Klepto Love Story

One Question.

Fifty People, One Question: New York

Fifty people, all asked the same question: what do you wish would happen by the end of the day?

For me, tonight, the answer is simple. I wish that my air conditioner would work the way it is supposed to and not end up being completely broken and expensive.

It 100 degrees again today. When Kristin got home from work the temp inside the house was 84 degrees. It's usually only about 80 in here at that time of day. Usually by the time I make it home at 9pm, it's dropped to between 76 and 78 degrees. Right now, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the thermostat shows 80 degrees. 80 fucking degrees! According to weather.com it's only 82 outside. It's only July. There's still at least two months of this bullshit heat left. I don't know if I can take it. James, our handy-man friend, is coming by tomorrow to see if there's anything that can be done i.e. venting the attic, to give us some relief. I just hope that whatever happens, it's cheap.

So that's my wish. Now please make it comes true.

I hardly ever sleep, my flows forever deep

Bits and pieces:

- What a nice weekend! Friday was tapas night at Malagas downtown. The food was pretty decent and it was nice to get a taste of several different dishes. Saturday, Kristin, Jana, and I spent the first half of the day at Rachel and Laura's house. It was nice to hang out with them again. We might some really cool people and had some good burgers. We closed the night at the old property, adding Brendan, Alison, Megan and Luiz to the party. Kristin and I called it an early night around midnight. Today, Kristin and I picked up a sprinkler for the lawn (it's nearly dead) and some food for the grill. I love this grill. Food just tastes better off a grill. It's one of those unexplainable things in life.

- I am getting more and more excited about the upcoming EPL season. I've been devouring news about transfers. I even had to go buy a soccer ball to kick around. There's been talk about starting a team for an indoor soccer league as well. It'll be the only good thing about August.

- Here's something that made my day:

I met Joe Bob a couple of years ago at the premiere of Horror Business. I had watched Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater as a kid. His reviews were always a favorite. Jana took a picture of us (I didn't have my camera) but somehow the pictures were lost in the mail somewhere between New York and Austin. Now he's following me on Twitter.

- I'm really digging the new Mos Def album, specifically the song Auditorium (featuring Slick Rick!). It's nice to see Mos Def making something that stands up to his first album. I think this album may end up finding itself on my top 10 of the year.

Steps

Tonight I watched Brazil vs the US Confederation Cup Final with my Brazilian friend Luiz. It was a nice first half seeing the United States go up by two goals on a team as good as Brazil. I, of course, had to give Luiz a hard time. It was good natured stuff like "Are you about to cry?" He especially didn't like the replays of Landon Donovan's goal (the only really good strike from the US if you ask me). But then came the second half. The US couldn't get any offense going, the defense was tired, and Tim Howard was overworked. Howard did a great job but he couldn't stop the Brazilians. Two great goals by Luis Fabiano and then the coup de grace by Lucio and the US was done.

However, I see this tournament as a big step forward for American soccer. I think beating Spain was a huge win and confidence booster. This won't be the tournament that makes the everyday American watch soccer but it gives the US team a good position for the World Cup next year. They've played on that pitch. They've beaten one of the best teams in the world and were really close to beating another. Maybe by next year we'll be ready to take that next step. I'll be watching.

I'm a man of means by no means...

Day one of the "Crazy Diet" was completed without any real incident. It turns out the shakes aren't that bad. They have a weird after taste and a blender really should be used. I wouldn't drink them on a whim but all things considered they are ok. I lost 1.5 lbs overnight. Let's hope that trend continues.

On the other hand, I feel like my brain is enveloped in a light fog. My body feels a bit tingly. It's almost like I'm high. I find myself obsessing about food. I talked to a coworker last night for an hour about which fast food places have the best fries. I'm moving a bit slow right now too. I can actually finally appreciate what it feels like to be on the TV show Survivor. I know why the "lazy ones" wouldn't help with the shelter. I would probably be voted off the island first in my state.

Tomorrow I'm seeing Transformers 2 as part of a "team-building exercise" at work. I don't know what kind of team they are trying to build, but I'm a team player. I'll go watch a 2 1/2 hour movie on the company dime any time (unless I'm off that day). Go team!

St Louis to Mumbai

Seven years ago, I started my current job. At that time, I was 25 years old and weighed about 150 to 155lbs. Fast forward to present day and I'm 32 and about 215lbs. It's gotten ridiculous. I've decided to go on a diet starting Monday. And yes, it's one of those crazy ones where you drink shakes and don't eat real food. I know this isn't the "right way" to do it but I don't really care. I just want to fit in my old clothes. My goal is to drop about 30 to 35 lbs (40 would actually be ideal).

The plan is to do this shake thing for two weeks. Then I'll do 2 shakes a day and eat a sensible dinner for a couple of more weeks. I'm going to try to do some walking around the neighborhood as well and breaking out the Wii fit. I hope to be down to my goal weight of 175 by the end of summer.

This is going to be really hard for me. I have a horrible, horrible sweet tooth. I'll be giving up my beloved Dr. Peppers. There will be no pizza, no M&M's. I think, for me, this will be harder than quitting smoking but I will do it. Mind over matter right?

Other things on my mind right now:

• Scotch tape totally stops mosquito bites from itching. I had one on my arm. I put some tape on it and no more itching. Who first thought to do that?
• Tomorrow I'm buying a BBQ grill. This is probably a dumb time to buy it, seeing as how I start a diet in 2 days but I'm planning on barbecuing tomorrow and I'm not so good on charcoal. I want to taste the meat, not the heat. Hank Hill would be proud.
• I linked to this on my tumblr, but I don't know if everyone knows that I have one. It's the story of a violinist, people in a hurry, and appreciating art where you find it. Like Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Wise words.
  
• I don't like eating with spoons.
  
• If you are wondering where the title of the post comes from, it's from an infographic on this site. The number of pitches thrown in the major leagues in 2006 travelled a distance of 8318 miles...far enough to reach from the pitching rubber in St Louis to a beach in Mumbai, India.
  

Juliet the dice were loaded from the start

Things and stuff from today:

I am the UFC Middleweight champion after TKOing Michael Bisping in the first round. I am not someone to mess with. 

I found out via text message that I have a new boss. The actual message stated: "Hey.....brain (sic) is not r manager any more. Call Robbie as soon as u get this!!!!!!!!" Yes, that is exactly what it said.

Confirmed this when I arrived at work. It was announced via email. There has still not been a "transition of power" meeting.

Watched the Dopplegangland episode of Buffy on Hulu. Wished "Hush" were available on Hulu.

Lusted over Man City's new shirts, in particular the away shirt (it's the one with stripes).

I also sent out some feelers for a new job. I really could use one. My schedule seriously sucks and there isn't much I can do to change it (other than a new job). Cross your fingers peeps.

Watched YouTube videos. The following are the best of the bunch:

seal calls from beneath Antartica

play him off keyboard cat (so many great ones there)

One last keyboard cat. I really want to see this episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger" now.

 

I ain't your brother pal.

I truly hate it when people call me brother. Is my mother your mother? Was I ever a member of a fraternity? Am I a monk? Are you Hulk Hogan? If the answer to any of those questions is "no" then I am not your brother.

The only exception to this rule is, of course, Desmond from Lost. I will be his brother.

"See you in another life, brotha."

Young Ones.

Sometimes, and by sometimes I mean right now, I feel utterly and totally boring.

Random Thought...

If one day someone were to put out a book of my "letters", they would mostly be things like "hey man, check out this link." John Adams I am not.

Star Trek Wars

Growing up I was no fan of Star Trek. I was a Star Wars kid. Darth Vader was way scarier than the Klingons and Han Solo was far cooler than Captain Kirk. I even went so far as to actively hate Star Trek during high school. My friends loved The Next Generation but I wouldn't even give it a chance.

Fast forward fifteen or so years. After the mockery that George Lucas made of a once proud franchise, I find myself changing sides. JJ Abrams reboot of the Star Trek universe has grabbed me up in the hype and caused me to switch my nerd allegiance.

The movie was just all around exciting. It was a lot of little things. Explosions in space can actually be shown with no noise and still be exciting (perhaps even more so than if you hear it). The lens flares I've heard so much about didn't actually distract from the movie at all. It was definitely an interesting technique.

Zach Quinto as Spock was a brilliant casting decision. Chris Pine seems to embody Kirk's bravado and daring. Simon Pegg as Scotty was great but wasn't on screen enough. And then there's Karl Urban's "Bones" McCoy. "Bones" was, from the few movies and episodes of the old series, my favorite character. In the new movie it's no different. He captured the sarcasm and wit of DeForest Kelley's original potrayal of the good doctor perfectly.

So yes Mr. Lucas. I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me...actually it IS you. And to JJ Abrams: Live long and prosper for real.