Maximum Resolution

Packing Up

2007-04-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

If you actually read this with any frequency, you can find me over at http://maxres.wordpress.com

Expect more of whatever it is I do here, just with a new look!

Dave

New Shoes

2007-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Got the pictures from my shoot at Diane's back last night, and I'm pleased to report they turned out really well. Easily enough to fill my show in June, though I may hold back and make it a half farrier/half other stuff show. I'll have to get some feedback on the shots to see if there's enough to warrant 15 images from the session.

I hope to have the bulk added to my website tomorrow, but since I tend to not do that kind of thing well, I'll throw a few up here for good measure. No captions or anything, since it's late, and my hands are sore from the batting cages.

Quick aside: always make sure your window screens are in good shape, lest your cats punch them out and make an excursion outside without your knowledge. It's a bit disconcerting to open the back door, expecting George to come running, only to find him already on the back porch.

Also--Cardinals=blah.

Also also--one week until my first game as a Perfecto!

Now, onto pictures!

Dave

Why copy-editing is a good thing

2007-04-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

Came across this little gem on a flier we received at work:

Basic Muzzle Loaders

This one-day course led by certifeid instructors will cover the history of black powder firearms from the development of black power to today's modern inline muzzle loaders.

Whoops.

In unrelated news, I saw The Princess Bride last weekend. It is, of course, quite funny. And I learned I apparently can't draw feet.

Also, you may have noticed the "Not That Bad" list over on the side. It has no real rhyme or reason--just things that I happen to be enjoying at any given time. And by enjoying Chris Duncan, I mean I'm enjoying his offensive produc---I mean....oh my. There's no graceful way out of that one, is there?

Well, you know what I mean. I hope.

Dave

Wait a minute...

2007-04-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

So, General Mills thinks they can pull a fast one on me by making Trix round and claiming it as a "new shape," eh?

Well I can remember when they used to be round! That's right, they weren't always funky shapes! They're just bringing back something they used 15 years ago and hope we don't remember.

Well, I'm onto you guys, so be careful!

Silly rabbit.

Dave

I'm sure you knew this, but...

2007-04-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

iPods are pretty cool.

Going to see Rush!

In............August.

Got a nice mini-vacation coming up this week: going to Diane's to do my little farrier photo-essay project I've been hoping to do. So that'll be nice.

Also nice is the return of the not-cold temperatures, even if it means the probable return of ants to my kitchen. I think I can handle it this time around. Maybe. I probably won't be saying that after having to spray the little buggers for the sixth time in three days. We'll see.

So, just to recap: iPods and Rush=cool. Yep.

And life is good.

Dave

I can't dig, yo.

2007-04-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of our Summer Reading Club programs here at the Library:

Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m.
It’s All A Mystery! “Digging up Archeology”
When were the dinosaurs on the earth? How do we know they were here? How big were they? Come and learn about these interesting creatures. We will have lots of activities!

Nonononono.

Apparently we need a staff of six-year old boys to fact check our text from now on.

Sigh.

Dave

Flashbacks

2007-04-12T21:50:00.001-07:00

I still think this is funny.

Dave

The Fence-Hopping Fox Hound

2007-04-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't that make a kick-ass band and/or song? I only wish I'd come up with it.

So I did wrap up the ACPT puzzles earlier this week, but I think I had blogged myself out last week, and didn't feel like posting about them. Suffice it to say, Bob Klahn's puzzle knocked my socks off, and not in a good way. That thing was probably more of a hair-puller than anything else I'd solved. The theme was based around "spoonerisms," which I wasn't familiar with. So even with a lot of crossing words filled in, I still couldn't figure out what was going on. In the end, I think I only got two of the theme answers filled in, which is really frustrating, especially since I actually got about 90% of the grid filled in. I just hit a wall and couldn't get over it.

So after that, I tackled the last puzzle, and since my ego needed a boost, I used the 'easy' set of clues. Considering the fact that the hardest set of clues was just ridiculous, I don't feel like I missed out on much.

So, overall, it was a lot of fun. The puzzles were all enjoyable, even if they weren't at the time I was working on them. I can't wait until next year, when I can hopefully be at the tourney in person. I may need to start saving now, though, just to be sure. And it's in NYC, which oughta be fun.

I spent tonight cleaning my house. Always fun, of course, though it was nice to have a reason for the cleaning tonight. Company always warrants the removal of any and all cat hair from the premises, save for the hair actually on the cats, of course.

Daisies: Spring cleaning...
Virginia Wolfe: I'll sweep off this mat!
Newscaster: Spring-cleaning...
Peter Wolfe: I'll vacuum the cat.

Yeah, any excuse for a Rocko quote around these parts.

We're getting close to the first game of the season for the Perfectos. We had practice a couple weeks ago, and I actually hit the ball pretty well, which was encouraging. Interesting, though, is I'm a dead pull hitter. Everything was going to right field, save for a few that went to right-center. And almost our entire team is that way. We rarely bothered to have anyone in left during practice. With that in mind, I may hit the cages (ha!) in an effort to work on taking the ball the other way on occasion. Seems like it might be of use.

And how about those Cardinals, eh?

Eh?

Yeah, I can't decide either. The pitching's been pretty good so far, but man, I hope the offense decides to, I don't know, do something. I don't think we can count on Gary Bennett to get 3 hits every night. Though it would be pretty cool.

Noted elsewhere in the Cardinals' blogosphere is the Birds' knack for destroying NL closers this year. Weird. Though I will admit to feeling sorry for Brad Lidge at this point.

And that's all for now.

Dave

ACPT 5/6

2007-04-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Huzzah and hooray--I finished both of these puzzles with time to spare. 26:44 on Merl Reagle's 'Gender Bender,' and 19:33 on Maura Jacobson's 'What Are They?'

I really like Merl's puzzle. I think I got the theme fairly early on--I had Frito Lay originally, but once I got the first half of the theme clue, 'sex change,' I caught my error and was on my way. What I wasn't expecting, though, was the theme meandering its way into the clues. So 84-across, 'fay,' and 10-across, 'Sox fan, often,' made no sense with their respective answers--send and vegan. I'm not saying there aren't any vegan Sox fans, of course, but it didn't make much sense in the puzzle. Actually, I don't think I picked up on that little trick until I'd been done with the puzzle for some time. I went back to look at it, and then it clicked. Well played, sir.

Maura's puzzle was another case, as has been the norm through this, it seems, where I was getting theme answers and not instantly knowing what the theme actually was. Once I got 'Ball Rooms' as an answer for "Lucille Chambers," I got the last name/synonym theme. Alas, there were a number of last names I didn't know off-hand, but between crossing fill and the second part of the answer, I was able to figure out. Though I will admit to having 'Hardy Guys' as opposed to 'Hardy Boys' for the longest time.

And hey, the Cardinals scored 10 runs today. 10! That's more than the first 5 games of the season combined, so maybe we've turned a slight corner. Nice to see Pujols get himself a HR, and the 3-5 day from Yadi was a nice bonus.

I'm really hoping the cold snap breaks this week. It's just getting annoying at this point.

Dave

ACPT 3/4

2007-04-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

Do you think Cathy Millhauser would appreciate the irony if I felt like strangling her while working on her puzzle? This is not to say it was a bad puzzle. Far from it, actually. It was, as usual, a wonderfully punny theme, and once I got the idea, it wasn't too hard. There were just a lot of moments where I was staring at the grid, not knowing the answers, and I needed to lash out at someone. And it was either her or the cats.

Interesting thing about the puzzle (which I almost finished)--it seemed to have two themes going on. The first was the obvious 'death' answers like "Looney Tombs" and "I'm a bereaver," but then there seemed to be a sub-theme in two of the other answers: Bier One Imports, along with Morgue and Mindy had the 'one' and 'and' both rebused-up in a single box. At least I think so. Since there's no other bagged candy that is M__M's besides M&M's, it had to be the case. And that threw me for a loop, making me think there was something like that going on throughout the puzzle, which I didn't seem to notice. So....it should be interesting to see how I did on that in the end.

In the end, I can say I enjoyed the puzzle. I liked 'kookier' as fill, along with the ore/o'er/oar trio. And it's odd, because a lot of the puzzles I've been doing outside the Tourney stuff has been popping up in the Tourney puzzles and vice-versa. Just before I did these two, I worked on a puzzle with 'skiff' as an answer. And there it was in Cathy's puzzle!

I actually finished Mike Shenk's puzzle before time was up, so that was nice. I liked the visual rebus spelling out the word rebus at 40-across. And "pass go" as a way to earn $200 was really clever.

So two more on tap today. Can't wait.

And how about Root Beer last night, starting that DP with Yadi? And yay for Chris Duncan, who seems to be the only guy who has remembered how to hit.

Dave

Celebrity Watch/ACPT 2

2007-04-05T21:36:00.001-07:00

I saw Nelly at Strike 'n' Spare tonight.

Yep.

Just finished (well, almost) Patrick Merrell's puzzle, Faulty Keyboard. I thought it odd at first when I saw two U's back-to-back, but left them, since I had a hunch the theme was built around something sneaky like that. And once I saw it pop up again, I knew what was going on, thought the Elvis song itself didn't come to be at first, mostly because of one damn word--I had heron in instead of egret, and it threw off that entire chunk of the puzzle. Solutes was salines for God knows how long. I also had magna instead of summa, but once I got the theme, I was able to fix that and the SW corner fell quickly. The NW fell almost as fast once I got the long cuumuuluus clouuds, which is really hard to type.

NEVER heard of little Sambo. Had 'sits out' for awhile, which didn't help matters. I felt really bad about not getting Sunbeam sooner, considering how much I'm in the kitchen. But for the life of me, all I could think of was Kitchen Aid. Grr. And I used to have a Sunbeam mixer!

Randomly wrote 'In G' for Chopin's "Nocurne ___ Major," which had me stumped for "prepare for surgery." Scrug up doesn't make much sense. Bad idea, just sticking letters in like that.

Alas, I couldn't wrap up the puzzle. 49, 57, and 61-across never came to me, so I'll have to take a hit there. Everything else though, as far as I can tell, is correct, so that's good.

But it's bed time now, so I'll take on Puzzle 3 tomorrow. Apparently it's a toughie.

Dave

ACPT--Puzzle 1

2007-04-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

My packet 'o fun from the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament arrived today, and despite the assurance I could work these at my leisure, I had to get cracking. I've been waiting too long for this to just let it sit around.

So I'll try and post thoughts about each puzzle as I work them.

#1 was by Paula Gamache. The theme wasyin/yang, clued as "opposite principles in this puzzle," though I'll be damned if I can find any examples of such in the grid. The two longest answers are 'misery index' and 'johnny angel,' which have some opposite-ness, I guess. But beyond that, I'm kinda lost.

I tore through about 2/3 of the grid, then got hung up on some answers I didn't know. Names, mostly, and a couple terms I hadn't come across before. With a fifteen-minute time limit, I finished in 13:15, with about 5 minutes spent trying to force those remaining answers out.

SOme fun fill included etyma (as in etymology), Olmecs, and lisps.

Maybe I'll get the theme, eventually.

Dave

If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home By Now

2007-04-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

So, according to this little sidebar at the Yahoo! homepage, one of the most sought-after places to live, along with cities like San Fransisco and Seattle, is, um....Valdosta.

