There is a difference

Warning: this posting will be rife with expletives, an unchagable opinion, and may piss (expletive #1) some of you off. If you don't mind any or all of the above, by all means keep reading. If you think you may be bothered, you're a bigger wuss that I took you for and probably should take my blog off of your fave list.

There IS A DIFFERENCE between the drivers who use 70, 40 and 44. At this point, I'm going to leave 55 out of this discussion because I don't know anyone worthy who lives out that way, hence my travel on that interstate is nil.

Let me break it down for ya:

I-70 drivers: SCARYTOWN WITH BLINDERS OF ENTITLEMENT! They are oblivious to the fact that they are driving with others, and are not alone on the road. They weave from lane to lane, and if they want to get over, no blinker is enacted, just an oblivious "lean" into your lane. And you HAVE to get over because they will CHINK YOUR CAR if you don't move. They're ignorant fuckheads who believe the road belongs to them and them alone. And hey, I'm not going to play the race card here - the drivers I've encountered on I-70 represent all 7 continents, so I believe it comes down to INTELLIGENCE. Driving on I-70 is a game of chicken with a bucket-o-dumb, and I breathe a shakey sigh of relief when I finally merge onto a smarter path.

Hwy 40 drivers: BIG OL' LAND OF LINCOLN! And I mean the car and mentality, not the state, race, nationality, etc. Let's throw some Hummers and Cadi's in there to be well rounded. Can there be any more HUMONGOID VEHICLES that take up a lane and a half? Really, are you going on safari? Or perhaps you are delivering supplies to an outpost in the Middle East and are afraid of mortar attacks? Or maybe you are just carting your kids to one of many practices and need the room so that you don't actually have to interact with them? Either way, you don't own the road - yes, you may own a million dollar house, good for you, but I pay taxes just like you and there needs to be a bit of sharing, twats and twits.

I-44 drivers: MARIO ANDRETTI vs BETTY WHITE! When I get onto 44, I prepare myself for a game of FROGGER. Seriously. In one lane you have Grampa Joe who is clocking in at a turbulent 45 mph, and in the next two lanes over you have a remake of The Italian Job (the Michael Caine spectacular, not the Marky Mark suckfest). So, the question is - do you toddle along behind Gramps and brake every time he brakes (which is every 13 seconds), or engage in the Caine remake as you attempt to get to your exit? So far, I have successfully navigated the "logs" and made it to my chosen "shore", but I fear that someday you may see me sqaushed beneath the wheels of a large tanker...ribbit.

Seriously, St. Louis drivers are the worst on earth. And I can say this because A) I have lived in the four courners of this nation and then some so experience rules, and B) I'm not a native, so I feel more than comfortable placing the blame on those that deserve it...and it ain't me.

Am I stereotyping? A bit. Is it justified? Certainly. It's my blog and I make the rules. And it's a rant - take it for what it's worth.

Now, for a little entertainment to soothe the savage soul:

Money Shot

Yesterday was crazy, hence the reason I missed posting. Right now I'm logging video from yesterday, and it's capturing so I have a couple minutes to post...

Yesterday morning was unreal. Watching these teams of nurses, doctors, and the like come together like a well-oiled machine was an amazing experience. To watch the entire removal of a kidney (slicing through the fascia and fat - whew!), see it extracted from someone's body and placed in another human being is beyond words. What a great gift from a brother to a sister.

Standing for hours, sometimes in a still position, can wreak a bit of havoc on a body - I was very sore last night by the time I got home from class. However, when I think about how sore the two patients are today, my brief and minor misery is a speck compared to what they are going through. Also the doctors - they do this kind of thing most every day. Miracle workers, saints and athletes, every damn one of them.

Seeing the footage now, I'm reminded of the beeping monitors, the soft talking between the nurse and the anesthesiologist, and the slight clicks of the instruments doing their work. The smells of antiseptic, cauterized innards and the paper mask I had to where throughout. The money shot is when the patient successfully makes urine - and we got it.

