Reflecting on 2006.

This post will be long and rambling. You have been warned.

So, here we are, the very last day of 2006. It has failed to kill me. And barring the sinking of the boat I will shortly be heading to work on, it will not kill me in the few hours it has left. But it has gotten me to thinking. I have had many vast changes in my life over the years, but I would have to say that one of the biggest was over the course of this year.

2006 began with me at the lowest point in my life, and it closes with me riding along the highest point, and it can only get better from here. So, if you will, a year in review.

Jan, 2006: I am still with my 3x, and completely miserable. I have no say in my life; I am completely dependent on 3x, and that's just the way she wants it. I have nothing left to fight with. I give up.

Feb-March, 2006: My 3x is going to Mardi Gras. Without me. She is taking along her business associate, instead. Hmmm. Good riddance. J (3x's bro) is going into surgery to fix his shoulder.
Shoulder get operated on the day 3x leaves for NOLA. I take care of J for almost a week. We have an argument, combined with Crap from 3x. I leave. My bro helps me grab all my belongings, and I take them to my mom's. Charity rescues me (twice) from my 3x when (twice) I am stranded up in the SFV with no way home.

April-September, 2006: Charity and I are dating, and I feel great. I have complete freedom to do what I want, when I want. I get a job on the Cattle Boats, and spend a lot of my free time at Charity's place. Life is pretty flowin' and Zen.

October, 2006-Present: Moved in Officially with Charity. Happy beyond words. Various financial issues trouble us from the get-go. Health issues also ensue. If anything can possibly become drama or extra complicated, it does. I am not discouraged. As long as I have Charity, nothing can make me lose faith in circumstances getting better. This last week of '06, I get a HUGE amount of work on the Cattle Boats, which will make for a nice payday this coming Friday. Add to that that W-2's will be in the mail soon, and finances are finally going to settle down, hopefully until April, when I go full-time on the cattle boats again. w00t.

So there you have a rundown of some of the events that happened this year. But what changed the most was my attitude. I was pretty much welcoming death in some form in January. I had given up hope of ever having a say in how my life was run. And Charity appeared out of nowhere, after almost a year of no contact, and I had hope. And less then two months later, I was holding her in my arms, and by the gods, she hasn't left my arms yet, almost a whole year later.
I was lazy back then, too. I would do only what I had too, and only when I was nagged. I guess it was some form of defense mechanism against my 3x's manipulations. Nowadays, I am working two jobs, sometimes 18 hours a day, and happy. I do a lot of the chores around the house, which I expect no praise for, as that is part of living. I am just pointing out that I would avoid them in the House of 3x. I am motivated, Internets. Motivated to improve not only my lot in life, but Charity's as well. Moreso hers than mine, however I recognize that they will probably improve together.
Yes, 2006 has tried to kill me and Charity, but it has done me many favors. It finally made me grow up. I have taken contril of my life, damnit. I have confidence in my self. And no matter how bad my finances get, or how sick I get, or how many long days I have to work... Nothing can take that away from me.


Happy New Years, Internets.

And now for Resolutions.

1.) I resolve to make my hours at the Cattle Boats to ensure good hours over the next winter.
2.) I resolve to solve our financial problems.
3.) I resolve to be a bit more physically active. Maybe Charity likes the way I look, but I don't like the way I get winded after running up the stairs to the house. Fuck that. Exercise.
4.) I resolve to let Charity know,by my actions, every day, that she is the most important element in my life, and that I love her more than I can ever express in words.
5.)And finally, I resolve to try and post to my blog more often, and not let my Pirate die so much.

So. Tired.

Well, it wasn't supposed to be this way, but somehow, I managed to pick up another 0445 shift (that's 4:45am, for you non-military types) this morning, with a 4-9pm chaser at Toasty's.

Gah.

And I found out that my New Year's Eve shift? The one that is supposed to be from 4-10pm?

Added.

With a layover.

Try 4pm-anywhere from 2am-4am.

After having worker a 9am-2pm job at Toasty's in the morning.

this roughly equates to one week's worth of man-hours being squeezed out of me in 2 days like a grape during wine season.

I shall probably have expired by the time payday rolls around, but had I survived the ordeal, I would make a great deal of Moolah.

I.

Am.

So.

Fucking.

Tired.

And, I need to clean the Air Filter on my scooter, which will probably eat any remaining free time I had left this year.

As in, after work and sleep, I have 2 hours of free time left in 2006. As of 3:30pm on the 30th of December. Yep, I have that much work to do.

But I am being a whiny bitch, and expending precious energy on negativity.

So, here is some positive: Charity, baby, come Friday when I get paid, we ARE GOING OUT. Somewhere "NICE™."

Very possibly somewhere we have to dress up to go to. But maybe not. I might not be quite so motivated after the rest of this week.

Anyways, I have to get ready for Toasty's.

Shoot Me.

Where in the hell did I develop a work ethic? I used to be lazy. The 3x used to call me that all the time, and she was right, most of the time. But now, I work from 4:45 in the morning until 9:45 at night sometimes. Well, whenever they let me. Why?

Because I love my baby, and I want to make her comfortable.

In the mean time, I will try to get a post out today between my boat job and my Toasty's job. But don't hold yer breath. I hafta get to the bank too.

Later Inter-peeps.

3vil is now 3x. Because I am lazy. Or something.

Anyways, was online yesterday, and signed onto my Screen Name that my 3x knows, and Lo and Behold, I was IM'd by her. This was rather shocking, as I had not heard from her in several months, even when she has seen me on that SN before. But it was the day after Christmas, and I suppose she couldn' help herself to dropping a few Drama Bombs here and there. It is Giftmas, after all. Everyone needs the Gift of Drama.

So to date, here is the drama in my 3x's life:
Her Old Money Supply (Homs) and part of the reason that lead to my leaving in the first place is now stalking her.
Apparently, he forced her to move out of Alabama when he found out where she lived by harrassing the people she stayed with.
She is now living somewhere in LA (not the city in Cali).
She has a new "beau".
Said new beau met her in Alabama, and moved with her when she left. (Sound familiar?)
Said new beau is described by my 3x as "sometimes can be a shit, but makes me happy." (sound more familiar yet?)

So, there you go. Some people never learn. Charity will be happy to know that my 3x was sickened when she found out (she asked) that Charity and I are still together, sharing an apartment and a life. Oh, Charity, she referred to you as both Whatshername and Your(my)woman. Hehe. She still won't use your name. I hope her book comes out soon, because I don't see how a book evicerating a main character named Whatshername can become famous.

Oops, I better go. I will be late for work. Bye, Internets.

Christmas Pictures... Like you didn't know it was coming...

Well, maybe you might not have known it was coming. Photos in my blog Posts is a rather new development. But here we go.


The Christmas Tree of Mad Charity & Black Aengus. Merry Christmas.

It was humble, but nice. And then, came Christmas day, where there was a veritable Battlefield of Cameras, entire Divisions and Batteries of them. A quick look:








And folks, if that wasn't bad enough, in true American Style, we were also in the business of Arms Dealing. My Aunt bought my cousin a camera for Xmas. And wouldn't you know, the battery was precharged, and the memory card already installed! Squ33!!
See below:


And that was our Christmas. In pictures.

