You Hung Up On My Face

Hey...it's been a while. I got sent home from work early today, so I am now listening to Bright Eyes. Today, I bought a Mountain Dew for Amber and I, and realized there was a promotion going on. And so, I opened them both to be sure I didn't give her a winning bottle cap. I kept the winner. Turns out I won a free download from Itunes. That's funny...I get them free from Ares all the time. Nice try, Lars. Ahh..and now I am listening to my wedding song. Glad I'm off early. We got a new girl at work today. She looks like Claudio from Coheed and Cambria...no joke. If Claudio was a red headed 22 year old who tells me what to do on her 2nd day of work, to which I tell her "You're not the boss of me". I said it jokingly...but she doesn't like me.
Do you ever stop to re-examine who are? I do. I'm doing it right now.
I am 21. I used to listen to strictly hip hop, but then rap starting sucking very badly. Now I listen to bands with three words in their name, and song titles like "I Never Knew That Knowing You Would Help Me Know That I Don't Really Need You (At All)". I get my eggs over easy, and I only eat the yolk. I hate tomatoes. "Thirteen" was a movie that disturbed me. I enjoy a nice pair of slacks. My room is pink. I love oldies more than you do. I sing in the shower, I've been in the back of a squad car at least 6 times (misunderstandings mostly). I'm a snob about music. I wear braces. I hate myspace accounts, and I love pizza. I think Mark Twain looks like the grandpa from Boondock Saints.I have a myspace account. I am the least photogenic person ever. The only shows I watch are The OC, American Idol, and Simple Life. They are glorious. My car does not go in reverse. I bet the Barenaked Ladies are more talented than your favorite band. When I miss a shot in pool, I chalk my stick like that was the problem. I often trip over nothing and lose balance. And...I am an inventor.
Updates: Be sure to go out and buy the new Anberlin album tomorrow! Also, American Idol is on again tomorrow night. "Hide and Seek" isn't as scary as you would expect. I'll let you know how "Boogeyman" is when I see it tho...wow.
Here is the thought question for you all tho - if you were stranded on a desert island with one album..what would it be and why? My choice is Brand New - Deja Entendu. Mellow enough for background music, but perfect enough to listen to every single day.

Ron Burgondy Says "No!"

You know Samaire Armstrong? She plays Anna, from the OC? You know Lindsay Lohan? She's on every magazine? Well, they're in an as of yet untitled romantic comedy coming out soon. Apparently Lindsay is the luckiest girl alive, and meets the un-luckiest boy alive. Oh the plot! And Samaire plays her singer/songwriter best friend. That is the update.

Yesterday was quite the day. For those of you don't know, I work for ComSpan. We offer home phone, cell phone, dial-up, and DSL services.
On January 20, 2004, I had one of the best days of my life. It was my friend Andrew's 20th birthday. To celebrate, Andrew, his girlfriend Jenae, myself, and Jenae's friend Amber (a very pretty girl who was visiting) went to Disneyland. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time, nor do I expect to for a while. The Lord smiled down on me that day.
On January 20, 2005, God had a sense of humor. ComSpan's internet went down. For San Diego, imagine if Cox went down. That's what happened. And I, as the receptionist, was forced to answer every call that came in and calm ever single person down. I learned alot that day -
Everything is my fault
I should have omniscience and know when the lines will be back up
I should be more considerate, and let (customer) know before lines go down next time

...Because yes, we plan ahead to upset you.

Hannah made the mistake of bringing a friend to the house last night. An unsuspecting girl, with Joel, Jerod and I. On "The OC" night. Melissa - if you're reading this, we just get very passionate about our show...that's all. But come on Marissa what is your problem?!?!? Line of the week, goes to Seth Cohen - "I'm just gonna go find a new girl to walk all over me..." I hear you, buddy. My advice? Get a one way ticket to Pittsburgh.

I don't have a whole lot to share today, so that's all for now. Something to ponder...ever wish you lived in New Jersey?

www.thebamboozle.com check out that line-up. Anberlin, Relient K...good to see you guys getting some exposure! New Anberlin album comes out February 1. Check them out on purevolume if you don't believe how much these guys have grown.

And yes, I will gladly unscrew any and all nuts and bolts on swivel chairs for your convenience and my practical jokes. I love you all. Happy birthday, Sara. Feel better

Wow

It's way too soon for you kids to get another post. But here is something I just had to share this with you. Apparently the military wants to use more "non lethal" methods.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6835214/

"Hey Umsaf, poot down thhat AK-47....jyes...slow like thaht....hnow cohm heehr...hI am goink to kees you"

