Three Hundred Nineteenth Entry

It's been a long time. Not a record, but still a long time.

I've just finished reading everyones blogs. Sounds like everyone is chugging along in life. Sounds about right.

I had a weird dream about work last night. I haven't dreamt about work since the last time I was really busy at work. I woke up about half an hour ago, and don't remember the particulars. But I do remember thinking this: A lot of people think of their workplaces as something that could be made into a movie, perhaps a TV show if the story lines are a-plenty. My work wouldn't be either. It would be a porno. It would probably win several porn Oscars. "Oh no! The copiers broken! - Don't worry, I've got something that'll fix you right up." Bom chicka wah wah!! "Oh no! Half the company is gone having a 4 hour lunch(Bom chicka wah wah)! - Don't worry baby, I've got something that'll help you pass the time." Bom chicka wah wah! I could go on, but unfortunately the star of this porno is somewhat of an ugly beast and I don't want to think about her.

Major Event Since Last Blog #1: Lisa and Greg got married! I was the minister. ULC baby. It was a beautiful day. I was nervous, but I made it. It was really nice out there. Baker Beach is a beautiful location. I'd never been! In my own back yard too. Everyone who's anyone was there. Robin Williams was watching. Sharon Stone, in spirit. The banquet later that night was really cool too. I'd never been to a Chinese wedding banquet. Very delish. The M&M favors were awesome. Miraculously, I haven't killed my bamboo. It's suffering a little, but I'll keep it well watered until I can make a pot for it in my pottery class next semester. Congratulations to both!!! Next is babies!!!!!

Lisa and Greg: I just finished writing your wedding card(s). I shall send them today. Jen: I have your birthday present, 2 months too late. I bought it last X-mas and found it last weekend. Are you still working in Fremont? Or moved yet?

MESLB #2: 4th of July! I spent the 4th and 5th of July in Tulare exploding fireworks. It was a lot of fun. It always is. The food was awesome. It was my first time trying boiled red potatoes, with a wedge cut out filled with Portuguese Hot Sauce. I shall call it boiled red potatoes with Portuguese hot sauce. Very delicious. Maybe I'll try to make some today. Probably not. On the 5th of July we all went to watch Transformers. Hella good! A wonderful movie. (food break, corn flakes with banana. simple goodness. I'm back) Awesome movie. I got to see Hernani too since he lives in Fresno now. There's a rumor that he cleans his fridge out with a garden hose. Interesting.

Did anyone hear the rumor that Giada De Laurentiis used to be a porn star? I wonder if there is any truth to the rumor. She would be one of the pretty porn stars. Maybe some lesbian action but mostly guy on girl action. She might say, "The cream sauce is especially delightful." Bom chicka wah wah!

MESLB #3: Lots of work drama. There always is no matter where you work. A couple of weeks ago I found out that half of my company is rewarded quarterly with very generous bonuses as well as a X-mas bonus. My half of the company just gets the annual X-mas bonus. Needless to say, working the last couple of weeks has been tough. Every hour of work becomes a chore when you know that you are one of the hardest working people at the office and rewarded with just a barely average wage while over 50% of the company are not working half as hard and making more than you yearly. I should be looking at it like there are so few companies that offer quarterly bonuses, but it still isn't fair. I haven't talked with my boss about it. None of the managers are exactly trustworthy I've found out. But that's a whole other discussion.

I was pretty sick last weekend. Fever, headache and dizziness. No nausea or loss of appetite though. Very weird. Amy took good care of me. Jello, soup. Mmmm... I think there are still some popsicles in the fridge. I should go check that out.

Three Hundred Eighteenth Entry

Kurt Vonnegut died.

Three Hundred Seventeenth Entry

It has been nearly 6 months since my last blog entry. This is probably the first time I've logged onto blogger in that time. Did google buy blogger.com? I think they are slowly taking over the world.

To all of you that have wondered what happened to me (all 2 of you know who you are), nothing has happened to me. I've been living life and doing stuff that wasn't blogging. I'm sick right now, so I find myself with the time to blog. Blog is a funny word. Is it even a word?

A lot of stuff has happened. A lot of stuff that reassures me that I am alive and reminds me that I am not watching a reality show with me as a character. It has been an emotionally taxing and tiring 6 months and I'm definitely ready for a vacation. Dead people have it so easy.

Instead of a laundry list of things that have happened in the last six months, how about I don't write about any of it? It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that it happened, the particulars are of no consequence. From this point on, I'll write about what happens. I just don't want to have to search the abyss of my brain for the events of my recent history.

It may come as a surprise to most of you that I've kept two other blogs. One a public one, Quest, which most people know about, and the other one a private one, Truth, that noone knows about. I haven't been a faithful writer in those blogs either. I read Truth tonight for the first time in over a year. It pained me to read it. The rantings of a hopeless romantic, at least in print. I deleted both of them. They outlasted their usefulness. It was a little sad to erase Truth. Dredged up and brought to surface feelings that I thought were buried, but realized never really went away. They were just ignored for the sake of all involved. Gone. It's OK, I guess. I'll never forget the three loves of my life. I can just forget the details surrounding them.

So before I start to squirt tears like a chick, I'd like to propose a virtual toast! To my one and only blog. You have been here always, ready for my attention. May my writings in you be fast and true! Salute!

**VirtUal**HicCup**

Three Hundred Sixteenth Entry

Oooo, two entries in one weekend. That's gotta stop.

Fun weekend. Crisis diffused, well, more like averted.

Last night was uber-fun. Amy and I went to Tia's house in Hollister and we hot tubbed. It is sooooo relaxing being in a hot tub. It took all I had to keep from falling asleep. Amy was good and kept me awake on the drive home.

Today I spent very nearly the entire day with Firmino. It was fun. First lunch, then visit my uncle, then food shopping. Very productive. I made "bomb-ass" chicken curry for dinner. Improvising and cooking has never worked too well for me in the past, but tonight it worked beautifully. Mmmmm...there aren't even any leftover for tomorrow. I got Jessica to do the dishes after we were done. She is such a sweetheart.

Tomorrow night I am having dinner with an old, old friend from high school. We've reconnected through myspace. Myspace is a wonderful thing. It might be awkward, but I'm banking on it being fun. We always got along pretty well in Art class.

Other stuff going on this week: Dinner in PA with Dayni, Jen and Mylinh, LOST season premiere!, payday!!!(the most important.)

Auf Wiedersehen!!

Three Hundred Fifteenth Entry

It's over.

It's over. Yes, at long last the wait for a new blog is over. ;)

I went to sleep at 7 tonight and awoke at 11:30. Now I can't get back to sleep. Very long and stressful(especially today) week. I've started working at a new company called Lea & Braze Engineering. I've been there about a month. I'm doing pretty well, or so I'm told. It's kinda not that hard. Just a lot of not hard stuff to do. And I mean a lot. This place is better than BKF in that I'm not being micromanaged. I'm more responsible for my designs, which is both a good and bad thing. Oh well. Work is good.

Everybody check out my myspace page. If you do a search for my name you should be able to find me. But then again, the myspace search thing really sucks. Sorry Tom! Myspace is good.

