Toooooooo Much Chooooooocolate
Ended up basically making myself sick last night from late Valentine's day candy, quite pathetic. Did manage to get a movie watched today, The Score with Robert Deniro and Ed Norton, two of my favorite actors. Norton does an absolutely superb job, and Deniro is his usual self. Very fun robbery plot where you end up cheering for the bad guys, reminded me a lot of Ocean's 11. I'll have to go with 6M's on this one, very entertaining all around, cool gadgets, good action, some clever plot twists, and great acting. Also picked up part of Quigley Down Under on TNT tonight, one of my alltime favorites.
Basically mopin around this weekend, got plans to head out tomorrow, and signed up for a hike into the local mountains that'll take place in a couple weeks, bout time to get out and enjoy the scenery around here.
Friday, February 15, 2002
The Title That Wasn't
Try as I might I could not come up with anything clever for the heading tonight. Alas.
I ended up going to the movie in Campbell after all. I'd give it about an 11 on a sappy scale of 5. :) Quite appropriate for the occasion anyway, from my estimate about 99.9% of the audience were with their significant others. Alas. It was called The Road Home, a Chinese movie that was subtitled. It starred Zhang Ziyi (shot in the dark at the spelling) more popularly known as "that chick in Crouching Tiger." Basically your classic girl meets boy and there's this instant "the one" connection. I wouldn't recommend seeing this one by your lonesome, unless you're in the mood for kind of a tear jerker and don't want anyone else to see. :) All sorts of scenes that generated "awwwwwwww"'s from the audience followed by mass smooches. Apparently it won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival or something, I personally would give it 5M's, although part of that is probably due a combination of jealousy and bitterness. So check it out if you have someone to cuddle up with, one of the better foreign films I've seen.
Three day weekend comin up, not really sure what I'm gonna do with it. Probably catch up on my movie watching. The Godfather series, or the Lethal Weapon series, both of which I've been getting around to. Maybe even some Band of Brothers episodes, still have about nine more of those to see as well.
And for all those of you single people out there:
Young caucasian male seeks young anything to share romantic conversations with.
Heh. It'll pass, just a case of "national single awareness" day.
Try as I might I could not come up with anything clever for the heading tonight. Alas.
I ended up going to the movie in Campbell after all. I'd give it about an 11 on a sappy scale of 5. :) Quite appropriate for the occasion anyway, from my estimate about 99.9% of the audience were with their significant others. Alas. It was called The Road Home, a Chinese movie that was subtitled. It starred Zhang Ziyi (shot in the dark at the spelling) more popularly known as "that chick in Crouching Tiger." Basically your classic girl meets boy and there's this instant "the one" connection. I wouldn't recommend seeing this one by your lonesome, unless you're in the mood for kind of a tear jerker and don't want anyone else to see. :) All sorts of scenes that generated "awwwwwwww"'s from the audience followed by mass smooches. Apparently it won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival or something, I personally would give it 5M's, although part of that is probably due a combination of jealousy and bitterness. So check it out if you have someone to cuddle up with, one of the better foreign films I've seen.
Three day weekend comin up, not really sure what I'm gonna do with it. Probably catch up on my movie watching. The Godfather series, or the Lethal Weapon series, both of which I've been getting around to. Maybe even some Band of Brothers episodes, still have about nine more of those to see as well.
And for all those of you single people out there:
Young caucasian male seeks young anything to share romantic conversations with.
Heh. It'll pass, just a case of "national single awareness" day.
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Merry Cupid Day, All.
I've received a few clever ideas regarding the below contest, involving how to save myself from saying "I made it up" when asked what the random jumble of letters in my new nickname means... One was to take a translation of a word I like from another language. Although this wouldn't actually be a made up word it is much more likely to never be used by anyone else, if its a random enough language. Another was to take the letters and come up with a clever acronym for them, that hopefully won't cause me to appear too self-centered (I create enough of that already). Both good ideas, but so far still hasn't generated the perfect ideas. By the way, I didn't win the lotto. :( However the offer still stands if I EVER win it. Heehee.
Also finished up the housing application online, I went to the site describing the new Manzanita Village area that's going to be completed at the beginning of next year, and it looks quite impressive. Right on the ocean/lagoon, right next to the brand new dining commons, and with plenty of singles for those of us who are picky about our living space. :) Been in this hall for three years, I figure its time for a change of scenery. I'm sure it will be quite impacted with everyone wanting to get a piece of the new pie, but my class level is pretty high, and even if I get shafted i'll just end up over here again, not a horrible thing in itself.
