It's been awhile, because I've had a couple weekends of rocking.
Two weeks ago went to Vegas for a bachelor party. It was phenomenal. Got in Friday and immediately started rocking. We had a suite in one of the new MGM towers and it was super nice.
Friday was wild. Strip club, gambling, drinking, rocking and eventually passing out at the Tropicana at 6 a.m. on the roulette table. I promptly was kicked out and told to go to bed. Slept and hour, rocked until 11 a.m. Slept until 1 p.m. then continued to rock.
Saturday went out with some old high school buddies (partly to save money, I dropped like two bills on Friday changing strippers lives) and went into the straight hood for a rap show. I was one of four white folk there, but it was about as fun as it gets.
Sunday flew back and was actually hungover until Wednesday. All in all a good time with a good group of guys. I really didn't know any of the guys except for the bachelor. But I had a rocking time with all of them.
Then this past weekend went to Denver for the Colorado Press Association awards. This was Friday and Saturday. Friday I won some awards, but it was interesting with the Rocky Mountain News closing shop on Friday.
It was like a walking morgue in the place most of the time. It was interesting and sad. The Rocky's editor and publisher John Temple spoke several times and gave great speeches. His point was that journalism is going to always be alive and to never, ever lose the passion.
Also went to a work shop on Saturday with Jim Sheeler, who won a Pulitzer at the Rocky for his work Final Salute. It was epic. It brought tears to everyone.
If you haven't read it check it out Final Salute
Sheeler went off Temple's point of following stories and journalism with a passion. He said if you don't have the passion, then you shouldn't do it.
Both speeches really, really hit home. I mean this field is all about people and passion. That's what carries it and that's what carries people who do it.
ANyway, Friday and Saturday we went out both nights. Met up with a bunch of friends from Denver and had a good time.
Had a killer dinner at the Broker on Saturday night where I nearly ate myself to death. Really I nearly died.
Both party nights were interesting to say the least. Especially with all my old friends.
Came home Sunday and relaxed.
What else is new?
Not much by the standards of everything. Trying to put on a benefit for a friend with cancer at the end of the month. We'll see how that goes.
Also been looking around at other jobs and what not. Applied to one on Friday that I'm grossly underqualified for. But we'll see if the old adage "it's not what you know, but who you know" really works.
Sort of getting the spring time blues. Really want warm weather. Really, really, really want warm weather. This hopefully will continue.
Also thinking on my next vacation. I'm not sure where it's going to be to, but I have a few ideas.
Other than that at work things are pretty much fine. The company isn't doing too great, and they put wage freezes in affect, but at least for now it doesn't sound like layoffs are going to happen.
Of course I've never been too worried about getting laid off. Sure it would suck, but it might finally force me to get out of here. I guess now I have to do that on my own.
Things are going pretty smoothly.
HEF of the Week
So every year we get an intern for the summer who comes down to a lunch in at the CPA conference. This year for the CPA conference I had a full beard and looked more like a backwoods crazy than a journalist. Not a big deal to me. Anyway my boss is introducing the intern to our crew and he comes to me and says "this is Luke, he's, uh oh ah, our janitor." She initially believed him.
NICE
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
No easy button
I was thinking about how sweet it would be to have an easy button. It would certainly make everything easier.
Regardless, it's just more of the same. My dilemma is going somewhere I really want with no guarantees or going somewhere I'm not quite sure about with guarantees. I thought about when I accepted a job here in Steamboat how I made that decision. It was sort of spur of the moment, just trying something new, in a new place where I knew nobody.
At the time it wasn't hard. I've wondered if I've changed that much that I am to the point I just can't go all in on something. But when I think about when I got the job in Steamboat I was also cleaning carpets at the time. In fact when I got the call and the job offer I was knee deep in grossness, cleaning out a sewer flood.
Maybe I just need to get knee deep in shit again and my easy button will come to me.
Not much new on the Luke front. Played hockey for the first time in a long time last week. It was enjoyable but I still struggle to skate backwards. Still it was fun. Went skiing once over the weekend. It was good to get out and do something as I was sick early last week.
Valentine's Day was fine, without much drama. Just the way I'd assume to have it. Also went to Leadville to see my parents. Getting a little nervous on that front as my pops job isn't necessarily secured right now. Just a sign of the times.
Plus it was sort of a blow to me when for the first time my brother registered in taller than me. It's crazy how fast he is growing up. Voice has changed, he's taller than me and he's a text messaging warrior. It feels like just yesterday he was trucking around with a 10 gallon cowboy hat on top of his small head and pushing it above his eyes every few steps. There was a point when we were inseperable. Part of it was he was trucking along with my parents to all my sporting events, but he became just as much a part of the team as I was. Everybody knew him, and everybody liked him. Maybe even moreso than me.
Regardless, with the age difference between us, it was only a matter of time before our relationship became more distant. But it's been weird, sad and somewhat exciting this last year seeing him grow up. The last two times I saw him, his voice changed and he registered in an inch taller than me. I worry about him all the time and do a really piss poor job of keeping in touch with him.
Other family news to note of. My grandma in Buffalo sounds like she's on her last legs. She's been a stubborn lady for the last 25 plus years, battling sicknesses and what not. I suppose with this will be a trip to Buffalo in the next month or so. It's good to see family, but there comes a point where it always seems like it's for bad things.
Fairly busy month ahead of me. In addition to Vegas this weekend, CPA Conference next weekend, me and a buddy are in the process of putting on a benefit for a buddy with cancer. It's a lot of work, but it sure is gratifying. I just hope everything comes together in the next month.
Vegas should be fun. Real fun. The only problem is I have to find a way to afford it. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I'm sure I'll figure out something. Plus Vegas should be a nice little get away from things. Weather is calling for high 60s with a chance of Drunk. It should be especially nice since I won't have to deal with work for a couple days. Plus everybody that's going is ready to rock. That's probably the biggest and most important thing. With no one from work, I won't have to talk about work, think about work or — and most importantly — do any type of work.
