tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172924702024-03-07T02:58:39.990-05:00Skip Steps 1 & 3Exploring that Awkward Time of Life in between Grad School and Marriage.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-20650316940837084462008-12-31T19:13:00.002-05:002008-12-31T19:54:51.550-05:00Hey, Look! A New Year's Eve Countdown Post!Yeah, it's been a while. I know. But I thought a great way to get back into the blogging spirit would be to go to an old stand-by - the music post! So anyway, here are my top 10 (or so) albums that I really enjoyed in 2008, in no particular order (well, that's not exactly true....they are in <span style="font-style: italic;">alphabetical</span> order....)<br /><ol><li>The Avett Brothers - <span style="font-style: italic;">Mignonette - </span>You'll have to excuse some local bias, but this is quite possibly my favorite band in the world right now. Ever since <span style="font-style: italic;">Emotionalism</span> came out last year, <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span>I've been a tad obsessed...bought almost their entire back-catalogue, seen them live, bought a banjo, etc. This is a solid album (although I still slightly favor <span style="font-style: italic;">Emotionalism</span>), with some incredible tracks. Your first step should be to see them live, then come home and download "Swept Away," "Signs," and "At the Beach."<br /></li><li>Bon Iver - <span style="font-style: italic;">For Emma, Forever Ago - </span>This album wasn't on my radar at all (thanks NPR!), but when I finally got my hands on it, I was blown away. This is music to listen to alone, in the dark, with a glass of Jim Beam in one hand and a fistfull of regrets in the other...but I mean that in a totally good way, of course. Get "Flume" or "Skinny Love" immediately. <br /></li><li>Dr Dog - <span style="font-style: italic;">Fate - </span>Even if you don't buy into this band's "let's replicate classic rock down to the last detail" mantra, there's still some outstanding music here. I personally love this band and have loved everything they have done since <span style="font-style: italic;">Easy Beat</span> came out in '05. Check out "The Breeze" for a good taste<br /></li><li>Fleet Foxes - <span style="font-style: italic;">Fleet Foxes - </span>The only thing disappointing about this album is that by the time I got a copy, there was no way it could live up to the hype. Still thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless, and admittedly I was very late to the party here, and I think there's still time for it to grow on me. Just put "White Winter Hymnal" on repeat.<br /></li><li>Flight of the Conchords - <span style="font-style: italic;">Flight of the Conchords </span>- What's left to say about these guys? I only wish I was as funny <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> as musically talented. My favorite track is still "The Most Beautiful Girl [In the Room]," although my current ringtone is "Business Time."<br /></li><li>Girl Talk - <span style="font-style: italic;">Feed the Animals </span>- I won't comment on the "is this art or blasphemy" debate here, but whichever way you feel, this is a FUN record. How can you not smile after realizing you're listening to a Dee-Lite/Nirvana mashup? <br /></li><li>The Hold Steady - <span style="font-style: italic;">Stay Positive</span> - I never cared for this band at all until I heard <span style="font-style: italic;">Boys and Girls in America</span>, but that album made me do a total 180. This outing isn't quite as strong IMO, but definitely some solid songs. "Sequestered In Memphis" and "Magazines" are standouts<br /></li><li>My Morning Jacket - <span style="font-style: italic;">Evil Urges</span> - The title track is so-so, and "Highly Suspicious" never should have even made it into the studio, but you can't accuse these guys of not pushing the limits. From track 4 onward, a great album. Personal favorite is "Thank You Too!"<br /></li><li>Okkervil River - <span style="font-style: italic;">The Stand Ins - </span>I've really been into these guys for a year or so, and this album is a perfect book-end to last year's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Stage Names</span>. Download "Lost Coastlines" now.