A lot of stuff has happened since my last blog. The biggest thing is probably that my grandmother died in August. It was very tough. I was the good grandson and with Hernani and Marcia's help planned the whole funeral service, as well as the arrangements to ship her to Portugal for burial. It was hard having to deal with all of that stuff. I still haven't said goodbye yet. She's still around. It's not real to me. Last time I was in Hollister, I felt like she would be back. It's incredibly unusual to think that she won't be in her chair anymore. I miss her.

Another big thing is the job change. I got tired of the commute. Simple as that. I am doing very nearly the exact same work, but more responsibility. Did I mention that already?? Yes I did. I apologize for the repeat info. This company is pretty laid back. They work hard, but they play just as hard. Today, for example, everyone in the office was involved in a rubber band war. Even the Owner of the company got into it. Nobody cared. It was interesting.

Lost starts next week. Stoked about that. Nip/Tuck has been added to my weekly television viewing schedule. It's really good. I think Grey's Anatomy is going to make the cut into my TV week, as is Six Degrees. And I need to check out Heroes. Peeps at work talk about it. This Sunday I'm going to give Desperate Housewives another shot and check out Brothers and Sisters after it. Other shows I may try out: Studio 60, The Class, The New Adventures of Old Christine, The Nine, Ugly Betty(I thought the original telenovela was pretty funny, what I saw of it anyway). TV is good.

I half-flaked on Amy tonight. I was supposed to call her when we were done with dinner, but as I wrote above, I fell asleep. Not on purpose. I was laying down in bed watching "I love the 80's, STRIKES BACK!!!" and just fell asleep. Total accident. It doesn't matter. I'll get the same cold passive-aggresive reactions we've all grown to love from her in response to anything I tell her tomorrow. I'll get the I don't see you enough comment despite the fact we've spent a healthy chunk of the week together. I'll get the 'woe is me', my life sucks speech. Hopefully, if you read this blog Amy, we can skip all of this crap tomorrow and just jump back into where we left off at. I already know I was a bad boy. I already feel like crap after the week I've had. I've just relived the experience so you don't have to expend the energy to make me feel bad tomorrow. K?

A noose and a strong branch would be my best friend right about now.

Three Hundred Fourteenth Entry

The more things change, the more they are the same.
Alphonse Kerr

I've always liked that quote. Now I know who said it.

It has indeed been a long great while since I've written. And even longer since I've written anything of substance.

For those of you wondering:

-Last October I moved back to the Bay Area and am currently living at my parents house. Mixed feelings about the move. Traditional conundrum, save money by living at home with less freedom and no privacy or break even financially by living in an apartment with more freedom and tons of privacy. I am much closer to my family and friends, but I still miss Tulare and all my people there.

-My new job at BKF(Burger King Fries) is no better than the last one I had. It's a job and it sucks(some days less than others). I have become less self-conscious about using the phone at work. When I first started, I hated making calls to clients and stuff. It was always a nerve wracking day when I knew I had to make a call. But now it is pretty routine, and it doesn't affect me nearly as much. Also, my bosses seem to have more faith in my abilities than I do sometimes. Maybe it's cuz we are pretty understaffed, and I need to take on more stuff.

-Amy and I are back together, as of Valentine's Day this past February. Things are going well, very well in fact. Amy is moving back to the Golden State this summer, for good. She cut her hair "shoulder length" and dyed it fluorescent red. It looks really good. You did a great job, Kate!

-I learned how to knit and surprised folks with scarves for Christmas. Most of the reactions were lukewarm, but I don't care. I made them and if they end up in the trash, well, that's ok.

-I've taken my Seismic Principles exam twice since I've moved back home. The second time was this morning. That's all I have to say about that.

-I've watched dozens of movies on netflix. Most really good.

-I've become an ordained minister. The church of something or other. But it's valid. I can perform weddings, funerals, baptisms and other stuff. So if anyone wants to do any of the afore mentioned things, just buy me a ticket to Madison, I mean the wedding site, wherever that may be, and I'll do it.

-I've seen several shows, been to some bars and parties, made some friends, lost some friends.

I'm sure a lot more things have happened since I moved back 6 months ago, but that's what I remember right now.

Hopefully I can start updating my blog regularly. I imagine it will become therapeutic for me again.

Three Hundred Thirteenth Entry

I guess I've turned into an end-of-the-month blogger. I promise to write more. Like twice a month.

I started and finished my traffic school online last night. It was super easy. Thanks Jen for recommending Driving University. It only took me an hour and a half. I didn't even read the material. I just skimmed it real quick, answered the periodic questions and took the quiz at the end of each section. Very easy. I had to take some of the quizzes over, but still it was better than sitting through the very boring reading. Ask me anything about driving...I won't know the answer...but the State of California will think I do!!

I need to recap the last four months, but now is not the time. I have to start work in five minutes, and I still haven't had my oatmeal or coffee.

On the list for tonight:
- Watch "Life Aquatic..."
- Watch American Idol
- Pay some bills
- Finish Shaley's scarf and write her a "love letter"
- Go to sleep at 10(which really worked for me last night cuz I feel really good today)

Depending on what I am doing this coming weekend(I have several offers varying from going to the snow to watching Super Bowl XL), I might do the grand-daddy of all blog updates. The big 4 months of life crammed into two or three big-ass blogs. I think I'll do one blog per month. October, November, December and January. Wow. That's a lot of thinking I have to do. I can't even remember what I did last week. I need to have a "Best Week Ever" about my life. That way VH1 could keep track of my doings and report.

"I say, 'Build it'."

Three Hundred Twelfth Entry

Well another year has passed. A lot has changed. A lot has stayed the same.

2006 will bring about much change. I'm pretty sure I said the same about 2005, but the last few weeks have reaffirmed my commitment to changing. So much to do, one year to do it in.

Happy New Year all!

Three Hundred Eleventh Entry

I am such a bonehead. I found my CD's. They were hidden in various places in my truck and studio. Stupid me. But I am relieved.

Have you gone astray?
Or lost your way?
You should have seen me yesterday.
Well I knew this kind of love
Was written in the stars
It's only once or twice that you're in line with Mr. Moon
Then it was you,
You took me on your cloud,
Give me flowers for my pain,
But with some degree of certainty,
My destiny,
Seemed to slip away from me,
Before I got to know your name.

CHORUS:
Just give me a chance
I'll do what you want me to
Everybody wants to dance
So how come I can't dance with you
You really turn me on
You're the one that makes me smile
It's Mr Moon who plays in tune, Mr Moon who knows
And if it's Mr Moon who gives the sign then that's the sign that goes
I never know what to do
Till I'm there with you.

Did you lose your mind
For a day
You don't remember anyway
Like the waters of a dream
Encapsulate my mind
A place I haven't seen sits at the end of space and time
So lost in love
Than I think I'm blind
To perchance upon this circumstance is something of a miracle
So spiritual
It's verging on the physical
Searching for a love I cannot find.

