The Blargh

God Hates Wal-Mart

2007-02-25T18:34:00.000-06:00

In Arkansas, yet another Wal-Mart was hit by a tornado.

Check the story out here

Just as God hates trailer parks, God really hates Wal-Mart.

You don't see many Targets, Meijers, or K-Marts hit by tornadoes, do you?

Cheryl Crow + Samuel L. Jackson + 50 Cent = Home of the Brave

2007-02-04T23:06:00.000-06:00

Strong song from what looks to be a decent movie...

In the still of the night

do you laugh, do you cry

when you try not to remember

If it's a question of faith

do you love, do you hate

if you try not to remember

Posting from Bama

2006-12-15T20:30:00.000-06:00

I'm in Florence Alabama for the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Thank God for Wireless Internet. Root for GVSU to win against NW Missouri.

Also, I moved at the end of last month. I'm no longer in Murfreesboro. I'm enjoying life in Hermitage, and it was a good move.

George, Jack, John, and John

2006-10-07T22:18:00.000-05:00

If you're thinking members of some musical group like the Beatles, find a sledgehammer and hit yourself upside the head.

I'm thinking of George Dickel, Jack Daniel, John Labatt, and John Molson.

Dickel and Daniel's makes wiskey (Dickel is famous for the bottle that was passed of as Saurian Brandy on Star Trek). The John's made beer in Canada.

I'm glad I moved to Tennessee to get the whiskey distiller POV.

Geeked

2006-09-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

I'm extremely happy for my good friend Liz. She had her believer's baptism tonight while at her retreat with her church. She had it in the lake where the retreat is being held.

A year ago, you couldn't get me to care about almost anything (because of the situation I was in... burning out and needing a major shakeup in my life). Now, I say that it's no longer the case. With God back in my life, and people who actually care, it's a lot better. I'm just grateful for being able to take joy in things like this in life.

Most of all, I really do care about Liz. She's really grown on me... what can I say?

Blogger

2006-09-06T23:39:00.000-05:00

Someone was noting how awesome Justin Timberlake's song "SexyBack" was. Well, I can arguably say that SexyBack pales in comparison to "My Love" (just started to get playtime on the radio). Hey, it's also got T.I. (he was in the movie "ATL").

I have had an ear for music... at least i'm not getting that old to enjoy new music.

...and people wonder why I'm angry all the time

2006-08-24T19:11:00.000-05:00

Seriously...

Let's see... just in the last week...

- According to the apt manager, i'm supposed to move this weekend into a place that isn't empty. She's also rented out my current apt.
- She says she's called me multiple times (I only recall 2 calls from her). I've called numerous times without one voice mail.
- She also says it's OK for me to move in according to those who are in there. I hear otherwise from them (they're out the 1st).
- Oh, did I mention she's here less than 20 hours (maybe less than 10 hours) per week?
- Then... my doctor's visit in January where he went and made me his personal lab rat sends me a bill for $1700 for his pleasure. I'm still livid about what occurred at that time with all who had a part. Another $950 is sure to follow from Middle Tenn. Medical Center... this is over and above the $350 i'm already paying on to Qwest. This is all cuz this one doctor wanted to milk what little insurance I had (and he wanted to do a sleep study, which I stopped). All to say I was perfectly fine and to put me on a fad diet, which I requested specifically to avoid.
- Just so you know... I got a free second opinion from a doctor (who is my client) at Baptist Hospital... he himself couldn't understand it... his idea was actually a lot more practical (be careful about portions and such).

A few words:
- Just a word of note... avoid Jewish doctors and attorneys. They're tightwads, but yet they got to have the dough rolling in. Jewish website owners and Publishers... they're still good.
- Oh yeah, I'm definitely moving in November... out of this hellhole of an apt complex. As much as I like Murfreesboro, I'm not sure if i'll stay here.

Real Christians...

2006-07-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

I was talking to my friend Kimmy the other day... she noted that she can't stand Christians who "don't follow the rules", and that she would decline an invitation to visit my church.

Well, what are the rules when it comes to Christianity?

