T.G.I.F.? Not So Much.

Wow, this is the first time in quite a while that I've had a Friday night off. Not surprisingly, I've spent it doing absolutely nothing. I watched Thursday night's Blue Jackets game that I taped (Jackets won in a shootout; Nash & Zherdev totally smoked Ray Emery.) which was cool. Then I just sort of zoned out playing my guitar for a while.

As you can tell, I've got nothing real to say on here tonight. Just killing more time.

I hope the roads are at least a bit better by tomorrow night. Driving to and from work in this weather has been pretty stressful. I think I'm ready for spring.

I'm also ready for lunch.

Man, my body clock is so out of whack. I need to find a first or second shift job, I think. I just feel sort of 'off' nowadays. This is definitely not normal. I need to finish school and get back on track.

Mum's The Word

I haven't spoken one single word yet today. I woke up around 4:00, (which is kind of early for me, being nocturnal and all) ate, and played some NHL '08 on my PS2. (I'm currently 55-0-0 on my first season, by the way.) But yeah, then I came in here to check my email and I realized that I have not actually said one word yet. I don't mind; I think it's kind of cool, really.

I don't have much else to share, I guess. I've basically described my whole day already. All three hours of it. I'm bored, though, and right now I really don't want to go to work tonight. Maybe I'll lay back down for a little while.

For any readers out there, a question:

What is the best thing to do in one's spare time?

Wait, What?

At work last night, a couple came into the store and were down around the pet food section. My friend and I had just finished stocking the aisle when the guy approached us with a big grin on his face. Pointing to an area out of our sight, he said, 'That's my part-time girlfriend over there'.

This person was visibly drunk and very amused by what he was saying.

My friend asked him sarcastically how that was working out for him. The guy said, 'Not real good'. Then he smiled, gestured towards some dog food and added, 'I think I'll buy her a treat'.

I was just looking at him with a blank stare on my face. Drunk or not, why would a person say things like that about their girlfriend (and what the hell does part-time girlfriend even mean?)? He continued laughing as she walked up, visibly embarrassed. I felt horrible for her, and I was getting a little bit tired of Mr. Talkative. I turned and started to walk away. My boss stopped to ask me some questions before I could get to the back room, and as we stood talking, he caught up to us with his underappreciated girlfriend in tow.

"She's like a lava lamp," he said. "Fun to look at, but not too bright."

"Wow," I said, slightly shaking my head and looking at the floor. I continued walking, and the last thing I heard him say was to the girl.

"Come on, let's go make a baby."

"Stop!" she said, in a playful yet serious manner. I looked back to see her blushing and looking kind of sad.

I swore under my breath and stormed down another aisle, away from that. It was just disgusting.

Why do girls put up with guys like that? Do they really like dating complete and total jerks who are so inconsiderate and offensive? It certainly seems to be the case. Maybe it's some sort of weird form of natural selection at work: women see men like that as stronger than men who'd be more respectful (does that translate into weakness, though?), and therefore consider them to be better mates? I don't know, but it's ridiculous either way. Imagine that poor woman having kids with that guy. Any sons would most likely grow up thinking that behavior like that is normal and acceptable. Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions. The point is, though, that I just do not understand how that whole mess works, and it's frustrating to see an event like that played out in front of me.

At first I thought I just didn't understand women, but I think it's people in general that baffle me. If anyone has any thoughts on this subject, by all means share them with me. I'm really curious to know.

Well, time for bed. I have to be up by 3:30 to start watching hockey. It'll be on until I have to leave for work. I love two-game hockey nights.

So Then There's This...

I got off work like three hours early last night. I love it. Driving home at 3:30 AM with no cars on the freeway is a beautiful thing. Even more beautiful, I taped the Blue Jackets/Red Wings game last night so I could watch the whole thing when I got off. The Jackets played amazing hockey on all fronts, and we smashed them 5-1. That extends their losing streak to 5 games, and gives us some good momentum going into Sunday's match against St. Louis. Here's hoping the guys can pull down some solid points on this road trip.

Kind of an aside--does anyone think it's weird and/or stupid to refer to your favorite team as 'us' or 'we'? I used to think it was dumb, but I find myself caring less and doing it more. Hmm...

Moving on.

My cat has been sitting here staring at me for at least a half hour. I wonder what she's thinking? Occasionally she'll make a small noise or two to get my attention. It's kinda funny, because if I say something to her she'll make more noises at me. I hope those noises mean things like 'I like you' or 'you're my favorite human'.

She's probably saying 'get off the damn computer and give me food', though.

And now, because I'm feeling random today, I present a list of likes and dislikes:

LIKES:
-my mom's vegetable lasagna
-Akira Kurosawa movies
-getting off work early (as mentioned above)
-Conan O'Brien with a beard
-colored vinyl
-Project Runway
-Jared Boll
-Vespas
-looking in the mirror when I wake up and seeing how messed up my hair is
-Natalie Portman
-old-timey bicycles (and bicycles in general)
-studio apartments
-the sound of a slap shot
-taffy (laffy or otherwise)
-The Office
-coffee/coffee shops
-purring cats
-slightly burnt English Muffins
-old books (what is it about that smell?)
-green eyes

DISLIKES:
-cars
-papercuts
-squash (no matter how many times I try it, I just cannot get into it)
-most upscale places (I feel out of place and uncomfortable)
-shoveling the driveway
-the Detroit Red Wings
-the word 'guestimate'
-guys who act tough all the time (or who think it's cool to be violent and stupid)
-humidity
-shaving during the winter
-long fingernails
-any guitar that has a handle carved out of the body
-pointy guitars
-the tab on this can of mandarin oranges that just broke off
-my job (sort of a given)
-nosebleeds
-hospitals
-Hummers (who even needs one of those in the suburbs anyway?)
-rudeness
-socks with sandals

Well, that's pretty good for off the top of my head, I guess. I like making 'Likes' lists more, I must admit. It's fun to see what pops into your mind when you're thinking of either one, though.

