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Saturday, December 5th, 2009
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So I complained enough about lack of questions that some of you popped up with almost too many questions. I was considering only answering a few now and splitting it into 2 or 3 weeks worth, since I'm sure after this I won't get many more for awhile, until I start complaining again, but I figure I'll just see what I can do with what I've been given.
Starting off with a whole series from Rob that reminds me of a survey I'd see on Facebook or Myspace, but oh well. In fact, I think I'm going to just rush through them survey style. Here we go::
Rob:
Boxers or briefs? Boxers
Paper or Plastic? Plastic
Jesus Or Muhammad? Tolerance and acceptance.
Precious or New Moon? I don't know what this means
Do you shave your legs? No, because it would itch too much.
Is it the size, or the motion in the ocean? The motion, I hear.
Too many commas or not enough commas? How about the exact right amount. Too many or not enough are both wrong either way.
Thrash metal? Um... no.
Ashlee Simpson as an actress or Cuba Gooding Jr. as an actor? I haven't been disappointed with Cuba
Too many cross dressing black comedians in fat suits? One is too many, so yes.
Too many comedians period? Too many bad ones, but the good ones make it worth it.
Bull Moose Party? Sounds fun.
Katie Pyatt:
What is your biggest fear? Finding myself years from now not having accomplished anything.
What really pisses you off? People who don't know how to live for themselves, and who can't handle other people being different.
Did your life turn out like you thought it would 10 years ago, and why? Heck no. When I was 15, I was expecting to be rich and/or famous by now. First one in my family to go to college, I thought I'd have an amazing job right out of school, and none of that happened.
What is your biggest regret? Most of my first few years of college. I was a complete downer, and acted like a doucher to most people, mostly to myself. I hated life and I regret not doing something positive to fix it.
Skye Peters:
If you chose to wear a costume around town for a day, what costume would it be and why? What would you say to people who talked to you or watched you go by? I think it'd be cool to wear my Riddler costume around (if I got a better hat and mask). It's a lot of fun to be the Riddler, and when people talked to me, I'd just ask them riddles, and if they got them wrong, I'd yell at them or something, just for fun. Another idea would be to wear my full Black Mage costume, especially because it hides most of my face. I'd be all mysterious and people would probably think I'm some kind of monk. When they talked to me, I'd act all mysterious and talk about how I'm on a mission.
Do you think it's better to die slowly (6 months or more), die quickly (5 months or less), or to die instantly with no warning? Why? I think slowly would be better, just because I'd have the time to spend with my family and friends. I'd spend the last of my time doing everything I ever wanted to do in life, especially the stuff I was too scared to do. I'd know the end is near, and I'd live every second celebrating life, not looking towards death.
Tony Minghi:
What is the best color for a car to be painted? Lime green with blue interior. That's my personal dream car.
Joey Rackovan:
What's the best name for a monkey? If I had a monkey, I'd name him Donkey.
Okay... so um... that was actually pretty boring, in my opinion. I guess in answering 20 questions at once, it is almost too survey like, and less interview. I did skip a couple of the best questions, because I wanted to do them on their own later. I guess this will hold you all over until I can do something proper. I almost don't want to post this, but I guess I will, since I spent all this time doing it (15 minutes, if that). Whatever, I'm giving you something, at least. I think I'd prefer responses to questions rather than more questions, really. I don't know if people are really reading this, or if they are just asking me stuff because I said to. Oh well, it's naptime.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
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Seriously, you all suck at this game (except Tassy and Tony). Once again, I wait weeks for another question (even got a tease of "I'd ask, but I'm bad at it,"), and I just get one question. I almost wonder who it is I'm blogging for anymore. Why don't I have friends who are more inquisitive? Anyway, I'll jump right into it, because this is yet another very important question.
Alright, a question for a real man:
If you're seeing a girl's underwear for the first time, and it has Care Bears on it, how would that make you feel?
- Tassy with the big picture, as always.
Okay, first of all, if I'm seeing a girl's underwear, I'm already in pretty good shape, so I'd have to gauge what I was doing to get into this position, and just keep doing that. I may be the coolest person any of you know, but I'll admit that I'm rarely in the position of underwear-seeing these days (or most days in the past, for that matter...). Anyway, if I'm seeing underwear, it doesn't matter what I think, because I'm already ready to end the night and call it a success.
But to keep on topic, if said rare underwear sighting were to occur with underwear that has Care Bears on it, I'd think it's awesome, especially if Grumpy Bear is represented (he's my favorite). I love the Care Bears, so if a girl feels like she needs to show her love of the Care Bears on her underwears, then she is probably the right girl for me. However, if I look closely and it turns out not to be the real Care Bears, but just the Care Bear Cousins, I will be a little upset. The Care Bear Cousins are a part of the Care Bear universe, but they are not Care Bears, and therefore should not have their own underwear line. They are fine as supporting characters, but they are lesser beings of Care-a-Lot, and should know their place. They can be on socks, or maybe a t-shirt, but the underwear is just too important of a garment for the Care Bear Cousins to tread.
EDIT: Bonus question! That's right, folks, while I was typing this, I was asked another question (because I was talking about this blog, and she wanted in on it). So even though the title says ONE question, here is question number two:
Zombies started taking over the world and you have to stock up on food and drinks. What do you choose?
- Carolina
Very good question. Normally, when people think of the upcoming zombie apocalypse, people think where they are going to hide, and what kinds of weapons they will need. Usually people just add the fact that they need food at the end of the list, not specifying what they'd get. Anyway, for the sake of this blog, I will put myself in the position of having a fortified base already established, and weapons enough to last. This blog is all about food.
