- County Approves Dynamo Stadium Deal
- Watch the MyFoxHouston Glee Audition Finalists
- Unusual Crash Slows 610 Loop
- HISD Investigates Middle School Fights On YouTube
- More Evidence in Death of 2 Baytown Teen Girls
- Sick Couple Left to Eat Dog Food
- View the Texas Primary Runoff Election Results
- Police: Father Left Children in Car for Strip Club Visit
- Girl Waiting for Bus Forced Into Car, Sexually Assaulted
- 4 Men Sentenced in Armored Car Robbery
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Today's Popular Stories on MyFoxHouston.com
someone sent me a link to story #1 and i just had to share the top stories...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Happy Birthday, Julie!!!
In honor of Julie's 25th birthday, here is a non-comprehensive list of things that will always remind me of Julia Fitch.
- Sports Night
- Car air conditioning
- Night swimming (not the REM song)
- Pub trivia
- Hangovers
- Maker's Mark
- Country music
- Dancing (of any kind)
- Watch-checking during movies
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Brita pitcher
- Evening (the book I still haven't read, not the time of day)
- Being tired (in a good way because we stay up way too late)
- The desire to write a novel
- The desire for HER to write a novel
- White cars
- Betsy's
- Photobooths
- 7-11
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Starbucks Gold Level Rewards
signs i spend too much money at Starbucks...i have reached gold level of My Starbucks Rewards. here are the perks:
- Free birthday drink
- 2 continuous hours of free Wi-Fi daily
- Free refills on brewed coffee and tea
- Free flavored syrups
- Free soymilk
- Free tall (12 fl oz) beverage with every pound of coffee purchased
- Exclusive offers & coupons
- FREE DRINK EVERY 15 YEARS
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Ralph
This is what the side of our house looks like. Two garbage bins and one recycling bin. The following events occurred last week. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.
One of the bins was halfway full. The other was empty.
Well, the empty bin wasn't ENTIRELY empty. It had a nice little puddle of rain water at the bottom (and a couple of buzzing flies).
Ralph was either asked to take a trash bag to the bin or he took it upon himself to actually contribute. Either way, it was, perhaps, the only time in history that he took out the trash and had to figure out on his own where to place it.
He chose to drop it in the otherwise empty bin. Right into the rainwater.
ME.
Friday, April 2, 2010
People in My Family That Have Crashed Computers in the Past Two Weeks
- My Step-Dad (the computer engineer)
- My Brother (two separate occasions, two separate computers, same reason)
Things My Step-Dad Says That Confirm the Fact He Doesn't Know Me at All...
- Boy, Jon, you really would have enjoyed this canoe race I went to last weekend.
Step-dad
I just got back from a brisk 3-mile walk and then spent an hour tearing up cardboard. It's a nice sunny day and I'm drenched in sweat (and happy about it).
I come in the kitchen to wash my hands when Steve comes down from his upstairs office. It's Friday and he decided to take the day off (which always brings me joy).
First? His outfit.
I need a shower.
I come in the kitchen to wash my hands when Steve comes down from his upstairs office. It's Friday and he decided to take the day off (which always brings me joy).
First? His outfit.
- Dockers house slippers
- black socks
- pajama bottoms
- button-up long-sleeve polo shirt (tucked in)
- winter hat
- Toasted rye bread
- butter (not a little)
- american cheese (two slices)
- ketchup
I need a shower.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Facebook Status Updates - 2010 Version
based on most recent:
- 8 min ago - Guy I used to work with became a fan of Best Buy
- 27 min ago - Girl I went to elementary school with: It is my cats birthday today. She is 5 which means that if your pets birthday is multiplied by 7 to equal us in human years then she is officially older than me now.....hmmmm not sure what to think of that one.
- 29 min ago - My Cousin's fiance: probably one of the best days ever.....work was good, dinner was great, my night was fantastic...until people started getting sick lol...dannnng it
- 36 min ago - same girl i went to elementary school with: Anyone else want to do my laundry I need to fold and put it up but I keep running out of time and now I am sleepy again.
- 50 min ago - wife of high school friend of my boyfriend : congrats to the Oklahoma women - Final Four bound!
- about an hour ago - same girl i went to elementary school with: supermom does it again! K**** put his foot through his bedroom window and I managed to bandage it and replace the window with a new one all by myself.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Hyatt Lost Pines -
I am at a tax conference for the next 2 days at the Hyatt Lost Pines (that new resort in between Basrtop and Austin) Here is a list of activities listed on the brochure that I received from Beth when I checked in
at the Renegade Trailhead
at the Renegade Trailhead
- Armadillo Trail Rides
- Hyatt Trail Rides
- Lost Pines Trail Rides
- Pony Rides
- Archery
- Skeet Shooting
- Horse Camp
In case you aren't into horse activities there is also...
- tennis
- disc golf
- pool
- slide
- adult hot tub
- towel corral
- bike rentals
- game room
- fire pit
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
PJenkins' Southwest Airlines Flight Tips, circa 2004
THE BACKGROUND
Inspired by Boxcar's post I would like to post my own flight tips provided to Buster in response to his question:
"i am flying southwest. what is the procedure with southwest? if you look at your reward deal on the internet, it shows your upcoming flights, and i have none on mine, which is my question. I am leaving thursday night and coming back monday morning. I have no idea what i am supposed to do, and i don't feel like finding out for myself. since you are an experienced traveler, you should tell me exactly what i should do, so i know what i am doing as far as where to go when i get to the airport, and what do do once i get there, and how early to get there. I haven't flown since 1999. and i am a retard."
