darkwolf_777

[ RANT ON ... a 5am stream of consciousness to follow ... you have been warned. ]

I subscribe to a number of forums, ranging on various topics and interests. It's all really just a way to pass the time on occasion. Gives me a way to get things off my chest at times. But really, I don't get so passionate about topics.... because of the nature. It's annonymity, both on my end, and theirs.

It just doesn't make any sense to get worked up over something someone says on the intarweb.

But there's one topic (well, I thought only one...) that I do get passionate about, and that's religion and/or philosophy. I get to the point where if I see a thread that even hints at it being something on theology, I actively avoid it, simply becasue ... it just doesn't seem worth the energy, to really hold a debate online.

But if I get suckered in, I'm hooked, like a junky pining for his next fix... I'll refresh that fucking thread every 10 minutes, just waiting for someone to respond.

I'm ... totally, completely, insanely retarded.

So that leads me to the topic of this blog. Really.

One one of these forums, I'm actively involved in what's called the "Theology Corner". I've been a member of this place since almost the beginning, it's a local sports car enthusiasts website. Back then, it was just shooting the shit about cars, and racing, and hanging out, and other random stuff.

But eventually, threads started popping up occasionally, of a religious nature. And of course, you had your opposing forces eternally duking it out with each other. It slowly became apparent that there was enough interest in this subject, and so was created the Theology Corner, given it's own section.

Way early on, it was the Christians, and me. One would think I was a lamb in the midst of a pack of wolves, but I held my ground, and though they may not agree with me, they at least respected my views. It was quite nice, to say the least. It was a private forum, so all the dickheads in the main areas couldn't swamp the place with bullshit. Then it morphed into various levels of curiosity from new people expressing interest. Questions about various religions started coming up, and eventually more heathens were accepted in to keep me company I suppose :)

Anyway, time went on, as more got involved, the conversations turned into various aspects of life and philosophy, and religion, and just general engaging conversation. We became actual friends through this, and because everyone was local, we even occasionally got together for dinner or just hang out and have a few drinks, and watch the game or something.

That all changed a couple of years ago, though. The moderator, and a friend of mine, became less and less involved with the Corner. I'm not entirely sure why, and I even offered to take over as moderator for him, if he wasn't comfortable with the responsibility. But instead, he opted to open the section to the public. Anyone and everyone could post.

The initial surge almost killed the Corner. For almost a year, not a single new topic had been brought up. The douchebags carpet bombed, and left.

Here lately though, things are starting to pick up steam again. But now we have a new wave. Gone is the comraderie we once had, and topics get pretty heated because of it. And I'm proud to say, I've run off a few holier than thou's. Once their shear stupidity is exposed, they turn tail and are never heard from again. Some hang on longer than others, thinking the use of big smart sounding words will impress people, and put us heathens in our place.

But I miss the way it was.

A topic was brought up recently, this guy was recalling a recent dealing with a church. He attends college, and works as a pizza delivery driver, and on this particular occasion, he was delivering pizzas to a church, and the woman came out to him, and gave him the money, and said that she was instructed not to tip by other members of the church.

So this has sparked a flurry of comments, on the ethics of tipping. And for the most part, everyone is in agreement that tips are paid, when the tips are earned.

Except for one person.

"I don't tip at home. Pizza Hut has a delivery charge. It makes it easy to just pay the one single price."

Now, a few years back, I took on a pizza delivery job after the computer industry crashed and I got laid off. It was either that, or default on my bills. I like to think I was raised better than that. So I understand what tips mean, and it's specifically because of that experience, that I tip well. I've always tipped, don't get me wrong, but now I tip above and beyond the "minimum"... unless the service is just terrible.

This person, has been informed by me, and the initial topic starter, that the delivery charge does not, in fact, go to the driver. And even if it did, a $1 tip on a $20 order is hardly fair compensation.

The can of worms was opened, however, when I also informed this douche that drivers remember the people that don't tip. And I warned him that repeated infractions could result in him getting more with his pizza than he was expecting.

He took that as a threat. As did one other, and we sniped back and forth for a few days on the subject, but have since come to a mutual understanding, and are now in agreement with each other.

But the initial douche... he's gone way off the deep end. Daring drivers to tamper with his pizza, and he'll sue. Naturally we all got a kick out of his baseless threats. What's he gonna do, drive every pizza he gets delivered to some place that does DNA testing? Please.

