10.10.2005
PLDC
I am going to be in Texas for two weeks for PLDC starting Tuesday. This is one time I am not eagerly awaiting a trip to Texas.
10.03.2005
M.I.B. (Missing In the Blogosphere)
I am back and I mad as hell. I've been M.I.B. (Missing In the Blogosphere) and I just wrote a quick post to let folks know I am back in the game. So what happens? Internet Explorer chucks it into the digital dustbin never to be seen again. I am late for softball practice, so I won't type out the list of profane things I had to say about Internet Explorer, Microsoft, this computer, and anyone else who might have been to blame for the unforgiveable incident but I want them to be on notice: you have been warned.
I'm baaaaack!
I'm baaaaack!
9.04.2005
No Army In Louisiana
To those wondering why it isn’t a good idea to deploy infantry soldiers to assist in natural disasters in the continental United States, listen closely: infantry soldiers train to kill people. One of the reasons Iraq has been so difficult for us is that we can’t just kill people there. So deploying soldiers not trained for disaster relief or police work would be unfair and lead to another embarrassment for the Army. So until they tell us in advance to train soldiers and develop regular Army units for disaster relief don’t ask. We have our hands full with Iraq already. We already have units trained for the task in the National Guard. Deploy them there.
9.01.2005
The Songs From The Year I Really Graduated
Whoops! Here is a corrected version of the last post.
The list of the 100 most popular songs of 1997.
Songs I like from that list:
The list of the 100 most popular songs of 1997.
Songs I like from that list:
- Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
- I'll Be Missing You, Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
- Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
- I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly
- How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
- Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
- MMMBop, Hanson
- For You I Will, Monica
- You Make Me Wanna..., Usher
- B***h, Meredith Brooks
- Nobody, Keith Sweat
- Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
- Barely Breathing, Duncan Sheik
- Mo Money Mo Problems, Notorious B.I.G.
- No Diggity, BLACKstreet Featuring Dr. Dre
- Hypnotize, Notorious B.I.G
- Do You Know (What It Takes), Robyn
- Honey, Mariah Carey
- Da' Dip, Freaknasty
- Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?, Paula Cole
- If It Makes You Happy , Sheryl Crow
- Everyday Is A Winding Road, Sheryl Crow
- Pony, Ginuwine
- Building A Mystery, Sarah McLachlan
- Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
- ESPN Presents The Jock Jam, Various Artists
- Don't Wanna Be A Player, Joe
- Barbie Girl, Aqua
- Let Me Clear My Throat, DJ Kool
8.29.2005
Music From the year I graduated
This is a list of the top 100 songs from the year I graduated. I got the idea from LDH. (Check out his blog here)
My personal favorites from that year follow:
My personal favorites from that year follow:
- Too Close, Next
- The Boy Is Mine, Brandy and Monica
- You're Still The One, Shania Twain
- Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden
- How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
- Together Again, Janet
- All My Life, K-Ci and JoJo
- I Don't Want To Wait, Paula Cole
- Gettin' Jiggy Wit, Will Smith
- You Make Me Wanna..., Usher
- Crush, Jennifer Paige
- Everybody (Backstreet's Back), Backstreet Boys
- I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, Aerosmith
- This Kiss, Faith Hill
- Sex And Candy, Marcy Playground
- Show Me Love, Robyn
- Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
- I Want You Back, 'N Sync
- When The Lights Go Out, Five
- Never Ever, All Saints
- I Get Lonely, Janet
- Say It, Voices Of Theory
- Come With Me, Puff Daddy
- Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
- Lately, Divine
- Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
- Time After Time, Inoj
- Cruel Summer, Ace Of Base
- Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are), Pras Feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mya
- I'll Be, Edwin McCain
- Ray Of Light, Madonna
- Touch It, Monifah
- Dangerous, Busta Rhymes
- Still Not A Player, Big Punisher Featuring Joe
- Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
- Love You Down, Inoj
- Heaven, Nu Flavor
**Update**
I was in the car thinking about this when I relaized that I graduated high school in 1997 not 1998. So the post should be titled "Music from the year after I graduated". Here is the right list.
Fly, it's cheaper
Before I tell the story of my failed attempt to use Military Space Available Travel, there is something I want to say: **** Space A!