THE LIST
#1. You need to print that receipt out for both you and Matt and also
write on it your rapid rewards number.
#2. Take your drivers license.
#3. Being a professional traveler, I would get there at 530. Being
unsure of where to park and what to do, I would get to the airport at
500. It is the Austin airport remember. You would have to be
retarded to get there any earlier than 5. Now that I have said that,
you should go ahead and get there 2 hours early.
#4. Go to the southwest ticket counter, which is on the left side.
Pull out your drivers license. Do not pull out the dorky email
printout unless there is a problem.
They will say, "where are you headed" or "destination" and you will
say, "Tampa" Do not say "Tampa Bay" - cool, professional travelers
just say "Tampa"
#5. OR ! you can check in at the kiosk by simply swiping your credit
card and it prints your boarding pass and this is faster but means you
can not check your luggage (Unless you are smart like me but that is
too much work to talk about) and then you also could not do #6
#6 Ask the lady when she is almost done - Can you check and see if
they put my rapid rewards number on there. and only pull out the
dorky itinerary printout if she says no and asks you the number.
#7. Check your bags with the lady - if you are checking bags. I
always check my bag because you don't want to be the asshole who can't
find a spot in the overhead bin for your bag.
#8. Proceed WITH BOARDING PASS to security. Remove your watch,
belt, change, and other metal stuff and put it in your carry on bag so
you do not have to waste everyone's time taking it out of your pockets
and putting it in a bowl. Wear flip flops so you do not have to take
off your shoes. Keep your drivers license and your boarding pass in
your pocket. Go thru security.
#9 - maybe maybe not get strip searched
#10 - go to gate. Wait. If you have a boarding pass that says A on
it - do not get in line until the line is moving. People who have As
and stand in line are stupid. You will get a good seat even if you
are the very last A. If you have a B, watch and see when people start
getting in the B line. When a few people are in the B line, you will
want to walk over the B line and stand in it also but you will want to
look like you don't REALLY care whether or not you get a good seat,
you are just standing in line because it's just another place to stand
and who cares? you're cool with whatever. Because if you get in the
front of the B line you can get a good seat. if you get in the back
of the b line, you will be sitting between say, Anne Newman* and Glenn**.
If you have a C on your boarding pass, go buy headphones , a
magazine, and spray febreeze in your nostrils. YOu will have a crappy
seat. The A, B, C is determined by time of check in - if you get
there at 430 - you will have an A for sure. Id say you're still safe at
5pm.
#11 - board the plane. Board the plane and be sure to say "Have a
great day" to the lady checking your boarding pass, becuase then she
will know that you are not scared at all, but so confident taht you
will land safely and have a good day taht you want her to have one too
and are able to tell her so.
#12 - Walk on the plane and figure out -== "where is the hottest
person on this plane going to sit and how can I sit in just the right
spot where they will be free to talk to me but not forced to do so and
then we will get married - or at least make out while in [destination]
(in your case Tampa). This is the hardest part of the trip.
#13 - sit down wherever you want and buckle your seatbelt before the
lady has to tell you to do it.
#14 - DO NOT TRY TO TURN ON THE A/C UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE AIR. People
look so dumb fiddling with that thing when it will not work until we
are flying, stupid guy!
#15 - Pray.
#16 - Order bloody mary mix and enjoy peanuts. Do not look stupid
trying to open your peanuts but hopefully open them on the first try.
Do not spill peanuts all over the floor. Do not spill bloody mary mix
all over your shirt.
#17 - Read magazine and if the hot person on the plane is also reading
the same magazine as you are, be sure and hold your magazine up (not
obviously) so that they will know how much you have in common and say
to themselves, "hey, that cute guy reads the economist too! which is
especially cool because you are wearing flipflops and not stodgy
economist clothes).
#18 - that's about all i can think of. wash your hands if you use the
restroom and remember your stuff when you get off the plane. try as
hard as you can to stand next to the hot person at baggage claim but
chances are s/he has only carryons - leather bag from Kenneth Cole***
probably - and just walked right on out of the airport into the car
with someone way hotter than you. Look for Stephen, tell him hi,
remember why you are there in the first place, and acknowledge that
you will have way more fun with Stephen than you would have with the
probably boring hot person who chances are listens to either remixes of
cyndi lauper songs or the greatest hits from andrew lloyd webber.
#19 - Have a great time, dude!
_________________________________________________________________
* Big, fat US history teacher at Marshall High School. A wonderful woman,just large.
** Our grandfather. Old, yellow hair. Smells like Aquanet, Brut, and old cotton.
*** Shut up. It was 2004, people.
Disclaimer: These no longer apply completely, due to the revised boarding policy.
Inspired by Boxcar's post I would like to post my own flight tips provided to Buster in response to his question:
"i am flying southwest. what is the procedure with southwest? if you look at your reward deal on the internet, it shows your upcoming flights, and i have none on mine, which is my question. I am leaving thursday night and coming back monday morning. I have no idea what i am supposed to do, and i don't feel like finding out for myself. since you are an experienced traveler, you should tell me exactly what i should do, so i know what i am doing as far as where to go when i get to the airport, and what do do once i get there, and how early to get there. I haven't flown since 1999. and i am a retard."
THE LIST
#1. You need to print that receipt out for both you and Matt and also
write on it your rapid rewards number.
#2. Take your drivers license.
#3. Being a professional traveler, I would get there at 530. Being
unsure of where to park and what to do, I would get to the airport at
500. It is the Austin airport remember. You would have to be
retarded to get there any earlier than 5. Now that I have said that,
you should go ahead and get there 2 hours early.
