Blow again and again!

Last night we celebrated Andrea's birthday with a belated dinner. My parents gave us some money to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Olmeca. It's a little local chain with three locations in small towns on different sides of Huntsville. It's the best Mexican food we've ever had, extremely reasonable in price, with the best lemonade Andrea has ever had, and really good mexican beer cheap and on tap. It was very nice to get out of the house for a bit, just the two of us. When we got home we played a few games of Scrabble. Overall a pretty nice evening.

Before we left I watched some of the Ted Kennedy memorial. It's really sad to lose a man who cared so deeply about average human beings. I can only hope some new politicians with that same level of caring. All of our lives are better off these days because of legislation that man was responsible for.

Andrea has to work tonight, 2-10:30. I'm going to spend the day/evening working on some music, watching Return of the Jedi, and making Jaime watch a zombie b-movie.

My orientation is Tuesday all day, then I presumably start training after that. Fear not, loyal blogolists [that's your name now (all 3 of you)], I shan't let the new job affect me writing!

It's lunchtime now, meaning I get to smell Andrea's amazing leftover fajitas, while I eat something else and wish I had left some of mine for today.

- Jeff

Safe to use around cats and dogs

I peed in a cup today. (That's a great way to start a blog, isn't it?) Hopefully I'll get a call in the next few days to set up my orientation (full-blown dude-loving), start training, and not be broke anymore. This has probably been said before, but being broke sucks. Money might not buy happiness, but it's much easier to be happy when you're not trying to decide between food or bills.

Ok, dinner's ready, but I'm not ready to stop this wonderful piece of writing just yet. I believe an intermission is in order...

(Intermission)

Well that was delicious. Some sort of garlic chicken rice thing. Cleaning up afterwards was less appealing. I won't go into details, but I cleaned with an idiot and double standards are fun(!).

My dad has some sort of growth on his face. He got a biopsy on it and we should here back in roughly ten days. My mom's convinced it's cancer, but she thinks if it is, they've caught it early enough to get it removed with simple surgery. I hope so. More info when I know it.

Ok, Star Wars marathon continues.

- Jeff

Available via e-mail!

A second post for today. It's nearly 1:30 in the morning as I'm typing this, and I really should be sleeping, but I have a bloody nose, so here I am.

Andrea and I have become addicted to a game for our phones called Ka-Glom. It's a new take on Tetris-style games, and it's quite addictive. Unfortunately Andrea's phone has been having issues lately, so we're now sharing our Ka-Glom time.

In my last post I mentioned a great new band called Red City Radio. I have another to add to that list: Running With Giants. Totally different music. They sound like Paramore, but much faster and more aggressive. Unfortunately they seem to have lost most of their band, along with their female vocalist, who is really what made the band stand out. They're apparently looking for new members. Hopefully they'll recover and continue. Their current EP is outstanding.

I have to take a drug test in the morning for the new job. Apparently they test more often when you work in a pharmacy, to make sure you aren't stealing prescriptions and using them yourself. I had no idea this was such an issue, but I guess it makes sense. I'm not sure if they want me to disclose any prescriptions I'm taking. I should probably ask about that. Wouldn't want them to think I'm stealing the cholesterol medicine that's $12.50 for a 6 month supply. How do I manage that cheap of a prescription you ask? Well, sure, I'll let you know my secrets.

Because they caught my cholesterol at an early age (thanks in large part to my dad needing heart surgery at 46), we've been able to get my numbers under control by only needing a small dosage. As it turns out, the cost of 10 mg is the same as the cost of 20 mg. A 30 day prescription for either is $6.95 with my insurance, but a 90 day prescription is $12.50 after my insurance. So I bought a $2 pill splitter and asked my doctor to give me a 90 day prescription of the bigger pill, then I split all the pills in half to get my smaller dosage. If you're keeping track, this medicine should cost me $41.70 for a 6 month supply. Yes, I'm aware of how brilliant I am, but thanks for mentioning it. Surprisingly enough, it never gets old to hear.

If Brian works at a WalMart in Indiana, and I work at WalMart in Huntsville, are we co-workers now?

Around a year ago I started making some new music along the lines of the stuff Dan and I were doing, just without any jokes or vocals. I ended up making 5-6 songs. The name of the project at the time was Subject: Predicate. I'm thinking about going back to those songs, reworking them a little bit, maybe adding some vocals, and putting them up. Should I keep the current project name or use a new one? I'm open to suggestions.

Ok, time to test if my nose has stopped bleeding. Nope. I guess I'll find more to write about. I'd really like to get a new computer at some point. And replace both our cars. And Andrea's phone. And get a PS3. And pay for my tuition. Who wants to give us some money?

The Daily Show being off for 3 weeks is not good for me. I start to go crazy if I'm reading or watching news and I don't have the comfort of knowing that at 10p.m. (Central Time) someone will be calling them on their bullshit. There's a rumor (though strangely enough, not talked about much at all by almost anyone) that they're using the next 3 weeks to update the studio, cameras, soundboards, and other equipment to start broadcasting in HD. If so, awesome, I want to believe I'm in the same room as Jon Stewart.

