Randomnicity (12.12.10 Edition)

Hello, all!

Another Thanksgiving come and gone; another Christmas *thisclose* to being here, and all that holiday family drama that drives a person like me, who tries to remove himself from any and all kinds of drama, absolutely crazy. To be fair, the drama wasn't all that ridiculous during Thanksgiving--it's just that my tolerance for drama ebbs and flows, and my threshold for it wasn't particularly high for it this last go around.

Anyway, let's get to it.

• I finished reading Lamb last week and while the middle third of it was a touch slow, on the whole I rather enjoyed the approach (what did Jesus do for that missing 30 year time period in his life?) and humor ("What is this thing?" / "It's a Yeti. An abominable snowman." / "This is what happens when you fuck a sheep?" / Not an abomination, abominable.").  Christopher Moore says upfront that he's not trying to change anyone's religious views; rather, he is trying to write an entertaining story that anyone would enjoy. I think, for the most part, he succeeded (I do think that the uber-devout and the serious may not appreciate it as much as those folks who can laugh at life).  Personally, my takeaway was this: that true faith and religiousness spans across all walks of life, no matter what institutions you belong to or what rituals you practice--and that it is man who had a hard time accepting Jesus' preachings that the Kingdom is open for everyone. I'd recommend giving it a read.
• Keeping on the theme of religion, can I say it's a pet peeve of mine when people tell me that they'll pray for me? Unfortunately, I recently had a conversation with a family member about my religious world view. Mainly, that while I'm not convinced a God exists, I'm also open to the possibility of a God (in any shape or form). I'm more of an agnostic than an atheist. And, truly, it bugs the crap out of me when people talk about "God's plan" when it pertains to my own life. My successes are due to my hard work; my failures are due to my shortcomings. Sure, there are things that are out of my control (I may get killed in a fiery car crash by a drunk driver) and I am entirely OK with that, but don't try and take away my accomplishments by attributing them to somebody else. During this conversation, I tried to explain this sentiment, how I possess an internal locus of control (vs. the need to believe that my life is determined by fate or God, etc.), and how I believe my decisions are all my own, and I was informed that all this means is that I just don't believe in God. Fine. Maybe not. But like I said above, I don't don't believe in God, either. But now I'm hearing a lot of "I prayed for you on Topic X."  Even if I were an atheist, why would you tell me those things? It does nothing but irk me.  I will support you and understand it if you you are religious and believe in a God, but if I'm entirely OK with leading my life as I am, why should it bother you? It doesn't affect you at all. OK, rant ended.
• Let's shift this to something far less serious. How about fantasy football? This is only my third year playing fantasy and it is as every bit as life-consuming as you've heard. As reigning league champion (yep, that's bragging), I couldn't believe my atrocious 2-5 start to the season. The supreme worthlessness of Randy Moss (first round draft pick) and the injury of Pierre Thomas (third round draft pick) heavily contributed to that start, but somehow I managed to go on a six game tear and currently sit at 8-5 (thanks Michael Vick and Jacob Tamme!), ranked second out of 12 teams but, because of a divisional format, only hold a potential wild card berth at the moment. The real kicker of it? MoPo is in the same division (hell, the top three finishers from last year were corralled into the same division) and we go head to head this weekend. She's a game behind me at 7-6 and I'm fairly certain we're the only teams duking it out for the wild card. Everyone else would finish with seven wins or less. If she wins, we're both 8-6 and she advances to the playoffs because of the divisional record tiebreaker. If I win, I'm in. And in no way, shape, or form are we a competitive bunch and egging each other on (anyone seen the FX series The League?)... 
• I think I may have been the only one who actually liked the Packers' throwbacks last weekend.

• Oh, and because I keep forgetting to blog about this--I saw one of my favorite people at Lambeau when Green Bay played Detroit!

• Definitely taking two vacations next year. We're pretty committed to spending 7-10 days on the Big Island (I love Hawaii) and then we're trying to take another vacation with some good friends of ours. Getting that full extra third week of vacation is going to be awesome--if only the American capitalist mentality would provision for more vacation days!
• I just looked outside and all this blizzardy snow that the midwest got slammed with must have missed the northwest suburbs of Chicago (though it didn't miss the Metrodome---hahaha). Either that, or the wind has blown it all out of view from my apartment windows--it just looks like a light dusting out there.
• The next book I'm attempting to conquer is The Passage which, at about 180 pages in, seems pretty well written and is creeping me out.
• MoPo keeps asking me when I'm going to shave off my beard. I keep finding ways to prolong that decision. Truth be told, I'm not keeping it because I necessarily like it, but rather because I like that it's different (much like I grew my hair out to a ridiculous length last year).
• I finally succeeded in getting back into a gym routine over the course of the these last four weeks. If anything, the vacation planning was the final motivator I needed to accomplish this.  Now, if I'm just sitting around the apartment with nothing productive to do, or I partook of the beverages the night prior, I actually feel a little bad if I haven't exercised.  In essence, that need for external motivation has led to a new set of internal motivators, and that's kind of cool.

 Alright, time for my pre-game ritual of video game playing.

-KP

Randomnicity (03.10.10 Edition)

Hey, folks. Hopelessly bored tonight, so here are some random musings.

1. I read an article the other day: a study indicated that, with regards to health care reform, if you simply describe the proposed changes and completely omit Obama's name, a decent chunk of conservatives actually get on board with it.

1a. Humorous anecdote #1: The leading GOP candidate for 2012 contributed to the enactment of "Obamacare" in his own state while he was governor.

1b. Humorous anecdote #2: Sarah Palin used to cross the border to Canada for health care, which makes sense considering how revolting she claims Canadian health care is.

