A Bird's Eye View

3:34pm: On Foot
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040304.1513mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Who’s Gonna Save Us?” – The Living End (DMX Alternative)
[*]CD in the car[=] Grrrghhh clkclkgrr
[*]Ailments[=] None..
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 211 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Wednesday, the 3rd of March[=]
==================================

I woke up at 0530 for an early morning shift. My mom was kind enough to give me a ride to work at 0600. When I got in the car, I picked her gloves up, which were on the seat. I realized after I walked into Hastings that she had just driven way and I still had her ‘lady’ gloves. D’oh.

The purpose of this early morning work was to merge all the new and used CDs into one section. I worked with Ustin-J (Justin K.) and Makulla m’ka (Jake Mc.) Ustin-J was cranky when he first got there because there were two carts of boutique merchandise sitting to be stocked. He worked on that while Jake and I shifted all the country music down. We spent four hours moving things around and cracking jokes, all while listening to “Elephant” by The White Stripes, “The Reason”, by Hoobastank, and the newest Pink CD. (Ustin-J has a thing for her). While we worked, I had three large cups of black tea.

I walked home at 1000 and was surprised to see the fog lift, clearing the way for blue sky and sunshine. I noticed immediately that there were four contrails, completely parallel to each other, spanning the sky from the northeast to the southwest. It actually wasn’t all that bad of a walk (it only takes me twelve minutes). When I got home, I shoveled the walk from the light snow and hoar frost that had accumulated over the night. When I got in, I ended up taking a nap for a while.

When I got up, the clouds had returned and it was time for me to start heading up to KXLF to work with Mike. Without a car, I figured I’d just walk again. The worst part of the walk was all the mud I had to trudge through. It got my newest shoes all dirty and splashed up on the back of my pant-legs.

I made it there in just under a half hour and spent about thirty five minutes with Mike. He showed me the audio booth and a lot of the new digital equipment that the station has been integrating into their systems.

My mom picked me up at 1515 and we went to Albertson’s to get a little grocery shopping done before she dropped me off up at KMSM.

I wasn’t in the studio long before Tiffany showed up. We talked for a while about promotional events and then a girl named Brittany also came. Both are working with me on promotion.

At five, my dad met me at the Student Union Building and we headed down to the Library/Auditoreum/North HPER parking lot. My car had been sitting there for a couple of days (since Friday). He hooked a chain to the front of it and towed me home. The racket coming from the front end sounded like nails on a blackboard. I also had to ride the brakes all the way home to prevent slack forming in the chain (which could result in the removal of a bumper). About half way home, I started noticing the brake dust entering the canopy. By the time I reached home, it was damned-near overwhelming.

I had just enough time to eat dinner and change before my dad gave me a ride up to band practice. We played some jazz and other music that we don’t normally play in pep band, so that was cool. I’ve also decided that this girl named Lydia in band is really cool. The word is that she is otherwise involved, but I think I’ll ask her just to make sure.

Logan gave me a ride home and we discussed the musical direction of the band that we are possibly forming. It will be interesting, that is for sure. Sigh. You know how those things work out. Anyway.

I watched the latest episode of Angel when I got home and played some Sim City 4 before heading to sleepy time.

~dann

3:04pm: Dark Alleys Yield Mistaken Identities
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040304.1500mst
[*]Current Media[=] “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” – The Darkness (DMX Alternative)
[*]CD in the car[=] Paaahhhk the caaahhh in the back yaaaahhhhd..
[*]Ailments[=] None..
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 211 (+1)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Tuesday, the 2nd of March[=]
==================================

Here is your horoscope for Tuesday, March 2:

Humble people are unaware of their true greatness. The report that comes back to you tells a much better story than you imagined. This new month brings many more reasons for smiling and singing.

As is seeming usual, I spent the afternoon at the house, just hanging out in my room on the computer. It is possible that I spent some time playing Sim City 4. Man, I just get into that game. Sigh.

I had to work at 1700 and only stayed until 2300. It was rather uneventful. I walked home afterward. This guy sped up the alley and stopped when he passed, getting out and approaching me. Then, he stopped, dead in his tracks, and started backing toward his car.

“Oh, I thought you were my friend ****, sorry.”



~dann

2:37am: Do It, Aslan
Disney Travels to Narnia
Studio distributing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

March 01, 2004 - Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media announced today that Disney will co-finance and distribute Walden's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first in the studio's anticipated series of live-action adaptations based on C.S. Lewis' fantasy novels. The agreement will likely extend to future films in the Narnia saga. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is tentatively scheduled for a Christmas 2005 release.


Shrek helmer Andrew Adamson is directing the film. He says, "The Chronicles of Narnia were an important part of my childhood just as they are to millions of fans around the world. I hope to bring to the screen a movie that is as real to the audience as Narnia was to me as a child. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tells an epic story of great heart, of a family torn apart by a war in our world, who are united in their struggle to save the magical land of Narnia. It's been a long time dream of mine to bring these classic stories to a new generation of moviegoers and readers."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first book (the second chronologically) in the seven-part Narnia series. The story follows four children who are sent to live with an old professor during the WWII air raids in London. While exploring the professor's mysterious old house, they discover a wardrobe that is actually a gateway to the magical land of Narnia, a once-peaceful place that is filled with all manner of mythic and fantasy creatures. The children soon learn that Narnia is frozen in a state of perpetual winter, under the spell of the evil White Witch. But when they meet Aslan, the Great Lion, their lives, and the lives of every inhabitant of Narnia, are changed forever.

