Brand Eks' Livejournal

"you complete me!"

brandeks@livejournal.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:18:49 GMT

Kick-Ass...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:20:46 GMT

If those clips don't make you want to see this movie I don't know what will...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:12:14 GMT

Been a couple weeks since I posted. Not much is going on other than working my two jobs (Macy's and Calafia). Between the two I get plenty of hours... in fact I am working the next ten days in a row. I get Eksmas eve, day, and the day after off to recuperate.

For my birthday (on the 7th) I got two t-shirts from my longtime friend Kathryn and an Amazon.com e-giftcard from Amy. Thanks ladies! I also had a nice birthday dinner with friends: Carl, Brian , Dave, Kanane, and Zack. We went to Chili's, and lo there is a picture below...

♫ I get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs... ♫

brandeks@livejournal.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:58:01 GMT

I've been working at Calafia and Macy's, and that's going well. I've been managing to get a few hours extra here and there. Should be getting my first paychecks from both places at the end of this week. I am so very glad to be working again!

Looking forward to seeing "The Road" later today. If it's anywhere as good as "No Country For Old Men" I'll be happy. Last night I saw my first Buster Keaton movie, "The General". Even though it was made in the 1920's it looked like it was made yesterday which is no real surprise as Carl and I watched it on Blu-Ray. And he was right as usual... I loved it.

I don't have anything planned for Thanksgiving, which is fine. I don't really see the point of making a big deal of a holiday where the primary focus is eating until your stomach explodes and you fall into a deep food coma. Yay tryptophan! I know the real focus is family, but I don't have any living close enough. Wake me when it's Eksmas!

early morning post...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:27 GMT

It is almost 6 AM as I type this on a bus stop bench in San Bruno. I am awake this early so I can get to Palo Alto by 9, though I may be able to start at 8 instead. I worked yesterday at Calafia (at 7 AM believe it or not) and then had training at Macy's. I have orientation at the latter tomorrow evening, then I start truly working on Monday. I love that I can access my shifts online, even able to trade shifts if necessary.

Meh... that's it for now.

♫ even in the darkness every color can be found... ♫

brandeks@livejournal.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:32:08 GMT

So I talked to Charlie Ayers on Friday, and have become re-employed at Calafia. I will be doing odds and ends, helping out where needed, at my last rate of pay. I did indeed have my interview at Macy's also on Friday, and apparently the young woman who interviewed me liked me enough that she had me interview with someone else today, and... I fill out paperwork tomorrow afternoon! Yes, I got two jobs within a few days of each other. I am quite happy with this. As far as a place to sleep, I talked with some InnVision staff on Friday at Charlie's behest, but then after staying a few days at Brian's I am (at least for now) staying with Carl and his family. I am going to keep looking for something more permanent, but at least I am off the streets.

Oh, and last night it was great to hang out with friends, eat a super tasty dinner and dessert, and play probably my favorite game Apples to Apples. Today I got to watch Stargate Universe and later tonight I will watch Heroes. I will try hard not to think about the fact that "Star Trek" is being released on DVD tomorrow and that the Target version has a model of the Enterprise that comes with it.

what I've been up to...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:55:39 GMT

This actually happened last Saturday, when the landlord, who had finally wasn't able to let me stay any longer, asked me to move all of my stuff out of the room I was renting in San Bruno. This I did, with Rudy and Gwynne's help, and we brought it to Gwynne's garage as a temporary storage solution.

That first night I slept in the lobby of a post office in San Mateo since it was warmer than sleeping outside. I had tried calling a bunch of people I knew to see if I could crash on anyone's couch, but I had no luck. I got little to no sleep that night, and was exhausted the next day. I've been able to couch surf since then but am not sure each day when my luck will run out, even for the night, and will be forced to sleep on the street.

Earlier that first night I ran into a former coworker from Calafia, a guy named Jose. I told him what was going on with me, but he was also unable to help. However, as it turns out Jose talked to the owner of Calafia (Charlie Ayers) who apparently couldn't stand the thought of ol' Zorn in such a bad way and therefore had his assistant manager call me to offer me a temporary to possibly permanent position back at Calafia. Needless to say I was elated... it took all I had to not break down and cry tears of joy while I was on the phone. I will be heading to Palo Alto on Friday to meet with Charlie after stopping in San Mateo for an interview with Macy's.