CHORUS

Mr. Moon
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

----------

You say you fight to give us freedom
But often more than not this is abused
And the faces of a tired generation
have decided they are sick of being used
for the purpose of current declarations
Still the same, it'll never change until the end
Is to buy appreciation of the nation
To cover the mistakes you must defend
And you say there'll be a chance for everyone
to protest against your calculated greed
But I can see into the future
Won't be long before the welfare
Send me letters telling me how much they need
And it's not been in my interest to please them
For the only interest rate to fall is mine
See a brand new generation is demanding
What you've been doing with our money all this time

Scam
People try living life at speed of light
Scam
Don't know why but I have to do the things I do
Scam
Give me ten, that's the move I give you five
Scam
People say it's the way to stay alive

So you see you have to be a schemer
If you wanna love the life you have to live
And it don't matter how much I earn
'Cos I always get my fingers burned
When the man gets down to his business
And I've been searching for a reason
Why I have to give it all up just when I want to get ahead
See I have no car, job, wife, dog and home
Debts and threats on the telephone
Maybe I should bust a move instead
Now we all know when we watch the television
Not confused between a puppet or conviction
Glued to the screen by a thousand shallow words of widsom
It ain't what it seems when it's a single sided system
Someone's got a hold on my living
So I'm gonna have to do the things that's fair
They got to justify for what I should be giving
Should I lie, should I steal or should I care
'Cos now I've got to scam

Scam
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Tenth Entry

I just finished watching two incredible movies, "Ray" and "Finding Neverland". "Finding Neverland" made me cry, and Jaime Foxx really was really really great in "Ray". I love netflix.

Up next is Anchorman, Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby. I can't wait.

I am missing about 10 CD's. Three of my Jamiroquai (Emergency, Travelling and Funk Odyssey), my Travis Singles CD, 12 Memories, and a few others. I've searched and searched, but to no avail. Let me know if anyone knows of their whereabouts. Operators are standing by.

Four hundred years or more
Since you came to crucify
They were taken far away from home
There were promises of paradise
But if they have been told that day
They would be sold this way
To satisfy the souls of chosen men
See I had to look carefully
At the shame of my ancestry
To re-define the story line again

If I was taken for a day
And shown another way
Every child can learn a different thing
See i tried a million times
but i had to change my mind
Sadness was the best thing I could bring
On the inside he was dead and this is what he said
As he took away the blue above the clouds
Superiority was clearly meant to be
So destiny will manifest in time

So where was the love all gone
A troubled trail of tears will tell the tale
Of how I was put down where I don't belong
Woman, child and man for sale
For ethical slavery is just an absurdity
How can you be alive when you are dead
With these chains of hypocrisy
The shame of my ancestry
Forever stained by blood in which you tread

(repeat chorus)

Manifest Destiny
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

----------

Now we're getting nasty
Everybody's talking about the kids
The kids got funky soul and groove emotion
But if you don't give the kids the chance to use it
They're always more than likely to abuse it
Everybody's talking about the kids
It's taking time for you to realize
Now hunger turns to anger in our eyes
I say the revolution will be televised
Yes it will, Gil
Everybody's talking about the kids
The kids needs space to get their heads in place
And every day this world we have to face
I just can't seem to find my proper place

Kids get down
Stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure
Kids get down underground
Everybody dance to the funky sound

Everybody's talking about the kids
It won't be long before we get our own
And every kid can truly feel at home
I told ya you should give the dog a bone
Everybody's talking about school
But I get more pleasure breakin' all the rules
Cos lesson one begins with "Life Is Cruel"
Well I guess I'm just an educated fool
Everybody's talking about the kids
Mom and Dad make efforts to excuse it
Government officials will confuse it
Members of the bench will try to prove it
You're going down sucker

Everybody's talking about the kids now
Everybody's talking about the kids now
The kids got funky soul

Kids get down
Stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure
Kids get down, celebrate
Now we're going to kick the thing we hate
Everybody's talking about high
But kids get high to satisfy
For reaching out to touch the sky
Is all I can identify, and you know why
Kids get down
Stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure
Kids get down, celebrate
Now we're gonna kick the thing we hate
Kids get down, pressurized
To live the life that you devised
Kids get, celebrate
Life's too short to complicate

Kids
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Ninth Entry

TV rundown:

Sunday nights:

Extreme Home Makeover on ABC at 8 p.m. I like to watch them do something in a week that would normally take months to do. Plus, I get ideas for my own house, should I ever buy one.
Backup: Cold Case on CBS, then West Wing on NBC.

Desperate Housewives on ABC at 9 p.m. I know, I know. Such a girl show. But it is full of very interesting secrets. And the writing is great. And Eva is hot. You can't beat the drama.
Backup: Iron Chef America on FN, then Nick at Nite.

Grey's Anatomy at 10 p.m. Grey reminds me a lot of someone I know. And I love that it is kicking ass in the ratings against ER. Hate that show!
Backup: Footballers Wives on BBCA.

Monday nights:

Arrested Development on FOX at 8 p.m. Far and away my favorite sitcom on TV. Rumor has it that it is going to be cancelled after the Baseball Playoffs. Even with Charlize Theron making cameos on this weeks episode. Such a shame.
Backup: Nothing. Don't cancel AD!!!!

Kitchen Confidential on FOX at 8:30 p.m. I love that show. And the fact that the main character used to be on one of my other favorite shows just makes it great. Who knew that working in a kitchen is such tough work.
Backup: How I Met Your Mother on CBS.

Prison Break on FOX at 9 p.m. Cool show. The doctor is very cute and looks very familiar. She must have been in something, must research. Any show that has a Civil Engineer as it's main character is going to be watched by me. If, in school, they had explained that I could use Hooke's Law to break out of prison, I probably would have learned it.
Backup: Nothing. I hate Two and a Half Men.

Medium on NBC at 10 p.m. I like psychics. In fact I am psychic. I see that if I am not enjoying Medium, I watch the 10 o'clock news.

Tuesday nights:

Biggest Loser on NBC at 8 p.m. I hate to admit it, but I am kind of getting into this show. It is so motivating. It makes me want to get on that elliptical and use it 'til I pass out.
Backup: Nova on PBS. Science fun. See Phil learn. See Phil geek out.

9 p.m. is still up in the air. I really like My Name Is Earl and the Office(both on NBC), but I also really like Commander in Chief on ABC. I am leaning toward Commander in Chief because Earl and Office are much more DVD-able. But still not sure.

Law & Order: SVU on NBC at 10 p.m. I enjoy the Law & Orders, except for CI(LAME). Kickin' ass and takin' names. All in an hour. If only the real criminal justice system ran that way...
Backup: Boston Legal on ABC, Frontline on PBS.

Wednesday nights:

Nothing at 8 p.m. I still haven't found anything worthwhile at 8 on Wednesday. Any suggestions?

Lost on ABC at 9 p.m. Far and away my favorite drama on TV. Last night "Lost" did not disappoint. I love that show. Every smoke break I took at work today, Jane and I discussed the significance of the film and the Dharma Initiative. Very intriguing. You just can't go wrong.
Backup: Coupling on BBCA. But if I'm not at home watching Lost on Wednesday night, then I am dead in a gutter somewhere.

Invasion on ABC at 10 p.m. Oooh...Aliens. Need I say more?
Backup: Law and Order on NBC.

Thursday nights:

Alias on ABC at 8 p.m. Sidney is still kickin ass after four years. And now she's pregnant? Her hormones should spice things up a little bit. Too bad about Vaughn though. He was expendable. Nobody watched the show for him anyway. It's all about Sidney, dear sweet, hot, pregnant Sidney.
Backup: Nothing.

Night Stalker on ABC at 9 p.m. I'm too young to have seen the original, but they say it's no comparison. I like it just the same. Supernatural panthers, mind-controlling blind guys in prison("You know what you have to do."), Gabrielle Union running around. Perfect formula for a hit show. We'll see how long it sticks around.
Backup: The Office on BBCA.

