Get me out of this air-conditioned nightmare
Im never good at writing a post at work. Work seems to be a constant theme here and I really wish it wasn't. All I do is work, wake up, eat, shit, work, work work. I'll be glad when the election is over, 130 days and counting. I need to start talking about anything else. I've started to realize I really don't care to listen to other people talk about their work and I'm sure no one else really cares about my stories of work either. It's too easy of a subject to get on and stay there. Most of the time it I just end up listening to endless bitching. If I wanted that I would go hang out with my mom.
Moving on....
Yesterday Jill and I went to see Nacho Libre on a free pass given to her and lets just say her and I were both glad it was free. It was no Freddy got Fingered (you're still not off the hook for that Chris!) but we still ended up walking out of it about an hour into the movie. I already figured I wouldn't like it after hearing it was written by the same losers as Napoleon Dynamite (who's popularity I still can't figure out.)Also its a Nickelodeon movie so there was no way this was going to appeal to anyone who doesn't find fart jokes hilarious or a 7 year old. They're kinda one in the same actually. Later on we redeemed the night by renting Trainspotting and watching that instead. I hadn't seen it before but I liked it. Next time I'll have to put on subtitles, the scottish accent is just a little too thick and I was too tired to follow some of the bulk of the movie.
Several people have asked me what Im going to be doing this weekend. I dont really know yet, maybe coming in to work, maybe going out of town, maybe nothing at all (nevermind that last one, Im not that lucky). But whatever it is, I'll just be glad to not think about work for the next couple of days.
Damn, there I go again.
Thats gross Farmer Ben!
where do I go from here?
It's always been kinda difficult for me to start a new post after going so many days without.
This past weekend was once again as busy as the rest of them. Saturday I started out going with my father to Sams Club and thus prolonging my streak of not going grocery shopping (I think Im going on 3 months now.) After I had gotten back home I recieved a call from Mona asking me if I was coming out to this BBQ/Poker Tournament/Get together thing that I was asked to go to last March. I had completely forgotten about it but it gave me the perfect excuse to get out of having dinner with my parents and uncle and to get the hell out of Lansing for the day so I went. It was mostly a reunion of former corecomm co-workers but that's not all bad, I liked the people that I worked with there as opposed to every other job I've ever had I think.
Sunday we had our annual family reunion which I hadn't been to in several years. I only went this year because my parents stated that the attendance has been low and they really wanted me out there. Apparently last year 7 people showed up for the reunion where this year there was close to 30-40. I dont know many of the people there (this is a reunion of my grandmothers side so Im not close to them) but it was still enjoyable.
I really dont have any stories from either event since they happened 3 and 4 days ago but thats a rundown of what happened.
Time to work now.
going from bad to worse
Well my weekend plans are shot. Not only am I going with my father to Sams Club to buy food, but I'm also going to dinner with my parents and uncle and going to a family reunion on Sunday to meet a side of the family I have little to no idea whom anyone is. Fun times indeed!
Really though that the furthest thing from my mind. I've already told most everyone that needs to know but for anyone else reading, I was diagnosed with Diabetes today. The Doctor had informed me that my blood sugar levels 2 weeks ago were 328 (a healthy person is supposed to be between 90-110) and then they checked it today and it was 364 (but I had only eaten about 30 minutes prior so that could've been why it was higher). I was given a perscription for Fortamet once a day along with Nexium for problems with my stomach. Also I was given a testing kit to test my own blood every morning. This part freaks me out the most as I have the most unhealthy fear or needles and blood out of anyone you'll ever meet. I can't stand the sight of either one and now not only do I have to deal with it, I have to do this procedure to myself, EVERYDAY..ugh!.
The first thing everyone seems to want to say when they find out is "Im sorry" but really theres nothing you have to be sorry about. I came to terms a long time ago that this was going to happen. It's not as if this is some kind of startling revalation considering my mother has been diagnosed with it for years and I'm not exactly the most physically fit person on the planet. I may not have thought this early in my life but as the doctor told me today, it's early and can be easily managed through diet and exercise which to me, along with getting over my fear of needles and blood, is going to be the biggest challenge in front of me. If ever there was a motivating factor in my goal towards living a healthier lifestyle, this certainly would be the case.
