The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step

I noticed today that my belt is loose. Not a whole lot mind you, but noticably enough to where there is slack where there was tension two weeks ago.

*concentraits*

"Think thin...think thin"

Walking, cheeks and exes

Recently I've been on a walking kick. Must be the nice weather, because I love being outside in it. Yesterday I took first solo 4-mile walk. I went slower than I would have liked, but it was because I was improperly attired for such a long distance. Today I did a brisk 2.3 mile. It was also a nice path for the upcoming winter months. In the event of ice, it will be an easy walk to take. I'm hoping I can keep up the momentum.

Tonight for dinner I had cebeza. Rusty on your Spanish? It's what our neighbors to the south call 'calf cheek'. As disgusting as that might sound to some of you, it was a very delicious meal. A simple taco made with cebeza, onion and cilantro on a small flour tortilla. Yum... I might get brave and try the lengua next time.

Yesterday after my little hike I had just gotten out of the shower when I got a surprise visitor. Jennifer came up to Tulsa for some pet stuff for our old dog Mandy and a trip to Sam's. Between all that and a visit with her old boss, she snuck in a visit with me. We had lunch, ran out to PetSmart and saw a mulleted hoodlem take out trash at the 8th grade center. Ah... good times. I'm glad I got to stay friends with her, as I'm not one to forget people. Now I'm just hoping I can visit Norman again without bile rising in my throat...

And that's it. A whole love of nothing. Have you been to Homestar Runner in a while? No? Tsk tsk!

My secret spot

I awoke this morning from a very odd dream. I had thought immediatly upon waking that I would want to blog this. I don't know why really, why any of you would want to know what I dream, but this is really more for me than you, so you can just skip this post.

This dream had in it a very cool locale to it. It it a reoccuring loction that I've dreamed of many times before. And everytime I dream it, I think to myself in the dream that I would like to bring other people with me sometime. This morning I got my chance.

I would like to describe for you my little secret spot in dream-land. The setting is sometimes different, but this is the gist. It's either in a forest, or behind a wall, but it's always really difficult and a little time-consuming to get to. The first path is a stone walkway, in a narrow waterway. It's built of stone, the waterway is, and to the right, invariably in the dream, is a large wall, with a lengthy hole that feeds water to a small pool. The pool feeds the waterway, and then empties to the other side into a waterfall. One would get the sense that if they lost their balance on the stone steps, which are covered in moss and a little slippery, they would either fall into the pool or fall off the waterfall to the left and possibly die on the rocks below. It's not a long drop, only about ten feet, but still...rocks! I've never lost my balance in these past dreams, and always the water is flowing, and there's that cool waterfall sound, with the smell of spring-fed water, rich with minerals. I love having this dream, as there is always something exciting in store.

Anyway, during this dream, the water was gone. I could see up beneath the wall, to where the water should be coming from. It was empty except for a few small puddles. The walkway in this dream was made of stone, but rather had heavy silt in it. The people I was with were walking in the silt, getting their shoes muddy, making it ugly and disturbing the natural look of the place, instead of just stepping on the stones, which were dry and not at all slippery. I had the impression that somebody had stopped the water flow with a dam and it rather hurt my feelings that I was bringing these people here, people I had wanted to bring for so long, that they were not seeing and experiencing everything I had wanted them to see like I normally do.

I should also point out that the people I brought were nobody I knew. They had some characteristics to people I know, but nobody with names. It was two anonymous couples, all with dark black hair and very lovely looking. They were dressed like they were going shopping (high healed shoes, nice expensive shirts) rather than exploring around in my dirty waterway.

Going on past the stone steps, the dream takes a different turn that what it normally is. Usually it leads to a stone wall, with a few stones removed. Inside is usually a very small room with only enough space for one person. This time it lead into a vast stone temple, with vines and kudzu everywhere, the air thick with humidity. Inside the temple there were tables and various ornate things, all either made of stone or bronze, up on a higher level sat a throne made of, you guessed it, stone. On the wall in front of me there is a very old mirror. It looks as if it was handmade by crude methods as the reflection is a little distorted due to it's not-so-smooth surface. One of the beautiful women in the group checks her reflection in the mirror and her friend tells her to stop, for that mirror will show you what's in your heart.