FYI — I arrive on Friday and am back on Sunday. If you don't hear from me by Tuesday please do something. I mean it's not out of the realm that I'm in jail, dead or decided on a new career path.
Plus when I get back I think Book dog and several others will be in town to ski Monday. Hopefully I'm up for it after getting Vegased for a couple days.
Also just did this thing called Maniac training with the Rugby coach. He's a cool dude who played professionally for a while and now lives in Hayden. Needless to say the workout beat me good. That's to be expected when you walk in and there are kegs, pvc pipe and all sorts of weird devices for training. It was like a psuedo strong man type of setup. Did it Monday and woke up Tuesday unable to lift my arms and feeling like my core had taken quite a beating. I'm back in the Tarantula Tank (his gym, my name) on Wednesday for another one hour of hell.
Hef of the Week
Besides the fact my brother will probably be able to stomp a mud hole in my ass within the month, I'll leave you with this beauty.
I was having a beer at this steakhouse the other night. Just enjoying a beer by myself and watching a game. The town drunk comes in. I'm sitting at the bar. He sits next to me. Not a big deal since I've talked to the guy before. But a Nascar commercial comes on and he starts in on telling me how a Nascar is exactly like the car he owns. I go along with the story, when all of a sudden he snaps. He starts yelling at me, cussing me out and threatening me. Nice. The whole place stops what it's doing and looks over at us. Of course I look like the guilty one, like I provoked him. Either way, the bartender comes up and asks one of us to leave. Needless to say I paid my tab and left. I mean he's the town drunk. Where else is he going to go?
Onto Vegas.
Regardless, it's just more of the same. My dilemma is going somewhere I really want with no guarantees or going somewhere I'm not quite sure about with guarantees. I thought about when I accepted a job here in Steamboat how I made that decision. It was sort of spur of the moment, just trying something new, in a new place where I knew nobody.
At the time it wasn't hard. I've wondered if I've changed that much that I am to the point I just can't go all in on something. But when I think about when I got the job in Steamboat I was also cleaning carpets at the time. In fact when I got the call and the job offer I was knee deep in grossness, cleaning out a sewer flood.
Maybe I just need to get knee deep in shit again and my easy button will come to me.
Not much new on the Luke front. Played hockey for the first time in a long time last week. It was enjoyable but I still struggle to skate backwards. Still it was fun. Went skiing once over the weekend. It was good to get out and do something as I was sick early last week.
Valentine's Day was fine, without much drama. Just the way I'd assume to have it. Also went to Leadville to see my parents. Getting a little nervous on that front as my pops job isn't necessarily secured right now. Just a sign of the times.
Plus it was sort of a blow to me when for the first time my brother registered in taller than me. It's crazy how fast he is growing up. Voice has changed, he's taller than me and he's a text messaging warrior. It feels like just yesterday he was trucking around with a 10 gallon cowboy hat on top of his small head and pushing it above his eyes every few steps. There was a point when we were inseperable. Part of it was he was trucking along with my parents to all my sporting events, but he became just as much a part of the team as I was. Everybody knew him, and everybody liked him. Maybe even moreso than me.
Regardless, with the age difference between us, it was only a matter of time before our relationship became more distant. But it's been weird, sad and somewhat exciting this last year seeing him grow up. The last two times I saw him, his voice changed and he registered in an inch taller than me. I worry about him all the time and do a really piss poor job of keeping in touch with him.
Other family news to note of. My grandma in Buffalo sounds like she's on her last legs. She's been a stubborn lady for the last 25 plus years, battling sicknesses and what not. I suppose with this will be a trip to Buffalo in the next month or so. It's good to see family, but there comes a point where it always seems like it's for bad things.
Fairly busy month ahead of me. In addition to Vegas this weekend, CPA Conference next weekend, me and a buddy are in the process of putting on a benefit for a buddy with cancer. It's a lot of work, but it sure is gratifying. I just hope everything comes together in the next month.
Vegas should be fun. Real fun. The only problem is I have to find a way to afford it. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I'm sure I'll figure out something. Plus Vegas should be a nice little get away from things. Weather is calling for high 60s with a chance of Drunk. It should be especially nice since I won't have to deal with work for a couple days. Plus everybody that's going is ready to rock. That's probably the biggest and most important thing. With no one from work, I won't have to talk about work, think about work or — and most importantly — do any type of work.
FYI — I arrive on Friday and am back on Sunday. If you don't hear from me by Tuesday please do something. I mean it's not out of the realm that I'm in jail, dead or decided on a new career path.
Plus when I get back I think Book dog and several others will be in town to ski Monday. Hopefully I'm up for it after getting Vegased for a couple days.
Also just did this thing called Maniac training with the Rugby coach. He's a cool dude who played professionally for a while and now lives in Hayden. Needless to say the workout beat me good. That's to be expected when you walk in and there are kegs, pvc pipe and all sorts of weird devices for training. It was like a psuedo strong man type of setup. Did it Monday and woke up Tuesday unable to lift my arms and feeling like my core had taken quite a beating. I'm back in the Tarantula Tank (his gym, my name) on Wednesday for another one hour of hell.
Hef of the Week
Besides the fact my brother will probably be able to stomp a mud hole in my ass within the month, I'll leave you with this beauty.
I was having a beer at this steakhouse the other night. Just enjoying a beer by myself and watching a game. The town drunk comes in. I'm sitting at the bar. He sits next to me. Not a big deal since I've talked to the guy before. But a Nascar commercial comes on and he starts in on telling me how a Nascar is exactly like the car he owns. I go along with the story, when all of a sudden he snaps. He starts yelling at me, cussing me out and threatening me. Nice. The whole place stops what it's doing and looks over at us. Of course I look like the guilty one, like I provoked him. Either way, the bartender comes up and asks one of us to leave. Needless to say I paid my tab and left. I mean he's the town drunk. Where else is he going to go?
Onto Vegas.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Decisions
Ah the decision process is upon us.
