Dumb

So part of my job requirements include reading circuit schematic's to repair electronic problems. Not usually the easiest thing, but by far no the most difficult thing I do around here. Today I got a 'new' piece in with electronic problems. I don't mean new like this guy just bought it, but new as in new model that I haven't really worked on much. Still, not that big of a deal. I pull out the service manual, low and behold no schematic drawing. Huh? I look some more, checking other manuals. Nothing. So I type up a quick email to The Boss man.

The response was basically this:

Josh,

That schematic is 'Top Secret". Yes, we have a copy here, but we aren't giving it out to the other regions. You should be able to figure this problem out anyway. OK.

The Boss Man

I didn't know 'Magic" was one of the required skills for this job.

Quickies

I can't ever just shop for one thing if the store I am in is having any sort of sale, or deal. Instead of spending $40 that I will get back as a 'job expense' from Concert Dad I spent $110, but it was well worth it. I think I am goin back for 2 other items later this week.

The yet to be released 'At War With The Mystics' by the Flaming Lips is awesome.

Apparently "This needs to be in shipping by 2:30 today" doesn't mean the same thing to me as it does to my Co-Worker.

The Roommate and I are all cool now.

I am getting to the "I really need some days off" point.

Also..

my dream of taking all of next week off has been shattered by my boss. Seems like I'll be going back down to WLS to do some modifications with a Japanease tech fron the East Coast Office.

Bummer.

Woah..

so it looks like my friend Scott has joined a new band. Well the band isn't new, and I personally think they suck, hopefull they will suck less now.

This to me pretty much signals the end of his old band. That is a big bummer to me. But with the other 3 doing their own thing lately, like touring with other bands and getting married I can't say I didn't see this coming.

Good luck to each of you in your new ventures. Tugboat, I'll see you in two weeks. Durant, I'll see you soon also I'm sure in whatever capicity you come to town in. Friend, Rocker, whatever... Andrew, congrats and good luck! And Metzger... Particle? Really? I'll check out a show or two and see if my stance changes any, but really? Put me on the guest list for your Chi-Town stop though, I'd like to see ya play that gutiar thingy again.

Wow, that was close

So Saturday morning, after not sleeping real well I got up really early and headed down to do my cabinet job stuff for Concert Dad. As soon I get into the Hometown I was almost killed by a Hometown Cop. He ran a red light at full speed while I had the green arrow. He wasn't using lights or his siren. Two feet separated me for some serious pain, or worse. I was on the phone with my dad when it happened. He talked me out of pulling a big U-turn, following that Cop and giving him a piece of my mind.

Other happenings this weekend:

Concert Dad gave me a $5/ hour raise.
The 'Check Engine' light on The Egg is back on.
The Roommate and I aren't talking right now.

I am considering taking all of next week off. We'll see.

Post Edit

I am so glad to have someone like Concert Dad to talk to about life. He always has good advice, and good ideas on how to do 'life' better. That doesn't mean I always listen to him, or heed his advice, but I am glad he is always there to listen to me.

in other news my horoscope for today reads:
Relationships are complicated; there's just no way they can't be. So when someone comes along who's very different from us, we often spend more time than we probably should worrying about those differences -- rather than concentrating on all the wonderful things we have in common. Don't let that happen to you now. There's someone in your life who could well end up being there for a good long while. Focus on the positives.

and I'll just leave it at that. See you next week. Maybe.

Duh

So I just learned that it isn't a good idea to send Concert Mom oral sex email jokes, or at least this one:


IF MEN WROTE Advice Columns...



Q: My husband wants a threesome with my best friend
and me.

A: Obviously your husband cannot get enough of you!
Knowing that there is only one of you he can only settle for the next best
thing, your best friend. Far from being an issue, this can only bring
you closer together. Why not get some of your old college roommates
involved too? If you are still apprehensive, maybe you should let him be with
your friends without you. If you're still not sure then just perform oral
sex on him and cook him a nice meal while you think about it.



Q: My husband continually asks me to perform oral sex
on him.

A: Do it. Semen can help you lose weight and gives a
great glow to your skin. Interestingly, men know this. His offer to
allow you to perform oral sex on him is totally selfless. This shows he loves
you. The best thing to do is to thank him by performing it twice a day: then
cook him a nice meal.



Q: My husband has too many nights out with the boys.

