Life has been pretty much kicking me in the rumpus. The time I don’t spend getting a swift boot in the rear, I’ve been spending acting like I’m a bonified Rock Star.
You know.. I use to mock people for playing something like Guitar Hero.. Now if they were playing a bonified instrument, like an Air Guitar, I’d understand…
And then I started playing, and well I’m addicted.. In a “I am forgetting to shower and take care of myself” kind of way..
Well, it’s not that bad but it seems to be..
I also had a nice little surprise party this weekend, that I was not prepared for. It was nice, growing older sometimes sucks, and it was nice to know that I have friends who care for me. I appreciate all of you who put in the time to put the party together.
In other news, I think I might want to buy a house, but I’m also looking at buying another pin.. But that’s stupid, cause I need a house for all the pins I have..
I’m planning on upgrading the Wordpress Blogging software, putting some photos for people to oogle at, showing of some of the art in my house, talking about my purchase of the LuvSac, and upgrading mission.net remotely… I’ll try to blog about it, but, well, you know.
I’ve been behind in blogging, email, pinball. You name it, I’ve been behind in it.
Well, I was catching up on email when I got this sent to me
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Study says firstborn children get more attention than siblings
From Daily Herald news services
Study says firstborn children get more attention than siblings
Eds: APNewsNow.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — A new study out of Brigham Young University says parents heavily favor their firstborn children with attention.
The study, based on data from the American Time Use Survey, says eldest children enjoy 20 to 30 minutes of attention more per day from parents than their siblings. Between the ages of 4 and 13, that difference adds up to about 3,000 extra hours. The study’s findings follow recent reports that firstborn children make more money, have more
education and score higher on IQ tests than others.
BYU economics professor Joe Price says the extra time is a product of families having more overall time to share when their kids are young and parents getting lazy as the
years go by.
Price’s younger brother refutes his findings.
I’ve always said I’m smarter than my siblings, and well, now I have proof..
I also learned that apparently, I am more loved.
Disclaimer: I am the eldest of two eldest children (so that makes me like 3x more smarter). And I would like to thank one of them for sending me that article
Most of the time, I’m procrastinating writing on the blog, because, well, it’s hard.
But right now, I’m procrastinating writing a yearly eval..
So.. To catch up… in no particular order
Become an Uncle (hi Braxton)
Become an Uncle again (Hi Miranda)
Became a Supervisor
Acquired another pinball machine
Acquired a Xbox 360 (when I could stick it to Kmart and get 20% off!)
Acquired Guitar Hero 3
Acquired Halo 3
Lost - Ooooodles of productive time
Acquired RockBand
- Started several bands with friends
- Almost had a band break up because of my need for PERFECTION.. Oh, and my Ego. I have to play the part
- Started looking for Rockband mods
Lost - Even more time
Went to Utah for Christmas
Came back from Utah
Had lots and lots of Work, at my place of employment
Acquired - LoveSac
Lost - Tons of money
Lost - My old favorite bean bag, who was flat, and lumpy.
Acquired - Extreme buyers remorse
Made lots of Sushi
Had some Skateboard art made for me.
Planning on making some skateboard art
Looking for a house
Obsessing - This Kilt — Yay, or nay?
And now, much like when the Crazy Baboon held up Simbas little cub, symbolizing that Disney can keep making the same junk over and over, and consumers will flock to the Disney stores and buy the same thing over and over, I think I am excited about the next Season of Lost.
Now.. I don’t remember what Season this is, because they play a round with the breaks so much (this is like season five or six, right?) .
I also am not going to rule out that the writers are just trying to make sure they can pay off their boats, or that a dog named Riley isn’t responsible for choosing the plot points, or that this isn’t really happening on the back of a turtle, because frankly, the writers haven’t yet proven to me that they aren’t going to pull the carpet out from under me.
At that point, I’m joining the Hyenas and killing off Simba’s son.
Or going back to watch an anemic Season of Heros (Is there like only one good writer that gets shared between these two shows?)
Here’s the conundrum. If I buy a house, I’ll just stick more junk into it.
Take for example, what Ebay sent me today.
