Sommz

By the time i get to Arizona

Well today is MLK day...no work for me, and no classes.  Whenever i think of MLK, i think of the Public Enemy video for "By the time i get to Arizona".  I'd post it on the blog, but you can search for it yourself.

I've reinstated my Twitter and Facebook sites.  I don't know why, i just did.

Loved last night's 24.  I can't wait for tonight.  I also watched last week's Biggest Loser, which motivated me to get on the treadmill and do 70 minutes, speed 3, incline 2.  I started watching Chuck, but fell asleep...and i still have 4 movies to watch from Netflix.  I didn't watch any of them this weekend.

My back is out again.  I wonder if the chiro and the massage had something to do with it...or perhaps the amount of time i spent sleeping or watching tv this weekend.  I'm sure it was a combination of the two.

Had a couple Lagunitas over the weekend.  The Pils is amazing, one of my favorites, and the 2009 was a double IPA which I'm not a fan of.  At least it was only 6.8%, and not a 10+.

Another coaching retread headed to the Jills to coach.  Chan Gailey.  Yawn.  I"m sure he'll be fine, and have the boys ready for another 7-9 season next year.  I'm so close to becoming a Browns fan right now.  I hate what the Bills are doing.  Not that the Clowns are much better with Mangina, but at least they have Holmgren, and he should steer the ship in the right direction.

Sabres in Phoenix tonight...sort of fitting given the title of this post.

Shepherd's Pie yesterday was amazing.  I've never had it before, and it was so fun and easy to make, to go along with tasty.  I'll definitely make it again, and share with others.  I made mine with some minor additions and deletions from the original recipe. I  used Morningstar crumbles instead of ground beef...peas instead of zucchini, and i actually used my mixer and grater for the first time in years.  In addition, i didn't make the mushroom-onion gravy because i didn't have any red wine.  Next time!  There will be booze in the gravy :)

Sleeping a lot lately...it's time to wake up.  It's my birthday in two weeks.  Next to get off the shelf...been there for too long.

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!

U Down 'wit OCD?

What a nice Wednesday.  It was 42 degrees, a lite breeze...sunny, and not a cloud in the sky.  A perfect day to be outside and collect GPS points, ha.  I only did about 30 points around a district, so my steps count only reached 7,000.

I'm going to listen to the new REM before bed this evening.  I was able to download it from Yahoo Music.  I also grabbed the new Black Keys to listen to.  I wanted to listen to the new Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, but it's not available yet.

30GB has suddenly become not big enough to hold my music.  Gawd forbid i ever rip my entire CD collection, and make that digital.  I should though...

Nobody wanted to attend the Belgium in Cooperstown party in August.  Slackers!

Someone end the Sabres season!  I can't take this anymore...oh hey, go Tribe!

Which reminds me...my brick came in the mail for Heritage Park.  I'll take a snapshot soon, and post to the Flickr site.

I can't stand the whiner Mark on Biggest Loser.  Why couldn't he be booted out this week?  I really don't like any of the final 4.  Two of them are people that got a second chance.  Boo!  Battlestar Galactica starts on Friday...I've never watched any of the series before.  I hope it's good.

My AAA 12V 6 in 1 air compressor should of been here today...maybe tomorrow.  Smart pickup I think.

I have so much to do in the next 5 weeks it's disgusting.  I still haven't started studying for the GRE's.  I have labs, assignments, and my damn Masters Project needs to be handed in for a first draft in less than two weeks.  Good thing i get a massage tomorrow.  I may schedule another one soon.  I've noticed with school, my cleaning habits, and my dishes seem to be neglected. I should seriously consider bringing in a maid once a month!  Maybe a Swedish one, with fishnets, and a skirt ;)

If you listen to Keith and the Girl, and none of you do.  Keet has been wondering if he has Asperger Syndrome.  They just devoted an entire Podcast to it yesterday.  Go HERE to take the test, and let me know what kind of neurotic you are, haha.  If you take the test, I'll let you know how i did.  My results are not surprising if you know me.  The test is long, but it goes by quickly.

the rat in your brain...rules the world

Saw Matthew Good at Club Infinity last night on his solo acoustic tour.  It was pretty good.  I like the new album...and he played one of my top 20 songs of all time yet again, "Apparitions".  Not a huge fan of solo acoustic shows.  Springsteen has done the only one i really like (HSBC 2005)....and that was amazing.  However, i really like Mr. Good...he's funny, has an amazing voice...and is one of my favorite writers.  The show had an acoustic Pink Floyd vibe.

Hey, no homework to do this weekend, and it's gonna be a sunny warmish day.  What to do, what to do...i should probably spend a few hours studying for my GRE's.

