Creativity, just a dash...

So I went through another stage of opening up boxes and "placing" things in their new resting spot around the crib. Of course, I made a mess that will eventually get tidy'd up. But then it ocurred to me that among my present set of furniture a few things are missing or rather needed to round out the look of the place. So I made the first effort to rectify this with the decorating of my entry way. I took a few shots with and without flash to get an idea of what it will look like.


I bought this table and mirror combo at Pier 1 for a steal, plus they threw me a 10% off coupon when I stepped in the door (sweet). I needed something to serve as a first focal point as well as where I could place keys, wallet, etc. when I first get in.


Here's the same shot but sans flash so I could see the light from the Tiffany lamp I purchased at Lincoln Lighting. The lamp originally was more than the mirror and table but I snagged it on sale too. The other items I already owned.


This is an opposite side shot including the matching mirror.


Again, same shot sans flash.

Now the next thing is the wall I was standing against which right now is bare. But that can wait for another idea to surface! LOL

SYS

Quizzes are like Sudoku... Addicting!!!

I am...

Captain James T. Kirk- You are the paradigm of the
Starfleet Captain. You explore the universe.
You save lives. What's a few small fractures
of protocol when you've saved the galaxy more
times than you can count. Hell, you even
brought peace between the Federations and the
Klingons.


Which Star Trek Captain are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

***

Your Heart Is Pink

In relationships, you like to play innocent - even though you aren't. Each time you fall in love, it's like falling for the first time. Your flirting style: Coy Your lucky first date: Picnic in the park Your dream lover: Is both caring and dominant What you bring to relationships: Romance

What Color Heart Do You Have?

***

You Are the Investigator

5 You're independent - and a logical analytical thinker. You love learning and ideas... and know things no one else does. Bored by small talk, you refuse to participate in boring conversations. You are open minded. A visionary. You understand the world and may change it.

What number are you?

Thanks Cricket for more avenues of self discovery! ;)

SYS

Happy Gobble-Gobble Everyone!

For all those traveling today (or this weekend), travel safe!

For all those cookin' their asses off, I hope it doesn't get too hot in the kitchen!

For all those planning on stuffin' their pie holes, don't wear your belts too tight!

And for all those watching the pigskin games, try not to make asses out of yourselves!

LOL

In other words...

Happy Thanksgiving!

SYS

Videos are too much fun

Was doing some blogging and found these gems over at Google Video:

Beck's test robots for new vodeo

The octopus owns the shark

Technical difficulties with a bra

Japanese love to torture animals on TV game shows

On more of an academic note, I really wish they had electives like these I could have taken when I was getting my master's in Education instead of "Computers for Teachers." Shite. Smelly is a smart cookie! Check these out at BCIT:

MDIA 1112 and MDIA 2112.

And last but not least...

Please, people. Seriously, I'm taking to you all. For the love of all that is sacred and special on this earth. For the love of nature, the world and our way of life as we know it. Can everyone please add Lapsnorkling to their everyday language. It would make the whole world, especially for our children a much safer place, really!

In case you are unfamiliar with the phrase go here.

SYS

Would I call myself a sinner, really?

In case you are wondering I also have a Myspace blog of sorts that basically directs readers back here. I broke down and opened a Myspace page at the behest of several users who raved about it. So I did, but do not feel the need to maintain two versions of my blog. So all are directed here to get the nitty-gritty on me and what marbles are still rattling around upstairs.

Thanks to one fellow Myspacer, I discovered this questionaire that I thought was really interesting about The Seven Deadly Sins. So I filled it out and the results are below:


WRATH
1. Who did you last get angry with?
I got pissed at my father of all people. Heh.

2. What is your weapon of choice?
1st - The English language. 2nd - My mitts.

3. Would you attack a member of the opposite sex?
Only to preserve my own life if it came to that.

4. How about of the same sex?
Please see answer number 3 above.

5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
My ex.

6. What is your pet peeve?
People who are clueless.

7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
It depends on how deep the wound really is.

SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time?
Take a multi-vitamin and an aspirin. I hate taking pills.

