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November 30, 2004

Christmas Wishlist

and just because I come from a priviledged background...I am going to list the things that I want Santa to bring me for Christmas this year...rather than think about the things that I should be giving to other people.

Ok...now that I'm done with the spoiled brat disclaimer, here we go!

Ipod
Seven for all Mankind Jeans
A newer, more sophisticated camera
Sexy Underwear
Pink Shirt
Shirt and a Tie to go with it.

This all looks great...but sometimes I have to remind myself that I have better fashion sense than my sisters. So when I say "shirt and a tie to go with it" I'll probably end up returning them both in favor of something that appeals to my senses more.

Posted by piep0058 at 04:24 PM | Comments (1)

November 29, 2004

anxious for finals?

i don't know about you, but i cannot wait for finals to be here. by then i will have had my japanese history paper done. i won't have anymore of these dang homeworks. and i can blog and blog and blog about anything i want.

and i won't be so tired all the time.

front desk time!

Posted by piep0058 at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2004

Into Thin Air

So my weekend was allright. Being on duty was ok. Lonely though.

Good food at Jon's place on Thursday night. Dee-lish! I was content with going to the Saloon...but for some reason I just didn't feel like having any fun, so I left kinda early (like 12:30).

Friday, boy was I productive, Katie and I made dinner in the kitchenette and it was also dee-lish. Shoulda got some tomato paste though. The sauce was kinda watery. Shuckydarns! Then I got called in to work the door at the Kitty Cat Klub...which was super boring! But at least I made enough money to go out on a hot date to Moscow on the Hill. *eye wink*

Note to self: the next time I use fresh tomatoes in a recipe make sure to either drain the liquid somehow or use something to thicken the sauce.

Saturday: yay! Matt is back from New York...but I had to work at the Loring Pasta Bar that night so I didn't see him until around midnight at the Saloon...yes...the boring old Saloon...*rolls eyes*

Later on I went to check out the Rock Bottom Brewery with him and his crazy drunk friends. It seemed kinda cool...I should stop in there for dinner sometime rather than drunk hour. (I'd really prefer to go to the Capital Grille...but sometimes you have to put yourself on a budget...oh well).

And now a new week begins...and what homework have I accomplished over the weekend? Nothing, well, at least I made a calendar (that, I admit, isn't the most colorful thing in the world).

Anyhow, time to be productive in other ways...

Posted by piep0058 at 11:34 PM | Comments (4)

November 27, 2004

How Nice

I'm so glad I got characterized as this book. It's one of my favorites of all time.


You're Catch-22!
by Joseph Heller
Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You could coin a phrase that replaces the word "paradox" for millions of people.
Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Posted by piep0058 at 03:37 AM | Comments (1)

November 25, 2004

Less Hair, More Alcohol

So I got a haircut on Tuesday and I look hot! Well sorta, at least my hair is more manageable now.

But on the way back to Comstock, I decided that I would finally get to the bottom of what was rolling around in the back of my car...then I found this. Where did it come from? I don't even know...I've decided that when I get a job and get dog, I'm going to get a husky and name him Stoli. And I'll name my cat Vox or Disaronno or Midori.

Anyhow Tuesday night was hell! I hated it! I can't stand all this homework all the time...it's driving me nuts. They seriously need to make work less hard sometimes.

But anyhow, Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'm celebrating my 3rd year away from home. That's what I'm thankful for...not being in Missouri.

Posted by piep0058 at 04:47 PM | Comments (7)

November 24, 2004

Sophia!

Another quiz...I am addicted to these things...I don' t know if anyone else ever did this, but when I was little, my sisters and I played Golden Girls. I always had to be Bea Arthur. (I guess because I was the manliest of the 4.) It was fun, except when there was the hurricane and they killed me off.

You're Sophia!



"Picture it. Sardinia, 1932. I was on a tour of the great caper factories. I was a cookie kid going through my piccata period -- a wedge of lemon and a smart answer for everything. Anyway, I was slicing an onion when, suddenly, a big basil tree fell. I don't have a story about taking advantage of a dead guy. I have a story about a Moroccan and a monkey. But that falls under the heading of lust." You're Sophia, the wisecracking know-it-all with a past as zesty as your famous marinara and a penchant for dating the famous (Picasso, Julio Iglesias and all three members of the Yalta Conference, to name a few).




Which Golden Girl are you? Find out now!

But apparently I resemble Sophia more...who knows...

Posted by piep0058 at 08:14 PM | Comments (1)

November 23, 2004

Well, I saw this coming...I've been like this ever since 5th grade

Alas, more procrastination...damn you Pete!