The film series is expected to start shooting later this year in New Zealand. Peter Jackson's WETA will be creating the visual effects.

-- Brian Linder

2:21am: Every Ordinary
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040302.0215mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Smothered” – Spineshank (AOL XtremeAltRock Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Must be Backstreet Boys, ‘cause it’s a piece of shit..
[*]Ailments[=] None..
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 210 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Monday, the 1st of March[=]
==================================

I got another great wake up call this morning … this one also being “your dentist appointment has been cancelled.” What bliss. … I slept until 1100.

I spent the afternoon entertaining Ahab and kickin’ it in my room. The Stu came over for a while and my mom got home from school at 1530. I did accomplish a little cleaning and some laundry.

I went to work at 1700 and stayed until 0025. It was rather uneventful.

~dann

3:10pm: February In Review
It's time now to look back on the month we call February

My average weight in January was 218.3lbs and in February it was 212.9lbs, a loss of 5.4lbs. It is strange considering that I haven't exactly been all that active on the calorie-burning front.

I'm still trying to keep my expenses down and having moderate luck.

I'm getting a lot more hours at work, which is really good.

The Rawk50 is getting increasingly cool and well-received.

Band has been really fun.

I've thrown a lot of stuff away and have organized more of what I want to keep, though my room still remains unfinished.

I did not spend any time at the theatre in February, though I did see Chrizzonic, B.R.O.O.M., and Cool Rain live.

The two most willingly listened to songs of the month were:
"Last Train Home" by Lostprophets
"Sunday" by Lo-Pro

On the love front: I have a couple little crushes. hee hee

~dann

2:07am: Inept Workers
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040301.0200mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Oxygen’s Gone” – Die Trying (AOL Top Alternative Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] I wouldn’t want to make the car actually “worth” something..
[*]Ailments[=] Achy legs.
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 210 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Sunday, the 29th of February (Leap Day)[=]
==================================

Supposedly, I was going to get up and my dad was going to help me tow my shitmobile to a good place. That didn’t happen for a couple reasons. First, I got called into work early and I was lazy and slept in late.

Work was short and long … It went by really fast because we were busy, but we were also shorthanded, making accomplishing anything rather difficult. This peaked at 1900 when D-Cup did not show up for his shift.

I stayed late to help cover while we tried to call everybody possible in. Being without vehicle, I called and asked to be picked up. My dad and the Stu came and rented some DVDs while I finished up my work.

I had a teriyaki beef and teriyaki chicken kabob along with some rice for dinner. It was good.

I haven’t done much since ‘cept for the Rawk50 e-mail.

~dann

10:36pm: With Horn In Hand
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040229.1149mst
[*]Current Media[=] “I Miss You” – Blink-182 (AOL Top Alternative Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] When it comes to suckin’ my car ranks high.
[*]Ailments[=] That “unshowered” feeling, soreness..
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 210 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Saturday, the 28th of February[=]
==================================

I had to work at 1000, so I got up a little earlier than normal to allow myself some time to walk. I took the bird out for the short amount of time that I was awake and home, so he could stretch his wings and have some fresh water and food.

The walk was actually really nice (I think I’ll walk again instead of asking for a ride). The sky was overcast, but the air was dry and fresh. I got to work on time and prepared for my day in the Hard Back Café.

I had so much fun! Sometimes working in the café is a burden, especially when I’m working another department and get called over to make some ungodly number of smoothies. However, when you are in the café, much fun is to be had. I told Bev that I’d fill in for someone, that it why I was working there.

I made a lot of drinks and even got a few tipes … and the “Yu-Gi-Oh” kids didn’t annoy me all that much. The shift seemed rather long however. Ed-dawg, Ringsak, and Brian Brock all came into the store separately. It was nice to see them all.

In fact, Ed gave me a ride home when I got off at 1730.

I made up some Maruchan Instant Lunch for dinner and the bird helped me consume it. I really like those little cups of joy, I’ll have you know.

To my surprise, the Stu came over right after I started watching Enterprise. She agreed to give me a ride up to Tech for the next basketball game. So, I set the VCR up to record the second half of Enterprise and we drove up.

I actually got there before most of the band members, which is odd because I’m usually very late. I brought my new Mark II trumpet with me to test her out.

The Lady Diggers were up by a lot at half time and ended up losing by a lot. It was sort’a sucky. I played some mean trumpet though, the only problem being some stickiness in the valves, which incidentally happened right in the middle of my solo in Vehicle.
Ah well, I can’t win ‘em all.

Both the men’s and women’s teams were playing Carroll College out of Helena. The men slowly fell behind Carroll, mostly because of their high percentage behind the arc. We played again at half-time, including Night Train, in which I have four different solos. The first one is at the beginning of the song and I made it dirty as all hell. It was awesome. The rest of the band comes in with a fanfare and I end on a high D that just fucking rawked the entire place. It was great. I fouled up the second solo simply because I lost track of where I was in the music (I had been playing it by heart). However, I stayed in key and since it was sort of an improve-ish solo anyway, it sounded just fine.