Nothing at 10 p.m. Maybe the news, maybe nick at nite, maybe PBS, but mostly computer time before I go to bed.

Friday nights:

Nothing 'til 10 p.m. Either the news or Numb3rs.

Saturday nights:

Channel Surfing. But I do like the trend the networks are starting by airing repeats on Saturday nights. I get to watch Earl since I missed it on Tuesday. And I do like how PBS has the Saturday night british comedies on.

So that's my TV week. You can probably see that ABC is my favorite network. For some reason, I have always liked ABC. Since before Desperate Housewives, Millionaire, Dharma and Greg. My whole family would sit around and watch TGIF. We loved that Urkel. Every afternoon my dad would watch Peter Jennings on World News Tonight. He was always my favorite news anchor. I'm just glad ABC has turned it around and is doing well. Now if only they would buy Arrested Development, promote the hell out of it, and make it a hit. That would be great. I'd almost only need one channel.

Wow, that's a lot about TV. I love it.

every bird will sing
the melody of our love tune

yesterday i was half the man i used to be
maybe that's because you're the other half of me
like the spring in bloom
the summer of our love is soon
every bird will sing
the melody of our love tune

sent down from above
unconditionally love
likened to a flower
stronger love grows by the hour
stormy weather days
make us go our separate ways
where our love was so at ease
now you got me down on my knees

yesterday i was
brighter than the morning sun
now my love is lost
and lonely days have just begun
a solitary chair
for a silent love affair
a king has lost his throne
and now he sits alone

every bird will sing
oh now every bird will sing
every bird will sing
the melody of our love tune
I wanna tell you

yesterday i was half the man i used to be
maybe that's because you're the other half of me
like the spring in bloom
the summer of our love is soon
every bird will sing
the melody of our love tune

Half the Man (one of my top five)
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

----------

You can be light years
Away from serious intention
See I thought I'd change it all
Someday
I'd get to turn mankind this day
If you don't know you can be light years
Away from your true destination.
Until I get with good vibration
I'm never gonna get to use that earthly power
But I'm gonna jump back
Stnd back and use that earthly power

Now I got that sunshine in my life
Now I got that sunshine in my life.
Light years half a million miles from what you wanna be
Did you ever hear about the man who tried to be
Truly free truly free
You know what I mean
Light years will stand between the laws of principle
And now we think we are invincible
But without true power it's unthinkable

Light years away from the colour of our brotherhood
Light years away from our duty to assistance

Light Years
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Eighth Entry

Had my interview at Caltrans in Oakland today. I was very good and restrained myself from discussing how ignorant and inefficient they are.

It was a good interview. The three panelists were nice and asked interesting problem solving questions. For example: Imagine a roadway has a congestion problem(not that hard in the Bay Area). What factors contribute to the congestion and what measures can be taken to alleviate the congestion? Not a question like "What is LOS?", or "What are HOV lanes?" which is a very Tulare County way of interviewing. You really have to think and almost participate in a quasi-preliminary design solution for that problem. The really broad answer would be to increase capacity on the roadway. They wanted specific answers like: widen the road, add metering lights(if it's a freeway), add a carpool lane(HOV lane), encourage ride-sharing/public transit, provide adequate detour if congestion is due to construction, change the phasing patterns on signals, investigate trip generation for the area. I gave all those answers except for the last two. I think there was one more, but I can't remember it.

Then I had two questions about hazardous waste. One was what to do when you find it (stop construction, isolate it, call hazmat teams) and the other was what risks it may have on environmental resources and people during removal(make people sterile, kill off any plants or animals(possibly endangered), damage the water supply, potentially become airborne). Very interesting questions!

I pulled a boner today. I am such an idiot. I forgot some papers that I needed to take to the interview in my office yesterday. I thought that if I went early enough, noone would see me and I could still call in sick today without repercussions. So, I got up at 6:30 a.m. and went over to the office. I went in, got the papers and headed out. As I stepped out the door at 6:40 a.m., the Assistant Director of Engineering was walking through the parking lot. IF only I hadn't hit the snooze!!! I was absolutely certain he saw me walking out to my truck in my sweats and flip-flops. I totally ignored him(he walked like 5 feet from my truck) and got in and sped off. Then on my way to SL I called in sick to Danny, not thinking the AD of E would say anything. Well, I called Blas after my interview and downloaded to him the questions and my answers. He mentioned that AD of E was up in Danny's office asking where I was:

AD: Where's Young Phillip?
Danny: He called in sick.
AD: Oh really? I saw him here this morning.
Danny: Really?

If I wasn't quitting next week I would shit a brick the size of a microwave. But I am, so I'm not. He'll probably come up and see me tomorrow and ask me what is going on. I'll tell the God's honest truth. Aliens abducted me and taught me how to speak their language. Meep zorb cantwi Poona. Anma Hipro sporat Gijif. I'll teach him the basic phrases, just in case he's ever abducted, and he'll give me one million dollars for being so honest.

Everything is good and brown
Oh I'm here again
With a sunshine smile upon my face
My friends are close at hand
And all my inhibitions
Have disappeared without a trace
I'm glad, oh I found
Somebody who I can rely on

This is the return of the space cowboy
Inter-planetary good vibe zone
Say at the speed of Cheeba, oh you and I go deeper
Maybe I'll have to get high to get by, hey

Everything is good oh and green
Say I'm red again
And I don't suppose I'm comin' down
I can see clearly, so high in sky
A man with psychedelic picture frames
Of happiness to shade his eyes
He's glad, oh that he found
Somebody who he can rely on

This is the return of the space cowboy
Inter-planetary good vibe zone
Say at the speed of Cheeba, oh you and I go deeper
Maybe I'll have to get high to get by, hey
Maybe I'm gonna have to get high

Now he's here again
Now he's here again
And I don't know what I'd do without him next to me
Everything, everything is good and brown
Now that, now that he's around

This is the return of the space cowboy
Inter-planetary good vibe zone

Say at the speed of Cheeba
Oh, you and I go deeper
Maybe I'll have to get high to get by

This is the return of the space cowboy
Inter-planetary good vibe zone

Say at the speed of Cheeba, oh you and I go deeper
Hey now we'll go deeper, oh now we'll go deeper
You and I, you and I, you and I, you and I
You and I, you and I, you and I, you and I
Now we'll go deeper yeah

Return of the Space Cowboy (one of my top five)
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

----------

There's a stillness in time
Which I cannot define
Does your heart bleed like mine all the time yeah
For a place we can go
Where the troubles of our time are far away
Hey they are so far away
And I had all my life in front of me
Now my darkness days are trouble free
There are so many wonderous things for you to see

If you find that somethings going wrong
Look around at what your running from
You can wait a thousand years in line
For that stillness in time

I found love in that way
And I'm never sad, and I'm always glad
Anything you give me today
Oh yeah I will will be thankful for
People find it hard to be strong
Cause they don't know where they're coming from
Ooh there was nothing left to do but hang on
For that stillness in time

There's a stillness in time
Search the space inside my mind

If this world is turning too fast for your head
Just remember how bad times can roll instead
Guess I'll have to search the space in my mind
For that stillness in time.

Oh yeah I found love in that way
And I'm never sad, and I'm always glad
Ooh yeah anything you give me today
Oh yeah I will be thankful for
People find it hard to be strong
Cause they don't know where they're coming from
Hey, there was nothing left to do but hang on
For that stillness in time.