The funny thing is that we've been discussing it in my Sunday School class. To give an idea of my church... it's a Baptist church... and is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Now, they don't have the best reputation (after all, they are the same group that, back in 1998, they said that wives should graciously submit to their husbands). The nice thing about the SBC, though, is that churches can decide for themselves how to run themselves.

Well, here's what I learned...

What is explicitly allowed/forbidden in the Bible (10 Commandments, etc.) is a sin
Those that aren't explicitly mentioned, but have sort of a gray area (smoking, drinking, dancing, etc.)... that is up to the individual's beliefs, and should be respected as it's not necessary a sin
If you are not sure or feel bad about doing something not mentioned, it's likely a sin. If you feel comfortable about it, then it is not a sin.
It is a sin if you knowingly and maliciously disrespect another's beliefs on such a matter. It is not (obviously) if you work out the differences.
Oh, and you're all going to hell (just kidding).

Anyway, in my apartment, you'll find an empty can of Guinness, an empty can of Murphy's, an empty bottle (small) of Jack, and an empty bottle of Jack Daniel's Lynchburg Lemonade. Does that make me an alcoholic? Nope. In fact, Murphy's and Guinness are both imported from Ireland, because I am part Irish. The bottles from Jack are about one of my new home state's biggest things they pride themselves upon. Yeah, I drank them, but not to get drunk, and not all at once. But, that's my belief, and i'm comfortable with it.

Church today, and Free Nachos

2006-06-25T22:56:00.000-05:00

In our last day covering the DaVinci Code at Sunday School, we learned the differences between Modernism and Postmodernism. I'm just glad that most of the church has moved into Postmodernism. While that's good, some still seem to stick to the modernist approach. I am not going to name names, but it's this "I'm right, you're wrong" attitude that occurs.

What drove me away from churches a long time ago was partly due to that attitude, along with the attitude that some really put on a facade around others... looking like good people, when in reality they were awful. I've always believed the Bible was the truth, in some way, shape, or form. However, when someone tries to force their version of the truth, it just drives me away.

Chris Ediger, my Sunday School teacher and Community Group leader, has been excellent in presenting this information in a way that is objective, and not opinionated. I can at least decide for myself what to think of it.

In the meantime, I saw "Nacho Libre" with Adam today (his 3rd time seeing it). It was hilarious. When translated, "Nacho Libre" turns into "Free Nacho" -- quite interesting if you ask me. But, they weren't giving out free nachos at the theatre :(.

Stayin' Fly

2006-06-24T01:41:00.000-05:00

I was listening to Three 6 Mafia's "Fly" tonight. I just remembered how I was listening to it in the car (on the radio) as I was leaving Flint to visit Tennessee... the trip that would lead to a job and me moving down here. I happened to like "Fly" much like I liked the other artists' music.

Three 6 Mafia is out of Memphis, much like Eminem, Kid Rock, D12, and Trick Trick are all out of the Detroit area (even though I didn't live there myself). Kinda ironic that I would get into that song from a hip-hop group that was in the state that I was about to move to.

Just a random thought about all of this... while I miss Meijer, at least I still have Kroger :).

What's up with me?

2006-04-22T21:20:00.000-05:00

Yeah... good question.

I've been working. 2 months now for this company called Computer & Cable Services Group. I will say that it has been a rather rewarding job.

I got baptized at my church on Easter. That was a rather unique experience that I won't ever forget. Yep... i'm Baptist now (Southern Baptist). I'm happy with it, and i'm not going to be on a quest to convert everyone like some people I knew.

I also got a RAZR a month ago. I'm happy with that. Combined with my other phone (a Motorola i265 thru Nextel), which work provides, I am a Motorola whore. They're both excellent phones.

I go back up to Michigan on the 28th for a few days... gotta get more stuff and i'm sorting out more crap. It'll be interesting... the last time I've been there was the middle of December... when I moved down.

Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

2006-02-24T22:47:00.000-06:00

Wednesday I started work for my new employer... something that actually puts my college degree to good use (for once). I'm doing IT consulting here in metro Nashville.

