Life Should Be Simple
Oy vey. This past week crawled along.
I'm trying to keep things on the downlow because nothing is set in stone, but I'm possibly very close to getting a full-time permanent job with benefits and the whole shabang. Right now, I'm still a temporary employee hired through an agency, working in the same department and under the same manager as Mother Routes. But one of the employees, Co-worker Mike, on the other side of the floor is leaving the company to go to grad school. Therefore, the head honcho boss approached and notified me when they were posting the job and kept following up until I applied for it. He's a really nice and great and funny boss.
But I don't want to say too much in case I don't get the job. Here's hoping...
Anyway, because of this job thing, I've felt more at liberty to spend money; and spend I have at an alarming rate. You remember that thing Amazon.com? Yeah, perhaps I shouldn't have started up on internet buying because now I can't stop. Well, I bought the Lemony Snicket DVD at Circuit City on Tuesday, but found that it was $10 less on Amazon. So I bought it from Amazon, but had to buy something else to get free shipping. I ended up spending $40. Well at least I'm saving money in the long run.
I've got some big purchases coming up. I'm getting a Mac Mini at last (I have been waiting for Apple's new OS, Tiger). I'm also interested in buying a mini DV camcorder because I figure, what good is a Mac if I don't edit video? And if I get this permanent job, I may have to start making payments on a new house. Yeah, you heard me; a freakin' whole house. We'll talk more about that if this whole thing actually pans out.
Maybe it's all these goings-on that are making me feel all squarmy in my skin. And yeah, I realize this blog was written all shittily, but whatever. I'm all squarmy. Cut me a break.
Just wanting some kibble,
Ricky
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Sunday, April 24, 2005
A Ruff Sunday
Man, driving into LA is such a bitch.
Speaking of bitches, I saw Bark! The Musical today with K-mart. But firstly, about that drive (I just can't resist a nice segue).
I was ready to go so very early because for some reason I woke up really early. But I told K-mart to be ready by 12:30pm (the show started at 2pm). Well, because I'm on this very lenient low carb diet, I found that right at 12:20pm, I had to take an urgent dump. So that left me leaving late and backtracking to pick up K-mart late. So we got a late start.
Then there was traffic on the damn 60 freeway as freakin' always. And then I didn't really know where the theater was, so we kinda went down the street until we saw it and then we parked quickly and had to run to the theater (which K-mart hated me for) and made it just in time. In New York, you could just catch a subway and wham, bam, thank you ma'am, you're there. In Los Angeles, driving sucks.
Well anyway, about the show. It was great! The whole show is essentially sung, save for two monologues which are hilarious. The songs are really fantastic. When they're not funny, they tug at your heartstrings. One dog sings to his master that he's not afraid to be put to sleep and asks to be held while he closes his eyes (it's the only song that's made me cry). Another dog fantasizes about being an astronaut and flying away from the tree that he's bound and chained to. There's a part during that song where the dog, leashed at his collar, marches forward determined to not be held down, yet he doesn't get anywhere. It was a really powerful site to witness. The actors and actresses were all great and K-mart and I met them after. They all just walked by us like we weren't there and when we asked for their autographs, they were all shocked that we wanted them. I guess not many people stick around to meet them, but that's one thing I like most about seeing live shows. The fact that you get to meet the cast after.
My only complaint about the show is that there isn't much of a story to follow. The show is basically a bunch of songs about what dogs do. I guess it would be something you'd see if you were at a doggy day care and dogs could talk and sing. If they string the songs together to tell a simple story, it could become as big as Avenue Q.
Well it's a nice little show that's thoroughly entertaining and I hope it makes it big. Then maybe I can cash in on these autographs!
Big thanks to K-mart for going with me! I had a great time.
Whizzin' on stuff,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Man, driving into LA is such a bitch.
Speaking of bitches, I saw Bark! The Musical today with K-mart. But firstly, about that drive (I just can't resist a nice segue).
I was ready to go so very early because for some reason I woke up really early. But I told K-mart to be ready by 12:30pm (the show started at 2pm). Well, because I'm on this very lenient low carb diet, I found that right at 12:20pm, I had to take an urgent dump. So that left me leaving late and backtracking to pick up K-mart late. So we got a late start.
Then there was traffic on the damn 60 freeway as freakin' always. And then I didn't really know where the theater was, so we kinda went down the street until we saw it and then we parked quickly and had to run to the theater (which K-mart hated me for) and made it just in time. In New York, you could just catch a subway and wham, bam, thank you ma'am, you're there. In Los Angeles, driving sucks.
