The World's End Is Nigh

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Saturday, Dizzy & I went to help her aunts set up a going away party for their son Jeff as he’s heading out to join the Air Force Special Ops team next week after their wedding. They rented out part of Kennedy Grove and the four of us set up a nice picnic area, barbecue, beverages, tables, etc for about 50-60 people since there were a hundred or so invited… and about 20 showed up… but that just meant that there were plenty of leftovers. The weather was perfect & we had a wonderful time hanging with friends & family in a wonderful setting. Later that night, we met up briefly with Jeff & some of his friends at Melodee’s for some quick karaoke… but they wanted to head out to other bars too, so we let the kids in their early twenties have time with their buddy. Don’t worry, we put the fear in them about having a designated driver… who drove a Lexus… so we knew that Jeff was getting home safe… because that car was getting home safe.

 

Sunday, we basically relaxed & started up our home brewing empire by researching and ordering the kits & books to get started. By the end of next weekend, we should be well on our way to crafting our first beers. Obviously we’re starting out with some of the simpler, pre-packaged recipes until we get our feet wet & get the process in play… but we’re REALLY excited about it. We kind of surprised each other the other day with “I bought a book!” “Me too! Which one did you get?” “This one!” “Me too! I’ll cancel the order for that one… but I got these other two, so don’t get those.” Yeah, I figure that by the time we finish our first batches (Irish Red Ale & Pumpkin Ale) that we’ll at least have read through the beginner book… and hopefully know that much more about home brewing… and then after a few batches, we can get all kinds of experi-mental up in this piece. Stay tuned!

 

Speaking of beer, Thursday we watched “The World’s End” starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost & Martin Freeman… and directed by Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead” & “Hot Fuzz”). This is the finale of The Cornetto Trilogy… and the story is about five high school friends who have gone their separate ways… but one of them named Gary King (Pegg) wants to reunite them on a mission to finish a 12-pub crawl in their hometown of Newtown Haven… culminating at the final stop, The World’s End. After a few stops, the old demons start to come out & the former friends remember why they kinda separated… until one of them gets into a scrum in the bathroom… and tears a kid apart to find out that he’s actually a robot. Then the previously-hilarious movie turns into an even more hilarious “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” homage with surprisingly great fight scenes paired with plenty of laughs & story direction. While we were watching it… we were pretty convinced that this may be one of the greatest action-comedies ever created. Think “Zombieland” with more drinking & English accents… if you like that idea… then you’ll LOVE this movie. I highly recommend it!!! Go watch it!!!

 

Also this weekend, we watched “The Cove” which is a documentary about conservationist Ric O’Barry & the Japanese city of Taijii… where there’s a major industry involving dolphins… but it’s not Sea World Japan. Back in the 60’s, Ric helped to introduce the world to dolphins when he was the chief animal trainer for the TV series “Flipper” and that led to an amazing BOOM in dolphinariums & sea parks… but obviously with serious side effects to the dolphins themselves and the environmental impact. Basically, since then he’s been on a mission to free as many dolphins as possible… and at the pinnacle of his mission is to expose the secretive area of Taijii known as “The Cove” where it’s suspected that thousands of dolphins are being slaughtered every year & sold for meat. So he & a group of fellow environmentalists set out to get evidence of this heavily guarded secret & bring it to the forefront of the IWC (Int’l Whaling Council) meetings to attempt to bring about change. It’s actually a very intriguing documentary (which is why I think it won an Academy Award a few years back) but another main thing that I pulled from it… is that apparently all of our seafood like sushi grade tuna… may have about 5000 times the legal amount of mercury at any given time… and given how mercury effects brain cells… I may not be eating high-level fish or seafood for quite some time now. I kinda like my brain. Regardless, I recommend that you see this documentary… but I warn you… it’s not going to be pretty… you’re going to see dolphins brutally murdered & it’s a Sarah McLachlan song away from being some of the saddest sh*t you’ll ever see… but it’s something that everybody probably should see if just to get word out & make some changes before it’s too late.

 

Speaking of Sarah McLachlan… we also watched some episodes of “Due South” while relaxing… and she sang a song on an episode that I thought a few lyrics that I caught were particularly creepy… and of course Dizzy loves the show & had the soundtrack… so she told me the story of how the lyrics of this song “Possession” were allegedly taken from some letters from stalkers… sorry, that’s harsh… let’s say, extremely devout fan letters… and turned into this love song. Here are the lyrics… and you can listen to it on YouTube or something:

 

 

 

Verse:   Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide
Voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time
The night is my companion, and solitude my guide
Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied?