Christmas

I had a really good Christmas this year. It was rather humble, but I think that is part of what made it really nice. Christmas Eve was spent at home with Charity, cuddling on the couch while Xmas music played, and all the lights were off except for a couple of strings of X-mas lights I had strwen about the hosue in a somewhat pretty way. It was an awesome night. Thank you, baby, for being mine.

Christmas Day was all about draggin Charity to my family's house for breakfast and loot presents.

Highlight of the day: When my cousing Suzy (who hasn't met Christian before) says to Charity, "Wow, You're pretty. Good job, Aengus."

I hate love my family.

It's Christmas in Iraq, too.

Merry Christmas, Internets. I heard this song on the radio today, and it made me stop in my tracks, and I had to post it tonight. I may not have a bunch of readers, but please forward this around to your friends. Copy and paste it if you want, but get this around. I don't take too many things seriously, but I think this warrants. Read the lyrics to this song, and send a silent prayer to whatever deity or power you hold dear for those men and womenor ours in Iraq, and every other conflict zone in the world. I have spent Christmas overseas before, and it isn't pleasant. So please, Let's wish all our soldiers a Merry and Safe Christmas.

A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me

The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

Everything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
And when the last one falls
When it's all said and done
It gets hard but it wont take away my love

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

"Here Without You"
3 Doors Down

Bless them all, whether you think they should be there or not. Fact is they are there, and deserve a little support. Peace and Love, Internets.

Just a quick post.. then off to work..

Merry Xmas Eve, internets. Just thought I would put that out there, so you could know that I was thinking about you. Anyways, I am off to work, and hopefully will have time to surprise Charity with a little Xmas cheer before she gets home. Here's hoping.

Bye.

Bad day for SloMo

Nothing Earth-Shattering to report today. Just to laugh at a co-worker. Working at the sub shop today, and SloMo gets an order for some sandwhich. I am working off to the side prepping some pre-weights for the more complex sandwhiches. first off, he makes the wrong sandwhich for the lady. Twice. Aw3s0me. On the third try, he gets the sandwhich right, but then drops it on the floor just before he can put it into the oven. Bwahahahahahaa!!

He walks over to me and asks me to help the lady, because his shame is too great. I make her sandwhich right (the first time, cuz I Rawk!), and she is out the door.

The night goes downhill from there. Although we did close a bit early, and that was nice.

I noticed on the way home that I need to replace the brakes on my scooter again. O boy.. If they only can last till the new year, I should be good. I should have quite a bit of money coming back from Uncle Sam, and I will be filing the minute I get my W-2s.. you better believe it!

Note to self: Call the boat job and have them stop deducting $50 from my checks for U.S. savings bonds.. I need that $50 right now.. I can start up again in the summer..

I can't wait till the spring comes, and I work at the boats full time again.. No Toasty's, all summer..... {sigh}

Old friends...

I was in my chat room tonight, and I finally ran into Liz, one of my old friends from Pre-3vil times. I lost contact with her during my time with t3h 3vil, and ran into her online tonight. Oddly enough, she is now living less then 5 minutes walk from where I used to live when I lived in Reseda. I miss that old house. It was falling apart, but damnit, it had a pool, and a pot bellied pig named Jim in the yard. W00t! That was back when things were starting to get bad with 3vil, but weren't destroyed yet. It was the beginnig of the end of the Tribe. Which has for the most part recombined without 3vil. I kind of like it.. Nifty how we all managed to make it through alive. We need to get back together and meet up and have a big old party. next time the T flys out, we need to bring Bonnie, and Liz (the one that you know, M and C), and all the rest.. I bet I can dig up Andres if I tried.. Anywho, I needs to get to bed. I have to cuddle with a girlfriend with the flu.

And I can't think of anything that makes me happier.

Tonight, talking with Liz has made me realize how much better my life is now, even then the "good times" back in the day. All of the recent negative events really don't mean that much inthe long run, as money and stress problems have a way of sorting themselves out. And the health issues will be dealt with as quickly as possible. I just needed to be reminded of how much positive I have going for me. And that is my Mad Charity.

Baby, I love you with all my heart. I'll always be here for you.

M4d Sk1llz

Look at my new title. Behold it's Glory. It took me like 2 hours to do. Because I dont' have Photoshop. I got some program called Photo Impression. So I had to figure it out enough to make the photo, and then I had to figure out Blogger's Mickey Mouse way of doing Stuff.

I needed to work off all the agression I had saved up today. And I think I did. Now I have to refrain from Waking up my poor sick girlfriend and forcing her to behold The Glory that is my new Title Of Aw3s0meness™. I feel a little better.

But now I wanna go cuddle wif my gurlfren.

"I can't stands it no more..."

Dear God,

Love,

"Black" Aengus MacGuinness

_________________________________________________

I think I have been very laid back in response to all the shit that has been dumped on me, My girlfriend, and our household in general. But I tell you what. I am ready to snap. Nobody should have to put up with this amount of crap. If you have read Nine's Blog, then you have Charity's side of the story. And obviously, you are reading mine, so you have an idea of where we are currently. Well, add to that today My wonderful Charity gets the Flu ON TOP of every other thing that is going wrong, which is to include getting verbally abused by her soon to be ex-husband for doing what he fucking asked her to do(I seriously need to kick this dude's ass. Mental Note.) and then I get THE DAY FROM HELL at work.

How is it the day from hell? Well first off, let's start with the fact that I was fucked by the morning crew. No bread out, hardly anything prepped, and such. I can deal with that. Add to that I am working with the slowest employee in the shop, who doesn't know how to make half of hte sandwhiches. Stir in an insane amount of people coming in through the door, approximately 4 times the usual amount of people, all ordering multiple sandwhiches. Add on top of that, while I am trying to deal with all these customers, my boss' family comes in, sans boss, and proceeds to come behind the counter, getting in my way while they make themselves approximately $75 worth of food, taking up the last of two kinds of bread (we only have three.). And they are all technically managers, so I can't say a damned fucking thing about it. Somehow we managed to get out of there on time (even after I had to wash the last round of dishes that SloMo forgot).

As tempted as I was to leave the place in the same shambles I found it in? I didn't. In fact, I made sure to do my best to leave it better than I have ever left it before. And I forgot to clock out. Called the boss, did NOT complain about her Family of No Manners, and told her that I forgot to clock out, and told her the time that I finished my work. She said no problem, and I sincerely hope that that is the case.

Arg.

As much as I bitch about my job, the thing that worries and upsets me the most is Charity. Her health is the one thing I really can't fix. I am not a doctor. The fact that I feel so useless really feels like salt in an open wound. I love her, and I wish desperately that there was something I could do....

Updating the blog layout...

Well, I changed the colors around a bit, and I switched all the links and crap to the left side. Ooooh, big change, I know. I wanted to put a bit more color into it, but I kind of chickened out and got skeered. I will poke around at it tomorrow, when I don't have a girlfriend waiting for me in bed. Which reminds me, I need to take a shower before I get in bed, too. Better go!

Bah.

