Miscellany

- Let's say, hypothetically of course, that you've just had a brake job done on your car. As soon as you leave the dealership with those new brakes, you hear a sound coming from the front tires that you haven't heard ever before. What do you do? Do you turn around and have the mechanic take a second look at his work or keep driving? My answer is: I love my wife.

- These trips down to Florida take their toll sometimes. We get up at 3:30 am and I drive until about 9:30 am after which the Mrs. takes the wheel and I hopefully get to sleep until lunch time in the way back. It's not great sleep. The kids are wide awake and the sun is shining, but usually it's enough for me to resume the trek at the helm for the last four hours. We repeat this process on the way home. Without rushing to judgment, I can safely qualify these two days of driving as shitty.

- My mother called to make sure she was getting the right snacks for the kids. The conversation quickly changed to making sure she was getting the right alcohol for her son. MrsBlood + Her Mother-In-Law = Vodka

- My parents want to take my kids to the circus. I hate the fucking circus.

- It's a slow time for me with finding new metal. Thankfully, myspace.com has a use, as bands post pre-release material on that site for junkies like myself to enjoy. Every time I see a new band I'd not heard of before that I end up really liking, I wonder why I'm so late to the party. My latest recommendation: Moonspell. Check out the two tracks from their upcoming CD on their myspace page: Night Eternal and Scorpion Flower. I keep playing those on repeat while playing razz tournaments with Otis. Bet none of you can do the same. It's a special kind of insanity to do both at the same time.

- Speaking of online poker, I want to clarify something just in case. If you've seen me at the tables and left a shout out or simple greeting, I probably haven't seen it. You see, I've turned player and observer chat completely off. I simply can't take it any more. It adds nothing to the game for me. In fact, it detracts from my enjoyment. If you want to chat, email me and I'll send you my new IM name. I just don't have it in me any longer to do it at the tables. It's not because I'm anti-social, it's because I'm anti-stupid. My endurance for the "lols," "fish," "donkey," "nice call (*#&," "!#@$ you!" "heads up for rollz!!!" and whatever else floats through the netherworld of that damn box of brainlessness is gone. Completely and utterly gone. Besides, I enjoy the quiet.