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[23 Aug 2003|08:40pm] |
Sorry, that last post was a little joke, putting the two together like that :)
I asked Jackie to marry me a few weeks ago, and she said yes, officially making me the luckiest guy on the planet. We're looking at the 4th of July as a wedding date; the planning has already begun. Truth is, I can't wait for it to get here; I just want to know that the most beautiful, most loving, perfect girl in the whole world is officially mine forever :)
These are a little blurry, buf if you squint it's all good :)
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[23 Aug 2003|03:47pm] |
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Kenna - Vexed and Glorious |
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Two things.
If you haven't heard, I got engaged.
And you MUST listen to Kenna - New Sacred Cow
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[31 Jul 2003|10:40am] |
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Bob Mould "See a Little Light" |
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Jeesus, did I just go a whole month without updating? How the fuck did that happen?
Considering I used to write like 3 or 4 multi-page entries a day, its quite a change, eh? For some reason I just haven't had any motivation to write in a really long time; the inspiration comes and goes I guess. Plus my life is getting into that happy-complacent zone, the one where I tend to do pretty much nothing of any creative worth. Not that I mind in the slightest.
So what's been going on for the last month? Hrm. Vegas with Jackie and my parents was a real highlight. The Venetian is a sight to see (it was actually the 2nd time Jackie and I have stayed there due to some fantastic specials they've been running...deals like $149 a night on the weekends. No, it's not the $40 bucks a night deals we typically get at places like the Plaza and Fitzgeralds, but for a 5-star hotel comprised only of luxury suites, its hard to pass up an offer like that. Heck, my dad spends probably close to a week every month living out of hotel rooms, in places from London to Spain to Malaysia, and he said it was the nicest hotel room he's ever stayed in.) Anyways the rooms are mega-luxe, the hotel/casino is beyond beautiful inside and out (including frescos of scenes such as the celing of the Sistine Chapel, and a canal complete with gondoleers), the restaurants are fantastic, and it's home to Las Vegas' branch of the Guggenheim Museum (I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit on Pop Art, featuring original works by Warhol, Lichtenstein, and many others. I'm not a big pop art fan but I was really impressed just by the magnitude of some of the work.)
While there, we took the opportunity to tour all the major properties on the Strip, eating an AMAZING dinner at Spago in Caesar's Palace, seeing the AMAZING Cirque de Soleil show "O" at the Bellagio, and just generally enjoying the finer side of Vegas. I even took the time to partake in a few -EV games, a real rarity for me, playing some blackjack and Pai Gow with my dad at New York New York and the Golden Gate downtown. He got pretty badly brutalized in everything he played...I didn't fare particularly well either, but certainly nowhere near the terrible streak of luck he hit. And, most stunningly, we had to PRY my mom away from the slot machines...who knew!
Only played a tiny bit of poker the last day in town. Jackie's taken a real shine to the game, and she's good at it too, so we've been playing a lot, mostly low limit stud at the Plaza. I play stud so rarely that it's been good for my game to get a little practice, and the games at the Plaza are some of the softest I've ever been involved in. When the table lineup is soft enough, I'm convinced I could pull 3-4 BB/hr out of that game. Other than that, just been playing a lot online. Like most other serious players, I migrated from Paradise Poker over to Party Poker when their advertising on the World Poker Tour brought in a massive influx of new players; the money has been good, I'm saving it up for something special, but I'll talk about that another time...