Now, I lived near enough to Valdosta for a couple years, and as far as I can remember, the only thing that town had was a mall. Oh and plenty of clay, Which was weird for a Yank like me, since I was used to seeing dirt everywhere. Looking at the ground and seeing red was pretty weird.

Said mall was also the site of mom, Steve, and me getting locked out of the car one day. Steve, I believe, was about to experience some motion sickness as we hit the lot. In the flurry of everyone hopping out of the car, the keys stayed in, and we all locked our doors. Whoops. Much freaking out ensues, and in the end, a kindly mall security guy uses some fancy contraption that probably looked a lot like a coat hangar to open the door. Much rejoicing.

But is all that enough to warrant its desirability? Maybe people like fire ants. I dunno.

Dave

Thanks, Mr. Eck-steen

2007-04-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd say this, bu David Eckstein would make a pretty good straight man in a comedy duo.

Yeah, so I'm basing this off one commercial. It's still pretty amusing.

No baseball thoughts just yet, though the Cardinals are doing their best to not hit some more.

Update: 8:20 p.m.

Also: I don't care what anyone else thinks, I like Joe Buck. For whatever reason, he and Al were talking about American Idol, and he said that his girls were home, glued to the TV, "and they ain't watching me."

I like a little bit of self-deprecating humor. And Lord knows the game hasn't been all that interesting tonight.

But hey, Looper's pitching well, so that's nice.

Update: 8:21 p.m.

Carlos Delgado just hit one out. 2-0 Mets. Natch.

Dave

Whoosh.

2007-04-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

I feel I should clarify a point from last night: I'm not saying that Hrabosy was necessarily wrong in his claim. He could very well be right. But the way he sadi it made it pretty clear that we wasn't saying this because he felt a strong conviction about the matter. Rather, it just sounded like he was trying to make some kinda joke about something topical.

Bascially, I'm saying Al Hrabosky is kind of dumb sometimes.

But I do like Joe Buck.

Kip Wells looked pretty good last night. A couple defensive lapses made the score worse than it could have been. One of them was his own fault, but beyond that, I think he should be fine. If we can get something resembling an offense together, maybe we'll be able to scrounge up a win. And I know it's only been two games, but still. Ugh.

Dave

Winds of Change

2007-04-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

Bottom of the first during tonight's Cards/Mets game--Al Hrabosky, while talking to Joe Buck about the Cardinals' lack of hitting in spring training, mentions the weird fact that the wind was blowing in from the same direction quite often, deadening some of the balls the Cardinals were hitting.

And why was the wind doing that, Al?

"It must be global warming."

Ah, of course.

In other baseball musings, the Cardinals might do better if they didn't hit into all these double plays. Just a thought.

Dave

Just a Little Bit Outside

2007-04-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well, that's why they play 162 games, isn't it? I thought Adam Kennedy looked pretty good, as did the bullpen. And really, we were only a few breaks away from having the game tied, or at least much closer. So I'm not too worried. Now if we open 0-6, and aren't scoring at all, well then I'll be worried.

Still don't know why Oquendo sent Eck home on Wilson's single, esp. with Pujols coming up. Grr. I hope the Secret Weapon hasn't been inhabited by the body of Wendall Kim.

I may try to post baseball thoughts more often this season. We'll see how that goes. I doubt it'll be very insightful or anything, but a running commentary on the season could prove interesting.

And for now, I'm Charles Kuralt, and we're going to leave you with this shot of a flower.

Hole in my Soul

2007-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Ah, I've been missing you. It's good to have it back, I must say.

Apologies to anyone who couldn't see the Japanese characters in my last post. It showed up on my computer at work, but not at home. But you can still be amused by the English "translation."

I was at Mass this morning, and amused myself with this thought: what if the ushers started carrying debit card machines during the collections?

Go Cards!

Dave

Say What?

2007-03-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Did you know the Gooch has a website?

Alas, it's all in Japanese, and I didn't learn enough to translate the kanji on his site. So I let Babelfish do it for me. From this: 田口選手のセントルイスカージナルスがワールドシリーズを制しました。それに伴い、今夜は帰宅がおそくなるため、試合後の電話取材によるコメントをお伝えします。

「まずは何よりも、ここまで僕らを盛り立ててくださったファンの皆さんに感謝します。今夜はまだ家に帰れず、メールを書ける状態ではないので、明日改めて、ご報告させていただきます。応援本当にありがとうございました」 ,

we get this:

セントルイスカージナルス of Taguchi player controlled the world series. Attendant upon that, tonight because returning home becomes slow, conveys the comment with the telephone collection of data after the playing. "You pile up me first what compared to, to here and you appreciate in everyone of the fan raising. Tonight because it is not in a state where the mail can be written not be able to return to the house yet, tomorrow again, you report. Support thank you truly

That's right, folks. So Taguchi controlled the World Series. And I can't come up with anything else very witty on this. But it's darn funny trying to make sense of all that.

Tomorrow again, I report.
dave

Ah. Title! Subject!

2007-03-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

I went to the batting cages last week to get in some swings before the Perfectos' first practice (for me, at least) this weekend. I've been swinging a whiffle bat for so long that a real bat, with actual weight to it, was quite a change of pace. So I went, and learned, that while I may be able to do a lot of stuff, hitting a baseball consistently is not one of them. Granted I was out of practice, but it was still pretty bad. I did, I should add, work on "keeping an eye on the ball," and it did help some. I think I just need more time to work on it. I even bought my own bat a couple days ago to take to the cages (and games, maybe), just so I'd have something I could consistently use and get a feel for.

On a somewhat less exciting note: yesterday's NYT puzzle featured a good theme that just happened to be the exact same style of theme (anagrams) that I used in the puzzle I made a few weeks ago. So I'll hold that one for a little while and keep working on my other two ideas, which are a bit less generic in their theme, and are less likely to be used by someone else. Hopefully. Still waiting for my ACPT puzzles to arrive. They were supposed to arrive this week, so anytime now would be good. The tourney is in NYC next year, so that oughta be fun. Start saving now, I guess.

Other thoughts:

-home opener is Sunday. Yay baseball!
-spring is here, which means the Bradford Pears are blooming, and that means my least favorite scent ever.
-Rush and the Moody Blues are coming to town this summer: yes, 2007 is the Old Guys of Rock Summer Tour
-PointFest features Wolfmother and the Killers this year. Sweet. The line-up also features 14 other national acts, and about as many local acts. Out of all those groups, I've heard of one of them. Is it worth sitting through a ton of people I don't know or, at this point, even care about, for two good bands? Hmm.
-getting ready to buy my fourth point/shoot digital camera. Wild, man.
-it was warm enough last weekend/this week to have the windows open, which I did. But I didn't want to turn on the AC, so the house got kinda warm for a period. The heat works as some kind of sedative, I think, because Sunday and Monday nights featured nothing but laying around by myself and the cats. Just.....sheer nothingness.

And now, work.

Dave

Communication

2007-03-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

As of 10:00 p.m. tonight, my laptop has renewed internet connectivity AND it sees my desktop via the network.

So, um, thanks, Vista.

U2 DVDs to burn, finally!

And, culled from the archives, a comment I made after going to the dentist back in March '05:

"You know, "Ladies With the Iron Hook" would be a good name for a rock band."

Brady

Money? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Money!

2007-03-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

How true, how true. This is a fairly accurate representation of things.

I'll be 51, assuming I don't move and what-not and what have you when all is said and done.

And did I mention I got a collect call from someone in a correction facility Friday night? No? Oh. Well I did.

No, I didn't accept. Lord only knows what the guy wanted. I do feel bad, though, especially if he only gets so many calls a month or something like that.

So to whoever made that call Friday night, I apologize.

Tin Type

What's an Irish Boy From a Good Family Doing in the Gutter?

2007-03-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

So with today being, apparently, the Day of Patrick the Saint, I did the only thing I could think of that was in keeping with the intended spirit of the day: I sat outside in the cold and occasional snow to watch a baseball game, as one tends to do.

And I had a Guinness. Guiness? Too lazy to go look it up. You know what I mean.

The team in question is the St. Louis Perfectos, of which friend Karl is a member. It's a throwback-type league, playing by 1860s-era rules. It's not vastly different, though there are a few interesting twists.

-If a fielder catched a fly ball/line drive off one hop, an out is still recorded/
-Foul balls don't count as strikes.
-Foul tips, though, are subject to the first rule.
-The secondbaseman has to stay within two strides of the bag when runners are on.
-No overrunning first base. If you do, you can get tagged out.
-No gloves!

And others, I'm sure, but I can't remember them. It's all a lot of fun, though. Everyone has a nickname, and are referred to as such. There's only one umpire, and he hangs out around the plate. Close plays out on the bases are on the honor system.

This was the first game of the season, traditionally played on St. Patty's Day. Or thereabouts. Because you know how the Irish loved their baseball.

It was also a doubleheader, and since the team was going to be a little short, I volunteered my services. So I stepped onto a baseball field as a player for the first time since.....well, it's been a long time. I even got to play second base, which is where I always wanted to play in grade school.

I didn't hit for beans, but I did alright in the field, turning a couple plays, and generally not looking like an idiot. My nickname was either Picard/Shutterbug/Brady, depending on who was talking to me. Someone also suggested Tin Type, which I really like.

And even better?

I'll be joining up as full-time member. Suh-weet. The season doesn't pick up again until mid-April, so I can get some practice in and maybe head over to a batting cage to get some swings in.

So now I'll be playing three sports.

Kick-ass. I can't wait.

yours,
(Matthew) Brady

Free

2007-03-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

No, this isn't the new/cool feature I was talking about earlier, but it is a darn cool picture, and far be it from me to keep it from all y'alls.

Dave

chordchordchordchordchordchordotherchord

2007-03-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

Whoops.

Been a bit longer since my last post than I've planned. I've attempted a couple posts lately, but got bored and decided against it. So there you go.

For those interested, I did finish the RPM challenge. I did one more song Sunday night, and another on Monday, capping off far more recording than one should undertake in a four-day span. The nice thing, though, is that I actually have an album, as opposed to 10-12 songs recorded over a long time. So it sounds really cohesive. And yay for that.

The website is finally redone. I need to add a couple things, but all the images are up, and it's made in a way I can easily add/remove content. Sweet.

Picked up a wedding to shoot in July, I think, assuming someone not the dad gets back to me. And I get to travel to Paducah! Oooooo.

Portrait shoot for Lindenwood this Friday, which means I've got a medium format camera at my disposal. Kick. Ass.

Working on my second crossword puzzle right now, with a theme even stupider than my last one. But I think it's a good stupid, if such a thing exists.

My upgrade to Vista arrived today. We'll see what all the hoo-ha (good and bad) is about as soon as I get it installed.

I saw a guy wearing a blazer/dress shirt combo with red shorts and loafers with no socks at the store today. A very large part of my soul died with it. Just......no. Ick. Bleah. Etc etc.

I think it bugs me when people say "eck cetera." Nonono. It's just "et," folks. Thanks.

If I can get around to it, I might try something interesting (to me, at least), 'round these parts in the next day or so. We shall see.

Fin.
Dave

I've Got the Music in Me!