I had to get that off my chest. In reality, Space Available travel is a wonderful thing and under the right circumstances could be a wonderful thing. Space available Travel was less than kind to me. I admit that if I had been more punctual and a little more astute in my scheduling and fact checking, this post would likely be about the great time I had in Hawaii.
My tale of woe begins with the week that I missed two flights to Travis AFB from Petersen AFB in Colorado Springs. I called the Petersen terminal and confirmed a flight on Wednesday of the week I was supposed to leave. To my horror and surprise Wednesday morning, there was never a flight that Wednesday. There were however, flights Monday and Tuesday. I have a witness who is willing to testify in a court of law that I confirmed a flight on Wednesday with no flights before then. I should have known though that personnel cannot give information on flights more than 24 hours ahead of time by phone and confirmed the information given me by calling Petersen's automated telephone schedule information system.
The next misstep was my decision to drive to Travis AFB by way of Dallas. I decided that getting a flight from Travis AFB to Petersen AFB was uncertain so I should guarantee my return transit by driving to Fairfield, California in my 2002 VW Jetta. Bad move. The cost of gasoline and hotel rooms devoured my last paycheck and then some. Even with a free stop in Dallas at my parent's house, the cost was too much. The average cost of gas was $30. I need to refill my tank approximately every 300 miles. So on a drive of 1,700 miles one way, that is 7 refills - $210 dollars. Add the cost of sleeping at motels that aren't frequented by prostitutes and you are talking about a serious chunk of change. And that is in only one direction. The cost can be lessened some by not sleeping but not sleeping raises the potential cost astronomically when you think of the cost of replacing a car totaled by driving off the side of a mountain after falling asleep. Not to mention potential damage to one's health.
When I arrived at Travis AFB my flights were either canceled or filled by higher priority passengers. Bummer. I didn't even get a chance to visit San Francisco or Sacramento, 1 hour away and 45 minutes away respectively.
I tried to salvage the whole shebang with an overnight stop in Los Angeles. Huge mistake. I had a dreadful misadventure in West Hollywood, when I discovered that I was the only heterosexual male in 4 city blocks. I should have just gone home when the establishment I first attempted to visit, I-Candy, was closed for a private party. I should have gone home when I discovered the next one down the street was having Drag Queen night - I figured it out when one of the very tall women in miniskirts standing outside the club told a passerby "We have bigger ****s than you!" I should have gone home when I warned the young black man in the black SUV that the next club was populated with Drag Queens and he replied, "It's ok, I have a fetish for that sort of thing."
Instead, I drove down the street (Santa Monica BLVD. for those of you planning a trip to West Hollywood) and resolved to try another place. I was soon joined by a short Hispanic Male with an earring in the left ear. (I don't know the significance of an earring in the left ear I am just emphasizing it to entertain those of you in the audience. So be entertained.) He walked with me and offered to buy me a drink. I thanked him and told of my misadventures at I-Candy earlier than night. He replied, "Well, I think you are the eye candy."
I, of course, said "Umm, thanks I guess." I should have run screaming into the night, but good sense has never been one of my strong points apparently. I started to walk into a place called "Rage" with my new friend, Freddy, in tow but something stopped me. I couldn't place my finger on it but something was not right. Later, I would have realized that it was probably the fact that there were no women in the crowd on the patio, or the gigantic posters of half-naked men visible from the doorway. One of the two should have clued me in. Instead, Freddy and I went to the next place down. (I don't remember the name which is just as well since I probably shouldn't be giving gay and lesbian bars free advertising anyway.) I walked in and saw numerous females in attendance and entered gladly. I walked straight to the unisex restrooms and stood in line with two females for the two bathrooms. The restroom I used had an inoperative toilet which I warned the female in line behind me of the problem, to which she replied "It's OK". It was definitely not ok.
I returned to the bar where Freddy was waiting with the drink he promised me and asked him bluntly: "Are you hitting on me? Because I am not gay."
He replied, "You're not? Why do I always talk to the straight guys?" He further informed me that he assumed I was since everybody else in West Hollywood is. I returned to my hotel room much sadder and wiser that night. I was returning to my car lamenting out loud "What have I done to myself?" To which a passing gay male replied "I don't know, but the question is what would I do to you?"