I've gotten back in touch with someone I knew from a long time ago, a guy named Bill. Since that Saturday we've talked and he's helped me think about my situation differently, offering good advice, and being supportive & such. It's been good to talk with him. I've also been hanging out at Lee's Comics on Wednesday nights so I can talk with my former coworker and current friend M.P., which is always good. It's nice to geek out about stuff with him.

Thanks to the magic of DVR I have been watching Heroes, Dexter, Stargate Universe, Dollhouse, and the re-imagined V. All have been enjoyable, but I'm sad to say that Dollhouse has been canceled. At least in a few months there will be Lost, True Blood, and Caprica.

o/` I do believe your seamen got into me Irish stew... o/`

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:29:59 GMT

To celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I decided to share a few pirate related songs...

The Talk Like A Pirate Day song by Tom Smith and the lyrics

The Captain's Wife's Lament by Paul & Storm

The LazyTown video of You Are A Pirate

Enjoy, mateys!

Perhaps I'll watch the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy today (I am looking forward to the fourth film in the franchise)... even though there are many pirate movies to choose from.

a talk with the landlord...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:15:17 GMT

Having lost my jobs I wasn't able to pay rent this month. Since the first I have been evading my landlord, assuming that if he knew I had no job and no money for rent that he'd kick me out immediately. Recently, when in my room in the dark, he knocked on my door... and I pretended I wasn't in my room. He left a note saying I should call, but I didn't. I felt badly about all this, but like I said I was afraid of what would happen once I told him what was up.

Last night, again sitting quietly in my room in the dark, the door opened. It was the landlord's wife, and she asked what was going on with the rent and everything... I told her a little of it, then she said her husband would be home soon and I should talk to him. I waited in my room, nervous as hell, but realizing that at least I wouldn't have to sneak around anymore. Finally, while talking to Gwynne on the phone, he knocked on the door. I hung up with Gwynne and answered the door. I told him what had happened and instead of getting upset or even calmly telling me I had to go he said I could stay, as long as I kept looking for work. He repeated more than once that he wished I'd come to him at the beginning of the month, that he was a Christian and he couldn't just kick me out onto the streets, and that he trusted me to pay him what I owed him as soon as I could. I thanked him profusely and even offered the use of my DVD collection if he wished, but he declined. We said our goodbyes and he left to go back downstairs.

I have never met a more forgiving landlord... I had one in Eureka who tossed me out even though I said I'd be able to pay if I just had a little more time. This man is going to get the money I owe him and maybe I can figure out something else I can do to help him out. Anyway, now that I don't have the stress of that over my head I can go back to worrying about the job situation. I have a few leads, and I'm going to try some other avenues as well. In the meantime, I'm not sure what I'll do about food... I have half a loaf of bread, some peanut butter and jelly, a few frozen chimichangas, and less than $15 in my account. I am grateful for the help of certain friends (they know who they are). I'm not going to give up though... I have been feeling like doing so recently, but after last night I feel like I am no longer under water. I'm at least treading it now, and I remain optimistic about getting back to land.

things since my last post...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:47:25 GMT

Applying for a job with a security company (with Carl's help). The pay is great, and it gets me out of retail.

Wasn't feeling well the past two days... allergies acted up real badly, was sneezing up a storm earlier today.

Checked out the Lords of the Samurai exhibit at the Asian Art Museum with Carl and Dave. Very cool to see what they had to show... I really liked the katanas. Later that night I watched a William Shatner double feature that consisted of his Comedy Central roast (which I laughed my ass off at) and "Incubus", a movie with all of the dialog in Esperanto (and which I am still not sure about).

Watched "Extract" and "9". Both were good, but not as awesome as some of the earlier summer movies I saw this year. Still worth a viewing IMHO

Finished every episode of True Blood except the one that ends the season this coming Sunday. Also got caught up on Dexter, so I'm ready for season 4. Gotta love HBO and Showtime!