2. Molly is watching America's Next Top Model right now. That show is like crack to her.

3. IT'S ST. PADDY'S DAY THIS WEEKEND. Not only shall Saturday be full of drunken debauchery (drinking starts at 8am; bedtime will be approximately 7pm, should past events indicate anything) but JC, MoPo, and I also took off for the real St. Patrick's Day to extend the celebration. Oh, if only I were truly Irish.

4. I interviewed for a new position created within the Measurement Science department. If I got it, I'd again be working for the manager who hired me into the company, plus it's two levels above my current pay grade (I was strongly encouraged by current and former bosses to apply for it... since I'm qualified and would have been promoted at least once already, had it not been for the "economic situation"). The job description sounds cool (in a geeky stats sort of way) and it would free me from babysitting Kraft every month, so please keep your fingers crossed!

5. With the release of the most recent BSG soundtrack, I have been listening to a lot of Bear McCreary lately. I love that guy.

6. I bought a new camera! Thanks to my sister and cousin, who steered me towards the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i. I'm so incredibly stoked to use it--now I need to go out, practice, and develop some mad skills before heading out for Deutschland.

7. I have hit a plateau with my bowling game, despite purchasing my own equipment. I can typically pick up 8 or 9 pins per frame, but picking up those elusive spares has been dogging me. Unfortunate.

8. How rockin' is this? Frank and Maria asked me to be an usher at their wedding! This is made even cooler when you consider the awesome picture of me they put up on their wedding website.

9. I know I mentioned this last time, but I'm still really, really, really, really excited for baseball to start. I've been listening to the spring training games while at work and I think, despite the turnover this year, we've got some promise. The players' statements about "growing up" (i.e. no more choreographed celebrations) are unfortunate, however. I think other teams just overreacted.

10. I'm glad Avatar didn't clean house at the Oscars. It's strange: if anything, I am a sci-fi geek... and I have no desire to see this. Maybe it's because there is too much CGI? Or just that Sam Worthington is the star? (I finally watched Terminator Salvation... awful). I'm not even sure what the reason is, to be honest. What I do know is that I liked The Hurt Locker and have no problem with it winning Best Picture.

-KP

"What's Jagermeister?"
"You know how in a fairy tale there's always a potion that makes the princess fall asleep and then the guys start kissing her? Well, this is like that except you don't wake up in a castle — you wake up in a frat house with a bad reputation."
-Luke & Phil, Modern Family

*tap, tap*

...is this thing still on? How the heck did it get to be so long since my last blog? I realize most of what I say is uber-trivial but, at the very least, one would think I could have killed some time at work by tossing out a blog or two. Oh, well... since I had a very delicious and gluttonous turkey dinner tonight (rendering me largely immobile), how about I try to reconstruct the last 3 months in no particularly structured way?

1. I was fortunate enough to attend three Packers games this year, including my first Monday Night Football game. Talk about a great spur of the moment decision--we bought tickets a few days beforehand, enjoyed a Green Bay victory (with numerous hot chocolates!) and drove back to the IL afterwards. Kudos to the Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy that kept me safe and alert on our drive back. Getting back to Wheeling at 3am meant a particularly awesome next day at work.

1a. It was highly unfortunate that the Packers weren't able to advance further in the playoffs, but we were able to experience the highs and lows of that game at Will's, a particularly awesome Packers bar down by Wrigley. (Semi-humorous anecdote: we got into a fight with some drunk old dude, but made up and were BFF's after the Packers made their second-half comeback... nothing like Packer solidarity to settle personal differences).

2. After spending a relaxing but not-so-exciting 2009 vacation at my parents' place up in Tomahawk, MoPo and I are thinking a little grander this year and booked tickets to Germany. It should be a great time--can't wait! Plus, I'm going to use it as an excuse to buy a nicer camera. :)

3. I almost titled this blog "ZOMGIT'SALMOSTTUESDAYANDLOSTISBACK!!!!" but I am trying to keep a calm demeanor. Unfortunately for MoPo and a few of my coworkers, calm does not equal quiet... and I have not shut up about Lost all week. Hell, I even re-watched all of Season 5 the last few days (on blu-ray!). And there may be some truth to the rumors that I'll dust off my Halloween costume and Dharma beer labels to welcome the show back in style.

4. Books like Under the Dome make me realize I have no survival skills or instincts whatsoever. If forced to survive on my own, my super useful education and computer skills would do me no good whatsoever. Awesome. I'm usually reminded of this once a month when the latest Walking Dead issue comes out (I think I'd be among the first to go come a zombie apocalypse), but finishing Stephen King's latest read made me contemplate this on a whole new level. And make me feel guilty about cruelty to ants.

5. We totally joined a bowling league with our friends Frank and Matt. I subsequently found that I redefine "suckage" unless I have a personal pitcher of beer to guide my game. With beer, I rise to "meh" status.

6. Molly's parents bought the Brewers 20-game ticket package again this year. I really cannot wait for baseball season to start up. Words cannot convey how much I need my Brewers and Miller Park fix right now.

7. We had a Club 715 reunion last night, which was particularly awesome.

8. I haven't been to Wisconsin at all in four weeks! I think that sets some sort of record. In fact, we've done so many different things in the city lately that it's actually starting to feel like we live here. Though I'm sure that feeling will change soon enough.

Alright, time to jet out for now. Shall we see how long it takes for me to blog again?

-KP

Randomnicity (09.19.09 Edition)

Without introduction, let's get to this.

1. A few months ago I started reading this comic called Locke & Key which I quite liked because it had a distinct "Stephen King" feel to it all (and I really, really like Stephen King). Fast forward a few weeks when I browsed through Barnes & Noble's bargain bin section to find a novel published by the same author (Heart-Shaped Box). Shelling out my six hard-earned dollars, I picked it up and started reading.

