"Congratulations! You are now prepared to avoid most contracts and blow the few you manage to get." - Zeldman
Now that is just plain cool... and what I have been trying to do for so very long.
August 31, 2001
Warning: DZ has landed in California. The nights following this blog will be filled with very little sleep and lots of wine. Stay tuned for the blurry details.
August 30, 2001
DSL has been down all day. I hate it when that happens... I feel so... internetless. I feel disconnected.
I slept like a log last night. Felt very good.
This morning I am going to try to help Ong pick up her new sofa. I am not much help with my finger trashed the way it is, but I am going to give it a go. Maybe I will just try to move the pillows.
It really bites not being able to move your whole hand. The good news is that it appears to be healing nicely. As long as I do not do anything stupid in the next week or so... it should be healed enough so I can get it wet again... aka go into the ocean.
I have a bit of cleaning to do today as well... it has been a while.
August 29, 2001
Merc Store has been updated. Not too many changes... added a few new products. This one is a limited time thing... I think it is pretty cool.
I just canceled my MSN Dial-up... feels kinda wierd. I have had that account for about 3 years... that is a long time. Hmmm... anyway... that is 21 bucks a month saved now... and that I feel good about.
After a few months... I finally finished up Solbeam's CafePress Store. I should be dragged into the street and beaten for being so slow... but... yeah... I am a loser. Heh... heh.
August 28, 2001
I just updated LP again... yes, I am going to annouce it here every single time. Heh.
"As he faced the sun, he cast no shadow." -Oasis
Mighty interesting day... I left the house will little hope and no job... came home with the highest paying job that I have ever had (with benifits too)... and smiling. I feel a lot better about my new life... as in... I feel that it will be a lot more stable. The growth that I need cannot come without a stable base.
August 27, 2001
The interview went well... it looks like I will be going to a second one.
Bad thing that I did was take my Band-Aid off. My finger is so much worse than I thought it was. Has to be one of the nastier looking things that I have seen... should have gotten stitches... without a doubt.
I have an interview with Best Buy in thirty minutes; wish me luck.
The job search is not turning up much... however, I did get a call form Best Buy today. Looks like I have an interview with them. I really hope I get a job there. It will be a nice change of employment... I hope. It will at least be different than what I have been doing for the past decade.
Falling. I still do not think it was a fall since I landed in my feet, but... to avoid any arguement... I fell out of a tree yesterday. Yes, I was climbing in a tree... and I fell out of it. Why? Well... for a picture... not that I really ever need a reason to climb a tree... I would do it just because the tree is there and I am Merc... but this time it was for a picture. Oh boy... after the picture, I decided that it would be fun to climb higher into the tree... and do a flip out of tree on to the ground... sounds like fun right? Well... it should have been. As I got higher into the tree, I noticed that the treee had thorns all over it... at this point a 'normal person' would have turned back, but not I. So... I found a nice little branch that I could us eto flip down with... and then proceeded to do such. Well... this is about the point where the branch broke... not a good thing when I was hanging from it... and it is covered in thorns. I somehow ended up on my feet on the ground. Sounds like I should have been okay, right? Well... I nearly cut off my middle finger on my right hand... as well as scratched the crap out of the rest of my hand. I had a couple thorns burried in my flesh... (big thanks to Ong for helping me dig them out)... needless to say it was a pretty nasty sight. It basically ripped through all the layers of skin on my finger right down to... ickers.
So here I sit... giving everyone within sight 'the bird'... because I cannot bend my finger. Heh heh.
August 26, 2001
Heh heh. It was a good, good night.
August 25, 2001
Headache. Wiz and I caught the same skull crushing wave... and somehow in tumble, we played bumper cars. I though I had hit a huge rock. When I could finally stand up, it turns out that I had hit Wiz. Minus this one painful ride, I had a blast. Since I have finally learned the art of bodysurfing, it is so much fun.
Well... with this headache it is hard to think... so I am out for the evening.
High tide is at 3.30p. Guess where I am going to be? That is correct... I will be bodysurfing.
August 24, 2001
You ever wish something like this was about you?