Food is my biggest weakness, I guess what I'm thinking is rather saying you feel sorry for me, I would rather have everyones help and understanding in not pressuring me into choices that are going to affect my health negatively, not as if its your fault if I eat something bad, but just keep it in mind as your eating ice cream in front of me. haha. The real intention of this is swirling in my head but I'm just having a difficult time putting it in type that can be understood. I'd hope most of you would understand what Im saying here.
Anyway, getting back to something less depressing, Chris and I went to see Click tonight which I hadn't originally intended to go see but was really the only thing out besides Cars and Xmen 3. I will say that it certainly was not the movie that is being advertised on television. It goes from comedy to drama and back to comedy again. Adam Sandler was really not that bad in the movie when he's been so dreadful is just about everything else in at least the past 4 or 5 years. Maybe it was Christopher Walken which helped it along, yeah, thats gotta be it.
Fuck! 3am already?! I should really get some sleep.
over the hump
I've really slowed down on posting now. Is it just that there ins't anything interesting happening or that I'm too lazy to type anything? I think it might be a little of both actually.
When I say there's nothing interesting happening, that just means I've been working more and more lately, almost 10-12 hours a day now to catch up on the insane amounts of stuff I need to catch up on. I even came in at 6:30 this monring and worked from 7pm-9pm last night. I can't say that I've been putting a 100% effort into it however (as I'm typing this update at work..haha).
I dont know if its the weather or the monotonous work I have but I cannot pay attention at my job anymore. I seem to zone in and hour and spend way too much time looking at anything on the internet to keep my mind occupied from the real work thats in front of me. Its like I just dont care anymore. I'm getting bored with my job and unfortunately I dont have the skills or know-how to get out of here into something better. I suppose I can start looking but I already feel defeated in the effot. I hope no one is paying attention to my work since I can't afford to get fired but really, who can? It's only a shame I can't take an extended vacation from this place since were in the middle of campaign season. A week away would do wonders I think. The only thing I have now is the weekends which up until recently have been just as hectic and busy with weddings and anniversary parties to attend.
I'll be glad when this friday comes along, I don't believe anything has been planned out. Maybe I'll just go to bed and stay there until Monday comes along again.
where was I again?
It's almost been a week since I've posted anything. Oops!
This past weekend felt incredibly busy and went as soon as it came.
Saturday I attended Alberts wedding. He's the first of anyone close to me that has gotten married. I arrived at the church approx. 30 minutes prior to the wedding starting and the usher decided to sit me in the 3rd aisle. Right behind the grooms parents which was incredibly awkward considering I dont know them nor the bride and groom very well. It was almost worth it however to see how nervous Nate was walking down the aisle as one of the groomsmen. Classic!
After the wedding I went over to the mall to return a tie I had bought for another wedding but never wore and also to pick up Animal Crossing for the DS. So far I haven't connected online to play but it's very addicting and should be me occupied for awhile.
Around 4:30 I attended the reception but could only stay for a few minutes as my parents had planned a get together at 6 for their 35th wedding anniversay. I feel bad that I hadn't gotten a card for the wedding but I still have time for that.
My parents get together went fine. We spent the evening on her best friends farm eating and sitting around a fire pit. Nothing too spectacular. Thankfully my sister (who I had rode with out to the place) was ready to leave after everyone was being bitten alive by insects. We finally got to my house at 11:45 and I was asleep by 1:30.
Sunday I was awake at 7:30 (for no reason what so ever). Around 2pm we (family) had gone out to dinner for fathers day. My sister and I again decided to carpool to the resturant and arrived there around 1:45 and decided to wait for my parents to show up, we waited in the car until 2:10 only to realize there was a parking lot on the other side of the resturant where my parents had parked out of our sight and were waiting for us. I think we both felt pretty lame for waiting outside like that. Dinner went well, My father got to eat and watch baseball which was playing on the television across from where he was sitting which to him seemed like the best fathers gift he could've gotten. Again, I didn't get a card for the occasion. I'll make it up to him this summer with Lugnut tickets most likely.
