Inside The Perimeter

I have material, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. My brain hurts today.

Sorry,
Paulie [eatl/ga]

I am attempting to whip a cold. I will post later today.

Paulie

Sometimes Second Place Is Better Than First Loser
Meet The Hashers has been in a funk of late. We have not taken first place at team trivia in something like a month. Last night’s attempt at Taco Mac unfortunately did not break this string of non-winning.

However, sometimes overcoming an adversarial situation can prove to be a sweeter reward than winning. There is a team at Taco Mac whose name always includes “Van Meter” (they seem to change the other portions of their name weekly) who have confessed to us that we are their nemesis. Last night they were ahead of us for the entire game and loving it — until the final question. We managed to put the following four TV series in the proper order of their length of time on tv from longest to shortest:

1. Dallas
2. Dukes of Hazzard
3. JAG
4. Walker: Texas Ranger

They got it wrong and fell “out of the money” and we scored second place.
_{Answer: 1, 3, 4, 2}

How Can I Keep Doing This?
I do this a lot.

• I decide that I want something
• research it to death
• get ready to buy it
• wait
• question my need for the desired object
• don’t buy it because I realize that
  • I don’t need it
  • the price has changed

I did it again yesterday when I finally convinced myself to go the ultra-compact Pentax s5i over the digital SLR (based on the fact that I am more likely to tote a tiny camera around, especially on things like bicycle trips).

So, I logged onto the website with the best price, added it to my cart, and went to checkout. Indecision set it (damn product of a low-income blue-collar family!) and I decided to think the purchase through before spending the money. After lunch I decided that I should throw caution to the wind and spend the cash — only to find out that the price of the camera went up $20! Back to square one.

[EDIT @ 10:10am] Financial concers be damned! Camera order placed (on different website), begin the new era of the Paulparazzi. Fear not, this camera only has 3x zoom capabilities.

And I Wouldn’t Mind Having One Of These Either

Oh, the TV is pretty cool too.

It’s A Good Week To Save Money On Music
You tell me if there is anything worth buying in today’s list of new releases. I don’t see anything that I wish to add to my collection.

• Toby Keith - Honkytonk University
• System Of A Down - Mezmerize
• Various Artists - Totally Hits 2005
• Various Artists - American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers
• Natalie - Natalie
• Memphis Bleek - 534
• Kem - Album II
• Insane Clown Posse - The Calm [EP]
• Van Morrison - Magic Time
• Wakefield- Which Side Are You On?
• Cowboy Troy - Loco Motive
• Bobby Vinson - Man Like Me
• Mercury Rev - The Secret Migration
• Various Artists - Angel: Live Fast, Die Never: Music From The TV Series

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - Worn out, I think I have a cold starting. Why did I come in to work today? (again)
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing LCD Soundsystem — “Tribulations”
Website Of The Day - Pitchfork. Another online source of music information and reviews.

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

Over Fifty Million Served
Come the first anniversary of the Livestrong bracelet, Nike predicts that sales will top fifty million. Wow. Last week America’s Largest School newspaper, the USA Today, ran this article on the phenomenon.

Saturday at the Brewhouse in L5P I saw that they were selling green bracelets to support Guinness. Funny, I thought I was supporting Guinness everytime I bought their delicious beer.

In Disappointing Cycling News, Thanks For Nothing Senators
Last week the “Complete Streets” ammendment to the Federal Transportation Bill was defeated in the US Senate. Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) ammendment was intended to provide safer travel for pedestrians and cyclists. Georgia’s representatives voted in the following manner:

Georgia:
Chambliss (R-GA), Nay
Isakson (R-GA), Nay

Thanks for nothing, gentlemen.

Clean Air Campaign Be Damned
I’m a relatively intelligent person. I am at least intelligent enough to realize that my commute to work is partially responsible for the smog accumulation in Atlanta. Because I enjoy bike riding I also don’t mind bike commuting when it’s warm and sunny.

When I heard about the Clean Air Campaign’s offer to pay me up to $180 to take an alternative method of commuting a few years ago I was stoked. Someone would pay me to commute? I joined immediately. That year we had a cold, miserable winter and I rode my bike exactly zero times in the ninety day period assigned to me (had I known that they would assign me the months November-January I would have waited to join). I collected $0 for my (lack of) effort. I didn’t care, because I knew warmer weather would arrive and I could get paid off later. WRONG! To this day they have a policy that the offer applies to individuals who have never participated in the program. WTF?! Wouldn’t it be smart to keep luring me back into a lifestyle of alternative commuting? Seems logical to me.

