Year in Review

Another year down, where have I been, where am I going? Wish I had more dramatic answers to those questions. Pretty much 2005 has been me treading water in place. I did get a promotion at work to Network Administrator, but for all practical purposes, I'd been doing that job for the past 2 years. Woohoo it's official now. As usual romance has avoided me. I'm beginning to think that Kate was a rift in the space time continuum or some other anomaly from Star Trek. Here's to a 2006 that includes finding Mrs. Right...

I/O I/O It's Off to Work I Go

Well I'm back at work after an all too short vacation. Why is it that paperwork multiplies while you're gone?

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rather not know...

Over the weekend I found out what really happened to a good friend of mine from High School. He died in his college dorm a few years back. At the time the story was that he died of an unknown illness. Unfortunately it was much more tragic. He committed suicide by drinking anitfreeze because he couldn't face his parents with the fact that he was gay. Pray for more tolerance in the world.

Confusion and Women

Nuff said

12 Days of Christmas Blogging

	The Twelve Days of Christmas for byte228:
Day #	Who?		What they got you
1st	ryanadc		A life sized poster of Rod Stewart
2nd	cisco_systems		White tube socks
3rd	linux		A piece of fruitcake that is obviously several years old
4th	usrfriendlytoon		A lifetime subscription to Freaks and Geeks magazine
5th	ciscosec		Elvis's skull
6th	ryanadc		A faux fur fedora
7th	truman_state		A long distance calling card which expired in 1998
8th	catholic_gop		A French kiss
9th	umrguy42		A tub of uncooked pancake batter
10th	linux		Hemorrhoid Cream
11th	umrguy42		A time machine
12th	lunadepapel		The posies you were growing in your garden
Take this Quiz at QuizGalaxy.com
( or, take the 'adult' version at QuizUniverse.com )

Lyrical Thought 8

Unanswered Prayers
Garth Brooks

Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn’t help but think of the way things used to be.

She was the one that I’d wanted for all times
And each night I’d spend prayin’ that God would make her mine
And if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then
I’d never ask for anything again.

(chorus)
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of god’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

She wasn’t quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
Inn her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn’t much we could recall
I guess the lord knows what he’s doin’ after all.

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thankedd the good lord
For the gifts in my life.

*chorus*
Some of god’s greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of god’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Nice Guys Finish Last

To every guy that walked her to her car.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that opens doors.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that walks on the outside of a sidewalk so he can be the first to get hit by a car that careens off the road and push her out of the way.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that cooks dinner for her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that's said, "Sex can wait."
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that's said, "You're beautiful."
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that was never too busy to drive across town to see her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that gives flowers and a card when she is sick.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy who has given her flowers just because.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that said he would die for her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that really would.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that did what she wanted to do.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that treated her like a goddess.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that cried in front of her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that she cried in front of.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that holds hands with her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that kisses her with meaning.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that hugs her when she's sad.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy who would give their jacket up.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that calls to make sure she got home safe.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that would sit and wait for her for hours just to be able to see her for ten minutes.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that would give his seat up.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that just wants to cuddle.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that reassured her that she was beautiful no matter what.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy who told his secrets to her.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that tried to show how much he cared through every word and every breath.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that thought maybe this could be the one.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that believed in her dreams.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that would have done anything so she could achieve them.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that never laughed at her when she told him her dreams.
:
::
:::
::
:
:To every guy that says: I love you.
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that wasn't just trying to get laid.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that actually listened.
:
::
:::
::
:
To every guy that gave his heart only to have it shoved back in his face.
:
::
:::
::
:


This one is for us...

If you are a nice guy repost this: "Nice guys finish last."

If you are a girl that thinks every guy should try to encompass even a few of these repost this: "To the nice guys."

Tetris has now been defiled

You are most attracted to Tetris shapes You are not really into thinking Nintendo characters are hot. But you are damn addicted to finding a place for all of those shapes…innuendo anyone? Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com

My Random Movie Quote

Ben's Random Movie Quote: 'I'm sure in 1985, plutonium is available at every corner drugstore, but in 1955 it's a little hard to come by.' - Dr. Emmett Brown, Back to the Future Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

88 MPH!!!

Ben's Reason for Travelling Back in Time: To see if aliens really did co-ordinate the building of the pyramids Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Lyrical Thought 7

There’s a saying old says that love is blind
Still we’re often told, seek and ye shall find
So I’m going to seek a certain lad I’ve had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven’t found him yet

He’s the big affair I cannot forget
Only one I ever think of with regret
I’d like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There’s a somebody I’m longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who’ll watch over me
I’m a little lamb who’s lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who’ll watch over me

Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won’t you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

Theology on Tap

I just got back from our Diocese's first Theology on Tap. We had 12 people which I thought was pretty good. We're young, we're adults and yes we're in your church!

