[pretty picture, eh?] [ news @ sweetgoodness ] Archives - August 2005 // comments for your readability
archived content
[ news @ sg ]
currents
archives
features
versions
contributors
about [news@sg]

[ calendars ]
mdate master

[ other SG.org ]
official; all about SG
store; go buy stuff
creator; love of your life

 		if you're referred here and can't find an article, maybe it hasn't been posted yet. wait for the next edition and try again.
Saturday, August 13, 2005 / 1:08pm
Eight Years, Eleven Months, and Twenty Days in the Life Of...
On an uncold unwinter's unnight, I set foot on the fine U of I campus for the first time. But that wasn't almost nine years ago. Rather, it was some random day at summer camp thirteen years ago. That's more than half-my-life's ago. But back on track... I came to campus almost nine years ago to get a degree. Any degree. You can't really do much later on in life without one, or so I've been told. So, I gots me a Computer Science degree. And for that, I should be proud. And I am. But what I value more than that piece of paper I received from the university is my meeting the people of these towns and the groups of twelve university graduating classes that came from my experience here. For, in a few hours, I'll be leaving these twin cities. Possibly temporarily, possibly forever (less the occasional trip to pick up my belongings). In my "Short Story" class in high school, we had to write an autobiography, and in it, I said, "Like the feather in the wind, I've gone where life took me. When I float to the point of graduating high school, I have no clue what my future brings." Clearly, I'm not just now graduating high school. It was the series of events in my life that kept me here in town for almost nine years... five more than I'd originally planned. Some of those events just plain upset me, and others just happened. Now I've graduated and had some jobs and done, well, lots of different things. I've seen unrandom parts of the world with my family, traveled on personal "vacations of a lifetime", made lots of friends, and lost a few loved ones. In packing my belongings to be moved from apartment to interim storage location, I was reminded of everything's that's happened in my life. There was a newspaper photo of me on a field trip in preschool. There were old Brian organizational forms. Let's not forget the books... yearbooks, that is. Countless numbers of photos also abound. "Stay short and smart." Not much has changed since the back in the day. I don't know what I really want to say as I'm unceremoniously leaving town. It feels extremely bizarre to be at mid-August in a year and to have no concrete plans for the next year. I've known that whereever I am, I will make my place feel like home. And leaving... that's the part that always makes me sad. I was sad when I skipped second grade. I was sad when I graduated from junior high. I was sad when I moved away from home. I was sad when I graduated from high school. I know, it's about leaving what's comfortable, and I say, well, it's been nine years. I don't want to go, but, right now, it's what circumstances dictate. Dear county and the people that live in it, or exist in it for educational purposes... I'm sure I'll see you again. It may be a visit. It may be to live. But it will be someday. And for everyone out there, you know that I'm reachable. The world is not ending. It's just changing a bit. One day, I suppose I'll relay the few non-random interesting things that happened in the past year. Until then. (Cue the "off into the sunset" music as I venture into the sunset, earning more points for rail travel... yes, this was incredibly vague with regard to what I'm doing now, but that's the point. I don't know, exactly.)

Saturday, August 13, 2005 / 5:16pm
"the list"
empty unless otherwise stated (exception: 4: april 25-may 31... i think)

Friday, August 19, 2005 / 4:49pm
Wardrobe Malfunction
So, Monday-Thursday, I was in the southland for a job interview. I crashed at the house of Chris and Mel for those days. Chris was kind enough to provide transport to the campus area Tuesday morning, but... just as I entered the car for travel, I encountered a wardrobe malfunction. And, no, I didn't flash some skin to Chris- rather, my pants tore down there. I don't think that's a good thing. Actually, I know it's not. The experience reminded me of a similar occurance whilst working a performance at Krannert back in October 2002. In the half-hour of time I had before the interview, I retreated to a mystery campus location and performed minor cosmetic surgury on the pants. You do what you have to do without the proper tools available: two paper clips were driven through the fabric and were folded around to "keep it together" and two binder clips were used to minimize unwanted movement. And in the end, it all worked out. Brilliant!

