In the interest of posting something at least once a week, here is a list of the types of women I like.
I like my women like I like my beer: dark and bitter.
I like my women like I like my coffee: black.
I like my women like I like my chances with them: slim.
I like my women like I like my olive oil: extra virgin.
I like my women like I like my pants: saggy.
I like my women like I like my music: loud and fast.
I like my women like I like my poetry: simple.
I like my women like I like my books: short and easy to read.
I like my women like I like my snacks: salty.
I like my women like I like my paperwork: filled out.
I like my women like I like my pizza: greasy and cheesy.
I like my women like I like my pizza: round.
I like my women like I like my pens: full of ink.
I like my women like I like my lattes: tall, skinny and caffeinated.
I like my women like I like my music: made in the ‘80s.
I like my women like I like my cars: made in Japan.
I like my women like I like my cars: classic.
I like my women like I like my cars: with a lot of trunk space.
I like my women like I like my cars: with a spare tire.
I like my women like I like my food: spicy and Mexican.
I like my women like I like my breakfast: in bed.
I like my women like I like my tea: weak.
I like my women like I like my wine: aged to perfection.
I like my women like I like my martinis: dry.
I like my women like I like my dinner: ready in less than 30 minutes.
I like my women like I like the sun: warm and bright.
I like my women like I like my pillows: soft and fluffy.
I like my women like I like my beer: blonde.
Of course, very few of these are actually true. But it was fun to write them anyway.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I'm going to Mexico
Looks like I’m going to Mexico. But not until June.
Today I finally decided to commit to taking a 12-day mission trip to Mazatlan with some of the youth group folks at Newlife, my church in Silverdale. And I voiced that commitment by charging $250 to my Mastercard account.
I was worried for a while that this trip would interfere with my plans to complete the special Project that this blog will focus on. I was also worried that committing to it would force me to be more responsible and grown up, since I’ll be sort of a chaperone for the high school kids. But I’ve decided the trip is one I need to take. I don’t think short-term missions are for everyone, necessarily. But in my case, I know preparing for the trip and going on it will help me to grow. And that helps me get closer to being the man I want to be, I suppose. Plus, I feel like I can help the group from Newlife as well as the people in Mazatlan.
Now I just need to figure out how to get $1,875. I’d rather not take it all out of my savings, so I’m coming up with some fundraising ideas.
As for the Project, I still feel like it’s doable. It’ll still require a lot of travel and spending. And I’ll have to quit my job to do all that traveling. But if I can complete this Project, I’ll take a huge step forward in my career. I hope. I just have to make sure I do it right. And as for where my career goes from here, I guess time will tell. I’ll keep working hard and striving to be a good writer, unless I feel like God is prompting me to do something different. I’ll just have to be open to whatever comes down the pike.
Today I finally decided to commit to taking a 12-day mission trip to Mazatlan with some of the youth group folks at Newlife, my church in Silverdale. And I voiced that commitment by charging $250 to my Mastercard account.
I was worried for a while that this trip would interfere with my plans to complete the special Project that this blog will focus on. I was also worried that committing to it would force me to be more responsible and grown up, since I’ll be sort of a chaperone for the high school kids. But I’ve decided the trip is one I need to take. I don’t think short-term missions are for everyone, necessarily. But in my case, I know preparing for the trip and going on it will help me to grow. And that helps me get closer to being the man I want to be, I suppose. Plus, I feel like I can help the group from Newlife as well as the people in Mazatlan.
Now I just need to figure out how to get $1,875. I’d rather not take it all out of my savings, so I’m coming up with some fundraising ideas.
As for the Project, I still feel like it’s doable. It’ll still require a lot of travel and spending. And I’ll have to quit my job to do all that traveling. But if I can complete this Project, I’ll take a huge step forward in my career. I hope. I just have to make sure I do it right. And as for where my career goes from here, I guess time will tell. I’ll keep working hard and striving to be a good writer, unless I feel like God is prompting me to do something different. I’ll just have to be open to whatever comes down the pike.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Project Will Begin April 1
OK, I admit it’s been way, way too long since I posted anything on here. But since I’m the only one reading my own blog, who cares?
Besides, there’s been nothing new to write for a while.
But now there is.
The Project that I started on January 1 of this year has been changed. My buddy Jon and I have decided it’s best to start the Project over, and add a little more meat to it. That way, I’ll actually have something interesting to write during each stage of the Project.
So the Project is now set to start on April Fool’s Day. It’s the best start date we could come up with on short notice. On that day, or the day after, I will make my first post about the nature of the Project and explain it in full. Until then, the readers (ie: me) will have to be patient.