A: This is perfectly natural behavior and it should
be encouraged. The man is a hunter and he needs to prove his prowess with
other men. A night out chasing young single girls is great stress relief and
can foster a more peaceful and relaxing home. Remember, nothing can
rekindle your relationship better than the man being away for a day or two (it's
great time to clean the house too!) Just look at how emotional and happy
he is when he returns to his stable home. The best thing to do when he
returns home is for you and your best friend to perform oral sex on him. Then
cook him a nice meal.



Q: My husband doesn't know where my clitoris is.

A: Your clitoris is of no concern to your husband. If
you must mess with it do it in your own time or ask your best friend to
help. You may wish to videotape yourself while doing this, and present it
to your husband as a birthday gift. To ease your selfish guilt, perform
oral sex on him and cook him a delicious meal.



Q: My husband is uninterested in foreplay.

A: You are a bad person for bringing it up and should
seek sensitivity training. Foreplay to man is very stressful and time
consuming. Sex should be available to your husband on demand with no pesky
requests for foreplay. What this means is that you do not love your man as
much as you should. He should never have to work to get you in the mood.
Stop being so selfish! Perhaps you can make it up to him by performing oral
sex on him and cooking him a nice meal.



Q: My husband always has an orgasm then rolls over
and goes to sleep without giving me one.

A: I'm not sure I understand the problem. Perhaps
you've forgotten to cook him a nice meal.

Stop With the Horn Already!!

So I was just out and about running lunchtime errand. One of which was to stop and put some unleaded in my Egg. The gas station I go to here by the office is a bigger one with 12 fueling bays. Sometimes they are all full and you need to wait a few minutes for one to open up, this was not the case today. There were 4 cars fueling up when I pulled in, right up to a pump. Just as i got out of my car to start pumping, a little old lady laid on her horn. I looked over at her to see what was up, and if maybe I was the cause of her blast. She motioned to the Taxi in front of her. The taxi driver was talking to another taxi driver. They were clearly done fueling up, but obvious to anyone around that they were not ready to move. I calmly pointed to the several other open pumps thinking, "She's old, maybe she doesn't see them, I mean she can barely see over the steering wheel."

She cursed, well I assume it was a curse since her windows were up, put her car in reverse and proceeded to pull behind a guy that was clearly on the phone, and done gassing up and again laid on the horn. Meanwhile, there were at least 8 open pumps.

Now I am one to totally respect the elderly right to be ornery. I mean, I am looking forward to being that old so I can be just that. I am looking forward to yelling at the neighborhood kids to "Stay off my gawd dammed grass" and the such, but there needs to be a line. I mean, you can just go around honking your horn for no real reason other than you want to use that exact pump.

In other news, here is a list of albums that I have advance copies of that I am loving:

Built To Spill - You In Reverse
Arctic Monkey's - Whatever You Say I am, That's what I'm Not

I am looking forward to live performances of both of these bands.

One of my 'problem' customers sent in a very high-end piece of equipment. I told them what was found wrong, mainly that it seemed this took a pretty good impact, and that caused some minor damage. They then mentioned that they had a 'brand new' one and were seeing similar effects, and could this be a possible design flaw. What I wanted to say:

"Yeah, the engineers over in Japan couldn't figure out how to eliminate this so the just said 'Fuck It' and released this to the industry. " "

"There couldn't possibly an 'operator error', so yes I believe this is a design flaw"

'Hey dumbfuck, did you not just hear me say 'impact damage'?

What I did say was:
"Well, You are the only person I know of complaining of this problem. If it was a design flaw I would hear from everyone that has one of these. More than likely it is the impact damage that I was telling you about."

He is going to his boss with this info, and will be calling me back later today. I can't wait.

Happy B-Day George

Today would be George Washington's birthday if he were alive. I wonder what he would thing of these United States.

Officially, it is mid-week. Only two more work days until the weekend, when I get to work even more.

The Egg is all fixed up and just recently passed it's Emissions Test earlier this afternoon. That was $700 well spent.

The Boss Man just told me I will be in Las Vegas for 8 days in April. Hopefully, I'll live through this trip. The last few I have gone to, have been pretty close calls. Seriously, LV is no place for someone like me to be for that long. I don't know how Drunk Steve, and Chef Dusto do it.

I will also be in New Jersey, just over the GW Bridge, later next month for a week.

I am this close (holding my thumb and forefinger slightly apart) from totally climbing out of debt. So close, yet so far.

