Talked to my bro yesterday. Good news, the Nickelback CDs I was missing have been "found". He had them the whole time. Since I been in New Zealand as a matter of fact. I vaguely remember him asking me about them while I was there. So I guess I haven't listened to them since I been back...I was sure I had. Oh well, glad to have located them.

What's with William Shatner these days? He seems to be in every commercial out there (and I should know). My supervisor Pete said he had heard that Paramount paid Shatner out, rather than continue to pay him royalties on all the Star Trek movies and shows running. $50 million! And yet he still works the commercials. The guy has got to be loaded. What do you do with that much money??? Pete and I were talking, I mean once you hit about $5 Mil, you're basically set for life. I don't care how old you are. Anything beyond that is just excess. Yes, it'd be fun, but hey, share the wealth, eh?

Whatever.

I am ruthless and relentless in my quest to prove people wrong. It's probably one of my biggest fall backs. I'm surprised I haven't lost friends over it. Maybe I have, there are some friendships that don't seem as strong as they once were and I'm unsure why. I can be a real dick sometimes.

That said, I think I can be a really good friend at times too. I try to help out where I can, and I don't like the helpless feeling I get when a friend tells me of a problem in their life and there's nothing I can really do about it except for comfort them with words or a hug.

One of my other fall backs is sarcasm. I scoff at people when they say something I perceive to be stupid or obvious. I'm terrible. I'm a weirdo.

I still hate screwing up at work. Argh!

Now I'm having dreams about screwing up at work. It's not good. Amazing I actually remember the dream though...I never remember my dreams. Makes me think it was real...but I know I didn't screw up what I did in the dream, cause it was too out there to be real.

I finished watching Band of Brothers. What a great mini-series. Really well done, and based on the true stories of Easy Company which I didn't realize. There's a great documentary on the Special Features disc with many of the veterans that are portrayed by actors in the mini-series.

I wanna see Jersey Girl. Liv Tyler is so damn cute/hot/beautiful.

Holy Poop Chute! Today we switched the CITY TV tranmitter to take it's feed from Victoria rather than Vancouver. This means that The New VI is now the entire CHUM West Presentation Centre! Exciting and scary all at the same time.

It annoys me when people mess up words that sound the same, but are spelled differently (and mean different things). "Effect" and "Affect" is a common one. Effect was used today in correspondence between someone and myself, and it was used improperly (it should have been affect). It bothers me. This person should have known better.

Played soccer last night with some peops from work. It was quite fun. I haven't played soccer in a long time. I sucked it up, although I did have a couple good chances at goals, and a couple decent passes. I'm terribly out of shape, and was huffin' and puffin' a lot. But it felt good to get exercise and work up a sweat...I need to do it more. I'll try to get out with that crew again next week and hopefully in following weeks as well. I've been thinking about joining the gym too...maybe I will. I should start jogging.

The day after I get a haircut, I always use too much shampoo.

Our neighbour across the street has got to be one of the worst drivers. She's a pommie, which doesn't help her case at all. I used to park my truck across the street from the end of her driveway, on what eventualy will be Choy's lawn. She asked me one morning, after I parked, if I could move my truck back a bit so that it wasn't in her way when she was coming out of her driveway. I found the request a bit odd...the street is plenty wide enough, but I complied. She proceeded to tell me why and this is what she said (remember, in a pommie accent):

"There's so many kids out on the road these days, and the driveway's so steep. I find it tough when coming down it to be mindful of the slope and then watch out for kids and I have to watch I don't hit your truck too...it would just be easier for me if your truck wasn't parked directly across from the driveway."

That's not verbatim, but close enough. Anyways, I laughed inside my head as she told me this. He driveway is not steep. Yes, it's inclined, but it's pretty fuckin' short and nowhere near "steep". And the kids, well ya, you gotta watch out for them, but it's not a big deal. Kids are smart, they grew up with cars (unlike this pommie I'm sure) and they know to watch out for them. And as far as my truck, well, I appreciate that she doesn't want to hit it, but still, there's like 15 feet of road between the end of her driveway and my truck...and she's only driving an ugly ass Taurus.

