October Fun

Well it's October, one of my favorite months of the year. Mostly because this is the one month where I am praised for my fondness for horror films, not looked down upon. So we are going to have some fun this October. I know it has been a long time since I have posted last. Things have been very hectic with my schedule, but I will make time this month. Everyday I will post a movie review for one of my favorite horror films, and I expect you all to watch them. Also, I am going to post a poll that will allow you to pick what I should be for Halloween this year. Also, as I wander through stores looking for delicious fattening candy I will post what I think are some of the best and worst candies out there.

So with that being said sit back and enjoy October.

There And Back Again, A Chicago Workers Tale

Chicago is a really cool place to work, especially when you are right downtown in the center of it all. However getting to and from work is quite a tale of its own. In the six block walk I encounter all sorts of things....

When boarding the train I need to find a place to sit. This has a very 'new kid at lunch' feel to it, because you don't want to sit by anyone, but there are never any open seats. Now, we Yankees aren't too keen on talking to, let alone sitting next to strangers. This is a feat I accomplish every day. Once I've acquired my seat, it's time for some people watching. There are all sorts of characters on the train that you need to watch out for because they are priceless. There is "woman who talks too loudly about personal information"..the woman said that she had a hysterectomy, lupus, and hepatitis C...I moved seats after hearing that conversation.

Next is "looks like a murderer businessman", the guy looks like Mickey Rourke, only not as effed up. He's got a big tattoo down an arm and makes everyone in his crew on the train laugh. They are sitting at the "cool kid" table.

After getting off the train and on my walk to work there are several more characters everyone walks by without even noticing them..

First there is "crazy guy that yells at his reflection", he stands right outside the train station. Next I encounter "guy that sits on a plastic crate with a cane" he sits there every day rain or shine. He has a cane and several copies of the FREE newspaper that, I can only assume, he tries to sell to people. See I don't know for certain because he doesn't talk, he just sits there silently staring at everyone.

When I get out of work I always see "looks like skinny Elvis" guy. I don't usually listen to his ramblings because I have music blasting on my iPod, but I'm sure he's an "end of the world" preacher.

Back at the train I always get stuck with "way too cocky conductor" on the train. He tries to bring style to punching tickets everyday, and impress the ladies I would imagine, by flipping the hole puncher around like a cowboy with his pistol, and making change from the coin holder on his belt with a bartender's grace.

Then I'm back home and ready to do it all again the next day. This journey I make everyday isn't as exciting or deadly as Frodo's or Bilbo's but it sure is entertaining.

Last Post

Could this be my last post?

Maybe.

Why?

CERN fired up the LHC, who knows you might be reading this blog and a black hole could absorb your computer.

Should I still check back and read?

Of course, movie of the week is being posted tonight instead of Sunday.

So for all of you curious, I moved to Chicago. Why, you ask...well because I got myself a job. That's right 6 months of unemployment finally paid off with this job. It's a sales job, and I'm still getting my feet wet with it, but I really like it so far. The fact that it is in Chicago makes it even better because I get to ride the train (Metra) and see all the crazy sights. I seriously work right downtown. There are a ton of homeless people around here, and I feel awful for them...then they go and yell at their reflection in a window and I chuckle to myself. I mean c'mon how can you not? You don't wanna laugh at them too much or ignore them too much, I read this news report in the paper I read on the train in the morning and 2 homeless people beat up this lady and knocked like 14 of her teeth out. That's insane.

Enough homeless, I'm sure you're all asking yourself "but how is the city". Answer...excellent! Thats all you need to know for now. If you do come here just dont talk on your cell phone while driving downtown...you'll get a mondo ticket. I live on the outskirts of Chiacgo in a studio apt, pretty small, but perfect for my needs. So now you see why Movie Of The Week has been a tad neglected lately. Work and also because I get up at 4.45 every day of the week.

It was so refreshing to get out of Detroit. That is one big pit of depression...and the news reminds you every single half hour. Chicago may have similar problems but thankfully they aren't up on their high horse about it. Also, there is always room in sales. I like doing it so far, but then again I'm only like 7 days in. Not much else has been going on lately, I'm still getting my bearings here in Chicago...oh I did find George Halas' masoleum..that's in the cemetery right near my house. Wiki him if you don't know who he is...and if you live in Chicago and don't know who he is...shame on you!