I'm gonna go figure out a way to open these oranges now.

Bedtime Rave and Rant

So I just bought a guitar on Tuesday. It had been over a month since I'd even played, but I'd had my eye on one, tried it out, and bought it. It really feels great to have that back in my life again. Now I can hardly put it down, and I keep browsing for different effects to go with it. It's kinda cool, too, because before this, I had never bought a guitar that wasn't released by Fender.

Well, I take that back. There was a short fiasco involving a DiPinto Galaxie IV, but that guitar sucked so bad I've since blocked it from my mind. Guh. But yeah, I went with an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, limited edition silverburst. I'd never played an Epiphone before, and I had pretty much decided on a Telecaster, but I heard things. Good things. Then I played it, and the deal was sealed.

I'm glad I changed things up. Playing one brand of guitar is pretty limiting when you think about it....

Okay, I just read through what I typed above, and I came to the realization that probably only one of the three people who actually read this blog will give a shit about this entry.

So, new subject...

Do you ever notice how people call themselves fans of a particular team, but leave the arena or stadium if said team is not playing well? That's bullshit. I watched my beloved Columbus Blue Jackets take a pounding from the Chicago Blackhawks last night. The final score was 7-2. It was the worst I have ever seen them play this season, but I had to stick with them. Why? Because I support the team, dammit! Nationwide Arena looked full at the start of the 1st period, but then fans slowly started to leave when the Jackets couldn't pick up their game. By the 3rd, the remaining fans in attendance probably could've all squeezed into the penalty box. Honestly, I don't think anyone could give me a reason I'd agree with why leaving a game when your team is down is acceptable. Stick with them, even through the bad times. Hell, especially through the bad times. I know I would, especially if I was lucky enough to have season tickets so close to ice level like most of those fairweather Benedict Arnolds do. Unbelievable.

Wow, I had no idea I'd be getting so fired up about this. It is important to me, though. During these months, hockey is pretty much always on my mind, which I think some people find odd, as I'm not the type who's generally into sports. People seem to view me as more of an artsy, indie type of guy. I don't mind that, as I am into artsy and indie things. However, I don't feel that I can lump myself into set categories like that without feeling like a douche, so I just consider myself to be myself. Whether I'm listening to Bright Eyes and doing an oil painting, or donning my jersey and screaming at the TV when Pascal Leclaire makes a superhuman glove save, I'm the same average, friendly, likeable (I'd like to think) guy. Besides, I think it's good to have varied tastes. I'd be pretty boring if everyone who saw me could accurately guess what I was all about, right?

Thoughts From the Driver's Seat

This morning after work I was sitting in my car with my friend (we work together and carpool) and we were having a really good discussion on the topic of religion. I enjoy talking about subjects like that, especially when they're open to such broad interpretation. So many people have so many different views, even within the same faith, and I find that fascinating.

Anyway, as we talked, it started to rain pretty hard. Big, fat drops were pounding my windshield, and at one point we both had to raise our voices just to hear each other. Then there was a bunch of lightning. I mean serious lightning. Each burst lit the still-dark sky like it was high noon or something. It was awesome. I love absorbing stuff like that. Taking the time to think about things, really think about them. Not just notice and say, "wow, that was bright."

I wish I had a picture of that split second in time.

So, as I drove home, my mind drifted to other weather-related thoughts. I like waking up to the sight of falling snow. It seems weird to me when I think about that, because I hate everything else about snow. Especially driving in it. But going to the window and watching it fall silently is one of my favorite things. I like seeing snow covered ares that haven't been walked through or otherwise 'messed up'. Everything seems so clean, and the brightness kind of makes me happy. I suppose certain aspects of all seasons bring a smile to my face. I hope everyone else can say the same.

Well, I should be in bed. I'm supposed to get up in three hours. Maybe I'll just stay up and go for a walk or something, though. It's surprisingly nice for February.

Waist Deep in a Rut

My boss has made several comments to me over the past few months that have really started to freak me out a bit. He keeps making references to my taking over for him when he leaves. Thing is, I would never want to do that. Ever. I work at a grocery store third shift. I do not want to make a career out of stocking. I realize that people can and do, but it is not for me. I want to do something that actually means something to me. I worry, though, that I'll just kind of slip into it. I mean, it's a painfully easy job. If I don't stay motivated to do something else, I could definitely see myself sticking with that routine.

I'm thinking that I need to just pack up and move. I feel like I've been here for too long. I've visited other places that I could definitely picture as potential hometowns. Places like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Toronto are all great cities. I just need to take that first step, I guess. I don't know what's stopping me, really. I have no obligations here in Columbus, no wife or kids. Just a crap job. I do have some great friends here, though. Still, I think I need to just do what's best for me. I'd love nothing more than to sell my car and most of my other possessions and start over. Meet new people, play new music, see new sights.

It's important to live your life. I've just been existing for the most part.


In blog page news, I've just added an 'awesome links' section. It took me forever to figure out how to do it, too. I thought I was fairly smart when it comes to computers, but blogger.com's settings almost melted my brain and face.

Anyway, I have a link to my friend Bill's blog. It may be just one link, but there's enough awesome in it for all of us. Check it out.