Well anyway, about the show. It was great! The whole show is essentially sung, save for two monologues which are hilarious. The songs are really fantastic. When they're not funny, they tug at your heartstrings. One dog sings to his master that he's not afraid to be put to sleep and asks to be held while he closes his eyes (it's the only song that's made me cry). Another dog fantasizes about being an astronaut and flying away from the tree that he's bound and chained to. There's a part during that song where the dog, leashed at his collar, marches forward determined to not be held down, yet he doesn't get anywhere. It was a really powerful site to witness. The actors and actresses were all great and K-mart and I met them after. They all just walked by us like we weren't there and when we asked for their autographs, they were all shocked that we wanted them. I guess not many people stick around to meet them, but that's one thing I like most about seeing live shows. The fact that you get to meet the cast after.
My only complaint about the show is that there isn't much of a story to follow. The show is basically a bunch of songs about what dogs do. I guess it would be something you'd see if you were at a doggy day care and dogs could talk and sing. If they string the songs together to tell a simple story, it could become as big as Avenue Q.
Well it's a nice little show that's thoroughly entertaining and I hope it makes it big. Then maybe I can cash in on these autographs!
Big thanks to K-mart for going with me! I had a great time.
Whizzin' on stuff,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 21, 2005
My, My, My, All That I Am is Ever the Same
Life's unexciting. It's work work work work work work work work work work and very little play.
Speaking of a play, just about everyone is going to see K-mart as the Queen Munchkin in her school's production of Wizard of Oz. How perfect is that? This'll refresh everyone's memory of the Wiz del Oz before Wicked. Then, this coming Sunday, K-mart and I are headed down to Hollywood to check out a show called Bark! It's the story of six dogs (played by humans) in a pound, singing about their lives. I read really great reviews for it three or four months ago, but no one was really interested in seeing it with me. I'm all willing to take a risk and see a no name show, but others are a little apprehensive about that stuff (especially when tickets are $40). But K-mart, fresh from her theater-hopping bonanza in New York, was willing to go; so we're going. I'll report back on how the show was.
This past Tuesday, I picked up the new Rob Thomas solo album and it's really awesome! I always liked Matchbox Twenty stuff, but I never bought any of their albums. I figured the radio plays out all their good tunes anyway, so why bother? I wasn't too thrilled about his first release ("Lonely No More") because it sounded like a Ricky Martin tuner. But then I heard him perform his next single ("Ever the Same") and knew I had to run out and get the album. That song is just too awesome. And I'm glad I got the album because most of the songs kick butt.
I'm a couple chapters into the book Life of Pi. It's pretty fantastic so far. It actually reads like a college term paper. The main character gives us thorough explanations to things of faith and humanity. There are so many quotes that I want to pull from the book because they're awesome and well thought out.
If you happen to see Princess Karlita passing by, wish her a happy relaxy birthday!
Fallin' to pieces,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Life's unexciting. It's work work work work work work work work work work and very little play.
Speaking of a play, just about everyone is going to see K-mart as the Queen Munchkin in her school's production of Wizard of Oz. How perfect is that? This'll refresh everyone's memory of the Wiz del Oz before Wicked. Then, this coming Sunday, K-mart and I are headed down to Hollywood to check out a show called Bark! It's the story of six dogs (played by humans) in a pound, singing about their lives. I read really great reviews for it three or four months ago, but no one was really interested in seeing it with me. I'm all willing to take a risk and see a no name show, but others are a little apprehensive about that stuff (especially when tickets are $40). But K-mart, fresh from her theater-hopping bonanza in New York, was willing to go; so we're going. I'll report back on how the show was.
This past Tuesday, I picked up the new Rob Thomas solo album and it's really awesome! I always liked Matchbox Twenty stuff, but I never bought any of their albums. I figured the radio plays out all their good tunes anyway, so why bother? I wasn't too thrilled about his first release ("Lonely No More") because it sounded like a Ricky Martin tuner. But then I heard him perform his next single ("Ever the Same") and knew I had to run out and get the album. That song is just too awesome. And I'm glad I got the album because most of the songs kick butt.
I'm a couple chapters into the book Life of Pi. It's pretty fantastic so far. It actually reads like a college term paper. The main character gives us thorough explanations to things of faith and humanity. There are so many quotes that I want to pull from the book because they're awesome and well thought out.
If you happen to see Princess Karlita passing by, wish her a happy relaxy birthday!
Fallin' to pieces,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Trucking Neighbors
Just a few days ago, I received a phone call at home just as our doorbell rang. On the phone was our neighbor from across the street. He called to complain that the alarm on our truck was going off at the moment and that it had been throughout the previous night. He sounded annoyed and frustrated, yet calm, but stern, but still, I didn't really like being bitched at like that. At the door was our other neighbor complaining about the same thing.