2007-02-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Those who frequent this bit of web space (anyone?), may recall my blurb about the RPM Challenge, which I signed up for a few weeks ago. At the time, 10 songs seemed like nothing. I had plenty of time! And I came up with a few little ideas/chord changes/etc. and put them on my recorder. Then they sat around for awhile, and it was looking like I was going to run out of time. I figured at the very least, I'd have some new stuff to work on when the time was right. Then the RPM folks sent out an e-mail with a blog post from someone else doing the challenge, basically saying not to give up. So I said to myself, "Self, let's do this. We've got an entire weekend free, so let's make the most of it."

And we did. Just 10 minuted ago I wrapped up my eighth song since Friday night. Six totally new tunes and two old chord changes that were never fully realized. So now I'm two songs away with a few days to go. As luck would have it, I'm going into work at 12:45 on Tuesday, so I'll have time tomorrow night. It's surprised me how fast I've managed to crank these out. They aren't my best tunes, but they hold their own with anything else I've recorded. It's been fun, though I don't want to wait so long next time.

I also took some time to revamp the 'ol website this weekend. It's not totally done--there's something I need some help with regarding the links, and if you happen to be looking at the site at anything larger than 1024x768, it may looks kinda funky. So I need to work on that. But those are pretty minor issues, I think, so I should be good to go by next weekend, which, as luck would have it, is another open weekend.

Anything else?

If there is, I can't think of it. My brain is pretty fried right now.

Dave

A 1000 words

2007-02-22T18:56:00.000-08:00

Picture post ala Kelly today.

I started making my own crossword puzzle. It started like this...

...and wound up looking like this. Darn hard work, but ultimately worth it.

It snowed last week. Fun times, believe you me.

Well that just sucks, doesn't it?

Don't go leaving cans in the trunk of your car when it's going to be -reallycolddegrees outside.

Dave

Leavin' Here

2007-02-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this happens to everyone, but it seems like it can be easy to get comfortable in your current situation. In this case, spend long enough at a job, and you can get used to things. Complacent, maybe. Steady pay, and a fair amount of creative freedom, so why bother leaving? But I think I've hit a point at the Library where I can't really go any further than I already have, creatively speaking. I've explored the subtle nuances of author pictures about as far as I can.

All of this disjointed rambling is basically my way of saying it's time to move on, career-wise. Otherwise, I might be stuck at the library forever.

Way back when, when I was applying for jobs, I said I wouldn't move because I couldn't afford. But last week, coming home from soccer, I hit upon an idea: what if I found a job in some other city and then moved? Then I could afford it. Brilliant!

And the more I thought about it, the more interesting the idea sounded. Exciting, even.

As was pointed out, I've never been much of a roamer, opting to stay in town for college, and what-not. But as was also pointed out, I'm not really tied down by anything, so if I'm going to go, now's as good a time as any. And I think I'd really like to give it a try. As was also also pointed out, I can always come back if it doesn't work out.

SO where to go? When to go?

Well a lot of the where comes down to where the jobs are, assuming I can find something newspaper-y. I doubt I have enough experience to get on with a big daily, but I'm open to starting somewhere small and working up. So I'll look around and see what I can find. As for when, not until next year at the earliest. Too many commitments right now to just up and go. And it'll give me a chance to scout around.

And hey, all this home improvement should make selling the house easier, eh?

So there you go, if you didn't know already.

It is, of course, possible that I'll find something here, or come up with some reason to stay. So this isn't set in stone. Something slightly less firm.

dave.

Meh.

2007-02-14T14:59:00.001-08:00

I'll just be skipping today, thanks.

dave

You Gotta Roll With It

2007-02-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

I'm updating via laptop tonight, for those interested. I should be doing this from the donut shop, but I figured the donut place wouldn't have wifi, so I opted to bring my donuts home. So, naturally, Old Town Donuts has wifi. Noted for next time.

RPM update: I have 4 chord changes put down in the recorder waiting for me to flesh them out. Not bad, really, so hopefully I can keep up the pace. I may just be in one of my creative moods, and if so, the timing is really good.

Food update: I had my first experience with sushi last night. And the verdict? I didn't not like it, for whatever sense that makes. I had a spicy tuna roll, which, sadly, had the distinction of being not spicy at all. I also had a yellow fin(?), which wasn't a roll, just a slice of fish on a bed of rice. That was quite tasty. I also had some miso soup, also good, and some tempura, which was also good. One item ordered, which I passed on, was, I think, some kinda shrimp with all the legs still attached. I had to pass on something similar in France, when the shrimp still had its eye attached. Yum.

Major life decision update: well, let me dwell on that one a bit more and I'll let you all know. But it promises to be exciting if I go through with it.

I also plan to get back in the habit of posting pictures here every so often, so, you know, if you're into that kind of thing, stay tuned.

Dave

Let the Music Play

2007-02-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

I came across an interesting competition of sorts yesterday whilst perusing this great internet thing. It's called the RPM Challenge, and the idea is to record either 10 songs or 35 minutes of total music over the month of February. The record and mail in a CD. From there? I don't know, actually. I don't recall the specs on that part. Or maybe I didn't read it. Either way, it sounded fun, and it seemed like a good way to get some new music written in a hurry. True I missed a few days, but I should have time. I came up with something last night, so it'sa good start. I did some jamming with Andrew last night and once we got going, we came up with some cool ideas. Nothing I remember, but it'sa good sign that the creative juices ae still flowing. So we'll see how this goes.

And after seeing Flecktones show number 7 Monday night (excellent, as always), my summer plans are starting to fall into place. The TABBBQ is June 23 in K-Ville, MO. So what I figure I can do is go up that weekend, then make my yearly off-week the last week of June, and go to Chi-Town to see the 'Tones again on June 28. Seems like a solid deal. Get a mini-vacation and a concert in all at once. That may wind up effectively ending my Memphis plans, but you never know. For now, I'd rather go see the 'Tones. So I should probably start planning that and see who may or may not want to go.

Anything else new?

Well, we're rebranding ourselves here at ye olde Library, which means new logo, slogan, etc. Of course, the two are being worked on independently right now. So my logo ideas may have nothing to do with any slogan we choose. Which makes sense, you know. Anywho, we've been brainstorming to some extent down here in Communications, tossing out anything that pops into our head, in case it leads to something really good. Alas, it's been slim pickings in my head, as I've not come up with much of anything. Unless you count "Baby Got Books" as a valid suggestion.

Yeah, neither do I.

Dave

Say What?

2007-01-31T06:56:00.000-08:00

So here's a fun game--try and describe something like cold. Or hot. Or what about red? If you met someone who, somehow or other, had no concept of what cold was, how would you do it (without sticking their hand in a freezer)? I can't, off the top of my head, come up with a good way to do it. It's just assumed that people know what cold is. Or red.

One definition I found for cold: "having a relatively low temperature; having little or no warmth"

Well, I guess that works, but it doesn't get into the nitty gritty of what cold really feels like. I suppose you can use words like "sharp," or "biting," maybe, but even those don't seem to help all that much.

It's possible, nay likely, that I'm making a bigger deal out of this than need be, but it's still kind of interesting what happens when you take for granted that everyone knows what something means.

Or maybe the recent cold snap has frozen too many of my brain cells.

Dave

Pop Right In

2007-01-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

Things I can do without: commercials for stool softeners. I don't care how you market it, it's still icky.

Things I can always do with: popcorn. Especially when I pop it myself. Somewhat more satisfying that way. And it's interesting, to boot: a minute or two of nothing, telling the corn to get going, and then....one pop, followed by another, and another, and so on and so forth. It's a very unique thing, culinarily speaking.

So I'm feeling nerdy, gimme a break.

So what else is new around these parts?

-I got a laptop, and his name is Ator. No moon boots were included.
-I came home from work today and noticed a rut in my driveway. And from there it took
me a good two minutes to notice that there was a tree missing in my backyard. Ah-ha!
-Dave is not tank.
-City Museum. Good place. Dangerous if you aren't careful, but fun.
-I have a photo display going up at HQ this week. If you happen by there, stop in for
a look.
-Another show is going up in June. More details later.

I think that's it.

Dave

The Flickering Flame

2007-01-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Most of the time, I'm quite happy with the state of my professional life: I get to take pictures, and I have a lot of flexibility in what I can do. I get the chance to be a little silly sometimes, which is always nice. So between the library and the Journal, I really can't complain.

But every once in awhile, the thought of yet another author to shoot, or a fairly dull Journal assignment can get to me, and I have to wonder where the excitement is. I need a spark or something to keep myself into what I'm doing, or the pictures are going to turn out looking like I don't care.

Such was the case yesterday. I had just left BJ's, after getting some shots for a story the Journal is running. And I was a little disappointed, because I didn't feel like the pictures I had were all that good. But I wasn't....feeling it, I guess, when I was shooting. And if I can't get into a shoot, nothing is going to work. I can't force myself to take great pictures. And what made it more annoying is that I had really pushed to get this story through. So I felt as though I hadn't held up my end of the deal.

Then I remembered a couple things: one was an idea for a photo story I had (the ferrier who comes to Diane's every so often to change the horse shoes). The other was that I had, somehow or other, just received 4 free rolls of film from Kodak. So why not use the film for this shoot? Which is what I'm gonna do, once it gets warm enough for the horses to need new shoes. I'll follow the ferrier around for a day and see what I get. Don't know what I'll do with the pictures yet, maybe look into a show somewhere, but it should be a good way to keep the flame going.

Or at least go visit Diane.

Dave

Totally Plowed

2007-01-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

This morning, anyways. The roads last night were certainly not plowed, making my midnight commute home down 270 a most exciting affair. I have to admit I kinda like driving in the snow (sans father in the passenger seat), probably because it's a real test of all your driving skills, and it makes you really pay attention to what you're doing. I'm not saying I don't normally, but the extra...well, having the snow makes it more interesting. But I can't, for the life of me, figure out why the people who own the big trucks and SUVS, vehicles designed to handle this kind of thing, are all driving slower than me, in my Lumina. And it's not like I was driving like a bat out of hell, either. I don't think I broke 35 the whole way home. And all these big clunkers are poking along at 25 or so. Weird.

I got a bug in my head to look into heading off to Stamford, Connecticut this March for the annual Crossword Puzzle Tournament. But it's bit expensive for me to be planning this close to the event. So I'll save up and go next year. That said, there's an 'absentee' version I can do: they'll mail me the puzzles and I can send them in and see how I rank with everyone else. And for only $20, it's not a bad deal.

Speaking of words, I have 2 new words I can try and throw into my vocabulary: xebec and twiner. Xebec is a type of ship, and twiner is, um, well, some variation of twine. The dictionary wasn't too helpful in telling me what it actually meant. But it got me big points in Scrabble.

And did you know 'set' has the longest entry in a standard dictionary?

How wonderfully nerdy.

Dave

-Title Removed by Author-

2007-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

If you really want to know what I was going to title this, head down to the bottom of the post.

I did something a bit unusual before turning in last night: I grabbed a book and read for awhile. Normally I grab a crossword and work on that. But in an effort to get the creative juices flowing (lyrically), and to get through all the stuff I need to read, I figured I'd switch things up a bit. I started with The River Why, which I'd actually started a few months back and promptly forgot about. From there I may tackle Three Nights in August, and if I'm feeling up to it, The Silmarillion. Since they were both gifts, i figure someone might appreciate it if I actually, you know, read them.