He then moves to luminol. Now, some of you may be familiar with this stuff, and some may not. But, suffice it to say, it's what crime scene investigators use to illuminate hidden blood stains that are invisible to the naked eye. It's a chemical that reacts to the iron in blood, and quite literally, glows a blueish green color. It also detects other things like saliva, and vegetable enzymes.

So naturally I got a hearty laugh at his expense, and informed him that the USDA has certain allowances for blood in milk... and of course, meat being meat, is probably going to have some trace amounts of blood as well. Then of course, the vegetable enzymes. Basically, every ingredient that goes into making a pizza, is as likely to trip the luminol as any saliva that finds it's way there.

Sure, the cooking process might destroy the blood cells, but it's not likely to destroy the iron, which is what causes the reaction in the first place.

He didn't respond for a few days. I thought that it seemed since his stupidity had been exposed, like the others, he'd turned tail and scampered off elsewhere. Not until yesterday (Friday, as it's still Saturday to me).

Apparently, in his absence, he found a distributor of luminol online, and had a test kit shipped to him (even provided a picture with his computer on the forum's website to prove it...). A $20 bottle, that's good for 4 applications. His theory is that he wants to see if just the ingredients will cause a reaction, or if the cooking process is enough, so that only when the pizza is tampered (ie: spit on) with, will the luminol glow.

He's willing to spend $20 on a test kit... 4 applications, 4 pizzas... $5 extra per pizza just to spray some shit on it and throw it away. But he won't give the driver $2-$3.

And beyond that insanity, let's say his theory is correct, and the cooked ingredients don't cause the glow. He has a problem still with recovering dna evidence to prove who did the tampering for his, no doubt, high profile lawsuit (at least in his little psychotic world). You see, the "test" kit he bought, is for training purposes. It's cheap, so that new investigators can be trained in how to use it, without wasting the good stuff. It does everything it's supposed to, sure. It'll glow just like the good stuff... but, the reason it's only for testing/training, is because it doesn't contain any of the inhibitors of the good stuff. It competely destroy's any dna evidence, where as the good stuff doesn't.

So let's assume his theory is correct, and naturally I had to inform him that what he has will destroy any dna evidence, so he'll need to get the good stuff if he really wants to persue this course of action. At $75 for the same 4 applications... that's $18.75 per pizza. But he's not willing to give the driver $2-$3.

It just baffles my mind, that someone can actually be so insane as to think this is logical... even worthwhile. Oh yeah... and he's currently on unemployment. SHOCKER! If there's a God, I pray to you now. Karma-bomb this jackass. No job for him, after his unemployment's up... make him have to go through that decision... delivery job (or anything that relies on tips, really), or lose the car, the house, and whatever other toys you don't explicitly own...

Now, the odds of a driver actually tampering with a customer's food is miniscule. Most are adults (most places require their drivers to be at least 18), and have matured enough to understand the consequences of their actions. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Some people are just willing to take the risk.

Yes, drivers remember the non-tippers. They remember the good tippers as well. And service is delegated on that knowledge. The non-tippers will more often than not, have their deliveries well beyond the hot & fresh stage, and into the luke-warm and hardening cheese stage. Or items will be deliberately left out of their order, sure the driver has to go back to the store and grab it, and back to the customer... screwing himself out of another delivery... but to some, it's worth it to make the non-tippers have to wait that much longer before they can enjoy their meal, which now will probably need to be nuked.

The good tippers get their orders delivered promptly, all items accounted for, and even have the little things like parmesean, or red pepper, or extra packets of sauce just incase. It's not much, but it's a way the drivers can show their appreciation to the good customers.

But I think what's most baffeling about this whole thing, is that there are actually people out there that honestly don't feel delivery drivers deserve tips. There's the natural waiter/driver comparison to be made. You tip your waiter for good service, correct? Why is the delivery driver any different? Other than the fundamental differences... those being that the delivery drivers have to pay for their gas, and any maintenance on their vehicle which is driven 100+ miles per shift... (unless it's a company vehicle, which most aren't... the sign on the top is just held on by magnets, and plugged into the cigarette lighter for power. If the vehicle isn't plastered with the company logo, it's a personal vehicle and the drivers pay all their expenses), there's really no difference between your pizza delivery dude, and your waiter at a restaurant.