More about me

Stolen from .

() Smoked a cigarette
( ) crashed a car
( ) stolen a car
(x) Been in love
(x) Been dumped
( ) shoplifted
( ) Been fired /laid off
( ) Been in a fist fight
( ) Snuck out of your parent's house
(x ) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
(x ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
(x) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(x) Been on a plane
( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire
( ) Eaten Sushi
() Been skiing
(x) Met someone in person from the internet
(x) Taken pain-killers
() Love someone or miss someone right now
(x) Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(x) Made a snow angel
() Had a tea party
(x) Flown a kite
(x) Built a sand castle
() Gone puddle jumping
() Played dress up
(x) Cheated while playing a game
(x) Been lonely (More than I care to think about)
(x) Fallen asleep at work/school
( ) used a fake id
(x) Watched the sun set
(x ) felt an earthquake
() Touched a snake
(x) Slept beneath the stars
(x) Been tickled
( ) Been robbed
(x )had a cavity
(x )broken a bone
(x) Won a contest
(x) Ran a red light
( ) Been suspended from school
() Been in a car accident with another car
(x)got a speeding ticket
(x) had braces
( ) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night
(x) Had deja vu
( ) Danced in the moonlight
(x) Liked the way you look
() Witnessed a crime
() been obsessed with post-it notes
() Squished barefoot through the mud
(x) Been lost
(x) been to the opposite side of the country
(x) Peed in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
() Recently colored with crayons
() Sung karaoke
() Paid for a meal with only coins
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
() Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
() Been kissed under a mistletoe
( ) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
( ) made a bonfire on the beach
( ) Crashed a party
(x) Gone roller-skating
(x) Had a wish come true
() Worn pearls
( ) Jumped off a bridge.
() ate dog/cat food
( ) told a complete stranger you loved them
() kissed a mirror
(x) Sang in the shower
(x) Had a dream that you married someone
(x) Glued your hand to something
( ) Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole
( ) Kissed a fish
(x) Sat on a roof top
(x) Screamed at the top of your lungs
() Done a one-handed cartwheel
() Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours
(x) Stayed up all night
( ) didn't take a shower for a week
() pick and ate an apple right off the tree
(x) Climbed a tree that had a tree house
() Been told by a complete stranger that you're hot

Family Holidays

I felt out of place again this Thanksgiving. My family has a much smaller gathering of late that just includes myself, my parents, my "aunt and uncle" and cousins. The reason I felt out of place is that both of my younger cousins had their serious significant others with them. It reinforced the loneliness that I've been dealing with. I'm ready to move on and find "the one"... Maybe by Easter I won't be alone?

Lyrical Thought 6

Thanksgiving -- Tom Lehrer

We gather together to ask the lord’s blessing
For turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce.
It was slightly distressing but now we’re convalescing
So sing praises to his name and forget not to floss.
Our nearest and dearest we don’t want confessing
It’s sort of depressing to have them so near.
Our feelings supressing for lightly acquiescing
And perfectly professing we’re glad they were here.
We gathered together and got the lord’s blessing
Of course we’re just guessing ’cause how can you tell?
Our stomach’s are bloating
Our kidneys nearly floating
Hellos are very nice but goodbyes can be swell

Lyrical Thought 5

A Christmas Carol -- Tom Lehrer

One very familiar type of song is the christmas carol. although it is perhaps a bit out of season at this time. however, I'm informed by my disk jockey friends - of whom I have none,
In order to get a song popular by christmas time, you have to start plugging it well in advance. so here goes. it has always seemed to me after all. that christmas, with it's spirit of giving,
Us all a wonderful opportunity each year to reflect on what we all most sincerely and deeply believe in.

I refer of course, to money. and yet none of the christmas carols that you hear on the radio or in the street, even attempt to capture the true spirit of christmas as we celebrate it in the United States. that is to say the commercial spirit. so I should like to offer the following christmas carol for next year, as being perhaps a bit more appropriate.