We fight a lot, I know, but you are still my favourite boy in the world. You're so smart, and so sure of yourself. Do you have high confidence or what? Ever consider being a lawyer? :) I know you're just being you, but I think it's so cute how you're SUCH an adult and you're so good with other adults. You're like, God's gift to parents. Oh no, you're going to kill me for saying you're cute! I don't know why, but it's SO cool when you switch the channel news & educational tv while we're in my basement. Comedy Network rules too! This is kind of disturbing to say, but you remind me of my Dad. You're DEFINITELY not as chill, though. I love hearing you speak and hearing what you have to say. I DO remember everything. You also make amazing dreams when you're the star of them, but that's all my doing. Your smile just makes those dreams better. I want to keep you as my boyfriend, even when I do go away. I'm sorry if my ideas about our relationship are beyond your intentions. I want to be friends no matter what. I miss you. We need to talk. Then, we should go on a day trip and watch a sunset (or a sunrise). I'd like to have a candlelit picnic in my backyard. I often relive the moments of our Rammstein concert date in my head. It was the best time. You're the greatest.
- Sinistress
Minor update to LP. I added... the simplest of things... a 'home' button. I should have included it in the first layouts... just over looked it. I am going to to be working on it pretty hard tonight. I need somethng to take my mind off of my unemployment. Sigh.
Unemployed? Play pong. It is proven to be better for you than drinking. Yes, I am unemployed again. I just found out today. I am not feeling so hot, but I am already looking and applying for other jobs.
August 23, 2001
My mind and the keyboard are not gettig along... either that or I cannot blog what I want to blog. My mind is spinning... and my hands are not typing. It is almost depressing.
Updated LP. It is coming along slower than I would like, but I am happy with what is happening wih it. I am now thinking that it will be about another month before it is completed. Depends on how much time I can put into it... and how many times I change my mind.
I am trying to build the site in such a way that people can see how the site is being built. The navigation and content is forming daily... sometimes even hourly. It is a website that is hatching right before people's eyes.
August 22, 2001
I have nothing to say. How odd is that?
Tired.
August 21, 2001
Humans can make such beautiful things... music... art... even other little people... heh heh. It is just amazing some of the art that people are able to create... the vision alone puts me in awe.
I am liking the early schedule at work more and more. It just feels good to be home this early. I also have the time to take care of life... run to the bank... the post office. Things are still open. It is just nice.
Right now, I am waiting for FJ and Wiz to get back from Fashion Island. They were supposed to be hanging out there and get back about the same time that I get off work... I have a feeling that they got stuck in traffic... or just plain forgot. I hope they forgot... because it sucks to be stuck in traffic... aka boring.
We are all supposed to go to the Newport Beach pier tonight. It is FJ's last night in California. I think he has been having a good time... we have been trying to show him one anyway.
Running late. Must get up earlier. Eh.
August 20, 2001
My evening was so grand that I am now going to go to bed. Woo!
Swimming is fun. I don't know why I am having such a good time today. Just plain odd.
I like the going to work early thing.. I am tired when I get there, but the day goes by so very quickly.
Maybe going to work earlier this week was a bad idea. Just maybe.
August 19, 2001
Beach is fun. Beach is fun. I am jazzed... but I am way tired. I statr work earlier in the morning... so off to bed I go.
Just got home from the beach. I finally learned how to body surf. Now I have to take a shower... you know all the places I have sand. Eh.
Morning again.
What fun will we have today? I am not sure yet, but there is so very much we could do. Sometime today, we are going to take FJ to the beach. In my opinion, the Pacific Ocean is the best ocean... in fact, it might be the only ocean worth anything mkaing a trip to go see.
Everyone around here is still asleep... so I will be working on Lounge Punk until they wake up. It is coming together pretty good. I am not sure if I am 100% happy with it. I guess I will find out when I am finished.
Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you just had to be okay with it all? I am there... or here rather... and even the okay is sketchy. It is going to be a long night of mental drainage... no caffiene will be needed.
On the lighter side, FJ got into town today. I had a blast... hope he did too. I should him my favorite parts of Southern California... well... at least some of them.
August 17, 2001
The choice has been made. Now the work will begin.
While surfing this morning... this caught my eye. My computer has been waiting a long time to get this chip. Where can I ge some extra money... hmmm?
Fridays are so nice. It is the last day of work every week. Everyone is happier. Stress is less. It is just fantastic day in the land of cubicals. I need to go rent "Office Space" again.