Important lesson learned today: if you talk loud enough in the bathroom, people out in the hall can hear you! I stopped by a water fountain at work today, and from a nearby lavatory, I heard some gal discussing a recent, um, diahrrea situation. Fun! Then she came out and I had to keep a straight face. All the more reason not to talk whilst in the bathroom.

The washer? Oh it's fine. Naturally.

Dave

So I was going to use the title "Let it Flow," which just seemed a bit too much. But it's okay down here!

You're Soaking In It

2007-01-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

There are times, such as, say, when one is hosting a Godzillathon, that owning a house is a nice thing. I mean, cramming 7 people and two cats into, say, an apartment, would be kinda tricky. So it's nice to have a living room to work with.

Then we have those times when this whole house thing sucks eggs. The washing machine decided to go on the fritz today. Apparently it doesn't like water anymore and decided it would be better off on my basement floor. Alas, it didn't consult with me on this, as I would have given a firm 'no' on that idea. But, considering the washing machine is older than me(!), I guess it has seniority.

All this is a roundabout way of saying I have to have a repairman come out tomorrow. Granted, it means I can stay home from work, but still. Mom was kind enough to point out that the washing machine has had less maintence in its 26 years than me in my 25. It is a Maytag, after all.

And my branch! Oh I wish you could have seen it when it was splayed across the gap between the tree and my roof, just laying there over my power and cable lines. Thanks to my neighbor, though, we managed to seriously trim it back. As soon as time allows, I'm up on the roof* to finish it off. The tree from whence it came is all but dead, drowned out by two larger trees. So another service call was put in to have someone estimate how much it'll take to bring it down.

Houses. They're a blast!

Dave

*Yes, I was damn close to going up on the roof Saturday, ice and all, to take that damn thing down. I had no desire, after surviving an ice storm with my power intact, to have some stupid hunk of wood knock out my lines. Thankfully, my neighbor talked me out of it.

This Can't Be Right

2007-01-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning, as I tend to do most mornings, and noticed something strange: I had electricity. Now, this is usually a commone thing for me to notice. In fact, I don't usually notice it at all: it's just assumed. But we had a respectable ice storm last night. And, as faithful followers of this bit of web space may recall, any time a major storm of any sort rolled through the past year, I was always out of power. Remember Death Storm? Icy Death/The Cold Shoulder? I was always among the powerless. But today was different. Just down the street from me was out, but I'm still on as of this writing*.

True, I probably just jinxed myself, but I'm going to revel in it all the same.

And I can't lose power now, Godzillathon '07 is tomorrow night! Many people are coming! BJ's pizza is on the line here, people. That is not something nature should be messing with. No no no.

I'm going to order myself a laptop shortly. Very exciting. It'll have a DVD burner, which means I can transfer the 10gb of U2 DVDs off my hard drive and burn them. Obsessed? Me? Nah.

Dave

*Well, duh.

Digging In

2007-01-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

It's interesting what can happen after you're in a relationship long enough---you get used to a lot of things and you don't have to really worry about many of the general ins and outs of being with another person. But when you have to start over, all you knew gets thrown out the window, and you have to relearn a lot of what you started doing as second nature. And it's all silly stuff, too, like "how often do I call?" and "is it possible to sound like you're nagging about getting together after so long?"

Eventually, it all evens out, but it's weird having to do all that again. But I'd rather have to do this than not at all, if you catch my drift.

Kind of like getting back on a bike, which I did last night*. I got an itch to go riding, so I went out for awhile after dinner. I think it was the first time I'd been on a bike since July or something crazy like that. And it was pretty good. A little chilly, but nothing unbearable. I'm glad I stopped when I did, though, because as soon as I got off, my legs went all Jello on me. It was like being drunk, only I was out of breath and sweaty instead of completely disoriented and incoherent.

Godzillathon '07 is this Sunday. I don't know what amaze me more: that I've managed to do this 4 years in a row, or that I've got a group of people who keep coming back for them. Scary, really. I do enjoy them, though. Everyone seems to have a really good time, and we get to eat lots of pizza. Works for me. I even have somewhere between 2-4 new people coming this year, so I'm really excited. And watching the movies on TV now that I can get sound from grandma's old speakers should be even better.

It seems like it's Engagement Season** lately, as I've had 2 friends get engaged in the past two weeks, and a total of 4 in the past 3 months. Crazy! Mum tried setting me up with someone she works with who happened to be engaged ("Does she need a photographer?"-me), and Dave's brother just got engaged (being recommended as a photographer). Whew.

That's all, that's all.

Dave

*What a segue!

**Generally regarded as the gap between the end of the NFL regular season and the start of Spring Training^

^Only about a month!

Another Round

2007-01-08T06:22:00.000-08:00

I think, in the Grand Scheme of Things, that enough dance/party songs have been written to fill four hours worth of time. Wouldn't you agree? So why is it then that some DJ would feel it necessary to play the Electric Slide twice, while ignoring plenty of other worthwhile candidates? I mean, really, anything would be better than that. Or maybe it's just me. I can never be bothered with that dance, so maybe I'm missing some phenomenal secret that is only revealed upon doing said dance.

That's probably it.

I made a really big, important, and potentially life-changing decision last week: the next time the Foo Fighters are on tour, I will go see them, no matter what it takes. Yes, I realize the possible ramifications of such an undertaking, but the rewards should outweight the risks.

Sigh.

This post is pretty lame. It's what I get for not posting for a few days and for trying to make a post first thing in the a.m.

David Moore

or: devo maid

Gut Chex

2007-01-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

I don't think shopping is all that hard. Granted, I've had no choice but to do it the past 3+ years, but even if I was just starting out, the basic concept is pretty darned easy: find out what you need, write a list, go to the store, and buy said items. Look for sales. If you need cereal, find something on sale, and then pick from those options. Etc., etc.

So why do people need to call their significant others on the cell phone to double check? Do they not trust their own judgement? Do they think the wife/husband back home doesn't trust their judgement? Come on! It's just cereal, for God's sake! Just grab a box and go! I know there may be kids to consider, but just stop and think before going about what they do and don't like. Not that hard.

There. I feel better now.

Me? I will admit to grabbing a box of Honey-Nut Chex only to go back a little later and swap out for a box of the rice variety. Easier to deal with in the a.m., and a bigger box for the same price. Good deal all around.

Dave

Ring In

2007-01-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

So here we are in 'ought-seven. And, if today is any indication of the rest of the year, I plan on being pretty laid back. To wit: I've yet to put on anything resmbling real clothing. I'm currently clad in a white t-shirt and red penguin lounge-type pants. I went to bed in them around, oh, four a.m., and got up in them around eleven or so. And I'm perfectly alright with this. Lest you think I've slugged around all day, let me say that I have done some useful stuff: washed the dishes and did an hour or so of painting. But I had to stop because the stomach was telling me to eat. So more painting later.

Last night/this morning was lots of fun. Nothing terribly stand out, but a good solid time of fun, which is all that really matters. If I learned anything last night, it's that sloppy joes are more appealing to some people than steak and potatoes. And we made hats! If dad didn't have my camera right now, I'd take a picture. But rest assured, it's a thing of beauty.

This should be an interesting week ahead. Odds are good enough may (or may not) happen to set the tone for the early part of the year. Should be fun.

Dave

Stare Down

2006-12-30T18:30:00.000-08:00

So with this post, we've now had as more posts this month (12), than the past three months combined (11).

Important? No, not really, but as a baseball fan, I like my stats, so I guess they're starting to invade my nomral routine. Maybe.

***************************************************************************************

So the bulk of the painting is done now. From here it's just touch-up work, which, of course, will take longer because I have to use the brush instead of the roller. But it's all moving along much faster than I thought, which is nice. I'm not going to set a hard finish date on this, but if I could have it done by MLK day, that'd be fantastic. And, conveniently, just in time for Godzillathon 2007.

***************************************************************************************

I don't know if I've never noticed this before, or if yesterday was the first occasion I'd had to really notice it in a long time, but eye contact can be a really powerful thing. I don't necessarily mean just looking at someone when you're talking to them. I'm talking about looking at them, like, right in their eyes. It's quite...intense.

Case in point" I had lunch with Sarah yesterday, and at one point, I decided I'd look right into her eyes as I was saying something. I don't remember what we were talking about, though it wasn't anything terribly important. But I went ahead. And it was only a few seconds, but I had to look away after a bit because it was so strong. Or maybe I didn't want to come across as staring. Or both. But it was kinda cool. It helped that she reciprocated.*

And we're going to see the Blues on Thursday. Which, given the team's current state if playing, should make for a good evening on more than one front.

At least, I hope so.

***************************************************************************************

And, if I don't post tomorrow, everyone** have a happy New Year.

Dave

*Good word, good word.

**You know, the hypothetical "everyone" that reads this.

White Out

2006-12-29T13:01:00.000-08:00

I have $84 worth of paint somewhere in my basement right now. It's either on the wall or in a bucket. And what a bucket!

So yes, I've been painting the basement. It's going to be a long process, to be sure. First the panelling, then the stucco (God help me), then going back to touch up the tight spots, and then coming back in with a color on the trim. It's all white right now, which might look nice, but is a bit...bland. So we'll fix that eventually.

Then the ceiling, then the carpet....

This is going to take awhile.

***************************************************************************************

I don't knoww what it is about jumping, but it's strangely cathartic. I did a shoot for the Journal on Wednesday and went to a place that was a former fitness center and is now a....well, it's a gymnastic-like place for kids. The main room features a 30-ish foot trampoline for kids to run and bounce on, and at the end is a big pit full of foam blocks. Well I shot the kids in there for a bit, and then when they all left, took a flying leap for myself. And boy oh boy was it fun.

And I have no idea why. Maybe it's just that one moment, small as it may be, where you can let go of anything bugging you and just be kinda goofy. I wish I could figure it out, but I'm glad to have those opportunities.

***************************************************************************************

New Years is almost here. I'm going to say 'bah' to making a resolution and just live my life as best I can.

So there you go.

Dave

Major funky.

2006-12-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

How I managed to forget this last night is beyond me.

So we're at the Moore's house on Sunday playing the aforementioned fierce game of dominoes. Or were we playing sequence? Well, the game is irrelevant. Resistance was futile*. And somehow or other, Nancy mentions that she has some limberger (sp?) in the refridgerizer. But no bananas**. Anyways, I mention that I'd never seen, smelled, nor tasted said cheese. I had to find out if it was as nose-turningly funky as I've been led to believe.

So she goes to grab said cheese, thankfully stored in its own plastic bin, and brings it to me for...odor inspection. And hoo-boy, was it funky. It was far and away the most intense smell I've ever smelled on something not rotten. I mean, of course, rotten in a bad way. Lots of cheese has good mold in it.

So once I get over the smell, I have to taste it, right? So I put some on the cracker, and it tastes exactly the way it smells, if that makes any sense. I think the odor of the cheese was wafting up the back of my mouth towards my nose. And while it didn't taste bad, per se, the pervasive odor was so intense I couldn't finish it.

Would I try it again? Maybe, I'm not sure. I am glad to say that I have tried it though. After a steady does of cheddar, colby, mozzerella, and what-not, trying something new was refreshing. If you go to stores around here, you'd think those were the only cheeses in the world. I do wish NorCo had a good cheese chop.

