via text message, to my brother
By the way, it's mom and dad's anniversary today. 35 years!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
steeler anxiety
written via text message to my brother before a Steelers MNF game
I'm nervous. I'm not gonna lie.
I'm nervous. I'm not gonna lie.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
debt
Reading about our economy going into the tank - something I've been doing a lot the past couple of weeks - has me thinking a lot about my own financial situation. You see, I have a lot of debt.
Like, a lot.
Like about six figures bad.
Most of my debt is "good" debt, from grad school. I have no idea when that will be paid off. My parents are helping me with some of it, but it's going to be a long time before I pay that off.
I do, however, have a sizable credit card debt. I've been trying to pay it off for almost ten years, but it keeps growing. I made a real dent in it 2 1/2 years ago, but it's swollen up again, to unprecedented levels.
Watching the government struggle with debt makes me realize that I have to get serious about paying mine off. I know that part of the problem is lack of steady work, which shouldn't be a problem for the next few months - but I also need to make some lifestyle changes, and make paying debt as much of a priority as paying my rent, or my phone bill.
I know I am capable of doing it. I just need to focus.
Like, a lot.
Like about six figures bad.
Most of my debt is "good" debt, from grad school. I have no idea when that will be paid off. My parents are helping me with some of it, but it's going to be a long time before I pay that off.
I do, however, have a sizable credit card debt. I've been trying to pay it off for almost ten years, but it keeps growing. I made a real dent in it 2 1/2 years ago, but it's swollen up again, to unprecedented levels.
Watching the government struggle with debt makes me realize that I have to get serious about paying mine off. I know that part of the problem is lack of steady work, which shouldn't be a problem for the next few months - but I also need to make some lifestyle changes, and make paying debt as much of a priority as paying my rent, or my phone bill.
I know I am capable of doing it. I just need to focus.
Friday, September 26, 2008
bathroom woes
written via text message
ME: any news on the bathroom?
MY ROOMMATE: kinda, waiting for a roofing guy to come by tomorrow.
ME: Awesome. And by awesome, i mean this sucks.
ME: any news on the bathroom?
MY ROOMMATE: kinda, waiting for a roofing guy to come by tomorrow.
ME: Awesome. And by awesome, i mean this sucks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
bite
I have a HUGE spider or mosquito bite on my right arm, just below the elbow. It's really like eight bites; either some insect decided to feast at Chez Rover, or I rolled over it in the night and it was trying to escape.
Either way, it (a) grosses me out, and (b) itches like a sonofabitch.
Either way, it (a) grosses me out, and (b) itches like a sonofabitch.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
i forgot my cell phone at home today
...and I felt so lost.
Cut off from the world, even.
Now, I was at the gym for two hours - where I wouldn't be using my phone anyway - and then I worked for five hours - where I couldn't use my phone all that much - but still.
I kept hoping that I wouldn't come home and find out that I had missed a super important crucial message. Then I would figure that I wouldn't have any messages at all. (For the record, I missed four calls and one text; there are two voicemails that I have to listen to.)
Leaving my phone behind also meant that I haven't checked my e-mail in six hours (because I sneaked a peek at the gym).
Looking at these statements, it's amazing how plugged in I am. Maybe I should try to take a break occasionally...
Cut off from the world, even.
Now, I was at the gym for two hours - where I wouldn't be using my phone anyway - and then I worked for five hours - where I couldn't use my phone all that much - but still.
I kept hoping that I wouldn't come home and find out that I had missed a super important crucial message. Then I would figure that I wouldn't have any messages at all. (For the record, I missed four calls and one text; there are two voicemails that I have to listen to.)
Leaving my phone behind also meant that I haven't checked my e-mail in six hours (because I sneaked a peek at the gym).
Looking at these statements, it's amazing how plugged in I am. Maybe I should try to take a break occasionally...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
i must be getting old
...because my gym workout this evening felt like the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. At the end, I had nothing left.
You know how they talk about athletes gutting something out, scoring a goal or a touchdown because they wanted it more?
That was me.
Off to see my girlfriend.
You know how they talk about athletes gutting something out, scoring a goal or a touchdown because they wanted it more?
That was me.
Off to see my girlfriend.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
31
Another year older, another year wiser.
I had a good birthday - went to see my sister-in-law in her Broadway debut, following by dinner with her and my brother and Maxine and one of my best Sleepy Hamlet friends. The only fly in the ointment? The Steelers lost. But that's how it goes.
