Monday, October 17, 2005

Weekend was rather crummy. It was one of those days that I should have just started my vacation early, stayed in bed, with breaks for the bathroom, food, drink and alcohol. Instead I got out of bed, had a really cold bath as there was no water in the pipes and I had to resort to the emergency buckets of water that I keep. Made the commute from Five Rivers to POS alive and in one piece, also the driver had the radio on a decent station.

Things started to get crappy when I went to the bank and was forced to have to listen to some stupid idiot talk utter bull**** for ten minutes straight. Why are stupid people allowed out of their cages? Their keepers need to get a good cutass for being so blinking careless. On my way home, I got the stunt driver from the Mad Max movies. I lost count of how many times he had to get back into the correct lane while overtaking to avoid a head-on collision with oncoming Buses and Maxis.

The reminder that I was missing a college friend’s wedding and the gathering of friends that I have not seen in years had me down in the dumps. If there was anytime I need to get good sloshed was Friday; as if on cue a former co-worker from my time at the Sporting Complex called me to invite me along on a bar hopping tour through St. James. It sounded like a good idea, but then I got this nagging feeling that maybe I should stay home and watch Threshold. Just before the end of the 7pm News they got word of an explosion somewhere in St. James. Gradually it was confirmed that an explosive device was set off in the vicinity of a popular hangout. Somewhere between 5 to 10 people were injured in the blast. It was said that a parked car right in front of the blast area, prevented a further additional injuries, damage to property and loss of life. This makes it four bombing incidents within the Port of Spain area. The last one being at the KFC on Independence Square, luckily the timely removal of the garbage from the main eating area to a dumpster in the rear of the building prevented excess damage, injury of loss of life. The worse by far was the first one back in July.

In my opinion, once they find the person(s) involved, forget a trial in a court of law. What they did is an act of terrorism and treason against the government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. There for said person(s) should be executed in a slow and painful manner (disemboweling, drawn and quartered, hung from the neck until dead). A message needs to be sent to all current criminals and aspiring criminals, that their days are numbered and this is the fate that awaits them should they choose a less than honest and legal path in life.

With St. James cornered off, my trip out was thus cancelled and I wound up watching Threshold, until it was time to attempt a load of laundry. The water pressure had been extremely low for the past few days, and my grandparents had been using the storage pump to provide water. I had to wait until they went to bed and turned it off before I could attempt to get my colors done. There was water in the pipes, but as expected, it was low. Still I threw in the colors and went back to my bedroom to await the start of Adult Swim. Unfortunately, I slept through the whole thing, but woke up in time to put my clothes on the line at around 3am, followed by a load of whites. Managed to catch Mission Hill, Family Guy and Futurerama on TBS.




Saturday and Sunday passed in a blur. Whatever books I planned to read during those two days went unread. I did finish reading Bernard Cornwall’s “Sharpe’s Waterloo”. I still have four other books from the Sharpe’s series to finish reading. Seeing as I will be going on vacation soon, I should be able to finish them during my time off.

Speaking of time off, on the upside my vacation begins tomorrow. For the next fourteen days I get to sleep in late, avoid rush hour transportation, do the mall tour for new books, visit my dad over in Tobago for a few days; borrow a few movies from the DVD/Video Club down the street and catch up on some movie viewing. Seeing as school is in session I will be able to visit nearby Trincity Mall and catch a movie or two at Cinema8, and grab some BK to take home for dinner. Only a few more hours until I get to leave and begin my time off, will have to make a stop at the grocery for Cran-Cherry Juice, Pretzels and Chocolate Ripple Ice-cream.

Also, my copy of “Designated Targets” is due to arrive sometime near the end of October. It should not be all that difficult to come down to the store to collect it and the other books that I’m expecting from Amazon.

