The world... is a cruel place. [This post is dedicated to the Target girl]

So the night sky had come upon us. And the three musketeers were off on the adventure of their lives. It was time for dinner.

We set forth, not just for food, but for entertainment as well. Sir Cliff Warcraft the Gathering needed to own his own copy of the grand tennis game. And this evening was the time to purchase such entertainment.
We set forth on trusty steed cavalier to find the games arena down the street. Upon parking, we were soon to find out that the arena had nothing of interest for our heroes. The day began to look gloomy.
As stated, King Sean Final Oblivion the 11th had joined our quest, and it was at this sign of defeat that he rose to save his kinsmen. "Sir Hicks, we shall venture yonward to check the Target market". And with this we quested forward to Target in search for the treasure. And yes, it was there my point was found.

Upon entering the bustling market, many people were shopping for necessities. It was a place of commerce and the feeling of adventure was afoot.
Almost immediately my attention was caught... indeed stolen along with my heart momentarily. My attention was drifted abruptly to a girl (age of early twenties as Cliff presumes) shopping at a distance. My thoughts turned to how to approach her. How would I somehow connect with her and sweep her off her feet? Would it be commenting on her pleasant smile? Would it be as direct as to compare her warm beauty to the setting sun and her glistening eyes to the fresh stars finding their way back to the sky? Would I be yet more direct in clearly stating how she had taken my fancy so swiftly and how I would be lost without it? Or, should I just take the soft and subtle connection of I was wondering if you'd go to the gallery or see a show at the theater upon your convenience?

But no. Sadly reader, I admit to you in the most truth I've had all week in saying, no. None of this happened. You see her necessity, the article she was shopping for this evening, was of the swim suit variety. How does a man approach an extremely attractive asian girl and ask her for a number? A date? Her name?... while she is shopping for a swim suit? This was indeed the question of the evening. And to this question, answers are still being discussed.

Later, after searching forth in the land of lost Toys, we found Sir Hick's Tennis... but I did not regain my heart... stolen by a passing angel at the market.

Now... now I eat the greasy burger of joy to drown my sorrows.

So I bought Twilight Singers tix for Monday, June 19th, and I ended up getting more than I had originally planned, so I have a few extra available. It's at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, and tix will run you about $18 a piece. Lemme know if you want to join us.

So my mother is working on a photo collection of me for my 30th this fall, and she has asked for any good pictures of me. (Slightly edgy photos okay, although if you've been snapping pictures of me in the shower... I am so sorry.) Anyhow, email any photos of me you think are decent to her at hicks_jane@hotmail.com and she'll add them to the collection. If you're nice, maybe I'll even show you the finished thing.

The dust clears slowly.
Off of the tomb slab slowly rises the ancient mummy. Wrapped with foreign substances and sleeping through time and space for an amazing 720 hours. {a few mind shattering crashes come from the distance.} The chaotic felines must be restless as well. The morning has just begun to greet us. As he regains his hearing, he hears the tomb maintenance handler come down to begin his grueling work and leaves to venture across the Sahara desert to sweat more at the press. {a ray of light enters as the sun goddess makes her presence known} He regains the ability of sight. And sees the light coming from the end of the tomb. {zombie-like strange sounds come from the mummy's vocals} ...
Ugg. I really need to find work.

My sister is now getting into comic books. She wants to borrow some X-men so she can read it--but I don't own any X-men beyond the cartoon. So, does anyone have any X-Men trade papers my sister can borrow? Cliff, Andy, I'm looking at you...

So, for all of you Turlock dwelling people, I'm bbbaaaaaaccccckkkk! Sherrie, I'm so sad that I missed your wedding but so happy that you found your lifemate. Michael, we've never met but, do me a favor and keep her happy, okay? Much love to the transplanted posse!

-Elaine

"Tricky boss, never trust a bunny".

My comments are being rejected! I feel unloved.

I also should probably find an icon, shouldn't I. Meh.

