Apparently I'm the only one going up cause I'm the only one who hasn't gone down.

I'll leave you to contemplate that.

I love my brother.

That said, I appreciate the fact that he called me this morning to apologize for cutting out because he lives in funky cell phone country. I too live in funky cell phone country. Well, enough that I can't bring my phone to work and have it work. But he called me at 7:43 in the morning. I admit, if I had a normal job would be OK but I work from 11-7. I really appreciate the fact that he called to tell me. I guess I don't appreciate the fact that I naturally wake up when my phone rings. I keep hoping that someone may offer me lots of money one of these mornings.

So to sum up, I love my brother, I hate mornings. That is all.

Ok...between Erin's groupieism and Cliff's inability to figure out how to sleep I've been stuck on this new kick with zippers. Now what in the hell is so special you might ask about a zipper? Well a couple weeks ago I was heading back to my car from being at Gameworks that included heading thru the MGM to get to said car. Now during that walk I saw someone with a Messenger bag with this HUGE and I mean HUGE zipper on it (the frigging slider was 2/3rd the size of my fist). Now for my problem: Nod a damn place I can find anywhere here or online even comes close with the stuff they have. If anyone knows what the hell I'm talking about and maybe seen it lemmy know. I normally could care less about such a thing it just looked damn frigging cool. Oh yes...something to come shortly that looks pretty if I manage to do what I'm thinking correctly.

I give up... I am my own timezone now.

I can't sleep when I want, I can't get up when I want -- I exist in this semi-surreal quasi-mental state of existance outside of reality. I can't reset my sleep schedule -- tried and failed. I can't try getting less sleep -- it starts to make me sick. I don't have the foggiest idea what to do. I'm trying to just accept the fact that this is the format my body is in right now while I struggle and flail to get work again.

I dunno. Lots of shit on my mind. Lots of shit. Probably nothing, though. Still can't tell, though. Trying very hard right now to just keep my head down and keep moving, keep going, not stop and look around, just keep going towards something, anything.

I don't think I'm depressed, but I dunno what I am. Out of focus, that's how I feel. Nothing seems to make sense at the moment. Is it me? Is it everyone else? Is it life?

thefuck. I'm probably talking out of my ass again. Oh well, time to go lay down and try and force myself to pass out for an hour before I actually sleep....

I want to know why my (assumingly) post pubescent self has this major problem of being stuck in high school fangirl mode?

I'm really getting sick of my own reactions and mentalities. I mean it's like I'm stuck in "MY IDOL!!!!!!!!11!11!" mode all the fucking time, and it's really getting old.

The reason I talk about this is that my local radio station is having a contest, if you're the #th caller, you get entered into a drawing to get 2 tickets to see John Mayer and Maroon 5 in concert at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, plus 3 nights hotel stay, airfare, and tickets to a private acoustic concert with Mayer before hand.

I'm pissed off because I'm glued to the radio every morning, waiting for them to play either a John Mayer or Maroon 5 song so I can be the #th caller and get entered, on the slim hope of getting the tickets, even though I've never won a damn thing in my life, and I'd never be so lucky.

The thing is, every time a song is ending, and they're going to start a new song, my heart starts pumping, and my airway constricts, and it's like I'm fucking going to meet the man himself, when all I'm doing is waiting to call in to qualify to possibly win.

And all of this, because I want to meet him. Yes, I admit it, I'm such a fanwhore that I want to meet John Mayer and hang out with him. I guess it's because everything I've read about him reminds me of all of my friends, with the gaming, the rauncy jokes, the intelligence, and general coolness, all balled up into a guy who can play guitar like it's a natural extension of his body.

Yes, yes extension of his penis, I know the joke is coming, just leave it alone.

Is he hot? No. But is he mildly attractive? Yes. Is he cute? No. But does he have a vague attractiveness about him? Yes, but I blame the guitar. And the lankiness. I've always liked lankiness.

But I hate the fact that I can think this way. I'm rational about it, but there's still part of me that's going waaaaaaay overboard. It's hard to keep in mind the simple fact that I will never meet him, I will never speak to him, and about the only way he'll know I'm alive is if I kill myself or someone else in some spectacular and hideous way. Which is not really something I feel like doing right now. Because it's wrong. And a pain in the ass to plan. But still, there's that part of me squealing, "It'll happen! Really! Honestly and truly! He's so cool! Kakkoii desu!!!! *flutter*"

I hate myself some days.

