As a tradition, the only New Year's resolution I ever make is to not make a New Year's resolution.
2009 was one of the most trying and unhappy I've experienced. I was laid off (twice by the same company). When I was employed, I was treated poorly, and constantly put under stress. Being laid off emptied my bank account just before I was rehired. I had unemployment benefits issues. My friends were generally far away. I had to support my mom emotionally by myself, as my sister was in Italy (not her fault. Just a bit more stressful). I had 2 separate opportunities at a job with Apple, and failed both times.
This year must be different!
RESOLVED!
• At the beginning of 2009, I said, "This year will be different! This will be MY year!"I intended on moving out of my parents' house, having a job I liked, getting a girlfriend, etc. And it sucked, as already mentioned.
This year, I'm making this the year I put all my faith in God. MOCK ME IF YOU WILL. The first time I was laid off, I went to church, and felt much better. I'm now involved in the kids' program Wednesday nights at my church. I'm not the greatest Christian, and I'm going to change that this year.
• I want to travel alot more. I got to go to Chicago when I was called back to work, and loved it. And my sis is taking classes in ITALY. So why not cruise around the country a bit?I've got friends and family all over the place. It'll be sweet.
• I want to get in shape. I have asthma, and it was always an excuse to not pursue sports in general. So, while I wouldn't consider myself in excess, I could certainly do with dropping some poundage. MY BODY IS A TEMPLE! And my temple needs more than a paint job.
• I'm gonna sing. I've been told that I have a good singing voice, and this year I want to use it more. Of course, those people have only heard me singing old hymns at church, in a sort of classical style. So we'll see how that goes.
• In addition to the singing thing, I want to pick up an instrument and write some music. I'm thinking guitar, bass, maybe violin? Maybe trumpet? Something I can start a band with. (UPDATE! My buddy Andy pointed out another one here: piano. Always wanted to learn the keys. And I have a nice keyboard, too)
• I want to do some computer developing. Or iPhone developing.
• Girlfriend? Please?
• I'll reconsider school this year. I'm still not sold. Part of that is I need to prove that I can make it without school. Prove it to my parents, and to myself after telling my parents that.
There are a couple of other minor things, but I've gone on long enough. Please comment.
1/1/10
12/17/09
The transformative Power of Christmas Music.
I have a love/hate relationship with regular commercial Christmas music: Everyone loves it and I hate it.
WITH A PASSION UNIQUE TO MYSELF AND MYSELF ALONE.
Having been raised in a traditional Southern Baptist church, I do love the old Christmas hymns (such as O Holy Night, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, etc.). But if it involves a character not from the Bible, I probably despise it.
Here is a list of some of the highest offending songs. And some of my reasoning for my feelings.
Last Christmas
Listen. If last Christmas you gave him your heart but the very next day he gave it away, and this year to save you from tears you'll give it to someone special, WHY THE HECK DIDN'T YOU GIVE IT TO SOMEONE SPECIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE DIMWIT?
Besides, now your heart has been regifted. You ain't getting it back. Freak.
Jingle Bell Rock
A poor attempt to appeal to the young masses of the time when it came out.
And what the heck is a jingle horse? When the line gets sung, it sounds like the singer is saying jingle whores. Why would I be interested in a prostitute covered in bells?! Also dimwitted.
Christmas is Killarney
According to Wikipedia, Killarney is a town in southwestern Ireland.
Why do I care about Killarney? Go jump off a bridge, gingers.
Rudolph, Frosty, and the like
I suspect that I would tolerate a lot more of these sort of songs if there weren't so many damn versions by so many damn artists. There's nothing new under the sun, but this is just ridiculous.
Dominic the Donkey
Oh. Hell. No.
Santa Baby
This one has a particularly dark place in my 7th circle of hell. A poor attempt at being sexy cannot hide the fact that this chick is hitting on an old fat guy that peeps in on little children to know when they're sleeping and when they're awake.
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
This song is a little dopey, but only one line bugs me. Do people really still have pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving? Weirdos.
Good Christmas songs? They are few and far between.
WITH A PASSION UNIQUE TO MYSELF AND MYSELF ALONE.
Having been raised in a traditional Southern Baptist church, I do love the old Christmas hymns (such as O Holy Night, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, etc.). But if it involves a character not from the Bible, I probably despise it.
Here is a list of some of the highest offending songs. And some of my reasoning for my feelings.
Last Christmas
Listen. If last Christmas you gave him your heart but the very next day he gave it away, and this year to save you from tears you'll give it to someone special, WHY THE HECK DIDN'T YOU GIVE IT TO SOMEONE SPECIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE DIMWIT?
Besides, now your heart has been regifted. You ain't getting it back. Freak.
Jingle Bell Rock
A poor attempt to appeal to the young masses of the time when it came out.
And what the heck is a jingle horse? When the line gets sung, it sounds like the singer is saying jingle whores. Why would I be interested in a prostitute covered in bells?! Also dimwitted.
Christmas is Killarney
According to Wikipedia, Killarney is a town in southwestern Ireland.
Why do I care about Killarney? Go jump off a bridge, gingers.