#4. Go to the southwest ticket counter, which is on the left side.
Pull out your drivers license. Do not pull out the dorky email
printout unless there is a problem.
They will say, "where are you headed" or "destination" and you will
say, "Tampa" Do not say "Tampa Bay" - cool, professional travelers
just say "Tampa"
#5. OR ! you can check in at the kiosk by simply swiping your credit
card and it prints your boarding pass and this is faster but means you
can not check your luggage (Unless you are smart like me but that is
too much work to talk about) and then you also could not do #6
#6 Ask the lady when she is almost done - Can you check and see if
they put my rapid rewards number on there. and only pull out the
dorky itinerary printout if she says no and asks you the number.
#7. Check your bags with the lady - if you are checking bags. I
always check my bag because you don't want to be the asshole who can't
find a spot in the overhead bin for your bag.
#8. Proceed WITH BOARDING PASS to security. Remove your watch,
belt, change, and other metal stuff and put it in your carry on bag so
you do not have to waste everyone's time taking it out of your pockets
and putting it in a bowl. Wear flip flops so you do not have to take
off your shoes. Keep your drivers license and your boarding pass in
your pocket. Go thru security.
#9 - maybe maybe not get strip searched
#10 - go to gate. Wait. If you have a boarding pass that says A on
it - do not get in line until the line is moving. People who have As
and stand in line are stupid. You will get a good seat even if you
are the very last A. If you have a B, watch and see when people start
getting in the B line. When a few people are in the B line, you will
want to walk over the B line and stand in it also but you will want to
look like you don't REALLY care whether or not you get a good seat,
you are just standing in line because it's just another place to stand
and who cares? you're cool with whatever. Because if you get in the
front of the B line you can get a good seat. if you get in the back
of the b line, you will be sitting between say, Anne Newman* and Glenn**.
If you have a C on your boarding pass, go buy headphones , a
magazine, and spray febreeze in your nostrils. YOu will have a crappy
seat. The A, B, C is determined by time of check in - if you get
there at 430 - you will have an A for sure. Id say you're still safe at
5pm.
#11 - board the plane. Board the plane and be sure to say "Have a
great day" to the lady checking your boarding pass, becuase then she
will know that you are not scared at all, but so confident taht you
will land safely and have a good day taht you want her to have one too
and are able to tell her so.
#12 - Walk on the plane and figure out -== "where is the hottest
person on this plane going to sit and how can I sit in just the right
spot where they will be free to talk to me but not forced to do so and
then we will get married - or at least make out while in [destination]
(in your case Tampa). This is the hardest part of the trip.
#13 - sit down wherever you want and buckle your seatbelt before the
lady has to tell you to do it.
#14 - DO NOT TRY TO TURN ON THE A/C UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE AIR. People
look so dumb fiddling with that thing when it will not work until we
are flying, stupid guy!
#15 - Pray.
#16 - Order bloody mary mix and enjoy peanuts. Do not look stupid
trying to open your peanuts but hopefully open them on the first try.
Do not spill peanuts all over the floor. Do not spill bloody mary mix
all over your shirt.
#17 - Read magazine and if the hot person on the plane is also reading
the same magazine as you are, be sure and hold your magazine up (not
obviously) so that they will know how much you have in common and say
to themselves, "hey, that cute guy reads the economist too! which is
especially cool because you are wearing flipflops and not stodgy
economist clothes).
#18 - that's about all i can think of. wash your hands if you use the
restroom and remember your stuff when you get off the plane. try as
hard as you can to stand next to the hot person at baggage claim but
chances are s/he has only carryons - leather bag from Kenneth Cole***
probably - and just walked right on out of the airport into the car
with someone way hotter than you. Look for Stephen, tell him hi,
remember why you are there in the first place, and acknowledge that
you will have way more fun with Stephen than you would have with the
probably boring hot person who chances are listens to either remixes of
cyndi lauper songs or the greatest hits from andrew lloyd webber.
#19 - Have a great time, dude!
_________________________________________________________________
* Big, fat US history teacher at Marshall High School. A wonderful woman,just large.
** Our grandfather. Old, yellow hair. Smells like Aquanet, Brut, and old cotton.
*** Shut up. It was 2004, people.
Disclaimer: These no longer apply completely, due to the revised boarding policy.
Flight Tips
I do not fly often, so since I'm traveling tomorrow I thought I'd glance over the TSA's list of prohibited items (I was concerned about my razor refills) and came upon some very useful information.
I left out the OBVIOUS prohibited items but thought you'd like to know that the following items are NOT allowed as carry-on:
Sharp Objects...
Tools...
I left out the OBVIOUS prohibited items but thought you'd like to know that the following items are NOT allowed as carry-on:
Sharp Objects...
- Ice Axes
- Ice Picks
- Meat Cleavers
- Sabers
- Swords
- Bows and Arrows
- Spear Guns
- *Gun Lighters
Tools...
- Hatchets
- Cattle Prods
- Crowbars
- Saws
- Billy Clubs
- Black Jacks
- Kubatons
- Throwing Stars
- Blasting Caps
- Dynamite
- Hand Grenades
- Plastic Explosives
- Realistic Replicas of Explosives
- Gas Torches
Sunday, March 14, 2010
a non-comprehensive list of songs I hate on albums I otherwise love
- Car Wheels on a Gravel Road --- Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
- Man Burning --- Josh Ritter, Hello Starling
- Under Your Charms --- Josh Rouse, 1972
- Tin Man --- The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You
- Don't Stop* --- Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
* I blame Bill Clinton.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Step Dad
I was helping my mom clean out yet another room today and came across a few things that I felt needed to be photographed. These are just a few things that my step-dad will NOT throw away.