Thats all.
Detox clinic opening for video addicts
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - An addiction center is opening Europe's first detox clinic for game addicts, offering in-house treatment for people who can't leave their joysticks alone.
Video games may look innocent, but they can be as addictive as gambling or drugs — and just as hard to kick, says Keith Bakker, director of Amsterdam-based Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants.
Bakker already has treated 20 video game addicts, aged 13 to 30, since January. Some show withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking and sweating, when they look at a computer.
His detox program begins in July. It will run four to eight weeks, including discussions with therapists and efforts to build patients' interests in alternative activities.
"We have kids who don't know how to communicate with people face-to-face because they've spent the last three years talking to somebody in Korea through a computer," Bakker said. "Their social network has completely disappeared."
It can start with a Game Boy, perhaps given by parents hoping to keep their children occupied but away from the television. From there it can progress to multilevel games that aren't made to be won.
Bakker said he has seen signs of addiction in children as young as 8.
Hyke van der Heijden, 28, a graduate of the Amsterdam program, started playing video games 20 years ago. By the time he was in college he was gaming about 14 hours a day and using drugs to play longer.
"For me, one joint would never be enough, or five minutes of gaming would never be enough," he said. "I would just keep going until I crashed out."
Van der Heijden first went to Smith & Jones for drug addiction in October 2005, but realized the gaming was the real problem. Since undergoing treatment, he has distanced himself from his smoking and gaming friends. He says he has been drug- and game-free for eight months.
Like other addicts, Bakker said, gamers are often trying to escape personal problems. When they play, their brains produce endorphins, giving them a high similar to that experienced by gamblers or drug addicts. Gamers' responses to questions even mirror those of alcoholics and gamblers when asked about use.
"Many of these kids believe that when they sit down, they're going to play two games and then do their homework," he said.
However, unlike other addicts, most gamers received their first game from their parents. "Because it's so new, parents don't see that this is something that can be dangerous," Bakker said.
Tim, a gamer who is currently under treatment, agreed to discuss his addiction on condition of his last name not being used. He said he began playing video games three years ago at age 18. Soon he wouldn't leave his room for dinner. Later, he began taking drugs to stay awake and play longer. Finally he sought help and picked up other hobbies to occupy his time.
Symptoms of addiction are easy to spot, Bakker says. Parents should take notice if a child neglects usual activities, spends several hours at a time with the computer and has no social life.
Bakker said parents of game addicts frequently echo the words of partners of cocaine addicts: "'I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what it was.
http://tinyurl.com/ndzud
This sounds like something I should be enrolled into haha. Not really, I dont think I'm this addicted to videogames. I've always looked at it as a hobby, much like the same of people who enjoy reading, or collecting (coins, dolls, etc...). The only difference is that my hobby is a whole lot more expensive than yours. If I ever get to the point where Im using drugs to stay awake to play videogames then I hope someone shoots me rather than taking me in for detox. I'm way more addicted to the internet anyway.
the weekend
Quick recap of this weekend
- Went to Oceana County (the "O.C.") with Jill.
- Visited her baby nephew Henry (cute kid!).
- Went to Lake Michigan, walked on a concrete pier and fucked up my feet walking barefoot.
- Did some other stuff (nothing interesting to note)
Overall it was a lot in the span of 20 hours and I enjoyed it all except for the drive home. I'm still a little exhausted and the blisters on my feet are still sore. Also I got home and picked this little beauty up.
Getting it was half the adventure. First I wasn't sure if we were going to be back in Lansing on time to get it. For some reason Nintendo decides to release this on a Sunday when every store closes at 6. GOOD MOVE NINTENDO!
Then sometime in the early afternoon I get a call from EBGames telling me that they didn't have enough in stock and to ask if I could hold off until the second shipment came in, which they wouldn't tell me what day that was. Assholes! So because my phone had little to no connection in the middle of nowhere and also about to turn off due to me not charging the battery, I reluctantly agreed to do it. Even though I asked if my roommate could pick it up for me which they said only if he had my drivers licence (WTF! He had the preorder slip in his hand!). At this point Im pissed at the release date being sunday and EBGames trying to screw me over. Then I kinda thought that they might've called other people as well to see if they could hold out on picking it today as well so I was going to go to the store no matter what just to see if they might have one after all.