Well I hope that everyone is well...and promise I will try and keep up on the Movie of the Week postings!

I'm Back!

Phew, sorry about that incredibly long delay everyone...details to follow. About 3 weeks ago I was reading The Watchmen comics to get myself pumped for the movie (from which what now is almost looking like a pipe dream), when I got a call informing me that my godfather had died. So a day later my family and I had packed up some clothes and made our way to Illinois. The funeral was hard, then again what funeral is easy. So, once all was said and done with that I was helping my grandparents around the house when I totally freaked out about working. The whole weekend I had Morgan Freeman's quote from "The Shawshank Redemption" running through my head, you know the one "Get busy livin', or get busy dyin." Now, if you don't know my sob story all the way through yet, I've been looking for work for 6 months and living with my parents...not the greatest way to live my life, so I started applying for jobs in Chicago...and got one!

Things have been so busy since then. There has been drama everywhere and money spent on new things (which is the most fun), I've had to figure need vs want for my move, and also tried to figure out Chicago's transit system. It's been one hell of a week and I'm mega excited to start my job on Monday. Which is so weird, because my last job working as a Hyperion Administrator started August 25, 2007...my new job starts on August 25, 2008 exactly one year later to the day. Weird shit like this happens to me all the effing time.

So if you were wondering, "when is that douchebag gunuh put up another film for me to watch?", well now you know the story and are up to speed on my stress. I will post the make up ones today.

You're So Beautiful You Could Be A Part Time Model

Haiiii Majide!

So last night my favorite show was on, "I Survived A Japanese Gameshow". Last night's show was excellent it was the big baby episode. What do you mean when you say big baby Andrew? I mean that the contestants of the show dressed up like giant babies and ran through and obstacle course. Was it weird, yes. Was it hilarious, double yes.

The laughter stopped when Mary, my favorite contestant, had to fight for her position to stay on the show by entering into the elimination round against Donnell, the pompous, arrogant douche. The elimination game was also hilarious. The two contestants had to dress up like chickens and pop giant balloons with their butts. Sadly, Mary lost.

With Mary gone my faith in the show wavers. What makes Mary so cool you ask?

1. See title of this blog.
2. She seemed to take a genuine interest in the culture of Japan, and that is so awesome.
3. She wasn't a douche like some of the other contestants.
4. She took everything in stride and did the best she could.

She totally deserved to stay on the show longer and win the $250,000 prize money (26,288,102 yen).

Mary you can be the Hiphopapotamus to my Rhymnoserous any day of the week...you know, if that's what you're into.

New Additions

Hey everyone, sorry for the large gaps in between posts lately, I've been quite busy. So to make up for it I will make several posts. I'm adding one now called "Movie of the Week" where I will recommend a film and post a trailer and a quick review for it.

Also, I am going to start posting other reviews, video games and books as well. This will not only allow me to showcase the things that I am interested in, but it will also give these artists work a chance to become a little more widespread.

So with that these next few posts will be the start of new trends. I hope all you readers are well and that you are all enjoying Lingo! Don't forget to vote in our polls, and also to purchase some Lingo merchandise. All the proceeds go to a charity, I believe this time around it is animal rights. Help some animals, let them has cheeseburgers!

Volition Inc.

Last week was a busy one, I had an interview for a job out in Champaign, Il and it looks like things are going well with it. Well, at least I hope that they are. It is for the QA Tester position at Volition Inc. They have put out several high grossing video games such as Saints Row, Summoner, Summoner 2, Red Faction, Red Faction 2, and The Punisher. It looks like a great company, so wish me luck that I get the job. 4 months of being unemployed has driven me a bit up the wall, so this will be a welcomed change.

While in Illinois I was able to visit with some family I hadn't seen for some time. It was great, but sadly Doug and I had to postpone our Lingo session until Saturday night. This was Doug's big debut because he got the chance to work out the format and cut the show together, and he did a phenomenal job! So if you don't listen to any other episodes of Lingo, listen to episode 4, I Can Has Geekburger...it's awesome!

Many posts to make, I will do my best to catch everyone up!

