April 2007 Archives

Over the past few months, these things have changed:

- New photos (only a few)
- Profile updated (you probably won't be able to tell)
- Podcast page was updated (you probably won't be able to tell)
- Australia Special updated a few times

And now for an announcement:

- I may not get 3 podcasts done before I leave. Unfortunately, I have conflicting plans for May 4th so I don't believe I will be able to record or make a podcast for that night.
- Also, when and if I do podcasts in Australia, they will be targeted to be half the length they used to be.

I have been focusing on leaving and working as much as I possibly can until I leave. So that explains the "laziness" lately. I hope to clean things up a little.

Don't forget to take the polls on the left side of the page.

It's amazing that in about 2 weeks, I will be on Australian soil again. Time flies too fast when hundreds of things are going on around me. But that's life.

I've been outweighing whether it would be better for me to stay here than go back but I am going to go back. Not because I have anything against my family, but because I need to better myself. And I feel that this is a step to better myself and put myself going in the right direction.

Work has to be done on my relationship. That part I do know. It's not all peaches and cream people... it's not. I've noticed lately that some communication between us needs to take place. Really bad, before I completely ruin my relationship.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy to see him but he told me about a week ago that his boss is a workaholic and wants to keep him there constantly. That's not something that makes me happy. I'm sure I'll be really busy anyway. I hope he'll let me study his anatomy at least.

Speaking of ruined relationships, the more time I spend with my iPod, the more I hate the damned thing. I have NEVER had a crappier iPod than the one I have now... you know, the one that gets scratches on it if I even look at it? The stupid thing has a "thing" about wanting to STOP like it's stuck and drain the battery. It's so bad to the point where I can't listen to any podcasts anymore. Today I downloaded iQuiz because I thought it would help me study later (and at $0.99, why not?) That doesn't even work the way I wanted it to. I have had to restore the piece of garbage twice already. If I knew something else worked with my Mac, I'd get it instead.

It looks like I am not going to get to go on any podcasts before I leave. I honestly think I don't need to anyway. I will attempt to breathe some life into the one I do now but once it's dead, it's dead. And I'll have to stick a fork in it and eat it with Heinz 57 sauce (good stuff there). But I don't know what's going to happen yet. I'll have to see after I arrive.

My party is still going to happen on the 4th. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't decided whether I'm going to make it a really intimate thing or not. Who knows. I am hungry for burgers though and no, not these kinds of burgers.

Less than two weeks remain until I'm supposed to head off to the Land Down Under. Unfortunately, life isn't all roses and pixie dust for me at the moment. As expected, I am beginning to battle the beginning stages of pre-departure depression and it will only get worse. Today, I learned that my grandparents were involved in a car accident. Not good. My grandmother and I had a bit of a chat earlier which really got to me.

She is afraid of losing her driver's license. If she does lose her driver's license, things will be hard for both my grandparents. She doesn't like to feel like she's "getting old" and really I can't blame her. She can't get around too well and she refuses to use a walker because "those are for old people" and she said she's not old.

I remember growing up just how strong-willed and physically strong this woman is. And I will always remember her for being that way, no matter what happens. She has put up with some really crazy stuff and people. Just by dealing with my father and grandfather, that strength surrounds her. And I respect her for that.

So, as I was saying, she has expressed concern over her driver's license being taken. But I don't think it will happen.

I'd really like to stay here and move in with them to take care of them. And of course, that is still an option that I might just have to take. I honestly owe it to them for all the wonderful things they've done for me.

But... then there's the fact that most of the people at my workplace are being laid off. I am going to Australia for school to better myself. If I have to stay here in the USA, I won't be able to work, go to school and take care of my grandparents all at the same time. There is no way. But still, love for people makes me do the craziest things.

If I end up staying, I might was well say goodbye to Australia and everybody that lives there, including my partner. But family is family... no matter how much they might get on my last nerve.

I have some thinking to do and I've got a short time to do it. I thought I couldn't get any more stressed than I am now... things like this happen. Of course I am not angry that they did happen - shit happens all the time. I'm happy that they're still alive and in good shape. As for their car, I think it's dead. I am driving their other car so I will have to give it back to them very soon.

Anyway that is it for now for anybody who actually reads this. Goodnight.

I thought it was time for an update of sorts. I've been quiet over the past few weeks and my podcast episodes aren't cutting it either. I can't seem to get my true feelings out. I'm not even really sure anybody reads this anymore but if you do, thanks.

As of right now, I wish everybody would just shut up. I know that's mean but there are so many people and things preoccupying my mind at the moment. My number one priority is to spend time with my family here while I can. I'm tired of hearing garbage that I don't want to hear. I'm tired of listening to people in Australia talk to me like they're going to get a piece of me or something. It seems like that's all I ever hear. I don't hear a thing about going out and seeing a movie or something or just letting me relax for a few days. I'm not happy with that. I just don't really care.