Rudolph, Frosty, and the like
I suspect that I would tolerate a lot more of these sort of songs if there weren't so many damn versions by so many damn artists. There's nothing new under the sun, but this is just ridiculous.
Dominic the Donkey
Oh. Hell. No.
Santa Baby
This one has a particularly dark place in my 7th circle of hell. A poor attempt at being sexy cannot hide the fact that this chick is hitting on an old fat guy that peeps in on little children to know when they're sleeping and when they're awake.
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
This song is a little dopey, but only one line bugs me. Do people really still have pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving? Weirdos.
Good Christmas songs? They are few and far between.
12/13/09
Did you like bubble gum as a kid? I did for a while.
Tonight I had a random desire for Bubbalicious bubble gum. You know, the big honking pieces with the wild flavors.
When I was a little dude, I would get a pack of that gum, and start on a piece until it had lost it's flavor.
Then pop another piece.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Until:
A: my mouth was so full I couldn't get another piece in
B: my mom caught me and told me to knock it off (wasting gum, you know)
C: I got bored and spit it out
this was long before I discovered Mentos. At the height of my Mentos addiction, I could do a tube of them in 15 minutes, which I thought was amazing enough to tell people.
Didn't understand their lack of enthusiasm until I got out of rehab...
Tonight I had a random desire for Bubbalicious bubble gum. You know, the big honking pieces with the wild flavors.
When I was a little dude, I would get a pack of that gum, and start on a piece until it had lost it's flavor.
Then pop another piece.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Until:
A: my mouth was so full I couldn't get another piece in
B: my mom caught me and told me to knock it off (wasting gum, you know)
C: I got bored and spit it out
this was long before I discovered Mentos. At the height of my Mentos addiction, I could do a tube of them in 15 minutes, which I thought was amazing enough to tell people.
Didn't understand their lack of enthusiasm until I got out of rehab...
Life, my universe, and everything. Ish.
This is a busy Christmastime. December in general is especially wild this year.
My mom's last craft fair was the 5th.
I was contacted again by Apple for a Specialist position, and went to a meet and greet on the 6th. It's been a week, and they haven't contacted me, very similar to the first time i tried, which makes me think I won't get the job once again.
Damnation.
I got to hang out with two of my dearest friends Monday the 7th, A and K. A just broke up with her long-time boyfriend, and K is engaged to be married next August.
My mom had her hand worked on on Thursday the 10th. I think it involves arthritis. Her hand is all wrapped up, but it still mildly pains her.
This past weekend was the Boy Scouts' Christmas Campout. My dad and I went out for the day Saturday. It's not the same as it used to be. Too structured, not as much fun. I miss the old days.
Tomorrow my sis returns from her first semester of school in Italy. She's been missed around the house. She goes back to Florence in early January. Which sucks.
Saturday the 19th is my cousin's wedding in Milwaukee. It's been a long time coming (there's some family turmoil I'd rather not get into detail about here). Much of the family is going to be there, which'll be nice. Since most of my extended family lives in Oklahoma, I don't get to see them very often. SAD. So we'll be leaving Friday. YAY!
Dad's birthday is Sunday the 20th, and my sister's is Christmas day. I'm very not ready for Christmas at all...
AND SO.
Sorry to bore you. My life is busy for now. And until they reinstate me as a full time with benefits worker, my status is still up in the air at work. I'm listed as a temporary (seasonal) worker.
AND I REALLY WANTED THAT DAMN APPLE JOB. Just like before. Despite the fact that I thought I did much better this time around, we were told we would be contacted within the week about a second interview. As no contact has been made, I'll probably do the same as last time and email the guy, only to have a rejection sent back to me.
I hope things get better, though. I am not happy, but hopeful.
My mom's last craft fair was the 5th.
I was contacted again by Apple for a Specialist position, and went to a meet and greet on the 6th. It's been a week, and they haven't contacted me, very similar to the first time i tried, which makes me think I won't get the job once again.
Damnation.
I got to hang out with two of my dearest friends Monday the 7th, A and K. A just broke up with her long-time boyfriend, and K is engaged to be married next August.
My mom had her hand worked on on Thursday the 10th. I think it involves arthritis. Her hand is all wrapped up, but it still mildly pains her.
This past weekend was the Boy Scouts' Christmas Campout. My dad and I went out for the day Saturday. It's not the same as it used to be. Too structured, not as much fun. I miss the old days.
Tomorrow my sis returns from her first semester of school in Italy. She's been missed around the house. She goes back to Florence in early January. Which sucks.
Saturday the 19th is my cousin's wedding in Milwaukee. It's been a long time coming (there's some family turmoil I'd rather not get into detail about here). Much of the family is going to be there, which'll be nice. Since most of my extended family lives in Oklahoma, I don't get to see them very often. SAD. So we'll be leaving Friday. YAY!
Dad's birthday is Sunday the 20th, and my sister's is Christmas day. I'm very not ready for Christmas at all...
AND SO.
Sorry to bore you. My life is busy for now. And until they reinstate me as a full time with benefits worker, my status is still up in the air at work. I'm listed as a temporary (seasonal) worker.
