New Weezer Video
RadicalWacko May 25th, 2008
Finally answering the question, “How many Internet/You Tube jokes can be crammed into one music video.”:
Archive for the 'Life Updates' Category
Life Update
RadicalWacko March 3rd, 2007
Well, it’s been a long while since I last put up one of these long winded life updates. Well, considering that I’m currently sitting in a giant cylindrical tube hurtling towards Los Angeles at improbable speeds, I figure I don’t have anything better to do.
It’s been a hectic last few months. After almost five years at Advanced Academics, I have changed jobs. I think the simplest way to say it was that the stress finally got to me. Five years of constantly being on call, working almost every weekend, thinking about the job day and night. Well, there’s only so long you can keep that up, at least as someone else’s employee, and I reached that point. Of course, I’ve now become one of those dreaded and loathed technical consultants, but being on the dark side has a lot less stress. I’m currently contracted at Chesapeake Energy, an enormous natural gas concern headquartered in Oklahoma City. Considering that I know absolutely nothing about the oil and natural gas industry, it’s a little scary. However, after a decade in educational technology, a little change of pace is a good thing.
Outside of the work front, things are starting to get much better. Now that I have my evenings mostly free, I’m starting to get caught up enough to have a sort of regular routine. I’ve even gone so far as to start dating again which is so out of character for me that some are trying to forcibly commit me. All and all things are good and getting better all the time.
As I write this, I’m currently on my way to Hawaii for a week in the sun and surf. I’ll try to post a few travelogue entries though we’ll have to see how bad the hangovers are . . .
Wigg’n Out
RadicalWacko February 15th, 2007
But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here…
So I turned 30. Well, they say that 50 is the new 30, and that 40 is the new 20. So I guess that 30 is the new 10. This explains my dating life to a tee. To be perfectly honest, adulthood really hasn’t hit me. At 30 you should feel like you are a full fledged adult with real expectations and responsibilities. Yeah, I have a mortgage and car payments, but I still feel like I’m late to 3rd period geography. I stammer like a hormone ridden 15 year old when I meet a pretty girl. I still don’t know how to fix a carburetor. I’ve always felt like a punk kid.
However, things changed a little today. I climbed into my car this morning and turned on my satellite radio only to find that Sirius had once again rearranged all of my stations. Instead of the wonderfully eccentric channel 24 Disorder (the channel that plays whatever the fuck they want), I find myself listening to the new channel 24 Lithium, playing all of your 90’s alternative and grunge music, giving you non-stop Nirvana, Soundgarden and Screaming Trees. “Songs you danced to at your high dance.”
It took my breath away. I’m not old enough to rate a nostalgia station. I’m still an awesome dude who can go to the late night coffee house and read my poetry and pick up Goth chicks. I’m still working up nerve to get a really cool heroin habit. I don’t need any corporate stooges pushing plastic crap down my throat. I’m still able to get a badly photocopied zine to turn me on to the latest tunes from the underground.
Then a haunting voice comes through the speakers wailing about that poor man in a box whose eyes are sewn shut. Why don’t they make music like this anymore? This is the stuff that angst ridden dreams are made of. None of this Nelly Furtado crap. Those kids play their stereos to loud and wear trashy mid-riff clothing. There are real life issues here like the state of my libido (which is somewhat like a mosquito). President Bush promised me from his lips that there would be no new taxes. There is a war brewing in the Middle East that might turn into a world war. Things are serious.
Wait, I’m a decade behind myself. Is it wrong that songs about our sun turning into a black hole or about a kid named Jeremy getting pissed off at school bring a smile to my lips? Can I actually get nostalgic about the undeniable fact that the world is a vampire?
Who cares, I can still get a detachable penis and if worse comes to worst, I’ve still got a dyslexic heart. Anyway, I’ve got to go work tomorrow . . .
Chicago Trip Gallery
RadicalWacko June 23rd, 2005
Since it’s been almost a year since I last posted a gallery, I figured I am more than overdue. Therefore, here’s some snapshots from my trip to Chicago last month for my friends Rob’s and Gina’s send off from the land of singleness. A good time was had by all. Of course, these are a bit late considering that the wedding was last weekend, but better late than never.
Long Time no Talk
RadicalWacko June 2nd, 2005
Well, I’ve vanished again. I wish I had some exciting excuse for my absence, but it’s the same old, same old. Working like a dog and being similarly productive. But things are good. We are doing incredible things at work right now and it’s exciting to see it develop.
I have very little to report on the social front. I made my way to Chicago a few weeks back for the bachelor party for my friend Rob. The party was fun and it was good see good friends; nothing too wild or crazy, but certainly a good send off from bachelorhood. However, there was quite an adventure on my way up to Chicago that I thought I would pass along . . .
My hatred of airports and more specifically airport security, I decided to take the long drive up there for a weekend trip. I left on Friday about noon in an attempt to outrun a long line of thunderstorms. However, I left a little too late and spent most of the drive in a fairly steady rainstorm.
I finally got tired around Cuba, Mo. and decided to stop for the evening. They had a standard list of chain hotels right near the highway. I was feeling a little anachronistic and decided instead to check into the Wagon Wheel motel, a cool looking old Route 66 motor court hotel.
There were a few clues that this wasn’t the best choice that I didn’t pick up on. The first was the rate of $18.00 a night. However, the old man running the place was an interesting character so I decided to try the place out. After checking in, the manager gets in a golf cart and leads me around to my bungalow. On the way, I started noticing a lot of old cars some of which were probably not in running order. Clue #2.