Rendering done - gotta get back to work...more later.

Some Kinda Love

In one of my recent posts, I quote the great and powerful Yoda about committing to doing rather than trying. This year, so far, has been taken up with more planning and less doing.

I am okay with this, however, because planning is the legwork prior to doing. I am taking a new route with certain areas of my life. Rather than a "skin of my teeth" approach, I will be mapping out my vision quests.

I just spent the last hour walking through the plan for tomorrow's live-donor kidney transplant that I get to help film. I am over the moon excited - not just about filming parts of it, but also getting to witness something so amazing. Did I mention how much I love my job?

The new semester starts tomorrow, and as I am almost finished with school, it's the beginning of the end. So this week is jam-packed, and I am ready for it all.

I've not had time to listen to any music yet today, so I just turned on some Velvet Underground to get me going. "Some Kinda Love" live at Max's Kansas City....

Lay it on me, Lou...lay it on me.......................

yeah.

TGITW

The pic is from the Soulard Market - yes, the STILL have coon.

The weekend started off with a bang - or several, if you count numerous pins smashing against the back wall due to my super-awesome bowling moves. Finished with a triple digit score - not the highest but better than I usually do.

So far, managed to escape the soft salvation that is my bed and hit up Soulard, City Diner for lunch, errands, and now settling in for some painting. Tonight's agenda includes fun on Cherokee, a reception at WF gallery, and whatever else pops up.

Some songs that started off this much-needed weekend:

Scout Niblett - Kings
Forgotten Rebels - Wasted
Geza X - Alternation
Briefs - 40 and above

Raining Goodness All Over Me

So I had an interesting week. Not too out of the ordinary, but small revelations, acceptance of the unchangeable, and letting go to let flow. More contemplation than usual, which is a good thing in this, the beginning of a new year.

One phrase that came to mind more than once was "I want the world to rain goodness over me". It sounds like a refreshing concept, right? Being showered with the positive, drenched in the sublime. However, I believe that to receive such a gift requires a willingness to "cleanse" oneself of the negative.

This is starting to sound all unicorns and rainbows...okay, Kristin, reel in the fruity and ground yoself. I will say, though, that sometimes I lay in bed and get all metaphysical and wonder why time is moving so fast and if we're all particles why can't my hand go through a door. Random how-does-the-universe work kinda thoughts. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this...

So far, it's been a good experience. I'll be doing more contemplating to see how I can switch this new mindset up from time to time. Let loose. Hug a tree...for real.

Can I just tell you...

...how excited I am about 2010?

First, to have a job these days is a blessing. To have a job you love - it's a f*cking miracle. Yup, I feel that strongly about it I am willing to swear.

Second, third, and fourth - to have the most amazing friends, family and love in my life is beyond words. Again - completely amazing. Oh, and my dog IS the best dog in the entire universe.

I've already made some good plans for the year, but I'm not going to share them just yet - I feel like if I say them out loud they might not come true, like birthday cake candle wishes. So as soon as one of these plans becomes a reality, I will share. And at that point, I'll probably spill it all.

At this point, my music library is growing leaps, and I am loving what this year has brought me so far. What I'm grooving to right this minute is:

Taken By Trees
The Magnetic Fields
Polysics
David Bazan
Cold Cave
Spoon - Transference (delivers in the best way)

AND, I've already got my "favorites" list started, and it goes a little....like....this:

Pen - Uni-ball 207 LTD

Workout DVD - 30 Day Shred w/Jillian and P90X (tie)

iPhone App - Shazam (tags music from radios and TV and tells you the artis and song)

Gallery - White Flag Projects (anticipatory) & Sheldon (solid)

Comedy - Modern Family: every character induces gut-busting laughter, not to mention Al Bundy.

Family Outing - Outback Steakhouse when we pretended my aunt Deb was from Norway because she couldn't talk due to having a rough intibation during a medical procedure. The waitress didn't know we were joking and that was the funny part. Plus, we started to make up new Norweigan words, and started calling my aunt Helga.