A Day In The Life

7:08 am...alarm goes off. "Snooze sleep"causes me to have strange dream where I steal a tire iron and lie about it.
7:16 am...roll out of bed. Throw on slacks, shirt, go upstairs to brush teeth and straighten hair.
7:45 am...arrive at work. Check email. Come up with cool melody.
7:50 am...drink Mountain Dew. Forget melody. Realize none of my bands have updated their website/journals.
8 am...first calls begin. "This guy is obviously a moron" I think. Answer. He just wanted some pricing on our services, so I transfer him. "Moron" I think to myself.
9 am...Amber arrives and complains about something. I am listening to Launch Radio and "tune" her out. hahah!!!! "tune"! haha!
9:35 am...send Amber a picture of a pygmie. Check email.
11:15 am...resume from time warp and wonder what I have been doing for 2 hours...talking to Jenae I guess. Decide "Jenae" is French for "confusing".
11:38 am...decide an early lunch is in order
11:40-12:40 pm...woke up Jerod, went to Taco Bell. I made him push my car into a space, and he cut his hand on my bumper and made a funny face. Ate tacos and drank more Mountain Dew.
12:45 pm...come back to my desk and make as much noise as possible sitting down again, until I have everybody's attention on the floor. Check email.
1 pm...check email. Wish I could send a pygmie a picture of Amber. You know, mix it up.
2 pm...email Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger a "thank you" email for his politics, and for making the movie "Commando". Then I told him to look for a skinny goofy kid in his biography movie coming out on A&E. I am not making this up.
3pm...Wondering why Avenged Sevenfold is on my emo radio station, I make Amber buy me a Mountain Dew.
3:11 pm...sing 311's "Amber". Well, actually just the "who-oah" part. A lot. Every single Amber I've ever met hates that song...both of them.
3:18 pm...get excited that Hot Rod Circuit's "The Pharmacist" is on. Decide to speak in ebonics for the rest of the hour. These hata'z on tha flo' wit me ain't feelin' it so far...
4 pm...wonder if Arnold got my email. Check mine, in case he replied. He didn't. That's wack.
4:15 pm...I have taken 104 calls and been on the phone for 54:15. So I have said "Thank you for calling ComSpan, your local phone provider. My name is Cody - how may I direct your call?" 104 times so far.
4:20 pm...realize I should be the one picking music for Launch Radio. The guy who does it right now is a tool. I think it's Dave Matthews. Or the T-Mobile guy.
4:34 pm...Amber announces for the 27th time "Oooh! I almost had that one!". Amber...you haven't beat the Windows version of solitaire yet? Come on...I'm almost about to loosen the screws on your swivel chair when you're not looking. Moron.
4:40 pm...Amber goes to the restroom for the 27th time. I check my email for the...27th time. And for the 27th time, the only person who cared enough to write me was...me. I forwarded some stuff over from another address.
4:45...wow. Gay guy who works here informs me he is an alcoholic. I mean, coulda lead up to it a bit...just came right out. I wasn't sure if I should "Yeah, it's tough" and sympathise, or come up with a funky beat and synthesize. "Bill you're gay, you've got a mustache, and you're an alcoholic/ You spend your paycheck on men and cheap booze, there's no money in your wallet"
5 pm...off work. And thus, my second life begins. My job is so hard!

Love you all!

On 1/12, there was 211

...but that's another story.

This will be awkward. So...Jeff, one of my best friends, lives in Sacramento. His girlfriend, an awesome girl named Stacey, lives in Sacramento. Jeff, has asked two of my other best friends, Jerod and Joel, to come to Sacramento to help with worship. During this "Sacramento-fest", Straylight Run and Something Corporate will be in...yup. Sacramento. And I live in lame Oregon. Apparently, an "Oregon is lame so don't come near here, not even N. Cali, Washington, or Idaho" newsletter was sent out to the bands. And they obliged, not to come to any of these locations I would be willing to drive to. Sacramento. Eight hours away, on a weekday. This is not a euphanism in the least...I feel like crying. I have seen Something Corporate 5 times, and each time was a special memory for me. And as for Straylight Run. Oh, man. Living proof of a blessing in disguise. In May of 2003, my girlfriend at the time broke up with me. In May of 2003, Taking Back Sunday broke up. From the girlfriend, was birthed a complete turnaround for me. It helped me find myself, brought me closer to God, I met other girls, and developed a new writing style for music. From TBS, came Straylight Run - which is much more important than personal growth. (Like I'd really grown all that much...I got back with her soon thereafter). So, in place of my screaming off key to you guys (as if you could hear me, let alone know I existed) in person, I offer a personal note to each of you...*tears*
To Whichever Band Is Opening- "This is the godfather. No offense, but you are having coffee and pie, with a living legend."
To Something Corporate -
Clutch...you are in idiot. I love your hair, your sunglasses - take the bassline for a walk buddy
Josh...Will is not in the band anymore, you must carry it alone. And you can...you are amazing (that rift for Punk Rock Princess? Who are you?!?!)
Brian...smack the drums really hard for me
Andrew...you will be barefoot. You will make a few hundred kids sound beautiful singing "Konstantine" (which is a-friggin-mazing live, Jeff. Don't base it on that recording you have on your comp. It will kill you). You will stomp on your sticker-covered piano I have seen so many times. You will climb on the speakers, you will put random rap lyrics into the bridges of your songs (Jay-Z and OutKast are your faves), and you will say the "f" word for no reason when you get excited.
To Straylight Run-
Will Noon...your hair is out of control. I think you also have an afro for a beard. I'm sorry about Breaking Pangaea, but it's "for the best" (pun heavily intended...I love that song)
Shaun Cooper...you are the x factor. Your timing coming to TBS was perfect...the switching from Jesse Lacey* to Adam on bass, and then you coming in which moved Adam to lead vocals ahead of Antonio (who left). Who would have known? I was so sad to see you go, but you are amazing with the new band.
Michelle Nolan...no, I will not propose to you right now, but I thought about it. Your vocals are mesmorizing, oh the undertones on the "Tell All Your Friends" album, with your appearances on "Ghost Man On Third" and "Bike Scene"...thank you for doing this.
John Nolan. Wow. Your singing and songwriting both have influenced and inspired me. You are one of the only artists who can bring me close to tears (Death Cab, Beatles, and Straylight), your melodies are on par with Ben Gibbard, and I admire the way you answer post-TBS questions in interviews. Keep your Christian faith strong (you and your sister, get the other guys saved) and watch how God is/has/will bless(ed/ing) you and your band. You are amazing, John Nolan. You make Ghandi look like a child pornographer.

