Cheaper than anger management......

Bacon, Flu and the Living Dead.

2009-04-30T22:43:27Z

Well now that the "pandemic" has arrived in the NW I'm sitting by the window waiting for the errupting chaos to ensue. Two legs good, four legs bad!
I've been sick all week with the regular old flu (as far as I know, never had the flu before) and am finally well. Hooray!

Is it weird that as soon as anyone says the word "pandemic" I always think of the undead shambling down the street? Here's to hoping that this strain doesn't mutate further and we don't all end up to our eyes in undead swine (zombie bacon).

6,000 Separate Paintings ...

2009-02-22T04:03:38Z

... and one five minute animated video. It took a student artist two years to paint them all and produce this. Pause the movie at any moment and you have an individual work of art.

Khoda from Reza Dolatabadi on Vimeo.

-Snagged from a posting elsewhere by Swingsyren-

Missing Austin this week for some reason.....

2009-02-13T00:35:11Z

Maybe it's the weather......(damn endless winter).

-The good part of home-
6 Feet Deep In The Heart of Texas

-and the bad-
Just A Little Bit Crazy

At least the girl arrives today. Wahooo! :)

Carnivorous Death Machines are coming.....

2009-02-03T18:15:49Z

*Swiped from Warren Ellis*

Remember this moment. This could well be the beginning of our long descent into a bad science fiction novel. The kind where we all die at the awful clicking tungsten mandibles of ROBOTS DESIGNED TO EAT EVERYTHING: http://www.noonehastodietomorrow.com/tech/weaponry/767?task=view

A new type of autonomous robot will soon be loosed upon the land. A robot that forages, grazing on weeds and shrubbery, on rotten logs — even on dried out roadkill and other carcasses. This is DARPA’s EATR (Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot), by RTI. It will be fueled by the Cyclone external combustion engine that can run on virtually any type of dry carbonaceous material.

That includes, of course, well-rotted human flesh.

The terms they’d like us to use include "sustainable machines" and "autonomous foraging robots." But you know what they really are. Look at them:

These are crawling death robots who want to gnaw the meat off our bones. Kill your children now, so that they don’t have to suffer.

(Okay, I admit it, they really look like this:)

Welcome to Initech.....

2009-01-29T20:36:27Z

Received this in my inbox at work only moments ago.

First person here that ask me for a TPS report is getting beat to death with a Swingline.

Just gonna keep telling myself "this is only temporary, this is only temporary, this is only temporary".....

"Dean, the Project Management team all met when you were out of the office this past Friday and decided what should and should not be allowed on our desks. Below is what was decided.

Allowed:
One or two stackable trays to be used as an in-box only and it needs to be labeled "In Box"
Only one multi stackable try or stand up file holder for files and paperwork
Binders that are used often can be kept neatly on your desk, but must be labeled on the outside
Phone
Tape dispenser
Stapler
Kleenex

Not Allowed:
No pen holders on the desk. All pens much be kept in a drawer
No files let on desk after you leave
No post it notes allowed anywhere on the computer or desk. They all must be arranged on one piece of paper put away in a drawer
Any business documents hanging up must be kept tidy at all times

Personal Items:
Everyone is allowed a 1.5 x 1.5 space on their desk designated for personal items. In addition, a 1.5 x 1.5 space is also designated on the wall area for personal items that need to be hung up instead of place on your desk."

All of this is part of some LEAN program they're trying to follow right now. I'm wondering if the bit about posted notes was directed at me personally since I've got them all over the place. Kinda hard not to if you work with deadlines.

Besides, doesn't putting them on a sheet of paper kinda defeat the point? Especially, if you stick said sheet in a drawer out of sight where you'll forget about it? I mean isn't the whole point of post-its for them to be easily seen? Also, if you're putting the notes on a sheet of paper to stick in a drawer why not just write on the sheet in the first place. Jeeeez....

The Ghosts of War....

2009-01-29T04:00:33Z

These are, I’m told, the work of one Sergei Larenkov, and they are wonderful. He’s reshot WW2-era photographs in the present day, from their original perspectives, and then faded the original in. Kinda reminds me of ghost photography in a way.....

Welcome to 4am......

