I have a feeling daddy will be going away for a while...

Okay, I should've written "Kiddo" instead of 'daddy', but it's a line from the original Vacation and you just don't mess with lines from that movie (even though I probably didn't get it exactly right).
ANYWAY --- I'm in the midst of packing stuff I don't want to throw away, yet don't know why I'm keeping. Including my dishes, furniture, etc. Packing sucks. I'm not moving again until 2006. This is when I'll be buying a condo/townhouse...and 2006 is when I have my ten-year reunion, so I don't want to go there w/out at least owning a house. ALthough, why should I care? Most of my classmates are still living in the hometown area - nothing wrong with that, but just not for me.
Okay, fine...I'll get back to packing. Probably won't be on again until Monday...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Hope nothing scared you too much, HotBabe & Lynne. I know what will scare me -- a Warrant 'concert' in Columbia Heights (a friend of mine calls it Columbia Frights, so I'm already thoroughly petrified...even without "She's My Cherry Pie" playing in the background). Lynne, Columbia Heights is a horrid suburb here in the good ol' Twin Cities. BUT...Hairball is opening and they are fun. Plus my '80s-obsessed friend Tammy is joining and has been dying to see Hairball. Wish me luck...this happens Saturday night. HotBabe, Dan, Stacy & other Twin Cities - IF you should happen to go, I'll be the one in the Roman gear. Just yell, "Hey, Dionysus!!" Tammy is dressed as Janis Joplin and my co-worker friend might be with us dressed as a kitty. God, we're weird. Anyway, CHEERS!

Like a Good Neighbor....Who Should be There?

My friend Tara, who lives in Naperville, Ill., just emailed and totally non-chalantly just informed that her apartment burned yesterday. Well, the one on top of her's burned and her's is ruined by water & smoke. This is a sign that I need to get renters' insurance...State Farm?? Anyway, at least she can go on a huge shopping spree now! A fire would be fun - except for losing your pictures & other irreplaceables...Plus, firemen are involved.

Pumpkin Mania

I'm officially addicted to pumpkin-flavored treats. Yesterday I got another Pumpkin Spice Latte (non-fat) from Starbucks (delish). Last night I was craving Dairy Queen and I was thrilled to discover they have a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. I got a small. It was okay, but not what I hoped for. Now today, one of the ladies brought Pumpkin Truffles...YUM. What am I going to do when Thanksgiving is past?? Looks like I'll have to find Egg Nog treats...

And speaking of bringing treats to work. This new job is insane with treats. They're always bringing cookies, M&Ms (weakness), huge Hershey bars & such. They're gonna have to roll me down the hallway soon. Diet & gym routine start Nov. 1st!!!

You can call me Dionysus

So, I already requested help on Dan's blog, but thought I should utilize my own too. Last year, my friends wanted me to go out in La Crosse, Wis., with them for Halloween (a FUN, FUN town by the way). My mother sews and I found a pattern to be this Roman Noble type dude. The costume is basically like a tank dress with short skirt - it's white with gold trim stuff on it. It has a purple satin cape attached to one shoulder. A thin gold rope goes around the waist. Where can I find Roman sandals?? Or, do you think leather flip-flops from American Eagle will be okay??

Oh, and I'm telling people that I'm Dionysus, the God of Wine (Greek name). Roman name is Bacchus, and that just doesn't sound as impressive.

Career Aptitude Test -- Look out, Genevieve!!

Oddly enough, I rec'd an Email inviting me to take a career test today, so I did and actually paid the $12 for the results. Guess what my #1 job was? Yep - Interior Designer. Runners-up are Architect, Film Editor, Graphic Artist, Creative Writer, Commercial Artist and Musician. I could have told you the best matches for me would be creative in nature...Not surprised. The test was from Tickle.Com - they have a whole bunch of different personality tests and a real IQ test (I don't remember what mine is).