My office is located within a law firm, right on Music Row. In fact, we're in a sun room, so we get about the best view of what's happening all around.

I also found that it's excellent to do walks along it... in fact, that's what I did today. I was just amazed as to who was all located there... including company names i've recognized from over the years. In fact, i'm right across from where Sony/BMG's offices are.

Just for the record, I don't get autographs for people (considering I don't get autographs for myself). Keep that in mind.

A walk to remember...

2006-02-21T02:40:00.000-06:00

One night, sitting in my recliner in my apartment, I adjusted myself in the chair. Without really thinking, I reached to my side and put my hand in the crevice toward the back of it. I felt a book that I hadn't discovered in the couple of weeks that I have had the chair. Pulling it out, I realized I didn't recognize it as one of my own... Nicholas Sparks' A Walk to Remember. Keep in mind, I have already seen the movie a few times, and I almost felt emotional then.

What's odd is that my friend Katie introduced me to a movie called The Notebook, which was based off of a novel of the same name and also written by Sparks. I loved that movie so much, and as I loved A Walk to Remember as a movie, it was as if God himself was telling me to read the book.

So, I started to read it Saturday. After that, I had trouble putting the book down. I read the whole book by tonight (very late Monday night). The book differs quite a bit from the movie, though as I was able to let my imagination run. Toward the end, it hit harder than the movie ever could. It's the first book that had me in tears.

I'm not going to share with you in this blog what I really think it means for me. But, if you are a guy, and if you seem to be misguided in life, I suggest you read it, and do so with a very open mind. I am not asking for a book report, but you are doing yourself a disservice in not doing so.

After that, you can watch the movie.

When i'm done

2006-02-16T21:11:00.000-06:00

Borrowed with the help of Eminem's "When I'm gone"

Have you ever loved someone so much, you'd give an arm for?
Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for?
When they know they're your heart
And you know you were their armor
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm 'her
But what happens when karma, turns right around and bites you?
And everything you stand for, turns on you to spite you?
What happens when she becomes the main source of your pain?
In the end she yells at you and dumps you in the rain?
"You don't love me as much as you should, you're too dependent!"
"You can't think for yourself! That's it, I'm gonna end it!"
I see you're right about me, I need the time to fix me
Just keep those doors from hitting me
"I'm still your best friend, if you need me just call"
"I'll be straight, but I won't try to hurt you at all"
As I leave you give me one last kiss and wave goodbye
Like we ended it when the note was high...

I keep having this dream, I answer my phone when it rings
She keeps screaming, she don't want me to succeed
"You're making me cry, why? Why am I crying?"
Baby, I love you and I'm here for you, "Steven you're lying"
You always say that, you always say this is the last time
"But I mean it now this time, Get out of my life"
She's piling my stuff in front of the door as I leave
"Just leave, Steven just leave, Steven - no stop it!"
Goes in her pocket, pulls out a tiny necklace locket
It's got our picture, "this'll serve your next victim, take it withcha'"
I look up, it's just me standing in the mirror
These crazy walls must be talking, cuz man I can hear 'em
They're saying "You don't have to take this shit alright" - and it's tonight
Now go out there and show that you love 'em before it's too late
And just as I go to walk out of the front door
It's turns to a park, she's gone, and the spotlights are on...

Twenty thousand people, all jumping out their seat
The train's stopping, they're throwing roses at my feet
I wave them off and thank you all for coming out
They're screaming so loud, I take one last look at the crowd
I glance right, I don't believe what I'm seeing
"Hey Frog Prince it's me, help me, my heart is bleeding"
But we're at the Point, how'd you get to the Point?
"He didn't love me, he said he's leavin for his 'ship with God"
"You are independent, you loved me more than you should"
"If it's any problem take me back if you could"
"I even brought the ring... will you marry me?"
"I want to be yours forever in life and in death you see"
But Princess wait, "It's too late ain't it? You made your choice."
"Just go out there and show 'em that you love 'em more than me"
"That's what they want, they want you Steven, they keep screamin' your name"
"It's no wonder you can't go to sleep, just take another pill"
"Yeah, I bet you you will. You rap about it, yeah, word, k-keep it real"
I hear applause, all this time I couldn't see
How could it be, that the curtain is closing on me
I turn around, find a gun on the ground, cock it
Put it to my brain and scream "die Steven" and pop it
The sky darkens, my life flashes, the car I'm supposed to be driving crashes and burns to ashes
That's when I wake up, alarm clock's ringin', there's birds singin'
It's Spring and the children are outside swinging, I thank God for a good day
Tell Christ that I'm happy for what he's done for me, and he winks back
Almost as if to say..

