After Ram’s Head had lied to us about the time that Type O Negative was playing (we called ahead, was told there were 2 bands before them that were playing a certain amount of time and that Type O Negative was going on around 10pm.  We showed up at 9:30 and had already missed half the set.), we decided to leave somewhat earlier to be safe.   We initially told Greg we were going to leave by 7:30, but then the day of the concert, we felt kinda nervous and thought we’d like to leave by 7.  Greg had already planned on 7:30, so he wouldn’t be able to get to our house by 7.  He did get to our house at around 7:20 and we rushed out the door to leave. 

I locked the door, walked to the car, and then remembered I forgot the directions.  I know how to get there, but I like to have the directions handy just in case.  So I went back in and got them.

Driving up there was fine until suddenly the a/c started blowing air that was less cold.  My hands had been cold, so I figured that Clint had gotten cold and had adjusted it.  So I asked him that, but he said he didn’t touch it.  Then he was like “WTF? Why’s it blowing hot air?”  Then suddenly, I noticed something else…. My temperature guage was way above the red.  I was like “Uhh, my car is overheating!”  So we pulled over.  I must mention that my low coolant light came on a few days ago.  Every few months, that light would come on, and then after a week or so, it usually turns off.  The first time it happened, I had my uncle/mechanic look at it, and he said the level was fine, and that it was probably the sensor.  So when it came on, I figured it was the sensor, but in the back of my mind, I was going to get it checked.  I had called Jiffy Lube about their free fluid top-off, but they told me they top off everything except coolant and brake fluid.  So that wouldn’t help me.  So, apparently, I needed to pay a bit more attention to that light.  After a few minutes, the car was cool enough for Greg & Clint to open the lid.  They reported that there was coolant spattering everywhere.  They added the half of bottle of water that I had left in my car.  I called my uncle for advice. 

My uncle suggested that I wait for the car to cool down, and then drive it to the next gas station, and keep an eye on the gauge.  If it overheated again, then not to try to drive it because I could damage the engine.  So that’s exactly what we did.  We got to the gas station fine.  We also turned on the heat.  We bought a couple of gallons of coolant, Clint got a slim jim, and I also bought two bottles of water to be safe.  We added the coolant, and I was like, “oh no, it’s leaking out!”  But it turned out, Clint had spilled it a bunch putting it in since we didn’t have a funnel.  So there does seem to be a place in this hose that is leaking, but it wasn’t gushing out like I thought.

Anyway, we get back on the road, and we kept a close eye on that gauge, but it never went above halfway.  WHEW!

We get to the club, parked, and then kinda jogged through the parking garage.  I realized I forgot the parking ticket, so I had to run back to my car to get it.  Then I suggested we go at a light jog because I was nervous we were missing it.  Turns out, the 2nd band was still playing when we got there.  While we were standing in line to get in, some rude guy shoved me out of the way.  The staff worker said he wasn’t going to let that guy back in because of that.  Thanks Ram’s Head!

We finally get in, and there were Tabbitha, Laszlo, Joe, Wayne, Shehab, and Beth right by the food area.  Yay.  Later, Eve & Chris showed up.  We got our drinks, chilled for a bit, and then decided to go ahead and try to find a spot to stand in, rather than waiting until they started and trying to fight our way through.  It turned out it didn’t matter at all.  It was PACKED!  Everywhere!  We tried upstairs, but that didn’t work out because we couldn’t get up to the balcony in order to look down.  So we went back downstairs.  We tried sitting on the stairs with these other people, but eventually staff yelled at us.  It was funny how they yelled at us to move, but we couldn’t move because everyone else was in front of us.  Very clogged.  We squeezed down into the crowd, and I immediately recognized that there was a problem.  I quickly reiterated with Clint the plan if we got separated.  Good thing, because right when they started, the crowd surged, and I was dragged one way and Clint went the other.  I had my drink which I had finished, but I still had ice.  I stuck it down my shirt between my boobs, and it was nice to grab an ice cube here and there.  I saw a guy who looked hot, and I offered an ice cube to him.  Turns out that was a good move, because then I had a protector.  He put his arms around me and shoved anyone who came within 5 inches of me.  Awesome!  He was also good at pushing his way forward, so we ended up in the first 6 rows.  Whoo-hoo!  At some point, this other chick shows up, so then he was protecting both of us, and that chick was also protecting me, and I was trying to protect them as best as I could.  My shoe came untied at some point, but I didn’t worry about tying it.  I thought the chick knew the guy but after the show, I found out she was just some random chick.

