Couple of quick shots from Gumball's last show with Sidewalk Driver last evening. More to come later along with my usual thoughts ...

Update: Ok, I uploaded a couple more pix from last nights little going off party. Overall, the set this time seemed a little less energetic than I'd seen in the past. Might partly be due to the part that it was somewhat early, and a lot of the tunes were somewhat slower-paced than usual? Could also be that it was Gumball's last show with them. I noticed they didn't have the keyboards with them this time - maybe just easier that way for this particular outing. Anyways, no matter what, there is no denying what excellent songwriters these folks are. They did have the laser light show going and mentioned work is continuing apace on the 1st full length album, which will contain some stuff from the previous EP (Tornado naturally!) along with the new stuff. I have a couple of full length videos of performances of MaryAnn(?) and Jenny Jenny Don't Like the Boys. Ode to Mrs. Tindle might have been the highlight of the set, this night.

Seems like most folks were having a good time, especially those two chicks dancing next to me as I was taking shots. Sometimes its not easy getting down while trying to hold on to drinks. There was a touching moment at the very end when Tad hugged Gumball onstage, a collective "Awwwwww" surged from the crowd. I think he mentioned they've known eachother since like 8th grade or somesuch.

Not sure who's going to replace Alex or when.

Amazing! I'm hoping that the article and picture will be available online soon, and if so I'll link it. I'm sure there's a few other folks that will be amazed by this! hahah!

Seriously though - she looks amazing! I had mentioned in the past seeing her at a local bar or somesuch when she recognized me and I didn't recognize her and I remember thinking, "Who is this lady!?" hahah! I wish I could find the original post I made about it at the time but I'm coming up empty.

Ah well, I'm glad she's doing so well! She's a cool woman!

Speaking of older women than myself, I wonder if the cougar that always hits on me at shows is going to be at the one I'm attending tonight? (She likes this same particular band that I do and always seems to locate me in a crowd, least she has good taste in men and music I suppose. Anyhoot, let's hope not, never thought I'd say this but I'm kinda busy with a couple of other gals that I'm dating friendily at the moment, when I find the time).

Update: Here's online linkage of the story.

Blah. Seems like everyone else is fine though - maybe it was just meant to be. I'll have to think about how to replace him because I believe the pecking order has already been established and they probably won't take to kindly to newcomers that can't handle themselves, and I don't want to rearrange everything so they have to re-establish their territories or whatnot because I think what I have looks cool now.

Aaaarhhh! Why does schtuff like this always happen when I'm away!?

Also, why do I have so many emails in at my work account? Am I really that freakin' important these days!? Gaahh!

The meetings all went pretty good and I actually got a lot out of them, so that was pretty cool. Plus it's always great to see collegues you haven't seen in quite a while and who you work with over email or IM a lot but never get a real face-to-face, so that was cool too. The weather was great down there too!

What's not cool is waiting at the airport for a 6 pm flight that gets delayed and delayed and then cancelled (due to stop plane problem) and getting another one only to have that cancelled, and of course the next flight to Baahston ain't till the next day but every hotel room in town is already booked. Luckily a collegue of mine heard that a flight to Manchester NH was available and we were able to grab that one and then he was so WICKED COOL enough to drive me to my house. I am truly appreciative for all that. I finally got home at 1 am-ish which is better than waiting at the airport all night for an 8 am flight the next day, but I am pretty spent. Time to get out of the monkey suit and let it all hang out.

Did I mention I fucking hate flying?

Anyways, it all worked out and I'm back in the cave and psyched to be sleeping again in my own pleasuredome. Maybe I'll call the doc tomorrow night and see if she wants to do something after the show - I could use a little release again :0.

It's good to be home!

Keep it warm for me, mmmkay?

About time we crushed those Hawks once and for all.

Can we play this way all the time guys, like we're supposed to?

Other Bike events here for the rest of that week.