The premise? Guy buys ghost over internet. Horror ensues. While it may sound like a somewhat lame premise, it really has given me full-fledged in-the-daytime-nightmares.

Not unlike the comic, this novel reminded me of Stephen King as well. So I Wikipedia'd the author's name (Joe Hill) and--wouldn't you know--he's the son of Stephen King!

2. Molly and I went down to Wrigley Wednesday night to see the Brewers play the Cubs. I love Wrigley--I love the history, I love the area, and I love notching a "W" on foreign soil.

3. My hair is getting ridiculously shaggy. Err, more ridiculously shaggy.

4. Congratulations, Prince, on RBI #127. Love it.

5. I cracked the hell up over this:



6. We finally got around to watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tonight. Wow, was I NOT expecting a nearly-three hour movie.

7. Are you watching Glee? If not, you are making a grave mistake. For realsies. Best new show of the season. LOL funny.

8. I think it now runs against the grain to admit to liking Michael Moore nowadays (is that a true assessment, or am I just imagining things?) but I really can't wait for his new documentary to come out.

Ok, time to make like a dork and go play video games on a Saturday night. After an entire summer of non-stop-on-the-go-weekends, this is actually refreshing.

Good night, all!

-KP

And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver...

I'm in one of those moods where I have no energy but still want to be active; I don't want to move but I don't want to sit still; I'm tired but I don't want to take a nap. Where does that leave me, except to be utterly and completely bored?

*sighs*

Life is rough, isn't it?

Given my mindset, here are some things I think I think:

*I think I'd be pissed if I was Farrah Fawcett, with my death being overshadowed by Michael Jackson's and what not.

*I think I really am sad that Michael Jackson passed away (cue MJ musical montage).

*I think I'm easily irritated at work. Remember when I got "transitioned" into a new job role a few months back? Well, I'm finally point of contact with the client and now feel that I'm just a glorified babysitter... and it's not cool like in Adventures in Babysitting. I can't punch anybody in the face, either (just to clarify: I never was trusted enough to babysit anybody).

*I think I haven't cut my hair since mid-April. I also think my hair hasn't been this long since high school.

*I think I need to stop reading books about zombies. Between World War Z, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and polishing off the fourth hardcover of The Walking Dead recently, every time I wake up in the middle of the night I swear I see zombies in the hallway.

*I think I feel like I haven't attended enough Brewers games this year, even though I've already been to eight.

*I think I'm looking forward to being up north for a week over the 4th of July.

*I think I'm still very, very bored.

-KP

The prettiest whistles won't wrestle the thistles undone.

I feel like you and I have become strangers. I don't call; you don't write. Let's rectify this.

1. I can't believe I haven't written about Star Trek yet. Blockbuster movie clichés aside (e.g. bad jokes, superfluous scenes that only exist for the popcorn factor) I really thought this lived up to the hype. I thought it was well shot, well written, and geeked out a little when they embraced the "reboot" aspect and blew up ******. I didn't even mind that they had ***** shackin' up with *****. I can't wait for the DVD release and I can't wait for the sequel. Whoever thought a Trek movie would gross over $200 million?

2. Interleague play and Miami aside, how awesome have the Brew Crew been lately? I've already matched my game attendance from last year (five games, 5-0 record last year; this year 4-1) and am going three times next week. Give me a shout if you're at the game Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights.

3. This is the second time in a row I've gone to a Decemberists concert and bought the CD of the opening band (last year it was Laura Veirs; this year it's Blind Pilot). I thought the Decemberists did a bang up job... it took a while for the "rock opera" that is The Hazards of Love to truly grow on me, but I think seeing it live really helped cement it as something special. Also? Best cover of "Crazy On You" I've ever heard.

4. I should be getting back the four rolls of film I sent to ScanCafe any day now. The scan "proofs" looked good before I submitted my final order (they were really just large thumbnails, however, so not a great judge of quality just yet) and I'm crossing my fingers that the true digitized images are going to be pretty high quality. I'll put 'em up on my Flickr page when I get them.

5. I have had way too many issues with malware and viruses this past year. I never have had a problem before now, even when I didn't know better. What gives?

6. We've been lucky enough to see Leslie & Jimmy twice in the last few weeks! Seeing them regularly is one of the things I miss most about living in Waukesha/Milwaukee...

7. We've got a new neighbor that lives below us. He's a a nice, young guy that had his wife and kid move here from India just yesterday (which isn't relevant to this story--I'm just sure that's a very exciting thing for him). However, he must desperately want DISH service as opposed to cable because, when the guy told him he couldn't get signal because of a rather large tree, he actually knocked on my door to see if they could install the dish on my deck. I think that's rather ballsy, don't you? I don't think I'd ever impose on someone like that, but maybe that's just me.

8. What's a GrooGrux King?

9. I collect a fair amount of television shows on DVD and it peeves me off like nothing else when they change packaging mid-run. For instance, the first four seasons of 24 had similar packaging (a bit bulky, but the same nevertheless) but they switched it to a more narrow style of box for the fifth and sixth seasons. It just doesn't look right altogether. And now what do they do? They release the seventh season in a box no wider than a standard DVD case! What gives? What's the aesthetic value in that?

10. I really need to get to a golf course and do some drinking--I mean, golfing! Yeah, swing the ol' club, the ol' 9-iron! In a very professional, golfer way!

-KP

"How come you never tortured me? You know, when I first started?"
"You were Bambi. Somebody had to teach you how to walk."
"Thank you for that. For being my teacher."
"No problem."
"Is there anything I can do to repay that favor?"
"Tell me my husband loves me more than he loves you."
"It's about the same."
"I'll take it."
-J.D. & Carla, Scrubs

Randomnicity (04.22.09 Edition)

1. Ok, I get it--the Brewers' pitching ain't all that great (get rid of Jorge Julio; sorry, buddy, you gotta throw strikes), but I really was expecting more out of the offense. The team's batting average could be, and should be, a lot higher.

