<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147</id><updated>2011-07-07T18:10:26.425-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Mindspill</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>17</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-7828806835232849642</id><published>2010-04-07T10:25:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2010-04-07T10:27:56.796-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Today = Blah</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9qiNGYkITRQ/SunMhiLnmqI/AAAAAAAAJB8/M3LZW0gp7K4/s400/blah.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9qiNGYkITRQ/SunMhiLnmqI/AAAAAAAAJB8/M3LZW0gp7K4/s400/blah.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I haven't posted on this blog for a zillion years, but I just felt like I should mention that I am feeling rather blah today. Hopefully inspiration will strike and I'll be up to writing something substantial later. We shall see.....&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-7828806835232849642?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/7828806835232849642/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=7828806835232849642' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/7828806835232849642'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/7828806835232849642'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2010/04/today-blah.html' title='Today = Blah'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9qiNGYkITRQ/SunMhiLnmqI/AAAAAAAAJB8/M3LZW0gp7K4/s72-c/blah.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-2029494381167915531</id><published>2008-03-14T21:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-14T21:15:55.838-07:00</updated><title type='text'>"What a Day" by Greg Laswell</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R9tKbHWi7pI/AAAAAAAAABw/5t9oitPu9QE/s1600-h/Greg%2BLaswell.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R9tKbHWi7pI/AAAAAAAAABw/5t9oitPu9QE/s320/Greg%2BLaswell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177814026283052690" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;What a day to be alive&lt;br /&gt;What a day to realize I'm not dead&lt;br /&gt;What a day to save a dime&lt;br /&gt;What a day to die trying&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What a way to say goodbye&lt;br /&gt;What a wonderful life now all aligned&lt;br /&gt;What a way to use your mind&lt;br /&gt;What a day to say good-night&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evening&lt;br /&gt;As I cry&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evidence&lt;br /&gt;Of my life&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What a day to give a damn&lt;br /&gt;What a day for "Gone With The Wind"&lt;br /&gt;And what a day to start again&lt;br /&gt;What a day to give up dry gin&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evening&lt;br /&gt;As I cry&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evidence&lt;br /&gt;Of my life&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evening&lt;br /&gt;As I cry&lt;br /&gt;Bring on the evidence&lt;br /&gt;Of my life...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Where to go&lt;br /&gt;Where to go&lt;br /&gt;From here I&lt;br /&gt;Don't know&lt;br /&gt;Where to go&lt;br /&gt;Where to go&lt;br /&gt;From here I&lt;br /&gt;Don't know&lt;br /&gt;Don't know&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What a day to visit Seattle&lt;br /&gt;What a day for San Francisco&lt;br /&gt;What a day, Holy Toledo&lt;br /&gt;What a day to get in the air and go&lt;br /&gt;What a day to give up smoking&lt;br /&gt;What a day to absorb Jim Beam&lt;br /&gt;What a day to welcome a baby&lt;br /&gt;And to begin breathing...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-2029494381167915531?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/2029494381167915531/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=2029494381167915531' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/2029494381167915531'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/2029494381167915531'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-day-by-greg-laswell.html' title='&quot;What a Day&quot; by Greg Laswell'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R9tKbHWi7pI/AAAAAAAAABw/5t9oitPu9QE/s72-c/Greg%2BLaswell.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8169836870091258419</id><published>2008-03-03T23:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-03-04T00:03:58.760-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Immitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R8z9fpAYduI/AAAAAAAAABo/sTa7Xhlmpdw/s1600-h/prova2.gif"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R8z9fpAYduI/AAAAAAAAABo/sTa7Xhlmpdw/s320/prova2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173788791967086306" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R8z9MJAYdtI/AAAAAAAAABg/vViPDTjUD0I/s1600-h/Photo+89.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R8z9MJAYdtI/AAAAAAAAABg/vViPDTjUD0I/s320/Photo+89.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173788456959637202" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I need to meet Kate Moennig. Who's gonna help me? I think I'm morphing into her character, Shane, from the L word and it's starting to freak me out...  But the new haircut ROCKS! And it's sent my confidence level through the roof. Which is always nice... so thanks, Kate, for that. Now let's hang out before I lose my mind! Argh...&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8169836870091258419?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8169836870091258419/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8169836870091258419' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8169836870091258419'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8169836870091258419'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2008/03/immitation-is-best-form-of-flattery.html' title='Immitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp0.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/R8z9fpAYduI/AAAAAAAAABo/sTa7Xhlmpdw/s72-c/prova2.gif' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-1560962261473166228</id><published>2008-02-06T12:03:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-07T14:51:01.098-08:00</updated><title type='text'>...Couple Things...</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1296/1272743652_824c567d67.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1296/1272743652_824c567d67.jpg" alt="" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.highwayimage.com/images/nfl_ny_giants.gif" style="text-decoration: none;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;So.... I'm pretty excited that the Giants won. So much so, that I completely lost my voice. The Super Bowl was on my birthday, and I had quite the bash at Cabo Cantina in Venice. If you were there, you know. And thank you to those of you who showed your adorable faces. I appreciate it greatly. And to those of you who couldn't join us but still called to send your well-wishes, much thanks to you too.