What can I say? I guess I'm becoming quite the cartographer/geospatial problem solving/environmental justice/species sensitivity/chemical contaminant plume/CAD schematic plotting guy. Just this spring alone I've dealt with Yucca Mountain, people affected by Cruise ships pollution in Hawaii, Homeland Security issues in Los Angeles, a park in Hingham, Natick Army Labs, and even a little bit of Katrina relief efforts.

Off to DC in a few days for most of next week - so probably no updates for a while (I might try to squeak 1 or 2 in though time permitting).

**

My Kill A Watt arrived today - maybe I'll dick around with that tonight and see what I can come up with.

***

Also, I ordered a Kill A Watt device which should be arriving soonish so I can see what appliances and dohickeys I have around the Markcave are sucking up how much power when on, and off but still plugged in. I'm curious about some of the tank setups I'm running how much power they're drawing in general, along with some other devices. I'll post my results up here when I get the thing. I think it'll be interesting.

C'mon guys!!! Be confident and beat those young whippersnappers!

Please?

.heh.

I was sorta wondering who those chicks all painted up when I went there were. Now I know.

Oh, and I'm finding Level 17 to be quite evil!

I woke up 15 hours later!!

Guess all the events of the past 3 weeks finally caught up with me.

Feeling good today though!

This morning checking on my plants I see that they're all starting to break the soil now. That's pretty exciting in a way, too.

I actually have to head back into town this afternoon to do some stuff.

Ugh. Gonna be dragging that day.

Oh, This year's FCBD is fast approaching. Free swag, yo.

A cool look at what some of the future lines might look like and where they'd go.

***

So, the "Doc" wants to see me Friday night in Boston for dinner and a movie. ah, I'll go - should be fun and I could use a little break from the usual day-to-day. She drives a convertable and wants me to go for a midnight drive with the top down. That should be pretty good, hopefully the weather will hold up. No pressures, just a fun night on the town is how I'm looking at it. Saturday is rock night but it looks like I'll be attending that one all by my lonesome. The next week, a collegue of mine will be offsite in training so I'll have to take over his work for the week, which I'm hoping will go swimmingly. And then after that it's time to board a plane to head south for a few days at company HQ (I loathe flying btw). Joy.

Just doesn't seem right. Doesn't really look all that professional either seeing as you're supposed to be the leader of the most powerful country in the world. I can understand taking a break and all, but like I said, it just didn't seem right to me. He can't be that clueless, could he? Lame duck and all - and it's just April.

Today I noticed a bird chowing out in this little birdhouse thing that's set up out in the back yard. Every now and then I'll see a squirrel get his whole body into that little thing and dine out.

I've put out my garden boxes and plants on the back porch for the spring/summer. The lettuce sprouts are already starting to break the soil, but I'm still waiting on all the other herbs and flowers.

As I was pulling out of the gas station this afternoon, a passerby called out my full name. I looked at him, saying yes, but not knowing who it was, or how this person knew me - and then it dawned.

It was the kid I had been thinking about!

Tell me that's not kinda freaky. My first thought that ran through my mind was, wow, he got old - all the black head of hair that I remembered him having all turned grey. Maybe he thought the same of me, although I think I age pretty darn well and still retain a lot of my youthful look - chalk it up to good gene pooling. The second thought was he was polite to me, for some reason I always remember him teasing me somewhat as we grew up together and that always sort of got to me - I realize it was never in a bad way, probably just his way of befriending me, and I knew that at the time as well, but it still always stuck in my craw for some reason.

We exchanged pleasantries and kept it short, although I think we both should have taken the time to make it longer. There's a ton to ask about eachother, what he's been up to, how I'm no longer the naive kid that barfed on his porch that one summer night when he threw a house party from imbibing to many mixed drinks, et cetera, yet nothing came of it.

Maybe our paths will cross again soon.

Any problems I think I might have are nothing compared to what these folks did and do for me and us.