Christmas time is here, by golly,
Disapproval would be folly,
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say when.
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the dickens,
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

On christmas day you can't get sore,
Your fellow man you must adore,
There\u2019s time to rob him all the more
The other three hundred and sixty-four.

Relations, sparing no expense'll
Send some useless old utensil,
Or a matching pen and pencil.
Just the thing I need! how nice!
It doesn't matter how sincere it
Is, nor how heartfelt the spirit,
Sentiment will not endear it,
What's important is the price.

Hark the herald tribune sings,
Advertising wondrous things.
God rest ye merry, merchants,
May you make the yuletide pay.
Angels we have heard on high
Tell us to go out and buy!

So let the raucous sleigh bells jingle,
Hail our dear old friend kris kringle,
Driving his reindeer across the sky.
Don't stand underneath when they fly by.
Actually I did rather well myself, this last christmas. the nicest present I received was a gift certificate good at any hospital for a lobotomy. rather thoughtful.

Got It!

Ok so I braved the cold, the lines of shoppers and the ocassional hip check by an overzealous woman and got to the pile of digital cameras at wal-mart. I got my new HP E317 5MP camera for $88. A big upgrade considering that when my current digital camera came out they weren't using the mega prefix for the number of pixels.

Crazy? Perhaps...

Well normally I skip the big day after Thanksgiving sales, but a HP 5 megapixel camera for $88 is just screaming my name and well I'm listening. So for the others in Jacksonville, IL thinking the same thing... please stay home! :-p

Get a Human When You Call!

Haven't tried these yet, but it looks promising.

http://paulenglish.com/ivr/

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving all. Safe travels, good eats and good rolaids!

Lyrical Thought 4

What's the Buzz -- Jesus Christ Superstar
Andrew Lloyd Webber

APOSTLES

What's the buzz?
Tell me what's a-happening. (Repeat 8 times)

JESUS

Why should you want to know?
Don't you mind about the future?
Don't you try to think ahead?
Save tomorrow for tomorrow;
Think about today instead.

APOSTLES

What's the buzz?
Tell me what's happening. (Repeat many times)

JESUS

I could give you facts and figures.
Even give you plans and forecasts.
Even tell you where I'm going.

APOSTLES

When do we ride into Jerusalem? (Repeat many times)

JESUS

Why should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding,
You'd understand it less than I.

APOSTLES

What's the buzz?
Tell me what's happening. (Repeat many times)

MARY MAGDALENE

Let me try to cool down your face a bit. (Repeat 5 times)

JESUS

Mary that is good,
While you prattle through your supper,
Where and when and who and how.
She alone has tried to give me
What I need right here and now.

APOSTLES

What's the buzz?
Tell me what's happening. (Repeat many times)

Normal

Your Normalcy Quotient is: 54 out of 100.

You are a Wonderful Eccentric
You’ve earned the title of wonderful eccentric, and while you’re not a wild, gun slinging maverick, you certainly like to follow your own way. Of course, you probably don’t think of yourself as eccentric. As Einstein might say, “It’s all relative.”
Take this quiz by Clicking Here.

Jedi Meeme

You scored as Qui-Gon Jinn. You are Qui-Gon Jinn; respected for your wisdom and strong connection to The Force yet considered unorthodox and defiant by the Jedi Council. You rescued Anakin Skywalker from Tatooine because you believed him to be The Chosen One. You train the lightsaber form Ataru in which The Force is used to aid physical skill to achieve an amazing combination of speed, accuracy and acrobatics. A diplomat before a warrior, you fell in battle to Darth Maul though your apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi avenged you. You were the first Jedi to achieve a preservation of personal identity after death. Qui-Gon Jinn 93% Darth Revan 89% Obi-Wan Kenobi (Post Death of Qui-Gon Jinn) 89% Mace Windu 86% Yoda 86% Luke Skywalker 79% Anakin Skywalker 75% Obi-Wan Kenobi (Pre Death of Qui-Gon Jinn) 71% Darth Vader 61% Darth Sidious 57% Bastila Shan 57% Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus 54% Exar Kun 50% Darth Maul 36% What Star Wars Jedi or Sith character is most like your personality? created with QuizFarm.com

People of Influence Installment 2

Julio Carmen Viola

Otherwise known to me as Grandpa. I remember him taking me up to the KC Hall as they were building the new addition and letting me see the construction equipment. I remember him on the couch as we watched the Cubs on TV. He may have closed his eyes, but he was watching that! I never got the chance to really know Grandpa when he was alive, but everytime someone calls me a little Julio at the KC or talks about him at the club I learn more about who he was and how important he was to the people that knew him. Someday the Cubs will win the World Series again and I know that he'll be watching right along with Harry and the rest of them.