I know that this is the peripheral side of bliss
There is no me, for the love I have will stay the same
I have been wrong if I don't know where I'm coming from
If I don't see the things that are inside of me
Apart of me, in front of me
Oh, see it's all around me
Said I know, said I want to find that stillness in time
Stillness in time

Hey la, la, la, la, la, lo (repeat until end)

Stillness in Time
Return of the Space Cowboy album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Seventh Entry

I have a mere $20 dollars to spend between now and payday next week. I don't think my funds have ever been that low. That's what I get for driving so much.

Today at work, Phil, Jane and Johnny went in for their second interview for Marcia's old position. I was pleased to hear that I was a topic of one of the questions. "What can this agency do to keep Young Phillip around?" Cool, huh. I am thinking that Phil will get it, but my gut is saying he won't due to agency politics. Too much shit goes on behind the scenes, it's disgusting. The administration may well decide that none of the candidates are suitable for the position and re-advertise the job. It's gonna suck to get a new guy from the outside to fill Marcia's giant shoes. The learning curve is already steep with all the work that Marcia was doing, but to bring in an outsider? It's gonna get ugly. Thank God I'm not gonna be here!!

Phil was telling me recently that they used to do exit interviews for people leaving the county. I doubt they will call me in for one, but I was trying to come up with something to say in case they did. I would probably mention the benefits situation in passing, but would concentrate more on how engineer's are treated pretty horribly compared to most places. I would like to see a training program started at the county for engineers. Or at least send them to some classes at the UC extension or something. I would like to see more challenging projects where an engineer can start using all those permanently sharpened pencils. I would also point out that there is no chance for advancement within the agency. Phil has been at the same pay scale for 10 years. He's been passed up for promotions every time one comes up. It's as if there is some sort of rule that no engineer inside the agency can be promoted above a III. They always hire from the outside.

Speaking of injustices against engineers, word came through last week that our Operations Division is being transferred over to the Traffic boss, Dennis. From what I've heard, he has absolutely no experience with Operations. Furthermore, a lot of people seem to think that the Administration is setting him up for failure, and when he does fail he'll get fired. If all that is true, then I couldn't be happier that I'm leaving. I don't want to work somewhere where there are such blatant and petty politics at play.

Of course, once all the dust clears everything will go back to normal. Someone will be in Marcia's office, someone will replace Dennis, and engineers will continue doing the same inane projects like sidewalks and overlays. It really is disgusting.

More pleasant news: There was a breakthrough in the talks concerning Blas' and my going-away party. After much pleading and begging on my part, Blas agreed to have the party at Me 'n Ed's pizza in Visalia. Yes, there will be beer, but he is willing to overlook that. So far it looks like it is just going to be Design/Graphics and a few people from Solid Waste and downstairs. Should be fun...

but sad. I was thinking on my drive up to San Leandro on Friday about what I would say if asked to say anything at the party. And it almost made me cry. I've spent the last three years of my life working so closely with these people. There are not just my co-workers, but my friends. I know so much about these peoples personal lives that I can't help but feel a connection. And there were my first steady employment after college. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I almost didn't get hired. If it wasn't for some "golden boy" rejecting the offer, I never would have been called. I am so glad that I got the chance to get to know these people. I really do consider them among my closest of friends. So sad...

and now it starts all over. How will I get along with my new co-workers? Will I like them, or more importantly, will they like me? Will I be able to go to the company functions or will I be a wallflower? Am I going to have as good a relationship with my supervisor/boss as I do now? How will it end?(I've had a yen to watch the Truman Show)

Everything happens for a reason.

----------

If i pick it up i can put it down,
Whatever it is i just can't stop,
For only 20 seconds at a time it's all mine.
I got, too much, pressure,
Got me under it's thumb
And it's no fun, you can lose
Now i got a choice but i can't choose
Insistent as you are, is no guarantee that you'll go far
Rock steady if you can
But i've never been a steady man,
People, wanna shoot you down,
If you can't swim then you will drown
In sorrow, can't get any medical attention till tomorow,

Sadlands, are where i live,
But that's none of your business,
You keep asking, and soon enough
The kids gonna have to get rough,

Maybe i'm a speed king
Push with the foot and i'm smiling,
I can glide on the love inside,
And there was you thinking that my hands were tied
All along i saw you hoping
I would slip and i'm not joking
The evidence in these events
Is still your lack of commonsense
Did you really think that i would sink
Because i like another drink
Have to get up to get down
The remedy is the sound
Absurdity of your suggestion, leaves me asking just one question,
If you're my friend today?
Why do you wanna hear me say?

If i pick it up, can i put it down?
Whatever it is, i just can't stop. (repeat)

Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

----------

Oooh yeah don't you know that you blow my mind!
Honey you're sweeter than anything,I need you
Want to get closer to you,to you,to you
I want to get closer to you now.

Love ya,I need ya,I think i wanna squeeze ya
Nightly,so tightly,girl you know you really blow my mind
Say it again, Just one more time I've got to know
How you came to blow my mind- Closer

Pleasure, passion- Tonite's the night I'm
looking for your action- I want to hold you
Don't you know that now you blow my mind
Say it again just one more time i've got to know
How you came to blow my mind- Closer

Fever, hot now, help me wipe the sweat
away from my brow- Sexy- oh Lady,
Don't you know this time you blow my mind
Oh don't you know yeah, Don't you know by now
that now you blow my mind (Yeah)
Oh yes you do, yes you do, yes you blow my mind

Blow Your Mind
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

----------

You've got to stand up, stay strong start movin' in the right direction
Don't wait, too long, for people promising divine intervention
19 nine three, now I'm taking matters into my own hands
So fast, I can't see
A revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Well it's hard times, white lines, kids of nine
gettin' down with gun crime
War zones, no homes, ain't it time we gave the dog a bone
Say brothers, sisters, step up and put yourself in the picture
This time you know a revolution
if the only way that we can change change change
I want to fight the power

Question, answer, shake your hand and smile for the camera
But it's no good you should spend time in your neighbourhood
Where black kids, white kids
Now you're working overtime to be a crack kid
No job, no cash, a revolution
is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution
Everybody wants a revolution

Who is, this man,
I'm having trouble finding out where I'm coming from
Preconceptions, it's eternal human infection one chance,
Learn how you're gonna change
the habit of a lifetime my soul, concerned,
That revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Higher, higher, now we're gonna learn to fight the power
Sunshine, new day, I only know how to get the right way
Faster, stronger, I help my brother and my soul lives longer
Blinded, I can't see
That revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

No doubt, in time, everything is sweet sunshine
But in the meantime, mankind, is having trouble
where to draw the line
We still don't, respect, and yet I thought we had intellect
Sometimes I think the music is the only hope we have for revolution

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution
Everybody needs a revolution

Revolution 1993
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Sixth Entry

So...

I accepted the BKF (Burger King Fries) job in Redwood City, starting on Oct. 24th. I almost didn't. I got a call on Tuesday from Caltrans in Oakland saying they were interested in an interview. They wanted me to fax in a copy of my Diploma and EIT Cert. I did, still waiting for a call back. A Caltrans job would 100% for sure secure me about 5k more than BKF. Plus the commute would be half as long. And I would be 100% comfortable there. I felt like asking BKF for another week, but that wouldn't be fair to them. Also I wouldn't learn as much and would miss out on that all important private company experience. So...