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Moving on... I am obsessed with the new Feist song. Here are the lyrics. HAPPY BELATED FAT TUESDAY AND YAAAAAAAY GIANTS!!!! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;"I Feel It All"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I feel it all, I feel it all&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I feel it all, I feel it all&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;The wings are wide, the wings are wide&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Wild card inside, wild card inside&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Oh I'll be the one who'll break my heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I'll be the one to hold the gun&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I know more than I knew before&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I know more than I knew before&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I didn't rest, I didn't stop&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Did we fight, or did we talk?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Oh I'll be the one who'll break my heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I'll be the one to hold the gun&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I love you more&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I love you more&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I don't know what I knew before&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;But now I know I wanna win the war&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;No one likes to take a test&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Sometimes you know more is less&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Put your weight against the door&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Kick drum on the basement floor&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Loved him like a winder bird&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;On my head the water pours&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Gulf stream through the open door&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Fly away, try to make the world you want to make&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Oh-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I feel it all! I feel it all!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I feel it all! I feel it all!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;The wings are wide! The wings are wide!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Wild card inside, wild card inside&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Oh I'll be the one who'll break my heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I'll be the one who'll break my heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I'll be the one who'll break my heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I'll end it, though you started it&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;The truth lies&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;The truth lied&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;And lies divide&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Lies divide&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;P.S. If you are a Texas alum, or just a fan of UT, and you live in LA, I better see you at Thirsty Thursday tonight at The Parlor, on Wilshire in Santa Monica. Seriously. BE THERE! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-1560962261473166228?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/1560962261473166228/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=1560962261473166228' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/1560962261473166228'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/1560962261473166228'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2008/02/couple-things.html' title='...Couple Things...'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1296/1272743652_824c567d67_t.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-3026108005462351310</id><published>2008-01-10T18:05:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-10T18:21:18.933-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Dark Mountain</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bioneural.net/images/enlarge/night-large.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.bioneural.net/images/enlarge/night-large.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's taken me a few weeks to actually wrap my mind around the whirlwind that was my trip to Vail this year, but the past few days have allowed me to unwind myself enough to really gauge what took place on my short but memorable journey to the middle. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;First of all, it was awesome. Second of all, it was awesome. But aside from its awesomeness (in pretty much every conceivable way) I really feel like I grew as a person. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Sounds lame, I know. But I'm serious. I got to ski in some of the best snow I've seen in a decade. I got to spend time with my family in one of the most exclusive ski towns on the planet. I got to hang out with my awesome brother, who amazes me more every day with his strength of heart and an uncanny wisdom he's somehow acquired at such a young age. I met someone in a van on the way to Vail from the Denver Airport who has proved to be a real gem of a friend, both in ski country and in Los Angeles. And I also met a guy who worked in a bar who turned out to be not just a guy who worked in a bar, but someone who helped me see that I've got a lot more living to do and I'm worth taking a huge risk for.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I'm usually pretty ready to come home from Colorado each year after being stuck with my family for 8 days. But this year, I realized I wasn't stuck with anything. I was blessed. And I wept as I flew over the mountains on my way back to Los Angeles. I wasn't just sad to be leaving the mountains, but sad to be ending a Christmas vacation I will never, ever forget. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So, thanks to those of you who helped make that nostalgia possible. I may shed a tear now and then thinking back on the 8 short days of December 2007 I spent in Colorado, but it won't be out of sadness. That I know for sure...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-3026108005462351310?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/3026108005462351310/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=3026108005462351310' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/3026108005462351310'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/3026108005462351310'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2008/01/dark-mountain.html' title='Dark Mountain'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8941998949896122461</id><published>2008-01-06T04:34:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-06T04:55:13.375-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Late Night Conversations With Myself</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://express.howstuffworks.com/gif/oil-on-water.