More News About The Color Yellow
Have you heard a new sucking noise coming out of Midtown, er Edgewood? That’s the sound of the new Best Buy “Big Yellow Tag” trying to suck away my salary. BLAST you Best Buy!

Ooo Wee Ooo, I Look Just Like Buddy Holly
Okay ‘Hatas’ hate Rivers Cuomo all you want, but I am here to say that Weezer knows how to rock (in a indie/college/anthemic fashion). It’s been a while since I’ve been to a show of a band whose fans are as, well fanatical, as Weezer’s. Many people knew the words to every song, knew when to pogo and when to sway. Weezer played a great variety of their hits sprinkled with new material.

It was quite a refreshing atmosphere. Well, it would have been if the Tabernacle wasn’t so fucking hot that night. I would have gladly paid another dollar for a little air conditioning.

I was humored when I realized just how long I have been listening to Weezer. During the show I rembered watching the video for “Buddy Holly” on my first installation of Windows95 back in early 1996. Where does the time go?

When did the cellphone replace the lighter as the item held up when swaying to a slow song?

And finally to all you pretty young ladies sporting short skirts that night… Thank You! My aging heart my be small, dark, and barely beating these days, but it was pleased to see that Skirt Season has arrived.

Irony Can Be So… Ironic
Did anyone read my blog on Friday?
The one that referenced Joan Cusack?

Did anyone see Family Guy last night?
The one in which Peter Griffin jumps off a building and kills who? Joan Cusack.

Coincidence? Hmmmm. Something in Quahog smells fishy to me.

Survival Of The Least Dumbest
Ian, oh Ian, what a skinny bean pole of a dummy you are. Would you like $10 for your new Corvette? No? What if I sweeten the deal by offering you my friendship and respect? Now, there’s a deal the you (and only you) couldn’t pass up.

Okay money isn’t everything. Even I can admit that. But Jesus H. Christ, why hang on a damn buoy for nearly twelve hours if you are only going to piss away a chance at $1,000,000? Me thinks the dolphins could teach him a trick or two.

Ian’s quitting, adding one to the total of Survivor quitters which is a trend that is becoming bothersome, also set up an anticlimactic ending. Who would give Katie “The Slacker” the check over Tom “The Immunity Winner”? Well, we Coby did because that was the only Kat(ie) vote aired by CBS.

And why no goofy mode of transportation to the live finals for Jeff Probst this time? Oh so disappointing CBS. I can’t guarantee my viewership for Survivor Guatemala this fall.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - Worn out, I think I have a cold starting. Why did I come in to work today?
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing The Replacements — “Answering Machine”
Website Of The Day - Breaking down cooking for your inner nerd — Cooking For Engineers

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

One Day Of Bike Riding To Work + One Flat Tire = Two Tired Legs
I was greeted with the first flat tire of the riding season yesterday — no more than two miles from work and seven miles from home. Fortunately, I had a spare tube and was able to rig my CO₂ cartridge (damn me for buying the wrong cartridge) so that I could ride home.

Today it’s off to the bike store to buy the proper CO₂ cartridge.

Score 1 for the smog I didn’t create, but score -1 for the landfill fodder I did create by riding my bike yesterday.

All Things Cusack
Women love the John Cusack.

Did you know that John Cusack has a new film coming out soon? It’s about internet dating and is called “Must Love Dogs“. Will this be another Cusack film that my friends see and think of me? Hmmmm, could be. Click here to see a trailer (requires Quicktime).

I think that if I ever go to grad school my thesis will be “The Life and Times of John Cusack.” I’ve set my dvr to record “all things Cusack”. Sure, I get my fair share of crappy Joan Cusack movies, but I am slowly building the entire John Cusack collection so that I can study his grand body of work.

Did you know that John Cusack’s birthname is John Paul? My birthname is Paul John. Coincidence? I think not. I could be Bizzaro Cusack!

Someday, I will make a Top Ten list of my favorite John Cusack films in hope to get the type of action that I think he does…

Hmmm, This Sounds Like Something Else I Know
Last weekend I picked up a copy of the “Atlanta Intown” monthy newspaper. Within the edition there were some decent articles about the proposed streetcar to run along Peachtree, one about the bothers of street humps, etc. I would have linked them up here, but none of the “in print” paper is located online (hello, my calendar reads 2005).

Also on their website is Collin’s Blog, “Atlanta Intown - In The Loop”. Sounds Brilliant! LOL!

The Number Of The Count Shall Be Three, Part Deux
Also in the May edition of “Atlanta Intown” was an article about a new restaurant to be opened by the owner of One. Midtown Kitchen and Two. Urban Licks. I am sure it will be named “Three. Something Something”. From the article I gathered that this will be a pizza restaurant.

