. The detective on the phone asked me quite a lot of questions - about halfway through I noticed he was asking me the same questions over and over again, albeit in a different form. So I was being interrogated? I asked him if I was being accused of taking the wallet - he said no, even though he was asking how long I've worked at the store, if I'd had anyone accuse me of theft before (I told him a few customers had said I was rude, but in ten years, what are you going to do), and asked if I had anything on at the time with big pockets. When I go into work today, I know that Loss Management (call it, I don't know, internal affairs) will be there to review the tapes, and I'm sure the police will be coming in to look at them as well. How fun.

Date:	2004-11-03 03:59
Subject:	w00t w00t
Security:	Public
Mood:	ecstatic
Music:	"We are the Champions" by Queen

As I write this, Bush has just clinched Nevada, which gives him the election. While CNN is still putting Ohio in the "green", Fox News and MSNBC (and NBC of course) have given Ohio to Bush, which is the correct call to make. Not all provisional ballots are valid, and unless virtually 100% of the valid provisional ballots go to Kerry, he still cannot win Ohio. How ironic that CNN is more "conservative" than Fox News.

Part of me really isn't that surprised. Everyone in the media was trumpeting the Democrats mobilizing their base and registering new voters - was it so much of a shock that the Republicans would do the same? The main problem I saw with the Democrats was their candidate. It never seemed to me that Democrats (and voters in general) voted for Kerry; they were voting against Bush. In this election, you either voted for Bush, or against him. The fact that the Democratic candidate was "John Kerry" made no significant difference.

I have to admit, in my lifetime, I've never seen the Democratic Party in such disarray. The Republicans win the White House, and add to their majority in both the House and the Senate. Add to that that Bush won with a majority of the popular vote, and the Senate minority leader Tom Daschle has been defeated. After everything Michael Moore, Moveon.org, and their ilk did to stop Bush and the Republicans, it was a clean sweep all around.

Wow. You guys are screwed.

Who now leads the Democrats...Hilary Clinton???

Whether you are Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, Green Party or Libertarian, make sure on Tuesday you vote. If for some reason you're undecided on Kerry or Bush, here's a wrap up of each candidate from Factcheck.org, with each candidate's misleading negative ads. I hope it helps you make an informed decision.

http://www.factcheck.org/article298.html

Date:	2004-07-15 23:48
Subject:	Must...update...JOURNAL...
Security:	Public
Mood:	thirsty
Music:	Smash Mouth - Astrolounge

About a week ago (last Saturday), my family and I went to Cedar Point. You know, that's one thing I'm really going to miss, Cedar Point. Get this, on a Saturday, the lines were NOTHING. Ten to fifteen minute wait for most coasters. The reason you ask? Two reasons: Top Thrill Dragster (four and a half hour wait) and Millenium Force (three hour wait). When you've got two of the best coasters on the PLANET in one place, other coasters that, in a lesser park would be "the big ride", have incredibly short lines. Everyone was trying to get on TTD and MF, leaving awesome coasters like Magnum XL-200, Raptor, Gemini, and Meanstreak with virtually NO line whatsoever. I was stunned.

That also meant I didn't get to go on Top Thrill Dragster, although I had a great opportunity. Halfway through the day, TTD broke (as most coasters do in their infancy), and naturally everyone dispersed. I, stone_tiarra, and her friend from Florida Lauren got in line for Millenium Force before the crowd got TOO out of hand. When we got off the ride, we noticed that the mechanics were getting ready to test TTD. In case you don't know, that means they're about ready to open it back up again. The line quickly formed, but I was able to hop in very close to the entrance...the best chance I would have to get on. As my sister, Lauren, and my parents were getting in right behind me, the mechanics tested the ride. It didn't make it over the hill, and fell back to the station. (check a pic of it, you'll see what I mean). Nobody was going to wait with me after they saw that, even though I explained there would be no deaths or anything. And I wasn't going to wait in line by myself; riding solo isn't the same. So...no Dragster for me. :(

My hotel room came through for Otakon, so it's 100% that I'll be there. w00t w00t

Re-playing Knights of the Old Republic as Light Side this time...definitely a different game than Dark Side.

Date:	2004-06-27 19:30
Subject:	Stuff and stuff
Security:	Public
Mood:	restless
Music:	Matrix Reloaded - The Album (Rob Zombie right now)

So I performed my five minute comedy routine "in the style of Doug Stanhope" for my comedy writing workshop - it went really well! It was a really cool experience - kind of like walking to the edge of a dock, then someone giving you a hard kick in the ass and then watching where you end up. Now, I've been assigned to do a "Richard Lewis" stand-up routine. Apart from the surface stuff (neurotic Jewish man who worries about everything), I know very little about him. Should be interesting.

When I logged on, I saw bam2 had done a phone-post, and it wasn't transcribed yet. So I figured, "eh, why not?" It took about five minutes, and now I've accomplished something for the day! w00t w00t

I've given up trying to contact our head of GR, he's uncontactable. If he can still come to Ohayocon, he can staff GR, but we're woefully behind in guest getting, and the ball must get rolling. So after a few phone calls and some chit-chatting, thenarus is Ohayocon's new head of guest relations. Based on our conversations, we should have 95% of our guest lineup by our next in-person meeting in July (barring keeping our ears open for any new peoples). Anybody have any guest ideas?

I picked up a new CD, "Kish Kash" by Basement Jaxx, and a 2 cassette audiobook thingie, "Creating Characters for Fun and Profit" by Pat Fraley. It's a voice actor-y exercise book. The CD is very varied for electronic music, and I'm wondering why I didn't pick up this audiobook any sooner. Great stuff in here!

Hmmm...anything else...OH! I've been keeping up with my magic, and I should have a few new things to show people at Ikasucon and Otakon. I'm REALLY looking forward to Otakon - a large audience for me to test my stuff out on. And I've been pricing out movers. I'm still not sure exactly how much furniture I'll be bringing, I know homestar and I will be talking in the near future about who's bringing what to the table. So far, the rough estimates are about two grand...yeah I'm thinking no. I'm thinking I'm going to hold a large garage sale as well, get rid of some old stuff I really won't be needing.

Later!

I am Nothing!



Which Enemy of the Christian Church Are You?

Take More of Robert & Tim's Quizzes
Watch Robert & Tim's Cartoons

Went through About.com's Urban Legends, and found this:

Japanese see-thru skirts

I missed the local anime festival - had to work. At the place I got transferred to. It appears that the transfer will stick. Why they would want to transfer me when I'm only going to be working for the company for another five months or so...ah well.

I'm planning on attending Otakon, and I'm thinking of driving down for Saturday/Sunday at Ikasucon, or if money permits, the whole con. Being so close to Otakon, it'll come down to budget.

Date:	2004-06-10 21:37
Subject:	Dark Tower 6
Security:	Public
Mood:	excited
Music:	"Plug it In" by Basement Jaxx

I picked up Stephen King's second to last novel, The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah, and I finished it in about three hours (it's my superpower - speedreading - so sue me. I also have an uncanny ability to find excellent parking spaces, but that's for another time).

w00t w00t was that a good read! I wish it was longer, but I have a feeling the last one is going to be of some length. I sincerely hope that the Dark Tower series is what King will be remembered for, not just his horror stories. He's written some excellent stories (Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, Green Mile), that have nothing to do with horror whatsoever, just like The Dark Tower. A modern-day Lord of the Rings.

...the Tower draws closer...

Date:	2004-06-04 20:18
Subject:	Grrrrr...
Security:	Public
Mood:	angry
Music:	blah, who cares right now?

Once upon a time, Adam's work called him at home and said, "Hey, they need someone to help them out in the Medina store for a couple of weeks, can you do it?"

"Sure," Adam replied. "I'm always ready to help out." Now, with higher gas prices and a commute of a little over a half hour one way, Adam wasn't thrilled, but he wanted something good on his resume for when he left later on that year, and he knew one or two people that already worked there.

So with that, off he went. He found that the Medina store did several things much differently than the Strongsville store - and none to his liking. Adam found the store very paranoid and over-protective. He did meet a few more nice people, but overall he was ready to go back to his store.

Today, Adam went to get his paycheck at the Strongsville store, like he had been doing for the past few weeks. Much to his suprise, however, he found it absent amongst the other paychecks. On a hunch, he called the Medina store.

"Oh yes," said the Medina office clerk, "your paycheck is right here!"

"What?! What's it doing there?"

Adam's heart began to sink as he hung up the phone, resigning himself to driving for an hour just to get paid. He knew that the only reason his paycheck was over there was because he had been transfered to the Medina store...permanently.

Now Adam's heart began to race with anger. They transfered me without even TELLING me, he thought. He paged for the manager, and got this reply over the phone:

"Oh, yeah, they asked me awhile ago if you could just stay there forever, and I said sure. Sorry if no one told you."

Adam's next call was to his union steward, and on the drive there, the union steward agreed with him that it was a shitty deal that Adam was dealt, but since Adam was a full-time associate, he could be transfered to any store within a thirty-mile radius of his home, with or without his consent. The union steward said he would make some calls though and see what he could do, as Adam had only agreed to help out there for a short while, and now he found himself stuck in a place he didn't want to be.

If the transfer held, Adam could only console himself with the knowledge that he would only be there for about five months, as he would be winging his way to warmer climates and a new beginning in Houston.

What will become of our crest-fallen hero? Tune in Monday, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Once again, I do what I can to update my journal. Actually I'm in the middle of de-junking my room, and I need to take a break.

I just picked up Return of the King, and it was as great as I remember it. I also got two Doug Stanhope CD's from Amazon, Die Laughing and Something to Take the Edge Off. I'm in a comedy writing workshop, and I have to perform a stand-up routine in the style of a particular comic that we get assigned. He's hysterical - as a matter of fact it was Greg Ayers who got me into Doug Stanhope when I first met him at Ushicon 2003 - I've been hooked ever since. The other new CD I got was It's Not Funny by David Cross. Love his stuff. w00t.