2. As hypothesized, Mike's bachelor party was indeed legendary. Barney Stinson would be proud.

3. I'm still working with Noelle on our religion paper. It won't ever get published in a journal as prestigious as JMF but I'm still crossing my fingers we get it to a place where a more entry-level academic journal accepts it. Relatedly, I'm continually surprised how long it takes to make progress on this thing with a full-time job. I want it done but have a hard time keeping motivated when coming home from work.

4. I sent four rolls of film to ScanCafe. I'm crossing my fingers that they turn out good.

5. It'll be a busy couple of days... Mike and Melissa's wedding this weekend, hitting up the Brewers game Monday night, and going to Flight of the Conchords on Tuesday. Very excite!

-KP

PS: What is a one-trick pony? (I overheard it on ANTM... which MoPo is watching, NOT ME).

Randomnicity (04.12.09 Edition)

1. Attending the Brewers' home opener for the first time was an interesting, and mostly fun, experience. It definitely was an incredible finish--with the Brewers overcoming a one run deficit and scoring the winning run with a hell of a play at home plate. Yet, the tailgating experience was unlike any I've ever witnessed. I had suspected that people would be drinking more heavily than usual (is that even possible in Milwaukee?) but the aftermath was just ridiculous. The parking lot looked like a landfill. There was so much garbage and broken glass that it was a bit hazardous finding my way out of the parking lot. I'm glad most games aren't as crazy.

2. I'm watching the Brewers game on ESPN right now. I really hate the number of Cubs fans that show up in our park... I should not be hearing, "Let's go, Cubbies" at Miller Park. Also, Jeff Suppan: *sighs*.

3. Last night, we went with Frank and Maria to see Rent and it was pretty amazing. I have a lot of respect for the cast members, who still infuse their performances with so much enthusiasm and energy.

4. I realized something the other day that I find utterly fascinating. Sites like Facebook allow us to flaunt our individuality in a completely different way than we could have previously (e.g. profile pictures, photo albums, numerous sections to detail our personality traits to the online world). Yet, I've noticed a trend among new parents in that profile pictures and status updates become entirely about their child and no longer about them (with regards to profile pics, I'm talking here about kid-only pictures, not parent/child pictures). It's almost as if they have done away with their own sense of individuality and have replaced it with that of their kid's. To the sociologist in me, it's completely fascinating. Personally, it sort of frightens me.

5. As of today we have completely eliminated our credit card debt! I wrote the final check today and it will be in the mail tomorrow. Now the only debt we have remaining are our student loans and my auto loan. That is a pretty liberating feeling.

6. We essentially skipped Easter this year. After driving up for the Brewers game and then back down for Rent, I just didn't feel like making that round trip again on Sunday. Not quite sure how the parents felt about it, though.

7. I was getting bored with The Office in recent weeks but thought the two episodes last Thursday were pretty hysterical.

8. You may have read stories here about the obnoxious kid living above me (he liked to run around, jump, fall, and generally just give me grief). Thankfully, that family moved out. But what did I wake up to Saturday morning? A newborn wailing at 5am in the master bedroom directly above me. New neighbors--fun. *sighs*

9. We're drinking wine to celebrate being credit card debt-free. I'm going to go get another glass. Ok, I'm back. Mmmm.

10. I really don't want to go into work tomorrow. I like vacation days. I wish having a job was more vacation and less working. That'd be nice.

-KP

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. - Wayne Gretzky' - Michael Scott"
-On the dry erase board, The Office

Randomnicity (03.12.09 Edition)

1. I believe that certain behaviors indicate fundamental divisions in personality. Example: people who regularly back up into their parking stall. Why? Why do this? Especially when there are cars on either side of you, which means you're backing up into a narrower space than you'd have to deal with by just driving in normally and later on backing up into the aisle when you go to leave. I think it's just bizarre, man.

2. I can't wait for May 8th. Seriously, I think I may have watched the new trailer (the one in front of Watchmen) a dozen times already... perhaps more.

3. Speaking of Watchmen, I was ok with it. It didn't blow me away but it stuck to the source material, of which I am a big fan. Therefore I'm still not quite sure if I like the movie or if it was just a reflection of liking the graphic novel.

4. I promised Emily I would put up more pictures from my birthday. Here you go, pal. I've also uploaded them here. :)



5. Yeah, I think I'm going to start using Flickr instead of WebShots.

6. The Brewers' home opener also cannot come soon enough. Anyone else going? If so, let me know and perhaps we can tailgate together!

7. I think I got judged a few weeks ago for having a distaste for country music. I felt like I was in a bizarro world--shouldn't the judging be the other way around? Haha.

8. Funny story. Molly and her female family members are throwing a bridal shower for Mike's soon-to-be spouse. Molly's name, email, and phone number were listed on the invite for RSVP purposes. Yesterday she received a voice mail from one particular relative who had no idea who Molly was and thus introduced herself accordingly. My best guess is that, in all this time we've been hitched, some relatives of hers have never learned what her new last name is. Kind of amusing.

9. I've watched the Trek trailer again since writing about it in this blog. I guess a part of me will always remain pretty geeky.

-KP

"I see the world didn't end yesterday."
"Are you sure?"
-Watchmen

Randomnicity (02.18.09 Edition)

1) April is going to be a very fun month in the lives of KP & MoPo. We'll be seeing Rent when it comes through Chicago; this is tremendously exciting in and of itself but the really cool thing about it is that original Broadway cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal will be in it. The second exciting event? Seeing a little duo named Flight of the Conchords...