Here is a video (taken with my Centro) of Gwynne's cat Biko drinking from the garden hose:

Star Trek returns to IMAX for 2 weeks!

brandeks@livejournal.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:04:34 GMT

I know some of you are thinking to yourself "If only I could see Star Trek in a theater one more time... preferably in IMAX".

How does this Friday sound?

For a limited two week engagement, that's exactly what you can do! Check this out...

If the link doesn't work for some reason, I have it all under the LJ-cut!

It’s funny how we began this summer talking about Star Trek, and we’re still talking about Trek. Seems like most people will agree, the JJ Abrams reboot was the film of the summer. Paramount Pictures has decided to re-release Star Trek in 85 IMAX screenings beginning this Friday.

A film usually plays in IMAX theatres for a month (four weeks), but Trek only had a two week run in most IMAX locations, as Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian replaced the film in nationwide giant screens soon after the May 8th release. IMAX up-conversions of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have occupied the theaters since with consecutive runs.

Some theaters have kept a couple Trek screenings throughout the Summer, but now almost everyone will have a chance to see the film on the giant screen one-last-time. Check out a full theater listing after the jump, thanks to TrekMovie.

Theater List

Mesa , AZ – Gateway 12 + IMAX Theatre
Phoenix , AZ – Deer Valley 30 with IMAX
Aliso Viejo , CA – Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 with IMAX
Camarillo , CA – Camarillo 12 with IMAX
El Dorado Hills , CA – El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 with IMAX
Emeryville , CA – Bay Street 16 with IMAX
Escondido , CA – Escondido Stadium 16 with IMAX
Fairfield , CA – Fairfield Stadium 16 + IMAX
Fresno , CA – Fresno Stadium 21 + IMAX
Ontario , CA – Ontario Palace Stadium 22 + IMAX
San Diego , CA – Palm Promenade 24 with IMAX
Santa Clara , CA – Mercado 20 with IMAX
Simi Valley , CA – Civic Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
South Gate , CA – South Gate Stadium 20 with IMAX
Stockton , CA – Downtown Stockton 16 + IMAX
Universal City , CA – Citywalk Stadium 19 with IMAX
Westchester , CA – Bridge De Lux 18 + IMAX
Altamonte Springs , FL – Altamonte Mall 18 with IMAX
Aventura , FL – Aventura Mall 24 with IMAX
Cape Canaveral , FL – IMAX Theater
Fort Myers , FL – Gulf Coast Town Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
Jacksonville , FL – Regency 24 with IMAX
Orange Park , FL – Orange Park 24 with IMAX
Orlando , FL – Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 + IMAX
Orlando , FL – Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 with IMAX
St Petersberg , FL – Baywalk 19 + IMAX
Tallahassee , FL – IMAX Theatre Tallahassee
Tampa , FL – Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Tampa , FL – Veterans 24 with IMAX
Tampa , FL – Channelside Cinemas Stadium 9 + IMAX
Augusta , GA – Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 + IMAX
Kennesaw , GA – Barrett Commons 24 with IMAX
Morrow , GA – Southlake Pavilion 24 with IMAX Honolulu , HI – Dole Cannery 18 with IMAX
Boise , ID – Boise Stadium 21 + IMAX
Batavia , IL – Randall 14 + IMAX
Lincolnshire , IL – Lincolnshire Stadium 20 + IMAX
Woodridge , IL – Cinemark 16 + IMAX
Noblesville , IN – Hamilton 16 IMAX
Portage , IN – Portage 15 + IMAX
Louisville , KY – Stoney Brook IMAX
Newport , KY – Newport Levee 20 with IMAX
Harahan , LA – Elmwood Palace 20 with IMAX
Boston , MA – New England Aquarium
Saco , ME – Cinemagic Saco 12 with IMAX
Detroit , MI – Detroit Science Center IMAX Theatre
Grand Blanc , MI – NCG Trillium Cinema + IMAX
Lansing , MI – Celebration – Lansing 19 + IMAX
Sterling Heights , MI – Forum 30 with IMAX
Ypsilanti , MI – Showcase Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX
Roseville , MN – Rosedale 14 with IMAX
Saint Louis , MO – Ronnies Cinemas 19 + IMAX
Charlotte , NC – Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22 with IMAX
Concord , NC – Concord Mills 24 with IMAX
Council Bluffs , NE – Star Cinema 16 with IMAX
Henderson , NV – Sunset Station Stadium 13 with IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Brenden Palms 13 + IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Red Rock Stadium 15 + IMAX
North Las Vegas , NV – Aliante Station 16 with IMAX
Brooklyn , NY – Sheepshead Bay 14 with IMAX
Deer Park , NY – Deer Park Stadium 16 and IMAX
New Rochelle , NY – New Roc City Stadium 18 + IMAX
Williamsville , NY – Transit Center Stadium 18 +IMAX
Columbus , OH – Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX
Springdale , OH – Showcase Springdale 18 IMAX
Bensalem , PA – Neshaminy 24 with IMAX
Homestead , PA – Waterfront 22 with IMAX
Philadelphia , PA – Tuttleman IMAX – Franklin Institute
Tarentum , PA – Pittsburgh Mills Mall 17 + IMAX
Myrtle Beach , SC – IMAX Discovery Theatre
Chattanooga , TN – Tennessee Aquarium
Knoxville , TN – Pinnacle Stadium Cinemas 17 + IMAX
Colleyville , TX – Colleyville Cinema Grille & IMAX
Garland , TX – Firewheel 18 with IMAX
Houston , TX – Gulf Pointe 30 with IMAX
Mesquite , TX – Mesquite 30 with IMAX
Sugarland , TX – First Colony 24 with IMAX
Sandy , UT – Jordan Commons 16 + IMAX
Midlothian , VA – Commonwealth Stadium 20 with IMAX
Virginia Beach , VA – Lynnhaven 18 with IMAX
Woodbridge , VA – Potomac Mills 18 with IMAX
Kent , WA – Kent Station 14 with IMAX
Lacey , WA – Martin Village Stadium 16 + IMAX