The one good thing that came of the night is my interaction with a homeless man sleeping on the street who I bought a piece of cheese cake. You can find his picture here. it looks a little like an Impressionist painting.
So the moral of the story is: "Fly, it's cheaper." Driving anywhere with gas prices being what they are is sheer madness.
I had to get that off my chest. In reality, Space Available travel is a wonderful thing and under the right circumstances could be a wonderful thing. Space available Travel was less than kind to me. I admit that if I had been more punctual and a little more astute in my scheduling and fact checking, this post would likely be about the great time I had in Hawaii.
My tale of woe begins with the week that I missed two flights to Travis AFB from Petersen AFB in Colorado Springs. I called the Petersen terminal and confirmed a flight on Wednesday of the week I was supposed to leave. To my horror and surprise Wednesday morning, there was never a flight that Wednesday. There were however, flights Monday and Tuesday. I have a witness who is willing to testify in a court of law that I confirmed a flight on Wednesday with no flights before then. I should have known though that personnel cannot give information on flights more than 24 hours ahead of time by phone and confirmed the information given me by calling Petersen's automated telephone schedule information system.
The next misstep was my decision to drive to Travis AFB by way of Dallas. I decided that getting a flight from Travis AFB to Petersen AFB was uncertain so I should guarantee my return transit by driving to Fairfield, California in my 2002 VW Jetta. Bad move. The cost of gasoline and hotel rooms devoured my last paycheck and then some. Even with a free stop in Dallas at my parent's house, the cost was too much. The average cost of gas was $30. I need to refill my tank approximately every 300 miles. So on a drive of 1,700 miles one way, that is 7 refills - $210 dollars. Add the cost of sleeping at motels that aren't frequented by prostitutes and you are talking about a serious chunk of change. And that is in only one direction. The cost can be lessened some by not sleeping but not sleeping raises the potential cost astronomically when you think of the cost of replacing a car totaled by driving off the side of a mountain after falling asleep. Not to mention potential damage to one's health.
When I arrived at Travis AFB my flights were either canceled or filled by higher priority passengers. Bummer. I didn't even get a chance to visit San Francisco or Sacramento, 1 hour away and 45 minutes away respectively.
I tried to salvage the whole shebang with an overnight stop in Los Angeles. Huge mistake. I had a dreadful misadventure in West Hollywood, when I discovered that I was the only heterosexual male in 4 city blocks. I should have just gone home when the establishment I first attempted to visit, I-Candy, was closed for a private party. I should have gone home when I discovered the next one down the street was having Drag Queen night - I figured it out when one of the very tall women in miniskirts standing outside the club told a passerby "We have bigger ****s than you!" I should have gone home when I warned the young black man in the black SUV that the next club was populated with Drag Queens and he replied, "It's ok, I have a fetish for that sort of thing."
Instead, I drove down the street (Santa Monica BLVD. for those of you planning a trip to West Hollywood) and resolved to try another place. I was soon joined by a short Hispanic Male with an earring in the left ear. (I don't know the significance of an earring in the left ear I am just emphasizing it to entertain those of you in the audience. So be entertained.) He walked with me and offered to buy me a drink. I thanked him and told of my misadventures at I-Candy earlier than night. He replied, "Well, I think you are the eye candy."
I, of course, said "Umm, thanks I guess." I should have run screaming into the night, but good sense has never been one of my strong points apparently. I started to walk into a place called "Rage" with my new friend, Freddy, in tow but something stopped me. I couldn't place my finger on it but something was not right. Later, I would have realized that it was probably the fact that there were no women in the crowd on the patio, or the gigantic posters of half-naked men visible from the doorway. One of the two should have clued me in. Instead, Freddy and I went to the next place down. (I don't remember the name which is just as well since I probably shouldn't be giving gay and lesbian bars free advertising anyway.) I walked in and saw numerous females in attendance and entered gladly. I walked straight to the unisex restrooms and stood in line with two females for the two bathrooms. The restroom I used had an inoperative toilet which I warned the female in line behind me of the problem, to which she replied "It's OK". It was definitely not ok.
I returned to the bar where Freddy was waiting with the drink he promised me and asked him bluntly: "Are you hitting on me? Because I am not gay."