2) I went up north to go snowmobiling two weekends ago (for the first time in probably three years). It was so awesome that I tried doing it again this past weekend... except that there was an immense lack of snow on the trails (honestly, it was a longshot anyway given the weather but I thought I'd give it a chance). Instead of snowmobiling, however, the fates substituted a different "fun" experience--being pulled over by a state trooper for going a piddly ten over the speed limit. Seriously? You have nothing better to do than pull a guy over for doing the same speed as everybody else on the highway? Luckily I was only given a warning.

3) It doesn't look like we'll be going anywhere warm and exotic for vacation this year. We're opting instead to finally put a kabosh on all this credit card debt we accumulated by studying abroad (amongst other, less rewarding expenses). We've been whittling away at it pretty steadily for a while now but have also diverted a lot of our "discretionary" expenses to fun things like vacations, HD TVs, and new furniture. Suffice it to say, the prospect of being "bad debt-free" is pretty appealing.

4) By this time next month we'll be down to a single car payment as well. Wahoo!

5) We're going to the Food & Froth Fest this weekend with Leslie & Jimmy! I can't wait.

6) Growing up, I never thought I'd be more into a TV show than I was into Star Trek or The X-Files. But I've never, never spent as much time obsessing about a TV show as I do Lost. I'm very much a guy who doesn't like time to move too fast--I like to take things one day at a time. However, now I curse any day that isn't Wednesday (although Friday is ok--Friday has BSG). And while EW's Doc Jensen helps me through the week I'm also pretty sure his analysis of what in God's name is going on is what causes me to dream about Lost (as was the case last night). So even when I'm sleeping I'm still obsessing. *sighs*

7) Girl Scout cookies! YUM.

8) I poisoned MoPo last night. Apparently she has developed an allergic reaction to catfish because this is the second time her face has puffed up after eating it. But she's ok with a lot of other types of fish and shellfish. Strange.

9) I'm not sure if I've blogged about this before but I'm pretty sure The Walking Dead is currently my favorite comic.

10) I'm almost done reading The Worst Hard Time and it is pretty tremendous (it started off kind of slow but I was hooked after the first 50 pages or so). I'm not a germaphobe but this book is definitely turning me into a dustaphobe.

-KP

"I, (state the fake name you give to women), vow to always choose wet t-shirts over wet diapers. I vow to choose D-cups over sippy cups and perfect 10s over play pens. I will never jeopardize my dignity, paycheck or awesomeness through the heinous crime of reproduction."
-Barney, How I Met Your Mother

Randomnicity (01.17.09 Edition)

1. It's that time of the year where I keep writing '08 instead of '09 on everything.

2. Look! Pictures!





I'll put more on Facebook/WebShots sometime in the next year.

3. I have been relentlessly playing Fallout 3. It's awesome.

4. I don't necessarily do New Year's resolutions but I am going to try and read more this year. Quite frankly, it took me 6 months just to read one book last year. I blame it on TV. But, even so, there you have it--more reading for KP in 2008. Er, 2009.

5. I've given up on the crappy coffee my employer supplies for us in the kitchenette. It's just horrible, horrible stuff and, after a year and a half of it, the fact that it's free doesn't matter anymore. Now I go down and get Starbucks from downstairs every morning. It's no Grind (which really just means I don't have Leslie to go get coffee with) but at least the coffee tastes good.

6. I have this extreme problem with overwatering houseplants. Example: I killed my cactus this week. How can you kill a frakkin' cactus?!

7. To all my fellow BSG'ers out there: isn't it great that show can still depress the hell out of you? Yet I must watch it. Because it's awesome.

8. Xbox 360 + Netflix may just be the best marriage ever.

9. MoPo and I are still trying to figure out what the hell we want to do for vacation this year. There's just too many places we want to go... we've thought about staying somewhere in the contiguous US, or going back to Oahu, or checking out my homeland of Nicaragua, or going to Mexico, or Canada, or St. Maarten/St. Martin. I think we're leaning towards splitting vacation time between St. Maarten/St. Martin (two countries, teeny, tiny island) and Canada (we have a friend that we've been meaning to visit for ages). However, I'm sure we'll change our mind six more times before actually going.

10. Obama inauguration! Huzzah! (Maybe Spider-Man will show up in RL, too?)

11. I have the perfect dinner planned for the season premiere of Lost. You just wait and see.

-KP

"Is he talking about what I think he was talking about?"
"If you mean time traveling bunnies, then yes."
-Locke & Ben, Lost

Randomnicity (12.05.08 Edition)

1. This week has gone by at light speed for me. I'm getting more and more projects to do at work, which is a good sign in regards to job security but means there are just not enough hours in the day to get them all done. Although 'job security' is a laughable term when the company laid off even more people this week. It's absolutely ridiculous. I think my department is done as far as job cuts go but one can't feel safe in today's economy.

2. Some of you know that I've become a bit of a comic book geek in recent times. I never was into comics as a kid but I started buying the Buffy: Season Eight comic a few years ago because Buffy is one of my all-time favorite shows. However, that has slowly morphed into me buying more and more comics. I do a decent job curbing the impulse to by the trade paperbacks since I re-discovered interlibrary loan, but I'm spending $10-12 a week on the monthlies in the comic book store and I still want to buy more. It's getting a bit ridiculous and I have to start practicing some self-control.

3. I was a big fan of survey methodology and questionnaire design in grad school so I positively geeked out when I got selected to be a part of the American Community Survey. Way to go, random selection!

4. I've stopped watching Heroes. It's actually been about a month now. It is so horrid that I just couldn't do it any longer. And it takes a lot for me to stop watching a show.

5. The Packer game last weekend was really fun but, for the life of me, I just cannot understand why they can't win close games. That's like--what?--four games they've lost by six points or less? C'mon!