Our truck usually sits in the garage, but since we're trying to clean house, it was out on the driveway. Yes, I know that our truck alarm is way to sensitive.
For instance, one day I had to drive the truck to the train station. When I got to the platform, big eighteen wheelers would drive right by where our truck was parked and set off the alarm. At first, I didn't know it was our truck, so as everyone turned to look and bitch, I joined in. Then I realized it was our truck and through a red face, I kept up the guise of hating whomever the truck belonged to.
Moral of the story is, something has to set off the alarm. Unless there were big mother truckers roaring through our tranquil little cul-de-sac, I'm fairly certain that the cause of the alarm were the two or three neighborhood cats that, get this, belong to one of the neighbors who bitched at us.
These freakin' cats are always at our house. Sometimes they dig up our yard. Sometimes they sneak into our garage and meow ALL FREAKIN' NIGHT until we open the garage (and leave it open for a while) and let them out. Sometimes they have sex or something in our backyard and catfight like hell (seriously, it sounds like a 10-foot 7-inch woman clubbing a newborn... and liking it).
Long ago, we were afraid of my brother's room because if you sat in that room for a while, during the night or early morning, you would hear a slight jingle from a bell coming from a dresser near the window. This freaked us out for years. We were also told (and now I know it was a joke) that the bells are the spirit of a dead Chinese man wanting us to help us find out who killed him. Eventually we found out that the neighbor's cat wandered through our backyard and on the wooden structure next to my brother's room and wore a bell on its collar. Mother trucking cats.
So, we were fine with silencing the truck. We unplugged the entire battery until we were able to bring the truck back inside. But I think we need a long term solution. How's this? I'll buy a shotgun and wait for the cats to show up on our driveway. Then, put a nice amount of shotgun shells into their furry little heads. That definitely sounds like a better solution since shotgun blasts are less annoying than car alarms.
Psychotic,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Just a few days ago, I received a phone call at home just as our doorbell rang. On the phone was our neighbor from across the street. He called to complain that the alarm on our truck was going off at the moment and that it had been throughout the previous night. He sounded annoyed and frustrated, yet calm, but stern, but still, I didn't really like being bitched at like that. At the door was our other neighbor complaining about the same thing.
Our truck usually sits in the garage, but since we're trying to clean house, it was out on the driveway. Yes, I know that our truck alarm is way to sensitive.
For instance, one day I had to drive the truck to the train station. When I got to the platform, big eighteen wheelers would drive right by where our truck was parked and set off the alarm. At first, I didn't know it was our truck, so as everyone turned to look and bitch, I joined in. Then I realized it was our truck and through a red face, I kept up the guise of hating whomever the truck belonged to.
Moral of the story is, something has to set off the alarm. Unless there were big mother truckers roaring through our tranquil little cul-de-sac, I'm fairly certain that the cause of the alarm were the two or three neighborhood cats that, get this, belong to one of the neighbors who bitched at us.
These freakin' cats are always at our house. Sometimes they dig up our yard. Sometimes they sneak into our garage and meow ALL FREAKIN' NIGHT until we open the garage (and leave it open for a while) and let them out. Sometimes they have sex or something in our backyard and catfight like hell (seriously, it sounds like a 10-foot 7-inch woman clubbing a newborn... and liking it).
Long ago, we were afraid of my brother's room because if you sat in that room for a while, during the night or early morning, you would hear a slight jingle from a bell coming from a dresser near the window. This freaked us out for years. We were also told (and now I know it was a joke) that the bells are the spirit of a dead Chinese man wanting us to help us find out who killed him. Eventually we found out that the neighbor's cat wandered through our backyard and on the wooden structure next to my brother's room and wore a bell on its collar. Mother trucking cats.
So, we were fine with silencing the truck. We unplugged the entire battery until we were able to bring the truck back inside. But I think we need a long term solution. How's this? I'll buy a shotgun and wait for the cats to show up on our driveway. Then, put a nice amount of shotgun shells into their furry little heads. That definitely sounds like a better solution since shotgun blasts are less annoying than car alarms.
Psychotic,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Life After Near-Death and Taxes
Today, I encountered near-death experience #59483749.
I'm not sure if I've already discussed the many ways I've come oh so close to dying, but if I have, you're gonna read about them again.
Well, there was that time I was boy scout camping at the Kern River, widely known as one of the most deadly, wild, rapidy, rivers in the US. So there I was with a bunch of scouts playing around next to the raging currents, fishing with nets for crayfish or whatever swims in a river. I'm using my friend's net who tells me, "you'd better not lose my net," to which I reply, "I'm not going to lose your stupid net." And low and behold, the net slips from my fingers and I jump into the river to retrieve it. So there I was, floating downstream until another boy scout helps me out.
Witness example #48382849... I was driving to college classes in my old Mercedes Benz with the shoddy brakes. I was going down the freeway at around 80mph when I suddenly see traffic stopped ahead. I slam on the brakes, but it becomes very apparent that the car won't stop in time before colliding into the cars ahead, so I just take a chance and without looking, turn wildly into the next lane (on a two lane freeway). Luckily there wasn't a car next to me and I keep on driving. There was another time between two traffic breaks, a truck behind me was speeding behind me. Everyone including myself came to a quick sudden stop, but through the rear view mirror, I see the truck still charging towards me. Then I heard his brakes screech as he still approached quickly. He merged at the very last second into the carpool lane to avoid my car (I literally could not see his bumper through my mirror as he swerved to miss me).
There have been other times; being assaulted by skin heads, plane engine catching on fire before landing and even resorting to burning off its fuel, running full force and crashing into the vault during gymnastics, getting scared of a bee on the edge of a cliff at the Grand Canyon and jumping around like a moron and almost plummeting 1,000 feet to the mule manure below, etc...
Which brings us to today. Mother Routes and I left the house on time to get to the train station. We then saw a freight train that would block our path to the station, so we took a detour which takes longer. As I pull into the station, we see the train approaching the platform, so I drop Mother Routes off to get in line and then try to find a parking space fast. The only spot is all the way in the back, so I take it, jump out of the car, and run.
I ran as fast as I could down the rows of cars and suddenly out of the corner of my eyes, I see the car next to me pulling out. It literally came inches away from hitting me before I reacted and jumped to the side, but I kept running. I made the train and after realizing what happened, I became rattled.
So there we have it. I was almost killed right after I finished doing my taxes. This goes back to my March 30th blog. If a car is going to hit me, do it before I do my taxes, therefore I don't waste my time. People just don't pay attention to my blogs.
Life maybe scary, but it's only temporary,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Today, I encountered near-death experience #59483749.
I'm not sure if I've already discussed the many ways I've come oh so close to dying, but if I have, you're gonna read about them again.
Well, there was that time I was boy scout camping at the Kern River, widely known as one of the most deadly, wild, rapidy, rivers in the US. So there I was with a bunch of scouts playing around next to the raging currents, fishing with nets for crayfish or whatever swims in a river. I'm using my friend's net who tells me, "you'd better not lose my net," to which I reply, "I'm not going to lose your stupid net." And low and behold, the net slips from my fingers and I jump into the river to retrieve it. So there I was, floating downstream until another boy scout helps me out.
Witness example #48382849... I was driving to college classes in my old Mercedes Benz with the shoddy brakes. I was going down the freeway at around 80mph when I suddenly see traffic stopped ahead. I slam on the brakes, but it becomes very apparent that the car won't stop in time before colliding into the cars ahead, so I just take a chance and without looking, turn wildly into the next lane (on a two lane freeway). Luckily there wasn't a car next to me and I keep on driving. There was another time between two traffic breaks, a truck behind me was speeding behind me. Everyone including myself came to a quick sudden stop, but through the rear view mirror, I see the truck still charging towards me. Then I heard his brakes screech as he still approached quickly. He merged at the very last second into the carpool lane to avoid my car (I literally could not see his bumper through my mirror as he swerved to miss me).
There have been other times; being assaulted by skin heads, plane engine catching on fire before landing and even resorting to burning off its fuel, running full force and crashing into the vault during gymnastics, getting scared of a bee on the edge of a cliff at the Grand Canyon and jumping around like a moron and almost plummeting 1,000 feet to the mule manure below, etc...
Which brings us to today. Mother Routes and I left the house on time to get to the train station. We then saw a freight train that would block our path to the station, so we took a detour which takes longer. As I pull into the station, we see the train approaching the platform, so I drop Mother Routes off to get in line and then try to find a parking space fast. The only spot is all the way in the back, so I take it, jump out of the car, and run.
I ran as fast as I could down the rows of cars and suddenly out of the corner of my eyes, I see the car next to me pulling out. It literally came inches away from hitting me before I reacted and jumped to the side, but I kept running. I made the train and after realizing what happened, I became rattled.
So there we have it. I was almost killed right after I finished doing my taxes. This goes back to my March 30th blog. If a car is going to hit me, do it before I do my taxes, therefore I don't waste my time. People just don't pay attention to my blogs.