My curiosity is piqued and I go to check out the mirror myself. I walk past a stone table, with a dirty bronze plate on it, covered in cobwebs. I approach the mirror and one of the men in the group warns me again, "Don't look in that mirror!" but he turns around to look at other things, so I take to defying him.

I gaze long in this odd-shaped mirror, seeing only myself, then after about a minute I see other people in the reflection, behind me. I turn around and there is nobody there. I look again in the mirror, mindfull of the other two couples in the temple room with me, milling about as they are looking with curiousness at all the strange things in this abandoned temple. The mirror is hazy, but it again shows me with people behind me. They are all happy, as I am happy in the mirror. The guy that warned me of the mirror pushes me to the side, "I told you not to look in that mirror! It will ruin you!"

For some reason that was enough to shake me loose from my slumber and that was that. No more dream.

I liked the fact that it had the stone waterway, but disappointed that it wasn't how I normally dream it. I've thought that if I ever had a butt-ton of money I would have to build that waterway with the stone steps, the stone wall and tiny pool and the waterfall, all in the middle of some heavily wooded area, some ways away from easy access. Just to have my very own secret spot. Freaky mirror not included.

Red Badge of Courage

Let me set the stage. My cat, as most cats do, love attention and will whore themselves out to just about anybody to have their heads rubbed. April is no exception and doesn't like other *things* that take my time and focus, as such she is extremely jealous of my computer, and will automatically come between me and my binary goddess whenever I come over here to do computy-things. Wednesday I was doing my post-shower ritual of checking my email, when the cat thought to herself that she needed some lovin'. Usually, she will step on the back of the chair, above the cushion and onto my shoulder. Unfortunate for me and my un-clothed back, that did not go as planned that morning. This time she stepped on the cushion, cushion folded under her weight and as she was falling with the grace of a cinder block, dug a bloody trench with her claws the length of my spin. So naturally I cussed as loud as I possibly could, with fire and brimstone coming forth from my lips, throwing thunder and lightening with my verbal assault. I'm sure my mother would be proud...

Anyway, yesterday I had an itch on my back and while I was scratching it, I felt the scab the cat's actions left. I looked in the mirror and sure enough, it's a tiny jagged line about 2 feet straight down from my shoulder blades to my waist. It was a little tender, but oh-so-awesome looking. Now I'll hopefully have a scar I can impress people with.

I'll be down at the pub, swapping stories with the local drunkards. "Oh, that was good scar story Bob, but let me show the one I got from a knife fight in Cambodia..." I'll whip off my shirt and after all the smaller women faint from my pure manliness, the rest of the bar will line up to buy me drinks.

Hey, a little artistic license never hurt anybody. :)

Actually, it's not really that bad at all. But with an imagination like mine, I can mold it into something better. Anything. Weapon-X surgury, bum fight out behind Kroger's, tussle with wild beasts while out saving babies from tornados... I'll think of something.

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Wishing lots of luck to my buddy Scott who is doing a very good Samaritan thing and taking much-needed supplies to the unfortunate people in the Gulf Coast area. He's a good Christian man, and is capable of turning out a comic strip or two (the two we're waiting on) when he wants. Prayers and well-wishes are with you Mr. Roche! Ship us some boudain if you can. heh...

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Talked to Paul last night, we're still on like Donkey Kong for the trip to Houston. I am just hoping that there isn't going to be a big problem getting around down there. The news said that the highway closed and several businesses have closed shop until Rita blows herself out, so staying at a hotel might be tougher than I thought, in addition to the several hundred refugees from N'awlins already there that might have taken up bording at the Holiday Inn.

Either way, shouldn't be a big deal. If I have to reshedule my appointment, it won't be a hassle. I've waited 16+ years to talk to someone credible, I can wait until after the new year if need be.

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Have you had your sticky buns this morning?