What’s really exciting to me however is its location. The restaurant will be opening in the old Trust Company Bank building on Monroe Drive which was build in the fine year of 1965 (think “funky circular building where you turn to get onto I85 North from Monroe”).

This will be cool. Did you also know that it’s very close to the current location of Sweetwater Brewery? No, there really is no connection I just hope to get props and free beer from Sweetwater someday.

And While I’m Near The Subject
I am baffled when I go to a brewery’s website and I am greeted with the “Are You 21?” question. I understand that this probably removes all liability from the site owner, but is there a child out there that’s going to think “Bummer, I need to be 21+ to enter? I’d better not click to enter the website.” C’mon.

Maybe the sites should come up with clever trivia that only a 21+ year old would know off the top of their head? I realized that the children could then look up the trivia on the web, but at least they will be learning something, no?

I’ve So Much To Learn
Today I was going to do a “Tale of the Tape” on The Apprentice’s two remaining players, Kendra and Tana. Unfortunately, my html skills are too undeveloped to pull off the things I wanted to do. Frustrating!

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - Friday, Payday, Hooray!
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing Kasabian — “Reason Is Treason”
Website Of The Day - Urban legends about Friday the 13th… NOT THE MOVIE. This is the link for the movie, you horror film loving freaks.

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

…Back in the saddle again! My spring has finally arrived since I was able to get my shit together and ride my bike into work. Woo Hoo! I’ve missed biking into work, and will again when my office moves to hell, um the Perimeter Mall area, later this summer. Look for my fat ass tooling around town on either the Red Rider (my Trek 2300) or the Street Hump Jumper (my Trek 750). I really should have pictures of the kids to show off.

I’ve Got The Whole World In My Hands
My new laptop hard drive arrived yesterday. No, the drive in my laptop is still fine, I’ve purchased another one to use as a USB drive to carry around with me. Soon I will have my entire music collection with me at all times. Sure I could have bought a larger iPod, but that would have been expensive. Besides, I can store a lot of different things on this drive that an iPod cannot. Technology, it’s not just for breakfast anymore.

The Camera That Refuses To Fall In Price
For a while I have been contemplating purchasing a new digital camera. “But why? You never post photos.” you say? Well, because I want to, that’s why.

My current camera is good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a ‘tweener. It’s not small enough to have with me everywhere I go and it’s not powerful enough to be a nice camera.

There are two distinct paths for upgrade, ultracompact and digital SLR.

The DSLR would have been the first choice except the one I want (Canon’s Digital Rebel) refuses to drop in price. Canon has even released a newer, better version the Digital Rebel XT and the original Digital Rebel refuses to come down from its $650+ price tag.

The ultracompact path is a bit more complex. I think the one that I have settled on is the Pentax Optio S5i which is so small it can be stored in an Altoids tin. The price of the Pentax is also more appealing, a “meager” $250+, although it is not upgradable.

Short but sweet. Time to get some work done…

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - feet spinning, ass ready for saddle sores
Current Music - Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code Podcast for May 12th
Website Of The Day - All the camera 411 you care to eat at Camera Town

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

It’s not Tuesday, what’s with all the music talk dude? Deal with it…

Hello EARL, Goodbye EARL
Venue The EARL
Time of entry 9:15pm
Time of departure 12:15am (three songs into British Sea Power’s set)

This old man
He needs sleep
He’s got a job
That he wants to keep

Of course I did manage to do laundry and watch the final episode of the Amazing Race 7 on DVR before crashing on the couch at 2:30am.

A Fir-Ju Well, Australian For Chinese Fire Drill
The first three rocking songs, three different band members on the drums. At the end of almost every song it was like a Chinese fire drill with each band member picking up a different instrument from the one they played previously. ROCK AND ROLL!!!!

These guys are fucking Good! Their energy and musicianship had the crowd through the entire set. I will be keeping my eyes open for future shows.

Feist, Australian For Buzzkill
After being charged up by A Fir-Ju Well, the second act “Feist” sucked all the energy from my aging soul. Bless her heart. Not to be overly critical, but she was a one woman show with not the greatest of voices who sounded like she was playing at a guitar lesson. Harsh? Yeah. Justified? IMHO, yes.

My opinion was not unanimous however, as I saw a few people getting into it and more who went and bought her cd after her set. Bless their hearts. I stayed for the entire set so that I could hear some of British Sea Power, knowning fully that her set cost me the ability to hear most of their music.

I’ve often wondered the types of drug concert promoters take, since bookings like these never seem to make sense.