After half-time, we got to go down for some free food at the concession stand. I had a purple Gatorade and a hot dog. Then, I started to flirt with Lydia a bunch. I was having a lot of fun. For some reason … when I’m around girls I like, I begin to act like a complete jackass. I would talk to her and then pretend to be all embarrassed and hide behind someone else, putting on a huge production show … she laughed her ass off. It was pretty cool.

After the game (which Tech lost by twelve), I went over to talk to her and said that I was just goofing off and if I ever said anything that bothered her (I get a bit carried away sometimes) that she should just tell me and I’d cool it. She laughed again and just said … “You’re funny,” and not in a bad way, mind you.

Greg was kind enough to give me ride home. We listened to the State AA Championship game on the radio and heard that Butte High lost. Hell, second place is damn good though. When I was in high school, I don’t recall them winning any conference games at all, let alone being a part of the playoffs. It was too bad, but still good.

When I got home, Stu was still there. We watched the end of Enterprise and then she went home. I finished cleaning up the house and waited for my parents to return from Missoula. They got in around 0130 and went to bed almost right away. I stayed up for a bit and then went to bed myself.

~dann

9:31pm: Rulers Of The World
(If only this speech could be delivered.)

My fellow Americans:

As you all know, the defeat of Iraq's regime has been completed. Since
congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in
Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces
from Iraq. This action will be within 30 days.

It is now time to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which
have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The
United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the
countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's
nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of
both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those
nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved
during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi
war.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world
hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money
toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home.

On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will
hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the
earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe
China.

To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal
now. Just note that Camp David is closed. Maybe all of you can go to Russia
for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too.

I'm ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France,
Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring
from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN
diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid tickets
to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I
don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. Pay your tickets
tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over
to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are going to
be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing
us off for a change . Mexico is also on List.

2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude
adjustment. I have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting
around. Guess where I'm gonna put 'em? Yep, border security. So start doing
something with your oil. Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating
the NAFTA treaty---starting now.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens.
Some will accuse us of isolationism.

I answer them by saying darn tootin'. Nearly a century of trying to help
folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying
enmity of just about everyone on the planet.

It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate
homelessness in America. It is time to eliminate World Cup soccer from
America.

To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Drop dead.

God bless America.

Thank you and good night.



haha

~dann

9:25pm: Aeon Flux
Making a Killing

Charlize Theron will star in ''Aeon Flux.'' She'll play the futuristic assassin from the MTV cartoon BY GARY SUSMAN


IN 'FLUX' Theron will play the MTV assassin

Whether or not Charlize Theron's ''Monster'' role as a serial killer wins her a Best Actress Oscar on Sunday, it's already earned her another killer part, and a monster pay raise to boot. Variety reports that Theron has landed the lead in ''Aeon Flux,'' for which she'll earn a career high of $10 million. Based on the MTV animated series, the movie is about a sleek, Elektra-like assassin living in a post-apocalyptic future 400 years from now. Karyn Kusama, who made an action heroine out of Michelle Rodriguez in ''Girlfight,'' will direct the film, which starts shooting in June. The role probably won't earn Theron another Oscar nomination, but it also won't saddle her with a beer gut and fake rotten teeth.


That's awesome that they're doin' a live-action Aeon Flux. They better damn well do it well.

11:47am: Half A Shaft
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040229.0248mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Try Honesty” – Billy Talent (AOL Top Alternative Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] I hate my car.
[*]Ailments[=] Tense neck, dry eyes.
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 210 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Friday[=]
==================================

I got to sleep in slightly later on Friday morning. I worked at Hastings from 0900 to 1500 as a Floor Associate. I didn’t do all that much other than stock from carts and run the “short-late report.”

We were fairly slow and I volunteered myself to go home slightly early at about 1430. My buddy John from work gave me some Jalapeño & Cheese Deer Kielbasa. When I got home, I though, what better than kielbasa for lunch?

So, I boiled up some water and plopped two of those suckers in. I boiled them for a damn long time, but they were still red in the middle. They seemed cooked-through as far as I could tell.

Back in the day at the Subway, I used to have Jalapeño & Cheese Kielbasa all of the time. In fact, it was one of my favorite things to eat there. The ones that John gave me were a little different … really … gamey. I had one and a half and began to burn my Rawk50 CDs.

While waiting for one CD to burn, I drove the short distance to the bank and withdrew five dollars out of my account. The girl in the dirve-through (who incidentally called me by my first name the first time I ever saw her there, even before I’d sent anything to her) asked me if five dollars was all I needed for the weekend. I replied that I wasn’t doing anything too exciting and that five dollars would by me live music and a beer (at the Silver Dollar).

I went back home and quickly burned the other CD before heading up to KMSM around 1625. Wendy was there when I got there and we talked for a little while about my promotional work for the APC tickets. She also informed me that she had some slaves to give me. One girl was being appointed the “paid” PR Director and Wendy wanted me to take her under my wing. Apparently, there are a couple other girls involved that I haven’t met yet.

Anyway, I got the Rawk50 rolling right at 1700 and the girl, Tiffany, joined me in the studio shortly thereafter. We spent the next half hour trying to plan events and fund raisers for KMSM all while I was trying to DJ. It was really difficult holding a continuous conversation with my terrible short-term memory and manage the playing of the music, especially when I need to be on the air between each song.

She seems pretty cool, though I don’t think she quite gets the gist of my sense of humor. Oh well.