No matter how runny their cheese may or may not be.

I was going to post a snippet from the Monty Python skit, but it's so damn funny you can just go read it here.

Heh. Cheese is funny.

But is it funnier than bananas?

Dave

*Sorry. Too much Star Trek.

** A banana?!?

Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum

2006-12-25T22:32:00.000-08:00

So another Christmas has come and gone. The theme this year was "Drive Everywhere in Missouri." And by everywhere, I don't exactly mean everywhere. But I did put 300 miles on my car the past 24 hrs., which has to count for something. From my house to grandma's to dad's to Curt's house in New Bloomfield to mom's back home. Whew. Thankfully it was 98% highway mileage, so it wasn't too bad.

This was the first time in 4 years we didn't go to visit grandpa's grave at Jefferson Barracks. Interesting.

I did, I think, come across an activity that can count as a Moore Family Tradition! Whenever we go visit the Moores (Curt, Nancy, and kids), the odds are good a fierce game of dominoes is going to break out. And I like it, because it's a little different. And at that table, we had grandma, Nancy, myself, Steve, Jake, and Sarah, which was quite the generational span. That was cool, two.

What wasn't cool was learning that, among my skills, dominoes is not one of them. Granted, not much skill is needed, but a player has very little control over most of the gameplay, so when the going is bad, there's not much to do. In Scrabble, I can usually make do with some bad tiles, but in dominoes, I'm just stuck. So grr. But it's still fun.

And overall, this was a good Christmas. I realized last night that I've never had a "best Christmas ever." I like them all. The food, family, gifts, etc. are always wonderful.

So I'm off aaaaaall week. Have I mentioned that?

Sweet.

Dave

Christmas Time is Here

2006-12-23T22:16:00.000-08:00

Happiness and cheer.

And phlegm. For me, at least. Nothing says holiday cheer like a stuffy nose and a kick-ass cough. Right? I mean, nothing's more festive.

I went with Kara and Karl for a slight twist on an old Christmas tradition. Most people go out and look for cool light displays on people's houses, yes? Well we went out and tried to find the tackiest houses we could find. And believe you me, not only did we find plenty of our quarry, but it was extremely easy to do. In fact, the number of ugly houses far outnumbered the good houses. It's almost as if people don't care anymore. It tends to look like people go buy anything and everything and then toss it around with no real thought as to aesthetics. Now, I'm not saying it has to be perfect, but SOME thought would be nice. Maybe a consistent color scheme? Some consideration as to the scale of one's house compared to the amount of decoration? Hmm? Please? And a personal request: no more of those inflatable things. They just look stupid.

Who would have thought A-B would have had the best decorations around?

So our senses of aesthetics were assaulted, but we did have fun. And seeing all the schlock made the well-done houses that much nicer. So to you, I offer my thanks and a hearty round of applause. Well played.

So I'm all ready for Christmas. I don't think it crept up on me this year, and I actually "feel like it's Christmas," for a change. And that's nice.

I was...not worried, but.......concerned, maybe, that Christmas would be a bit harder this year, what with becoming disengaged*, but it's been pretty good. On the totally practical side, I saved a fair chunk of change. And on the emotional side? I'm doing pretty good. No particular reason, really. But I get to see most of the family tomorrow, and that's always nice. I get to see the Moores, who I only see about every two years. And if Steve and I are lucky, we can sit in front of the video fire at mom's house on Monday. And next week! No work! Sweet! And more!

Aaaaaand...I have something else on mind. But I'm gonna save it for a bit. Like, until the end of the week, I think. Suffice it to say, it's kind of an interesting development. Certainly not one I'd planned on.

************************************************************************************

So I took a sick day on Tuesday and a few sick hours yesterday afternoon, thus affording me a chance to catch a Star Trek: Voyager marathon. I forgot how good that series was. Lots of good episodes, and it may, after more viewing, just nose out TNG as my favorite Trek. We'll see. I've caught a couple episodes of TOS the past two nights, and both have been excellent episodes. So it's been a good week for my nerdiness.

************************************************************************************

All for now, dear readers. Enjoy your Christmas as best you can. And stay healthy!

Dave

*credit to Karl for that one.

Cough cough, hack hack

2006-12-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

I took a sick day yesterday, and it was a truly wonderful thing. Slept until noon(!), and proceeded to watch a lof of Star Trek: Voyager, and remembered how much I liked that show.

I woke up this morning, feeling well enough to go to work, but very insensec, or as much as one can be upon first waking, that it wasn't Friday yet. I just want this week to be ovah! I want it to be next week so I can not be working. At work, at least.

Working in my basement, well, like the fourth floor of DeSmet, that's another story.

Dave

Keep on Walking

2006-12-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Sometime last year I posted about The Urge song Take a Walk, and the yell lead singer Steve Irwin yells that, in the words of dear old dad, "sounds like he got kicked in the crotch." I always assumed he'd still get, um, a kick out of it (he being dad, not Mr. Irwin) if he heard it today.

Well I played the song for him a month or so ago, and the reaction was just as I expected.

Something else i learned is that Anheuser-Busch, for reasons I can't recall, doesn't let employees keep Quicktime on their computers. Weird.

Dave

Brand New Shoes

2006-12-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

So I tweaked the layout, as you may have noticed (this assumes people are reading this and saw the old layout).

I guess it's alright. It's a bit more readable, but it doesn't have that "homemade" look of the old site since I'm using a premade template. But I was guessing that no one really used the links to the other blogs anymore, so they could go. I (sort of) redid my website, and all the links to the pictures were dead. And on every computer and every browser I tried, there was an odd error that put a huge gap between the post title and the post itself, and I didn't know how to fix it.

Which brings us to here.

I will accept feedback, of course.

Dave

Season's Spirit

2006-12-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

So an interesting thing happened. I went to Target this evening to buy the few items I need to complete my (admittedly minimal) shopping for Christmas, and I found myself shirking at the idea of spending $15 on a picture frame. Now, I will admit I don't have tons of money to be spending on gifts, but it's not like I can't afford $15 a frame over 4-5 frames. And it made me mad, because I know mom and dad spend way more on me. And I know they don't mind, and they'd say something reassuring, but it's still...annoying. Like I'd rather have the money for me or something like that.

And that made slightly more sense before I tried to type it.

***************************************************************************************

Also interesting: after a little over 2 months since Janice and I parted ways, I'm in pretty good shape with everything. But for whatever reason, my mind keeps going back to one moment the night she came over. Right before she left, we just stood there for a couple minutes, hugging/crying, and I think there were a couple "let go, come back" moments. It seems an odd moment to be doing such a thing, but it was all I could think of.

Maybe a "if I don't let go, maybe she won't go," or something like that. I don't know. But it's still the only part of that night that still really gets to me.

****************************************************************************************

It is still more interesting what goes through one's mind over the course of trying to, for lack of a better word, woo someone onf the opposite-type gender. Lots of silly thoughts, and the creation of drama within one's mind that probably doesn't even exist. Plenty of "what ifs" and "should I's" and "shouldn't I's" and oboy is it ever fun!

Three totally unrelated points and I'm out.

Dave

The Music

2006-12-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

I'd meant to do this a looooooooooooong time ago, but forgot. So I'm gonna do it now.

Open iTunes/iPod or Windows Media Player to answer the following. Go to your library. Answer, no matter how embarrasing it is.

How many songs: 942; Not many, really, even with all the concerts I have loaded.

Sort by song
First Song: 'Wake Up-Everyone' from the 12/9/06 U2 gig in Honolulu
Last Song: Zooropa by U2; hmm....

Sort by time
Shortest song: Track 16 (:11), which is actually Mike Doughty doing the classic 'Fire Truck.' I imported the song and never renamed it
Longest Song: Sinister Minister (19:54), by the 'Tones from the 3/16/06 gig

Sort by artist
First Artist: 'Weird Al' Yankovic; Apparently punctuation ranks over actual letters.
Last Artist: Yes

Top Five Most Played Songs (not including repeat artists)
Flipped Off by the Ghost of Elvis
Blue Moon Weasels
Ghetto Flannel
Squacking
Altered Inflections

All written by, um, me. So I like my songs, what can I say. Top 5 non-me songs:

Ashes--Embrace
For What It's Worth--Rush
Brainless--The Urge
I Predict a Riot--Kaiser Chiefs
It's Getting OK Now--311

First song that comes up on Shuffle
Angel of Harlem--U2, live from Tokyo 11/30/06

Search
"sex", how many songs come up? 2
"death", how many songs come up? 3
"love", how many songs come up? 34 (3 versions of Everybody Loves Jill!)
"you", how many songs come up? 74
"final", how many songs come up? 0

Well, that was fun. Real post to follow in a bit, I hope.

Dave

Break on Through

2006-12-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

I'm glad I randomly selected gmail when I was setting up a new account a couple months ago. It saved me a few steps logging into this new Blogger thingy. However, I fail to see any actual difference with the merger, but whatever.

I managed a small miracle today, and actually got the bulk of a new song recorded. I combined a couple difference chord changes I had laying around, and presto! New song! And it's good, considering the musical rut I'd been in lately. Nothing more frustrating than a creative rut, especially when you trade youself on such endeavors.

And it was more than music. It was stuff at work, and junk I've been doing on the side. I don't know if I've reached a peak in terms of what I know, or if the material I've had has been less than inspiring.

I suppose a new challenge and or a break are in order.

Taking a week off from work would be helpful. Ooh! Maybe I'll do that! Yeah, the week after Christmas sounds nice. Brilliant!

************************************************************************************

Eh, I think I'll save the other point for another post some other day.

Dave

Back in the Saddle

2006-12-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

It's been some time since I sat down and committed words to this little chunk of the 'net. We've been online for a little over 3 years now, and I had often wondered how long I could keep up something like this. And for awhile, I was thinking I'd just let it fade away, like so many other blogs out there have done.

But then I decided that would be silly.

So I'm going to try this again. I have no idea if anyone actually stops by here anymore. If you do, I'm impressed you stuck around (thanks, though). If you've just happened across the site, I'm sorry, since there are probably far more entertaining ways to spend your time out here. Though I will admit we've had some pretty amusing stuff posted here. Or maybe it was funny to us.

Regardless of whether or not anyone still reads this, I'm going to try to make an attempt at regular(ish) updates. One a week would be great, though I think I could pull off 2-3 a week. So we'll see. I make no promises, though, so if we go a couple months between posts, well, there you go.

***********************************************************************************

So my last post was back in August. An eternity ago in more ways than one. A lot has changed. And some things are still the same.

-Despite all best efforts and intentions, the engagement is no more. Janice and I are no more. It's very weird looking back/thinking back to the way things were. And I have to wonder what happened to cause it all to fall apart so fast. Well, fast relative to the 2+ years of time we spent together. And, ironically, the last two months were probably some of the longest, hardest months I've ever endured.

-So we're two months on since the break-up now, and I'm pretty much fine. I think I'm just now letting myself be a little upset about the whole ordeal. Not blind rage, mind you, but a bit miffed.

-I think a lot of it has to do with starting over. I was pretty confident I'd never have to do that again, but here we are, and I rather resent having to do it. No, I'm not going out on dates all cranky about having to do it, but the general idea of doing it, since I/we were so established.

