"...but you're such a hunk, so full of spunk..."
Current mood: amused
Category: Blogging
Now there's one blog to go.
Prize One? Oh my... it's vengeful.
And, it tasks me.
If you think you know what it is email me in private. I'll confirm... if you promise to keep it secret.
The final entry won't debut until Thursday so don't get caught with your britches down, mess around and miss out.
>>>April 16, 1178 B.C, a day that will live in infamy! Do you know what's waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours! Wait, that was Brad (Achilles) Pitt...
>>>But this gives me hope (As a side it mentions the Honda hydrogen fuel cell car, which I learned about while I was in their employ through an IT security audit and of course I kept my mouth shut about it...reinforced by an NDA)
>>>For the last 10/12 years, I've been a fan of what was early on one of the primary onlines sources for works in the public domain. Project Gutenberg rocks, and if like me you have an electronic book reader you should get your fill of the classics. If I might make a suggestion start with H.G. Wells' "The World Set Free"
"Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends..."
Current mood: eccentric
Category: Blogging
Men who write dangerously, next on Geraldo. :)
For those of you who do the facebook thing there's an option for you to share how you know X person. Most of the people in my facebook list are friends who've known me for years or family members, although some of you MySpacers that I'm quite fond of have made the cut. I'm a fortunate fellow; some of us spend a lifetime nurturing few true friendships while I'm lucky enough to be able to draw upon some of the best folks ever. Some, I've been through trial and tribulation with, others have only known the good times.
Here's a lil' insight into how I know some of them:
Detailz - How we met: 1980 something. Met when he was in 7th grade, I was in 10th and threatening to be there when he got there. Ray would talk his ass off on the bus ride home. We didn't really start hanging til 1989-90 or so. -Seminal moment in the friendship: There are several. He and I visiting Marisa's mother in the hospital in near blizzard conditions; 'consoling' me in heartbreak, SEVERAL times; long rides home in the back of his mom's Civic. -Funniest moments/conversations: Fuck, what isn't funny with him? Two come to mind, one rather recent: Ray (on the phone): So how you been doing? Man you sound AWFUL. Me (sick with the flu and what seemed like strep throat): Man, I can barely talk, I been like this for a week... Ray: You need to stop eating that bad pussy then...(chuckling)
Another example would be: (We're at Saville's watching "Kids". It's the end of the movie, and the scene where a dangerously high Chloe Sevigny is raped by the skateboard kid, and she's trying to warn him off) Ray (all engrossed in the film): Damn, this nigga is about to die trying to sneak some pussy... Me:(I lost it as soon as he said it.)
AC from DC -How we met: 1994. We actually met twice. Our initial meeting was during a new student orientation; I wasn't a new student, I was just milling about with a friend I was semi-seeing and we (AC and I) ended up speaking.
How we met Part II: She has a very unique distinction. She is the only woman I've ever 'stalked', although with 14 plus years behind us I now think it was kinda mutual.
Don't believe me?
I was in the student lounge playing cards and she walked by outside. In a "dammmmnnn" moment, I got up from my card game, and followed this girl DOWNTOWN. It wasn't until later that I realized it was the same girl from orientation (she walked into my office on campus the very next day). I went to EVERY theater performance rehearsal she was in for whatever made up reasons (student paper, some other chick in the performance I didn't even know, et. al). To her credit though, she played it cool (and probably saw through my benign ass).
Yes I know this does NOT sound like the Karsten you all know and love, but it was an anomaly and fuck, you'd have done it too.
Seminal moment: She beat me in Jeopardy, and walked off. Ok, this is more like the SIGNATURE moment, but it's only happened twice (the other girl pulled a walk-off as well). Funniest moment: via AIM a few years ago, prior to her present most happy presently blissfully involved state: Her: So when are we gonna resume our relationship? Me: We're in a relationship? Her: Yeah, for the last 12 years!