Benjamin

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Well I finally got to see the new Harry Potter movie today. Below are my thoughts:

Well overall the movie was good. They did their best to put as much of the story into the movie as they could with the time allowed.

Unfortunately, the studio didn't bring back John Williams for the musical score. The now famous Harry Potter theme was only present in the title scene and credits; and shortly at that. Hopefully they'll see fit to bring him back for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

My other complaint is that the Hogwart's castle is vastly different from the first three movies. I had to wonder whether there was anyone worried about continuity.

Lyrical Thought 3

Casting Crowns -- If We are the Body

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
trying to fade into the faces
the girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way
there is a way

A traveler is far away from home
he sheds his coat
and quietly sinks into the back row
the weight of their judgemental glances tell him that his chances
are better out on the road

CHORUS
But if we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
for us to pick and choose who should come
and we are the body of Christ

Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

Lyrical Thought 2

Audio Adrenaline -- Hands and Feet

An image flashed across my TV screen
Another broken heart comes in to view
I saw the pain and I turned my back
Why can't I do the things I want to?
I'm willing yet I'm so afraid
You give me strength
When I say

Chorus:
I want to be Your hands
I want to be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me

Repeat

And I try, yeah I try
To touch the world like You touched my life
And I find my way
To be Your hands

I've abandoned every selfish thought
I've surrendered every thing I've got
You can have everything I am
And perfect everything I'm not
I'm willing, I'm not afraid
You give me strength
When I say

Chorus

This is the last time
I turned my back on You
From now on, I'll go so
Send me where You want me to
I finally have a mission
I promise I'll complete
I don't need excuses
When I am You hands and feet

Lyrical Thoughts 1

Rascal Flatts -- Bless the Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love, along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign, pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That let me straight to you


I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan, that is coming true

Every long lost dream, led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That let me straight to you

Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lovers arms
This much I know, is true
That God blessed the broken road
That let me straight to you

Hope Springs Anew

I finally got to meet Gabbie in person. We met up at Panera in Springfield. She is a really nice person with a great smile and personality. I really hope that she liked me as much as I like her. I'm really hoping that this turns out well.

Are You Being Served?

I have heard too many people my age when talking about the Catholic Church saying that they feel left out. Many wonder if there is anything in the church for people between college and marriage. Others wonder if the church listens to our generation's opinions. Still others have given up and gone to other churches where they feel more spiritually fed.

Why is this happening in the church? There are many reasons, but from what I've seen the laity and clergy have blinders on focusing on their own demographic and children. I'm not saying that either is wrong to focus on, but the young adult, especially single young adults are forgotten and left out in most parishes. At the most basic level, the two groups don't mix or socialize. This polarizes parishes and eventually the young adults fall away because they are a minority of attendees at Mass.

It's time for the leaders of the church to reach out to our generation. We are the future, or so we were told in youth group and Newman centers across the nation. We've been trained in various ministries much more than any previous generation simply because we're the first pure post Vatican II generation. For as long as we can remember, the church has told us how empowered the laity is now and how we should strive to take a role in this.

To any that may read this that aren't in my generation. I ask you to do the following:

1) Say hello to a young adult at Mass and introduce yourself.
2) Listen to their needs and ideas for the Church.
3) Treat our generation as adult members of the Church.

My Life Reduced to Numbers

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.7
Mind:	7.1
Body:	5.3
Spirit:	7.5
Friends/Family:	3.2
Love:	2.1
Finance:	9
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

People of Influence Installment 1

Louis J "Moose" Maurer Jr

Louis was one of my Assistant Scoutmasters when I was in Boy Scouts. I still remember my first meeting showing up and him getting me involved immediately in the wood carving merit badge that the scouts were working on. From then on he took me under his wing. Home sickness was a problem for me when it came time for scout camp, but he just boohooed back at me and told me he missed his mommy too. He made me laught and things were good.