-I apologize if I'm rambling. It's late, and for some reason, it's easier to talk all this out than it is to type.
************************************************************************************

So what else has happened?

-I went to the wineries and learned that too much wine can make the ride home in the back of an SUV kinda icky.
-I went to Decatur and watched The Pillowman while hoping Anthony Reyes could hold off the Tigers.
-I learned some basic HTML, which may or may not be of use to me on this site.
-I watched, from a bar in Kirksville, as the Cardinals won the effin' World Series.
-I took the scenic route home from Kirksville, soaking up the scenery of northern MO.
-I went back to Decatur and played in a rock show with the brother, and had a fabulous time.
-I shot a wedding, which, thankfully, was not too traumatic.
-I managed to cancel most of my own wedding, which, again, wasn't too traumatic.
-I spent 2 1/2 hours trying to get home during an ice storm.
-Said ice storm knocked out my power for 36 hours, but I was able to stay warm thanks to the wonderful space heater in my basement.
-My love of crossword puzzles has bloomed into a full-fledged obsession.
-I went on a blind date. Good times were had, but not enough to go again.
-I'm trying to build a new relationship. We'll see how that goes.
-All the while, I've rediscovered how cool most of my friends are.

And I've been trying to write lyrics along the way. It turns out that the end of a relationship can provide a lot of lyrical fodder. But I don't want to dwell in that realm forever. But I think I'm getting a feel for it.

Whew.

I think that's enough for now.

Here's hoping for more later.

Dave

samson went back to bed, not much hair left on his head

2006-11-11T23:15:00.000-08:00

[i wonder if i've been trying hard enough]

i haven't put up a post in quite some time, so for those who never talk to me but vaguely keep up via blogworld, usa, here are some pictures of my past few months.

my senior directing project, the pillowman, went excellent. i couldn't have been happier with it. below are some of my favorite shots, including one of some of the masks i used for the storybook characters as well as one of the set that took me about four months to design.

then i put up a show in my basement--cowboy mouth, which was unofficially another senior project for me. it was also excellent--i cast the best people i could have possibly asked for, and they put a lot of work into it for me. pictures below.

then i finally had a break, and went to colorado with justine. we built a giant snowbug and i watched the cardinals win the world series and i'm glad she put up with me all weekend. i'm glad that she puts up with me all the time. i do like that one.

then i played in a rock show with my brother and blake and mikey. it was mikey's last show in last chance...awww...we were "stock rhythm section feat. dave moore and blake bergeson OR routine 27 feat. mikey makowka and blake bergeson OR the blake bergeson band...& one moore?" we did it on top of some of the set for highschool musical, which was double billed with my production of cowboy mouth and didn't strike completely before the concert happened. there was also a plant. one actual picture and one staged picture to follow.

and then i buzzed my hair off--same length as beard. no pictures yet.

[i worry about messing up again]

then i proposed a few things to collage, including this haiku:

sandals in their hands
they walk around cool shadows
warm sand in their toes

then i'll be designing a few pieces for the dance concert, and then un bit. whee.

all the while i've been running a theatre in my basement and finding the time that i can to be with justine and finding the sanity i can to want to wake up each morning.

not too bad of a senior year thus far.

smoore

if it's purple, someone's gonna die

2006-09-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

maybe by the end of the year, my lighting designs won't be EXACTLY THE SAME.

smoore

This City of Mine

2006-08-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Shots from an evening spent in St. Louis with a camera and Kelly Sullivan.

Why are photographers drawn to their own relfections?

Hmm.

Dave

i inhale deeply to pass the time

2006-08-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

I MISS [everyone and everything but mostly] DOOGIE AND PROBABLY THEY ARE THE VERY ESSENCE OF MY SOUL

weck 202 needs a puppy. wanna get a puppy, reverend? let's get a puppy. i wish the name "batman" wasn't already taken.

smoore'n'gobo

Interstellar Overdrive

2006-08-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Apparently, Pluto is no longer a planet.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

What's next? Someone going to tell me that the correct way to say Uranus is "YOUR-a-nus"?

Wait.

It is?

Well that's just great.

Stupid scientists.

Why, why it's Mr. Spaaaahh! Spaaaaahh!
Dave

i got water and holes in my hands

2006-08-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

F.Y.I.

don't be a-slamming your thumb into the trapdoor of a spot booth anytime soon. It will hurt immensely and you will pass out and there will be a gash that will take forever to heal because it's right at the joint and so you have to wrap your thumb so that it doesn't really bend not like you're going to use your thumb anytime soon because breathing on it funny is painful like the shingles which if you don't feel like going back through my journal to remember what THAT was like was something akin to having voldemort living in your skin.

all i'm saying is if you ARE going to do that, make sure your master electrician is also a certified and practicing EMT.

cause that's a lot of helpful.

good news is: that was three or four days ago (as kt has said, we move in slower time here. i never know when i am) and the thumb has become a little more useful. it can now open doors and it's working on tying balloons properly.

...fucking balloons.

on the bright bright jesusfuckingbrightsidechrist side of things--i'll be in decatur in five days.

take me home, take me home.

smoore

Ride the Lightining

2006-08-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

As promised (and how prompt for once!), here are a smattering of pictures from the trip to Cedar Point. Far from everything I shot, of course, but enough to give some idea (hopefully) of what the place is like.

The top shot, is, of course, the Cedar Point Mine Ride. I failed to mention it earlier, but it has the distinction of being the lamest ride on the face of the Earth. It's hard to describe to anyone who didn't ride it, but if it helps make my point, consider that I took that picture (and others) while riding the coaster. If you still need convincing, ask Dan.

Right under that is probably The Worst Ride Ever Created. The thing you sit on spins around while the whole pendulum goes back and forth, each time going a little higher. Fun!

If anyone demands more pictures, I'll post them, but those shall suffice for now.

Dave

Who'll Stop the Rain?

2006-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

What is it about storms that makes people (read:me) do some pretty stupid things? To wit: back when Death Storm rolled through a month ago (a month already!), and we were taking refuge in the concourses of New Busch, the winds picked up something fierce, and managed to propel a mobile concession stand towards the crowd. It took 4 workers to stop the damn thing before it plowed into anyone. While Janice and Co. move back, I, like the goof I am, stand there, probably wanting to move closer, watching this thing. Janice had to come grab me and pull me back to prevent me from doing something insane. And as I type this, we have a nice little storm rolling through town. It's not quite Death Storm, but it's packing a punch. So what do I do during the thunder, lighting, rain, and wind? I go stand at the fron door with my nose up against the glass, trying to get a better look. Brilliant. Dad used to sit out on the porch in a lawn chair watching approaching storms. I always thought he was a bit nuts. Now look at me. Must be hereditary. Georger probably has the right idea: he goes and hides under the bed.

I can't believe it's been a month already since all that hoo-ha went down. Florissant just came by this week and grabbed the large pile of wooden debris on my front lawn (biggest on my street, baby!). I spent eight days at Janice's house, then came home for one night, then left for Ohio for six days, came home for two more nights, then house sat for dad while he went to Ohio. So I finally came home last week and didn't know what to do with myself. Well, not entirely true. I knew I had to clean the house. Three+ weeks with no vaccuuming makes for one big mess around here. But beyond that, total weirdness. In my own house!

Then there's the story of how Janice had to break into my house just to feed my cats. And how Stacey posed as Janice at a wedding show. And, of course, there's Grob. Or is it GROB? I'll be damned if I know, as my online searches have yielded naught for my efforts. And I'm pretty sure I speak for everyone in the car that the trip to Ohio was worth the 10 hour drive because we got to visit Tom Raper Country. Oh yes we did. I can sense the jealousness oozing out of everyone reading this now. And Delta Entertainment! Nameless Creek! Old Woman Creek! All this before we even got to Sandusky. Lord knows how we managed to contain our excitement. I think having a homeless guy in the car helped a lot. Even if we never did figure out what made that one guy get arrested.

The park? It's pretty cool. Some snazzy rides, and a nice park layout. Well, nice in that it was real easy to get real close to the rides, making for some nice pictures. I guess, upon further thought, that, apart from the placement of Mean Streak, everything else is pretty good, too. Pictures later, if I ever get around to sifting through the folder and picking out the good stuff.

For now, I'm gonna go paste my face up against a window and see what happens. Just don't tell Janice, alright?

Ride on.

Dave

voldemort can't stop the rock

2006-08-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so, the rumors are true.

Harry and the Potters stroke Draco and the Malfoys fucking ROCK OUT.

Saw them last night at Lakewood Park, just outside of Cleveland. I was displeased to be at such a rocking show only knowing lyrics to one song and being surrounded by middle schoolers, though. Didn't quite feel able to rock out...

...which is why we're going to get them to come play for Quidditch.

Hopefully.

Oh, and Dan and I are going to start Phat Friar. Keeping in the spirit of how we originally conceived the Hufflepuff shirts for seminar, I thought we'd model the band after Phish (yeah, that's not a rap "ph," that's a jam band "ph," and that'll be made perfectly clear with the logo).

I've started work on the rock ballad "Remember Cedric Diggory," and other gems such as "Hufflepuff Girls (Have Got it Going On)," "No One Really Likes Zacharias Smith," and "Hufflepuff House," which is based on Phish's "Farmhouse."

Anyway. It's going to rock. And if we can't get H&tP/D&tM to come play, we'll just rock out on their songs, too.

Also: I'm wearing a t-shirt that has a flying-v guitar on it and it says "this guitar is a horcrux."

Oh, man, I need to read some Harry Potter. I think I'm going to go buy the paperback of HBP ummmm now before I go to work right now right now. F'real. Peace out.

smoore

feel allright when i drink to blur the day into the night

2006-08-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

daddy made the prospect of spending the twentyonefirst in sandamndusky a million times okay.

i had a wonderful birthday evening sharing a twelve-year-promised long island tea and a yeah-but-i-really-don't-drink-liquor couple of bass ales to follow.

it may have been the tamest twenty&theone of anyone i know, other than maybe dave, but it was just brilliant. just brilliant.

this past week has been just so in general. it was like seven days of steve. steeff. smoore. weck 202.

having family and dan up here was just perfect for a while. only a few weeks now, and things can go back to a bit of normalcy.

i really really miss it all.

smoore

all this strung end to end is wider than the mind

2006-08-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hm.

Everything seeeeeeeeeeems...

ok.

[&nowitcanbeseptember] [f'real]

smoore

Back in the Saddle Again

2006-07-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Power on as of 10:00 a.m. this morning.

Woot.

Saving Grace

2006-07-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

So I suppose it bears mentioning that I've been without power at home for almost 8 days now. That's a pretty long time, I must say, although it's all sort of blurred together by this point. Everyone I know has their power back, far as I can tell. For whatever reason, Ameren decided to focus on North County, arguably the hardest hit area by last week's storms, last. Why? I don't know. Regardless, I didn't see any trucks in my area until yesterday afternoon. I've tried to keep in good spirits about this. I've been able to bunk up at Janice's house, along with a number of her family. For this, her Grandma should be (officially) canonized. So I've had a plce to stay, food to eat, etc. And it's always fun being with Janice. The cats, bless their souls, have been fine. They get fed, and the house hasn't been unbearably hot for them. So, more than anything, I guess I've been inconvenienced. I know that a lot of people have been working damn hard to get the city up and running again, and to them, I hold no grudges. But.

