Springfield Blogs

Well, I finally decided to put up links to some of the local Springfield Blogs of people that I don't know personally. I've been looking through them and enjoy reading them. I've been reading Disarranging Mine for a while but I'm noticing some of the others again for the first time. So if you are interested, go ahead and click those links to the right. I may be adding more as I get around to checking more out. I know that there is a whole slew of them.

Hot Nights

For people who are asleep. I got home a little bit ago. And it is still freaking hot outside. Right now it is 2am and the temperature is 81 degrees with a heat index of 87 degrees. AT 2AM!

Running on empty

I am so freaking forgetful. It's weird though, somethings, I can't seem to forget no matter how hard I try. Then I go and do something like I did tonight. I'm getting ready to leave for work. I'm all dressed and I remember that I need to return my 3 movies tonight. I go get them out of the player. Put them in the cases. This is very important because I actually get charged a late fee if I return my free movies late. So I gotta get them back. Well, after I get the movies, I go and get a voided check because I'm setting up direct deposit at the night job. I get the sheet that I need to fill out along with the voided check. Then I proceed to say goodbye to the parents and I go into the garage and get 2 bottles of water and then get in my car and leave. I get to work. I walk in. I set my direct deposit information on the counter. Then I realize that I didn't bring my movies in. I say I'll be right back and run out to my car. The movies are no where to be found! I'm like, no way. I made to big of a deal out of this in my head to forget them. Well, I called home and I had set them on the couch when I had gotten my voided check. Freakin A. Luckily I have very very nice parents and they brought the movies to me all the way across town. The thing is also, I was rerenting 2 of them since I didn't get around to watching them. So I rerented the 2, and then returned the other one. I then rented The Producers thinking that this may be one that my parents would like to watch and also one that I want to watch. I told my dad to look around and pick something out and I would put it on my account but he didn't feel like it. So, hopefully they will enjoy this one. Anywho, I hate how I can just forget something like that when it is a big deal. I don't want to pay on a free movie. That is just insane. Hopefully next time I do better at checking to see if I have 3 movies in my hand before I leave the driveway.






Also, I noticed now that I am home that we have 2 half eaten bowls of ice cream from Cold Stone in the freezer. So apparently my parents took advantage of this trip across town to stop in and get some "so I hear" awesome ice cream. I have yet to try the place out. Fact that I'm broke plays a part in that too. I'm glad to see that their trip across town didn't totally concern me and they got some enjoyment out of it.

Come on in and warm up a little

It's a little warm outside. It isn't unbearable though, well, for short periods of time. It is about 96 degrees here and heat index is about 102.






The Chicago Cubs just swept the Saint Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field again. It was just a 4 game series this time around though. No big deal, right? I wish we played like that all year long. Alas, we haven't.







I slept until 1:30 again today, just like yesterday. Pretty much wasting my day but I didn't have anything to do really. I do work later so I guess I should be well rested to handle being on my feet for 6 hours.

I found $21.50 total on Friday night, so along with my pay, I made $61.50. That is going right into the bank. Well, I did spend that 50 cents on the megatouch, I felt that was allowable.

I am actually owed 4 bucks from a coworker from my summer job. I was supposed to go get it on Friday but I plum forgot. Hopefully if I swing by tomorrow she will have it.

I only ended up watching 1 of the 3 movies I rented. I think that I may rerent the other 2 and try to get a new 3rd. Last week I was focusing alot on class and such. I didn't find much time to fit a movie in and I prefer to watch movies at night.

I do enjoy the hot days that we are having but not in regards to my day job. I really enjoy being able to get the kids outside to play but when it is hotter than 92 degrees I think that we are not supposed to take the kids outside. Too risky because they don't know when to take a break and cool off.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Happy Birthday to Jessica W! 24 years young. And getting married soon.

The weekend? Already?