I had a list of things I wanted to get donw today... but I did nto write them down last night... so here I am wandering what in the world were any of them. I can not think of a one. I hope none of them were important. Heh.
I have my camera a ready this morning. I have to shoot 13 photography today... in order to reach my goal of shooting a roll a week. I am already cheating, because part of the roll was already shot. But that should balance out with the fact that I am going to shoot a few rolls while FJ is here.
August 16, 2001
It appears to be past my bedtime again.
Who cares... I don't. I do in the morning, but not at night... that has to be why I am still up.
Anyways, I wrote my first article for eDevCafe. I wrote it about this book. I thought it turned out well, but I will let you know as soon as it is posted.
I am getting closer to dumping all the projects that make me unhappy. I am going to be dumping a few clients as well. I am going to trade them in for clients that are actually willing to pay me what I am worth. There is a new concept. I am not trying to be rude... but i am just no longer going to work so hard for so little. I need money; I don't need stress. That seems to be about all some clients pay me. I think I am just going to be raising my rates across the board... and if people are willing to pay, then I am willing to work.
LP has a new post. I am going to start focusing a lot of my fun time to that site. It is where my love for the internet is going to heal.
Yawn.
Focus.
I am trying to gain one. I started this new life on the wrong foot. Time to make corrections before it snowballs.
Look! I am out of bed... and into the shower. I don't thnk my eyes realize that I have left my bed... poor little guys. Tisk.
August 15, 2001
Okay, I am up way later than I wanted to be. Why do I always do that? I am so foolish... but I am workign on stuff... stuff to help me... help my creativity... help my mind.
LoungePunk.com is starting to take shape. I could not be more happy. It is like a blank canvas... hence the simple design right now. It will be my playground for designs and code... kinda like Assembler.org... kinda, but not really.
My life is starting to ease up... I am really pushing to be free of all the things I tie myself up with. Needless stuff. Most of the stuff I do needs to profit my mind or my wallet... if it does neither... then I just don't need it. Not at this point in my life.
To all those sites that I host... you profit my mind the most. I love your thoughts... so I am not dropping y'all. You may even get more attention in the next few weeks.
I am really looking to improve my skills in all that I do. Top of the list is to improve my design, my code, and my photography... and a million other things too. I need some personal growth... I need a change.
"Let's spend some time forever." -Weezer
"While you were at home watching TV, I was out participating in some anarchy."
-Sublime
Stop watching life and go live one.
Stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff... so much stuff to do tonight. I think I am going to start by making a list...
"With common sense... and nothing else." -Quayle, The Band
My eye lids were as heavy as bricks this morning. I must have been sleeping hard. I still feel a little dazed... not tired... just dazed. I have until I have to get to work... rush rush.
Question of the morning: Bring the camera?
August 14, 2001
It is hot tonight... ickers. I think my mind is melting.
I know I said that I was going to go to bed at 10... well 10.30 is close enough right?
I have been a busy little Merc. On the list... I am working on a PHP Auction - which is very challenging... it has yet to stump me, but I can see it coming. Also, I just finished a new page for OHP Direct. I have a few other projects in the fire... but these are my top two for the evening.
I bought 7 rolls of film tonight... it was on sale at Costco. Seven rolls of Kodak 400. I am going to shoot one roll of film every week... or at least this is my goal. My only fear is that I am not going to be able to afford to develope the film... eh. I guess I will worry about that when it happens, huh?
This week, I need to get a hair cut and change the oil in my car... and wash my car as well. But for now... I must get to bed.
"It makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain." -Weezer
"The main thing we have to do is know what we want. When you know what you want, you focus on it, you get a clear picture, and it evolves."
- Ernie Watts
Timing is an amazing thing. Thank you, IP. I could not have gotten this at a better time.
Follow your fire.
August 13, 2001
Easy day at work. The stress in my life starts when I get home. I am on a bad start for my new life.
I am making changes now... as in tonight. This is not going to be the same old thing in a new location. The move would have just been in vain.
New bedtime has to be 10p... until I catch up on sleep.
I had two strange dreams last night... one strange dream... and a dream about my sister getting eaten by a shark. (This is normal, right?)
Don't you hate dreams that leave you sort of confuzzled in the morning? Makes the rest of your day feel like a dream as well.