I already have looked into interior design...toured an I.D. college in Chicago and was really interested...however, this would mean starting over and having to do things like internships and very entry-level work again...It's a calamity.

Case of the Mondays....On Tuesday

I am just a worthless pile today. Ever have those days where you just don't FEEL LIKE doing your stuff at work?? I mean, I like my job mostly and do have really productive days to make up for bad Tuesdays, but it always makes me wonder what job is out there for me that will excite me...as in, I'll WANT to do the work b/c it's fun. Do you think anyone gets paid to Blog?? Is there anyway to become Genevieve's (from Trading Spaces) decorating partner w/out having any design training?? She *is* from Minnesota...Must find her e-mail address. Another fun job would be designing advertisements & stuff...I should have gone into graphic design. I thought my public relations major would lead to a career in event planning (including the design of brochures, invitations, etc.), but....that....didn't....really....work....out. UGH. Career Counselor, help!! Oh well - at least I do like my current job - just don't really feel like I was "meant" to do it. Does anyone??

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y...NIGHT!

"Keep on dancin' by the washin' machine on Saturday night, Saturday night!"



I'm pretty sure the Bay City Rollers didn't have that in mind for a good Saturday night. I was in the elevator on my way up from putting MORE laundry in on Saturday evening thinking how sad it was that I was wearing a super-cool new lil' outfit ensemble and doing laundry with no plans for the evening when I saw my fun across-the-hall-neighbor. She said she and her boyfriend MIGHT get some beer and hang out, and would let me know if I was interested. If beer's involved, I'm interested. So, I spent the next few hours napping and doing laundry. Is it sad when you break a sweat doing laundry?? THat's really bad. I need to get back to the gym. Anyway, I did end up getting a bottle of Captain and went to their apartment to drink and play Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary (I won -- love useless knowledge). They wound up drinking half my Captain, but that's fine. They had beer to trade. Then we had the hankering to listen to Big Band music and did the swing dance for about two songs. Broke a sweat again. Horrid being out of shape...even worse when Glenn Miller witnesses it.

Tech people are creepy sometimes

So my friend (& co-worker) and I had to go to this software testers "convention" today to represent our company and maybe get some job candidates out of it. Most of the people seemed pretty suburban-normal, but others just weirded me out. First of all, I was stalked by this guy...he kept staring at me and then came to talk to me and his eyes were piercing through me. Even my friend could tell that he didn't care what jobs we currently have open and she claims to have absolutely no gaydar. It was really a situation where I was glad that there was no way he could find out where I live...then again, he is a computer guy. Yikes. I'm sure he's harmless...but they all look harmless, don't they? He wasn't all-together bad looking (a little on the cute side in a way), but still - his jeering eyes kind of gave me the heebies. Reminds me of Ted Bundy, kinda, who is dead 15 years and I'm STILL petrified of him. And he only killed girls. Ick. Serial Killers. What's worse, though, is the ultra suburban Mom I saw there. She is apparently a software tester and you would swear she's a first grade teacher. Of course, she was sporting the brown football helmet boring-ass hair, a denim jumper and turtleneck with stupid embroidery or patches. I couldn't look closely, but I bet you anything there were apples and rulers and schoolhouses embroidered on. What's worse? She was wearing this HUGE pin that had a picture of her two kids. WHy would you wear that?! WHY?? I just wanted to trip her. She DID NOT get one of our freebies (a keyboard duster thingy).

Killing Me Softly

This is just an ode to Roberta Flack. I love "Killing Me Softly." I sing it like a son of a bitch in my car, and right now, I look like Ray Charles at my 'puter -- picture Kiddo w/ hands on keyboard, eyes closed, singing like a bastard. Oh, and that Oil of Olay song..."The First time ever I saw your face...." My brother and I used to sing (when we were little), "The first ever I ever saw your face....I puked." My Mom would get mad because she likes that song.

Roberta, here's looking at you, kid...