Friday, August 19, 2005 / 5:14pm
"the list"
as of the 17th, empty

Friday, August 19, 2005 / 5:40pm
Mmmm, Lenticular Goodness
I can tell you... it's not a banana. I was at the mall where there the walls were totally, totally tall. While I walked by the Disney Store at Market Place, I saw a sign. It opened up my eyes. It offered a free lenticular with your advance-paid reserved copy of the Cinderella DVD. So, clearly... I ask myself, "What is a lenticular?" And then, I walk into the store and ask the manager, "What is a lenticular?" She responds with "that", which, I feel, is not entirely helpful to the word-reading audience, so let me try to explain it. You know those things that are like holograms but aren't? They're cards with hard ridgey plastic that change when you look at it from a different angle? Yeah, those things. Thanks to the wonders that is the internet, here's a site that'll show you a sample. Maybe they'll make me free Sweet Goodness lenticular cards just for sending you to them. Anyways, now I learned a word on Wednesday. That was just down-right exciting. (Then, I went on to beatdown on a mini-golf course I hadn't played at for a few years, including my first holes in one there!)

Saturday, August 20, 2005 / 12:11am
A Formal, Logical Shout-Out
Since I haven't really posted much, I'll include the occasional note or story concerning all the not-so-interesting things that have happened, since, oh, September-October-ish. In the interim (until I get bored again), I'm giving a shout-out to those folks over at websudoku because now, I'll never have to pay 25 cents to read Chicago Tribune's Red Eye unless I want to do something more than Sudoku on the train rides between Champaign and Chicago. (But, should I actually have the desire to read, I heart Red Eye. It's enough to last me for my two-plus hour commute.) And, speaking of Sudoku, I describe it as a new Minesweeper. I now time myself and make bold statements like "Wow, that's a really good evil [-difficulty] time!" I even found a ridiculous desk clock (with indiglo button-touch back lighting) that can serve as a timer (which sat on my Krannert desk for probably the last 4 months of my existance there). Yes, yes, imagine the possiblities. I've spread the joys of the game to others, and it's just madness, I tell you. So, yeah, good luck with that. One day, you'll be doing them in pen...

Sunday, August 21, 2005 / 1:06am
Three Ladies and a Boring Hour
This morning, I had an encounter with three of Jesse's girls. What Jesse? Oh, just the Illinois Secretary of State. My driver's license was due to expire sometime, so I took some time out to get it renewed. My old license was semi-folded and definitely showed four years of wear and tear despite my limited driving time. But hey, no driving means I'm a safe driver. Or something. My recent experience in Chicago's morning rush wasn't too bad. Anyways, I got a new license and it'll last me until 2009. That's all I got. Oh, and word on the street says that Pudding Pops have or will return to the marketplace. Why wasn't I informed? Other noteworthy tidbits for the day: my new Evil Sudoku best time is 12'03" (puzzle 2227458556) and Easy (2553807864) is down to 4'49". And, I debate on if I should participate in the installation ceremony of the new university president in September. Oh, the decisions.

Thursday, August 25, 2005 / 5:42pm
"the list"
as of the 24th, empty

Thursday, August 25, 2005 / 6:01pm
Back-To-School Free Stuff
Just before I went home to Hillside last weekend, I was offered the opportunity to work at a Champaign bookstore for a week and answer the phones during crazy book week. Yes, classes started at the university on Wednesday, and it's been a zoo. Given the analysis "40 hours times 8 dollars minus food minus transportation is greater than zero", I decided to do it. So, here I am, in the Union computer lab, typing away after my 4th day of phone answering (and Sudoku to keep me busy). One of the advantages to being around this week is the abundance of free stuff! Monday, I went to a campus event and got a knapsacky thing and some cups from which to drink beverage. Afterwards, I went to the store with a million reasons and went to their student night where tye-dyed shirts were being made. And foodwise, they had hot dogs, chips, not-delivery, and carbonation. For those who were so inclined, a big display revolution of dance was available for funage, as well as the opportunity to bust out and sing to your favorite ridicularity. I went home with some free socks, a soccer ball, batteries, a flashlight, a hat, a CD, and Kelly Clarkson posters. It was a good time, indeed. I was unable to visit the clubs out on Quad Day, but I did check out the film on the quad at night. Yesterday, I had a free dinner on the quad and almost walked six blocks for a free pizza... but then, we wised up and called ahead, and the not-deal was that we had to fill out credit card applications. All in all, it's been a fun week, and it's nice to be making a bit of money so I can, you know, pay bills and stuff.