Only two weeks until Tugboat and the rest of Sam Champion come through town. That will be my first concert in 2006. I am not really living up to the 'Concert' part of my internerd identity. I also hope he puts me on the guest list (+1 if possible).

I have also decided to go to see the Arctic Monkey's show and not sell my tickets for an obscene profit. I will probably buy Lollapalooza tickets if they offer the same deal as last year, the way cheap ticket before we even announce any bands deal. I will then sell those for less than the end price, but still turning a profit. I hope the Smashing Pumpkins reunion rumors are just that, rumors.

I need to list a bunch of CD's on eBay, but that probably won't happen until next week.

I also need a vacation. Still.

Why I like the Winter Olympic's

1. Nipple Shots during the figureskating.

What I did this Weekend

Here is a re-cap. I totally didn't feel like posting this from home. Actually I don't really feel like posting this now, but I want to work even less so here goes:

Friday
A misuse of words caused a slight misunderstanding. Went home after work.

Saturday
Got up really early, bundled up and drove over to my girlfriends house for some snuggle time. Went home, made a crappy breakfast (it was really shitty) and rode my couch all day. Took a few mood relaxes and passed out on the couch before 10PM. Got a sweet surprise sleep over.

Sunday
Got up early to go work. Kicked my girlfriend out and then listened to my message saying not to come to work today, its way too cold. So I got the day off, but I would have to be out there at 7:30AM on Monday so my sister could get her car back so she could return to school. She has mono and stayed home all last week. I borrowed her car while mine was getting fixed. I immediately called Tequila and told her the news. I cleaned up, packed some things and headed over to her place just in time for a kick-ass breakfast. We followed that up with a trip to the thrift store, and Kohl's.

Monday
Up before the sun. Drive 40+ miles. Arrive at parents house at 7:20AM. It doesn't look like anyone is even up. Sister finally emerges... good thing because I was gonna be upset if I got up that early for nothing. Breakfast out with Concert dad, pick up my car, and then hit the job. I removed another wall of plaster, and at about the halfway point I sliced my palm open. There was lot's of blood, it was looking pretty bad. Concert dad drove me over to see Concert Mom before she went to work in the ER. She said I wouldn't need stitches, wrapped my hand up so I could get back to work and mentioned something about calling my Dr. about a tetanus shot.



I hate needles. Its fine.

Now, I am back at work. Sore from yesterday's hard labor. But I look good in my "I [heart] Hot Mom's" shirt, and that's all that really matters. Right?

Also, I hate it when I leave my iPod at home. I even just put a bunch of new music on it.

Finally!

Just under an hour to go, and then I start a 3 day weekend. I can't wait, except that I will be working for Concert Dad on Sunday and Monday. That's fine though. He doesn't drive me mad, like a certain person here does.

Tonight, I am heading over to my Grandparent's house for a family dinner. After that I am going to go snuggle a certain cute Red Head I know.

Tomorrow I ride the couch. All Day. Maybe I'll work up a worthwhile post. I know, it's been a while... don't judge me.

So I Finally Asked

After the third call before 11Am, I asked a semi-rude question. Here is the conversation:

Me: "Do you ever get sick of talking to her?"
Co-Worker: "Who?"
Me: "Wasn't that your girlfriend?"
CW: "Yeah, why?"
Me: "Well, do you ever get sick of talking to her?"
CW: "No, why?"
Me: "Because it would drive me nuts if my girlfriend called me like 6 times a day, every day. That's all, I was just asking."
CW: cricket, cricket

He hasn't spoken to me at all since. So far, today rules. Now if he can do some actual work.....

Rock Show Dilemma

So a few weeks ago, after down loading their unreleased album and demo's, I bought 2 tickets to the Arctic Monkey's March 18th show over at the now non-smoking Metro. Since then, that show has sold out, and the Monkey's are all the rage. The $15 tickets are selling on eBay for about $70 including shipping.

Although it has been a while since I have been to a rock show, and I really like the album and the few live shows I have acquired show that these kids can pull of a good show and I really want to go, I think I am going to sell these tickets. Only, I am going to wait until a week before the show.. after they have a few US dates under their belt and the 'buzz' is all that much more.

My friend Tugboat is coming through town in a few weeks with his 'other' band Sam Champion. On a Friday night none the less. Can't wait to party with rock-stars! HA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not only did my co-worker spend Valentine's Night with his girlfriend, they went out to breakfast and lunch together today. They have also talked on the phone 4 times in-between breakfast and lunch.