I have three potential jobs right now that I've got to make a decision on at some point. They all have something unique about them that intrigues me. But as with anything, they all have down parts.
Hopefully within the next couple of weeks I'll have made a decision on what I'm going to do. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself and wind up with nothing. Anybody that has any advice on this, please help me out.
Other than that, work has been decent. I've gotten into such a system that I can pretty much tear through my week. I've become so comfortable and efficient that things are actually pretty stress free.
I'm not sure if this is a good thing. It's not as challenging as it used to be. Part of me is ready for a new adventure. Part of me says "stay with the economy the way it is, and then look for something else."
So we'll see.
Other things of note:
— Been skiing quite a bit and it hasn't taken long for me to remember why I loved it so much. Each time out a little bit of it comes back. The next goal is to get back and tear up a little more technical skiing. Either way it's been a blast.
— Alexis came for a couple of visits over the last week and it's been ridiculous. One night involved the cops, while the rest have been a blast. It's helped me remember why I loved hanging out with her while she worked here. Plus she always provides for good conversation.
— Working on a freelance project I plan to pitch within the next two months. It's still relatively green, but I'm rounding it into shape. Mostly it deals with trying to define my generation. I'm trying to narrow the focus, so we'll see where it goes.
— Will be in Vegas Feb. 20 and 21 for a bachelor party. Should be a blast, especially if my tax returns come in on time. Please good IRS, let this happen.
— On my way to the Colorado Press Association awards Feb. 27 and 28. Should be fun as the Geenis is attending as well. While the focus should be on business, odds are all the Denver folk I know should come out and party like uncontrollable hobos.
The Super Bowl was good and just what I wanted out of two teams I don't care about. What a great game.
Other sports things. Signing day and looks like Colorado will bring in a good class. It's almost baseball season. The hockey playoffs are only a brief month away. So are the NBA playoffs.
Of course what really matters is March Madness. I'll say at this point I like a Final Four of Oklahoma, Pitt, North Carolina and as a sleeper will take Syracuse. Why Syracuse? They've got playmakers and nobody ever plays zone but them. They're a matchup nightmare in the tourney.
HEF(s) of the month
My aunt got me a gift certificate from Shell for X-mas. Tried it out and it didn't work. Apparently all the gift certificates she got everyone didn't work. So when I tried mine it had looked like I'd stolen it. Nice.
I had the worst smell in my car and couldn't get it out. Finally last week I found the culprit. I'm not going to say what it was, but just understand my car smells much better now. At least now I don't have to apologize to people before they get in my car.
Was covering Steamboat-Moffat hoops game last week. They're huge, huge rivals. So it's on a Tuesday. Here at work we have tie-down Tuesday. So I wear a blue shirt, blue tie and blue baseball cap. No problem, until I get to the game and Moffat's colors are different shades of blue. All Steamboat parents, coaches, players and students just are busting my chops all night.
THere's more, but I'm done typing for the day. Enjoy the week vato's.
I have three potential jobs right now that I've got to make a decision on at some point. They all have something unique about them that intrigues me. But as with anything, they all have down parts.
Hopefully within the next couple of weeks I'll have made a decision on what I'm going to do. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself and wind up with nothing. Anybody that has any advice on this, please help me out.
Other than that, work has been decent. I've gotten into such a system that I can pretty much tear through my week. I've become so comfortable and efficient that things are actually pretty stress free.
I'm not sure if this is a good thing. It's not as challenging as it used to be. Part of me is ready for a new adventure. Part of me says "stay with the economy the way it is, and then look for something else."
So we'll see.
Other things of note:
— Been skiing quite a bit and it hasn't taken long for me to remember why I loved it so much. Each time out a little bit of it comes back. The next goal is to get back and tear up a little more technical skiing. Either way it's been a blast.
— Alexis came for a couple of visits over the last week and it's been ridiculous. One night involved the cops, while the rest have been a blast. It's helped me remember why I loved hanging out with her while she worked here. Plus she always provides for good conversation.
— Working on a freelance project I plan to pitch within the next two months. It's still relatively green, but I'm rounding it into shape. Mostly it deals with trying to define my generation. I'm trying to narrow the focus, so we'll see where it goes.
— Will be in Vegas Feb. 20 and 21 for a bachelor party. Should be a blast, especially if my tax returns come in on time. Please good IRS, let this happen.
— On my way to the Colorado Press Association awards Feb. 27 and 28. Should be fun as the Geenis is attending as well. While the focus should be on business, odds are all the Denver folk I know should come out and party like uncontrollable hobos.
The Super Bowl was good and just what I wanted out of two teams I don't care about. What a great game.
Other sports things. Signing day and looks like Colorado will bring in a good class. It's almost baseball season. The hockey playoffs are only a brief month away. So are the NBA playoffs.
Of course what really matters is March Madness. I'll say at this point I like a Final Four of Oklahoma, Pitt, North Carolina and as a sleeper will take Syracuse. Why Syracuse? They've got playmakers and nobody ever plays zone but them. They're a matchup nightmare in the tourney.
HEF(s) of the month
My aunt got me a gift certificate from Shell for X-mas. Tried it out and it didn't work. Apparently all the gift certificates she got everyone didn't work. So when I tried mine it had looked like I'd stolen it. Nice.
I had the worst smell in my car and couldn't get it out. Finally last week I found the culprit. I'm not going to say what it was, but just understand my car smells much better now. At least now I don't have to apologize to people before they get in my car.
Was covering Steamboat-Moffat hoops game last week. They're huge, huge rivals. So it's on a Tuesday. Here at work we have tie-down Tuesday. So I wear a blue shirt, blue tie and blue baseball cap. No problem, until I get to the game and Moffat's colors are different shades of blue. All Steamboat parents, coaches, players and students just are busting my chops all night.
THere's more, but I'm done typing for the day. Enjoy the week vato's.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
New expressions for the blindness of reality
It's been good.