Once upon a lifetime only comes around once

This gives me hope for the future. :)

Had a great dinner with Pat tonight, watched Star Trek 3. Came home and had a cigarette while smelling the field of sage just outside my apartment door. Now I'm drinking water while watching cartoons, about to go to bed, just waiting on laundry to be done.

I really enjoy this feeling. It's a mix of 'enjoying the weekend" and "hope for the future" kind of thing going on in my head. I wish this feeling would never go away. But it will, so that's a little sad, but it's also good to know that better times are ahead. Having faith was never a problem for me, it was having to wait while the things I had faith in took effect. heh...

Hey, it's Fullmetal Alchemist! Hooray!

Drunk and a little funny looking

Ok, I dug up some old pictures of me at my cousin Brian's first wedding, and remembered the awesome time I had at the reception. If you feeling lucky, ya punks, check out my wild times with a lampshade on my head.

Click here for me all loosey-goosey.

:) Don't hate me afterwards...

It's Zack....ZACK!

I think with all this celery and V8 I'm ingesting there's only one thing that can make it worth my while. And that would be a good mix of vodka to go along with it. Hey, if I'm going to forgo donuts and ice cream, why not toast my liver while I'm at it, right?

Those that have heard the above lyric (which is only three people that read this blog) know the genius of that song. Got it stuck in my head for some reason... ;-)

Going to Houston in 2 weeks and 2 days, after that it's another 2 week wait and then I head to New York. I'll be a busy boy in October. Working this Sunday for a co-worker so no Ada trip, which means I won't get to see the new part-time bartender at Papa Gjorgio's. Double damn.

Also, it's only one week until what would have been a my four-year anniversary. But that's been broken, so now September 22nd will just be Neay's birthday.

Lastly, I've got three questions for ya... How do you feel? What do you think? Whatcha gonna do?

Know the answers?

Origami Assassin

Since I've been making the tiny paper cranes, I've been storing them up on the back of the couch. This morning I'm going through my mail and April jumps up and starts biting one of the folded birds with vigor. I missed the best shot as she stopped doing the funny stuff as soon as I got the camera, but proof exists that she has tasted paper...and she likes it.

I'm going to have to put her down now... ;)


And yeah, I feel better after working out. A little goes a long way in raising my spirits.

Better not to be sick

Woke up with a scratchy throat this morning. Ick...

On the plus side I've caught up on all my bills. Yaa!

On the down side I can't afford that pony I've had my eye on since I was 12. Boo!

On the plus side I've eating healthy again. Yaa!

On the down side I am already sick of salad. Ick...

...and of celery, and V-8, and chicken. Need a new direction. Having a workout partner would be good. As would getting a bajillion bucks, but I think obtaining one is a tad easier than obtaining the other.

Feh, I'm going to go work out. Maybe that will cheer me up.

Article 17 is ok by me...

heh... I know what you're going to think, "Geez, another stupid link!" Trust me, this one is well worth it. It's funny in the way of "Upright Citizens Brigade" funny. Subtle, but totally awesome.

Check that thang out!

Dude, did I use 'totally awesome' in a sentence? That is SO not radical nor wicked...

I love Squirrels + D'Kay!

As with any Foamy rant, I should add with the link a note that there is some strong language therewithin. I've only posted one other one of these, for the A-Kon rant the fine folks at Ill Will Press did, and this one was too good not to make you aware of it again. Our favorite cartoony hyperactive squirrel goes off on the people that are not doing their part for the Katrina sufferers. Click the link on the bottom left labeled "FOAMY HURRICANE REPORT" and give some money if you can afford it to some people who can't.

Sure, it's not high society humor, but I like it. :)

Also, Delaney get's hitched next Saturday, so there's one more I won't be getting. I'm wishing her and the other Jay good times and a great life together. A few of you have met her and I've gushed about her to the rest that haven't. She's an awesome gal and deserves lots of happiness, I just hope this doesn't mean she will stop wearing PVC clothing... ;)

So Good Luck Delaney and go watch Foamy!

Fighting Mice and Taking Names

Tonight I got the ultimate in rodent-fighting technology...

....a cocktail sword.