Word to my posse!

Megz, you win teh intarweb! LOLZ! ROFLMAOOMGWTFBBQ...

Or something.

wheeeee!! I am finally teh-blogzors!!! I win!

Greetings. I trust everyone is having a good summer.
My first post shall be super simple: 1 month and 2 days...

And they say Hollywood has run out of ideas...

I don't know what the hell you people have been up to since I have been absent but I don't like it. Tell me your sexy secrets! Rawwwr.

So last night my brother graduated from high school. I remember, 18 years ago, when I was 11, when he was born. I remember him, not more than a toddler, playing his Gameboy when I graduated from high school. I remember watching him go from an infant to a toddler to a young man. Over the years, from a distance, I've watched him age into the high schooler that he is, and I'm sure he's watched from a distance as I've gone from young man into man.

Chris Wiig told me yesterday "30 is the new 20," amidst all the updates on how many people I went to high school are married (most of them) and where they're at these days. I told Curt, that makes 20 the new 15. So I guess both he and I have a lot of time ahead of us, and very little of our life done.

I'm still debating how I feel about all of this, but I hope the half pint does well whereever he puts his mind to.

Consumers 1, Sony rootkit 0.

Now to hope that companies cut down on this stupid shit. Not that it's a very strong hope, but it's hope nonetheless.

I'm out.

Some TV pilots are best left unseen. Hopefully we never see this whole thing, but I inflict upon you... the Aquaman TV show pilot trailer and god have mercy on your souls...

After trailer 2, I continue to wait impatiently for the Miami Vice movie...

Watched "Vanilla Sky" tonight... interesting movie. Definitely worth the $5 I paid for it.

Some days, I am truly ashamed of where I came from. I hope the NAACP wins bigtime.

If you ever wonder why I moved to California, this is one of many, many reasons...

The song in question was "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party.

So I'm finally cohearant again after E3. I did a stint over to six flags the very next day which I barely survived. Now I'm finally cramming for the final lil bits for my Japanese final tomarow. Pics from E3 below. If anyone wants highrez versions lemmy know.

E3 pics

Ring

Desperate attempt to reset sleep schedule somewhat of a success. Got to bed at 3 a.m. last night, woke up at around 10 this morning. Tomorrow it's back to work, so severe rollback tonight. After "24" going to kick everyone out of the house so I can sleep and then resume work again. The schedule will continue to be scattershot for the next three to four weeks or so, as I shift two timezones ahead and then back for my little brother's high school graduation. It'll be good to see the half-pint and I'm going to get lunch with my good friend Chris Wiig for the first time in a billion plus years, which will be nice. Anyhow, off to drop the laptop off in the office (day off and I still have to briefly go in, whee) and catch lunch with the Johnson. So it goes.

Best thing I heard today:
"The ghosts of souls of modern men are stepped on and trampled underfoot by the dreams of those who fear and love them."

I apparently wrote that sometime in the middle of the night, or early this morning, and awoke to read it, in my handwriting, totally forgotten of when I wrote it.

So, uh, Alex, Anssi and I made Top 4 of the Pro Tour Qualifier this weekend.

The question is, can I be even nerdier than I am now, or would being on the Magic Pro Tour just be par for the course for me?

We made it back. Go us, I guess.

Ian: It's "Porn: The RTS!"

Non Confidential to Ian J.: I left your apartment earlier today and on my windshield was an invite to a kegger. Aparently I get all the good invites.

Non Confidential to Megs: I was walking downtown getting the ever elusive Jamba and overheard this conversation:

Woman: (to a three year old)Who's my baby?
Little Girl: I don't know. Kelly?
Woman: Who's Kelly? You're my baby, ELLA.

It's an epidemic!

Cliff: Do not doubt Ian's technical thingy.
Ian: My thingy is highly technical.

Ian: Duct tape.
Cliff: Duct tape.
Together: MoooooooOOOOOOOO!