Going to see what looks like a sappy drama chick flick in Campbell Hall tonight, looks like the perfect V Day movie, anyone wanting to join me in wallowing in self-pity feel free to come along. :)
I've received a few clever ideas regarding the below contest, involving how to save myself from saying "I made it up" when asked what the random jumble of letters in my new nickname means... One was to take a translation of a word I like from another language. Although this wouldn't actually be a made up word it is much more likely to never be used by anyone else, if its a random enough language. Another was to take the letters and come up with a clever acronym for them, that hopefully won't cause me to appear too self-centered (I create enough of that already). Both good ideas, but so far still hasn't generated the perfect ideas. By the way, I didn't win the lotto. :( However the offer still stands if I EVER win it. Heehee.
Also finished up the housing application online, I went to the site describing the new Manzanita Village area that's going to be completed at the beginning of next year, and it looks quite impressive. Right on the ocean/lagoon, right next to the brand new dining commons, and with plenty of singles for those of us who are picky about our living space. :) Been in this hall for three years, I figure its time for a change of scenery. I'm sure it will be quite impacted with everyone wanting to get a piece of the new pie, but my class level is pretty high, and even if I get shafted i'll just end up over here again, not a horrible thing in itself.
Going to see what looks like a sappy drama chick flick in Campbell Hall tonight, looks like the perfect V Day movie, anyone wanting to join me in wallowing in self-pity feel free to come along. :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2002
When is a Name Not Just a Name?
So for a while now (what is with me and starting entries with "so." makes me sound like a valley girl. let me try this again.)
Something has caused me to try to be creative for a while now, I've been trying to come up with a cool sounding made up word. In the online world, and just about everything that requires a nickname, I've been known as THUNDER, the nickname that originally stemmed from the soccer field in about 6th grade, when the coach's wife referred to me as "thunderfoot" after a powerful shot. (not that 6th graders can kick that hard, but hey)
The problem with this nickname is it is altogether too common, just about anywhere you go if you do a search for the word you'll come up with a few hundred matches or variations of the word. It also causes problems when it comes to registering for things that require a unique name that has never been picked before by one of the millions of users. So my goal is to come up with something completely made up and unique, that will be instantly recognizable as me, and not me or 800 other imitations.
So, I lay this challenge to all of you, come up with the perfect nickname for me.
Rules:
1. Completely and Totally Unique. (no names from books, movies, or anything, no dictionary words, must be completely non-existant in the real world)
2. The nick must be easily pronouncable by anyone. (THYKER is better than ALSDKJSALJDF. The first is one I've been using for a few things, but I think a better one is out there)
3. Length is limited to 6, 7, or 8 letters. (this is so that I can use it for literally everything, a lot of programs or sites require a minimum of 6, or a maximum of 8)
4. No numbers or strange symbols. (again, different symbols are allowed at different places, this must be universal)
Some other information you should know, I'll be attempting to stick with this one nick for as long as I need a nick, so make sure its a good one that will still be good in 10 years. :) Also given the thumbs up are names that include strange letters like Y and Z or X. (again, must still be pronouncable) To respond to the people who think nicknames are retarded, imagine trying to use my real name for everything. As if there aren't any other "Matt"'s out there.
Now the most important part of the challenge, the PRIZE FOR THE WINNER:
Eternal love and affection, and constant praise of your greatness. (okay, and a grand if I win the lotto tomorrow)
Disclaimer: Family members although encouraged to participate are not eligible for the grand prize.
To submit an entry feel free to post in my guestbook, or just IM me at thndrMATT.
Let the games begin.
So for a while now (what is with me and starting entries with "so." makes me sound like a valley girl. let me try this again.)
Something has caused me to try to be creative for a while now, I've been trying to come up with a cool sounding made up word. In the online world, and just about everything that requires a nickname, I've been known as THUNDER, the nickname that originally stemmed from the soccer field in about 6th grade, when the coach's wife referred to me as "thunderfoot" after a powerful shot. (not that 6th graders can kick that hard, but hey)
The problem with this nickname is it is altogether too common, just about anywhere you go if you do a search for the word you'll come up with a few hundred matches or variations of the word. It also causes problems when it comes to registering for things that require a unique name that has never been picked before by one of the millions of users. So my goal is to come up with something completely made up and unique, that will be instantly recognizable as me, and not me or 800 other imitations.
So, I lay this challenge to all of you, come up with the perfect nickname for me.