When the crowd would surge all over the place, I kept thinking “OMG, I’m at a Dethklok show that is packed and everyone is moshing all around!  I’m gonna die!!!”  But I didn’t.

Anyway, it was AWESOME!!  WHOO-HOO!

Another example of Christians not being very Christian-y.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/20/teacher.cross/

I am dumbfounded. I don’t know what to say.

“Freshwater, according to an independent report, used an electrostatic device to mark a cross on the arm of one of his students, causing pain to the student”

Electrostatic device? That’s worse than a ruler!

“Freshwater was also reprimanded several times for refusing to move his Bible from his classroom desk and teaching creationism alongside evolution”

Creationism teachings do not belong in a public school. If a family wants their kids to be taught creationism, then they can put their kid into a private school that teaches it, or home-school them. Church and State are to be separate, remember?

And he was a science teacher!? What’s he thinking?!? Has he been doing this for the entire 21 years he’s been teaching? I’m confused.

Maybe he went insane…

Mood: uhh..
Music: Dethklok - Murdertrain A Comin’

Cops pay 3 a.m. visit to tell man his door is unlocked

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/20/rude.awakening.ap/index.html

I have never liked movies where someone who is not expected walks up to a door that’s ajar, and are like “Hello? … Hello?” and then walk in and start looking around. I’m like “Just because it’s open doesn’t mean you can just walk in there”. And of course, the next scene usually involves them finding the person horribly murdered or something.

This particular situation is in such a gray area, I can’t even figure out what I think about it. I am inclined to think the cops shouldn’t have gone into the house. If someone had called the cops out of concern would be one thing, but for them to just decide to check it out because they happened to be there on a campaign to remind people to be more secure is another.

“The officers told Molde his garage door was open, the TV was on, the keys to his truck were left in the ignition and the door to his house was ajar.” So, the house was more unsecure than average. Considering he was having a sleepover and there were (unsupervised?) children in the house, maybe it was lucky that it was a cop who walked in instead of some serial child-molesting rapist-murderer. It’s also probably lucky that he got a somewhat nice cop instead of some of those other cops who would rough up children and taser people for the slightest confusion. “What? You’re waking me up at 3am? Who are you?” “Sir, you seem a little drunk [zap]“

So, yeah, I have mixed feelings about this one. The guy shouldn’t have left so many things unsecure - keys in your ignition? I know it happens (I’m looking at you, Ryan!). TV on? The kids were there having a sleepover trying to stay up all night. Garage door - not important if nothing of value was in there, and the door to the house from the garage was locked. Door ajar? Not usually a good idea, especially at 3am with semi-supervised kids in the house. But, the cops shouldn’t have just walked in unless something was reported as wrong, or obviously wrong - an unanswered door isn’t enough evidence in my opinion. But in this case, it was possibly a good thing.

School defends drunken driving hoax

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/12/drunken.driving.ap/index.html

First, there was Santa Claus, then there was the Easter Bunny, now this.

At what point are the kids going to realize that adults are full of shit and rebel?

I definitely think this school went too far.

Mood: angry
Music: Toki Wartooth - Underwater Friends

Oranjello is growing up fast. After Beavis made me realize Misfit getting hit by a car was not a fluke, I made the decision to keep my next cat indoors. Then I downgraded that to “leash only.” Clint & I have taken Oranjello out on the leash several times.