2. What is the latest you've ever woken up?
Around 1:30 in the afternoon, but I felt like I slept the whole day away.

3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but havent?
Hiram in Seattle, WA.

4. What is the last lame excuse you made?
"I just wasn't feeling very well!"

5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
Yes, unfortunately its the only sure fire thing to make me fall asleep.

6. When was the last time you got a good workout in?
The day before yesterday at the gym.

7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
I don't have an alarm clock.

GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
Red Bulls.

2. Meat eaters: white meat or dark meat?
Both are good just as long as we're talking fish or poultry. Red meat or pork are not my favorites.

3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?
On my 30th birthday (this past May) I consumed 28 white russians during the course of the night, along with a few other beverages. But my friends know for sure how much I had at my college graduation party. I blacked out during that one.

4. Are You comfortable with your drinking habits?
Four months before my trip to Tanzania, Africa I didn't touch any alcohol which made me feel proud to know I could stop whenever I wanted or needed to. So that's a yes!

6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods?
I like Spicy foods the most. I don't really have too much of a sweet tooth since I was young.

7. Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"?
No, but I've looked at a child's mother and thought, "Yummy!"

LUST
1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family)?
I run out of fingers and toes.

2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting family)?
Too many, especially when i was shit-faced and feeling silly.

3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?
No. But just because you weren't caught...

4. Have you had sex?
Boy have I.

5. What is your favorite body part on a person of your gender of choice?
Dead tie: Eyes and Neck.

6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
Yes.

7. Have you ever gotten tested for STDs or pregnancy?
Yes.

GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own?
Five. Three are from the same bank, though.

2. What's your guilty pleasure store?
Best Buy or Homer's Music.

3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
Pay the taxes on the million first, then pay off my student loan, pay off any other debts, take a trip to australia, help out any of my family/friends, then invest wisely.

4. Would you rather be rich, or famous?
I'd rather be "wealthy" actually.

5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?
Yes, my life has always been my greatest source of interest. A job is a job.

6. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?
4 No shit.

PRIDE
1. What one thing have you done that you're most proud of?
I completed my Master's Degree under very trying circumstances.

2. What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
I was the first in the family to go to college and graduate with a degree, B.S. in Biology.

3. What thing would you like to accomplish later in your life?
I want to be a great Dad to my children.

4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
I wouldn't call it "annoyed" but more concerned. I would self-reflect on the reason(s) why I didn't come in first.

5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of?
Hmmm?

6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score?
No, even though I have had the opportunity several times.

7. What did you do today that you're proud of?
Was there for a friend in need.

ENVY
1. What item of your friends would you most want to have for your own?
My friends and I have some really different tastes. I would have to say nothing.

2. Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with?
I don't really like the show.

3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
No one.

4. Have you ever been cheated on?
Yes. It sucks.

5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
Yes. I wish I didn't have pinchable cheeks, on my face I mean.

6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
A milder temper.

7. Finally, what is your favorite Deadly Sin?
Lust, definitely. Some are addicted to food, drugs, gambling, etc. I'm addicted to sexual release!


SYS

The Google'd Life of Strong Island Dave.

Thank you, Audra for introducing me to this neat little exploration into the world of Google Images. I think this is the coolest thing. Its interesting how meaningful things in your life manifest in the image catalogue.

The premise: Place the answers to these seven questions sans (without) any punctuation marks into the search field on Google Images and pick your favorite image from the "first" page of results:

1. What town did you grow up?
2. What is your first and last name?
3. What is your favorite food?
4. What is your favorite beverage?
5. What is your favorite scent?
6. What is your favorite song?
7. What are/were your grandmother's names?


Here are my results:

Town Where I Grew Up: Patchogue, NY


Now I believe this man is operating a machine switch used to switch the track lines located atop the observation tower at the Patchogue train station. But there was no additional commentary regarding the photo so I cannot be absolutely sure. Although, my next logical guess was that he was operating an old draw bridge but there aren't any draw bridges in Patchogue.