Louis continued to help me through scouts and into the Order of the Arrow. He never achieved Eagle Scout himself, but I believe through how he helped me to achieve Eagle that he did. Towards the end he was very sick and I didn't see him much, but it meant a lot to me and I believe to him also that he was able to make it from the VA hospital to my Eagle Scout ceremony.

Unfortunately it wasn't too long after that I was standing as an honor guard to his coffin at the funeral home. Good job Louis and thanks for everything.

Here I go again?

Well I've met a very nice woman on match.com. We've talked a lot over the last week or so. I haven't met her in person yet, but I'm really hoping to sometime soon. She seems so awesome. She's a political science grad student in Springfield.

Enterprise

Ok so I'm getting on the train a bit late, but I'm finally getting to watch Enterprise in order on DVD. I'm really liking the show, but I have a strange question. What's up with the episode numbers? The pilot is 721 and then they're numbered 00x, but there are numbers missing.

Friend Biography

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want--good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

Donald Duck

Donald Duck


Which DISNEY character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

NORM!!!

Ok so I'm watching Cheers on DVD (gotta love TV on DVD) and Norm just said a classic... "It's a dog eat dog world out there, and I'm wearing milk bone underwear."

Not a Surprise

You are a shy flirt You are more inclined to leave anonymous love notes for your crush then go up and ask them out. You prefer to leave the ball in their court and see where it takes you. A lot of people find this style romantic, but sometimes you are going to have to work up the nerve and ask your crush out, because if your crush is shy too, you may both like each other and never know. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Dear God...

Please help Tom and I both sort through our issues about sexuality. Love and sex are often interchanged in today's society and they shouldn't be. They go hand in hand. Whitney's message got through loud and clear.

Tri-Lamb Material 60 % Nerd, 47% Geek, 52% Dork

For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd and Dork, earning you the coveted title of: Tri-Lamb Material. The classic, "80's" nerd, you are what most people think of when they think "nerd," largely due to 80's movies like Revenge of the Nerds and TV shows like Head of the Class. You're exceptionally bright and smart, and partly because of that have never quite fit in with your peers or social groups. Perhaps you're realized, or will someday, that it is possible to retain all of the things that you like about being brilliant and still make peace with the social cliques around you. Or maybe you won't--it's really not necessary. As the brothers of Lambda Lambda Lambda discovered, you're fine just the way you are and can take pride in that. I mean, who wants to be like Ogre, right!? Congratulations! Also, you might want to check out some of my other tests if you're interested in any of the following: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Professional Wrestling Love & Sexuality America/Politics Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 57% on nerdiness You scored higher than 66% on geekosity You scored higher than 90% on dork points

Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Awakenings

Well I'm ready to go to what I believe is my 10th awakenings retreat. The unique part is that this time I'm on staff and will be giving a talk.

Those College Days We Used To Know...

Where have they gone, where did they go? And yet raise our berets to those college days... ok enough Joseph paraphrasing.

Today I went to the job fair at Truman to recruit for my company. I got back on campus and felt like I was back home. It was strange to be walking around campus not headed to class, but at any moment I expected to see my friends meeting at Fair or at Newman. It's hard to believe that in May I'll have been out of school for 4 years. I'm definitely not where I thought I'd be at this point.

If the naive plan from when I graduated had worked, I'd be married and living in St. Louis probably working for SBC or Boeing or some other large corporation. Oh well. "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." John Lennon

Guess I need to Crank up WYMG More

WYMG

The Seeker You scored 64%!

I don't know if you've been searching low and high, but you do know your bare-bones classic rock basics. With this kind of score, you probably nailed the signature song questions and most of the albums. You probably don't have much of a classic rock collection yourself, but when your friends play theirs, you recognize the songs. This is a respectable score: you're neither know-nothing nor nerd.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 10% on notes

Link: The BASIC classic rock Test written by allmydays on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Geography Bee

Geography Superstar You scored 95% Accuracy!