<br /></li><li>This is Ivy League - <span style="font-style: italic;">This is Ivy League</span> - sort of a modern-day Simon & Garfunkel. Accoustic guitar-driven rythms, nice harmonies, great melodies. Check out "Love is Impossible" and "London Bridges" </li><li>White Shoes & the Couple Company - <span style="font-style: italic;">White Shoes & the Couples Company</span> - if you love Indonesian pop like I do, then this is a no-brainer. This is my hands-down pick for Random CD Purchase of the Year (Damn you Paste Magazine, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> your "International Music" edition). Key track: "Tentang Cita"</li></ol>Happy New Year!jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-35653454719422544882008-08-03T20:55:00.001-04:002008-08-03T20:55:39.478-04:00I am an Independent Thinker (via King of Spills)<a href="http://www.ipersonic.com/type/IT.html" target="blank" title ="My personality type: the independent thinker. Take the free iPersonic personality test!"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/ipersonic/IT.png" border="0" alt="My personality type: the independent thinker" /></a><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIxNzgxMTI*NjQ1OCZwdD*xMjE3ODExMzM3NTY4JnA9NDY2MjEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MQ==.gif" />jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-43038103261250516872008-05-26T09:13:00.001-04:002008-05-26T09:14:59.383-04:00Feed the Poor/Improve Vocabulary/Re-live the SAT<a href="http://freerice.com/">freerice.com</a><br /><br />Give it a try!jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-13829021440518037032008-05-15T07:45:00.002-04:002008-05-15T07:48:32.312-04:00Dear Santa:I know it's only May, and your big night is still months away. But I promise to be <span style="font-style: italic;">extra</span> good if you could find room in your sleigh for one of these:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/14/photos.rocketman/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/14/photos.rocketman/index.html</a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-91421999541873614502008-05-04T22:49:00.002-04:002008-05-04T22:55:31.396-04:00What's Long, Rigid, and Loaded with Seamen?A new submarine, you pervert!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news4516">http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news4516</a><br /><br />This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">badass</span> little piece of military hardware was commissioned here in town this weekend. Unfortunately the event was invite-only, so we'll have to rely on the Star News's photos instead of any originals. I was able to get nowhere close. Still kinda pissed about that.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-66745008979765580052008-05-03T15:29:00.002-04:002008-05-03T15:35:19.448-04:00Is there anything more pointless than...the "recall email" feature on Microsoft Outlook? I received two of these emails this week, and it's basically just a new message saying to ignore the first one. Isn't it just as easy to, oh I don't know, send out a new message saying "Sorry, ignore that last email I sent"? <br /><br />It would be different if it actually sucked the original email out of the receiver's inbox, but it does nothing like that. If you email your boss to call him cock-sucking asshole, and then "recall" it, he's still going to see that you called him a cock-sucking asshole.<br /><br />I don't get it.<br /><br />(Now if I can only become the #1 Google result for a "cock-sucking asshole" search. Actually, on second thought, nevermind).jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-51205820760788049932008-05-01T21:32:00.004-04:002008-05-01T21:47:11.951-04:00Come with me...and you'll be...in a world...of pure imaginationImagine my surprise when I got home yesterday, only to find a huge commotion going on in front of New Brunswick County Hospital across the street from my apartment. The reasons for this were two-fold: One, when I left that morning there was no hospital across the street from my apartment. And two, the last time I checked there was no such thing as New Brunswick County (at least around these parts).<br /><br />After a few inquires, it turns out that the Wilmington film industry is once again churning out something more that just One Tree Hill, and it's about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">freakin</span>' time I might add. Apparently this particular project is a horror/slasher flick starring gruff-voiced rapper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DMX</span>. And "New Brunswick County Hospital" is actually the sciences building at Cape Fear Community College with a few temporary cosmetic upgrades. Here's a crappy pic:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABz2izpKcQxD6E-zZU_6c7XGXntOPBhd1o88GYOMHQ2q4DlOC2_-79a_9HHFBxBSIwgIklkD8Pv6gLcq58Gl_mys6cH2GcDDwz-mK-vTkr6mdNsRwH5ifla0ltuElJp0pZlXB-A/s1600-h/IMG_0266.