Drivers take orders from customers, they help prepare the pizzas, they prepare sides, stock the refigerator, stock the drinks, prepare the dough, sweep and mop the floors, wash dishes... basically everything but the manager's duties. And on top of that, they also bring your food to your door.

Keep that in mind the next time you order a pizza. Don't be a dick. You might just find yourself in the unenviable position one day, of relying on tips.

[ RANT OFF ]

Whatever it is, I've got this strong desire to hold her, be with her, play with her. Push all the right buttons, ya know? She's so sexy, and sleek ... like a cat.

She caught my eye a little over a year ago, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since. I even go to her website every now and then, just to see what's new in her world. She's so pretty, and strong, and easy to get along with. Everything just seems right with her... ya know?

I've kept this a secret for too long. It's time everyone knows about us.

And I wanted to announce it here first...

We're getting married!

I know! It's crazy isn't it?! Who would've thought, ME?! I couldn't help it... she just swept me off my feet. She's very disarming... she's just so friendly, and makes you feel comfortable, safe, secure... like you can do anything. And she does it all with a smile.

Now, we haven't set an exact date, but we're pretty sure it's going to be sometime this coming spring. The sooner the better, I say! But she want's to make sure everything is perfect... you know how they are about these things. Ah well, what can ya do?

My name is Jay, and I've been seduced by the dark side...

The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known
facts about those who know you.

1. Start Time: 7:00am ... sometimes 7:45. Ok most times 7:45.
2. Name: Jay
3. Nickname: Raven Dark Wolf, not a nickname per-se, it's my indian name.
4. Astrology sign: Cancer on the cusp of Gemini
5. Gender: NOW I'M A MAN! YEAH! A MAN MAN MAN!
6. Hair color: Brownish Auburn
8. Eye color: Brown
10. Favorite color: I dig shades. Blacks, whites, greys. Throw a splash of red or blue or something in for flair, and we cool.
11. Glasses: Yeah... after like 12 years of not wearing anything. Had to get my liscense renewed.
13. tattoos: None yet, but someday I might get one of my own design.
14. hometown: Birth: Garland, Grew up: Lucas, but I will always consider San Antonio my home.
15. Single or taken: Single
16. Siblings names: I'm a spoiled ass only child.

******HAVE YOU EVER*****

17. Cut your own hair? I have...
18. Did something in the past month that you will regret? I don't believe in regret.
20. Skipped school? Oh yeah.
22. Bungee jumped? Not yet.
24. Punched someone? Absolutely.
25. Cheated on someone? Nope, but I've been cheated on.
26. Been arrested? Almost. Cops don't like it when you carry homemade samurai swords in your car to school...
27. Broken into someone's house? Not that I recall.
30. Been rejected? Shit happens, no reason to get hung up over it.
31. Been to a funeral? Yeah.
32. Used a lighter? ...?
33. Been on stage? Once.

*****FAVORITE*****
34. Season: Winter
35. Food: Italian or Mexican. Depends on the day.
36. Ice cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
37. School subject(s): Art, Computer Science, Photo Journalism, and Phoenix (kind of a creative writing honors english class)
38. Candy: Dude... Kit Kat. NUMMY!
39. Breakfast cereal: Cheerio's for cereal, but I usually have oatmeal in the morning.
41. Book: I'm kinda partial to Michael Chriton's Jurassic Park
42. Movie: Oh... uhh... hell just read my profile.
43. Song: Hmm... "One" by Metallica, "Home" by Dream Theater, "No Quarter" by Led Zeppelin, and "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash (and he did an awesome remake of "Hurt")
44. Park: Gonna have to go with Yellowstone. It was pure sensory overload.
45. State: My head's in Texas, but my heart's in Alaska and Hawaii.
46. Place: My bed.
47. ? ... ok.
50. ??? ... riiight.
51. Favorite fast food restaurant: Arby's... love's me some Chicken Bacon & Swiss. The new Chipotle Chicken is quite the good too.
52. Disney Princess: I was always a fan of Ariel. I think it has something to do with the movie "Splash".
53. TV station: I'd have to go with Discovery or History channel. I don't watch much TV.
54. Name for a son: Damien
55. Name for a daughter: Aliunira, but we'll call her Ally for short.

