A post from a lazy day off

I haven't updated my blog in quite some time, now.

This last week has been Hell. I just got done working 8 days straight on Thursday. I go back in tomorrow, but only for 4 days, then I'm off for 4 days, in which I'll be taking a little trip.

Yesterday I pretty much hung out with Desiree all day long. It was great. I picked her up around noon, I think. We ate lunch, then bought comics. After that, we went out to Durham (because I'm an idiot and left my paycheck there) and then dropped by the bank. We went to Ed McKay's and she sold some stuff. She gave me some of her credit to compensate for having to drive forever way to pick her up and drop her off. With it, I got Freddy Vs. Jason on DVD, the 1st Friday the 13th, The Cell by Stephen King, and An American Werewolf in London on VHS.

We came home, and she gave me a nice long back massage because I'd just worked all those days in a row. It was very, very nice. Afterwards, I grabbed a bunch of DVDs I'm not going to watch anytime soon, and took them to McKay's to help with this month's rent. I got about $45 and I bought a Halo novel for $1.65 just because I felt like reading something lame. I guess it's my version of a romance novel.

After that, we grabbed dinner and came back home. We watched The Office and It's Always Sunny, and then just laid in bed, and she listened to me talk about how hard this Raleigh life has been. I felt a thousand times better. I drove her home late, and got home around 1:15 or something. I read a few of the comics I bought, and promptly passed the shit out.

Today I slept in till 12:30, which I never do, and I usually hate sleeping that late, but I figured I needed it. I woke up and talked to Mandy on the phone for a short bit, and then took a shower and watched Freddy Vs. Jason. After that, I played Halo 3 for a while, and now I'm here, talking to Desiree on AIM.

So I think I'm going to be calling Time Warner and unsubscribing to their digital cable and DVR service. As much as I love having it, I don't think it's worth it. Not to mention I'm still barely scraping by. I'm also dropping about 15 comics. I'll still read both of the Green Lantern books, as well as finishing up Secret Invasion (only one more issue) , Fables (although it hasn't been that great lately, but I'm going to give it a few more issues) and 100 Bullets (only 4 more issues left, and they come out once every 2 months).

I really need to cut back on stupid spending. And I know I've been saying that for I don't even know how long. I figure I'll trade in Soul Calibur 4 and Grand Theft Auto 4 for Gears of War 2. Which sucks, because I really don't want to trade them in, but it's worth it, I think. Plus, I don't really have anything else to trade in. Well, maybe The Orange Box, but that's really great, too. Ugh, I don't know. I still have like 2 weeks to figure it out.

But I figure stopping the Digital Cable/DVR and cutting back on comics big time will help things. And hey, it's only 4 more months until I move to Durham. So that'll save $50 a month in gas, and I won't have to pay the waterbill, as it's included in the rent. It'll be nice to live so close to work. And Southpoint is pretty cool, aside from the shitty clientel.

I really like Desiree. Like, a lot. We're officially "dating" which is I guess the 1st step up from "talking" and a step down from "boyfriend/girlfriend". I know most things are awesome in the beginning, but if things keep up like this, I don't see it being too long before we graduate to those titles for each other. And that kind of really, really excites me. It was so nice just relaxing with her yesterday watching TV and laughing at Charlie have a dry-heave. I could really, really get used to it.

Speaking of TV...I'm almost not liking the whole Jim/Pam thing on The Office. It's stupid and trite, and there's no way two people which such a connection like they had in previous seasons would start to have problems the second one of them moved away for a bit. Thank God for Michael and Holly. The Dwight stuff with Phllys was good, too. But seriously, Michael and Holly are the only reasons I watch that show, for the most part.

It's Always Sunny has been great, of course. I'm an episode behind in Heroes. I'll watch it eventually. Aside from Sylar, that show is disappointing me a lot, too. Am I just getting too picky with my TV? No wonder I don't feel like I should have that DVR.

I'm going to find something to eat.

Been down in the dumps for a few days

So I figured I'd make a post about things that make me smile.


Prince of Persia Trailer:


I know I posted this is my last blog, but it deserves a 2nd posting. The trailer is just that fucking good. It reminds me of an old Gears of War trailer.

I just love it when a game can be both mind-numbingly bad ass and smart and insightful at the same time. I know it's somewhat common when you play a bunch of RPGs, but I don't. So when I see an adventure game do this, I can't help but be excited for it.

TGS09 (Tokyo Game Show) is this week, and there's been a ton of new information announced that's got my gaming fingers twitching. E3, our local game convention, left me feeling kind of...blah. I really didn't care about much that I saw. But with TGS, there's been a ton of new info that has me drooling.