Canada

Hull , QC – Canadian Museum Of Civilization
Victoria , BC – National Geographic Theater

o/` born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia... o/`

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:50:23 GMT

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Gwynne, Carl, and Will. The four of us went into the city to check out the Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of The Pharaohs exhibit at The de Young Museum in San Francisco. We took BART from Tanforan, then took a very slow shuttle ride which made us a half hour late. Fortunately they didn't start until after we got there, so it was fine. The exhibit was amazing... if you get a chance you should check it out. Afterward we went to the ghost town that is Metreon and had sushi for dinner, then took BART back to Tanforan for a showing of Miyazaki's "Ponyo". I would have to agree with the consensus that although it isn't his best film, it's certainly worth seeing. The only bad thing about the movie is that I had the damn theme song stuck in my head for the rest of the night and now today as I write this.

more of a real update...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:41:52 GMT

Still waiting to hear back from certain employers. Getting more and more nervous... it's almost the end of the month and I have virtually no money... at least not enough for rent. The anxiety is tearing me up inside. Every day my stomach is in knots. There are times when I just want to break down and give up completely, but I come back from it. It's been nice hanging out with Gwynne and Carl recently... they've been very helpful in helping me not feel so lonely and depressed as I otherwise might feel. Thank you both! The only other thing of note is that yesterday my back seized up while i was walking and I felt a jolt of pain. It's better now, but damn that hurt.

I watched The Mighty Boosh, which the (fairly) infamous Old Gregg/Love Games episode is from. Pretty funny, but it seemed like it got better with each episode. Or at least more bizarre. Stargate Atlantis continues to be totally awesome, and with the 4th season comes many changes... looks to be like an interesting season. Movies I have recently seen include "District 9", which rocked, and "Inglourious Basterds" which I have to say is Quentin Tarantino's best film in many ways. I loved "Pulp Fiction" and the rest, but this one really felt epic and just plain brilliant. I think it could win an Oscar or three. Go see it! As for the rest of the year, I'm looking forward to "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus", "Avatar", "Zombieland", and "9". Oh, and Carl introduced me to the comedy of the funny and fluffy Gabriel Iglesias. A couple of music videos I'd like to share... first, the new song by "Weird Al" Yankovic called Ringtone. Second is Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? by the cast of The Guild, which includes the lovely Felicia Day (whom I met at Wondercon earlier this year). If you're a World of Warcraft player (and I know there are a few of you out there) you should check this out.

get ya packa packs heah!

brandeks@livejournal.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:29:50 GMT

Haven't posted in awhile, mostly because not much has been happening, but lately there have been a few things...