My First and Last Name: David Marlborough


This is a photo of Lieutenant John J C Irving aboard the HMS Marlborough circa 1920. I picked this photo because I never realized a battleship was named after Marlborough, England. Plus, I have a fondness for vintage photos.

My Favorite Food: Egg Whites


This is pretty self-explanatory. Although, I would love to know where I could find a product like this in Lincoln, NE. I haven't been able to have egg whites since I moved here. Just whole eggs or Egg Beaters. Shite!

My Favorite Beverage: Tea


This is a picture of chinese Green Tea powder. Instead of having the green tea in a bag to steep in hot water, you simply add this powder to hot water and stir. I have had tea powder only once before at a restaurant but I do not think it was green tea powder. I'd like to get ahold of this stuff, though.

My Favorite Scent: Jasmine


This is also self-explanatory since it is a picture of the flower of the same name. Damn it, I went ahead and explained it. Ooops...

My Favorite Song: Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) by Maxwell


Here he is! The modern day king of cool. Nobody's smoother than this cat! Check out his album Embrya if you don't believe me. But be warned. Please stock up on contraceptives before listening to this record with your main squeeze. 'Cause like Barry White, Maxwell has been responsible for his fair share of conceptions due to his sensual voice, lyrics and grooves!

My Two Grandmother's First Names: Gertrude and Miriam

Miriam


Now my grandmother on my mother's side, Miriam, was a damn attractive woman. I have seen pictures of her when she attended Packer College in NYC back in the '40s. It was no wonder why my grandfather quickly took her off the available list. But I know she didn't look like this Miriam. I have just one word, "Whoa!" I'd like to take her to the candy shop...

Gertrude


Now I believe this is either a picture of a primrose or a climbing rose of the Gertrude variety. I love flowers and think this specimen is beautiful - just like Gertrude was when she was alive!

SYS

Saturday Night in the suburbs!

For the new readers who don’t know this already, I’m a huge fan of UFC, Bushido and KO fighting organizations. Anytime one of their pay-per-view events is on I almost never miss ‘em. So last night I had a great time watching UFC 56 where both Matt Hughes and Georges St. Pierre won their matches in clear fashion. This UFC had more blood and knockouts than last one that’s for sure!

On a side note, UFC 56 was sponsored by the new movie Aeon Flux. I checked out the website and was pleased to find Charlize Theron as the star, and btw not looking like some homicidal monster a la Monster. I still watch that movie and cringe when I see her. By all means she is a good actor and she did a good job in the film but my gawd was she hideous. I’m glad to see that she will be back to her ultimately shaggable self in Aeon Flux. That black form fitting outfit caught my attention immediately as well as the porcelain skin underneath. (Check out the photo gallery with the one shot of her in the prone position… yummy!) Besides, I’ve always been turned on by chicks that are beautiful yet tough. You know, someone who could totally grab me by my ears, throw me down, and shag my brains out! Don’t worry ladies I’m still holding interviews… ;)

So I get a call from big Bauer to hang out and do some drinking at this place called the Outpost or the “OP” as locals call it. I figured what the hell since Mattman had already gave the place some props. Bauer is good people. We played beer pong the other weekend and hit it off well, besides kicking other teams’ asses. I got to apologize to him again for knocking the heavy bag off the chain twice. I was beating myself up for not sinking those key shots. But we ended up winning anyway so no harm or foul. I really don’t like messing up other people’s things since I didn’t ask him if I could punch it first. Then I go and knock the thing off the damn chain. I was asking for trouble, but thanks to Raj and Mattman they fixed it with no damage. But punching that bag sure felt good to vent my frustration, although it took some skin off both my knuckles. (Oh well.)

Now the OP is definitely a trashy by Long Island standards at least. But in defense, it is your really local type place and has appeal for some of the rebels who want to still smoke in bars, since it is located outside the city of Lincoln. That said, by the time we got out of that place I had a half-assed headache from the contaminated air. Bauer, Rob and Ryan had competed in the keg bowl race earlier in the night and were seriously drunk. So they helped me catch up by springing for my beers the rest of the night. Apparently a keg bowl race is where a group of four guys has to drink 55 pints of beer between them in under an hour. The fastest team wins something other than a hangover but I forgot what the guys were telling me last night. I had a good time chilling out with those chaps and seeing what the scene is like outside of the city. The scene is a bit rougher around the edges but there are still hot chicks. I am kicking myself for not talking to the one shag who ordered a pitcher of brew next to me at the bar.