Life maybe scary, but it's only temporary,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The Days Go By
Lee Leman brought to my attention that I haven't had an update since last week. So here I am, thank you ma'am, this'll be a treat, Uncle Moe's, while you eat!
Recuerdas when I told you about my damn allergies? Well, it's gotten worse.
This past weekend, I was forced to help Father Routes paint his apartment complex. One of the tenants moved out and left the apartment in shambles. I swear, people don't know that you're not supposed to put holes in walls nor gum all over the freakin' carpet! THESE FREAKIN' PEOPLE!!!
But anyway, on Sunday night, I was very eager to leave that crap place because a) it was 9:30pm b) I had work the next morning c) I hate that damn place d) I was tired.
So I was being a complete brat (rightfully IMHO) and demanding we leave. Since we went during the day and didn't plan to stay that late, I didn't bring a jacket. Well, what do you know, it was freezing that night. So while sitting next to Mother Routes outside on a bench watching Father Routes attempt to wash the gummy carpets, I shot my mouth off and spewed, "I hope I get a cold out here and die."
Well looks like I got part one of my wish. That night, I got the sniffles (which really wasn't any indication that I had a cold because of these damn misleading allergies) and by morning, I had a pretty bad sore throat. Now my head buzzes and I'm sneezing like a mad black woman without a diary. So colour me miserable... and British apparently.
Speaking of segues, I bought the new Mary Poppins soundtrack from the show that's playing in London right now. I've always thought that Mary Poppins would make an awesome stage show and now it's happened! It's gonna go to New York either later this year or next year, but it'll probably be hard to get tickets because it's really popular right now in London. I bought it off Amazon's UK store. It's awesome because my Amazon US account carries over to the UK shop, so it was a cinch to buy. And best of all, I didn't have to pay ridiculous import prices. The CD came out to $20.28.
Anything else to report? I had a Grande Caramel Macchiato today that made me poop long. Other than that (which none of you wanted to know) I've got nothing. Did I ever mention here that the new Lifehouse album rocks?
Hoping part two of my wish doesn't come true any time soon,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Lee Leman brought to my attention that I haven't had an update since last week. So here I am, thank you ma'am, this'll be a treat, Uncle Moe's, while you eat!
Recuerdas when I told you about my damn allergies? Well, it's gotten worse.
This past weekend, I was forced to help Father Routes paint his apartment complex. One of the tenants moved out and left the apartment in shambles. I swear, people don't know that you're not supposed to put holes in walls nor gum all over the freakin' carpet! THESE FREAKIN' PEOPLE!!!
But anyway, on Sunday night, I was very eager to leave that crap place because a) it was 9:30pm b) I had work the next morning c) I hate that damn place d) I was tired.
So I was being a complete brat (rightfully IMHO) and demanding we leave. Since we went during the day and didn't plan to stay that late, I didn't bring a jacket. Well, what do you know, it was freezing that night. So while sitting next to Mother Routes outside on a bench watching Father Routes attempt to wash the gummy carpets, I shot my mouth off and spewed, "I hope I get a cold out here and die."
Well looks like I got part one of my wish. That night, I got the sniffles (which really wasn't any indication that I had a cold because of these damn misleading allergies) and by morning, I had a pretty bad sore throat. Now my head buzzes and I'm sneezing like a mad black woman without a diary. So colour me miserable... and British apparently.
Speaking of segues, I bought the new Mary Poppins soundtrack from the show that's playing in London right now. I've always thought that Mary Poppins would make an awesome stage show and now it's happened! It's gonna go to New York either later this year or next year, but it'll probably be hard to get tickets because it's really popular right now in London. I bought it off Amazon's UK store. It's awesome because my Amazon US account carries over to the UK shop, so it was a cinch to buy. And best of all, I didn't have to pay ridiculous import prices. The CD came out to $20.28.
Anything else to report? I had a Grande Caramel Macchiato today that made me poop long. Other than that (which none of you wanted to know) I've got nothing. Did I ever mention here that the new Lifehouse album rocks?
Hoping part two of my wish doesn't come true any time soon,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Springtime For Richard and Allergies
I know when it's springtime when my nose starts saying "Yo biyotch! Blow me!"
I'm miserable. I hate Spring. I hate this time of renewed life. And it's all because of my allergies. This incessant buzzing in my nose. This uncontrollable urge to sneeze. These blasted watery eyes.
Last year I was egging Spring to come because I was finally going to try Claritin. But it doesn't help me! I take the small pill and it does crap!
