"There is great need for a sarcasm font", and other random thoughts.

These were sent from a friend and I don't know who the original writer(s) is, but some are right on the money.  Happy New Year Everyone!  I plan on 2010 being the best year ever.

• I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
• Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
• I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
• There is great need for a sarcasm font.
• How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
• Was learning cursive really necessary?
• Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
• Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
• I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
• Bad decisions make good stories.
• You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
• Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
• I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
• "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.
• I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dang it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
• I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
• I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
• I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
• I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

Facebook Killed My Blog

When I went to Mardi Gras back in February my best friend ever from high school drove to DWF where we spent an hour catching up before my flight. She convinced me to join Facebook as a way to stay in touch. I had no idea it would change how I communicate with everyone I know.

Through Facebook I've reconnected with family, friends and acquaintances that I lost touch with decades ago. Most of the reunions have been enjoyable. It's been great to catch up on the lives of old high school and college friends. It's also a great way to stay current on family affairs as well.

Some of the reunions have been less enjoyable. Like the girl who lived across the street from me growing up in Oklahoma City. After "friending" each other I discovered her dedication to all things hateful in Christianity and vocal distaste of homosexuals. The last message between us was when I asked, "does this cock in my mouth make me look gay?". I never heard back.

Over all, I think Facebook has a lot to offer society, but it also has it's dark side. Staying in touch with everyone you know with the click of a mouse sure makes it easy to forgo verbal interaction. I know everything that's been going on in my Berkeley cousin's life, and we haven't spoken or seen each other in months.

Facebook can also be a time-suck. As someone with an addictive personality the last thing I need is another reason to remain sedentary in front of my computer. Porn eats enough of my day as it is.

Beyond time, the other casualty of life on Facebook is blogging. Why bother when you can update your FB newsfeed 10 times a day, even if nothing interesting is happening? The family and friend blogs I read have quieted way down, and this is the first update to mine in 3 months. It really doesn't matter though. No one reads blogs anymore; they're all on Facebook.

But I miss blogging, it's like keeping a journal. Though I wouldn't post anything too private, blogging is a chance to slow down and reflect on the day or week, or something interesting. For me blogging is a way to show creativity, share my interests and do a little soul searching. It also feels more "personal". I'm not sure why that is, but it does.

My friend Christine (whom I reconnected with on Facebook) said she liked my writing. No one has ever told me that before, but since I enjoy writing I've decided it's time for less Facebook and more blogging, whether anybody reads it or not.

AIDS Lifecycle 8

Participating in this years Lifecycle was an incredible and life-changing event for me.

This reminds me of Tasha

Only in Europe!

Please Donate Today

It's my first year participating. I know things are tough right now but any little bit you can donate will help.

Thanks,
Steve

AIDS/LifeCycle is a 7 day, 545 mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to support critical HIV/AIDS services. Please click the image below to support my participation in AIDS/LifeCycle!

Quote of the week

"I always wanted to do that, but lack the necessary mental deficiencies."

Jspocoli

Why I'm Not A Vegetarian: Bacon

"Bacon has a place at the table morning, noon and night."

I quote Noelle Carter of the LA Times, but truer words have never been spoken. If not for bacon I would have given up animal products long ago, but let's face it; pig is tasty.

MARDI GRAS!

Okay, I just had the BEST WEEKEND EVER! I attended my first Mardi Gras with a great group of people and it was a perfect weekend filled with lively conversation, dining, dancing, bead whoring and drive-through daiquiri bars. I'm hooked and can't wait for next year.

To my surprise, Mardi Gras starts January 6 each year and lasts until the midnight before Ash Wednesday. Additionally, it is part of Carnival and doesn't just happen in New Orleans, but state wide. Who knew?

We converged on Lafayette to attend the Apollo Ball thrown by The Mystic Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette. Which got me wondering, what are Krewes? Bottom-line, they're the most important part of Carnival, being the "behind the camara guys" in charge of a lot of pageantry.

You can check out all the photos here, but I want to share a few of the best.

First off, we looked GOOD!