I want someone to either say a)"Don't give up hope. It's doesn't hurt to dream a little.", b)"I know him, he's cool. Wanna meet him? I'll give him a call" or c)"... you're insane, you know that? Would you give it up already?"

I know, most of your are gonna say c.

I'm gonna go sniffle quietly in the corner.

TRying to reset my sleep schedule sucks... I think my body hates me.

I saw a man grab Astro Boy's ass last night. Greeeeeeeat...

If you haven't noticed the surprise, or haven't checked it lately... now might be a good time...

I'm now officially certified in first aid and CPR. Imagine that someone's life may one day be in my hands. And it could be anyone of you.....

Dear spammer,

Yes. I am satisfied with my small penis. I'm Asian, and that's the way it'll stay.

Dear congressman,

No. Can-spam is not working, despite its nifty name. You represent a huge portion of the American tech sector-listen to some of them and find solutions that will work on more than .03% of the spammer population.

Signed,
Monkey.

Oh, one of the readers hit me with an instant message and asked what the difference between a Siamese and a Tonkinese is...

Well, Tonkinese (which is what Marx is) are more solidly, less spindly cats, a combination of Burmese and Siamese... you can see them here. Marx is darker than the example cat, though... I keep joking that he's tanning and getting darker every year.

The Siamese are much thinner and not as prone to darker shades. You can see the difference here.

That should answer that one, huh?

Well, we took Marx (my older Siamese/Tonkinese cat) to the vet today for his nose. It was bleeding and looked somewhat raw, and has been like this for several days now. The vet's honest opinion? It looks like a scratch. So either Maverick, Diablo or Gandalf took a piece outta Marx. It's mildly inflamed, but he doesn't have a temperature and looks very healthy according to the vet, so they gave us an antibiotic to give him twice a day just in case it is infected with the most common bacteria from cat scratches. All in all, though, he should be fine. He's just very touchy. To make all the other cats feel like they shared in the pain of the vet experience, when we got back with Marx, we trimmed all of the other cats' front claws. Maverick was fine and stoned, Gandalf wasn't keen on the idea but coped and Diablo has been pissy ever since, although this was just about an hour ago. He was even growling at Liz. That was one ticked off cat. But all cats will survive it seems, and that gives me the ability to let out a big sigh of relief.

Oh, this morning, I woke up with Marx asleep between my legs and Maverick curled up under one of my arms with one of his paws sprawled out over mine. It was the cutest thing Maverick's ever done. I was proud o' da boy.

I always said I should be an A&R man... I know how to pick hit singles like nobody's business...

Congrats Cliff. You truly have your finger on the pulse of entertainment. Something Corporate announced yesterday that their new single is "Ruthless". Just so you know.

Yes I'm still at work...yes I'm nearly insaine...why oh why must the batteries be such bitches? A 12Amp charge for 7 hours (I was told 4...thank god I chose 12 over 2Amp like SOMEONE had recomended I won't name) still hasn't finished off the first battery (heavy-ass-duty deep cycle bizniches). Guess who gets to spend thier weekend at work. "Yaaaayyyyyy..." -_-

Nothing to say, really... I just like making posts early in the morning to prove I'm up.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

At least, I think that's how it's spelled in Mandarin...

Anywho, Happy New Year! ^^

Oh, and before I forget, happy new year! Monkeys for everyone!

And Greg, you're still a boob.

Dear Mr. Dean,

I spent three weeks in college studying Adaptation. It's a wonderful movie and you are a boob. Not a philistine or anything, just a boob.

Sincerely,

Dominic Nguyen

My sleep schedule is so fucked up. Bedtime now.

So I just stopped an ongoing project for the day. I'm attempting to draw a 1/8th inch scale drawing of our dining hall in Pagemaker. Now all I want to do is draw curves to represent doors. I'm taking suggestions. Yes Greg, I know I should get Illustrator instead. Or maybe a CAD program. But it's mostly done now. I just need to type in circuits and get a printer capable of 8 1/2" by 14" paper. Meh. At least I only have to draw it out once. And I'm getting to understand pagemaker. Sigh.

I want the Common Cold.

Either that, or the Black Death.

Once again I am Nintendo's bitch.

I got a free lunch today from McDonalds. Their ATM was malfunctioning, so they gave me food anyway.

The calligraphy bunny is not my friend.

S'back now. Sorry 'bout that.

Well there WAS something there before you put the link there now where did it goto now Cliff?

My fucked-up dream now belongs to the ages. Cliff's will soon follow. Fascinating...

I see it, ya bastard.

