More Ramblings!

So I'm a contributor to a cool new blog called Infinite Monkeys. We're calling it a "multiplayer notepad". There are several other bloggers, and I'll link them eventually, but you should definitely check out the site here. I'll try to post something there a couple of times a week, but my trials and tribulations will still be posted here on a semi-regular basis. Look for an extremely corny joke I contributed.

I've added a few new links in my "blog" section - if you've got some time to burn, you might consider checking them out. Good people, and all very entertaining...

Got a job for November/December. I was expecting to get it, but it's always nice to get the official word. More details on that in the next few days.

Listening to the new Kanye West CD...so far, so good. It's very different than the first one, but I think that's a good thing. There's a huge article on him in last week's TIME, as well as a huge flow chart on hip-hop. I'm making my students read it.

And speaking of hip-hop, my hip-hop school will resume next week. The guys are excited. I think we're up to part II of the late '90s. I'll post it soon...

the verdict is in...

The 40 Year Old Virgin is fan-frickin'-tastic. I laughed, I cried, I ate copious amounts of popcorn. It's really funny. One of my friends said it's a "sophisticated stupid movie", and I might agree with that statement. Anyway, go see it and let me know what you think.

I have now gotten drunk four nights in a row. It always starts innocently enough: "Let's just get a quick drink." "Wow, that was a tough rehearsal - I need to have a beer and unwind before going to bed." "Left my card at the bar last night - I should really go get it." "Hey, it's Sunday night. We always go out on Sunday night."

Did meet a dance troupe last night from upstate New York - I believe they do Afro-Carribean dance. It's so nice to see people of color out here. We partied until the wee hours of the morning, and I tried to convince them that they should stay here with me instead of flying back east, but apparently I wasn't persuasive enough.

It's time to make my triumphant return to the gym...

i love that new car smell

Went car shopping with my friend Sarah today - we posed as boyfriend and girlfriend so that the pushy used car salesmen wouldn't push her around. And it was pretty successful - only one really tried to put on the full court press. We're gonna whup his ass on Saturday when we go get that car.

Off to see The 40 Year Old Virgin. I'll let you know what I think.

traveling & posing

I got a job. Exciting, no? One of my friends is doing the coolest thing. She got a job for six or eight months, and she's posting her experience here. Maybe I'll do that.

So anyway, now I go from Sleepy Hamlet to New York City in December to Cowtown in March. (I don't like posting where I actually am because the hamlet is WAY too small...that's also, by the way, why you're not getting any salacious details about my dating life, either.)

I'm exhausted - I spent my weekend doing a big AIDS benefit. One of the things I did to raise money was...and, even as I type this, I still can't believe I did this...pose for a calendar. Except that the calendar never got off the ground, so we ended up just selling the pictures. The group shots are pretty cool, and I actually kind of like the way I look in my individual one. I'm not naked or anything, but I'm not sure if I want to show the pictures to my mother. So I was kind of embarassed showing off that much flesh, but I believe that I need to do whatever I can to stop the spread of this disease. It's killed too many people and ruined too many lives for me to be worried about modesty.

Off to forage for food in the wilds of my refridgerator...

Empty nest syndrome

My houseguests left today. I had a dear dear friend visiting me for 2 1/2 weeks (hence why I haven't been posting all that much), and it was great. Usually I'm ready for people to leave, but part of me wishes she had stayed longer. Maybe I'm mellowing in my old age.

Anyway, it's simultaneously lonely and nice to have the apartment to myself. I can watch football or eat anything I want and I don't have to worry about what anyone else thinks. But it was nice having someone to talk to, and it was really nice having someone to come home to.

Have I mentioned how much I love my iPod? Added a bunch of new songs yesterday. It makes the walk to work like Christmas.

random post

Kind of watching "The Life Aquatic..." right now...it seems like a weird movie. Think I'm going to need a really good reason to watch it all the way through from the beginning. And I normally like Wes Anderson's stuff.

It's starting to feel like late summer out here...remember those last days of vacation, trying to squeeze in as much playtime as you could before you had to go back to school? I'm actually working on a play right now that takes place on the last day of summer vacation. Maybe that's why I'm super sensitive to the time of year.

Not much else to report. More on Monday...

Hustle & Flow

See this now. Saw this movie on Monday while I was in The Big City - excellent. My friend and I ran out and bought the soundtrack immediately. Terrance Howard has been around for a long time, and it's nice to see him get a role that he can knock out of the park.

I must admit, however, that it may not be a movie for everyone. It's really hard to explain this movie if you haven't seen it, but you are basically watching a pimp at work. And when he raps, he raps about his life - two of his songs are called "Whoop That Trick" and "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp". Yes, they are a bit degrading, but, if you see the movie, you'll understand why they're the new hotness.

you are looking LIVE...

This is a blog on location today, comin' atcha live from my friend's house. Aren't you excited?

I'm at my friend's house because I'm doing laundry for free. I hate doing laundry. The only perk to doing it is that my friend has a powerful air conditioning unit (which my slovenly hovel lacks). So I can beat the ridiculously hot temperatures AND be productive at the same time. It's official: I am the smartest man alive.