It was nice seeing the parents (I'll see them in another two months for Rosh Hashana), and it's always nice spending a weekend in Vegas with Jackie (we'll be going back next weekend, and the weekend after that too). It's nice spending time with Jackie whenever, for that matter. Her parents are out of town for the next week and a half, so I've been staying at her place...it's kind of a nice preview of what life with her would be like, and I must say I'm enjoying it. Heck, if I have any complaint, its that between her going out with friends and having work to do and stuff, I STILL don't get enough quality snuggle time with her even when I'm living there. Of course, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm an insatiable cuddler and no amount of snuggle time would be enough ;) Going to work in the morning is killer. But it's really nice having someone to come home to. Plus she's taking an online class now, which makes things a lot easier; before, I was driving an hour up to San Marcos to visit her at class and keep her company while she worked late after I finished up work each day. There's a real possibility that she's going to move out of her parents place and start renting a room in her guitarist's house (which I've been told is big, pretty, and has a swimming pool). I hope it happens; I think she'd be happier away from her parents, and I'd get to spend more time with her. Regardless, I'm going to enjoy the next two weeks. And after that, two weekends in Vegas, including a long weekend on my birthday :)
Yes, it's my birthday coming up. I take cash and money orders. No credit, but I'm sure I could set something up with PayPay if you'd like :)
My boss is in the midst of a three week vacation. I was given the option of just running the show myself or having them bring someone in from Corporate to manage the department for the three weeks she's gone. No way in hell do I want someone peering over my shoulder for three weeks, plus if I do well with this maybe I can play it into a raise. Wishful thinking perhaps, but it's worth a shot, right? Truth is, it's easy work, if I have any problem it's that I slack too much on it. I could run this department myself (I am, for now); I don't think anyone would ever know the difference. We just finished up a big membership push, so these couple weeks are slow anyways...just processing applications and membership cards and sending out new apps and running Orientation Luncheons for the new members...it's easy work. As if you couldn't tell simply by the fact that I wrote this LJ post while on the job ;)
I got Jackie the CD of the Pearl Jam show we went to; it's fucking great, the sound is absolutely pristine, I wish every band would do the same for their fans. Still listening to a lot of them lately, and the new Fountains of Wayne has been getting heavy play as well. It's not as consistant as Utopia Parkway, there are actually a few rather abysmal numbers IMO, but the best material is as good as anything they've ever done, just pure sublime pop music by the reigning kings of the genre. No particularly good shows coming up this month, the summer seems to be pretty dead in terms of quality bands touring, but at the start of Sept. is Street Scene, a massive festival held all over the downtown area for three days. REM is headlining; also appearing are Bad Religion, Social D, Wilco, X, G Love, Goo Goo Dolls, Love, Arrested Development, the B 52s, Macy Gray, Nickel Creek, the Sex Pistols, Finch, Presidents of the USA, the Dropkick Murphys, Rev. Horton Heat, Kathleen Edwards, AND THAT'S JUST THE BANDS I CARE ABOUT! Who wants to come visit that weekend? :)
Been thinking about Law School some. Narrowing down the list. Being considered now: UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, UW, UNLV, BU, BC, UPenn, Georgetown, Emory, and maybe a few more. This coming month I'll start working on it for real, putting together applications, gathering recommendations, getting transcripts and so forth. I've already started getting random mailings from shitty unaccredited law schools, thanks to the fine folks at the Law School Admissions Council. However this turns out, it should be an interesting journey.
So, does that cover a month?
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[30 Jun 2003|09:48am] |
Well, I got my LSAT score today.
167
Not steller but not bad either; really right in line with what I expected after leaving the test. Now the fun starts...applications!
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[25 Jun 2003|07:10pm] |
So, after my brother's recommendation, I picked up the new Guster today. Just listened to the first half of it. I think it's become my favorite Duncan Sheik album.
More pithy comments to come upon further contemplation.
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[24 Jun 2003|04:04pm] |
Weekends in Vegas are good. Weekends in Vegas with Jackie are great. Weekends in Vegas with Jackie where we together break a 1-4 stud table after sucking half a dime out of it are fantastic. Weekends doing all that while staying at the Venetian? Wowie zowie!
Other than that, same ol same ol.+
Gotta do some shoppin soon.
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[18 Jun 2003|03:39pm] |
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Everyone in my office is out all week. It's pretty sweet :)
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[12 Jun 2003|10:17am] |
I've been neglectful of my LJ lately. Mainly because nothing exciting has really been happening. I took my LSAT Monday, I think I did good but not great. I had trouble with one of the logic games, but it seems that that was the one part everyone have trouble with, so hopefully that will bump the curve up a point or two. I'm gonna guess I scored around a 168 and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Other than that, work's been busy, and I've been hanging out with Jackie afterwards. That's about it!
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[06 Jun 2003|10:55am] |
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Pearl Jam - Vs. |
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Having borne witness to the Rock Machine that is Pearl Jam for the first time last night, I can only sit here and wonder: why did I not do this sooner? Is this what I've been missing out on for the last 10 years? What was I thinking? Mike McCready, bleached blonde and shirtless, chopping with his Flying V like some emocore kiddie who thinks "grunge" was some classic rock movement that happened once upon a time, then throwing it back behind his head for a solo like that other guy from Seattle, the guy who took too many drugs and died too young, 30 years before anyone heard of Kurt Cobain. Stone and Jeff, steady, consistent, tying down the sails as the maelstrom of sound propels them forth, a pair of granite boulders holding their ground since Before the Dawn of Time (aka Green River) and sure to be there after the end of it. Matt Cameron, perhaps the most solid drummer of his generation, who played on the demos of the 2nd greatest band of his generation, then took ten years off to form the 3rd greatest band of his generation and see it to completion before returning to the fold. (Oddly, with Cameron on board, were Chris Cornell to make a cameo with Pearl Jam it would be a de-facto Temple of the Dog performance). And of course, Eddie Vedder, hair cropped short, beginning to show his age on his face, but possessor still and always of the Voice of His Generation.