6. This was the first year Molly and I played fantasy football (thanks, Frank!) and we both somehow managed to make it into the playoffs. MoPo even clinched a first-round bye. Things could get ugly, however, if I manage to win this weekend because that would mean we face each other next week. And MoPo isn't friendly when she's competitive.

7. I made a new BFF in my apartment building. After work one night I walked up to the third floor to grab some stuff out of our storage unit when a guy around my age stopped to introduce himself. He was a bit disheveled looking, talked a lot, but was rather friendly in that really awkward sort of way. Then, about three minutes into the conversation he paused and asked if I wanted to smoke with him (and I'm not talking cigarettes). Very bizarre dude.

8. Last episode of Boston Legal next week. I hate how the writers always write characters off the show without explaining it but, man, listening to Spader and Shatner is a hoot. It's too bad it's going off the air.

That's all for now. Check ya later.

-KP

"The only show on TV with starring roles over 50 is Bo--. Well, I can't say the rest... it'll break the wall."
-Carl Sack, Boston Legal

Randomnicity (11.25.08 Edition)

1. I have had the absolute worst flu I can remember... at least since elementary school. It sidelined me for the better part of 8 days. Uggh. Thankfully, I'm feeling better and am ready to regain all the weight I lost (hardly ate at all last week) by eating copious amounts of turkey.

2. We went to the local comedy club a few weekends ago (before the flu) and saw Jimmy Fallon. There were bits that were funny, but by and large the following Simpson's quote was an accurate summary of the evening: "What are you kids laughing at? And don't say Jimmy Fallon or I'll know you're lying!"

3. Looks like Molly and I are getting the chance to go to the Packers game this Sunday. Wahoo!

4. I have been on a huge buffalo wing kick this last month. I seriously can't get enough of them. Oh, wings, why art thou so delectable?

5. This day is just dragging, but tomorrow will be better. The building is closing at 1pm so, truly, it's like working a half day. And then the long weekend begins!

-KP

Randomnicity (10.15.08 Edition)

Hello, friends.

1. ZOMG, The Sky Is Falling! Seriously, how bad is this economy getting? Or perhaps the more proper question: how much worse can it get? Everyday, CNN broadcasts the latest doom and gloom, then I look at my 401(k) and go, blech. Over the weekend it bottomed out at -40.2% YTD. Ouch.

2. I'm currently growing facial hair--attempting full blown beard-age action with the spectacular goal of sporting a moustache for Halloween. Legendary, hilarious, or simply icky?

3. What a wacky week of football, eh?

4. We went to Bye Bye Liver this weekend with our friends Jessica and Patrick... it was kind of on the short side but was pretty entertaining. Not a bad deal on a bucket o' beer, either (5 Bud Lights for $12). Yes, that's right: Bud Light... the Commish would not approve.

5. I'm giving Heroes one more week to try and regain my interest. It's just boring.

6. Fringe, on the other hand, is not.

7. I want the Tampa Bay Rays to go to, and win, the World Series.

8. I paid off my first student loan. Granted, it was relatively tiny (a $1500 private loan to help finance my travels through Europe in 2003) but it's nice to get something crossed off my debt list. We just won't speak of the size of my remaining Direct Loan...

9. This month was the first time I've ever been late in paying rent (I wasn't paying attention to the calendar). And, man, do these property owners not kid around! I had notice on my door regarding intent to evict the morning of the first day it was late. Seriously? It ended up being just fine, I got a "one time warning" and the late fee was waived--but the way this place is run reminds of an ironclad bank.

10. I need to figure out what to do about my master's paper. It got rejected (one reviewer seems to think it worthy of a 'revise and resubmit' while another absolutely hated it; the editor apparently agreed with the latter sentiment). I'm edging towards reworking it and then resubmitting it to another journal, but there are certain logistical problems with not being in school anymore that I need to figure out.

-KP

"Barney, how can you be in love and still be sleeping with anything that moves?"
"I'm sorry I don't follow you. That's like saying, 'How can an ant carry 20 times its body weight but Root Beer floats are still delicious?' Are the two even related?"
-Lily & Barney, How I Met Your Mother

Randomnicity (09.15.08 Edition)

1. I almost pulled a Noah to avoid the torrential flooding that the Chicago area endured this weekend. I didn't float away but there was so much flooding that Nielsen shut down today because of a lack of electricity. With a day off, it feels like I'm back in grade school all over again (although I don't think we ever had a "rain day"... just snow days).

2. Today's firing of Ned Yost. Wow. I guess with only 12 games left in the season the Brewers needed to do something beyond changing the batting order to shake things up. But I'm worried it's too little, too late.

3. Speaking of the Brewers, I did manage to see two of September's three victories thus far. Low scoring, but very exciting nevertheless. I've got pictures on Facebook but I still need to put them up on my WebShots.

4. Politics, Part I. *sighs* I love it and hate it all at the same time. It holds true that there are certain things you shouldn't talk about without fear of dismemberment: religion, politics, and (for Wisconsinites) Brett Favre. Politics begets immense frustration. For me, my frustration with conservatives comes in the form of social progress (e.g. equality, fair rights, acceptance, and all those other key words). I get the fact that Republicans are against growing government (I'm not exactly crazy over it, either) but in terms of our society I can't help but feel that conservatives want to keep America from moving forward, from being a better country than we currently are. I don't define myself as a Democrat but there's no way I can vote for a Republican if they take their typical stance on what I consider the key issues.