Friday, October 14, 2005

Hooking up with/trying to hook up with a friend is not always such a good idea, especially when alcohol is involved and all inhabitions are for the most part removed. My friend Girly Girl has been single for six months following the end of a relationship with her boyfriend of nine years. She transferred in SJFC at the start of the Spring Semester of 1996, the boyfriend that she had the really long relationship with lived on my floor and was a friend of mine. I can't recall when we first started talking, her earliest memory of me was from one of the Friday/Saturday night get togethers that were hosted in the room that I shared with my friend and roommate, I was doing my part to cleanup after everyone so that there would not be too much of a mess at the end of the party.

From what I'm getting from some of her blog entries, guys who she has been friends with for a number of years have declared open season on her and have been coming onto her like she was the last woman on Earth. It's almost as though they received a signal saying "He's out of the picture and out of the country, move in, move in, GO, GO, GO!!!!" If they were real freinds they would not be acting this way. As a male I too have several female friends that I have been attracted to back when I first met them, however, I eventually came to realize that is was better to have them as friends than as nothing at all. I've the experience of being the one pursued by someone who wanted more than what I was willing to give.


During my three quarters at the Business School in New Jersey, I made the acquaintance of a just out of high school female, who was abit of a loaner within the residence hall. She used to hang out with another female friend of mine, and we had a Computer Information Systems Class together. When the second quarter rolled around, our common friend had already decided not to return, and she kinda latched onto me. I found it weird at first, but being the good natured, kind hearted person that I am, I did my part ot be civil and friendly to her when others were being downright cruel. We had two classes together, which was not too bad at first. Until she switched seats to be closer to where I was sitting. I found it weird, but choose not to take it on too much. Then came the invites to dinner at her house, to go to some movie that I was not interested in seeing, sending me instant messages while I'm chatting with someone else, standing around while I was talking to someone else about something that did not concern her.I even got an invite to spend my one week off from school at her summer house on the shore; even after I told her that I was going to my relatives in Long Island, more like I wanted to go to my relatives. She still kept on pestering me about it.

Third quarter was where things got a whole lot more uncomfortable, as she was in every single class that I was enrolled in, there was no break from her except when I went to my room, or when I went to my roommate's house for dinner and stuff. On one occasion I was goofing around with a girl from Macroeconomics class, when she came up and said," If you're trying to make me jealous I suggest you not do that!" That was where the red alert in my brain went off. For the remainder of the quarter I did my best to limit my contact with her outside of class. Once class was over I would head to my room, or hide out in someone else's room to get away from her. She wanted more than just friendship from me, and that was all I was willing to give. Her overbearing presence scared away a few potentials (this I did not find out about until after I left the school). When it became obvious to her that I was not interested in her, she started to get pissed off at me for no reason. On one occasion, I warned her that she was driving to fast and a bit reckless and she darn near cussed me out over it. Thankfully, she was moving off of campus and was heading home later that day. After helping her move out her stuff I said "Goodbye" and quickly walked away.
Goodfriendships are way too valuable to waste/mess up by getting involved. If it does not work out, it will make returning to friends really difficult. So, if you value your friends that are of a different gender; keep it friendly. If you two are meant to be more than friends, it will happen but not before its time. So don't rush it.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Stubbed Toe & Trinbago Victory

Last night the T&T football (soccer team) faced off against Concercaf powerhouse Mexico in a do or die situation in their quest to qualify for the World Cup in Germany. Having won 1 - 0 over Panama T&T Soca Warriors were on 10 points heading into the game and in fourth place ahead of Guatemala who were on 8 points. Both teams were playing for the 4th place playoff spot, as who ever wound up in 4th would have to undertake a home and away game against Bahrain to qualify for World Cup 2006. Needless to say, most of the country was at the National Stadium last night for the game. Your's truely was at home, running between my bedroom and the living room.