On Monday I went to the San Mateo County Fair and had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and consuming various foodstuffs. One thing I decided to splurge on was a tall, red, plastic cup of lemonade that I was able to refill as many times as I wanted for the day... which ended up being 4 or 5 (I lost count). Below is a pic of me with said lemonade.

Me in my Duff beer shirt drinking cool, refreshing lemonade...

Today (Wednesday) I took BART with Carl to the Oakland Coliseum to see the A's play the Yankees. The A's lost 3-2, but I had a blast anyway. Highlights included a home run by one A's player (Cust) and another player (Ellis) actually breaking his bat (the top half of which flew and landed almost vertically, piercing the dirt), not to mention a spectacular catch by Davis. Oh, and did I mention we had great seats? Check out where I took the below pic from:

The view from section 124, row 30, seat 6...

o/` you just don't mess around with CNR... o/`

brandeks@livejournal.com — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:37:27 GMT

It's here! You can now purchase the new single CNR from Amazon.com!

You can also watch the Jib Jab video below:

After listening to it, I am hereby saying this is my favorite of the Internet Leaks so far.

Want the lyrics?

Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man
The kind of man you'd never disrespect
He stood 8 foot tall, wore glasses
And he had a third nipple on the back of his neck
He ate his own weight in coal
And excreted diamonds every day
He could throw you down a flight of stairs
But you still would love him anyway
Yeah, you know you'd love him anyway

Charles Nelson Reilly won the Tour de France
With two flat tires and a missin' chain
He trained a rattlesnake to do his laundry
I'm tellin' you the man was insane
He could rip out your beatin' heart
And show it to you right before you died
Every day he'd make the host of Match Game
Give him a piggyback ride
Yeah, a two-hour piggyback ride
Giddyup, Gene!

Ninja warrior, master of disguise
He could melt your brain with his laser beam eyes
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
He had his very own line at the DMV
He made sweet, sweet love to a manatee
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, that was somethin' to see, I tell ya

[the following verse is not in the video version]
Charles Nelson Reilly sold his toenail clippings
As a potent aphrodisiac
He ran a four minute mile blindfolded
With an engine block strapped to his back
He could eat more frozen waffles
Than any other man I know
Once he fell off the Chrysler building
And he barely even stubbed his toe
Had a tiny little scratch on his toe
Didn't even hurt

Charles Nelson Reilly figured out cold fusion
But he never ever told a soul
I've seen the man unhinge his jaw
And swallow a Volkswagen whole
He'd bash your face in with a shovel
If you didn't treat him like a star
'Cause you can spit in the wind or tug on Superman's cape
But Lord knows you just don't mess around with CNR
No no no
Talkin' bout CNR
Ohh

"who ya callin' program, program?"

brandeks@livejournal.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:28:42 GMT

"Tron Legacy"... coming next year in IMAX 3D, I shit you not!

housewarming cake...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:31:17 GMT

Gwynne and I will be heading to Sarah & Simon's housewarming barbecue party soon. Gwynne has been making and decorating the cake (seen in the pic above) all morning while I have helped her in a domestic way. The cake is yellow with vanilla frosting and lemon flavor, and the fondant makes it look like a barbecue complete with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and corn. Can't wait to taste it!

bleh...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:34:07 GMT

I am feeling really depressed lately, especially today. I am pretty sure I know why, but I also think there are many factors contributing to this feeling. Some of those factors I need to work on changing, but it's difficult when I feel this way... a vicious cycle, as they say. In addition, I am having tummy issues today, most likely due to not eating very well lately. {sigh}

In general, I could be better. :(

However, last night's viewing of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was great fun, worth waiting in line all day to get the good seats for myself and the five people who were with me. Nice to see friends as always, and the movie was wonderful (even with all the changes and omissions). I also saw "Bruno" the other night, which was seriously funnier than Sacha Baron Cohen's previous movie "Borat" (which I also really liked).

o/` now I'm laughing at my own jokes, but I'm crying inside o/`

brandeks@livejournal.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:26:08 GMT

You can also buy the song on Amazon.com! Only $1.29, so act now!