Last night, I picked up an evening shift on the Boats. Hurray money! Anyways, I was having a good time, trying to stay warm, but I was getting a bit of a headache, so I went up to the top deck (exterior). The wind wasn't any worse than usual, but for some reason, I must have been standing just right. A gust of wind lifted my uniform's ball cap right off my head. I turned around, hoping it would land on the lower deck (like last time). Not so lucky, today. I watched my hat flutter in the breeze, to land in the water right between the two hulls.

Damn.

Well, I have made my sacrifice to the Sea Gods. They aren't allowed to bother me anymore this year.

But there are only 12 more days left in this year, and then all bets are off.

Damn.

I suck.

Grumble.

Well, it has been a busy week since I last posted. Charity has gotten something wrong with her girly-bits, and is in extreme pain. So much pain, that we cannot have the sex, and she can barely make it to work. I keep telling her to stay home, but she can't, and I know this.

It sucks.

I took today off of work to help clean the house, and to spend her day off with her, since our schedules lately don't allow for much quality time together. And then she had to go into work anyways. Awesome. Not really. She will only be gone for a handful of hours, so I suppose it isn't too bad. I am finishing the laundry and junk, and then I will possibly go steal the neighbor's PS2 again.

In other news, I somehow became an Authority Figure. Yeps, at work, I got promoted to Head of the Night Crewe at Toasty's. The Night Crewe being me and one other person. Laugh if you must, but for a person who is uncomfortable being in charge, this is a big step, and it happened kind of by accident. As in, I didn't realize I was in charge until I got home last night and made mention of the fact that my Underling™ isn't doing a good job, and that I need to have a stern talk with him. WTF?!?!?!? Yep, Aengus, the dude that was kicked around by 3vil for 3 years has finally grown a pair, apparently. Or more accurately, grew a new pair? I don't know. Anyways, I find that I kind of like having a bit of authority. Except that I really don't like telling people what to do, apart from training. Because after training, if you have to tell someone what to do, it is because they are lazy and/or stupid, and that means I have to tell the Owner that said Underling™ is failing in his duties. Not so cool. That makes me the Bad Guy, and I am still insecure enough in myself that I hate being the Bad Guy. Feck. Oh well. If I want to be a Licensed Boat Captain one day, I will have to learn leaderships skills.

:-) #2

This is a bragging post. Just letting you all know, that I gotz a Qu1ck13 this morning, and it was good. I think I shall have to keep a running tab on Quickies that involve workday mornings.. Lol

This was the second time..

So Here's to number 2!

It was a dark and stormy night...

... the other day when I noticed that my tail-light worked, but not my brake light. Shit. Well, I made it home, and haven't used my scooter until today, the day that I ventured forth to procure a new brakelight bulb. And I did. Replacing the bulb took only 2 minutes, and I was on the road, on the way to the Vons to go shopping for Soy milk and Baker's Sugar.

My new brakelight worked fabulously. But my brand new brakelight only works when the danger is behind me. Some Old Fart Elderly Gentleman was beside me, in a left turn lane, and was apparently upset with the fact that he wasn't going to make his left turn before the light turned, so checking his mirrors, he darts into the next lane over. Where to his obvious surprise, he finds me, laying onto my litte horn. It sounds like a constipated sheep. Luckily I was going with the flow of traffic, and pulling to the far right side of my lane averted tragedy. Now behind me, he continues to drive with a dumbfounded look on his face. I give him dirty looks every so often as I continue on my merry way. He did seem in an awful hurry. I am not sure why. The Farmer's Market isn't until Friday.

Pay Day.

Yes, Friday is Payday. And not just a PayDay. A PayDay wherein I will be collecting checks from three jobs. Yep. I been workin' my proverbial ass off, and tomorrow I will reap the fruit of my labors. I can finally catch up to the rent I owe, and begin to help save up to fix Charity's new car, that was sideswiped by some drunken idiot whilst we were at a party. It is one good thing.

The past couple months have been pretty stressful, with the past week being just insane. Especially for Charity. I don't know how she holds together. I am so proud of her. I just keep shaking my head, knowing that things can't stay bad forever. At least we have our health, our jobs, and each other. (knocking on wood.)

I tell you, if adversity builds character, than between she and I (mostly her, I imagine.), we have more character than a feature-length Disney Animated Movie.

I am sooooo freakin' tired, but I cannot sleep. It is maddening. Well, I am off to try.

Good night, Internets.

Just so you know...

It isn't a good idea to pick your nose during or immediately after the making of salsa, especially if using fresh, homegrown chile peppers.

The result if you do: Sneezes of Firey D34th™

Reading Rainbow...

You remember that show, Reading Rainbow, right? The show that was on in the 80's and 90's? Guess what. It's still on. And not just in reruns, people. Levar Burton is still hosting the show, going 20 years strong now. That is awesome. And the show hasn't de-evolved into some crappy Elmo-Fest™ like Sesame Street. Nope, the show is just as cool as it was when I was growing up and watching it. Makes me almost want to have a kid so I can show him/her the coolness that is Reading Rainbow.

Now, I know all of you are wondering why I bother to rant about this now. Well, I work evenings, so I am home during the day, and my TV choices are Soap Operas, or Children's Programming. At least Children's Programming has some education in it, even if it is at a fundamental level. I saw a commercial for Reading Rainbow, and it was full of clips from the old shows. I figured they were airing reruns. Turns out they weren't. I watched the show, and they aired one about Hurricane Katrina, and how kids were sending care packages to New Orleans. That is awesome.

Levar Burton deserves mad respect for hosting that show for that long, and while hosting that show, he also starred in 7 seasons of Star Trek: the next generation, deirected quite a few of those episodes, as well as 4 major motion pictures. That is a lot of dedication to both child welfare and public television. So, Kudos to you, Mr. La Forge!

Attack of the Hangover.

Yee-up. Saturday was the party where Favorite T flew from the East Coast, and partied at The Pirates' House. There were many Ren Folk there, and b33r and Rum. I got very drunk. I threw up. Charity's car got sideswiped by a drunk. Charity got pissed (with good reason, and not just cuz the car.). I think I have to swear off the rum, as much as I hate to say it. Well, I don't really hate to say it. I guess I just like the taste?? Anyways, nothing hard for me anymore. I won't swear off on occasional b33r yet, but I am prepared to.

So there I was on Sunday morning, feeling like dead, and all. Had to say goodbye to the FAvorite T, as she flew back to the East Coast that day. l4m3. She needs to move back out here, I'm just sayin'.