You Are British Sea Power, What’s With All The Shrubbery?
Before taking the stage the roadies(?) for British Sea Power strategically places branches full of leaves around the stage to make it look as if they were playing in a forest. I didn’t get it.

The three songs I heard were good and loud. When they played their song being pushed by Sirius’ Channel 26 called “Apologies To Insect Life” I was satisfied and departed. I could have stayed longer, but I knew that there was laundry and tv watching to be done.

On my walk home I smelled like I had rolled around in an ashtray for three hours. I hate smelling like cigarette smoke. Often times I feel like I should be able to spritz smokers with my beer so that they can smell like my bad addiction when they leave the bar.

Amazing Race 7 Finale — Not So Amazing
SPOILER WARNING
I admit it, I was rooting for Rob and Amber. They say the first million is the hardest, so getting their next million seemed to be in the bag.

This episode lacked something for me.

First, it missed believability. How the fuck were Joyce and Uchenna be able to beg for enough money for four plane tickets and cab fare (yes, I saw the ending) in a two day span? If money falls from the trees in that amount then I am in the wrong business.

[EDIT @ 1pm] I have been informed that plane travel is provided by the show and that it is not up to the contestants to pay for it. This is my first season of AR and I missed episode #1 of this season so I didn’t know this. My apologies.

Secondly, I keep thinking that it is unfair to schedule things that allow teams to catch up in the middle of the final stage. Having to wait until the next morning for the park to open removed any advantage in the final stage.

And finally, since when does the pilot allow the gate to come back out to the plane so that two more passengers can board? Is this why planes are always late?

I doubt that I will be ‘in’ for Amazing Race 8.

Weezer’s “Make Believe” — First Impression
Target has it on sale ($9 and change), that’s where I purchased it yesterday. Fear not Ella Guru fans, I still followed through and spent another $25 there last night. Yeah, I’ve got a problem.

I gave the first eight songs a listen on my drive in this morning. It’s good, but not great. Any Weezer fan will be pleased, but this won’t be the cd which sways a lot of people into the Weezer corner.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - dead tired, running on coffee
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing Morrissey — “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get”
Website Of The Day - Think you know a lot about band names? Take the Band Name Quiz

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

Yesterday it seemed that I had so much to type today that I just couldn’t wait. Perhaps I shouldn’t have since right now nothing is coming to mind.

Two, Two, Two Fortunes In One
Double hitter day at Thai/Chi (aka Little Bangkok on Cheshire Bridge Road). My fortune cookie contained two fortunes “The best mirror is a good friend.” and “Seek advice from an octogenarian.” If you play the “Between the Sheets” with these one seems promising, the other… notsomuch.

Seriously, mirrors and octogenarians, two things I really don’t need to be around right now.

MILF v2.0
Speaking of ‘between the sheets’ rumor has it the Bennifer v2 (aka Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner) have done the nasty and she’s gotten preggers.

They’ve been bumping uglies…

She will always be the hottest mom in the soccer mom van pool.

Meet The Hashers — Down In Flames, Part III
The Brits would say that we’ve run into a spot of trouble. Another week, another disappointing outcome. When I miss baseball questions you can guarantee that it’s going to be a bad night.

The only bright spot was when one of ‘Jason and the Democrats’ (or whatever their real team name is) came over to tell us that they show up every week just to beat us. We are the Yankees, and unfortunately for us our record of late has been just as abysmal.

It’s Tuesday You Say?
There are few interesting nuggets of new releases today. If you find yourself hugging a bong, you might be exicited to run out and get the new Dave Matthews Band release “Stand Up”. I have to admit that ‘getting’ the DMB is something that has never happened for me.

Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation have a new cd called “Mighty Rearranger”. The last Robert Plant cd I bought was “Pictures At Eleven” sometime in the late 1980s. I’ll probably not change that anytime soon.

Is this a Canadian holiday? I see that Bryan Adams has a new release called “Room Service”. Barenaked Ladies must be in the studio furiously working on their rebuttal

My pick of the day will therefore be Weezer’s “Make Believe”. There maybe a lunchtime (or post-work) run to Ella Guru to snatch up this along with an armful of used discs. Have to keep the collection growing, you know.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - dead-ended (I know, not a real ‘mood’ but it’s how I feel)
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing The Flaming Lips — “She Don’t Use Jelly”
Website Of The Day - Weezer is streaming their new album “Make Believe” (here). All the ‘cool’ kids want to hate on it. I’ve yet to get the chance to listen, so I can’t comment.

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

My Credo
I must not drink and eat so much.
I must not drink and eat so much.
I MUST not drink and eat so much.

