The only thing worse than being bored and grumpy is not knowing why...

center></center>You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

 So, Sarah's mum sent her these, and I'm not sure how much I agree with 'em, so I'm going to go through and give my take on them. Keep an mind I'm a little weird, so don't be too thrown off if my responses don't match.

"The Man Rules"­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
These are our rules! Please note, these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers. okay, this one is true, but I understand women aren't either. Still, if you don't say anything, don't expect us to.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. this is just bitching for bitching's sake. You're a big boy now, put up the fucking seat. Besides, the codes of being a gentleman dictate you cater to the woman's needs.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be. i don't watch sports, so this is just a moo point. I don't give a damn.

1. Crying is blackmail. i wouldn't call crying "blackmail," per se, but it does go a long way with me. I hate knowing I made woman cry, and I usually do anything to stop it, so it's more a guilt thing for me.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it! this is true to a point, but there is something to be said for reading between the lines. Not everything said is right out there. Give the extra effort you lazy ass.

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question. yes, but sometimes it's obvious to even a deaf person that more is required; if so expound on it.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. this is total bullshit. Sympathy is what the person you love is for, plain and simple.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and Void after 7 Days. again, bullshit. That's just not taking any responsibility for anything. Guys like this give other guys bad names.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us. depends. This is that catch-22. If you're in an honest relationship, maybe say something, but delicately.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE. laziness again. Say what you mean.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself. again, true to point. Either ask or tell, or help us while we're doing whatever, just don't complain about it afterwards

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.. nope, not true.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. what, is this based on total macho, not use brain at all guys?

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is. but it is possible to learn. I hate things like this where guys are painted so stereotypcially

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that. well...more or less, though we'll try not to do it public

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. not entirely true. Men who are actually paying attention will notice the difference. I try to be one of these.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear. this is sort of true.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really. haha, more or less, though more skin (as long as it is for one guy's (namely whomever your dating) benefits) won't get a whole lot of complaining on the time it takes

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or motor sports uh...no. I don't think about any of these with anything even bordering on regularity. If you're going to talk to me, it's going to be about lit, film or tv

1. You have enough clothes. sure, but if you enjoy it, go nuts.

1. You have too many shoes. depends. I don't really care. See above.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape! if I get out of shape, I want my woman to tell me (gently, though). I want to be appealing to her, so if that means working out, so be it.

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping. please, any jackass who would rather sleep on the couch than with the woman he loves should be on the streets. 

So, that's my take. Girls, feel free to flame me if you want. That's just how I feel.

 Happy Halloween...

...to those who aren't stuck at work, where nobody is fucking coming in.

Why has work been so boring lately? 

Why isn't it May 31? 

Why am I complaining? - because I'm bored. 

Oh yeah, thanks to rjade829for finding me this kick ass icon!

...is that every now and then the record labels will send a ton of free cds, and I got a haul today. Most of the ones I got I've never even heard before, but it's free, so hard to argue and you never know - you may find something great. Here's what I got:

The Frames - The Cost
The Rasmus - Hide From the Sun
The Fountain - Soundtrack (Mogwai and Kronos Quartet)
David Wilcox - Vista
Paul Brill - Harpooner
Mew - And the Glass Handed Kites
Sparrows Swarm and Sing - O'Shenandoah Mighty Death Will Find Me
Mute Math - Mute Math 
Million Billion - Ready. Fire. Aim. 
Cadillac Sky - Blind Man Walking 
The Rough Guide to The Blues
The Who - Endless Wire
Lindsey Buckingham - Under the Skin
Ray Charles/Count Baise - Ray Sings, Baise Swings
Ronnie Day - The Album
Future of Forestry - Future of Forestry 
Sarah Shannon - City Morning Song
Jim Salestrom - Step in Time

and I got in used:

Common - Be
Elvis Costello - The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Lots of music in my future. Hopefully they'll be some good ones

It's the best/worst part about working at a record store: access to CDs cheap. Sometimes I just go on these random spending sprees and buy a bunch of CDs and DVDs which I probably shouldn't, but what the hell. Tonight I bought three Ryan Adams CDs ("29," "Rock N Roll," and "Jacksonville City Nights") - and if you don't know Ryan Adams, you need to check his music out: here's what Rolling Stone said about his music: "earthy, rich with pathos and almost disconcertingly dedicated to the idea that life's only two constants are losing a lover you probably didn't deserve in the first place and losing yourself in the bottom of a fifth of Jack Daniel's" - and the "Goodnight and Good Luck" DVD. Viva needlessly spending money!

Ah, another 12-hour work-day Saturday. I love how work can kill a day like Saturday, but today was actually not too bad - I worked with Steph, who is like one of the coolest girls this side of the Mossossopis. We were pretty dead, so we played like an hour long "Top 5" game. Here's some of the topics we covered: Top 5 Rainy Day Songs, Top 5 Disney Cartoon Movies, Top 5 Vacation Spots, Top 5 Spots We Haven't Been To, Top 5 Wedding Locations, Top 5 Guilty Pleasures, Top 5 Periods in History We'd Like to Live, Top 5 Favorite Historical Figures, Top 5 People in History We Would Be, Top 5 "Cheer Me Up" Movies, Top 5 Saddest Movies and Top 5 Live Albums. It was great - just like a scene out of "High Fidelity." If I work with her all Saturdays, it won't be so bad.

