It's been awhile. I know. I've really been trying to stay away from the computer as of late -- there are much better things I can be doing. Plus, the internet is a fucking fad. It's like the tamagotchi of computer networks. Mark my words.

The big news in my life is that I'm still gainfully employed. My professional career as a computerist has survived it's first threat of destruction. By how narrow a margin, I'll never know. About six weeks ago, they (the ominous bosses) announced that they would be doing a 4% reduction in workforce across the globe, or roughly 1,500 people. Since then, the work environment has had a really strange vibe to it -- business as usual with the ever present threat of termination. ugh.



At the beginning of last week, rumors began to circulate that the axe was going to fall in the next day or two. Also, it looked as though the total was going to be more like 5%. On Tuesday, certain folks started getting phonecalls requesting them in a conference room. The entire day, I kept waiting to get the phonecall. By noon, my phone hadn't rang, so I assumed I was safe. I was correct. Huzzah.

While I'm incredibly happy to be employed, things are going to get worse before they get better. A few people on my project team got hit by the shittrain. Unfortunately, our delivery date is set in stone. What does this mean for me? Pick up the slack. I'm already putting in some long hours, so this isn't the most exciting news.

Ah, the things we do for money.



Ms. Kim and I have been trying to travel down south more often, primarily to see my parents. It's always a treat to get to spend time with them. Additionally, Ms. Kim is a wonderful road trip partner. She recently purchased a car -- a 2004 BMW 325xi. It's a wonderful machine. It's going to get me in trouble -- driving the speed limit is absolutely painful when you know the car is easily capable of doubling it. Ticketmaker.



Visiting the homestead kind of makes me resent the suburbs. Granted, it's quiet and clean around here, but I really fucking miss being out in the middle of nowhere. My dream house would be no further than 50 paces from the woods. All in all, I guess I'm just a big fan of privacy. And trees. And being able to see stars at night. Fuck light pollution.



I've said it before, but it's so very strange to return to my hometown. Really, the only thing that has changed in the last few years, as far as I can tell, is the addition of a stoplight at an intersection.


In between work and trips, I've been working on that arcade cabinet I bought awhile back. It's been a ridiculous amount of work, thus far, but it's been a lot of fun. It's given me an excuse to buy and use some tools as well as bone up on my wiring and woodworking skills.



I'm trying to keep it authentic as possible, but it's required a lot of custom work. The cabinet was an original Ms. Pac Man machine that was converted into a few different games over time. I've been able to use a lot of the original parts, but I had to build my own control panel for it. I plan to do a detailed writeup in the future, but as it stands, the cabinet is completely playable. Ms. Kim and I have already become Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo gods.



Last weekend, T-bag and his wonderful girlfriend came and stayed overnight. We made a day trip out to the coast to tour the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory. I'd been there as a kid -- I remembered it to be awesome. Sadly, my childhood recollections have failed me yet again. The factory tours are self guided. You can see everything in about 10 minutes. Plus, it was the weekend, and noone was working, so all we saw was some idle-ass machinery. I did get to eat my first cheese curd. Brilliant. We made the trip back, drank a whole bottle of Absinthe and made merry.

All in all, life around here is pretty quiet. Quiet and sweet. I love you all.

its 1 in the morning and i am sitting here on the computer... well its been a while and i am sure you (by means of the cybernet) are on the edge of your seat to know whats next in store for old wispy and his life adventures. (im getting tiered of correcting my drunk spelling so its going to get sloppy). WELL I WILL TELL YOU WHATS GOING ON! Beanie, myself, and beans buddy garret got a house in a sweet location of hawthorne on 52nd st. There are mant sweet eateries and watering holes around the house within a couple blocks (including a stumptown and a SALOON we are able to aquire tasty beverages at) the weather has been nice lately and i have never been so jealous as of late as i was when i saw another 80's 4runner WITH ITS TOP OFF! FUCK... i wish i had a garage and some strapping young lads to help me store my top even if it only lasted a few days, it would be worth it.

my girlfriend and i have been doing great, we have been together for almost four months. i recently went up to miss beckerly's hokme town of long beach WA... we camped in a yert in a park called cape dissapiontment... fuck i am bad at spelling. the after noon we traveled around the local beaches, saw some rad ass lighthouses, and saw jake, THE half algator-man. after an evening full of hot dogs, pabst, gangster, and smores we got restless and tried the movie store, unfortunetly it waqs closed but the bowling alley was open for another hour! needless to say i wished that the dude and walter (and donny..rip) were sitting next to me talkin shit on the petter-ass but what can u do. fuck i just typed text speak. i thnk its time for my to go to bed. goodnight all

Picture this, if you will -- I'm in my hometown, making one final pit stop at the Minute Market before hitting the road. I needed some caffeine and some water, as I forgot to juice up before I left.

As I'm walking to the register, water in hand, I see a very poorly handmade sign posted on a cooler door. I step closer and softly read it outloud: "ENERGY DRINKS CAN NOW BE PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMPS."

I took a step back. I was stunned. Really? Red Bull with foodstamps? Guh.

I neglected to bring my camera with me, so I attempted to take a photo with my (stupid motherfucking) phone. As I gingerly positioned the frame, about to snap the picture, the disheveled, crotchety lady behind the counter yells something at me.

"What are you doing?" she inquires.

"Oh, I just think it's crazy that you can buy energy drinks with food stamps" I replied.

After a long pause, and giving me some serious stinkeye, she says:"People on food stamps get tired too."

It's important to remember that there are assholes in this world, will always be assholes in this world, and there isn't necessarily anything that can be done about them. All I can do is be the best person I know how to be, make sure that I do everything I can to be in the right, and move on. Because they don't matter, and I need to be sure to remind myself every time one of those assholes snubs me or treats me like I'm less than dirt that they don't matter. At all. In the slightest. Right?

always.....

I'm heading up to Seattle in an hour or so to visit my friend Lori and to catch the boys' show up there with The Cauze at the Columbia City Theatre.
Holly will be traveling with me to surprise her man, Tyler (C's roommate/band bassist).
We have no idea where we're staying.
I think this may be the first time I've ever headed somewhere for an overnight stay and not had a perfectly laid out plan for where I will be sleeping. Perhaps a sign that I am learning to relax a little and be a little less of an old lady?

Apparently it's going to snow up there tonight. I'm sick of snow. I really just want sunshine and flip-flop weather.

always.....