1. Um...
2. Look closely at the date...1980. And notice, please, there is an entire STACK of these "receipts"
3. Again, notice the date. 1982. This is a contract for Encyclopedia Brittanicas.
4. I counted a total of 7 of these computer monitors throughout the house.
5. I can't tell you how many mornings I wake up to Steve getting his morning workout in. He truly is the Body Champ.
1. Um...
2. Look closely at the date...1980. And notice, please, there is an entire STACK of these "receipts"
3. Again, notice the date. 1982. This is a contract for Encyclopedia Brittanicas.
4. I counted a total of 7 of these computer monitors throughout the house.
5. I can't tell you how many mornings I wake up to Steve getting his morning workout in. He truly is the Body Champ.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
12 favorite things on TV in the past 72 hours (including DVR), with limited commentary
- Michelle Pfeiffer presents Jeff Bridges. It was like my TV turned into my fairy godmother.
- Pageant Talk please, every week
- Will Forte's "Women's Herstory: Did You See What I Did There?" (especially at the 41:50 mark)
- Abed's Don Draper I am a convert
- Anything bad happening to Brandy and Carol on The Amazing Race. Where do they find these people?
- Jet and Cord: "check" and drunk
- Robert Downey Jr's entrance on Jimmy Kimmel's show and the rest of the show for that matter
- Babs! boobs!
- Kathryn Bigelow, obviously
- Sandra Bullock, undisputedly
- What Up With That? , as always
- annnnnnnnnnnnnnd, the end of basketball season, thankfully
Sunday, March 7, 2010
No Guts, No Glory (Academy Award Edition)
Best Picture: Avatar
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
Actor: Jeff Bridges
Actress: Carey Mulligan
Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Editing: The Hurt Locker
Art Direction: Avatar
Sound: The Hurt Locker
Sound Editing: Avatar
Cinematography: Avatar
Costumes: The Young Victoria
Documentary: The Cove
Documentary Short: China's Unnatural Disaster
Foreign Language: Un Prophete
Animated Film: Up
Animated Short: Loaf and Death
Live Action Short: Abracadabra
Makeup: Star Trek
Score: Up
Song: The Weary Kind
Visual Effects: Avatar
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
Actor: Jeff Bridges
Actress: Carey Mulligan
Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Editing: The Hurt Locker
Art Direction: Avatar
Sound: The Hurt Locker
Sound Editing: Avatar
Cinematography: Avatar
Costumes: The Young Victoria
Documentary: The Cove
Documentary Short: China's Unnatural Disaster
Foreign Language: Un Prophete
Animated Film: Up
Animated Short: Loaf and Death
Live Action Short: Abracadabra
Makeup: Star Trek
Score: Up
Song: The Weary Kind
Visual Effects: Avatar
Monday, March 1, 2010
Things I Have Enjoyed This Year So Far
- Captain Obvious (step-dad) saying the following: "This ranch dressing taste different from thousand island" AND "when it's sudden death in a Hockey game, it's a coin toss".
- The pimple-faced, 19-year-old, wearing an Office Depot shirt, getting my attention in line at Starbucks and asking me the following: "Excuse me, sir, can I ask you a question? I'm trying to start up my own business as a life coach and...I just...I'm not sure where to start. I've gotten really good at reading faces and body language but now, I just don't know...do you have any advice?" -- my reply after realizing he was serious..."Um, maybe look it up online and see what other life coaches are doing?" -- what I WANTED to say "Um, maybe find another line of work since you're asking someone who is 36, unemployed and living with his parents if he has any advice on how to be a LIFE COACH."
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Ice Dancing Music
Earlier this evening while waiting on ice dancing to start, I thought to myself:
"What music would I enjoy hearing in an ice dancing performance?"
In order, my answers to myself (all movie music):
"What music would I enjoy hearing in an ice dancing performance?"
In order, my answers to myself (all movie music):
- In the Mood for Love
- Requiem for a Dream
- Blue (or, Bleu)
Monday, February 22, 2010
a non-comprehensive list of things I owe to Julie
- my craziness for The Frug
- Bob Fosse in general
- my refined taste in bourbon
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- if I ever watch it, Sports Night
- Buddy & Julie Miller
- hopefully soon, an understanding of "counting" foods
- knowledge of the Immersion Blender
- my stint in 78704
- my new (second-)favorite poster
- Devs
- the goosebumps I hope to get watching Ice Dancing tonight
- (please, no more of this gimmicky shit!)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
12 recent obsessions
- my weight
- stretching
- things you can do with ground turkey*
- magical brussel sprouts
- magical French crystals aka Oscillococcinum
- M&M's
- my parents' finances
- the value of big marble balls
- dining out
- cooking in
- organization
- Norwegians, namely Aksel Lund Svindal and those curling pants**
ongoing obession: Academy Awards
revived obsession: Netflix
upcoming obsession: Michael Fassbender
___
*by "things" I mean "meals" and by "do" I mean "cook"
** I think the new goal of my weight loss plan is to wear those pants to the Shell Houston Open. Happy Easter!
Auction items I have purchased...
... in the last 8 years, at the EHS auction (list requested by KNH).