Ringsak came in and played three songs acoustically in the studio. They were rawkin’. Man, he has talent. The plan was for me to meet him at the Silver Dollar Saloon later in the evening. He left shortly thereafter and Tiffany stayed for a while so we could attempt to get some station promotional plans in order.

Jessica came up around 1900 and hung out until the end. It was really cool. I cranked it up on a couple songs and screamed my head off. She also danced around a lot. All in all, it was pretty fun. (I don’t usually sing in front of others.) Hopefully the pounding rawk from the speakers was enough to mask my voice. Haha.

The show ran long because I talked on the air too much and I didn’t get everything shut down until almost 2130. Jessica went to go help Mac do some cleaning, and I planned on heading down to the Great Western HPER Complex to play trumpet for the end of the Tech basketball game, just on the other side of campus.

So, I got in my car and drove out of the small visitor’s parking lot by the MG, past the ELC building and into the north HPER parking lot. I turned a corner, and my CV joints were clicking something horrible and then … nothing. I had no power to my front end at all. That is bad when one is driving a front-wheel drive car. My half-shaft had snapped, which is almost an inevitable circumstance of letting your CV joints go for so long. So, I pushed my car into another visitor’s parking spot, swore at it a bit, and grabbed my trumpet to walk the short distance to the HPER.

I got there just as the crowd was filing out the door. Finally, after “holding” the door for a bunch of people, I was able to sneak in. The band was almost completely disbanded. A few members straggled behind and I spotted Logan taking apart the drum set. “Dann, you made it!” seemed to be a popular remark.

Anyway, I asked Logan for a ride home and he was down, so I helped bring a few things downstairs to the band room and he gave me a ride home.

When I walked in the house, I realized I’d left the radio up fairly loud so that the bird could hear me while I was gone. (I would periodically whistle on the air just for Ahab’s sake). Hey, I thought it was funny. Anyway, it was just static pouring out and the house was completely dark.

I turned off the radio and turned on some lights, and let him out. He was excited not to be cramped up in is cage and flew around the house a lot.

I played some Sim City 4 and went to bed around 0100.

~dann

2:47am: Provolone. When melted ...
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040229.0233mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Space” – Something Corporate (AOL Alternative Mix Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Fucking piece of shit car.
[*]Ailments[=] Tense neck, dry eyes.
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 210 (-1)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Thursday[=]
==================================

It was an early-morning start for work at eight. I got there and started my normal opening routine and finished it all up just before we opened the doors. It was surprisingly busy right away and throughout the morning, likely because of the tournaments in town.

I also found out the specific details of Kylie’s exodus from Hastings. Let’s just say there were multiple reasons why he wad dismissed, and some of them being rather unsavory. It’s too bad.

When I went home from lunch, my dad stopped by and talked to me a bit before heading to Missoula to meet my mom. The Purple B’z were performing half-time shows for the State Double-A Boy’s Basketball Playoffs.

Butte High School actually had a chance of doing really well this year, not being part of the playoffs since the early 90’s. I remember the days of my youth when their seemed to be a championship dynasty going on. The Butte High Basketball team appeared as if athletic gods to me at my young age. It’s funny how your perspective changes as you age … they all seemed so tall … so old. Now, they’re a bunch of kids.

Anyway, I didn’t spend too much time at work when I went back. I got off at about four thirty and headed home. I immediately sat down to work on the Rawk50 and once I had it all compiled, I set my computer to download a couple songs that I didn’t have and went out to make dinner.

Let me say this ... dinner rawked hard. I started with some basic tomato and basil pasta sauce and added some garlic powder and a mixed Italian seasoning. For the noodles, I cooked up some Mostaciolli. When the sauce was hot and the noodles tender, I laid four pieces of smoky provolone cheese on a plate and then topped it with the pasta and sauce. On the top, I sprinkled some shredded parmesan cheese.

God damn, it was good.

That night, I also straightened up the house and cleaned out our nasty refrigerator. I won’t even describe the horrible things I found …

I didn’t stay up too late, as I finished my downloads and had to get up early again for work on Friday.


~dann

1:05am: Sniffer
A man is sitting in an airliner, which is about to takeoff when another man with a Labrador Retriever occupies the two empty seats beside him. The Lab is situated in the middle, and the first man is looking quizzically at the dog when the second man explains that they work for the airline.
The airline rep says, "Don't mind Sniffer; he's a sniffing dog, the best there is; I'll show you once we get airborne when I put him to work."
The plane takes off and levels out when the handler says to the first man,"Watch this." He tells the dog, "Sniffer, search."
Sniffer jumps down, walks along the aisle, and sits next to a woman for a few seconds. It then returns to its seat and puts one paw on the handler's arm. He says, "Good boy."
The airline rep turns to the first man and says, "That woman is in possession of marijuana, so I'm making a note of this and her seat number for the police who will apprehend her on arrival."
"Fantastic!" replies the first man.
Once again he sends Sniffer to search the aisles. The Lab sniffs about, sits down beside a man for a few seconds, returns to its seat, and places two paws on the handler's arm. The airline rep says, "That man is carrying cocaine, so again I'm making a note of this and the seat number."
"I like it!" says the first man.
A third time the rep sends Sniffer to search the aisles. Sniffer goes up and down the plane and after a while sits down next to someone. He then comes racing back, jumps up onto his seat, and poops all over the aisle and the seat.
The first man is really grossed out by this behavior from a supposedly well-trained sniffing dog and asks, "What the hell is going on with this stupid dog?"
The handler nervously replies, "He just found a bomb!"