Oh goodness, my weeks keep getting longer and longer. I swear. Maybe it is because I'm much busier than I used to be but it seems to be a longer period of time before the weekend arrives. I'm going to get a little R and R this weekend. I know that for sure. Mow the yard some. Take some time for me. Before I have to get back to the grind.

Oiy! Maria!

I finally got a credit card. It is pretty sweet too. 0% fixed until Nov 07, then after that it is 8.99% fixed. Probably the best one that I've seen come my way, I jumped on it. Need to build that credit up. Now... what to buy?

I'm thinking about just buying something under 40 bucks each month, then pay it off right away. That is until I can afford a bigger purchase.

Friday is half over and then it is the weekend. Yay!

I went to bed last night and it happened... I couldn't fall asleep. Talk about ticking me off, geeez. I probably didn't fall asleep until about midnight. I was looking forward to catching up on sleep but nooooooooo.

The Matador

Well, I just watched The Matador. It was one of those dark comedies that I would describe as quirky funny. I wasn't really laughing outloud but some was situational type funny. If you were already interested in seeing it, go ahead and rent it. I'm personally not going to buy it down the road. It is a 1 time watcher for me.

Aside from the movie.

I am tired as all get out. I'm about to hit the hay, I guess, weird to say this since the past two nights I've been up until about 3am. I just can't seem to keep my eyes open for long. Which I guess is a good thing, my body is reacting properly to the lack of sleep and doing it early enough in the evening so that I can catch up with a full night of sleep.

I am working the day job tomorrow and then working the door at Brown's on Friday night.

I am the smartest man alive!

I am done! I finished an entire summer semester of Introduction to Teacher Education. I haven't figured up my grade but I know it is definately at least a B, a chance of possibly a low A. Walking out of that class knowing that I have completed it with a solid passing grade is one of the best feelings that I have had in a long time.

So I'm going on 3 hours of sleep. Yay, go me! Yesterday I was going on 4. I've got a little headache but I'm actually doing alright. I'm tempted to lay down for a nap because I have enough time since class got out earlier than usual. Sometimes though a nap just makes me more tired and I don't want to get back up when it is time to do so.

I've got a doc. appt. this afternoon, that should be okay. Then back to work for my afternoon shift. At 6pm I am crashing and relaxing. If I was drinking I would have a frosty cold one but I'm not, so maybe a hot chocolate will be in order. Mmm, I don't care how hot it is outside, a hot chocolate is still yummy in my tummy.

I plan on watching 1 of the 3 movies I rented for this week. The Matador is probably tonight's selection. I also rented Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Running Scared. All 3 are supposed to be really good movies, I hope so, since I spent all of nothing to rent them, HA!

So, who is coming to see me while I work the door on Friday night?

It's 3 am I must be lonely

Oh baby, I just finished my essays for my final. I also finished the multiple choice, now I just need to memorize the answers. Sucks that I have to be at work at 7am then at class at 9am, then at the doctor at 12:45pm and then back at work by 2pm. I am looking forward to 6pm with much anticipation. I've got the coffee ready to go in the morning. What is weird is that I'm not pass out tired at the moment. I hope that when I go in and lie down that I fall asleep almost immediately. I'm setting multiple alarms. Gotta get up! Goodnight and Goodmorning everyone!

Little kiddies

Today was the first day of school for the little kiddies. Some were very nervous and some told me so. Others I saw crying because they were scared. Others were wandering around confused as all getout. Some acting as though it were just another day. Tons of parents were present, some were even video recording everything their child did. One of ours was taking photos with a digital, and I recommended using the video mode and a few seconds later she was. I love the first day. The chaos is interesting to watch.

The way things were

Well, I have one day left of summer class. Then it is over. Wow. I can't believe I have survived an entire class.

In the morning I start back to my regular day job. No more summer hours and field trips. So it'll be the split shifts again. 7am-10:30 and 2:30-6pm. It'll be good. Back to the grind. I've got my fall classes to look forward to. I made my first payment on that today.