5. Politics, Part II. A few things I've noticed this year with McCain backers. First, they aren't so much backing McCain as hatin' on Obama. To me, it seems that their inevitable vote isn't so much a vote for McCain as it is a vote against Obama. Instead of spending time trying to highlight their reasons for suporting McCain, all I see is way too much time spent ripping Obama a new one(sometimes with fair points, but more often than not... not). Second, conservatives are more excited over Palin than McCain--almost to the point where I think people sometimes start to think of this as Obama vs. Palin and not Obama vs. McCain. One thing I'm completely over, though: using Facebook to be "crafty" about voicing one's own politics, and to judge--without coming across as judging--others who may not share your viewpoints. I did that last time around and it's not worth the time. My time is better spent in civil conversation (that's how I got a few of my friends to change their minds and vote the other way last election).

Anyways, that was all just stuff on my mind. Moving on...

6. Molly and I ordered and received an eight-piece bedroom set this week. It's part of our systematic room-by-room process of upgrading what we own, and finally starting to part ways with all the hand-me-down furniture we've accumulated. It's pretty awesome.

7. How is summer over already? I feel like I didn't even take full advantage of enjoying the summer season. Is this what's it like when you're working full time?

8. I can already tell that fantasy football is affecting the way I enjoy regular football... "Ooh, ooh go Steelers except only pass to Santonio Holmes because that's who I have and don't pass to Hines Ward or rush with Willie Parker because that's who the other guy has!" This was what Molly endured last night, but I've had very similar experiences.

9. So I've been reading this book called Heyday by Kurt Andersen... since May. Yeah, that's a little ridiculous. But I finally finished it last night! Now I think I've got to finish The Historian, which I'm half way through. I hate reading more than one book at one time--so why am I doing it?

10. You know what I like? Breakfast for dinner. On tonight's menu: waffles. Mmmm....

-KP

"I felt like an idiot so I've been reading up on this Iraq situation. You know what's so messed up? I just got to the part where President Bush gave his mission accomplished speech on a battleship, and I've still got like 400 pages to go."
-J.D., Scrubs

Randomnicity (09.02.08 Edition)

1. Let's talk baseball. I like baseball. I like the Brewers. But man, is it stressful liking the Brewers when they are actually in a pennant race. I just witnessed Manny Parra give up a three run home run against a pitcher who is throwing his first major league game. I'm practically throwing things around the room.

2. Every once in a while Molly and I have wine nights, where we go through a couple of bottles of wine between the both of us. Suffice it to say, I go into work the following morning slightly dehydrated. Tomorrow will be one of those mornings.

3. I finally read Watchmen. Quality. Can't wait for the movie.

4. I dislike Palin for the same reason I dislike most Republicans--she's a social conservative. I'm pretty black and white when it comes to that. She also advocates abstinence only education, which as evidenced by her own teenage daughter, doesn't work. I don't take any political pleasure in the fact that her daughter is pregnant... and I do think that it's a topic that should be off limits to debate and personal criticism--but I've never seen the logic in preaching abstinence.

5. I'm switching from wine to beer. I'm classy like that.

6. I'm DVR'ing the 90210 remake. Mind you, it's not because I'm expecting to like it. It's because I'm expecting it to be as much of a train wreck as that one Britney Spears movie. It should be glorious.

7. I'm going to two Brewers games this weekend! We're going with the Grovers Friday night (which is awesome, because I feel like it's been years since I've seen them) and then again Saturday night. But the most important question: do I wear my Braun jersey both nights, or is wearing it two consecutive nights kinda dirty?

8. We finally watched Comedy Central's Roast of Bob Saget tonight. Freakin' hilarious. Incredibly dirty, but freakin' hilarious.

9. Back to the Brew Crew. I like Manny Parra, I really do. But I wish he had it in him to last beyond the fifth inning.

10. Our good friends Frank and Maria moved to Evanston this weekend which, granted, isn't all that far away. But I'll be a wee bit selfish for a second and say that Wheeling is a little less interesting without them.

...and I'll throw in #11 for good measure...

11. I hope David Tennant never leaves Doctor Who. (Yes, I'm a geek).

-KP

"Exterminieren! Exterminieren! Halt! Sonst werden wir Sie exterminieren! Sie sind jetzt ein Gefangener der Daleks! Exterminieren! Exterminieren!"
-The Daleks, Doctor Who

Randomnicity (08.14.08 Edition)

1) I get positively giddy over the fact that the Brewers are currently sitting at 19 games over .500. However, it confounds me that I've only been to a single game this year. Thankfully, I've got three games scheduled for September (including one at Wrigley Field on the 17th). This makes me happy since I spent the money on a Ryan Braun jersey and have yet to wear it.

2) Our annual "camping" trip was awesome, as always. In three words? Slip and slide. Camping is always a great excuse to get stupid with some of my best friends, as some pictures will demonstrate more than others--check 'em out here if you'd like.

3) I'm hungry. I need it to be lunch time.

4) I was pleased with Aaron Rodgers' performance during the first preseason game. And I was blown away when the fans gave him a standing ovation to start the game. Packer fans, indeed.

5) I am participating in a fantasy football league this year for the very first time. Upon joining, I spent half a day researching strategy. This made me wonder if there are better things I should be doing with my life.

Nah.

6) Doesn't 2003 seem like it was relatively recent? Mentally, I think it was yesterday but then I go and look at some of the pictures I took when I studied abroad and it makes me go, "Wow, gee, that was eons ago!" Similarly, sometimes I feel like I just graduated high school last year. And that's just crazy.

7) My work is doing this whole 70/20/10 raise thing for next year and I'm not looking forward to it. Apparently it's based on some GE model that says 70% of employees within a department will get standard cost-of-living type salary increases, 20% will get more than that, and 10% will get absolutely no raise at all. I will get very pissed off if I'm somehow deemed to be in that lowest 10%.

8) That Michael Phelps is just crazy! He eats twelve thousand calories in a day! Seriously? Seriously.

9) Molly and I went up north last weekend. My aunt and uncle (who I don't get to see very much) went up for a few days, too. The cool thing? My cousin had a kid 6 months ago and my aunt and uncle decided to take the baby along with them and give the parents a bit of a break. I think that's incredibly awesome--they deserve a medal.