First of all, it's pretty obvious canned foods and dried foods are the best to stockpile. They last a lot longer on the shelf, so they'd be great to have in the back of the pantry. One thing I know most people won't think of right away is bread. I don't mean just loaves of bread from the store, but the supplies to make bread. Yeast, flour, sugar, salt, stuff like that, all should be stored and ready to use. Most people may think, "what about eggs?" I know typically, you use eggs to make bread, but it's not necessary. It may not taste as good, but it's still bread, and it's better than nothing.
This brings me to water. I'd store as much water as I could possibly store. I'm thinking upwards of 100 gallons of water per person. We may not need it all, but it's always better to be safe, especially if we don't have access to a water source.
So that's the basics, sure, but it's boring. I'd have an entire extra closet devoted to snack cakes (Twinkies, just in case someone wants one THAT bad), Kool-Aid mix (water alone would get old), and other foods that may not be good for you, but will make time in the post-apocalypse a bit more enjoyable. Rule 32, right? Potato chips, candy bars, gum, soda (it stays good for a long time if unopened. Just ask Surge fans).
So yeah, I'd be smart and get the basics down, but I'd need to be able to have something as a bonus every now and then, or there'd be no point in living.
That's all this time. If you, my adoring fans, do better, then I will do better next time.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
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That's right, the title is singular. Indeed, I will answer ONE question, because that's all I got this time. You have failed me, loyal readers... I waited extra time for more, but all I got was a single question. Of course, it is probably one of the most important questions anyone has ever asked me, so I guess everyone was just waiting so intently on the answer that they didn't want to try to take away from it by making me answer, say, TWO questions. Hopefully you all have more by next week. Until then, here is the question for this week:
Becoming a real man: Mustaches or Beards?
- Tony Minghi
I must admit, I have been mulling over how to answer this nonstop since I read it for the first time. There are so many factors to go into, and as you all know, facial hair is something I very much advocate. I think, in short, mustaches make you a man, but beards make you manly. Define as you wish the term "real man" to get your own personal answer.
In my experience, a mustache is something that teen boys everywhere brag about and groom to show off to their friends (and impress all the high school girls). In this manner, growing the mustache is one step into manhood, one step above the rest of the class. Once you can grow a mustache, you are respected, you are admired, you are revered among the prepubescent masses. The first mustache in the class gets the first real girlfriend. There is a common saying where I come from: "First mustache gets you to first base."
Beards, on the other hand (or chin), show true manliness. Once you and your group of peers reach the middle of your teen years, ANYONE can grow a mustache, so it's not as impressive. Sure, if you can grow it out Wyatt Earp style, the ladies will still be pouring in, but the average teen grows something a lot thinner and less impressive. Once you hit this period in your life, it's time to man up and to beard up.
While mustaches attract the ladies (think Clark Gable), the beard is what they all want. They see the mustache as a beginning, and if you can't deliver with a rockin' beard, they will surely leave you for a homeless man who can grow one. The beard outlines the face, bringing out the intensity of all of your features. The beard is a symbol of pure ferocity. A beard gives you the spirit of the noble lion. A true beard shows that you mean business. You don't mess with a man with a beard. There's a common saying where I come from: "A beard is to be feared."
So rock the beard and show your true manliness today! You don't see any ladies with beards, do you? I thought not! The beard is the very SYMBOL of manhood! Now, who wants to come admire my rockin' beard?
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Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
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Monday, October 19th, 2009
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Not a great turnout, but at least a few people responded, so I'll take it. My original plan was to update yesterday, but I slept later than expected, then I was just flat out lazy until I left for the radio show (I'm on every Sunday from 6-9. The Itch on 89.1 FM The Wood). Afterward, I just got distracted surfing the net (as I usually do). Anyway, I got two good responses... and then Scotti... I guess that'll do for part one of... hmm... I need to think of some awesome name for answering questions... Maybe some of you can help for next time. Anyway, here we go:
If you had unlimited resources to start a new collection or flesh out an existing one, what would you invest in and why?
- Tassy
That's actually a pretty good question. One part of me knows my addiction with buying movies, and that part says I'd want to buy as many movies as possible, and a giant room filled with shelves to put them all in. Of course, I always feel like crap because I see my stacks of unwatched movies, so if I walked into that room, it'd be pretty overwhelming, knowing that 90% of the movies in the room were still unopened and unwatched.
I think a better answer for me would be something like costumes or masks or crazy stuff to wear on occasions that demand it. Especially for conventions or theme nights at clubs (and even more especially for Halloween [more especially?]), it'd be nice to have a large selection of something awesome and unique to choose from. I'm thinking like, a closet that would put Lady Gaga to shame (oh my god, what am I saying?).
Semi-related to that, I sometimes get kind of obsessed with looking at suits of armor, and different wartime apparel from the past. I'd be the type who would totally throw on a suit of armor and go out into public, if the occasion fit. I've spent hours looking up suits of armor online, and separate pieces of armor, thinking "if only I had the money, I'd have a room full of this stuff." An offshoot of that, of course, is that I'd like a nice sword collection to match the armor. Of course, taking live swords into public is not exactly... um... smiled upon, to say the least, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't have them.
I could probably think of a handful of other collections I'd like to have (I get online sometimes and stumble across awesomeness all the time, and end up spending hours investigating), but for now, I'll just leave it at that. Now, onto question two:
1. What's your life goal (i.e. job, and hobbies you want to continue with)
2. Vamps or wizards (Twilight v Harry Potter)
3. What's the latest book you've read? Did you like it?
- Carolina
My life goal, I'd say, is to find a way to have fun, and to support myself in doing so. That's a very vague goal, but I say, if you're not having a good time in life, what's the point in it all? I mean, it'd be nice having an awesome job where all I do is have fun, but more than that, I just want a job that allows me the time (and spares me the energy) to go out and have a good time when I'm not on the clock. I'd take a boring office job that pays well if it meant I could go out on the weekends with my friends. I know I'm an adult now, two years out of college, but I missed out on the party scene when I was in my prime, so it'd be nice to be able to balance in a social life. I just finally stumbled into it the past couple years, and I'm not ready to let it go, yet.