I'm a bit amused that I am leaving in a few short weeks. Something tells me that I'm not going to be able to spend very much time with some people before I go.

I'm amazed how some people think that having a partner makes everything automatically better. Like the fact that they are there is the whole world. Well it's not. Life goes on. It doesn't make the fact that other people exist go away. My partner in Australia (and me being there) doesn't substitute very well for the people who I love here.

I'm a tad bitchy today as you can tell. The day has gone by fairly slow. But really I had a decent day. I spent it doing things for my parents. I painted our hurricane damaged house and did the lawn for them. I'm a good son! At least I like to think so!

I posted #12 today, so listen if you want to.

I'm so not in the mood to type much so I'm leaving. Bye.

It's been done for a while but I just got around to uploading it.

I am leaving in about 2 weeks from now and still do not know if I'm going to continue or not. I will, one way or another, I know that for sure.

This podcast is just full of updates including leaving Texas, losing my job, and a few other things.

Listen: idioPod 12: Late Out The Door

Or subscribe to the feed.

Please remember in the next week that 13, 14 and 15 will come pretty much a day or two apart from each other! If iTunes is set up to download the latest, and you haven't downloaded the 2nd newest one, it will not be downloaded!

Really I felt a little better yesterday and today's better. So I'm on track to do another podcast for Thursday or Friday.

I am also thinking that I'm going to do my ghost show for the 13th. The bad thing about that is that it won't come until the 4th or so. So I am thinking I'll release one on the 4th, one on the 5th and one on the 7th or 8th.

Good news: My visa is done. No more waiting.

Bad news: It's up to Gilbert to get my ticket. The longer it takes, the more it's going to cost me to book a flight to LA. He waits to the very last minute and I don't...

I'm going to attempt to go to work today and stay the whole time. Wish me luck.

Here is a picture for you: Hairy
Worth1000.com

Needless to say, idioPod 12 may not come this week.

The last week has been miserable for me. Especially this weekend. I have been sick for about a week with I guess the flu or something. I also feel like I have either strep throat and/or a sinus infection. I am miserable! So I made an appointment with the doctor today. I don't like to go to the doctor, but if this is a sinus infection... I don't want to bring it to Australia with me. They usually last about a month for me. I'm not prepared to do that.

I've been coughing so much that I constantly vomit. My throat, at times, kills me. My sinuses feel like they're full of lead. I've lost a couple of pounds.

So that explains the lack of updates lately. And that's going to be a reason why I might not get to do another podcast this week. I'm afraid that I may only get to 14 before I leave.

Anyway, I hope that I get better and come back full force. I will be back.

I thought about doing a podcast episode today but I didn't. For some reason my throat has gotten worse since yesterday. I think I have strep throat and I wish it would go away. My throat doesn't start hurting until late in the day though.

I have a lot of things to talk about but as usual, I forgot about most of them. I do know that work's been pissing me off constantly for the past week. I get so sick and tired of being expected to work 50 hours a week. We have some of the worst management ever. I don't think I have worked a full day this week... maybe 1.

Then yesterday they had a surprise for everybody. "Effective immediately, all camera phones are banned." I can understand this because we're supposed to be completely "hidden" from the public. Problem with this is that 90%+ cell phones these days DO have camera phones. And I have better things to do than take pictures of the mail. I won't be buying a new phone to make them happy. NEXT they banned "all MP3 players with video capabillities, including the iPod". I was like, you know what, go fuck yourselves. I am NOT going to go back to the store so I can buy another MP3 player. (Though I did think about getting an iPod Nano, then giving it to Gilbert when I get back to Australia. He'd kill me though I bet.) And I swear by everything that is holy, if they bitch about it, I will get up and leave. Believe it or not, people of the US, your postal workers are watching movies/TV shows while they are supposed to be processing your mail. That's why it's banned. I've seen it. It pisses me off.

LATER: I decided not to go to work today because I feel like crap. I'm going to try to fix up my website a bit while I have some free time.

What's been going on lately? Well this podcast will answer this question.

- Easter and Weight Loss... a possible combination?
- Jealousy over having kids and marriage
- Someone overspent and I have to suffer
- The OK to sign the relationship declaration register
- Sorry for threatening you... really.
- My party is still on like Donkey Kong
- Addiction to World of Warcraft? Me?
- My new Sims concept and my simulated life on Brandi's computer
- Please leave me feedback - like what you heard?
- And of course, more...

Brandi and I were supposed to do this one. I'll try to get her back for the next one. Background music composed by me (Sex Music Loop) and Soulophonic's Remix of New York by Eskimo Joe. (I like his remix more than the original song itself.)

I was just looking up the URL to The Sims - has anybody noticed this?

My Sims for Wii / DS
(this isn't on my podcast) :)

Have a listen here:
idioPod 11: Moving Along, As Expected
Subscribe here, won't you?

It's been a few days since my last "real" post. I didn't do that on purpose. I do have to say that now things are taken care of for my visa and all it is now is a waiting game. My patience with DIMIA has always run thin but I am a bit confident that they will have my eVisa done before I leave. If not, then I'm in trouble.