So, here I am bored at work, and a ton of quizzes at my fingertips pilfered from aniraangel. I'll cut it, so you can check 'em out if your interested (which why you would be is beyond me). I only posted a few of the dozens I took =)

( Tests galore )

Which is worse? Being bored at work with time dragging to the point where you wonder if it's even moving at all, or having to rush home from said job to study for a math test, even though you're exhaused, and you're probably going to fail anyway? The correct answer is...your guess is as good as mine. Either way it sucks. Not to mention the fact that because I had to work I missed seeing Christopher Moore (a brilliant comedic writer for those of you who aren't familiar with him) at the Tattered Cover, which really pisses me of, because that's the second bloody time I've missed him. All I really want to do is either watch my "King Kong" DVD or work on my fanfics, but I'm going to be too ruttin' busy in the next couple days to do either. I've got quite a bit to do on my Book trilogy, and I wrote this (for me) really dark H/Hr story that I'm really excited about having people read, but that needs a lot of polish (and a possible companion story). And here I am doing math.

Well, I guess I could look at the bright side of things - there's a new "Lost" tomorrow that looks like it's going to be incredible, so I can't wait for that. And last night I got to hang out with my friend Whitney whose visiting from Florida. I didn't really expect to get that much of a chance to see her, so I guess that's why last night was so nice. We didn't even do that much; we pretty much just sat there and talked, but she's so easy to talk to, and I rarely get to do it for an extended period that it was a real treat. Plus she is so absolutely gorgeous that it borders on funny, but she's not completely aware of it, which makes it even better. She's one of those girls who makes me feel handsomer (I know that's not a word, but I'm too tired to care) just by being around her. Speaking as a guy, that's quite a nice feeling.

But she leaves early Thurs. morning so I probably won't see her again for who knows how long, and I'm just tired and grumpy and ready for summer vacation. I'm complaining a lot more than I usually do, so I deeply apologize to those of you who accidently read this. I'm sure I'll be back to my more cheerful self in a couple of days when this all settles down, and I get some writting done (funny how addictive it is, isn't it?) Again, I beg your forgivness for my unusual bad mood, but everyone has those days. Let's just hope this passes soon.

Good quote from a Counting Crows song I'll end with: "Today was just a day bleeding into another and that can't be what a life is for."

P.S. My actual mood could probably best be described as "snarling" (which I think should be a mood option; anyone agree?) but pessimistic is the best I can do for now. For the third and final time, sorry for the grumpy. Look forward to a happier me in a couple days!

I really love snowy days like these...that is, days when I'm at home and can enjoy them...instead of here at work, but that's okay. I get to listen to some good music while I'm here, so I guess it works out. I feel like I've been pretty productive this weekend; not only did I finish my piece for Ginni, but I just wrote a 9 page H/Hr piece on the fly while here at work. I think I'm pretty crazy for getting so into writing fanfics, but what can I say, I love it. I think there's something so enjoyable about playing around with character you already know and like, and taking them to places that they'd probably not go otherwise. Plus it's a nice challenge to try to maintain that character's...character, and traits. It's not easy. I don't care how nerdy people says it is, I love writing it. Who cares? Anyway, that H/Hr fic was written all freehand at work, so it'll probably be posted in a couple days when I get a chance to type it and edit/find it a beta. I've found someone kind enough to beta my Ginni fic, so I should have that posted by tomorrow or Tuesday. Hopefully it gets a good reception. Like I said, I like these snowy days. They make me think.

So, sitting here at work wishing I was home. We normally close at seven, but the past couple weeks we've been closing at six because it's been so dead; so while I was counting the drawers tonight some lady called and asked when we were closing and I said seven instead six as a reflex, so now I have to stay open another fuckin' hour so she can possibly show up. Rrrrg. This day has gone so slow...stupid Broncos; and they had to lose too. Uck. Man, this weekend sure was pretty uneventful; can't decide if that is a good or depressing thing. I did see "Match Point," which has like one of the best endings I've seen lately. This semester of school looks to be interesting; I'm excited about my writing classes, especially "Art and Craft of Writing," but why the bloody hell do we have to present our writings? Writers write so readers can read. That bothers me to no end. Other than that, I think I'm gonna be really busy with school, so in a way I'm glad my work hours have been cut a bit, but it means I'll have to be a little more cautious in my spending...which could be a problem. Finished "The Razor's Edge" today and it was great! Highly reccomended. Man, I wish there was more Firefly. I just read "Finding Serenity" last week and watched all the episodes with commentary, so I feel like it's over now. I'll just have to rely on the brilliant fanfic writers out there to keep the story alive. Speaking of, I should hopefully have the first part of my Book trilogy up soon. Ran out of things to say, so that's it for now.