Seven of Memes

I was tagged by Tiggerlarue

The rules:

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

I will be doing a 7 countdown


1. 7 Firsts

• My first 45 (vinyl for those that don't recognize ) was "King Tut" by Steve Martin
• My first 78 was "Foreigner 4" by Foreigner 4
• My first cassette tape was "Wish You were Here" by Pink Floyd
• My first CD was "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" by Dead Can Dance
• My first keyboard was a Korg Poly 800
• My first car was a beige Chevy Chevette
• My first movie I saw in the theatre was Star Wars

2. 6 random facts

• When dressing in the morning, I always put my right sock on, then my right shoe, followed by my left sock, then my left shoe.
• The last time I ate beef was in 1993
• The last time I had a cigarette was October 1995
• I loved fried mush with syrup on top
• I cant stand monkeys, animated or real. They give me the creeps
  
• I got hooked on flavored coffee back in the late 80's when I had my first mocha, which was from Starbucks on Clark and Diversey in Chicago.

3. 5 places I've lived (not in order)

• Chicago, IL
  
• Sacramento, CA
  
• San Jose, CA
  
• Mountain View, CA
  
• Elmhurst, IL
  

4. 4 tid bits

• I own 4 guitars
  
• I live with 4 animals
• I wish I knew 4 people to send this to
• I am playing Elder Scrolls IV - Oblivion
  

3. 3 favorite vegetables

• Green Kholarabi
• Brussel Sprouts
• Broccoli

2. 2 habit's that annoy others

• I say "like" too much in casual conversation
• I dont make ice

1. I really like to garden


I don't have 7 people to send this to, heck, I dont even think 7 people read this blog, so feel free to initiate your own and pass it on.

Mini for a month and other milestone's

This month, well, actually for the next 30 days, I get to drive one of the company Mini's as a reward for work well done. They pay the gas for commuting, and at over $3.50 a gallon, it is a treat! I was pretty stoked after being one of 2 people chosen to drive one of the available Mini Cooper's for the month. woo hoo!

These past few days have brought other small milestones into my life. Just yesterday (Friday), we went to an offsite team building exercise. We had decided that paintball would be a great way to have fun while forming good communication, including tactical moves. All said and done, it was a lot of shoot the other team before they shoot you. I ended up with a big bruise on my neck, which when I got shot, really didnt hurt as much as it looked like it hurt. We played 6 games in all, and went through 10,000 rounds of ammo. (it goes a lot faster then you think) The most painful hit was on my thigh, as seen here ..... It smarted for a while after getting hit.
you would be amazed at the work out you get, just squatting and crawling around on the floor hiding behind bunkers. At the end of the 2 hours, my quads were shaking.

Today I was a tad bit sore from all the squatting I did, so I thought riding my bike might work out some of the stiffness and pain. I took my bike to my normal trail and rode down to Lexington reservoir. I finally made it up the dam. For 3 years I have been trying to ride up the paved hill of the dam, and only get part of the way up, before I have to walk my bike up the rest of the way. But today I was feeling masochistic and thought I would make myself ride up that hill. Now granted, I did have to stop and regain my breath a couple of times, but I got back on the bike and rode to the top. I did not walk that bike at all, and I finally did it. I was so elated I could have screamed. (I didn't though, not wanting to alarm the other trail users) When I got home, and sat in the warm sun to rest, I found myself quite sore, and now feeling the lactic acid in my muscles start to kick my ass. I tried to stretch, but it hurt, so maybe tomorrow, I will just go for a small hike, get the muscles warm and really stretch when I am done.

Movie MEME

Piggybacked off Laura

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.
Gone With the Wind

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.
E.T. (besides, they didn't have DVD's back then)

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.
Steve Bucemi

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.
Jim Carrey

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.
Princess Bride & Full Metal Jacket

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Don't think it's possible

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.
Again, don't know if it's possible. I try to recite lyrics from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but I always get it wrong.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.
Crash

9. Name a movie that you own.
Trees Lounge

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.
J Lo

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
A few. I went through a drive in phase, but cant remember the movies.

12. Ever made out in a movie?
Once when I was 14 or 15. I was a camp counselor, and we took the kids to see "the Muppets". really boring, so we made out in the balcony (back when theaters actually had levels), but then I kicked his ass in dodge ball the next day and he never really spoke to me again.

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it.
Deliverance

14. Ever walked out of a movie?
Sort of.. I was bored with the one I was watching, and ducked into the theater right next to me. Does that count?

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.
Actually, many, many ones. Finding Nemo got me in the first 5 minutes.

16. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
been to long.

17. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?
"avante garde" or true life drama's

18. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Star Wars.

19. What movie do you wish you had never seen?
The Departed

20. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
Pecker

21. What is the scariest movie you've seen?
Poltergeist

22. What is the funniest movie you've seen?
Elf

we went to disneyland

Destination Disneyland!


On Tuesday morning, bright and early we set out for Disneyland. Now mind you, I had been sick for the past four days, and was afraid my body would not get over it's cold/flu by then. I pretty much slept the Thursday, Fri, Sat and Sunday before, due to a cold/flu that I got from someone at work. I felt like I was never going to be better, the kind of sick where you walk to the bathroom and are out of breath, dizzy and miserable, needing to take a nap after your short trip down the hall. But somehow, I woke up on Tuesday ready to walk again and take on the happiest place on earth.
We arrived in Orange County around 9ish, and caught a shuttle right to the park to be there when it opened. The weather couldnt have been better. While half the country was suffering in sub zero weather, it was in the 70's and very sunny, glad I wore shorts!
The lines were very short and the most time we spent waiting was maybe 15 minutes.
We went on everything we wanted too, some rides even 3 times. I love the Pirates of the Caribbean, and went on that twice on Tuesday, once on Wednesday. Wednesday we hit California Adventure first, right before the park opened. There were only 2 or 3 things there that we wanted to go on, so we managed to clear the park in an hour, and hopped back over to Disneyland to finish out the trip. My second favorite ride might even be Buzz Lightyear, because it is so interactive! very fun, and as you can see, Laura and I were very involved in our game...
We had a great time, went on that ride 3 times.
My top favorite 5:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Lightyear
PeterPans flight
Mr. Toads wild ride
Alice in Wonderland
Honorable mention.....It's a Bugs Life in 3D.......lots of surprises.

Dont come to work if your sick!

cant stress this one enough. if your sick, stay home, don't infect your co-workers! It's the dead of winter, sunny and 65 degrees outside, wonderful hiking weather, and I had planned on going up to Mt. Tam today, but instead I am home nursing the end of a cold I got from my coworker, who kept coming into work last week, and then leaving 2 hours later to go home sick. I said to her on the third day, stop coming in and going home, just stay home, but it was too late. The germs were already working their magic on me, and Friday I started falling prey to a sore throat.
My weekend has been an indoor one, thanks to office germs.
Not much else has gone on this week. I broke out my guitar yesterday, and found that my fingertips have lost all their wonderful callouses. I need to work them back up again if I'm going to start recording again.

you will submit.........eventually

Today I started the day off knowing that I would be somehow bathing the dogs. Gabby has a little itchy problem, so the vet suggested bathing her in an oatmeal shampoo and a creme rinse. I started drawing the bath, cranked up the heater in the bathroom and the house, stripped down to my boxers and crappy t-shirt, and was prepared for battle.
I went searching for Gabby first, and I swear, as soon as she saw me coming, it was under the bed she went. I spend the first 5 minutes coaxing her out, little by little she would move up about an inch. I eventually got food, which works every time. I took her under my wing, and like dogs so often do, her four paws became outstretched like she was going to fly. Do they really think this is an effective braking system?
Well, it wasn't working with me, so in we both went into the tub and I sealed it off with the shower door to foil any escape plans. Once down in the water, Gabby shook a bit but for the most part, was compliant. She has gone to the groomers many times in the past, and really, she is only 18 pounds, so she is no match for me.
I cleaned her well, and dryed her right up, ( I think she might have even liked the hairdryer.) Now for the bigger one, Kaycee.
Now Kaycee is about 50 pounds of stubborness, and easy to catch, but harder to hold.
Into the water we went, closed off the shower door, and I could tell this was going to be a fight. All the while, telling her she was ok, she tried spinning around in the tub, which I used to my advantage in order to get her completely wet. I let her spin as many times as she wanted to , until I think she realized that wasnt the way out. Next she tried to jump up on me, with her front paws outstretched on my chest, I said...I can work with that, so I started to wash her ribcage and belly first. I dont think that was what she had in mind, but I work with what I have. Next she tried the head between your legs approach, which I think is the same as a Ostrich burying it's head in the sand. that "if I cant see you, your not there" theory. I used this time to put her in a little head lock, which she seemed to feel fine about. maybe it was a comfort thing, but whatever it was, I was winning. After this point, she seemed to stop trying to escape, and just accept her fate. When it came time for the rinse, I actually encouraged the "put your paws on me" stance, because it enabled me to rinse her more throughly and she felt as secure as one dog can in the tub, and I got maximum rinse. Quite a win win situation.
When it came time to dry, I slowly opened the door, told her the "ok" command and let her shake as she pleased. After a bit of the towel dry, I was unsure of how she would react to the dryer. It has been cold the past couple of days here, and towels are shit for drying, so a little hair dry was in order. I asked her to sit, which she reluctantly complied to, and I started the drying process. She sat there quiet and for the most part still. I think she sensed we were getting close to the end, and the quicker it was over, the quicker she was getting out of there. After all was accomplished, both dogs washed and all bedding washed, I decided it was time to treat myself to a new video card. I have been having trouble with my 5 year old video card keeping up with my 2006 games, and it was time to play my christmas gifts with appropriate graphics. I drove to Fry's, spent more money that I should have, but those games are 100% better now. Smooth action, extreme detail, ahhhhh, now when i shoot somebody, I can actually see the enemy, instead of a pixelated figure. I am quite happy! I have F.E.A.R and Splinter Cell 4, both first person shooters. (my favorite)
It's been a good weekend, even if I will be counting quarters for the next 4 days until payday.