Gay.Com is Horrid

You know those friends who enjoy putting themselves thru hell?? You know her/him -- S/he's the one who always has an asshole boyfriend and/or the one who weighs about 90 pounds and says things like, "I'm so fat." Yeah, besides wanting to scream, "Yeah - have another pizza, fatty!", that's me when it comes to that damn Gay.com. This is where the gays go on the Internet to meet dudes. I hate it. I have to say that I am happy w/ my looks, etc., but the guys on there just piss me off. And there's always the one you hate, whom you're hoping somebody will say "You're not all that and a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos mixed with Top the Tater (yum)" But, no...they're the one who all the guys keep commenting "will you marry me??" I just want to scream, "HE'S AN ASSHOLE!!" And, "Quit standing by me, Ashton Kutcher-look-a-like because apparently, Jesus can't see me with your tall hotness jerk ass in my way!!!"
I hate gay.com --- but, alas, how else am i going to meet fun boys in Minneapolis?? And what's worse??? The token 35 year old who's like, "don't talk to me unless you're 18-23...." Ummm....you're older than I am, loser, so don't snub me. And you're ugly.
Okay - I feel better now for venting. Gay men, by nature, are mean. MEAN!! That's it....I'm going straight.

Oh yeah...it's FRIDAY!!

Speaking of withdrawal (see post below), it's Friday so I get to go out tonight!! AND it's 3:11, meaning that I can leave work in precisely 19 minutes (being that I worked extra hard all week, skipping lunch and staying here at least 9 hours each day). I have a happy hour in Rochester w/ an old co-worker and her boyfriend and a couple fellow soaks. THEN...I'm going to a birthday of a college friend whose other friends from college (yay Winona State) will be in town and let me tell ya -- they are a bit on the crazy side, which is awesome b/c crazy people rule. Anyway, I'm excited b/c these are two friends, let's call them Vik and Kris, who are the type who get energy off each other and almost form their own language when interacting. Almost like two Furbies. YIKES - I hope I don't end up in Detox tonight b/c that would really suck. Have a good weekend all! I'll have a few drinks for you, Stacy, since it doesn't sound like you get to go out much....sad.

Oh, what's really sad is that I'm meeting people at Bon's, a bar in Rochester. The sad part is that Bon's is kind of a popular hang out in that town. Why is that sad?? Because Bon's is a Mongolian buffet (no joke). The other side of the building is this huge, redneck bar...with karaoke and live '80s cover bands. I love '80s cover bands. Especially Hairball. They're playing in Fridley tomorrow night at Main Event - maybe I'll catch them next time.

ROCK ALL NIGHT === SLEEP ALL DAY!!!
**Kiddo does super '80s cheerleading kick and "WOO!"*

Crazy times for a crazy guy

Ughh....You KNOW there's a lot to do at work when I haven't even had time to blog during lunch!! But I wanted to force myself to at least say today that once I move to Minneapolis (next Saturday, Oct. 30), I'll have time during the week to do more (at night)! Since apparently blogging extensively from work, even during lunch, is not an option.

Is it bad that I'm having blog withdrawal?? Do you think there's a 12-step group for this??

Proposition 8991235 - The Problem with Trucks

I propose that all semi-trucks have their own roads/highways. I'm not speaking down to the usefulness of the industry, nor to those who make it a career. However, I get SO angry when I'm behind a truck on a two-lane road -- they take forever to speed up after a red light or stop sign! Also, they are kinda scary to pass. In addition, during rainy/snowy conditions, they are horrible to drive behind because they spray everything at you, sometimes causing blindness. Finally, when entering a freeway, of course there are always about five entering just before I do, and they cause bottlenecks.

So, in a perfect world, truckers would have their own routes, seperate from cars.

-- Thoughts from the guy who's been commuting 3 hours each day (it gets boring in the car and the mind wanders) --

KIDDO approves this message

Stupid HelloBloggerBot

I downloaded that Hello thing to post pictures that aren't a webpage...I can't figure out how to use it and am getting pissed b/c I usually figure stuff like that out really easily. Dumb thing. Dumb, dumb thing. Or, dumb me, I guess.