1:09am: Medicated
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040226.0053mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Heel Over Head” – Puddle Of Mudd (AOL Alternative Mix Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Sore back.. .
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 211 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Wednesday[=]
==================================

I got up at 0820 to go to my therapist. Yes, yes, I have a therapist. It is a really strange situation, I’ll have to say. When I first started going, I felt the eyes from all those that worked there. The attention on me felt like they were thinking … “yeah, that dude’s got issues.”

Okay, so maybe I have a few issues (some I actually caught like an STD from someone else), but I still have my very own.

The difference is now that I don’t feel that way when I walk in anymore. They all say “hi” to me and smile, and not like I’m the lovable guy with Down’s Syndrome.

Anyway, my conversations with Diane I don’t think are extensively productive toward my “issues” by any means. Like today, during the hour session, we talked about music for like forty minutes. I’d say a maximum of five minutes was spent on actually discussing the current medication that I’m taking and how exactly it is affecting me.

Well, I’ll tell you. I’m taking Concerta, for Attention Deficit Disorder:

This is how I feel: I have difficulty reading through a paragraph without forgetting my own name. I also lose track of almost any important object that I would need in the coming minutes or hours, like a watch, bottle of juice, or wallet. I just can’t remember.

So … my short term memory sucks. One would think that in an attempt to help rid myself of ADD, an increase in short-term memory would be a benefit, no?

Sigh.

On the other hand, I’m sleeping like a normal human being now (as opposed to my days long hibernation binges that were occurring when someone thought it was a good idea to put me on Zoloft.) Hello, I’m Captain Zombie … here to save the world of- zzzzzzzzz Yeah.

On top of that, I’d wager there has been a five percent increase on my ambition.

How are all of these little variables associated with the new medication? Who the hell knows. I fight a constant battle in my mind, overanalyzing every god-damned idea that I have.

In all actuality, I would be the one serving my own defeat.

… and we can’t let that happen.


Aside from spending an hour at KXLF with Mike, I spent the rest of the day in front of this manufactured beast of burden. I almost wish I could take a vacation from the internet, which I’m almost feeling has become more of an obligation of routine as opposed to something that I enjoy doing.

I do enjoy the music, however, and look forward each week to compiling the latest Raw50. Fret not … if you were thinking about fretting.


There was a brand new Angel on tonight. I’m really enjoying it this season. It’s too bad it’s been cancelled and will end soon.

Eh well. I got’a be at work at 0800. Best get scootin’t’bed.

~dann

1:29pm: 'Dey Ugly
I know I've prob'ly said this before, but Saturn is quite possibly the ugliest line of vehicles out there ... not to mention the piece of shit status that they hold.

~dann

12:01pm: Minus Five Percent
I'm beginning to like that Ralph Nader guy. Sigh, you go, you badass. Haha

~dann

8:42am: Yeah, I'm gon'a need you to go ahead and come in on Saturday ....
Holy poop!

Kylie, the full-time GSM at Hastings got fired this morning. He's worked there as long as I have. Crazy. I d'know what happened...

~dann

2:15am: Fax? Let me get back to you ...
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040225.0209mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Here To Stay” – Korn (AOL Alternative Mix Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] 2003 Warped Tour Compilation
[*]Ailments[=] Achy legs, nasal issues. .
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 211 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Tuesday[=]
==================================

I got up at 1045, read the newspaper, ate breakfast, took a shower, caught up on e-mail, and went to the KMSM studio to score some APC tickets.

Okay, well … I called around Bozeman-town to figure out who was doing the promoting for the show. I finally found that “Bravo” was the company in question. When I called them, they were like … yeah, you need to fax us with a letter head and stuff like that. I’m like … er … fax? Let me find out about that … so I have to go back tomorrow.

Work was uneventful.

Heh … I had buttassloads of things to say in this journal but …blah. I don’wan’a.

~dann

3:20am: Thanks For The Reminder
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040224.0253mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Cold Hard Bitch” – Jet (AOL Alternative Mix Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Achy legs.
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 212 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Monday[=]
==================================

Ahh, peace and quiet at home. No one was around when I awoke near 1100. It even took the bird a while to respond to my whistles. I picked up on my normal routine for a weekday and had a giant bowl of generic Lucky Charms. The bird kept stealing the marshmallows out of it and got really hyper. Spaz.

I spent the afternoon as per usual in front of this har’ contraption (Betty). We played online and played some games. Oh, it was joyous.

I decided today that I would eat slower, savoring each bite … allowing my stomach to catch up. We’ll see how well that works out.

At work, they passed a bunch of silly new rules that make my job more difficult. The increased responsibility causes me to work in a fury while my associates just stand around and gawk. Needless to say, I left really late. D-Cup and I didn’t leave until 0140 this morning.

Oh yeah, Allyson and her “friend” stopped in tonight. After sneaking around the store for an hour so and trying to avoid me, they came to check out. I walked right up to her and said.

"Yeah, I’m gon’a need that Nintendo back. Just put it on my front porch, okay?”

She looked at the floor and mumbled “okay.”

I walked away and began to check in more movies. When they first came in and up until my little conversation with her, I was pissed as hell. At times, I wanted to say some really mean things over the store intercom. Actually, I almost did.