A translucent blue sword at that. It was affixed to my sandwich to either hold it in place or to punish it for being not at all healthy. In the case I have to shrink down to fight Despereaux Tilling for a spool of red thread I will be well prepped to handle the duel. I should also point out that these were a favorite of mine when I was a kid. It's not often an 8-year-old gets to go to restaurants or events that have hors d'orves or special drinks that require 'fruit flair', so when the time came and I got a tiny plastic sword that would fit both G.I. Joe AND He-Man, then it was on. On like Donkey Kong! Take THAT Skeletor!!

On a totally unrelated note, I found out that my company benefits entitle me to get assistance with nicotine addiction and will offer me a 15% discount to cigary.com, which sells, of course, cigars and smoking paraphanalia. I love commerce! I also love rubbing against people on the bus, but that's another blog post.

Note to Yellowfish: Your INXS tapes are in my possession. Should I listen or should I degauss? Mwahahaha!!

Note to Jen: The Greek Festival that we could have attended back in September of 2001 is doing it again this year. The dates: September 22nd - 24th... Weird, huh? ;-)

Note to Superpope (who will never read this): Glad to hear your doing better. Next time, try letting those of us you don't talk to often know when you're going under the knife.

Last but certainly not least, Note to Patrick: I'm sorry I didn't come out and visit with your mom more. I hope she can heal and rest after the ordeal she has been through the past year or so. My thoughts are with her and Arvell's family.

That's it folks. Closing time, once last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer. Closing time, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here...

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I would also like to point your attention to the left side of the blog and you'll notice a plethora of links. Most of these are blogs of personal friends, others are ones that have found me, or I got pointed to. A really good read today is "Dusty 2" which deals with Kayne West's recent statement that "Bush hates black people!". I have my own thoughts and those I will keep, but I thought this point of view needed to be said, and nobody says it better than Dusty Scott. Give 'er a looksee.

Kids these days

I'm going to take you back, back all the way to 1986. It was Christmas break, I was over at my aunt Connie's house, my cousin Kim had rented the soon-to-be classic film "Better Off Dead". 90 minutes later I had fallen in love with Camero's, snow skiing and Diane Franklin. I wanted to be Lane Meyer. I thought that would have been the coolest thing when I was 12.

Later that same Christmas holiday, with my cousin Stephen staying at our house for a few days, I got to know the joys of Van Halen. My little stereo got heavy play of Jamie's Cryin', Everybody Wants Some! (from 'Better Off Dead!"), Push Come To Shove, and just about everything on 1984. I also got some Poison and Ratt, but Van Halen was the big one that Christmas. Anyway, I got to listen to Eddie wail on that guitar and would sit in my room, thinking about one day playing the ax just like that.

And then it comes down to tonight...

Tonight I'm coming home from work and listening to 'Love Line' as usual, and tonight's guest was wunderkid Andy Milinokis. I'll admit to knowing just about absolutely nada about this man-child so I made it a point to check out why he was getting his 15 minutes in the limelight. As I was pulling into my spot here at Casa de Craphole, one of the callers claimed to 'love Andy so much!" He said he was always doing his bits to his friends at school, everyone thought he was great. And then it came out. "I idolize you, man!"

Dear Lord in Heaven.

When did America start producing crap idols? I had a Camero-driving, French girl-dating hero and a guitar god to look up to, but kids these days have some chubby geek that sang some stupid song on his webcam. I usually spout the acclaims of the internet, but not this time. This is just...silly. Ok, granted... looking up to John Cusack and Eddie Van Halen when I was 12 wasn't exactly the coolest thing I've done, I know I could have done worse, but the callers on 'Love Line' tonight were 17 and 19 years old. That seems a little old to wanting to emulate someone like Andy Milinokis.

Anyway, I know real heros when I see them now. People like this...






















...not so much.

So, I don't know... just wanted to rant a bit about a sad trend here in the world today. I remember watching The Breakfast Club, wanting to be Bender, or listening to Billy Joel and thinking that if I could play piano well I could get a girl like Christy Brinkly (hey, I could dream), but come on. Singing a goofy song about peas and bees does not a worthy childhood hero make.

Sheep.