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://express.howstuffworks.com/gif/oil-on-water.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First and foremost, I fully expect that this entry will never be seen by its intended reader. However, it is a world wide web, and who am I to assume that in its vastness this tiny gesture couldn't somehow find its way to its destiny. In any case, here it is:&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I was thinking, as I often do, and upon such thoughts as, "Why doesn't google automatically capitalize words like my BlackBerry does?..." I came across the pondering, "Hmm... Incubus is kind of a cool band."  This is not a new idea, of course, as I've enjoyed this band for some time. Perhaps not as much as Jimmy Eat World or Muse, but quite a bit nonetheless. And speaking of Muse.... &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This Incubus song should have come out circa 2003... it would have possibly saved me from a world of heartache. Although, "Time is Running Out" seemed to have given me only a giggle of a clue so I guess it's touch and go with these things. Any way you slice it, though, this song pretty much sums up a relationship I was both cursed and blessed with....&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I'll never forgive you, but I'll definitely never forget you either. You know who you are........&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Incubus - "Oil and Water"&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;You and...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I are... like oil and water&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We've been tryin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Tryin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Trying&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ohhhh... to mix it up&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We've been...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dancing... on a volcano&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And we've been cryin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cryin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Crying&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ohhh... over blackened souls&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Babe, this wouldn't be the first time&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It will not be the last time&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;There's no parasol that could shelter this weather&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I've been...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Smiling... with anchors on my shoulders&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And I've been dyin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dyin'&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dying&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ohhh... to let them go&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Babe, this wouldn't be the first time&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And it will not be the last time&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;There's no parasol that could shelter this weather&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We've been...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Lying... to each other&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hey! Babe, let's just call it, &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Call it&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Call it&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ohhh... what it is&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Oil and water...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8941998949896122461?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8941998949896122461/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8941998949896122461' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8941998949896122461'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8941998949896122461'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2008/01/late-night-conversations.html' title='Late Night Conversations With Myself'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-4543732788224007719</id><published>2007-12-18T20:54:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-18T21:38:09.651-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Day From Hell</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.roadkilltshirts.com/images/products/AG-0027_1129-WARN-A-BROTHER.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.roadkilltshirts.com/images/products/AG-0027_1129-WARN-A-BROTHER.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;At around 9:30 this morning, in the pouring rain, I attempted to convince a cop not to impound my car, which was LEGALLY parked on a street in Santa Monica. However, the fact that it had quite expired Texas registration tags meant I wasn't going to talk my way out of that mess.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So, the next 7 hours of my day were basically about as painful as sticking hot pokers in my eyes. Thankfully, I met this kick ass chick last night at a movie premiere and she carted me around all day whilst I ran the gauntlet of crap that needed to be done in order to get my car out of the impound. Hannah Banana is my hero.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In case you live in Los Angeles and think you can get away with not registering your car here, hear this:  You are sorely mistaken. Here is what you will be put through if you should stupidly decide, as I did, that renewing your registration is not important...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;1. Your car can be impounded from the street even if you are legally parked (apparently).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;2. In the event that it is impounded, it's not like you can just show up at the tow yard and pick it up after shelling out a few hundred bucks.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;3. You must first bring the title, registration, and insurance information to the DMV, where you will wait for hours among some of the most grotesque people you've ever laid eyes on.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;4. The DMV will harass you and make you feel like the scum of the earth before FINALLY processing your "temporary registration" and charging you a minimum of $200. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;5. Next you must go to the local police station to get your car "released" from the tow yard. To do this, you must bring them the temporary registration you just got from the DMV and sit in a cold, poorly decorated waiting room while the only detective that handles auto impound is in a 5 hour meeting and taking her sweet time to get back to the office. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;6. Lastly, when you finally get to speak to a real live person, they give you a document that you must bring to the tow yard to officially release your vehicle back into your possession. But of course, by the time you make it back over to the tow yard, there is a line 10 deep and it's pouring again outside and they're taking 30 minutes per angry car owner. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;7. Don't forget to run out of gas on the way home. That's an important step.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Yes. Today sucked. Tomorrow will be better. Thursday will be awesome because I'll be in Colorado. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Take it sleazy, kids. And renew your registration. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-4543732788224007719?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/4543732788224007719/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=4543732788224007719' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/4543732788224007719'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/4543732788224007719'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/12/day-from-hell.html' title='Day From Hell'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8130241883238867601</id><published>2007-12-13T09:58:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-13T10:26:09.057-08:00</updated><title type='text'>God's Country</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.slrobertson.com/images/usa/colorado/vail/vail-mountain-1-b.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.slrobertson.com/images/usa/colorado/vail/vail-mountain-1-b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One week from today, I will be here. Atop one of the most beautiful and challenging snow hills in the world - Vail Mountain. Well, in my humble opinion, at least. And the humble opinion of many professional skiers I know. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;For those of you who know me, you know that I get to enjoy this view at least once a year because my grandmother lives in Vail and we spend Christmas every year as a family with her in her home. Unfortunately, this may be one of the last years we are able to do this. So this year I have to make certain I don't take this rare and fortunate opportunity for granted and enjoy every minute I get to spend there to the fullest. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So here's to you and yours, wishing you all a Merry ChristmaKwanzaKah. Or whatever Holiday you celebrate. Keep warm, try to enjoy a wood-burning fireplace somewhere, roast a marshmellow or hotdog or two, and get a little skiin' in if you have the means. Whatever you do, take a little time to tell the people you love how important they are to you. 'Tis the season, afterall...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Much love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Pam&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8130241883238867601?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8130241883238867601/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8130241883238867601' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8130241883238867601'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8130241883238867601'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/12/gods-country.html' title='God&apos;s Country'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8357159523522376373</id><published>2007-11-15T21:13:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-05T13:54:47.710-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Ashes by KT Tunstall</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;I am a pain in you're ass&lt;br /&gt;And I'm wondering how long it's gonna last&lt;br /&gt;Be my mirror, be my friend,&lt;br /&gt;Be the workhouse of the energy&lt;br /&gt;I twist your arm to spin&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everyday, like a power station&lt;br /&gt;You know it isn't good&lt;br /&gt;I know you're burning too much wood&lt;br /&gt;Oh, and when you burn out&lt;br /&gt;The twisted irony is&lt;br /&gt;Your ashes come home to me&lt;br /&gt;Come home to me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So we take a walk&lt;br /&gt;To make some sense&lt;br /&gt;And I'm wondering if you fancy my advance&lt;br /&gt;I have pushed you&lt;br /&gt;Way too far&lt;br /&gt;And you say, "Fuck you, little princess!&lt;br /&gt;Who the hell do you think you are?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everyday, like a power station&lt;br /&gt;You know it isn't good&lt;br /&gt;You know you're burning too much wood&lt;br /&gt;But I said if you burn out&lt;br /&gt;The twisted irony is&lt;br /&gt;Your ashes come home to me&lt;br /&gt;Come home to me&lt;br /&gt;Come home to me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yeah well your ashes come home to me&lt;br /&gt;Come home to me&lt;br /&gt;Come home to me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You know well the circus gonna have you on a fucking mantelpiece&lt;br /&gt;The mantelpiece&lt;br /&gt;The mantelpiece&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8357159523522376373?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8357159523522376373/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8357159523522376373' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8357159523522376373'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8357159523522376373'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/11/ashes.html' title='Ashes by KT Tunstall'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8905716884265392656</id><published>2007-11-08T22:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-11-08T22:58:11.688-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Ode To The Backbone</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.coylehospitality.com/mystery-shopping/images/dart-in-bullseye-left.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.coylehospitality.com/mystery-shopping/images/dart-in-bullseye-left.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'll start this one by saying, "Hello! I'm back, bitches. And whether you like it or not, I'm going to say what I want. Offensive or not. And the WGA strike can kiss my ass. This writer is back in action and I don't need to get paid to compose literature of substance."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That said, today's topic is:  "Backbones:  Do you have one?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Of course, we are all born with spines. Well, most of us. Some of us have crooked ones or broken ones but the majority of homo-sapiens have perfectly solid backbones. Literally speaking. Unfortunately, such is not the case in the figurative sense.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are a few questions one could ask themself if they were in doubt that they possessed this figurative "backbone."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. When someone walks all over you, do you allow it or do you buck up and tell them to f*ck off and get over themselves?