This season reminds me of when I wrote reports during college. I would sit at the computer, typing a six-page research paper at 3:00 am and think to myself, "After I finally finish this paper, some burglar better not come in here and murder me. If he wants to murder me, do it before I finish my paper!" The same goes for Spring. I'd better not get through this miserable season only to not make it shortly after.
Hmmm, this blog got a little dark.
All this week, Mother Routes and I have been taking care of the Oblong family pets because they are on a cruise in Mexico. Their dog, Sparky, is awfully lonely there, so I took the liberty of unofficially adopting him. Yes, I'll try to care for him and pet him and make him less lonely regularly, but like Quasimodo, he will have sanctuary with the Oblongs. Today I bought him some chicken snacks and a bone that cleans his teeth. Sparky really liked them and it made me feel great giving him some treats and attention, even if it did cost me $10+.
Lost tonight was simply amazing. The ending of the last episode ("Numbers") gave me chills because it was creepy. Tonight's episode ("Deus Ex Machina") gave me chills because it was, well, magical. I'm thinking aliens on the island, but not really. I can't wait to own it on DVD!
And in the news today, one of the plastinated joyesus fetuses was stolen from the Body Worlds 2 exhibit. I learned from a news article that many people protest the exhibit in other countries. I read that one protester even put a blanket over the plastinated pregnant lady's body to cover her up. So I'm not the only one not completely accepting of this disturbing display.
Donating my kidney to my father, not some scary German plastinators,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
I know when it's springtime when my nose starts saying "Yo biyotch! Blow me!"
I'm miserable. I hate Spring. I hate this time of renewed life. And it's all because of my allergies. This incessant buzzing in my nose. This uncontrollable urge to sneeze. These blasted watery eyes.
Last year I was egging Spring to come because I was finally going to try Claritin. But it doesn't help me! I take the small pill and it does crap!
This season reminds me of when I wrote reports during college. I would sit at the computer, typing a six-page research paper at 3:00 am and think to myself, "After I finally finish this paper, some burglar better not come in here and murder me. If he wants to murder me, do it before I finish my paper!" The same goes for Spring. I'd better not get through this miserable season only to not make it shortly after.
Hmmm, this blog got a little dark.
All this week, Mother Routes and I have been taking care of the Oblong family pets because they are on a cruise in Mexico. Their dog, Sparky, is awfully lonely there, so I took the liberty of unofficially adopting him. Yes, I'll try to care for him and pet him and make him less lonely regularly, but like Quasimodo, he will have sanctuary with the Oblongs. Today I bought him some chicken snacks and a bone that cleans his teeth. Sparky really liked them and it made me feel great giving him some treats and attention, even if it did cost me $10+.
Lost tonight was simply amazing. The ending of the last episode ("Numbers") gave me chills because it was creepy. Tonight's episode ("Deus Ex Machina") gave me chills because it was, well, magical. I'm thinking aliens on the island, but not really. I can't wait to own it on DVD!
And in the news today, one of the plastinated joyesus fetuses was stolen from the Body Worlds 2 exhibit. I learned from a news article that many people protest the exhibit in other countries. I read that one protester even put a blanket over the plastinated pregnant lady's body to cover her up. So I'm not the only one not completely accepting of this disturbing display.
Donating my kidney to my father, not some scary German plastinators,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Show Some Skin!
Just got back from the California Science Center and the infamous Body Worlds exhibit. It's a real butt buster! Well, not really, but I did see a lot of bare butts. It's a real eye-opener is what it is (and nothing like the picture I drew for you last time).
When I first walked in and saw that first specimen, I thought it was pretty outrageous. Then I saw the skeleton of a child and thought it was totally sick (in a troubling way)! It's a really disturbing show and not one that I would go to again, but I am glad that I went. And I'm thankful that I wasn't allowed to take pictures because it's not really something I'd like to remember too vividly.
The exhibit featured about a dozen or so bodies donated to science and displayed to show exhibitors the inner workings of our human anatomy. Most of the bodies were skinned entirely. There were some that were chopped up and displayed in cases; others cut up in cubes and the flesh and bone pulled out like a desk drawer; some just displayed specific parts of the body (such as only the muscle tissues or only the nervous system or only the blood vessels, etc); and some were chopped up vertically and spread apart ala the horse in the movie The Cell.
After the initial shock, it got easier to view the specimens as educational tools. The exhibit creators found creative ways to open up the cadavers (i.e. folding their skin and flesh away so you can see all the layers). One specimen that I found particular interesting, not because I was looking at the guy's inners, but because he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. That was pretty wild.