 

Chorus: And I would be the one
to hold you down
kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
and after, I'd wipe away the tears
just close your eyes dear

Verse:   Through this world I've stumbled so many times betrayed
trying to find an honest word to find the truth enslaved
oh you speak to me in riddles and you speak to me in rhymes
my body aches to breathe your breath
your words keep me alive

            (Chorus)

 

Verse:   Into this night I wander it's morning that I dread
another day of knowing of the path I fear to tread
oh into the sea of waking dreams I follow without pride
nothing stands between us here and I won't be denied

 

One last chorus for full creepiness… nice, right? Well, if the desired effect is a moistness in the loins then it may have the desired effect but I think it’s a different kind that was expected. Then again… there are a lot of love songs out there that when you really break down the lyrics… can be easily misconstrued as the ravings of a lovesick lunatic.

 

Anyway, that should do it for today. Have a great day everybody!!!

Fantastic Voyage II: Electric Boogaloo

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen,

Sorry that I didn't blog yesterday (Lilie) but as I mentioned before, it's going to be a bit of a hectic time for me the next few weeks...so please don't expect consistent reports...though I do plan on telling you what I remember happened (possibly with visual confirmation) when / if I remember to blog...but moving is really a pain the testicles. Let's see, I last left you when I was just about to go to my dad's house to work on my car. Well, Sunday I did that...and the main fixin's were done within about twenty minutes...which was good because it was done during the twenty minutes between snow flurries. Then while it precipitated for a few hours, we watched some of the best football games televised in our region in a long, long time. First up was a game between Da Bears & the Falcons (oh yeah, they still have a team). It was a great game down to LITERALLY the very last second. I can't believe that I was actually cheering for the Falcons. It was weird. Watch the highlights on Sportscenter if you like sports. There were FIVE games that went down to the last seconds in one day. It was quite amazing really. Anyway, then after that I borrowed my dad's shampooer and cleaned out my car for the nice long trip to Denver. We also hung out and he told me how much he was going to miss me and how proud he was of me and all that usual dad stuff. I'm gonna miss him too. Like my brother, I'm basically his only friend too. It's not because he's an A-hole or anything...just that he's married...and has been for a long time...so naturally all his friends have either been scared off or been married as well.

After that, JL Clyde & I hung out and started out watching "Leprauchaun in the Hood" but quickly decided it was stupid even for a Leprauchaun movie...so then we watched "Screamers" starring Peter Weller...and little did I know, was based on a short story by Philip K. Dick which I am proud to say is an author that I knew about and JL Clyde didn't. I know, right? How does that happen? Anyway, it was a pretty ridiculous little sci-fi thriller about the universe in the year 2078 or something on some distant planet where they mine this element called Berynium or something...but it starts this whole war...and there's these robot things that were supposed to help keep the peace or something...but they evolved and revolted or something. It was kind of hard to follow the story because I was laughing at it so hard and kept saying stuff like "HE'S the robot. He's Robocop!!!" For those who don't know, Peter Weller is the actor that played Robocop...and I don't recognize him because of his distinctive chin...but because of the few scenes where they take Robocop's visor thing off...and I was one of the unfortunate people who watched The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension. Another movie that he did. Anyway, check it out if you want...but if not, you're not missing anything. Then we watched a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" then I had to kick her out because it was 2 AM. Sorry ma'am. I know you need your Charlie fix...but I don't want you to OD.

Monday, I woke up a little early because I had to take my car to El Tigre to get the brights switch in my steering column changed out before I went to Denver (because I'd probably need them there eventually). I also had to run around and get some boxes & bins for packing and storing all my crap that I hadn't boxed yet. Then I went back home because my mom was meeting up with me to help out...and that she did. After a few hours, I had to do some more running around like donate all my old clothes to Deseret Industries (Utah's Goodwill equivalent), turn in my badge & gun at work, talk to HR about how my transition to the new job is going to go, then go pick up my car from El Tigre...but then find out that my radiator had suffered a major crack in the past few days so it was leaking pretty bad, so then I had to take it back to El Tigre...and they'll fix it...but it may push back my departure date for Denver another day. It just really depends on when then finish it up tomorrow. Hopefully it's done by noon or so...but if it gets to be 3 or 4, I may just wait until Wednedsay morning to drive to Denver. I've got a few days window so it's no big whoop. Oh, also my brother & his family decided that they were going to stop by to "help out" packing...but basically all they did for the first few hours was distract my mom while I wasn't there...and then having a few babies running around when I got there proved to be inconvenient...but we eventually got everybody fed & changed and got a lot of my stuff packed up and ready to go. A bit of a busy day really.

