So I considered, for a moment making this my first video blog. But I decided not to, mainly cause I want to post this now and I don’t want to spend all night editing a video, which I would and would encourage my insomnia.

The BF’s brother is here this weekend, and as always he parks his car as close as possible to the house as possible. Why I don’t know, as where he should park it really is only about 10 steps more from his car to the front door. The problem with where he parks? By now he should know better. Let’s go to the diagram.

First my apologies, this post is being made late at night, and thus the picture was taken then. I did my best, but the lighting conditions are obviously not optimal. The arrows and text aren’t my best work either, but for this hour they’ll suffice.

As you can see, we have a garage. In this garage is the Honda CRV, which is a car that sits a bit above the ground. What this photo doesn’t show is the line of trees to the right of the garage, as well as the slight downwards grass slop off the main driveway. Conclusion, pulling out of the garage and turning right to turn around is not an option.

Notice to the left of the garage is a fairly large area, all graveled. Labeled is the optimal parking zone. Why is this optimal? Simple, it isn’t in the way of backing out of the garage! Because when pulling out of the garage, one doesn’t have to go backwards and forwards 2-3 times in order to avoid collision to turn around and get the hell out of the driveway and onto the road.

So where does the BF’s brother always park, the optimal hit zone. This is also, if I may point out, a BLIND spot! When backing out of the garage, you can’t see a car here very easily, especially one that obviously is low to the ground when in a CRV! Furthermore when one is not used to cars being there, one can forget to remember a car is there.

Can you see where we are going with this post? Yes I backed into the BF’s brother’s car today. I put a noticeable dent in the trunk. The BF’s car is fine, it was the spare tire that did it. Let me also say I was only backing up at about 5 mph when this happened, and wondered what the hell did I just hit? Then it hit me (no pun intended), oh yeah the BF’s brother’s car.

Do I feel bad? Of course I do! You know what makes it a little better? The fact that he knows not to park there! I already backed into the car once before and knocked out his taillight! Even my BF told him this is a really bad place to park, as he’s almost totalled his car. Trust me, the BF pulls out of that garage like a bat out of hell!

You know what else makes me feel not so bad? His comments tonight. “It might be hard to find parts to fix the car, it’s almost 20 years old and they don’t make these cars anymore.” That’s pretty much a clue to get a new car! We aren’t talking about a classic here either. As you can see it’s a Chevy hatchback. Furthermore he has 2 of them. Why you ask? It was in fact a 2 for 1 deal when he bought them. No really, I’m serious so stop laughing. Note, you should probably never buy a car on a 2 for 1 deal. It probably means they really want to get rid of the cars for some reason.

Truth be told, he can probably get one of those dent-be-gone suction cup things from the “As Seen On TV” infomercials and fix it. Truth be told, the car will survive, the BF’s car has more dents and dings in it than this. Truth be told, the car(s) are 20 years old, they aren’t classics by far, so maybe it’s time to get a new car(s).

Yeah I probably shouldn’t be so aggravated or annoyed, especially since it isn’t my car that got dented, but seriously, don’t park your car there when you know it’s not a good spot.

Uhg! Last night I didn’t go to bed till 5:30 am, and I don’t think I actually fell asleep till around 7am! Grrrrr! I only slept till 11am, so one would think I would be dead on my feet. Nope! Stress and work is getting to me again obviously.

Of course rather than try and go to sleep, I decided to try and do something useful like upgrade all my blog software! Not a great thing to start at 4am, especially when you accidentally screw things up and have to get it fixed. I did though, and I’m not liking the new Wordpress 2.5 interface. I will take getting used to. I also added avatars to the comments for people to use, either MyBlogLog or Gravatar should work.

My copies of the “Golden Compass” books all arrived, so I want to start reading them this weekend. I want to see what the hoopla is really about first hand.