Went to the Pizza Plant before the show.  The one on Transit.  I won't bitch about the traffic cuz it was so late at night and there wasn't as much.  Had the Veggie Chili, which hands down is the world's BEST veggie chill.  Go try it, i dare you to disagree!  I had the Ommegang Stout, which was eh....okay.  Edmund Fitz. is still the best.  They were out of the Wavy Gravy and Victory Pilsner...so i got a Dead Guy Ale....Mmmmmm one of my fave beers.  For lunch today I'm going to eat one of their "Violent Vegetarian" Pods...i gave it a quick taste when i got home last night....it's not very good!  Vegetarians would become violent if they had to eat that all the time!

Picked up my cap and gown at the UB bookstore.  First time I've stepped inside that place in 10 years!  I hope the damn thing fits, ha.

"I'm just a boy with a new haircut"...got my haircut.  It's been a couple months.  The person who called Supercuts for me called the wrong store!  I was not happy!  I had some kind of single curl thing going on in the front when she was done cutting it.  And as luck has it...i went to Walgreen's and got my passport picture taken, that shows said "curl".  Once i scan it, i'll post it.

Which brings up my Passport story.  Grrrr....i went to the Post Office on Cayuga...and my gawd....there was a huge line!  I finally got the front, and the wench behind the counter without batting an eye told me my birth certificate wasn't valid.  I apparently have a "vanity" birth certificate.  Grrr...  So I'm sending my mother to City Hall to pick one up for me.  This passport thing has become quite the ordeal.  I better get out of the country and see some cool stuff with it :)

Opening Day tomorrow!!!  Tribe vs. White Sox at 3:30'ish.  I have the Gameday Audio on the internets, and on XM.  But i bet the game will be blacked out on TV again.  Boo!

No movies to report on today.  I will watch some experimental cinema flicks from the 1920's and 1930's, and Beowulf.

TV this week was pretty weak.  Pierce won Celebrity Apprentice.  Survivor wasn't on and Lost was a repeat.  The Office does start up this Thursday!  I think 30 Rock starts soon to.  And I'm going to start watching Battlestar Galactica on DVR.  It's on Friday's at 10pm.

School is done in 5 weeks.  May 5, Cinco De Mayo at 5pm...all classwork will be turned in, and a first draft of my masters project will be handed in as well.  If possible I'm playing the lottery that day, ha.

Song of the Day:  "Oh Be Joyful" - Matthew Good

"Oh, Be Joyful...'Cuz That Shit Spreads".  Feel free to post your favorite Matthew Good lyrics in the Comments.

Spring Break

I write those words as i look outside my window and see 20" of snow staring back at me.  I wish i had gone South and seen the family in Florida for a week.  But i have other obligations like a regular job, a thesis to finish, GRE's to study for, a townhouse that needs cleaning, and oh yes...homework to do.

Hey, it's Daylight Savings Time!  I'm not a big fan of losing an hour today, but in a few days i'll enjoy the fact it's still light at 7pm.  Oh wait, now i have to get used to waking up and driving to work in the dark at 7am again.  Eh, i'll take the extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day!

Let's see, what's been going on in the last month since i've posted.  Well work and school are the big chunks of my time.  I have decided on finishing up what i've started, and getting the PhD.  That's why i'm studying for the GRE's.  With the two Masters, i've always had the GRE's waived, but i can't do it for the PhD...boo.  I talked to a few students, professionals, and professors...it's a go.  I bought a new Dell  XPS laptop just for the PhD.  I pimped it out, and got an amazing deal.  I had to to justify spending that much money!

I just saw Springsteen in Rochester.  Amazing show.  I had tickets to the Buffalo show the next day, and i was just exhausted and didn't go.  I crashed at 8:30pm on Friday...so my body was telling me to rest!  I have tickets to Tom Petty and the Police, and i think Matt Good, so concert opportunities are still there.  I really wanted to see Robert Plant and Alison Krause in the Finger Lakes, but nobody else wanted to go, and i'm not dropping money on tickets for phantom people anymore.

Oh yeah, i bought a washer and dryer.  My first ones!  Every apartment i've had since i left home never had washer and dryer hookups.  This one sort of does, so dammit i got them.  I bought a used dryer, and got a great deal.  It's currently sitting in the garage not hooked up as i need gas fittings, and vent hose, and about 2 hours to hook it up.  Maybe i'll goto Home Depot this afternoon to pick those things up.  My washer rocks.  It's the number one rated front loading washer in consumer reports.  I bought it at Sears, and got a great deal, then got Garry to pick it up and deliver it to my place for some Sabres bucks, and Great Lakes beers! 

One thing i learned about the washer, it requires a special type of detergent.  Tide PE is the recommended one...and since i buy Tide normally, this was what i need.  Of course last week i bought a 100oz thing of regular Tide, so i'll have to give that away to someone.  Then...i had to know that PE would be more expensive...and it was.  $16 bucks for whatever the large size was...ug.  Next time i'll goto Sam's Club or buy it online to save a few bucks.