Rules:
1. Completely and Totally Unique. (no names from books, movies, or anything, no dictionary words, must be completely non-existant in the real world)
2. The nick must be easily pronouncable by anyone. (THYKER is better than ALSDKJSALJDF. The first is one I've been using for a few things, but I think a better one is out there)
3. Length is limited to 6, 7, or 8 letters. (this is so that I can use it for literally everything, a lot of programs or sites require a minimum of 6, or a maximum of 8)
4. No numbers or strange symbols. (again, different symbols are allowed at different places, this must be universal)
Some other information you should know, I'll be attempting to stick with this one nick for as long as I need a nick, so make sure its a good one that will still be good in 10 years. :) Also given the thumbs up are names that include strange letters like Y and Z or X. (again, must still be pronouncable) To respond to the people who think nicknames are retarded, imagine trying to use my real name for everything. As if there aren't any other "Matt"'s out there.
Now the most important part of the challenge, the PRIZE FOR THE WINNER:
Eternal love and affection, and constant praise of your greatness. (okay, and a grand if I win the lotto tomorrow)
Disclaimer: Family members although encouraged to participate are not eligible for the grand prize.
To submit an entry feel free to post in my guestbook, or just IM me at thndrMATT.
Let the games begin.
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Changes in the Wind?
So like, I'm out last night on my way someplace plowing past Campbell Hall doing like 30 and this black cat comes darting out of the bushes giving its best effort to try to get under my tires. Amazingly enough I manage to brake to avoid it and it goes flying into the bushes on the other side of the street. Not that I believe any retarded superstitions. Nope. Not me.
So like, I'm on my way back to my place last night passing through an area somewhat near the first and I see something lying in the road. A black cat. Dead. Pretty sure it was the same one. Must have tried to change someone else's luck too, and failed. :/ How interesting.
So like, I'm out last night on my way someplace plowing past Campbell Hall doing like 30 and this black cat comes darting out of the bushes giving its best effort to try to get under my tires. Amazingly enough I manage to brake to avoid it and it goes flying into the bushes on the other side of the street. Not that I believe any retarded superstitions. Nope. Not me.
So like, I'm on my way back to my place last night passing through an area somewhat near the first and I see something lying in the road. A black cat. Dead. Pretty sure it was the same one. Must have tried to change someone else's luck too, and failed. :/ How interesting.
Monday, February 11, 2002
A Lucky Day.
So, today is a nice warm sunny day, so I decide to head out to Lake Cachuma to see what its like, and hang out in the sun in nature for a while with some reading material, and eventually cash in the change jar I've been collecting for quite some time and see where it might take me at Chumash. Little did I know the day would be a lot more interesting than that.
I barely got off of 217 before the most scary thing that's happened to me in a while took place. I was parked at the red light in the left arrow lane to turn left onto Patterson from the 217 offramp that merges with the one from the 101. I randomly glance in my rear view and immediately notice a large car barrelling towards me at I'd estimate 50 mph. He was about 30 yards away at that point, and my mind went a million miles a minute, trying to find a rational way to escape the situation. I realize there was nowhere to go, and I just braced myself as best I could. The last thing I thought before he was upon me was "well, this sucks." By some miracle, he decides to swerve just before he hits me, and skids around me to the right, missing my car by less than 6 inches. I was still waiting for the impact after he was past. The next thing I saw and realized was that he was going through the red light without losing any speed. Right as he hit the intersection he started braking, I think realizing his error, or perhaps seeing the small SUV coming in from the left at about the same speed. They both floored the brake but it was too late, and he broadsided her doing at least 40 mph. Debris was sprayed all over the intersection, and both cars were basically totalled. Luckily for her he hit her on the passenger side and there was no one else in the car. After I'd pulled over and hopped out I ran over to see what I could do, and I noticed her passenger side window was right next to her head. She was basically in shock, but appeared to be uninjured short of some bruises. Her car was another story, the whole right side was just crushed in to the point that anything that was in the middle was sprayed all over the ground and intersection. He ended up a bit more shook up, I'm pretty sure he ended up with some sort of internal injury based on the way he was moving minimally after he was taken out of the car. Luckily they both had airbags, including those side impact ones, so that probably helped a great deal. After flagging down one of the witnesses who had a cell phone and pointing out this of all times was a good time to use it, I ended up helping direct traffic for about a half hour while paramedics and police were arriving at the scene. The whole intersection was just a mess of twisted metal and pieces of engine, amazingly enough my car was basically untouched.
So, a lot of it was based on luck, but apparently it was on my side.
I eventually made it onto 154, and am heading up into the mountains, when I get passed on the left in opposing traffic by a car moving at least 40 mph faster than me (theme of the day apparently). Luckily this one appeared to know what he was doing, and I soon noticed it was a jet black Lamborghini, only about 2 feet tall off the road it seemed. This was pretty cool, and made doubly cool when I noticed another car was passing me, this time a ruby red identical car. So I'm confused by now, and that's only doubled when two more pass by, silver and yellow. It was a convention or something. Eventually on the other side of the mountain I saw them all circled up in a turnaround, and then after I passed watched them pull out and go back from whence we came. Just cool to drive those cars through the mountains, or something.