So I watched her from inside the house as she pulled out of her driveway. I couldn't believe it. She pulls down the driveway, comes to a full stop at the end of the driveway (it's 7am, there's no kids, and we live on a dead end street), then she pulls out into the road, straight across...she was basically on the other side of the road before she started to turn and she actually ran over the end of Choy's driveway as she completed the turn and drove away. I laughed my ass off! You had to be there and see it...I know this description doesn't do it justice and you're probably wondering why I found it so humourous...but believe me, it was a feat of bad driving like I hadn't seen in a while. I don't even wanna imagine what she drives like on a road with traffic.

Filter's Hey Man Nice Shot is one of the best songs ever recorded. I don't know why, but it just sounds good. I love it. I also love that the main guitar riff is the same riff used in Stabbing Westard's Ungod...because Stuart Zechman was playing in both bands at the same time and he "forgot" that he used that riff in both songs. That's just funny. But it is a cool riff.

I just finished reading the lastest Chuck Palahniuk novel, Diary. Not his best work. It was ok, but it didn't grab me like his other books (Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, Survivor, Choke, & Lullaby). The man is still tops in my mind as far as authors go, but Diary was a bit of a disappointment. Still, ya gotta try new things and Chuck did try and different style than his usual, and I commend him for that. My next Chuck book will be Fugitives and Refugees...it's a guide book to interesting places in Portland, Oregon. Next book though is Shibumi...I'm about to start it.

Tree says I'm a workaholic. I don't think so. I work the shifts I'm given...I'm part-time so I take what I can get cause who knows when it's gonna dry up? I'm just trying to get into a comfortable money situation once again. I was maxed out there for a bit, living beyond my means slightly. I don't like that. It's starting to turn around now, and barring any surprise expenses I should be doing all right. I'm so glad we're not unionized, I hate fucking unions. All this work to rule crap, it just bothers me. Sometimes I stay late at work to help out a co-worker. It's my choice to do that. I don't ask for overtime, nor do I feel jilted that my overstay wasn't recognized. It's my nature to help when help is needed and so I don't mind staying a while longer for that purpose. You know what? I'm not even gonna get into this right now.

I hate fucking up at work. Excuse me while I go shoot myself in the head...

Ya gotta love living in a small town. I don't think I've ever fully adapted (not that I need to adapt since I'm from said small town) because I still lock my vehicle wherever I go, but that's just me. Yesterday though, I went into the print supply and stationary store to get an envelope (yes, just 1) and no one was in the store. I found what I needed and stood by the register for a good minute before the, I assume, owner walked along the windows outside and entered the store. She was doing something at one of the neighbouring businesses. It's good I'm honest. I mean, I could have gotten away with that $0.42 envelope an no one would have ever known...hehehe.

Played a new game, Puerto Rico, last night. Graham won, but I came in 2nd. It was fun...I think we'll be playing it lots.

They're saying that people either love or hate that song, "I Believe in a Thing called Love" by The Darkness. What? there's no in between? I like the song, it sounds good. I don't know if I love it, but I definitely don't hate it. It's got an 80's flavour too it that sets it apart from other modern rock.

I'm looking forward to Jersey Girl. It's the new Kevin Smith film and while it does have J-Lo in it, she has a teensy part from what I hear. Mostly I wanna see Liv, I love Liv. I need to collect Liv movies...would you believe I don't own a one??! Craziness, I know! She's married to Rob who used to be a Spacehog. Bummer for me, good for her, although she doesn't know what she's missin' out on. Ok, she's not missin' out on that much, but still. Ian saw her at the Auckland airport...I could have seen her too as I was there just a while later. That would have been very cool. Ah well, maybe she'll come stay at the Harbour House one day.

Work is going well, but I'm sensing some tension in my co-workers.