I've had an enjoyable couple of weeks. While my sports picks for the bowl games were horrendous and I hated to see Florida win the national championship, Oklahoma and Big Game Bob Stoops gave it away.
Thursday watched the NC game at a bar. There is this Texas Music Fest thing in town that brings 1,000's of our friends from the South to Steamboat for concerts, skiing and partying. While the ratio of guys to girls is never good here, Thursday night pushed it to a new level. Literally it was 12-1 with 10 of those being horn ball, liquored up Texas college students. Of course I was with three of the dozen or so girls in the place. This made things relatively awkward and uncomfortable. Needless to say I left relatively early.
The weekend was good as well. Me and the Geenis went up to Rabbit Ears with two girls on Saturday night to go snow shoeing under the full moon. Pulled in at around 9:30 and set out. Because of cloud cover, the moon wasn't out but it still lit up the clouds enough to where you didn't have to have a light. Despite getting lost half a dozen times it was a blast. It's almost surreal up there at that time of night. It's real quiet and peaceful and you can see forever. We got back to the car around 1:30 a.m.
Sunday, Gee made some historic beer-brats that were delicious. Enjoyed football all day, then went to the hot springs and to Gran Turino.
On Gran Turino — It's certainly a good flick. A little predictable, but overall it's one of the better flicks I've seen in awhile. Which brings up the big question. Is Clint Eastwood the greatest male film figure of the last 25, 50, 75 or 100 years. I think he has a great argument. Unlike DeNiro or Pacino, he hasn't just mailed it in. His work just seems to keep getting better and better. I can probably count the Eastwood flicks I don't like on one hand.
Monday I went skiing all day with Spenny. Starting to get my legs under me a little. The first time out this year I was like a baby doe. Now I'm getting back into the swing of things. The good — Was tearing up the first run down under the Gondola. Just flying and hit a lip, flew 30 feet, landed and continued to look like a badass. The bad — Probably like fifth run of the day, was getting wild in the trees when I got out of control, crashed and landed in a tree. It took me roughly 25 minutes to get out, I was covered in snow, my goggles were fucked and that was that.
But fun times all around.
Went to happy hour and dinner with a girl I hadn't talked to in a real long time Monday night. It was fun and always good to catch up with people you haven't in a while. This girls and I have had an interesting relationship. At times we've disliked each other and others liked each other. Either way, we had a lot more in common than I thought.
What else.
Been reading a bunch still. The problem with reading is I've got like four books going on at once. People keep giving me books that I want to read so I start them and get like halfway through. THen feel guilty I didn't finish the other book. Yeah, so right now I'm reading three books. They're all good though.
Here at the paper we also own a T.V. station that has a morning show. My buddy and one of the hosts left a couple of weeks ago for New York. So I've been hosting on Tuesday's. It's a blast. I do the weather and the green screen gives me trouble, but there's some comedy in saying Florida is experiencing some nasty weather while pointing to Oklahoma. Plus on the green screen you can see yourself and I'm always reminded of the scene in Tommy Boy, when Tommy's college buddies are watching him on T.V. and the one guy goes "Is it me or does Tommy look severely bloated." To which his other friend replies "No, T.V. just adds a couple hundred pounds."
Five places to visit in '09
1. Montreal
2. Idaho
3. Old buddy Kev in Utah (thinking March)
4. Montana
5. ????
I've decided I'm going on more adventures in '09. This is just the short list. I'm sure I could add or take off destinations.
The old man is coming into town to ski in a couple weeks. That should be good as he'll bust my balls endlessly for a while. Nothing like pops putting you in your place and bringing you down a notch.
My grandma just moved into a new place in the same complex. She's stressed out so I might try to make a trip down to Denver here in the future.
What else. I'm not sure what it is but it seems like everyone I know, or at least a majority of people I know, that are in relationships here are miserable in them. Maybe it's just the people I know, but I've got a couple married friends who are really unhappy, a couple in serious relationships who aren't happy and ones who are just getting out of relationships who can figure things out and are unhappy.
It must be something in the water. Maybe it's the air. Maybe cupid cursed the Valley in the last year. Either way, it always makes for interesting conversation.
This weekend, we're thinking of snow shoeing up on Rabbit Ear's before building a snow cave and camping out for the night. Sunday I'll probably ski and watch football. Monday I'm thinking about skiing and I have tickets to the Charlie Daniels Band. Hey you can't beat $25 for some good ole Charlie.
HEF of the WEEK
Was at the high school waiting for basketball practice to end. I was in the hallway by myself. i found a girls basketball and was playing with it while I waited. I started to bounce it against the wall across from me. I was thinking to myself "Damn Graham, you still got those soft hands," when the ball deflected off my palm and directly into my balls. I hit the ground and was coughing when practice ended. I had about 25 girls walk past me looking at me funny.
I've had an enjoyable couple of weeks. While my sports picks for the bowl games were horrendous and I hated to see Florida win the national championship, Oklahoma and Big Game Bob Stoops gave it away.
Thursday watched the NC game at a bar. There is this Texas Music Fest thing in town that brings 1,000's of our friends from the South to Steamboat for concerts, skiing and partying. While the ratio of guys to girls is never good here, Thursday night pushed it to a new level. Literally it was 12-1 with 10 of those being horn ball, liquored up Texas college students. Of course I was with three of the dozen or so girls in the place. This made things relatively awkward and uncomfortable. Needless to say I left relatively early.
The weekend was good as well. Me and the Geenis went up to Rabbit Ears with two girls on Saturday night to go snow shoeing under the full moon. Pulled in at around 9:30 and set out. Because of cloud cover, the moon wasn't out but it still lit up the clouds enough to where you didn't have to have a light. Despite getting lost half a dozen times it was a blast. It's almost surreal up there at that time of night. It's real quiet and peaceful and you can see forever. We got back to the car around 1:30 a.m.
Sunday, Gee made some historic beer-brats that were delicious. Enjoyed football all day, then went to the hot springs and to Gran Turino.