I look at her because she has very dark, very pretty eyes. Nice. As my gaze falls lower, I see she is wearing a very thin gold choker around her neck. Sweet. Gaze falling lower still, I see she has on a cute form-fitting suede blazer with a white button up blouse underneath. Cool. I like the look of a short cropped blazer on a chick when she wears a collared blouse. Paired with jeans it just looks too sharp, yo! Then I notice all of the buttons on her blouse are unbuttoned revealing very ample endowments. My place? In No Limit Hold 'Em terms I was all in, baby. This immediately caused my gaze to return to her face in an attempt to read her. Her eyes looking back at me was what I was greeted with. Hey now. She cracked a slight grin below steady eyes which I interpreted as meaning, “Yes, I have great tits. Yes, this outfit displays them well. No, don’t think of opening your mouth because I am not in the mood to hear another line.”

“Fine by me, babe” my eyes spoke back to her. So she paid for her pitcher and returned to her group of friends most of whom were guys anyway. I didn’t feel so bad.

The evening was rounded out by me following Bauer back to his place to have some Scotch and watch a DVD. It turns out that Bauer is into Schwarzenegger as much as I am. So he popped in a Conan DVD and we enjoyed some violence on the screen, Scotch and a few laughs talking about bars, chicks and working out. Once Bauer had passed out, I made my exit because Bauer’s roommates had come back from their night out, so at least they could keep an eye on him.

SYS

To everything there is a season...

I write this with my warmest thoughts and prayers to my friend who has a lot on his plate at the moment. In times like this it is amazing just how truly powerful the love of family and friends is. It can steady us when we stumble. It can carry us when we haven't the strength to walk tall. In turn, it strengthens each of us so we can all be strong for our loved ones.

To my friend,

I wish you and your family God's speed in this melancholy hour. Even though I am not with you, I am with you always. Be strong. Love ya, buddy!

David

P.S. Do not hesitate to call me for any reason!

I guess Fall is over then? Wonderful...

You know how the light is different in the morning after it has snowed outside? You can tell it has even before you open the blinds and take a peek. Well, not that I don't like the snow (quite the contrary, actually) but I really wasn't ready for this yet.



This snowfall, while minimal, was at best just a mess. It started out as a mixture of sleet and snow which left slush on the sidewalks (lucky I had some decent boots) and the roads. But after a couple of hours the snow was more like actual flakes but that didn't last very long. Barring the remnants of the white stuff, everything looked like it had rained outside rather than snowed. Bleh. I would rather it snow like hell than be freezing rain and sleeting.

One thing I am thankful for is the remote start I have for my truck. I started my truck about twenty minutes before I was ready to leave and I had hardly any snow/ice to scrape off, plus it was toasty inside. Cool beans, err, you know what I mean! :)



Funny thing is they say it will be back to the fifties later this week. Can't Indian Summer and Winter make up their minds already?

SYS

One of those days...

Mondays aren't normally on my shit list but today was just too annoying! Not anything too heavy mind you but just enough nonsense to make me feel like this guy:


Charlie not feeling very well...

Before passing out though, I needed to run serious errands.

First up, (I needed to do a bit of grocery shopping, anyway) was to head to another Hyvee location to see if they carry egg whites. Yes, I am still on a mission looking to find egg whites. NOT egg protein (albumen) powders, NOT whole eggs (they are everywhere), NOT Egg Beaters but egg whites. I forget the name of the actual brand I used to buy back home but not only was it convenient to have just whites in a resealable container but measuring out how much to prepare was also easy peezy lemon squeezy! Plus, I hate cracking a whole egg, straining out the whites and throwing away the yolk with the shell. Its a waste of time and the yolk. Once again, my mission came up short. Although, I did receive a hot lead. There is an organic grocery located somewhere on South Street that may have what I am looking for! *fingers crossed*