Work is going well these days...I'm feeling quite confident in controlling both The New VI and CITY TV. Couple mess ups yesterday...one big one that was due to several changes and things...no one person can really be blamed I think. It was corrected somewhat and we carry on. It was kinda cool yesterday though, the News Director knows my name. We've never been formally introduced, but I've been in his presence on several occasions and we've held doors open for each other and said hello a few times. But yesterday he actually said my name in his hello. I've been there 6 months and this should be no big deal, and it isn't, but it's just weird and kinda cool that he knows who I am...I mean, I'm not in his department (I'm not News, I'm Technology & Operations), I'm not even posted on the news floor, and plus we've never been introduced. So either he's heard other people talking to me and mentioning my name or maybe word has circled around about me or something. However he knows who I am, I just think it's cool. It's sad that I've been there 6 months and I still haven't met everyone. I never did meet our former VP and GM. I was in his presence a few times, but he never introduced himself and nor did I. Ah well.

I can't believe how much our dishwasher (OK, Choy's dishwasher) sucks ass. It's horrible.

I'm questioning my patriotism today. Last night Choy got home and asked me why I didn't have the game on. I dunno why...probably cause I didn't know it was on. I don't pay attention to hockey. I can watch it and I can even enjoy watching it, but I don't follow it and I don't get into it like some people. And as Canadian I feel I should. Tree rushed home from ball practice and rushed up the stairs to catch the last minutes of the 2nd period. I've never had that kind of enthusiasm for hockey. Is something wrong with me? Am I truly a Canadian if I don't follow our national pastime? I'm sorta disappointed with myself, but I can't really change the way I feel. It's not just hockey...I just don't follow sports at all. I'm not even gonna comment on the game...that's been done enough in the last 12 hours.

I thought of another great moment in roommate history...although I have to call this one...
Great moment in flatmate history #2:
I'm living in New Zealand with Tim, Margot, and Heather (Ian had left for Palmerston North by now). Actually, we were breaking up the flat as Heather and I were individually bound for Australia and then home to Canada, Tim was undecided but continuing with his job in Manukau, and Margot (the only Kiwi in the flat) was of course going to stay in Auckland with her job and friends and such. Our landlord was over to check over the place and return our damage deposit. We hadn't done any major damage to the place, but there had been a few spills on the lounge carpet that hadn't completely come out (we even rented a Rug Doctor). So as the landlord was checking things out (pretty casually I'd say), each of us strategically placed ourself standing non-chalantly over a carpet stain. The landlord didn't catch on and we got the damage deposit back (less the water usage which Margot managed to get lessened in our favour). It was a flatmate collaboration that went smoothly and undetected and it was truly a great moment in flatmate history!

So I'm watching the news tonight and the Victoria Police have a new campaign for "Diversity Employment". What The Fuck? I don't have a problem with hiring "minorities" (what a stupid term) or non-white males, I'm not racist or sexist or a homophobe anything. I think hiring should be done based on qualifications - the best person for the job should get the job. Hiring should not be focused on making your employee base diverse in culture and gender and sexual orientation. Take this Victoria Police thing: If they get 100 applications and say 35 are from non-white males and all persons are interviewed and it's deemed that one of the Asian women who applied is the best for the job out of all 100 applicants, then she deserves the job. But if it just so happens that one of the white males that applied is best suited for the job, but they aren't looking for a white male and decide to hire the Indian (from India) man who is less qualified then I think there's a bit of a problem...especially when it's something like the police. If they hire someone who is less qualified because of a diversity clause, what if this person is troubled as a police officer and can't "serve and protect"? That's a problem. I realise with police there's schooling and qualifications that usually need to be met before they'll consider you, but I'm just generalising about the employment situation and this whole focus on "diversity" employment. I know it's a touchy subject and I probably haven't explained my case very well here...but I just spit it out. Basically, the best person for the job should be hired. And there's tons of non-white male applicants out there...they just have to apply and be among the best for the job. It's a sad sad world we live in where your gender or skin colour or sexual orientation is a detriment to your career.

