Sommz

The Graduate

The Masters journey is officially over.  Everything is in, I'm all done.  Actually that's not true, I'm waiting to get my bindings back, and i have to give one to the department, and one to my adviser.  Should be done next week.

Started buying books and software for the Fall.

All my pictures sucked from Graduation, they were all shakey, so i bought a new digital camera.  Should be here on Friday.

More to say, but i'm tired. 

Finite

I did it, it's over, I'm done...with the Masters degree.  I never officially finished the first one because i didn't finish my project.  Today i walked to the binders in the commons, handed over $120.03 for three bound copies of my thesis...and instead of feeling elated...I was thirsty, and got a canada dry ginger ale from a machine, ha.

GPS'd a bit today, and got some sun.  i can feel it.  No, i did not use sunscreen...yes, i'm an idiot.

It's going to take me a few days to recooperate from a 5 day marathon of finishing everything up.  I finally did the dishes after 5 days.  Okay, i did a portion of the dishes...the rest are still soaking and i can't do them till i empty the drainer.

Roasted another batch of beans tonight.  I need to do it twice a week.  I don't mind it, but i need to figure out a way to vent the smoke.

I am thinking about having a beer brewing party.  I've never brewed beer, but it seems like now is the time to do it.

Downloaded the new NIN release.  I haven't listened yet.

I still hate my neighbors.

I have a ton of shows on the DVR to catch up on.  I finally watched all my Netflix DVD's...new batch on Thursday.

Give me a few days to recooperate...i'll be back.  Graduation is on Saturday...

Friday

spending the day in front of my computer writing a paper.  I need a study break already!

Songs From The Sparkle Lounge

Lesson learned, do not hit the back button when writing in the blog editor.  You will lose everything you've typed.  This is not fun.

Taking a few days off to finish up school.  It's not as fun as you think!

I hate to say this because it's going to lower whatever cool cred is left, ha.  But i'll go out on a limb and say the new Def Leppard CD, Songs from the Sparkle Lounge is the best album of 2008 (as of May 1).  I don't where they found it in them, but each song is great.  It's definitely surreal the last few weeks with really good CD's by Whitesnake, and even REM isn't that bad....if you can get over stealing from yourself.  I don't know why i have such a problem with that.  AC-DC has sounded the same on every CD since 1974!

Anyway, Def Leppard...i hate to say has released a gem.  If you ever liked them...go pick it up...you will not be disappointed.  I would write a detailed review, but just pick up any music magazine.

And they are playing the NYS Fair in August...maybe i'll be there :)

Song of the Month:  "C'Mon, C'Mon" - Def Leppard

I am trying to break your heart

Just watched the Wilco documentary, I am trying to break your heart.  The title is the first track on their 2002 CD Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  I never totally got into the CD when it was released, but the documentary was excellent.  I'm listening to it now...it does get better with age.

The Cleveland trip was awesome!  I only took a few pics, so nothing is up officially.  I do like this image from the front door of the Brew Pub...i hate the stanks...boo.

That's about it for today...i'm going to listen to the CD, and then get some sleep.  The next week is gonna suck....so much to do!

Hello Cleveland!

This is not the best weekend to be heading to Cleveland to watch the Tribe play the Stankees.  I have so much to do for school it's not funny.  But i made the reservations months ago, and i'll just have to live with the results!

I've woken up this morning to notice that a major spring broke on my garage door opener, their is a leak from the bathtub dripping into the kitchen when i shower, and the stove is broke.  Hello, Maintenance?  No, it's Saturday! and i'm not going to be here...ug.  Hopefully this place doesnt fall apart by Monday when i can call them to fix some of this stuff.

More later, there will be pics from the Cleveland trip.  I just hope i survive it as i can feel allergies creeping in...ug.

Skool Dayz

OMG, what a great weather weekend.  It was 88 degrees at chez Steve yesterday, with low humidity.  Of course, i am stuck inside working on school projects, and i'm still sunburned, but hey...it was nice to feel the warm breeze for the first time this year.

Today's Fresh Roasted Coffee:  Columbia Antioquia - Jardin Cerulean Warbler.  It's listed as "At City+ Sweet aromatics, delicate fruits, peach tamarind, passionflower, elegant cup".  It's my first batch of home roasted coffee, and it's pretty good, but a lil acidic after only sitting for 24 hours.

I will roast another batch later today.  Something a lil darker.

I watched Enchanted last night as a study break, and i loved it.  It was sooo over the top, that even the bits where they broke into song, i giggled.  I loved the off-the-wall humor as well ("thank you peasant").  And the Princess, Amy Adams is amazingly cute!  She was the perfect Princess!

I didn't like Dan in Real Life.  Dane Cook is still an idiot.  The movie was sooo formulistic.  It's for people who don't like surprises.

And speaking of cute, it's Sunday and the cute size 2 or maybe even size 0 manger was working the morning shift at Tops again.  Today i actually broke something.  First time in my life, I'm "that guy"...i reached for some carrots, as they were $1.00/2, and i knocked over i think a jar of onions.  It fell and broke...i just walked away, haha.  What could i do???  I'm not cleaning it up.

I have soooo much to do in the next two weeks, it makes my head spin thinking about it.  I was up till 12:30 last night working on my presentation...I'm gonna start up again after my laundry is done.

Lurkers, enjoy the beautiful weather!

14,000

Well today is the first day I've ever gone over 10k steps on my pedometer since who knows when.   I was out GPS'ing today, and  got quite a sunburn on my face, head, neck, etc.  I am so pale!!!  And when I'm out walking, i can finally get my steps in.  I think I'll do this for awhile, haha. 