Anyway, she started talking to her “friend” very audibly about how “it’s okay for friends to buy each other things,”and various incantations of that. I honestly couldn’t help it … I started to laugh.

I mean … it really is pathetic. Not quite as pathetic as trying to be there for her for the time we were together, but pretty pathetic.

She is never going to change.

Hehe

Hmm ...I hope I get my Nintendo back ...

~dann

4:45pm: NASCAR doesn't have morning breath ...
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040223.1604mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Born Free” – The Bouncing Souls (“Warped Tour Compilation 2003” 2003)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Discomfort.
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 212 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Sunday[=]
==================================

Next to waking up beside a beautiful woman, a NASCAR race on TV isn’t all that bad either. I spent the good part of the late morning and early afternoon watching the NASCAR Nextel Cup Subway 400 from Rockingham, North Carolina.

It was a really good race, especially because I am a Ford fan. Last year’s champion, Matt Kenseth, has been criticized because he only won one race last year and still clinched the championship. It was his consistent top-10 finishes that allowed him to do this. It was that reason that caused NASCAR to completely change the points system, giving drivers more points for a win and taking the top ten drivers with ten races left and equalizing their points, allowing for “playoff season” of sorts.

Kenseth beat back the criticism and conquered the race, beating Kasey Kahne in a Dodge by only one one-hundredth of a second. It was a photo finish. This puts Kenseth into second in the points after only two races.

After the race, I jumped in the shower and sat down at Betty. (I recently realized that when I first set up this machine, I named the computer Betty for some reason). I spent a little while online and then scheduled the rest of my computer day. … sort of sad, now that I think about it.

My dad cooked garlic-roasted beef tenderloin for dinner. It was frickin’ awesome. I had two helpings along with some kickass mashed-potatoes. I watched The Simpsons with my family and then retired to my room.

I played Sim City 4 and F1 Challenge 99’-02’. I also watched the DVD that came from “Morning View (Limited Edition)” by Incubus.

In the late evening, I spent a long time cleaning my room. I got through another box and made a lot more room on the floor.

I went online to update my journal last night and decided that I was too tired, so I went to bed right around 0100.

~dann

2:49pm: Straight Plan For The Gay Man
TV REVIEW | 'STRAIGHT PLAN FOR THE GAY MAN'
Acting Straight for a Day, or How I Learned to Belch


Comedy Central
Rob Riggle, right, tutors Jonathan Schneider in "Straight Plan for the Gay Man."


By ALESSANDRA STANLEY

Published: February 23, 2004



What we're going to do is invite you into one of the greatest straight-men traditions of all times," Rob tells his protégé in a deep, Elvis Presley-tinged baritone. "Firing a gun for no reason."

Rob and three other lifestyle advisers demonstrate how to pass as straight: hang out at an indoor shooting range and quote a famous line from a Clint Eastwood or James Bond movie while squeezing the trigger. Their client, Jonathan, a New York fashion buyer, picks up a .44 Magnum, aims and snarls, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

A deathly silence follows. Finally, Billy asks in a pained monotone, "You just did `Gone With the Wind,' didn't you?"

"Straight Plan for the Gay Man," on Comedy Central tonight, is an inversion of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," the hit makeover reality show that started on Bravo and is now also on NBC. Unlike the Bravo show, in which five gay men help a hapless straight man find his inner metrosexual, these advisers help gay men rediscover their outer alpha male. And like the original, the parody is a one-joke conceit that manages to have legs.

Sticking closely to the "Queer Eye" formula, "Straight Plan" is as engaging as the show it mercilessly mocks. It is also funnier, which which is not always the case with satire. Partly scripted, partly improvised, "Straight Plan" works because the four straight consultants, all comedians and actors, are engaging; theirs is a deadpan routine reminiscent of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in "The Blues Brothers." The humor never gets too cruel or homophobic; the joke is as much on the straight buffoons as it is on their gay clients, shown as good sports who can often get the last word.

So far Comedy Central has ordered three one-hour episodes, and each "man mission," as the makeover artists call them (they call themselves the Flab Four) is similar yet just different enough to hold viewers' attention. Like "Queer Eye," it is possible to watch more than one episode of "Straight Plan" and still be amused.

The four advisers are as crude and slovenly as the Fab Five are sophisticated and sleek. Rob, "the culture guy," is a tall, stern taskmaster; this actor and comedian is a former marine. Billy, "the appearance guy," is good-natured and burly. (Jonathan describes him on the phone to a friend as a "John Goodman type.") Jonathan says that Kyle, the smooth, leather-jacket wearing "information guy," looks like Shaft. Curtis, "the environment guy," is friendly despite his deer-hunting jackets and hats. Together they ramble around New York in their "straight mobile" a black Dodge Ram 3500, making rude noises and telling stupid jokes on their way to teach a gay man how to pass as straight for a day.

As on "Queer Eye," each client introduces himself in a first-person video biography. Jonathan explains that he works in the fashion industry and wants to see if he can pass as a straight blue-collar worker. As they watch the video, the men assess the challenge ahead. "This guy is clearly fabulous," Rob observes.

"Über fabulous," Curtis adds.

They meet Jonathan, who is not an actor, in his all-white Upper East Side apartment full of flowers, Lalique and a collection of Limoges teacups. When a French country armoire is opened to reveal an 11-inch television, Rob is appalled. "Oh, c'mon," he hollers. "They've got bigger TV's on JetBlue."