I was wathcing E-Ring, Lost and Invasion; then during the commericlas I would run into the living room to check on the game. During my early dashes Mecixo had taken the lead 1-0, and for a moment I considered turning off the televison and focuising on the other shows. But, somehting told me to leave it on and continue the back and forth dash. During the commercial breaks for Lost I ran back in just as the equalizer was scored. That got my spirits up, as I ran back to check on Lost. Sometime during Invasion the second goal was scored, just as I ran into the living room. On my final run back into the lving room I got there was the final whistle was blown and T&T had won the game and clinched the 4th place for the playoff against Bahrain. Although Gutameal defeated Costa Rica 3-1, the wound up with 11points, while T&T wound up with 13. As for the stubbed toe, that came as a result of my impromptu victory dance. Not looking where I wa going I wound up kicking the drink trolley. The good news is I did not get a cut and the drink trolley is okay.

After all that running back and forth it was no surprise to me that I managed to pass out really quickly. Except that I left the television in my room on, and only woke up at around 2:30 am to turn it off.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

My friend Girly Girl had this posted on her blog, a few questions about simple stuff that only folks who know each other rather well would know.

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal

She posted her answers on me and they are as follows:

Volley:
1. You're much cleaner than Skinner
2. Sombody's watching me - Rockwell
3. Strawberry?
4. Strawberry ripple
5. cleaning up behind everyone during a party in your's & Mike's room
6. collie
7. Why/how did you not run immediately upon seeing Carmel?
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal

As she requested, I am more than happy to oblige:
Girly Girl
1. If they gave out honors for how cool you are (both now and back in College) you would be Magna Cum Laude (4.0 all the way)
2. Roni by Bobby Brown
3.Does it have to be jello? How about pudding? Awww Yeah! Wrestleing in the chocolate pudding!
4. There are three actually: (1). Makeing GD jealous at the Toga party.
(2). Late night trips to Perkins and Walmart.
(3). Interesting drawings/artwork on my door (Free Coloring Books anyone?)
5.Dr.B's WW1 Class Spring Semester 1996. My thought was, "Hey really cute new girl is in this class."
6. Pegasus (Unique, Rare, One of a kind)
7. Was it me, or was having to contened with A*** during Hitler and Hollywood the only downer to a mostly interesting and easy class (still think its funny that he did not get an A in that class).

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Why are morons allowed to live and produce offspring? Are there not enough of these people to frustrate our daily lives? It’s getting to the point that I feel as though my small twin island republic is slowly being over-run by these idiot stupid people. Just judging by the stupid things that I witness being perpetrated on a near daily basis. At the zebra crossing in front of the main transport hub for POS, I’ve seen people continue trying to cross even after the crossing guard has asked them to wait and traffic is speeding by. At the Bank that I go to on a near daily basis customers/patrons are directed to join the specific queue (Foreign Exchange one line, regular transactions the other). Before they get to the top of the line there is a sign that informs them upon hearing the signal to head for the teller indicated by the number and the arrow. Simple enough. Yet, these idiot people still mess it up by either going the wrong way or to the wrong teller. Worse are the loudmouth customers that have to make comments on everything; when it comes their turn to go to their respective teller, they do the same as the above.

Then there are the impatient ones who seem to have an allergy of some sort to waiting their turn; and who instead of doing like the rational minded people who are waiting patiently and quietly to be attended to, have to broadcast their displeasure with waiting. Honestly, I know that I really do not need nor care to hear that you have been waiting for a long time or that you are running late. How about next time, you leave home earlier j*****s! I wonder if these same people will act the same way while waiting in line at the U.S. Embassy when applying for their visa? Or will they act that way while waiting in the never-ending line that is U.S. immigration? Of course not why would they, and miss their chance at being in the U.S.?

What really drew me to write this entry today has to do with the 10 items or less lane at the grocery store. Correct me if I’m wrong, but 10 items or less means once you have more than one item and no more than ten items, you can go into that line and get out of the grocery faster. Okay? Good! Yesterday afternoon I went to the grocery, after all I was in need of juice, shampoo, laundry detergent and insect repellent. At first I had to search high and low for one of the hand baskets, there were none by the entrance so I went to the checkout lines where I managed to find one that was in relatively good condition. The items in my basket came up to eight in total, which meant I could use the express lane to get through faster.