So yeah, eventually I have a really peaceful time at the lake pondering life's questions, and then eventually head home a hundred bucks richer than I started. Luck carried over I suppose. Rereading that last paragraph again from down below. Guess it goes along with my whole theme for this journal. Searching for something, who knows who's in charge of deciding whether or not I'll find it, or whether anyone is really in charge at all.
Is there a time limit on life? Is the clock running? Anyone know where the pause button is? :) I'm in no hurry.
So, today is a nice warm sunny day, so I decide to head out to Lake Cachuma to see what its like, and hang out in the sun in nature for a while with some reading material, and eventually cash in the change jar I've been collecting for quite some time and see where it might take me at Chumash. Little did I know the day would be a lot more interesting than that.
I barely got off of 217 before the most scary thing that's happened to me in a while took place. I was parked at the red light in the left arrow lane to turn left onto Patterson from the 217 offramp that merges with the one from the 101. I randomly glance in my rear view and immediately notice a large car barrelling towards me at I'd estimate 50 mph. He was about 30 yards away at that point, and my mind went a million miles a minute, trying to find a rational way to escape the situation. I realize there was nowhere to go, and I just braced myself as best I could. The last thing I thought before he was upon me was "well, this sucks." By some miracle, he decides to swerve just before he hits me, and skids around me to the right, missing my car by less than 6 inches. I was still waiting for the impact after he was past. The next thing I saw and realized was that he was going through the red light without losing any speed. Right as he hit the intersection he started braking, I think realizing his error, or perhaps seeing the small SUV coming in from the left at about the same speed. They both floored the brake but it was too late, and he broadsided her doing at least 40 mph. Debris was sprayed all over the intersection, and both cars were basically totalled. Luckily for her he hit her on the passenger side and there was no one else in the car. After I'd pulled over and hopped out I ran over to see what I could do, and I noticed her passenger side window was right next to her head. She was basically in shock, but appeared to be uninjured short of some bruises. Her car was another story, the whole right side was just crushed in to the point that anything that was in the middle was sprayed all over the ground and intersection. He ended up a bit more shook up, I'm pretty sure he ended up with some sort of internal injury based on the way he was moving minimally after he was taken out of the car. Luckily they both had airbags, including those side impact ones, so that probably helped a great deal. After flagging down one of the witnesses who had a cell phone and pointing out this of all times was a good time to use it, I ended up helping direct traffic for about a half hour while paramedics and police were arriving at the scene. The whole intersection was just a mess of twisted metal and pieces of engine, amazingly enough my car was basically untouched.
So, a lot of it was based on luck, but apparently it was on my side.
I eventually made it onto 154, and am heading up into the mountains, when I get passed on the left in opposing traffic by a car moving at least 40 mph faster than me (theme of the day apparently). Luckily this one appeared to know what he was doing, and I soon noticed it was a jet black Lamborghini, only about 2 feet tall off the road it seemed. This was pretty cool, and made doubly cool when I noticed another car was passing me, this time a ruby red identical car. So I'm confused by now, and that's only doubled when two more pass by, silver and yellow. It was a convention or something. Eventually on the other side of the mountain I saw them all circled up in a turnaround, and then after I passed watched them pull out and go back from whence we came. Just cool to drive those cars through the mountains, or something.
So yeah, eventually I have a really peaceful time at the lake pondering life's questions, and then eventually head home a hundred bucks richer than I started. Luck carried over I suppose. Rereading that last paragraph again from down below. Guess it goes along with my whole theme for this journal. Searching for something, who knows who's in charge of deciding whether or not I'll find it, or whether anyone is really in charge at all.
Is there a time limit on life? Is the clock running? Anyone know where the pause button is? :) I'm in no hurry.
Sunday, February 10, 2002
We Are We Are...
Disclaimer: This doesn't reflect anything about my current mood or anything of the sort, I just felt these were powerful lyrics worth reflecting upon here. I've been reading various other journals where people reproduce song lyrics and some of them I find quite interesting. Especially for songs such as this one where the vocalist is whizzing right through everything or is dominated by the rhythm and I might not have even noticed what he was saying.