***

I checked out that record store thing in Hahhhvard today. I dunno, I didn't stay very long - I wasn't all that impressed, but maybe that's just me. Like to possibly attend 2 rocks shows to next week but we'll see what I can do - probably def. hit the Saturday night one, weekday not so sure. I am taking the beginning of the week for a few days off though - need to recharge my batteries after really draining myself down getting that freakin' thing out the door. It was certainly an experience, not one I'd ever care to have to repeat, but an experience none-the-less. That office building is fucked late at night though - weird noises and ghostly haunts it seems like - kinda freaky in a way. Anyways, one thing I can say about myself is I ain't no quitter. I'm sucking down a couple of Amstel's at the moment. Gotta admit, it sure is going down real smooth and relaxing my nerves.

I really wanted to go with the stretch with the jacuzzi in the back but corporate will only spring for the regular sedan.

But looks like we're going to make it.

YAY!!! Now I can back to my normal life and working hours!

I honestly don't think I can keep doing this. Might get 8 done by Monday (Actually have to) but can't see trying to finish 16 more by Friday (11 which I haven't even cracked open yet) - seeing as it took a few weeks to do 8.

The worst is when they decide to change something that changes everything I've already done, and therefor needs to be re-done. I'm being co-ereced to stay too ... I don't want to.

I am not a machine.

And then I'm taking a few days off for my mental health.

That 10cent plague book I'm reading is fascinating. I knew a little bit about the story but not to the level of detail that the book provides. It's amazing how much our society has changed since those days. I'd recommend reading it just to see the differences of the past, even of you're not interested in the four-color form. I'm bummed that I just missed the author give a talk on it last week - I was totally unaware he was up this way.

Good day to read it today as it's raw and rainy. Naturally the rest of the week is supposed to be great when I have to slave over a keyboard and monitor. Bah. Last night was pretty good though, in both atmosphere, conversation and company. A fun evening to be sure no matter what the eventual outcome of it will be, and I'll leave it at that.

When it rains, it pours, eh? But at least when it's done hopefully I'll be able to catch some breath before the next project's crazy deadline. Part of me likes the excitement of pounding away on the keyboard and digitizers as the clock ticks down, another part loathes not being able to sleep normal on nights and focus. And hopefully none of the gremlins will come out and cause me any more grief.

But this too shall pass, and if I succeed, as I probably will somehow, someway, well, that just makes me look all the better and stronger. I've never failed.

Well, I'm home now and planning on just shutting my brain down for a bit - take a hot shower, have some vino, and chill on the sofa and unwind watching the fishtank.

***

Well, I entered a contest this afternoon to win tix to Blue Man Group. Amazingly, I've not yet seen this show, even though I've had ample opportunities in Boston and Las Vegas. Well, I guess if I'm lucky enough to be chosen then I'll get off my ass to see them. I'll have some extra tix too so maybe I'll invite some deserving guests.

It'll be fun anyways - I'd like to pick out a nice wine to go with the dinner I have planned. Then off to a show.
***

Also, there's been some talk that a Somerville map I created a while ago is going to be soon to the city's officials! Amazing - something I built in my spare time might actually be useful to the city's plans!

***

That Gaiden game is pretty good - I'm a bit stuck right now though on Chapter3 - not sure how to wake up some character from his slumber. The attacking opponents is kinda haphazard to me though, just wiggle the stylus back and forth across the screen on top of the graphic. It does have some gorgeous graphics though for a DS game.

Nevermind - I woke him up finally.

Good news!

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7:17 PM Update: Been one of those days, working with the folks in Cali again and as usual, stuff due asap. My brain is feeling a little fried and burnt out at the moment. It happens. Probably just hop in a hot shower and fall asleep to the Celtics game tonight on cable.

Record Store Day around town

Note to youngsters, a record was a piece on vinyl used to record music on, I remember a younger collegue of mine being confused about that, seeing as he somehow only heard the term "record" being used to refer to a row in a database. I hope he was kidding!

***

Well, it appears we'll be heading down to the Virginia/Washington DC area in early May for a wonderful three days and nights at the ol' company HQ for what's becoming some annual shindig. Oh joy. So exciting. Guess I won't be getting anything done over that time frame. Blah.

Plane and room have been booked, now I just have to get the limo to and from the airport reserved. Might as well do that now.

Also, sweet! My Ninja Gaiden DS game just arrived at the office. I'll have to try it out tonight and see if it's as good and groundbreaking as they say it is. Stay tuned!