So we left O.C. at 3:15 and just barely made it into Lansing around 5:20. I was acting like an immature brat after sitting in the car for 2.5 hours and not knowing if I would have enough time to get to the store or not. Thankfully Jill is understanding enough to overlook my childishness and dropped me off at my house around 5:35, I get to the store, give them my preorder and they had it! Apparently the same guy who called me earlier in the afternoon was going to call me back to let me know it was in. (by this time it was 5:45 so what time were you going to call me you douche!?). After that I was fine, not irated or agitated and the rest of the night went fine. I feel kinda silly getting so worked up about it but I think its just the circumstances going on and the fact I was completely not in control of the situation. I really need to learn to calm down sometimes. I dont think Im that bad though, only somtimes. :)
I guess I should get back to work now.
everybodys working for the weekend
Just a quick recap from yesterday.
I arrived late for my Upper GI test at the hospital. The woman at the office told me 10:45 but wrote down 10:00, thankfully I went in earlier than usual and only ended up being 10 minutes late. The test itself wasn't too bad, I first had to drink this Alka-Seltzer mixture to expand my stomach and then drink this horrific think chalky liquid with barium salt in it to outling my stomach walls. No flavoring could mask the taste of that shit and I had to chug it down as fast as I could. Blech! Then take a couple X-ray photos and I was done. The whole procedure only took about 10 minutes.
I casually came back to work around 12:30 (I say casually because the test was done at 11:15 and I was in no rush to come into work anytime soon). Work went fine until 4:30 where for the first time I experienced Corecomm Déjà vu. I was answering phones for the front desk when this man calls in at 4:45 to request some assistance with his campaign. I wont go into exactly what was said but it included all the classic Corecomm Customer assery there. The "I'm going to repeat my situation to you 6 times because I feel sooner or later, you're going to give me what I want even though you haven't yet...", The "Is there no one else there that can answer this question for me?" (Not at 4:45 on a FRIDAY YOU ASSHOLE!), The "Well who is in charge of that and can I have their extension?", etc....etc....Plus it didn't help that sometime during that same hour the phone cord to the handset broke and I had to literally hold it in place so I could hear what this guy was blabbing on and on about for 15 minutes. Ugh! and to think I use to put up with this shit day after day after day. Although sometimes, its a lot easier to get through your day knowing you've ruined the life of some ghetto trash in Cleveland by shutting her phone service off that it is dealing in politics.
Back on Monday.
2 things here
1st thing
I swear this will be my last 666 reference for the next 100 years.
You know how it's said "money is the root of all evil"?, I guess it's correct, check this out.
I guess they're right. It can also be yours for pretty cheap. Hurry! aution ending soon
1995 Federal Reserve $1 bill with serial # 666666662nd thing
So we all know by now that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed yesterday but U.S. forces and sure, think what you want about what this does in the "war on terrorism" but really the first thing I noticed was this picture.
I dont quite understand one thing here. Why on earth is this photo framed? was that really necessary? I'm starting to think that maybe George Bush has a secret gallery where he likes to keep photos of his dead enemies, maybe he'll hang al-Zarqawi in between Uday and Qusay Hussein and call it the triangle of terror. You just know it has to burn him up inside that he couldn't complete the collection with Saddam on there to avenge his daddy. I can see it now "Coming to your town! it's the President Bush collection of dead terrorists! Come view his personal collection and your local Wal-mart, Republicans get in for 1/2 price!"
Back to work.
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphoia or The Day of the Beast!