The fact that they deskinned the specimens made it easier to stomach and stare at. There was one, however, that really creeped me out moreso than the others. It was of a man sliced up vertically into 6 or 8 pieces. Two of the segments showed his face and the look on it was horrific! The man had his eyes winced, shut tight, and his face was scrunched up as if he were in pain when they sent him through the buzzsaw. That was pretty jarring. They also had the body of a fat man cut the same way, but laid out across a table. I found it more sick and twisted rather than educational. Can you imagine if you went to one of these and you recognized someone you knew all chopped up? I think that'd just about make anyone have a heart attack. Throughout the exhibit, I found myself not okay with what was being done. But I guess that's science for you.
Another display showed a pregnant woman with the fetus still inside. You could count the little toes on the baby that were forming. That, albeit shocking, was actually pretty interesting.
All in all, this experience made it clear to me that I could never get into the medical field. Ellvin Kelvin has told me that he's had to deal with plenty of cadavers in his schooling. I'm just not cut out (pardon the pun) for that kind of stuff. And I don't understand really how anyone would want to donate their bodies to something like this. It seems like they're never in a position to rest in eternal piece. How do you know you won't need your body after you die? Maybe in the after life, we need them to be in a restful state; not hardened into plastic and propped up like a freak show. But hey, if you want to be the center of attention after death, they had a booth set up with information on how, yes, you, yourself can donate your body to be sliced and diced and deboned and put on display for all to gaze at your gonads.
So my question is, was this about science or more of a perverse art? I sure as hell prefer the kind that goes on a canvas. Spare me the creepy glass eyes and fingernails, thanks.
Turning vegan,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Just got back from the California Science Center and the infamous Body Worlds exhibit. It's a real butt buster! Well, not really, but I did see a lot of bare butts. It's a real eye-opener is what it is (and nothing like the picture I drew for you last time).
When I first walked in and saw that first specimen, I thought it was pretty outrageous. Then I saw the skeleton of a child and thought it was totally sick (in a troubling way)! It's a really disturbing show and not one that I would go to again, but I am glad that I went. And I'm thankful that I wasn't allowed to take pictures because it's not really something I'd like to remember too vividly.
The exhibit featured about a dozen or so bodies donated to science and displayed to show exhibitors the inner workings of our human anatomy. Most of the bodies were skinned entirely. There were some that were chopped up and displayed in cases; others cut up in cubes and the flesh and bone pulled out like a desk drawer; some just displayed specific parts of the body (such as only the muscle tissues or only the nervous system or only the blood vessels, etc); and some were chopped up vertically and spread apart ala the horse in the movie The Cell.
After the initial shock, it got easier to view the specimens as educational tools. The exhibit creators found creative ways to open up the cadavers (i.e. folding their skin and flesh away so you can see all the layers). One specimen that I found particular interesting, not because I was looking at the guy's inners, but because he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. That was pretty wild.
The fact that they deskinned the specimens made it easier to stomach and stare at. There was one, however, that really creeped me out moreso than the others. It was of a man sliced up vertically into 6 or 8 pieces. Two of the segments showed his face and the look on it was horrific! The man had his eyes winced, shut tight, and his face was scrunched up as if he were in pain when they sent him through the buzzsaw. That was pretty jarring. They also had the body of a fat man cut the same way, but laid out across a table. I found it more sick and twisted rather than educational. Can you imagine if you went to one of these and you recognized someone you knew all chopped up? I think that'd just about make anyone have a heart attack. Throughout the exhibit, I found myself not okay with what was being done. But I guess that's science for you.
Another display showed a pregnant woman with the fetus still inside. You could count the little toes on the baby that were forming. That, albeit shocking, was actually pretty interesting.
All in all, this experience made it clear to me that I could never get into the medical field. Ellvin Kelvin has told me that he's had to deal with plenty of cadavers in his schooling. I'm just not cut out (pardon the pun) for that kind of stuff. And I don't understand really how anyone would want to donate their bodies to something like this. It seems like they're never in a position to rest in eternal piece. How do you know you won't need your body after you die? Maybe in the after life, we need them to be in a restful state; not hardened into plastic and propped up like a freak show. But hey, if you want to be the center of attention after death, they had a booth set up with information on how, yes, you, yourself can donate your body to be sliced and diced and deboned and put on display for all to gaze at your gonads.
So my question is, was this about science or more of a perverse art? I sure as hell prefer the kind that goes on a canvas. Spare me the creepy glass eyes and fingernails, thanks.
Turning vegan,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Monday, March 21, 2005
Routes Hits a Road Block
Well, it looks like I won't be jump-starting my website this weekend. Lee Leman pointed out to me that the California Science Center does not allow pictures for personal use in the Body Worlds 2 exhibit.