I also got my Mr. Bento Japanese lunch box.  I've made some jasmine rice for lunch tomorrow.  I'll also have some soup, some pears...and maybe some oatmeal.  I have 4 bowl's to fill up.  We'll see how it goes.  I would of gotten my green coffee, but the UPS dude decided he didn't want to leave all those packages at my door.

I am not a fan of dish washing 18-30 year olds who like bass heavy crappy music, just sayin'.

Let's see...a bunch of concerts coming up.  The Cruefest at Darien Lake...eh, it's on a Wednesday.  Black Crowes at the Town Ballroom...now this got my attention.   Swervedriver is playing Toronto at Lee's Palace...how can i make this one possible, lol.

Bunch of movies to watch, but so much homework to do.

Time to load up some programs on my USB drive, and find my aloe vera.

Been on the shelf too long

I didn't really start my project yesterday.  Instead i spent the time working on my taxes. I found a deduction i didn't know about.  I actually get some money back instead of owing!  Woo.

If it's a Sunday post, there must be some comment of mine on going to Tops.  I'm an idiot.  I was caught up looking at the cute, size 2, 20 year old blonde manager running the register next to mine, and i forgot to use $6+ dollars in coupons i had.  I also am $20 bucks away from saving another .10 cents on gas.  I have till Saturday to go back and buy some stuff.  I also spent $110 bucks.  What in the world did i buy!!!  I did get some vitamins, meal bars, and my swiffer pads and cleaning fluid.  But that's it for pricey things!  I also noticed i bought Chinese chicken chow main.  I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat chicken!  So that was a waste to.

Since yesterday was a wasted day, school wise.  I decided to watch some movies.  I did finish watching I Am Legend.  It was somewhat depressing, the whole being alone and going crazy angle, but ultimately it was a pretty good movie.  I also got Terminator 3 to finish off my Terminator trilogy.  Whatever happened to Kristanna Loken?  The movie was pretty weak, and i think they signed up the hot Terminator to make up for the horrible plot.

I found a pretty good deal on movies from Barnes and Noble yesterday.  5% off, free shipping, and a 25% off coupon for new members.  I picked up the David Lynch masterpiece, Twin Peaks - The Definitive Gold Box Edition for $45!  I also got a few more movies pretty cheap.  As long as you kept using different email addresses, they kept giving you the discount!  I wish i had known about that last week when i ordered the $120 textbook for my PhD!

I should get my green coffee from Sweet Maria's on Wednesday.  I can't wait to roast my own beans!  I bought 8lbs of green coffee, all kinds.  I'll post the list when i get it.

I bought a japanese style Lunchbox as well.  More on that when i get it, and figure out how to keep the hot side hot, and the cold side cold (who remembers that commercial?).

For some reason i didn't sleep well last night.  I got maybe 3-4 hours.  I think it's the stress of everything going on.  Oh well, that's what Tylenol PM is for!  My project has to be emailed to my adviser by 4pm tomorrow.  I'll be so happy when it's off my desk.  Then i have a few days off, and then i have to start working on some of my final class projects.  I have a presentation due in a week, i think.

Having all kinds of problems with my Dell DataSafe Backup.  I keep getting a weird LS32 file in use error, and it stops the backup about a third of the way.  I'll email tech support, but the odds of that helping are slim to none!

Alrighty, I'm going to start my project in a few minutes.  Good thing i spent a few hours on Friday getting it ready.  If i can figure out how to add 4 articles into my lit review, this will go quickly.

Song of the Day:  Verve - "This is Music".  One of my fave songs EVER.  If you don't own A Northern Soul, shame on you!

Saturday Morning Procrastination Musings...

Went to bed late last night, as the LI idiots were up being loud.  I can't wait till daddy quits paying for the apartment and they are forced to move back home!  I'm sure the other neighbors will entertain me with their urban sounds later tonight before they go out drinking.  How can these rude people afford this place? 

I started the day off grinding some beans, making some oatmeal...and frantically searching for my W2's.  I ripped the place apart, and realized i put them on top of the microwave.  I'll do my taxes later today.  I owe, i owe...so that's why I'm doing them so late!  This weekend is also Masters project weekend.  I need to turn in my first draft to my adviser on Monday before he goes to AAG.  I'm in pretty good shape.  I need to fluff it up, and write my literature review.

So many things going on May 2, and i can't do any of them!  I have my final class paper due 5/5 at 5pm.  I am going to the Saturday night Police show, but I won't be going out after.

I was contemplating going to see Bryan Adams at the Town Ballroom.  I just checked and tickets were still on sale.  But I'm not going to see him solo and acoustic.  Instead I'm going to see Grady at the Tralf the next day.  Grady is Gordie Johnson's band.  He of Big Sugar fame. 

Went to dinner at Coyote Cafe last night.  You can finally drive on Main Street in Hamburg now!  It looks like they added a new back room, with a couple bars.  It was filled with 21 year old bleach blonde bimbo woo girls drinking margaritas, ha.  I had a dos equis draft, and a negra modelo.  I wasn't a fan of the draft...but the negra modelo isn't bad for Mexican beer.  The veggie burrito was pretty good.  The banana pepper poppers...eh, they are still haunting me!  Good though....the salsa, not so much.  It didn't seem fresh.  I think it's the best Mexican in Buffalo...try it!

Later tonight I'll watch I Am Legend on the big screen.  I didn't realize my blu-ray player didn't decode DTS audio...boo!  Where's the PS3 firmware upgrade for that.

Alrighty, it's 11am, and I've procrastinated enough.  Time to do...something :)