Saturday, August 27, 2005 / 1:58am
Early Retirement
I saw it coming from months away. I was going to be poor. I didn't want to go to the mailbox because there'd be a bill there. I'm sure a lot of people don't like getting those. But, thanks to the world around me, I've survived. I'd also like to thank the magic credit cards, where, thanks to fun balance transferring tricks, I've been fine. Alas, that only takes you so far... And then, about a month ago, I forgot about something. Whilst I worked at Kran, I'd accumulated some money in a retirement account, and now that I'm not there, I could take it out (less taxes, penalties, whatever). And, being in the state I'm in, I did so. When I arrived home, I was greeted with over $1600. How awesome is that! I can, uh, pay some bills, and have triple-digit-dollar available credit again! I also got paid for my part-time full-time experience this week, so it was doubly as wonderful! Since I'm home, I'm going to treat myself to a Cubs game today!

Saturday, August 27, 2005 / 2:28am
I Spy a Red Shirt
On Wednesday, October 2, 2002, the classic news@sg with the old layout included the following excerpt from an article titled "Very Productive Thursday":
... The real news is that that afternoon, there was a fine event on campus that I crashed. It was the grand opening and formal dedication of the Spurlock Museum! And now, I'm sure I'll be randomly immortalized in some small little picture in their archives. ...
That was almost three years ago. And it was about nine years ago when I started to receive more mail in Urbana than in Hillside. So, now what, eh? Well, it is my pleasure to announce that early Tuesday morning, I accepted a position at the Spurlock Museum on the University of Illinois campus as their new Special Events Coordinator. It's exciting. It's fantabulous. It'll be work, but it'll be great fun! More on that, well, as I do it. So, I guess I need to find a place to live, which would be my 10th residence as I begin my 10th year in town. Yeah, it's been a while. Well wishes accepted. Oh, and let's not forget... don't forget to celebrate Sweet Goodness Day- coming soon!

Sunday, August 28, 2005 / 2:28am
From Riches To Rags
Saturday morning, before the weekly family breakfast, I went to a friendly, local, non-back of mine but allows me to machine deposit ATM to deposit my week's earnings and retirement check. All things were good until the machine decided to not properly feed in my deposit envelope. After inserting it in several different orientations, it made it all the way into the slot. However, the machine did not acknowledge that it had actually taken anything. So, in essence, there's an envelope in unpublicly announced ATM which contains fundage which is not accounted for... and that really, really sucks because I don't know how long it will be before the situation will be resolved. That, and I leave Hillside-land on Monday and I had intended on using said fundage to pay for bills and security deposits and rent and the like next week. Oh, and tooth upper-left is acting up this weekend, though I'd expected it to be happening months ago. And the treat for myself... going to Saturday's Cubs games, while fun, was disappointing when they gave up the go-ahead run on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch of the opposing pitcher. And, in the 8th inning, when I moved to the recently vacated row 1 (!) seats behind the 3rd base photographer pen (just next to the end of the dugout) from my official row 2 (!) seat, I was yelled at to go back. Harsh. Maybe things will change when I go to the festivities later today when the Cubs will retire a number. And maybe they'll win, too. And, maybe I'll get back the money I effectively lost. La sigh. Well, that was fun while it lasted.