There are some pictures here. Anyway, it’s been somewhat exciting going into our yard which we have barely ever done, since it’s kinda hard to get down there (there’s a very steep hill, covered in ivy, and before Oranjello, it just wasn’t worth it). Clint & I (mostly Clint) have attempted some mass ivy-genocide on the trees that are back there, which explains Clint’s nasty poison ivy arms during camping. We realized that that crazy ivy is only in *OUR* yard. So while Oranjello was climbing trees and running around, Clint & I were doing some much needed yard maintenance.

When Oranjello was younger, he was very timid. He’d explore on his own, but he wouldn’t go far. He liked the creek, and we coaxed him along, but he didn’t need that much coaxing. One time, I took him out there by myself without Clint. I just sat on the ground and kept an eye on him. He ended up climbing into my lap. Then he’d climb back down and chase bugs. Recently, I noticed Oranjello has been a little bit restless. I realize he seems bored, and since it’s been raining, and I’ve been lazy, we haven’t been taking him outside.

So, today, I went out there with him after dinner. He was so happy! He climbed the trees, and explored the fence back there, and climbed some more trees. I started pulling down the beginnings of the kudzu, and only kept one eye on him while he ran around. Suddenly, I realized what he was doing. He would stand by the big tree that has the carving by it, and RUN AS FAST AS HE COULD all the way across the yard to the retaining wall. So, I took off and hid behind the big tree. I kinda peeked around the corner so he realized I was playing with him. So we played a bit of tag. It was pretty fun doing it in the yard. We sometimes play in the house. The house (downstairs) is better because you can hide in more places such as behind the couches.
Oranjello also stalked around underneath the ivy, so it was hard to see him. The ground is basically ankle deep with ivy vines. It’s kinda neat, but I’m sure our trees aren’t happy with that ivy when it starts to climb them.

Eventually, we had to come back inside. Within 5 minutes of getting back inside, I found a tick on Oranjello. The tick was just kinda floating on top of his long hair. Maybe that’s an advantage of long hair? Harder for the ticks to find the sweet juicy skin to bite into? Or maybe it just didn’t have time to nestle in enough. Whatever. It’s dead now.

Needless to say, Oranjello can’t keep his eyes open now. I keep catching him in the bed. He’s curled up in a chair now. I kept trying to keep him awake so he’ll sleep tonight, but it’s impossible.

On another note, going out into my yard has made me want to relearn all the trees I forgot after college. That’s definitely a skill that you use or lose. That Dendrology class — the study of identifying trees — was the hardest class ever (but also the funnest [in the fall] because you got to go out hiking). I had to take it three times (dropped,failed,passed with a B) and the third time, I had to put my all into it. It was the only class I actually failed. You cannot skim through that class, you actually have to study study study, and then study some more.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the next camping trip, and I’m sure if Oranjello understood anything, he’d be looking forward to it too.
Mood: happy
Music: Voltaire - Zombie Prostitute

Since I rarely do yardwork, the weeds in my yard have taken over. And actually, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was inspired by Vicky to post 10 things in my yard.

Here are a few things I have in my yard.

Ivy and Kudzu:

Silver maple:

Honeysuckle:

A mystery weed that was hard to kill. We took a hatchet to it and it seeped out all this gunky sap:

Another mystery - this thing looks like spruce, but it’s really really soft when you touch it:

A creek:

A carving on a tree from 1956:

A fox:

Daffodils and flamingos:

This picture doesn’t do it justice, but there’s a Japanese Maple behind me:

UPDATE: I forgot fern:

UPDATE: Duh, I should have used this picture for the Japanese Maple. I had even already noted it months ago. UPDATE: It also features the Yellow Poplar.

Some other things that I don’t readily have pictures of:

white oak

iris

myrtle

wild raspberry

rhododendron (that’s currently buried)

a pink dogwood tree

and a white dogwood tree that isn’t doing very well.