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195590739623244898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABz2izpKcQxD6E-zZU_6c7XGXntOPBhd1o88GYOMHQ2q4DlOC2_-79a_9HHFBxBSIwgIklkD8Pv6gLcq58Gl_mys6cH2GcDDwz-mK-vTkr6mdNsRwH5ifla0ltuElJp0pZlXB-A/s320/IMG_0266.jpg" border="0" /></a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-42037017797798437162008-05-01T17:01:00.000-04:002008-05-01T17:02:24.935-04:005 Years Later...Yep, five years.<br /><br /><a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/remembing-mission-accomplished/index.html?nl=pol&emc=pola2">http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/remembing-mission-accomplished/index.html?nl=pol&emc=pola2</a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-10840435100009978462008-04-27T15:33:00.002-04:002008-04-27T16:03:30.751-04:00Slight Delay in Resurrecting This Blog....I went to all this trouble (not really...it was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-made template) to bring this site current again, write an "I'm back" post, and then one actual serious (not really...none of posts are actually serious) post, only to disappear again just as abruptly. So you're probably thinking, "What's going on here?" (not really...no one reads this anymore). <br /><br />Well the main reason is that I met a great girl recently, and you know how that goes. Although I am near certain that announcing this in such a semi-public way is a guaranteed way to doom any potential <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">longterm</span> relationship that may develop, I guess I'll take my chances. Plus, if (err...when) I eventually ruin everything with her, I'll have all sorts of heart-wrenching tales to tell, AND plenty of time to blog about it!<br /><br />But in the meantime, here are some topics to ponder:<br /> - Kickball! Yes, Wilmington is finally cool enough to score a <a href="http://www.kickball.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WAKA</span></a> league, and I've joined up with a team for the inaugural season. It should be a good time, until I inevitably rupture a ligament or something (looking for wood to knock on....). I just have an uncanny ability to injure myself in playing even the most contact-free organized sports.<br /><br /> - I was at the dry cleaner yesterday to pick up some shirts when an old lady drove her car right into the building. It was hilarious (but only because no one was hurt, of course)! She apparently was angling for the drive-through lane, but just completely misjudged the turn, and Wham! But alas this post has nothing to do with Andrew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ridgeley</span>. The building was actually fine, save some minor scratches to the brick, but the lady's car was pretty dented up. <br /><br /> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Obama</span> is speaking <a href="http://www.wwaytv3.com/clinton_obama_coming_to_wilmington/04/2008">here in Wilmington tomorrow</a>, but I have to go out of town for work so I'll miss it. I'm kinda pissed about that. Hilary will be here tonight, but I have kickball!jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-54825772143859135912008-03-30T15:33:00.002-04:002008-03-30T15:57:14.223-04:00Finally, Instructions for Dealing with ME!When people meet me for the very first time, they tend to come to one of three conclusions:<br /><ol><li>I'm quiet/shy - which is true</li><li>I'm super-serious - which isn't really true at all, but I don't really feel comfortable joking around with people until I know them better...See #1</li><li>I'm kind of weird - which is basically true</li></ol>So anyway at the urging of a good friend the other day, I found myself taking an online personality test. At the time I thought it might be kind of fun to see what it said about me, but ultimately I expected to dismiss everything it told me as worthless psycho-babble.<br /><br />To my surprise though, the results/explanations were accurate. <span style="font-style: italic;">Very</span> accurate.