- Dusty Mangum autographed football
- Neil Diamond album cover, autographed and framed (for my dad)
- "Feminine Purse" (for Karen, or whomever)*
- Lightweight running jacket
- Marble Ball on Stand
*this is the item's title in the auction book
Friday, February 19, 2010
12 foods I miss the most
- Rice cakes with gobs of peanut butter and a big glass of milk
- French fries
- McDonald's, to be honest.*
- Pizza
- Schlotzsky's Deluxe Original on Jalapeno Cheese Bread
- Treebeards' Chicken and Sausage "Jambalaya" with Jalapeno Cornbread**
- Various soups
- Chips and queso
- Big old burritos
- Fried pickles
- The occasional chocoloate chip cookie
- Oatmeal Squares
*How is that possible?
**Jambalaya in quotation marks to avoid outrage from DJ.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
What I Could Learn in Cleveland, Ohio
I'm on some kind of conference email list. The theme is "The Experience Economy," and I beg you to explain to me what this means.
It is not led by Michael Scott.
- Monday - Envisioning experiences via the Progression of Economic Value and ing-ing the thing
- Tuesday - Hitting the Sweet Spot (4E's) and THEME-ing
- Wednesday - Customizing experiences by eliminating Customer Sacrifice (3S's) and Four Types of Mass Customization
- Thursday - Directing employees to act via business stagecraft (Work Is Theatre)
- Friday - Going beyond Experiences via Transformations.
It is not led by Michael Scott.
Monday, February 15, 2010
In Honor of President's Day...
The Greatest Moments in West Wing history
The streets of heaven are too crowded tonight...
Two Cathedrals
Bartlet for America
Thanks Boss.
You Get Hoynes
The streets of heaven are too crowded tonight...
Two Cathedrals
Bartlet for America
Thanks Boss.
You Get Hoynes
Thursday, February 11, 2010
people it is impossible to choose between
In alphabetical order, by last name:
- Will Forte
- Seth Meyers
- Jason Sudeikis
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ways to Waste Money: Lone Star Saloon Edition
- Spend money on well drinks ($20.00 approximately)
- Buy Super Bowl Square ($5.00)
- Take the advice of the only other awake person in the bar and buy "Midnight in Paris" by Stephen Stills on itunes ($1.08).
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Things I Have Already Learned Today
- Naps are beneficial
- Subconsciously, I am somewhat fluent in Spanish. In my dreams I speak it pretty well, with the occasional "Como se dice?" sprinkled in there.
- You should not, I repeat, NOT go to the grocery store on Super Bowl Sunday. At least not a grocery store in any proximity to the home state of a certain team that counts among its fans a lot of people who wait til the last minute and argue over which package of ground beef looks good or who is going to be having the better party tonight. Who Dat!
- You can buy your groceries in the Starbucks line. If you are a selfish shrew.
- Sometimes it is better to park two buildings away than to attempt to navigate a parking lot of idiots, shopping carts, and old ladies.
- The so-called "Battle between Cantonese and Mandarin" started in Hong Kong in the mid-1980s.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Things I've Bought in the Last Few Days
Crate & Barrel
- 2 cutting boards
- Oxo pop containers
- Bamboo spoon
- Bottle stopper
- Nail polish
- Neutrogena 5-minute facial
- Enough other stuff to total $55
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Another cutting board (seriously)
- Giada Di Laurentiis for Target whisk
- Socks
- Etc.
- 4 Storage bins (clear)
- A/C filters
- elfa system (will become my new desk and shelves when I install)
- Stacking shelves to organize my kitchen cabinets
- Pan rack
- Birthday gift for Jon
happy birthday to Jon & also to List Anything
Today is Jon's XX birthday and List Anything's second birthday.
10 people I would invite to Jon's birthday party:
10-plus people I would invite to List Anything's birthday party:
Happy Birthday!
10 people I would invite to Jon's birthday party:
- Sting
- Tori Amos
- Barbara Streisand
- Harry Connick, Jr.
- Dennis Quaid
- David Fincher
- David Mamet
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- Robert Downey, Jr.
- Neko Case
10-plus people I would invite to List Anything's birthday party:
- Raymond
- Toni Collette
- Blair Waldorf
- Tina Fey
- the Fitch Family
- William James Murray
- Jon's Stepdad
- Lucinda Williams
- DJ's dad
- waitress
Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
traffic lights that raise my blood pressure
There are a lot of long, misplaced, or useless traffic lights in the world. But there are only 3 that I have to deal with on an ongoing, at least weekly (if not daily) basis, and I would like to publicly complain about them here.
- As DJ called it, "The Light of D'Amico" -- What a shock to see in the Google Maps photo that cars are stopped at this pointless light for no reason (notice no cars going the other direction). This light is always red, and it makes way for people driving in and out of the AIG parking lot on the east, and a strip mall with a Subway, a gay bar, and a Laff Stop on the west.
- Yale and I-10 -- The freeway's frontage road dead ends into the grass, but there is a stop light there that runs all day and night. Also there is a light facing west. A light telling cars to stop or go, coming out of the grass. Going the wrong way on a one way frontage road off the freeway.
- Washington and TC Jester -- A stoplight to protect people in and out of the CVS parking lot. Possibly necessary during the day, but please put a sensor on it so it only turns red on Washington (a major thoroughfare) when necessary.
Addendum to list about 01022010
Funny -- the whole reason I even started that list was because while I was running I thought of something about 01022010 that was noteworthy, and I thought, "Hey, I'll make a list about today. But I have to think of other things about today to say."
So I came home and ate and started making the list and then finished the list and then this morning realized I completely forgot to list the one thing about 01022010 that I originally thought was noteworthy.
I quit smoking one year ago. Since then I have:
So I came home and ate and started making the list and then finished the list and then this morning realized I completely forgot to list the one thing about 01022010 that I originally thought was noteworthy.