******DO YOU PREFER*****

56. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate FTW!
57. Alcoholic or non? Not a beer drinker, but alcoholic... non just feels like never getting to 2nd base. Not even a dry hump.
58. Long relationships or one night stands? No option for friends with benefits? BAH!
59. Dogs or cats? I love 'em both.
60. Scary movies or comedies? Comedies mostly, but if it's done well, I dig the occasional scary movie.
61. Short or long hair? I've tried both... I think I prefer long. Currently letting it grow back out again.
62. croutons or bacon bits? Croutons I guess. I like bread. And I like toast. Croutons are kinda like mini flavored toast bits, so that's kinda neat.

******FIRST THINGS THAT COME TO MIND******

64. Mexicans: Tequila... followed closely by Margaritas.
65. School: Torturing my Gemoetry teacher all through my Sophomore year... and then getting to do it again until she quit during Christmas Break of my Junior year in Computer Science.
67. Cows: Moo?
68. Canada: NIGERIA FALLS! What?
69. Mouse: Mickey
70. Hands: Fingers


*****THE PAST 3 DAYS, HAVE YOU*****

71. Talked on the phone? You're joking right?
72. Watched a movie?: A couple.
73. Cried? Nope.
74. Smoked? Had a few pretty spiffy hookahs this weekend.
75. Drank a glass of water? One or two. Dozen.
76. Done Drugs? I took some Beyer the other day, does that count?
77. Read a book or magazine? Nope.
78. Watched TV? I've turned my TV on, and watched movies... does that count?
79. Looked in the mirror? Yes, I'm totally narcissitic... can ya blame me?
80. Taken a shower? Please tell me nobody has answered "no" to this.
81. Taken a picture? Yep.
82. Listened to music? If there's ever a time I'm NOT listening to music... something wrong.
83. Told someone you love them? Nope.

Now put the time it took u to take this in the subject... 1:15am

(Stolen from Joe)

Any teenager can write a survey about their favorite class or their secret crush or how nice their car is that their parents paid for. This is the survey for the older crowd.

1. Do you have a college degree?
AA in Computer Animation, Multimedia, and Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Dallas

2. What was the amount of your last electric bill?
I finally broke $60 this summer.

3. Do you have term life insurance?
Nay.

4. How many hours per week do you have to work?
Around 40-45. I've been known to work upwards of 70hrs a week though. That gets taxing.

5. Have you ever attended a Toastmasters event?
I have a toaster. And I love toast. Does that count?

6. Favorite place to attend Happy Hour?
Not really into that scene.

7. How many miles is your commute to work each day (one way)?
About 6 miles... we're about to move into a new building though. Gonna put me at about a quart mile from work. I'm so walking or riding a bike.

8. What time do you get up every morning?
I shoot for 7, but usually end up having to drag my ass outta bed at 7:30 to get ready for work. Which starts at 8. Oh yeah.

9. What is your definition of sleeping in late?
Depends on when I went to bed. Like, sleeping until 1 or 2pm isn't so bad, if I didn't get to bed until 8am. But now... get to bed at 10pm, and sleep until noon... that's just crossing the line.

10. Have you found any gray hairs?
A couple. But I found them years ago... like in high school. So I drowned them in long hair.

11. Do you check your cholesterol on a yearly basis?
Nope, but I've had it checked a couple times applying for health insurance when I wasn't working at a place that provided it, and it's all good.

12. How large was your first cellular phone?
I had an old ass Motorola flip-phone / brick. Seriously, you could do some damage with that beast.

13. Does your employer provide good health insurance?
Definitely. If I ever have a need to use it, it'll be reassuring, I think.

14. Did you use the internet to write a research paper back in high school or did you do it the old fashion way, with the little index cards that showed you how to find books on your topic, along with the encyclopedia, in the school library?
Well... up until about my Junior year, this whole intarweb thing was pretty ... obscure? So old fashioned was about the only choice I had. Senior year though... now that's a different story. F the dewy decimal system!

15. Have you ever heard of the internet sensation DrivinBrad or visited Drivinbrad.com?
You're not so clever viral marketing scheme to get me to you website has FAILED FOOL! Die in a fire.