@ 4pm I had to work at Toasty's. My last day at the Old Toasty's. Was supposed to be off at 8:30. Some dood walks in and orders 4 LARGE PARTY TRAYS ten minutes before closing. Crap. Boss looks at me, cuz she knows I am not feeling well, and technically party trays must be ordered 24 hours in advance. But it is a Movie Shoot that needs to feed its' peoples. She looks at me, as if asking for permission. That did it. Pride kicked in. A little seen streak of Self-Pride asserted itself. I did stand a little straighter, and my headache faded rapidly. I nodded my head, said we could do it, and I started talking to the guy to get his order. 1 veggie sammich tray, and one tray each or roast beast, Turkey, and Ham. Pretty straightforward. I like that. Also he wanted no dressing on them and no toasting, as they weren't to be eaten until midnight. Shaved a lot of time off the sammiches. I told him I could have them ready in less than an hour, and by the gods, an hour to the minute later, not only was he served and gone, but I had already finished 90% of the cleanup afterwards. I got commended by the boss for rigging up an extra make table using a card table and a large cutting board, and for delegating jobs. Well, crap. We neede the extra table, and there were three people, and three jobs. P got tasked with cutting all the bread to the riht size. (16 large Sammiches). I made the Sammiches, and the Boss got the job of cutting them to party size, and putting them on the trays. Once P was done with the bread, I sent her to help Boss, because I was making sammiches faster than she could cut them. Cuz I'm good like that, yo. As my beloved Charity would say about now: Fo' shizzle.

Anyways, that brings me to last night. Only got home about an hour late, and that wasn't a problem. But I layed awake most of the night. I wasn't proud of my actions at the party. It was good seeing my friends, and all. But I could have had a much better time had I not been drunk. I feel like I cheated both them and myself out of allt he fun we could have had. Not that we didnt' have fun. We did. But I think there could have been more fun. For example, had I not been drunk, I could have remembered the Drum Rythym Shiftatelli, and there would have been more dancing. And other such things. Anyways, I think I have gone on much longer than I needed to. Can't fix the past, but I can damn sure try to prevent it's reoccurance.

Tomorrow is Tammy-Day!!

Whilst Mad Charity is off to visit The Daughter™, I will be home doing laundry and generally loafing about the house playing a borrowed PS2 until Charity gets home and then....

We go visit T3h Tammy!! Tammy, w00t! Can't wait to see you! I am all excited, as there will be hookah, and drumming, and rum, and stuff!!

Kind of like a big Tribe Reunion, minus t3h 3vil. Minus teh 3vil is good, I assure you, Internets.

See you laterz!

The Honeymoon is over...

...and I couldn't be happier. So it came to pass this morning that I had to take a shower several hours before I planned on getting out of bed and starting my day, as I had to give my hair time to dry. Yes, I baby my hair. It has never felt the withering heat of a hair dryer, nor has it been tangled by the frantic rubbing of a damp mass of towel. Nope, my hairs, they are special. They air dry. I wring my hair out, but on a shirt or sweater, and let it dry, au natural. Anyways. I start getting ready to take my shower, only to find that Mad Charity is not yet done getting ready for work. She needs to brush her teeth and whatnot. So I tell her to just do it while I'm in the shower. I mean, she's seen me nekkid every night since we got together, right? So she does her business... and then starts to do her business. Yep. I turn to face her, and she is having herself a sit on the porcelin throne, making water. Peeing, as it were. I politely turn around and wash my hair. Ye-up. Life is awesome, people.

That and she makes fun of me when I fart in my sleep. It amuses her to no end.

My former co-worker told me this little tidbit, to be used in response to when a woman claims that she doesn't fart: "Women don't fart because they don't shut their mouths long enough to build up the necessary pressure."

Words of wisdom for the day.

The Continuing Story of Job Drama

So this post was supposed to be posted the other day, but having an asshat in a minivan attempt to kill you causes a small amount of disruption in your routine. Jus' a little.

Well, the drama that is Toasty's. With even more drama than there was two days ago when I was originally going to post. The original drama goes like this: The new owner is a Jesus Freak™. He cut my hours to 0 last week, and when I asked him about it, he told me he wanted to give hours to some of the other employees to see who works the hardest, and lay off the lazy workers. He tells me he is keeping me on for sure, but gives me no hours. Makes sense? It gets better. For the better part of that week, he told me he was talking to the owner of a nearby 2nd Toasty's, who was short on employees, and was looking for someone to fill in. He told me all week that she was not returning his calls, and that he was doing his best to get me hours. Thursday I got sick of waiting, and I went to the 2nd Toasty's, and I talked to the owner there. She told me that she still needed help, and that Jesus-Freak™ wasn't answering her calls. Hmmm. I have already worked one day at the 2nd Toasty's, and I like it there. Sunday I found out that I was working at the 1st Toasty's 4 days. I was given Thursday, Friday, and Sunday off. w00t. So I called the 2nd Toasty's, and she scheduled me to work Friday and Sunday. I came in to work last night (Monday) at the 1st Toasty's, and found that my schedule was changed without my knowledge. I now have Monday(last night) Thursday, and Saturday off. I am now working at the 1st Toasty's on the two days that I had picked up shifts for the 2nd Toasty's.

That. Asshat. Charity has pointed out to me that Jesus-Freak™ isn't a very good Christian in that he is totally fucking with my livelihood. And he isn't even apologetic about it. He has lied to my face. He has done a whole number. Just in time for the Holiday season, too, which means money I was attempting to save up to buy Xmas gifts for my family will now go to rent, thus making me look like a schmuck to my family.

Thanks, Jesus-Freak™. I hope your God smites you, and drives you to Bankruptcy.

P.S. I will be putting in my two weeks notice tonight, or at the end of the week, and will be working full-time at the 2nd Toasty's. I have already worked it out with the owner of the 2nd one. I am tempted to try and get everyone else to jump ship with me. But she doesn't have enough work for that many people, and I am hungry.

Holy. Crap.

Not to sound to drama or anything, but I literally came within inches of death today. I was on the way home from work when some ASS-TARD in a blue minivan driving in the opposite lane comes rocketing through the green light that I was approaching, and attempts to make a left turn into the alley THROUGH me. Not in front of me, or not right behind me. Hellz no. This Fuck-Wit aims his fucking car Directly. At. Me. Only two conclusions come to mind. 1.)He saw me, and decided that I must die. 2.)He didn't even bother to look, and thank the Gods it was me there on a scooter, and not some old lady on the sidewalk, even less visible than I was.

I saw him turning at me, and only dumbluck saved me. I swerved to the right towards the curb, and in doing so tugged on the throttle, which gave me just enough acceleration to evade the fucker's car by milimeters. I am probably being overly dramatic, but I swear I could feel the heat of the dude's engine on my ass. I of course am laying on my horn the entire time. I cost through the light, and pulled over for a minute. I notice the back end of the minivan sticking out of the alley. I checked all my gauges. My headlights were on. It was approaching dusk, but still bright. The sun had set behind the Palos Verdes hill maybe only ten minutes prior. So it wasn't that I was invisible, or even all that hard to see. In fact, I had my high beam on, because some lady had almost turned in front of me earlier, but caught herself. That happens regularly enough that I can almost anticipate that. But a guy coming straight at me, getting an eye full of FUCKING HEADLIGHTS should be able to see me.

I'm not one to scare easily, but that scared the crap out of me. If there had been a car parked on the curb where I swerved (I checked, it is a legal parking area), I would have been hit. I would have had no where to go. Because the damn fool never even hit his brakes. Not even after he saw me. At least, I didn't hear any screeching. I would expect that I should have heard something.

