Katamari and an upset stomach

I picked up a new game yesterday - a quirky little Japanese game called Katamari Damacy. It's interesting and kinda fun - but I started to get queasy after playing it. I thought it was the circling type movement of the game's character, but it may have partially just been me as well. I'm still not at my best today, but I'm doing a little better.

I got new neighbors last weekend - they seem like a nice couple. Weird getting used to having people living on that side again - the walls are kinda thin.

Car is making a weird noise - I suspect the brakes. Yea.

Still pretty quiet here at work - but I should get back to it. I'm trying to work on some projects that I've been putting off, but it's tough to stay motivated.

back to work...

taxes, insurance, and a check from AT&T

Did my taxes the other day by phone - at least the federal one. The state had the wrong pre-printed label, so I did that one on-line. And hopefully fixed the School District tax problem I had in the past.

Got another call from my insurance company about the claim - they are essentially saying that they can't tell who's right - so each person's insurance will cover their own repairs. I need to call them tonight to find out how this will affect my policy - and my "no-accident" discount. It's still annoying.

I switched my phone service a while back and I still keep getting a credit statement from AT&T. So, I called them today to get a check issued - talked to Marge. I think we talked - she had a very strong and undetermined accent. What I was able to extract from the phone conversation was that they would issue me a check and I should get it between 30-40 days from now. 30-40 days? Wankers.

Fairly busy days at work this week - kinda stressful, but I'm keeping up with it.

Been experimenting with some polymer clay at home - cool stuff. I think I'm ready for a big project.

Guess that's it for now - time to get back to work...

ex-roomate

So, I'm sitting there playing a video game at home - and the doorbell rings. I figure it's my next door neighbor returning a DVD of Resident Evil 2 that I'd loaned him. Instead, it's my former room-mate. I invite him in and he breaks down - just loses it as he apoligises. I gave him a hug and he just keep saying how sorry he was over and over.

After a bit he got a hold of himself again and we sat down. We tried to catch up a bit - but it was awkward. He invited me to dinner at the restruant where he works and we talked a little about our families.

The phone rang and I glanced at the caller ID and said I'd call them back - instead, he told me that he had to go. So, he left and I answered the phone.

It was weird. Weird, weird, weird. All these months - no contact. Then out of the blue...

And it's good. I'm glad he stopped by. And I'm glad he felt bad - in a way. Maybe he's learned something from it.

But I felt myself being so inwardly cold. Detatched. I went through the wringer when all this went down and I've had to put a lot of stuff behind me. Do I really want to start things up again? And a mental inventory shows that the the "trust bucket" is bone dry. Can you be friends with someone that you don't trust?


I don't know the answer to that one. I guess we'll give it a whirl. The little voice in the back of my head is cynical and tells me I'm being set up. The magic 8-ball agrees.

But, if I don't give him a chance - an I being untrue to myself? I'm a nice guy and I care about people. I don't think I want to let my fears change who I am and how I act.

So, forgive = yes. Mostly. Forget? Nope. Means I haven't learned anything.

Maybe the cynic is winning after all. And who's to argue with the magic 8-ball?

More later - time to go back to work...

more car stuff and spam

Another call from my insurance company yesterday. I called them back and they wanted to get photos of the cars involved. So, I told them where the car would be today and they said they'd send someone to take photos. Interestingly enough, they didn't ask for a work phone number. So, if they can't find the car, what are they going to do? This whole thing has got me really pissed off. What a huge waste of time and resources. I'm tempted to just ask for the amount of the damages and just pay it myself -even though it wasn't my fault. It would be worth it to me to just end this. And I wonder how much worse this whole process would have been if there had been real damage or if someone had gotten hurt.

I remember back in high school they showed a slideshow before prom to discourage drinking and driving. Set to Phil Collins music, it was graphic and gruesome. I think it would have just as effective to sit us down and make us go through all the paperwork of an insurance claim - and all the phone calls. Can you tell I'm really annoyed?

In other news...

My ex-roommates mom called me last night. She said she's been trying to get a hold of me for awhile now, but I'm either gone or on the phone. She hadn't left a message, so I don't know what the deal was there, but this time I was home and not already on the phone and we talked for a bit. She said she'd call me one of these days to invite me to breakfast some weekend - which is nice, but a little odd. I'll have to see how it goes and if something is up.