Sooo close to perfection! What went wrong?!? Clearly you know your geography. You were probably the kid in school always raising your hand. Maybe you are one of the few people who are fascinated by geography, or more likely you are just good at memorizing things. In any case you should be proud. This state naming skill of yours will get your far. There are myriads of times where it is important to know the shape of the states. Ok, I lied, it doesn't really matter. But it does show you know your stuff. And knowing stuff is good. So kudos, for a job well done.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 62% on Accuracy

Link: The State Locator Challenge Test written by kafkahateszeppo on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

An Ode to Busch Stadium

Concrete Concrete Concrete
Oh the concrete and steel
The wins, the losses
The teams lost
The teams stolen
A stadium in its prime
Cut down by profits and greed
Meanwhile a true ball park lives on
into its second century
Long Live Wrigley
May it last through a 4th Cardinals stadium

Hmm

Your arch-nemesis is: Lucille Ball Why? Because they cheated at twister The winner will be... They already have too many arch nemeses, so you are on their friends list. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

C is for Cookie

A is for Age: 25
B is for Booze: Wine
C is for Career: Network Administrator
D is for Dad?s Name: Robert Allen
E is for Essential items to bring to a party: Don't know I don't party.
F is for Favorite song at the moment: Green Day "Time of your Life"
G is for Girlfriend: None
H is for Hometown: Sherman, IL
I is for Instruments you play: Trumpet, Guitar
J is for Jam or Jelly that you like: Strawberry
K is for Kids: I'd like to have them eventually.
L is for Living arrangements: Duplex
M is for Mom?s name: Mary Elizabeth
N is for Name of your best friend: Jill or Michelle or both
O is for Overnight hospital stays: Only when I was born.
P is for phobia(s): Height when not enclosed.
Q is for Quote you like: "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."
R is for Relationship that lasted the longest: Kate
S is for Siblings: N/A
T is for Time you wake up: 5:50am
U is for Unique trait: While in MO I cursed when McGuire hit number 61 against my Cubbies.
V is for Vegetable you love: FRESH green beanes
W is for Worst trait: I'm a procrastinator.
X is for X-rays you've had: Both middle fingers. Dental.
Y is for yummy food you make: Lots of stuff. I learned to cook as a Boy Scout.
Z is for zodiac sign: Pices

Firsts
First job: fast food
First screen name: illinek
First funeral: Not sure
First pet: N/A
First piercing: N/A
First tattoo: N/A
First credit card: GM Card
First kiss: Kate
First enemy: Not sure.
First favorite musician: Beach Boys

Lasts
Last car ride: To Work
Last kiss: Amanda
Last movie watched: Wallace and Grommit and the Wererabbit.
Last phone call: Altiris conference call
Last time showered: 6am today
Last CD played: SIUE Awakenings 2004
Last website visited: Slashdot

Now
Single or Taken: Single
Sex: Male
Birthday: February 28, 1980.
Hair color: Brown.
Eye Color: Brown.
Shoe size: 12
Height: 6'0"

Right now what are you...
Wearing: United Way shirt and jeans
Drinking: Nothin
Thinking about: "Go White Sox"

Scotty Was Right!

Remember in Star Trek IV when Scotty gave the technology to make transparent aluminum? Well apparently he must have visited Wright Patterson AFB recently. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123012131

Come On Cardinals...

You're trying to blow the I-55 series by not even making it to the World Series. Go Sox!

Sweedish Chef It Is

You Should Learn Swedish

Fantastisk! You're laid back about learning a language - and about life in general. Peaceful, beautiful Sweden is ideal for you... And you won't even have to speak perfect Swedish to get around!

What Language Should You Learn?

It all comes down to this...

How You Life Your Life

You tend to deprive yourself of things you crave, for your own good. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Doogie Howser, M.D.

I just got done watching the pilot episode of Doogie Howser on DVD. It's made me wonder why there can't be good clean shows like it anymore. Bring back the traditional clean sit com!!!

Geek Factor

You are 87% Geek!

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 62% on geekiness

Link: The Geek Test written by merkuri on Ok Cupid

Prayer of Abandonment

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.

Charles de Foucald

How to Please IT

How to Please Your I.T. Department...
- When you call us to have your computer moved, be sure to leave it buried under half a ton of postcards, baby pictures, stuffed animals, dried flowers, bowling trophies and children's art. We don't have a life, and we find it deeply moving to catch a fleeting glimpse of yours.

- Don't write anything down. Ever. We can play back the error messages from here.

- When an I.T. person says he's coming right over, go for coffee. That way you won't be there when we need your password. It's nothing for us to remember 700 screen saver passwords.

- When you call the help desk, state what you want, not what's keeping you from getting it. We don't need to know that you can't get into your mail because your computer won't power on at all.