Tequila - my phone hasn't rung with you on the other end even once today, what gives?

Woo Hoo!

Today is the day pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, AZ for spring training.

I did it anyway

So I was told not to do anything cheesy for my Girlfriend to celebrate Valentine's Day.

I had these flowers delivered to her house anyway.

You Bitch, The Play

Scenario:

Concert Josh, fast asleep

Time 6:23AM, Monday Morning.

Act One:

BOOM, BOOM..... BOOM
[sounds like wrecking ball coming through the ceiling]

Concert Josh is awakened suddenly
"What the hell was......"

BOOM

Concert Josh shouting loudly
"THANKS"


BOOM, BOOM

Concert Josh stands up in bed and pounds on ceiling
"FUCK YOU BITCH" while thinking to himself "where the hell is that Sonic Air Horn?"

Act 2:
TBD, stay tuned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Weekend Theme: Let's be Hoosiers.
Two red heads with the same wacky idea.

The Egg: Busted
$600+ to fix it. Engine Gerbils are expensive.

Current State: Exhausted, Groggy, and generally In A Bad Mood

R.I.P Peter Benchley, author of "Jaws".

Today's Wacky Interweb Sites

I'll most likey add to this list as the day goes by.

1.) Contest to Prove The Earth revolves around the Sun.

2.) Gas Facts

3.) Concentration Test (for men)

4.) Offensive Cartoons of Muhammad

The Rumor Mill

So I was just down in the office cafeteria to microwave my cinna-bun thing the Roommate's girlfriend made. The Building Administrative Assistant was in there getting coffee. She noticed my blue jeans (I'm not supposed to wear them to work, but I don't really care much) and she said she had heard that Corporate was throwing around the idea of going to full business dress. That means a shirt and tie.

If that is the case, I am going to do what Concert Dad did while attending Catholic High School. Go buy the ugliest tie I can find, leave it 'tied' and here at the office. When I come in the AM, I will put it on and then take it off when I leave. I will wear the same ugly tie every day. I will never wash it, or re-tie it for that matter. That'll show 'em.

Today my projection room is getting painted, which means I won't really be able to project anything, which means I really can't work today. I should have just stayed home.

I guess I will just have to surf the interweb all day. I would rather watch those detective shows on Discovery, or Law & Order on TNT, or play Tiger Woods 2K6, or nap. Oh well.

Tomorrow is my little brother's birthday party. He'll be 11.

Valentine's Day is next week. I'm not a real big fan of that pseudo-holiday. It seems that my girlfriend isn't either. I'm wondering if I should get her some small token gift like heart shaped box of chocolate, or one of those small stuffed bears that is holding a heart that has a message of love on it. She told me NOT to do anything like that at all. I can't help but wonder if this is reverse psychology.

Also, I NEED a vacation. I keep getting Carnival Cruise emails. Might be time for me to try something like that.

Untitled

I wasn't feeling well this morning but went ino the office anyway. I decided that I should just come home. Now, I'm home. Alone. Watching 'The New Dectives' on Discovery Channel. I'll probably nap on the couch for a bit.

Interesting

I want one of these in red or green.
























galactika.de

The Inevitable

I knew it would happen sooner or later. It has almost happened several times before, but I avoided it until last night. When I arrived, I had a feeling that it would probably happen. All the pieces were in place. Then the bell rang. Footsteps up the stairs. Then Tequila introduced us... "This is Concert Josh, and this is My Ex-husband"

And that was that. It was over, and way less of a 'situation' that I had built it up to be.

Then this morning when I turned on the WGN Morning News, as I do every weekday. The very first story I hear is about another Catholic Priest practicing his ministry by reaching out and touching boys. In the privates. Only this time, the name of the priest and his parish was familiar to me. Mostly because it was THE CHURCH I ATTENDED AS A BOY. I knew the priest. He was MY priest. I was never really alone with him, but when I was around him.. I got a weird feeling. Just that, something is not right feeling you sometimes get, but have no idea why feeling. I mean, I was in my early teens and only attended church for another year or two before I quit going completely to explore 'other' ways to get 'in touch with god.' You know, like dropping multiple hits of acid and such.

Anyway, I took an extra long shower to try to get rid of that ewwww feeling I am having right now.