Whether it be new handheld stuff for the Nintendo DS:

Shining Force: Feather


Chrono Trigger DS:


Ninokuni: The Another World (Produced in part with Studio Ghibli)


Dragonball: Origins


To the other stuff:

King of Fighters XII:


Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom (As if I needed another reason to want a Wii?)


Gears of War 2 (You didn't think I was going to make a video game post without this, did you?)


So yeah, I know I just went off on a tangent of posting new and awesome stuff from TGS, but whatever. It's my blog. There were plenty of videos I would have posted, but I didn't want to go too overboard.

I've been drinking a lot of Coca-Cola Classic. It's weird, I was never a huge fan, but lately, it tastes really good, and reminds me of like...being young. That's weird, I know. And it sounds like a lame commercial, but yeah...It definitely deserves to be called "classic".

Today I did laundry, which sucks, but I brought my Nintendo DS (which was almost dead. But I got through a world and a half in New Super Mario Bros). I also brought a new book I'm reading called "The Mystery of Pittsburgh" by Michael Chabon. I read about 50 pages while I waited for my clothes to dry, and I really dig it. It kind of reminds me of Less Than Zero by Ellis, but without all of the drugs and 1980s pop culture.

I only half-watched the debate tonight. I all ready know who I'm going to vote for. I did think it was funny, though. McCain's final statements were all about him. What he's done, who he is. That's great. I won't for a milisecond pretend that McCain isn't an American hero. The man has done this country a lot of good in the past. But, he sure likes to talk about it. His past, I mean. Then it's Obama's turn. And he doesn't talk about himself. He talks about what he's going to do. In a time where we need a change (no one can deny that) Obama was the one that left off on a note of it. McCain, not so much. And I want to go on record that I don't hate McCain. I'm not voting for him, but I also don't hate him. If Hilary was his opposition, I probably would vote for him. But Obama says (most of) the things I want to hear.

Speaking of politics, and I'm not going to get into this for more than just a few sentances. You need to vote. I don't care if you vote Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independant, whatever. This country was founded on the idea of independant thought and freedom. Right now, as we speak, our family members and our friends are overseas, dying to protect that right.

So fucking vote.

Anyways. Tomorrow I start my 8 days in a row at work. Fuck me sideways. My job is soul-crushing enough with a day off every couple of days. But 8 in a row? Thank Christ I'm off next Friday and Saturday. Then I work for 4 days, and then I go home for the weekend. I am seriously going to need it. In fact, I seriously need it now.

Meh, I was going to keep me coming back to Chesapeake for a weekend a secret, but I think the only people that would actually get this far into a blog of mine all ready know.

Also, since this is a blog about things that make me feel a little better, I think I should bring up someone specific. Desiree. While things are still new, and we're taking it slow, Desiree is the first person I've met here that I've spent any time with. It just turns out that we both have crushes on each other, we both support Obama, we both read a lot, and we both enjoy...things I won't mention in this blog post. She's unlike every girl I've ever dated. Not that we're dating, as we don't have a label, but you know what I'm getting at. I'm way, way nerdier than she is. Christ, she hasn't even seen any of the Star Wars save for the 4th episode. She just saw Iron Man the other night while we were hanging out. She mentioned she hadn't seen it at dinner at Bojangles, and we went straight to Target and I bought it. That "secret" ending still makes me cream my nerdy jeans. Anyway, Desiree is awesome, and I enjoy spending time with her, and doing those unmentioned things. For now, that's good enough for the both of us.

Wish me luck this week, my friends. I'll need it.

PS: Dear Lego Batman. I'm sorry you've been so neglected for the past 10 or so days. Blame MegaMan 9. It's too fun and awesome and agonizingly tough to not play when I find time to play games.

This is how you make a trailer

Prince of Persia


Muramasa


Street Fighter IV (Gotta love the remixed SF Theme)


Tekken 6

Dreams cost money, and money costs dreams.

Ah, it feels so damn good to know that I don't have to work tomorrow.

Of course, tomorrow is all about cleaning and doing laundry. Oh well, not that big a deal. I bought Green Lantern Showcase Volume 3 tonight to keep me company in the laundry mat. I'm stoked because it's got the first appearance of Guy Gardner. I am also pondering buying the issue on it's own. It's somewhat expensive, but I'd totally put it in a frame and hang it up. Even I don't get my love of Guy Gardner. But it would be badass. The issue's cover is my current Myspace background.

I downloaded the demo of Mega Man 9. It's amazing, and I'm dying to download the entire game, but it costs money. I can't get it just yet. But Penny Arcade sums it up perfectly.



Ok, that was a short entry. I miss everyone.

Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them. - John Updike

I figured I'd take a few minutes before I get ready for work to update my blog with a real entry.

I have a feeling this is going to be more of an introspective entry, as there really hasn't been much going on to talk about. So if you don't feel like listening to my thoughts on things, well...this entry isn't for you. Check back soon for a funny video or a cool picture.

So, this Raleigh life is good. Very, very good. Not perfect, by any means, but still really good. I've been waking up early, going to bed early, eating (for the most part) healthy, and not spending too much money on unneeded things. Friday is the day I pay all my bills, so that's going to be a sad day. They won't normally all be paid on the same day, but this being the first month being here, and me being a paycheck short this month, all of the bills had to wait until now.

It's weird to think that I'll be leaving Raleigh and going to Durham in 5 months. But I think it's good. I'll be used to spending more on bills and gas, so when I get there, it'll be easier on the pocket, both literally and in my mind. Hopefully this will open up a little more money to save, because I really need to start saving money more.

Speaking of money, I went to Ed McKay's yesterday, and I was very good. I bought the final 2 Gunsmith Cats omnibus volumes, and I got Schindler's List on DVD. Total it cost me $16. They had the 1st two boxsets for Gatchaman for a combined total of $31. I'm praying they'll be there in two weeks, but we'll just have to wait and see. I also almost bought a $10 hardcover of Ultimate Hulk Vs. Ironman, but I put that back as well, to save money.

There really aren't many dating prospects at all in Raleigh. At least, not right now. I've been talking to this girl on AIM who lives around here, but we haven't hung out or anything. Who knows if we actually will. She seems cool, but for the first time in a long time I'm very content with being single. That doesn't mean I don't think about it, of course. There'll never be a time when I don't think about it. I've got this little daydream that it's me and someone in a small apartment. It's late, but not too late, and I'm sitting on the edge of the couch playing video games, and a girl is laying on the other side with her nose in a book and her feet are resting in my lap. Occasionally she looks up and watches me play, but eventually goes back to her book. Between cut-scenes or levels, or whenever I can put the controller down, I gently squeeze her foot, or lean in and give her a kiss. After a bit, I've put my video game away, she's put her book away, and we watch an old black and white film together.

I was talking to Beth and Josh yesterday about little moments like that, and how they're the good stuff in relationships. They're not the only good stuff, mind you, but those kinds of nights are really ideal. Of course there are tons of other things. The sex, the visits to each other when we're at work, the trips to home, all that stuff. But recently, that isn't what I've been thinking about too much. Mainly it's just a quiet night at home that I've been daydreaming about. And again, for the first time in a while, it's only dreaming, and not looking. I'm fine with looking forward to an unknown future. I'm glad there are things I'd like to happen, but there's no one specifically tied to them. It feels good letting it happen on it's own.

Apaloosa comes out tomorrow. Sadly, because I'm closing Thursday through Sunday, I won't get to see it until Monday or Tuesday. Beth and Josh and I are going, and I seriously can't wait. I had barely any clue about the movie until I saw the trailer before Tropic Thunder, and since then, it's been my most anticipated film since Iron Man and Batman. I doubt it'll top either of those, but I'm sure it'll be #3 this year. It just looks too damn awesome. Add in that it's Ed Harris and Viggo...well, do we really need any other reason to be stoked on a film? I don't think so.

I need to figure out when to go back home for a weekend. I'll probably put in time off for that when I go in today. I kind of miss Chesapeake. Yesterday while driving around, we were talking about sushi, and I remembered the amazing place on Battlefield Blvd. and then thought, "Man, I used to drive on that road every single day for 19 years, and now it's so far away." and it made me a little sad. As much as I love the freshness of Raleigh, I do miss the normalcy of Chesapeake from time to time. Not often, though.

I need new clothes. That's a random thought, but it just came to my head. Losing the weight I did made all my t-shirts too big. I'm still a big guy, and nothing looks worse than a big guy in a bigger shirt. Ugh. Anyway, I might be, maybe once a week, ordering a new t-shirt or something. It sucks because I just bought my Green Lantern and my Flash about 6 months ago, and they're too big.



They have this shirt in the window at my comic store downtown, and I want it. I'm not sure what size they have, though. But if it fits, maybe I'll splurge and get it for myself next week. I just checked a website, and there is a Green Lantern Corps shirt that has Guy, Kyle, and Kilowag on it. I actually used the same picture on my Myspace page for a long time. Fuck, I want it.



So that's all for this update, I guess. I'm going to go grab a bite to eat before I go to work.

Domino

Every once in a while, a cover will show up and make me remember why I fucking love comics so much. This is a prime example.