And when I'm done, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm looking down on you smiling
And I didn't feel a thing, So baby don't feel no pain
Just smile back

--------------------------
Also, so you know... rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated. But, I was sick. For those who left me alone... thank you for doing so because I just wanted to be left alone. Beyond that... I also got a real job down here. Alorica in Nashville was crap, and this place is actually something that is a challenge, and also dynamic (meaning it isn't the same thing day in, day out). It also is a lot more rewarding in many ways :).

Super Bowl XL

2006-02-05T22:21:00.000-06:00

If you were to ask me... Detroit came out the winner in Super Bowl XL.

I don't mean the Lions... that's a whole different story. I'm talking about the city itself. They not only got the respect they so deserved in hosting the event, but they also came away with having one of their own being the winner.

Most of my friends were rooting for the Steelers, or are Steeler fans to begin with. Detroit itself was rooting for native Detroiter Jerome Bettis' team, who was expected to retire after this game. Sure enough, the Steelers come out on top, beating Seattle 21-10.

While I knew a couple of people who were against the Steelers (I myself would've liked to see the Seahawks' coach win another Super Bowl -- he won his last with Green Bay in 1997), I am about the pride of Detroit, and Detroit pride won tonight.

Of course... some complained we didn't honor the military during halftime, instead honoring Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We honor the military by holding the game and continuing to live life as normal as we can, but again, it comes down to the pride. If you do anything to upset that pride, you have over 900,000 pissed off residents, along with millions of others (including those in the 248, 734, 586, and even the 810) who feel like they are a part of the pride. I, for one, would be among those pissed.

God is a Super Bowl fan, and God picked the rightful winner tonight.

I am sick of it

2006-01-30T08:24:00.000-06:00

I am whatever you say I am... if I wasn't, then why would I say I am?

Let's see... apparently i'm too dependent... I don't love myself, I didn't love my ex as a result. I am also jealous as well.

Despite what all of my friends (including an ex-girlfriend that has known me since 1999) would say, I am all of the above. My friends don't matter, because they are wrong.

And also, my feelings don't matter. I am wrong to feel the way I do about things or what an ex does less than a week after it ends (and even almost 2 weeks after it ends).

So, since apparently I can't survive on my own... here's a chance to tell me what I should do.

Your choices:
a) Stick it out (stay in TN, make my life down here work)
b) Kill myself (apparently I have nothing left for myself)
c) go home to mommy and daddy since they shelter and protect me
d) none of the above (name your option)

First major storm here...

2005-12-08T22:03:00.000-06:00

We're under a heavy snow warning, and are expecting around 5-6 inches of snow where I live. One person i've been talking to from Tennessee has been asking if I can bring some down when I go down there Sunday... I told her that she can have it (naturally, 5 inches would shut down the state for days there, but up here it's just a slight inconvenience... unless you're in Genesee County (who doesn't know how to plow).

When I lived at GVSU nd in Lowell... I still had to go to school, even with 8 inches on the ground. Of course, the Road Commissions and the city DPW's had monster plows. Even GVSU had 3 trucks with the monster plows... keeping that school open. Put that in perspective.

Thankful...

2005-11-24T23:19:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone. As always, I am thankful for my life and health. But, I am very thankful to have Kristy in my life. She really means the world to me, and I really hope she stays forever.

