Why in God's Name am I Awake?

Well I suppose it's not really that early anymore, but for whatever reason I woke up at like 9:30 this morning. I suppose this is because 9:30 is about the latest I have been ALLOWED to sleep for the last few months... So I decided to use this time to post on the blog with the now seeming obligatory life update.
Warning: I'm smoking a bowl. And listening to dance music. If this even makes sense it will be a miracle.

So we'll get the simple questions out of the way. Am I seeing anybody? Fuck no. How's school? Still fine and still boring. How's teaching going? Extremely well, I am the best teacher ever. How's Bloomington? Still kinda sucks and is boring and has a notable lack of my friends in it (i.e. you guys).

Basically I work all the time. In some way or another. I haven't been this busy since high school. We have an exam basically every week in italian, which meets four days a week, I'm at school 12 hours a week just for my Grad Assistant duties, and let me tell you, if you haven't ever taught a class, it's about the most mentally exhausting thing I've ever done. It's so stressful to know that you are expected to be right all the time. And people take my word as the law. It's fucking insane, and makes my brain hurt. But teaching is very rewarding, and it's nice my students like me. And now in my free time I'm generally doing one of three things:

1) Smoking Pot, Drinking and Grading Papers
2) Smoking Pot, Drinking and Watching Syndicated Television
3) Smoking Pot, Drinking and Writing Music

About that last one. So yeah, I've actually been doing something productive and creative in my free time for a change and I've been writing electronic music. It's really fun, even though the program (logic express) makes my brain explode. I also feel like I have quite a knack for it, because the math-minded part of me understands the structure of that type of music, and the music-minded part of me understands the harmony and melodies and rhythms. I'm actually "done" with a song (or at least done for the time being because I need to stop nitpicking for a little while and move on). I'm really happy with how it sounds, but I'm kinda self conscious about it anyway so I'm not gonna post it because you guys don't like that type of music anyway :). I've been seriously looking into pricing out some digital/cd turntables and djing. I now have a connection to someone who's basically acquired this abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere and they're planning on having parties there with bands and djs etc. So that's pretty fuckin sweet. I would just want to DJ for fun, it just seems like a great hobby to take up, and it would be sweet to just be able to sit at home and mix while we're smoking, or as something different to do while tripping :). Dance party my place!!!



Seriously, WTF? These are a very small portion of the different Logic synthesizers I'm trying to figure out. Ow. My brain is leaking out my ears.

I was in this Romeo and Juliet as Mercutio for anyone who didn't know. I received rave reviews. I also have a small part in a show in April which is exciting. I also might be singing with the Mason orchestra in March as a soloist (yes, Mason does in fact have an orchestra apparently). I ALSO might have another part at the end of this semester and again at the beginning of next year. Basically I'm getting opportunities to perform all the time, which is a pretty big deal, seeing as how that's what I want to do. So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

I want to move to a city. I'm so sick of the midwest. On the plus side, it's gorgeous down here; unseasonably warm, the trees just barely starting to get that orange tint. It's awesome.

I hate that I haven't been able to go to any concerts lately. It makes me really depressed, but I just don't have the time or money. Oh well.

Despite all this, things are going really well. I'm really enjoying my alone time, and being so driven at the moment. I feel good about what I'm doing, and I really feel like I've found the path I'm supposed to be on. It's like I've started paying attention to the little hints life throws you to make sure you're going the right way. I'm not concerned about the decisions I make, because I finally feel like I have the life experience to make the right ones for me. I just feel very centered and happy. :)

I miss you all terribly, can't wait til Christmas when I'll get to see everyone for sure, hopefully I can come up before then though. Until then, don't forget you're always welcome to call me to chat, I'd love to hear what's going on in everyone's life.
Peace Toads

that's my new phrase I made up. It's what I say now

Triumphant return

HELLO! This is partially in response to Hock's last post but also because I have missed writing on this blog (short of the WYR) for quite a while. I took a little time this morning to look through a lot of our old posts from 2007 and read some of the comments, philosophical debates, overall bitching and just plain old fun discussions. I think back fondly on all of those times as I remembered writing so many of them. I hope everything is well with everyone and my sincerest apologies to you Kiznox for never returning your call, I always seem to get sidetracked and want to have a real conversation where I'm not moving around all the time and can focus on the conversation, plus the fact that I do not know your schedule. Let me know what it is and I will try to schedule (that's what my life has become) a real chunk of time to sit down and chat. Alright, without further APU (oh I have been zinged and I love it!) let me catch you up on the life of Rambo Dakota since we last talked...