You're Switzerland!
While most people think you're sort of stuck up, it's really just that people don't interest you that much.  That's why you'd rather just stay out of everything and be as neutral as possible.  Somewhere in there is an ability to be a psychiatrist because you're so objective, but you might just be too cold for that.
Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

Posted by piep0058 at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)

I thought for sure I'd be North Dakota

Another test...god I am procrastinating.


You're Oregon!
When people talk about peace in the valley, they often think of you. After all, you've inspired countless people to traverse rough terrain in search of you and even think about you when playing popular computer games. Are you really up to all the hype or are you all wet? You take shelter from the storm beneath trees, felled by either loggers or beavers. If you were a shade of pink, it would be salmon.
Take the State Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Posted by piep0058 at 10:11 PM | Comments (1)

Sex?

Well, you know...when you have sex with me...

It's Not Sex. It's ... :
Sinking the Titanic

Get your own Sex Name

Posted by piep0058 at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2004

Bolt Again?

So I think i told myself a while back that I would never go back to the bolt (or at least for a while). Well, I went back to the bolt on saturday night. and i gotta say, it wasn't that bad. it wasn't the mexican night that i had remembered the last time i went.

anyhow, after work (it was a hellish night that i want to forget) on saturday night i went over to the gay party at anthony/toby/jeff's house near the quarry. it was ok, i met up with Josh, Matt, Joel, Dimitrius, etc. (and more from the frat). But when you got right down to it, it was a bunch of homos sorta sitting around. This sure beat the alternative party -- that would be going to Andy's (where I could punch Becky in the face). Anyhow, some of the guys there decided they wanted to go out. So we did. I was the driver.

Even though I was a bit apprehensious to go to the Bolt, I somehow gave in. And i'm happy i went. Yay!

Posted by piep0058 at 12:00 AM | Comments (4)

November 20, 2004

Kinsey

Ok so I just saw my new favorite movie. As far as dramas go at least.

Everyone should go see Kinsey. I felt like this was my life on screen. I feel like I am Alfred Kinsey reincarnated. It's like he went a complete turnaround from being sexually repressed to basically educating people about sexuality. And it wasn't just his thoughts on sexuality that i could relate to. It was his whole thought process. His quirkiness to complete tedious tasks (such as collecting all those wasps) is something I can relate to very well, especially growing up and collecting everything.

There was one point in the movie that was nice...it kinda has to do with homosexuality. There was this one woman who read his book about female sexuality (which wasn't very popular, in fact, a lot of people hated it. Who wants to hear about grandma doing oral sex? ewwww). Anyhow, she said she had serious troubles with dealing with her attraction for this other female. She was alienated from her family for drinking so much. But then she read the stories and realized she wasn't alone. Then she said she got the courage to talk to her love interest and she has never been happier.

Anyhow, Kinsey's devotion to science kinda freaked me out. But I consider my view to be somewhat reactionary at times reguarding his methods of scientific research.

To me, Kinsey is a saint for pioneering research about sex and removing the myths about it. He's affected U.S. society more than a lot of other researchers I can think of off the top of my head.

Posted by piep0058 at 03:20 PM | Comments (21)

November 16, 2004

Sleepless in Minnesota!

Workin the front desk is hard. I get no work done. And to top it off...I'm writing here to waste some time. That's ok -- I still have quite a while to get all my homework done. It's not like I really need sleep anyways...ohhhhh but I love sleeping! There is nothing better than laying down in a warm soft bed and sleeping. Anyone who disagrees can suck it.

The more sleep I get the more together I am. The more focused I can be. The better I remember information. The more content I am with life. The less stressed I am. The more enjoyment I get out of life.

And people wonder why sleep is so important for me. Well it's not like I'll be getting much tonight, if my CHEN 4005, 4101, 3701 homework has any say in the matter.

Posted by piep0058 at 11:23 PM | Comments (1)

November 15, 2004

Fun on the Weekend!

Boo to Monday! And I have a crapload of crap that needs to get done for Wednesday...so I'm here typing away.

Anyhow, I sorta had this plan to go to Stillwater. However, I have never been to Stillwater so I ditched that plan and just decided to go the Bonfire. Dan works at Axel's Bonfire out in Eagan...so I decided that I would head way the hell down there.

I didn't really have a clue where I was going...I just knew that if I went south on 35E and exited at Cliff Road I would get there somehow. However, I was stuck somewhere on Yankee Doodle Road (because I had gone down 55)...