I still haven’t edited the Vegas trip videos yet, sorry. I also keep wanting to sit down and make a plain old video blog, but can’t figure out what to talk about. It’s easier to sit here and write/ramble than sit in front of a camera and talk/ramble. Because when you do the later, you really look like and idiot

Last night the BF and I went to see Eddie Izzard’s new stand-up show “Stripped.” No he wasn’t naked, but he wasn’t in drag hence the name. I think he’s a funny man, but some of his humor I just don’t get, and he rambles on a bit. Plus it didn’t help that his new show surrounds the topic of whether there is or isn’t a God. He basically goes through time and the history of man and civilization deconstructing things and making it humorous. However I couldn’t help but pick things apart because some of his “facts” were in fact wrong or exagerated for humour.

Today I ended up playing hookie from school work and went to the movies to see “Iron Man.” I knew I had to go during the day when the kids were in school and most people were at work. Otherwise I would have had to deal with babies crying, rude kids being rowdy and their rude parents talking to each other, the screen or their buddies over the phone. There was about 10 people in the whole theater, which was perfect. The movie was absolutely amazing. Yes the story was pretty predictable, but it was great and worth seeing. Everyone should take a trip to see it, you won’t be disappointed, even if you don’t like superhero movies.

With the day pretty much shot and 2 hours till “Betty” and “Grey’s,” I’m gunna clean up the house and bit then settle in for some TV time. I’ll resume school tomorrow.

It’s that time of year again! Time to get serious about trying to lose some weight and shape up. Of course this is brought on by the fact that we booked out cruise for next January. We are once again going on Royal Caribbean because we had such a good time on the last one. It’s 8 nights on the Independence of the Seas. Before the cruise this year we’ll be doing Universal Studios in Orlando. I’m so excited and I can’t wait, though obviously I have to. This is going to be my first real cruise, even though it’s my 7th (I think). I’ll have no soaps to watch, no pages I feel I have to get updated and God as I my witness I WILL be done with school! I am expecting a carefree vacation damnit!

Back to the topic at hand. Every time I book a cruise I get on the “get fit” kick, which usually I try to kick up in November (the worst time of the year because of holidays). I’ve actually been doing fairly good about food and getting to the gym, but I have to get a bit more serious and stop cheating with what I’m eating. To help I plopped down a down-payment to reserve a Nintendo Wii Fit. It comes out later this month and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. It does strength training, yoga and aerobics as well as “balance games.” I know it can’t replace the gym, but it’s been getting good marks. Plus I know first hand that playing “Dance Dance Revolution” for 30 minutes gives you a damn good workout. So I’m expecting this to be as good if not better. I also know Yoga can be but kicking, but it’s not something I would want to do at the gym in front of others

This week the BF and I finally sat down to watch the much hyped “Cloverfield.” I had read several blog posts from people who saw this movie and thought it was the most amazing thing ever. Unfortunately neither of us liked it. The BF didn’t think it was too bad, he just didn’t like the ending, but was hoping for a sequel to tie up lose ends. I just thought it was aggravating all around.

For those who don’t know, “Cloverfield” is basically “The Blair Witch Project” but with a Godzilla like monster attacking New York. It made news first with it’s very odd trailer last year and then when it was released because the shaky hand-held camera angles and movement were making people sick in the theater. Had I seen this in the theater I so would have had a monster migraine for sure! It was worse than “The Blair Witch,” which did make me ill watching on the big screen. That’s one reason I waited for the small screen.

Unlike “The Blair Witch” though, I don’t feel “Cloverfield” delivered. First, there literally is no real story to the movie. There kind of is, but not enough of one. Most of the story is about the people and their relationships rather than the monster. Maybe this is what they were going for, but if I have to see a giant monster destroying New York then I’d like to know something about IT. The relationships in the movie were also aggravating, because aside from one couple, there really weren’t relationships. The guy who does the camera lusts after a girl in the group he hardly knows, while our “hero” decides rather than flee New York he’s going to ground zero to rescue his girlfriend. Oh and by girlfriend, I really mean the girl he’s been in love with for years who has treated him only as a friend, blew him off at his own going away party and is dating someone else. So of course all his friends risk their lives to help him! Yeah you know this isn’t going to end well. Finally the ending was aggravating. I won’t give it away, but even the BF yelled out “What the #$%#$ that’s it!”