First and foremost I should probably talk about the biggest thing going on in my life right now and that would be my job. Working for HR has given me quite a lot of experience with all aspects of HR and, so far at least, I am loving what I do. That is a feeling I hope stays but I have great coworkers and a kick ass boss who I get along with great. We usually grab lunch together almost everyday (we are the only two guys in the department) and just shoot the shit. I have gotten to know so many people within the organization and have a lot of great relationships with managers, other HR reps and even employees/candidates. So that is that in terms of the job, I'm pretty adjusted to full time employment and getting up every morning at 6:25. The nights aren't long anymore, which sucks sometimes, but I still get my fun in.

I plan on going back to school for my Masters Degree at some point, but I have taken some time to adjust to full time work and not having to work in my school schedule with a full time job. Those two will have to cross paths at some point but for right now I don't want them to. I'm thinking an MBA would be best, that way I can stay at OU but if I decide to get the Masters in HR, I would need to go somewhere else. More on that to come.

Here are some quick bullet points with some other things going on right now:

- Looking into houses thanks to the current market, going to start physically looking at some soon with a family friend who is a realtor.

- We have been getting a group together every weekend for the Michigan games (I know you guys really don't care so much) and watching the games together. Just drink a lot of beer and yell at the TV...awesome.

- Still go to Wild Bills every Thursday...and Monday...and Tuesday after bowling...

- I just saw Rascal Flatts in concert (Hock you wanted to know the concerts so here you go) at the Palace with Candice, Tom, Josh and Justin. It was awesome and we tailgated from 5-8 in the parking lot. Love tailgating!

- Another season with Grandpa, Dad and Keith at the Lions games, which also includes tailgating and a pit stop at Greektown. As badly as they suck, these games have become tradition and I don't know what I would do on Sundays if we weren't going.

- I have really gotten into the show "Two and a Half Men" which is just awesome. I have the first 4 seasons on DVD and there isn't a bad episode in the bunch.

- I really do need to catch up on every "Heroes", still haven't done that.

- House, Lost, The Shield, Raising the Bar (Zack Morris with long hair), among other shows are the ones currently ready to record on my DVR.

- Bud Light is the beer of choice...a choice I make often.

- I can't wait for "The Dark Knight" DVD to come out on December 9th!

- "Zodiac" was a long movie Hock, I didn't realize it until I wanted to take a nap half way through too. Good movie, just too long.

- I got a Blackberry and damn it is addicting! Love it though, it's a sweet piece o' technology.

- I hope that the jobs that my fellow bloggers and friends have are all going well! My best wishes to all of you, of course. Any help I can ever be please don't hesitate to ask (look at your resume, interview tips, etc.)

Alright, I'm out of things to say I believe. Hope that gives you a quick (for Rambo it's quick) overview of my life at the moment. Hope to see you all soon.

P.S. I started this post at 9:27 AM and finished around 1:30 PM...that's my crazy work life for ya.

Life, as I know it

So yeah, haven't written on here in a while. So for those of you who didn't see me over the weekend, here's a brief update on my life, bullet-style. Well not bullets but dashes. but you get the idea

-I'm doing this kinda hardcore work out program, which is kicking my ass and destroying my joints but I love it. Hopefully by the end of the summer (or even rothbury) I'll be pretty smokin hot in the body area.
-As a result of the aforementioned work out program, I have had a pretty significant boost of confidence. I'm making all sorts of friends, bein a player, doing whatever (whoever) I want. Just generally havin a good time ;) I forgot that people like spending time with me, especially after the Ben and Erek fiascos (Erek just isn't speaking to me for whatever reason (yeah I guess I was pissy the last couple times we hung out, but seriously he's kind of an overconfident prick, so I'm over it), and Ben is still awkward but at least we can hang out again - I still just miss his friends more than anything though. Once he gets over us, I'll enjoy spending time with him again, but for now, I just want to see Kristin and John etc etc)
-Umphrey's fuckin rocked over the weekend. End of story. Well worth the trip there and back. Let concert season continue...
-I'm seeing Infected Mushroom in Chicago next weekend!!! FUCK YEAH!
-Speaking of Infected Mushroom, I've gotta get some fuckin cid. There's no way I'm going to that concert sober.
-I still can't bring myself to give a crap about who's gonna be president.
-Way to go Cali! 2 down, 48 to go!
-I'm pretty much busy every single weekend for the rest of the summer. Except this coming one. The list being - IM concert in chicago, opera scenes performance, rothbury, bday weekend, umphreys/sts9 in Indy, santa fe to visit Siân, lolla. Holy crap
-I'm kinda seeing someone but not really. He's just fun and good in bed. I'm ok with it.
-Still in my "obsessed with psytrance" mode. Hence another reason why I need some hallucinogenics. Ah drugs. Recent artists I've gotten into: Eskimo, Vibe Tribe, Psycraft. All SO fuckin great
-I got an assistantship for next year, so I'll be a T.A. I'm gonna be teaching classes to freshies. Can you even imagine? I'm a little nervous but it's really good money, so no complaints.
-My job at the MAC rocks. I love my crew, and this is where I'm posting from. We have not been doin shit recently haha. it's awesome
-I'm growing increasingly concerned at the effect that facebook and other such sites have had on the natural process of growing up. All these random people who I probably wouldn't have cared to talk to again keep writing me messages. I suppose this is fine but just weird - I'll probably write a whole post about that though at some point.
-Jessy's finally started hanging out at home again, which is always nice.
-Our dishwasher broke again. Fuckin-ay. SO annoying
-I'm probably livin alone again next year, but I'm ok with it. I forgot how used to just dealin with my own crap I got, so living with someone else is just a whole lotta random crap to think about.
-I need to get out more I'm so pasty
-I almost drove into the tornado that touched down near E.L. on sunday. that was some scary shit.
-I might move to California sometime. I want to move to a city, and I feel like the music and cultural scene in San Fran and LA and stuff would be good for me. The midwest suburban life is slowly killing me.
-OMG INFECTED MUSHROOM IN CHICAGO NEXT WEEKEND I'M GONNA CRAP ME PANTS
-I need a haircut like woah.