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. When you say you're going to DO something, do you just say it or do you actually DO it? (This does not refer to favors... this refers to real things like, I dunno, standing up for yourself.)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Do you have a group of people that would stand in front of a speeding train if they knew it would save your life? Being the one who would do that for others doesn't count. The point of being someone with backbone is that people respect you and would do the same for you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Instead of dealing with problems directly, do you let them fester and say nothing in order to avoid conflict? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Do you think that if you actually do stand up for yourself it's considered fighting? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. Do you constantly think that by rationalizing that the fact that other people consistantly bail on you is your fault you can ignore the fact that people only do what you let them get away with?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;7. Do you think it's better to be seen as a pushover than an asshole and try to think of yourself as somewhere in between to avoid actually admitting that you're a pushover?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;8. Do you find that complacency is the key ingredient to your sanity?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;9. Do you start making lists of all the things you want to accomplish, get to #6, give up and think, "That's enough for now... plus I don't want to actually have to tackle the things that are really setting me back..."?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;10. Is your idea of showing emotion to pout and say, "Hey now..." rather than saying what it is you REALLY want to say?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;... and lucky number 11. Do you lack passion in your life????&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you answer yes to most or all of these questions, you may not have a backbone. And here's my solution. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Stop whining and take action. It's one thing to be understanding and sweet and a good friend, but after a while it gets boring. If you never do anything for yourself, no one else will want to do anything for you either. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So take a good look in the mirror, make a real list of the things you want to change about yourself, and do it. Take Nike's advice. JUST DO IT! Friends were not created to "kick your ass" but they were made to tell you you're being a giant schmuck when necessary. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the meantime, the battle of the blogs is on hiatus. Gimme a call when your balls drop and we'll go from there.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Adieu.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8905716884265392656?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8905716884265392656/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8905716884265392656' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8905716884265392656'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8905716884265392656'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/11/ode-to-backbone.html' title='Ode To The Backbone'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-703062432473705835</id><published>2007-09-06T17:05:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-09-06T17:10:16.138-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Lost in Translation???</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/RuCW4InjoXI/AAAAAAAAABI/g4zCfzFVhRw/s1600-h/Quickie%2BMart.JPG.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/RuCW4InjoXI/AAAAAAAAABI/g4zCfzFVhRw/s400/Quickie%2BMart.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107247868568379762" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About a mile up the road from Barton Springs in Austin is a local convenience store owned and run by a family of Middle-Eastern decent. And though their English is a bit sketchy, they've really tried to ingratiate themselves into the neighborhood by posting supportive messages about the Longhorns on their marquee sign. Unfortunately, I think their motivation got lost in translation somewhere...  Gotta love 'em for tryin' though! HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-703062432473705835?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/703062432473705835/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=703062432473705835' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/703062432473705835'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/703062432473705835'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/09/lost-in-translation.html' title='Lost in Translation???'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/RuCW4InjoXI/AAAAAAAAABI/g4zCfzFVhRw/s72-c/Quickie%2BMart.JPG.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-5576528401303786513</id><published>2007-08-22T22:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-22T22:28:13.063-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaaaanges!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://www.punitsinha.com/img/venice_beach_sunrise_041228M162.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.punitsinha.com/img/venice_beach_sunrise_041228M162.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Essentially, this is my new backyard. I am quite pleased about this, to say the least. Keeping my bank account in check while living in a place that offers a wide variety of ways to get yourself in finanical trouble... will be another story.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;At any rate, this new development is great. However, I still kind of feel like I'm in a funk lately. What's new, right? I think it's partially just because it's a big transitional phase for me, but then again, isn't it always? I'm always going from one project to the next, one "big idea" to the next, and well... one guy to the next. Let's be honest. But the one thing I usually have to fall back on - my longtime dream of becomming a real live producer - seems to have kind of fallen by the wayside lately too. Maybe that's why I'm feeling lost these days. I really want to throw myself back into the project I was working on before things got crazy with work, the move, life - but it's proving to be harder than it looks. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I guess what matters is that I care enough to at least question it. Why is it happening? Or, rather, NOT happening? I think as soon as I'm settled into my cozy place at the beach I'll be able to ponder these things more fully and freely. If not I can always just lay in the sand and stare at the sky. If nothing else, maybe an asteroid will hit me in the head and knock some sense into me. Or Seagull poop. But as much as it would hurt, I'd hope for the former. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Until then, I'll just shut up and get back to packing. :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-5576528401303786513?