Thank you.
Besides, there’s been nothing new to write for a while.
But now there is.
The Project that I started on January 1 of this year has been changed. My buddy Jon and I have decided it’s best to start the Project over, and add a little more meat to it. That way, I’ll actually have something interesting to write during each stage of the Project.
So the Project is now set to start on April Fool’s Day. It’s the best start date we could come up with on short notice. On that day, or the day after, I will make my first post about the nature of the Project and explain it in full. Until then, the readers (ie: me) will have to be patient.
Thank you.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Setting the stage to unveil The Project
I spoke with my buddy, Jon, yesterday after we finished watching the Superbowl, and I think I’m almost ready to unveil this new project I’ve been so hush-hush about. Jon has been sort of the moderator for this project so far. There are certain rules I need to stick to, and I’ve asked him to make sure I do just that.
The only problem with revealing the details of the project is I’m afraid someone will steal the idea before I can finish writing about it. But at the same time, blogging about it could help keep it as a worthwhile writing endeavor. If I just journal privately, I won’t gain outside input and readership.
So let me just state publicly, right now, on February 8, 2010, that I came up with this idea six months ago. It was early August of 2009, and I had just read Danny Wallace’s “Yes Man” (which is far, far better than the mediocre Jim Carrey movie, by the way). I was inspired to create my own “stupid boy-project” as Mr. Wallace’s ex-girlfriend, Hanne, calls his schemes.
So I thought and thought. And then I thought some more. What’s something no one else has done? What’s something that would give me an excuse to travel? And then, shortly before my 27th birthday, it struck me. And so, beginning January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2010, I will complete my own Project. And I will blog about it along the way. I’ve already started working on it, but I have an incredibly daunting task remaining. To complete it, like I’ve said, I will have to travel all over the world. I will visit old friends and acquaintances. I will be uncomfortable at times and make other people uncomfortable. I will have to stretch the truth. I will get stressed out. And I will undoubtedly learn a lot.
In my next post, I will explain further.
The only problem with revealing the details of the project is I’m afraid someone will steal the idea before I can finish writing about it. But at the same time, blogging about it could help keep it as a worthwhile writing endeavor. If I just journal privately, I won’t gain outside input and readership.
So let me just state publicly, right now, on February 8, 2010, that I came up with this idea six months ago. It was early August of 2009, and I had just read Danny Wallace’s “Yes Man” (which is far, far better than the mediocre Jim Carrey movie, by the way). I was inspired to create my own “stupid boy-project” as Mr. Wallace’s ex-girlfriend, Hanne, calls his schemes.
So I thought and thought. And then I thought some more. What’s something no one else has done? What’s something that would give me an excuse to travel? And then, shortly before my 27th birthday, it struck me. And so, beginning January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2010, I will complete my own Project. And I will blog about it along the way. I’ve already started working on it, but I have an incredibly daunting task remaining. To complete it, like I’ve said, I will have to travel all over the world. I will visit old friends and acquaintances. I will be uncomfortable at times and make other people uncomfortable. I will have to stretch the truth. I will get stressed out. And I will undoubtedly learn a lot.
In my next post, I will explain further.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
On Newspapers: How long do we have?
Last week was a great example of why I hope to eventually get out of the newspaper business and into a different form of writing.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy my work. Really, writing for a newspaper is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, in terms of quality of work. And people seem somewhat impressed when I tell them I write for a newspaper. I can actually feel a twinge of pride when I tell acquaintances what I do for a living, instead of saying what I used to have to say: ‘Well, I work for a gym, but there’s a lot more to me than that. My job doesn’t define me.’ Now I can say, ‘I get paid to write. And my job is sort of a good descriptor of who I am. Or at least it's within the infield of what I’m interested in, in life.’
Newspaper reporting allows me to get to know different, interesting people (at least on occasion). I get to hone my people skills in a non-customer service environment. I get to learn about sometimes interesting topics. And I get to write, which I believe has helped me become a better writer.
But there are still some problems. And yes, I know every job has its shortcomings. But the newspaper industry has a rather large one: it’s difficult to move “up the ladder” at the moment. Newspapers don’t have the money to hand out pay raises, and are often forced to lay people off to keep the publication afloat.
That brings us back to last week. Last Tuesday, I hit my one-year mark at the paper. It reminded me that I’ve been getting the same, steady paycheck for the past 12 months. That’s not necessarily a bad thing these days, with others fighting just to stay employed. But $12.50 an hour is not big money, either. The anniversary also reminded me that my pay will not change in the foreseeable future. Most employers outside the newspaper industry would have given me a cost of living pay increase by now. My paper can’t even afford to pay me a couple hours of overtime. Which brings me to my next point.
