Is it just me?... but this doesn't really look that hard....of course I did play a violin for 7 years as a kid.
So March Madness (college basketball tournament) is upon us and I've learned one new thing about myself. I really hate Duke... and here's a good reason why. Just as good as Italians at soccer...
Speaking of soccer.... all this is missing is a robot to pick up after your dog when it does it's business...
I'm really bad a bowling... not this bad...
I welcome our new crab overlords...
Don't you just love bluetooth? Yeah neither do I...
I haven't watched Jeopardy since the days of Ken Jennings... but this seems rigged... or not that extraordinary... I'm surprised it hasn't happened before.
Crazy... just crazy... (it's safe for work, don't know why it was tagged like that)
As a friend of mine said (thanks CO), just whisper to yourself these 2 words over and over as you watch this... "Eat it".... "Eat it"
Ahhhh...... if BART only looked like this...
LeeZy
So there's this show that I watched a year or so ago that I thought sounded very intriguing... I only watched a couple episodes and it got to be too real (or too stupid) so I stopped watching it. But the premise was good. It was about poor pretty boy Barry Watson starring as some guy named Brian who has a group of friends, all of which were involved in their own relationships.... except him. He was literally the 5th wheel or 7th wheel (there were 3 couples). And I guess the show was how he was going to cope or live his life around his good friends who were trying to do the same but in relationships. OK, now I remember why I stopped watching this show. He was Barry Watson (third from the right in the above picture). He was a handsome man. Are you telling me he couldn't get a date so that he had to be fixed up by his friends? Yeah, I wasn't believing this. Come to think of it, there were other subplots and subtexts that were hitting a little close to home and I had to stop watching it as well (if you want to know what these were, I'm not telling... read a spoiler). I have no idea what the plot is consisting of now, but I was watching too many TV shows, so I stopped watching this one. So I thought long and hard about whether or not I should write what I'm writing today... First I thought about whether or not my friends might think I'm being overly sensitive or I'd come off as a sad sack. Then I thought that no matter how it seems like I don't think anyone is reading my blog, there are some people who are. This is not a diary... it's a blog. Very distinct differences. So first let me express that I'm not asking for pity or sympathy. I really am not. I am also not asking for any of my friends to act any different around me in the future. You do what comes natural and I would do the same thing in the same situation if the moment was right. (Don't Change!) And lastly I am only writing and publishing this entry of my blog, because it will be therapeutic knowing that I opened myself up in this way. If I just write it to myself like a diary, I don't get the benefit or notion that someone might be reading what I wrote, and that's what I need now.
OK, so here goes...
So there was a very good reason why I brought up "What About Brian". Why? Because I felt I was Brian this past weekend. I was at my friend's 30th birthday party. I was surrounded by a lot of friends who wanted to celebrate with said birthday person. It was great. The surprise went off as expected which meant the person of honor was actually surprised. There was lots of laughter and lots of giggling and lots of smiling faces. I had a really good time.... the best in a while.
But interlaced in all the smiling faces and laughter was something that unexpectedly shined an uncomfortable light on myself. There were 11 people there, of which 5 pairs were couples... and one person by themselves. I was the odd wheel like Brian from that show.
It was not one thing in particular that I saw that set it off... a kiss on the cheek... a light stroke of the back of the neck... a lean on the shoulder... another kiss on the cheek... I've seen these public displays of affection all my life so it didn't bother me; it actually made me appreciate life in general. I wasn't at the end of the table so it would look obvious that I was the only person by himself. I was enjoying the party completely. But what happened is I saw those moments when it gets a little calmed down and you can't help by glance at the people at the table to see how everyone is doing and you see it. You see these tender moments that just happen and you don't care what the world thinks. Because you are in your own world with your significant other. It's just that I never realized that it made me take stock of my own life as it did for me right then and there. I just wish there was a way so I wouldn't feel quite so unintentionally singled out. It was my own fault and my own insecurities really.
There was no force of nature, natural disaster, impending doom, terror attack that would've made me want to leave my friend's birthday party. But I guess I've never ever been in a situation quite like that with no other people there to share the "heights" of being single. Though I did feel disdain for the moment (and it was not directed at my friends), these are the awkward moments that make you open your eyes and realize what you want in life.... to appreciate it more when it is your time to shine. But like everything, you have to take it one day at a time. The take home message that I should have took that night (that I just realized just now) is this. Even though these were couples who were in love and showing affection and making me think of this song, they were still my friends and friends of friends and ... sometimes... that is really and truly all you need to make it to the next day.