That is sad. I was lost with Kay and Kelsey on Yankee Doodle Road. When I looked out my window I saw this.

Anyhow, we did actually make it to the Bonfire (it's seriously out in the middle of nowhere. I should have stayed on Yankee Doodle). I ordered a really big beer just to make Kelsey and Kay feel bad that they weren't 21. I'm evil. I guess that's what making me reminisce of those times in Germany.

Overall, I give the Bonfire 4 out of 5 stars. I would have given them 4.5 except for the fact that it was all the way out in the middle of nowhere in Eagan (so, maybe, the one on Grand might get 4.5). Other than that, the staff was very friendly, the food was really good, the prices didn't burn a hole in my pocket. When I left my stomach was ready to pop. Seriously. I felt like a beached whale.

When I got back I found out that there had been an incident on my floor and that some things had been damaged (holes in walls, lights torn down). I was pissed, needless to say. But it didn't matter really. I'm too annoyed to deal with it now, and nobody wants to talk about it, so I'm not going to push. I can wait for Jackie, I guess. They will talk to her at least, even if they don't want to. She has more leverage than I do.

Posted by piep0058 at 09:16 PM | Comments (1)

November 14, 2004

More Retrospect

For some reason I can't stop thinking about Europe lately. I don't know how to explain it; like, the feeling I got when I looked up on my first night in Berlin and saw the Fernsehturm glowing while I was wet and cold in July! I shouldn't have to wear a coat in July no matter where I am. It was 30 something degrees and raining and all i had on was this little gay shirt that had a diagonal zipper going down the collar, with some "european" [a.k.a. tight] jeans. It was sad. And I was lost in East Berlin with only Russel to guide me. After a few nights of wandering the city, though, I knew it so well.

I've decided I will never be happy living in America. Europe will always be that fantastic venue to wander and explore. It was so easy to disappear there, bascially become whatever I wanted, go wherever I wanted. The United States might be the land of the free...but it costs money to go places! In Europe I could get around so much easier. No car, no home, nothing but a backpack. However, I've suddenly become facinated with the idea of going to Canada (this has nothing to do with the recent election). But rather more with the cuteness of the Atlantic Canadian provinces (like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec). Just thinking of traveling to Canada has me all giddy. It'd be like a trek into Europe, without actually shelling out a ton of money to go there. Seriously, Toronto sometime soon. Cities with large phallic objects must be a lot of fun.

Posted by piep0058 at 08:23 PM | Comments (3)

November 13, 2004

Some Memories

It's been 500 days since I left Germany.

I was talking with some residents about really tall buildings when, for some reason, I started talking about the Fernsehturm in Berlin. I don't know what it is about that wierd looking tower that I found so appealing. It's tall for Europe (obviously). I mean, people there for some reason are not in love with the huge HUGE buildings like they are in North America and East Asia. Even though I loved Potsdamer Platz, it apparently isn't all that great in the eyes of the people of Berlin. They don't want another Chicago or another New York. Berlin is Berlin, and if anyone tries to make it something it's not, no one handles it very well.

I think in the future more Germans will appreciate Potsdamer Platz, but as of yet, it's still seen as somehow destroying German heritage. I say just let Love Parade suck it. haha...I love Love Parade. Anyone thinking Berlin, Summer 2006?

Posted by piep0058 at 02:15 PM | Comments (0)

November 12, 2004

Awww...Vermont!

Since I like to look at pretty pictures, here are some ones that I like from Vermont. I've always had a facination with the state, something about "Green Mountains" has always appealed to me, maybe it reminds me of home, but I like to think that the people of Vermont are more aware of the world than those in the Ozarks. I really don't think that I would ever have to worry about any hate crimes going on Vermont, whereas people can be really ignorant in the Ozarks. It's like they are in their own isolated country there. Many do not leave the area.

a nice view

Lake Champlain

What a cute little village

Burlington would be a cool place to live, I guess

Posted by piep0058 at 01:15 PM | Comments (3)

November 11, 2004

That's the Spirit!

Hey...Mr. Bush, I see you're at dinner right now.

Ok now I have hope that Bush won't pursue such a vigorous conservative agenda. Like, the war in Iraq is dumb...but I can get over it (sorta). But if he starts any shit with me again...oh man. I know the election is over and done with and there's going to be 4 more years of him...but we all know just how bad it can still get.

Ok i'm done. No really, no more politics.

Posted by piep0058 at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2004

Americans...

So I came across this blog somehow...