- When I.T. support sends you an E-Mail with high importance, delete it at once. We're just testing.

- When an I.T. person is eating lunch at his desk, walk right in and spill your guts right out. We exist only to serve.

- Send urgent email all in uppercase. The mail server picks it up and flags it as a rush delivery.

- When the photocopier doesn't work, call computer support. There's electronics in it.

- When something's wrong with your home PC, dump it on an I.T. person's chair with no name, no phone number and no description of the problem. We love a puzzle.

- When an I.T. person tells you that computer screens don't have cartridges in them, argue. We love a good argument.

- When an I.T. person tells you that he'll be there shortly, reply in a scathing tone of voice: "And just how many weeks do you mean by shortly?" That motivates us.

- When the printer won't print, re-send the job at least 20 times. Print jobs frequently get sucked into black holes.

- When the printer still won't print after 20 tries, send the job to all 68 printers in the company. One of them is bound to work.

- Don't learn the proper term for anything technical. We know exactly what you mean by "My thingy blew up".

- Don't use on-line help. On-line help is for wimps.

Awakenings Talk

I have been asked to come out of retirement and give a Masks talk for the SIUE Awakenings at the end of this month. Right now I have writer's block on my talk so those of you crazy Awakeners out there that know what I should be writing, keep me in your prayers.

English is My First Language!

Very Special Case You scored 71% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 93% Expert!

I don't know how you did it, but you boggle my mind! You got at least 75% of the intermediate, advanced, and expert questions correct, but you got 75% or less in the beginner section. How is this possible? Were you just guessing?????? Either way... Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it! For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 3% on Beginner You scored higher than 48% on Intermediate You scored higher than 76% on Advanced You scored higher than 86% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on OkCupid Free Online Dating

NBC

Risk: 16% NUCLEAR 26% BIOLOGICAL 20% CONVENTIONAL

Your above scores indicate your relative risk in each of the 3 main types of terrorism. A score above 50% means you are living with the real possibility of death by that type of terrorism. A score above 75% represents extreme danger. Below 25% means you are most likely safe. Some quick advice follows: TO REDUCE CHANCE OF NUCLEAR ATTACK ������- Avoid large cities (especially political or financial centers) at all costs ������- Avoid extremely large sporting events ������- Avoid suburbs of extreme large cities TO REDUCE CONVENTIONAL DEATH ODDS: ������- Avoid buses and subways ������- Avoid suspicious people ������- Avoid establishments owned by targeted groups ������- Avoid exploding bombs TO REDUCE BIO RISK: - Avoid contact with other people - Own a shack in the woods - or a cool boat ������- Avoid contact with lots of mail (think: Anthrax) ������- Avoid drinking tap water This test sponsored by Dasani.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 2% on nuclear You scored higher than 0% on biological You scored higher than 10% on conventional

Link: The Terrorism Test written by jason_bateman on Ok Cupid

Answer questions using only song titles from one band or artist:

I chose: Billy Joel
1. Are you male or female?: "Piano Man"
2. Describe yourself: "Vienna"
3. How do some people feel about you?: "Big Shot"
4. How do you feel about yourself?: "The Stranger"
5. Describe an old girlfriend/boyfriend/interest: "Uptown Girl"
6. Describe your current girlfriend/boyfriend/interest: "A Matter of Trust"
7. Where would you rather be?: "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"
8. Where are you?: "River of Dreams"
9. Describe what you want to be: ???
10. Describe how you live: "Pressure"
11. Describe how you love: "She's Always A Woman"
12. Share a few words of wisdom: "Vienna"

I'm Goofy

the Ham (19% dark, 42% spontaneous, 26% vulgar)

your humor style: CLEAN | SPONTANEOUS | LIGHT Your style's goofy, innocent and feel-good. Perfect for parties and for the dads who chaperone them. You can actually get away with corny jokes, and I bet your sense of humor is a guilty pleasure for your friends. People of your type are often the most approachable and popular people in their circle. Your simple & silly good-naturedness is immediately recognizable, and it sets you apart in this sarcastic world. PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Will Ferrell - Will Smith The 3-Variable Funny Test! - it rules - If you're interested, try my latest: The Terrorism Test

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on darkness You scored higher than 39% on spontaneity You scored higher than 22% on vulgarity

Link: The 3 Variable Funny Test written by jason_bateman on OkCupid Free Online Dating