It's been eight fucking days. Can I please get my power back?

There. I feel a little better. For the most part, I've been emotionally numbed at this point, but still. Grr.

Anyways.

A wedding reception site has been picked, which is most excellent. After some initial setbacks, I have a new guitar, which needs a name. I'll have to spend some time with it before I can figure it out. I received an e-mail yesterday confirming my hope that the Band Scramble would be revived. And it had been. the "new" and "improved" Scramble is tentatively scheduled for October 14 at the Way Out Club. Rock on.

Going to Ohio soon.

Almost time for Steve to turn 21. Send him some cash for a drink, won't you?

I know we usually reserve baseball talk for the Cardinals around here, but I think it bears mentioning that the Minnesota Twins have won 34 of 42 games. Dayyyuuum.

That's it for now.

You know, even this post sounds pretty blah. But it should be noted that other than a runny nose and this whole power thing, I'm in a pretty good mood.

Dave

the world will slow for this

2006-07-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

sandals in their hands
they walked around cool shadows
warm sand in their toes

Yo, Ding Dong, Man. Ding Dong, yo.

2006-07-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

I do enjoy 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia,' but am I the only one who thinks that the Devil's solo is waaaaaay better than Johnny's?

Oh. Apparently I'm not. That makes me feel better, even though I'm essentially rooting for the Devil. Though he doesn't seem too bright, if that's how he does his evil dealings.

Dave

stumbling as i fall from grace

2006-07-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Pillowman is driving me a little more insane each day. I need a set design & it's just not happening. I've had about half a dozen or more relatively good ideas that just continue to fall through logistically or practically or, you know, conceptually. I continue to sketch & hope that serendipity is just going to one day put the perfect design on paper for me. Then, of course, I have to figure out how to build the thing. Because if there's anything I'm not, it's a carpenter. So...who wants to help build a senior directing project?

& who wants to front the scrillacashdough$moolah so I can rent a couple MAC 700 Profiles, a Hog II, and ten or so scrollers?

& who wants to print some posters and programs for me?

& who wants to pretty much be my directing project sugar daddyslashmomma?

So.

I'm going to visit Katy tonight after work. I miss everyone and everyone and I have to get out of Sandamndusky for a wee bit. I look uberforward to seeing the show that she designed, described to me initially as such:

"It's kind of like Un Bit, if all we did was Shakespeare."

Yeah Holy Crap I'm There & How.

My current favorite words are "flux" & "slake" & "cavitate."

My current musics of choice are March and the Ocean's 11 soundtrack.

My current Mike Doughty lyric of choice is "my love for you's corrupt, write down the words and then i'll snort them up."

My current look-forward-to-moment is sharing a Long Island with my daddy on my birthday.

& that's about all there is to know about me and my Cedar Fantastic Summer Can I Leave Now?

smoore

Put Down that Chainsaw and Listen to Me

2006-07-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Maybe this is just me, but do most graphic designer types out there come up with stuff by just fiddling around with various combinations of effects, filters, etc, until they find something that works? It seems to be my M.O.: throw in some colr, start distorting it, add some funky effects, change the opacity a bit, and maybe mess with layers until it looks right. For every 5 things I design, only one of them seems to have a set idea in mind when I start. It's the design equivalent of spacing out, so far as I can tell. And what's scary is that it usually works. The big drawback, I suppose, is that it's hard to recreate anything, since everything is pretty random in its creation. Oh well.

Aside: I'm listening to 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' by Wang Chung, and during the middle break, there's some dude in the background going "Can you tell me what a Wang Chung is?" Funny.

I haven't been engaged a month yet, and the wedding is still waaaay off, but I feel like Janice and I have really got a lot done: we're darn close to having a reception site picked out, the photographer is locked in, the finances are pretty much planned out (who's paying for what), the guest list is in good shape, and for everything that isn't official, we at least know what we want. I'm sure it won't be this smooth all the way, but it's darn nice to have it going so well, since we'll run into stretches where we can't really do much. So it's good.

If you go to a baseball game, leave while the game is tied, and your team wins in the end, does it count as a personal victory or a tie?

Or does it even matter?

Hmm....

Dave

baby you held me like a tundra

2006-07-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

LAME.

smoore

so come pick me up, i've landed

2006-07-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

I've got no comments, other than:

mid. fucking. july. oh yes oh yes.

Still miss:
-things

[I reread most of my livejournal. I will hold off maxres for another day. Conclusion: I am so painfully flux.]

smoore

She's the One

2006-06-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

Notice how Steve devoted more time to me GETTING MARRIED than I did?

Lest you think I'm not excited, let me say that I am indeed, terribly excited. But my ability to effectively wring words out of myself for this chunk of web makes it hard to seem worked up over much of anything. Basically, I think I have writer's block.

Musically, though, I'm in this weird stretch of being very unblocked*. I've knocked out two songs in the past 3 weks or so, and I'm pretty close to having a third. Granted, two of them are older songs I've already had the basic chord change down for, but getting leads, drums, and bass down for those, along with an entirely new song in such a short time is no small feat coming from someone who is usually lucky to get a new song every month or two. The development of a song is pretty interesting, at least in retrospect. Tinkering with various effect patterns for rhythm and leads to see what works best is n interesting process. It can also change the entire feel of a song. Going from heavy and distorted to a slightly more subdued sound takes a song from a punksih/metal feel to something altogether new (and, even better, easier to decipher what's being played). And drums! Boy do they make all the difference in the world.

It'd be easier, of course, if I had somewhere I could post this stuff for you all to listen to. Alas, I know not of such a space. Or I'm too lazy to look. Your call.

As for tattoos, I just had a marvelously stupid idea: I get a tattoo that says "hers" and Janice can get one that says "his." Get it? Matching "his" and "hers" tattoos? Eh? No? No, then. Fine.

So. Getting married. 'Tis a big thing. I suspect it'll hit me more the closer we get. Try me again in about a year, maybe. But all this planning stuff should be interesting. There's a lot to consider, but I think we have enough time on our hands to take care of everything without going all mental. Once the reception site is picked, our biggest hurdle is gone. We have a photographer, caterer (if needed), florist, wedding party, and we're pretty sure on a DJ and tux rental site. Janice knows what she wants in a dress, tux style is settled, so we're alright, i think.

Really, it's only as hard as you want to make it. And there you go.

And here I go.

Dave

*Boy that sounds funny, doesn't it?

so i pointed to the sun and drove away

2006-06-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hey.

Dave's getting married, y'all.

MARRIED.

That was all caps because sometimes that happens, but it doesn't usually happen to my brother. Usually, my brother is not getting married. For the next year and a half (tilde) Dave, however, who is, in fact, my brother, will be "getting married."

CommaMan is gone now, I apologize for that sentence.

But, wait! No matter how many comma-clad dependent clauses I put into a poorly structured sentence, there s still no denying that himminahumminaholycrap Dave's getting married!

Ok, I'm over it. Maybe. Maybemaybenotsomuch. It'll take a bit.

Meanwhiles, my stage manager and I bought a betta fish for our tech booth. It's name is Cambridge, but only when pronounced in RP. It's the only live booth pet I've ever had. Awwww...

Also meanwhiles, I'm-a maybe get a tattoo later in the summer of this:

&

It can only lead to good things.

[I feel very often like this can't possibly be my life, I can't possibly be doing these things. It would be more credible if I felt like I had control over anything at all, but as it is, I continue to let myself be pulled into and directly through regretful decisions by the ways and means of the world I've created for myself. I am so confused so confused so wrong for you all when can I just crawl under my bed with a flashlight and pretend I'm warding off the monsters again?]

It's an ampersand! It matches Dan's interrobang, and you should probably get punctuated, too.

And this is where the whole post ties together. Dan and I would like a serious couple to get open/close parentheses tattoos (or brackets). Since Dave is getting married (MARRIED!) I would like to propose that he and Janice do so.

Yeah. For real. Awesome, right? Awesome, yes.

K, I'm done.

smoore

Today's Special

2006-06-29T08:02:00.001-07:00

A small confession before I go any further: I used an iTunes gift card to, sigh, download a Nickelback song. Yes, yes, I know how often I've mentioned my levels of hatred for said band on this very site. The thing is, the band has the annoying habit of putting one song on every album that doesn't totally suck, thus throwing me into a state of confusion as to whether or not I'm supposed to continue hating them. Fortunately, every album brings another song I hate, and all is well.

Or maybe I'm just weird.

So remember when I used to say things around here? Those were the days, eh?

And it's not as though I've run out of things to say, either. I just don't feel like putting them here, for whatever reason. Probably because everyone who reads this thing anymore already knows what's going on, so why repeat myself?

So, for now, I leave you with this:

Mark your calendars for December 29, 2007. You can come to my wedding. It's Janice's too, but since the wedding is all about the groom, we're going to call it "my" wedding. But either way, it's going to be lots of fun. Rumor has it U2 might be there.

Sorry the anouncement wasn't bigger or more exciting, but, again, everyone already knows. But if for some reason you didn't, well, now you do. And I'll let you know where and when we register.

Dave

Today's Special

2006-06-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

you're in my dreams cause you've got strange powers

2006-06-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Downtown this city is a waterfront heaven of hometown-engraved marble and granite. I'm going to beat these sidewalks to gravel.

it started like a stone

2006-06-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

Gobo wanted me to tell you:

"Ruff ruff ruff! Ruff ruff..."

Um. It was important.

smoore

what i've done oh god what have i done

2006-06-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Sign-on. Sign-off. Hello, goodbye.

Why is everything like a prison here?

[oh, sorry for all the emo lately. the fishy smell brings it out in me.]

smoore

I've been thinking long and hard about the things you said to me.

2006-05-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

I hate it.

smoore

Show, Don't Tell

2006-05-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

A few points worth mentioning:

-You know things are bad for GINO when the best they can find for him is a spot in a Doritos commercial.

-Speaking of, look for yours truly (maybe) in an upcomg podcast featuring Godzilla lore over at fanboysmackdown.com, hosted by one Anthony Kuenzel who may or may not be a friend of mine.

-Is it just me or does Juan Encarnacion look like Snoop Dogg minus the dreadlocks?

-I saw Over the Hedge last night. To my delight and surprise it was quite funny and really pretty good, especially for a Dreamworks film, which tend to mire themselves in pop culture references and seem to me more vehicles for the voice actors than anything else. This one felt more like a Pixar film, which is always good. The acting was good, the story enjoyable, and there was only one fart joke, but since it involved a skunk, all is forgiven. I think my only complaint lies with the film's marketing: for a movie that's more or less lampooning suburbia and its ins and outs, it feels off seeing the characters in spots for Wal-Mart and the like.

Picture time, I think. Two for you all today, dear reader(s). Actually, I have no clue how many people stop by here any more, save for mum and Steve. But that's as may be.

Shot this over at Shaw Garden when I visited there with mom a few weeks ago. I believe it's part of some glass sculpture show that's up this summer. It's nice and all, but the main display is in the climatron, which means you have to pay to go in when it's normally free. And, naturally, all the fun stuff is in the climatron. Oh well. I quite like the 'which way is up' feel the picture has.