The advisers decide to mold Jonathan into a meatpacker. Each episode includes a mock-documentary. In Jonathan's case the clip is a facetious look at the history of meatpacking in America, illustrated with what looks likes snippets from a 50's industrial film.

On the second episode the men are charged with helping Steven, a Broadway dancer who poses in pearls and a thong in his introductory video, learn how to pick up women as a straight man would. An important tip, they explain, is never really to listen to a woman when she speaks. "I'll tell you where you went wrong," Rob says after a practice round in a bar. "You were making friends." He spells it out: "You don't want to be listening. While she is talking, you just play out the rest of your weekend, things like that."

While Billy takes Steven shopping for shabby, ill-fitting pants and T-shirts inscribed with mottoes ("It gives the ladies something to read while they're looking at you"), Curtis combs through his dainty, cluttered apartment, throwing out objets d'art and replacing them with junk dug out of trash bins or the back of a truck.

"We run into this a lot — toys and knickknacks," Curtis tells the camera as he sweeps everything off of a bookshelf. "Obviously those and the books are going to have to go."

STRAIGHT PLAN FOR THE GAY MAN

Comedy Central, tonight at 10, Eastern and Pacific times; 9 Central time

Nick McKinney, executive producer for Borderline; Lou Wallach, executive in charge of production for Comedy Central.

WITH: Curtis Gwynn, Billy Merritt, Kyle Grooms and Rob Riggle.





... that is so awesome. I wish I had Comedy Central. Sigh.

1:51pm: Hanoi John
Open Letter to John Kerry from Don Bendell:

My wife had rotator cuff surgery earlier this year, and the recovery is
terribly painful. Then, she developed a staph-epi infection, and they
had to cut the same scar open and operate on her again. Just thinking
about the pain and anxiety of facing that painful surgery a second time
in the same wound, makes me cringe. That experience, however pales in
comparison to what I am going through right now, in my heart.

The old hurts are surfacing and the feelings of betrayal by fellow
citizens, and their leader stirring them up, are breaking my heart
again. I am being cut in the same scar. How did we who served in Vietnam
suddenly become cold-blooded killers, torturers, and rapists, of the ilk
of the Nazi SS or the Taliban? Most of us were American soldiers who
grew up idolizing John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and all the other heroes. That
was why I volunteered. But for political expediency, John Kerry has
rewritten history, again. After spending only four months in the country
of Vietnam, John Kerry testified before Congress in 1971 with these
exact words about incidents he supposedly witnessed or heard about from
other vets: "They personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped
wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the
power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed
villages, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and
generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam."

I was a green beret officer who volunteered for duty in Vietnam and
fought in the thick of it in 1968 and 1969 on a Special Forces A-team on
the Ho Chi Minh Trail, just for starters. We were the elite. We saw the
most action. Everybody in the world knows that. But we did not just kill
people, we built a church, a school, treated illnesses, passed out soap,
food, and clothing, and had fun and loving interaction with the
indigenous people of Vietnam, just like our boys did in Normandy,
Baghdad, Saigon, and everywhere American soldiers ever served. We all
gave away our candy bars and rations to kids. Our hearts to oppressed
people all over the globe.

My children and grandchildren could read your words, and think those
horrendous things about me, Mr. Kerry. You are a bold-faced,
unprincipled liar, and a disgrace, and you have dishonored me and all my
fellow Vietnam veterans. Sure, there were a couple bad-apples, but I saw
none, and I saw it all, and if I did, as an army officer, it was my
obligation to stop it, or at the very least report it. Why is there not
a single record anywhere of you ever reporting any incidents like this
or having the perpetrators arrested? The answer is simple. You are a
liar. Your medals and mine are not a free pass for lifetime, Senator
Kerry, to bypass character, integrity, and morality. I earn my green
beret over and over daily in all aspects of my life.

Eight National Guard green berets, and other National Guard soldiers,
have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and you totally dishonored
their widows and families by lumping National Guard service in with
being a draft-dodger, conscientious objector, and deserter, just so you
can try to sabotage the patriotism of our President who proudly served
as an Air National Guard jet pilot. I have a son earning his green beret
at Fort Bragg right now, and his wife serves honorably in the Air
National Guard, just like President Bush did, and I am as proud of her
as I am my son. I volunteered for Vietnam and have no problem whatsoever
with President Bush being our Commander-In-Chief. In fact, I am proud of
him as our leader.

John Kerry, you personally derailed the Vietnam Human rights Bill,
HR2883, in 2001, after it had passed the House by a 411 to 1 vote, and
thousands of pro-American Montagnard tribespeople in Vietnam died since
then who could have been saved, by you. Earlier, as Chair of the Senate
Select Committee on MIA/POW Affairs, you personally quashed the efforts
of any and all veterans to report sightings of living POW's, when you
held those reins in Congress. You have fought tooth and nail to push for
the US to normalize relations with Vietnam for years. Why, Mr. Kerry?
Simple, your first cousin C. Stewart Forbes, CEO, of Colliers
International, recently signed a contract with Hanoi, worth BILLIONS of
dollars for Collier's International to become the exclusive real estate
representative for the country of Vietnam.