I'm working the night job this evening. So I'll probably get home around 1am and then I have to be at work at 7am. It is the hours I am actually used to keeping but being on my feet from 6-1 is different from lounging around the house or sitting at the bar.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the kids I had at S.View when I was there before. There was a good bunch over there.

I rode my bicycle to S.View school this afternoon just to see how long it would take me to get there. It took me 15 minutes and I'm sure that could get faster as I ride more often. On days that it is convenient, I'm thinking about riding my bike, for at least 1 shift. That is 15 minutes one way, so 30 minutes round trip. That hill on Stanford kicks my butt, I didn't stop though. I'm a trooper.

Also, I'm fixing up my newer old bike. I've been riding my old bike because it rides a little better than my good bike. So, I should have it back in good riding condition here in a few days as my dad and I work on fixing it up.

Quote

What we saw yesterday is that to a considerable extent, we control how we are perceived. "Yo!" Gets you one response, "Excuse me, sir," another. When we address someone with respect, we are more often than likely to GET respect - not always, but more often than you think, and if you're smart, that ought to be enough. Common courtesy - "please", "thank you", "excuse me"... magical words, magical words.

Free Movies Rock!

So I get to rent free movies now. I also am able to rent movies before they hit the streets. Well, tonight I made my choice of the first movie I would rent for free. I'm in a comedy type of mood, as I usually am. I picked

"Sarah Silverman - Jesus is Magic (2005)"

# Genres: Comedy, Musical
# Plot Outline Narrative digressions on sex, race, politics, and more from comedienne Sarah Silverman.
# Plot Synopsis: Sarah Silverman appears before an audience in Los Angeles with several sketches, taped outside the theater, intercut into the stand-up performance. Themes include race, sex, and religion. Her comic personal is a self-centered hipster, brash and clueless about her political incorrectness. A handful of musical numbers punctuate the performance. It begins and ends with her in conversation with two friends: at the start, she's the loser compared to their recent artistic successes; by the end, she's the star, in her dressing room, dismissive and cutting.




Plus, I think Sarah Silverman is hot. ;)

The feeling that its all a lot of oysters, but no pearls

I had my first irate customer last night. As he was leaving he said "F*&^ You!" I was like, um okay, right. Actually I said sorry. If you want the story, ask me in person. It's not an awesome one or anything but I'll share if you are interested.

Hung out at Moho's last night after work. I actually got out at a really decent time. I was happy. Found my spot on the couch at Moho's and I was good to go. What's great is that I chill and people come and go, the spots next to me are always available to friends, and especially to the ladies.

I do actually really enjoy being out late at night and not drinking. Well, not all the time but sometimes it is really interesting. For the main reason that everyone else is highly intoxicated and I am sober as can be. Some find this annoying, and I see your point of view but at the same time if you embrace it and use that time to observe the drunkies then you may have a good time. I always find myself laughing to myself about most things that are going on.

I hung out with RD, Ed, Monica, Josh, Andy, Grace, and others. Those are the ones that took time and sat over by me at the couch. Other people were there that I knew but were up and mingling more. The band was pretty good. All covers and I usually prefer a coverband if I am not going to be able to have conversations with people then I like to be able to sing along to the music.

Today I'm actually going to see a movie. I don't plan on spending money though. I have a movie money still left over from my birthday and I plan on using that. Yay for being broke.

Overdue Congratulations!

Ed and Amanda accepted a job up in Chicago, Illinois! Yes, home of the Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza and THE CHICAGO CUBS! They have about 5 weeks until they are to be all moved up there. Since my brain is like swiss cheese I can't recall exactly what their job is without second guessing myself, so ask them yourself! Way to go Ed and Amanda! Moving on up in the world, up north too! Brrrrr it's cold in here, will be Ed and Amanda's new saying. Ha.