Slightly overcooked (fired), refrigderated, and then microwaved spam tastes a little like bacon. Just in case you were wondering.

early morning

I woke up at 2:00 am this morning with a sore back. Looks like I'm going to have to break down and get a new matress. Can't take many more of those kind of nights. I got dressed, went downstairs, and played video games until it was time to go to work. It's 8:30 now and I'm already feeling the lack of sleep hitting me. I might even nap when I get home today - and it's really unsual for me to even suggest such a thing.

(wait)...

Okay, sorry, had to stretch. Man, I'm really out of it. Suprised I can still type.

Strangely enough - my back feels fine. I suspect it's the futon - that thing has mysterious powers. It's primary abilty is to instantly induce a nap in anyone who lays down on it. Seriously. Could be that it made my back feel better to get me to lay down on it and thus take a nap. Sounds a little sinister.

Well, lots to do today - time to get back to work...

the saga continues

So, yesterday afternoon I went to the police station and picked up a copy of the police report. It confirmed what I'd told the officer - so I went home feeling a little vindicated.

There was a message on the machine from his insurance company claims office - which is also the same company I have my insurance through. I called them back and they recorded my statement about the accident. After the recorded part the woman told me that she was troubled by the inconsitancies - I said I was stopped and he hit me - he said the opposite. She said that it would most likely be a shared claim, with each of our insurances being hit for a percentage - since it wasn't clear who was at fault. She suggested that I contact my agent to get things rolling there, even though there was no damage to my car.

I was a little ticked at this since it was pretty clear to me who's fault it was - but I called my agent and got things started. I joked that he must not have seen me in my bright red four door car - she laughed and said her husband got hit in his F350 red truck by someone who claimed that they couldn't see him.

We talked for a bit about what would happen to the claim and that it most likely wouldn't affect my rates very much, if at all. Still, there goes my flawless record. Wanker.

Got a busy day ahead of me - starting off with a meeting in few. So, back to work...

Annoyed beyond all rational thought

I rarely get mad about things - life's too short, you know? But I get annoyed. All the time. And this time, the line between annoyed and enraged was very very thin.

So, I'm pulling into the parking lot to get some new comics - it was, after all, a Wednesday. Which everyone should know is new comics day. I stop about 1/2 in the drive cause there's a guy backing up. Why he's backing up into the entrance is beyond me. Apparently, he doesn't see me (I'm in a bright red, four door car, so I guess I was "stealthed") and though I put it into reverse there was nowhere to go except back into the street. Before I can hit the horn, he's already hit me.

So, he pulls forward (what he should have been doing in the first place) and sort of gets out of the way, but not really. I pull into a space and inspect my car - no damage. Not even a scratch. I go over to his car and we note that the left rear panel is popped loose. I get my insurance card out, even though it wasn't my fault - but he insists on calling the police. So, he goes to find a phone and I write down his liscense plate number. He comes back out and stands by his car.

Eventually the police arrive and when the guy doesn't start talking, I explained the situation (even though he's the one that called). I tell the cop that I was starting to pull in, stopped, and he backed into me. The other guy, when he finally talkes, makes it sound like I ran into him. Wanker. The cop gets our info and then goes to report it in. The guy asks for paper and a pen so he can get my info - which I provide. The cop comes back in the middle of this and the guy is still talking. The officer gives us each his card with the report number and says we can get the report from our insurance agent. The guy wants to know if I need to write down his info - but the cop and I just look at him before I explain that it will all be in the report. We thank the offier and the guy shakes my hand - saying "he's sorry this had to happen".

So far, I've still got my cool. It wasn't my fault, no damage to my car, and the officer seemed like a sharp guy, so the report should reflect that the old dude ran into me.

Finally, we go our separate ways - which in my case is the comic book store. And then, horror of horrors, they don't have the ones I collect in stock.

Son of a bitch.

I could have been home, playing a video game. Instead, I try to go to the comic book store and get hit by an idiot.

This morning, I called my insurance agent about getting a copy of the report. She reacted as though I'd just asked her for a cheeseburger and fries and had no idea why I was told to call her to get the report. In hindsite, yeah, I guess it was a little odd, but they can look up pretty much everything else so I figured that would be easy enough. She suggested I call the police department and I spoke to someone in records about it - they confirmed that I could pick up a copy today. If it reflects what I said happened, I'm in the clear. Otherwise, it'll cost me to have the panel on his car popped back into place. (really, that's all there was to it).

I'm glad no one was hurt. And if my flawless driving record had to broken, I guess it's better that it's something small like this.

But I'm still annoyed. Still very, very annoyed.