I know, I sound like a fucking broken record…

The Number Of The Count Is Three
I’ll blame Mother’s Day on the fact that only two people showed up to the weekly Sunday Morning Running group. Sure, I gave forewarning that no grand breakfast was to be made this time, that could have hurt attendance as well. I am certain that there is no boycott on me, for I am a wonderful host. (read “I always have plenty of alcohol on hand”)

My prelaid courses (one five-plus miles, the other six-plus miles) took the three of us through some of Atlanta’s finest transitional neighborhoods. Last time I hosted we went to Grant Park, this time I kept us on the ‘other’ side of the tracks. Back at the house we were joined immediately by another of the group who ran solo and the drinking began. Bulova watch time of first drink was around 10:30-11:00am. Some time around 1:30-2:00pm a trek up to Grant Central East was made so that we could have pizza (and another beer). Sometime around 3:30pm two more of the weekly regulars came over to the house (ok, we had been badgering them with drunk phone calls all afternoon). More beer was consumed. The group disbanded sometime around 4:30-5:00pm. I crashed on the couch for the remainder of the evening.

Dude, Where’s My Car
As we went in the rear entrance of Grant Central East we all commented on a less-than-perfect car which was parked right next to the entrance. It was your typical “hood” classic (Chevy Impala type) which was getting restored while the owner used it for his commute. When we left GC East the owner of the car was on the phone; he went on to tell us that someone stole his car. I contend that it may have been towed, but this is my neighborhood so it may have well been stolen.

Sprint PCS, Showing Me The Love
After my rant last week I decided to let Sprint PCS know how unpleased I was with the ringer I downloaded. Well wouldn’t you know, within twenty-four hours I received an email which detailed how to get a refund on purchases. Nice. Mea culpa, Sprint PCS.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - bloated and whooped, too much drinking again!
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing Husker Du — “Makes No Sense At All”
Website Of The Day - Here is an interesting art project going on in Nova Scotia. It’s called 100 Pieces.

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]

Tables And Chairs, Nature’s Networking Barricade
After last night I would assume that the Last Supper didn’t have to be. Hell, (can I say that in reference to the Last Supper?) I bet you that Jesus didn’t get to speak to at least half of his apostles.

Jesus explaining that the apostle to his left should have eaten something with his wine

And so was the case at last night’s ‘Atlanta People With Blogs Who Get Together To Drink’ outing. I was at the end of one long table and was only able to converse with my immediate neighbors. Good conversation, but not conducive to networking per se.

Thanks to “Null”, “Mingaling’s” Boy who thought that I might possibly be younger than he. He is thirty-two (if my near-forty memory serves me right). It must be all that clean living and lack of sex that keeps me looking so young. LOL!!!!!!

It’s The Same Old Story, Buyer Beware
I have a love/hate relationship, as well as another year remaining on my contractual obligation, with Sprint PCS.

Yesterday I decided to jump into the Bush-filled ‘naughts’ and purchase a ringtone from Sprint. Excuse me, in Sprint’s world I am renting this ringtone for ninety days. The cost of my ninety day rental from Sprint for this ringtone is $2.50. That’s right, I had to pay two-and-a-half times the cost of buying a song from sources such as iTunes in order to rent one from Sprint. To make matters worse, the ringtone sounds like SHIT! It sounds like I recorded it on the phone while attending a concert.

What was the ringtone in question? Hüsker Dü’s “Could You Be The One?” I know, you’ve never heard of it….

Sprint, don’t be surprised if I spend the next year figuring out how to download ringtones for free. This is temporary of course, until my contract runs out and I dump your greedy asses.

While I Am At It
This morning I returned to Joe’s for a coffee to go. I haven’t been there lately (and haven’t seen my favorite barista Ellen there in some time), because the East Atlanta Village streetscaping project has made parking along Flat Shoals Avenue a bitch. Today’s barista Carmen was talking about why things were moving slowly and said that the city was unable to finish one side of the project because Comcast wouldn’t come out to remove their cables from the poles. I think that I’ll still hate cable when my gig at Dish Network comes to an end.

Don’t Forget Mom!
If you are lucky enough to have still have your mother in your life (as I do), then don’t forget to recognize her on Sunday, aka Mother’s Day.

If for some unfortunate reason you mom is no longer “with us”, think about donating time or money to an organization such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation or one of your local shelters for battered women. Peace people, it’s what it’s all about.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood - bloated — eye eye yey eye, too much cerveza
Current Music - Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing The Decemberists — “16 Military Wives”
Website Of The Day - HGTV’s salute to moms

Cheers!
Paulie [eatl/ga]