As i was driving around the snowy streets this morning, i heard John Fogerty's "Centerfield" on Jack.  What a great song to play while driving in the snow.  My head was thinking about warm weather and baseball, and my car was sliding towards a snowbank.  I'll probably watch some of the NASCAR race this afternoon just to remind myself what warm weather and green grass looks like.

Haven't had any new beers lately, well i did have a Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale a few weeks ago.  Speaking of Great Lakes, if you're a tree hugger like myself, and in the Cleveland area.  Check out the Film The Planet at the Cleveland Film Festival.  I wish i was there to see it!

And speaking of Cleveland, i got tickets to the Stankees series in April, the Rangers in May, and the Angels in August.  I can't wait to go back!  Go Tribe! 

As for the other sports teams in my life...the Sabres aggrevate me.  I hope they lose the rest of the games, and get a better draft pick.  Too bad Campbell had to go, but eh, i understand the business side of it.  The Bills for the first time in a long time, made some good pickups.  I like the LB from the Giants, and Stroud on the Defensive Line.  The only thing about the Bills...i keep seeing them jumping ship to Toronto, and THEN they will win the Super Bowl.  I might just jump ship and become a Browns fan.  Sacriligious yes...but we'll see how long the Bills stay here.

More ramblings...where are the plows in North Buffalo?  The streets barely look touched.  I went to Kenmore to my bank, and the post office, and i could actually see the pavement.

Hmmmm...i've seen a bunch of movies, but nothing really special to mention.  Ditto for music, nothing out there is catching my attention.  I still listen to the Starbucks channel on XM at work.

I finally hooked up, and cleaned up the wires on my home theater.  I now have a blu-ray player and hd dvd player.  The HD DVD player is also my upconverting DVD player.  It's a pretty good one.  Better than my PS3 blu-ray.  As for the blu-ray, i just watched Terminator 2...and that was the first movie i noticed a better picture.

As for video games....i just need more hours in my day to play these things!  I picked up on sale NBA 08 on PS3...my first game, i got schooled by like 70 points.  I also picked up a Baseball game cheap, and lost to the Royals by 12 runs.  And don't get me started on Hockey...i can't score.  I need to find some 12 year old to give me pointers!

As for restaurants...i haven't been out much.  Went to a Thai place in North Buffalo based on a recommendation, and the food was good, but the room and decor was really bad.  I'll go there for take out, ha.  I also went to i think it was called Bravo at the Galleria.  Eh, i'm not a fan of chain Italian.  It was okay...but so are 100's of other chain restaurants.  Head to Hertel for better Italian!

I read Valerie Bertonelli's new book.  Eh, the beginning was really good, the middle dragged and the ending sucked.  I don't want to read about Wolfie and Jennie Craig!  ha.

As for TV shows...i'm sad to see the Sarah Conner Chronicles end...it was really good.  I'm still watching Survivor.  Well when the DVR actually records it.  It seems to be recording that pop up version of Lost instead.

SUNday

Hello lurkers!

It's a bright sunny morning, and I'm not hungover so it's a pretty one at that! :)  Things are good, things are clear, things are not blood shot. 

We did get a fresh dusting of snow last night.  I'd say 2-3".  The side streets by my place are slippery, but the main roads, Delaware, are good.

My birthday is coming up on Friday.  A big number, but not a big deal.  Feel free to use Amazon's wish list to get me something!  I don't have the widget set up yet, but i will soon.  I might goto Cleveland for the weekend to see the Clippers, but it's all up to the weather and how I'm feeling.

I'm loving the Weight Control Banana Bread Oatmeal...mmmmm good!  Why do i buy Starbucks Columbian coffee at Tops, instead of the Starbucks 2 blocks from my place?  Ditto for Dunkin coffee.  I really should start roasting my own beans.

The PS3 came in the mail on Friday.  It has Spiderman 3 on Blu-ray, but no games.  I also don't have the HDMI and Optical Cables till Wednesday, so it's collecting dust for the moment.  I did pick up NHL 08, The Orange Box (Half life 2, Counter strike etc.) and MLB 2k7 yesterday via newegg, amazon, and eBay.  I got 2k7 simply because it was $12.  The Orange box was $49 in an eBay auction.  I'm looking forward to playing Counter strike again.  I used to back in my consulting days during lunch hours.  My aviator was bugs bunny, and my nickname was "Snuggle Bunny".  I had to laugh every time i was running around the game with my laser guns, shooting people...it would say "shot by snuggle bunny"...am i the only one that found that funny?  ha.  It was also interesting to hear the people playing the game around me..."where's the bunny?"..."shoot the bunny!"...."G'dam rabbit!"  ahhhh good times....thats why i bought the game.