Why do I feel all alone

The friend links to the right. I have attempted to put them in an order of those who update the most toward the top and those who rarely or actually never update toward the bottom. For instance, Becky just updated her blog so I moved her up but I didn't move her all the way up because she hasn't proved that the updates would be frequent yet. Now I'm not saying that they will always be in update order but if you click the first few there will more than likely be some sort of new content.



I just went for a walk/jog. That was fun. I jogged solid for a 2 minute stretch. I know because I timed myself on my cell phone clock. I almost died but I did it. My breathing gets out of hand before my legs start to give way. I think that with the not really smoking, it will get better. Although my legs giving way isn't too far behind the breathing. Over all with a few other jogs mixed in I walk/jogged for about an hour. I feel pretty good, now, if I can only do this with some sort of frequency.

I work job #3 tonight. Let's hope that I can get out of there before 1am. I know I am working with someone who is a quick closer so I feel it could be successful.


If I only was making more money. Life would be so much better. Honestly. I know how some people say that more money just makes more problems or there are more things to spend money on once you have more. For me it wouldn't be like that. I need more to get on with my life. I need more to be able to have my own life. Just enough to live comfortably on my own. I don't need to be rich. Yeah, that would be nice but it isn't what I need.

My heaven is a nice house in the sky

These are from my backyard. When everything is in bloom it is so beautiful.

Open up my head and let me out

"Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief." -- Joseph Addison

"One can't complain. I have my friends. Someone spoke to me only yesterday." -A.A. Milne's Eeyore

The best day: Today

Easiest thing to do: Find a fault

Most useless asset: Pride

The greatest mistake: Giving up

Greatest stumbling block: Egotism

Most disagreeable person: The complainer

Worst bankruptcy: Loss of enthusiasm

Greatest need: Common sense

Meanest feeling: Regret at another's success

Best gift: Forgiveness

The greatest moment: Death

The greatest thing in the world: Love

The most destructive habit: Worry

The greatest Joy: Giving

The greatest loss: Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work: Helping others

The ugliest personality trait: Selfishness

The most endangered species: Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource: Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm": Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome: Fear

The most effective sleeping pill: Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease: Excuses

The most powerful force in life: Love

The most dangerous pariah: A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer: The brain

The worst thing to be without: Hope

The deadliest weapon: The tongue

The two most power-filled words: "I Can"

The greatest asset: Faith

The most worthless emotion: Self-pity

The most beautiful attire: Smile

The most prized possession: Integrity

The most contagious spirit: Enthusiasm

Keep it locked up inside don’t talk about it

As I get older I learn more things, obviously. Most people don't care about other people. They act like they care because it looks good on the resume of life but they are just doing it so that they can put it on this so-called life resume.

I worked job #2 tonight. It was lowkey. A few people came out but didn't stay long or if they did they didn't hang out with me.

I think that I have some of the better conversations with people who barely know me. Probably because they don't have preconceived notions of who I am supposed to be.

I think of laying it out every so often and then S happens and then I'm glad that I didn't.

A sure thing is not really a sure thing. Whether it be jobs, life, or love. Life is too unpredictable to be a sure thing.

Get Your Own Box.

I didn't get to swim today. Very upsetting. It was going to be the last day I go swimming through my job the rest of the summer. Stupid storms.

So I just found out that 2 kids at my summer program are the younger half brother and half sister of 2 girls that was friends with and I went to high school with. Small world.

Not much else to speak of. Not much else going on. Work, work, and more work. I love being a boring adult. It is what I have always aspired to do and now I have attained it. Right....

For Shoofly

Sad Clown

I found my thrill

So much going on. But nothing at the same time. I feel like I am forgetting to do something. But I think at the same time that I've got all my bases covered.

I'm happy but I'm not.
I'm content but I'm not.
I'm optimistic but I'm not.
I'm here but I'm not.

I think about you all the time

"It's like thunder, lightning."

You better, knock on wood.