Not exactly, you see there were three people ahead of me, two of them were within the required number for the 10 items or less lane. As for the other guy, he had over twenty items and was still being cashed out. IDIOT MAN!!! 10 Items or less means 10 items, not items arranged in groups that come up to 10. Needless to say, I was forced to endure an added on wait as this gentleman was allowed to proceed with his more than 20 items. As for the cashier, she did not seem to really care at all; yet she had the nerve to look at me weird for having two bottles of Cranberry Juice.
Week after next I will be going on vacation; and during my time off I will be doing my best to avoid the general public, especially the idiots. I will only come into contact with them if and when I choose to do so and it won’t be for too long. At least I will be away from the idiot people for some time. THANK GOD!!!!

Monday, October 03, 2005

GALLERIA CONVENTION

Saturday 1st October was the first ever GALLERIA Convention, which was aimed at fans of anime, Manga, video games, Cosplay and comics. I attended with my brother and his cousin; lately the conventions dedicated to comics and animation that I’ve attended have been rather excellent as compared to this other convention that I used to attend.

Okay here is how it is; back in August of 2003 I attended one of the Anime City events. It was an all day film fest of well known and lesser known anime movies, decent free giveaways at the door, and a mini-mall that was selling a lot of comics, graphic novels, movies (VHS & DVD), posters, wall scrolls etc. My first anime experience was all right. Granted I had to wake up around 4am to get to the venue to get a jump on the crowds (good thing to, by the time they opened the doors the lines was out the gate and into the road), but I came out of it seeing some interesting movies and with a decent haul in graphic novels. Following that one I attended two more with my brother and his friends, and needless to say they did not measure up to the first one that I attended.

Even although we got there really, really early there were people already there and the line had extended a great distance. To get in did not take all that long; to get into the anime city mall took forever. There was a lot of pushing and shoving to get to the entrance and they would not let anyone in until a few people had come out. Also, members of the organization that was hosting the anime event were yelling at people like they were animals; granted there were some major jerks in the crowd there was still no need to talk to people like they were lower than scum. By the time I got in, most of the really good books were already taken and I had to settle for a few interesting leftovers. Trying to browse for books was difficult in the sense that everyone was crowding around the one table that it was difficult to move. After my third anime city experience, I along with the others in my small group vowed to never attend any more anime city conventions.

Good thing to, at one of the following conventions some guys that were there to participate in the Yu-Gi Oh contest ran around the school pulling the fire alarms, pretty much running the whole event for many others. As a result the G****** Foundation was banned from ever using the venue and now had to rely on some place that is a whole lot smaller and not as air-conditioned.

Since then, I’ve attended three/four other conventions where I have been able to comfortably browse for books and make some excellent finds. There were several tables and booths occupied by a diverse group of vendors which made searching for much sought after books a whole lot easier. Some of the vendors gave out calling cards for their organizations and even invited me to contact me if there was any particular book that I was looking for. At GALLERIA one of the vendors held some book for me that I had inquired about, now how cool is that. Apart from comics, there were others vendors that were selling anime movies, video games and anime music videos. For a first time outing, I found that it was alright in that:
1. There was a diverse group of vendors.
2. It was held in a central location that was quite spacious.
3. The event staff was not yelling at people like they were animals.
4. It was a jerk free event.
5. Came out of it with a decent haul in books (four trade paperbacks of which I got decent discounts on, and about ten comics…of that 10 I got one of them for free)
6. A decent amount of Cosplayers.
7. The DJ was playing some rockin tunes.

However for next time they could:
1. Choose a location that has air-conditioning for the entire facility.
2. Advertise way in advance of the event to generate a larger turnout.
3. If providing refreshments, let patrons/attendees know where they are located.
4. Decide in advance what movies will be shown.
5. Provide a play list of movies and their times.
6. Start on time.
7. Provide souvenirs for those that purchase tickets in advance of the event (i.e. lanyards, key chains, pins/badges)

If interested, then I advise that you check out the following site:

http://zymorph1.tripod.com/