Weekend was alright. I'm so glad I get to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow. Only 2 more work weeks of commuting!!

I've decided that if any out-of-state friends come to visit me in Minneapolis (there's a laugh), I'll be taking them to Gasthofs (sp?) on University. There's something odd about 20-somethings polka'ing...very Minnesota. You betcha.

No Eating...EVER

I'm not really ashamed to admit that I watched "Manhunt - Search for the Next Male Model", or something like that, last night.

As I lay on friend's couch chowing down about 10 slices of pizza, and right before I started popping Prozac, I felt it was time to end the bad eating and no exercise diet I've been on since late June. And what's the first thing I eat this morning? Yeah. A chocolate cigar b/c some lady's daughter had a baby. NICE.

So, it's back to the models' diet of cigarettes and water. THAT should be interesting during the approaching holiday season. In addition, new apartment building has an exercise room AND new company gives 50% discount at Lifetime Fitness...I think this is some sort of sign.

Jenny Craig....watch yo' back, sista'...

Getting to Know Me

You know those Internet surveys that people send? Yeah, I love those things. It's a nice lil' something to do over lunch. So, get to know me with one of many Email surveys:

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A 2nd HOUSE ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
I'd settle for a FIRST house in Minneapolis, but thanks to my use of credit cards, that won't be happening for a while...

2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
Anything that doesn't need to be ironed or drycleaned - when I build the first house, I'll also be hiring a maid. Rosalita's main jobs will be to cook, launder, iron & dryclean.

3. FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF A PERSON YOUR ATTRACTED TO?
Face/eyes. Yep, I'm shallow.

4. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Who buys CDs now that we've got Kazaa?? I haven't purchased a CD for myself since the Clinton administration. OKAY - fine. I bought Dido's CD in 2001.

5. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
A dirty house. A dirty house with poor people in it. With no booze.

6. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
What's "massage"? Is this a term I should be familiar with??

7. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT - STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
That depends...Are we talking Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now??

8. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
I used to get up at about 9:00 when I made my own hours. Now I get up at 6:00a. It hasn't been a rough transition...

9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
The Fridgie keeps me' beer chilled.

10. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
Canadians bitching about America. And slow drivers. GET OUT OF MY WAY - ALL OF YOU!

11. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'd like to play snare like the drum line people. If that makes me a geek, then so be it. I won't see YOU marching in a parade! So there!

12. FAVORITE COLOR?
Ummm...greenie? I guess I do tend to have a lot of blue'ish shirts, though...

13. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
Hmm...I don't like the obnoxious SUVs, I like the little ones. And I guess I like those better than most sports cars. So, I'll take the Jeep Liberty for $300, Pat (Sajack).

14. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
At the risk of sounding like Shirley McClain (sp), I'll go out on a limb & say sure. There's always room for hope the next time around, after all!

15. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
I loved The Boxcar Children. Why I thought it was glamorous to live in a rickety old boxcar w/ a bunch of dirty brats is beyond me. Now I would tend to think that the boxcar is a dirty house. A dirty house with poor people. And no booze. YICK.

16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall is nice. Not too hot, not too cold. And I always get new clothes in Fall. Well, I get new clothes for every season...but new just the same!

17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
It's a toss-up between flying and turning invisible. Flying would enable me to avoid slow/bad drivers...Invisible? I won't go there...

18. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
None, thanks. I've never been partial to barbed wire or Chinese characters.

19. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
Just men.

20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK
TO?
Ummm...nobody, really. If I'm not talking to them now, there's good reason. Including death.

21. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Pay day

22. WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
Do we really want to go there?? Umm...several pair of winter gloves, my box full of office stuff, a high school classmate's football cap (It's been in each of my car trunks since high school..??), antifreeze (that I don't know how/when to use, but thought I'd put it in there anyway), the ice-chisel thingy, a lawn chair, random CDs that I obviously don't like, jumper cables (they scare me) and Jesus. Oh, and Ty from Trading Spaces.

23. WHICH DO YOU PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Since you can't tell what a hamburger used to be before it died...

24. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO
RESPOND?
I haven't emailed it to anyone...maybe Jesus?

25. WHO'S LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Definitely Ty. His laptop doesn't work in my trunk.

26. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM?
My friend Trisha.

28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
Liquid porkchops.

29. WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
A list of people who have wronged me. I'll need MS Access pretty soon to categorize and create reports, mail merges & such.

30. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS?
House/maid/travel - then give the rest to charity. The charity is Clothe the Kiddo and it is a 501(c) in case you're interested.

31. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE WHEN YOU ARE ALL GROWN UP?
I would like to adopt two little Chinese girls with Ty and drive a minivan. Then say (at least once a week), "Cho Li Pennington, get in this van! You just wait 'til Daddy Ty comes home..."
Dreams do come true.

Commuting is for the birds

I've been getting up at the ungodly hour of 6:00 a.m. the past couple days in order to be on the road by 6:45. I have personally witnessed two sunrises. It's pretty & all with the leaves, but I am not a sunrise kinda guy. Well, unless Tequila is involved. At any rate, I can't wait to move and lessen my commute time by 45 minutes each way. Speaking of, I better hit the highway - it's more than an hour to Mayo Town, errr...Rochester. Hope my road rage is calm today, since I, of course, have no control over it or what may happen as a result. Happy Driving!!

Goodbye, Earl!

Of course, I am NOT a fan of spousal abuse (please refer to the After-School Special inspired by my own home life circa 1980s), but I self-depricatingly enjoy those lil' ol' gals singing about the demise of their friend's jerk husband. God, I wish I had some Jackie O. glasses at this point...

WSU Bookstore Reunion

At Winona State's homecoming a few weeks ago, some of us who worked at the bookstore in college got together for a lil' reunion at a dive bar near the football field, Shorty's. Not a whole lot showed up, but we had fun just the same. We then proceeded to Schyde's downtown (for any WSU alums, this used to be Fitzgeralds) where you can buy a ceiling tile for $5 and personalize it....clearly, we had been drinking all day. Here's some photos:

2004 WSU Bookstore Reunion

I'm Gonna Make it After All...

Oh - duh! I guess I do have more to talk about than what my life is rated (see below). I got a new recruiting job in Burnsville and already started on Oct. 7! I also found an apartment in Minneapolis, between Uptown & Downtown.

*theme to Mary Tyler Moore Show begins*

*Cut to scene of Kiddo driving thru downtown Mpls in a white 1972 Plymouth with belongings tied to roof. He's got a whacky smile on face*

*Cut to scene of Kiddo walking briskly along Lake Calhoun while two joggers pass*

*Cut to scene of Kiddo sharing coffee and hearty laugh with Rhoda (both are wearing scarves on head)*

*Cut to scene of Kiddo outside IDS Tower throwing beret in air. Old woman behind him is aghast, horrified*

*end theme music*

I've been a bad boy

I'm stealing PlanetDan's idea for a post, but I haven't been inspired by anything else today. He found a website to find out what your life is rated. I'm NC-17, which surprised me. Thought for sure I'd be rated R. Oh well - still time to change that! Now, where did I put my crack pipe...?


My life is rated NC-17.
What is your life rated?

You can take the quiz with this link

More hotel fun

Sticking with my recent hotel nightmare, I watched the remake of Psycho last night. It's still creepy, but then, just about any attempt at horror in a movie scares the bejesus out of me.



It's interesting to see the way they filmed this 1998 remake in the same manner/angles/shots as the original. I guess I'd much rather stay at La Quinta than this roadside inn. Yikes. (And now I can't sleep)