Anyway... Merc is trying to get healthy and in shape. I am so sore from the weekend... so sore. I got a cramp in both legs while swimming on Staurday... oh the pain. So this morning... and every morning after I am taking vitamins and drinking a "lovely" protein shake. My goal is to put on about 10 pounds and to have a nicely chiseled six-pack and chest. The real goal is to feel healtier... but I am going for the bonus package.
August 12, 2001
My mind. It is an odd thing. It swings around and around and around... and where it stops not even I know. While it does make life dizzyingly exciting... it does make me feel insane. For... I feel so intense about love and life. And as you can imagine... in a hardly normal way.
I am not quite sure why people put up with me. It must be for pure entertainment... I am very sure it is fun to watch me live... maybe not always fun, but it will keep you on your toes.
Tonight the dial stopped upon... my relationships in connection to my creativity. I think you are not what you eat; but rather, you are who befriend. And for further clarity... it is not that you become like those whom you spend lots of time with (but you could)... I feel you compliment your friends... you become the missing cog.
I like watching people... don't be scared yet.
I was watching people at the beach today... and I noticed a group of frat guys. While they were all big bonehead jerks... they were fulfilling different roles within the average circle of frat guys. It was very interesting to watch... I pondered what they would be like if apart from the group...
Then I looked at myself... and my friends... and their influence upon my. I took a closer look at who I have have become with the help of those around me. And I must say... minus me being insane.
You people rock.
If it were not for each and every person I know... I know that I would not be the person that I am rigt now at this very second. So...
I would like to send out a big thanks for just letting me know you. Thank you.
That is the best food that I have ever eaten.
Just got back from he beach.... so beautiful. I love living here. I think I need to start a donation box for a digital camera. I just have to share some of this beauty.
I am heading out the door riht now to go eat with Wiz, my aunt, and my uncle. It is a new to me Italian restaurant right here in Fullerton. I will write a review later tonight.
I got a new vision for LoungePunk.com while I was in the shower. I have to give the site a bit more thought.
Party last night was a blast... and the food was great. I went skating and swimming. It felt good to do something that was not at a computer.
Wiz and I had a really good conversation on the way home last night. It was about art. It was about the elements that made great artists. Awesome conversation. Left me feeling pretty inspired. It was almost hard to fall asleep.
Today we are going to be goign to the beach. I think the beach is in the top 5 list of things that make me love this place. I am going to take my camera. It has been a long time since I have taken any photographs. I have been worried about being able to afford developing and buy film. Now that I have a moderately good job, I am going to try to shoot more. Maybe like a roll a week... or every two weeks.
August 11, 2001
Okay, I am on my way out the door to find the Long Beach Airport. Wish me luck.
Want to talk about an interesting night? Well I had one.
Tried watching "The Nightmare Before Christmas" tonight. Got through a good part of it, but I had to start working on the movie credits again. A few of the files got reconnected wrong... oops. A few of the changes that we had made in the past were undone.
I am not sure what time to get out of bed tomorrow. Part of me really wants to get out of bed early and the other part of me want to ge out of bed at the very last moment.. I think I am going to get up early though... I really want to see my aunt.. and I really want her to see my apartment.
I cannot believe that Friday is gone already... I don't even feel like I got to enjoy the fact that it was Friday. I hope I enjoy my Saturday more... or notice it at least.
For fun this evening, I designed he official new logo for LoungePunk.com... I think I have spent enough time away from it that I am very inspired about working on it. I was really struggling before. Tonight it just came to me so easy.
I am finally feeling very inspired to design... I just wish that I had more time to do it. It has been a long time since I felt my talent was growing. I think a new look at life is a key factor. Change is good... most the time. I am enjoying this move, this change. It is, all-in-all, the best thing for me.
Follow your fire.
August 10, 2001
I started feeling better last night... and good timig too. My mother, step-father, and sister showed up at about 11p.
Right now they are at California Adventures without me. Having to work is not cool sometimes. But I have the need of money... so.
My aunt is going to be flying out tomorrow morning. I am picking her up at the airport in Long Beach. I had no idea that there was an airport in Long Beach. Crazy... there are airports everywhere here.