For those of you unfamiliar with Viper Alarms, this is the two-way fob that comes with my alarm system for my truck. It can do remote start which was a heaven sent this past winter, plus some other bells and whistles besides the arm/disarm functions. Well, the battery door on the back of the unit fell off at sometime during the latter half of last week. I only noticed it missing because instead of the blue door I saw a Duracell logo when I took it out of my pocket. After looking in all of the unusual places an object that small could have fallen into I found nothing. "No big deal," I thought to myself. I'll just go down to an alarm shop and see if they have replacement parts for the fobs. Well, they don't carry replacement parts for the fobs, just replacement fobs at $100 each. SHIT! SHIT! DOUBLE-SHIT!!!

So I bite the bullet and fork over the dough for the new fob. But now I have two perfectly functioning fobs, one sans battery door. On the brighter side, I have the corporate website for Viper Alarms and will contact them to see if they can send me a replacement battery door. Since I have a recent receipt and part number for the fob maybe I will luck out. We'll see.

I get out to my car after the dudes get done programming the new fob to work with my alarm and I hop in the driver's seat. You ever get that feeling when your wallet doesn't feel the same as it always does in your pocket? Well, I got that feeling. I whip out my wallet and see that I, indeed, took back my credit card from the counter person at the alarm shop. Good, Dave. Okay, what then? Well I look at all my cards and see that I no longer have my Citibank ATM card. FREEKIN' LOVELY! Not that I am worried about someone using it (not possible) but I hate it when you have to go through all the bullshit of ordering a new card and then waiting for it to arrive without accessing my account. Lucky for me my memory is still pretty good because I realized that I left it at Bricktop last night. I arrived late for Reynolds spinnin' 80's Night but caught a good portion of his set. As I was leaving the place at closing I was talking with a few friends, couple cute birds and simply headed off to my truck when we said our goodbyes. Not a problem, then. I stop by Bricktop, pick up my card and I'm back on my way.

So my last mission today was to purchase Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 to finish up on some video editing I am doing for footage Sashka took on our trip to Tanzania. So I hop in Best Buy in town, get the software, pay and I'm out the door likity-split! Head home and start to install the software. I get about five minutes into it and I get a prompt that says:

"System does not meet minimum requirements. System needs SDEE2 compliant something-or-another."

TRIPLE SHIT!!! I really am stumped because I run PhotoShop CS2 on this same machine and I can't imagine why it would not support Premiere Elements. Either way, I had been putting off purchasing a desktop PC for my office here so I guess I should get that done. Not that I mind using my laptop, but for more involved tasks I'd rather take advantage of a PC-juiced and my large Viewsonic flatscreen. Just makes some projects easier all around.

So to summarize this Monday, I would say it had many disappointments some of which could see resolutions real soon. I guess I could have worse problems, eh? ;)

SYS

Fun With Google Video

Brought by popular demand, here is the video from Bricktop featuring "the circle jerks." Music in the background is part of DJ Mattman's excellent set.

SYS

Doesn't seem like a lot...

My blog is worth $5,080.86.
How much is your blog worth?

Productive day digging for gems!

Thanks to Tres and Charles for their patience and expertise. Digging at Homer's is quite nice and productive...



Plus, I got most of these on markdown. You can't knock the hussle, baby! :)

SYS

Midwestern City Nights

I know what you're thinking. Another night at Bricktop, Dave? Pfff! Those that know me uber-well realize that I am a slave to a few key things. First, great music is what I am all about. Great electronic music is MASSIVE! Second, being able to go to a place where everyone knows your name (cue the Cheers theme here, psyche!) is always cool especially if the people are inviting and the vibe is happening. And third, birds, birds and more BIRDS! They seemed to be out in flocks last night! I knew the night would be awesome the moment I stepped in the door.

And when I did DJ Mattman had just begun his two hour set and he was already bumpin' the early crowd with some hard house staples. Not sure if it was my illuminated smile (thanks to a 1" lime green glow stick) or perhaps the Marc Ecko track jacket I broke out the closet for the night, but I was instantly approached by these two bubbly Bricktoppers.