After a few moments, I turned around and tried to follow the van into the alley, because I felt at the very least I deserved a damn good apology, and he deserved a bit of a lecture, and even some ass-chewing, because that could have been a little old lady, or some mother and child on the sidewalk. But by the time I made it back that way, Homeboy was long gone. And that frustrates me. He waited there for a few moments, I had noticed, but was nowhere to be seen by the time I got back there. I guess I can't really claim it was a hit and run, since he didn't hit me (No thanks to him!). But still. He probably went home, kissed his wife or girlfriend, and asked how her day was. No one will ever know that he is a reckless, irresponsible driver, and a danger to countless people on the road. I hope that it scared him just as much as it scared me. But in my cynicism, I doubt it did. After all, it would have cost him a $200 deductible and possibly some jail time. It would have cost me my life.

So Internets. Pay attention to what's going on around you when you are driving. Please. Don't be that guy in the blue minivan.

To be continued...

For someone that in the past was a heavily Manic-depressive person, I have a pretty positive outlook these days. Which is why I haven't been posting lately. I was hit with some pretty major depression this last week, and I really didn't want to share it with the world. I don't even think Charity noticed until just the day before yesterday. I was having work issues, the issue being the new Jesus-Freak™ owner at the Toasty's I work at. I am still not sure what is going on with him, and I don't have time to give an in-depth play by play of what has happened, but suffice to say I am talking with the owner of the other Toasty's in my town, and am actually heading out to work there right now. For the immediate future, I am now working three jobs. Two seperate Taosty's stores, and my job on the boats. When I get home tonight, if I am not dead tired, I will post all the drama that set me off on my depression, and what has happened that turned it back to the upswing.

A big thanks to Charity for all of her love and her kindness. Even when she is hainv her own problems, she always manages to make me feel better. I hope I return the favor even half as well...

Money matters, or Financial Funnies.

I get paid by both of my jobs every two weeks, on a Friday. As it happens, both jobs pay on the same Friday, so every 2nd Friday, I do the Paycheck Collection Pilgrimage across San Pedro. And then to the bank with my l00t. Well, this past Friday, the amount on my paychecks was a lot more than I was expected. More so that I already have my rent for next month, and my cell phone bill that is coming up. Nice. So next paycheck is not earmarked for anything.

The thing I find most odd is now that I know I don't need the money, I am working harder to get more hours to get more money.... Is that weird? I just want to have lots of money that I don't have to spend on anything but me and my girl. And to save up for rainy days.

Now that I think of it, there are a few things I need to pay for next paycheck. I need to get my scooter a Tune-Up, as well as possibly getting the rear brakes looked at. I put a lot of miles on it. More than it was probably designed for. That and there are a lot of steep hills in San Pedro. So it wouldn't hurt. Anyways, I will try to post more later. Bye Internets.

Another Job hunt begins...

Well, again begins the quest for a new job. My job at Toasty's while not gone, will be slim pickin's for a while now. The new owner laid off 3 people (we only had 8 to begin with), and cut the remaining people's hours back to make the store more cost effective until the business picks up. I managed to extract from the new owner the pledge of at least 20-25 hours a week, which combined with my other job, will enable me to make rent and such. Barely. I will have to give up some vices, such as spending money on my girlfriend and eating.

That was a little dramatic. It isn't really that bad. I can make ends meet. The new owner asked me to stick with them through the tough times, and I would be rewarded when the prosperity hits. That's nice. Because full time on min wage is soooooo prosperous. Thanks, I will pass. I will take the 20-25 hours I can get, but I will simultaneously start searching for another job, and when I find it, I will bail from Toasty's. I don't need the stress of making dollars stretch as far as I can, and I sure ass hell don't need the Religous-Crap being spouted at me for 8 hours a day. The new owners are Bible-Thumpers. Apparently so are most of the other workers, but they had the civility to keep it to themselves until now. Now everytime I show up at work, I hear Religious ravings. I think I already ranted a bit about this. Something about it being the work of the Enemies of God preventing the shop from doing well. It was no such thing. It was the fact that the previous owners had no business savvy. And that the young man running the store in their abscence had never been formally trained. He was doing a pretty good F*cking job without any guidance. But it wasn't up to standard, and I have no problem with getting things up to speed. But I have a major problem with blaming it on Satan. Please. I am counting the days until the summer schedule is back in effect at my other job. Which reminds me, I need to post my phone number at the time clock their to pick up last minute shifts at my other job.

Words of Wisdom....

"The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, 'You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.'"
~ George Carlin

Chop Suey.

The following is a conversation I had today with my Chinese Delivery resteraunt. Only they didn't deliver today. Mind you, that was the least of the problems. for tonight, I present to you:

"Bad Engrish Theatre"

Chinese Food Guy: Hello this is Chinese Food.

Me: Yes, I would like to ask some questions.

CFG: You want what?

Me: I want to ask a couple of questions

CFG: Hold on...(pause, then new voice, with better pronunciation) Hello?

Me: What is in Chop Suey?

CFG: You want Chop Suey?

Me: No, I want to know what is in it.

CFG: In what?

Me: The Chop Suey.

CFG: Yes, we have. You want Chop Suey?

Me: (insert girlfriend in hysterics in the background, as this call was on speakerphone.) No, I want to know what the Chop Suey is made out of.

CFG: Lots of Vegetables. Like 7 different ingredients.

Me: Is it vegeterian? No meat in it?

CFG: We can put meat in it. You want beef or chicken?

Me: Do you have shrimp?

CFG: Yes. You want shrimp?

Me: I have a question. Do you have the big shrimps, or the little shrimps?

At this point, I need to point out that My girlfriend likes the small ones. She says the big ones are rubbery. I think shrimp is t3h 3vil. Period. But I digress.

CFG: Yes, we have shrimp.
Me: Yes, what size are they. Large? or small?
CFG: We have Tiger Shrimp. (Like this helps me...)
Me: Are the shrimp big ones, or the small ones as big asa quarter?
CFG: Tiger shrimp for food, small shrimp for fried rice. You want fried rice?
Me: No. Can I get the small shrimp in the Chop Suey?
CFG: Sure, no problem. Anything else?
Me: Beef Curry, please?
CFG: What?
Me: Beeeeeeeeeeef Cuuuuurrrrrrrryyyyyy.
CFG: Okay.

I love Chinese Delivery peoples. Meanwhile, Mad Charity is tearing up with laughter for the second time that evening. The first being when some random commercial came up in the middle of some nature show's credits. Completely random, and apparently hyseterical. She needed a tissue to wipe the tears. Serious. But the Chinese Food Guy? Genuinely funny. While annoyed, I was having a hard time keeping a straight tone in my voice. I wanted to laugh at him, but I am nothing, if not polite.

Chin chin!

wow... the s3x0r!!!!

Not to sound like I am bragging too much, but let me tell you, internets. I have a lot of the sex. My girlfriend has a sex drive comparable to a Viagra-popping 16 year-old kid on crack.


Just sayin.



And did I mention it is Earth-shatteringly great sex? Well, it is.



And 3vil used to say I had no sex drive. Morning and night people. And last week, a nooner. No wonder I have been drinking so much water lately. I would have dehydrated by now.