I do have something "weird" to say. Something that just happened a little while ago. Strangely, the weather got really, really bad in no time at all. The rain was horrible and the lightening was a bit scary. I drove home from Brandi's around 2:30 am and pulled into my driveway. I got out of my car, jumped over a puddle or two and heard someone sorta yell. I looked around and said, "What?" and I heard it again. Then I saw a shadow and heard a person say "We've run out of gas down the road and we need someone to bring me to the store..." Then I said "I'm sorry, I can't help you." I looked back and there was no one there. I hurried into the house and looked out. Wow, how creepy. It was still raining like crazy. In a way, I felt bad but I really wonder if there was someone really there - and I don't think I'd drive a stranger to the store at 2:30 in the morning. Weird.

So that is what happened tonight. I am hoping to do a podcast tomorrow if I wake up early enough. (Later today). Who knows. I'm creeped out a bit but I have to sleep. Goodnight.

The time has come to throw around ultimatums. I have not received any feedback on either my podcast or website. If I do not receive any, I will cease making podcast episodes. I have promised them up to number 15 regardless.

This is NOT a stunt to get more attention. I am just tired of having no real direction. I have no idea what people think. And I'm tired of that. I can't see that too many people are enjoying it, so why bother?

In this episode I talk about a variety of things:

- Migrating
- My relationship
- Melbourne's Relationship Register
- Brandi's absense

There are probably more things I talked about but I forget a lot.

Have a listen here: IdioPod 10: Consciously Podcasting

Subscribe with your favorite software/service here.

...good day to you.

I'm not sure if any of you even care (the lack of feedback is proof), but episode number 10 will be here by week's end. I'm feeling much better now but I don't have any time today to make a number 10. Number 10 will be one of the most important and crucial podcast episodes I will ever do. So if you haven't bothered listening, I'd listen to the next one.

I'm extremely bitter over receiving no feedback by the way.

The past few days were hell for me because I have been coughing a lot. Especially at night. My voice is back though. I'd say about 95% back.

Anyway, I'm leaving it at that. Because yeah, I'm upset.

Oh yes, and a reminder:

Today's weblog entry is going to be a little less personal than usual. I mean, it affects me, but still it's awesome.

Tory from idiotboxradio, brought to my attention that Melbourne was setting up a register for same-sex couples. Well, I read about it I think last year and thought it was going to run into some hurdles. But I reread what was going on recently with it. You can read more on it here.

Definitely, something like this would help my next visa application. At least then my relationship with Gilbert would become "official". So, it's not marriage but I think something like this is a great step towards "equality for all", something that is stated in US law but I guess that doesn't apply to people who are attracted to the same sex. The US has a long way to go and as long as congress adheres to "what I think is best is best for everybody especially if it's based on my religious beliefs" it's going to stay that way. But power has shifted and I feel a bit better these days. I hope the Democrats restore some sanity in this wound-scarred country. You bet your ass I'm voting next year.

More needs done but, well, things like this (the register) makes things better.

I did put 1 GB of memory in my PowerBook so hopefully doing podcasting won't be so painful as before. I can see a big difference. I am hoping this will keep me from buying a new laptop for a while.

I also updated my Australia page with a few items.

Oh jeez. I'm still not better. I feel much better but I'm coughing like someone who's smoked for 40 years.

I ended up going to work and leaving early so I could go to Kate's birthday party. It was awesome to see everybody in such... good spirits (aka drunk). I didn't drink or anything like that but got enough second hand smoke for the rest of my life. But nevertheless it was fun seeing everybody sing karaoke. I felt like a jerk when I left because I wasn't drunk and it was making me jealous. Usually I'd be so drunk it isn't funny. (Actually it would be.)

I'm still trying to do 5 more full podcasts before I leave but I can't really do anything at the moment as one or two of you heard from my last one. My voice is fine if I talk much deeper than I usually do.

My partner's still in Malaysia and I am missing him a lot. He'll be back in Australia next week. I'll be glad to see him when I get back. I assume that the process is going to be fine to get there. It's like the closer I get there, the less interested I am in anybody else. I don't care if the sexiest, richest Mexican guy came to me and wanted me in his bed. I just don't really care. My focus has shifted to my relationship terribly bed. In about a month, I'll finally be able to sleep well again. You know, minus the snoring. :) I know now that I really love the guy. Well, I've loved him for years. That's no secret.

Later this week, I'm going to shift polls and announce something. I'm not doing it today before people think "April Fool's". Because it's not a joke. So I can wait until my next podcast to make that announcement.

A month from now, both Bjork and Tori Amos have a new CD coming out! Something tells me that I'm going to be buying those CDs on 1 May.

I gotta take a shower. Brandi and I are doing our weekly "thing" today. I can't spend much money today though. So everybody... have a great day.

Oh yes, and I'm really a girl... April Fools. ;)