Jukebox Hero

I'd like to dedicate this update to Lauren B. Dawson a.k.a. LD a.k.a L-bow a.k.a The Creek. Her blog has recently exploded with growth of every kind, and so, she has seen fit to pester me for a new update. I consider this an odd request, mainly because in order to view my blog, she must use up her precious GIGABYTES to view the site (something which she has complained about several times). So LBD, here's to you.

I would like to take a personal wellness moment and declare openly, for the very first time, that I have the number three (3) score in the world on the drums for Coheed and Cambria's "Welcome Home" on Rock Band. There are several people I would like to thank. First, my father for purchasing my first drum set when I was 13. Second, I would like to thank Claudio Sanchez for making good music, and thirdly, I would like to thank the drummer whose work I have admired for some time. I also have the number six (6) high score on "Reptilia" by the Strokes. As you can see, I am proud of these accomplishments. Do not mock me. As far as total score goes, I'm still number 260-something, but I haven't finished all of them on Hard or Expert yet. There is a song or two in the last group that is balls-hard on the drums on both difficulties, plus there are a few bonus tracks I haven't beaten yet. (I love the song "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf, though I know that all of you will most likely hate it. I know John did when we played it at his place. Her voice is great.)

I am proud to say that I've also begun playing guitar on Expert. I am about halfway through on that difficulty after beating most of them on Hard. I have never really been able to play Hard, let along Expert. I chock this up to the fact that RB is supposed to be easier than GH (or so I hear). But I think I like this. I like actually being able to play the songs. And I am obsessed with "When You Were Young" by the Killers. Shelley, you know how each GH game has come with that one song that you must play every time you pick up the guitar? Like "More Than a Feeling" for GH. The Killers' song is that song for me with Rock Band.

I beat Assassin's Creed. I loved every minute of it, and now I have to wait two years for a god-damned sequel. It's like with television, only worse. Because with Lost or The Office, I only have to wait a summer or six months until the next season. With this game, I'll presumably have to wait at least two years before the next one comes out. Let's hope that since the engine is already complete and (largely) error-free, they'll be able to pound the next one out in a year or so.

I have an interview on Monday with Schlumberger with an evening presentation the preceding Sunday evening. This sounds like an interesting position, but it would seem like I might have to wear a hard hat and steel-toed boots while I walk around examining oil wells and drilling/exploration devices. Plus, there is a small chance I could end up in Malaysia or Nigeria for seven to twelve months. I think I am excited by these things, but I am not totally sure.

Some girl from EMC has been contacting me lately about a position in Bellevue, WA. It sounds pretty exciting. I think now she is forwarding my resumé onto her manager, who will review it and make the decision to fly me out to Washington for the interview. If I get the job, it's 8 months of paid training in Massachusetts before returning to Bellevue. I'll be basically going from business to business installing EMC's data management systems, which seems like fun. Interacting with people, software. No problem.

My dad has an unhealthy obsession with that Dr. Pepper commercial involving the large African-American football player who scores his first touchdown and proceeds to perform a very long, very scandalous touchdown dance. Without fail, when the young man flips onto his face, and picks it up from the turf to offer the audience a comical smile, my father will crack up laughing. Sometimes, this laughter will commence far in advance of said head-pick-up. I do not understand this.

I saw No Country for Old Men, and I saw American Gangster. If King of Kong had not come out this year, I would have to say that NCfOM is the movie of the year. As that crown has been claimed already, it will have to settle for second place. But it's still a fantastic film. The dialogue is great, as is the action and the suspense. Of course, the Golden Compass comes out in a week and a half, which may vie for MOVIE OF THE GALAXY status. I guess we'll have to see.

"I have a contract with the child."