Yes, that's right, the Voice of His Generation. Cobain's gutteral rasp of nightmare fantasies and searing angst captured the true depths of our emotions in ways not seen before or since, the id of the lonely born in a town of with too much rain and not enough hope, but Vedder spoke to the full range of our feelings. Kurt was the perpetual victim, lost in a haze of anguish and heroin; Eddie was the survivor, left to come to terms with what had been done to him and to figure out what happens next. In Pearl Jam's most successful single, Vedder sang of the boy who "seemed a harmless little fuck" but turned into a "lion" when pushed too far. But that was never Eddie's place. Jeremy was Cobain's brutalizing sadness, Staley's dark fantasy world, Corgan's overweening megalomania. Eddie Vedder was the brainy shy loner who sat in the back of the class, watched Jeremy make himself unerasable in a shower of blood, and spent the rest of his life trying to make sense of it all, to cull meaning from pointless self-destruction, most importantly to chronical it all, action and reaction. Eddie Vedder's destiny was to tell us what Jeremy spoke in class that day. Ten years later, he's not longer swinging from the rafters, but he's still shouting from the rooftops.
If Pearl Jam are no longer in their prime, I shudder to think how tremendous they must have been in, say, 1993. But though the height of their popularity is likely behind them for good, they may well be in their prime right now. Older, sure, but no worse for the wear. Neil Young seems to have rubbed off on them; their live show is ferocious, their newest work is still relevant if no longer quite as compelling. "Better to burn out than to fade away" makes no reference to the observer; fading away isn't about how bright you glow compared to the other stars in the sky, its about how hot the fire burns in your own Heart of Darkness. Who cares if they're no longer in the spotlight; they've still got the passion, the mission, the will and the way, and they don't look ready to give up the ghost anytime soon.
Last night's setlist was perfect for fans like me, the ones who loved all of PJs earlier work but lost interest with each proceeding album. Very heavy on stuff from Vs. (my personal favorite), with the newer hits thrown in, a few gems from their latest effort Riot Act (I'm gonna have to go download the whole PJ catalog as it seems there's some great songs I've just plain missed by not picking up the last few albums), and some tremendous renditions of old-school covers (Crazy Mary and Sonic Reducer). And in their ongoing quest outdo Phish and become the most fan-friendly band in history, the concert is available online NOW. Yes, that's right, I saw them last night, and the show is available, officially, in it's entirety, right now. 15 bucks to download the unmastered MP3s off the website immediately; they'll follow up with a fully mastered 2CD set at your doorstep in 7-10 days. Now THAT'S service.
Other than the covers, highlights of the show included searing versions of Courduroy, Blood and Rearviewmirror, full crowd singalongs to Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town and Daughter, Eddie pulling this fantastic trick with a mirror, diverting the beam of an overhead spotlight into the audience, Eddie ranking on fellow San Diego legend Jewel, Eddie rocking out on the electric Ukulele, and well, Eddie just being Eddie.
I listened to Elderly Woman again this morning on my way to work. It's long been one of my favorite PJ songs. There was a time where I would have ranked both Ten and Vs. in my top 10 favorite albums, but as they dropped from the public eye and my music tastes grew through phases of anthemic rock, 80's post-punk, alt-country, and nu-indie/emo, they somehow got left behind in their small grunge town. They changed by not changing at all. I loved them, but hearts and thoughts they fade away. Then, last night, I walked into the arena to find them behind the counter. My god, it's been so long, I never dreamed I'd return, but now here they are and here I am. This time, I'm not gonna leave.
[Man, this totally reminded me of how much I miss music writing. I need to get back into it. Anyone know of any magazines, newspapers, zines, whatever that could use a music writer?]
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[06 Jun 2003|12:14am] |
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Pearl Jam still rock as hard as ever. I'll update more tomorrow.
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[03 Jun 2003|08:32pm] |
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My last three practice LSAT scores: 173, 172, 175. I really might pull this off, eh?
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[27 May 2003|10:22am] |
I wanna move to Vegas. F'real, yo.
Cingular can't seem to get my address straight, and as a result my phone got cut off this weekend (becuase I never got the bills). Should have it all straightened out now. If you tried to call my cell and didn't get through, that's why.