On Gran Turino — It's certainly a good flick. A little predictable, but overall it's one of the better flicks I've seen in awhile. Which brings up the big question. Is Clint Eastwood the greatest male film figure of the last 25, 50, 75 or 100 years. I think he has a great argument. Unlike DeNiro or Pacino, he hasn't just mailed it in. His work just seems to keep getting better and better. I can probably count the Eastwood flicks I don't like on one hand.
Monday I went skiing all day with Spenny. Starting to get my legs under me a little. The first time out this year I was like a baby doe. Now I'm getting back into the swing of things. The good — Was tearing up the first run down under the Gondola. Just flying and hit a lip, flew 30 feet, landed and continued to look like a badass. The bad — Probably like fifth run of the day, was getting wild in the trees when I got out of control, crashed and landed in a tree. It took me roughly 25 minutes to get out, I was covered in snow, my goggles were fucked and that was that.
But fun times all around.
Went to happy hour and dinner with a girl I hadn't talked to in a real long time Monday night. It was fun and always good to catch up with people you haven't in a while. This girls and I have had an interesting relationship. At times we've disliked each other and others liked each other. Either way, we had a lot more in common than I thought.
What else.
Been reading a bunch still. The problem with reading is I've got like four books going on at once. People keep giving me books that I want to read so I start them and get like halfway through. THen feel guilty I didn't finish the other book. Yeah, so right now I'm reading three books. They're all good though.
Here at the paper we also own a T.V. station that has a morning show. My buddy and one of the hosts left a couple of weeks ago for New York. So I've been hosting on Tuesday's. It's a blast. I do the weather and the green screen gives me trouble, but there's some comedy in saying Florida is experiencing some nasty weather while pointing to Oklahoma. Plus on the green screen you can see yourself and I'm always reminded of the scene in Tommy Boy, when Tommy's college buddies are watching him on T.V. and the one guy goes "Is it me or does Tommy look severely bloated." To which his other friend replies "No, T.V. just adds a couple hundred pounds."
Five places to visit in '09
1. Montreal
2. Idaho
3. Old buddy Kev in Utah (thinking March)
4. Montana
5. ????
I've decided I'm going on more adventures in '09. This is just the short list. I'm sure I could add or take off destinations.
The old man is coming into town to ski in a couple weeks. That should be good as he'll bust my balls endlessly for a while. Nothing like pops putting you in your place and bringing you down a notch.
My grandma just moved into a new place in the same complex. She's stressed out so I might try to make a trip down to Denver here in the future.
What else. I'm not sure what it is but it seems like everyone I know, or at least a majority of people I know, that are in relationships here are miserable in them. Maybe it's just the people I know, but I've got a couple married friends who are really unhappy, a couple in serious relationships who aren't happy and ones who are just getting out of relationships who can figure things out and are unhappy.
It must be something in the water. Maybe it's the air. Maybe cupid cursed the Valley in the last year. Either way, it always makes for interesting conversation.
This weekend, we're thinking of snow shoeing up on Rabbit Ear's before building a snow cave and camping out for the night. Sunday I'll probably ski and watch football. Monday I'm thinking about skiing and I have tickets to the Charlie Daniels Band. Hey you can't beat $25 for some good ole Charlie.
HEF of the WEEK
Was at the high school waiting for basketball practice to end. I was in the hallway by myself. i found a girls basketball and was playing with it while I waited. I started to bounce it against the wall across from me. I was thinking to myself "Damn Graham, you still got those soft hands," when the ball deflected off my palm and directly into my balls. I hit the ground and was coughing when practice ended. I had about 25 girls walk past me looking at me funny.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Vegas baby and confusion ensues
Some things are exciting, some things aren't and some are just plain confusing.
Exciting.
Booked tickets to Vegas in February for my buddy Matt's bachelor party. It's with a bunch of guys I really don't know, but it is going to be a blast. Vegas is always fun. With this group it should be really, really fun. The goal as it usually is in Vegas is to stay out of jail and not lose too much money.
Things that aren't.
I've reached a level of confusion I'm not totally sure about. A lot of things that I know I shouldn't do, but continue to do. It's part of the process I suppose. Part of life. I'm not discontent at the moment, but I'm certainly not content. I'm in a weird place where I feel like I should stay and at the same time I feel like I should go.
Things that are confusing.
The main one is women. I'm not the first, but I have no idea what in god's name they want, what they don't want and why they do what they do. I have an inkling I may never know. But it's been a relatively confusing period on multiple fronts. This girl, that girl, new girl, old girl etc. I just have no idea about women. The minute I think I know something about them, everything changes.
What else.
I've been writing and reading a lot. This has broadened my horizons quite a bit. It's made me think about a lot of things differently. Read some good stuff and some really bad stuff.
Big Gee's friends were in town for most of the holiday's. It was fun. They're all good dudes and we did some righteous rocking. One day in particular where I consumed one too many Milwaukee Selects. It is in fact the worst beer I've ever had. But I continued to drink it. In fact if you do a google search, this beer doesn't even have a home page. Neither does the brewery. That's how bottom barrel bad it is.
New Year's Eve was fun. I didn't rock as hard as I could have and didn't drink as much as humanly possible. All in all, it was sort of what I expected. New Year's has traditionally been a letdown. The last one where I had a tremendously fun time was when it turned to 2000. Of course then I was 16 and got into a bunch of bars in Vail. That was a fun time.
What else. I continue to run into the old bear trap. When I think I'm out, I'm not. When I think I should do one thing, I do the other. This involved a conversation with an old friend. It was a good conversation, certainly. One of the better ones I've had in a while in fact. I expected that. But it feels like it drew me back into a situation I don't want to be in. One where I want one thing, but know I can't have it, but still want parts of it. Confusing? Absolutely. Plus I think Ole' Kev is going to punch me right in the pills the next time he sees me. But I don't know what to do. The minute I think I'm on my way to being fine, then I'm not. I really have no idea what to do. It just keeps getting more and more confusing.