"The Youth of a Nation"
"Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I woulda known cuz I'da kissed mah momma goodbye
I didn't tell her that I loved her, how much I cared
and thank mah pops for all the talks and all the wisdom he shared
Unware I just did what I always do
Every day the same routine before I skate off to school
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest
Instead of takin the tests I took two to the chest
Call me blind but I didn't see it comin
Everybody was runnin but I couldn't hear nothin except
Gun blast it happened so fast
I didn't really know this kid though I sit by him in class
Maybe this kid was reachin out for love
Or maybe for a moment he forgot who he was
Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged
Whatever it was, I know its because
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
Little Susie she was only twelve
She was given the world with every chance to excel
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kinda proper with no respect for herself
She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations, just different faces
Changed off her face since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her she deserved much better
Johnny boy always played the fool
He broke all the rules so you would think he was cool
He was never really one of the guys
No mater how hard he tried or the thought of suicide
Its kinda hard when you aint got no friends
He put his life to an end they might remember him then
You cross the line and there's no turning back
Told the world how he felt with the sound of a crack
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
[instrumental]
Whose to blame for the life the tragedies claim
No matter what you say it don't take away the pain
That I feel inside I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why its the blind leadin the blind
Guess that's the way that the story goes
Will it ever make sense, somebody's gotta know
There's gotta be more to life than this
There's gotta be more to everything I thought exists..."
That last paragraph is the one that made me think the most. Had quite the interesting day today, its quite a story, will give the full details later on tonight. Who knows, at this rate before then something else strange or amazing might have happened.
Disclaimer: This doesn't reflect anything about my current mood or anything of the sort, I just felt these were powerful lyrics worth reflecting upon here. I've been reading various other journals where people reproduce song lyrics and some of them I find quite interesting. Especially for songs such as this one where the vocalist is whizzing right through everything or is dominated by the rhythm and I might not have even noticed what he was saying.
"The Youth of a Nation"
"Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I woulda known cuz I'da kissed mah momma goodbye
I didn't tell her that I loved her, how much I cared
and thank mah pops for all the talks and all the wisdom he shared
Unware I just did what I always do
Every day the same routine before I skate off to school
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest
Instead of takin the tests I took two to the chest
Call me blind but I didn't see it comin
Everybody was runnin but I couldn't hear nothin except
Gun blast it happened so fast
I didn't really know this kid though I sit by him in class
Maybe this kid was reachin out for love
Or maybe for a moment he forgot who he was
Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged
Whatever it was, I know its because
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
Little Susie she was only twelve
She was given the world with every chance to excel
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kinda proper with no respect for herself
She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations, just different faces
Changed off her face since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her she deserved much better
Johnny boy always played the fool
He broke all the rules so you would think he was cool
He was never really one of the guys
No mater how hard he tried or the thought of suicide
Its kinda hard when you aint got no friends
He put his life to an end they might remember him then
You cross the line and there's no turning back
Told the world how he felt with the sound of a crack
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
We are we are, the Youth of a Nation.
[instrumental]
Whose to blame for the life the tragedies claim
No matter what you say it don't take away the pain
That I feel inside I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why its the blind leadin the blind
Guess that's the way that the story goes
Will it ever make sense, somebody's gotta know
There's gotta be more to life than this
There's gotta be more to everything I thought exists..."
That last paragraph is the one that made me think the most. Had quite the interesting day today, its quite a story, will give the full details later on tonight. Who knows, at this rate before then something else strange or amazing might have happened.
Animals In Cages...
There's really nothing quite as entertaining as hanging out in the floor lounge on any given Friday or Saturday night past midnight, and watching the spectacle that is freshman upon their return from IV generally as drunk as humanly possible. The exchanges make no sense, the motor skills and coordination are at an all time low, and generally something hilarious happens every five minutes, if not even more frequent.
Last night was no exception, managed to stay up until the wee hours of the morning laughing hysterically at the various impersonations by one guy who is a hilarious comedian, the antics of another guy who couldn't seem to keep any kind of liquid in any kind of container without accidentally dumping it on himself at some point, the list goes on. Why go out and pay to see live entertainment when you can just clump a few freshman together and see it for free, eh?
There's really nothing quite as entertaining as hanging out in the floor lounge on any given Friday or Saturday night past midnight, and watching the spectacle that is freshman upon their return from IV generally as drunk as humanly possible. The exchanges make no sense, the motor skills and coordination are at an all time low, and generally something hilarious happens every five minutes, if not even more frequent.
Last night was no exception, managed to stay up until the wee hours of the morning laughing hysterically at the various impersonations by one guy who is a hilarious comedian, the antics of another guy who couldn't seem to keep any kind of liquid in any kind of container without accidentally dumping it on himself at some point, the list goes on. Why go out and pay to see live entertainment when you can just clump a few freshman together and see it for free, eh?
