I want to buy a road.
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Theno

I don't think I could win by a "mudslide" because I disapprove of the mud slinging in American politics in general.
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I think that these domestic changes will make the US government more of a body of people who work for the country and less of a body of people who work for themselves and for the good of the interests who pay them.

Theno

It seems like it is every other year when the U.S. media turns its focus to renewable energy. One side of the news and talk shows spin a horror story of what could happen should fossil fuels become scarce or be depleted altogether. The other side likewise devotes print and broadcast space, not to debunking the scare tactics, but to explaining that the difficulties involved in transitioning to renewable energy sources. These difficulties include technological needs, industrial interest, and financial difficulties. Research shows, however, that the United States possesses the capacity to convert to renewable energy in these specific areas.
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Until minutes ago I had been a member of an LJ community called WoW_Ladies. It was, back when I first joined, a nice place for people to discuss World of Warcraft, mostly out of character.
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Not a great return to LJ. But, hey, one less community on my list.

Maybe I should go through and cut out some others.

Theno

I finished out my first semester back at school. I have finished 4 of 33 classes. And, I've already signed up for four more next semester.

The most frustrating thing about the class was discovering that the paper that I wrote for my Language and Communication class was not read by the instructors. It was simply skimmed through for key words, citations, and format.

Would any of you be interested in reading the paper? And, would you prefer my original version, or the final version?

Theno

Poll #1611447
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29

Are you excited that Sept 1-8 is International Enthusiasm Week?

There are places I have stopped going to.
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Theno

I don't know about "most." I only kept track on the earliest two movies that I watched over and over, and I have since forgotten the number of times.

In the 80s, I watched the original Star Wars (A New Hope) over and over. When it was featured on The Movie Channel one month, I went out of my way to watch it every time it was on. I only missed a few, when it was on while I was at school.

Thinking back on it now, I'm impressed that my parents put up with that. I was sneaking out of bed at 4 AM in order to watch it again.

When I was at college, there was a blizzard that trapped my roommate, Dean, and me in our off-campus apartment. We watched Rocky Horror Picture Show over and over. I used to be able to quote the entire movie.

I also went through a somewhat dark period toward the end of my first marriage where every day I watched Pulp Fiction and Judgment Night. Sometimes I would watch Sling Blade as well.

I can't say that I ever got tired of any of those movies. I haven't seen any of them in years, but that has more to do with not having as much spare time now as I did back then.

Thinking about it, though, I can see the effect that these movies had on me.
( Spoilers Behind Cut ) I don't think I would get tired of these movies even though I've seen all of them well over a dozen times each.

Theno

I owe you guys some serious updates. So, I'm going to try to go in reverse order.
( Some say that he is allergic to the Dutch, and that sharks have a week celebrating him. All we know for sure is he is called Theno. )
I had a great weekend, and am looking forward to Gen Con. Just have to get my next event finished, playtested, and edited first.

Theno

"It was funny at the time."

Theno

Wow, has it really been two months? I guess I owe everyone an explanation.
( If I go Out With The Old and In With The New, I'll have to put myself Out. )
I do have some other news from last April. But, I don't want it to be overshadowed by my health talk.

Theno

Can I talk about my girlfriend and her adorable children again? Because I really do love CM, and I’m glad she and her kids have chosen to share their lives with me.

The kids confuse me, though. I don't mean to speak ill of them, but sometimes they make no sense. These are children of a broken home (the parents are divorced, hence CM dating me,) they have moved at least twice in their short lifetimes. They have lost and made new friends.

And yet, they perceive that the way things are is the way things will forever be.
( Still I look to find a reason to believe. )
I don't think they will. But, wouldn't it be adorable if they were?

Theno

If you could do anything that you wanted to do for today, regardless of expense, responsibility, or social / occupational / political power, what would you do today?

Theno

I guess I should first point out that there is a distinct difference between insomnia and not being able to sleep. The first is an illness, and the second is an annoyance.

Insomnia can affect a person in multiple ways, and doesn't necessarily affect any given person the same way consistently. Sometimes it is an inability to fall asleep. Sometimes it is an inability to remain asleep. Sometimes it is an inability to get restful sleep (as in, you slept through the night, but wake up and are still sleepy.)
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So, my trick or remedy for insomnia is to identify and reduce the stress in your life. And, to sleep next to someone whom you don't want to disturb when your eyes pop open in the middle of the night for no reason at all.

Theno

Today is Pi Day.