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/5576528401303786513/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=5576528401303786513' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/5576528401303786513'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/5576528401303786513'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/ch-ch-ch-ch-chaaaaanges.html' title='Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaaaanges!'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-4331586283002053045</id><published>2007-08-10T23:35:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-10T23:36:25.469-07:00</updated><title type='text'>RED HAIR!!!!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rr1Y5EASI0I/AAAAAAAAABA/7IQ4n7zGJWo/s1600-h/Photo+35.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rr1Y5EASI0I/AAAAAAAAABA/7IQ4n7zGJWo/s400/Photo+35.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097328090603987778" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yay for Redheads. Blondes may have more fun, but Redheads are WILD AND CRAZY! Haha. Just wanted to post a pic of my new do. Have a great weekend!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-4331586283002053045?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/4331586283002053045/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=4331586283002053045' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/4331586283002053045'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/4331586283002053045'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/red-hair.html' title='RED HAIR!!!!!'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp1.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rr1Y5EASI0I/AAAAAAAAABA/7IQ4n7zGJWo/s72-c/Photo+35.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-1610709799937533421</id><published>2007-08-07T21:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-07T21:38:34.550-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Dear Upstairs Neighbors,</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/red/blue_pics/2007/03/23/americanpsycho460.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/red/blue_pics/2007/03/23/americanpsycho460.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sorry that your loser of a father cannot afford to buy - or even rent, for that matter - a house for you all to run around like crazed monkeys at all hours of the day and night. However, that is not my problem. My problem is that you are apparently unaware that you LIVE ABOVE SOMEONE and every single elephant-sized step you take, awful song you blast, or explosion-filled video game you play (at excessive volumes that are damaging to the ears of small children and animals) can be heard throughout my apartment as well as several others I am sure. And the fact that one of you is an amateur drummer (a horrible one at that) does not make matters better. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have no quams with the fact that the patriarch of your family is obsessive compulsive and has to do a 360 degree spin before he stalks up the steps to your animal house. I don't even mind that you all dress like goth fucktards and skateboard around the courtyard smoking cigarettes and yelling profanities. I also don't give a rat's ass that you people are up 24 hours a day and take 15 showers in a bathroom with the loudest fan on earth at 2 hour increments. I'm actually a pretty easy-going gal. But I DO NOT condone the constant bass tones that flood my apartment while I try to eat, watch my television (at a reasonable volume) and sleep in PEACE. It's constant. And no amount of ceiling banging, loud shouting of "TURN IT DOWN FOR THE LOVE OF GOD," or evil looks in passing in the courtyard and garage seems to get my point across. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So here is what I propose: Either learn to co-exist peacefully and QUIETLY with your more than patient and understanding neighbors, or I will go American Psycho on your ass and butcher you all in your sleep while blaring tunes from the 1980s including Phil Collins and Whitney Houston. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Seems reasonable enough to me. And with that gesture, I bid you adieu.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;*** And yes, I really did write this one. And you can actually find it under the "rant" section of Craigslist. I'm hoping someone will nominate it to go under the "best-of" section. Time will tell, my friends. Time will tell... ***&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-1610709799937533421?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/1610709799937533421/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=1610709799937533421' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/1610709799937533421'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/1610709799937533421'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/dear-upstairs-neighbors.html' title='Dear Upstairs Neighbors,'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-6601991379448609220</id><published>2007-08-06T16:58:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-06T19:19:34.547-07:00</updated><title type='text'>On Saturday Afternoons in 1963</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rre1wEASIzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/oce_WE62ie8/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rre1wEASIzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/oce_WE62ie8/s320/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095741340706284338" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I've had this song on repeat for the past twenty minutes. Something about it just stops me dead in my tracks. Takes the wind right out of my lungs. Sometimes I wish more things in life had that effect on me. Music always has. Since day one. But not much else. A really amazing film or a brilliant novel can send me into a temporary trance-like state. But music can alter my entire mindset. It's strange and mystical and, moreover, real. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyone who knows me knows that I have one of the more ecclectic music collections around. A good number of the artists I hold nearest and dearest most people have never even heard of. Yet it still surprises me when I'm at a bar and a song comes on and my friends look at me instantly asking, "Who is this?" and I rapid-fire spit out the artist, song title, and usually the album it comes from without even really thinking about it. And my friends either nod and say, "Thanks" or they stare at me blankly and say, "How the hell did you know that?" I'm weird, guys. I know music pretty well. Which leads me to a new thought....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Am I in the wrong industry? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That being said I set off on another adventure in the world of production tomorrow. So far all I know about the job is that it will go for two weeks and it's "kinda craziness" whatever that means. I would have liked a little more time off, but unfortunately sitting on my ass at home doesn't pay the bills. If only...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are some quick lyrics to the song the title of this blog is named after:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"On Saturday Afternoons in 1963" by Rickie Lee Jones&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The most as you'll ever go&lt;br /&gt;Is back where you used to know&lt;br /&gt;If grown-ups could laugh this slow&lt;br /&gt;Where as you watch the hour snow&lt;br /&gt;Years may go by&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So hold on to your special friend&lt;br /&gt;Here, you'll need something to keep her in&lt;br /&gt;Now you stay inside this foolish grin&lt;br /&gt;Though any day your secrets end&lt;br /&gt;Then again&lt;br /&gt;Years may go by&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You saved your own special friend&lt;br /&gt;'Cause here you need something to hide her in&lt;br /&gt;And you stay inside that foolish grin&lt;br /&gt;When everyday now secrets end&lt;br /&gt;Oh and then again&lt;br /&gt;Years may go by&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-6601991379448609220?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/6601991379448609220/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=6601991379448609220' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/6601991379448609220'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/6601991379448609220'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/on-saturday-afternoons-in-1963.html' title='On Saturday Afternoons in 1963'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp3.blogger.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/Rre1wEASIzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/oce_WE62ie8/s72-c/Picture+1.png' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-7492578642394037754</id><published>2007-08-05T18:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-05T18:46:07.572-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Dear Alcohol,</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://www.epicurean.com/articles/images/elegant-martini.gif"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.epicurean.com/articles/images/elegant-martini.gif" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First &amp; foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. My friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you're even around in the holidays hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Phone calls: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation of substance or necessity takes place after 2 a.m. Why would you make me call those ex-boyfriends/girlfriends when I know for a fact they do not want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal, but why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce, along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with WINE &amp; topped off with a Kit Kat after a few cheese curls &amp; chili cheese fries)? I'm an eclectic eater, but I think you went too far this time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer the issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black &amp; blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front&lt;br /&gt;door key into the lock.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop. This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order, but the 3pm hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that, if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin), prior to going to sleep/passing out face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover should be minimal &amp; in no way interfere with my daily activities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now &amp; would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above &amp; address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Thursday 3pm (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions &amp; hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thank you, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your biggest fan&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;P.S.... &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK: 1. Innovative, 2. Preliminary, 3. Proliferation, 4. Cinnamon&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK: 1. Specificity, 2. British Constitution, 3. Passive-aggressive disorder&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Nope, no more beer for me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Oh, I couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;*** Disclaimer:  I did not write this. I found it on Le Internet. But I thought it quite humorous and wanted to share it with the world. Thank you, world, for stopping by. More fun stolen anecdotes to come... ***&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-7492578642394037754?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/7492578642394037754/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=7492578642394037754' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/7492578642394037754'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/7492578642394037754'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/dear-alcohol.html' title='Dear Alcohol,'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086450659291467147.post-8940053622666576017</id><published>2007-08-03T21:43:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-03T21:56:04.858-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Blogalicious</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bigfatmeaniehead.com/zencart/images/tshirts/crackhead.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://bigfatmeaniehead.com/zencart/images/tshirts/crackhead.jpg" border="0" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HELLO! Many moons have passed since I have posted on this site and after much consideration I decided to botch the old crap and bring in some new. Guess that's kind of how my life's been going as of lately so I figured I'd stay on-target. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For my first entry, I'd like to reveal to any of you that don't already know this: I am a thief. But at least I'm honest about it and cite my stolen property's true author. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In today's episode, I've tactfully "lifted" (if you will) a posting from "The Best-of Craigslist" - a section of Craigslist that I have recently found quite intriguing and hilarious while I sit at my computer at work and pretend to actually be doing something productive when really I'm just slipping slowly into an open-eyed coma. This is something that only my father and I have seemed to master. We were the teachers' pets in high school, as you can imagine. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So here it is - my favorite Craigslist posting I've ever read. Enjoy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Hey Crackhead!"