Sci-Fi Tuesday (and Wednesday)

So in case you all have been asleep through my last barrage of posts, you all know that Toasty's is a boring place to work. So boring in fact, that my manager tasked me with brining in my collector's Boxed Set Edition of All Six Original Star Trek Movies, with 2 hours of bonus features each! That's 12 DVD's, people. We started on Star Trek VI, the Undiscovered Country yesterday. And what happened? We got busy. So damn busy in fact, that we barely made it through the whole movie in 8 hours. WT?? Where do these damn customers get off, expecting service on Sci-Fi Tuesday?!? Well, it was unanimously decided to extend the Geeky Revelry onto today, and so we will be engaging (hehe, I said, "engage" and yes, I did do the had motion.) in ... Sci-Fi Wednesday!!!! In the wings, we also have the Planet of the Apes TV series, Star Wars, and I cannot remember what else. Maybe some Stargate action? yeah...

Aren't I cool?

Go on, you can tell me...

...

...

..

.

You all suck, anyways. :P

Pooped.

I think the last day I had off (no work) was almost a week ago. Big deal, you say. Yes, says I. If I was working one job, that would be fine. But a lot of these days have been working at both jobs, and let me tell you, 5 days at 12 hours a day = A very tired Pirate. I was scheduled to work at Toasty's until 5pm today, but I was offered the chance to go home at 2pm. I hung in there until 3pm. The boredom finally got to me. (Mad Charity is laughing her ass off at me and saying I told you so, or she will be when she reads this post.) So I came home and decided to relax. I ended up watching the disk of anime that was mistakenly sent to our house by Netflix by accident. It was actually kind of cool. So I got online and indulged myself by reading the plot lines of the entire series. (only 26 episodes). So now I know the story, more or less, and like most anime, it was a strange combination of unimaginative voice-acting, comedy, romance, drama, and an un-healthy amount of substance (psychotrophic, proably) abuse on the part of whoever was responsible for it's production.

So here I am. Listening to Sum 41 to try and metaphorically scrub my brain out. Especially the part where I thought the anime was cool. Hehe. The scary part is that this one was extremely tame as far as my tastes in anime go. If any of you care to see for yourself... this show I was watching was called DNAngel. The stuff I like is Neon Genesis: Evangelion. That is some twisted shyt.

Star Trek was right!!!

check this Hot Shit™ out, people. Fucking Cloaking Devices!!!!!!! It is only a matter of time before we have Starships and Replicators!!!! w00000t!!!!!!!!!!!

First Test Status: Pending.

I have lived with girlfriends before. Namely, 3vil and Nomi. Both had there ups and downs, mostly downs. In the case of Nomi, we moved into the place together, both fresh out of our parents' places, and with 3vil, fresh out of Nomi's.

I can look back on these times, and I see huge mistakes I made, and not just in the choosing of my partner. I was extremely irresponsible with money. I paid my rent on time and my share of the bills, but I never had any money saved, or put away. Had I done that, I might not have been stuck with 3vil for so long. Who am I kidding? I would have been suckered out of that money, and would still be where I am now.

Not that I am complaining about where I am now. As I have stated, I have moved in with Charity, or at least I am in the process of doing so. Most of my crap is still at my parents' house. But I have never been in a better position, both romantically and emotionally. I may be deluding myself, but when I compare the me of 4 years ago with the me of today, I see a vast difference. I think I finally grew up. At least in terms of responsibility. I am still a spastic goofball. I am just a spastic goofball that knows how to budget and save a little. To me it is a big step. Especially now.

I have yearned to be someone that can be relied on. Someone that is needed by another person. I think it has a lot to do with some of the poor relationship choice I have made in the past. I was subconscious looking for 'damaged goods' so that I could 'fix' them. Because they needed that, right? Nope. I have to stay away from that. And I have. But here I am in a relationship where I can do some good, where I am needed. In the way that I always wanted to be needed. I have the chance to provide for my mate, and I am ecstatic. And a little nervous. As Charity said, this little crisis of finances has come at a remarkably bad time (is there ever a GOOD time for a financial crisis?). My main job cut back my hours severely, and this past couple of weeks, my second job wasn't scheduling me hardly anything either. So my first month of paying rent will be tight, but I will make it. Toasty's is now going to be my main job for the winter, until the summer schedule picks back up at the Boats. One benefit of working at Toasty's is free food. That will come in handy, as I don't have to spend as much of the meager min wage I make there on buying foodstuffs, although I daresay that Charity and I will be sick of sammiches by the end of the winter.

Two jobs. That in and of itself is proof that I have matured. I tried the two job thing when I was in the military. I quit the second job after a week. I hated the lack of free time. Now, I don't even think about that. I see it as something I have to do, and I am happy to do it. Why? Because I am helping someone I love. That isn't quite accurate. I am providing for someone I love. One of the largest drives in my life is being fulfilled.

Charity, baby, I know you are wary of trusting anyone for help. I won't let you down. I won't let us down. I see things in terms of us now. I have kind of seen things that way for a while now, but I kept it quiet till now. My priority is You, us, me. Or Us, you, me. You and Us are right up there with each other, and may switch, depending on the circumstance. And putting me on the bottom of the priority is a little misleading. Because caring for you is good for me. So, most accurately, 'us' is my priority.

I may be rambling. In fact, I know I am. It's early, and I have had a lot of tea. Sue me, Internets. I just have a lot of emotion in me that I don't entirely know how to express without sounding like a crappy poet, or a highschooler in the midst of his first crush. Because that is how Charity makes me feel. Everyday I feel like I do when I first saw her, and every kiss is as sweet as the first. May there never be a last.

I am allergic to Subz.

So, I have a new (2nd) job, and I work at a sub shop. I wil call it Toasty's. Original, I know. But, in the grand scheme of things, if I were to lose this job because of posting about it online, I don't think I would be heart-broken. As a matter of fact, I could probably find a better job if I looked. But anyways, this job is just full of people that are stupid. The customers, that is. I could tell you stories everyday, because there is always something. Even though there are hardly any customers, the ones we do get are retarded.

For example. I get questions all the time like, do you toast your subs. I look over to the GIANT F*CKING TOASTER that dominates the entire store. "No. You must mistake us for Subway and their Toaster(A friggin' microwave).

One old guy got a sandwhich, and I was making it for him, and I was pretty generous with the meat, but he didn't think so. He asked for more. "It will make a mess if I put in any more."

He affirms that he feels that I have not put in the proper amount of meat. So I pile that sucker high until he is satisfied. I send it through the oven, and when I go to wrap the Sammich, it explodes in a juicy, beefy mess. My gluttonous geriatric looks like he is going to complain, but I cut him off. "I told you it would happen. I gave you a double portion like you asked. On account of the mess, I won't charge you for the extra portion."

He looks at me. Apologizes for his avarice, and thanks me for the discount.

WTF?!?!?!?

He completely backed down. I am not used to this at my Other Job. Which is funny, because at my Other Job, if people were smart, they would back down, because I have the power to have them arrested almost at will. But not at Toasty's. Strange world, I suppose. Speaking of, I have a full day today. 4 hours at Toasty's, and then 6 hours, possibly 10, at my Other Job tonight. Ugh.
But the money will be good, and I can save up for stuffs.