Mmmm, pi

When come back, bring pi.


wanker.

Theno

In 2002, I bought a $75K house for $68K. I thought it was a good deal.

I see people on TV talking about those of us feeling the hurt from the current financial crisis and the failing housing market. They talk about people who bought outside of their means. People who overspent on making their homes "nice." People who put themselves into debt and had no way to pay for the money they borrowed.

I am not one of those people.
( I'm a big boy now / Or so they say / So if you forgive me sir / I'll be on my way )
I just hope that CM is willing to give me the time I need. (And, that she isn't upset by me talking about this in public.)

Theno

Some say that his kitty is fluffy, and that a rainbow shines out of his buttocks ... all we know is he is a contestant in LJ Idol.

I forgot to post my recommended reading this week. And for that I apologize.

There was a 10-way tie for elimination. Seven of these people delivered a run-off entry and the voting is now open to determine who stays and who goes.

I would like to take this opportunity to draw attention (once again) to the ongoing story of Jack_Batelin. He is currently behind in the polls and could use any votes anyone is willing to give.

Of course, the other entries are good as well. You can find them all here.

Theno

My legs are sore. My head has hurt on and off all week. That first evening, I had a bitter taste in the back of my mouth and felt dizzy. And, through it all, I hated myself.

A few weeks ago, CM got a Family Membership at the YMCA for herself, her kids, and me. On Sun, while the three of them were swimming, I gave myself an hour long workout. It was a bit much.

Over the last few years I had tried now and again to start exercising. But, I haven't really done it since my surgery in 2007. And, in the meantime, I have really let myself go.
( Getting ready for tomorrow is going to waste my whole today. )
The human body likes the status quo. I don't remember where I read that. But, it likes for things not to change, and when things do change it gets sore, or dizzy, or achy and it is easy to go back to the way things were. This is why it is hard to give up smoking, or give up fatty foods, or start exercising. But, if you want to make a change you have to force yourself to be different.

You can do this by being the boiled frog, by taking baby steps so that the change is gradual. Or, you can do this by jumping in the lake with both feet, quitting cold turkey, or a dozen other euphemisms. The point is, if you want to change something about yourself, you have to commit to it, believe that you can do it, and move forward instead of back to the way things were.

Theno

Are you ready to layeth the smacketh down? Is that the bottom line because Stone Cold said so? Are you ready to suck it? Have you said your prayers and taken your vitamins? If you want some, will you come get some? If you aren't cheating, are you trying?

The most popular wrestlers have catch phrases. These one liners help the fans connect to the wrestler. Viewers can take the phrases and say them to each other, or to non-fans. Some of these catch phrases find their way into the cultural consciousness. I've found non-wrestling fans delivering wrestling quotes with no clue where they came from.
( I see trees of green / Red roses too / I see them bloom for me and you / And I think to myself / What a wonderful world )
What quotes do you use a lot? What statements of culture help drive your life? Are you on a mission from God? Are you someones number one fan? If someone tells you, "That'll do, pig. That'll do," are you offended or heartwarmed?

And, when life gets you down, do you swear, "As God is my witness, as God is my witness, they're not going to lick me! I'm going to live through this, and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again - no, nor any of my folks! If I have to lie, steal, cheat, or kill! As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."?

Theno

I used to play a game with the guys I went to college with. Sometimes I miss it, but I don't think my current friends know how to play. Maybe I'll try to teach it to CM's kids.

It was a stream of consciousness, six-degrees of separation kind of game. The object was to confuse the other player and/or any bystanders. We used to play it while playing Spades. And, my fraternity Big Brother and I were accused more than once of cheating while playing it. Our opponents thought we were speaking in code.

Here is an example of how it worked.
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Theno

We are having an "Essential to the Community" drive on 03/19/10 at work. We have all been asked to help out with one of about twenty local charity events.

While skimming through, deciding which one to donate my effort towards, I come across a painting project and some landscaping projects. As my doctor says I need more sunlight (did I tell you about my doctor visit? No? That should go in its own post.) I look at those a bit more closely.

I read the following:

"Our target population consists of individuals residing in the north quadrant of the city; bounded on the North by Weber Road and Aberdeen Avenue, on the South by the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, on the West by the I-71 freeway and east to Sunbury Road. This area has one of the lowest income concentrations in all of Ohio and certainly in Columbus."

And, I lean over to tell my supervisor, "Hey, that's where I live."