I didn't get a chance to mention it yet. But, I went back down to Tennessee. I had another great time. Besides all the time I got to spend with Kristy (which was awesome in of itself), I made progress in the job front. I had 2 interviews down there (one went good, the other went crappy), and I also came across several more leads that I am in the midst of following up on (as well as the usual submission of jobs and all). I am thankful for the help Kristy gave with it (what she could), and that while it seems I may not be down there by the end of November, Christmas is one I will be shooting for, especially with the weather.

Speaking of the weather, I was in Tennessee when the middle part of the state had a record outbreak of tornadoes. That was interesting. Though, I did have to get a weather radio (to get a balanced idea of what's going on because I didn't have Internet access) since I thought the local media tended to lean on sensationalist when it came to reporting serious stuff. Then, when I get home, we get winter weather... snow... freezing cold... you name it. Tonight alone the low is supposed to be 8 degrees with a windchill of around 10 below. This is after we got 4 inches for Thanksgiving.

Dinner was great though... I killed off my mom's broccoli cuz it was good. This was the first year I bought something to go with it (the alcohol/non-alcohol drinks). It went great with dinner.

That's it for now. I published my 5th annual special thanks rambling. Much of the same except for one or two new things (like Kristy :)).

Yay for shit!

2005-11-05T21:17:00.000-06:00

As they say... shit happens.

Over the past two days, I've been shoveling out my room... took out 5 bags of trash that was not needed, as well as clothes I haven't worn in ages. In addition, I got rid of stuff my brother left in my room (under my bed) when I was away at college. I also found a long lost book (Our Dumb Century by the Onion) and my RCT2 manual. On the other hand, my nail clippers walked.

I thought that was it... until I was working on something around my TV stand and well, my less than 11 month old TV took a spill to the ground.

Good news... the TV itself works, and any AV inputs work. Bad news... when it spilled, the cable to the outdoor antenna managed to rip out the CATV/Antenna input on the TV.

Well, I looked at it, and given what ripped out, I knew it would cost me more (in terms of time, parts, and labor) to repair it than to get a new one.

Despite the fact that I am moving... I just spent $124 on my 2nd TV in less than a year. Thank god Wal-Mart in Owosso had them in stock (they are the only ones that carry Sanyos, and I like their TVs). I'm supposed to be conserving my spending too. Though, to comfort my anger, I'm kind of glad that the supercenter aspect opened because I got myself a 6 pack of Miller Lite.

With the moving... I am moving to TN around the end of the month (provided the apartment search goes well).

Just get me to update this more often, ok?

Yeah the updates have been slow...

2005-10-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

I've been keeping busy latey, mostly on TN getting things straight.

Among the following:
- Got canned at XO (saving me from quitting)
- Built the new TN server, got it shipped
- Decided I really hated Michigan
- Went to Tennessee to scout the area and see what jobs are there
- Decided that I am moving there
- I have a girlfriend again (Kristy is now my 8th girlfriend, hopefully final one -- considering I've known her for over 3 years now it should be easy to do the relationship thing)

You'll see a few more frequent updates as time comes.

Mean people suck, nice people blow

2005-09-14T22:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I think I'm going to leave XO... it's getting horrible there. It isn't worth my gas or my health to do it.

I also think I'm done with Yahoo Personals, cuz all I'm attracting now are losers. Maybe another week or so and that's it.

Too long between updates

2005-08-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

I slacked off between updates... I know.

I also have an excuse... work, and redoing my site. I've also had a personal life to attend to.

Speaking of which... you think you meet a girl who shows the most promise in the longest time, then on the 2nd date (which was a bad idea in of itself), it gets thrown away. That happened with this girl named Jodi from Clio. She thought it'd be a good idea for me to go to a party with her (a friend's party where I would be around complete strangers)... with the understanding that neither of us would drink much at all.

Well, the party comes along, and I have a beer (she claims I had two in the first hour... bullshit). Then, she decides she's going to get a 6 pack, plus whatever else is there. By the end of the night... she's wasted, and I'm sober (having had 3 beers total (I quit about 10:30pm, we left at 1am). I then have to drive her home.