16. Have you attended a high school reunion?
Not yet. First one's coming up this month. Christ I'm getting old.

17. How many jobs have you held in your professional career?
Professional? 1. In Toto? 9. 10 if you count freelancing.

18. Have you ever been fired or laid off from a job?
Once, after the computer/tech field crashed in late 2001 - 2002. Was laid off from a phonejockey support job for Dell computers. Ok pay, shit job, so I was glad for the release.

19. What is your favorite well drink?
Water.

20. What is the most expensive bottle of wine that you have in your residence?
I have a $5.49 1.75 liter bottle of some crap I picked up at the grocery store... it ain't for drinking though. When I do buy wine, I usually drink it... so it doesn't really get stored in my "residence".

21. Have you been divorced?
One time when I was at band camp... wait, what?

22. How old were you when you stopped getting IDed for alcohol/tobacco etc...?
17 ... and I never abused that knowledge...

23. Favorite casino?
They're all the same inside, so based on outward appearance, the Luxor rules.

24. Are you happier now than you were in high school?
Most definitely. I hated high school. Like really bad.

25. Did you ever have Hypercolor shirts?
Oh god... yes :( I think I was in 4th grade, and I had this orange Ocean Pacific shirt that would turn white from body heat.

26. Do you remember when Michael Jackson was black and attracted to older people?
My first concert ever was MJ's Thriller tour. I was 5, and sitting on my dad's shoulders. It was a pretty kick ass concert. After Moonwalker though... yeah, he went WAY off.

27. What music was in your cd / cassette player when you were 16?
Metallica, some White Zombie occasionally, and my buddy Ralph had this new band he wanted me to hear, called Dream Theater.

28. Favorite fancy / upscale restaurant?
Javiars ... it's like you died and went to heaven, and they serve mexican food.

29. How long has it been since you attended a kegger?
Never been to a kegger. I've floated one or two in my time though.

30. How many major wars have you lived through?
Two. In the same country. Just missed out on the Vietnam War by a couple years.

3 if you count the Cold War.

31. Where were you when you found out about 9-11?
Woke up to my phone ringing that morning. It was my mom, and she was freaking out telling me to turn on the news. I was working the night shift for Dell support, so I sat the rest of the day watching things unfold. It was surreal. And I remmber when I finally got to work that night... some douchebag was bitching at me because his replacement part hadn't arrived yet. That was the first time I ever cussed out a customer.

32. When's the last time you were at a 7-11?
Last Thursday. I try to avoid 'em, cause the bastards always double hit my card, and it's a pain in the ass getting it cleared up.

Just got back from seeing Miami Vice. Holy shit! Great movie. My initial response to the first preview I saw, was "well that's going to be shit, totally not going to do the series justice!" ... then on the next preview I saw it was written/directed by Micheal Mann, who did the original show as well... so then I was excited :)

If you go see it, do NOT be late. When the lights dim, the movie starts... and it jumps right in. No backstory, no "getting to know the characters", no credit sequence. Just "BAM!" movie time!

---------------

Jacked this from Joe's

1. Elaborate on your default icon.
If you haven't seen Monty Python & The Quest for the Holy Grail... you suck.

2. What's your current relationship status?
Does "quid pro quo" work?

3. Ever have a near-death experience?
Yep.

4. Name an obvious quality you have.
If you know me... you know what Jay Time is. 'Nuff said.

5. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now?
Ayumi Hamasaki - Fly High (Voodoo & Serano Remix)

6. Any celeb you would marry?
Marry? Um, no. Things that are supposed to wait until after marriage? Most definitely.

7. Who will cut and paste this first?
Um... I don't... yeah I... huh. Santa Claus.

8. Name someone with the same birthday as you.
June Carter-Cash

9. Do you have a crush on someone?
Most definitely.

10. Have you ever vandalized someone's private property?
Oh yes. And I derived great pleasure from it.

11. Have you ever been in a fight?
A few.

12. Have you ever sung in front of a large audience?
Nah, no... no, hell no! Wait... maybe. But I was drunk.

13. What's the first thing you notice about the OPPOSITE sex?
This is going to sound so fake... the eyes.

14. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
Fuck Starbucks! I can brew my own coffee just fine.

15. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
I used to bash my head into things.

16. Say something totally random about yourself.
I'm mellow so long as you don't piss me off, but I can turn in an instant.

17. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
I get people saying I look like Ghandi, all the time. Serious.