EsJay -How we met: black, on IRC, in circa 1995-1996. She has another distinction; we've resided within 80 miles of one another for most of the last 12 years and have NEVER met in person. -Seminal and funniest moment in the friendship: One word: Nipples. It's a lot more innocent than it sounds.
Tim Lynch -How we met: His mother married my uncle. He's my cousin (aka lilphyzx, although nothing is little; he and his brothers are some thick assed kids). -Seminal moment in the friendship: He's my cousin; there's too many to name Probably my girlfriend threatening to toss his computer out of the window. There were knives involved. Not a pretty picture. :) Funniest moment: Too too too many to name. Maybe he'll chime in.
Jafar Nicholson -How we met: Science High, 1989. He was and is a friend and classmate of Ray. --Seminal moment in the friendship: Probably breakfast at the yacht club, then there's the incident in the cemetary, and then there's... you know.. let me skip to... -Funniest moments/conversations: My God, you have to know this dude to realize EVERY moment is a funny moment. On the bus, the 40 Lee Road route, actually going to meet my then GF for lunch. We were having a discussion about the previous GF: Jafar: So she called this other dude you in the act? Me: Apparently so, yup. Jafar: Man.... that's fucked up. That's why they invented pet names like "baby" and shit... use them and you NEVER get in trouble!
I have nothing but love for you guys... and girls :)
Currently
listening
:
Essential Heart
By
Heart
Release date: 2002-11-26
When you see my mother, tell her I’m alright; I’m just funkin’ around...
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Blogging
The second to last words I ever heard my grandmother say were, "So when are you gonna bring over the lil' bambina?" It was November 1st, 1999 and Jaid was just under a month old. Mama (which is what I called my grandmother) last saw her at a day old. I remember promising her I'd bring her over the next day.
After a huge argument with my girlfriend, who didn't want her to go for what she thought were valid reasons I didn't end up taking her. Suffice it to say I was kind of hot. I didn't have the heart to call my grandmother and say she wasn't coming. I also didn't know that argument at the time was going to be one that caused extreme resentment for years to come. The day after the intended visit my grandmother, who'd been an extremely steadying factor in my life, was dead.
It was somewhat the culmination of the events of the year. My paternal grandmother had died in January (which in grieving most likely led to the daughter being here); my daughter arrived nine months later, followed by my maternal grandmother.
1999, the most tumultuous year in my life. "The Year Karsten Was a Hot Mess All Year Long"
Although my daughter's birth and grandmother going to glory led to several estrangements (primarily with my soon to be ex-girlfriend) they also led to reconciliation. As noted in a prior blog, my mother and I had been quite close when I was young, and in my late teens/early twenties, we'd been in a silent war.
When you're young, it's easy to be spiteful especially when you know things weren't right. You become this resonating voice of disagreement, unaware of how the other party is interpreting things. She thought that the paths I chose as a kid/young adult were a direct slap in the face, and that I thought I could do things better and not make the same mistakes. I suspect she thought that I was ashamed. Jaid's birth began to change some of that. She stayed with us the first couple of weeks, before going home....before my grandmother died.
My father and I had a similar distancing five years before, ironically also over my grandmother. She'd had a minor stroke while driving and had gone missing overnight. He tried to be there for me and I was more than a tad bit resentful. I was my own man now, thank you very much. His sister(my aunt) told me something however that changed my perspective on things.
She said it sucks, but sometimes you have to be the grownup. You can't be the wounded kid.
She was right but in many ways I'd been a grown-up prior to that event; ways in which a kid should not have matured. I wasn't ready to hear it.
By the time my daughter was born, in that trying year I became ready. My mother and I have both changed in our lives and in how we view the other. I'm fortunate; some are never able to mend a parental relationship and with fewer tangible reasons to maintain a grudge.
It began a healing process that's lasted without all the modern conveniences of therapy, coaching and shit. We did it the old fashioned way and that's fine by me. The same with my Dad, but Pops, this blog isn't for you; next time, I promise.