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes, you. You sick fucker. On Wednesday morning I emerged from my girlfriend's building by U.N. Plaza to find that you had sawed the tops off both the sparkplugs on my motorcycle. At the time, I had no idea why anyone would do that. Other than the sparkplugs, the bike was untouched. Some kind of bizarre vandalism? A fraternity prank gone awry? I had no idea. All I knew is that I looked like a huge douchebag riding the Muni to work in a padded motorcycle jacket and helmet. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because the bike was immobilized I got a $35 street sweeping ticket that night. Thursday I had it towed to the shop ($45) where they replaced the sparkplugs and the boots ($50 including labor). They explained to me that "people" - I use the term loosely here - like you break off the tops of spark plugs and use the porcelain tubes to smoke crack. As an engineer and former MacGyver fan, in a way I think this is kind of cool. But then I remember that I just paid $100 for YOUR crackpipes, and I get angry again.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Crackhead, it was really good to have my bike back though. I rode home from the shop with a couple of spare sparkplugs and a smile on my face. I figured the next time I parked at my girlfriend's place overnight I would have to buy some crackpipes and tape them to my bike as a peace offering. Overall, I wasn't that upset. Despite having to ride the bus for three days and dropping a hundred bones at the shop, I had gained some fascinating knowledge, a new set of sparkplugs, and a pretty funny anecdote about how fucked up you are, and how our paths once crossed briefly in the night. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But you couldn't just let sleeping dogs lie, could you Crackhead. You couldn't just stay in on Friday, watch Letterman through the window of a home electronics store and then call it a night. You couldn't rest on your laurels. Two porcelain sparkplug crackpipes just wasn't enough for you, was it Crackhead? You just had to come back for more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This morning, a scant fifteen hours after I rode it out of the shop, I found my motorcycle violated once again. This time you only took the right one - maybe you were having an off night. At least this time I had a spare sparkplug and the tools to fix it - or so I thought - having ordered a 73-piece toolset from SEARS.com last week. But no, the sparkplug socket in my new toolset was for American sparkplugs. So I had to go down to the neighborhood Ace hardware. They had an 18mm socket that would fit over my sparkplug, but it was for a 1/2" drive ratchet. My toolkit only has 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets. So I had to buy a 1/2" ratchet along with the socket. Even though the clerk took pity on me and gave me the senior citizen discount (I'm 25) it still cost me $22 all told. Now, you might say that I should have just gotten a 3/8"-to-1/2" drive adaptor instead of springing for the whole ratchet. And to that I say, "Shut the hell up, Crackhead, I'm not finished! And besides, I was eventually going to buy a 1/2" ratchet anyway so it's probably not worth it to take it back now."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OK, now I'm rambling. But the point is, Crackhead, that you have done me wrong. Now, I get that you love crack. That is totally understandable. I've heard it is really fun, at first, and quite addictive. What I don't understand is, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;YOU ARE A CRACKHEAD! WHY DON'T YOU OWN A CRACKPIPE? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am an engineer. Do you ever see me shaking down bums in the Loin for a calculator and sliderule? No, you don't. Because engineering is the main thing I do, I went and bought myself a calculator. The main thing you do is crack. How do you get by without a crackpipe? The other crackheads must clown on you non-stop. I mean, the fucking saw you used to saw off my sparkplugs is probably worth five or ten bucks. Why not sell or trade it for a crackpipe? You really haven't put much thought into this, have you?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please, Crackhead, please don't tell me you sold your crackpipe to buy crack. Even a stupid crackhead such as yourself couldn't possibly be that stupid. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've decided that taping crackpipes to my motorcycle would be tantamount to appeasement. You have crossed a line, Crackhead - specifically California Street. You have come onto my own street and you have desecrated that which I hold dear. You have stolen from me, and you have caused me to spend the last half hour writing this post instead of engineering shit, and it is concievable, if not likely, that my boss could find out about this and fire me. I am hella pissed at you dude. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are my options as I see them:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Write a note saying that I have coated both of my sparkplugs in rat poison and tape it to my bike at night. You can thank Tim for that one, it was his idea. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Don't write a note, but just coat both sparkplugs in rat poison. This is probably closer to a punishment that would fit your despicable crime. I'm sure this is super illegal and shit, but it's not like anyone is going to miss you, Crackhead. Don't fool yourself. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Wait in an alley near my bike armed with my new stainless steel mirror-finish Ace Professional brand 1/2" drive socket wrench, my 18mm sparkplug socket, and my searing rage. It's pretty heavy and well balanced. I am not a large man, but I am angry.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In conclusion, Crackhead, why don't you just do both of us a favor and buy yourself a crackpipe? It will both enhance your crack smoking experience and save me a lot of time and felony assault charges. Think about it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sincerely, &lt;br /&gt;Matt&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;*** If you are not the Crackhead that took my sparkplugs, please disregard this posting ***&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now you can all see how beautiful Craigslist can be. And someone should get this guy a job at The Onion. STAT.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7086450659291467147-8940053622666576017?l=themindspill.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/feeds/8940053622666576017/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7086450659291467147&amp;postID=8940053622666576017' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8940053622666576017'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7086450659291467147/posts/default/8940053622666576017'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://themindspill.blogspot.com/2007/08/blogalicious.html' title='Blogalicious'/><author><name>Pam</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11852614966296844727</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h-iUG0qXRcc/S3V-CwgxorI/AAAAAAAAADU/CcnyEfok-qo/S220/sweet+pic.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