And now, still no less annoyed, I get to go back to work...

grrrr...

sort of out of sorts

Mild headache this morning...

You know, I've heard that Eskimos have over a hundred different words for snow. I should do that with my headaches - since I have so many of them will all sorts of different levels. Everything from mildly annoying to a full blown thermonuclear barf-fest. I need to make a list, I think.

Work yesterday was very sucky - huge things went wrong and the forces of darkness conspired against me. I really need to start acting on all those death threats I hand out - getting way behind.

Hmmm...looks like I forgot my watch today. Maybe that why I'm so out of it. Kinda tough to be the master of space and time if you don't even have a watch. Granted, I could just look at the computer, the phone, or turn around and look at the clock hanging on the wall behind me, but where's the fun of that?

Well, I guess I should get back to work...you can sense my enthusiam, I'm sure.

car show and the Wookie

Went to the Cleveland Car Show last weekend with one of my friends. Had a pretty good time - though I'm really bad at judging cars or comparing the relative features on them. I've been once before and like last time I was amazed at how much some of these cars cost - and how little they seemed worth it. It was cool to see the new Cobalt - the replacement to my current car, the Cavilier. Not as many concept cars as I would have liked - and the food was really expensive - but still a good time.

Also, in case you didn't know, last Friday was "Take your Wookie to Work day". Photos:


Back to work...

"Please open your container"

So, lunch at the student union a few days ago. Fried rice, pre-packaged sushi (better than it sounds) and a bottle of pepsi. $7.00

When I first started going to the House of Hunan in the food court - the fried rice was packaged in a re-usable plastic container with a transparent lid. So, paying for the food was simple since the cashier could see what it was.

Since those containers proved to be too expensive - they switched to opaque sytrofoam. Still, paying was easy since they just asked what was in there and I told them. Apparently, this was a cause for some concern, so they started marking the containers before they would hand them to me. No biggie, makes sense to me.

But they now insist that you open the container to show them what you've got. Well, during the wintertime, I've got my hands full, is what I've got. So, set everything down, open the containers for inspection, close them back up, then get out my wallet and pay for my food.

And they're still marking the containers. Which makes no sense to me. To circumvent this system, a person would have to carry in a pre-marked container with a differnt identifier and swap the contents for a cheaper price - or use a black marker and carefully modify the mark to that of differnt food item.

What they are esssentially saying is that they don't trust some people to not cheat the system. But the result is that they can't trust anyone and treat everyone like they're trying to get away with something.

The same kind of thing happens at Arby's - at least the one near where I live. When I pay for my food with a $20 - they mark it with a special pen to see if it's counterfit. Every time. Not a random sampling - every time. And now they're also checking $10. What's next? Toss a $5 on the counter and get it inked up to prove I'm not a counterfitter?

So, for the record - if I say I'm getting fried rice, that's what's in the box. And I'll be paying with money that I earned - and not that I printed myself.

end.rant = back to work...

the grudge

Watched "the grudge" over the weekend - scared the crap out of me. Big time. Normally, I'm a little bored with scary movies - been there, done that. My nightmares are always 10 times worse anyway. This movie - scarier than my dreams. Had a lot of trouble getting to sleep that night, and a lot of trouble staying asleep. Eyes closed and I'd see images from the movie. Eyes opened, and...well, I had trouble opening my eyes for fear of what I'd see. It was that bad.

I also picked up Resident Evil: Apocolypse - but thought I should wait a few days before working on my "confronting my fear of zomibes".

Played a game that my neighbor loaned me - Champions: Return to Arms. Did okay for quite a while - then got my ass handed to me by a giant spider.

Enough of an ass kicking that I decided to restart the game with a new character. This time, I decided to take the path of evil and in the second area I got smacked down by a troll. Aren't trolls evil? Apparently, they are - but they don't care who they smack.

So, I just turned off the game and read a book.

And now it's time to get back to work...

a cautionary tale and other stuff

I'm not going to go into the whole gastrointestinological incident, but can I say that eating an entire can of cashews in one rapid sitting is not a good idea. Draw your own conclusions as to what really happened, then increase it by a factor of at least 3.

Read a George Carlin book last night - "When will Jesus bring the pork chops?". A good read, but I think he got a little carried away with his euphimisms. Most of the book was made up of these and it got a little old. There were some gems in there, though, that I may need to jot down and save.

Finished Prince of Persia again - this time not skipping past the cinimatic near the end - pretty cool. Now I'm debating on if I should go ahead and buy the seqel already or wait until it goes down in price.

