So I hope everyone survived the Fourth intact, with the same number of fingers, toes, and eyes that you had back on the third of July.
For my part I didn’t do a whole lot.
I spent most of the day working on some pictures (more on that in a bit), eschewing any Independence Day-related activities, as activities=people, and then in the evening headed over to Jamie and Casey’s house (based on Scott’s invitation) and had dinner.
They were all wrapping up a round of D & D when I got there, and after dinner they went back into gaming mode, and I went back into anti-social mode and headed home to do some more drawing.
I appreciated the invitation, and was glad to not have to feed myself, but I wasn’t really in the mood to be social – I know; what else is new? – and not being into the whole gaming thing, I didn’t have it in me to hang out until it got dark enough for them to light off the truly massive amounts of fireworks they had.
As for all of the drawing I’ve been doing, you may be wondering why you aren’t seeing the results here.
So why is that?
Because.
You’ll see them eventually, just not yet, and I’m not inclined to say anything more about it. Not trying to be mysterious, I just don’t feel like writing about it just yet. Trust me; you’ll be bored when you do find out, so you’re not missing anything.
I got up this morning and reminded myself for the first of many times that it is, in fact, Saturday, not Sunday.
After sitting around for a while I went out and did some shopping, then came home and cleaned up the house a bit.
Scott’s coming over later on for a screening of Left Behind II: Tribulation Force.
As my only real exposure to the books has been reading the dissections on Slactivist, and given that after five years Fred has yet to complete dissecting the first book, I don’t know much about the plot of Tribulation Force, and will not be able to see where the movie diverges from the book.
I have to say, I’m almost eager to watch it, but then I remember that it’s going to be absolutely terrible – there’s no way for it to not be terrible – and my eagerness fades.
I bought some brats to grill for tonight, so after cleaning up in the house I decided to clean the grill, which was an annoying, messy pain.
A while back I mentioned that I’d lost my stylus for my smart phone, and given that it was the spare stylus, that meant having to buy a new one. In fact, I ended up buying six.
Getting into my car on my way home last night I was, as I so often am, distracted by something shiny. In this case something shiny on the floor between the seat and door. It was my stylus.
I’d assumed that I’d lost it somewhere at work, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
So where I once had none, I now have seven.
Now, if only what holds true for smart phone styli held true for girlfriends…
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Birthday, America!
On America's 232nd birthday (it doesn't look a day over 225), I think it's important that we pause to reflect on what this country is all about: hot chicks in tiny American flag bikinis!
Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Conversation With The Universe
“Hey Jon, it’s me, the Universe.”
“Yeah.”
“’Yeah?’ What kind of greeting is that?”
“*Sigh* Hello, Universe.”
“That’s better. So, knocked off work early and decided to use the extra time to mow the old lawn, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow, you’re getting really sweaty.”
“Well, it is over 90 degrees out.”
“It sure is. Looks like you picked a lousy time to get motivated.”
“I suppose so, but I couldn’t put it off any longer.”
“Shouldn’t have procrastinated so much.”
“It didn’t help matters any that every time I thought about mowing it would start raining.”
“No, I suppose it didn’t.”
“And the rain made the grass grow even more.”
“Yeah, it sure did. Wow, you’re really, really sweaty. Hey, remember how earlier today there was a nice cool breeze? Now when you could really use it, it’s stopped. That’s funny, huh?”
“Hilarious.”
“Looks like some of that sweat is running into your eyes.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Does it sting?”
“Yes, quite a bit.”
“Hey, do you think it would help matters any if I made sure that some of the dirt and grass you’re kicking up with the mower flew into your eyes?”
“Ow! No, it doesn’t help.”
“Hmm, okay…how about I have some of the bugs buzzing around your head fly into them?”
“Dammit!”
“Heh, guess that’s not helping either.”
“No, it really isn’t.”
“Well, what if I – ”
“Look, would you just leave me the hell alone and let me finish mowing my goddamn lawn?”
“Hmmph. That’s no way to ask the Universe for a favor.”
“Fine. I apologize.”
“You don’t mean it.”
“Yes, I do. Honest.”
“Hmm, well, I guess I believe you, but you’re going to have to be nicer to me.”
“Okay. I’m willing to put up with the heat, and the sweat running into my eyes, and even the grass and the dirt. The bugs just seem excessive, though, so would you please be so gracious as to have them stop dive-bombing my eyes? I would really appreciate it. And could you also just let me finish mowing without any further interruption? Thank you.”
“Okay, that’s better. I’ll leave you to it.”