I decided to go to the interview and if Caltrans offers me mega-bucks (doubtful) I would retract my acceptance of the BKF offer. Mega-bucks is good, but knowledge and experience in new things is better in the long run. It would seriously have to be a big offer for me to go to Caltrans.

Fast-forward to today. Caltrans calls to set up an interview on October 11th, at 10:30am. Thing is, it's Caltrans in SAN LUIS OBISPO!!! I almost wet myself. The opportunity presented itself to return to the city I have loved ever since I started school there. The possibilities were running through my mind. I could live downtown, a mere half mile from the office where I'd be working! I could bus to work! I could go to Frog and Peach for a beer after work! The beach would only be 10 minutes away! I could go to the bars on Friday nights and not worry about driving home! I could look into attending grad school(very wishful thinking)! I could go to the bars on Saturday nights and not worry about driving home! My mind was full of possibilities!

Crash!!...Oh yeah, it costs as much to live there as it does in San Leandro, and Caltrans' salaries are the same statewide, regardless of cost of living. Shit, shit, shit. My dream was smashed in to a million little Frog and Peaches. Sniff, sniff.

Yesterday I put in my notice. Oct. 14th will be my final day at work. Much sadness will be had by all. Hopefully much drinking will be had by all at my goodbye party. I'm thinking Me 'n Eds Pizza in Visalia. Pizza, beer...sounds good to me. Blas doesn't like the idea though. That whole anti-alcohol thing. I told him that he doesn't have to drink, but it's still the principle of it all. His last day is the same as mine. He's going up to Caltrans in Fresno. He wants a little pizza party at the office. BORING!!! Come on Blas!, after Marcia's big blowout of a going away party, I have a reputation to uphold!

No jello shots this time, though. It is a family restaurant.

The kids need education,
And the streets are never clean,
I've seen, a certain disposition, prevailing in the wind,
Sweet change, if anybody's listening?
Emergency on planet earth.
Is that life that I am witnessing,
Or just another wasted birth.

Now, we got emergency
Oh, we got emergency on planet Earth
Oh now, we got emergency
Oh, we got emergency on planet Earth

Think we're standing for injustice,
White gets two and black gets five years,
Took me quite a while to suss this,
But now I know my head is cleared
And a little boy in hungry land, is just a picture in the news,
Won't see him in that tv advertising, 'cause it might put you off your food

Now, we got emergency
Oh, we got emergency on planet Earth
Now, we got emergency
Oh, we got emergency on planet Earth

Emergency on Planet Earth
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Fifth Entry

Where do I begin...

Last Wednesday I drove up to beautiful San Leandro, CA for an extended four-day weekend trip. Well, it was half business, half work and half pleasure.

Thursday afternoon, at 1:30 p.m., I had an interview with the City of San Mateo. I was extremely nervous. I felt like throwing up all morning. I had breakfast with Louis at Pelton Cafe. Pretty good breakfast. Wasn't a good idea with my stomach being in knots and all because of my interview. Good to see Louis though. Caught up on a lot of stuff. Around 11:30 a.m., I made my way home to get ready for the interview. Nervous coughing all over the place. I thought that there might be trouble with midday traffic, so I left San Leandro just after noon to make sure I would make my interview on time...at 1:30 p.m. Well, minimal traffic. I made it to San Mateo just after 12:30 p.m. Dammit. One whole hour to kill. I spent that hour making sure I found the place and driving into San Mateo's hills. Very pretty views of the bay from up there. Perhaps even prettier than our views in the East Bay.

I got to City Hall at 1:15 p.m. Government jobs always have some interview associated paperwork, and I decided that 15 minutes should be enough time. And it was. I signed my name in a couple of places, and still had time to take a leak, cough it up in the bathroom and chew a piece of gum before the interview.

A very pregnant Asian woman introduced herself to me and asked me to come in for the interview. One last cough and I was in. I sat myself down and tried, somewhat successfully, to compose myself. I made sure I understood the questions(which wasn't that hard considering a typewritten copy was taped on the table in front of me) before answering. I tried to appear very interested and eager to learn new things without seeming over-eager/desperate and completely unknowledgable about the topics discussed. I was getting pleasant feedback from the panel(all asian, 3 men and 1 woman, all speaking with slight accents), lots of nodding heads and an "Ahh" when my ADA experience was mentioned. The questions I did not know how to answer were responded to with a very forthright, "I don't know" or "I'm not sure, but I think...". I didn't ramble on and on about anything, tried to give efficient answers to the questions. I was nothing if not totally polite with the panel and the staff at the HR counter. I did the absolute best I could in the interview.

Afterwards, I was taken to the library and asked to write a fictitious letter to the public concerning a Sewer upgrade project. Did well on it, I think.

I left the interview feeling good about it. Not a slam dunk, but I knew I had done my best. I left San Mateo and began the long trek down El Camino to Palo Alto. I had to meet Mylinh at Peet's coffee at 4 p.m. It was 2:30 p.m. Lots of time to kill. I remembered the Washington Mutual in downtown PA and went there. I needed to deposit a check and withdraw some ATM money. And after some confusion about where Peet's coffee was, I finally met with Mylinh and we ordered coffee. It was really nice to see her. We went to Ikea and shopped a little bit. Afterwards we went to Hawai'ian food with Jen and then dessert from Max's back at Jen's place. We watched Survivor. Ooohh.

Friday morning I had another interview. This one was in Redwood City, with BKF Engineers. I had interviewed with them three years ago for a job, so I was familiar with the company. The interview was at 10 a.m.. I wasn't experiencing too much of the coughing because I wasn't as worried about this interview. I left a little early to account for traffic, but once I got onto 92, it was smooth. I got a little lost when trying to find the building. It's a different office than the one I interviewed at three years ago. They just moved into a new office building which overlooks a lagoon. Very swank. From the conference room, you could see the Oracle complex and a bunch of other buildings. The whole area used to be the old Marine World park. Remember that guys? I do, just barely.

Anyway, the interview lasted 2 hours. The longest interview I have ever been in. One of the guys was late, but before he got there Alex, the recruiter, talked to me about the company and stuff. Once Tom got there I was sat down in a little conference room and was interviewed. A lot of questions about experience and a lot of technical questions too. Tom laid out a layout sheet with a topo drawing on it in front of me. He asked me to explain what was going on in the drawing. Very cool. I totally geeked out and was using a scale and using fancy civil engineering terms with confidence. Pretty cool. Then Tom left and told me he was going to send in an employee my age to talk to me a little more about stuff and maybe answer some questions I wouldn't want to ask him.

James came in and we talked for a while and that was it. I left. I felt even better about this interview than the one in San Mateo. Then I drove out to Pleasanton, had Taco Bell, had a cigarette with Rouja and went to Fred's house in Tracy. I helped there for the rest of the afternoon. They had just poured the foundation and needed help ripping out the forms. Easy, but hard work.

Friday night I hung out with Lisa, Greg, Jen and Dayni. Greg has left the Bay Area for Wyoming. He is going to WyoTech to learn about Auto Body work. Lisa will follow in a few months. Jen, Dayni and I went to say bye. I got home and crashed.