Lazy Sunday Brunch - Nadoz (so far - this could change as we try different locations)

Homemade juice - pear/red grape/celery/plum

That's it so far. More to come.

It's Pat...

I saw these pics while perusing this site.

Weekend Playlist 1/15/10

So far, it's been an exceptional weekend...

Green Pajamas - Poison In The Russian Room
Gliss - Devotion Implosion
A Place To Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
Cut Off Your Hands - You & I
Band of Skulls - Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Robyn Hitchcock - Goodnight Oslo

Movie Review

Saw Youth In Revolt last night - surprisingly funny. First off, Michael Cera almost pulled off his alter-ego Francois, but I doubt he could act like a real bad-ass if a gun was put to his head...he just doesn't have the range. But that's why I like him - I imagine that all of his roles are very true to the actual person he is. Likeable, nerdy, and quirky.

The movie had some great dialogue, and came across as a Wes Anderson knock-off but not as good. It's like it was trying to be a close cousin to Rushmore or Tenenbaums. It definitely made me want to read the books the movie was based off of.

It cost $18 million to make, and has only grossed $7 million thus far. There are a couple of transitions that were created with animation and stop-motion, wondering how much of the budget went into those?

Dream Factory

On Tuesday night, before going to bed, I got this incredible surge of hunger. I try not to eat past 7:00 pm, because I don't like to sleep knowing there's mildly-digested food in my tummy...gross, right? However, I gave into the hunger and sliced up a rather humungous orange.

The result?

-I was up until 2:00 a.m.
-My dreams were crazy-scary
-I was slap-happy most of the day on Wednesday

My dream that night could have been an actual horror movie, circa 1979. It took place in a large dirty city (Detroit?), and the plot focused on a serial killer who slashed the throats of college-aged women who had Dorothy Hamill's hairstyle and all called their grandmothers "Grassy". And yes, I've tried to analyze my dream to no avail - Grassy? Whatever.

It was very vivid, and the plot was complex - the vice squad replaced a detective on the case (who OD'd) by an younger-looking couple who pretended to be college students in order to trap the killer.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish the dream, so I don't know the end. Thinking about having an orange late Friday night before I turn in to see if I can pick up where I left off. Doubtful, but worth a try.

Shakin' off 2009

...and dancing into 2010.

I just spent the last hour doing just that, to Vampire Weekend's new album Contra. It doesn't disappoint - still has that privileged, spunky spiffiness that's a popped collar on a warm and sun-soaked Martha's Vineyard afternoon. I dug it enough to shimmy myself into a good mood...

I am excited about this year's music offerings. So far, a few good concerts tix burning a hole in my pocket - Yo La Tengo, BRMC, and Mr. Dando. Debating about Galactic...not quite there yet. Asobi Seksu is dropping by The Old Rock House, highly recommended.

Some new music that's been burning up my iPod as of late:

Small Black - Small Black
Titus Andronicus - The Airing of Grievances
Japanese Motors - Luxury Wafers Live
Fever Ray - Fever Ray

And a special surprise...

M83 - Saturdays = Youth
It sounds like my Jr. High days...Drakkar Noir, Breakfast Club, high-tops, making out at the movies, perms and crusing main.

At the end of today, my coworker came over to discuss our plans for Yo La Tengo, and we got on the topic of electronica and New Wave. Erasure, Joy Division and Depeche Mode were discussed, as was Kraftwerk. My coworker in the next cube overheard, and keyed up "Autobahn".....bahn, bahn, bahn....autobahn. Good stuff, hadn't heard it since my college days.

That said, I give you a taste...of the mighty Kraftwerk! Pop Stew, circa 1975 - "Kraftwerk have a name for this, "machine music"....classic!

The Pacifier is No. 5?