Here are the lyrics:

I starred in every high school play
Blew every drama teacher away
Graduated first in my class at Juliard

Took every acting workshop I could
And I dreamed of Hollywood
While I read my Uta Hagen, and studied the Bard

Picked up parts and paid my dues
And got phenomenol rave reviews
I knew the world was gonna love me, without a doubt

I was sure that Tarantino would be calling me on my phone
Annie Leibowitz would shoot me for Rolling Stone
But the years have come and gone and I'm sorry to say
That's not the way that it's all worked out

I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day, and every time it's the same

Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Just like they've done for the last 50 years
Now I'm laughing at my own jokes, but I'm crying inside
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride

Oh the critics they used to say, I was the new Olivier
Thought I'd be the toast of Sundance, or maybe Cannes
Ah, but don't bother trying to IMDB me,
The only place you might possibly see me,
Is riding my little boat around Adventureland,
It ain't exactly what I planned but

I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day, and every time it's the same

I would've killed if I'd been in Speed-the-Plow
But what's the difference that's all behind me now
'Cause I'm paying the rent and I'm swallowing my pride
And I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride

I should be there on Broadway, knocking 'em dead in 12 Angry Men
But instead I'm here telling these lame jokes
Again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again!

[Bengal tigers can jump over 20 feet...That's an African Bull-Elephant...There it is the backside of water! What have I done with my life?]

I should've listened when my Grandfather said
Why don't you major in business instead?
Now my hopes are vanished and my dreams have all died
And I'll probably work forever as a

Tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day, and every time it's the same

Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Somebody shoot me 'cause I'm bored to tears!
Always said I'd be famous, I guess that I lied
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
I'm still working on the Jungle Cruise ride!

So, what do you think of the song and/or video?

work woes...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:04:17 GMT

Last night I lost my job at Calafia.

Today I lost my job at Books Inc.

...

Worst. 24 hours. Ever.

"too-da-loo, muthafuckas!"

brandeks@livejournal.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:54:30 GMT

So I just got home from seeing "The Hangover", hands down one of the best comedies I've seen this year. I just had to post the lyrics to Stu's Song, so here they are:

What do tigers dream of when they take their little tiger snooze?
Do they dream of mauling zebras, or Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit?
Don't you worry your pretty striped head,
we're gonna get you back to Tyson and your cozy tiger bed.
And then we're gonna find our best friend Doug,
and then we're gonna give him a best friend hug.
Doug, Doug, oh, Doug, Dougie, Dougie, Doug, Doug!
But if he's been murdered by crystal meth tweakers,
well then we're shit out of luck.

Seriously... if you haven't yet, go see it!

oh say can you see...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:51:29 GMT

Update 10:50 PM - Had a great 4th of July hanging out with Gwynne, Sarah K., and Will first at Gwynne's house where I had dinner, then at Irene and Jory's place where a bunch of us kids and kids at heart watched fireworks in numerous cities from a balcony with a hell of a view.

More to come later when I have time...

giant effing robots...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:26:09 GMT

Today was pretty much full of win all over. First, I got to sleep way in. Then, Carl came over after he got out of work and we watched "The Great Escape", a movie I highly recommend to anyone. After the movie, we went to Tanforan to have dinner, then said our goodbyes. I went to Target to get chocos, then went to the theater to stand in line... at about 8 PM. Yes, only four hours before the movie was to start! Before long there was an actual line, most of which were wearing Transformers apparel like myself (my Autobot symbol t-shirt and hat). Soon Sarah P. and her sisters Diana and Catherine showed up, which was a nice surprise. It was great talking to them... it helped pass the time. At one point the guy from the theater who gave me a Star Trek hat (as mentioned here) gave me a Transformers hat with a Decepticon symbol on the front... below is a pic of Diana wearing my new hat (which I subsequently let Catherine borrow for the time being):

The theater was packed when our line was let in about 10:45 PM or so. At 12:01 AM the movie started, and the general consensus is that it totally rocked. I think it was better than the first movie... everything I liked about the first one was duplicated and expanded upon. The mom was even more hilarious in this one, there's a lot more action, and for you haters, no Bumblebee urination. I think I'll be seeing it again.

blast from the past...