My beef isn't with much (well, there is actually a lot I have to talk to her about)...except this:

"4. Your constant references to the opinions of the rest of the world scared me, and I'm not talking about the "global test" comment. I don't care what Europeans think about me or my country. I learned in high school that living my life with one eye on the opinions of everyone else leads only to unnecessary turmoil and pointless pain. Why didn't you?"

It's not that we need approval of European nations. It's not that we're waiting for them to judge us. It has to deal more with respect. Americans such as this girl clearly aren't concerned with garnering support from anyone else in the world. Comparing world politics to high school isn't the best way to argue things here. I (as with a lot of people) have had to do my own thing in spite of criticism and hatred from other people. But...that is HIGH SCHOOL! It's not like Canada is gossipping to Mexico that France gave Spain gonorea or something. Europe has somehow managed to create an economic community that rivals the U.S. economy and they didn't create it through unilateral decisions.

It's not the job of a Presidential candidate to educate the American public on global affairs. That should be the media's job...but does anyone listen?

Posted by piep0058 at 10:18 PM | Comments (2)

I've been waiting for this statistic to come out for a long time

Yo, check it out. Don't you just love those southern family values?

This give me more ammunition to argue with my family and create drama over Christmas break. If anyone says anything against homosexuals in ever again...I'm just going to leave.

Childish? Yes.

But the minute I remain silent and do nothing is the day I let people walk over me.

Posted by piep0058 at 06:54 PM | Comments (0)

November 09, 2004

New Picture!

Check it out...I was looking at this spider crawling down my wall and decided that would be a good one to put as my photo. you know, like i'm watching bush come down to trap all the little flies in his web.

Joe 002.jpg

Posted by piep0058 at 06:38 PM | Comments (1)

another look at 2008

ok i swear this will be the last entry i have on politics for a while...

but someone pointed out that senators haven't done so well (historically) in presidential elections. (at least as the presidential nominee). Take Kerry, Gore, Dole, Mondale, Humphrey in recent history. (yeah, i know, 3 of those were vice presidents).

so now i'm gonna list some governors that i like that i could see running in 2008.

Rod Blagojevich (IL)
Thomas Vilsack (IA)
Mark Warner (VA)

Yeah...that's about the best that there is. Somehow a Warner/Bayh looks pretty good right now (i'm sorta relying on the Clinton/Gore model). I know there's about a 99% chance that both of them will have no interest in the presidency. But if you look at the candidates with the strongest (as in safest) records, these 2 seem to be the best. True, both of their states are kinda Republican...(kinda = REALLY). I mean, Indiana and Virginia both went for Dole in 1996 if that says anything...in fact neither of the states have gone Democrat since 1964. (and Indiana has gone Democrat 4 times in the past 108 years! yikes!) It's just sad when the candidates can't get their own states. I know they'll be able to get the typical Democrat states I've mentioned before, but this time they might actually be able to win Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and/or New Mexico, just what they need to make it over 270.

Posted by piep0058 at 03:53 PM | Comments (1)

November 08, 2004

Election 2008

Ok, now, as wel all know, the election is 4 years away...but just because I can't help myself, i'm going to suggest some candidates for president.

Today i'm picking some from the Senate. These are people I like and I think could reasonably run for president with some popularity behind them.

Haha...I don't even know who to pick. Here are some guesses that I like:
Dick Durbin.
Russel Feingold.
Evan Bayh.

Whether they like it or not, these are the best the Senate has to offer.

I left out Hillary because I agree with others that she isn't popular enough.
I worry about selecting Evan though because it would be hard to win his home state.

Posted by piep0058 at 05:31 PM | Comments (7)

somehow i have the strange feeling something bad just happened

i just had my chen4005 midterm and as i'm looking at the solutions, there's a problem i don't even remember.

i swear, there wasn't a problem there...they must've put my exam together wrong or something. this will be really bad luck if it just happened to me. there's 1 of 2 options. It's there and i just didn't see it or some lazy grad student is gonna fuck me over because he didn't put my exam together correctly. This is so not cool, it's not even funny. oh well.

let's hope i do well...

i have been soooo stuck around campus lately it's not even funny. although i did buy the hottest shirt yesterday. i was walking around uptown and saw it and i knew that i just had to get it. it's kinda gay (10% spandex...) but that's ok! It's not like i'm wearing this...it's something more like this.

Now it's on to chen4101 midterm on wednesday. haha...i can't remember how to spell wednesday. (inside joke).

