December 2001 Archives

(8:05)


Seems my bizarre sleep schedule has finally rotated around so that I'm back to some semblance of being, like, human. (Whooo...?)

I mean, here it is, minutes past 8, and I've already been awake for two hours.

Wonder if it'll last? If I can resist the desire to take long naps, I should be peachy.

So, where am I? Let's see...I'm kinda coasting through unemployment. Slow to get things going, but I suppose I ALWAYS drag my feet. And what needs to get going? Well...

• Paperwork to get on the substitute teachers list for Princeton school district
• Find out how to sign up to take the Praxis
• Food shopping
• Holiday shopping
• Apartment cleaning
• Make doctor's appointment so that I don't run out of Celexa
• Call piano tuner
• Bills
• A miscellany of other tiny things, from making phone calls to finishing video games

Hehe...updating my weblog USED to be on that list.

;-)

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I Can Tell It's Been Awhile

(8:15)


Not only did I almost write </div> at the end of the above update, but I couldn't for the life of me remember the normal sequence of <p><hr><br> that I use to separate consecutive updates. Not to mention that I nearly forgot to put the <h2> tag on the title.

Must get back into a rhytmh!!

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I Meant To Say This A While Ago

(8:45)


Regarding Spark's recent decision to abandon Punkworld. My reaction is (shrug). This isn't the first time I've witnessed his attempts to turn it into Sparkworld. The only reason he won on the L33T issue is that he's not the only one that hates it, and all the L33T-speakers are the more passive people. (The way I see it, folks should be free to write what they want, long as it's not directly offensive. If you don't wanna read L33T, then don't read L33T. Just don't force people not to WRITE it.)

Basically, my philosophy goes like this (and so far, I've seen NO counterexamples): BEND or BREAK. There is no third choice.

(14:40)


Man. After becoming insanely tired at, like, 11 PM, I went to sleep. Then I woke up at 4:30 this morning, unable to go back to sleep. I finally got out of bed at about a quarter to 6 and played a bit of Tekken Tag. Then I realized how tired I was and figured...maybe I should try to go back to sleep. That was 6:30. I figured, maybe I could get a few more hours of sleep and wake up at, like, 9.

At 11:00 I woke up again. :-|

I give up. Whatever you want from me, sleep, you can HAVE it. Just PLEASE be on my side again!!

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Things To Do

(14:45)


*SIGH* See yesterday. >:-|

I need someone to kick me in the keister with a rocket boot.

(16:50)


Making some progress on the stuff I have to get done. But still sooo much more to do.

And still have to find time to steal Christmas too.

Anyone ever have any days where you just plain don't feel like doing the stuff that you know you need to do and can't wait to get done? It's like, you actually start taking steps towards doing it, and then your mind just says NO! And next thing you know, you're idly browsing the web or watching TV or talking on the phone or sleeping.

*SIGH* The Angband monster with which I identify the most is the Inertia Hound.

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==Espionage Assignment==

(16:55)

Someone find out how Quad is doing and tell me. I've been wondering how he's doing since I've gotten to know him, and he's never told me.

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The Word For Today Is "Today"

(16:56)

Don't ask. It just is.

(8:30)

Case #63 - People that would rather laugh uproariously than hear the next line of the movie.

I mean, if I wanted to pay money to hear myself laugh, I'd go out and do research on whether the carbonate in soda could be replaced with N20.

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What Would You Call N20-Enriched Soda?

(8:31)


JonQ??

Spunq??

Yizo Fizzo??


Any suggestions? :-)

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Who Wants to Be a Punk? Bonus Question!

(8:40)


Who is Case #1?

a) Women	c) Women that don't play Angband
b) People that don't play Angband	d) People who play woman characters in Angband

(22:00)


Nothing special really...so...(shrug) Long live the piano!

Have you hugged or tickled a piano today?

(19:20)

• Pecan pie


• Waking up fully rested at 7:30 AM


• A clear night sky


• French onion soup


• Anything chocolate*


• A few other concepts, items and people that need not be exhaustively listed.

I'd say overall that Manda is about the 17th coolest thing in the world. Those of you who haven't taken the time to get to know / befriend / talk to her, you're missing out.



*  As Manda is seldom seen without chocolate, it is difficult to actually ascertain the coolness of one separate from the other. The inclusion of chocolate in this list is merely speculative.

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A Passing Thought...

(22:25)


Do you think we're approaching a time when the new generation won't know what the word "rewind" means?