Two thumbs down as far as I’m concerned!

Last night however I finally watched “Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem” which I’ve had sitting around for about a month. All I can say is redemption! Now THIS is a monster movie! It’s the sequel to the ill received original “Aliens Versus Predator” which I actually rather enjoyed myself. You don’t have to have seen the original really to enjoy this one, but it does provide a back story.

The original took place at an excavation somewhere in the arctic circle. A large pyramid structure was found deep underground. As it turned out it was a temple built by humans for the Predators, an alien race engaged in a hunt across space of the Aliens race. Every so many years earth hosted the hunt and well, I won’t spoil any more in case anyone wants to see the original then the sequel.

The sequel takes place right after the original, once again on earth. However instead of being confided to an underground pyramid, this one takes place in some town in somewhere USA. This is a classic no hold barred, no one is safe from death monster movie. Almost everyone, and I mean everyone is slaughtered in this movie. What’s great is the gore doesn’t get to the point of “Saw” or “Hostel” levels where the gore takes over and is the movie. This is much like a classic slasher movie, just with the Aliens and a Predator as the killers.

Two thumbs way up!

For a few years now I have kept telling myself when school is done that I’m going to clean up our hell hole of a basement. I think this summer is going to be the summer! When I am finally in nothing but editing mode with my advisor over the dissertation I’m going to start to tackle the basement. It’s become a storage pit for anything and everything, including crap left here by friends or acquaintances. They’ll be getting called to come get their crap or it’s going to get left outside. Actually since it’s been left here for free, maybe I can sell some of it Honestly, I don’t think they even remember it’s here anymore.

Because our basement is prone to flooding in parts when we get heavy rains, all cardboard boxes are going. They need to go anyways as they are roach and bug magnets. I’ll probably have to drop a good amount of cash at TarJay for rubber made containers, so I’ll just watch for when they are on sale. There is a lot in boxes right now, but there is just a lot of empty boxes down there too. From PC boxes to DVD boxes, you name it, it’s down there.

Worse than organizing is going to be the cleaning aspect. Some places have insane cobwebs built up, others I think are actually giant spider webs. The dust is going to be terrible, I’ll have to get myself one of those masks from the store. Plus I need to get about 10 mops and several gallons of floor cleaner and disinfectant cause lord knows what is growing on the floor or walls in places!

Once this is done, and I’m sure it will be a whole summer’s job, I want to start cleaning up the yard and the back barn, which we use as a garage. It’s a hell hole too!

First up, I know it’s been a few days since I posted. After Vegas I needed some down time, plus I got hit with kidney stones . . . always fun! Anyway I’m back to normal and getting back to work and the daily grind. Just a few updates on what other stuff has been going on.

Madonna’s “Hard Candy” album dropped this week. Unlike “Confessions,” which I instantly fell in love with, this is more of a “have to listen to it a few times” to get the feel for it. There are definitely some great songs on it with an 80s electro-pop dance feel as well as a 70s disco-soul groove. “Give It 2 Me, ” “Incredible,” “She’s Not Me” and “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You” are my favorites on the album. Other songs are okay, some I could have done without. Some just don’t feel like Madonna should be singing them to me, and she really needs to stay away from rapping.

Last night I watched “The Orphanage.” Watching this around 3am was a mistake, because it was a subtly creepy movie. Nothing overwhelming, jump out of your seat scary. Just creepy. It’s from producer Guillermo del Toro, who is probably best known for writing/directing “The Devil’s Backbone” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Both of these are set during the Spanish Civil War, but “The Orphanage” (which he just produced) is in modern times. It’s the story of a woman who buys the home/orphanage she grew up in to return to with her husband and son. However it seems the children she played with as a child might still be around! Very good movie, very creepy. One of the better in the horror genre to come out these past few years in my opinion. Warning though, it’s subtitled for those who don’t like reading during a movie

Also out this week is “GTAIV” better known as “Grand Theft Auto 4.” Yes this is the controversial game said to warp children’s minds and make them go out and shoot up people and stuff. It’s rated M for mature, there is a reason, kids shouldn’t be playing it! If you wouldn’t let your kids go to an ultra-violent movie, don’t let them play these types of games either, it’s that simple. I picked it up because it’s a fun stress reliever honestly. I know the difference between right and wrong and real and imaginary, so I’m pretty confident I won’t be carjacking anyone tonight or running people over on the street

Finally I ordered the “His Dark Materials” trilogy, the first book being “The Golden Compass.” It’s been awhile, since the last Harry Potter, since I read something for fun. I decided I liked the movie enough to give the books ago. Plus I want to see what the “controversy” is about.