I quit smoking one year ago. Since then I have:
- Bought zero packs
- Smoked zero cigs
- Taken zero drags
- Lit two cigarettes for others while drinking. Sue me.
Monday, February 1, 2010
some things about Feb. 1, 2010
- I said "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" this morning. And also at 12:03 a.m., before I went to sleep, in case that's how it works.
- I prayed this morning, about a few things, including a work-related item and a Derek-related item.
- I bought a Playstation 3 last night and hooked it up in the wee hours of Feb. 1, 2010. Let me tell you, the PS3 is quite possibly the best thing ever.
- If I were anything other than American, I would have been real excited to write the date over and over again on this Palindrome Day: 01022010.
- I ran a full 1.5 miles tonight. This is the farthest I have run without a walk-break since sometime in 2008. I walked the 1.5 miles back.
- My mother broke my heart today, in a good way - in the way only a mother can do. And I realized yet another reason it is probably a good thing that I am not likely to have children. I don't think I could bear the magnitude of the love a parent must feel for his or her child. I would sink under the weight of it.
- Re: the work-related item I prayed about -- a meeting I have been dreading on a project that has gone off the rails. The meeting went well and I think I got things straightened out. It was good to feel (for the first time in a long time) like I am good at my job. And to appreciate that being good at my job is a blessing.
- Re: the Derek-related thing I prayed about -- I don't like to spoil or jinx things but there were positive developments for which I am grateful. And optimistic.
- I bought Suttree today. I am ashamed to admit here that I've never read it. But so excited about it.
- I also bought some Bath and Body Works hand soap today, in the flavor of Sea Island Cotton. I have wanted this soap for over a year, but you know?, I never find myself in (or near) a Bath and Body Works. But what a day is 01022010!!
- Tomorrow morning they will announce Oscar nominations. That means tonight is the one night a year I can stay up as long as I want and know that I will wake up early no matter what!
- Here are ten things that I think about tomorrow morning:
- The Hurt Locker should get nominated for Picture, Director, Editing, Cinematography, Actor, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, both Sounds. I'd be cool with Art Direction and Costume Design, too, but that seems like a stretch.
- As boring a choice as this seems to me, Marion Cotillard really should get nominated for Nine. Or it wouldn't kill me if she got nominated for Public Enemies.
- Jeff Bridges. Hooray.
- I really hope Avatar does not get a screenplay nomination.
- If Sam Rockwell or Viggo Mortensen get nominated I will take the day off of work.
- Alright, I get it that my love of Moon is subjective. However, that score should get nominated and, honestly, should win. It won't. Buy the soundtrack.
- If Sally Menke does not get nominated for editing Inglourious Basterds I am going to beat a German with a bat.
- Only the Oscars could make me root against Sandra Bullock and Stanley Tucci.
- I think I would marry Vera Farmiga.
- Not to harp on this Avatar/Hurt Locker business too much, but it honestly is almost exactly how I felt about Titanic/L.A. Confidential 12 years ago. Who here remembers those tirades?
- Hey everybody, today is LOST Eve!
- I filed my tax return today. I love refunds. I can't wait til next year!
- While I have been typing this, I am watching Raising Arizona. It makes for a good end to the day.
- Speaking of Oscars, they really should create an award for Scene Stealer (or Bit Part, or Cameo) in honor of Frances McDormand in this movie. They could even call it the Dot Award. She is absolutely amazing.
- I think Ed McDunnough knows what I'm talking about re: parent/child. "I LOVE HIM SO-HO MU-HUCH...." But not more than Viggo in The Road.
- Happy February, gang.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Random Photos Saved to 'My Pictures'
various obsessions, after thoughts, and explorations...historically I've never really archived many pictures, so I'm not sure what they say about me...with that in mind, I ask you...what the hell was I possibly thinking when I not only clicked, but saved:
Update on New Years Resolutions for Boxcar
1. Drink less - I have definitely had less to drink but still too much. I think I can consider this one "achieved" as long as I continue only drinking 5 or 6 nights per month.
2. Finish at least three good screenplays - I am well on my way to finishing my first of the year so I will count this as "achieved" as well.
3. Move out of my parents house - We may have to wait until summer for this one but it's going to happen this year.
4. Watch at least one new movie every day - See other post.
5. Get a job - Too early to tell.
6. Meet a girl - Too early to tell.
7. Lose weight - On track. Please see other blog.
8. See all my friends in Texas - Thanks to P. Jenks this will happen in March or April
9. Read 40 books - See other post.
10. Live long enough to see next year - so far so good.
2. Finish at least three good screenplays - I am well on my way to finishing my first of the year so I will count this as "achieved" as well.
3. Move out of my parents house - We may have to wait until summer for this one but it's going to happen this year.
4. Watch at least one new movie every day - See other post.
5. Get a job - Too early to tell.
6. Meet a girl - Too early to tell.
7. Lose weight - On track. Please see other blog.
8. See all my friends in Texas - Thanks to P. Jenks this will happen in March or April
9. Read 40 books - See other post.
10. Live long enough to see next year - so far so good.
#4 on Boxcar's New Years Resolutions
4. Watch a new movie every day.
I started keeping a movie journal and here is what January looked like (I know I won't have time tomorrow to watch a movie so it is officially done for January). I also graded each movie immediately after watching it. Obviously, I should never be a professional critic.
(ns) = netflix streaming
(yt) = youtube
(t) = theater
I started keeping a movie journal and here is what January looked like (I know I won't have time tomorrow to watch a movie so it is officially done for January). I also graded each movie immediately after watching it. Obviously, I should never be a professional critic.