I need a nap. A 6 day nap.
I <3 Jackie. A lot.
That is all.
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[22 May 2003|07:54pm] |
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Vegas! Again! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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[19 May 2003|01:28pm] |
Vegas was crazy fantastic. Had a great fucking time Friday nite. We had reservations at the Las Vegas Club. They were overbooked, so they comped us a room for the weekend at the Plaza. Since this trip was free, we're going back again this weekend (long weekend!).
Played in a Super Satellite for the World Series of Poker Main Event on Saturday (which was one of my main reasons for going.) I think every player dreams of playing in the Big One, and I've padded my bankroll enough that I didn't mind spending a little cash on a longshot. 300 players, 11 entries in the Big One were going to be given away. $225 for T200 in chips, with unlimited $200 rebuys of T200 and a $200 T200 add-on. It's a lousy format designed to get people to gamble it up (which leads to more seats in the tournament being given away, not really a bad thing). I'm all for opening up my game during the rebuy period to try and luck my way into a big stack (which may well be the best way to go in this kind of event, with starting stacks of only 10x the BB), but the cards weren't there. Took KK all in against 77 preflop, she spiked a 7 on the turn, rebuy time. Open raise with JJ, player behind me comes over the top, I lay them down. One limper, small blind completes, I see a free flop in the BB with 9s2s. Flop is ragged, 2 spades, all check. Turn is spade #3. SB checks, I check, limper bets the pot, SB calls, I check-raise all in. Limper goes into a huddle for 10 seconds, folds, SB calls. River is a blank, SB shows the naked As for a missed nut flush draw, and I just about triple through. Nothing else of interest in the rebuy period, I have T400 at the end. Take the add on. Still not getting any cards. Finally, down to about 7x the BB in late-middle position, I open-raise all in with A8o. SB wakes up with QQ, no help for me, and that's the end of my day. -$625 for my efforts, but I'm glad I played in it regardless. Don't think I'll be doing it again though, next year I'll focus on the online qualifiers which tend to be much more player-friendly.
Jackie's parents are away, so I'm spending the week at her place. It's the best feeling in the world. I really think she might be The One.
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[15 May 2003|04:12pm] |
So Weight Watchers encourages you to drink a lot of water, and I know it's something I wasn't doing enough of. So I've started to just kind of habitually drink water while sitting at my desk at work. Now WW recommends 6 8oz glasses a day (48oz) as a minimum. It actually seems like a lot, doesn't it?
It's 4PM, and I've somehow drank 200oz of water already today. What has Weight Watchers done to me???
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[12 May 2003|10:12pm] |
Q: What do you think of me taking the LSATs?
A: "Jesse.. I am mostly about reaching human potential and learning more and getting as far as one can, or else you're a complete bum.
But you are the exception. WTF, man. Just enjoy the sun and the booze and the woman. Don't strain yourself. You're a perfect bum."
--Matt
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[12 May 2003|07:35pm] |
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Had a fantastic weekend. Went up to Disney with Jackie and her friends Sunday. Pigged out to celebrate another successful weigh in on Saturday :) Vegas this weekend!
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[09 May 2003|09:40am] |
I'm still alive, really. I dunno if I don't update because I'm too busy or because I'm not doing anything interesting. You'd think that they couldn't coexist, but surprisingly it somehow works.
Jackie's going to Disney on Sunday and Monday with a friend of hers. I'm workin Monday, but I'll drive up with them Sunday and spend the day with them up in Anaheim.
And then miss her like crazy Sunday nite. Hoo well.
Weight Watchers tomorrow morning. I dropped 4.6 pounds last week. I'm certainly not expecting that kind of jump again, but another 1 to 2 pound loss would be nice. It's really not bad at all, I don't feel like I'm even on a diet most of the time, I'm certainly not starving myself, and healthy food can still taste good. (Case in point; last night, defrosted some stir-fry I had made a week or two ago, added some salt, pepper, tabasco, and a cup of frozen shrimp, heated it all up, fantastic and only 4 points.)
I know I promised that Live CD review. Honestly I havent had the chance to listen to it again. Lack of motivation may be part of it, but I'll do it eventually.
Hrm. Am I forgetting anything? Probably.
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[06 May 2003|09:41pm] |
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I GOT A 173 ON MY LATEST LSAT PRACTICE TEST! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!
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[05 May 2003|02:28pm] |
I spend a lot of time online at work. Occupies the time while I'm putting together mailings and such. Lately I've been splitting my time between indie music sites, poker strategy sites, and the Weight Watchers website.
I'm a fucking oddball, eh?
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