Saturday morning, I awoke to the sound of my dad yelling at me to get up. It was 6:30 a.m.. I had to go, I mean, I promised to go help at my brothers house. It was kind of fun. My brother and I worked and capped(does anyone still say that?) on each other, and then my dad(Construction Nazi) yelled at us, and then we worked. It was kind of a cycle. Rocks were thrown, dirt was dispersed, girders were placed. Much wood was moved and piled. It was really windy too, so our conversations were pretty much yelled at each other. My mom brought Subway for lunch and Firmino came with her and helped a little. Rouja showed up after her work and she was ordered by Fred(Construction Nazi Jr.) to find cool rocks for a water feature he was planning. And yes he did say "Water feature". I think he's been watching too much HGTV.

After work, Rouja and I went to the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Walnut Creek. I told her I would get her one for her birthday, so I did. And I got one too. I got a giraffe on a safari, but minus the binoculars because those things were 7 bucks. The shoes alone were 7 bucks, but more important than the binoculars. Whoever invented this place is making money hand over fist off idiots like me.

We got home and Fred was just finishing grilling steaks. They were sooooo good. I don't think I could find a steak that good in a restaurant. It was really good. And with my mom's famous peas and some avocado slices, it was a perfect dinner.

Fred called Hernani and invited him over to watch Arrested Development. I'm so glad I introduced Arrested Development to my family. They all love it. We all felt like eating some Ben and Jerry's so I went to Pak 'n Save. I went nuts and bought 7 pints of B&J. But the two and a half I had were soooo good. We also bought beer, but beer and ice cream don't mix. They'll save it for another time.

Sunday I met up with Louis for coffee at Starbeezies at 11 a.m. and we talked for a long while. Very nice to see a lot of Louis this weekend. I told him that one time I'm up there I wanted to take him and Jen out to dinner. Their choice, of course.

Then I went to my godmothers house and dragged her out to my parents house for lunch. We talked and speculated on my job prospects. It was good to see her too. I hadn't seen her in a long long time.

I hung out at the house and ended up leaving at 5:30 p.m. I was racing home. I decided to take the 198, which ended up being a huge mistake. "I think I've made a huge mistake", as GOB would say. I got onto the 198 and, as usual, there was no traffic, save for the odd slow poke doing the posted 55. Well, I'm zooming along and get to that annoying stoplight out in the middle of nowhere. I make a complete stop and go through. No sooner had I cleared the intersection, when I see CHP lights in my mirror. I got a speeding ticket!! My first reaction was a surprising one. I kind of expected it. I pulled over onto the giant shoulder and rolled down my window. The officer was really nice and polite, not those mean hard asses that you see on TV. I gave him my license and registration and he wrote me a ticket. The experience was actually semi-pleasant. I almost asked him if I could get a picture of him and me and the ticket to commemmorate my first ticket, but thought better of it. Instead, I'll just frame it. Yes, it will make a nice addition to my cube wall, right next to the photos of the dead cat and squashed oppossum.

I got home at 8:30 p.m. and went to Paula's house to show everyone my giraffe. They loved it. It even roars like a lion. I'm not sure giraffes make a noise. I imagine they probably sound like rabbit does when they are being killed and eaten. I watched the Emmy's(Go Lost! Boo Raymond!) and opened my mail. Guess what was in the mail? A letter from the City of San Mateo, mailed the day after my interview. It was a letter informing me that I was number 5 on the list of candidates. Not too good. Only six people interviewed on Thursday, and I doubt if there were interviews on Wednesday or Friday. At least I bested one person.

Monday morning started off alright. I was on time to work. I did my morning routine: check personal email, check work email, read/catch up on Doonesbury comic strip, read/catch up on Dilbert comic strip, check the weather, check the earthquake website, read the headlines at SFGate.com. All that only takes about 20 minutes.

About mid-morning, I got a call from Alex at BKF Engineers. He wanted to let me know that another Project Manager who was out of town for my interview wanted to set up a phone interview and talk to me. I said sure and 5:30 p.m. was the time set. I spent the whole day coughing and being nervous about this. I hardly got any work done after that call.

Craig(i think that's his name) called at about 5:40 p.m. and we talked for about 45 minutes. It went OK. I really hate phone interviews because you can't see physical expressions and reactions, only the audible ones. One thing that really sucked was when he told me that BKF's salary is not too competitive with Public Agencies in the area. And that really really sucks. Thank God he couldn't see my face. It was all contorted and my jaw dropped when I heard that one. I was a downer for the rest of the night. Except for when Arrested Development and Kitchen Confidential were on.

Today, I got up and got to work on time. I told people about my phone interview. I told them about the salary situation and figured out that at the County I make $26.60 an hour. I would not accept any less than that from BKF. Once again, as if I'm on a schedule, I got a call from Alex at BKF. They want me to come in on Friday for another interview with another group. I rolled my eyes as I agreed to a Friday morning 10 a.m. interview. Alex said that he would try really hard to get them to pay my mileage. I could almost hear his eyes rolling.

I discussed the new situation with my co-workers and we agreed on two possible scenarios:

a) They really want to make sure about giving me an offer hence the third interview.
or
b) They're jerking me around and have someone else they are waiting to hear from.

As much as I'd like to believe a), I think b) is the case. In any event, I am going to that interview on Friday and am going to do the best I can.

Blas has made his intention to take a job with Caltrans known with all the right people. He's gone within a month. Good for him. He's got a growing family to worry about. I'm gonna miss him though. Even when he picks on me. I'll have to pick on myself now. **sniff**

So I get home and watch "Meet the Fockers". I liked it. Not as funny as "Meet the Parents", but still funny. After that I watched "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" both of which had me rolling.

Very much looking forward to two hours of "Lost" tomorrow. The first three episodes promises to reveal a lot of the secrets, but also create new ones. Very exciting!

Don't you know..
If I like it I just do it

Say that we have all the time we need to make it right
Don't hurry for nobody
If it ain't the thing you like
Know your place and fit your space, young man you will conform
I didn't hear my soul express those rules when I was born.
Cause I'm free to roam 'cause it's my home
You can't stop sweet inclination
The kids want the system breaking down
Not higher education
If it ain't no natural law
Then you can keep your regulations
Cause if I like it I do it

But I keep on movin' though they wanna bring me down
I've gotta run for the cover,
And I keep on smiling
Though they wanna tie me down and give me death for the lover,
And I keep on losing though I'm proving what I'm doing
I'm still groovin', and if I like it I do it

You've got to help those people break that legislation
We can overcome this suffocation,
Execute your natural liberation
Happy to enjoy rejuvenation,
All around hear the sound
No-one can stop us now,
A thousand rules for plastic fools
Now they can take a bow.
Surely there's been time to see it doesn't work by now,
So if I like it, I do it

Still I,
Keep on finding that they're pushing those distorted visions.
And I keep on living but I'm dying 'cause of their decisions,
If I keep on looking I can find a higher space
I'm still groovin' and if I like it I'll do it

If I Like, I Do It
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

----------

When it gets too ba-ad,
and I never know which way to turn,
there's a friend I see-ee, oh yeah,
who believes in me.
He is all I have,
oh put your hand away
and bring it out
another day.
If I listen hard, if I listen hard now,
I can hear him sayyy
I know somewhere we can go,
so much better.
Oh the music in my mind,
oh now the music in my mi-i-ind,
I know somewhere we can go,
so-o much better.
Oh the music in my mind!
The music in my mi-i-i-ind yeah.
I can take you there
I can take you there
Oh now
I wanna say that I can take you there

Music of the Mind
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Fourth Entry

Oooooh...drugs.