<br /><br />As it turns out, I'm the Intuitive-iNtroverted-Thinking-Judging type (INTJ, baby!), although this is probably no big shock to anyone who knows me and has studied this stuff at some point.<br /><br />Want to know what makes me tick? I think this website is the best summary: <a href="http://www.intjcentral.com/">http://www.intjcentral.com/</a>. Definitely check out the <a href="http://www.intjcentral.com/manual4">FAQ</a> page; it's priceless.<br /><br />Want to try the test for yourself, and come to the crushing realization that you're NOT an individual but rather just another member of one of 16 predetermined types? There's a pretty good <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/my-type/">Facebook app</a> floating around out there that will tell you, although this site is also good: <a href="http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm">http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm</a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-57285808749930086432008-03-28T23:15:00.002-04:002008-03-28T23:18:19.322-04:00Return?So if anyone still comes to this site, you can tell there have been a few changes. I think I'm going to try to start posting regularly again, as I seem to just have an incredible amount of shit on my mind and no other outlet. More to come...jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-6956087898159889342007-10-15T22:40:00.001-04:002007-10-15T22:41:22.610-04:00Fire Pope!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=487764&in_page_id=1811"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_03/popefireDM1510_800x545.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-48209422019183392042007-09-22T00:06:00.001-04:002007-09-22T00:08:39.807-04:00He's Baaaaack!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw6WTjdBap2HFVuBR0-Hv_XtSSvfj8Vpx2edakOmNwuk84FqXogAVIqauG3e-OG8jTj6grMAk_TSrvp1R6i7U_6Ob4h6TWyIMS0sWhV32hnOl6gxdrW-bfeNOxwqhbr9CoGaY7Q/s1600-h/OJ+-+trim.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112875234652313506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw6WTjdBap2HFVuBR0-Hv_XtSSvfj8Vpx2edakOmNwuk84FqXogAVIqauG3e-OG8jTj6grMAk_TSrvp1R6i7U_6Ob4h6TWyIMS0sWhV32hnOl6gxdrW-bfeNOxwqhbr9CoGaY7Q/s320/OJ+-+trim.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> The Juice in Miami - Spring '03</span></div><br /><br />My sole regret in taking this photo is the fact that I am not in it.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-14816898570223209572007-09-07T20:10:00.001-04:002007-09-07T20:10:43.295-04:00Progress!<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ULyka2Bfp04"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ULyka2Bfp04" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-4489094017474850072007-08-15T19:55:00.001-04:002007-08-15T19:55:42.851-04:00This Needs to be Seen<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YENbElb5-xY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YENbElb5-xY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-35598723595595862182007-08-13T22:50:00.000-04:002007-08-13T22:51:39.963-04:00An Artsy Picture of a Big Fat Sheltie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HJ_Cn4SEV2uZ3H89Aq1axa6CT2UE-KYnosQhOnUrR6ZxS5cRlmRXXWL6q5sVdlcfIk9DUnXic6az-GsNRCAa6R_0ehHBQLG2yMTq6c4vihaA5-C53DpIHosJk5Um_JxUiGqr_w/s1600-h/IMG_0109ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098383381005025362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HJ_Cn4SEV2uZ3H89Aq1axa6CT2UE-KYnosQhOnUrR6ZxS5cRlmRXXWL6q5sVdlcfIk9DUnXic6az-GsNRCAa6R_0ehHBQLG2yMTq6c4vihaA5-C53DpIHosJk5Um_JxUiGqr_w/s400/IMG_0109ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-65305693899315042352007-08-09T19:48:00.001-04:002007-08-09T19:50:11.755-04:00That's Right Be-otch! 115!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vUdYTYLf5aUc77bJSesK7C0dHTpl_gJzL28nAFjOxrGkUDyH5FN8J8wINWIHzuSjVa1FNALJ16ELnFKLuxRUDYvR_wrZo4ET40X_kQzs4aFjzy-xdWTJixHqQo9xEuV_D6f_w/s1600-h/SP_A0057edit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096852092020015170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vUdYTYLf5aUc77bJSesK7C0dHTpl_gJzL28nAFjOxrGkUDyH5FN8J8wINWIHzuSjVa1FNALJ16ELnFKLuxRUDYvR_wrZo4ET40X_kQzs4aFjzy-xdWTJixHqQo9xEuV_D6f_w/s400/SP_A0057edit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, I probably <em>should</em> pay more attention to the road and traffic and stuff.....