He replied, "You're not? Why do I always talk to the straight guys?" He further informed me that he assumed I was since everybody else in West Hollywood is. I returned to my hotel room much sadder and wiser that night. I was returning to my car lamenting out loud "What have I done to myself?" To which a passing gay male replied "I don't know, but the question is what would I do to you?"
The one good thing that came of the night is my interaction with a homeless man sleeping on the street who I bought a piece of cheese cake. You can find his picture here. it looks a little like an Impressionist painting.
So the moral of the story is: "Fly, it's cheaper." Driving anywhere with gas prices being what they are is sheer madness.
8.21.2005
8.20.2005
Idaho's Adventures in La-La Land
My adventures in LA come to a close today. I am a little disappointed at some of the things I missed – the Hollywood sign, the LA nightlife, etc – but I did have a nice 5 mile run on Venice beach.
After the beach, I went straight to a restaurant/bar right next to the beach. I simply wiped the sand off my legs and threw on a shirt. While waiting for my food I met a Hollywood still photographer. He was friendly and invited me to come hang out.
I didn’t post any tantalizing pictures of Venice beach babes, because I didn’t want to be the one pervert on the beach sneaking up to unsuspecting women with my camera phone. Mostly, because the women were not unsuspecting; women eye single guys on the beach walking around like each male who passes could potentially be a rapist.
I did stare at this one woman and her husband more than common courtesy allowed because I thought she looked like Courtney Cox and he looked like David Arquette. Singly, I wouldn’t have made the connection to either one, probably because they were both a little out of shape and didn’t quite have that Hollywood body. But together, I began to wonder if somehow Courtney and David Arquette had simultaneously gone on binge diets. So I approached and asked and they weren’t. Too bad.
After the beach, I went straight to a restaurant/bar right next to the beach. I simply wiped the sand off my legs and threw on a shirt. While waiting for my food I met a Hollywood still photographer. He was friendly and invited me to come hang out.
I didn’t post any tantalizing pictures of Venice beach babes, because I didn’t want to be the one pervert on the beach sneaking up to unsuspecting women with my camera phone. Mostly, because the women were not unsuspecting; women eye single guys on the beach walking around like each male who passes could potentially be a rapist.
I did stare at this one woman and her husband more than common courtesy allowed because I thought she looked like Courtney Cox and he looked like David Arquette. Singly, I wouldn’t have made the connection to either one, probably because they were both a little out of shape and didn’t quite have that Hollywood body. But together, I began to wonder if somehow Courtney and David Arquette had simultaneously gone on binge diets. So I approached and asked and they weren’t. Too bad.
8.19.2005
To Blog and Die in LA
I am not going to have time to explain the reference in the title because I am blogging with a scant 39 minutes of battery life in my laptop. I am definitely in LA now. I am a little surprised and disappointed because I expected the streets to be filled with beautiful people, but alas, the streets are not teeming with movie star potential.
I am holed up in a hotel in what I suspect is China Town or at least near it. The majority of the hotel staff are Asian and the rest are Hispanic. Fully half of the guests are Asian and speak something other than English. Strange...
Expect the moblogging to continue.
I am holed up in a hotel in what I suspect is China Town or at least near it. The majority of the hotel staff are Asian and the rest are Hispanic. Fully half of the guests are Asian and speak something other than English. Strange...
Expect the moblogging to continue.
8.17.2005
Blogging from the rest stop again
I am at the Donley County rest stop again blogging but this time I printed off directions to my location, Fairfield, California. The quality of the print is low but tolerable for my purposes. Other states should get with the program.
Neat Firefox trick
Here's a reason to download Firefox and dump Internet Explorer: RSS feeds. You can see an example of why Firefox is cool if you try this on a computer with Firefox installed. When you visit my page in Firefox look for the orange icon at the bottom right of the page. Clicking on the icon gives you the option of subscribing to my ATOM or RSS feed. Subscribing to my feed will add the blog to your bookmarks and allow you to browse new posts from your bookmarks folder. Cool huh?