Now do something with it. ^^

No one sees it yet, huh? Keep looking...

Are you perceptive? Well, are you?

Mars vs. Earth!

By far, a very entertaining way to look at the various Mars lander missions.

"The Lakers are in town for the first time this season, it's rivalry night, and a scant few Kings bothered to talk about it. Starters Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic and Doug Christie and injured All-Star forward Chris Webber were not available. Vlade Divac, ever the reliable captain, and ace reserve Bobby Jackson addressed the media, including those from Serbia and Montenegro, ESPN, the Sporting News and Los Angeles, with the prevailing theme being that no one in Kings garb feels the least bit sorry for the walking wounded that is the Lakers."

I like it that there's no pity. After all, the Kings "star" has been out all season. But I will miss Shaq's stuoid comments after the game. They're usually thoroughly entertaining.

I had a dream last night that I had an unemotional one-night stand with Peja Stojakovic. That's what you get when your mother decides that she wants you to marry a NBA All-Star.

There is nothing stranger than feeling a cat wiggle its butt on your foot.

I stand by this.

Okay, this man has balls. And a sense of humor.

I might buy it. Just for the bragging rights.

This is probably one of my new favorite songs... It's by Something Corporate and if you haven't heard of them, go buy both of their commercially available albums now... the song's called "Ruthless."

"Ruthless"
by Something Corporate

"This is the only lonely picture
Waiting on my floor
Littering my shore
This is the last true burning letter
Given to a girl
Written by a boy
Living in a world created to destroy

But if I built you a city, would you let me
Would you tear it down?

But there you go for the last time
I finally know now what I should have known then
That I could still be ruthless if you'll let me
But there you go and I'm not done
You're waving goodbye, but at least you're having fun
The rising tide will not let you forget me
Forget me

This is the ghost that kneels before me
Raises on her tongue, a body full of oxygen
It won't be the last time she'll ignore me
The thinning of my skin, without the strength to go
The winter's setting in, to cover you in snow

But if I built you a city, would you let me
Would you tear it down?

But there you go for the last time
I finally know now what I should have known then
That I could still be ruthless if you'll let me
But there you go and I'm not done
You're waving goodbye, but at least you're having fun
The rising tide will not let you forget me
Forget me
Forget me
Forget me, yeah

I'll raise towers and cloud them
Rivers and walk them
Oceans to drown in
You won't make a sound

But there you go for the last time
I finally know now what I should have known then
That I could still be ruthless if you'll let me
But there you go and I'm not done
You're waving goodbye, but at least you're having fun
The rising tide will not let you forget me
Forget me..."

Hey, everyone should check out the new or kind of new band, Blue October. I saw them live and the rock so when I found the cd I had to buy it. they're great on cd too.

Oh yeah, that article made me quite happy.

DIE MAGLEV, DIEEEEE!!!!

Otherwise, I´m done fishing and have only a few more days here. I´ll be back in town in a few.

And speaking of cellphone messages, I fear to find out how many are on mine. *shudder*

See you all in a bit :)

Note to my cell phone: No I do NOT want to buy an ATM machine!

Anyone else getting this message repetitively on their cell phones? I got 12 yesterday.

This article will probably make Keith very happy.

I like Pai Gow Poker... it was fun. So was blackjack...

First day on the job and I've already taken work home. It's as if I never left.

haha!!! I still gots it!!!

I only go for one day to CES and return with a Creative Muvo NX 128MB. Tis especialy usefull since it doubles as a small thumb drive to get files from PC 2 PC, but it'll get me by till I can purchase my Holy Grail in a month or two.

While I was on vacation, I dreamt that I was Nolan Bushnell in the 1980s, directing my Atari minions to world conquest. It was a weird combination of Sega Gaga and Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

I don't know what it means, but I know I have to share it.

Good lord...women are werid...they are god's curse upon men...

Oh bloody felching heck. Dom? With a secret something? Intended for me?!

Righto.

I'm in Puerto Montt, having just returned from 4 nights at Explora Lodge in Patagonia. It's fucking gorgeous. I mean, FUCKING GORGEOUS. I've never fallen in love with a region so quickly before in my entire life. It's jaw-dropping incredible and I...I...

I'm awed.

Deeply.

So yeah. I've been documenting the entire trip in great detail. Mayhap I'll post it somewhere and link it so everyone can see it, because its become more than a simple listing of where we went and what we did. Something inside me has really been shaken, and I'm still not sure where its going to lead. But I do know that I'm really excited.