"They made me buy a car," or "House-Dennis™"

Charity bought a car yesterday. Of the Brand-Spanking-New variety. "They made me do it," she says. It was actually quite amusing, the phone call I received yesterday afternon while in the middle of playing World of WarCrack. And then she follows that up with the following"

"Do you want to move in? Like paying rent and stuff?"^*

Well. I had to admit that she somewhat spoiled my surprise, because I was planning on forking over cash this Friday anyways as a surprise, because I have been living here 80% of the time or better, lately. And while making the bed, taking out the trash and doing the dishes are nice things of me to do, I imagine that isn't much compensation for the resources I use. So, now it's official. Charity and I are shacking up.

I have proclaimed my new title to be House-Dennis™.

As in, "House-Dennis™, take out the damn trash!" or "House-Dennis™, clean replace the cats' Poo-Sand™!"

Hehe.

* That is paraphrased, because I don't remember exactly what she said. But that is pretty close :-)

College Kids

I have a lot of weird things going on in my head this morning, so if I don't make a lot of sense, please forgive me. First off, last night was amazing. Thank you, baby. I have never felt so loved in my entire life, I think. I am including this morning in all of this, too. :-) I think that is why I feel so strange this morning, partly. That and I left the house the same time you did, which probably caused Hell to freeze over.

On the way home from Charity's house this morning, I stopped at the CSULB campus to spend a few minutes in the Japanese Gardens, one of my favorite "thinking spots." It was closed yesterday and today as a matter of course, so I didn't get to do my thinking. So, I took the scenic route back to the main street driving past the dorms, and a couple of the Poly-Sci buildings. Tons of College Kids, probably much like the ones belting karaoke less then 30 feet from Charity's bedroom window last night, were on their way to get filled full of Higher Education. And I was jealous. Last night Charity and I were talking about her Karaoke College neighbors, and she said she used to be a College Kid too. I was never a College Kid. But I always wanted to be one. I even enjoyed High School while I was in it. I mean, everyone (well, most everyone) looks back on their high school days and remembers the good times. But I actually enjoyed it in the moment. I am told that is rare. I like the education, I like the environment. I am a social creature, and schools are fundamentally social. I found myself almost in tears as I drove through the CSULB campus. I was angry. Angry at some of the choices I have made, and the choices I have let another make for me.

As I continued on home, I thought about the possibility of enrolling in college. I can't logistically do it. I can't afford tuition, and my credit won't support a student loan. I could take night classes, maybe, but that defeats the purpose of going to college. It may sound strange, but I want to go for the sake of going. I don't even have a curriculum or a major planned. Which is part of the reason why I joined the Army out of high school, because I didn't have my future goals outlined. I suppose I still don't. Except for one. I want to spend the rest of my life with my girlfriend, or as long as she will have me.

Magic Pussy or Stupid Blogger.

This post was a dare, but truth be told, I probably would have posted it anyways. Mad Charity has Magic Pussy™. If you have read her blog, you would know that we have both succombed to

Ebola
E. Coli
The Black Death
Pestilence
The Flu.

Well, in addition to raging fevers, The Sinus of Death, and other such unpleasantnes, there was also the fact that we were Too Sick To Engage in the Sex. I can deal with fevers, sore throats, headaches, goiter, loss of limbs, lobotomies, etc. But Lack of the Sex? Hellz No!

Well, last night we were both (slightly) on the mend, apparently. And we Engaged in the Sex. And We saw that It was Good. Point in fact: Sex with a runny nose is awkward. But afterwards? The nose was not runny, people. Magic. Pussy. And today? I woke up feeling like crap, but a little rest and I feel pretty good. The nose? Still clear. Most of the headaches and whatnot are gone to. I managed to get a bit of cleaning up done, and while I could have probably done a bit more, such as vaccuum, my sinuses persuaded me not to risk it.

And I tried to log on today to post about all this. All day. Blogger was being retarded all day and telling me that I could not log on because my blog did not exist. As a matter of fact, Blogger didn't exist all day today. I couldn't even get the main page to load up. but, here it is at the end of the day, and they finally got it to work. w00t!

My Pirate cleared 6000XP today on ZePirates, and I loaded a picture, which will hopefully be up there soon. It is a picture of me standing next to a pirate ship at the Ojai Pirate Faire... Go figure. I figure the name of the game is ZePirates! so hey, maybe a few pirate pictures would be in evidence? Nope. I look at every photo I come across, and never do I see a pirate. Usually I see some Emo kid with too much eye liner looking sad at the screen using The Myspace Angles.

Home from Pirate Faire!

Y4rrrrrr!!!!

Ojai Pirate faire was t3h @w3s0m3!! Mad Charity and I did persuse the fairgrounds, were attacked by vendors, and did knowingly and willfully chase and mock the bagpipers, along with Izzy's help.

Wyland forgot who I was at first, but after throwing him in the air, demonstrating his natural aerodynamic design, he remembered who I was, and depression was averted. Ran into so many old friends.

Liz, who used to work at the shop, when she saw me, tried to run away. When I pulled Mad Charity to my side, kissed her, and introduced her as my "New & Improved, and not Psycho" girlfriend, she turned around, and gave us both a big hug! I bet you can guess who she was trying to get away from. . . She said I look different, and said it was because I looked happy.

Amerigo mentioned the same thing. And so did so many others. It felt so good to be amongst all my friends again. And this time, not under a tyrannical thumb the whole time. I cannot wait till Escondido, and T3h 3vil Gu1ld sounds like so much fun. Izzy, if you are reading this, I want to be a part of that. Like planning and stuff, if you will have me. As a matter of fact, I had a wicked idea several moments ago. Whilst being rude to a pack of mundanes, have Wyland wander up, in the care of his "parents" (mundane dressed guild members, part of our group.) When negotiations to buy Wyland fail, I would proceed to pick Wyland up, and begin to walk away, and when his "parents" protest, I turn around with a pistol or sword in hand, and tell them if they want him so bad, they can always make a nother, and then carry him backstage..

It sounds funny to me..

But then, I may be 3vil..

But Faire was fun, and Charity and I were sooooo sore when we got back home.. but Mexican food was good, and an episode or ST:TNG took the edge of that, and we proceeded to go to bed. Long day, but one of the most rewarding in years.

Especially when I was finally able to deliver a promise two years in the making.

"I feel like a piece of meat," or "Laser-Guided Pussy"

Well today was a doozy. After a seemingly endless day at work, I come home, preparing to relay the story I am about to tell to my girlfriend.

"I feel like a piece of meat," I say.

"Because I pull the sheets back and look at your cute ass when I get ready in the morning?"

". . . . . . Well that's one more reason why. . . . ."

Why do I feel like a piece of meat, do you ask? Because at work today I had to deal with about 100 high-school aged girls that had been at an all girl's camp for the last week. My co-worker and I were the first guys they had apparently seen in a week that were not their camp counselors.

A week is nothing, you say. Normally, I would agree. But let me tell you, people. I had to tuck my ponytail down my shirt because I had so many Jail-Baitlettes™ asking if they could play with or pull on my hair.

16 people. They were 16. Full of questions like, "Do you like your hair pulled?"

That's none of your business, but yes. Yes I do. No, you may not. My girlfriend and the Los Angeles County District Attorney would both be upset.