As for the second question, I think I prefer real vampires (i.e. not Twilight), but wizards are awesome because I'm a big fan of magic (another collection I'd like to assemble). I think it'd be hard to decide between the two, because it really depends on the situations. There are a lot of good vampire movies out there, so they seem to be a lot more entertaining. I think it's because the stories behind the origins and such can be so interesting. Wizards are good as characters, but there really is no great origin of wizardry, no interesting lore that people build books and movies around. In that, I say that despite Twilight, I'd choose vampires for entertainment, but I'd rather BE a wizard.
The last book I read... was a long time ago... I've kind of been slacking on reading as of late. I have a stack of books I need to read, but always seem to distracted to do so. The last book I specifically remember reading was World War Z, all the way last summer. For some reason, I'm thinking I read something else since then, but I can't think of what it could be (not including books like my Bathroom Readers, where they are just a series of articles or the Bro Code, which is essentially just a list). Anyway, World War Z was pretty good. It's a series of interviews documenting the great zombie war. It's great, because it used a lot of realism, describing exactly how the zombie uprising started, how the humans coped with it, how they fought back, and how they ultimately won the war. It was almost like a history book of the war with the zombies. I felt like I was reading what actually happened. I'd recommend it to any zombie enthusiast. I'd recommend reading the Zombie Survival Guide first, though, because World War Z does make a few references to the guide itself (and is written by the same guy).
Next up on my book-reading agenda, sitting on my desk right now are the first three books in the Wicked series (Wicked, Son of a Witch, and A Lion Among Men). I plan on reading them eventually. I know once I pick them up, they'll fly right by. I'm a moderately fast reader, so I could probably hammer out an entire book in less than a week if I just put aside a bit of time every night, or maybe read during my lunches at work.
And now for the final question:
Why am I so awesome?
- Scotti
Well Scotti, there are many things that make me awesome. I mean, I have a rockin' beard. I listen to awesome music. I have great taste in movies. I've been told I'm like, the hottest guy alive. You know, the usual stuff that makes someone awesome. I've got it all. I'm the ultimate package of awesome, right here. I mean, can you really explain what makes a man, such as myself, so awesome? I think, while your question is a valid concern, nobody can truly answer it sufficiently. Science has not come up with a formula, yet, to describe how and why I am this way.
So thanks for all of the questions, everyone (all three of you). Submit more and I'll be sure to answer again. I think a weekly article would work, if I get a couple of questions a week. This went much longer than I was expecting, but that's what my fans want, so I didn't cut it down. I need plenty of material to keep you all satisfied until I return. For now, though, I'm going to put my socks in the dryer and watch Jeopardy while eating ramen. Fun times!
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Sunday, October 11th, 2009
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So as I'm sure you all have noticed (all 4 of you), I'm not a very good blogger. Instead of taking responsibility for this on myself, as a grown adult should, I'm going to blame all of you! Isn't that exciting? No, I'm not really blaming you, but I am reaching out to all of my devoted readers to help me out. My life is random and I rarely even remember to blog, because I have nothing specific to say. I need any and all of my readers to give suggestions, ask questions, give my hypothetical situations to ponder, and so on. If I get a couple of good suggestions, heck, even one a week, I could probably start updating WAY more than I have been.
Originally, this idea came from some friends who started a video blog, where they answered questions their friends gave them on video and cut it together and made a fairly entertaining video. They, like me, haven't updated in forever, though (struck down after only one entry?). I was planning on asking people for questions and suggestions for my own video blog, but with my computer sucking so freaking hardcore, editing video on here would most likely crash the entire thing. Maybe if I get a new computer, I'll video blog. I mean, technically, I could just do it in one take, but really, there'd probably be a lot of dead air and me saying "um..." every five seconds. You all know how I speak. It's not pretty. Of course, it's worse now, with my annual sore throat. I hate the cold, just because I always get a sore throat when it starts coming. My voice is probably 2 octaves lower (which I guess some might find kinda hot... right?).
So for now, this blog is still my random "hey, this is what's going on" blather, but if some of you can help me out, I think this blog could turn into something great! I could win awards, and when I go up on stage, I'll thank all of you, by name (since there are only like two and a half of you left).
In closing, I totally got my fedora signed by MC Chris. I'm that awesome. He then followed me out to my van (because he was parked on the other side of the fence I was parked in front of) and talked to us as we were standing there. I reiterate, I am that awesome.
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Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
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For like the eight millionth time, I apologize for the lack of updates. I've just been so ridiculously busy recently. Not only did I get a girlfriend, but we also ended up driving to Vegas for a week and getting married. She's pregnant now, and little Ronnie IV will be here in just a few months. I got a job working in a big office building in the city. I still don't know what I do, but I get paid a solid six figures to do it. So far, I just sit at my desk and play escape-the-room games online for 8 hours a day. As I'm walking out the door, I'm thanked for my hard work and I'm on my way home in the company Benz that they gave me. On top of all of that, I've been busy working on my novel, a supernatural sci-fi samurai romance epic. I plan for it to be a trilogy. I've been in talks with Warner Brothers, who are so impressed by the treatment alone that they are already waiting for the screenplay. I, of course, will play my own lead, because only I truly understand what it is like to be in this universe I have created. I heard rumors that they believe my story will be so mindblowing, and so earthshattering that they are nominating me for a Nobel prize. Al Gore called me the other day to tell me all about it.
In other news, I live in a fantasy world. Other than the apology, I don't think a single word of that last paragraph was true in any form. I'm still single, working at Wal-Mart, broke, driving my busted van, no creative outlet, and no awards, yet. That's not to say my life isn't awesome, though, because it totally is. I go to the club every Monday, and people know me there. It feels good to walk in the door and have people excited to see me. The bar we go to on Tuesdays, Rue 13, is getting that way a bit now as well. Our bartender, James, has remembered us, and our drinks, for a few weeks now, and some random artist dude we met last time yelled across the bar to greet us. I seriously feel like I'm in a movie sometimes. I never pictured myself doing any of this stuff, but now that I'm doing it, it's sad that I didn't start earlier.