We met some great people,





We drank,





And danced,






Sucked Sausage,


And whored ourselves for beads.




And then there's the next day,


I had a great time and made some great new friends. I can't thank Bill and Jes enough for planning the weekend. Special thanks to Jes for playing chauffeur most of the time!!

To finish the weekend off right, while catching a flight in Dallas, I was able to reconnect with a high school friend I haven't seen in 22 years! Thanks for making the drive Susan, it was GREAT seeing you again, even if I did almost miss the plane!

Ah, that first time getting high...

It's becoming a real room

We got walls and a deck today! Tomorrow the plumbers start doing their thing and then the electricians. By the end of the week it's quite possible that I will have an indoor toilet. Saints be praised.

Stoned

I finally made a decision for the counter tops. It took a long time. Not only are there a million options to choose from, but counters are pretty much permanent. It's not like picking paint, knowing you can just paint over it if you don't like it.

I went with granite, which I didn't expect and actually shied away from. Granite has become so over used lately that it's almost expected when remodeling. I looked at slate, limestone, tile, paper (really cool use of recycled paper), concrete, corian, and so forth. When all was said and done, granite is really, really beautiful, holds up the best, and requires the least maintenance.

For the bathroom counter I picked a very dramatic piece of rock, which also surprised me. During the time the house has been torn up, the bathroom concept has changed dramatically. Originally I envisioned a somewhat conservative bath, incorporating some long-lost Victorian details, and muted colors. It has become quite a modern and sophisticated "spa" room, with beautiful glass tile, and now this focal point of stone.



For the laundry and half-bath I picked a more subdued stone. It picks up the existing colors in the house as well as the new cabinets. At KPW's request there are a lot of red tones, which makes for a beautiful piece.


I hope this all turns out as good as it looks in my mind's eye.

The Deviate and The Rock Star

A while back I had this fling with a guy that lives nearby. It lasted a couple of years and was incredibly hot.

Alas, he found himself a boyfriend and that was the end. These things happen.

The other day we passed on the sidewalk. I made brief eye contact and he turned away. We were both alone, so it was the ultimate dis.

Now I'm obsessing; Why?

We're both consenting adults. There wasn't any kind of commitment to each other. While it lasted we both had a lot of fun. Our parting was pleasant and quick.

So why the attitude? Why the lack of civility?

I've decided to let my ego take this one and go with the fact that I am just too damn alluring. He's afraid that any sort of contact would render him unable to refrain from giving in to temptation.

I've had the same affect on guys before. Damn this cursed sex-appeal of mine...

APT Loses the T

Alameda Power and Telecom has been my cable and internet service provider ever since they added Telecom to their name. At the time they were cutting edge. As an IT professional I admired their superior internet service and their expanded channel line-up. Additionally, they brought digital cable to the island before anyone else.

But a couple of years in, something happened; I left IT and stopped keeping up with current technology, so did APT.

Comcast Cable and Internet was installed today. It was like getting indoor plumbing for the first time, or at the very least, it was like getting my first automatic dishwasher. The internet speed is incredible and they have LOGO, which, despite letters from Ken and I, APT did not offer. To top it off, Comcast is cheaper!

That's what I get for for counting on my little island home to keep up with the Jones.

America Turns A Corner

Remodeling Again - Week 6: We got wood!

We're framing! We're framing! All together now; We're framing!




It's a joyous time on Chestnut. We're close to rough-framing inspection. The only real bitch was lifting the 4x10 joists for the second-floor deck. I've never had such a good upper-body workout in my life, and I'm not sure I want to ever again.


Everything else has been a snap. I guess it's true what they say; Measure twice, cut once. We also discovered that Tim and I work best under Roscoe and Frankie's supervision.

Remodeling Again - Week 5: Bring On The Mud!

The concrete was poured this week. Tim and I got to take most of the week off, since this was Lou's gig. This included the foundations for the new bathrooms and laundry room, as well as the repairs to the existing foundation. It's quite a process and all done quite methodically. Lou and his guys did a great job.