<br /><div></div>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-44574773366813479972007-08-08T21:18:00.000-04:002007-08-08T21:36:39.172-04:00Oh, That's Right...I Have a Blog.....Once there was a time when I would sit at work and anxiously ponder all of the entertaining and exciting things I could blog about when I got a free minute or two. Now, not so much. I attribute this largely to the youthful optimism I formerly possessed, which has since been shattered in an onslaught of disillusionment and disappointment.<br /><br />Actually, wait, I take that back. Disillusionment and disappointment are great topics to post about...I certainly have had my share of "Oh, my life is SO terrible" posts. On the other hand, optimism and a positive outlook on life provide prime material as well...I've composed my share of "Things are SO great, I just have to tell EVERYONE," too.<br /><br />So what's up these days? Nothing. Nothing at all. Someone asked me the other day, "how's it going?" My response was 100% accurate: "It's going." It's just that nothing too terrible or too exciting has happened lately.<br /><br />My life has become the first 15 or 20 minutes of every latter-day Bill Murray movie. Just cruising along, doing what I do.<br /><br />Want proof? The most inspiring event to happen to me in the last month is the one that lead me to snap this picture with my camera phone:<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_iD2u2Df8YpvcuLFLCpI6cM0yxbfhZmJX_hJ3mefctug8mXrH03tzREejPB_thQWSLyCHBunqvp7no5gzMjeB_Y1xqDTZT2Pnzs3cVoLwNw_pu3pGx1fSwE8oqFCMxc5mL30vQ/s1600-h/SP_A0056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096507558333464626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_iD2u2Df8YpvcuLFLCpI6cM0yxbfhZmJX_hJ3mefctug8mXrH03tzREejPB_thQWSLyCHBunqvp7no5gzMjeB_Y1xqDTZT2Pnzs3cVoLwNw_pu3pGx1fSwE8oqFCMxc5mL30vQ/s400/SP_A0056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Oh shit...107! That's hot as Hell!" </div><br />Yeah, I know, dashboard thermometers aren't exactly what NASA uses to calibrate its instruments, but you get the idea. It was hot. I actually gave a crap about something for a split second. There you go.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-39295589610826808132007-07-09T21:29:00.000-04:002007-07-09T22:08:39.407-04:00A Most Unusual OccuranceSo this afternoon I had something strange happen - 2 very much cuter-than-average girls initiated conversations with me within the span of about 5 minutes of each other. Yeah, that happens pretty much never. But as great as these encounters were in themselves, I feel that each also illustrates some greater life life lessons/personal philosophies <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">applicable</span> far beyond these two limited instances. Observe...<br /><br /><strong>Girl #1</strong> - I was at the bank making a deposit at like 4:55 this afternoon, and I am fairly certain this girl thought I was someone else she knew. It wasn't like we both reached for the same pen or something at the same time and then shared an awkward "oh, hi..." Just the opposite. She came right over and said "Oh, hey...so what you end up doing this weekend?" Naturally, I pretended this was perfectly normal and went on to tell her about my weekend, ask her about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">her's</span>, etc. Then I noticed she was wearing a wedding ring, and I was suddenly much less interested in playing that game anymore.<br /><strong>Lesson #1: </strong>As I've noted several times before (er, I'm too lazy to actually link) I have an "everyman" face. I feel this could spell a promising future in either international espionage, organized crime, or Hollywood, yet I haven't to this point pursued any of those possibilities. I need to get on that.<br /><strong>Lesson #2:</strong> We're getting to the age, sadly, where it seems most of the "normal" girls are married or in otherwise serious relationships. Or maybe it's just this area. I need to get out of here....<br /><br /><strong>Girl #2 - </strong>After I left the bank, I headed over to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fedex</span> to send some stuff out. That's when I heard an "excuse me...can I bother you for a second?" I turned around to find a very cure Chinese girl (no I'm not racist; it's actually relevant that she's Chinese) standing there, obviously not very familiar with the area, sort of staring at the different buildings on the block. I asked what she needed, and she told me she was trying to find a certain restaurant on that street. I knew exactly which one she meant, and and after we made a little small talk, I pointed her in the right direction and she was on her way.