Ok, nose has stopped bleeding now. That wasn't too bad. Only an hour and 15 minutes. Mild compared to some previous incidents.

I'm going to sleep now.

- Jeff

Speak Spanish - the fun and easy way!

Trying to get a 10 year old to do his homework can be a nightmare, I'm learning. This is especially the case when the kid has an attention span lasting nano-seconds.

I got hired at Walmart today. Apparently they felt bad that they couldn't pay me the wage I was making at Hughes, which is amazing to me. Did they actually think I would expect a retail place to match that wage? Anywho, seemingly because they felt bad, they pulled some strings to match what I was making at Target before we moved, $8.18/hr, so all things considered, not too bad. I am considered part-time, and to them that means 16-34 hours a week. We should have no problem covering our bills with this added in, so that's a HUGE relief. I can finally stop worrying about that and start putting more energy into finding out how to fund my tuition in January.

I think I mentioned this briefly before, but I've been making a greater attempt to listen to new music and find up-and-coming bands I enjoy. Yesterday I came by a band called Red City Radio, and holy shit. Outstanding. That said, I've also been listening to quasi-jazz like Jamie Cullum and Holly Cole whenever I feel like relaxing.

Resuming my Star Wars marathon tonight probably.

RIP Ted Kennedy.

- Jeff

Convenient 24/7 account access*

Interviewed at Walmart yesterday for a pharmacy clerk position. It went well. I have a follow-up interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. We did the math, and if I can just find something around 20 hours a week we'll be fine.

Thanks to Brian feeding ideas to the little 14 year old girl, Jaime has taken to playing pranks on me. Because of that I've begun plotting retaliation against her, but I figured why not plot against everyone else while I'm at it. Right now I'm focusing my efforts on Jaime though. Two good ones planned so far, just waiting for the right moment(s) to strike.

I drank a bit much last night. That doesn't happen often. I've been paying for it this morning. I won't go into details.

Confession time(!): Not that long ago I would occasionally rant to Andrea about how Twitter seemed like the worst idea for communication I'd heard of. I still think it's moving us further and further to making communication completely counter-personal, but shit. It's addictive. I've become a fan. Sometimes I just have to deal with the self-righteous voices in my head judging me instead of the people around me. Whatever.

Ok, gonna go try and eat some chili. Hopefully I can hold it down.

- Jeff

Lasting Fragrance Stays Behind!

Cory is becoming a handful. Apparently the curriculum here is a little tougher than it was in Davison, but rather than work harder, he's been looking for excuses and people to blame. Yesterday he got confused by a homework assignment, refused everyone's help, made up a story about something bad happening at school, and proceeded to throw tantrum after tantrum about things he didn't like. This morning he feigned sick because none of his homework was done.

We've been patient with him, about as patient as you can expect two 22 year olds who don't want kids to be. We've spent the morning helping him get his homework done. Anytime a problem gets hard he pretends he has to go to the bathroom or instantly "develops" sniffles. That shit may have worked in the past, with other people, but it will never fly with me. I can only assume he's never been called out on it, since every time I do he gets a look of terror on his face. Apparently he realizes he can't lie to me and get away with it. The sad thing is that's worked before.

On a lighter note, I made fajitas last night and they were amazing, though way too spicy for everyone but Andrea and myself. I'll definitely be making them again sometime soon, with a little less hot sauce and jalepenos.

I interviewed at Barnes & Noble yesterday. I feel like it went well. Hopefully I get offered a job. As far as retail goes, that's always been a place I've wanted to work.

OK, time to take the crybaby to school and take back some library books. Then I make a delicious lunch and we have a few hours of quiet.

- Jeff

Who finished the cherry limeade? Me.

Ever since leaving Hughes Properties, I've been feeling much younger. I finally feel like a 22 year old again. I've been making a concerted effort to try and do a better job balancing responsibilities with enjoying life. I even got the guitars back out. I'm trying to at least get to the point where it isn't painful to play. It's been awhile. I'd like to start making music again, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I'm hopeful for my interview with Barnes & Noble on Wednesday. Not sure what the position is, but if it gives me 20 hours a week that'd be perfect to balance with school.

I've spent today listening to a lot of newer music, mostly from artists I've never listened to before. So far I've liked everything. That's odd.

Methinks tonight should consist of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And popcorn. Definitely popcorn. Ok, there are some sleeping kitties that are crying out for attention by sitting there quietly and sleeping.

- Jeff

Right off, no never ever

Today was spent making food. Andrea and I worked on a big pot of chili, then she made a potato salad, then I made the remaining pinto beans into a big thing of refried beans for our daily mexican lunches. You see, a few months ago Andrea started a lunchtime ritual known as "Mexican Mush" (for a short time nicknamed "Taco Pudding" by yours truly. Now commonly referred to as simply "Mushy Mushy"). Essentially this consists of the burrito essentials minus meat: rice, beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, with occasional additions of guacamole and black olives. Mix it all together and fill into your preferred tortilla. Delicious and simple.