After they left, Lilie stopped by to talk for a bit about my move & all the exciting job offers that she's going to get over the next few weeks...and how the biggest worry in her life is going to be deciding which fabulous opportunity she wants to take advantage of. It was awesome. Thanks for stopping by, Lilie. Oh...and she thinks that my Quiz is rigged too...and she even has a tie for the high score. Go ahead and give it a shot. See how well you know the Doctor.

One of the things that I noticed while going through all my stuff for the move is all of the memories that come back when you look at a specific thing that you stashed away. Journals that you used to keep and remembering all the times that you stayed up writing nonsense in a primitive way like paper & ink before you could just type away at a hundred words a minute on your blog. Photo albums from your trips from Europe to Kansas City and everywhere in between. Shirts that you remember getting in high school (over a decade ago). Old birthday cards that you stashed away because you were so touched by them when you read them. Pictures of a friend that you hadn't thought about in years. A fondue pot that you bought a few years ago because you really wanted to impress a former girlfriend but you didn't want to spend over a hundred bucks at the Melting Pot (besides, dinners at home are more intimate anyway...but gratuities are still generously accepted). Of course, there's also a lot of stuff that you look at and go, "Why did I ever get this piece of junk?" or "I should've thrown this away years ago" or you stumble upon exquisite chocolates that were apparently put in a wrong box when you moved three years ago...but because chocolate doesn't expire, you enjoy those wonderful Mozartkugeln because you can't really find them anywhere in the States...and you think that even if you get an upset stomach, it'll be well worth it...because then you remember the first time you tried them on the hills of Salzburg singing "THE HILLS ARE ALIIIIIIIIVE!!! With the Sound of Muuuusiiiiiiic..." and how you vowed to get back there some time in your life...but next time you were bringing a lady with you...so you can both enjoy the fireflies on the hike back down after watching the sunset and having a picnic dinner of fondue & Mozartkugeln...because that's how you roll, dammit. You know, stuff like that. I assume that everybody goes through that when they move.

Anyway, despite all the trials & tribulations of the past month, I am very optimistic about this new adventure...and look forward to hopefully getting started later today. I'll try my best to keep you all updated as best I can with pictures of the drive along beautiful Wyoming (remember, I'll be driving though and the sun's only out for a few hours a day now), possibly some pictures of my prospective apartments, maybe even some pictures of me in my new suits that I've been promising for so long but nobody has been willing to take my picture (or watch me change...sorry P-Monkey), tales of my new job and city of residence, any random thoughts that I have along the way, maybe even finish up with more pictures from my Going Away Party last weekend. Here are a few that I got from The Mad Scientist, Cat, and Leeshy...with probably more on the way. This oughta hold you over until my next entry.

This picture creeps me out a bit.

I feel like it should say something along the lines of

Dr. Mookie Love

1981-2250

Non-profit Gigolo, Loving Son, King of the World

The Mad Scientist ROCKS!!!

Casanova really knows how to mix a drink

They're usually a little strong...just like he likes 'em

Cat, Leeshy, and people playing Rock Band

$teve on lead guitar with DJ on drums

$teve, Casanova, Sean, and the ghost of the Mad Scientist (left)

"Ayyyyyyy!!!"

$teve, Lilie, and Delicious Crepes with Nutella

Okay, Picture Quiz Time!!!

Did Lilie enjoy being lifted up for a picture (instead of

me having to slouch two feet about a dozen beers down)?

In this picture, she appears to be enjoying it...

In this picture, she may be screaming for the cops

You decide.

I don't have to be drunk to do my

"I Like Chicken" Dance...but it helps

Not sure what From Russia with Love is taking

a picture of...but I probably should've checked my fly!!!

$teve & Leeshy

The Drunk Scientist & Mickey

Thanks for stopping by...though I had to guilt trip ya

$teve & Di - "Ayyyyyy!!!"

BW & $teve

Her mom drove us home...thank God

$teve & the Ladies

As seen on my Facebook profile picture

Again, I'm going to miss you all madly...but I expect you all to come and visit me periodically (because you know that I can't make friends again, I'm just too lazy) and I'll be having a Housewarming Party some time next month (probably not Turkey Day weekend) so you'll have to start coordinating carpool situations so that you all can come visit...and have some High Point Beer in the Mile High City. Can't wait to tell you all about my fantastic voyage...but it hasn't quite happened yet. Au Revior...and wish me luck. Have a great day everybody!!!

