Back in Action

To those I've missed in the last month or so. Sorry. Working 90+ hours a week can have strange effects on your psyche. I'm working my way out of the shadow as we speak.

Got a job at Specialties Bakery. It's ok so far.

Also, new pic to replace that crappy one on the last post. Yeah, I've lost maybe 45lbs. since moving. Most in the last 2 months. Unhealthy? yeah probably.

Still kickin!

Hey hey everybody. It's been a minute or two since my last post, so here's hoping this is a good one. I've sure as hell have been keeping busy. Lets start from the beginning.

First off let me mention the end of John's last 3.5e DnD campaign. It was a doozy. My character, an existentialist punching machine, only manage to join the group for the last 3 sessions. In that time however we successfully saved the world, grappled dragons, and won DnD. Yeah, all of it. Gotta love critical failures, when the DM's a rollin.

With that came the first 4e campaign being run by Emory. One session in and things are looking good. The powers are a plentiful. As are the enemies. Im still unsure of how I feel about the mechanics of the party roles, but it's working out well so far. More sure to come on this.



Now, when I last left off, I was working dutifully as a dishwasher at Anthony's. Through sheer force of will and effort this is no longer the case. I made myself useful, baking bread and maintaining the chowder, when suddenly, the Garde Manger, got fed up and quit. I stepped in, rocked the house, and am now officially a line cook. w00t! The timing couldn't have been worse (sorry Chris) but it seems all has worked out for the best at Anthony's.

Now in addition to these antics, I went and got myself a 2nd job. Crazy right? Yet again, bustin my balls in a dish pit. This time at the Washington Mutual Leadership Center. I was lucky enough to to get in on this action in the AM. So now my average days starts with a 30 minute busride at 6:15 am and ends at around midnight the next when I stumble home from Anthony's.
There's about 2 hours in the middle somewhere where I ride the bus again, grab some lunch and sometimes a nap, but all in all I'm working about 75 hours a week. I have yet to come to a conclusion about whether this is good for the mind or soul yet. I figure I'll come out of this a better man. A better man, or batshit crazy, like Taxi Driver. Time will tell.


On an slightly related note, I read a great book about 2 weeks ago called Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain. Now a television show host, traveling the world to bring you the best of the world's street food, he was formerly a crack head, heroin junky, cook. I dunno if I can say I relate to his down and out past, but there were some parts of the book that definitely hit home.

"We probably got into the business in the first place because interacting with normal people in a normal workspace was impossible or unattractive to us. Many of us don't know how to behave in public - and don't care to find out"

"'Get your shit together with your fucking meez, or I come back there and fuck your culo' means 'Pardon me comrade, but I am concerned with your state of rediness for the coming rush. Is your mise-en-place properly restocked, my brother?'"

"A good line cook is a beautiful thing to watch. It's a highspeed collaboration resembling, at its best, ballet or modern dance. A properly organized line cook, one who works clean, and has 'moves' - economy of movement, technique, and speed, can preform his duties with Nijinsky like grace. Chances are he's worked his way up from the bottom rung; he remembers well what it was like to empty out grease traps, scrape plates, haul leaking garbage out to the curb at 3 am. A guy's whos come up through the ranks, knows every station, recipe, corner of the restaurant. A good line cook has loyalty, and endurance. He NEVER shows up late, NEVER calls in sick, and works, HARD, through pain and injury."

Lets just say, though not without sacrifice, I still think I'm headed in the right direction. Plus my hands a gnarled. Burns, cuts, callus's and all. I wouldn't have it any other way.

The worst mistake that you can make is to think you're alive when really you're asleep in life's waiting room.

So, something like 9 months ago, I came to the realization that I'd been waiting for something to happen that would define my life. Then I realized that this waiting wasn't getting me anywhere I was trying to go. Thats when I decided to do something about it.

With some helpful coaxing, I decided that I would move to Seattle, become a chef, work in a kitchen, and enjoy what I do for a living.

Fast forward to today. Its a beautiful day here in Seattle. I just signed a lease, and payed rent with my own cash. If you gander over to the left you'll see me in a Anthony's chef's jacket, at work, in a kitchen.

So, like, I did it. Throughly. I just wanted to point out that all of that hit me about an hour ago, and I'm feeling pretty fucking good about it.
I rule.

Fishing Adventure

Fishing Adventure
Originally uploaded by Thats no moon [ITS A SPAAACESTATION]

John and I went on a Fishing Adventure today. No fish and sun burnt, I returned home rejuvinated. It's been absolutely beautiful for about 3 days and man did I need it. The news guy is freaking out about the heatwave. I'm only starting to roll my sleeves up. Where is 85 degrees a heatwave if not heaven? There was also alot of nature to enjoy along the way and I got some good pics. Check them out on Flickr.

After that we went to the University District Street Fair. Graham I got some pics for you, along with a good vid suitable for everyone. Check it out here:
Capoeira!
Jugglers!

Saturday night ended perfectly as well. I almost fell(pushed?) off a pier, but even that would have been worth it.

PeAcE!

GTA 4

Can you see where the line ends? Me either, but damned if I didn't have to get in it. GTA4 Zero Day. Heres the review.

Lets start with the Graphics. Now bear in mind everyone has had to make a SIGNIFICANT hardware upgrade since the last GTA, this game proves the worth of said hardware. Everything is beautiful, no doubt. What strikes me however is the seem-less animation of everything. Kudos to the developers on not resting on their laurels. Sure its on the 360, but they made serious use of it.

The gameplay wasn't as flawless as earlier reported or as much as I had expected. (Due to previous reports undoubtedly.) I'm still using Auto target ALL THE TIME. Thankfully it will spin you 270 degree along with the camera and allow you to shoot. The addition of a "Take Cover" button which locks you to the nearest wall was a great idea. On the downside, sometimes it doesn't want you to unlock from the wall. Occasionally it will detect the wrong surface and have you out in the open. Not as well implemented as I was hoping for. The controls themselves seem a bit sluggish. They always have in GTA. After a few hours of gameplay you won't even notice it.

The Story. Here is where the game shines. Bear in mind I'm only about 47% through the story, but man, this is awesome. I've laughed and cried and pissed my pants. This is basically a summer blockbuster crime thriller movie, with 40+ hours of gameplay included. Not only that, but with the addition of the characters cell phone, its integrated perfectly. Never does a cut scene come at the wrong time or pull you out of the story. At certain times in the game you are given choices that effect the story from that point on. Choose your own adventure. The downside is that now I've got to play through the game 3 or 4 times. I'll take that as a downside any day of the week

Multiplayer. Yeah man. If you can stay up til 3 am and manage to play with the older UK crowd, this can be totally awesome. Props to xbox live! too. Voice chat among 16 players has never been smoother. For the first 3 days after the release in the US there was a golden age of Hangman's NOOSE. Everyone was 100% committed to getting the best time on the leaderboards, and it was awesome.

Other points. This game has definitely been streamlined for mass consumption. Gone are the open countryside areas of SA. The property buying. Stats. New is the cellphone, the car service, waypoints on the map. It's easier. You don't have to learn the streets. You don't have to buy body armor before every mission. I almost wonder, given time, if SA will prove to have been the better game. On the other hand, who am I to say. Record sales will speak for themselves.

Its a hardknock life

FUCK CHEESECAKE FACTORY. Now thats out of the way. Long story short, no call back. Oh well. The hunt continues. Monday brought with it the acquisition of a King County Food Handlers License. W00t! Now maybe I can get some kitchen work in. My spot lacks an actual kitchen, and I was really starting to jones for real meal. I busted out the fro-man and got grillin. Pic available.

Also, allergies. Previously what was a mild inconvenience is now a painful headache. Literally. It has attacked me like smallpox infested firewater to the native population. I just was not prepared.

Hey Mom, happy mothers day!


New Albums - Portishead, NIN and Bad Brains
New Music - Does it Offend You? Yeah! and Iron and Wine
Check'em out.

Cheesecake anyone?

So, tomorrow is the beginning of my employment at the Cheesecake Factory. I'm looking forward to it. Its not a dream job by any means, but it will be good to be working. The social aspect of working in a larger restaurant will be a welcome addition aswell. My only fear is getting there late. Which WILL happen. the only question is how late.

Time to get the sleep schedule back on track.

In the meantime, I'm soon to be getting a King County Food Handlers License. Also, I'm hoping to land a job at the Green Tortoise Hostel on the graveyard shift a few nights a week. We'll see if that pans out.


Now, onto the picture. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE, LAME, ODIFERIOUS, etc...
5/5/08

Rockin the ceasar to slip through the shit more easier.

For those of you lacking in Wu-Tang Slang (I know who you are, btw)
I got a haircut. 7 months was as long as I could last. Time to find a job anyway.


Speaking of which, I have a position for the taking at The Cheesecake Factory. I'm still looking though. Time to get that food handlers license I suppose.

Besides, I am not the UNIBOMBER, and I will not tell you again.

Fam Members Only.

Just wanted to send a shout to mi familia.

Also, I needed an excuse to post this pic of my grandparents entitled "Bob did you fart? [Shut your mouth Patsy]"

The crazy russian.

This is Victor. In the green tortoise, we shared a bunk. We've also spent many a night, out on the town. Freaking out the norms.

As you can see, he is a pillar of good citizenship. A true man of honor. One of god's own prototypes. Too weird to live, to rare to die.

Home is where.. Um... So this is home.

So here are the pics of where I'm staying. I'm clear to stay until May 31. Still weighing the options though. I'm digging being alone. Sort of. I hate moving stuff. Gah, any opinions appreciated.

The Bedroom
The Kitchen
The Closet

Where are the other pics? There aren't. This place is small.

Welcome to Chinatown, white boy.

The Gate to China(town).

My Apt is about 2 blocks up on the right hand side. Its an interesting neighborhood, full of Asian restaurants, Asian markets, Asian novelty gift store, Asian bookstores, Asian Herbal and Medicine Shops, and the icing on the cake, Asian People.

During the day its a nice little neighborhood. I've found a late night spot good for hot tea and bowl of Udon. Not so good for speaking to anyone in there however. It's called Ocean City. Not Ocean City Restaurant. They are adamant about this.

At night it's a turns a bit to the 'ghetto' side, but certainly no worse than Hamden, or most of Baltimore for that matter. The bus terminal is a block away and its all free during the day. There is also a good view to be had of downtown. All in all I'm diggin' it, throughly.

Here is a pic of my building, and the park in front of if. Big brick one, in the back, on the left.

This dude is BATSHIT crazy.

So, Wednesday's at the Green Tortoise there is an Open Mic Night. I caught the tail end of this guys performance. If you can't tell he is playing the guitar, while balancing it on his chin, hula hooping, and then playing the harmonica. Nuff said.

The Hostel.

And on the 8th day, God said, "I've had enough rest. Let there be PARTY." And thus Green Tortoise Hostel existed, and it was good.


To tell the truth, before arriving here the only thing I knew about hostels was from the movie "Hostel" (and "Hostel 2"). Neither of which are known for their overwhelming reviews on hostels in general.

Thankfully, I was not murdered, raped, castrated, tortured, or robbed.

John, and his ever impressive telepathy managed to meet me at the airport within minutes of arriving. Thanks to him I managed to make it to the door you see here on the left, with a stomach full of Indian curry no less.



Here is a link to a picture of MY BUNK. My home away from home for 8 Days/7 Nights.

Drunk in the Airport

Well, It would only make sense to start this damn thing from the beginning, right? Here I am in the airport, 9am, getting pissed. One last hurrah for B-more? More likely the airport WiFi was jacked and I got bored.

On a side note, this is some micro brew from somewhere in the airport. It may have jet fuel in it. Accidentally or no, it was good. The third one was even better.

From here it's 2 hours to Atlanta, Ga, then 5 hours to Seattle, WA. The Atlanta flight was uneventful. The Atlanta to Seattle flight is another story. Of course I'm seated next to the only whale on the plane who decided that it would be ok to have her 2 year old sit on her lap. I was very understanding of the situation until he violently slapped my OJ (for the 4th time) and a drop landed on my laptop. Naturally I calmly explained to the woman to get her Satan spawn of my lap, and that if your lap is already larger than your 2 year old child, you can't possibly have space for him as well. From there on the flight was awkward, and though no one said so, the other passengers were in total agreement.

Also there was a plane wide trivia game built into everyone's seat and I ran the table on those fools.