But, what in the hell can you do, besides keep on keeping on. Things eventually work out. They always do. It's just not this easy being confused. I just wish things would all make sense, but I'm not the only one that feels that way.
Other than that I've been trying to think of new things to do in 2009.
I want to pick up a new hobby. I haven't decided on this yet, but I'm starting to look at things. I want to find somewhere totally sweet to visit that I haven't been to yet. Ideas include Montreal so far. I certainly want to be less confused about things. Also I think I'm going to start volunteering more. I used to do this all the time, but haven't done it a lot recently. Count it.
Hope everyone had a good New Year.
Exciting.
Booked tickets to Vegas in February for my buddy Matt's bachelor party. It's with a bunch of guys I really don't know, but it is going to be a blast. Vegas is always fun. With this group it should be really, really fun. The goal as it usually is in Vegas is to stay out of jail and not lose too much money.
Things that aren't.
I've reached a level of confusion I'm not totally sure about. A lot of things that I know I shouldn't do, but continue to do. It's part of the process I suppose. Part of life. I'm not discontent at the moment, but I'm certainly not content. I'm in a weird place where I feel like I should stay and at the same time I feel like I should go.
Things that are confusing.
The main one is women. I'm not the first, but I have no idea what in god's name they want, what they don't want and why they do what they do. I have an inkling I may never know. But it's been a relatively confusing period on multiple fronts. This girl, that girl, new girl, old girl etc. I just have no idea about women. The minute I think I know something about them, everything changes.
What else.
I've been writing and reading a lot. This has broadened my horizons quite a bit. It's made me think about a lot of things differently. Read some good stuff and some really bad stuff.
Big Gee's friends were in town for most of the holiday's. It was fun. They're all good dudes and we did some righteous rocking. One day in particular where I consumed one too many Milwaukee Selects. It is in fact the worst beer I've ever had. But I continued to drink it. In fact if you do a google search, this beer doesn't even have a home page. Neither does the brewery. That's how bottom barrel bad it is.
New Year's Eve was fun. I didn't rock as hard as I could have and didn't drink as much as humanly possible. All in all, it was sort of what I expected. New Year's has traditionally been a letdown. The last one where I had a tremendously fun time was when it turned to 2000. Of course then I was 16 and got into a bunch of bars in Vail. That was a fun time.
What else. I continue to run into the old bear trap. When I think I'm out, I'm not. When I think I should do one thing, I do the other. This involved a conversation with an old friend. It was a good conversation, certainly. One of the better ones I've had in a while in fact. I expected that. But it feels like it drew me back into a situation I don't want to be in. One where I want one thing, but know I can't have it, but still want parts of it. Confusing? Absolutely. Plus I think Ole' Kev is going to punch me right in the pills the next time he sees me. But I don't know what to do. The minute I think I'm on my way to being fine, then I'm not. I really have no idea what to do. It just keeps getting more and more confusing.
But, what in the hell can you do, besides keep on keeping on. Things eventually work out. They always do. It's just not this easy being confused. I just wish things would all make sense, but I'm not the only one that feels that way.
Other than that I've been trying to think of new things to do in 2009.
I want to pick up a new hobby. I haven't decided on this yet, but I'm starting to look at things. I want to find somewhere totally sweet to visit that I haven't been to yet. Ideas include Montreal so far. I certainly want to be less confused about things. Also I think I'm going to start volunteering more. I used to do this all the time, but haven't done it a lot recently. Count it.
Hope everyone had a good New Year.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Redemption
Ah, it's been a while.
Luke Nation don't fear. I'm alive and well.
Christmas was good. Went to Denver, saw the family, got some presents and went to a musical. I know you're all saying "Musical? What a fag."
Well I enjoyed the "Jersey Boys." It was about Franki Valli and the Four Seasons ("You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you"). SO that was fun. I think my goal is to go to another Broadway style play in the next six months. We're always reshaping and refining stuff. A little culture can't hurt.
What else. It's New Year's Eve and I'm not huge on resolutions or anything like that. But looking back it's been an interesting and trying year. One of huge embarrassing failures, mighty triumphs, heartbreak, success and one that's leading its way to possible redemption.
The weird year closed out with talking to a good friend I hadn't talked with in months, receiving a note from an unlikely source, got advice from complete strangers, gave advice to an old friends and realized a lot about myself.
As much as certain portions of the year were great (February-August) and as much as certain portions sucked (September-November) I learned quite a bit this year. It wasn't always fun, but I think this was a year where I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about life. I by no means an expert, but I think I have a better understanding of who I am, what I want and who I want in my life.
Other things to note of on this fine New Year's Eve:
Got an informal job offer a couple days ago. The position wouldn't be open for at least four months, but it's an option in a field that is very intriguing. Not sure I'd take the job or if I'd be willing to go where it's at, but it's certainly an option. It's exciting though.
Things are finally falling into place. Turns out my life philosophy of being good to people (how I got the job offer), trying to make the right decisions and trying to be a good person is working. It's nice when that happens.
Blockbuster sucks donkey scrotum. They are 0-3 on Luke instant classics. First the didn't have Uncle Buck. Then they don't have What About Bob. Finally they were missing The Deer Hunter. I'm done with that crap store. Really I am. On the plus side The Deer Hunter just arrived in the mail and I'm going to watch the shit out of it.
Not a whole lot else new in my realm. Taking things pretty easy. Besides a trip to Vegas at the end of February for a bachelor party I don't have a lot planned.
Hope the New Year treats everyone well. Or at least national hangover day isn't too bad.
Penn State over USC
Texas absolutely murders Ohio State
Oklahoma puts 60 up on Florida. Screw the SEC
Luke out.
HEF of the Week
At brunch with my family on Christmas. The waiter — a beady eyed, pimply faced senior in high school — asks if I want more coffee. I said yes, the gent pours me a cup then asks "Would your wife like some too." He thought my mother was my wife. My brother, my mother and my father continued to bust my chops the whole day about it. Essentially Christmas wasn't as much about giving as it was cracking my eggs for 15 fucking hours. Nice. Nice. Gneiss.