I hit overtime on Thursday night, which meant I had to take Friday off. I enjoyed having the extended weekend, but now I’ll have to cram Friday’s work into Monday instead of getting ahead. Welcome to yet another stressful week. All this because of another grievance I have. In order to keep the newspaper out of the red, we publish several “special sections” each year, which generate additional ad revenue. These are inserts that cater to specific audiences, and they require the reporters to write copy to fill space and inform readers. I do get two hours of overtime to write for some special sections (which I’m required to do anyway), but not for the one I was working on last week. So, once I had amassed 80 hours over the last two-week period, I was done.
I might sound bitter, but I’m really not. Like I said, I do enjoy my job. But, as any reader can see, an industry that has trouble sustaining itself can sometimes frustrate those working within it. Maybe being more of an entrepreneurial writer will be just as frustrating. I’m willing to at least give it a shot, eventually. I just hope newspapers hold out long enough for me to take that step.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy my work. Really, writing for a newspaper is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, in terms of quality of work. And people seem somewhat impressed when I tell them I write for a newspaper. I can actually feel a twinge of pride when I tell acquaintances what I do for a living, instead of saying what I used to have to say: ‘Well, I work for a gym, but there’s a lot more to me than that. My job doesn’t define me.’ Now I can say, ‘I get paid to write. And my job is sort of a good descriptor of who I am. Or at least it's within the infield of what I’m interested in, in life.’
Newspaper reporting allows me to get to know different, interesting people (at least on occasion). I get to hone my people skills in a non-customer service environment. I get to learn about sometimes interesting topics. And I get to write, which I believe has helped me become a better writer.
But there are still some problems. And yes, I know every job has its shortcomings. But the newspaper industry has a rather large one: it’s difficult to move “up the ladder” at the moment. Newspapers don’t have the money to hand out pay raises, and are often forced to lay people off to keep the publication afloat.
That brings us back to last week. Last Tuesday, I hit my one-year mark at the paper. It reminded me that I’ve been getting the same, steady paycheck for the past 12 months. That’s not necessarily a bad thing these days, with others fighting just to stay employed. But $12.50 an hour is not big money, either. The anniversary also reminded me that my pay will not change in the foreseeable future. Most employers outside the newspaper industry would have given me a cost of living pay increase by now. My paper can’t even afford to pay me a couple hours of overtime. Which brings me to my next point.
I hit overtime on Thursday night, which meant I had to take Friday off. I enjoyed having the extended weekend, but now I’ll have to cram Friday’s work into Monday instead of getting ahead. Welcome to yet another stressful week. All this because of another grievance I have. In order to keep the newspaper out of the red, we publish several “special sections” each year, which generate additional ad revenue. These are inserts that cater to specific audiences, and they require the reporters to write copy to fill space and inform readers. I do get two hours of overtime to write for some special sections (which I’m required to do anyway), but not for the one I was working on last week. So, once I had amassed 80 hours over the last two-week period, I was done.
I might sound bitter, but I’m really not. Like I said, I do enjoy my job. But, as any reader can see, an industry that has trouble sustaining itself can sometimes frustrate those working within it. Maybe being more of an entrepreneurial writer will be just as frustrating. I’m willing to at least give it a shot, eventually. I just hope newspapers hold out long enough for me to take that step.
On Travel: Flight search tips
(Originally published Jan. 30, 2010)
Yesterday I continued to work on the new writing project I’ve mentioned in earlier blog posts. Like I said before, the project will involve some travel. I’m not sure when that travel will take place, but I do know where I’ll be going. Yesterday I spent more than two hours figuring out possible flights (at least a few of them will be necessary) and timelines. It was fun. And it made me think of some things I’ve learned.
First of all, flights are almost always cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. People travel for business on Mondays and Fridays, and for pleasure on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. So that leaves the middle of the week for airlines to attract extra customers by offering lower rates.
Tickets are also cheaper in the winter than any other time of year, unless the place you’re going has a big tourist attraction during the winter. For example, flights to South Africa seem to be most expensive during the weeks when the FIFA World Cup is going on. But the prices go down in late July, the country’s winter. Although getting there from SeaTac is extremely expensive no matter when you go.
I could fly pretty cheaply to Europe next month, but expensively in June or July, even though buying tickets long ahead of time is usually cheaper than buying at the last minute. Summer seems to always be the exception; it’s expensive no matter what. Spring is next in line for cost, followed by fall, for most destinations.