Right now... I am sipping on Rasberry Lemonade... and working on a project that is very close to being way late. I am exporting the opening credits for a new movie called "Hourly Rates" from Visionary Films. Wiz and I have been working on this project for a few weeks now. I think they turned out pretty cool... just my opinion. You will have to watch the movie when it comes out and let me know what you think.
Another project that I am working on is a PHP Auction for the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce. I am working with a company called EMK Design. I am going to be doing a lot of free lance work for them in the future.
I am currently trying to pull together a volunteer team for a new project. I am going to be building and launch an online community. Let me know if you are interested in helping. People/Teams already on board with the project are: WI Net, FactionStudios, and iPetro.
I finally got LoungePunk back. Huge thanks to ThinkHost. I have a have a developmetn plan in the back of my head. I owe some people a lot of favors before I can start. Should not be too long from now. It is something tat I really WANT to do.
Last but not least... I think I am going to be redesigning this site as well. Does anybody remember version 1? Heh heh.
August 09, 2001
I think I am ill. That really bites. Something is eating my stomache alive. Bleh.
Long day at work, but it was pay day so it made it easier to get through.
I have a lot to do. My mother is going to be coming tonight, so the house has to be all clean... and it is a long way from that now.
I also have to pay bills tonight... and that is never fun. Looks like it is going to be another rough evening. The weekend should be pretty fun... my uncle should have some pretty good food at his party this weekend... or at least I hope he does.
Side Note: Wiz and I have been in Orange County for a few days over a month. Time flies.
August 08, 2001
I am overcome with tired. I feel like a zombie.
Communication is...
It really is. Don't you think? Where would we be if it weren’t? We might possibly be informed and have a clue as to what is going on... or at least that is what I think. While trying to fill in the blanks is fun... it is just usually wrong.
So just do the world a favor and improve those communication skills... in fact just try using them.
Clarity is a wonderful thing.
Everything should be well designed. There are so many talented designers in LA/Orange County alone... thee shoudl never be a shortage of good designers. Half the designers I know would even work for free. They need experience... and companies need better look stuff.
I really think individuals should consider hiring a designer for the their own personal image. Everyone should have a logo... a color scheme.
Just a morning ramble.
August 07, 2001
Run, run. Catch up with me, life.
My life was already moving at an insane speed... so I decided to pick up the pace... or at least I am trying. I am not doing my normal burn-out routine this time. This time... I am stepping back taking a look at all the things that I really want in my life... and I am going for them. More than my busy pace, it has been my unhappiness that makes me so tired everyday. I am ill of being tired, so it is time for a new aproach... a better aproach.
Where do the hours go? Time flies.
August 06, 2001
Here I am... I am back... offically.
Life is still a little crazy around here. Money is beyond tight. I am taking food stamp donations... heh. I am starting to get my new life put together. I have a job working for Verizon... and I have DSL... what else does a boy need?
This boy needs more sleep... but anyways...
My mother is going to be coming to visit me on Thursday... which should be pretty cool. I think they (my family) are going to be going to Disneyland on Friday. My uncle is going to be having a big party over the weekend, so I will be spending most my time there... I hope.
I know that I have said this like a million times already... but... I love the mornings here... I also love the late evenings. The air and the energy in the air... it is so awesome. It just makes me feels so good. Minus the stress of staying alive... this place just makes me so very happy.
Ong and I went to the beach last night... I love the beach... the beach rocks... I need to go to the beach more. Beach equals good stuff.
Side Note: I am still digging through my e-mails... so please don't feel bad if I have not gotten back to you. I still have so many messages to go through. I am also about a million items behind on my projects list... and ones that pay are getting done first.
The mornings are so beautiful.
August 05, 2001
Eddie is here!
The start of another long day at the keyboard.
August 04, 2001
Long day at the keyboard... still playing catch up from being offline so very long.
I love the mornings here. It is almost cold... but a good cold. The sounds of the city... with faint Spanish music... just beautiful.
I am frying potatoes for breakfast... gotta love cheap eatin'.
August 03, 2001
I am back... or I am will be coming back slowingly... one day at a time. I have things to catch up on. I feels good to be back.
I am grinning from ear to ear. Happy. Happy.
August 01, 2001
The worst has happened. I am not sure when I will be back. Nothing seems to be going right. I think I would have better luck chasing my tail.