I saw some of the best lightning today. Huge bolts all across the sky and multiple bursts in quick sequence. This was all while we had the kids in the hallway trying to keep them safe. I at the same time was not setting a good example and was outside watching all of it occur. I love storms. I wish I had a camera on me at that moment. I've always wanted to catch a good lightning bolt photo. Never have.

Sheeooot

I told myself that I would go to bed early tonight. It didn't happen.

Celebrated D's birthday this evening. Good time it was.

LJ came out. Haven't seen her in a long time.

So far I'm holding up. I am super busy anymore. I've already got people worrying that I will run myself ragged. I think I can handle it.

Presented and turned in my portfolio this morning. I hope I get a decent grade on it. I know there is more I could have done to make it better. Time got the best of me on that.

I don't have much else to say. Not much else is on my mind. I'm just ready for this week to be over.

Another busy busy day tomorrow.

Molly and her D.H. Brown's birthday poster.

Why oh why am I still up?

I have pretty much finished my portfolio for EDU201. I've got all of my artifacts for all of my standards. I made a snazzy cover page and table of contents. I need to write brief descriptions about each artifact stating why it is appropriate for the standard I placed it in. I figure, shouldn't take more than an hour. BUT I decided a little bit ago I have done enough for today and I am going to bed. BUT for some reason I am still at the blasted computer and decided to put off bed even longer by blogging about it. Smart I know.

All I gotta say is that I am surprising the hell out of myself by how well I am doing in my class. Only 4 class periods left. I have to present my portfolio to the class on Tuesday and then I think the final is the only thing left after that.

Well, I am going to bed. Busy day tomorrow.

If only...

The horizon is bright

I see good things in the future. Not the immediate future but soon. I'm finding a groove, a groove that works for me.

Last night I went and saw Duf and Em at their going away party. It was a big party. I think that everyone they knew was there. Well, just about everyone. It was a good time. I wish that I could have stayed later but I had to work the door at Browns at 9.

Not many people were out last night. I think that the Sweet Corn Festival is a factor in that. I wish I could go out to that tonight but I have other fish to fry.

Last night Mandi noticed that I didn't smoke at all throughout the evening. She was impressed. I simply stated that when I quit, I quit. She was like, yeah, but most people when they quit still ween and have one here or there. I'm like, naw, I just don't do it. That's all there is to it. She congratulated me.

I did notice that my eyes were burning pretty badly last night, I think that may have to do with the cigarette smoke in the bar.

So still not smoking and not drinking alcohol. I was inquired about how long I am going without drinking alcohol. The length of time is unknown but I do know that it is going to be for a considerable amount of time. Months maybe, I'm not sure.

My Quasi made a surprise appearance last night. It was very nice to be able to see her. It's been like 2 months.

Congratulations Shannon and Neil!!!

Big News in the family front. My sister Shannon is officially engaged! Neil popped the question and Shannon accepted. Now I can say "my sister and her fiancé." What fun. Congratulations.

Looks like I wasn't a hinderance in wanting to join our family. We got Jeff and now we'll have Neil.

Old Girlfriend...

Damn, It feels good to be a.... K!

Just Another Day

A second chance

You hear of people getting second chances. Can people get a second chance in life? If they can, is it given to them or do they have to make the second chance happen on their own? Also, does someone have to have a near death experience for a change to be considered a second chance?

Full Steam

The tunnel is long and dark and cold and wet. I think I may see the light way off in the distance. It could be my mind playing tricks on me but either way it is something to look forward to as I move along.

Oh what a feeling

I just ran. Not tredmill running but an actual run. Well, it was more of a sprint. That's the cool part. While I was running I experienced this feeling of amazement. I felt as though I could keep going faster and faster and it wasn't killing me either. I think it may have been the fastest I have ever ran. Not for sure though because well, I've never clocked myself.

Check my vital signs

Just a little bit

Small Things