A Rowe Jukebox, with over 90 CDs!. I’ve been lusting after one of these bad boys for a few years now, and it’s a cheap price, and I can Ebay the CDs for $3 each, and recoup $270, right?!?!!? Wait. I’m convincing myself. I need not to get it.
But it’s so PRETTY! And ooohhh has flashy lights!
But it’s bound to be 500 lbs, but so are all my other nick-nacks.
Ohhh.. Can’t decide.. so..
So..
Leave a comment to let me know which way I should fall in this quest for stuff I don’t need, but really, really want. (So that this jukebox can sit next to my Beta Brite Unit..)
I know. Blantant begging hasn’t helped on the blog. Begging for iPod touches got me nothing. But hey, it’s Christmas time and no time is better than now to start a list of material positions that I’m not to proud to beg for (and recycle last years list!)
First off though, I’d like to be serious. The cat in the above picture attacking my shoe is Zappa. He’s quite the crazy cat (plays fetch) and does other non cat things. I mean, heck, whilst Cat-Sitting him and my friends other cat, he protected me and smacked the other cat who was hissing at me. He’s got class, and he has a place in my heart (which isn’t really hard, considering I’m a cat person). Lets just say we are buds.
In the last week he got a blood clot in the back of his legs and he’s been at the vets. Its been touch and go, and he’s been incurring bills as he’s had to stay at the vet. If you like cats, if you like craziness, or think that this time of year is when giving is needed, and that there is a little crazy cat(and owners) that need some holiday cheer, and for something to go right for them, please consider clicking on the paypal button below and helping out this little guy.
It’s tis the season, right?
And now for my recycled last year list of stuff that I will continue to refine until the day where I get stuff!
Remember: I’m a nerd of many colors: (This Means I’m all types of nerd, Cooking Nerd, Photo Nerd, Pinball Nerd, Belt Buck Nerd. The list goes on)
For some reason, my eyes opened up at 4:20 am, and I was ready to shop!
WHAT THE HECK!?!?!
So, I participated in the day after holiday of Black Friday.
This involved me and my mother (who I just barely got over walking in front of to make sure she doesn’t embarrass me *Hi Mom!*) walking amongst the throngs of people who were fighting hand and tooth to get at what they wanted. I witnessed people with so much *stuff* that they were kicking piles of stuff as the line moved.
And then I got one thing and paid for it and was gone. Oh the sweet, sweet Irony.
We then wandered over to Target where people were running to get in line. Later on, I was laughing as people were pushing each other out of the way in the effort to find that one “super” deal.
Eventually I found my mom in line (after I was finished getting scowled at as I was laughing) and we started towards the check out. At this point I will liken this trip to those of the 49rs, or other great people who had a pilgrimage. It seemed to be that as we moved closer and closer more pieces of clothing and toys (we found a PSP and a karaoke machine) being disguarded as people slogged their way to the check out. Some were bound to be running out of food and water, others, freezing to the ground as they walked across the plains… Wait.. Strike that, I automatically went into Pioneer day mode, sorry. So, as I disguarded my tool chest that I found I didn’t need, I made my way to the forefront and paid for my stuff. Two DVDs.
I mean, I like collecting stuff as much as the next guy, but for the most part, mine weigh 300lbs and make all kinds of clattery sounds and blinky lights.
You know. I could blog about my journey into handiness.
You know, the one where I helped a friend of mine change out my serpentine belt, and then my truck battery, and how I totally ripped up my thumb in a wrench related accident, and make the stereotypical male grunting noises (gruunt gruuuuunntt). I won’t though, because this blog totally deserves to see my other obsession.
Wait. Re-reading the last paragraph, and seeing how many times I used the word totally makes me like, totally feel like I am channeling a Valley girl, I have to like, Totally stop that.
So where was I?
Oh yes.
As some might have deduced from my sly references to arcade games, I’m a collector/restorer of Pinball machines and hopefully Arcade Games. In a recent article from some Fancy San-Francisco news paper it interviews some guys who are now my heros. From the article:
When the old arcades closed, however, the games of Robotron, Punch Out and Moon Patrol only seemed to disappear into thin air. Nostalgic collectors, many with the restorative passion of a muscle-car enthusiast and the lack of restraint of a crazy cat lady, have rebuilt their own wonderful arcades in garages, warehouses and lofts. And for the most part, they really want you to play with them.