See... she thought I was OK with it... I wasn't. I even expressed it a couple of times. Then, it becomes my fault because I'm not happy with the outcome, and I even get yelled at. That ain't happening. So, she was done with me.

Work is getting worse... we've been slowly losing people, and getting more to do. It's been a pain, and it's been wearing me out. I applied for a different dept, interviewed, and didn't get in. I also interviewed for a different company down in Southfield. I'm still waiting word on that... though that would be a welcome change.

Yay my site's back up!

2005-06-11T23:08:00.000-05:00

After 2 weeks of having to deal with a downed server (thanks to hackers), it's nice to have this back up. The site itself wasn't touched, but the DNS server responsible for pointing you here had to go down. It's nice to have it up now.

In the time since I've last posted, I've been busy with work, with the above thing, and with a lot. I posted my last post just before I left to go to my friend Liz's party she held for her son's first birthday. That was fun. After hanging with her for a bit (watching Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again and trying to hit a baseball - I've always sucked at that), I took the long, slow way, avoiding the freeway (meaning Cascade/Grand River Ave through Lansing, then back on old M-78 or Lansing Rd to home).

Work just started to suck more... now they are going to start monitoring what I'm doing on my compuer during a call (it'll get monitored when I get monitored). God forbid the customer puts me on hold or puts me in a dull moment and that call happens to be monitored. That is leading me to have to redouble my efforts to find another job (chances are it will be out of state). What's crazy is that I've had co-workers that are full-time with XO (I'm a contractor) ask me what I'm going to do after XO... apparently they're looking too.

I did my date with Gwynyth. Well, since then I got one e-mail which I replied to (about that Hollerback girl crap), and she hasn't replied. She also never responded to any IM (just a simple hey). So, I guess it's back to square one in that respect. I think I'll just stick to Yahoo Personals and keep a casual eye on it and just see if someone is really out there.

My favorite quote of the week (from my idol Jesse James when talking about the seat for his flying car)...
"This one doesn't have a floatable seat cushion though. In case of a water landing, you're fucked!"

Oh yeah, and I was shocked (Mike) Campo left OCC... of course Paulie can be an ass, but in reality he's too good for them.

Does anyone have a bible that I can desecrate?

2005-05-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/05/14/afghan.protests.reut/index.html

Seriously... we as a nation should respect other religions instead of claiming that christianity is the superior religion (it's far from it).

I don't see any wars over the Buddha lately? I think I'm going to worship that.

Vacation and more about relationships...

2005-05-08T00:30:00.000-05:00

I've been on vacation for most of this week. The biggest highlight so far is that besides getting my mom's present (she's getting a cell phone from dad, and I'm contributing), that I got to go to Scott's for once today. That was a blast.

On the relationship front... this is what I've seemed to attract lately...

Girls who oversell themselves (those who make themselves seem one way are are totally another)
Girls who are very religious (puts religion first and apparently want to save me even though I'm not religious)
Girls who seem to want to make an insta-dad out of me (lonely single moms - and they let you know about it), and of course, hide their photo while trying to sell themselves via the ad itself (see point #1)
Girls who apparently think that I have a Ph.D in Psychology and just suddenly talk about killing themselves and how depressed they are

The whole thing just makes me depressed and wonder if there's anyone normal out there?

Seriously, it's made me want to add the following:

Must have public photo in profile (current one with at least one waist-up photo) if contacting me
If you are deeply into any religion, please continue on
Disclaimer: I do not have a Ph.D in Psychology. I took one psych class, and maybe a couple of sociology classes (Family and Social Problems). That does not make me capable of handling your problems. Here's a list of those who can help you (and a list).

Only problem is, if I do add them, it makes me sound selfish and superficial.

Possible solutions to my dilemma...

Arranged marriage
Become a monk
Become gay
Just give up prospect of long term relationship/marriage and become a gigolo/sperm donor
All of the above
None of the above (if some girl can prove to me and sell me on a relationship)

That's me becoming a skeptic when it comes to dating alright.