and the final blanket statement:

-Basically, things are good. I feel good about myself, what I'm doing, how I look, my financial situation (despite it being a little dismal), and just about life in general. I'm being kind of a rockstar, drinkin a ton, smokin a lot, but frankly, that's how I like to live my life, so that's that!

Anyway, I'll be up around my bday certainly (allow me to put in my vote for Larry to use his party room for a joint Cottonmouth-Rambo-Geggs bday extravaganzamabob). Y'all should come visit me though. It'll be good times. Anyway, this is really long, I'm done, much love!

COTTONMOUTH OUT!

Color me embarrassed, and sorry about the drunk dial...

Yep, that was the text that I had to send this morning upon waking up and realizing what a tool of sabatoge me mouth can be whence betwixt a 7$ Super Stiff Martini Dealie and several beers.

Not to say that I did anything wrong, just that I get super honest when I am wasted. Which can be an interesting thing to have as an easy out. I mean, does anyone else ever get drunk simply because they want to know how they truly feel about something or someone in particular? I know that is exactly what I did. Worked out, at least, I think that it may have worked out. I know specifically how I feel and can begin to move forward from there.

Now? Now you get to ponder what the hell I have been up to since my hiatis from the blog...for five seconds...then I will tell you in a quick summary...





!!!BULLET POINT TIME!!!

* Got a moped
* Had a berfday
* Got promoted at work
* Then again and moved to a way cooler store (Sorry, Hock)
* Was run off the road by some asshole and totally spilled my bike and slammed (ready for it?) my RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE into the ground. Its been at least a week at this point and those parts just arent the same. Fuckers.
* Got drunk. A lot.
* Decided not to use the pig as a change jar and now have an actual jar jar. But not a Binks. Hells no.
* Read several books on the pooper in my room bathroom. Yeah, I told you about it.
* Worked on movie ideas that I am really, really excited for.
* SPKNORK!
* Actually got to spend quite a bit of time with my friends even though we are all on stupidly different schedules. (Color me Grateful, and I imagine that is a soft shade of blue)
* All kinds of new music. All day, son. All day.
* GTAIV is pretty much the bomb-steezy of all videogames. (And hey, that mission is really hard for me but I so enjoy blasting my way out of an abandoned hospital all in the name of a coke shipment)
* Jamiroquai is the dumbest name ever. But his music is good to groove to.
* Went to my first Lansing Lugnuts game
* Got kicked out of a Lugnuts game. The same game. oops.
* Free drinks from this total Bear at Rum Runners. Hilarious. And does everyone just assume that I am gay until I prove them otherwise?
* Learned to love the stupidest rap on the planet. Souljaboy? Pass it on over and crank the bass, I'm'a dancin'.

And hey, 73%. Thats a pretty awesome number. Anyone think that Utah would have approved gay marriage with that high of a percentage? Also, barring some sort of spectacular and unheard of action by the state supreme court, California hops on the bandwagon mid June.

That should do for the moment. Hmmm...

BATMAN, BATMAN, BATMAN. JOKER, JOKER, JOKER. WHY SO SERIOUS?