(10:55)


I'm accompanying someone in a piano competition in about 3 hours. (if they ever get here, as they were supposed to about an hour ago. Lord knows why they'd wanna leave FOUR hours before an engagement that is less than 2 hours away...only to be inexplicably an hour late...)

She has a good shot to win, if we play well. We're playing the Grieg Piano Concerto, which is a pretty neat piece.

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People Damien Doesn't Understand

(11:00)

Case #40 - People that wait until they're less than a hundred feet away from you before they turn down their high-beams.

I mean...if you're going to wait that long, you might as well just leave 'em on. No point in compromising your vision if the vision of the driver in the oncoming car is already forfeit.

(23:15)


Saturday's competition went well. Have heard nothing about the results yet...I'm guessing that that means she didn't win or place. (Shrug) She played well, though, which is all that matters.

Today I got to rehearse with another of my piano teacher's students (one I'm sure that I've mentioned before, a LONG time ago) who is playing Prokofiev Piano Concerto #3. She has already won the State level of the MTNA High School level competitino, and next month she will compete at the Eastern Regional Level. (Side note: A younger boy who ALSO studies with Mrs. C won the state level of the Junior-High level using one of the same pieces that I played when I won the national title in 1991. Supposedly he has painstakingly studied video tapes of me playing it to improve his technique.)
:-D


Then, in the afternoon, I sat and watched my piano teacher's semi-annual studio recital. This is where each of her students plays one or two pieces so that they all get a chance to perform for each other (and parents/friends). It was exquisite. Children ranging in age from 5 to 17 playing works by many different composers....It's amazing how sitting at the piano makes these diminutive prodigies appear to age 10 or 15 years in an instant.


Heh...brings back memories. I should really look for opportunities to perform.


Oop...gotta fight the bloat....[post changes]

(15:15)


Feel like doing so much nothing today...and tomorrow, and the next day....

Well, might as well get on it. Maybe I can finish early.

(10:40)


Very interesting statement. Reminiscent of Batman Returns...

Read it here.

I'd like to add to it.

Basically, since mistletoe is poisonous, its danger depends on how you try to use it. If you mount it on the top of your doorframe as an attempt to use the holidays to encourage harmless displays of Hedonism...no problem. If you put it in a salad....problem.

Anything can be less harmful if you keep it in its proper place and handle it with care.

---

A Tekken Tag Observation

(10:45)


So, as you may know, when you play Tekken Tag, you choose a PAIR of fighters. (Similar to Marvel vs. Capcom and the like) I usually pick randomly, just to keep things interesting. And then, when my team is selected, I usually try to find interesting ways to mash together their names.


Wang + Law = Waw

Ogre + King = Ogring

Jun + Jin = Juin

Lee + Bruce = Bruce Lee


My favorite is...
Michelle + Panda = ?    :-D

(14:45)


Forgot what I was going to say. :-|

(1:50)


Observe for yourself the intriguing behavior of punks in the wild. Here, certified punkologist Damien Dixon, who has gained trust from many punks by becoming as one of them, portrays how punks handle a familiar situation: A greeting/farewell combination.

First we witness deferential politeness, a rare trait among punks...

S Grinchy: Hello Goonight.

DC Today: hi

DC Today: nite nite



Here we see a punk in the throes of a fit of anger.

S Grinchy: Hello. Goonight

Sparlc Man: adios

S Grinchy: YOU FORGOT TO SAY HELLO.

Sparlc Man: adios

S Grinchy: Meanie. >:-|


The following is a more typical punk, exhibiting a notably punklike snideness and a plethora of smilies.

S Grinchy: Hello. Goonight

Quadoshock: seeya ;)

S Grinchy: What about "hello?"

Quadoshock: hey ;)

Quadoshock: now go ;)

Quadoshock: gogogo

Quadoshock: gogogo

Quadoshock: gogog

Quadoshock: ;)

S Grinchy: *ban*



And finally, a particularly friendly punk that appears to want to get chummy with Damien. (Notice D had to be sharp with it to keep it from getting too close.)

S Grinchy: Hello. Goonight.

EVIL PriONsboY: goodbye. good day ;)

S Grinchy: Close enough. :-|

EVIL PriONsboY: HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAH

EVIL PriONsboY: *finally understands the Angband code files* ;)

EVIL PriONsboY: these things are complicated ;)

S Grinchy: SHHH...don't attempt to rope me into conversation. >:-| I'm LEAVING.