I'm hopeful that 31 will be as good as 30 was. We'll see...
I had a good birthday - went to see my sister-in-law in her Broadway debut, following by dinner with her and my brother and Maxine and one of my best Sleepy Hamlet friends. The only fly in the ointment? The Steelers lost. But that's how it goes.
I'm hopeful that 31 will be as good as 30 was. We'll see...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
crack heads
Due to overwhelming demand...
I don't live in a "bad" part of Brooklyn, by any means, but it could be said that I border some "questionable" areas. Generally, the biggest problem in my neighborhood is the sheer amount of trash that is everywhere. It drives me crazy.
Lately, though, we have had a number of crackheads patrolling our streets.
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of dealing with someone who is on crack, it is quite an experience. Basically, they're like human zombies. They're totally operating in their own world. They're constantly in search of money for their next high. And a lot of them will do...um...let's say "inappropriate things". For example, one time I was on a subway somewhere in America, and a crackhead was violently scratching her crotch and/or masturbating on the train. For twenty minutes.
It's quite sad.
Anyway, I've had two encounters with crackheads lately. The first was at one of my local cafes. I was ordering something at the counter when a crackhead came in asking for something: money, food, I can't remember. The guy at the counter said no. The crackhead then flipped out, yelling and stomping her feet. She then defiantly walked over to the spot where all of the coffee accessories were laid out, pulled out a bunch of sugar packets, and ran out.
The counterman's response to all of this? "She comes in here every day. And every day it's the same thing."
The second experience was far more disturbing. There's a fast food restaurant on the corner of my block, and I generally cut through the parking lot on my way to the subway to save a minute or two. Occasionally there are people leaned up against the building, or sleeping somewhere next to the restaurant.
HOWEVER:
the other day, as I turned the corner into the parking lot, there was a man laying down, half on the sidewalk, half in the drive-thru lane, slowly rolling from his back to his right side. He was mid-roll when I saw him, and the first thing I noticed was that his pants and underwear were pulled down to about mid thigh. When he started over towards his side, however, I noticed the truly disgusting part - a sticky brown line extending from the pavement to his buttocks.
The man was taking a dump.
Next to the restaurant.
While lying down.
It may have been the grossest thing I've ever seen.
And that, folks, is my neighborhood. No wonder I'm psyched about moving.
I don't live in a "bad" part of Brooklyn, by any means, but it could be said that I border some "questionable" areas. Generally, the biggest problem in my neighborhood is the sheer amount of trash that is everywhere. It drives me crazy.
Lately, though, we have had a number of crackheads patrolling our streets.
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of dealing with someone who is on crack, it is quite an experience. Basically, they're like human zombies. They're totally operating in their own world. They're constantly in search of money for their next high. And a lot of them will do...um...let's say "inappropriate things". For example, one time I was on a subway somewhere in America, and a crackhead was violently scratching her crotch and/or masturbating on the train. For twenty minutes.
It's quite sad.
Anyway, I've had two encounters with crackheads lately. The first was at one of my local cafes. I was ordering something at the counter when a crackhead came in asking for something: money, food, I can't remember. The guy at the counter said no. The crackhead then flipped out, yelling and stomping her feet. She then defiantly walked over to the spot where all of the coffee accessories were laid out, pulled out a bunch of sugar packets, and ran out.
The counterman's response to all of this? "She comes in here every day. And every day it's the same thing."
The second experience was far more disturbing. There's a fast food restaurant on the corner of my block, and I generally cut through the parking lot on my way to the subway to save a minute or two. Occasionally there are people leaned up against the building, or sleeping somewhere next to the restaurant.
HOWEVER:
the other day, as I turned the corner into the parking lot, there was a man laying down, half on the sidewalk, half in the drive-thru lane, slowly rolling from his back to his right side. He was mid-roll when I saw him, and the first thing I noticed was that his pants and underwear were pulled down to about mid thigh. When he started over towards his side, however, I noticed the truly disgusting part - a sticky brown line extending from the pavement to his buttocks.
The man was taking a dump.
Next to the restaurant.
While lying down.
It may have been the grossest thing I've ever seen.
And that, folks, is my neighborhood. No wonder I'm psyched about moving.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
i feel like the worst blogger ever
Every day I think of these great ideas that I'm going to post. And then I forget to write them down. Then I try to send people clever texts so that I have something to put up. Cheap.