I find it funny that I'm asked to give of myself to those less fortunate, and finding out that I'm one of those less fortunate. I mention that and she asked me why I lived there. My answer was ... (Have I mentioned that sometimes I'm too truthful?) My answer was: "It is where I can afford to live."

I picked the afternoon shift. I'm hoping that after volunteering, I'll be able to just go home rather than have to come back to the office to clock out.

Theno

Some say that at in the year 2049 he will die penisless and alone ... all we know is that he is a contestant in LJ Idol.

This week is a contestant-only vote. So, only the 83 of us left in the competition are allowed to vote. The bottom 8 are getting eliminated.

Also, we were tricked into thinking it was an intersection week. My unofficial and talented partner was in48frames.

But, that doesn't mean that there aren't entries that I think the rest of you would enjoy reading. I particularly liked:

az_starshine
beautyofgrey
emo_snal
hug_machine
oldscratchx
viagra
and, of course, Thenodrin

One thing that I think I should mention is this week's song quote. I feel a little bad about it. The song in question was "Boy or a Girl" by Imperial Drag. It is about someone who falls for a woman, but wonders if it might be a man in drag, and this causes him to question his own heterosexuality. So, it is more a song about transvestites than it is about homosexuals.

So, I'm sorry that I contributed to the misconception that transvestites are homosexuals. I know better and should have picked a different song.

Theno

I have a FaceBook. My girlfriend talked me into getting one. And, then she pulled the laptop away from me and wouldn't let me use Thenodrin as my name.

A lot of people found me anyway.

I get friend requests from people I game with, people I work with, people I'm friends with, people I went to college with, even people I went to high school with. My graduating class is using FaceBook to try and organize a 20 year reunion this summer, although nothing new has been posted in almost 3 months.

FaceBook has become a fun way for me to re-connect with people that I haven't seen in months or years or even decades. And, I like some of the Zynga games as well (specifically: Mafia Wars, FarmVille, Cafe World, Castle something, and D&D Tiny Adventures.)

But, it isn't all - how do you say? fun and games.
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By the way, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m anti-FaceBook. I am glad that I was able to connect to many of these people. I’ve been chatting with my first girlfriend. My Best Man and I have exchanged some emails. And, recent friends who have moved away from LJ to FB are now back in touch.

I may complain about the few problems, but I am glad of the tool and the ability to use it to try and rekindle old friendships.

Theno

Psychics are always asked to demonstrate their ability under scientific conditions. Skeptics always demand that they prove their talents with 100% accuracy. This is because the point is not to prove the mentalist's skill, but to disprove it. Anyone who claims to be able to foretell the future is usually ridiculed, taunted, and harassed until disproven. This is true for both fictional precogs, such as John Smith in Steven King's Dead Zone, and non-fiction accounts, such as anyone who has ever carried a Tarot deck or Ouija board across campus.

You might Know, not just know but Know, that something is going to happen, or not going to happen. This is precognition, but not in the supernatural way. It is analyzing the facts surrounding the premise and coming to a conclusion. Most people cloud this under the pretense of guess work and luck that they were or were not right. There was a guy on the radio late last year that had correctly predicted the final score for 11 out of 11 Buckeye games. And, he was challenged to declare the final score of the final game, the most important game, the game against the Michigan Wolverines. And, he got that one right as well. But, was he demonstrating precognitive talent? Or, was he just very good at evaluating the two teams and determining the value by which one team was better than the other. And, is there a difference?

It is questions like this that cause me to realize that same-sex marriage is not likely to become nationally recognized by America any time soon.
( Do you feel misunderstood? / You feel straight but you knock on wood )
Maybe by 2050 we will have equal rights for all people in America. But, my precognitive talents tell me that it is more likely to get worse for non-heterosexuals before it gets better. I predict this by analyzing the history of civil rights, studying the trends in modern laws and debates, and coming to this conclusion.

Theno

We are still doing partner pieces. This week my partner, is in48frames and her entry is here.

The subject line is meant to be read in the same tone as Monty Python's query, "A tiger? In Africa???" to which the British assume it must have escaped from a zoo.

Why are people freaking out? OK, so maybe some areas of the country are getting more snow than usual. It may be strange, but "the worst snowstorm in recent memory" is really no big deal. I've lived through two of them.
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And, that makes me sad. That an otherwise intelligent, inquisitive, and knowledgeable person would blindly believe people on TV in an age where the truth of many matters is really just a Google search away astounds me.

Theno