Cliff (to Ian): Ian, quit being ninjish!


Dave: I work with people.
Cliff: I don't. Not anymore. I work with robots.
Ian: I work with whores.

Ian (to Corey): I thought you stapled your badge to your Wii.
Cliff: Ouch.

Ian: I come in five different flavors...

In relation to E3, and an apprent lack of skin:

Cleavage is apparently too distracting...

Cliff (to Ian): Do or do not; there is no hope.

Ian: It's only illegal if we get caught.
Dave: Isn't that the point?
Cliff: To get caught? I think the point is NOT to get caught...

Corey: Turn onto Rhwanda Blvd. It's faster.
Cliff: I know you're not reading that street name right...

To continue the E3 tradition, yet another quote...

Erich: I like Japanese (referring to food)
Cliff: I can eat chinese all night long... (not referring to food)

Seeing all the posts below makes me realize how much I miss everybody. I'm always busy (or just tired) that I don't get to see and appreciate all my friends as much as I would want to normally. I wanted to take a second and say something (these are in no particular order):

Christy: I know we've had our differences and problems, but I have to say, you are one of the strongest women I know. You are beautiful, and I could only wish for your steadfastness and memory.

Cliff: You drive me crazy sometimes, but you are still one of my best friends. You are witty, smart, and stubborn as hell, and these are all good things. And while we have our fights (once a year, I believe, is the requirement) I still think of you as a friend, no matter what.

Megan: Ever my delight and my relief, you make me realize that joy needs no reason, only expression. You break down my walls; you are smiles and laughter.

Ian: My sanity (odd, but true) is you. You see through bluffs and anger, and find logic and truth when no one else can, and are illogical in the most delightful ways.

Erich: You are a geek to the extreme, and you make me proud to be one too. I might tease you about it, but really, I'm jealous. You make it a badge of honor.

Sherrie: My sweetheart and solid companion, you take crap from no one, and demand respect, which is how it should be. You are a living Pirate Queen, and I am humbled by your self-confidence.

Michael: A solid rock, and companion to the Queen. Quiet, yet dangerous in your own special way. ^_^ All hail, Lord Vader!

Sean: My brother, and my friend. Some days you're crazy, and some days you're wicked smart. How'd I get so lucky to be related to you?

Elaine: I'm so glad we found you again, because my life just hasn't been the same without you around to make me blush. You are fire: warm, hypnotizing, and dangerously fun.

Dom: You are a special insanity, one that defies logic and reason, but includes high knowledge and wisdom, and it just makes you awesome.

Greg: Funny, smart, and he can cook too (and he knows what a colander is, even if I can't spell it...). Lucky, lucky Liz.

Liz: Smart, sassy, an artist, and a gamer. Fun, bold, confident... Damn, Greg, good job.

Ben: Stay cool. You make life too interesting to stay away too long.

Yuko: I like you. You're fun to hang out with, you're smart, and you can beat the boys at video games.

There are so many others I want to say something to (Kendra: your art is beatiful and inspiring (and while I go home and try, nothing I do compares to your paintings), and you are beautiful and inspiring. Corey: you're a tree, strong and vibrant, and so much fun to be around), but there's only so much space I should steal here. You are all the best bunch of friends anyone could ever have the pleasure of having. And while I haven't mentioned everyone here, I mean it when I say: Everybody, your company is amazing, warm, and dearer to me than you could ever imagine. I've only spoken the truth here, there isn't anything I don't mean. You're all the best friends a girl could have.

I'll see you all again soon, I hope. I may be tired, but I'm not yet dead.

Christy: There's 21 years of soccer in there.
Megan: There's soccer in your ass?

Christy: (in the tone of the Swedish chef) The biten of the schlongen?
Megan: No biten of the schlongen, the sucking of the schlongen and the fucking of the schlongen.

Cliff (to Corey): There you go, you punch for the junk...

Ian (to Erich): Dammit Osama, quit blowing the bed!