<br /><strong>Lesson #3: </strong>The restaurant she was asking about was a Chinese place, and I was terrified that someone might walk by and overhear our conversation. Why? Because they might think "That poor girl asked that guy for a good place to eat, and OF COURSE, he told her to go to a Chinese place. Racist asshole bastard!" Yep that's it - I am ridiculously scared of being labeled a racist.<br /><strong>Lesson #4: </strong>Seinfeld is still more relevant today than any television show currently in production. Cigar-store Indian episode anyone? The Asian postal worker? You know what I mean.<br /><strong>Lesson #5: </strong>I've never dated/hooked up with an Asian girl - and hopefully this doesn't come off too racist - but as a race they are so damn cute. OK so that's totally racist <em>and</em> sexist, but whatever.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-32823604250634325972007-07-05T18:56:00.000-04:002007-07-05T18:59:02.752-04:00That's How We Roll in the 9-1-0This was actually a link on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/">CNN.com</a>. Teacher marries student, but, eh, whatever. You gotta' love this area.....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wsoctv.com/news/13624493/detail.html?rss=char&psp=news">http://www.wsoctv.com/news/13624493/detail.html?rss=char&psp=news</a>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-91804647822506163852007-07-02T20:05:00.001-04:002007-07-02T20:06:30.389-04:00I'm Sure the iPhone is Great, BUT....Anyone else finding that the new version of iTunes released to accomodate the iPhone is full of bugs? I keep getting all kinds of crazy errors ever since I installed it.jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-27748864558917381162007-06-27T22:45:00.000-04:002007-06-27T23:11:38.322-04:00You know what I just LOVE?...when a bum approaches me on the street, and asks if he can have some money. Then when I give him all the change in my pocket, he responds "It would really help me out if I could get a $5."<br /><br />Really? Are you serious? Not "thank you," not "God bless you," but "It would really help me out if I could get a $5."<br /><br />Let's do a little math here: You could stand in your one spot, and at a minimum, about 50 people per hour will walk past you on a typical weekday (this is eastern NC, mind you). If everyone were to give you $5, that's $250/hour, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week - you're making around $10 grand a week. Hell, if even 5% - 10% of the passersby responded to your request, you're still doing better than a lot of new college grads. Not to mention that 8 hours a day is a conservative estimate, since you have nothing else to do (like bathing, obviously), <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> you can also prey on the tourist crowds on the weekends.<br /><br />Sounds pretty good to me. So why exactly did I waste my time in law school when I could be panhandling?<br /><br />Look, I know good people fall on hard times. I know hard working folks get laid off. I know I've had a lot of advantages in my life that many people haven't. But come on. Can you at least fake appreciation?jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-52027393374214691762007-06-20T20:50:00.000-04:002007-06-20T21:31:19.874-04:00Some Thoughts<ul><li>So is anyone else super-pumped that <a href="http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/">Ghost Hunters</a> is back on? This show is so good. For anyone unfamiliar, the title is pretty self-explanatory - think your house is haunted? Give 'em a call and they'll check it out for you! Scientific in its approach, and always seeking to <span style="font-style: italic;">disprove</span> first, it's always creepy whenever they break down a deem a place "haunted."</li><li>I have not joined the "next-gen" video game ranks as of yet, but I feel an Xbox 360 may be in my near future. Even with my load of PS2 games sitting unused on my shelf (the 'ol PS2 died nearly a year ago), the upcoming releases of <a href="http://www.halo3.com/">Halo 3</a> and <a href="http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/">Grand Theft Auto 4</a> with <a href="http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+to+Pay+50+Million+for+Exclusive+Grand+Theft+Auto+Episodes/article7724.htm">exclusive Xbox content</a> may tip the scales in that direction. <br /></li><li>After a 27-year comprehensive study, I've determined the following when it comes to females - 49% are not attractive enough to date; 49% are too hot and out of my league; 2% are attractive, approachable, and completely uninterested in me.