And...that's it. Just something I had to do. Had to get it out there. To anyone who lives near where the band is playing....lucky!

*Yup, that's right. Jesse Lacey was the original bassist for Taking Back Sunday. Then his girlfriend cheated on him with Mr. John Nolan (John, you dog...) and obviously quit the band to start his own...Brand New. The song "Seventy Times 7" is about that situation..."No I In Team" is TBS' rebuttal. And that, my friends, is why there are shared lyrics in both songs. They had been working on a song with those lyrics, and they both picked them. Bet you didn't know that! Another time I will explain in detail the BN/TBS/SR love hate triangle.

"You've Got Red On You"

The date is 1/11. I hope you've been praying and wishing all day long, and I pray and wish your prayers and wishes come true, unless they conflict with my prayers or wishes.

So, I decided something. Perhaps we (guys) are too hard on girls. I mean this with all respect, and zero sarcasm...it's not their fault they are so insonsiderate. Oh? Proof? Explanation? Read on...(Mom, show this to Dad and see what he thinks)

When I walk from the office to my car, I have to cross a crosswalk with no electronic "walk/don't walk" signals. As I stand on the corner, waiting to walk across, there is a stop sign to the right of me, waiting to turn left onto a one-way street that has NO stop sign (follow?). What this means is, they must make sure there is NO traffic before they turn, since nobody else stops. Now...when there is a MALE driver, he will look for traffic, notice me waiting, and give me the "wave" to cross. When there is a FEMALE driver, she will look for traffic (most of the time), notice me waiting, and turn right in front of me. I used to get mad and make sexist comments, then I realized something...they just look at the situation differently. See, the MALE has the problem at hand of "turning left". However when he sees me, he looks one step ahead and adds "this guy is standing on the corner. He needs to cross". The FEMALE registers the same scenario as "this guy is standing on the corner. Therefore, it's safe to turn". I test this every day, and this works (no kidding) 80% of the time. I no longer get upset, I practically expect it. Just think - if this is how a female's mind works...how will they handle other situations? Their logic is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from ours, fellas. So yeah...breakthrough.
I got my haircut. Yup...couple inches. I cut it because I was supposed to go to a club last Saturday night. Unfortunately, it started raining there was a leak in heaven, so we didn't get to go. Sorry, ladies. Next time perhaps.
Things have actually been pretty good here lately. Soon I might actually make some money, and I have been coming up with some of the best stuff I've ever written. Like, ever.
By the way, I have the best Launch radio station. Like, ever.
And finally, comment on my blog. I see a lot of people read it. But nobody comments on it. Like, hardly ever.

The Blue Channel

Payday is coming up for alot of us. So if you feel led, and are able...help out how you can. Just go to the site above (musicforrelief.org) to find out how.


Anyways, hey. Don't have much to say today...(sweet! "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" just came on!). If you don't know that song, then you're a tool.
I'm at work, and things are basically the same. I think I'm getting a haircut this weekend, which is a good thing. It's starting to look like a raccoon is making love to the back of my neck, something I can not tolerate any longer.
Today during lunch, I made friends with a stray cat, and ate some hot dogs. Then I took a picture of a squirrel with my phone.
I've been spreading conspiracy theories all over the office. Since I am sick, I note that I am the only one who drinks from the water cooler. I often badger people with "Now did we really go to the moon" questions, and ask input on naming emus. I sent a picture of Kim Jong Ill down to the sales team today, and I think they got confused.

I hope what I've heard isn't close to the truth ...and if it is, then I hope you die as lonely as I'll try to live from here on out. And when we meet when life is finished, maybe then we can be the friends you've always wanted...'cause God is more forgiving than I could ever be. Don't be such a stereotype. Don't let this low budget movie end with the same recycled closing scene. I expected it from her, but not so much from you...

Sorry...that was the ninja in me expressing something. This next week, hug one person you normally don't, listen to better music, and give me a name for my emu.

And if nothing else, be sure to check out my buddy Chet's blog....
http://www.chetthomas.blogspot.com
he's the man!