2009-01-28T17:52:13Z

-Stole the idea from Gingeroo but I liked her poem better.-

North East nights, downtown livin
One dollar cans of pabst blue ribbon
Whiskey sours down at the 3 Nickle Lounge
Laughter these days is harder to scrounge.
Too much change in my head and not enough in my pocket
Cold and forgotten like an alleyway prophet
I'll trade you a story for a cigarette, I'll buy you a drink that tastes like regret
I'll make you a promise I swear I won't keep
And if you find that charming darlin we're both in too deep.
A drunken haze, Hawthorne at night
The streets are paved with homeless and ice
Airs so cold I can see my own breath, reeks of liqour and it tastes like death
And a neon sign leads the way like a sailors bright star
Thank god every corner in portland is a cafe or bar....

Conan, what is best in life?

2009-01-14T09:56:41Z

Here's a hint.

It isn't Rose McGowan as Red Sonja (Ol'Red would snap Marilyn Manson like a twig) or Scarlet Johannsen as an amazon (arn't amazons suppose to be thicker than twigs?)

http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/08/13/lionsgates-conan-movie-on-the-fast-track-with-new-writers/

My inner fanboy is simultaneously giggling with glee but hoping this doesn't come out as bad as I can imagine it being.......

Quite possibly the greatest film trailer ever made?

2009-01-12T21:41:26Z

All it's lacking is Ben Affleck in a Gi. I'd pay hard American currency to see that, no questions asked.

Ok I take it back. This might be the greatest film trailer ever......

I'm miserable, edgy, and tired. The perfect mood for writing something....

2009-01-05T21:58:58Z

I hate this damn journal. I hate it almost as much as I hate egg salad and menthol cigarettes. It's always making me feel as though I should write something whenever I log on and if I don't it makes me wonder what the hell purpose it serves. On the other hand, I suppose it's better to write one meaningful post every 6 months than to log on everyday and just write the word FUCK eight thousand times.....

-A brief summation of the new year in as many damn sentences as I feel like or less.-

*The girlfriend has left to return home. This somewhat leaves me feeling relieved as well as heartbroke. 6 days of outside stress due to life while someone you care about is around to watch can be rough on both parties. It's also alot of time to spend with someone all at once when you spend 30 days at a time apart. I miss her already though. Very, very much.

*Ecstasy and electronic music in too large a dose can give you the mental equivalent of crotch rot.

*My car situation currently can be summarized with the following simple equation (transmission problems + freak snowstorm + guardrail = a long walk to work). I knew that low, low insurance deductible was a good idea.

*I hate snow. Cabin fever has set in and henceforth for my own amusement I will seek out new and interesting ways of terrorizing my neighbors. Maybe I'll go door to door asking if they've found Jesus. Better yet, maybe I'll go try to join the church of Scientology dressed as Jesus. I'm very glad gun owners in this part of Oregon are a rarity.

*I'm thinking of getting the hell out of here in a few weeks and hopping a train to Seattle before I beat an engineer to death with an SAP manuel. Anyone wanna put me up for a weekend or join me in a New Years resolution to take up smoking again?

Maybe I should have asked that last part at the beginning of this post.......

I bet cannibals meat the most interesting people....

2008-08-18T22:02:54Z

Burning man, burning man, burning man. That's been life for the last few weeks. I always find it kinda strange that at the start when I've decided to go in previous years that it's been such a small and quick decision to do so. Then only to have as the date of departure grows nearer and nearer that I become more and more bogged down and asking myself what the hell I've gotten myself into. All of that of course disperses once I arrive on the playa but everything until then is a mixture of feeling like an 8 year old counting the days until Christmas and being an adult planning for a trip to the artic. Lots of excitement but also a lot of did I get this, do I need that, am I "celebrating" with the right group of people, who will have drama there, who won't, etc. etc. I still can't wait though and it should be an amazing year. I feel very lucky to be going with those people whom I am and to feel close enough to even a handful of them so much that I call them friends. This year I hope if nothing else as emo or hippie-ish as it sounds to ask some of them to impart some sort of brutal honesty and to tell me what they think of me and my friendship with them. Mostly since alot has been going unsaid in my life for some time and I sometimes feel as though I remain clueless to the feelings of those I'm closest too. Maybe this reflection is due to relocating again in my life and leaving so many good things behind (although 2 hours up the road is hardly a complete removal, I guess).

So on top of all this is the growing departure date of me moving to Portland. I really feel as though I've gone into detail after detail of why I'm heading down there with some of you so I won't go into here and as some have noted (if you know me at all) it makes sense. That town is ultimately a better fit for me in alot of ways and it seems like someplace I could settle down for awhile. I've accepted a transfer there and start that new job on the 8th of September. Exactly 6 days after I return from Burning man. Kinda stressful but it'll be nice to move someplace with a job, living situation and a positive outlook awaiting my arrival for once.