So I get home, and tell my story. I then proceed to pull out my laser pointer, and harrass my girlfriend's cats. Why? Because it is FUCKING HILARIOUS. These two cats are not the brightest crayons in the box, to be sure. In fact, Sadie is downright retarded. (I love you Sadie.) I can have her spinning in circles so fast that when she finally loses balance, she keeps spinning wth the momentum.

My girlfriend looks at me, nearly choking on her smoothie with laughter, and says, "If we were high, we would be dying right now of the funny. This would keep me amused for hours!"

It keeps me amused for hours when I am not high. Just what exactly are you saying?

The Trip.

Tuesday I took my brother to Catalina, because I could. He and I walked all over creation (Avalon), because we were both too cheap to spring for bicycle rentals. Aren't we cool?

We walked down the beach front, and all the way to the Casino. After a tour of the museum, we grabbed a bite to eat at the Coney Island West Hamburger stand. Teryaki Burger = Yummy!

With a lot of time to kill before our return boat arrived to take us home, and nothing to do (Avalon shuts down early in the winter), we proceeded to walk towards the East end of the island, making it all the way to the Avalon Freight area, and found a little out of the way restaurant, but I can't remember it's name. And that bugs me. I remembered it about 15 minutes ago when I started this damn post. I swear, I have the youngest case of Alzheimer's ever. EVER!

Back on subject.

You damn ids and your loud music!

wait.

Oh, yeah.

So, next time I go to the island, I am going to eat at that place, because it totally looks like an Islander hangout, and not a touristy place. I saw NO rental bikes or golf carts in the parking lot, but the place was fairly packed. And the smells coming from the place were good.

After that, my brother and I wandered through a hole in a fence, and found ourselves walking around a bunch of dead boats. Propped up on frames. It was eerie. On our way out, off to the side, we see a biker-looking dude feeding peanut butter to the BIGGEST husky I have ever seen. And not pretty looking, either. This was the dog that was supposed to eat trespassers (us). Distracted by the peanut butter. Needless to say, we just walked right on outta that place in quick fast hurry. Anyways, that was my trip to Avalon.

Amen.

Ojai...

So this coming weekend is Ojai Pirate Faire. Nine and I will be attending, and there we shall debut our new pirate personas. Hers is Mad Charity Roberts, and mine is..... well shit darn it... I cannot remember. I have it written down on a sheet of paper stuffed into the pages of a dictionary sitting on Charity's living room table... It is Jonathon something.... (steps away from the blog to call up google search...) YES!!! Jonathon Brewster! I have not found a good adjective to add to my name yet, although "nervous" was one of the favourites of Charity.

Nervous Jon Brewster?

Drunken Jon Brewster?

Maladroit jon Breswster

Stumbling Jon Brewster

Jon 'Halitosis' Brewster

Anomalous Jon Brewster

Frivolous Jon Brewster

I would like to take the time to thank Thesaurus.com for all their help in coming up with this list.

Let me know what you think, people.. And send me some better ones, if you have them.

Cheers!!

Quote of the Day: "Yay for sticker day! You aren't in big trouble anymore, mister!"

Pirate Boots and whatnot.

Today I took a little jaunt down to 6th st to visit a couple of friends, and take a peek inside the costume shop that is down there. I started talking to the lady who runs the shop, and foundout that she has the same pirate boots I just bought online for $145...for $99. (sound of head exploding.)

Well, now I know where to go for the replacement pair when these ones I have die. Oh, well. She is a nice lady, and she has a pretty cool gold-looking pirate medallion for $10 bucks that looks cool. Maybe after payday.

Dealt with a rather sad old lady at work the other day. Just about as mean as they come, and for no real reason. Afer work, I was talking about her to my co-workers, only to find out that throughout her stay, she had managed to be a scathing bitch to everyone I worked with, all in completely seperate incidents.... I was amazed.. I can see someone getting mad at one person, but to go and attack every employee for no reason? Jeez, lady.. you should have stayed home and hen-pecked your husband, and saved yourself the $50 it takes to come to my place of business.....

Opposition....

This evening, I was at work on the boats, and we were underway, and it was around 7:30pm. The sun was just above the horizon in the west. There were some low clouds on the horizon, and they were aflame with the suns rays. In all respects, it was a rather beautiful sunset. And then I happened to look to the east. The full moon was just beginning to rise, and was in fact almost the same distance above the horizon in the east as the sun was in the west.

It was really beautiful, to look at the sunset, with it's orange sky and glow on the water, and then to look the other way and see the moon rising in the purple sky, with the moon's glow on the water visible as well. Nine will understand what I say next. It was a total Zen Moment. I really felt small, but not in a bad way. I felt like I had a glimpse of the vastness of the universe, and of my own infintesimal part in it. I enjoyed the feeling, and it must have showed, because one of the passengers asked me what I was looking at. I pointed out the sun and the full moon in opposition, and explained why I was enjoying it, and she kind of nodded, and started looking back and forth to. A Zen Moment.

I wish I was poetically inclined enough to accurately portray how it looked. Unfortunately, I am not, but take my word for it, it was something else. Another thing I realised about it. This event, with the sun and the full moon opposite like that? Only 2-3 times a year. Otherwise, the sun will set too early or too late to match with the moon.... Kinda cool... And I was right there, in the middle of the ocean, with no obstructions on either horizon to mar the view...

Kinda makes me feel small... in the good way....

End of the summer

Well, Labor day has passed, and I find myself wearing white. I have to. It is part of my uniform for work. Is that ironic? I have no idea. I don't usually concern myself with such things. I do, however, concern myself with this: with the passing of Labor Day, my work drops to a winter schedule, which means I get much less work, and thus, much less money.

Only that hasn't been the case so far. What is now the case is this. Instead of knowing what my schedule will be like a week in advance, I am getting calls to cover shifts for people the same day as the scheduled shift. Which basically means all my plans are out the window. Fear not, I will still be doing faire. I will just not answer my phone on those days, and thus will not feel guilty about turning down shifts. Huzzah!

One of these days I shall make it to my house, and I will be able to access my pictures that I have on my family's computer, and it will be possible then for me to customize my blog better. Kind of looks an awful lot like the one I had before, lol. but it will soon change.

Promise.

Well, let us stretch out with our new blog, shall we?

Well, let us see how this new blog fits, shall we? To start? Well, a new blog for a new person, sort of.

You see, I used to be a ninja. Not really. But in the Great Ninja-Pirate War™, I was a supporter of the Ninja.

I am now a pirate. Yes, you heard right. I am now a Pirate, and glad to be. My girlfriend and I will be going to Ren Faires as Pirates, and I have garb and everything. She even extracted from me the words, "Pirates are cooler than Ninjas." The words DID come from my mouth, of my own free will(mostly. She was witholding sex.). So, there you have it. I shall now proceed to play with the new features of my Beta Blog!

EDIT 3:38AM I am mucho tired. I will add pictures and other customizations soon. By soon, I mean prolly tomorrow. Hopefully I will be updating this blog more than my last one. And hopefully, I can figure out how to transfer all my old posts without having to cut and paste and shit. If anyone knows how, I would love the help... thanks!!!