Just like it says. Please do not include me on your conference cal. Do not. Ever.

That is all.

I watched Tron, again. And... it sucked again.
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Guild Rule #12 in effect.
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And... that's all.

On tap is The Cure - The Head on the Door. Takes me back to my '69 Red VW Bug and the Alpine with 6x9s (straight from Pep Boys) I put in my junior year. I had three tapes: The Cure, Rush, and George Thorogood and played the hell out of all of 'em.

I'm "re-discovering" The Head on the Door and I have to say, what an amazing album... fantastic songwriting and such an eclectic mix of influences. From the pop infused In Between Days to the Spanish Flamenco tinged The Blood... every song on the album is amazing, but different.

And of course, there is Close To Me and A Night Like This, which coupled with In Between Days makes this album a classic and one that will stand the test of time...
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I must be in a reminiscing mood, because I've come back to /. and started up my journal... and yesterday I went for drive through HB. Wasn't quite the warm fuzzy memory lane drive that I was hoping for, because the whole damned place has changed and the long-arm of Satan-worshiping OC Developers has wiped away everything that I remember (except for the 17th street deli and the downtown post office).

I hate that they built two (and a third is in the works) monstrous "beach resorts" on PCH... they look like shit and attract touristy asshats that don't know how to pick up their own garbage.

I hate that downtown has become a drug-infested, white trash Gangland episode... and the weekends are straight stupid with thousands of drunk assholes puking and fighting and pissing up and down Main.

I hate that developers have built homes on EVERY square inch of land all the way up to Goldenwest... and now the oil fields of Bolsa Chica are being decommissioned and condos and homes built there: yeah! no two-headed babies will EVER be born there on top of the now "safe" oil fields...

I had lunch at Las Barcas. Great Mexican food... place has been there 26 years or so... at least they're aren't going anywhere. Oh wait, yeah they're being told they need to close for 6 months while the landlord "rebuilds" the strip mall into a MODERN Italian Villaesque destination shopping resort.

What the fuck?

Yeah: Modern Italian Villa Destination Shopping Resort.

=asshats
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April. Just in case you were wondering.
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"cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door"
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5 extra credit points if you can tell me why they're call "Jumping Jacks."
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I can't spell to save my life. Word spell checker overheats when I write a proposal or blog entry or letter... and my grammar is for shit. You can see it for yourself, I don't need to point it out. It just makes me feel better to admit it, because I can make fun of it, thus justifying my lack English Skillz.
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Yeah. Tomorrow is Wednesday. One day closer to the new Gojira album.

That's it.

Do me a favor... put your makeup on in your home, not your car. Not on the 55 Freeway. Not in the fast lane. Thank you.
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Tomorrow is Friday.
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I got the cardboard and tape deck... you name the place and time. Poppin' Taco and Boogaloo Shrimp forever!
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The number of Americans claiming jobless benefits fell last week and factory employment in the U.S. Midwest hit a 27-year high in March, more signs that an improvement in the labor market is under way...
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Donald Trump and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann: a winning team in 2012!
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Just a thought, but I might just relocate to the land of Brie and Berets if Trump, Bachmann, Palin, Gingrich, or... any other neocon fuckwit is elected in 2012. Just come see me down at the Long Beach docks for a free ride.
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Holy Mother of Gawwwd... Nat King Cole just came on my iPod. Hmmmmm... only 268 Days, 8 Hours, 13 Minutes until Christmas.
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This year I will get my annual physical (which I haven't had since 1988).
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The balls on this guy: GE chief executive Jeff Immelt told the Economic Club in Washington that his company did nothing wrong. "At GE, we do like to keep our tax rate low, but we do it in a compliant way, and there are no exceptions," Immelt said. "Our tax rate will be much higher in 2011 as GE Capital recovers."

Big balls. And with a $3.5 Billion tax credit, I would assume his balls are not gold-plated.
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H0pe and Chang3(TM)
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Ch2m Hill called... I don't know about interviewing with a company that I simply can't pronounce.
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On Tap today:
Pete Seeger - Stories and Songs for Little Children
Nomeansno - The Day Everything Became Isolated
Primus ('cause they SUCK) - Suck On This

Poway. Really?
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Tomorrow is Opening Day 2011! While I am not as hopeful about the Angels this season as I was... say two years ago... I am excited to get back to Baseball!

Oh yeah... I almost forgot: Yankees suck balls.
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With the coming of Baseball is... C A M P I N G! Yes, I know I could be camping tonight, but it's a little too cold and wet for my little girls... I got all of our gear out this last weekend and took inventory. Everything looks great and nothing is broken (that's a first!). I need 2 new first aid packs, since my oldest daughter decided to perform her best Evil Knevil on a scoooooter last Summer and took off the top 3 layers of skin from her knee to her foot.