Posted by piep0058 at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2004

31 Days Left

In other words, that means basically 7 weeks (basically) left before school is over and It's time to head back to Missouri. I'll admit, the idea is somewhat entertaining. As much as I fear heading back into a "red state" somehow just being at home will be kinda comforting. It's hard dealing with bills and school and work all at the same time. I'm in the constant fear of not paying all my bills on time or getting homework in on time or being late to work or some kind of a disaster happening. I know I worry too much most of the time...but it's simply hard to let go.

Oh gosh, how can I stay inside when the sky is so blue like this? It makes me feel all Martin Luther King-ish like I have a dream or something.

Posted by piep0058 at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

November 06, 2004

All Better

Ok so i fixed the problem...it was on my computer.

And i'm still in the process of reconstructing my own...however I gotta go to work at the Loring Pasta Bar. And before i do that I wanna go to Jamba Juice...yum.

So check out the new style...there's still a lot to do (such as fixing the fonts) but other than that, it should look about how it does now.

The change of style was prompted by one of my friends that goes to school at purdue. I guess I kinda agreed with him. Was a white background really my style? Probably not.

Dan also changed his blog. So i guess it's the new trend these days.

Posted by piep0058 at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

Not Happy

ok so apparently other computers can see my new style sheet but when i try to look at it on my computer, i get some screwed up version of my old style sheet (as in georgia blue). i'm not exactly sure what to do...but i guess i can figure it out at the library.

Posted by piep0058 at 01:03 PM | Comments (3)

November 04, 2004

HAHAHA!

Posted by piep0058 at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)

Where have I been?



Where have you been?

Posted by piep0058 at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)

The Recovery

So the election sorta got me down a little. I've been just so busy lately trying to figure out things and what people can do to fix things. And listening to a lot of sigur ros.

The big problem, like it needs to be said, is the southern united states. According to Zell Miller...*grinds teeth*...the Republican party represents the ideals of this part of America. How can the Democrats ever hope to take some states again ever in the south? This is the big issue. The answer is: they can't.

Call me crazy but South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Alaska will never go Democratic ever again. This is based upon the fact that South Carolina just elected a senator who said gays and single mothers are unfit to teach in public schools. How could anyone ever vote for this man?

But then again...New England, Illinois, the middle Atlantic states, and the other 4 Pacific states will never go Republican again. So where should Democrats concentrate their efforts?

Right now, if my prediction holds, the electoral vote in 2008 stands at 215 (D) - 163 (R) with 160 up in the air. (As much as I want to put Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin into the Democratic column, I just can't just yet). (The same goes for Virginia, West Virginia, Missouri, Colorado, and Arkansas for the Republicans).

My perception of people in the south is that of a little child who has not matured yet. Kerry isn't out of sync with their values, they simply aren't educated enough. I say leave them be. Work on those border states. The Democrats really did a great job in Ohio, and they can really improve on what they started in 2008. I anticipate that, with the right candidate, Ohio will go blue in 2008. The same with Nevada, Iowa, and New Mexico. It all has to do with making the red states seem extremely super right winger with a bible shoved up their ass. And then...they must bring someone up from the midwest or the west coast. People talk Barack Obama blah blah blah...will he really be ready for the job in 4 years? Probably not. but i like the idea!

Posted by piep0058 at 07:03 PM | Comments (9)

November 01, 2004

Family Values

Ok I got in a debate with one of my coworkers about the use of family values. After it was over I realized we were arguing about two different things.

Family values to me: old traditions whose aim is to keep women secondary, keep homosexuality in the shadows, divide a family when a crisis in values occurrs. I have seen the upholding of family values completely destory a family...like it has done to mine. My family isn't completely destroyed, but I would guess that my family is probably one of the most dysfunctional of anyone else on staff here at Comstock. Family values mean the absence of acceptance in favor of strict rigid moral codes. This is why i hate family values.

It appeared to me that my coworker's definition differed slightly: he believed that family values are what unite a familiy. he's a sociology major -- he's seen cases where family values (such as love and compassion and acceptance) could have averted some people from a path of crime into a stable self-sufficient life. honestly i couldn't disagree with him.

it didn't strike me until he left the car that we were thinking of two different things. i don't think he has had to worry about acceptance very much. i used to be where he is. i've seen it from both sides.

the whole conversation started when i said why i wasn't voting for bush. bush's idea of family values is so warped and archaic, they would do much more detriment to today's family's than good. i see my survival and happiness as my main goal in life, and thwarting Bush is key to succeeding in that. What's worse, if he wins, I see it as reaffirming the policy of keeping homosexuality in the shadows, as something that is inferior and isn't talked about.

If Kerry wins, I'm gonna tell my parents.

Posted by piep0058 at 09:01 PM | Comments (6)

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