On another note.....do you ever have a question burning in your mind that you're afraid to voice cause you're not sure if you wanna bring the answer knocking?

Things I learned this weekend....

2008-07-15T17:54:03Z

Met crunchy Kates mom on Friday and she is the sweetest woman ever. Went to a farmers market and ate my weight in cherries.

Punky Kate makes a fan-tabulous drinking partner on Friday nights (This I already knew) until Kimmi feeds her whiskey and then you must carry her home. She's still alot of fun as a wingman on a double date though.

To many cherries and Pabst on a single friday will give you one hell of a tummy ache.

Saturday I and others discovered what a pain Aluminet can be to sew. It's almost barbarella like in it's appearance and awesomness though. Also libations and sewing do not mix. One has a tendencie to become distracted with aquiring a good buzz. Sick makes delicious burgers and vodka pasta might be a new food group of its own. Yum!

Going to Linda's 3 times in one day with 3 different groups of people, then heading to Madison beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon does in fact make one feel like they're living in a Abercrombie & Finch catalog. Kate was right. That place is on Creed's team.

ablackend @ 2008-06-18T10:22:00

2008-06-18T17:34:21Z

I need a nap.

Two of the busiest weeks of my life and then night before last I find out I have two less months left on my lease than originally thought. I've gotta start looking for a place within the next few weeks. Plus all of my roommates and I will be out of town the entire week it ends on. Meh.........

I guess I'm gonna have to figure out whether I'll stay living in Seattle or actually make the move down to Portland quicker than I was originally thinking of. Thing is I haven't put alot of time really into deciding if I was going to or not. I thought with all the pre-planning for B-man I'd just put off deciding until I returned since I wasn't looking at moving until October if at all. Now we need to be out of the place by the end of August so it looks like it's major decision time......

Since all the cool kids are doing it....

2008-06-12T15:59:06Z

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want — good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

These can be bad memories too!

Even Hitler's going to the burn this year.....

2008-05-20T21:37:33Z

Europe is for DOUCHE BAGS!!!

Whats the best thing about this Monday?

2008-03-31T19:54:29Z

That a friend sent me this to watch.

Abe Lincoln, Turnip trapped demi-gods, Human smoking Dr. Zombies, Paul Giamatti, steampunk goodness, and screw on heads. Everything I could ever want..........

ablackend @ 2008-03-17T10:03:00

2008-03-17T17:06:51Z

I need a new job.....

That is all.

Ok, I'll bite......

2008-03-12T20:16:08Z

Originally posted by Tragicohara....

FIVE JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
1. Artificial Limb polisher (No, really....)
2. Nitrogen gas fueler (Nitrogen burns = worst job ever...)
3. Swill serving monkey boy (Great money but why are all bar owners nuts?)
4. Copier Tech (In a 40 hour work week I probably really work 4 hours a day....)
5. Watch designer (Wanna buy a watch?)

FIVE MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
1. Payback (Evil pre-christ Mel Gibson, Sweet!)
2. Lucky Number Slevin ("Ataraxia?, It's a condition characterized by freedom from worry or any other pre-occupation really.")
3. John Carpenters "The Thing" (If I have a favorite horror movie this is it.)
4. Big Trouble in Little China (Also by John Carpenter. Could be why he's my favorite director)
5. Alien (Ever just watch this movie and listen to the sounds in it? Best sound effects & music ever plus I just love it, period.)

FIVE PLACES YOU'VE LIVED
1. Jakarta, Indonesia (Anda makan Taji)
2. Houston, TX (Nothing but trouble best forgotten)
3. Austin, TX (also keeps it weird. and sweaty.)
4. Seattle, WA (Now I know how Noah must have felt)
5. New York, NY (Fuck snow....)

FIVE TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
1. The Riches (Eddie Izzard, bullshit artist extraordinaire)
2. Dexter ("If I had a heart it'd be breaking right now")
3. Deadwood (My favorite show ever)
4. Battle star Galactica (Stop laughing, it's not that bad. Really.)
5. Lucy, daughter of the devil (funniest thing I've seen in years)

FIVE WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY
1. Gmail (chat)
2. AlterNet (politics)
3. Talkbass (G.A.S. source - Gear Aquisition Syndrome)
4. Wikipedia (edu-ma-cational)
5. Livejournal (Anger Managment)

FIVE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS
1. Flap Jacks
2. Tuna Melts
3. Chips & Salsa
4. Paste
5. Anything Toasted

FIVE PLACES YOU'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
1. My bed
2. Black Rock
3. Drinking
4. Bali
5. Anywhere but work

SHAPOOPI !!!