I also joined Gamefly for a month to see how it works.  Gamefly is like Netflix, but for video games.  I don't want to spend $50 on games, i'd rather just play them for a while, and then send them back.  I don't have the time to be a gamer like i did when i was in my teens and 20's.  But i may as well use my new toys...they are a lot of fun!

I am loving the Cabela's Big Game Hunter, and yesterday i played the Godfather game for the Wii.  It took me forever to figure it out, but it was a lot of fun.

Watched the latest Harry Potter while i was laying low this weekend, and it was good.  Not as good as the other ones.  Harry is starting to look old...and the girl needs to pluck her eye brows.  I also watched The Kingdom...another good movie, but not great.  Worth a rent.  Notice that i have the Netflix queue in my blog.  I've gotten rid of Blockbuster for a few reason, and i'm using Netflix for the time being.  We'll see how long i use them.  I also watched Mr. Woodcock...my gawd...do not rent.  Boooo.

Oh yeah, i got Yahoo music to finally work.  They gave up trying to fix my account, and now i'm using my free year on another account.  Eh, whatever.

Also, i finally had the fish fry from Wellington Pub.  It was good, the fish was tasty, but the sides were pretty bland.  I'm comparing this to Sterling Place.  Sterling, hands down, no contest has the best fish fry in the city.  The sides are homemade...excellent pub.  You should try any of the items on the menu.  I don't usually rave about a pub, but they deserve it.  I also went to Shango for the first time a few weeks ago.  I don't remember if i blogged about that.  The service was excellent, the food good, not great.  Decent beer selection.  I'd go back.

No football for the first weekend since what....the beginning of August?  The NHL all star game is on...eh, who cares.  Baseball begins soon...go Tribe!

Lastly, i haven't talked about TV in a while.  I'm watching the Biggest Loser - Couples, Celebrity Apprentice, Sarah Conner Chronicles, and a few others.  I love the SCC!  I just hope they have enough episodes to make watching worthwhile!

Mapping

Well this weekend i've started it off by changing the nameservers on the page, and everything should be forwarding more smoothly.  I also totally changed one of my blogs to be about my going back to school, and created another blog that i'll discuss later.

Not sure what i'm going to do today...

Watched Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon...last night.  The opening scene was awesome, the rest of it...eh.

Got the new Pearl Jam DVD that i'll watch later today.  I do have 3 chapters of reading to do as well.

I just finished watching Season 2 of Survivorman this morning.  I love the show!  Check it out.

I love 24

1.35

What a LONG day.  I was up at 6am, and had (thank gawd) a short Monday evening class.  I got home, and i'm exhausted.  I still have homework due by tomorrow at 5pm.  This should be interesting to see when i get it done.

I'm watching, and loving 24...this will be my treat after the long day.

I found out the City closed down the Town Ballroom 1 hour before the Sloan show on Friday.  Good thing i didn't cancel going to the Sabres game!  The show has been rescheduled for March 13, which is a Tuesday night.  We'll see if i go...

I'm rooting for da Bears in the Supah Bowl!  However, i'd like to see Peyton and Marvin get a ring...should be a good game no matter what.

Happy Monday.

Back in the Saddle (again)

1.25 miles

Hello!

Hope everyone had a great new year.  I know i've been slacking with my posts.  I know i have to get to my Podcast, i will...School has started up, and it's going to be an exhausting run till May 1.

Got tickets to both Tragically Hip shows!  Woooo!

I will probably get one ticket to Billy Joel, when he comes April 10...tickets aren't on sale yet.

I saw An Inconvenient Truth, The Devil Wears Prada and Beerfest this weekend.  I just don't have time to comment on all 3, ha.  I'll give them 3.5, 2.5, and 3 stars (out of 5) respectively.  Beerfest goes to 4 stars if you've had at least 8 beers.

Started watching 24...wow, i LOVE that show.  I also watched the beginnings of the Apprentice and American Idol.  I can only take so much of both.

Gave a presentation to a group of about 40 on Friday.

More latah...

School

Well i'm back to school again.  It's pretty easy so far, but then i haven't had any homework yet!

I may make this webpage into a diary of my PhD experiences.  we'll see how i feel.

Saw Talledaga Nights...very very funny!  Saw Silent Hill....very strange.  Also saw Four Brothers which was pretty good.  I can't remember if i blogged Snakes on a Plane, but i saw it...and i'm setting the minimum alcohol consumption before watching at 8 beers!  It was funny in spots, gorey in others.

Audioslave's new one is released today, go buy it!

Also the new Bob Dylan is pretty cool.  I like it.  I hate to admit it, but the new Iron Maiden is good to.

Listened to Dinosaur Jr. for the first time in forever today driving to class...damn i miss those days of good music, ha.

PT is tomorrow, and it's almost done.  No pain, no need to go.  I need to motivate myself to do my stretches and exercises!

That's about it for now.  More latah...email me sometime, whoever you are :)