Sorry. I'm tired.
I'll have a better story to tell tomorrow, like the one about the guy taking a shit in the street in front of me the other day...
Sorry. I'm tired.
I'll have a better story to tell tomorrow, like the one about the guy taking a shit in the street in front of me the other day...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
trying to get the hook up
a e-mail to a book agent friend
What's doing? How's your life? Hope everything is a-ok. I'm treading water until my next job, just hanging out and living the dream.
I wanted to ask a favor of you. My friend wrote a novel a few months ago, and he's just now starting to show it around a bit. I've read it, and I think it's pretty good. Would you take a look at it, or hand it off to someone who could? I can provide you with a plot summary, if you want.
I'm around until October 12 - let's get drinks before then...
What's doing? How's your life? Hope everything is a-ok. I'm treading water until my next job, just hanging out and living the dream.
I wanted to ask a favor of you. My friend wrote a novel a few months ago, and he's just now starting to show it around a bit. I've read it, and I think it's pretty good. Would you take a look at it, or hand it off to someone who could? I can provide you with a plot summary, if you want.
I'm around until October 12 - let's get drinks before then...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
one of the stranger moments i've had recently
...is watching your little brother ride off on a motorcycle. It's so cool...and a little terrifying, honestly.
He really is a grown-up.
He really is a grown-up.
another cheap post
an e-mail to my girlfriend - probably the only thing i actually wrote that day
spiegeltent - When are you going there? I can get discount tix for this on Goldstar...
spiegeltent - When are you going there? I can get discount tix for this on Goldstar...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 7)
Leftover from the writers' strike, but still worth checking out, I think.
speechlesswithoutwriters.com
speechlesswithoutwriters.com
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 6)
This is something called The Ladder Theory. It is supposed to explain attraction in some way - but I don't get it. Check it out and let me know if you do.
www.laddertheory.com
www.laddertheory.com
based on a true story
written in a workshop - i had to tell a quick story about injustice
Once upon a time there was a handsome young black prince who wanted a romantic date for the prom.
He first asked a girl he was seeing. She said yes, but three days later her evil father said no, because the prince was black.
He then tried another girl, but her evil parents said no for the same reason.
So the prince ended up going to the ball with a boring girl that he didn't really like.
The end.
Once upon a time there was a handsome young black prince who wanted a romantic date for the prom.
He first asked a girl he was seeing. She said yes, but three days later her evil father said no, because the prince was black.
He then tried another girl, but her evil parents said no for the same reason.
So the prince ended up going to the ball with a boring girl that he didn't really like.
The end.
Friday, September 12, 2008
story of my life
an e-mail to my agent
subject: i'll deliver the headshots on Monday
Sorry - I got tied up with a lot of random crap today. Unless you guys have a mail slot or something I can leave them in this weekend...
subject: i'll deliver the headshots on Monday
Sorry - I got tied up with a lot of random crap today. Unless you guys have a mail slot or something I can leave them in this weekend...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
seven years later
written in my journal, in my room
I don't write much in here anymore (much of that is due to the fact that I'm blogging every day) but there's something about today that makes me want to put the pen to paper, like I did seven years ago.
I can't believe it's been seven years.
It feels like so long ago, but when I start watching the news, seeing the parades and the speeches, the gathering of the families at Ground Zero, the Democratic and Republican candidates paying their respects together, the reading of the names and the pictures of the dead; and then, the footage.
It all comes rushing back, all of those complicated emotions, guilt and sadness and fear, and I don't know quite what to do with myself.
You know the thing that really drives it home for me? The lights, that emanate from from the footprints and go up forever, just like the Towers seemed to do. I look forward to their presence every year - but seeing them makes me ache for what we lost that day.
I don't write much in here anymore (much of that is due to the fact that I'm blogging every day) but there's something about today that makes me want to put the pen to paper, like I did seven years ago.
I can't believe it's been seven years.
It feels like so long ago, but when I start watching the news, seeing the parades and the speeches, the gathering of the families at Ground Zero, the Democratic and Republican candidates paying their respects together, the reading of the names and the pictures of the dead; and then, the footage.
It all comes rushing back, all of those complicated emotions, guilt and sadness and fear, and I don't know quite what to do with myself.