Grinning with anticipation, gleeful, chomping at the bit, the whole kit.

So now, 4 nights at a fishing lodge in the mid-coastal area of Patagonia is up next. When its done, I'll log on again and ramble for a while before sleep takes me.

Back in a few.

On a lighter note, I've gotten most of you guys tchotchkes. Except Greg, because the last time I gave him tchotchkes, their combined worth was something like $180, given the current exchange rate.

But Cliff, I got you Japanese Mirrodin, and Erin, I got you the smallest, most colorful thing I could find that had "Tokyo" written on it.

Keith, what I got you is a secret. Muhahahahaha~

My grandfather died six hours ago. I don't have it in me to mourn, since he was a tyrant; but he was still my grandfather.

May he rest in more peace than he lived.

You got a tattoo?

You can remember me with something cheap and horribly gaudy that says "Tokyo!" on it somewhere. ^^

Here I am in Tokyo. It's a freaking busy city, which I don't like as much as Osaka. But oh well, I came to this city to shop, not to enjoy... tchotchkes for everyone!

Well, okay, not everyone, just the people I remember.

I am currently cohabiting an office with Greg and Liz, who have so graciously brought me into their home. It is a wonderful place and my room exists as a temple to modern technology.

A new era begins... Oh, my BIG surprise is almost ready... this month... prepare...

Cliff: "Dude, we need to strap the handcart down."
Greg: "What's it going to damage?"
Cliff: "The truck?"
Greg: "How? It's made of Truck!"
Cliff: "Uh, what?"
Greg: "It's made of Truck!"
Cliff: "Where does that fall on the periodic table?"
Greg: "After Beer."

Pack it up, move it out, pack it up, move it out....

Can I admit that I find it funny that I have a phone interview for a job in the Bay Area scheduled for a few days after I leave the Bay Area?

Yep, it's up to Sacramento we go. The move happens tomorrow. And Monday I have a phone interview. Plus I'm still supposed to get in touch with GamePro in a few weeks.

This world is crazy, I swear.

Apparently I have missed a great deal. I said something funny.

Also, there seems to have been one hell of a new years party in my absence. Hunting for cellphones in the parking lot? Drunken Cliff Typing? Liz Birthday? (Happy Birthday Liz!) Southern Comfort Sitting in the Pouring Rain? MAVERICK CLAW TRIMMING?! What crazy things have transpired during my disappearance? Sounds like fun was had by all. Happy New Year everyone, I do miss you all.

As for me? I watched fireworks across a big, blue, beautiful lake here in Chile. It´s an amazing country. You´d be shocked just how nice it is. I could live here for a while easily. It´s *that* good. The food kicks some serious ass too, as does the wine. I´ve got another night here in this hotel on a lake, near a town I think is called Villaraca with some big ass volcano just off to the side. It´s puffing away as I speak.

Foompfoompfoompfoomp.

I´ve been documenting the trip upon my faithful iBook assistant, Akihabara. I will post this when I actually get the chance to use the net with my own machine, instead of one with a goddam spanish keyboard layout. EVERYTHING IS SCREWED UP! Oh well.

Right, well then.

I do believe its time to head to bed. Dinner in this country is unlike anything I´ve ever seen. We were done early, and its 11:22. They know how to barbeque, and due to this, the next time we have a gathering of some kind I´m going to proceed to try and barbeque, Chilean Style. Mmmm....

Enough of that. I´ll be back on here by the 19th. Until then, be good. No destroying California in my absence. Take care, all :)

So the quote of the night goes to Liz: That must have been the funniest thing pdac's ever said. It's too bad I was there to miss it.

And I woke up to survey the damage, which wasn't bad, but the only question I had was why is the SoCo out on the balcony in the pouring rain?

Apparently it was the best way to keep Cliff from drinking. Whatever works.

Oh good lord... the next time I'm THAT drunk, keep me the fuck away from a keyboard....

Thank you.

Oh yeah. Happy New Year! May next year be better than the last.

This is why the journalists shouldn't type when drunk.


.:Liz:.

Oh, IO'm too fuckingh drunk tuot type rtihgrt now...

Dear lord Fuck... I'm frunk... this is a little scatry.... I'm attmeptinhgb tyo type and not fcuckling caringf what comes out....

HA! This is fuccking funny...

Go fgeytyour o0wn party bitcvh.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Okay, it's a little late, but whatever. I had to go hunting for my cell phone, and we had to walk drunkenly down the parking lot, so yeah, whatever.