Things I'm Thinking

~ I've been found by, and in turn found, an old friend from high school. We've caught up some by email today, sharing the superficialities and a bit of what lies beneath. It strikes me that I recall some things about him that he may be chagrined to know that I remember. And that he (several years ago) knew some things about me that weren't remotely flattering. (Marcos, where are ye now?) It was a delight, truly, to realize that there's still an honest desire to know what he's up to.
~ I'm at work; Wednesday's my late day. I'm listening to the Weeshy-Washy Hudge-Podge Mellow Mush Mix. Just finished "Love Song for a Savior" by Jars of Clay. My friend Fluffy once heard me playing it and asked, "Um, do you know that this is Christian music?!" Yup, I do. I don't seek it out, as a genre, but the song was on a mix made for me by my good pal Wolfos—who liked the tune, and the "I want to fall in love with you" line. But I don't think that he heard the "It seems too easy to call you savior / Not close enough to call you god" bit. Ah, well. It does have a nice beat, tho I wouldn't necessarily dance to it.
~ You don't want to hear about the apartment situation, so I won't even tell you. There will be an update as soon as I think y'all can stomach it.

["More than Words" - Extreme]

~ A 'special' (read: pain in the ass) patron from my place of work came in yesterday seeking the newest version of a tax-help book that we have on standing order from our procurement company. Yeah, the 2005 tax guide. YESTERDAY WAS NOVEMBER. TAXES ARE DUE IN APRIL. If I had been the one to handle her "reference question," I'd have been tempted to respond thusly:
FUCKING CALM DOWN, lady.

["One" - U2 live with REM]

Alas, the Big Quack was her point of contact. She completed a reserve request form. Damn it.
~ Those Kyocera wireless phone ads are hilarious. I particularly like the one in which the competitor's phone has a "stun" setting. I would pay extra for that. Fuck, I'd sacrifice a hell of a lot to have a stun setting on my phone. I wouldn't necessarily use it on other people, either. I'd set it to stun me when I try to use my phone for idiotic purposes. "Stun me when I call person X while under the influence." "Stun me if I ever say, 'Yes, I will work for you this Saturday.'" Yup, I'd pay a lot for that.

["I'm on the Outside" - Staind with Fred Durst]

~ I have 5 books checked out right now. 3 of them are poetry. That's not good. I mean, the poetry itself is good—Cesar Vallejo (The Complete Posthumous Poetry), Sylvia Plath (Poems) & Carol Muske-Dukes (Sparrow). But too much poetry, I think, can pull me inward. And that's when I start listening to some really thrashy music to compensate. And I get all torn up and conflicted and drink too much Coke. Best I alternate the poetry with the other books—Walker Percy's The Moviegoer and Joyce Carol Oates' I am No One You Know.

["Island in the Sun" - Weezer]

~ Oh, ooooooo! I forgot! I finally got the Eddie Bauer car coat!
~ Laws. Aren't they funny? Gravity. Averages. Seat belts. Then there's the one about how, when you need a cardboard box, there isn't one to be found, anywhere on the planet. But if you don't have a pressing need for one, they're everywhere and you spend all your time squashing them or cutting them apart, trying desperately to get rid of them like voluminously propagating vermin.

["My Own Worst Enemy" - Lit]

~ Man, I love this song. Too bad I've never bothered to figure out how to regulate the volume of my mixes, so it plays SO MUCH LOUDER than everything else on the CD. tee hee. In case you aren't familiar with the lyricism of Lit, I share for your enlightenment:

Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk?
I didn't mean to call you that
I can't remember what was said or what you threw at me
Please tell me
Please tell me why
My car is in the front yard
And I'm sleeping with my clothes on
I came in through the window last night
And you're gone
It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy
'Cause every now and then I kick the living shit out of me
The smoke alarm is going off and there's a cigarette
Still burning
Please tell me why
My car is in the front yard
And I'm sleeping with my clothes on
I came in through the window last night
And you're gone
Please tell me why
My car is in the front yard
And I'm sleeping with my clothes on
I came in through the window last night
It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy
'Cause every now and then I kick the living shit out of me
Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk?
I didn't mean to call you that

["Here is Gone" - Goo Goo Dolls]

~ After work, I'm headed to Elder Beerman. I've never shopped there before, but I need something for a memorial service tomorrow after work. Almost none of my "grown-up" clothes fit me anymore. Not generally a 'problem,' but sort of a hassle, particularly given the crap on the streets after yesterday's 5 inches of snow.

["Still Fighting It" - Ben Folds]

~ The Chief sometimes eats breakfast at work. I know, you're probably thinking "bagels" or "danish," right? Nope: oatmeal. This morning she had her grains & whatever, and when she was through she brought her dirty bowl into my office and plunked it into the sink...and left it there. It's still there, 11 hours later. Disgusting, swollen flakes of oat floating in scummy brownish, brackish water. Mmm. Thanks for sharing, Honch-ette. (And like I'm that much better, sharing with y'all.)

This seems a fitting note upon which to wrap. I wish you clean sinks, and warmth.