I do have a blog post today, but it's not here!
Since it is Leap Day today, I guest-posted on a different blog.
I mean, the world is going mad anyway. Why not join in?
Check it out here: thehusblog.com.
Thanks!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
It's all about context
Why is it that everything related to car maintenance sounds dirty?
I give you the following dialogue, which could either have been uttered by me when I dropped my car off this morning for routine maintenance, or perhaps come from a 70s blue movie. You decide.
"I need a lube job."
"You've gotta pull out the dipstick to check the oil."
"Oh, I definitely need my tires rotated. Check the tread on those bad boys."
"That's a dirty filter. Better replace it."
"We'll take it on a test drive, don't you worry."
Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly. But still.
Don't get me started on plumbers.
I give you the following dialogue, which could either have been uttered by me when I dropped my car off this morning for routine maintenance, or perhaps come from a 70s blue movie. You decide.
"I need a lube job."
"You've gotta pull out the dipstick to check the oil."
"Oh, I definitely need my tires rotated. Check the tread on those bad boys."
"That's a dirty filter. Better replace it."
"We'll take it on a test drive, don't you worry."
Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly. But still.
Don't get me started on plumbers.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Rinse and Repeat
You know how some people knit or craft to keep their hands occupied so they can think? I do that with music.
More specifically, if I am trying to focus at work, or if I want to concentrate and want to think something through – typically in the car – I will put a song on repeat. And listen to it over.
And over.
And over.
And … well, you get the point.
It somehow takes a part of my brain -- the toddler, “ooh shiny,” easily-distracted part of my brain -- and gives it a toy. ‘Here, play with this while the grown-ups talk.’
This allows me to go into work-trance, or thought-trance, and work through whatever it is.
You want examples? Once I drove home from my parents’ house to mine (roughly 8 hours) listening to one track of one cd. For one month at work, two songs sustained me through a killer project. Yes, two songs and two songs only for four weeks, 8 hours a day (minus meetings, lunches and bathroom breaks).
Okay, yes, and sometimes I just do it because I like the song. It happens, people!
I’m given to understand most people don’t do this. Perhaps it is one of the areas in my life that I’m OCD. I don’t know. Frankly, I don’t care. It doesn’t affect anyone else, and it helps me concentrate. So that’s all for the better.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
En Fuego
I got a Kindle Fire as a holiday present.
At first, we sort of looked at each other: me at its pretty box, it at my multiple, overflowing bookshelves.
We weren't sure that we'd get along. It knew I really had the hots for an ipad. I wasn't sure if I could settle for "less."
But then one day, I invited it out of itscage box, just to smell the air and meet the cats.
In return, it informed me that it would like to use the charging facilities, if I would be so kind.
Slowly we became friends.
I bought a couple of apps: Angry Birds, The Moron Test, Where's My Water - you know, the essentials. I downloaded the Netflix app.
We played and annoyed the cats together, then laughed at the cats being annoyed.
Then I ventured onto Amazon and found a book to try. Cause if there's anything I need, it is another book to read.
Then I devoured that book like a kid with Halloween candy.
And that's when I knew. It's the one.
ipad shmipad. My fire is kindled.
At first, we sort of looked at each other: me at its pretty box, it at my multiple, overflowing bookshelves.
We weren't sure that we'd get along. It knew I really had the hots for an ipad. I wasn't sure if I could settle for "less."
But then one day, I invited it out of its
In return, it informed me that it would like to use the charging facilities, if I would be so kind.
Slowly we became friends.
I bought a couple of apps: Angry Birds, The Moron Test, Where's My Water - you know, the essentials. I downloaded the Netflix app.
We played and annoyed the cats together, then laughed at the cats being annoyed.
Then I ventured onto Amazon and found a book to try. Cause if there's anything I need, it is another book to read.
Then I devoured that book like a kid with Halloween candy.
And that's when I knew. It's the one.
ipad shmipad. My fire is kindled.
Monday, January 23, 2012
New Moon on Monday
Today is Monday. And it's New Moon.
Coincidentally, New Moon on Monday by Duran Duran is one of my favorite songs. (I have at least 100 favorite songs.)
So, the phrase "New Moon on Monday" in my head is immediately followed by "and a firedance through the night." Even if it's silent and only I know about it.
Fortunately, this phrase is typically only heard either during a weather report or while I am listening to the aforementioned song, so I don't have to bite my tongue that often.
In other news, I have started watching The Big Bang theory. Very funny. It's in syndication, so I'm up to about episode 40. There may be future posts as I get up to speed.
In gaming news, I finally opened my copy of Betrayal at House on the Hill this weekend. I love that game. And I got to play some Dirty Scrabble, which is basically normal scrabble with double points awarded if you can spell a dirty word. Quite enjoyable. Yes, I won, but I was having fun regardless. And no, I really didn't have that many dirty words. I think "thang" and "smut" were it. I swear. Why are you looking at me like you don't believe me? No, even though I had the letters U, C and F, the K was already in play. And I never got N and T at the same time. Alright? Sheesh.