And my alternate pack will expire in July. Sooooo, time to go shopping!

Out

Oh, I wish I had a Holy Hand Grenade.
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I am hopeful (but realistic) that Sensation will come to the West Coast in 2012. When it does the kids go to Grannie's house and the wife and me are off!
The realist in me knows that Sensation won't work in the States... but I can dream!
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Baseball in 2 days...
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If I had a Holy Hand Grenade, then all of my problems could be solved - rather quickly and with a loud bang!
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This is from my "holy shit, he's a complete idiot" file:

Rick Santorum says the [Social Security] system has design flaws, but the reason it is in big trouble is that there aren't enough workers to support retirees. He blamed that on what he called the nation's abortion culture. He says that culture, coupled with policies that do not support families, deny America what it needs â" more people.

Not making that shizal up... nope.
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In SoCal, it's big news that USC's Kappa Sigma fraternity is 'appalled' by photos of couple having sex on a USC building rooftop. "While the actions that were taken did involve a member of our chapter we, in no way, support this kind of behavior, nor do we promote any such actions," Ayushi Gummadi was quoted as saying.

Gummadi said inquiries into the incident had been launched and that the fraternity member seen in the photos had been suspended "for conduct unbecoming of a Kappa Sigma and a gentleman."

Wait... what? A frat, no a USC FRAT arguing ethical and moral character here? Whoa... I think that is the 3rd sign of the apocalypse. Maybe the Mayans were right.

"Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"
We're close to adding the 51st State... Libya. Personally, I can't wait to add Tripoli to my Spring Break destination!

Next up, the ever-inviting Syria! Woot Woooooo!
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"...Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, no... it's Superman"
Update: Wil Wheaton's podcasts are NOT funny. Not funny. And this has nothing to do with Mr Wheaton being a complete dick to me in 1988.
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Yes, I know today is Tuesday, but I was sick yesterday, so yet again I am a day late and a dollar short.
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"The never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way."
I miss Everquest and the weekend: 46-hour marathon campaign across the Plane of Hate.

My roommates and I would get off work Friday, go directly to Luckys (yes) and get supplies - which would consist of sugar, beer, more sugar, something salty, and much, much more beer. Go home and straight to our rooms. Fire up the cable modems (whoa!) and login.

Aziel (me) would shout: "where the @#$* are you guys... and then we would group up and... marathon begins...
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Do you think John Travolta will ever make Battlefield Earth 2?
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An update to Moonpie's nemesis, Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher: his podcasts are ok. Some parts are genius, laugh out loud funny, while other parts are clumsy and sometimes uncomfortably not-funny. Since they are free and IF you have the free time, I say download them and give them a listen.

If you hate them, then I do have Wil Wheaton'Âï½Â(TM)s address.
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I just read that Travolta is making Battlefield Earth 2: Electric Boogaloo.
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SuckerPunch opens today. Vanessa Hudgens is definitely worth the ticket price. Little Gabriella is alllll grown up.

(wow I just read that back and I am CREEPY).
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On tap today
John Denver - Greatest Hits
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real - Brando's Paradise Sessions
(This band is amazing... I saw them a few months back and they rocked the house. Pick it up and give 'em a try, you won't be disappointed!)
The Psychedelic Furs - All of This and Nothing
Bill Withers - Lean On Me - The Best of Bill Withers

I missed Thursday... but, (according to my Evangelical Co-Worker) Gandhi (yes, THAT Gandhi) is basking in the eternal hell-fire glow.

Oh, how I love Orange County.

2 Taekwondo classes last night - 240 minutes of kicking, punching, running, stretching... getting kicked and punched and run over. And I pay for this. Voluntarily...

It has become painfully obvious that my 40-year-old body is NOT as resilient as my 25-year-old body. Having a very difficult time walking this morning. And I pay for this. Happily.

I hope that my Master holds testing next week, so I can earn a belt promotion, because it's always fun to start on new poomses and kicking techniques... plus the green belt just looks cool!

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I downloaded Will Wheaton's collection of podcasts last night. Got through 3 on the 55 freeway this morning... saving judgement until I get through at least 3 more.

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Did I mention that I (and the wifey) gave up all meat (save fish) for Lent? I am sooooooooo craving a Double Double(TM) this morning. Come Easter Sunday afternoon, I will be deep, deep, deep into a meat coma.

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One week until Baseball and I am NOT at all hopeful about my Angels. I don't think they'll see playing time in October and Jared "Sunshine" Weaver is counting down to Free Agency. (Side-note: when Sunshine shines with another team, I get a VERY nice bottle of Middletons Whiskey.)