While cleaning out my room is always the pits in some respects, in others, it's great. Cleaning under my bed, I found several books and other assorted items I had thought lost forever. I found an old GBA game, Golden Sun, as well as some old notebooks with a few stories I had written that I was looking for. I also found a book, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which I loved reading when I had it handy. I had completely forgotten I had it! It was like Christmas! :)

I also have to really do some cleaning because the fall is coming faster than I think it is, and I really would like everything in order in preperation for my move. Which is a little scary to say the least, but I know it's going to work out for the best.

Ohayocon's going well enough. Everyone seems to be doing their jobs for the most part. I sent out an invite to a particular guest, but have not heard back from him, so here's hoping! ;)

Wayne Brady: Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?

OMFG, I haven't laughed that hard in a looong time, kids. In fact, I think that Wayne Brady sketch is one of the best sketches I've ever seen on Chappelle's Show...period.

Today was really tiring.
I got out of bed really early because I had terrible stomach cramps.

I feel unusual because my antidepressants are making me hairy.

I'm so happy. I just found out that I have been accepted into Harvard. And Yale. I don't know which to choose... oh, why is life so hard sometimes?

Last night I had to shave my entire body. Apparently, the lice that I caught from Amanda's friend are really hard to get rid of. I look quite strange with no hair and eyebrows. I'd post pictures, but my webcam is broken.

I want to tell the world that my girlfriend Amy is the bomb! She made pizza last night, and even though I burnt my lips on the cheese, it was awesome!!!

I want to say thanks to the world for absolutely fucking nothing! You all suck. I feel so alone, no one ever reads this journal, or even comments to let me know that I'm not suffering alone. It's cold here, and I want to die, but I cannot figure out how many of you to take with me when I go.

That's enough for now. But I'll leave you with this thought - sharing your life with strangers on the internet is the cheapest form of therapy available. Leave a comment and tell me I'm beautiful.

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Date:	2004-03-28 04:26
Subject:	Hmmmm
Security:	Public
Mood:	sleepy
Music:	the 2003 Home Run Derby (only thing on at 4am)

I got the DVD of 28 Days Later, and while I didn't think it a BAD movie, I didn't see what all the fuss was about. There really wasn't a point where I was scared, minus one or two scenes where it was set up for a "jolt". But don't think this a negative review of the movie - it's still good, just not what I was expecting.

And if anyone's reading this, and lives in the area: Saturday, April 3rd @ 9pm I perform at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. "Comedy Night at the Beck". $5 to get in, assorted adult beverages and snacks there also!

I have to be at work in about thirty minutes - I always work starting 5am on Sundays - so I'll bow out for now!

Later!

Date:	2004-03-20 01:58
Subject:	I want this
Security:	Public
Mood:	giddy
Music:	"Bike Thief" by Freezepop

Luminex

I so want all my clothes to be made out of this.

Date:	2004-03-15 23:58
Subject:	Tekkoshocon
Security:	Public
Mood:	excited
Music:	"Ambient Monkeys" by Tangerine Dream

Tekkoshocon was MUCH better than I had anticipated. I'm sure some of you might not have realized, but for the past few weeks, Greggo and I have been in talks regarding my succeeding him as host of For Randy Enterprises' game shows. Intermixed in those talks were mentions of certain staffers of Tekkoshocon who didn't think very highly of me for reasons that aren't important anymore. Greggo went so far as to suggest I stay by his side for most of the convention to avoid any potential confrontations. So as I arrived on Thursday night/Friday morning, I had resolved myself to have the best con I could have, and to let the chips fall where they may.

( Thursday Night )

Friday was spent with Greggo and The G.R.I.D.D. It was a blast, and I enjoyed killing the two contestants. The crowd did as well; I got two rousing bouts of cheers and applause for both deaths. I also saw and spent some time with bam2 and animefreelancer. Friday night was a blast. Since I was no longer on Tekkoshocon staff, I did not go to the guest dinner. Instead, I went out with Greggo, coachkaveman, Jim Housell, his tech crew, and several others to a great little out-of-the-way place. It was fun all around, and I made some great new friends.

Saturday was Anime Press Your Luck, and I'd have to give myself a 7 out of 10 as the role of host. I'd wanted to watch a few Press Your Lucks to refresh my memory about the different mannerisms of Peter Tomarken, and how he turned the various phrases he did. Not doing that, I went off of my own memory, which had some gaps in it. I did give myself snaps for remembering how Peter would end the show, though. If that was the end of my Saturday experience, I would call it a good day. However, it was Saturday night that will go down for me as one of the most interesting I've spent in quite some time.

( Saturday Night )

Sunday was as Sundays always are at cons - sleepy, on auto-pilot, and anti-climatic. The only thing that occurred for me, was finding out Greggo's un-retirement from the con scene. Greggo had been the MC of Tekkoshocon's cosplay, and had told the audience of his impending leaving the con scene. The reaction from the crowd convinced him to stay around. I had no problem with that - after all, it's his torch to pass, and his decision to make. In the meantime, I will be assisting Greggo with his game shows, which makes ACen my next convention. I left Tekkoshocon Sunday at 5pm, saying goodbye...for a month and a half at least. ;)