For those of you who are curious, I have posted pictures and videos of one of the crazier clubs I go to. It's not the number one craziest, but it's definitely pretty wild. My pictures are on my Myspace and Facebook (take your pick), and my videos are on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/bandmidget. I'm friends with pretty much everyone in the pictures and videos (at least the ones in the foreground), and we all know each other by name (well, for the most part, but that's a completely different funny story).
Changing the subject a bit, I'm in the process of getting a new job, it seems. I tested really high for a job with the department of social services. Right now I'm just waiting on the state to lift their hiring freeze so they can actually interview me. John, my old roommate and friend since high school, works there now and was the one who told me about the job. He said his manager told him that as long as my interview goes well (which I'm sure it will), I have a really good chance at being hired, and I'd be working right alongside John, which would be a sweet deal. The only downside (which I'll accept, as a grown-up) is that it's a normal 9-5 job, so going out to the club on Monday wouldn't work as well. I mean, I could still go, but staying out until 3 a.m. when they close, and going out to eat or hang out afterward (I got home at 6:30 a.m. this week), would be a bad idea. I think I could still make my appearance, stay until 12 or 1, and still get a decent night sleep, but I'm going to feel it out a bit first, to make sure I'd be able to handle it. If not, then I guess I'll just have to go out on the weekends like normal people, instead.
Anyway, I'm going to go change out my laundry, so I hope this blog holds you all over until I find time to do it again.
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
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Sorry, yet again. Life is freaking insane as of late. I can't go into all the details, mostly because there are just too many to go into. Basically, over the past month or so, since my birthday, really, I've completely readjusted my life. Readjusted is a good word for it, I guess. I decided on my birthday that things would be different this year. The first week, as I previously mentioned, was a huge turnaround for me. I've still made it my goal to continue that trend, and so far, I haven't slacked. In two days, it will have been one month since I've turned 25, and overall, it may just have been the best month of my life (with apologies to former girlfriends, haha).
One thing I've been keeping a bit on the down-low is that as of a few days after my birthday, I left the church I was attending for the past 3 years. They've helped me become the man I am today, but recently, I haven't really felt much change, so I cut myself free, and am using the tools they have provided in me to advance on my own. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. Before them, I was a sociophobic lamer. It took a lot, but now, I'm the guy who will willingly make a fool of myself in public, just for fun. A few years ago, I'd be standing against the wall while others have fun. Today, I jump out in the middle of it all.
That leads me into the next point. Every Monday since my birthday (and one Tuesday and a Friday), I've been going out to some clubs. Funny part is that they are goth clubs held in gay bars. I never would have imagined I'd be hanging out in places like that with people like I've been meeting, but it's been so much fun, and the people are freaking great. I've made a handful of friends, and I've had a blast dancing and raving and making a fool of myself. Just last night, we had a freaking glowstick lightsaber war. Four or five of us ran around with glowsticks using them like swords, fighting on the dance floor, running around the bar. It was epic, and it was amazing. That's just one of MANY stories I could share, and I am willing to share them if anyone asks.
Anyway, I've done my update, and I'll definitely update again later. Don't count on it being soon, though I will try. I always "try" to update more frequently, but I get distracted easily. Anyway, hope you are all doing as well as I am. Time to get ready to go out for the night, again.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
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Once again, XKCD has taken my life, my exact thoughts, and conveyed it in comic form. Seriously, I've been thinking this way for awhile now, but was kind of afraid to say it. I think once XKCD says something, it's socially acceptable for me to say it. Anyway, here is the comic:
So I haven't yet told the details or stories of my amazing birthday, or anything that has happened since. As of now, I shall continue the semi-silence. I'll just say this much: My life is changing. My 25th year will not just be another year. My 25th year will define me, will start my growth, will transform me. I'll admit that this comic will still ring true. I am a child inside, but I am a child who knows that his life is different now.
This seems like a bold claim, but so far, in my nine days as a 25 year old, I have done things that I never thought I would. If the first nine days have done this much, I can only imagine what the next 356 days will bring.
Thank you and good night.
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Lots of stories, but it's freaking 5:30 a.m., so I'll give bullets and you can ask me later for details, if you really care.
- Con was lame, but people were cool. Hotel ruined it and people were angry. Met some cool people, hung out, swam, played games, and it was a good start to my birthday. Lots of fun times had despite the problems had with the venue.
- Birthday proper consisted of 10 stops, all documented on Twitter, and will now be copy/pasted for those of you lame enough to not have Twitter:
Birthday Stop 1: Mini-Golf (6:19 p.m.)
Birthday Stop 2: X-Men Origins at the dollar show (7:01 p.m.)
Birthday Stop 3: Pre-Game (10:23 p.m.)
Birthday Stop 4: Back in time! I saw a horse! (11:13 p.m.)
Birthday Stop 5: The Complex! (11:38 p.m.)
Birthday Stop 6: The Dance Floor! (12:39 a.m.)
Birthday Stop 7: The Dance Floor... AGAIN!!! (1:47 a.m.)
Birthday Stop 8: MORE DANCE FLOOR!!! (2:39 a.m.)
Birthday Stop 9: What are these numbers written by these girls' names on this piece of paper? (2:56 a.m.)
Birthday Stop 10: Home after the best birthday of my 25 years, and one of the best nights ever. Thanks Rian, Reno, and Facedown. EPIC WIN. (4:02 a.m.)