"Hanoi John," now that it works for you, you beat your chest about your
Vietnam service, but to me, you are a phony, opportunistic, hypocrite.
You are one of those politicians that is like a fertilizer machine: all
that comes out of you is horse manure, and you are spreading it
everywhere.

Medals do not make a man. Morals do.


Don Bendell
Canon City, Colorado

Don Bendell served as an officer in four Special Forces Groups, is a
best-selling author with over 1,500,000 books in print, a 1995 inductee
into the International Karate Hall of Fame, and owns karate schools in
southern Colorado.

12:28am: Lightning In The Attic
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040222.0020mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Hey Ya!” – Outkast (AOL Top Alternative Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Nothin’
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 212 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Saturday[=]
==================================

Ah, I woke up this morning to the sounds of my dad being electrocuted. Home improvement, sigh. My Uncle Bill had come over to help out with some long outstanding electrical problems in our kitchen. The wiring in the overhead light fixtures is basically crap and has been that way for quite some time.

They worked on it for a long time, but didn’t really figure the problem out. So, my dad is going to call an actual electrician.

It was pretty funny though. It looks like someone shot him in the hand with a laser gun. He isn’t hurt.


I felt really lethargic for some reason today. I just couldn’t work up any energy to accomplish anything. I did go out to WalStar and Safeway with me mum and dad, though.

When we got home, I watched Enterprise and had some chicken and rice for dinner. The episode was pretty good and so was the grub.

After dinner, I went online and talked with Cassie and Jess for a long time, while putting in a couple journal entries.

My sister was over and was working on her taxes online so I went and cleaned out my new trumpet, my old one, and my old cornet. It was sort of gross. There seemed to be a few growing things. I spent most of the time attempting to get some of the slides out. I was able to get all but two, both of which were on my cornet.

Oh well, they're clean now and … Saturday is, well, over ….

~dann

12:16am: Better Rawk
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040221.2357mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Last Train Home(Radio Edit)” – Lostprophets (AOL Top Alternative Radio)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Nothin’
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 212 (+/-0)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Friday[=]
==================================

I had to open again at Hastings. I started feeling rather bad after I got there. My guess is that it was because I chose to have one of those breakfast bars before I left. For some reason, if I have something in the morning, less than an hour later I get really hungry..

Anyway, work wasn’t all that bad. I left by 1300 and managed to pick up a couple of my special orders before I left. I got the vinyl copy of A Perfect Circle’s “Thirteenth Step” and the new Lostprophets album. There goes all my spending until the APC concert in April.

My mom ordered lost of food from Domino’s when I got home. We had Chicken Kickers, those new dots, and a pizza. I had a little of all.

The Rawk50 went a lot better this week. I felt a lot more “professional” on the air. Though, I found myself getting bored toward the end of the countdown. I’ve heard most of the songs in the top 20 or so a million times. I still did a lot of air-guitarin’ though.

After the show, I jetted down to the HPER comlex. I walked in and found that Tech was losing like 60 to 30 or something. They didn’t catch up at all during the rest of the game, and the band didn’t play once after I got there. Sigh. Sort of a waste of my time …

After the game, I hung out with Logan for a while and we’ve decided to get together and jam sometime. I just have to get Rubina some new strings.

That, basically, was my Friday night. I watched Stargate SG-1 when I got home and messed around on the computer.

~dann

10:04pm: Work Day
[*]Date and time at beginning of post[=]20040221.2110mst
[*]Current Media[=] “Burn, Burn” – Lostprophets (“Start Something” 2004)
[*]CD in the car[=] Nothin’
[*]Ailments[=] Nothin’
[*]Resistance to gravity[=] 212 (-1)
==================================
[*]DAILY SYNOPSIS for Thursday [=]
==================================

I was almost excited to get out of bed and go open up Hastings. Okay, well … I won’t go that far … but, I certainly wasn’t dreading it.

The morning went rather slowly, which is nice. Ringsak came in and visited before we got too busy.

At 1300, I went home for lunch and checked my mail. The Dirty Robot did it! He got me a ticket. Rawk and or roll.

I was supposed to get off work at 1600, but I ended up staying until 1900. All in all, I got ten hours! Rad.

I also bought a trumpet for twenty five dollars. It was going to be smashed as a corporate write-off. Bollocks.

Eh. I don’t remember much more from the day. I worked on the Rawk50 that evening and planned on watching Open Range, but I ended up talking to my dad until a late hour.

~dann

7:23pm: In The Mail
Oooh! Fancy me!

Look what I got in the mail today:

February 2004

Dear Montana Music Purchaser:

As Attorney General for the State of Montana, I am pleased to enclose payment for yoru claim in the settlement of the Compact Disc Minimum Advertised Price Antitrust Litigation. The lawsuit was brought by the Attorneys General of 43 states and three territories and by counsel for Private Class Plaintiffs on behalf of purchasers of music CDs. In accordance with the terms of the court-approved settlement, payment is being made to music purchasers who filed a valid and timely claim.

Whether you filed your claim online at the settlement website, www.MusicCDSettlement.com, or by mail, the attached payment represents full payment of your portion of the Settlement. Please note that the attached payment instrument must be cashed by May 20, 2004.

It is a pleasure to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclustion and to return value to consumers who purchased CDs while the challenged pricing policies were in effect.

Mike McGrath
Attorney General of Montana



Hell yeah! I got $13.86! For the poor guy I am, that's great!


~dann