I also used to have a birch tree but it died, and we used to have some sort of fruit tree that died.

The weather turned out fine.  Kipp & Gene strung three tarps together to make a lean-to for if it rained.  We had a bet going around as to when the rain would start.  It did start to sprinkle lightly, and we all high-tailed it under the tarps thinking it was going to downpour at any second, however, 5 minutes later, the rain stopped and never started again.  It wasn’t even enough rain to get your clothes wet if you didn’t seek shelter.  In the end, the effort of making the tarp wasn’t worth it since there was barely any rain.

Oranjello had a great time climbing trees, chasing bugs, and just being a kitten in general.  He didn’t stray far from us at all and so that was good.  At one point, he burrowed underneath my tent.  Someone asked me what I thought he was doing, and I said, “He’s probably sleeping”.  A few minutes later, he stuck his head out, and his eyes were half-closed and sleepy looking.  It was cute.  Later, he went into the tent and took a nap.  This morning, Oranjello was chasing his leash around this big tree.  So once he’d come around the tree, he’d see the tail end of the leash also go around the tree.  He spent 5 minutes trying to chase that leash.  Finally, he stopped and was just kinda sitting there.  I said that he was probably waiting for it to come around the other side.  Sure enough, Oranjello turned around and tried to cut the leash off, but unfortunately the leash was just sitting there limply and so Oranjello finally lost interest.

Gene found this weird flower/fungus thing near his tent.  There was a whole cluster of them growing in the ground, but it was only in that one spot.  We didn’t see any others anywhere else.  It was weird.
So, anyway, it was a good time, and I’m looking forward to having more trips this summer.

I don’t usually do these, but a few of these questions stood out to me and I felt inclined to answer. (Ganked from Kittenofwrath)

1. Why did you stop liking the last person you liked?
n/a

2. Were you dating the last person you made out with?
no, we’re married.

3. Are you taller than your mom?
no
4. Are you an emotional person?
Yes, stupid emotions.
5. What do you think of cheerleaders?
I dunno… in high school, I thought they were somewhat snobby.

6. Do you like Taking Back Sunday?

no idea
7. Who do you want to kiss right now?
who do you think.

8. What did you have for breakfast today?
I skipped breakfast today in preparation for an early lunch meeting
9. Last time you studied?
A few days ago. I’m supposed to be doing this self-study class for my job, but haven’t gotten very far.
10. What are you listening to right now?
the sound of keys typing (i.e. silence). I need to plug my speakers back in and start up my mp3 player
11. What kind of books do you like to read?
Fantasy, sci-fi, fiction
13. Do you crack your knuckles?
no, unless it’s really really necessary
14. Who was the last person to make you laugh?
Clint. last night… I was cackling up a storm!

15. What are any weird impulsive habits that you have?
not sure

16. Have you ever lived in an mansion before?
Nope

17. What is your favorite thing to do on a lake?
I like paddleboating. Canoeing, kayaking. Crabbing on the bay (not really a lake, but they call it a fishing creek)
18. What color are your finger and toe nails painted?
nothing
19. What are any nervous habits that you have?
pulling my hair
20. Can you say “I love you” in french?
Not sure. Jetaime? (We had a duck named Jetaime. No clue where the apostrophe belongs, or if there is one)

22. What food are you craving right now?
nothing… I had a delicious cookie earlier.
23. What are your plans for the day/night?
Watching tv and movies with Clint and whoever else shows up
24. Have you ever broken your nose?
Nope.

25. Write down a funny movie quote here:
there’s so many, and I forget them.
26. Has anyone ever spread a rumor about you?
I don’t remember
27. What’s your Justin’s deepest darkest secret?
What?