AND I REALLY WANTED THAT DAMN APPLE JOB. Just like before. Despite the fact that I thought I did much better this time around, we were told we would be contacted within the week about a second interview. As no contact has been made, I'll probably do the same as last time and email the guy, only to have a rejection sent back to me.
I hope things get better, though. I am not happy, but hopeful.
12/5/09
formspring.me
If you could have any super power - what would it be?
Hmmm.
That's really hard.
Literally. I'm sitting here for a long time trying to think of something.
...
I think something like Rogue from X-Men. I would touch someone, and know exactly what that person meant, I would see things from their perspective.
Preferably without the life-force-sucking death part.
12/1/09
11/18/09
My Junior Year of High School. And Evanescence.
I am almost 24. There are a lot of things that make me feel old.
Today at work, the boss put on the 2000s station on the satellite radio, and a song I hadn't heard in a while came on:
Evanescence is directly responsible for my maturing into modern music. Before "Fallen", Audio Adrenaline's "Underdog" and Relient K's "Two Lefts Don't Make A Right But Three Do", I was an oldies-only music listener. The Beatles were my band of choice (and often still are).
"Fallen" was released in March of 2003, near the end of my junior year of high school. I was riding high at this point, having come ended a very successful marching band run and thinking blissfully (or not) about the only things relevant to juniors: senior year, girls, and college. iPods were getting big, but not in the technophobic Cleveland suburbs, so everyone carried around their CD players and a select few albums for study hall jamming.
Or at least, I did.
Evanescence made a huge splash in my generation. Amy Lee's exceptional vocals made an impact in a somewhat lacking female vocal time. There was some debate as to whether the album was rock or metal (I see both sides and say "yes"). The two major singles, "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal" were featured in the slowly growing superhero movie snooze-fest "Daredevil". The band was nominated and won Grammys and awards. THEY WERE A BIG DEAL.
And I bought the album. I wasn't inclined to most of what was being made musically, having spent my 80s and 90s happily unaware, and saturated in 50s, 60s, and some 70s rock 'n' roll. What I heard on the school bus radio wasn't interesting, what my friends listened to was crass and uninviting to my ears.
But then suddenly there was this woman, with this voice, and WOW!
What do you want? I was 17.
...
Oh yeah. I heard that song today, 6 years later, and started thinking about hose old days. High school, marching band, Boy Scouts, first job, friends, crushes, etc.
And I can't help but wonder how it can feel like so long ago. It's only been 6 years, but so much has changed since then, it's quite amazing.
My career focus has changed dramatically. Twice.
My major groups of friends have shifted a bit. And spread out a lot more.
I didn't complete most of what I thought would happen without a doubt (namely college).
My musical tastes have become so varied you need a map to chart them fully.
I've changed jobs 2 1/2 times (laid off and called back).
The ladies I've been interested in since then have changed. Interesting for its own reasons.
It's just fascinating to think back on this. What would my junior self think of me now?
"You kinda suck."
;)
Today at work, the boss put on the 2000s station on the satellite radio, and a song I hadn't heard in a while came on:
Evanescence is directly responsible for my maturing into modern music. Before "Fallen", Audio Adrenaline's "Underdog" and Relient K's "Two Lefts Don't Make A Right But Three Do", I was an oldies-only music listener. The Beatles were my band of choice (and often still are).
"Fallen" was released in March of 2003, near the end of my junior year of high school. I was riding high at this point, having come ended a very successful marching band run and thinking blissfully (or not) about the only things relevant to juniors: senior year, girls, and college. iPods were getting big, but not in the technophobic Cleveland suburbs, so everyone carried around their CD players and a select few albums for study hall jamming.
Or at least, I did.
Evanescence made a huge splash in my generation. Amy Lee's exceptional vocals made an impact in a somewhat lacking female vocal time. There was some debate as to whether the album was rock or metal (I see both sides and say "yes"). The two major singles, "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal" were featured in the slowly growing superhero movie snooze-fest "Daredevil". The band was nominated and won Grammys and awards. THEY WERE A BIG DEAL.
And I bought the album. I wasn't inclined to most of what was being made musically, having spent my 80s and 90s happily unaware, and saturated in 50s, 60s, and some 70s rock 'n' roll. What I heard on the school bus radio wasn't interesting, what my friends listened to was crass and uninviting to my ears.
But then suddenly there was this woman, with this voice, and WOW!
What do you want? I was 17.
...
Oh yeah. I heard that song today, 6 years later, and started thinking about hose old days. High school, marching band, Boy Scouts, first job, friends, crushes, etc.
And I can't help but wonder how it can feel like so long ago. It's only been 6 years, but so much has changed since then, it's quite amazing.
My career focus has changed dramatically. Twice.
My major groups of friends have shifted a bit. And spread out a lot more.
I didn't complete most of what I thought would happen without a doubt (namely college).
My musical tastes have become so varied you need a map to chart them fully.
I've changed jobs 2 1/2 times (laid off and called back).
The ladies I've been interested in since then have changed. Interesting for its own reasons.
It's just fascinating to think back on this. What would my junior self think of me now?
"You kinda suck."
;)
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