10) I should go and work out tonight but, realistically, I'll just end up playing Madden.

-KP

"Dr. Turkleton!"
"Actually sir, it's just Turk."
"That's your first name."
"You think my name is Turk Turkleton?"
-Dr. Kelso & Turk, Scrubs

Randomnicity (07.24.08 Edition)

1) Somebody get a broom ready because I'm ready for a sweep!

2) Nose hair. I'm a firm believer--for the sake of those who must look at you--that men should embrace the trimming. At work, however, I am surrounded by a seemingly endless forest. It is gross.

3) While on the topic of work and gross, it should be noted that I am constantly astounded by certain individuals and their behavior in the presence of coworkers. We're talking about a complete disregard for manners concerning burping, farting, and bodily odor here. I mean, how can you work your way up the corporate ladder and not realize you must wear deodorant??? It blows my mind.

4) Sometimes I wish it were legal to shoot paintballs at little children who constantly scream outside your apartment. Also: the parents who "monitor" said children but can't keep them well-behaved.

5) Ditto for little children who run around the stairwell and slam doors.

6) Brett Favre vs. the Packers? Sorry, Brett. You lose.

7) You know, I still haven't finished uploading pictures from Maui on my WebShots. I should get to those.

8) Then I could upload pictures from last weekend's 3rd Annual BBE (Birthday Bash Extravaganza)!

9) Ok, so my opinion on The Dark Knight. Pretty phenomenal. About 20 minutes too long (but what would you cut out?) and the transformation from Harvey Dent into Two-Face was a bit--shall we say--rushed. I understand you can't have an entire movie with a guy flipping a coin but... I don't know... this was the thing that just didn't click for me. I liked Harvey, though. Harvey was good. (And so was that guy who they say was Heath Ledger playing the Joker but they could be lying because he didn't look or sound anything like Heath Ledger... for real). My head hurt when I left the theater. What an intense, intense movie.

9a) I am indifferent when it comes to Katie Holmes vs. Maggie Gyllenhaal but I'm glad they recast for one reason: one particular scene may have encouraged applause from the crowd if Katie Holmes had been in it. Applause would probably be the exact opposite reaction intended.

10) Is it 4pm yet? I really want to go home today.

-KP

"So my girlfriend serviced most of the staff? I'm proud of her commitment to medicine."
"It's not like you haven't had sex with other people. Your ex-wife, that med student, your ex-wife, that cute intern in radiology, your ex-wife..."
"Would you get off my ex-wife?"
"I will if you will."
"Dammit, now I'm too gosh-darned proud of you to be mad!"
-Dr. Cox & Carla, Scrubs

Randomnicity (07.01.08 Edition)

1. Why didn't I take my camera? Why didn't I take my camera? Jessie came down for a bit last weekend so she and I could go to the (*ahem*) comic book convention in Rosemont. Lots of free stuff! Lots of super-awesome deals (Captain America #25 for six dollars!?!). And LOTS of geek-types dressed as Christian Bale-Batman, Thin Superman, Obese Superman, Thor, Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, and a bajillion X-Men.

Also, Lou Ferrigno was there.

2. Tomorrow marks my one-year anniversary at Nielsen. Crazy, no?

3. Somewhat similarly, it is surprising--and thus unnerving--how much I like programming in SAS. It's challenging and rewarding in a professional, employed, this-is-what-I-do-with-my-life type of way. Wow. That's pretty lame.

4. Frank and Maria are pretty awesome to hang out with. In fact, they're Wheeling-rific!

5. I read the final volume of Y: The Last Man today. Absolutely gutwrenching. This is one comic for non-comic book fans.

6. Wheeling Freedom Fest this weekend! Which am I looking forward to more: top performing acts such as The Verve Pipe & Gin Blossoms or people wearing American flags as shirts and pants? I honestly don't know!

7. Hello, Brewers. Sometimes you make me nervous. One minute you're hot, the next not so much. Then you're hot again. What's up with that?

8. We had to drop a lot of money on Molly's Mitsubishi Lancer last week. Plus, I think I have a ball joint going bad on my Civic. Boo.

9. I'm trying to get back into the habit of reading (and not just comics, mind you). I keep buying all these really interesting looking books (like this one, this one, and this one) but I just can't get into a routine. Maybe that has to do with all the TV on DVD I've been watching (darn you, Netflix!).

10. Maybe I'll skip #10 and go read. Yeah, that sounds good.

-KP

"What in the name of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret were you thinking?"
-Dr. Cox, Scrubs

Randomnicity (05.07.08 Edition)

It's time for a little bit of randomnicity.

1) Molly and I rented Across The Universe the other weekend. I think the Beatles are perhaps the greatest thing to happen to music ever so I was a little hesitant on using their music as the basis for a musical. In all serious, though? Great flick (few qualms). Great music. I don't usually like covers of the Beatles, but I am a big fan of this soundtrack.

2) Where is #2?

3) ZOMG! I want to believe!

4) I like Colin Meloy's CD.

5) This weekend marks the first weekend we've stayed in the IL in, like, 5 weeks. I welcome visitors. Visitors, please visit.

6) I'm becoming a big fan of Entourage.

7) I am thisclose! to submitting my thesis to an academic journal. I just need to write the abstract and proofread one more time.

8) Can you believe I've worked at Nielsen for almost a year?

9) I have been spending too much money on comics recently.

10) I topped $40 to fill my Civic with gas for the first time yesterday--$43, to be exact. And that was at $3.79/gal. It's $3.95 today. Christ.

-KP

"But who the hell is shooting at us, mom? Terrorists?"
"Worse... Republicans."
-Y: The Last Man