Hey! It's me an Janice. Wait. No. Janice and I. I think. Well, whatever the gramatically correct way is, that's who's in the picture. Aren't we adorable? The ever-talented Kelly Sullivan shot this last summer at Forest Park. Nice job. I have no idea what we may have been discussing at the moment. Probably how silly my hair looks. Hers, naturally, looks just fine. I shan't go on too much, save to say that JannyMac is truly wonderful, and more than I could ever ask for. And for putting up with someone like me on a daily basis, she has my eternal thanks. So there you go.

Dave

you came to take us

2006-05-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

I used a line from "Chicago" a couple posts ago. Yoooouuuuuuuu can get over it.

I'm in Sandusky at their library because my 16-man apartment has naught but beds and a couple bathrooms. And a kitchen-like-area. No internet connection. Of course.

So. Sandusky. Tourist town! Ugh! Downtown is nice.

Cedar Point is massive. Nice park, though. Decent venues. I love my theatre a lot. Good Time. Good times. Can't wait to spend more time in it. Still doing set up in the other areas.

Not much going on to report, really.

I miss:

-things

smoore

Midnight Train

2006-05-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite pictures of all-time, I think. And, if you believe my dad, a fairly risky picture to be taking. I was working on a final project for one of my classes at Webster, and for some reason, hit on the idea of doing trains. I've always had some weird fascination with them, but for the life of me I can't say why. But they do photograph well. There's a train yard not too far from the house, so I trekked over there and wandered around for a bit, shooting anything that seemed interesting. A couple guys saw me (I think), but they didn't seem to care, so I kept at it. I happened across this box car, back door open, leading to a seemingly endless line of other box cars. Actually, the bulk of the picture is just one car. Very long, those things.

As is often the case when I do something...less than intelligent (i.e. driving from Columbia at night after a show) I made the mistake of telling dad, who informed me how stupid it was to be wandering around in a train yard. As it turns out, he was kinda right. A moving train is actually really quiet. Most of the noise is made when the couplings are squeaking and what not. So a car could have come rolling up behind me and squished me as fast as I squish ants in my kitchen. Oops.

So I put my life on the line for a picture. Worth it, though.

Dave

I was in love with the place in my mind

2006-05-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

Packed up and ready to go. Decatur tomorrow. Sandusky Sunday.

If'n you like the rollercoasters and/or the cheesy amusement park performances (...on ice...), or if'n you just like me, come visit me over the summer.

And when I return! The Pillowman in October! Cowboy Mouth later in the semester! Solstice in December! Brilliance throughout!

Wish me the lucks.

[Gobo says 'ruff.' ...I don't know. But he's coming with me. He wants to learn the hog. Aaaand sometimes I just need a small stuffed booth lion to accompany me to places unknown.]

smoore

robots...ha!

2006-05-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

I love:
-new things.
-yes.

smoore

because the water gets deeper the further we drift out

2006-05-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

I feel good.

After the tears had soaked in and the smell had finally stopped lingering and the words stopped ringing, I thought about what's to come.

What's to come forces a smile through the heavy look in my eyes.

Next semesters and next years and oh so soons run through my head [oh so never too soon].

And it's never enough time. And we wake up and never want to move. And we pretend it's not that time yet, no it's not time to go. No--

I feel good because I feel again.

[and so despite that we're apart this summer and despite that I'm scared and nervous and despite that I'm not going to sleep right now because my pillow smells too much like her for my eyes to stay dry I feel good.]

I feel good because she feels the same way.

We feel good. We will be good.

smoore

Where's My Thing?

2006-05-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

Someone, help me, please: I have the theme song from Inspector gadget stuck in my head*.

Ick.

Along those same lines: does anyone out there remember Danger Mouse? And, if so, was it any good? I can' seem to remember if I liked it or not.

And, one other item, as a follow-up to last week's lunch-related question: can your food touch on the plate? My dad, for example, will mix and match anything on the plate, so long as it gets where it's going. My uncle, though, caan have nothing touching. I suspect if gravy gets on his corn, it's as good as trashed. I think I fall somewhere in between, maybe leaning more towards my dad, so long as anything touching makes sense to be touching, if you catch my drift.

For pictures, how about a good self portrait. Pics from the Botannical Gardens will arrive once I sift through and find a good one.

I don't like doing straight-up self portraits too often, since I think they tend to look goofy. The ones I like, though, are when some odd in-camera effect is used, or some other strange look is going on. I have two I like using long shutter speeds and messing around with the flash (or a flashlight). This one, though, is a fun reflection from a sculpture at Laumeier. It's from the same session as the hands pic last time. Another glimpse into a camera's last gasp...

Dave

*It should be noted that by the time this post was done, the song was out of my head. Thanks anyway, though.

like eating glass

2006-05-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

Bad day.

smoore

Odds and Sods

2006-05-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have, for quite some time now, eaten my lunches piece by piece. For example: today i ate all my sandwich, then the chips, then the strawberries, then the cookie. Nothing was eaten simultaneously.

Does anyone else do this, or am I just weird?

Update as of 5:45 p.m.

Scott Rolen's secret to rehabbing: "I sat down and ate some peanut butter crackers and said, 'Let's think about some things. If I hit it, can I get to second base? And if I get to second base, can I score from second base without falling down, rolling over into a fetal position and cramping up in a corner because I'm dehydrated?'" Rolen said. "It's probably best that I not address that issue tonight."

What's great is that he probably deadpanned that whole thing.

Update as of 9:55 p.m.

Sad news: I can't pedal a bike fast enough to register on a roadside speed indicator.

Dave

Into the Blinding Light

2006-05-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

I did something tonight I'm not one to usually do. I was at Target, picking up the new Pearl Jam CD, and, since it was only $10, and I had $20 to spend, I decided to randomly pick up another $10 disc from a band I'd never heard of, mostly in an attempt to invigorate my own song writing, which has been a bit stagnant lately. I didn't let myself think too long, for fear of making the decision harder than needed.* In the end, I settled on a band called Thursday, and their album A City By the Light Divided. So far, it's not too bad. Kinda heavy, and a bit different than what I'd normally listen to. Which was the point all along. Plus, the cover reminded me of some recent U2-related artwork, so that helped.

Anyways, on to today's picture, which has a sort of story behind it. I took this at Laumeir Sculpture Park on a fairly warmish day in January waiting for bowling to start. It was, alas, the last time I got to use my little point-and-shoot digital camera. It sort of sat around for awhile afterwards, until the first day of spring, when it snowed about 4 inches. I took it with me to work, in the event something of merit stood out to me. At one point, I stuck it in my coat pocket, only to have it slide out as I was getting in the car and get caught in the middle as I was closing the door. The LCD screen was cracked, rendering the camera quite useless, even though it could still take pictures.

So the pictures from that session shall forever hold a special place in my heart. Or not. Either way, enjoy.

Dave

*Okay, I wanted to get out before it got too late. I biked^ over there and didn't want it getting too dark. So basically I was being a bit of a weenie.

^Speaking of: what is it about being on a bike that compels people in cars to yell stupid things at me? Is it the helmet? I know I look good in it, but still, come on.

it's okay if you have to go away oh just remember

2006-05-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, you.

[takeyourtimetakeyourtimetakeyourtimecanwebefriendsinthefalltakeyourtimetakeyourtime]

smoore

Welcome to baseball

2006-04-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Guess where I went yesterday?

All in all, not a bad place to take in a game. Maybe not 'Baseball Heaven,' but a darn nice stadium. I didn't get to see as much of the place as I would have liked, but I'm going back in a couple weeks, so I'll poke around more then. It doesn't have the same 'feel' as BII did, but it is new, after all, and maybe after a couple more games it'll feel....right. Or something like that. But the advertising....ugh. Seems like too much, if you ask me.

Albert Pujols is a pretty good player, if you were wondering.

And now, pictures. More after the next game.

Post-game exit.

I love these light fixtures. Maybe my favorite part of the new design.

And finally, can you spot the specialness of this picture?

Dave

Perspective

2006-04-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I managed to make it look like my backyard is made of the same stuff used to create landscapes for model train set-ups, but there you go. I'll just chalk it up to the wonders of slide film.

Go buy some!

I was hoping to have little insights to go with everything I post, picture wise, but I haven't really done that. I can't think of anything for this shot, either. I know it was one of those 'need to finish the roll ASAP so just shoot something' kinda deals. But it is a good example of just stopping in your tracks and taking a look where you normally wouldn't and seeing what turns up. Or down, as the case may be here. One cool thing about this picture: it makes me look really tall!

Not that I'm short, mind you. I'm actually used to being one of the taller people in the circle of folks I run with, friends or family. Actually, I might be the tallest member of my immediate family, now that I think about it, which, apparently, comes from Grandpa V.

Why does it sound like that last paragraph is some kinda denial of shortness?

I'm tall, dammit, tall!

Dave

Wait. What?

2006-04-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

From the Post-Dispatch sports section today: "Pujols seeing the ball well."

Not so you'd notice or anything.

Alas, the same can be said of the Pirates hitters last night whilst facing Soup Can and the bullpen.

Dave

oh.

2006-04-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

this is just a little one.

smoore

Glad to be Alive

2006-04-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Of course, Fred's in focus. Or is that "the" focus? I blame the low lighting conditions at Borders for the overall bluriness of the picture. For anyone at that night's show, I'd like to say I have a shirt just like Griff had on that night.

In case you were wondering.

I bet if I asked Paul for a picture, he'd say something that may or may not make sense (one sentence only), then walk away without a picture. Not because he's rude, but because he's Paul. And that's why we love him.

Dave

Stumped

2006-04-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

I just got a roll of slide film I shot at Diane's processed, so I should have a lot of stuff to show off. Or not, depending on how lazy I get.

But, for now, enjoy.

Dave

Overkilroy Was Here

2006-04-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

At this very moment, Danielle Steele has over sixty books with her name on it. That's 6-0. To put it in comparison, Harper Lee wrote 1.

Maybe not the best comparison, but still. And while I've never read a Steele book, Train Ma used to assure me that once you read one of her books, there's no need to read another one. Since I trust gram on that one (she was quite the reader), we can infer that if one Steele book is the same as another, that she's only truly written one real novel and has been rehashing the same drivel for God-knows how many years. And she still hasn't managed to reach (again, I'm assuming here0 the literary quality that Lee reached with To Kill a Mockingbird. Now, it could be argued that D.S. has never been trying to reach that level. And really, I have no trouble with light, easy reads. But come on. The gal puts out 4 books a year! Why not do one a year and throw some effort into the damn things?

There. Now I feel better. But I really have nothing else to say. So I'm going to start what I hope will be a regular thing. Since I can't get very wordy these days, but don't want to let this valuable web space go to waste, I'll be posting various pictures I shoot. And no, this isn't going to replace the much-maligned website, which I think I (really!) will be overhauling soon.

So, for starters, I offer you.....my foot.

Why are Chucks so darn photogenic?

Dave

p.s. Danielle Steele wrote another book while I made this post.

this is the first day of my life

2006-04-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not even sure how to say how happy I am that three of my pieces got accepted into Collage. I might just stutter and giggle for a bit.

Yeah, that's all I'm-a do...

AND TELL EVERYONE I KNOW HOLY CRAP.

smoore