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On tap today:
1. Leela James - A Change Is Gonna Come
2. Solomon Burke - The Very Best Of Solomon Burke
3. Barbara Morrison - Live at the 9:20 Special

On tap today:
X - Live in Los Angeles.
NIN - Pretty Hate Machine
New Order - Substance

I spent some time today visiting some old haunts. Obviously, /., but also:
setiathome.berkeley.edu/
www.userfriendly.org/
www.cnet.com
www.sfgate.com/
www.thinkgeek.com/

I miss Leo and Kate... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Screen_Savers

And the never aging: Ensign Wesley Crusher...
www.wilwheaton.net/ (http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/)

Yeah, I guess some where along the way I got busy and forgot my geeks roots...

I'm back....

Updated.

OPENING DAY! 13 baseball games... baseball all day and all night tonight. Woo hoo!

As I do every year, I make my April end of season MLB predictions.

Winners:

AL West Uhm, California Angels. Too powerful for the other three; although the As improved and will challenge.

Pitching for the Halos is again good this year, I like:
1. Lackey and the leadership role his has taken on. I like him to do well this year.
2. Frankie looks UNBELIEVABLE again. I like him for 40+ save again.
3. Shields looks great, again.

I'm worried about:
1. Weaver's health. I think he'll bounce back and win 18 this year.
2. Colon's health. I don't know that he'll ever bounce back. I don't know that we will see Bart pitch well ever again. But, if Bart comes back healthy with at least 6 weeks to go in the season, you'll see the Halos in the post-season.
3. Escobar's health. I think Kelvim's days as a starter are about done.

There is also, the real potential for the lineup to put up some big numbers. You have 7 guys that could hit 20+ homers, 90+ RBIs, and bat for .300 this season in:
1. Shea Hillenbrand - likes coming home and is looking to make a run at a ring
2. The youngster Howie Kendrick - I like him for a batting title in the near future
3. Casey Kotchman - if he lays off the outside corner, he'll be a power hitter for sure this year
4. Garret Anderson - as long as his back stays strong...
5. Vlad - do I need to say anything about the best hitter in the game?
6. Gary Matthews jr - I hope last year wasn't a fluke and I hope the whol HGH noise fades away.
7. Juan Rivera - as long as his leg heals, he'll be back knocking long balls

Look for the Angels to make moves at the break. If they're in First and looking good, then you'll see Stoneman make inquiries about ARod. If the Angels are not in first and floundering and Rivera is back and healthy, look for Stoneman to deal away Matthews. Pitching, if Bart is back and healthy, no changes. No Bart, then look for Stoneman to pull the trigger and get a "Ted Lily."

AL East Boston. It's all on Daisuke. Hope he has the big shoulders to carry the hopes of Boston Town. I think the Sox made the right moves and spent enough money to overthrow the Evil Empire(TM) this year. Now, they have to execute.

Timlin, Pineiro, and Schilling healthwise worry me. I've seen firsthand how bad JC Romero pitches, so let's hope his inning count is LOW this year. Losing Donnelly to the Sox was a blow to the Halos, but a huge pick up for Boston. I like the starters and think Boston has a good bullpen and IF Papelbon is on, then the Sox will take the East.

Varitek is still awesome, but old. Mirabelli will see more action this year.

Boston's number one problem is they are PITCHING heavy and have little to no fielders. Coco Crisp - eek! JD Drew was a good pickup (one the Dodgers are still stinging from).

AL Central Good god. Four of the five are potential WS winners. Minnesota is armed and ready again. Cleveland is loaded. Chi Town is ready for a return trip. However, this IS the Tigers year. Watch for the ChiSox to make a run, but the Tigers will quash it.

Wild Card ChiSox

NL West Best of the worst: Dodgers. Not much to say; except the Dodgers could be the sleeper.

NL Central The WORST division in the league, but still gotta be St. Louis (or as I call them, the Angles in the East). AK was a great pick up for them defensively. I think St. Louis has the best infield in Baseball... maybe the best infield in the last... 20 years.

NL East Man o man were the Mets impressive last night or what? Mets dominate this year. Murderers Row 2007. Look for B I G numbers from the Mets this year.

Wild Card Houston.

why these me are allowed to retire? Why aren't they facing a Courts Martial?

Army Surgeon General Kevin C. Kiley abruptly stepped down under pressure from military superiors, the third top Army official forced out in the fallout from revelations of shabby treatment of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Army said Monday that Lt. Gen. Kiley had submitted a request to retire over the weekend. Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren had asked Kiley for his retirement, said a senior defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the events.

Kiley's removal underscored how the controversy, which began with reports of dilapidated outpatient housing and a nightmarish bureaucracy at the Army's flagship hospital, has snowballed into a far broader problem for the Bush administration.

Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren has had his position for less than two weeks, having replaced Army Secretary Francis Harvey, who was dismissed March 2. Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who had been in charge of Walter Reed since August 2006, was ousted from his post the day before.