Luke Nation don't fear. I'm alive and well.
Christmas was good. Went to Denver, saw the family, got some presents and went to a musical. I know you're all saying "Musical? What a fag."
Well I enjoyed the "Jersey Boys." It was about Franki Valli and the Four Seasons ("You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you"). SO that was fun. I think my goal is to go to another Broadway style play in the next six months. We're always reshaping and refining stuff. A little culture can't hurt.
What else. It's New Year's Eve and I'm not huge on resolutions or anything like that. But looking back it's been an interesting and trying year. One of huge embarrassing failures, mighty triumphs, heartbreak, success and one that's leading its way to possible redemption.
The weird year closed out with talking to a good friend I hadn't talked with in months, receiving a note from an unlikely source, got advice from complete strangers, gave advice to an old friends and realized a lot about myself.
As much as certain portions of the year were great (February-August) and as much as certain portions sucked (September-November) I learned quite a bit this year. It wasn't always fun, but I think this was a year where I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about life. I by no means an expert, but I think I have a better understanding of who I am, what I want and who I want in my life.
Other things to note of on this fine New Year's Eve:
Got an informal job offer a couple days ago. The position wouldn't be open for at least four months, but it's an option in a field that is very intriguing. Not sure I'd take the job or if I'd be willing to go where it's at, but it's certainly an option. It's exciting though.
Things are finally falling into place. Turns out my life philosophy of being good to people (how I got the job offer), trying to make the right decisions and trying to be a good person is working. It's nice when that happens.
Blockbuster sucks donkey scrotum. They are 0-3 on Luke instant classics. First the didn't have Uncle Buck. Then they don't have What About Bob. Finally they were missing The Deer Hunter. I'm done with that crap store. Really I am. On the plus side The Deer Hunter just arrived in the mail and I'm going to watch the shit out of it.
Not a whole lot else new in my realm. Taking things pretty easy. Besides a trip to Vegas at the end of February for a bachelor party I don't have a lot planned.
Hope the New Year treats everyone well. Or at least national hangover day isn't too bad.
Penn State over USC
Texas absolutely murders Ohio State
Oklahoma puts 60 up on Florida. Screw the SEC
Luke out.
HEF of the Week
At brunch with my family on Christmas. The waiter — a beady eyed, pimply faced senior in high school — asks if I want more coffee. I said yes, the gent pours me a cup then asks "Would your wife like some too." He thought my mother was my wife. My brother, my mother and my father continued to bust my chops the whole day about it. Essentially Christmas wasn't as much about giving as it was cracking my eggs for 15 fucking hours. Nice. Nice. Gneiss.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Uproariously cockblocked and pussied out a few times
Interesting things for interesting people.
Just back from vacation. Vacations always serve a purpose, but getting back sucks. Vacation was sweet.
Wednesday and Thursday hung out with my buddy Ty and his old lady. Ty's the shit. He's a good guy that has a pretty good head on him most of the time. Plus he's a blast to hang out with. We met my other friend Alexis on Wednesday and went out to a couple bars. Both had live music and I love the shit out of live music. Wednesday was a blast as Alexis and Ty are both good people to hang out with. Luckily we didn't drink too much or else absolute craziness may have ensued.
Flew out to San Diego on Friday. That day, we pretty much hung out before my buddy Dave came down from San Clemente. We had dinner and drinks down by the beach, before heading back to my other buddies place.
Dave's doing good. Sounds like the job is perfect for him and as expected he's surfing his tits off. Sounds like his office is the shit and how could it not be when it contains magazines about Moutain Biking, kayaking, skiing and surfing. Broha to the max bro.
Saturday played some golf in December (that's so sweet to say). Went to the sickest piano bar of my life on Saturday night. Got real looped up and had a freaking blast. Sunday we had a little breakfast, watched some football and took it easy. Monday I was back. It was nice stepping out of the airport to - 10 degree weather. Ah Colorado.
Didn't get to meet Kev's new lady friend, but I'm sure there will time for that when I'm making a complete ass of myself at their wedding that Kev informed me I'm not invited to. Asshole. Of course he was just busting chops, but that was probably the best part of being back there was just seeing my buddies and busting the shit out of each others chops. Probably the thing I miss the most.
Anyway. It sucked getting back and going to work, but what the hell.
A lot of things have been on my mind lately and vacation helped to clear those things up. Essentially a lot of the questions I had before vacation weren't totally cleared up but I have a better gauge of things.
I've made myself a few promises and set a few goals for the next few months. That should be good.
One of the biggest things I discovered was that I beat myself up too much for things I can't control. That I'm more mad at myself for caring about things I really shouldn't care about. Hell it's a work in progress and I'm a work in progress.
On the work front, i think it's becoming time to think/decide whether it's best to get out of the newspaper business. Newspapers are getting killed slowly. They're like prisoners of their own captures. Essentially it breaks down like this. Jobs are being lost across the country. Profits are down, advertising is down and papers are having to make tough decisions. The Rocky Mountain News is for sale with the real potential they'll be out of business by February. The Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy. The Detroit papers are only delivering a couple days a week.
It's gross. But there will always be a need for journalists on some scale, no matter what it is. It's at the point where I'm still young enough to look at other opportunities. But I actually don't mind what I do and could see myself doing it for a long time.
It's just a matter of deciding what I want to do. That's a big thing to decide, but we'll see what happens.
I have some things in the works, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully one of the many things and people I've talked to out there come through.
Besides I'm already big time. Two things I've wanted since I started have both happened. One was seeing my articles in a sports bars bathroom above the urinals. Not sure why, but I feel like this cemented it for me. Plus I just got invited to talk to a bunch of high school students about journalism and sports journalism in January. Nothing like Dubby out there shaping and distorting the minds of tomorrow.