Im so glad I got you hooked up on my drugs,
Everybody sings to the music,
Ha,
Are you feeling well now you've caught this bug,
Everyboydy dance to the music,
I think last time i took an overdose,
Come on dance to the music,
Hey, well It made me realise that I came too close.
Now im gonna dance to the music, music, music, yeah come on.

It can seem to have no relevance,
Bet you wish you'd danced to the music,
What you'll want to do is kill yourself,
So you dont dance to the music,

I can look at you and hear you scream,
Come on dance to the music,
And you'll tell me that your needle's clean,
Ahh..
Come on dance, dance

Come on now, dance to the music,
You know I need it, need it, need it,

Come on now, dance to the music,
Ow, I need it, need it, need it,
Yeah

Come on now, dance to the music.

Hooked Up
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Third Entry

The symptoms of bulimia unintentionali(see Three Hundred Second Entry) are becoming more evident now. The coughing has started. If I keep my mind off of my interviews, then the symptoms go away. So I tried to keep busy. I actually had one of my most productive days today. I got one plan sheet of details done, two more to go before Wednesday is through. I finished the first coat of mud in Tia's garage. And I took Igo driving and taught him how to pump gas...and washed his windows. But now I'm hackin' it up. I will have an ulcer by the end of the week.

When I think of how much I have riding on these interviews, I get an even knottier stomach. I NEED A NEW JOB IN THE BAY AREA. There are no two ways about it. I realize that there is a slim chance I get an offer out of these two interviews, but I can't help getting my hopes up. Talk me down people! Tell me how much I suck!!

I thought of a great icebreaker answer to one of the usual interview questions. Those of you that know me really well will understand.

Interviewer: What is your biggest weakness?
Me: Well, to be honest, and I am really ashamed of this, I can't sneeze just once. I have to sneeze at least six times before I'm done. Most people find it annoying, but a few people kind of like it.

Dalila didn't like that answer. She didn't think it was funny. But I think it might work. If they laugh, I have them eating out of my hands. If not, then I just blew the whole interview trying to be funny. In either case, the actual answer will follow. I have yet to come up with a genuine answer for that one that doesn't sound either stupid or, well, stupid. Possible answers: worry too much about minutae and detail; don't worry enough about minutae and detail(I think the first one applies to me, I concentrate more on tiny details and lose sight of the big picture); afraid of confrontation; impatient; afraid of change. Tell me what I suck at!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Jamiroquai.

Everybody,
Don't want no war, no, no no no,
'Cuz we're too young to die,
Too young to die.

So many people,
All around the world yeah,
All around the world,
Seen their brothers fry,
You seen your brother fry?
What's the motive,
In your madness?
Oh, I wish I knew,
You made my people cry,
You made my people cry.
So politicians, this time,
I think you better keep your distance,
Say, sing it loud:

We're too young to doo-doo-do-do-do-dah-do-do-do-do-dooo,
Do-do-do-do-da-do-do-do-do-do (etc.)

What's the answer?
I wish I knew,
To our problems.
I think we've gone too high,
I think we've gone too high.
Little children, never said a word now,
You know they never said a word,
Still they have to die,
Well I'm asking why.
It won't be long, no no no,
Dancing like we do yeah,
Oh, like we do now,
To put this sad world right.
I gotta put it right.
So don't you worry,
People we won't have to suffer no more,

'Cuz we're too young to...

All gone when they drop the bomb
Can the politicians reassure?
'Cuz here I am assuming that
Nobody wants a war.
There's so many people praying
Just to find out if they're staying,
But lately stately governments
And disillusioned leaders,
So full of empty promises,
But rarely do they feed us,
Put our backs against the wall,
Or don't we count at all?
Can you decide? Are you mesmerised?
Do you know which side you're standing?
'Cuz when it falls gonna take us all,
Gotta know what we're demanding.
I'll never lie can't you hear me cry
Coming from on high,

We're too young to die (doo-doo-do etc. to fade)

Too Young to Die
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred Second Entry

I just got a personal invitation from Donald Trump. Yes, for a mere thousands of dollars, I too can learn to be an asshole with a bad combover/toupee at Trump University.

I now have two, count 'em, two interviews scheduled for this week. One at the City of San Mateo, and the other at BKF Consulting in Redwood City at the fabulous Redwood Shores, whatever that is. I'm nervous, but that's to be expected. I haven't had any fits of vomiting yet; I've just been too busy to think about the interviews. I expect by Wednesday morning I'll be making hourly trips to the bathroom to dry heave. I just love interviews. Who knows, an interview a week might just help me lose weight. I shall call it, "Nervous Bulimia", not to be confused with "bulimia nervosa". "Bulimia Unintentionali".

I sooooo want one of those jobs.

*****Jamiroquai in 55 days!*****

In honor of the concert on the 5th of November, I will post the lyrics to each and everyone of their songs everyday. Not all of them at once...Um....I mean...One lyric a day until all of their songs are on this blog....starting.....now.

Yeah, yeah, have you heard the news today?
People right across the world
Are pledging they will play the game.
Victims of the modern world,
Circumstance has brought us here,
Armageddon's come too near,
Too, too near now,
Foresight is the only key,
To save our children's destiny,
The consequences are so grave,
So, so grave now,
The hypocrites we are their slaves,
So my friends to stop the end,
On each other we depend,
Oh, we depend.

Mountain high and river deep,
Oh yeah, we've gotta stop it goin' on.
We gotta wake this world up from its sleep
Oh, people. Stop it goin' on.

Yeah, yeah, have you heard the news today?
Money's on the menu in my favourite restaurant.
Well don't talk about quantity,
'Cuz there's no fish left in the sea,
Greedy men been killing all the life there ever was.
And you'd better play it nature's way,
Or she will talk it all away,
And don't try and tell me you know more than her 'bout right from
wrong.
Oh you've upset the balance man,
Done the only thing you can,
Now my life is in your hands.

Mountain high and river deep,
We've gotta stop it goin' on.
We gotta wake this world up from its sleep,
Oh, people, stop it goin' on,
Greedy men will fade away yeah-yeah-yeah,
When we stop it goin' on.
I know it's got to be this way,
Oh, people, stop it goin' on (I'm asking)
When you gonna learn?
To stop it goin' on?
Now when you gonna learn?
To stop it goin' on? (x2)

When you gonna learn
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

Three Hundred First Entry

I just finished watching "Hotel Rwanda". It was sooo sad. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. All the killing and dead bodies in the streets. Very depressing. But very good. A must see.

Three Hundredth Entry

I decided to blog today because I am bored at work. Do-do-do.

I have an interview in San Mateo next week on Thursday. I am sending out applications to Caltrans in Oakland today. I am also sending my resume to BKF Consulting. Hopefully I'll get a bite.

I have Hotel Rwanda and Meet the Parents waiting for me at home. Haven't yet decided whether I want to die from laughing or depression. Decisions, decisions.

I bought tickets last night for Jamiroquai concert in November! WoooHooo!! Hopefully the evil Rosie O'Donnell doesn't destroy my concert experience like she did last time.