You know the thing that really drives it home for me? The lights, that emanate from from the footprints and go up forever, just like the Towers seemed to do. I look forward to their presence every year - but seeing them makes me ache for what we lost that day.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
utility woes
My utility bill is normally in the neighborhood of $80.
So why, last month, was the bill $185.89?
That's one hundred and eighty-five dollars.
I was gone for most of that month. What were my roommates doing? And how badly am I allowed to hurt them?
So why, last month, was the bill $185.89?
That's one hundred and eighty-five dollars.
I was gone for most of that month. What were my roommates doing? And how badly am I allowed to hurt them?
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
trade talk
via e-mail - probably not interesting if your fantasy team wasn't involved
The problem is that your needs and my needs don't seem to match up.
Every scenario I look at ends up being some complicated 7 or 8 player
deal, and I'm just not sure that I'm going to get an even return.
I'll tell you that the 2 guys I'm looking closest at are Colston and
Graham. But I just don't see fair value on your roster for Anderson.
Would you trade Graham for Anderson, straight up?
The problem is that your needs and my needs don't seem to match up.
Every scenario I look at ends up being some complicated 7 or 8 player
deal, and I'm just not sure that I'm going to get an even return.
I'll tell you that the 2 guys I'm looking closest at are Colston and
Graham. But I just don't see fair value on your roster for Anderson.
Would you trade Graham for Anderson, straight up?
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
monday morning must reads
an e-mail to my brother; I'm explaining to him where I go to get all of my NFL info on Monday AM
Peter King's Monday Morning QB is at www.si.com
Archives at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/peter_king/archive/
Michael Silver writes for Yahoo! Sports; he writes a couple of columns a week. The Monday one is called the Morning Rush. You can find it at http://sports.yahoo.com/
Archives at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/expertsarchive;_ylt=AtWDbyJx2tn..Oe5JeaI15.r0op4?author=Michael+Silver
And, of course, there is the fantastic http://www.profootballtalk.com/ - use it, love it. There may be more - I'll send them to you if I think of them. But these guys are the two best.
Peter King's Monday Morning QB is at www.si.com
Archives at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/peter_king/archive/
Michael Silver writes for Yahoo! Sports; he writes a couple of columns a week. The Monday one is called the Morning Rush. You can find it at http://sports.yahoo.com/
Archives at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/expertsarchive;_ylt=AtWDbyJx2tn..Oe5JeaI15.r0op4?author=Michael+Silver
And, of course, there is the fantastic http://www.profootballtalk.com/ - use it, love it. There may be more - I'll send them to you if I think of them. But these guys are the two best.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
hot streak
This is the second week in a row that I've gone to the gym six times. I've also been remarkably consistent in my healthy food consumption. Honestly, I look like a new man.
Still, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit...
Still, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
my super sucks
My bathroom had a leak a couple of weeks ago. Now the leak has gotten worse. There is no water in my bathroom yet, but you can hear the constant patter of the water in the ceiling. And now the ceiling is starting to show signs of water damage, and plaster is actually falling.
I waited around ALL DAY today, because my super said that he was going to come by and check out our bathroom. I had several errands to run, but because he said he was coming by "first thing in the morning", I decided to wait.
It's now six thirty in the evening.
Have I seen him?
No.
He's an asshole.
I did call my landlord and complain, though. I feel a tiny bit better knowing that the landlord will chew the super out. But I'd feel a LOT better if someone would come fix my bathroom.
I waited around ALL DAY today, because my super said that he was going to come by and check out our bathroom. I had several errands to run, but because he said he was coming by "first thing in the morning", I decided to wait.
It's now six thirty in the evening.
Have I seen him?
No.
He's an asshole.
I did call my landlord and complain, though. I feel a tiny bit better knowing that the landlord will chew the super out. But I'd feel a LOT better if someone would come fix my bathroom.
Monday, September 01, 2008
my other fantasy football team
QB J Cutler; D Anderson
RB M Jones-Drew; T Jones; J Stewart; S Slaton
WR L Fitzgerald; S Smith; D Driver; L Evans; J Porter
TE T Heap; J Carlson
K J Scobee
DEF Giants
(the teams look pretty similar, no?)
RB M Jones-Drew; T Jones; J Stewart; S Slaton
WR L Fitzgerald; S Smith; D Driver; L Evans; J Porter
TE T Heap; J Carlson
K J Scobee
DEF Giants
(the teams look pretty similar, no?)
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