Ten minutes later…
“Hey Jon, did you notice that bit where I made the mower get stuck when you were pushing it so that when you moved forward you ended up getting hit in the groin by the mower’s handle?”
“Ow, yes, I did. It was, after all, my groin that took the hit.”
“Oh, right. I guess you would notice something like that.”
“You really don’t grasp the concept of doing someone a favor, do you?”
“No, I grasp the concept, I’m just unwilling to do you any favors.”
“That’s about what I figured.”
“Yeah.”
“’Yeah?’ What kind of greeting is that?”
“*Sigh* Hello, Universe.”
“That’s better. So, knocked off work early and decided to use the extra time to mow the old lawn, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow, you’re getting really sweaty.”
“Well, it is over 90 degrees out.”
“It sure is. Looks like you picked a lousy time to get motivated.”
“I suppose so, but I couldn’t put it off any longer.”
“Shouldn’t have procrastinated so much.”
“It didn’t help matters any that every time I thought about mowing it would start raining.”
“No, I suppose it didn’t.”
“And the rain made the grass grow even more.”
“Yeah, it sure did. Wow, you’re really, really sweaty. Hey, remember how earlier today there was a nice cool breeze? Now when you could really use it, it’s stopped. That’s funny, huh?”
“Hilarious.”
“Looks like some of that sweat is running into your eyes.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Does it sting?”
“Yes, quite a bit.”
“Hey, do you think it would help matters any if I made sure that some of the dirt and grass you’re kicking up with the mower flew into your eyes?”
“Ow! No, it doesn’t help.”
“Hmm, okay…how about I have some of the bugs buzzing around your head fly into them?”
“Dammit!”
“Heh, guess that’s not helping either.”
“No, it really isn’t.”
“Well, what if I – ”
“Look, would you just leave me the hell alone and let me finish mowing my goddamn lawn?”
“Hmmph. That’s no way to ask the Universe for a favor.”
“Fine. I apologize.”
“You don’t mean it.”
“Yes, I do. Honest.”
“Hmm, well, I guess I believe you, but you’re going to have to be nicer to me.”
“Okay. I’m willing to put up with the heat, and the sweat running into my eyes, and even the grass and the dirt. The bugs just seem excessive, though, so would you please be so gracious as to have them stop dive-bombing my eyes? I would really appreciate it. And could you also just let me finish mowing without any further interruption? Thank you.”
“Okay, that’s better. I’ll leave you to it.”
Ten minutes later…
“Hey Jon, did you notice that bit where I made the mower get stuck when you were pushing it so that when you moved forward you ended up getting hit in the groin by the mower’s handle?”
“Ow, yes, I did. It was, after all, my groin that took the hit.”
“Oh, right. I guess you would notice something like that.”
“You really don’t grasp the concept of doing someone a favor, do you?”
“No, I grasp the concept, I’m just unwilling to do you any favors.”
“That’s about what I figured.”
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Short And Not Especially Sweet
The nice thing about being at work on the days leading up to a long weekend that begins on Friday is that you get a lot of e-mails canceling meetings.
Of course, one of the drawbacks to this particular long weekend being the 4th of July is that the neighborhood kids have already started lighting off their fireworks as soon as the sun starts to set, and will likely be doing so for weeks to come, treating me to sounds of small explosions and eruptions for the foreseeable future.
It will all probably taper off about mid-July, but then, just before school starts, some of the kids who managed to keep some of their noisemakers will dig into their stashes for one last ka-bang.
But, as I’ve found myself forced to say so many times throughout the years, all I can really say about it is oh well.
There really isn’t much going on for me to write about, and there are, quite frankly, other things I’d rather be doing anyway, so I guess that’ll do it for this entry.
Of course, one of the drawbacks to this particular long weekend being the 4th of July is that the neighborhood kids have already started lighting off their fireworks as soon as the sun starts to set, and will likely be doing so for weeks to come, treating me to sounds of small explosions and eruptions for the foreseeable future.
It will all probably taper off about mid-July, but then, just before school starts, some of the kids who managed to keep some of their noisemakers will dig into their stashes for one last ka-bang.
But, as I’ve found myself forced to say so many times throughout the years, all I can really say about it is oh well.
There really isn’t much going on for me to write about, and there are, quite frankly, other things I’d rather be doing anyway, so I guess that’ll do it for this entry.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
And Such Small Portions
At the place where Kathleen had her birthday party, Stacy got lousy service and undercooked - and then overcooked - food, so, understandably, she complained.
In response to her complaint, she got a $100 gift certificate for the restaurant.