And the girls counter with:
Elaine: Would you like some freshly grated monkey on your salad ma'am?

Hello Everyone.. E3 Quote #1
IAN: We need Whore-Flavored Ice Cream...

2:21 AM: Apparently it's Macaroni and Cheese time.

Tomorrow, we ride.

*gasp* I live :D

So I'm goin to E3 this year which is kind of suppriseing to me (I figured I was boned until Erich saved the day last minute). I look foreward to catching up with everyone there and meeting some new people in the group. In this time of us all gearing up for E3 this year however let us reflect, and be reminded of the fun that was last year.

"Quick, give me something else to do for money!"
-Ian

"Ian, do me a favor since you've got your clothes on..."
-Erich

"I will plow you until you are dead twice."
-Cliff

Back I go to to studying Japanese for now. I bumped my Oral Exam up to Tuesday for E3 >_>

Speaking of fucked up, I was hitting the archives and Cliff actually referred to me as his "little sister" on March 17, 2003. My apologies to the Sherrie type. We also used to type a lot more than we do now. Apparently we have lives.

Happy Cinco de Mayo. I'm off work a la nine-ish. Anyone down for margaritas? Or am I making them alone in my kitchen?

Yes, I know the Midwest is fucked up... It's one of the many reasons I left.

Alrighty, so I finally got off my ass (Also I was sick for a week) and made a phone call. I've been aiming for only five people since the only people that have semi-confirmed at the moment are Cliff, Sean, Erin, Yuko, and myself. I have two options, the second one having more beds (and a higher price tag), so if anyone has any friends that want to jump in, it's still an option. Otherwise I'm looking for a final confirmation from the above named people so I can nail down a reservation. Since it's only a month away, prompt decisions would be appreciated so I don't have to worry about us losing our slot.

Check in time is 4 PM, check out time is 12 Noon. Starting date is June 2nd (a friday), and if we went for four nights, would end on June 6th (a tuesday). I'll probably head in early on friday and spend most of the day still hanging around tuesday before heading home - but for anyone with work, they could arrive Friday night. I forgot to ask when I called earlier, but I'll get more information about the surrounding town when I call to book (food joints, grocery stores, etc).

Option 1: http://www.pajarodunes.com/rentals/P059.html
2 queen beds, 2 twins.
2 Bedroom, 2 bath
$1505.00 for 4 nights. $301.00 a person, $75.25 a night.
I'm a bit unclear on this, but I think this one is semi-ocean front, as it borders the river that flows out to the ocean, so it's somewhere inbetween possibly.

Option 2: http://www.pajarodunes.com/rentals/CY13.html
1 king bed, 6 twin beds (split amongst 4 rooms)
4 bedroom, 4 bath
$1985.00 for 4 nights. $397.00 per person split among 5 people.
As you can tell from the picture, this sits pretty well on the ocean.

Since these are condos/townhouses, I did a quick search for small available beachfront houses.

Apparently there is a 3 bedroom, 3 bed beachfront house available from June 4th (sunday) until the 7th (wednesday), which I believe would boot us out Thursday afternoon. But that's more time off work. It'll run about the same price as option 2.

Please post interest in the comments section here, or contact me over AIM to let me know what you think (MavTheEvil). If you fail to do this, I will STALK you.

I've recovered my hard drives from 2004, and to refresh myself on the contents of my own desktop, I put my entire Media drive in a Winamp playlist and hit shuffle. Here was a nicely bookended look at how esoteric the shit I collected is:

1) The original Japanese commercial for Chu Chu Rocket (If you've never seen it, find it... it's an experience)
2) James Earl Jones' speech from Field of Dreams: "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that is good and all that will be good again. Oh... people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come."
3) Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos Sou: Suttoko Taisen Dokkoida episode 8: The "little sister fever" parody episode.
4) The Y2K SportsCenter commercial

Cthulhu the movie? Strange...

Snakes on a Plane: the RPG.

Come on, you know you're curious.