Sports:
I don't know what to think about the Bills anymore. Dick "I sit when I pee" Jauron just signed a 3-year extension. Not bad for a guy that in nine NFL seasons as a head man has one winning season.
How bout them Yankees. As I explained to Kev earlier it's like this. Baseball needs to do something quick. Baseball is like a bunch of guys going to get hookers. The one guy has a ton of money (Yankees) gets the best looking hookers and makes everybody mad. Except for a few of the other guys (Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Mets) most everybody else (Rockies, Rays, Twins, Marlins) get stuck with bottom barrel hookers. Every once in a while the bottom barrel guys gets a hooker that's an absolute freak, but that freak then cleans herself up gets a new dress and the Yankees guy buys her. In the Rays case, they stayed away from the hookers, married their high school sweetheart and made it to the world series. Unfortunatley that high school sweetheart will soon turn into a Yankees hooker.
I hope that makes sense.
HEF of the Week
Met a nice girl at the airport on Monday. She was a stone cold fox. She was from Germany and studying in Denver. Anyway we get to talking and I realize she's super, super hot. Well we're going to the same parking lot. I dig her style and everything. We're on the bus to the parking lot, bullshitting about stuff, when I notice where here tights and boots seperate lie the hairiest legs I've ever seen. Just beast like. I wasn't sure how to take it. I mean judging from her legs, her back could have been hairy. Nevertheless, she was totally sweet and I may hit her up next time I'm in town.
Until then, Pimps up.
Just back from vacation. Vacations always serve a purpose, but getting back sucks. Vacation was sweet.
Wednesday and Thursday hung out with my buddy Ty and his old lady. Ty's the shit. He's a good guy that has a pretty good head on him most of the time. Plus he's a blast to hang out with. We met my other friend Alexis on Wednesday and went out to a couple bars. Both had live music and I love the shit out of live music. Wednesday was a blast as Alexis and Ty are both good people to hang out with. Luckily we didn't drink too much or else absolute craziness may have ensued.
Flew out to San Diego on Friday. That day, we pretty much hung out before my buddy Dave came down from San Clemente. We had dinner and drinks down by the beach, before heading back to my other buddies place.
Dave's doing good. Sounds like the job is perfect for him and as expected he's surfing his tits off. Sounds like his office is the shit and how could it not be when it contains magazines about Moutain Biking, kayaking, skiing and surfing. Broha to the max bro.
Saturday played some golf in December (that's so sweet to say). Went to the sickest piano bar of my life on Saturday night. Got real looped up and had a freaking blast. Sunday we had a little breakfast, watched some football and took it easy. Monday I was back. It was nice stepping out of the airport to - 10 degree weather. Ah Colorado.
Didn't get to meet Kev's new lady friend, but I'm sure there will time for that when I'm making a complete ass of myself at their wedding that Kev informed me I'm not invited to. Asshole. Of course he was just busting chops, but that was probably the best part of being back there was just seeing my buddies and busting the shit out of each others chops. Probably the thing I miss the most.
Anyway. It sucked getting back and going to work, but what the hell.
A lot of things have been on my mind lately and vacation helped to clear those things up. Essentially a lot of the questions I had before vacation weren't totally cleared up but I have a better gauge of things.
I've made myself a few promises and set a few goals for the next few months. That should be good.
One of the biggest things I discovered was that I beat myself up too much for things I can't control. That I'm more mad at myself for caring about things I really shouldn't care about. Hell it's a work in progress and I'm a work in progress.
On the work front, i think it's becoming time to think/decide whether it's best to get out of the newspaper business. Newspapers are getting killed slowly. They're like prisoners of their own captures. Essentially it breaks down like this. Jobs are being lost across the country. Profits are down, advertising is down and papers are having to make tough decisions. The Rocky Mountain News is for sale with the real potential they'll be out of business by February. The Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy. The Detroit papers are only delivering a couple days a week.
It's gross. But there will always be a need for journalists on some scale, no matter what it is. It's at the point where I'm still young enough to look at other opportunities. But I actually don't mind what I do and could see myself doing it for a long time.
It's just a matter of deciding what I want to do. That's a big thing to decide, but we'll see what happens.
I have some things in the works, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully one of the many things and people I've talked to out there come through.
Besides I'm already big time. Two things I've wanted since I started have both happened. One was seeing my articles in a sports bars bathroom above the urinals. Not sure why, but I feel like this cemented it for me. Plus I just got invited to talk to a bunch of high school students about journalism and sports journalism in January. Nothing like Dubby out there shaping and distorting the minds of tomorrow.
Sports:
I don't know what to think about the Bills anymore. Dick "I sit when I pee" Jauron just signed a 3-year extension. Not bad for a guy that in nine NFL seasons as a head man has one winning season.
How bout them Yankees. As I explained to Kev earlier it's like this. Baseball needs to do something quick. Baseball is like a bunch of guys going to get hookers. The one guy has a ton of money (Yankees) gets the best looking hookers and makes everybody mad. Except for a few of the other guys (Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Mets) most everybody else (Rockies, Rays, Twins, Marlins) get stuck with bottom barrel hookers. Every once in a while the bottom barrel guys gets a hooker that's an absolute freak, but that freak then cleans herself up gets a new dress and the Yankees guy buys her. In the Rays case, they stayed away from the hookers, married their high school sweetheart and made it to the world series. Unfortunatley that high school sweetheart will soon turn into a Yankees hooker.
I hope that makes sense.
HEF of the Week
Met a nice girl at the airport on Monday. She was a stone cold fox. She was from Germany and studying in Denver. Anyway we get to talking and I realize she's super, super hot. Well we're going to the same parking lot. I dig her style and everything. We're on the bus to the parking lot, bullshitting about stuff, when I notice where here tights and boots seperate lie the hairiest legs I've ever seen. Just beast like. I wasn't sure how to take it. I mean judging from her legs, her back could have been hairy. Nevertheless, she was totally sweet and I may hit her up next time I'm in town.
Until then, Pimps up.
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