This started as a cheap lunch for her when she was home alone and wanted something quick and easy. Now we all eat it. As such, we buy almost everything in bulk. Sam's Club has become our grocery store. Cheese, sour cream, beans, and tortillas are all bought in bulk. We home-make our salsa from ingredients bought in bulk as well. And then there's rice. Rice is cheap on it's own, but it's ridiculously cheap from Sam's. 50 pound bags for roughly 20 bucks. It's just a matter of finding a place to store it. We took one of those big plastic containers that had Christmas decor in it, washed it out, and filled it with those little white grains. The mothership resides in our closet upstairs, with an old plastic coffee can downstairs for quick kitchen access.

We've definitely adapted well to budgeting, whether it's the bank account or space around the house. It's amazing how much money you save on food living like this.

Wow, did I just ramble for multiple paragraphs about buying and storing food? I hope it's interesting.

- Jeff

I forgot to post a title before I sent this one in, so..."Title"

I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Don't know why. I seem to be back to a stage of insomnia like I had a few years ago. Not much I can do about it. I just keep myself busy playing games on my phone or writing this. You know, mindless things.



I accidentally stepped on Teddy tonight and in retaliation he stuck a claw in the heel of my right foot. Managed to puncture a well-developed callous. If you've never experienced that before, it hurts. A lot. Anyway, Teddy's fine, thankfully. Little guy had me worried though. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to him.



The more and more I watch this health care coverage, the more and more I'm disappointed in our country. The rest of the world must be laughing at us. I was glad to see Campbell Brown take some time tonight to dispel rumors, but right after that segment there was an ad about Obama the boogeyman and his apparent plots to decapitate senior citizens. I realize Time Warner is a business and their primary focus is making money, but when you're attempting to gain public trust and sell your network as "responsible", maybe you should take 30 seconds to watch an ad before you decide if you'll sell the time for it. Maybe that's just me though.



Tonight is a good night to listen to Holly Cole. I suggest you do so as well.



My foot hurts



- Jeff

Looks like bacon in the forecast

This health care debate is getting out of hand, and sadly enough the republicans are going to pull this off. You've got to applaud their tactics though. They might not be classy, respectful, for the good of the country, or ethical but shit, it seems to work. So congratulations Republicans, your insurance friends get to keep ripping off the very pawns you so creatively exploited. Kudos.

Is it really too much to ask for the Democrats to do what's best for the country, regardless of the loud people that are wrong? The loud ones aren't even in the majority. Just do it and say "I'm sorry you're wrong. You'll thank me later."

I'm still hoping for a miracle, but I'll be shocked if it happens.

- Jeff

My Fantasy

So this morning I've been in a terrible mood where I just want to throw things. I laid down on the bed to calm myself down and started daydreaming. In this daydream I would detach my ass from the rest of my body, and it would grow back. I would then throw my ass at whatever was irritating me, currently the apple store. So I spent a good 5-10 minutes imagining my ass flying through the air over and over towards those glass doors.

Now I feel better

- Jeff

It's August, so Christmas in July is over (for now)

I was having a lot of knee pain last night, so I took one of the pain pills an old Doctor gave me for when I had tendinitis a few years back. Safe to say I have a pretty low tolerance for pain medication. I slept like a rock for a good 11-12 hours, and once awake I was useless for the next 3 or 4.

Andrea had an interview at JC Penney. She got the job. 30-40 hours a week selling clothing. And Tim got hired at Subway. That leaves people without jobs: two children, me. Turned in some applications to Best Buy today. Maybe those'll pan out.

I can smell some delicious spaghetti sauce coming from the kitchen, so I think I'll wrap this up and go eat, then finish watching movies after dinner.

- Jeff

I'll save my heart attack until you get back

Today hasn't been horrible, but I could do without some members of the household. We went swimming and took Cory with us. He was being annoying so we attempted to ignore him. He kept following us so we had to keep swimming away from him. Probably one of the best workouts we've had in awhile.

I made a fantastic dinner. Just a simple vegetable stir fry. Then things got ugly. I won't go into it here, but suffice to say I'm hiding upstairs listening to music. It may be cliche, but good music always helps my mood.

Ideally, tonight should consist of some TV, popcorn, and laziness. We'll see how it ends up.

- Jeff

Technology

Isn't this technology thing fun? In the last 24 hours I've learned way more than I ever thought I should about things like twitter, shortened urls, etc. Today was another day. Andrea made delicious curry lentil soup. One of my favorites. It also helps that no one else goes crazy for it so I get to have it for lots of upcoming meals

I just made myself some cherry lemonade. It's delicious.

- Jeff

Andrea's Blog

Andrea has made herself a little blog. Go over to meowsies.blogspot.com to read it.