Seriously, though, Rian, Reno, and Facedown made for an amazing birthday proper. Birthday weekend was made awesome by the same people plus Scotti, Halloween, Christmas, Jax, Aura, the girl who knew me as "Rick Roll Ronnie" (need to find out who that was), and anyone else who random hung out with me, even for a bit. Also, thanks to Zaira for being awesome and texting me and making me feel even better than I already did.
So thank you all. Best birthday ever. Best birthday weekend ever. I think 25 will be an awesome year for me.
Now, sleep.
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So I was going to go to the fireworks show in St. Charles tonight, but I couldn't find parking. I drove every single street both ways from Main to Fifth, end to end, and couldn't find a single spot over the span of over an hour, so I turned around and went home. So no fireworks for me, but lucky for all of you, you get a blog post. I know you're all super excited. Don't all comment at once! Right, if I get two comments between Xanga and Livejournal combined, I'll be surprised. I know at least a handful of you read this, but sometimes it just feels like I'm doing this just because it's here, not because I have any purpose to it.
Anyway, I was just thinking "I wonder if Gold Bond powder has an expiration date." I checked the bottle I've been using for awhile now, and it turns out it does. It turns out the expiration date on my bottle was exactly eleven years ago. That's right, on the bottom of the bottle, printed in plain black letters, it says "EXP: 7/98." That means it expired the summer before I started high school. How the crap did I get a bottle of Gold Bond that old? I've been using it for years, just a little bit at a time every so often when I need it, but never really thought of checking the date on it. I think I stole this bottle out of the cabinet at home at some point in college, most likely when living away from home, because it was in my plastic drawers that I've had since I started college. That means when I stole it, it was already at least 4 years expired in our cabinet at home.
I've had so many random stories that I thought "I should post a blog about this," but I forgot most of them. Work sucks, and I hate it and I want to quit, but I'm broke, so that's not a good idea. I was written up for attendance, because I was sick twice, my van broke down for a week, and I skipped for ACen because they denied my request off, even though I asked MONTHS in advance. Only one of those was legitimately wrong. Other people have called in WAY more than me, and as far as I know, they haven't been written up. Anyway, this means I am ineligible for promotion of any kind for one year. I accidentally miss 6 days in 6 months and now I'm screwed from getting a promotion. I was already screwed out of a raise almost 6 months ago because they hired me as "temporary" and that meant I was ineligible for a raise when everyone else got one. They even told me that they DO NOT hire full time cashiers back then, just a month or two before hiring a whole wave of full-timers. I asked to be moved up, and it was denied.
Some GOOD news, however, is that I heard just the other day that the manager that hates me is leaving in two weeks. I don't know who is taking his place, but he or she HAS to be better than this guy. I haven't heard a single person ever say they actually like him. I don't think I know a single person at work who doesn't have a problem with him. Even the other managers don't like him. He is in charge of schedules, and has screwed everyone over on countless occasions (ACen, for example). He has told at least 2 people I know that they should drop some of their classes at school so they can work more hours at Wal-Mart. I've gotten on his bad side on multiple occasions because he made a decision that made no sense, so I corrected it, probably personally making the store run better, and safer (he wanted to leave a single girl cashier in Lawn and Garden, alone, at night), so I went over his head a bit and didn't comply. Now he has me pushing carts 4 out of 5 days I work. I haven't touched a register in 2 and a half shifts (that's 20 solid work hours), even though I was hired as a "Cashier." I ripped off the little tag that says "Cashier" on my name badge, because I was sick of seeing the lies. You know, one of the best parts of him leaving is that now I don't have to put his name on job applications, so he can't give me a bad reference.
God, I could complain about this job all freaking night if I wanted to. I'm sure most of you stopped reading by now anyway. Honestly, I know I would have, and usually do when reading most of your blogs. I'll be honest. I skim and scan at best if a paragraph is over 3 lines long, or if it's over 3 paragraphs in general. I consider myself a hypocrite, because I post long, drawn-out paragraphs of detail, and I hope people actually read it, but unless I'm really interested in something, like if it pertains to ME, I usually skim it and move on. I'm sure in skimming this paragraph, some of you will go back and see what the big deal is, but honestly, there is no big deal. I'd say about... 0% of this post really has any bearing on any of your lives. There is no purpose to this post, other than so I feel better, letting out a bit of frustration. I could just as easily do this to the cats.
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Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.
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Observation: I find it odd, yet completely not surprising, that most of the people I went to high school with seem to still be hanging out with the same group of people as back then. I keep stumbling across people I haven't seen or talked to in upwards of 7 years, and their Facebook pages are all connected to each other, and the pictures they have could all practically be from the same parties, because it's all the same people, over and over again. Don't get me wrong. The few relationships I retain from high school, I do cherish, but it sometimes seems like the majority of my high school still hangs out in the same place with the same people.
I guess that's to be expected from a crappy little redneck area like I grew up in, but looking at all of their profiles, they could practically be interchanged with each other. The majority have been married and/or divorced. I think 99% of them have kids, even the ones who were never married. Even though they all have kids, it seems the majority of their pictures are either at a bar or in a garage or basement getting drunk. However, there is always one full album devoted to their kid, because they are so proud of them and are so happy to have such a beautiful child, even though the father was another one of the redneck douchebags from my high school (or from the nearby one in Potosi) who probably ended up cheating on them with another girl from high school. It's all the same people, and they all know each other, and it's just a web of cheating and babies and alcohol. I grew up in a bad country song, and Facebook is the proof.
I really had no other topics in mind tonight. I just noticed that while looking through pictures and friends lists on Facebook. I've thought this for awhile, but out of boredom, decided to rant about it for a minute. I may be single with a crap job, but I'd prefer this over that anyday. Sure, it'd be nice to be married, or even have a romantic relationship, but it all seems so meaningless, looking through the pictures on Facebook. I'm glad I got out of that hole, even if I am broke, sometimes lonely, barely supporting myself, at least I can say I got out, and I made my own amazing friends, and at least I'm not living how I always said everyone would end up in high school (joking at the time, but apparently dead on).