I also wrote to them a few days ago asking if pictures were allowed and this is what I got back:
"I'm sorry but no personal photography is allowed in the Body Worlds 2 exhibit. Only credentialed working media who have signed user agreements prior to entering are allowed to use cameras in the exhibit."
Okay, so I vehemently believe that my website is a reputable media source. What other site reviews both Proactiv and Chicken McNuggets? Where do I get credentialized, dammit!
Oh well. I'm pretty sure everything in the exhibit will look like this:
There, I just saved you twelve bucks.
I don't even really want to go any more. Why go somewhere if you can't get a picture to prove you were there or prove you picked a corpse's nose? I guess I could learn something. I'd still rather just skin my own hobo...
Disappointed and pissed-off, or pissadointed,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Well, it looks like I won't be jump-starting my website this weekend. Lee Leman pointed out to me that the California Science Center does not allow pictures for personal use in the Body Worlds 2 exhibit.
I also wrote to them a few days ago asking if pictures were allowed and this is what I got back:
"I'm sorry but no personal photography is allowed in the Body Worlds 2 exhibit. Only credentialed working media who have signed user agreements prior to entering are allowed to use cameras in the exhibit."
Okay, so I vehemently believe that my website is a reputable media source. What other site reviews both Proactiv and Chicken McNuggets? Where do I get credentialized, dammit!
Oh well. I'm pretty sure everything in the exhibit will look like this:
There, I just saved you twelve bucks.
I don't even really want to go any more. Why go somewhere if you can't get a picture to prove you were there or prove you picked a corpse's nose? I guess I could learn something. I'd still rather just skin my own hobo...
Disappointed and pissed-off, or pissadointed,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Slow Motion
Can you believe how much things have slowed down as of late?
I don't know about you, but I'm bored as cancer on a cucumber salad with chives. And you know how much those chives stink.
But to bring you up to date on this very boring Saturday, I am currently typing a blog. Not just any blog, but a doobie of a blog; one that should entertain and excite throughout the night. Yup. Yup. I like beans. Well, sometimes. When they're cooked right and not too dry and pastelike.
Boy, this is going well, ain't it?
I do have some news to report. I recently reserved some tickets to Wicked when the tour comes to Los Angeles at the Pantages. I've heard that it'll be really hard to get tickets the normal way when they go on sale to the public on April 3, so I got together a group and bought group tickets (which went on sale sometime last month). So basically, I'm rounding up over $2,000 for a show I've seen twice already! Well, it's a damn good show, so I don't mind. I'm happy that my family will get to see the show. Some of them have been dying to see it.
And in other news, I'll be going to that Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the California Science Center next Saturday. I've heard a lot about it and am really interested in seeing all the specimens. It's really rather creepy. They take a bunch of dead bodies and remove the skin. Then they place the cadavers in everyday poses so you can view how muscles and tissue move and stretch and stuff. I'm wondering if there will be a weird smell of rotting flesh or formaldehyde. We'll see though. And I freakin' promise that if I'm allowed to take pictures, I will put up a formal route on this visit. Mark my words.
Marking,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
Can you believe how much things have slowed down as of late?
I don't know about you, but I'm bored as cancer on a cucumber salad with chives. And you know how much those chives stink.
But to bring you up to date on this very boring Saturday, I am currently typing a blog. Not just any blog, but a doobie of a blog; one that should entertain and excite throughout the night. Yup. Yup. I like beans. Well, sometimes. When they're cooked right and not too dry and pastelike.
Boy, this is going well, ain't it?
I do have some news to report. I recently reserved some tickets to Wicked when the tour comes to Los Angeles at the Pantages. I've heard that it'll be really hard to get tickets the normal way when they go on sale to the public on April 3, so I got together a group and bought group tickets (which went on sale sometime last month). So basically, I'm rounding up over $2,000 for a show I've seen twice already! Well, it's a damn good show, so I don't mind. I'm happy that my family will get to see the show. Some of them have been dying to see it.
And in other news, I'll be going to that Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the California Science Center next Saturday. I've heard a lot about it and am really interested in seeing all the specimens. It's really rather creepy. They take a bunch of dead bodies and remove the skin. Then they place the cadavers in everyday poses so you can view how muscles and tissue move and stretch and stuff. I'm wondering if there will be a weird smell of rotting flesh or formaldehyde. We'll see though. And I freakin' promise that if I'm allowed to take pictures, I will put up a formal route on this visit. Mark my words.
Marking,
Ricky
_________________________________________________________________________
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