It's a Sunday morning and as I have my coffee, life's good. I have the simple troubles. Jaid's away for the summer, The Boy's off climbing hills in south-eastern Ohio, I'm being vexed by females and living breathing and eating work... The common troubles for a young fella. But I don't have the troubles of who to call if I want a little advice.
"What the fu*k; I thought I conquered the world..." AKA "He's Aliiiive!"
Current mood: mellow
Category: Blogging
It is past due time for a contest.
Five Blog Entries.
Seven Days.
Two Prizes.
I'll post the rules in an addendum to this entry tonight. I've been incedibly busy; switched jobs, maxed out my life outlook, reveling in not having to be vigilant about stability... it's a good life. Save for one aspect.I guess I can turn my attention to that part now.
>>>Now that the Phoenix Lander has discovered probable ice on Mars, we can get back to our regularly scheduled program of turning away from nuclear, solar, and fuel cell technology! Who needs polar ice when you can import it from Mars!
>>>What do you to when the judge pronounces you guilty? You mother fucking BOUNCE up out of there... Step lively, gentlemen.
>>>Here's a little science for you: What makes a solstice moon look so large? Of course, a solstice moon goes best with a hammock, a bottle of Pinot Noir, a little Me'Shell Ndegéocello and a.... well, you know. "Not a day goes by... that I don't yearn for you; find myself yearning for the Heaven, that you bring me from your black hands..." Wouldn't that be hot to hear? :)
Blog Interlude: 10 Things To Do Before I Get Married ’cause I’m Sure My Wife Won’t Let Me...
Current mood: tired
Category: Blogging
This list wasn't hard to compile; I just felt like sharing it, as I crafted it during a conversation at work regarding "all the cool women" as taken. The conversation then "devolved" into a discussion about the things you can't get away with doing in marriage because the wife won't be amendable to it. You should have seen my face as I found myself asking, "You mean my wife wouldn't let me...?"
Please note, it's more like, my wife wouldn't share my enthusiasm at doing these things.
So yeah, apparently all the "cool ones" are off the market. If indeed they are, you can consider this my contengency plan. :)
10. Build a Tesla Coil, and use it regularly. 9. Visit Trinity Site (where the first atomic bomb was tested) in New Mexico as a family vacation. 8. Pimp. 7. Buy or build an earth or earth sheltered home as my residence. No, I'm not going Unibomber. 6. Attend BotCon (a Transformers related fan convention). 5. Take a speeding taxi from Rapid City SD to a retreat in the hills behind Mt. Rushmore; engage in a gun battle attempt to escape with a girl I'm mad about, and find myself battling to the death on top of the monument against Commie spies! 4. Try haggis. 3. Go to Devil's Tower Wyoming (Think the end of Close Encounters). 2. Buy an Apple Shiner (vintage Apple Network Server 700) and sit it next to the Cisco Catalyst switch in my living room. 1. Invest in a copy of Amazing Fantasy 15. (first appearance of Spider Man)
You know, what sad about this is that only one of them can't come true...
"You can’t revolve me, embalm me...calm me or harm me...rob me or dodge these..."
Current mood: ashamed
Category: Blogging
It’s hard for you to breathe, like you’re at high altitude.
Evidently, Americans won’t know what that is like in an Obama presidency. I’ve never disqualified a candidate based on one issue. I might be really close. All three candidates have quite vague stances on nuclear power; I can somewhat understand that. However, one of the other "golden geese" in the KVE position papers is regarding space exploration.
Over the last 18 years, NASA’s budget has been trimmed. Over the last 18 years, The Bush, Clinton and Bush administrations have pushed manned exploration of Mars as well as a permanent outpost on the Moon from 2009 to 2025.
2025. I’ll be 53. Damn.
Hilary won’t talk about save to say she supports the status quo; McCain is obsessed with "winning" in VietnamH^H^H^Iraq, and pays the space program a nod and a stiff arm shake. That Obama, though... you know, the one compared the JFK... he’s got a whole new bag.
The Obama position appears to be the most… radical outlook on space exploration that I have ever seen. The man wants to postpone the development of our next generation launch vehicles for five years, and extract part of his education plans funding out of NASA’s budget.
His argument?
"We’re not going to have the engineers and scientists to continue space exploration if we don’t have kids who are able to read, write and compute."
What he doesn’t realize is that it will cost us 15 more years, to regain the knowledge that will soon be lost if we do not march on.
Case in point:
The Saturn V launch vehicle that delivered 12 men to the Moon from 1969 through 1972 was the most complex launch vehicle ever built, to this day. It was designed in the wake of President Kennedy’s vision of landing a man on the Moon before 1970 and returning him to Earth. It began its design life in 1962, and was first tested in 1967. It was only tested twice, prior to being used in Apollo 8 to inject man into lunar orbit for the first time.
The last Saturn V flew in 1973. While technology has marched on and there are ways to launch similar sized heavy payloads with rockets made of lighter yet stronger materials, I 2008, we would have to design the Saturn V from scratch to launch one. We have one rocket left to dissect and the plans but the manpower, the scientists with the slide rules and caveat keepers have either retired or moved on.
The Ares heavy launch vehicle being designed right now is running into the knowledge problem. A fair number of engineers in the employ of NASA and its contractors involved are over 60. Ares is approximately three years from the first test flight (mind you, NASA’s budget isn’t what it was in the nineteen sixties). Being able to pass this type of design information on to the incoming thirty-somethings at NASA is critical, considering that the shuttle will be retired in two years, leaving us without a launch capability, even to low Earth Orbit.
To push back Ares five years would be devastating, when you’re facing the imminent retirement of these resources. Add to that engineering is one of the fastest growing university majors especially among women. Who is this 18 billion dollar appropriation supposed to benefit?
Consider something: the Russians have had the same Earth orbit delivery vehicle since 1967, the same year the first Saturn V flew. It is such an established design that the Russians have went through a Space Shuttle clone, two announced replacements, an economic collapse and second revolution, and it is, for the foreseeable future STILL the launch vehicle of choice for that nation. We’ve been through three and the postponement of several.
Mind you, none of the candidates are gung ho on space; they seem to believe there are more pressing problems than ensuring that we get the fuck off the planet. Maybe they don’t realize that the species will not survive if we don’t. With our population woes and resource needs, we need to expedite it. Obama’s plan however sounds like he wants to keep us here, waiting to get snuffed out.
Karsten will return in: "I have pimped my pen...and she is number one in my stable..." and The "Man Infused with Meta" Series (Dedicated to the men who’ve influenced me most)
"I look inside myself and see my heart is black..."
Current mood: cultured
Category: Blogging
This is a blog divergence.
Part I:
>>>This article and this blog (which is in my opinion, a good, expressive piece of writin') sent me into reaffirmation mode. The former because the the sexist connotations and ultimately self righteous conversation; the latter over semantics. Peruse for yourselves. It does beg a question: Do *I* sound as absolutist as those around me, or is it just my own flawed perception that I don't?
>>>Elliot Spitzer slipped and almost fell into some five thousand dollar pussy. At that price, it had better solve New York State's energy crisis. Shit at that price... damn. Never mind.
>>>I wonder if a future President Obama's election might go a ways towards ensuring that this happens.
I called this shit in a blog a few weeks back. She NEEDS him. He don't need her to win. Especially if he can get Chuck Hagel. But if he wants my vote I needs to see nuke power and shit. Y'all know.
Part II:
I was making my regular visit to Panera the other day, and got into an online discussion regarding the automobile choices of the brothas. Apparently the Chrysler 300 is at the top of this list, along with several trusty SUVs. My particular addiction with German and Nordic whips must mean that my Negro card is seriously lapsed. Or that I'm into chicks named Greta... Wait. I dated a Greta once.
I'm digressing.
The conversation spilled on about cars and then about my peoples apparent obsession with all things black. I kinda felt offended, and busted out at the same time because it was true.
"What color is your car?"
"Black, of course."
"And I bet the interior is black..."
"Yeah... (It's more charcoal grey, but..whatever.)"
"And if you could, your house..it would be black?"
"Yeah, and sour cream free (an obvious nod to OTVODWG; I miss this blog)..."
"You black dudes... everything's gotta be black... or silver!"
I didn't like where it was going. I kind of felt like Dave Chappelle in the Mississippi chicken sketch. I wasn't ready to hear that shit. I really wasn't ready to hear that we all were Raiders fans, because that's a damned lie. After thirty minutes of discussing this shit and not wanting to agree, I caved.
I needed to end this conversation, mainly because I had to break out.
"I'm black. Black looks good on me, I look good in black. The shit just meshes. Your pale ass is splotchy. I wouldn't want a car in splotchy, or a splotchy crib either. Now, i can't speak to the silver, because that's just tacky."
Then I got my black ass in my black assed car, and went home to my not so black assed crib with my black assed kids.
I'm off to play Guitar Hero. speaking of which, how come most of the great guitarists are black? Now, breaker breaker, 10-4, can I get some reply?
Karsten will return in: "I have pimped my pen...and she is number one in my stable..." & "You can't revolve me, embalm me...calm me or harm me...rob me or dodge these..."
Currently
listening
:
Paint It Black
By
The Rolling Stones
Release date: 06 August, 2007
Separate.....Together.
Current mood: awake
Category: Blogging
I see it coming and proceed to move And yet it is stabbing though Sharp and localized, piercing Thru passes the eye The cord-like thread ridges Rushing through the fresh wound Like the rush hour train Pulling up, up and tight Against the next man's flesh My newfound brother forcefully Bound to me, matted together As our stitch wounds tighten by blood
The web of her cross stitch Done methodically with care And she has a plan for us Fecund in her ideas regarding me Determined look in her eye Thimble pressed, in the grip My neighbors resigned to her will The pain still fresh Yet they are eager to forget While I pray for frayed fabric And look forward to it The pain of being torn away
KVE
Karsten will return in: "I look inside myself and see my heart is black..."
Currently
listening
:
Rage Against the Machine
By
Rage Against the Machine
Release date: 10 November, 1992
Hillary's pulling in the big ones. She won three out of four today. McCain wrapped up the nomination as well, pleasing his Manchurian masters. Bad joke. He's the ultimate war hero.
I guess John McCain will be president! My voting for the loser streak will...well, maybe not continue .
...just did a Dick Cheney in Cleveland. Maybe they really are related. Four years ago in a Vice Presidential debate, moderators mentioned Cleveland's status as the "poorest" major city in the United States as well as the numbers regarding HIV infection in inner cities. Both Dick Cheney and John Edwards fumbled, stumbled, b-b-b-bumbled through answers that suggested they had no idea what the fuck was going on. I was hotter than plasma.
Tonight, Tim Russert mentioned a Pulitzer Prize nominated article by local writers regarding the enoromous brain drain from Ohio and the lack of foresight in speeding up development of biotech and tech related industries in Ohio to keep intellectual talent at home.
Barack fumbled and tacked on some shit regarding NAFTA and the loss of manufacturing jobs (to be fair, the question was asked regarding the boon in trade in Ohio, in spite of the 'loss' in manufacturing jobs) being of significant concern. Interestingly enough, most tech graduates relocate to the near west namely Chicago and St. Louis, where tech inspired work seems to be valued. Maybe that's why. "Oh shit," he thought, "Let me not remind them my constituents got those jobs..."
I'm still waiting on one of these two to get behind nuclear power other than on some "exploratory" shit...
Ironically for the first time, I'm not worried about heath care being significantly at risk of not happening. That is good...
Currently
listening
:
The Pillage
By
Cappadonna
Release date: 24 March, 1998
amused
eccentric
cheerful
mellow
tired
ashamed
cultured
awake