You can also subscribe to my blog manuallyby going to "bookmarks" on the toolbar and clicking "manage bookmarks". Once there, click the "File" menu on the toolbar and select "New Live Bookmark". On the menu that pops up add "my website with this RSS feed url: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WhoIsIdahosaEdokpayi?format=usm.
You can also subscribe to my blog manuallyby going to "bookmarks" on the toolbar and clicking "manage bookmarks". Once there, click the "File" menu on the toolbar and select "New Live Bookmark". On the menu that pops up add "my website with this RSS feed url: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WhoIsIdahosaEdokpayi?format=usm.
Site maintenance
When I put in the new blog template, I neglected to put in the RSS and ATOM syndication. (Those of you with news readers know what I am talking about.) I also didn't bother to make sure that permalinks were working. (Permalinks are the permanent links to each blog post. This way users can link individual posts) I have fixed all that. Enjoy the improved interface!
8.15.2005
Pretty people in ugly clothes
Just as Awful Plastic Surgery presents many pretty (or not so pretty) people with awful plastic surgery, Go Fug Yourself presents many of the same people in "fugly" clothes. "Fugly" is a slang term meaning "freaking ugly", well perhaps "freaking" is a little milder than the actual word but I am sure you understand. I think it is all hilarious. Check out the section devoted to Britney Spears.
8.14.2005
I have a dirty mind
This ad I saw at a blog called the "Gothamist" made me double-take. I admit to keeping my mind in the gutter a significant portion of the day. But what would you think?
I will Lay Out
For Every Last Ball
I'm Rachel Wacholder
For Every Last Ball
8.13.2005
What was she thinking
Jennifer Connelly, movie star, recently said something interesting. I thought it was a publicist's job to keep stars from saying things like this:
I saw the story at Huffington Post, a website so unerring and boringly elitist and liberal that I feel guilty for even linking to them.
The quote came from here. Maybe it's a hoax or maybe her husband, actor Paul Bettany, is even more embarassed than she is.
I do like to read a book while having sex. And talk on the phone. You can get so much done. If the room’s dark enough, I like to do some online shopping
I saw the story at Huffington Post, a website so unerring and boringly elitist and liberal that I feel guilty for even linking to them.
The quote came from here. Maybe it's a hoax or maybe her husband, actor Paul Bettany, is even more embarassed than she is.
8.12.2005
Email Forwards
Stuff that people would email to everyone in their address books, I just post on my blog. These videos made me laugh so hard, I snorted embarrassing little snot bubbles up. Ok, maybe I didn't laugh that hard but the videos are hilarious.
Gem Sweater is the first video, an inspired bit of hilarity about tacky clothing set to a beat.
Beat Dazzler is more of the same.
Gem Sweater is the first video, an inspired bit of hilarity about tacky clothing set to a beat.
Beat Dazzler is more of the same.
Photos of the Road Trip
I don't aspire to photojournalistic greatness since my photography technique is "fire and forget". Many of these photographs were taken from the Jetta at 70+ mph with the camera held in one hand and haphazardly aimed at items of interest. I like the pictures though and thought you might too. Check them out here.
8.11.2005
Texas Rest Stops Are Cool
8.10.2005
Double Secret Blog
There is a poster at Huffintgon Post who has a secret blog. He says everything I think about Huffington Post (admittedly I don't read it much). The delicious part about the whole thing is that he works for Huffington Post! I am sorry, I just love it when employees dish about their bosses.
8.08.2005
Lend a Hand?
Liberal interest groups complain volubly about the war in Iraq but conveniently ignore the things they could do to help the people of Iraq. Why aren't more feminists talking about women's rights in Iraq? Why isn't the ACLU helping support an independent Iraqi judiciary? Why don't we hear more about humanitarian groups sending their support?
I know it is dangerous - I was there. But you don't have to be there to help. Many American troops would be glad to do certain tasks and there are surprisingly many relatively safe areas that humanitarian groups could work from. Put your money wear your mouth is.
Christopher Hitchens had this idea first and argues more effectively than I have in an article at Slate.com.
I know it is dangerous - I was there. But you don't have to be there to help. Many American troops would be glad to do certain tasks and there are surprisingly many relatively safe areas that humanitarian groups could work from. Put your money wear your mouth is.
Christopher Hitchens had this idea first and argues more effectively than I have in an article at Slate.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)