On our very delayed flight home last night they showed “The Golden Compass” which I rather enjoyed, but felt I was left hanging at the end. Grrr! I’m not sure if they are making more or not, so I feel the need to read the books the movie was based on. I know of course the big secret at the end because it was a controversy when the movie came out. The other movie they started showing was “P.S. I Love You” which we never finished! Grrr! Talk about really being left hanging. So I have to wait two weeks for that on DVD.

Anyway, today is my one and only rest day. I slept way too late because of travel and can feel this stone moving in me, so I’m parking my butt on the couch for the day and resting up. I plan to catch up on all the TV I missed while gone. Oh and unfortunately aside from those dam photos, I didn’t take too much in Vegas. I took a lot of digital movies so I’ll be using some time to see what I can string together in my editing software.

So first up, I’m back from Vegas. I should be in bed, but not only am I still on Vegas time, I’m stoned. No not that kind of stoned. Yesterday I felt the twinges of it coming on, last night I was woken by it and now it’s here, a kidney stone! Fortunately it’s not one sending me into fits of vomitious excruciating pain, but it’s enough to annoy me and make me uncomfortable.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, which I’m sure will get picked up by search engines and get me all sorts of nasty comments! Bring it on Anne Coulter fans. I rarely get political on here, but this is something I kept seeing in Vegas that annoyed me, especially since the show COPS is filmed there. That is the topic of guns.

On several taxis going through the city was the advertisement for “The Gun Shop” which featured the photo of a fully automatic weapon and the tag line “Come try out a full-auto!” Every time it went by I thought to myself . . . . unless you are fighting in a war, exactly why do you need to own a full, hell even a semi-automatic weapon?

Gun control . . . . one of those political hot-bed issues. It was recently brought up in the Democratic debate because of new laws being passed in D.C., and they wanted the candidates view on it. It’s an issue that many, especially conservative republicans, get very heated over because it’s the second fricken amendment in the constitution.

Yes the constitution of the United States gives us the right to bear arms and defend ourselves. However there are also clauses in there to amend the constitution if needed, because the original framers were smart and knew times changed. This is something conservatives like to point out when . . . . oh . . . . I don’t know . . . . homosexuals want to get married? But you better not mess with the right to bear arms!

So again I’m back to the original question. Why does anyone not serving in the military need to own any kind of automatic weapon? The topic often reminds me of a few comedic skits. One I saw years ago and can’t remember the original comedian who did it. His point was when the constitution was written the framers had muskets in mind, which he followed with the rather lengthy mimic of pouring gun powder into a gun and loading the ball and firing . . . followed by saying NOT “eh eh eh eh eh” which was his imitation of an Uzi. The second skit came from an old sit-com, I think possibly “Designing Women” in which it was pointed out the irony in the use of an automatic weapon to engage in the “sport” of hunting.

I don’t know, I’m sleep deprived, and that stupid advertisement just bothered me a lot. Label me a gun-hating right stealing liberal if you want, I still am not sure anyone can give me a solid argument as to why they need to own an automatic weapon Please note if you’re going to try and give me an answer, don’t make it “crime filled neighborhoods.” Cause frankly if you can afford one of these suckers, you can afford to move out of your bad neighborhood!

Guess what we did today I have bunches of stuff to tell, and tomorrow is going to be the relaxing day where we take it easy and stuff, so I’ll try and fill everyone in on what’s been going on.

After today’s little venture I told the BF at some point I really want to take a week to do the Southwest. See the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, The Anasazi ruins, Mesa Verde and so forth. He agreed it would be fun.

-Dustin