Monday, August 29, 2005 / 1:45am
Forces of Nature
I'm very fascinated with news of storms... perhaps that's because I'm the kind of person that wonders "hmmm, what's going to happen next? what has been done in terms of preparation? are emergency responses goings as planned?" I guess I like that whole logistics things. And I also know that I would enjoy being in the action. Not that I would want to be in New Orleans right now, but, if, for some bizarre reason I was, I'd certainly be making the most of it in terms of experiencing the madness and being confined in the Superdome. (There is no way I'd be outside when the triple digit winds are flying!) Hurricane Katrina, which is apparently going to be one of maybe 4 of the strongest hurricanes to hit the country is definintely going wild, causing a very Red warnings map. As of this minute, there's a Hurricane Warning, an Inland Hurricane Warning, a Flood Watch, and a Tornado Watch. And, with the whole city being below sea level and a 13-15 foot high levee of protection going against potential 30 foot waves, it's like watching the Discovery Channel and a special when engineering feats meet up with nature. What is incredibly sucky is that these are real people. (Well, it's always real people.) And this is likely to be something really devistating. And it's incredibly scary and sad to think about. I think I'm going to be stuck on watching the Weather Channel and CNN for the next few hours...

Monday, August 29, 2005 / 2:04am
And Then There Were Four
My statement refers to the number of Cubs players with their jersey number retired. It was a pleasure to be at Wrigley Field today as one of my favorite "while I was growing up and collected baseball card" era players, Ryne Sandberg, had that honor bestowed upon him. His number 23 now flies on the outfield foul poles following a pre-game extravaganza. Unfortunately, I didn't arrive early enough to get a free Hall of Fame cap upon entering the park; many fans and I waited over 20 minutes on the downtown Red line subway platforms without a Northbound Howard train. The crowd was enjoying every minute of it, from trumpets blaring to the wild 8-run Cub 7th inning to the wonderful ride home after the eventual blowout of the fish of Florida. Good times! (And, might I add, a rather great multi-flavored super slurpee was had on the trip home as well... it'd been a while since I had one, seeing as how there are no elevens near the college town.)

Tuesday, August 30, 2005 / 2:27am
Random Administrata
First of all, Sweet Goodness Day 2005 takes place tomorrow. Wander to the website, email me some bizarre questions to add to the FAQ, email me to show your support of SG, and do that sweet and good thing you should be doing. Please use the ridiculous email addresses as provided on that website, so that things are appropriately directed. Now that that's done, here is the remaining accumulated, previously unannounced administrivia, in no particular order:
  • Ensure I have correct contact information for you, in case you've moved or dropped your cell phone in a body of water.
  • Trivia Tuesday is on hiatus. Oh, and the email list has been cleared. Be sure to (re)subscribe!
  • Friday Late Lunch is on hiatus.
  • A "versions" link has been created on the news pages. It describes where you can track when articles are posted, should you use an online journaling websitey thing.
  • I called other bank about my money. They said to call my bank. My bank will call other bank. I am still poor. Thusly, apartment hunting has been delayed.
  • I am accepting suggestions as to what I should do, where I should eat, and with whom for all hours of Sweet Goodness Day. I'm open to whatevs. I'd especially like to know where the opportunites for free stuff come into play.
  • Enter now to win the rights to go to Saturday's Illini football game against Rutgers (for free!) Send in a resume and a description of why I should pick you. Winner selected by whatever method (if any) I choose to exercise.
  • Weekend plans, anyone?
  • Enter now to win the rights to go to next Tuesday's Cubs at Cardinals game. Send in a resume and a description of why I should pick you. Winner selected by whatever method (if any) I choose to exercise.
  • There are plans in the works for getting a big group of people together to watch either of the two football games in the last weekends in October. Open to everyone; interested parties should make themselves known to me.
Lovely. Glad we could get all caught up. Send your questions, comments, and showered love and affection to the news mailbox by adding the .org to the main web page title. Until the next random administrivia... L-A to the ter!

[brian web banner]
copyright © 2005 sweetgoodness.org
respect my rights, yo!