EVIL PriONsboY: LOL

EVIL PriONsboY: goodnight then ;)


Upon noticing Damien's delay in retreating from the wilderness (read: Instant Messenger session), this last friendly punk expressed concern, using customary punklike sardonicism, which Damien was fortunately able to contain....

EVIL PriONsboY: you're leaving already! ;)

S Grinchy: SHHH gotta update the MindUniverse

EVIL PriONsboY: ooooh



Damien will be back again soon to reveal more about these dangerous, yet beautiful creatures.

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People Damien Doesn't Understand

(2:00)


Case #28: People that spell oops with one o and two p's. Can't anyone see that pronunciation of such thing would require a short o?! Hellohhhhh!!

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Friend to Me, Stranger to You

(10:15)

Atlantic Ocean.

Remain in car while refuel.

Jughandles. Winter.

      - Dikuson

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Hehe. In Case You Failed to Notice...

(10:25)


If I miss a day, I more than make up for it.
And God help us if I miss two!
>:-)

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A Second Pad!!!!!

(13:45)


Christmas gift from my piano student! I'm so happy. It's not the best quality pad (MadCatz somethin' or other, slightly bigger and kinda slippy) but it's BETTER THAN NOTHIN'!! I can finally begin to practice doubles.

(They also gave me a really nice Princeton sweatshirt.)

Yahhh, glad I didn't steal Christmas yet. :-) I might wait until December 26th.

(14:15)


Case #11 - Half a grapefruit with a spoon.

Squirtfest. Yuck.

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Things not to Eat in Public, at Home, or Anyplace Else Because the Nourishment is Not Worth the Spectacle

(14:20)


Case #11 - Half a grapefruit with a spoon. :-/

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Time to Face the Day

(14:21)


Wonder what time the malls close. Hm.

Dude, I smell like grapefruit. :-|

(1:00)


Gotta be up early, (late?) y'know. To do my Grinchy Sho Ryu Rappa on Santa Claus when he tries that breakin' and enterin' chimney-style bullsh'ish....

Well when I wake up tomo--today....gonna go over and do the exchange gifts and hang with family thing. Should be lotsa fun.

Probably a lotta Tekken Tag and DDR and stuff. And cookies, and love, and Buffy opening presents.

But it'll be nice to have it all behind me.

Heheh....why am I so jolly! 8-)

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Twas the Punk Before Christmas....

(1:05)


Jonjon and me...kickin' it Monopoly style....

Quadoshock: go ;)

S Grinchy: $200?

Quadoshock: no, go straight to bed, do not collect $200 ;)

S Grinchy: (Plays get out of bed free card)

Quadoshock: you don't have one ;)

Quadoshock: so go back to bed ;)

S Grinchy: I do have one. See?


[                                            ]

[    GET OUT             \o/       ]

[    OF BED      ___     |         ]

[   FREE          |      |     | \       ]

[ This card may be kept until needed or sold]

Quadoshock: *plays Send D To Bed card* ;)

Quadoshock: so go back ;)

S Grinchy: THERE IS NO SEND D TO BED CARD!!! >:o

S Grinchy: Not even a matter of you not having it. It plain doesn't exist!

Quadoshock: HAHAHAHAHA ;)

Quadoshock: there is now ;)

S Grinchy: Jonopoly. I shoulda known.

Quadoshock: it's the Send D To Bed Edition ;)

S Grinchy: Um....You musta landed on Free Punking or some 'ish. :-P

Quadoshock: HAHAHAHAHA ;)

Quadoshock: no, I control all the RRs, so I can send you to bed anytime ;)

S Grinchy: Punksylvania....B.O.....Short Fuse......Reading is for cavemen......

Quadoshock: HAHAHAHAHA ;)

S Grinchy: Well advance out the nearest window. If unowned, you may buy it from JO MAMA!! >:-|

Quadoshock: HAHAHAHAHAHA ;)



I thought I toldja that Q won't stop...

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So Little Time!

(21:10)


Frogger 2

A DMX C.D.

A DVD of Rush Hour 2

Two tapes of the Jackie Chan cartoon

Tekno, the Cyber Puppy

Grand Theft Auto 3

Food


Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy. 8-)

(8:15)


No more Christmas. HAHAHAHA. Look around you. No one is thinking of Christmas anymore. They're caught up in 50%-70% off sales and preparations for the New Year.

Another blazing success for the Space Grinch. (I've decided that that's what the S in S Grinchy stands for. Ask Quad.)