Quite A Spectacle

The greatest spectacle in sports racing, the Indy 500, is a very cool experience. I've been going every year now for 13 years or so and I appreciate it more and more every year. However this year I noticed some things.

First off, if you don't wear sunscreen and you drink lots of beer, you will be burnt to a crisp. Sadly I am more red than a ripe tomato right now, and I hate the feeling of sunburn.

Second, someone will fall down the stairs and start a fight, and it will be glorious.

Third, you will see at least 2 sets of boobs that not even the most desperate man would want to see.

Fourth, nobody goes for the cars, they go for the crash.

Five, it is a very patriotic event. I think I removed and replaced my hat five or six times before the race even started. Which is fine, honor our country and everything, but I have a little I want to say about that.

Before the race starts they recognize several high ranking army officials, sang all our anthems and themes, and have a prayer said for the racers. After all is said and done, and the racers are getting ready to take their pace laps, F16s or Stealth bombers fly overhead. Which is really amazing for several reasons. I sit right in turn 4, and that is where the fly over starts, and I will probably not get a chance to see these machines that close up again.

However, this is where I will stray a bit from my point. Since today is Memorial Day, and I have someone that I need to remember today I will post just a little bit about a skewed image of patriotism. Now, before all you hardcore, red, white, and blue bleeding patriots grab your guns and come hunt me down let me explain something. This is just an observation, no need to get upset, I feel very privileged and honored to live in this country.

That being said, I want to voice this observation I made over yesterday's race. We're a scary country. When the F16s flew overhead yesterday I felt a sense of pride, however I also thought about how this looks to someone from another country. Say you are from a country that doesn't know our patriotic ways, and your first event is the Indy 500. When you sit and watch the entire stand of people cheer as this giant death bird flies overhead what do you think is running through that person's mind?

I would imagine that they would see us as some insane war bent country that worships death. Then if that person looked up our history and read about some of the wars we've been in, especially the most recent, they would have a very skewed image about America.

To us, those F16s symbolize our freedom, our democracy, what makes us an amazing country. I can see why some countries fear us, or why people seem to have a bad image of us from their perspective.

I'm not saying that we should change the way that we honor our fallen, or even cheer for what we have fought to earn, I'm just saying that we should step outside ourselves for a bit and try to see us from another perspective. I hope that everyone has an excellent Memorial Day!

I will leave you today with one of my favorite short films...George Lucas In Love.

It's Not Our Fault

Newsflash: We're in a recession. Don't listen to your local congressman, because we all know that the government lies, especially when it comes to economic situations (and aliens).

Wait, hang on a moment, let me get up here on this soap box.

Okay, back to business. Living in Michigan is quite possibly one of the most depressing things you can do right now. It has one of the highest murder rates, everyone scowls at you if you drive anything other than an 'American made' car, and the employment is probably the worst in the nation right now.

Now, I could begin my 'Bush bashing' and cite sources for you claiming that I knew all the answers on how to fix things, but I don't. That's why I'm not going to do that, because I am one of the many that has been and is being affected by the economy. This is a message to all of those who are in my shoes, I just wanted to let them know, it's not our fault.

It's not our fault that major 'American' companies have decided to outsource all of our work overseas. We are expensive and greedy, and sadly, a large majority of those people need those high wages so that they can buy fast food, but that rant is for another day.

It's not our fault that companies expect college to do all of their job training for them.

It is not our fault that these things have happened to the economy and that we are really suffering from it.

But you can't give up.

After working my shitty job at a video store, and then working for a short time as an IT consultant, I've found my passion in life. I've found that one thing that I love to do, that I can do anywhere, anytime. I've found something that I can do that will keep my spirits high and my mind busy. I urge everyone to find the same.

Sure, after a few months more on the job market things are looking rather hopeless in the 'career' field, but what I've found to do can be turned into a career if it's good enough. I've chosen writing as my career. Not writing on this blog, though I enjoy this as well, but writing novels/screenplays/articles. I will have to get a crummy job to keep my afloat for the time being, but its okay that I have to do that when everyone else I know has a 'career' job, because its not my fault.

So, to all those unemployed currently, or to those who are just now leaving college to enter into this mess of an economy...find your passion in life and pursue it, but know that if things don't work out currently...it's not your fault.