18. BONUS QUESTION!
BONUS ANSWER!

19. Do you have anything pierced?
Nope. I was going to once, when I was in middle school... even somehow talked my parents into agreeing to let me do it. Then it got all popular and shit, so I ditched that idea.

20. Do you have any tattoos?
Not yet. I won't get any unless I design them.

21. Do you like pain?
Is that even possible?

22. Do you like to shop?
I hate shopping. But I love buying stuff. How ironic.

23. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Does a debit card count? I haven't used cash in years.

24. What was the last thing you paid for with a credit card?
An InvisibleShield for my iPod. Best cover... ever.

25. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
Joe. Was taking an order at Arby's.

26. What is on your desktop background?
A picture of a sunset I took.

27. What is the background on your cell phone?
A crazy eyed Emu.

28. Do you like redheads?
Almost as much as Brunettes. Contrary to the typical stereotype, Blondes are my least favorite.

29. Do you know any twins?
I used to. I never could tell them apart.

30. Do you have any weird relatives?
... oh god. Too many.

31. What was the last movie you watched?
Miami Vice... great flick!

32. What was the last book you read?
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the future of Reason. Excellent, and highly recommended.

Well... here it is. Got myself set up on Deviant Art, and got a few things uploaded. I'll be adding more over time, and ... hopefully this will spur my ass to get down with the art making again.

In other news, I'm going to sleep! Exciting, yes?

I hate journals. But I love writing. How ironic.

So I'm back. Sort of. Maybe for a bit. Thinking about setting up a Deviant Art account to cover my portfolio stuff. Maybe. I'm a lazy bastard. Just not too down with maintaining a website right now. I was all gung-ho over it a few years ago. Now... meh.

Soo... um. Welcome back. Or something.

Hi.

So, new entries are back on my website. Yes. I'm happy.

fuck if I know what the meaning is!

I had the absolute weirdest dream the other night. Unfortunately, it's one that's stuck with me, and just won't go away. Like so many dreams that just fade upon waking ... and then this one has to stay crystal clear. Weirder than the dream I had when I was 7, where my uncle stabbed my father, and I was holding my father's lifeless body with his guts spilling out on the patio ... weirder than the dream I had when I was 8, where my hands were bound, and I was dragged out to an old wooden oil derrick, tied to a pole at the top, and burned alive.

It comes in flashes, and the only parts that I remember are a dragon was attacking the city. It flew overhead, and I fired a harpoon gun that buried in it's side. It rounded off and came back spewing fire, and then dove head first into the ground, and rolled over on it's back. I grabbed another harpoon, and ran over to it, and it was still alive. My dog was barking at it, and it whipped its head around and snapped at my dog. I lifted the harpoon, and drove it down in the dragon's chest, cursing it for biting my dog, and then lifted the harpoon out, and drove it through it's heart the second time.

As the dragon had bitten my dog, I knew the poison was running through my dog now, and would soon turn him into a dragon. So I did the only thing I could, and cut my dogs head off. Only ... I didn't get all the way through. So here I am, holding my dying dog, as he's looking up at me, his head laying to one side. I hold his head right so that it's not twisted around grotesquely, and somehow my dog doesn't die. Instead, by nearly cutting his head off, the poison lost it's path to the brain, and just flowed out from the open wound. When I put his head back right, his body fused the veins and arteries, and mended the skin. He fully recovered, but had a ring around his neck where the scar tissue had built up.

Now, every time I look at my dog, I get this tinge of remorse, like I'd done something horribly wrong, and feel really bad about it. It's only there for a moment, and then it's gone ... but it's like a constant reminder, and I can't put this dream out of my head.

. . .

In fact, this past week has been the week of fucked up dreams for me. Another dream that I remember some details of, I had caught one of my friends in bed with my girlfriend, and as I was beating the shit out of him, he was laughing at me, and telling me about how he's hated me for years. About how he's only been using me so that he could sleep with my girlfriend.

Will someone please tell me what the hell the meaning is?! In either dream. Because I woke up from both and it was like this guilt and regret just bombarded me. Just for a moment, and then I realized that they were just dreams. Fucked up dreams.

So ... yeah. Snow. Snow rocks, but I mean, c'mon! It was 70 yesterday. And I wouldn't be surprised if it's 70 tomorrow.