Working on my website a little bit - trying to use style sheets - lots of clean up to do on the existing pages to get them ready.

Well, not much else going on, so it's back to work...

quiet days

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful day at work and I expect today to be much of the same. Very difficutl to get up this morning as a result - not much motivation.

I do have a story from a couple of days ago that's finally funny - though it wasn't at the time. I was in the middle of a call helping someone when the second line rang - and the caller ID indicated it was very important. So, I hung up with the first caller (something I really don't like to do) and then got the second one. Not entirely sure how they got to me - but they were complaining that they got too much spam and they wanted me to "clear out their mailbox" - which I don't have the time or authority to do. Or, they wanted a new email account. Reminds me of an episode of Will and Grace where Grace wants to move so she doesn't have to clean her room.

I told the user that everyone gets too much spam and that I routinely clear out one of my accounts that gets about 500 messages a day as spam warnings and actual spam. I also told her that a new account wouldn't really help - as it too would soon be filled with spam. Ultimatly, I directed her to the person who had the authority to do the things she requested - and the authority to tell her no.

"Too much spam"? We all get too much spam. And while I partially blame the spammers, I also blame the people that actually buy thing from the spammers. If no one bought anything from them - then they would go away. The only reason they still work is that it takes very little money to get the ad out to a vast number of potential customers. But if none of the customers bought anything from them anymore - then even that little bit of money would be wasted and they'd stop. Maybe that's over simplified, but it's a start.

Oh, and I read today that Bush's budget plan calls for cutting funding for education and nutrition programs for kids by 20 billion or so - while also cutting taxes for mulit-millionaires. Anyone who didn't see this coming, pleaase raise your hand. It will make it easier to identify you for the smacking you've earned.

End rant - back to work...

the plague of non-awareness

I think I've touched on (or harped on, as the case may be) my issues with people that don't pay attention to the world around them. This morning, on the drive to work. I saw three cars sitting at a green arrow. Not only was the person in front not paying attention to the changing of the light - neither were the other two behind him since they neither honked to alert him or rolled forward in anticipation. In fact, once the lead car finally started rolling, the others delayed as well. They just barely got through the light before it changed.

Pulling into the parking lot, a car in front of me turned at a strange angle and stopped in the middle of the lane - perhaps working up the courage to go down the "do not enter" road. I managed to get around him, but I doubt he even saw me.

Getting into work - in the cube farm - two of the others that work around me began their latest all day shouted conversation. Even earplugs can't drown these guys out. And they don't seem to acknowldege that they might be disruptive to others working around them.

It's not even 9:30 and I'm already annoyed. Even more so 'cause there really isn't a solution. People are stupid when they drive. Telling my co-workers to shut the hell up or I'll kill them isn't reasonable. (Granted, there may be other approaches there)

I just want a little order. A little peace and quiet. A day without spam or being cut-off in the lunch line.

So, I'm sitting here at my desk, vampire stake at the ready - wishing I was anywhere but here. I think I need a vacation.

Instead...it's back to work...

I dream of Paris

The city - not the bimbo. In my dream I'm in France somewhere, trying desperately to get home to America. The map isn't much help, but I finally locate a road sign and I make my way to Paris and locate an international airport. Still not speaking any french at all, I find an American speaking ticket agent who finds a flight for me leaving in 20 minutes - a direct flight to the Akron/Canton airport - perfect! (Unlikely, yes, but still perfect).

There's a problem, of course. He won't get me on the flight until I ask my friend from college if she would like to make a "French Connection" with him. I turn and see C. in a bookstore across the concourse. What she's doing in Paris is a mystery and how this guy knew that I used to know her is also puzzleing, but I really want to get home. So, I try to casually talk to her - without it looking like I'm actually talking to her - in case he figures out who she is and stalks her even if she says no. I somehow manage to ask her and she casually glances over at him. She smiles at me and says she'll think about it. And I'm like "Well, think quickly, the plane leaves in 15 minutes".

I woke up before she made a decision - so at least a little part of me is stuck in an airport in Paris - forever waiting for the answer to a "booty call".

I wonder if there's anything to that? If the land of dreams exists somewhere and unless you make a graceful exit, you can get stuck. With the throughness and intensity of my dreams, there can't be much left of me here anymore. They are always so real and vivid - kinda makes you wonder. I suppose there are worse places to be stuck in a dream than Paris (see any of my zombie entries) - but it does explain why I had so much trouble getting up this morning - I wanted to go back and get the rest of me.