So I've read online that Vegas oddsmakers holding 100,000-1 odds today that the world is going to end. My only question really is if you win, how do you go about collecting? I've actually been looking forward to this day for a couple of months now only to see what kind of relgious nuts will be out of what ironic things may happen in the news. So far I see theres been a volcanic explosion out of Mount Merapi in Indonesia which is going to be misinterpreted as "Satan sending his message" I'll assume. Also a British woman is committing to naming her son who is scheduled to be born today Damien. Now THAT is just awesome! That kid is going to be so fear by his schoolmates. If I were him, I'd play up on that fact for the rest of my life.
Well, I suppose I should be getting back to work now, I'll be listening to
Slayer tonight to mark the occasion.
\m/
confessions of a sports junkie #3
This will be my last sports related post for awhile.
So the Pistons finally lost and I dont have to watch a minute more of these already ridiculously long NBA playoffs. Theres absolutely no reason why they need to go on for 2 FUCKING MONTHS! gah!
The Pistons really deserved to lose with their half assed effort and cockiness in winning HCA during the regular season. I only hope now that Ben or Rasheed Wallace gets traded for a scorer or even someone who will sit in the low post to receive the ball. (a 6'10'' player should NEVER be at the 3 point line like Rasheed was all year long like that). All I can say now is Go Mavs!
no title
It's a little cold in my bedroom right now, and I think another storm is coming. Where did the sun go?
Yesterday I had visted my doctor for a rather strange reason. Beginning last monday I experienced a sharp pain in the center of my back every time I was eating or drinking anything. It wasn't anything that bad but had been going on for several days. My doctor was unable to determine if there was anything physically wrong with me but ordered me on a perscription of Nexium, a chest xray, bloodwork and now and Upper GI scheduled for next friday at the hospital. What the hell am I getting myself into?
I also found out yesterday that my friend Christopher is getting married next year. This is the first of my friends to do so and it's kind of weird. I'm not really sure what to expect out of it but I guess I'll have a year to see.
Thats it.
confessions of a sports junkie #2
Maybe I was a bit hasty in not caring about the Pistons yet,
NOW we've got a series!
Ever since the Game 4 lost I've thought about the rest of this series down to one game really, Game 6 tonight. If Detroit can win tonight, they've got the series, regardless of game 7 because really, who doesn't expect a little home court favoritism going into that scenerio. It's as if the Pistons can't lose then and if they do I'll be a little suprised. I'll defintely be tuning into the games from here until whenever the run ends.
The Tigers slipped up a little this week losing 3 out of 4 to the dreaded Yankees. We're the bats asleep or what? the first 2 games with 0 runs is unacceptable! at least they sweaked out of the last game. Now it's the Red Sox, fuck! At least they're still 2.5 up on the White Sox for the division race.
another day another post
This game has completely consumed my videogame attention as of late. For as much fun as Table tennis can be in real life, Table Tennis for the 360 kicks its ass! The best is playing on Xbox Live and destroying those who otherwise would be able to beat me in any other online competitive game. Take THAT Halo 2 fans! I only wish they would've expanded more on the single player mode and maybe made a Beer Pong mode where the controller shakes after each turn. Ah well, maybe there will be a sequel, though it's already pretty perfect in its own right.
Speaking of videogames, I only have another 10 AGONIZING days until my DS lite ships out! I recently traded in my PSP and 3 games for $151 in credit. It's not that I hated the PSP either, far from it. But when I read about all the movie studios who are dropping out of the UMD market I saw that as the beginning of the end. Wasn't movies one of the selling points for this thing anyway? Plus the unit just felt so expensive that I wasn't about to take it out of the house to experience it as a true "portable system" that it is intended to be. Plus GTA Liberty City Stories is coming out for the PS2 on Tuesday and it's got to be a hell of a lot easier to play on there than on the one analog stick PSP.
Anyway, back to the DS. I'm thinking I'll pick up 2 games when I finally get it, The New Super Mario Brothers which just looks amazing and a lot of fun to play and then for online play I'll be picking up Mario Kart DS. I've got a few people lined up to play against and that ought to keep me occupied on the long boring days ahead.
Thats all for now.
chinese mutant baby
Chinese Mutant Baby!I feel for the poor kid, I really do but as soon as I saw the image in the article, this was the first thing that came to my mind.
OMGWTFBBQ! the Chinese are working on breeding Goro!