According to Allfacebook.com, the top Facebook pages are as follows:

Name # of Fans Weekly Fan Growth

1. Michael Jackson 10,563,313 39,407
2. Barack Obama 7,107,843 41,935
3. Facebook 6,685,424 82,498
4. Mafia Wars 6,466,912 104,116
5. Vin Diesel 6,105,257 45,059
6. Texas Hold'em Poker 5,905,943 207,185
7. Starbucks Coffee Company 5,384,210 111,857
8. Megan Fox 4,831,467 22,814
9. Lady Gaga 4,731,633 69,008
10. R.I.P Michael Jackson 4,697,658 5,382

Vin Diesel? #5? Wondering what the draw is...anybody know? I'm curious...

The Match game

So my friend is getting back into online dating. I did it years ago, and it was loads of fun.

One thing we both agree on is this - the way a profile is crafted can disclose a lot about the person. Not just the words they choose, but the words they don't choose. In polling a couple other friends, I've concluded that intelligent women, on the whole, associate certain words or phrases with specific characteristics. The end result? A fast sprint for the hills or stumbling over the keyboard to get a message out right quick.

Here are a few interpretations:

What he says: "I spend most weekends at the lake boating"
What he means: "I am still not a grown up, now get me a cold one and show me your t*ts."

What he says: "I like to play with children."
What he means: "I am trying to impress all of the women out there who have kids." This creeps most women out. Just tell us you'd like to have a family someday, that is as straightforward as it comes. Playing with children can have many connotations, thanks to MJ and the clergy.

What he says: "I enjoy watching sports (Cards, Blues, Rams) and going to games."
What he means: "Even though I list other things that I like, sports are number one. Now get me a cold one and move away from the television."

What he says: "I don't like women who are negative. I don't like women who have baggage."
What he means: "I have been burned before, and am jaded enough by the female species to state the obvious. I may be quite negative myself." Come on. We all want someone who's positive, it's a given. And we ALL have baggage - it's all in how you carry it. :-)

What he says: "I like to cuddle while listening to thunder storms and pet kittens."
What he means: "I copied these lines from other profiles, I have no imagination or depth, but I will write what I think you want to hear."

I realize this is a two-way street and many women use similar bad lines, but I'm only speaking from my experience.

If we get the storm tonight and I have time, I may post more interpretations and fabulous insight (ha).

And so...

...it begins.

2010.

I read somewhere that what you're doing on January 1st is what you'll be doing all year. If that's true, I would have _________ (fill in the blank...I did.)

I made a few resolutions and so far so good. I won't share them, just like I don't share my birthday wishes when I blow out the many, many candles. Nobody's business but my own.

Busy and good day back at work - busted out a video, met the New Year's baby (nicest family), and did a little website updating and SM tasks.

I started my new spinning class yesterday at my new gym, and it was good. I still use the gym at work and home, but cancelled the Y and joined a new gym. Better rate since I work at BJC - gotta love those perks.

I'm excited to see the first installment of "This Emotional Life" tonight on PBS. I second what Larry David believes about happiness. I'm all about getting it on with happiness.

Look out, 2010 - it's definitely my year.

Movie Review

The first movie I saw in 2010 was Up In The Air. Great beginning, really depressing and terrible ending. My advice is, don't bother. If you must, Netflix or Redbox it - and if you have to see it in the theater, go to a matinee. Seriously. My friend TG warned me about it, and I should have listened, but my infatuation with all things Clooney won out.

George Clooney is great - it's a good role for him, and he's of course eye candy to the nth degree.

Vera Farmiga is always lovely to watch - however, I think she hit up the Botox or filler. Her lips look weird, and her face is puffy and lineless.

The scenes at the Cheshire and Fox & Hound were bittersweet, for a couple reasons. I got engaged there on NYE in 2004, and it would have been fitting to see Mark Pollman behind the bar doling out his eclectic advice. I really miss him.

The multiple shots of Lambert made me laugh - I heard that they filmed so much of the movie here because there was NEVER ANYONE IN THE AIRPORT. Great - that kind of press St. Louis doesn't need.

All in all, a let down. I don't believe the movie deserves any nominations, but Clooney and Farmiga might.