Internet people are soooo judgmental.
Coincidentally, New Moon on Monday by Duran Duran is one of my favorite songs. (I have at least 100 favorite songs.)
So, the phrase "New Moon on Monday" in my head is immediately followed by "and a firedance through the night." Even if it's silent and only I know about it.
Fortunately, this phrase is typically only heard either during a weather report or while I am listening to the aforementioned song, so I don't have to bite my tongue that often.
In other news, I have started watching The Big Bang theory. Very funny. It's in syndication, so I'm up to about episode 40. There may be future posts as I get up to speed.
In gaming news, I finally opened my copy of Betrayal at House on the Hill this weekend. I love that game. And I got to play some Dirty Scrabble, which is basically normal scrabble with double points awarded if you can spell a dirty word. Quite enjoyable. Yes, I won, but I was having fun regardless. And no, I really didn't have that many dirty words. I think "thang" and "smut" were it. I swear. Why are you looking at me like you don't believe me? No, even though I had the letters U, C and F, the K was already in play. And I never got N and T at the same time. Alright? Sheesh.
Internet people are soooo judgmental.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Guilt for the win
Sigh. Where to begin on this one.
We're all comfortable with my geekiness, yes? And how I play video games?
So I'm in a leadership position in a certain Star Wars MMO guild. (I am vague because of you, spammy credit sellers who just google everything with the name and post comments. Fist shake at you.) And last night, I inadvertently upset someone in the guild.
Long story short, I really didn't mean to upset anyone. It was one of those "trying to do my job and look out for everyone, but in doing so some people were upset by my actions" scenarios with no way to please everyone.
This is the kind of stuff that torments me. I did what I thought was right, now someone (or possibly several someones) are upset. I hate knowing that. I absolutely hate knowing that something I did upset someone. I obsess over guilt (real or perceived) like a cat obsesses over catnip - except I imagine there is a lot less fun/happiness involved. So I apologize to the internets in general 'cause I am sure in some way there was an option that would have been light side points for everyone.
Have I mentioned I'm working on letting things go? I had a bit of regression over the holidays. Maybe I should just view this situation as helping me learn how to deal with these things.
We're all comfortable with my geekiness, yes? And how I play video games?
So I'm in a leadership position in a certain Star Wars MMO guild. (I am vague because of you, spammy credit sellers who just google everything with the name and post comments. Fist shake at you.) And last night, I inadvertently upset someone in the guild.
Long story short, I really didn't mean to upset anyone. It was one of those "trying to do my job and look out for everyone, but in doing so some people were upset by my actions" scenarios with no way to please everyone.
This is the kind of stuff that torments me. I did what I thought was right, now someone (or possibly several someones) are upset. I hate knowing that. I absolutely hate knowing that something I did upset someone. I obsess over guilt (real or perceived) like a cat obsesses over catnip - except I imagine there is a lot less fun/happiness involved. So I apologize to the internets in general 'cause I am sure in some way there was an option that would have been light side points for everyone.
Have I mentioned I'm working on letting things go? I had a bit of regression over the holidays. Maybe I should just view this situation as helping me learn how to deal with these things.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Fun stuff
All the fun stuff on my to-do list is starting to stress me out.
I love to read. I have a stack of books that keeps growing - I swear those things multiply faster than dirty laundry does. Included are A Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones series), The Hunger Games, a couple Laurie R King books, and The Wise Man's Fear (sequel to The Name of the Wind). And many more.
I have at least 10 video games on my "to play" list. Portal 2. Assassin's Creed. Finishing Bioshock. Bioshock 2. Gears of War 1 & 2. Arkham Asylum. That's not going to happen for a while. And I would like to try Skyrim at some point, which I understand will suck my soul away.
There are about 6 television shows that I keep meaning to start watching, but don't seem to have time for. Battlestar Galactica. The Last Avatar. Torchwood. A couple of anime series. They can get in line.
Add to this the fact that I like spending time with my friends, sleeping, and oh yeah I have a job. Plus a certain Star Wars MMO that just came out.... When did having fun get to be so stressful?
I love to read. I have a stack of books that keeps growing - I swear those things multiply faster than dirty laundry does. Included are A Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones series), The Hunger Games, a couple Laurie R King books, and The Wise Man's Fear (sequel to The Name of the Wind). And many more.
I have at least 10 video games on my "to play" list. Portal 2. Assassin's Creed. Finishing Bioshock. Bioshock 2. Gears of War 1 & 2. Arkham Asylum. That's not going to happen for a while. And I would like to try Skyrim at some point, which I understand will suck my soul away.
There are about 6 television shows that I keep meaning to start watching, but don't seem to have time for. Battlestar Galactica. The Last Avatar. Torchwood. A couple of anime series. They can get in line.
Add to this the fact that I like spending time with my friends, sleeping, and oh yeah I have a job. Plus a certain Star Wars MMO that just came out.... When did having fun get to be so stressful?
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