We chatterboxed about music, their friend's birthday party along with said friend's ample endowments as well as Long Island night life. Seems a Long Island accent is sexy. Who knew? I had my first cocksucker in Lincoln too. (Get your minds out of the gutter, peops. LOL) I'm referring to the drink! Plus, I tried something called a "spicy turkey parts" shot or something along those lines. When I knocked it back it tasted more like Creme de Mint and tabasco sauce. Weird. But still some fun chicks, you shorties rock!



Reynolds was also in attendence and it wasn't even his night to work the bar! For a guy who works as hard as he does (tending bar and spinning '80s night) for Bricktop you'd think the last place he would want to hang out would be here. That just shows you how cool Bricktop is and the loyal patrons it attracts. I said it before and I'll say it again, I've definitely found my new haunt in the downtown!



Matt kicked ass for real! Judging from frequent conversations throughout the night Matt was a bit hard on himself and his performance as a whole. (Dude, if you're reading, you need not be!!!) Tracks were chosen well and there was no low point in your set. Once the floor filled up it STAYED full which is always a good sign. Even some middle-aged ladies who were passing through stayed for a few tracks to shake their asses to the beat, kid! Since meeting him earlier in the week Matt is super cool and is not a music snob like some DJs I've met in the past. Like Reynolds, Chuckles and Alex he has gone out of his way to welcome me to Bricktop and the music scene here in Lincoln.

After closing time at Bricktop (it's still hard getting used to the 1:00 am closings), Matt and I rolled to a kegger after party (yes!) and chilled 'til the wee hours of the morning. I'm bad with names in general but I was introduced to all so many people, lot's of whom were at Bricktop earlier. I never forget faces so all the peops I chatterboxed with will get warm greetings in the future!

Be sure to check back for additional photos AND videos I took of DJ Mattman and DJ Crucial Bricktop session!

SYS

"See dreams the size of which you've never known before..." - Crazy, Seal

So I hung out at Bricktop's last night. No, not this ornery cunt:



but this Bricktop.

Bricktop back in the day was known as "1427" a high brow club/bar, the place I remembered when visiting Lincoln in the '90s. Today, however, Bricktop is probably THE place in Lincoln to hear quality music every night of the week as resident DJs spin all sorts of styles from Hip Hop (no shit mind you), downtempo, electro, trance and deep house. The dress is casual and the atmosphere is much more laid back and friendly. Needless to say, I think it is safe to say I have found my new "haunt" in downtown Lincoln!

Tuesdays is Hip Hop night so last night was filled with very infectious familiar beats from the not so distant past. AT this moment I forget the DJs name but he played a pretty good set which included Jurassic Park, Pharcyde, NWA, Beasties mostly west coast, which makes sense for this area. To be honest, I have not had an itch to spin in years but last night I was feenin' something major!

You know they have break dancers in Lincoln?? This was news to me too, and luckily I had my Moto RAZR handy to snag a couple of shots (should have had my T7 though, as the picture quality of the Moto's camera is a little sketchy).


Even the shorties worked the floor.


At least the dudes didn't look like some wanna-bes out of an Allure video spinnin' on their lips.

You know the dude who knows the dude who's roomates with these two dudes well the taller dude...

Networking has been going pretty well as I learn about the local scenes, pubs and people "in the know" here in this conservative town. I met a few cool cats through my passion for music that I see budding into something really cool. I know something really cool is gonna happen because I've never had the desire to be this close to the
turntables in a long time. Boy did it feel good again!


Aren't they so pretty you just wanna put your hands all over them? Under normal circumstances I'd be referring to birds. ;)


Hell, I must have chatterboxed with this cat for like four hours over drinks, pizza and infectious grooves. This guy is way cool!

Before I end I have to send a cool shout to Tres for referring me to Bricktop's stellar vibe. Another shout goes to Reynolds the bartender for introducing me around to some of the peops last night and for sharing some pretty decent pizza (probably the best I've had so far).

SYS