No matter when and where you’re going, it’s also a good idea to be flexible on dates in the beginning. And keep checking prices often, because sometimes deals sneak in there quietly.
All these things are probably common sense for most travelers. So let me close by recommending a few Web sites. I like to use Fly.com, but have also found some good deals on CheapTickets.com and Kayak.com. CheapTickets also has an email newsletter I receive, and sometimes there will be interesting tidbits in there. Finally, Travelzoo.com has a couple good newsletters worth checking out. Just remember that the more sites you compare, the better off you are.
Yesterday I continued to work on the new writing project I’ve mentioned in earlier blog posts. Like I said before, the project will involve some travel. I’m not sure when that travel will take place, but I do know where I’ll be going. Yesterday I spent more than two hours figuring out possible flights (at least a few of them will be necessary) and timelines. It was fun. And it made me think of some things I’ve learned.
First of all, flights are almost always cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. People travel for business on Mondays and Fridays, and for pleasure on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. So that leaves the middle of the week for airlines to attract extra customers by offering lower rates.
Tickets are also cheaper in the winter than any other time of year, unless the place you’re going has a big tourist attraction during the winter. For example, flights to South Africa seem to be most expensive during the weeks when the FIFA World Cup is going on. But the prices go down in late July, the country’s winter. Although getting there from SeaTac is extremely expensive no matter when you go.
I could fly pretty cheaply to Europe next month, but expensively in June or July, even though buying tickets long ahead of time is usually cheaper than buying at the last minute. Summer seems to always be the exception; it’s expensive no matter what. Spring is next in line for cost, followed by fall, for most destinations.
No matter when and where you’re going, it’s also a good idea to be flexible on dates in the beginning. And keep checking prices often, because sometimes deals sneak in there quietly.
All these things are probably common sense for most travelers. So let me close by recommending a few Web sites. I like to use Fly.com, but have also found some good deals on CheapTickets.com and Kayak.com. CheapTickets also has an email newsletter I receive, and sometimes there will be interesting tidbits in there. Finally, Travelzoo.com has a couple good newsletters worth checking out. Just remember that the more sites you compare, the better off you are.
On Travel: Planning is where the fun begins
(Originally published Jan. 23, 2010)
I continued working on this year’s new writing project this week. While I haven’t actually written much about this project, I assure you, dear reader (if you exist), that I am hard at work setting the stage. I also have not yet done any of the traveling I will need to do for this project, but I have begun planning.
I love the planning phase of travel. It fascinates me to search for the best and cheapest flights, buses and routes to and from where I’m going. And I could stare at a map for hours on end without getting bored, just studying the different cities, their distances from each other, and the various geographic features in and around them. Geography was always one of my favorite subjects in school.
A few days ago, I woke up thinking about Manaus, Brazil, because of a story I read in Tim Cahill’s book, “Road Fever.” I hopped out of bed and stood looking at my map of South America on my bedroom wall. I studied it for six minutes before I snapped out of my little cocoon of thought and realized I needed to take a shower and get to work. I could have pored over that map for much longer if I’d had the time.
The planning phase allows me to dream. It allows my mind to wander and wonder at what might be on the road ahead. It gets me excited about what I might see and experience. The actual travel experiences almost always turn out differently than what I’d imagined, but that’s fine. I get to dream in the beginning and I’m free to roll with whatever the road tosses my way later on.
I’m looking forward to every part of that process.
I continued working on this year’s new writing project this week. While I haven’t actually written much about this project, I assure you, dear reader (if you exist), that I am hard at work setting the stage. I also have not yet done any of the traveling I will need to do for this project, but I have begun planning.
I love the planning phase of travel. It fascinates me to search for the best and cheapest flights, buses and routes to and from where I’m going. And I could stare at a map for hours on end without getting bored, just studying the different cities, their distances from each other, and the various geographic features in and around them. Geography was always one of my favorite subjects in school.
A few days ago, I woke up thinking about Manaus, Brazil, because of a story I read in Tim Cahill’s book, “Road Fever.” I hopped out of bed and stood looking at my map of South America on my bedroom wall. I studied it for six minutes before I snapped out of my little cocoon of thought and realized I needed to take a shower and get to work. I could have pored over that map for much longer if I’d had the time.
The planning phase allows me to dream. It allows my mind to wander and wonder at what might be on the road ahead. It gets me excited about what I might see and experience. The actual travel experiences almost always turn out differently than what I’d imagined, but that’s fine. I get to dream in the beginning and I’m free to roll with whatever the road tosses my way later on.
I’m looking forward to every part of that process.
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