2008-02-25T01:00:36Z

I'm soooooo going to beg this guy for a job.......

I don't know what it is but I think I love it......

2008-02-21T22:13:31Z

Bastards yanked the full video shortly after I posted it but here's the abbreviated clip.

DJ Jesus & The Devil Going to Burning Man

Add to My Profile | More Videos

ablackend @ 2008-02-13T14:57:00

2008-02-13T22:59:21Z

My day in a nutshell.....

Musicians in Seattle.....

2008-02-08T17:51:32Z

Ok, so part of my new years resolution (never really set myself up for these things in the past) is that I wanted to get serious about playing music again. Last night I went to my first audition. It was for a band called Ivan the Wheel (I found them on craigslist). They do kinda a post grunge rock thing with elements of fugazi, I guess. Here's an article I saw months ago on them in the stranger.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=474226

It went well. I showed up to the drummer Brians house last night, met the fellas and set up. Now previous to showing up he had told me just bring my bass and effects board since they had an amp there. I arrive to find the amp is a little 50 watt'er and they're (2 guitarist) are playing through huge half stacks (Yipe!). I ended up passing on the ear plugs just so I could hear myself. Next time I bring my own gear. They liked what I had to say and are a great group of guys but I don't think they can hear each other all that well. Too concerned with playing loud and not concerned enough with how each other sound or what each other is playing. They're really rough and unpolished but really friendly and had nothing but nice things to say about my playing. We ended up playing for about 3 or so hours before I took off. I get home about 10pm and by 11pm. I get a txt saying "After little debate we've decided that you are better looking than us, but you should still join our band". Ok.......a little strange but whatever. Not sure if I want to yet but I'm kinda thinking about it. Not so much for the music but because the people themselves seem really open to ideas and opinions. They've got a gig tonight north of here I'm gonna try and go see. Its at an all ages venue so no booze but I'm gonna make the trip anyway ;).

So with all that said, does anybody out there know of anyone seeking or looking for a fairly decent bass player? If not could you keep your ears open for me?

ablackend @ 2008-01-29T10:42:00

2008-01-29T18:58:10Z

Two of my roommates are at each others throats. I'm thinking about lathering them both in bar-b-que sauce, handing them steak knives and dropping them in a pit to wrestle it out.
First one to turn the other into brisket wins.

Cheryl liked the idea so much she recommended I do it this Saturday and charge admission.

Good idea......

If you bring me beer you have my permission to watch and gamble as you will.

ablackend @ 2008-01-25T08:27:00

2008-01-25T16:44:58Z

Whew......Well Mom is back in Houston at this point and it was a great visit and birthday. I really dig my Mom a bunch and wish she and Pops lived closer but I'd probably never get any rest at all. She's definately spry for a 60 year old. For instance she, I and Lola met jonsick down at Shortys in Belltown and proceed to close the bar down and then hang some more. Yup, my Mom rocks. I guess that was sort of my pre-birthday celebration since we didn't do much on the actual day. Just sort of surfed the couch and took it wasy since she had to leave the next morning.
Speaking of which, my girlfriend rocks. She's in the middle of moving and job hunting right now. Yet she got me a gift certificate to guitar center and played tour guide with me all week. Sweet as pie she is......yup, yup, yup.

Last but not least, my roommates and I have finally gotten together on a date to have a shindig at our place and if you're reading this I'd love for you to be there. We're thinking Saturday Feb.2nd . Call it a post-house warming, post-birthday, pre-valentine bash if you like. We might bar-b-que, scoop up a keg or some other such non-sense which we'll figure out tonight but the only real thing set in stone is the date. Plus, I think my roomie Berg might be done with his Mead brewing project (strong stuff) by then so perhaps a taste will be available for a lucky few who want one. If you don't know where I live feel free to drop me a line and I'll shoot you the address and directions if you wanna come by.....

For Cheryl....

2008-01-11T17:11:25Z

Why would a job block youtube? Sounds damn un-american to me. Pinkos.......