<br /></li><li>Have you seen that Hardee's/Carl's Jr. commercial where the two "cool guys" are sitting in the diner, when the "dorky waiter" comes up and starts naming the establishment's dessert selection? What a couple of douchebags! A simple "no, thanks" will do the trick. Do you have to sit there and mock the guy just because he's overweight and he's not wearing a trendy graphic tee? I literally can't watch the ad; it's too painful. <span style="font-size:85%;">(Sorry, it doesn't seem to be on YouTube...maybe it's just a regional spot)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Warrant is very underrated in the world of hair bands/glam rockers. Whenever you're sitting around talking 80's metal, Warrant is always the band that gets overlooked. They really had some great songs, though. If nothing else, the following should be on your iPod: "Heaven," "Sometimes She Cries,""Where the Down Boys Go," and "Uncle Tom's Cabin." (You've probably already got "Cherry Pie"). </span><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm growing quite scared of something....that <a href="http://www.transformersmovie.com/">Transformers</a> will be terrible. I just <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> it to be awesome, but Michael Bay's involvement with the project makes me nervous. Transformers were THE thing from my formative years, and I don't think I can seeing it maligned on the big screen. Please, don't let this be another Miami Vice.<a href="http://www.transformersmovie.com/"><br /></a></span></span></li></ul>jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-39034824375007327562007-06-11T20:11:00.000-04:002007-06-11T20:30:11.443-04:00Free Legal Advice, or alternatively, I May be Going to HellI'll just throw this one out there - I foreclosed on a church today.<br /><br />Let that sink in for a second.<br /><br />But here's what happened: Borrower owned two rather large pieces of land, tract 1 and tract 2. He <em>intends</em> (he claims) to take out a mortgage on tract 1, but "inadvertently" (that's yet to be determined) takes out the mortgage on tract 2. Then, either out of the goodness of his heart or because of some sweet tax write-off, he sells tract 2 to a local church for a nominal sum - $10 for the entire parcel if I'm not mistaken.<br /><br />Years go by. The church builds a brand-spankin'-new fellowship hall on the land, all the while being clueless to the fact that their property is securing a debt of its former owner. So guess what happens when Borrower defaults on his payments? <br /><br />That's right - the bank is free to pursue a foreclosure action against the subject property, which according to publicly recorded documents is not tract 1, but instead tract 2. Borrower? Doesn't lose much but his credit rating. The church? Basically screwed. The person presenting this evidence at the foreclosure hearing? Me, of course.<br /><br />So here's the moral of the story - ALWAYS GET A TITLE SEARCH!!! If you buy land, if you receive land as a gift, if your Great Aunt dies and leaves you some land in her will - GET IT SEARCHED! Who knows what kind of crazy mortgages or liens or back taxes are out there.<br /><br />If the bank won't back off from <strong>a church</strong>, it sure as hell won't back off from <strong>you.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Now pardon me while I go kick some puppies....jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17292470.post-61006322132168400002007-06-11T19:56:00.000-04:002007-06-11T19:58:56.900-04:00Now if the football team would just step it up....<a href="http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/061007aaf.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074960354830417874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyMkLnrMQTaLhnelIcGw-WFwR965DTVz0HC2HyiZ6KkEvkjwGX9BztmMIukYQqpN1TTsiLe97Wmrujsihy0Guw4LPtrYldG2Q2YNzKspMS-qdz0g1idQm9ivldm0HHdUGaAnM_Q/s320/1148086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br />GO HEELS!!!jonphiwilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03366023394633005288noreply@blogger.com0