28. Do you have any trophies?
no
29. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
I liked Highway to Heaven alot. I had a crush on Michael Landon. Earlier than that, I don’t know… I watched disney movies alot. I liked the Sword & The Stone, and Lady & the Tramp.
30. What did you do yesterday?
worked, made dinner, watched tv with Clint, cackled up a storm when we spontaneously played “be a band talking about a situation” (chosen by the other person). I told Clint to be Sabbat describing a monster shit.

31. Has anyone told you a secret lately that you aren’t allowed to tell anyone?
my lips are sealed.

32. Are you addicted to anything?
sure.
34. What music do you like?
punk, goth, alternative, rock
35. Who is your favorite superhero?
superheros rule! I like ‘em all.
36. Who do you think of when I say Vagina?
Nobody?

37. Do you like to dance in public?
not so much. I have to really like the song.
40. Who gives the best gifts?
i like gifts
41. Are you any good at basketball?
no, I’m not that good at any sport.
42. What is something embarrassing that you have done?
can’t recall at the moment
44. Do you have any scars on your head, if you do, what are they from?
Yes, I got it in the 5th grade when my sister threw a rawhide bone to the dog and hit me instead.

45. Have you ever punched a hole in the wall?
not punched, but I kicked one. I put a poster over it and never mentioned it for years until my mom was going to repaint my room and discovered it.
46. What’s on your wish list for birthday/christmas (whichever comes first)?
one of those herb gardens that Chriggy has.
47. Do you think you are a good person?
overall yes.

48. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
If I really think about it, nervous.

49. How many pull-ups can you do?
not sure, haven’t tried.

50. Last thing you broke?
i’ve never broken any bones. I’ve broken plenty of other stuff though. The most recent that stands out in my mind is I broke a mug that belonged to Clint. It was *not* dishwasher safe.

I was a guinea pig for TagCow. We figured if this was going to do what it says it’d do, that save us a lot of time tagging our pictures.
In order to use TagCow, you have to register with their site, and upload the pictures to them. You can sign up for their flickr service, which I did, and they are supposed to tag your photo and then upload it to flickr. In order to tag people, you have to upload a picture of that person and assign their name to that picture. On April 1st, I uploaded a picture of me and Clint. Then I uploaded one picture. Several days later, the picture still wasn’t tagged.

One day after I signed up and uploaded my one test picture, it was confirmed that it is actual humans tagging the pictures. I reported to Clint that my picture still wasn’t tagged. A week later, it still wasn’t tagged.

Guess what.. I forgot about it.

Until today, April 19th.  After realizing what the mystery was (”Hey, TagCow finally tagged my picture!”), we realized that it is still not perfect.  Not only did it take 19 days to tag one picture, they changed the spaces to underscores in the title.  That makes the title stretch all the way across the screen, and I have to actually use the horizontal scroll-bar! Secondly, it tagged Clint in the picture, but Clint isn’t in that picture. Maybe the human thinks Justin looks like the picture of Clint I uploaded? Who knows.

Anyway, I will not be using TagCow in the future. It’s a neat idea, but in practice, they have a long way to go.

Music: Sabbat - Hosanna In Excelsis

We have named him… (drumroll)… Oranjello.

Clint was the one who first said it out loud and therefore gets credit for the name. It comes from the band Green Jelly (formerly known as Green Jello). The band members used Oranjello and Lemonjello as their aliases on a talk show, Talk Soup. I couldn’t remember what band it was, but Clint volunteered the information when we were hanging out last Saturday.

When Clint first suggested the name, we googled for it, and the first page was some baby names page that was talking about the “urban myth” of twin boys named Oranjello and Lemonjello. After reading along, we get down to the comments. Clint was the first one to leave a comment on 12/8/2004! It actually spawned quite the discussion about racism.

Alas, I cannot find any mention of the band Green Jelly using the names Oranjello and Lemonjello. Oh well.

UPDATE: I forgot to say that the vet has confirmed that he is long-haired.

We found his father: http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/16/funny-pictures-direkly-proportional-to-amount-of-happy/