I'm probably the only guy who does it, and I'm not sure why I do, but I pair up my socks after they've been washed and dried and I fold them together. It's difficult with some socks, cause even though they're all white they are slightly different in their pattern and the elastic at the top. So I hold about 5 socks side by each and try to figure out which one matches which. Some look like they're a match, but then maybe the elastic was stretched a bit so I wonder if it's supposed to look like that and it's actually a match with another sock. It takes longer than it should. The science of matching socks...this is the kind of stupid shit that goes through my head sometimes.

I can't believe the amount of pirating that goes one these days. I may have in the past, but I don't anymore. Music, software, movies...these were all made legitimately (I'd hope) and should be obtained legitimately. I'm not even going to get into the details.

Ok, so I have downloaded music, but I have good reasons. Over the years, some of my CDs have mysteriously vanished. I have no idea where they got to. Sometimes the case remains, sometimes the whole kit and kaboodle is gone. These CDs, as I had bought them at one time, I feel I still own them, they've been misplaced. I shouldn't have to buy them again, so I feel it is ok to have downloaded, or obtained in some way, the songs on them. These CDs include (off the top of my head):
- Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (one of my all time favourite albums)
- INXS - Greatest Hits or Kick (I can't remember which one I owned, but they're both basically the same CD)
- Pearl Jam - Ten
- Bush - Sixteen Stone (this one went missing but in the case is some 4 song live EP by Bush...weird)
and most recently
- Nickelback - Curb
- Nickelback - Silver Side Up

Now, it's true that I didn't pay for either of those Nickelback CDs (there has to be some benefits to working in radio, right?) but I still owned them and don't like the fact that they are missing. I haven't looked super hard for them yet, so they may turn up still. I haven't "replaced" them yet.

Thankfully I haven't had any DVDs go missing yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. "Replacing" those would be a tad more difficult.

I stayed up late this morning cause Paul Brown was giving away passes to see Adrenalin Rush and free jumps at Bungy Zone. He did it yesterday too, but I was driving home and not near a phone. This morning I was home and I made the call, but got the ever popular busy signal and when I finally did get through of course he'd already given them away...Fuck! I love bungy jumping and I wanna jump Nanaimo, but I don't wanna pay. The movie sounds cool too. Maybe another day...I doubt it though.

I like listening to the Zone...it's a decent station. Paul Brown is not bad...some people don't like him, but I think he does a decent job. Sara P is pretty cool, but the best guy on the Zone...and I think he's overlooked...is Jeremy. He's the weekday evening guy. He's quite good, keeps it simple yet funny and informative. The best show on the Zone though is The Ongoing History of New Music. It's a syndicated show and fuck if I can find a website for it (maybe I need to expand my searches beyond Google?). It's a great show though, and I love driving to work on Sunday night cause it's right when it's on. I learn a lot from that show and the Alan Cross, the guy who hosts it is great. I like it! It's still not the Fox of the late '90's though...that was the best. The Kaye man was the voice (with awesome production by Melle Mel), O'Neil was on evenings, L&W in the morning, even Courage I liked...that was good shit man.

I slept through 2 beautiful days, now it's raining. Lame.

I haven't had much time to think about anything lately so I got nothing to put here. Work is busy. No longer is the graveyard shift a bore. It's exciting times though.

I'll think of something soon.

It's been a few days since I saw it, but The Corporation was excellent. It's long, but well worth it and really gets you thinking. It's not that I haven't thought about the things it presents before, but it gives you more information and it is presented well. Go see it if you get a chance...don't miss out.

Also saw the new Sandler flick, 50 First Dates. Very good. I'm impressed with Sandler's films...they're funny and entertaining, but often times they're wittier than most laugh fests and they go a bit deeper and have some meaning. 50 First Dates was quite good like this and it was enjoyed by all that I saw it with. Go Sandu!

I watched the Oscars last night...whatever. Why do people pronounce Charlize Theron's last name as "Therone"? People, I've seen the WSPA PSA with her, she introduces herself as Charlize Theron (Theh-ron). So if she says it that way, why do most other people say Therone (Theh-rone)? Someone at the awards show called her that (although someone else said her name properly). On the radio this morning, "That Guy" said her name the wrong way. It urks me. I dunno why, but it does. Enough people mispronounce my name that I know what it's like I guess.