I'm done with my rant. I just felt the need to say something.
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Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
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So our internet has been up and down so much that I almost threw many random devices out windows and/or against brick walls. Turns out, Belkin routers suck. The power went out a few times, due to storms, and every time it went out, the router wouldn't connect to the internet for hours/days. I took it back twice, thinking at first maybe it was just the individual router, so I got the same one, but it didn't help. I finally, yesterday or the day before, got a Netgear router, and as soon as I reset all the settings, it worked perfectly. Woo Netgear. You are better than Belkin. That's good, because I didn't want to have to drop an extra $30 on a Linksys.
So that was nerdy and boring, I'm sure. I bet you all loved reading my misadventures (or rather unadventures) in the internet. In other news, which I forgot to mention before, and which I'm sure none of you particularly care about, I got the entire series of Arrested Development for a grand total of $33. Seasons 1 and 2 come together at Wal-Mart for $20, and Best Buy is having an awesome sale on television series, and a lot of them are only $13 each, so I got season 3 there.
In other, actually exciting news (only not really exciting at all), Rian got X-Box Live. If I get a new job soon, I'll get my own account as well. I have a silver account from a free trial last year, so I'll probably use that, meaning my name will be BandMidget, just like everywhere else in the world.
Um... everything else exciting, you all should know already, since I tell all my awesome news in person/phone on a daily basis. Speaking of which, Kara, did you get my texts last night? You weren't replying, so I wasn't sure.
I'm... done now. I suck at writing. Don't tell people, though, because I try to sell that as one of my strong points.
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Well, I'm officially moved in with Rian, and as of a couple days ago, we finally have cable and internet. It took awhile to get the money to even get it installed, and after installation, it took like 3 days to even get the internet to work on my piece of crap computer. It still says it doesn't work, but I'm here, so apparently it's confused.
So... my life... It's been pretty interesting recently. I can't even begin to tell all the random stories of how awesome I am. Well, I could begin, but it'd be all stream of consciousness, and I don't want to do that right now. I'd say... 99% of my readers know all the exciting stuff already, since the very few who read this either got a call/text/Myspace message from me, learned from Rian and I talking about it, or you were there.
Anyway, I really have nothing major to say right now, other than YAY INTERNET! I know I've said this a million times, but hopefully I'll keep up with this blog now that I have internet set up and such. I mean, I'm paying for it, so I might as well use it, eh?
On one final note, I am in major job-hunt mode right now. I am about sick of Wal-Mart. It's a nice job and all, but I'm better than this, and I'm finally realizing that they aren't planning on moving me up. If I can't move up, it's time to move on. They say there is room for advancement, and there were even positions open that I wanted, but I didn't even get to interview for them, and I see the cashiers with 20 year tags and it scares the crap out of me. I don't want to be here for 20 years, stuck as a freaking cashier. I told myself I'd give it 6 months. I'm coming up on 8 months and I'm still in the same position I started in. I am a better cashier than 90% of the others, easily. I am faster, I am more knowledgable, I am friendlier, and I have been sent to do the worst jobs in the store and I haven't complained once to them, and they still see me as nothing but a peon. If they don't appreciate me for my talents and abilities, then I don't want to work for them anymore. I am better than them, and I don't know why the world won't let me show it.
So if any of you know anywhere that's hiring (and don't jerk me around saying fast food or other minimum wage retail), please give me a heads up. I have one possibility, and I'm turning in the application tomorrow, but I need as many possibilities as I can find. Please, I need help. I've discovered it's always the people you know who can get you a job. Heck, I wouldn't work at this Wal-Mart if I didn't know someone who put in a good word for me and got them to call. I know some of you have decent jobs. Ask around. Drop my name. Just keep your ears open, because I can't stand this anymore. What did I even go to college for, if this is all life is?
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
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Here is my one and only post/comment/analysis of this whole situation (that most of MY friends list has no clue about).
This is freaking stupid. Everyone is/was wrong, in some way or another. Everyone should get over it and get on with their freaking lives (some more than others). A lot of flat out lies and/or exaggerations are being thrown around as absolute truth. I'm not going to refute them, because it's not MY place to do so, but I know what side I'm on, and I know a lot of what has happened from ALL sides. I'm not going to bore you with the details, because no matter what I say, someone will call me a liar, someone else will call me fat, someone else will call me gay, and someone else will say I have no idea what I'm talking about. Everyone who has heard stuff solely online needs to shut up and get on with their lives. Support your side if you will, but the fighting is pointless. Nobody is changing anyone's minds. Flinging insults is immature, to say the very least, and it's not advancing civilization in any way.
That being said, ACen was great for me. No drama in the life of Ronnie. I'm just on the outside looking in, with front-row seats, eating popcorn and shaking my head in disgust.
Check out my pics on my Myspace and my videos on my YouTube. My name is BandMidget on both.
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My poor van caught malaria and died... At least that's what I said the other day, because apparently the day it died, or the day after, was National Malaria Day, or something like that. In all reality, the wheel bearing went out. If that was it, it'd be an easy fix (like $15 for the part, and I could find someone to put it in). Of course, me being an idiot, I drove it on the bad bearing for a week or two and it damaged a lot more. I didn't really pay attention to it because it was making the same sound, or similar at least, as it did when my tires were first put on, because they are a size too big, so they are loud on turns. So I kept driving. Thursday, I felt it sliding a bit as I drove, so I was thinking something was wrong then. On my way back from lunch, some guy waved me down in the parking lot at work and said "you're wheel is about to fall off." I checked, and, sure enough, my wheel was more / than |. I had the TLE people look at it at Wal-Mart and when they jacked it up, the second the tire lifted from the ground, it wobbled like it was attached by a string. They told me not to drive it anymore, but I did anyway (I'm a rebel driver. It's just how I do things). I just drove to AutoTire, because it was one stoplight away. They told me it would be $1000-1500 to fix it. I said, "I can buy a new car for that," and they said, "you shouldn't drive it anymore." Once again, I drove it. This time, to the Shop N Save parking lot (attached to AutoTire) to park it for good.
Thinking I was going to have to buy a new car, I called into work the next day to look for cars instead. It didn't turn out very fruitful... The next day, I found a few really good cars for under $1500, but then Dad said he could fix my van, which honestly, is what I'd rather have done anyway, because I can't afford a new car. He said it'd be maybe a couple hundred dollars at the most, and he'd try to fix my door as well, since he has a couple days off this week, so he has some time.
So this week, I'm carless, but it seems I already have rides to work set up for the rest of the week. That works out, so I don't have to call in again. Of course, freaking work scheduled me on the two days of ACen, so if I don't find someone to work for me, I'm calling in then, too. I asked of MONTHS in advance. They had no reason to deny me, other than they are trying to establish dominance. They are trying to prove that working as a part-time cashier at Wal-Mart should be the MOST IMPORTANT (typed impotent first, haha) THING IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! It's the only thing that makes sense. They deny people at random just to show they have the power. I heard a few people say that they're going to try to start working me on Sundays as well, because they don't want to allow anyone that kind of schedule. If they schedule me on a Sunday, I will go tell them I can't work it, and if they tell me I have to, I'll quit on the spot. I know I can find something better than this.
Grr... I'm so randomly worked up. I don't hate my job. I just hate how the job is managed.
I'm done for now.
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So I just changed my picture again. Those of you who have followed me for awhile know this is a rare thing for me. I changed it after both cons, but before that, I think it was the same thing for... maybe a year or more. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I just like stability, but I just don't like changing my picture too often. I think the true reason is because I have so few pictures taken of me that I don't really have much choice. Anyway, I kind of liked this close-up shot of me as Gendo.
Apparently while I just kind of like it, a lot of the ladytypes REALLY like it. I've gotten a handful of messages/comments/etc since I posted it saying how hot I am (though without saying "hot"). One comment was just something to the effect of, "I like. Looking studly." Another was just, "looking good" which sparked a conversation that included her saying I looked good 2 or 3 more times, and calling me a "talented and interesting man." The most interesting comment I got, however, was in my honest box (which is where people can anonymously tell me what they think of me). I know it was a girl, because it was a pink message, and it simply said, "I think you shouldn't be single."
Now seriously, look at the picture on this thing. Am I really that hot? If so, I think I'm going to start wearing sunglasses more often. Unfortunately, I lost that particular pair, but just today, I finally replaced them with a pretty good new pair. I like how they look, but they aren't quite as accurate for Gendo. They will definitely do, though, as they aren't completely wrong. They just look a bit too angled on the sides.
I really don't have much else to say. Right now, most of life is just working and, at the moment, preparing for ACen. My work is really getting on my nerves, though, because they approved ACen weekend off a while back, but out of nowhere, the timeclock told me last week that one request was denied. I checked, and it was the Friday of ACen. I already decided that if I can't find someone to cover me, I'll just call in sick, because I asked off months ago. It's freaking stupid to deny a request put in that far in advance, for no reason, especially since they approved it already. I never really saw everyone's problems with management before, but the past month or two, if that, I've really started to notice all their flaws in logic, planning, and treatment of workers. It's no wonder so many people protest this place. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to even have a job, but I can't stand the way they run the store sometimes.
In happier news, I have a sweet costume that I'm making soon. I don't think I'm going to mention it on here, partially since most of you already know, but mostly because I want it to be a surprise to those who don't know. I'll have pictures, though, and ACen is only like 3 weeks away (wow, so close), so you'll see pictures when I post them.
I'm done now.
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
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I know I misspelled the title. I did it on purpose to make it seem like a robot name or something. Don't question my logic! I'm loopy and I can do what I want. This is MY blog, and if you don't like my purposeful spelling errors, then you can LEAVE! If you don't like my accidental spelling errors, then I sympathize with you, and I urge you to correct me, so I don't look stupid. Of course, I don't make errors, as I am a robot, as the title of this post suggests... somehow...
In very important news, I got a Twitter account. I don't understand the hype. Seriously, it's just Facebook status, without the rest of Facebook. It's kind of cool that I can update via text, I guess, but still, it's just little updates. I don't get why it's so freaking huge. I decided to not use it seriously. I'll update with completely random stupidity throughout the day. It'll be fun that way. If you really want it, here it is: http://www.twitter.com/bandmidget
So right now, if an artist were to draw an artistic interpretation of my life, it could go one of two ways. First, I'd be drawn as a slave with my manager from work forgetting about me while he frees the other slaves. He would then throw me out in the rain to push carts. That's a true story, actually. I once got on his bad side and he made me push carts in the rain, for no real reason. There were no other cart pushes for 40 minutes by then, and no others were coming in all night, and I got off in 20 minutes. Honestly, 20 minutes of cart pushing would not help much at all. He did it purely as punishment for going over his head, because he was trying to leave one cashier alone in lawn and garden at night, which isn't safe, let alone practical for business.
Anyway, the second artists rendering of my life would be me, sitting in a comfy armchair, on top of a platform, surrounded by a protective bubble, while everything around me crumbles and is destroyed. Giant monstrous arms would be gripping my friends, who are in anguish, while I sit safe, watching it happen, unable to help those outside my personal bubble. That one is a bit more symbolic, really. I just realized recently that a lot of bad stuff is going around, and a lot of people are going through some pretty rough times, but I seem to be doing fairly well, except for the job situation, but that's common for everyone. The problem is, I can't really help. All I can do is be there, and hope my presence helps. Life is crazy like that.