What we need is a good long week or two of snow / freezing weather, so this stuff will actually stick, and not just melt upon ground contact.

but what's wrong with this picture?



It's rediculous the amount of ... just plain stupidity that abounds.

Thank God I'm done.

. . .

Well peachy. Can't post this immediately, because the servers are down for maintenance. Swell.

sucks.

1: It's $40 ... I could have taken a Saturday course for $25 if I had gotten this taken care of earlier.

2: It's not a matter of just answering the questions on the test ... the fuckers actually time you on both how long it takes to answer a question AND how long it's been since you've attempted to log in to complete the next section of tests. In otherwords, if you just try to keep logging in to get the tests done with, without actually spending the 6 hours (about 1 hour per section) ... whether or not you know the answers already, you automatically fail the course. And before you say "Well, you could just wait the hour or so before trying to log in again", I'd thought about that, until after answering questions from the first section ... they throw shit in there that doesn't show up in the review of your correct / incorrect answers, but I don't know if it counts towards your overall score. Like they'll ask you what a particular celebrity talked about, or what happened in a certain situation. You answer about 10 - 12 questions per section, but only 4 show up on the review after you've answered them all. No telling if the others get counted or not.

Bastards.

I've gone through 3 hours so far. I'll do the last half either tomorrow or Thursday. I'm pissed off though, because I got one of the first questions wrong. The question was: "What is not a major cause of traffic deaths and injuries?" The answers given were "Driving over the speed limit.", "Driving under the speed limit.", "Drinking and driving."

I answered "Driving over the speed limit" ... while it should have been All of the above, that wasn't an option. So I remembered the list at the beginning of the section "The Five Leading Causes of Collisions" ... doesn't say Deaths and Injuries ... but then again, there were no other lists or mentions of that in this particular section, and the test questions are supposed to pertain to what was discussed in the section. The first on that list of 5 was "Driving at unsafe speeds (under the limit)" I screen capped both the question/incorrect answer, and the list just incase I have to bitch at anyone.

In fact, in section 2, there's a mention of "one of the leading causes of traffic deaths is Alcohol". That's it. And not a mention in section 3. So there hasn't even been a mention of speeding being a major cause of traffic deaths and injuries ... but both alcohol and driving under the speed limit have been mentioned in conjunction with either accidents or deaths.

And they ask completely irrelevant questions in the middle of relevant questions ... like "What was the street number of the house you lived at in October 2001?" How the hell does that pertain to defensive driving? "What's the first 3 letters of your spouses first name (enter NONE if not married)?" What the fuck?!

I just wanna get this shit over with and not have to jack with it anymore.

I saw this today. To say that I'm pleased, is an understatement. Now, let's just hope they don't fuck up and change it too drastically from concept to production. And I'm not quite sure I'm sold on the rear lights yet ... they look more akin to the old Cougars than the Mustangs ... although the Cougar lights were used on the '67 Shelby's.



Functional hood scoops ... finally! Supercharger ... hell yeah! Price? Uhhh ... hopefully around $20k so I can afford one. If not, I've got just about 2 years to start saving them penny's.

doomsayer has a LiveJournal.

The world really is coming to an end!

I nearly got run down tonight by some bitch yapping on her cellphone, instead of paying attention to where she was driving.

I turn my blinker on well before I slow down to make a turn. I'm on a two lane road, and the other lane is full of cars going the opposite direction, so I have to come to a complete stop. So, my blinker is on, my brake lights are on. The person behind me pulls over onto the shoulder to pass, and the person behind them, and the person behind them. So I'm still sitting there, and just before a break in the opposite lane allows me to make my turn, I happen to glance up into my rearview, and I see this whore barreling down on me. I nearly shit myself because I just knew I was about to be hit.

Hard.

At the last possible second, she realizes she's about to ram into me, and she slams on her brakes, I see the front of her SUV take a nosedive from the weight transfer, and she jerks the wheel to the right. How close did she get? Pretty goddamned close. As I was just staring in my rearview in disbelief that anyone would be so fucking retarded, I noticed that as she slipped by me, her headlights had dissapeared under the line of my trunk lid ... 1, maybe 2 feet tops. At 40+ miles an hour, that's too fucking close for my ass to be comfortable.

I seriously hope this bill gets passed to ban cellphone use while driving, unless you have a hands free set. I'll admit, I'm guilty of it myself at times, but anyone who's called me while I'm driving will attest to how instead of paying attention to what they're saying, I'm more concerned with what's going on on the road, and I'll often pause while talking, or will call the person back after I've gotten to where I"m not driving. I've got a hands free set in my car, but as I'm not on my phone 24/7, I don't always plug it in and have it ready to go. I'll bust out a happy dance when the bill goes through, and people start getting ticketed for being fucking morons.

Than blasting those fucking flying Space Pirates with the Plasma Beam. I've spent the past couple of days NOT advancing through the game, but hunting down those little bastards, merely to watch them burst into flames, and fly around in circles until finally spinning down and crashing in a ball of flames. Vindication never felt so good in a video game before.

I can't decide which is more fun ... that, or unleashing captive metroids in a room full of Space Pirates. Watching them spin around on fire, or run around, arms flailing, wtih a metroid attached to their head sucking their life away. Ahhhh, Metroid Prime ... how great art thou!

There's even a reference to a really bad movie. Not "Yor" bad ... but close. You see, there's Space Pirates, then Flying Space Pirates. Then there's Shadow Pirates who cloak themselves. Then Elite Pirates, Phazon Pirates, and the big badass, Omega Pirate. You also have Space Pirates that have armor vulnerable to only one of your weapons. You have Power Pirates, who are only vulnerable to the standard Power Beam. Wave Pirates who you might guess are only vulnerable to the Wave Beam. Plasma Pirates ... you figure it out. And then, heh, then you have Ice Pirates. HA! What a shitty movie.

. . .

Wow ... I just fell asleep there for a few minutes. I guess I should wrap this up for tonight.

Who else has been putting 2002 on their dates?

I just realized I've only got about 15 more days before I have to complete a defensive driving course. I don't know when I'm going to have a free Saturday to spend all day, so I'm contemplating renting the video from Blockbuster, and doing it that way.

Problem is, I dunno how that works. Anyone ever done it? I'm curious. I'll probably stop by BB after work tonight and pick it up either way.

SHIT! I still need to change my oil. I've neglected it for the past 2200 miles. No, that's not a typo. I use synthetics so I'm alright, but still ... I needs to do it.

Ok, that's all for now. Gonna go grab me a bite to eat, and get some Metroid Prime in before I have to get ready for work.

I saw the most pathetic thing on the way to work yesterday. Wait ... Wednesday.

Picture this: A red Ford Festiva, with a piece of aluminum sheet across the back window like some home brew spoiler. Wait, we're not done yet. I accelerate a bit and get up beside this monstrosity ... and on the side, I shit you not, a giant 8 sticker on the door, and an assload of NASCAR bumper stickers, and "Bud" bumper stickers scattered around to make it, I assume, resemble Dale Earndhart Jr.'s car.

There's pathetic dorks, and there's pathetic losers ... but I never expected to see someone who could be classified as a pathetic loser dork. I also never thought I'd see something that topped the "Maxima Velocity" car.

Yikes.

. . .

Random thought of the moment: Hooters calendars = thumbs up. WAY up.
God bless Hooters.

I go away, and people bitch and want me to come back. So I come back after only a week ... I knew I should have stayed away longer, but I thought "What the fuck? Why not?". Things were going ok ... or so I thought, for about a month, and then the bullshit starts back up again.

It never fucking fails.

Well, for the time being at least. I've decided to give LJ another chance. The past year and a half has entries on my website ... go there to catch up.

Until I get around to figuring out how to jack with databases, I'm gonna hit up LJ with new updates for simplicity's sake. Essays and shit will still be on my website. I know, you're excited. Also, old shit like my paper journal entries, will be on my website ... whenever I get around to posting them.

I wonder ... have they fixed the problems with posting tables? I guess I'll find out one of these days. If not, then I'll post that shit on my website, and link to it. Besides the constant server outtages, the way tables were handled was a source of endless frustration.

. . .

So... how was everyone's Christmas? Can't complain, myself. Got a mix of shit I've been needing, and shit I've been wanting. The two crown jewels: G1 Optimus Prime, and a leather bound, autographed copy of the Garfield 25th anniversary book "In Dog Years, I'd be dead." Great stuff.

For now, I'm out. Gotta get some more Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion play-time in. It's been too damned long since I've actually been able to sit down and just play a game.