- Knife in the Water - 1962 (ns) - A+
- La Bete Humaine - 1938 (ns) - A
- Extract - 2009 (n) - C -
- 500 Days of Summer - 2009 (n) - B+
- The Strange Love of Martha Ivers - 1946 (ns) - A+
- District B13 - 2004 (ns) - B+
- The Stranger - 1946 (ns) - A
- On Dangerous Ground - 1952 (n) - A+
- Mr. Arkadin - 1955 (ns) - C *poorly dubbed version probably ruined it for me
- Terminator Salvation - 2009 (n) - D
- Murder, My Sweet - 1944 (n) - A+
- The Friends of Eddie Coyle - 1973 (n) - A
- Sherlock Holmes - 2009 (t) - B+
- Crossfire - 1947 (n) - A
- Le Corbeau - 1943 (ns) - A+
- The Aura - 2005 (ns) - A
- Mad Max - 1979 (n) - B+
- Moon - 2005 (n) - A
- No Right Turn - 2009 (n) - F-
- Magnum Force - 1973 (ns) - B+
- The Hurt Locker - 2009 (n) - A++
- Panic in the Streets - 1950 (ns) - B
- Year of Living Dangerously - 1982 (ns) - B+
- Marley and Me - 2008 (n) - C+
- Fall of the Republic - 2008 (yt) - C+
- What Just Happened - 2008 (ns) - B
- Book of Eli - 2010 (t) - B+
- The Oxbow Incident - 1943 (ns) - B+
- Gamer - 2009 (n) - F
- Pandorum - 2009 (n) - D+
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - 2009 (n) - B+
- Suddenly - 1954 (ns) - A-
- Vera Cruz - 1954 (ns) - A+
- The Searchers - 1956 (ns) - A+++
- The Professionals - 1966 (ns) - A+
- Casablanca - 1942 (n) - A++++++++
- 400 Blows - 1959 (ns) - A+++
- Night Moves - 1975 (ns) - A
- Shooter - 2007 (n) - B
- Adventureland - 2009 (n) - B+
- Edge of Darkness - 2010 (t) - A-
(ns) = netflix streaming
(yt) = youtube
(t) = theater
Saturday, January 30, 2010
#9 on Boxcar's New Years Resolutions
9. Read 40 books
Well, I am right on pace and here is what I have read thus far:
** Incredibly interesting non-fiction for anyone who appreciates collecting of any kind.
*** Research. Also interesting
****I am only 200 pages into it so far so not officially counting it as a January read and considering it is over 1000 pages, it may end up being my ONLY February read.
Well, I am right on pace and here is what I have read thus far:
- Story - Robert McKee
- Where Men Win Glory - Jon Krakauer *
- The Man Who Loved Books Too Much - Allison Hoover Bartlett **
- The Family - Jeff Sharlet ***
- A Feast For Crows - George R.R. Martin ****
** Incredibly interesting non-fiction for anyone who appreciates collecting of any kind.
*** Research. Also interesting
****I am only 200 pages into it so far so not officially counting it as a January read and considering it is over 1000 pages, it may end up being my ONLY February read.
Friday, January 29, 2010
BATB's (in honor of P. Jenks)
For those of you NOT in the know...BATB is Bad Ass Television Babes. The following is a list of my favorites (in order)...part of Decade In Review...
- Sydney Bristow - Alias (Jennifer Garner)
- Echo - Dollhouse (Eliza Dushku)
- Fiona Glenanne - Burn Notice (Gabrielle Anwar)
- Danielle Rousseau - Lost (Mira Furlan)
- Zoe Washburne - Firefly (Gina Torres)
- Olivia Dunham - Fringe (Anna Torv)
- Veronica Mars - Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell)
- Juliet Burke - Lost (Elizabeth Mitchell)
- Kate Austen - Lost (Evangeline Lilly)
- Casey Shraeger - The Unusuals (Amber Tamblyn)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
My Favorite "Wheel of Fortune" Contestants
(at least that I could find on youtube)
5. Becki
4. Kevin
3. George, Shane and Lee
2. Raymond
1. Dalila!
5. Becki
4. Kevin
3. George, Shane and Lee
2. Raymond
1. Dalila!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Jan. 24 - a good day
- Woke up at 7:30am;
- Read a bit (The Bourne Supremacy);
- Rode my bike about 8 miles;
- Spent 6 hours at work cleaning my office;
- Recycled half a bin of paper;
- Colts won;
- Favre lost (and the Saints won for DJ);
- The Hurt Locker won the PGA, meaning...
- Avatar lost (and these are the people who care about the money);
- And now I'm watching Season 2 of Deadwood.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Some of my Favorite Movie Speeches
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton, Opening
Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting, Vickus
Denzel Washington, Malcom X, Bamboozled...Hoodwinked
Gregory Peck, To Kill a Mockingbird, In the name of God
Robert Shaw, Jaws, The Indianapolis
Alec Baldwin, Glengarry Glen Ross, Always Be Closing
Alec Baldwin, Malice, I Am God
Michael Douglas, Wall Street, Greed is Good
Ned Beatty, Network, Forces of Nature
Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction, Ezekiel 25:17
Michael Douglas, The American President, I am the President
Christopher Walken, Pulp Fiction, The Watch
Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting, Vickus
Denzel Washington, Malcom X, Bamboozled...Hoodwinked
Gregory Peck, To Kill a Mockingbird, In the name of God
Robert Shaw, Jaws, The Indianapolis
Alec Baldwin, Glengarry Glen Ross, Always Be Closing
Alec Baldwin, Malice, I Am God
Michael Douglas, Wall Street, Greed is Good
Ned Beatty, Network, Forces of Nature
Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction, Ezekiel 25:17
Michael Douglas, The American President, I am the President
Christopher Walken, Pulp Fiction, The Watch
Job Applications
A list of jobs for which I interviewed, as best as I can recall:
* They offered me a job, but I declined.