Dirk Valentine!

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Well, three out of my four choices have made the NCAA's Final Four this year. 3 out of 4 ain't bad! (Granted, it wasn't all that difficult this year, right?)

Years later, I would see him tending bar and what used to be Nick's Beer and Beer House down on Mass Ave in Cambridge, they had great pastrami and this insane deal where you could get pitchers and pitchers of beer for incredibly cheap money. Sadly, the place is no longer there, believe it's been replaced by a much more upscale establishment known as the Temple Bar now.

I'l never forget that guy. He taught me a lot more stuff than basic high school chemistry, in his own way, he taught me a lot now that I never realized back then, back in the day. He taught me about hard work, perserverance, and owning up to my mistakes. Thanks Mr. Walczak!

But the freakin weekdays when I spend much of the day in the office is gonna be in the 60s!

%$^%@!*!!!

And now for some things I like:
I did get a bunch of "imperial" geraniums because I like how they just keep blooming and blooming all spring and summer long, and I think they look rather nice.
I think it'd be cool if my malawi cichlids paired off and mated - I'm dying to see the behavior involved in the breeding because they are maternal mouthbrooders, meaning females incubate fertilized eggs, and later the young 'uns, in their mouths to protect them, and it'd be funny to see her spit them out when the perceived danger has passed, but no pairing off has happened as yet.

I suppose it's easy for me to state that opinion seeing as I'm not nor never been hitched, and haven't been in a situation where I was in an unhappy or abusive one, but I still feel that if you're going to take that vow, and make that commitment, you better be damn sure of what you're commiting to.

Alright, enough of that stuff, off to see the C's.

Anyways, gotta start somewhere, right?

Final score: Celtics 117, Phoenix Suns 97 (yes, that's 20 points!) The Suns were held to a new season low - only 2 fast break points!

Granted the Suns whipped us when we were out there, but that was then, and this is now baybee.

Celtics as of now have a 24-5 record against the West - that is just simply incredible!

Cameltoe (opens in new window).

I ordered some new music CDs on Amazon today - jonesin' for some new tunage from various groups I've seen live lately but was stupid enough not to pick up and the shows. D'oh! Plus at work we're setting up a brick shared out to certain users with tons of mp3s on them! Hehe! Oh, I also ordered a copy of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword for the DS. Hope it's good!

The place is kinda cool because it never got updated, so all the lanes look like something out of the 1950s!

Oh, and I and some other collegues will most likely need to book a trip out to Virginia for the annual group meeting for , like, 3 freakin' days. Stick out tongue, take index finger, and point to it (blarrgh!). None of us are particually wanting to go, would much rather do it live via teleconference and come back to my own bed at the end of the day, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I need to find some good things to do around here to bring my date to over the next couple of weeks. Maybe she'll be willing to help me with my psyco-syamtic syndrome - take my mind off some things!

***

Remember a few entries ago how I felt good about my brackets? Well, I still feel pretty good, but some of the better teams let me down, and some made me a little nervous! Oh, and in addition to planting the usual basil herbs that I do, I've also got seeds for red peppers, cabbage, sage, and majoram. I'm branching out just a teeny bit.

I went for a walk down to Porter late this morning, the air was cool and crisp, yet the sun beaming down was refreshing and provided what warmth it could. Grabbed a coffee in a shop and took a look around. Noticed a stunning Japanese woman and an American man trying to teach other's one's native language. An old looking man that reminded me of Stan Lee asked me if the bank was open today. I said no. Crossed Mass Ave to look at posters of upcoming acts at Toad, (does every pic of Andrea always have her with some kind of alcoholic beverage nearby or in hand?) then moved left to look into a music store's windows where an array of various electric guitars were displayed for sale. A man with an idling car waiting out front asked me if I knew if the place was going to open today, in broken english. I think he might have been sent there to make some sort of delivery of goods. I said I did not know.

It won't be too much longer now. Happy Easter!

Right now I'm on a chapter more or less devoted to finding the elusive Northwest Passage.