LeeZy
Holy shit... March 7, 2007 is my 6 year anniversary of working at this one company. Has it really been 6 years for me? Time has really gone by fast and I really don't know what happened. Six years ago, I started here incredibly frustrated from my last job of 3.5 years. I was worked to near death. In September of 2000, I was putting in 12 hour shifts every day. I did not have a day off. I drove the 40 mile round trip commute like a zombie. I was underpaid. I was hating everything. So when that month was over, I was hoping for a rest and normal working hours. I was wrong.
From October to December of that year, I did have days off but they were rare and I was under constant pressure to finish my project, no matter how many hours were in the day. By the time January came around, I was done, I was finished, I had enough. Luckily I had a friend who had a girlfriend interview for my current job and it wasn't right for her, but it was right for me.
I have met a lot of people here since I started. Some were assholes. Some were weird. Some were funny. Some became true friends. A few I was smitten with. All were memorable and there's even a small group of people that I am very protective of. A small group that I would do anything for because getting through a place for 6 years, you need people like this to carry your spirit and help you see the next day.
There's no mistaking it. I complain. I complain because I am dealt a pretty ugly poker hand every day. But as in life (or poker where you're playing with wild cards), I have encountered many wild cards that make my hand playable. Sometimes I win, more often than not I lose, but it was fun in the process. Last weekend, I was dealt a full house and I couldn't contain my poker face. I even had a couple wild cards to make sure that I couldn't lose no matter what happened. I was so very happy.
So in this article on my 6 year anniversary, I will write briefly about the 6 wild cards that have helped me continue to battle with the hand that I was dealt in my own way. I guess that would be one wild card for every year completed. Take some time today or whenever and think about who your wild cards would be and how many you have by now. I'm sure it isn't that hard when you think about it.
Life is short and I really understand that today. We go around keeping our feelings to ourselves to protect ourselves from vulnerability. When these thoughts eventually do come out, it's for an occasion like a farewell... I just feel "why save it for farewells?", when it can be expressed now, when you are still surrounded by these people.
MLL - The ambassador... If you are new to the company, she will most undoubtedly welcome you and take you under her wing.... and even though it's hard to believe at times, people still remember this. Had I started after her, I would have gotten the same welcome. I personally, will always remember her kindness, compassion and her ability to make a great cream cheese frosting on her even tastier variety of desserts.
AR - Is it time to go home yet? Everyone has been exposed to this at one point or another. The common morning greeting that reminds you where you are. But he's great, because he's been here longer than I have and so I don't feel like an old timer. If someone thinks I've changed a lot, look a little different, seen a lot here, they haven't met AR. I'm just glad he's here to help me compartmentalize things.
MT - This person just turned 30 and all I can say is, if I met her today, I would've guessed another younger rounder age. She's got a heart of gold and I respect the heck out of her. It seems like I've known her all my life, but it really only has been 6 years at most. It's good when you meet someone like that. I always feel I went to kindergarten with her.
JKR - "No, I think the name of Jewel's album is 03/04 not 04/03".... odd little conversations like that are the foundations of my friendship with JKR. That quote was in the car when I drove her back from an outing when she first interviewed here. Little did I know that things would change for me in so many ways. Now I can't even comprehend what my life will be if I didn't run into her for at least 2 min for a conversation at work. I know that day is coming. Life will take us on separate paths and drifting apart is unavoidable. So I appreciate every moment now... as if it's the last but I know that won't be until later. I guess I can't help but be sad when it does happen.
PMN - This is the guy who knows a thing or two about working at the company for a long time. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I've known this guy for a long time as well. Through very happy times, very monumental times, very scary times, and very insignificant times. The good thing about these 'times' as I liked to call it, was that he made me think and analyze things from a different perspective. The English perspective, though known usually for it's pessimistic flavour, helped me bin the rose coloured spectacles of living in America. Now I question everything and be happy about doing so.
CPW - A short blurb doesn't justify what this guy is all about. He's gracious. He's caring. He acts in a way that makes all those around him, emulate him. When you watch the news and hate what you see, he is what is good about this world. And I am very glad to know this man. My life would be pretty flavorless and stale if not for the shining sun embodied in this young man. More than a great friend, he's a blood brother if it were still socially acceptable to do that sort of thing. Sometimes it's hard to stay in touch with people... it will be hard not to stay in touch with him.