Driving several hours to the The Big City on Monday to pick up a different friend at the airport. I think the first thing I'm going to do is get some Krispy Kreme donuts. I miss those a lot. I also miss nightlife and culture and pro sports teams, but that's a different list for a different day.

Have a good weekend...happy August...

First, I vent; then, I post

Do you know what I hate most in the world? Being left in the dark. I'm a pretty flexible person, and I can adapt to almost any situation - as long as I know what's going on. If you don't want (or want) me to do something, just tell me! I'm a big boy - I'll get over it. DON'T avoid me/the topic/the situation. That just pisses me off.

There. That felt a bit better.

Have to go get fitted for an elbow brace...had an incident about a month ago at work where I fell and kind of tweaked the left one. I had been switching one brace between arms. Note to all: that usually makes for a brace that doesn't fit either arm well at all.

Hip hop class resumes on Saturday - try not to get too excited.

fame!

It's always exciting when you see someone you know on TV. Last night I was watching "MTV's The 70's House" and was pleasantly surprised to see a friend from undergrad playing Slim the Disco-Dancing CarWash Guy. Of course, now that he's been on an MTV reality show, I think he's eligible to do a Real World/Road Rules Challenge. That would be awesome.

Maybe one day I could be on TV. Don't you think I would make a great criminal on Law & Order?

limbo

A hot, sticky summer night. Life without air conditioning sucks. Anybody want to take up a collection for me?

Waiting for everybody I know to finish work so that I can go out and have some fun. Never mind the fact that I don't have any money...sometimes you just need to cut loose, you know? I know you know what I'm talking about. That's why I can tell you everything. ;-) Except about that one time, with that one girl...that's off limits.

I've also got almost three days off of work in a row, which is virtually unheard of. This means that I"m on my computer WAY too much. Any fun websites that I should check out would be greatly appreciated...

The dishes are done, man...

Just found out that my contract at work is not getting renewed. Good times.

This means I get to go back to New York. Wait...that actually IS good times...!!!

Firefox

Just downloaded Mozilla Firefox, and it's the winner. I'm not one of those people who's perpetually down on Corporate America, but I must admit that I'm tired of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser and all of its' glitches.

So...come get foxy with me.

Live 8

In case you've been living under a rock, the Live 8 concert is going on today in several cities around the world. It's a massive undertaking, and they've been able to mobilize millions of people to fight hunger in Africa. Go to www.one.org and sign a petition to convince the leaders of the G8 to do their part.

I don't get on my soapbox much, but I'm standing tall now. So do it.

finally

Summer has finally arrived, and for that I say Amen. In my part of the country, it usually gets warm around late April/early May, but prior to today, I believe it was warm enough for me to wear shorts three or four times. That's just ridiculous. It better stay nice through mid-October to make up for the general crappiness of our spring. Bad times.

I've reached the part of the year where I only work about 20-25 hours a week. It's great to have so much free time, as long as I have something to do with it. I'm directing some 10 minute play readings next weekend, and then I'm going to produce a big short play festival, hopefully sometime in September. Hopefully these things will keep me out of mischief. Of course, if you're reading this, you probably want crazy stories. I'll see if I can oblige...

holding pattern

Just watched Elf...amazing how I can think a movie is stupid and hilarious at the same time. I think that I would have slapped Buddy the Elf silly several times. Why he's able to score a hot babe is beyond me, and why we all believe it lies further away than that.

Sitting in my apartment on a Sunday night, waiting for my peeps to get done with work so that I can go out (Monday is our day off). I'm in one of those spots where I've drank beer three or four nights in a row, and the last couple of days I've said to myself, "No beer tonight. Just have juice, or, if you want something alcoholic, have something like scotch." And every night I end up drinking a couple of beers. Must...stop...the...madness...

Off to the bar...to have a couple of beers.

My computer is back...

...and so am I.

When you're totally addicted to the internet and e-mail, it's pretty traumatic to lose your lifeline for six weeks. But my computer was pretty sick...dozens and dozens of viruses. Apparently the anti-virus software/firewall I received from the cable company was worthless. So for two years my computer has been a haven to hackers everywhere.

Lots of great stories to tell; the most interesting one is that I may soon change my location from "West Coast" to "East Coast". But more on that one later...

sick

I have a nasty throat infection, which has made it pretty damn difficult to talk. In fact, I'm actually in the middle of two days of "complete vocal rest". I never thought I was a chatterbox, but after these last couple of days I may have to re-evaluate that position. It's really frustrating not to be able to say what's on your mind. At least I have this blog...oh wait...I still don't have my computer...crap. At least I have my health...oh wait...

This sucks.

Computer Issues

Sorry for my lack of updates...my laptop is on the fritz. And until I get it fixed/returned to me, I can't do any more hip-hop classes, or tell you stories about my super-fun adventures in sub-Urbia. Hopefully by the end of the week things will be up and running again. See you soon!

my perfect woman

I like girls that are a little bit uncool. To the rest of the world, they seem suave, sophisticated, they've got their shit together. But, behind closed doors, I want a woman who is not afraid to let her inner geek show. I tend to have my best relationships with these women.

And, since I know you're going to ask this question...no, I am not dorky at all. I'm as cool as the other side of the pillow at all times.