- Tropical Sno - sno-cone maker/sno-cone stand attendant*
- Home Video Plus Music - video store clerk, and Beetlejuice watcher*
- UT Austin College of Communication - peer advisor*
- Winchester Production Company/Westchester Gas Company - accounting dept.*
- General Motors Truck Assembly Plant, Shreveport - Trim Department floater*
- Venus Rising - Production Intern*
- Random Roger Corman movie - production assistant
- Sound Warehouse (or something like that), LA - clerk
- Brentano's Bookstore, Century City - clerk*
- Director's Guild of America, LA - DGA Trainee
- Nigro, Karlin & Segal, Century City - staff
- Palmer & Company, West L.A. - Assistant Account Manager and then Account Manager*
- AIM Funds, Austin - customer service rep, basically
- Book People, Austin - clerk
- Accountemps, Austin - Temp*
- Department of Information Resources, Austin - Accountant II*
- The Faculty , Austin - Assistant Production Accountant**
- Barnes and Noble, Austin - clerk*
- Downtown Austin Alliance - Accountant*
- KPMG, Los Angeles - Tax Intern
- BDO Seidman, San Francisco - Tax Intern**
- PwC, Austin - Tax Associate
- PwC, Houston - Tax Associate*
* They offered me a job, but I declined.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ways to Get PJenkins to Do You a Favor
Any one of these tactics would work, but I used all of them today in a single request. No surprise. Success!
- Humility
- My own desperation
- If at all possible, play the cancer card
- Flattery
- Gratitude
Monday, January 18, 2010
Things that make my life better
- Blue hoodie from American Apparel
- Sorel house shoes
- Amazon Kindle
- Weber grill
- Balsamic vinegar
- iPod Shuffle
- Smart Wool socks
- Sirius/XM Radio
- Alcohol
- The refrigerator a co-worker brought to work and put right by my desk
- The water bottle and coffee cup I have at work that makes me feel like I'm saving the planet
Underrated Film de jure: August (2008)
Thoughts:
- Indie Wall Street
- Better yet...dot.com Death of a Salesman?
- Nicely assured showcase for the lead
- Seriously, this is ideal lead casting
- Given the timeline, refreshingly NOT a 9/11 story
- Hartnett is a true movie-star
- Is it too much to say this is nearly a perfect film?
- I really want to know what Jon and Blaine think*
* - Update your Netflix queue's (if you see fit)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Web Sites I Visit Every Weekday Morning (in order)
1. CTA Bus Tracker
2. Work e-mail
3. People
4. List Anything
5. CNN
6. Chicago Tribune
Side note - hotmail and facebook are blocked at work.
2. Work e-mail
3. People
4. List Anything
5. CNN
6. Chicago Tribune
Side note - hotmail and facebook are blocked at work.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Websites I Visit Every Morning (In Order)
- Yahoo (mail)
- Diet Blog
- List Anything
- Match (for Jim - this has given me so much enjoyment over the last few weeks)
- Netflix (to see what is being mailed)
- Hulu (to see what's in my queue for the day - mostly Daily Show)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Decade in Review 5 - Movies I Did Not Like A Lot
These are just the ones I saw that I thought I might like, with the exception of the one that I saw just because it had Jane Fonda in it even though I knew I wouldn't like it.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Mamma Mia!
Rachel Getting Married
Dan in Real Life
The Golden Compass
Babel
Crash
Monster in Law
The Family Stone
The Perfect Storm
A.I.
Coyote Ugly*
Meet the Parents
Love Liza
Cold Mountain
Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde
The Last Samurai
Sideways
*I thought it would be good-bad but it was just terrible-bad.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Mamma Mia!
Rachel Getting Married
Dan in Real Life
The Golden Compass
Babel
Crash
Monster in Law
The Family Stone
The Perfect Storm
A.I.
Coyote Ugly*
Meet the Parents
Love Liza
Cold Mountain
Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde
The Last Samurai
Sideways
*I thought it would be good-bad but it was just terrible-bad.
DIR: 2000 + Intro
Okay, so once I got hooked I couldn't stop. I decided to do a top ten for each year according to how I feel NOW, since I'm sure when I first saw each of these movies, I thought they were the best movie EVER. Whatevs.
*Proof of Life
*Amores Perros
*Sexy Beast
*Nine Queens
- Unbreakable
- Snatch
- You Can Count on Me
- In the Mood for Love
- Memento
- State and Main
- X-Men
- Battle Royale
- Charlie's Angels
- All the Pretty Horses
*Proof of Life
*Amores Perros
*Sexy Beast
*Nine Queens
DIR: 2001
- Heist
- LOTR: Fellowship
- Ocean's 11
- Royal Tennenbaums
- Hannibal
- Moulin Rouge
- Amelie
- Ghost World
- The Others
- Frailty
*Spy Game
*Session 9
*Wet Hot American Summer
DIR: 2002
- Chicago
- Narc
- LOTR: Two Towers
- Bourne Identity
- Road to Perdition
- Catch Me if You Can
- Minority Report
- Punch Drunk Love
- About a Boy
- 25th Hour
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