Honorable Mention (I could only name six): MM+HL who are expecting a child in September, SB who will be going to Canada soon, and last but not least... one certain predominantly female lab I don't have any business conversing with but I do anyway (Boys: MG, PC, TK, SS... Girls: CB, CO, LC, NC, SF)... here's to more wonderful times ahead and more great pictures for me to put on my dresser drawer.
LeeZy
Ow...
My calves are still kind of sore... it's amazing what kind of muscles you use for certain types of activities. I mean snowboarders use their calves, their thighs, the muscle underneath the shin, abdominals, your "glutes", shoulders (if you fall over often), and others that I don't remember right now. Actually the only muscle I remember using is the one that currently I feel, and those are my calves. No flabby calves today for LeeZy.
One sees many a strange thing out on the slopes. This was actually my first time out this year and I forgot all the funny things I see. And I'm not even talking about the people that fall over and do face plants in the snow... Oh no... Even funnier and less painful. For instance the bra tree. Notice the countless Mardi Gras beads as well. Also take note (or maybe you can't), it's a training bra...
Some people are not affected by the temperature at the ski resorts. If it's moderately sunny and pleasant out, people will shred the layers and ski or snowboard in next to nothing. Of course they won't allow you to ski naked... that would be crazy...
But then again, people ski in almost anything. There were lots of funky hats, very loud colors, and guys in bear suits. I kid you not... Photographic evidence to the right... The suit covered his ski boots. I'm surprised he didn't have a bear head helmet on. Oh, I guess not, now that would be dangerous and stupid, right? Eh... I think a guy in a panda suit would've been funnier.
But all in all, it was a great weekend. A much need break and recharge that would benefit anyone. But it really helped me out. I am so glad I went.
Tomorrow I have a special post but until then, I'd like to introduce you to some nice links.
I've always thought of these, especially the part about the "um" test... but this was written far more eloquently than I could've. 5 things you should never hear during a presentation.
Imagine seeing this outside church one day...
Are you stoopid? It's quite possible...
I didn't think there would be any other scene in Borat worse than the naked wrestling. Oh this comes close... Deleted scene from the DVD... Not Safe For Work... unless you don't mind the black bar censorship of Borat's wee-wee.
Another [kiss].
I work at a company that studies alcoholism... so it's natural I would show this... Just pretend you're watching the Office. Or if you were there... me at a company retreat back in 2004.
Hey look, a drunk squirrel...
So I haven't flown in a plane for a while... but yeah... uh... WHAT!!!!?!!!?!?!!!! (warning, this is pretty gross, and you may never want to sleep on a plane again or sleep next to an empty seat)
I'm so glad I went to Junior High and High School in the late 80s / early 90s... because there's no way I could handle attending now with this going on...
Oh for cryin' out loud... The Caveman show isn't a comedy?
Yum-O...
Wonder what an FCC complaint looks like? Wonder no more...
That's it for today... Look for me tomorrow as I reflect on a milestone.
LeeZy
Hello... I'm putting away the soap box today... just your garden variety funny links.
An update... The dude who doesn't like Blacks.... fired!
[kiss]
I did this with more than 5 minutes left... how fast can you?
It's good to see that Americans are getting just as good as Italians in playing sports...
Geico... so easy even a caveman can do it... and so ABC will...
Some people have to get shot glasses when they travel to another country. Some people like to get wine. Some people like to take pictures to remember the country they are visiting. Angelina Jolie? She also likes to take something back when visiting another country...
I got 2 star wars links for you today... one was a stabbing... one involved Wallace and Gromit... yeah two in one day... amazing!...
For those of you who don't know... I love Dance Dance Revolution... but if you don't know how to play it well, follow this boy...
I love Keith Olbermann... he was great on ESPN's SportsCenter and his humor is dry and biting.
But he is also extremely intelligent and has had many commentaries as of late, trashing the Bush Administration... here is his latest one about some guy on CNN who interviewed this woman and wanted to see her naked... yeah... I'm not kidding... go ahead and click...
That's it for now... I'm going snowboarding! Hooray!
LeeZy
Today, I will be telling you about this hilarious site. It actually isn't supposed to be hilarious primarily, but informative, but when you have how to guides for various things, it can't help but be funny. The site is videojug.