Lost and found

Lost:

$20 cab receipt
iTrip
blue sock
girlfriend

I have found all but one, guess which.

British Soldiers on Acid video.

Ha.

Yay Steelers.

The Super Bowl

My 4 Day Trip To Detroit Rock City

Day 1:
Arrive In Detroit at 4pm local time. Get rental car, head to Field. Call contact, gain credentials, gain entrance to the Truck Compound. See several camera men and video operators and other main contacts that I will be working with. Exchange cell phone numbers, head to hotel.

Check in Hotel, grab packages sent to myself from the office, head up to room. Unpack, fire up computer to connect to the 'free wireless'. Nothing, go meet partner for dinner. Very Cute desk girl sends us to a local Bar & Grill. Drink, Eat, Chat, Drink. Back to hotel. Still no internet connection. Call 1-800 number for help. No Help, still no internet.

Day 2:
Get up before the Sun. (really, I had to check 3 different sources ~one of which was NOT the internet~ before I would believe it was 7:30am) Shower, Dress, Grab tools and other necessary equipment and head down to the lobby. Meet partner, drive to field. Laugh with partner when radio personality says something about the traffic back up. The Partner is from LA. The traffic was a joke. There wasn't any really. Gain access to the Truck Compound, get in touch with lead video director. He looks at our credentials, and says we don't have the "S" that is necessary to get onto the field. While that is being taken care of, we head to the catering tent.

Breakfast, see some people I know, generally just mill around for a few hours.

Pass obtained, head to field level with camera map. We agree t split the camera's and each check half. That makes about 18 each.

Here are some stat's:

36 Cameras
- 20 'Hard Camera's', including 6 Super-Slo Mo's
- 7 Handheld, including 2 Super-Slo Mo's
- 2 RF and 1 Steadycam
-5 Robotic Camera's
-2 Remote Pan and Tilt camera's on the field goal posts
- 1 Sky Cam (I hate the thing)
- 1 Unmanned fixed camera

We cleaned and checked all the lenses on those camera's. Some need some on-site repair, or tweaking. Please let me know if you noticed any flaws in the picture quality of the live feed.

Other assignments had me on ESPN's Sports Center Set, and The Mike & Mike In The Morning set. I gotta say, that was pretty cool. Standing 10 feet away from Boomer, and Dan Patrick.

Finish up working around 10pm, have dinner in the city and then head back to the hotel. Still no internet. Go get wireless adaptor from Cute Desk Girl. Still nothing. Screw it, I pay for the thru the TV internet, still no connection. Curse Paris and her family's dumpy hotel. Call girlfriend, hit the sack.

Day 3:
Start day back at the ESPN set's. Finish up there and head back to the field. Head to the catering tent for lunch (great food provided by the Network) Hook up with Sales Rep, and head into the field. Camera Fax time, where the Broadcast Truck check the function and video quality of each and every lens. Some need further tweaking and adjusting. As this is going on, I learn the Half-Time Talent was there and planning on doing a rehearsal. Sweet, a free show by the Rolling Stones. Only catch was the Mick Jagger was NOT going to be singing.

After finishing up the Camera Fax, the three of us go and find some prime seats. A lot of waiting and sound checking before the band strolls onto the field. They play around and jam a bit, with Jagger talking, and walking the stage. Then he grabs the mic and says into it.. "All right boy's, let's play a few" and with that Keith strums his guitar and they kick into a 6 or 7 song mini concert. Sure some songs were played twice, but so what, I was one of about 85 people that witnessed that.

Dinner in the Catering Tent, then head back to the Hotel Bar. Put on a pretty good buzz with the work mates. Notice myself getting checked out by several Network girls. Wink at them and the ignore them. A few more, and then up to bed.

Day 4
Drop off several Fed-Ex packages at the front desk and throw my luggage in the rental. We head to the field and do more mulling around. Check the International Truck Compound, and the NFL Films room. Some more sitting around, lunch, final lens check and them I head to the airport.

My lovely girlfriend and family picked me up and drove me home. She is wonderful. In the car I give Dylan a Super Bowl XL ball set.

The rest of the weekend was spent making cabinet type stuff with my dad, and making Concert Mom a little jealous with my Stones Performance Story. Tomorrow I go back to my office and whatever that holds for me. If there is anything worth posting for the... What is it up to 5 readers? I will.

Pictures from my trip: