Roboterkampf ... me!

I took one final visit to the Bathroom Creatures before they were Killz'ed. Incredulous Gary, you will be missed.

Someone was irritated with me for being out until 3 am to see Rilo Kiley.

Sorry kitty - but what a show!

Monday, March 3rd, 2003
My friend Tom made this today:

I thought it was funny, he he.

Wednesday, March 5th, 2003
I was building until the wee hours last night:

Beth Orton is on right now - a perfect voice - I am in awe. Spring is fast approaching, and being in my hometown in Spring screams evening romance by the water. Very excited about being in a less urban envorinment this Spring. Baltimore and Towson were nice, but not as good a fit for me as Annapolis. Fuck - Baltimore was dirty and in places lacked character - the good kind of character, anyway.

I have amazing friends these days, and my social butterfly switch has been tripped again, New bands to see, people to meet, and fun to be had. The posse at work agrees that this summer will be one of amazing fun, and Hirner Manor will most likely be the setting for late night revelry. My new job is also the setting for weekly blowouts in the warmer months, which is exactly what I need right now. I am saving insane money, have virtually no living expenses (I am paying a pittance in rent), and love who I am again! The dark days of school and Hilary are like an old poorly written book on a shelf at this point.

I switched gears on the bathroom concept. Instead of red with gold gilding, I'll do a brilliant lapis blue (a la my old office) with a real tin appliqué ceiling. Churchbuilder is on iTunes at the moment. Tomorrow night I'll wrap up a few Ghostbuster prop replicas to ship to people that kindly bought them, thereby financing my Artoo. Friday night I have plans with Jenn, since Frizzank is going to be away, so I think we'll have a March movie fest. Saturday night John and Steve are coming down for drillpress and Ghostbuster prop fun (I don't have to mail John's out this way!), and Sunday is wide open. If the weather permits, Imay ride my bike. Still losing weight - but bike riding tones me up very quickly. Thanks, Icelandic ancestors, for these crazy leg muscles!

Paul got the new Throwing Muses and Kristin Hersh - I'll snag 'em when he get home form some play in NY... and Dave gave me the brilliant Quasi cd. So much good music, I'm swooning. I'm off to IM Jane and Mookie now, take care of yourselves everybody - love and friendship is a tenuous thing to maintain sometimes, so cherish the good moments, and keep them close to your hearts. Hug and kiss the ones you love, put down the TiVo remote, and just love someone.
Hugs, Jason

Thursday, March 6th, 2003
I wish there was a goddamned Panera and Smoothie King in Annapolis. What the frig?! Ben Who-flek?! Haha, what the fuck, I'm tired as hell and just finished actually writing to a personals thingie... eeek - Jon Machen, I beg of you, don't read this and mock me later. Was I a dork? Perhaps. Will I get a response? who knows? Will Charon the boatman ferry me over the river Styx, while Chris DeBurgh sings to me - "Don't even fix a price!"? Unlikely, sadly. Maybe when I die, my heart will be weighed against a feather, and I can say to Anubis - "what up, dog?"
get it?

Jon picks up his Harley on Friday - wow, too rich for my blood. I'm spending less than 1/5th and I get a Vespa-like Honda Metropolitan II, with blazing top speed of 35 mph. I just need to putt from West Annapolis to Eastport though, so I'll be good. I have the Jetta for trips to Baltimore, DC, and such. Watched The Ring this evening... still a movie that I want to print screengrabs of onto summerwear. Samara on my T-Shirt? wheeee.

Uh - Got new Throwing Muses from Paul in NY this evening - iTunes is now up to over 21,000 songs - my entire 15+ years of music collecting at my fingertips. Currently in shuffle mode. Kate Bush follows The Clash, following Lush. Is cool. Mookie is snagging me a pull from a screen used Hoth Rebel blaster from the Empire Strikes Back, circa 1979... It's a big honking rifle - just like the action figure had! I find endless amusement that in my late 20's I collect screen accurate representations of things I used to lose (in their tiny plastic form) in the couch cushions. My mother will still tell the story of how I FREAKED when I lost Leia's gun in the rug somewhere, in 1978 or something. I disavow all knowledge of said tantrum. Sounds right though. I'll have to spruce it up with some paint and powdered graphite, but it sure opens up Halloween possibilities.

Hah, at 1:46am I revert back to being a 6 year old... where are my Legos? sadly, long taken away to Goodwill. Deadline at work tomorrow, methinks... better get to bed if we're to get crapitty crap to Lanrie in Hong Kong. Shout out to Lanrie in HK for getting me rad Hello Kitty swag back in '98. Time for soundsoother on "fireside" and Simon Kitty to curl by my head. Clean sheets too - is this heaven? Where are the Krispy Kremes?
Love and such, me

Later that day:
Hey - what's up with that new Subaru car commercial stealing PJ Harvey's "50 ft. Queenie" guitar riff?! Bollucks. I played with my helmet tonight. Doesn't that sound totally dirty?

Whoosh. The scooter is mine. I take delivery sometime tomorrow - late lunch :)

May I also add that our President is the most uncompelling public speaker I've ever seen? God - it's like listening to a 15 year old argue with their father.... stumbly, ill prepared, and ugh - I'm so embarassed to have him in that position. Good lord - he just keeps repeating the same crap over and over again. Booo. This could be made into a drinking game - everytime GW says "Resolution 1441, take a drink". Bah. I'll frankly be shocked if we don't go to war.

Oh my god - Dave just hipped me to the Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop 7, which I had't bothered to use. Goodbye Rubber Stamp Tool, hello Healing brush! He's listening to Word Up (by Cameo, I believe?) All I can see is Tracy Morgan doing his "guy from Cameo" impersonation. I think my slightly sleep deprived brain is on frazzle-mode - going to be a random pop culture reference day, I bet.

So when is that next Smith/Mozz Karaoke at the Ottobar, anyway? I will do "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and may even dress the part - hahaha.... need to buy a pair of jeans, a foofy shirt, and some daffodils. Tweak the hair, dig out the National Health glasses, and maybe a hearing aid. Tom LoMacchio would die laughing - may be worth it! Speaking of, we're going to revive Eggcarton Zoo (see my website for Eggcarton Zoo) this year, and start recording more favorite covers from the 80s and indie 90s... it's been 9 years since we put that cassette out, taking Crofton and Annapolis "by storm"... a box set of everything would make a great christmas present for our jaded hipster friends. Kim Deal never said if she liked our version of Doe - probably didn't even give it a listen. Danielle Howle liked our cover of her Frog Song though. And I think Jenny Toomey even got to hear our tribute to Grenadine - still my fave. Claudia told me my version of Jeremy was good - I was too nervous to ask if Mr. genuis Stephin Merritt heard it. too much pressure.

Here, I am. Rock you like a hurric- oh wait, no, just showing what my new scootah helmet looks like. rararrrrrrgh!

Friday, March 7th, 2003
Ahhhhhhhhh.... it is the best thing ever. I love 2 wheels!!
My nose is running, my teeth are chattering, my face is rosy - and I LOVE it. The adrenaline rush is fantastic, the smells are immediate, teh wind whips through your body (not as exciting in the cold) and people grin from ear to ear when they see the 'lil Metropolitan. I'm bummed it's dark now. I want to go look at it some more!

Jenn and Crystal putted around the parking lot - both girls loved it too. Tummy grumbles, as Beth used to say (she probably still does)... time to eat.

Tomorrow is going to be warm-ish, can you believe my luck? I can't wait to putt down to Bay Ridge Beach and spy my old haunts, take some pictures, and remember that November evening with Colleen "Coloween" Brennan in 1989, when the moon was full, her cardigan smelled like an old attic, and I screwed up my courage and kissed her for the first time. It was probably the best night I'd ever had up until that point, and I know I've had far better experiences since then, it still holds a place in my sappy heart. I know I've idealized the hell out of it, but I still become all grins thinking about it.

So tomorrow I'll get my bike, roof rack, mannequin (yes, yes, I own a mannequin), and a few other things from Towson in the morning, land back in Annapolis for afternoon scootering, and then an evening with the Prop boys.

Saturday, March 8th, 2003
Just got back from Hirner Manor...
Holly did her "Signs" impersonation:

And Jenn missed Princess Leia! Jenn leaves the room - next thing ya know, Leia is making the rounds!

Dangerously mixing her Trek and Wars references! Red alert! May the force be with you!

Fun night.
Pics of scooter tomorrow, wheeee!
Time to sleep, with Simon Kitty 'round my head :)

Sunday, March 9th, 2003
I love Six Feet Under. So fucking much!
Right now, my idea of heaven is a bottle of wine, a hammock, summertime, and maybe some kisses.
Damn, I'm in a good mood!
Listening to all my Tori Amos stuff.
Ten things that make me smile for Sunday night:
• Belly dancing
• Simpsons
• Six Feet Under
• Building a fort
• Clean sheets
• Going 40 mph on two wheels
• My dinner of baked chicken, corn, and mashed potatos and gravy
•Simon trying to lay on my neck while I watch tv
• I love my job
• I love my friends
Song on iTunes? "Do It Again" by Tori.
Muchos Tacos, Jason

Monday, March 10th, 2003
Heeeeee
I figured out how to pop a wheelie yesterday. How "ree duck ul us" is that?
I have disheveled helmet hair, and we're doing a company picture today, haha. Perfect.
Rock on, Jason

A quick little picture of me outside my office window, with the misty Annapolis harbor in the background.Hmmm - gas prices just went up according to Jon. I hope that means less SUVs for people who don't need them. I have such a thing against their bombastic presence - it's so obnoxious American... and when I'll be on a scooter, I will be afraid of them!

So if I die, I want my tombstone to read "Hang the DJ" or "Down at Fraggle Rock - back soon"... Tee hee.

My favorite label. I patterned much of my visual aesthetic off of Vaughn Oliver/v23.

I remember this as a poster in Mary Prankster's bedroom in Arnold when we were in high school. Also, I am doing my "Everyday is Like Sunday" impersonation.

My fave Joy Division lp. Also a great simple design. Doing my Jessica pic homage.

Tom LoMacchio - behold the New Order! You may have the record, but I my friend, have the printed words on a shirt, haha. Doesn't it remind you of the first Wedding present lp too?

I was "evaluated" with that Jungian Myers-Briggs test... damn it, it pegged me. I was all swaggery going into the test, not believing, skeptical - very Scully-like.
I have a 38 page report with colors that define me. It was great voodoo.
I am a "motivating Inspirer" and am "yellow". I am not curious yellow, however - sorry fellas.
Good highlights:
•Can act spontaneously
•Displays lots of self-confidence (haha)
•Easy-going and fun approach to most things.
•Investigative, interested, and inventive.
•Highly resourceful (I am macguyver?)
Bad highlights:
•Will set unrealistic deadlines (Damn, I'm pegged)
•His outwardly directed energy can be overpowering to some (haha, fun!)
•May not finish everything he st----
(hee hee - get it?)

AND, in the interest of fairness, here's the hippie horoscope definition of me, a Libra:
Essentially, you're a nice person and tend to be a bit more cultured and "better" than those around you. Usually, you're also diplomatic enough to keep your superiority to yourself. The more that you become fair-minded, impartial and unprejudiced, the happier you become. You have the potential for much social intercourse and favorable public contact.

All things being equal, you prefer civil conversation. You usually do not find reason to raise your voice or to use crude language at inappropriate times. Embarrassment can be an issue for you. You like to ask for advice, but do not like to be told what to do. You can get a cushy job in a swanky environment.

Libra is a cardinal, air sign represented by the falling leaves. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Libra is ruled by Venus. (YEAH!! lol)
Because you have the sun in Libra, you also have planet earth in Aries. You can ground yourself and get closer to the earth by taking some practical steps to stabilize your own personality. Eat more earthy foods such as grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Add more earthy tones such as green and brown to your wardrobe.
TIP: To really thrive, you need to be part of a loving, committed "partnership."
(duh)
Allright gentle people, I am off! I'm Sleepy Sleeperson, so I think tonight will be all about something gentle, calm, and slightly passive. Cup of Oolong. 24. Simon on my lap. Visit the IM sewing circle. Maybe draw something in pencil. It's been forever since I've done that.
Song on iTunes? "Siamese Twins" by The Cure. Hoorah!!!

Thursday, March 13th, 2003
It's supposed to rain this afternoon, but I rode my scooter in anyway. If it does, I'll just experience my first "wet ride" (titter!) without having to be anywhere important afterwards. I'm jazzed for this weekend. Friday night I'm having dinner with Lisa! Yummy food at one of my favorite restaurants with a very smart belly dancin' woman. She's fun. How can you belly dance and not be rad? See? Impossible, hah. Extra points for liking The Cure. ;)

Saturday Jon is bringing his new Harley to Annapolis to show me what a real motorcycle looks like, and Rachael and her daughter Cayla are also swinging by. Rachael and I are each in charge of a book getting to press at work, and hers is due before mine, so I may be keeping Cayla entertained if she feels the need to pop in the office. I love kids, so it will be fun.

Saturday night Tom and Jane and Jessica and her friend are all coming down for dinner, where we will talk about robots, Hello Kitty, music, and such. Scooter rides for all, naturally. Walks around town, St. Johns campus, etc. Sunday is wide open, I think! Crazy.

The doors are all open, and it's PERFECT in here right now. Sunny, fresh air, SPRING is in the air! Smells like lazy weekends and happiness! The breeze and post lunch-time is dangerous... makes me want to curl up and nap, and I never nap. "Meant to Be" by The Squirrel Nut Zippers is on. One of my absolute faves.

I am ridiculously happy, what the fuck? haha. Waaaay too much fun for a Thursday at 2:30. Jenn just popped in with a question to ponder: "why do stretchy jeans have to be so tight?"
Haha.
Love! Kisses!
Jason

Friday, March 14th, 2003
Hello gang!
Listening to Madonna's Lucky Star. Damn I love those 808 handclaps. Saw Dave's band The Seldon Plan last night in Baltimore. They were very very good - and it was their first show with a new drummer, and they had only practiced once with him... not too shabby!

Allright, I'm off! Looking forward to a fun weekend, and the Wedding Present is on!
" Oh why do you, catch my eye then turn away?" - Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft from the George Best album. Featuring Amelia Feltcher of Heavenly, my favorite Twee goddess of all time.
What a great song.
Hearts, Jason

Monday, March 17th, 2003
Good morning my impatient friends, hee hee!
Okay, the weekend was wonderful.
Friday night I had dinner with Lisa at the Helmand, where we had Lamb and Chicken kabobs. YUM. A martini and an amaretto sour calmed nerves. Then we went back to a home she was dogsitting in, and played scrabble/drank wine. I was most proud of "nebula", "mix" which was then modified to "remix". I also made faux pas by thinking contractions were within the rules of Scrabble. Oh Jason, you fool.

Saturday I woke up at the crack of nine, and Jon Machen came over with his brand new Harley. I forgot to bring the camera today, so pics will have to wait until tomorrow. Suffice to say, the comparison between my scooter and his hog are hilarious. We then rode downtown and met Rachael and her daughter Cayla at work, and had a great lunch at the Boatyard. Cayla is simply adorable. Here's two pics I took of her on my scooter. She's fearless! I gave her a ride, and between giggles urged me to go faster and faster.

That evening Lisa, Tom, and Jane came over and we all went downtown for dinner at 49 West. Yum! We walked around, hung out at St. Johns campus, and tried to appreciate how beautiful everything was in the brisk night air. It was great to see the Wynns again, and I had another simply lovely evening with Lisa. I wish every day could be Saturday.

I slept until 11:45 (!!) yesterday, and woke to find gorgeous weather. Opened the windows, had some outside time, Simon in the window (sniffing the Spring-tinged air), chatted with Anthony and Crissy (they do laundry on Sundays), pored some more hydrocal, transferred another hour of videotape to dvd, ate Kima for dinner (yay!), and watched Simpsons/Oliver Beene/Six Feet Under. No Lisa though, bah.

Today I hunker down and attack the Reading VA project in Quark, picking fun fonts and classy colors. I got the first Rilo Kiley cd in the mail on Saturday too, which is fantastic. Simply fantastic. Tonight the office posse has tentative plans to celebrate St. Patricks Day with all of Annapolis ina small bar, haha. Sounds like it *could* be fun, but most likely will be annoyingly crowded and drunk. I'm undecided as to my going. Not a big fan of reeking of smoke. I do it for good music, and even then, I'm making a huge compromise in my addled brain.
Song in iTunes? "Always" by Rilo Kiley.
Hearts and such, Jason

Monday, March 24th, 2003
Hey buddy buddy!
Had a great weekend!
Friday night I spent with Simon Kitty, dumping all my student films to dvd. LOAD OFF MY MIND. Awesome to be able to put those tapes to bed, so to speak. Saturday was spent scootering around Annapolis (pickup truck tried to merge into me on Church Circle - I skidded! hehe) and I met up with Dave and Holly and Jenn at Hirner Manor for BBQ Chicken! YUM. We invited Anthony and Crissy over too, which was awesome. Last night was Amy's annual Oscar party!

Lisa and I spent the day together, having a great lunch at the Boatyard, and a fun time at the party.

People who did not come in costume were forced to wear Mumu's. People like Anthony and Crissy!

Thanks Amy! Great party. :)
This week is going to be work-tastic, as I desperately try to get a bunch of slackass clients to give me materials for deadline. Ah well, The Wedding Present is jangling through iTunes, so it's a pleasant day regardless. Song playing? "This Boy Can Wait" from their Peel Sessions.
Love, Jason