P.S. Let me know if you want to help me move. There's a free ride to Denver in it for ya...but the ride back is on your own. :)

Going Away Party Pics

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen,

Well, my pictures for the party as well as the rest of the day can be found HERE courtesy of the One Day Photo Project. It's worth a gander...and if anybody else out there has pictures of my party, I would greatly appreciate copies. There were lightbulbs going off like paparazzi on me (and even some partial nudity) but I really don't have any pictures of me with my peeps. Thanks again for coming to the party everybody.

So yeah, as reported yesterday, my morning was spent eating bread and drinking Gatorade...and then after watching football for a few hours (damn Eagles lost again...this time to the Racists), I got a text from Bone Junior and we decided to meet up for a meal at Red Robin to exchange back "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and have a good time. Indeed good times were had...and the best part was...I didn't have to pay. Okay, so that wasn't the best part at all...but it was the most surprising part. Take it from me ladies, when a gentleman has his meal paid for by a beautiful woman, it's awesome!!! Anyway, we talked more about movies, Elvis, Nicolas Cage, job drama, etc. and it was a great way to spend an hour or so in the afternoon. Thanks for meeting up, Bone Junior.

After that, I returned calls to my mom and sister (I'm not going to answer the phone when I'm talking about Elvis) and decided to give my dad a call to see what he was up to. Apparently there was another leak in the basement so he was cleaning that up. I offered to go help him out and watch the Steelers & Jaguars play football. During the slow times in the game, we talked about Denver and he was trying to reassure me...but it was unnecessary because I'm ready to go...just don't know when they want me there. It's...well, you've been reading. It's an odd situation...but I think it's just a matter of technicalities before I'll be there. Maybe even later this week. I hope to find out in the next few hours...because that would be awesome. If not, they may just have to wait until I'm damn good and ready...because that's how I roll.

After the game, my dad wanted to watch "American Gangster" on HBO. While seeing how much money was being made in the drug trafficking industry, I thought to myself "Am I in the wrong business?" As you may know, I think about robbing banks and selling drugs and other get rich quick schemes full of danger and graphic violence...but I wouldn't actually do it. I'd like to think that I could be a cool, charismatic and charming druglord like Denzel though. I don't know, maybe. Just in a different job title maybe. Instead of druglord...maybe entrepreneur...or game show host...or masseuse to the stars...or non-profit gigolo. Wait, profit was exactly why I wanted to do this. Maybe I wanna drop that part and just whore myself out. Nyeh, I'll figure it all out. So yeah, great flick if you haven't seen it.

That'll do it for today. Gonna make some calls and get the low down on the Denver situation. I'm pretty chill about the whole situation...but that doesn't mean that I'm obviously thinking about it all the time. Starting new in a city that I barely know, in a job situation that's just gotten really confusing the past week, leaving behind all my family & friends, really trying not to think about that part, the logisitics of moving my crap there & extra crap elsewhere, learning a completely new job, making sure my wardrobe's sofresh so clean, all that and more. Anyway, have a great day everybody!!!

$teve Parties His Ass Off

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Well, the party last night was a complete success. Family, friends, coworkers, former coworkers, all cool people showed up...probably somewhere around 40-50 people. Not bad for less than a week's notice...and who knew that so many people gave a damn about little ol' me? Big thanks to Boss Man B for hosting the party, big ups to Mandy for a ride there, and super big ups for BW's mom for the ride home, and of course thanks to everybody for coming. It was an awesome night.

Normally I would wow you with pictures of the evening...or for that matter the entire day because of the One Day Photo Project...but that's going to have to wait until tomorrow probably. Why? Apparently keeping a slow & steady pace of high point Heineken for about seven hours...will catch up with you...especially if you're a lightweight. That being said, I spent the morning on the Body of Christ diet (thanks again Lilie for picking up some bread & Gatorade for me) and been trying to watch football with a screaming headache...and the Eagles losing to the Racists didn't help matters. So I wasn't going to try to download on a computer and stuff too...but my schedule's allegedly open for tomorrow...so we'll see. Oh well, I will overcome...and Bone Junior & I are going to try to hit up the Red Robin for some real food...and at the very least some Elvis playing in the background. She's already been warned that if I suddenly excuse myself from the table to not be offended. Wish me luck with solid food. Have a great day...and enjoy Feist on Sesame Street, courtesy of Amber. I don't care what you say, I enjoy this Feist chick...and so should you. Thanks again everybody!!!