In closing, I found a video of the song I want played at my wedding. It's Canon, which is a typical wedding song, but I want it played like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lv6LkAmFTU
I just got chills watching it again.
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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Almost a week later, I'm FINALLY going to make my Anime St. Louis post. So... Anime St. Louis was last weekend....
That's it. I'm done.
No, but seriously, it was an awesome weekend. It was definitely a much needed getaway. I didn't Rick-Roll nearly as much this time, but it was still fun doing all kinds of other random stuff. Mining the Elevator (see my Youtube, linked below), a random man-pile so loud we woke people up 12 stories above us, the rave was fun, though con veterans said it sucked and left (I got to dance to techno music, so I was happy), and who knows how many other random little stories.
Most of my weekend was spent acting like Halloween, on accident. Halloween, for some reason, always ends up losing us. He'll be walking behind us, and then we don't see him again for hours, sometimes. I was running around with the group I came with, and if I saw someone else I knew (usually Judith and her friends), I'd just kind of jump to their group and follow them for awhile. Then later, I'd run into someone else, and jump to them. Ironically, Halloween popped up everywhere. We almost couldn't lose him (not that we tried or anything).
One crazy part of the weekend is that, because it was a local con, I ended up running into people I never really expected to see. First, I ran into a girl I went to high school with, Brandy. We haven't really seen each other in something like 5 or 6 years, but somehow, she recognized me, even though I was in costume, with sunglasses on. Last she saw me, my hair was longer, parted, and my beard was probably a big goatee. It was funny, because I glanced over in her direction and caught her kind of staring, and my first thought was, "Why is that hot girl staring at me? She must be a fan of Evangelion and she knows my character." She then asked if I ever lived in Cadet (where we went to school together). I realized who she was, so I told her no, and just as she was about to walk away, I finished, "I lived in Richwoods. I just went to school in Cadet." It was pretty cool catching up with her randomly most of the weekend.
Another, more awkward run-in, was the girl who John's Mom tried to fix me up with for prom like 2 years ago. I don't remember exactly when, but I posted about it on here back then. The story goes, John's Mom worked with some lady who was trying to find a date for her daughter for prom. For some reason, I was chosen, and we started talking online. We met in person one awkward night, and I ended up accidentally being a total douchebag. We never met again, hardly talked anymore, and that was fine, because it was all weird anyway. So back to present day, she was on the security team at the con, guarding the door to the rave. I thought she looked familiar, so I checked her name badge, and sure enough, her full, real name was on it (most people put character names, but she wasn't in costume). I said hi, and she didn't recognize me at all at first, until I reminded her. I didn't expect any real conversation, and we didn't have one. I was just trying to be social and said hi. Guess that worked out, eh?
Saturday night was almost bad, since it was the night of the freaking blizzard, at the end of March, but it turned out to be a really good thing. I didn't have a hotel room for the night, so I was planning on driving back home after the rave Saturday. With the blizzard, I was kind of stranded, and was going to sleep in my van or something. Luckily, a friend-of-a-friend had space in her room, so we had a place to crash (instead of crashing my van on the drive home... get it?). Anyway, the next day, my phone was practically dead, and due to some drama and confusion and such, my normal Sunday afternoon plans were missed and I just stayed the rest of the convention. Rian left early, so the last few hours or so, I spent with Judith and her friends, not jumping away so much anymore. It was cool because I never really see her, and her friends all seemed pretty cool.
OH, and to end this post. I got a new pet Cactuar. I think he may come to all the cons with me. He is a raver Cactuar, because he has sweet light-up spikes (that someone at the rave lost, so I took them). I wanted a Tonberry, but they were ridiculously expensive, since apparently they are super rare (though badly made), so I settled for Cactuar, but ended up liking him more anyway.
Now, I'm done... for now... Pictures are on Myspace and Facebook, Videos are on my Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/bandmidget
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
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So, rumor has it, I was misinformed about one fact in my last post. I just heard that THREE new CSMs will be hired sometime soon. On top of that, at least two current CSMs have been heard talking about going on job interviews and sending their resumes out, meaning two more slots may open. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting one of these 3-5 positions. I may not have been working as long as some people, but I think I've proven myself worthy of moving up. I never complain when they force me to do all the crap jobs (like cart pushing). I pay attention and learn all the little things to the pont where I end up teaching Wal-Mart veterans how to do stuff, especially since we just got all those new registers last month. Anyway, these CSM positions are now my only hope. If I don't get one, I need to move on, because I really can't support myself right now on part-time cashier wages.
So this weekend is Anime St. Louis. I am in the process of fixing up my costumes, so hopefully tomorrow I'll be good to go. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't actually get to make a new costume, but I guess I'll survive on Gendo Ikari and Black Mage once again. Hopefully for ACen, I'll have at least one more costume. If not, oh well, it'll still be good times no matter what.
I really have no idea what else to write. The only real "update" was about the CSM postions. I've been way too busy today, running around trying to get things done, that I just needed to take a break and type something. I've been in and out of the house all day, because every time I come back, I remember something else I forgot. I kind of want to just quit for the night, but there are two major things I still need to do, and I don't want to wait until the last minute. Luckily, I still do have all of tomorrow, and some of Friday, but I want to be completely finished tomorrow, so Friday I can relax and prepare for the convention.
In closing, I ended up sending in 5 cards to PostSecret. That's all I'm saying, though. Like I said before, I'm not telling any of you if they are published. If you recognize something that sounds like maybe it could be me, then maybe it is. Of course, with thousands of cards coming in, you never know if it's really me, or just someone with a secret similar to something that may be me. That's the best part, seeing that everyone has secrets, and some of them are the same as yours, so you know you're not alone.
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bandmidget's journal
apathetic.
satisfied.
creative.
hungry.
bouncy.
amused.
indescribable.
thankful.
frustrated.
indifferent.
blah.
cold.
mellow.
calm.
aggravated.