The manager lets me into my room. It’s certainly seen its better days, but I’ve certainly stayed in worse. However, I’m bushed at this point and certainly not interested in looking for other lodging. I unload my luggage and crash almost immediately after falling asleep.
About 2:00 AM, I’m awakened by the sound of someone jiggling my lock. I jump up out of bed. There is a small desk lamp on the bedside table with a descent brass base on it. I yank the lampshade off and wrap the cord around the stand and poise myself in my boxer shorts with my arm pressed up against the door with the lamp cocked high above my head awaiting the onslaught; a sight to behold to be sure.
By this time, he has moved on from just jiggling the lock to attempting to pry the lock with a screw driver. My adrenaline levels are at maximum and I feel lit up like a Christmas tree. Thankfully, before the fight actually started, a couple of vehicles drove by and my attempted intruder left in search of easier pickings.
Needless to say, sleep took a long time to return. I finally got back to sleep about 5:00 and awoke again at 7:00 eager to be on my way. However, on my way out, I took a look at the door. The entire edge of the door had been chipped away by dozens of break-ins to that room. You can see for yourself on the left. Certainly, something worth checking the next time you decide to check into a quaint hotel such as this one. Anyway, moral of the story, if you are going to be anachronistic, be a rich man from the past and avoid the transient hotels. Unless you love a good adventure.
That is my sole exciting story from the last few months, so I will fondly say adieu for now. My major project will not be completed until September, so I probably won’t be able to write much till then, but I’m still here, faithful readers, and will do the best I can.
Le Corbeau
RadicalWacko February 17th, 2005
Le Corbeau
I’m unforgivably late on this post. However, my step-father, Mark Price, has a play about Edgar Allen Poe entitled Le Corbeau that is currently being produced here in Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma City Community College.
It is a bizarre and poignant tale of Poe’s last days when he is visited by those he has loved and lost along with, for good measure, the devil. It is an ambitious project that I’ll be extremely happy to see performed.
It will be performed Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 PM. Tickets cost $5.00. If you have the time, I highly recommend coming.
Here are a couple of pre-show articles:
The Daily Oklahoman (Registration Required)
The OCCC Pioneer
The Big Catch-up Post
RadicalWacko December 2nd, 2004
Well, it’s been a long time coming, but here’s the big life update for the Radical Wacko. The rigors of work and my little side project (Tom Waits for No Man) have kinda left this site high and dry. Well, work is still whooping up on me, but I’ve killed the Tom Waits site so I at least have a few minutes to dedicate to this site. So, what have I been up to???
I’m Still Here
RadicalWacko July 21st, 2004
Dominique
I know it’s been a really long time. I’ve been in another one of my Nathan reinvention phases. It really comes down to pretending to be an adult. It’s strange, I’ve never felt like an adult but I seem to be attempting to be one. My first step is finished, my first new car has arrived. It’s an unbelievable machine and a blast to drive. It almost makes me feel like a kid. ;) She’s already got 500 miles on her. Looks like the break-in period will be over before you know it.
However, my real big step is my decision to become a homeowner. My parents have decided to build their dream house out in the country. That leaves a cool old 1916 farm house up on the market which I’ve decided to purchase. It’s taken me a long time but I think I’m kind of ready to put down roots. But with a car like Dominique, getting away should be fun too.
Outside of the big announcements, the rest of life is going pretty well. Nothing else exciting to announce, but occasionally the routine can be just as enjoyable as the adventure.
I know I owe some people some reply posts. They should be up soon.
New Toy
RadicalWacko June 1st, 2004
Well, I’ve finally done it. My old Toyota, Ruby, is really pushing well past her ability to keep up. She has been an excellent car and has earned her rest. So, this weekend I went up to the local Mini Cooper dealership and ordered myself a brand new Yellow and White Mini Cooper S with exactly what I wanted. Downside to this approach is that I now have to wait 8-9 weeks to get my new toy and I’m not good with prolonged gratification. However, Mini provides a cool tool on their website that let’s me see exactly where my new baby is in the production process. Since I know you are all as excited as I am, I’m including this status at the bottom of each post so you can keep track along with me. Keep your fingers crossed that Ruby can make it just a bit longer. ;)
Finally, following along with a long tradition of naming your Mini before she’s born, my new Cooper will be named “Dominique”.
[Listening to: Muriel - Tom Waits - Foreign Affairs (03:33)]
Mini Cooper Status: On Order
Vacation at an End
RadicalWacko April 28th, 2004
Well, I guess it’s obvious that I survived New Orleans despite my lack of posting during my stay. Coherent thought is not one of the common experiences of the Big Easy and I thought my delirious ramblings might not be the best reflection of my intellect to my faithful readers. However, it is safe to say that a good time was had. We saw some great acts, drank more than necessary and ate fabulous meals.
However, I should suggest staying away from the Radisson on Canal Street. Their employees learned about customer service from the former KGB agents now employed by your local DMV. My favorite being the hour long wait for light bulbs in a darkened room already smelling strongly of mildew from the flooded carpet in the hall that hadn’t been dried after two days. But hey, these are the things that make your vacation memorable.
Anyway, I’m back at work and it feels good. I always love vacations for the sole reason that I’m anxious to get back to the daily grind. I haven’t talked about the details at work lately, but I’ve been really short handed lately. The result being that I was left doing minor updates and lots of mind-numbing maintenance. I know it’s part of the job, but doing it for a few months is enough to cause even a workaholic like me to develop serious burnout. However, we are soon to be fully staffed again and can start doing some real projects again. I get to do some new design work which I really love. All in all, it’s good to be back.