Now it's probably just me, but there's just something about getting a certificate to eat at the place where you got lousy service and lousy food as a way of making up for said lousy service and food, that just brings to mind that old joke: The food was terrible...and such small portions.
But, like I said, that's probably just me, and we all know what a weirdo I am, or at least most of you suspect what a weirdo I am, probably not knowing or understanding the ways or the extent to which I am one.
In any case, Scott and Stacy decided to share the wealth with me, and I had dinner there with them tonight.
The food and service were much better this time around (though in fairness I didn't have any problem with either last time).
After dinner I came home and meant to write an entry, but then I didn't, and I ended up getting busy doing something else.
Then I finished that and decided to write this quick and mostly pointless entry.
So there you have it.
Now you can say, "That Threshold post was boring...and so short."
In response to her complaint, she got a $100 gift certificate for the restaurant.
Now it's probably just me, but there's just something about getting a certificate to eat at the place where you got lousy service and lousy food as a way of making up for said lousy service and food, that just brings to mind that old joke: The food was terrible...and such small portions.
But, like I said, that's probably just me, and we all know what a weirdo I am, or at least most of you suspect what a weirdo I am, probably not knowing or understanding the ways or the extent to which I am one.
In any case, Scott and Stacy decided to share the wealth with me, and I had dinner there with them tonight.
The food and service were much better this time around (though in fairness I didn't have any problem with either last time).
After dinner I came home and meant to write an entry, but then I didn't, and I ended up getting busy doing something else.
Then I finished that and decided to write this quick and mostly pointless entry.
So there you have it.
Now you can say, "That Threshold post was boring...and so short."
Monday, June 30, 2008
Why Do I Even HAVE Weekends?
I know I’m supposed to be the most miserable, unhappy person in the world, or at least that’s the apparent face that I show to the world, and I guess that to hear me tell it the Universe doesn’t piss in anyone’s Corn Flakes as often or to the same extent as it does in mine, but the thing is, I don’t eat Corn Flakes, and I honestly find the various mishaps and setbacks I have in life more amusing than depressing.
Most of the time, anyway.
Eventually.
Anyway, my actual point here is that while I’m presumably in a constant state of morbid despair, the fact of the matter is that it really doesn’t take much to amuse me, or to suffuse my entire being with moments – and they generally are only moments – of transcendent, and, frankly, child-like joy.
By way of example, last night I was eating a Popsicle. This particular kind of Popsicle has a riddle/joke printed on the stick, with the answer/punch line revealed only when you finish the Popsicle itself.
Before getting started on the task of actually consuming the Popsicle, I read the riddle/joke printed on the visible portion of the stick, and upon having the answer/punch line revealed through my efforts, I was inordinately delighted to discover that I had correctly guessed the answer.
(What did the breeze say to the screen? Just passing through.)
Seriously, it was the highlight of my day. Possibly the week.
I wasn’t as successful with the next one I had, though. After reading the question, I could not immediately come up with an answer, and said, “Hmm…I’ll have to think about that.” Sadly, my ruminations were not up to the task of solving this particular puzzle, but, buoyed by my earlier success, I didn’t let that get me down.
(What do elves use to make sandwiches? Shortbread.)
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is that sometimes the smallest victory can be the sweetest. Or, you know, the sourest; it was a sour apple-flavored Popsicle, after all.
Getting back into character, I have to say that I was annoyed upon waking up this morning and realizing that it was already Monday. I mean, sometimes I wonder why I even have weekends; they seem to end almost as soon as they begin.
Not much of note happened at work. One of the meetings I had ran a lot shorter than expected, which would have allowed me to actually go to another meeting with which it otherwise would have conflicted – if said meeting hadn’t been canceled (another little nugget of joy in and of itself).
There was something that I was thinking about doing tonight, but feeling kind of tired and just generally not up to the prospect of doing anything, I decided against it. Maybe next week.
I’m being deliberately vague about this “something.” It’s not anything terribly exciting or mysterious, but there’s a good chance I might never do it, so I’m reluctant to mention what it is, but I suppose it probably would have made more sense to not mention it all. Oh well.
Life is full of contradictions and less than satisfactory answers.
Especially when those answers can’t be found on a Popsicle stick.
Bonus Video Department:
While looking for a video for my theme song the other day – one that was “official” and not fan-made – I found this other interesting Nine Inch Nails video featuring a rehearsal of the song Just Like You Imagined.
Some of you may recognize it as the song in the trailers for 300.
I just find the video kind of fascinating to watch, as, no matter what you think of Trent Reznor and his music, you have to admire his attention to detail and his ability to bring his ideas to life.
See for yourself:
Most of the time, anyway.
Eventually.
Anyway, my actual point here is that while I’m presumably in a constant state of morbid despair, the fact of the matter is that it really doesn’t take much to amuse me, or to suffuse my entire being with moments – and they generally are only moments – of transcendent, and, frankly, child-like joy.
By way of example, last night I was eating a Popsicle. This particular kind of Popsicle has a riddle/joke printed on the stick, with the answer/punch line revealed only when you finish the Popsicle itself.
Before getting started on the task of actually consuming the Popsicle, I read the riddle/joke printed on the visible portion of the stick, and upon having the answer/punch line revealed through my efforts, I was inordinately delighted to discover that I had correctly guessed the answer.
(What did the breeze say to the screen? Just passing through.)
Seriously, it was the highlight of my day. Possibly the week.
I wasn’t as successful with the next one I had, though. After reading the question, I could not immediately come up with an answer, and said, “Hmm…I’ll have to think about that.” Sadly, my ruminations were not up to the task of solving this particular puzzle, but, buoyed by my earlier success, I didn’t let that get me down.
(What do elves use to make sandwiches? Shortbread.)
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is that sometimes the smallest victory can be the sweetest. Or, you know, the sourest; it was a sour apple-flavored Popsicle, after all.
Getting back into character, I have to say that I was annoyed upon waking up this morning and realizing that it was already Monday. I mean, sometimes I wonder why I even have weekends; they seem to end almost as soon as they begin.
Not much of note happened at work. One of the meetings I had ran a lot shorter than expected, which would have allowed me to actually go to another meeting with which it otherwise would have conflicted – if said meeting hadn’t been canceled (another little nugget of joy in and of itself).
There was something that I was thinking about doing tonight, but feeling kind of tired and just generally not up to the prospect of doing anything, I decided against it. Maybe next week.
I’m being deliberately vague about this “something.” It’s not anything terribly exciting or mysterious, but there’s a good chance I might never do it, so I’m reluctant to mention what it is, but I suppose it probably would have made more sense to not mention it all. Oh well.
Life is full of contradictions and less than satisfactory answers.
Especially when those answers can’t be found on a Popsicle stick.
Bonus Video Department:
While looking for a video for my theme song the other day – one that was “official” and not fan-made – I found this other interesting Nine Inch Nails video featuring a rehearsal of the song Just Like You Imagined.
Some of you may recognize it as the song in the trailers for 300.
I just find the video kind of fascinating to watch, as, no matter what you think of Trent Reznor and his music, you have to admire his attention to detail and his ability to bring his ideas to life.
See for yourself:
Would People Please Stop Dying?
I just read on Comics Should Be Good! that comic book artist Michael Turner has died after fighting an eight-year battle with cancer. He was 37.
I had no idea that Turner had cancer, but I have to say that knowing it now does make his work that much more impressive.
And for the most part, I liked his work, though it certainly was flawed in many ways. Still, he was young enough that there would have been - and should have been - time for him to hone his craft, and I have no doubt that he would have gone on to be an even better artist.
Like the other comics creators who have gone before him this year - and there have been far too many - he will be missed.
I had no idea that Turner had cancer, but I have to say that knowing it now does make his work that much more impressive.
And for the most part, I liked his work, though it certainly was flawed in many ways. Still, he was young enough that there would have been - and should have been - time for him to hone his craft, and I have no doubt that he would have gone on to be an even better artist.
Like the other comics creators who have gone before him this year - and there have been far too many - he will be missed.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
This Is How I (Blog) Roll
So I tried to add a fancy, newfangled blog roll like the one Scott has on his blog, but when I went to edit my Blogger template I found that I don’t actually have the option of adding new page elements.
I’m not sure what’s up with that, but the end result is that you’re going to have to stick to just clicking on old school links if you want to get to other blogs.
But why would you want to do that, anyway? What, Threshold isn’t good enough for you?
Oh, so sorry; I didn’t know you were such a blog connoisseur. Oo la la, look at the blog snob!
You know what, fine. Just click away. Who wants you here anyway? I don’t need you! I don’t need anyone!
*Cough*
Umm…sorry about that, but you know I’m not great at handling rejection, or even the perception of rejection, and sometimes I can be a little needy and end up lashing out and pushing away the people I actually want to have stick around.
Umm…*Cough* again…
(Let’s all pretend like we didn’t just get an uncomfortable insight into Jon’s psyche, shall we?)
Where was I? Oh, right, the blog roll thing.
Anyway, at first I thought my template issue might be an Internet Explorer issue, so I decided to download Firefox to see if that made a difference (it didn’t).
I think it’s obvious that I really don’t care about the lingering browser wars. I use IE not because it somehow matches my browser ideology, but simply because it’s there and I don’t have a browser ideology.
In any case, for as wonderful as those who do have such an ideology seem to think Firefox is, I feel I should mention that upon launching Firefox after installing it, the very first thing it did was crash.
Immediately upon being launched again it complained about needing the Flash plug-in, then failed to actually install it automatically, leading me to have to manually install it (which required actually closing Firefox). This was made more frustrating by the fact that I just installed a new version of Flash on my computer yesterday.
So, if I did have a browser ideology…well, I think you can figure out what it would be.
Not much else going on today. Looks like clicking one of those links and heading to another blog might not be such a bad idea after all.
I’m not sure what’s up with that, but the end result is that you’re going to have to stick to just clicking on old school links if you want to get to other blogs.
But why would you want to do that, anyway? What, Threshold isn’t good enough for you?
Oh, so sorry; I didn’t know you were such a blog connoisseur. Oo la la, look at the blog snob!
You know what, fine. Just click away. Who wants you here anyway? I don’t need you! I don’t need anyone!
*Cough*
Umm…sorry about that, but you know I’m not great at handling rejection, or even the perception of rejection, and sometimes I can be a little needy and end up lashing out and pushing away the people I actually want to have stick around.
Umm…*Cough* again…
(Let’s all pretend like we didn’t just get an uncomfortable insight into Jon’s psyche, shall we?)
Where was I? Oh, right, the blog roll thing.
Anyway, at first I thought my template issue might be an Internet Explorer issue, so I decided to download Firefox to see if that made a difference (it didn’t).
I think it’s obvious that I really don’t care about the lingering browser wars. I use IE not because it somehow matches my browser ideology, but simply because it’s there and I don’t have a browser ideology.
In any case, for as wonderful as those who do have such an ideology seem to think Firefox is, I feel I should mention that upon launching Firefox after installing it, the very first thing it did was crash.
Immediately upon being launched again it complained about needing the Flash plug-in, then failed to actually install it automatically, leading me to have to manually install it (which required actually closing Firefox). This was made more frustrating by the fact that I just installed a new version of Flash on my computer yesterday.
So, if I did have a browser ideology…well, I think you can figure out what it would be.
Not much else going on today. Looks like clicking one of those links and heading to another blog might not be such a bad idea after all.
Keyword Kraziness: Kris Klaremont Edition
Hey kids! Want some Keyword Kraziness?
Well too damn bad; you’re getting some anyway:
chris claremont slash
Who’s on the other side of the /? John Byrne? Side note: Ewwwww!
portia di rossi imdb
Not to be a smart ass or anything, but, umm, have you tried going to imdb.com?
foad bodybuilder
Fuck Off And Die bodybuilder? I don’t get it.
whoville slash fic
Just “who” would you be slashing?
lyrics to aqua teen hunger force end dong
Which dong? Frylock’s? Meatwad’s? Carl’s? Or did you mean song? In that case, it’s “Dancing is forbidden,” if you’re talking about the TV show. Don’t remember the end song for the movie.
dido for anus pics
Did you mean dildo? Anyway, no matter what you meant, I don’t think you’re going to find it here.
direcpath reviews
See the next Keyword.
direcpath sucks
That’s all you need to know.
More of the standard search strings round out the rest of the traffic generators. You regulars know what they are, so I won’t bother repeating them here.
Well too damn bad; you’re getting some anyway:
chris claremont slash
Who’s on the other side of the /? John Byrne? Side note: Ewwwww!
portia di rossi imdb
Not to be a smart ass or anything, but, umm, have you tried going to imdb.com?
foad bodybuilder
Fuck Off And Die bodybuilder? I don’t get it.
whoville slash fic
Just “who” would you be slashing?
lyrics to aqua teen hunger force end dong
Which dong? Frylock’s? Meatwad’s? Carl’s? Or did you mean song? In that case, it’s “Dancing is forbidden,” if you’re talking about the TV show. Don’t remember the end song for the movie.
dido for anus pics
Did you mean dildo? Anyway, no matter what you meant, I don’t think you’re going to find it here.
direcpath reviews
See the next Keyword.
direcpath sucks
That’s all you need to know.
More of the standard search strings round out the rest of the traffic generators. You regulars know what they are, so I won’t bother repeating them here.
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