day's reflections

just a small post today, as I am eager to start another of my new games that I received for christmas.
:announcement: I love hiking. It is the one excersize that doesnt even feel like exersize. Even if I am stumbling up a steep hill, huffing away, I am having fun. (but at the time, you might doubt me)
I dont think about anything bad, there is no sadness, my mind evades all stress, and I am peaceful. Even if I am just hiking the same old boring trail because Im too lazy to drive an hour for the really nice ones, I still find peace and contentment with the trails. It is an adventure everytime I go, and there is a part of me that secretly wishes I will spot a mountain lion and get the perfect shot, but I know, I know, that would be dangerous:) I have spotted a bobcat before at Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz, it must've just made a kill, because it carried it's prize off away from the trail as we passed by. The other perk I like about hiking is the outdoor etiquette one gets from being out in nature with others doing the same thing. I would say 95% of the people you pass along trails will say hello, good morning or some sort of friendly greeting and they seem to say it with a genuine smile. If you saw them out of context on the street, they probably wouldnt even give you a second glance, but get into nature, and it is as if most everyone is awaken with a sense a peace that allows them to break down their walls and just be nice.

New building

Our company is moving this month, and it has been along time coming. We are going from a 13,000 sq ft to a 36,000 sqft building. Much needed, trust me. Right now there are 3 people in my office (a small 10'x10') and we are about an arms length from eachother. I say "my" office, because when we moved into this building 4 years ago from a 4000 sq ft bulding, I had my own office, with a nice little sign next to the door with my name. Then, after about 1 year the production manager moved in, then an additional purchasing person moved in a year ago. Then the production manager moved out to a table outside the door to make way for another buyer. But.... I still had a view. We have a window, and get to see accidents as they happen on rt 237. We see the trees, and the rain, and it's nice. (would be nicer if I had my office alone) Over the 4 years, the company has grown, and by now, you probably get the clue that I have been there for awhile. Yes, a veteran at a " hi tech" company.....and so with that thinking, I figured when the layout came for the new building, I was excited to see where I would be. Finally I would be flying solo again, no music sharing, no people talking, and no having the lights on. YEY.........well my hopes were squashed like the big corporate foot on my insignificant little body. Oh, I am solo again, but only in my cube, in the middle of the damn building, no where near a window. I was slightly pissed. It's not like they didnt have extra offices. There is like 10 extra offices, but I get stuck with accounting in the middle cube section. Ive never had a cube. I have either ran a warehouse, or had an office. This totally made me feel insignificant, for all the time I have spent with this company, and even because of that, I have been referred to as the "Oracle of knowledge" by my manager and my peers....so where is the fucking love? I am a homeless oracle in a shelter. what the hell treatment is that? sounds like i'm just #6 to me. (reference to the Prisoner for those of you old enough to know that BBC show) Well, I suppose it just makes it all the more sweeter for me when I say asta later this year when Laura and I move......because this oracle is shutting down.

Happy New Year

Well it's 2007 and I am eager to see what the new year has in store for me. I dont really know if I am going to keep up on this thing much, but I am going to try more. I kinda miss it....even though in the ladder part of last year, I was stuck into the myspace hype.
My goal for this year is to play more music and be a little more productive. Yes thats a broad statement, just the way I like. I can say something, but nothing at all, feel like I opened up but not feel exposed or like I just painted myself into a corner.
Cheers to you all!