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Car Wars

Episode IV - A New Tire

(8:16)

Not only is my front passenger-side tire flat....but I can't seem to get the lug nuts off...and my efforts to do so may have stripped them...
1-800-PLEASEGODMAYAAABEABLETOHELP
Now's a good time to get the tires replaced anyway....And, if I had more time, the radiator too...but that's kinda expensive. Maybe later. Oh well.

What I really need is a NEW CAR....but, unless I put it together myself out of junk mail, used bottles, a playstation controller, and double-A batteries, it's not likely I'll be getting one soon. (SIGH)

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Things to Do

(8:20)

• Go to Staples, get 3-ring binder and other supplies
• CALL THE $*&$# PIANO TUNER
• Clean up this hellhole of an apartment
• Some piano stuff this afternoon
• Shave my head and become a monk

(16:35)


Just got back from a lesson for a student that I'm accompanying. Cool kid to work with. He's 12, so not quite yet punk-aged. He's making impressive progress on Beethoven's 3rd Concerto. (But he doesn't yet play it as well as I once did and still kinda do!!)

Next week, after New Year's Day, I'm going to have a chance to work with a lot of my teacher's younger students....that oughta be fun. And I might be getting some new students of my own next weekend.

Also I finally got a 3-ring binder, so my FF7 piano arrangements are no longer strewn about in the general vicinity of the piano. I'll practice and record some as soon as I get my piano tuned. (FINALLY CALLED THE TUNER...JANUARY 2 IS THE DAY OF RECKONING!!)

How y'all doing today??

(13:00)


On Friday, I spent a bulk of the day with a friend I haven't seen in a few years. She's from Connecticut, and I know her from college. (In fact, she was an Electrical Engineer too.) Now she lives and works in Texas. I only got to see her because she was on the east coast for the holidays. It was really good to spend time with her again.


It's amazing how I have this weird emotional defensive system set up whereby I only miss people retroactively once I've seen them again.


Maybe now she and I will actually make a wholehearted effort to keep in touch.
:-|

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Chinese Food

(13:02)


Friday evening I hung out with my piano teacher. (Just so ya know, I tend to refer to her as "my piano teacher" even though she's technically my former piano teacher. I still see her all the time so I really don't feel like she's a former anything.) We went out to a Chinese restaurant. It was good to spend time with her and catch up (since most of the time we see each other is for music-related business).

But...

Boy would I much rather go to aChinese restaurant on the West Coast with real Chinese people. Looking around the restaurant my teacher and I went to, I saw nothing but AMERICANS. And the food was AMERICAN Chinese. Not like when I went to dim sum with the Kasses...and not like whenever Kassmom conjured up mesmerizing culinary sorcery (and proceeded to shovel it into my mouth). (SIGH)

Add Good Chinese Food to the list of reasons for me to go back west.

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On the Other Side of the Mountain

(13:08)


What a nice track. (Will be really easy to arrange too.) But I don't remember where in FF7 it shows up! Maybe it's time to play the game again?!

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This Afternoon's Plans

(13:09)


Soon as I Click the "Curb Bloat" button below, I will shower and get dressed up in a suit so that I am ready for the recital at 3 in which I am accompanying the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3, which everyone should listen to because it's a really cool piece of music. It's a cool recital, featuring two of my piano teacher's students. Each of them was selected as the NJ State winner in their respective age categories of the annual MTNA competition, and they compete at the Eastern Regional competition in a few weeks. They both have a good shot at making it really far. (And there's a part of me that hopes they do. Of course most of me wants to preserve MY distinction of being the only New Jerseyan to ever win the National Title...so I can't help but root against them somewhat.)
>:-)


The neat thing is...I'm accompanying one of them and the other one is playing one of the same pieces that I played 10 years ago using videotapes of ME as a stylistic guide. So if either of them dethrones me, I'll have had a hand in it.
:-/


Ah well, life goes on! Good luck to those two piano-playing pukns.

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This Evening's / Tomorrow's / The Next Day's plans

(13:18)


Going to Maryland to hang with buddies for New Years. Gotta be back in time for my piano to be tuned on January 2, but hoping to have fun and further spread the fame of DDR before such time.
>:-}

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That Smiley Reminds Me

(13:19)


It's about time to retire the Grinchy.
:.-(
Perhaps when I get back.

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*WHEW*

(13:21)


Okay I think I'm finally done with this update now. You all have a great New Year. (Especially you lucky Chinese Jews that get to have three per year.)