Well, back to work...

gving blood - weird dream

I went to give blood yesterday and while I was waiting for the medical history part, the guy in charge asked me if I would be willing to do the apheresis - or "double red" - and he was particularly encouraging when he found out I had O- blood. So, I agreeed since I'd done it before. I read my book through most of it, shivered at the cold, and got done in what may have been record time. I got a bright green bandage that supposed to rip the hair off my arm and then sent me over to the canteen area. The people there tried to push some soup on me, but I know what I need after giving blood - cookies and juice. :)

Didn't do much when I got home - mostly video games and reading. Got to bed a little later than I should have and had a funky-ass dream. I was with one of my co-workers while she was getting her driver's lisecense renewed. The clerk said he could also re-do mine - to give me a better picutre. Apparently, I wasn't happy with my exisiting picture - so I agree. When he came back to me the picutre was terrible - far worse than before. And he'd also mesed up my name and address -

I was now Andrew L. Schmitson from St. Louis, MO.

I told him it was wrong and that he needed to fix it - but he said that it was now the valid liscense and I would have to go to another office on another floor to get it fixed.

I woke up cranky.

And now it's time to get back to work...

Stage one of the apocalypse

At least that's what it felt like. Really really really bad nightmare. I was in a 5 story mall and the dead were rising. They looked normal until they attacked and then their eyes would glow.

It was just the start of the end of the world, but it got worse as the dream went along. I had my sword out and I was running though the mall, trying to find an exit. I stumbled into a large kitchen and watched a running disaster as people slipped and fell and impaled/stabbed each other with knives and other implements - looked like about 40 people died in a domino effect.

Finally got out of the mall and over to a farm, where I tried to get my family to safety - but they wouldn't listen. Felt like cassandra or something. Went to a supermarket - where the panic was just starting. I was going to get supplies, but I didn't want to put my sword down long enough to steer a cart. So, I just left the crowds and wandered outside - decapitating anyone who lunged at me.

I woke up shaky and scared.

So not wanting to be here at work - too many people...

dinner at the deli

Met up with a friend from college - and she brought her 6 year old along. We had a nice dinner, folded some paper, and just hung out a bit. And I got a drawing of my ring:

Yeah, it's a little greasy, but hey, he's six and he had fries.

Finished the Prince of Persia game - the last boss battle was kinda lame. Didn't even get below 50% on the old health bar. Still, overall, the game was a blast and looking forward to going through it again to unlock some of the secrets.

Well, I've got a poll to set up and a boatload of pdf files to move, so I should get cracking.

Back to work...

new origami and stuff

I visited my folks this past weekend to celebrate my sister's birthday. We went out to eat and watched movies - a pretty good visit. I also finished up my latest origami project - photo's here. I think it turned out well - but I'm also glad it's over. Lot of work into that one.

Tomorrow I'm going to have dinner with a friend from college - haven't seen her in 8 years. Should be fun.

Well, lots to do today so it's back to work...

zips basketball

So, I got an invite from my friend from Kent State to go to the Akron/Kent basketball game last night. I managed to score a couple of free tickets to the game - and bought the rest early so that his friends wouldn't have to stand in line. The group of eight walked to Aladin's for dinner - they were packed. We tried 3 amigo's they were packed too. Walked back to his house, then hopped in cars to go to Spagetti Warehouse - 1 hour wait. Finally, plan "D" at this point, we went to Parason's - where we proceeded to stuff ourselves silly.

Then to the campus where we parked far away from the arena (I figured the other lots would be packed). And since we go there just before the start - the place was packed. We ended up in the far corner, in a Kent State section.

Highlights:

1. Zippy was cool and seemed to have a lot of fun.

2. The Zips dance team was pretty good, but they're a long ways away from Laker girls - hey not everyone can be Paul Abdul

3. A zips player goes flying off the court and take out two people sitting on the side - and breaks a chair. One of the two people gets pissed and throws the broken chair out onto the court. The ref talks to him and then the police come over to escort the guy from the area. The other knocked over person is also talking trash, but not enough to get her thrown out. They were both akron fans.

4. The game was really close all the way down to the wire - but Akron lost by three.

I had threatened to throw popcorn on the Kent State fans in my midst - but the popcorn selling people were too far away. And plus - I hate to be that obvious or obnoxious. I'll get them later - when they least expect it. hehe

Additional notes - the meatball sub at parason's = really really good.

back to work...