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:04:28 GMT

Kirina and I at Books Inc.

I just got home from visiting with my ex-girlfriend Kirina (who I haven't seen in 10+ years!) and her family. What an unexpected pleasure! Here's the story:

Firstly, to give you a little background about Kirina and I, I met her through my sister Lelia when they were in junior high. Kirina showed me she liked me by scratching me (it was her way back then) and eventually we dated for a little while. After many years, just after Corin and I broke up, I moved to Berkeley with her for a few months until she decided to pack up and move to Chicago. I haven't talked to her in years until fairly recently via Facebook.

So tonight I was at work, I looked up to help what I expected to be my next customer, and was pleasantly surprised to find Kirina there. I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing, since she now lives in Mississippi and hadn't said a word about being in town when I had talked to her via IM just a few hours earlier. Many hugs were exchanged for the rest of the evening as I got through the end of my shift while they had dinner next door at Kirk's Steakburgers, and I then accompanied them first to Tanforan and then to her mom's place in South S.F. (her mom is on vacation and is letting Kirina and her family stay there). Kirina and I agreed on many things, one being that Rolling Pin has the best doughnuts around, including Krispy Kreme. I totally geeked out with Kirina's husband Klaus, and we both agreed on the ride home that he and I would probably hang out a lot if we lived in the same city. Eventually she announced that she was crashing, so Klaus took me home, whereupon he told me that Kirina always spoke highly of me. I got the feeling that she found a great guy for a husband and I wish her and her two children a very happy life.

o/` do you want my Styrofoam peanuts? o/`

brandeks@livejournal.com — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:18:31 GMT

As I mentioned previously, "Weird Al" Yankovic will be releasing his new song Craigslist on Tuesday. I found the lyrics, and here they are:

You've got a '65 Chevy Malibu
With automatic drive
A custom paint job too

I'll trade you for my old wheelbarrow
And a slightly used sombrero
And I'll even throw in a stapler if you insist...

Craigslist!
I'm on Craiglsist, baby, come on!
Yeah!

Well we shared a quick glance
Saturday at the mall
I never took a chance
Never approached you at all

You were a blonde half-Asian with a bad case of gas
I was wearin' red speedos and a hockey mask
Come on let's find that love connection that we missed

On Craigslist!
Yeah, Craigslist, come on!
I'm on Craigslist
Oh, baby, maybe you are too!
Be bom ba chomb cadonk bin bam boo!

An open letter to the snotty barista at the Coffee Bean on San Vacente Boulivard:
I know there were twenty people behind me in line,
But I was on a cell phone call with my mother.
Didn't you see me hold up my index finger?
That means I'll order my soy decaf hazelnut latte in just a couple of minutes.
So what's with the attitude lady?
No tip for you!

Got a trashcan of Styrofoam peanuts
You can have em for free
You can drop by on the weekend
And pick 'em up from me
But the trashcan ain't part of the deal
Only givin' you the peanuts, get real!
Don't have hefty bag so get your own,
Don't bug me with questions on the phone
Don't ask for help, don't waste my time
And don't complain 'cause they won't cost you a dime
Just ask yourself:
Do you want my Styrofoam peanuts?
You can have my Styrofoam peanuts.
Do you want my Styrofoam peanuts?
You can have them all.

They're on Craigslist!
Craigslist! Oh, baby come on!
I'm on Craigslist, Craigslist, Craigslist!
I'm on Craigslist, Craigslist, Craigslist now!

Craigslist!

Update 15 June 2009 / 11:43 AM - Here's the video: