I do not currently have the internet, and it saddens me...
Current mood: busy
Category: Life
Hey everybody, just wanted to let you all know that I am not yet online at the new crib so my message and email checking is sporadic right now.
However, the move is finally complete. I'm getting the place together. Max is adjusting. I'll be glad when he is fully adjusted though, because it makes me sad to see him so nervous and unsure. He gets a little better every day though.
Just wanted to check in. I'm looking forward to being back online and sharing experiences with the move and catching up on everybody's blogs and such. Also looking forward to once again being able to surf. I'm having hella withdrawals. No internet or tv makes for a more productive Daniel though, so that's good...
The first ever Brizzle liquidation sale!
Current mood: excited
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
It is with some nostalgic, vague sadness that I must report that the Brizzles are going to be moving soon, but mostly I'm excited about it. Our landlord (the greatest landlord in the history of landlords I might add) is selling his wonderful Butchertown real estate, and we gotta get the heck outta dodge.
The good news is that I found an apt. that completely and utterly breaks my heart, and is pretty much in my price range, and in a fantastically amazing location. I'll save the dreamy descriptions for a later date, but suffice it to say that it far exceeds what I thought I'd be able to get on such short notice.
Anyway, in an effort to get on the fast track to making this happen, myself and B-Brizzle are selling lots of stuff in an effort to raise money to help with our impending moves. The stuff that is for sale is stuff that we'd be getting rid of anyway, so it's not an act of desperation or anything...
So, with that said let me present the items that are up for bids. All of these items are listed on craigslist. I'll provide a link to the craigslist posting, but if you know me and you're interested in any of these items, just call me or email me. If you sort of know me from myspace, and you live in Louisville (or close enough to come and get any of this stuff) but you don't know me well enough that you have my email or phone number, just message me on here and we'll work something out. Or, if you'd rather deal through the craigslist postings that's fine too. Also, don't be afraid to make an offer other than the listed price, I'm at least willing to consider it...
1992 Honda Accord $700(needs work, read craigslist posting for details). Long story short: I'm willing to rely on public transit and a little help from my friends for a little bit...
$175 (cost over $400) and it's only a few months old. Copy of 8 Minutes in the Morning by Jorge Cruise not included, but I would like to take this opportunity to say that for approximately 8 minutes every morning I hate Jorge Cruise. The rest of the day I feel grateful to him.
Tonight I Laughed, Tonight I Cried, Tonight I Thought (a blog of atonement)
Current mood: enlightened
Category: Life
I was going to start this off with a little thing about how every time I see footage of Jim Valvano running out onto the court after his '83 NC State team won the national championship I get a little choked up. Well, I guess I did start off that way, but I wanted to post the footage and couldn't for the life of me find it. I figured it would be all over youtube but I had no luck. If you find it post it in the comments, that would make me happy. Anyway, every March, if you indulge in the yearly orgy of college basketball you see the foootage I'm talking about roughly a million times, and every time, seeing Jimmy V running around, lost in euphoria, looking for somebody, anybody to hug, it gets me.
However, I did find the video that inspired the title of this blog, and it also moved me to tears. Watch it. It's worth ten minutes of your time, and then we'll get to the atonement:
Almost immediately after ESPN re-aired this speech I was talking to my dad and Paula, who were reading horoscopes. I won't go into too much detail about what it said, but suffice it to say that this week it was kind of harsh. The gist is that now is a good time to atone for transgressions commited in 2007. And you know, after making a little joke to them about it I decided that it might not be a bad idea to actually do it. I can't pretend to remember everything wrong that I did in 2007 but I can certainly ask forgiveness, right now, for some of the things that immediately come to mind. So here goes, a highly incomplete list of transgressions, for these I apologize and ask forgiveness.
To my friends: I'm sorry I am so terrible about returning phone calls. I'm selfish sometimes (a lot of the time) and I let time get away from me, and then I feel guilty, but I still don't call. It doesn't mean that I don't love you, but it does mean that sometimes I'm a selfish a-hole who also happens to love you and who promises to try to be a better friend in 2008 than I was in 2007.
To my beautiful nieces: When I saw you this past Thanksgiving it hit me like a ton of bricks how much of your lives I've missed, and reminded me how much I love you. A ninety minute drive (sixty if I speed) is NO EXCUSE to miss so much and in 2008 I will be around a lot more.
Mom, there is no excuse as to why I didn't call more, write more, and visit more this year. Please forgive me. I promise to do better. I love you. I want you to feel better. I want you to be happy. I hope to do anything at all to make any of those things to happen.
Dad, I've let proximity replace quality time. Living close is no reason to have let some of the great things we have done together since I was a child slip away. I hope that 2008 will lead us to more movies, more coffee, more cologne runs, more shopping, more bookstores, more ice cream (in moderation of course), and more BIG IDEAS. I love you, and I hope you will forgive me for spending too much of the time we could have been doing any of those things with my nose in a book, or watching sports, or any number of things that are less important than the things that have made our relationship so special.
Jeremy, my brother, we talk a lot of basketball and life, but not enough. Let's have more of both in the coming year. I love you and I hope you will forgive me for letting far too much time pass between calls, for not visiting enough, and for not being a better brother. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. If UK beats U of L on January 5th though, try not to rub it in too much. (I feel good about our chances this year...)
Gina, my sister, you and your kids mean the world to me. I'm sorry for not being around more, for not calling more, for not participating in the girls' (and your) lives more. I hope you will forgve me. I plan on making up for it by buying you lots of books, and I hope we can make up for a lot of lost time in the coming year. You are the best sister a guy could ever want. You are a wonderful mother and an outstanding individual. After every punch life has thrown you, you've gotten up, dusted off, and went right back at it. You're doing it the right way...
I'm starting to see that this could go on forever... SO, maybe it's time to get a little more general.
I'm sorry for every time I've been impatient and snappy with womeone who didn't deserve it because of some stress that they didn't cause. I'm sorry for every uncouth thing I've said. Please know that it is never EVER my intention to hurt anyone, and that I realize that that's no excuse for lacking tact. I vow to be more tactful in 2008, although I'm probably setting myself up for failure on that one.
For my final cleansing, let me sum it up by saying that I ask forgiveness for every bad, hurtful, tactless thing I may have done not only this past year, but ever.
And now that I've made myself look like the worst person ever, let me add that 2007 has been a wonderful year for me. This is honestly (I think) the first time I've ever been able to say this, and I'm glad that I can: I truly feel that I've grown more as a person in the past year than any other year of my life. I feel like I've learned twenty years worth of lessons in 2007. For the first time in my life I've not only received good information into my brain, but I've actually put some of it into practice. I won't go off on a detailed tangent about that stuff right now, but just know that I'm trying, learning, growing, and thinking bigger and better thoughts that I ever have.
And now that I've said all that, may I add that I would like to remain somewhat selfish for the remainder of 2007 and offer up some suggestions just in case any of you are considering buying me a Christmas present. These are the types of things that one has difficulty indulging in for oneself, but would make a lovely gift for one who would like to acquire said things. (With the exception of films starring Scarlett Johansson, which I will eventually purchase for myself if no one buys them for me.)
This is but a mere sampling of the things I covet:
The new Slash bio. YOU have the power to help me own it before it comes out in paperback.
Awful movie, but my oh my Scarlett sure did look pretty in her forties garb...
Don't deprive the ladies of a good smelling Daniel.
Do NOT buy me this book unless you want me to be my favorite person in the world, and for me to jump up and down with excitement and hug you and stuff...
Yes I went to see it in the Theater, and yes I'll watch it again. And all of the special features too.
Pretty please? Santa, are you reading this?
With sugar on top?
Ok, enough of all that...
Anyway, happy holidays and stuff. I hope that I cleansed whatever my horoscope felt like needed cleansing... I meant every word of it...
Happy birthday to me!!!!!
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Life
It is officially my birthday, which is the day after Lindsay Lohan's birthday. I can't believe I never knew she was also a crab until recently... I hope her and her freckles had a safe and sober, and non-knife wielding 21st birthday, but I'm betting I'm wrong on all counts.
Today is also the birthday of Tom Cruise, which is frightening, and Dave Barry, which is awesome.
Anyway, if you REALLY love me you'll leave me comments containing well wishes, good vibes, photographs and/or videos of Scarlett Johansson, and general all around niceness.
Thanks for your consideration in this very important matter. And seriously, thanks for being awesome, and for being my friend.
re-touched by ASSILEM...
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Art and Photography
A while back my dad made a phenomenal friend on myspace named ASSILEM. She photoshopped a picture of him for one of his blog comments, and a friendship (and photo editing bonanza) quickly blossomed.
Here are some of the pics she did for my dad...
...I know, fantastic right...? Here's another:
...it's as it should be, B-Brizzle and Jake Gyllenhaal...
Anyhoo, my dad recently did a (brilliant and amazing) blog which consisted of two stories about me, called Dan Times Two. It was a great piece anyway, but the fact that they are a celebration of me makes them that much better!
So, in the blog he did he illustrated it with a few pics, and guess what?
If you guessed that ASSILEM got a hold of them and made them WAY better you are correct. After it was all said and done she even managed to make it appear that I am not a hideous beast!
SHE RULES!
So, now I will share her fantastic creations, again featuring me.
First of all we have this fantastic morphy deal, which I am also currently using as my default pic:
And then we have this collage, which I like because it features a bunch of pictures of me:
And then, another collage:
Awww, I was so cute!
And, here's a regular ole picture that she made WAY better:
And finally, for the grand finale, a photograph of me and my one true love:
Awwww sookie sookie now...
So, thanks again to ASSILEM for doing these. They ROCK and so does she!
**
You can read more of my stuff here, if you feel so inclined...
Currently
listening
:
The New Danger
By
Mos Def
Release date: 12 October, 2004
She tried to make me quit the Starbucks, but I said no, no, no...
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Life
I went to the dentist on Thursday and, well, let's just say that the ole dental hygienist was none too impressed with the situation a mere three months after my last cleaning.
I had what was deemed "heavy" staining.
She asked me many questions in an effort to determine how my grill could have acquired such an unacceptable hue after only three months, and we agreed that it must be my "heavy" Starbucks habit.
She gently suggested, seven thousand times, that maybe I could switch to "regular" coffee and give up the Starbucks.
I have given it some thought, and I have decided to respond to her suggestion with a song I wrote which was inspired by Amy Winehouse's "Rehab."
But before the song, a couple asides:
First of all, I have a few more Starbucks related thoughts and stories to relate in the near future but I do not want to taint the power of my amazing song so I will put these stories on the back burner for now. But if I forget to write about them soon somebody remind me, because things that happen to me at Starbucks are very important, and the world deserves to hear about it.
Second, how is it possible that Amy Wnehouse can make substance abuse sound so sexy? Man, that song is sultry as hell...
Ok ok, the song...
And now, I present to you, to the tune of 'Rehab', my response to the lady who cleaned my teeth on Thursday. (They look great by the way.)
Starbucks by Dan
She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I said no, no, no Yes I drink it black, I like to throw it back, I won't quit no, no, no I go there all the time, and my daddy says it's fine, She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I still go, go, go
I won't stay home and drink Folgers today, I won't even drink it once in the next 70 days Cuz there's no way, no way you can convince me, that the stains ain't worth the taste
Miss dental hygienist, you can kiss my ass And watch me chase my Venti Estima With some espresso from a shot glass
She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I said no, no, no Yes I drink it black, I like to throw it back, I won't quit no, no, no I go there all the time, and the cute reader girls say it's fine She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I still go, go, go
The barista said, "why do you think you here?" I said I got an idea, I'm gonna, I'm gonna drink my coffee baby, So I always keep a venti near, She said, "I think you're just obsessed" This me, "Yeah, baby. I'm a coffee drinkin mess."
She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I said no, no, no Yes I drink it black, I like to throw it back, I won't quit no, no, no I go there all the time, and the major international corporations say it's fine She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I still go, go, go
And I'll wake up and drink it again, because Starbucks, ooh, Starbucks coffee is my friend I'm not gonna spend twelve weeks Have everyone think my grill is on the mend
I won't swallow my pride I'll just drink it up until the cup's dry
She tried to make me quit the Starbucks but I said no, no, no Yes I drink it black, I like to throw it back, I won't quit no, no, no I go there all the time, and my daddy says it's fine She tried to make me quit the Starbucks that stupid ho, ho, ho
(See ya in three months, teeth cleaning lady!)
Currently
listening
:
Back to Black
By
Amy Winehouse
Release date: 13 March, 2007
Illustrated Misheard Lyrics to Pearl Jam's "Yellow Ledbetter"
Current mood: amused
Category: Music
Check out this video, it's very funny, and kind of brilliant. It also reminds me of a few things about - or in relation to - this particular song:
1. How in the hell was this song a freaking B-side? It is as good as, and possibly better than any song on Ten.
2. The guitar in it kills me. Dude was channeling Jimi or something, I swear. It also reminds me that the world needs more guitar solos. I love Nirvana as much as the next guy, but they kind of ruined guitar solos in rock songs for a long damn time.
The Seven Habits of a Highly Ineffective Daniel (a tag blog)
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Games
Well kids, it looks like I've been tagged again. By the lovely and talented Kyle.
Here's how it works:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who get tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged & list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they're tagged, and to read your blog!
(Also, I'll forgive you if you don't do it, so no pressure.)
Seven habits/facts about me, in no particular order:
1. I cannot (well, I should say do not) have sexual fantasies about famous women, no, not even Scarlett, because my brain isn't equipped to dive right into a fantasy. I think so logically that the fantasy has to have a context and coming up with a reason why I'm having sex with a famous person is always too time consuming, so I just end up doing it (in my fantasy world) with someone hot that I know, or at least know of (meeting someone once is enough context).
I apologize to any hot females I know who may have read this and squirmed.
2. I have an insanely keen sense of smell.
3. Lately I can barely stand being at home on my days off, which is the exact opposite of how I have been my whole life. I don't know what's going on with it really. It's like Cabin Fever times a million.
4. My reading habit borders on (if not falls smack into) compulsive. Reading is definitely a good thing, and I really have no idea where the line is, but I read more than a hundred books a year. The last time I counted it was more than 150 in a year. And I was disappointed because I fell short of my goal of 200. If I ever put even half of that energy into writing it'll be off to the races. Which reminds me...
5. I live in Louisville Ky, but I don't give even half a shit about The Kentucky Derby, or horse racing in general. None of it. I even stop buying the paper the two weeks leading up to the Derby because it is all about Derby related shit I don't care about. I lament the fact that the sports columnists are writing about horses instead of the more important subject of college basketball. It's bad enough that I have to deal with baseball columns, but then you're gonna make me read about horses? Puh-leeze. One hundred percent of my opinion on horses it that they are pretty. That's it.
6. I have an alarming amount of psychic experiences, like way beyond coincidental.
7. I have an unbearable itch to see the world. Especially London, Rome (all of Italy really), and Paris. I cannot wait for the day when I can afford it, and when that day comes I hope it is with someone who gives me butterflies.
busy
excited
enlightened
sleepy
ecstatic
accomplished
amused
contemplative
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