You know, I’ve always been looking for words to describe my obsession with Arcade/Pinball machines. “Crazy Cat Lady” kind of fits that bill. Though friends and family, they’d probably call it something else due to the fact that like only half of them work. I get compared to Red Necks more times than I like to admit.
So. Without much further ado, here’s my Collection. For you to drool over and lust after (Well at least Gordon.)
Arcade Games
Battlezone
Star Wars
Dragons Lair
Primal Rage
Killer Instinct 2
Pinball Machines
The Addams Family
Dr. Who
Twilight Zone
Terminator 2
Fish Tales
Star Trek The Next Generation
Brahm Stokers Dracula
Pinbot
The Shadow
Indiana Jones Pinball Adventure
Whitewater
Johnny Mnemonic
Star Wars
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Edition
Dealers Choice
Is it because I’ve been obsessing about an Xbox 360 (when in reality, I’ll only play one game)?
Is it because I’ve been dealing with a full personal life?
Is it because my laptop bit the dust?
Is it because I’ve been saving up all my blog energy/creativity to post a obvious “I Want” Christmas List?
Is it because I got a new pinball machine?
The answer is no, no, no, yes, no.
In reality, I don’t know what’s going on, or why I’ve been so lax.
But, if you want a look into my psyche or are after a nerd of your own, you might want to read this little article by Rands in Repose called The Nerd Handbook. He describes very much what I feel myself to be like. Even more when he mentions the Nerd Cave.
I’ll admit it, I have a Nerd Cave. I’ll admit it, because everyone else will tell me that I have one after they read the article.
And family members have been recipients of “The Snap”.
Just wanted to send out some congrats to my Dad who ran for a City Counsel seat in Payson. He even got some press about the whole thing because there were only a few votes between him and the next contender.
He was hitting the streets, putting up signs and working to get elected because he cares about the community he lives in.
I’ve been at this point in my life where I haven’t been buying a whole lot.. Some sushi stuff, but not a whole lot.. Recently I decided to buy a new laptop.. And that just hasn’t happened..
And then Apple had to go and release its whole new line of iPods. Now, understand two things about me. First. I am frugal. Friends (Brendo, Tiwire can atest) and family will tell you I am. The common joke during the winter is that when I open up the door to let people in, I’m letting the ice cold outside warm up my apartment (because naturally, I keep the thermostat way down. I have blankets! Why should I care!). Second, I’ve never liked Apple or the iPod. I beta tested (where you work on hardware to find bugs, but get to keep the electronic toys for free - see, frugal) Rios line of hand mp3 players. That was going swimmingly. I was getting all the coolest new gadgets, these guys made my Empeg MP3 car Player (Way before it’s time) and then the Japanese Company that owned them just shuttered the doors.
I was bummed, but I stuck it out. Nothing was better than my Rio mp3 players. Family members started jumping ship like rats jumping off the Titanic. Getting their trendy little iPods. Still. I hung strong. I put more hard drives in my car player, and was smug (Did I mention I got the car player for like 60% off during a firesale? See. Frugal).
Then Apple had to do it. They’ve release the iPod Classic this bad boy clocks in at 160 Gigs, and it plays video. And it can take my entire mp3 collection from my mp3 car player. And to add insult to injury, they added the iPod touchscreen. It’s like the iPhone, but without the phone, which is what I want
So here’s my conundrum. I am too frugal to buy the thing outright. So I have to find someone with an educational discount or federal discount (or find out if work has a discount) or I can pan handle (heck, I added Adsense to the blog, and lets just say for two years, I’ve only made somewhere between 15 and 25 dollars (since I don’t want to break googles TOS, I won’t say exactly how much).
So here’s the deal, you paypal me money, and I’ll start blogging again. Or stop again. I don’t care, as long as I get the iPod Classic.
Kidding.
Seriously, if you have any kind of discount, or know of one, or just want to mock me and my frugalness, send me an email or leave a comment.
