randomly snarky

Jumping the Idol shark?

2009-02-13T20:44:06Z

Over the holidays, a colleague and I browsed a book fair being held in our downtown lobby. This gem was among the relatively normal selection of books.

Thought I'd share this now that Idol is moving into the competition vs. all the audition crap.

An American Idol Soul. We didn't even bother looking inside the cover.

Battery-operated smoking

2009-02-03T12:04:30Z

NJOY looks, feels and tastes like a cigarette. Or so they say. They're battery-operated and rather than producing real smoke, contain water which creates a "smoke-like" vapor.

I'm not sure how to feel about this. As an ex-smoker who still misses cigarettes 10 years later, I admit they pique my interest. The company's messaging appears targeted to current smokers, but it's interesting to think the smoking experience could exist without all the harmful effects... blink.

Nicotine amounts in NJOY range from 0mg to 18mg but the FAQ suggests nicotine without all the other carcinogens in cigarettes might be just fine. There's even a variety of flavors: regular tobacco, menthol, apple, strawberry, and vanilla.

Tempting, right? If I did try them, I'd go for the 0-nic. But there goes the fun.

Can you blow smoke rings with vapor?

The second rule: same as the first

2009-01-26T01:20:04Z

The first rule of flea club: You do not talk about flea club.

I'm so glad Bucky Katt is a fan of Fight Club. It's one of my favorites from the WTF is happening? genre.

Guys think they own this movie but we all need a little project mayhem.

Real tickets and pretend violations

2008-12-31T03:33:48Z

Shortly after moving to Virginia in 2001, I received a traffic ticket for speeding. I was doing 40 in a 30 on a boulevard I'd still argue should be marked 55 based on the traffic patterns. But I paid the fine and tried not to speed there again.

Sticking with the trend of relocation + ticket, I was lagged last night for turning at a red light apparently marked as No Turn on Red.

Between you and me, I've been turning on red at this light since early October. I guess the ticket was inevitable. But, I truly didn't know the warning was posted, and confirmed on the way home tonight the sign is near impossible to see in the dark.

Here's a bit of Colorado quirk: The ticket is a little over $100 and comes with 3 points. Yay. But, if I pay the ticket within 20 days, the cost drops closer to $70 and there won't be points assessed. The "improper turn" offense will also convert to "broken headlamp." Huh?

Okay, Colorado. I'll pay your ticket within 20 days. And I'll fix that uh, headlamp problem, ASAP. Wink.

Diamonds, cashmere and Vader

2008-12-29T04:36:52Z

One year later and the holidays were still weird, but much better. I caught the spirit 2-3 days before Christmas. And now I'm sad it's over - a good sign of life going on, right? Yadda, yadda.

The first Colorado Christmas turned out to be fairly amazing. I missed traveling and seeing even more friends and family. I missed the beach. Yes, I missed Dad too.

I was impossibly spoiled by family, friends and colleagues. No surprise, two of my favorite gifts are super nerdy - a Hello Kitty ring (me-ow), and a Star Wars pop-up book (the light sabers WORK!). And more to come thanks to gift certificates. Geez.

My gift-giving was fairly decent this year. I did however, neglect to volunteer over the holidays, and haven't anywhere since moving out here. So I guess that's my first official resolution for '09. I can't believe we're sliding into 2009...

Pretty, shiny bears

2008-12-27T05:59:40Z

Is it just me, or does $500 for 5 of these gummi bear lights seem reasonable? Okay, maybe not - but they would be an adorable addition to the rec room. Alas, the money is better spent on bills, savings and donations. Dammit.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T05:07:03Z

Feeling pornamental?

2008-12-24T10:23:36Z

Because nothing says Happy Holidays like a little "oven lovin." I saw this site on Six's blog and laughed, but actually have no desire to hang boobs from the tree. But if YOU need a special X-mas treat, they're likely already taking orders for next year.

I curse at jaywalkers.

2008-12-18T03:07:04Z

Apparently it's not until you live or commute downtown that you truly experience the teeth-grinding ire of a jaywalker crossing your path.

I admit, I've done my share of jaywalking over the years. Not long after I moved to Denver I even asked a couple of colleagues walking back from lunch why we were stopping at the DO NOT WALK sign. I mean, c'mon, we have the right of way, don't we?

No, Pedestrian, you do not have the right of way unless the sign says WALK.

My car weighs a couple of tons. I keep the brakes, tires and assorted fluids in good shape but that's no guarantee I can turn the corner and stop when you pop in front of me. Oh, and your look of annoyance when I have to stop short makes you not only act like a dumbass, but look like one too. Freak. Dumbass freak.

Don't be that way.

2008-11-04T02:50:07Z

Hello, world.

2008-10-26T07:49:50Z

Long time no see.

Shout out to the jackass spammers for the 915 mostly-junk comments I just flipped through. MovableType loves throwing the good stuff in with the bad, so I have to sift through them all.

HBO just did a coming-up-next promo via my DVR for Never Been Kissed (yes, I recorded this) and said it stars Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. But Luke Wilson isn't in the movie.

My wireless network didn't work tonight (well, this morning) and it took me 30 minutes to discover I'd turned off the radio on my laptop. I didn't know that particular button even existed, and probably has for every wire-enabled laptop I've ever owned or used. Mildly disturbing.

We did a lot of touring today, all pretty close to home. I'm crushing on Colorado.

So, hello.

Farmer Vincent's fritters

2008-10-12T17:13:59Z

It takes all kinds of critters to make ‘em.

One favorite childhood memory is more random than most: A group of friends and I snuck into the movies with borrowed older siblings to watch Motel Hell. Likely one of the campiest and crappiest horror movies ever made, it featured crazies cooking-up unsuspecting travelers as sausage. As a kid, the best part was how the victims were kept buried in the garden all veggie-like to be fed in preparation. I also loved the old guy riding a rickety bicycle around town yelling “we’re doomed, we’re doomed.”

Most of us hadn’t even hit our teens yet, so the movie was likely far more adult and interesting to us than the producers ever intended. But the fun memories of the night certainly stuck - which may have included my first cigarette, by the way.

A neat side effect of moving are the random memories generated by packing/unpacking. Not sure what exactly sparked this one, probably a combination of the move and the crap I’ve had playing in the background from FEARnet.

Move almighty

2008-10-03T00:04:14Z

The house closing came and went without a hitch. Not bad considering the financial woes all around us. The 1,650 mile drive across the country was blissfully uneventful and the weather was good. i-70 through Kansas was fucking endless.

The movers came today - a couple of hours late - and the furniture looks great in the house. Power, gas, and phone are all set.

The only real flub in my careful orchestration was by the cable company - the installer showed but some of his equipment wasn't working. Cable boxes, that is. So we get another visit tomorrow between 1-5pm. I managed not to implode when things didn't go exactly as planned.

By this time tomorrow we'll be fully moved in and out of the latest hotel. Amen!

Tomorrow's the day!

2008-09-24T02:36:07Z

The closing is set for 4pm MT and everything appears to be in order. So, unless the sky falls down or my bathtub mat locks me in the hotel, I'll be an official Colorado resident tomorrow night. Almost.

Mystery solved

2008-09-22T01:47:35Z

Yawn. Passing the maid's cart in the hall this morning, I noticed she was transporting a new rubber mat. Apparently the Great Disappearing Mat Adventure is nothing more than a rubber mat shortage. Boo.

Only 3 more days! Then it's more hotels as we drive across the country. But I'm okay with that. Actually, I'm GREAT with that. Can't wait!