I’d like you all to put your hands together for Chris Fellows who now has milesrausch.com/fellows. Welcome, Fellows!
Engaged!
To anyone else this January 20st may have seemed ordinary. To us it was everything but.
Okay. That was stupid but I get points for writing this on a cellphone.
Anyway we’re engaged! We had a terribly romantic date that ended where it all began: Falls Park.
I’m not one to kiss and tell but we kissed. :)
So seriously. She’s off limits now.
This is officially an investment. I mean, love. Well not “an love” obviously. Just “love”.
But not just any love. Hardcore television watching movie making music driven web powered three dimensional super sonic love.
What did you accomplish today?
Go Go Gadget!
If you were anywhere near a television or the internet yesterday, you may have heard about Apple, Inc.’s new announcement: the iPhone. I, like countless others, spent part of my morning watching the “live bloggers” feed the world minute-by-minute updates on the situation at Macworld. The irony: no Macs were announced. This, I’ve heard, is because it would most likely be diluted by the talk of the iPhone. It’s definately big news.
But, this post isn’t about my plans to purchase an iPhone. It doesn’t come out until June, and I don’t know if it would make any sense considering it’s on the Cingular network which doesn’t appear to support “South Dakota”. No, this post is about another kind of gadget that you saw above: the PlayStation 2 (or PS2).
I’ve been thinking about getting a gaming console for a while now, and then I talked to Bryce and found out that he and Lindsey had gotten a PS2. ‘But,’ I thought, ‘they don’t have any money!’ It was an insult that they should get a cool toy on their little, combined income, while I sit in the dark ages. I resolved to do something.
I floated the idea by Holli who, at first, seemed loath to act upon it. Then, from somewhere deep in the abyss, she heard the words “Guitar Hero II”, and it was a done deal. Saturday we sprang into action, driving to Sioux Falls to pick up our very own PS2 and related accessories. When all was said and done, we’d spent quite a lot more money than we’d planned.
One notable anecdote from the journey is that we checked many different locations looking for good prices on games, etc, but we were always on the lookout for Guitar Hero II (or GHII), a game that has had quite a lot of popularity lately. (In Guitar Hero, you have a guitar for your game controller, and you have to play notes as they scroll across the screen. You get to play along with actual songs, which makes it even more fun.) Our quest, throughout all of Sioux Falls, fell short. The last place I felt sure would have it, GameSpot on Louise, did not. It was here, disheartened, that we instead purchased Dance Dance Revolution (or DDR) Nova with gamepad. We figured, this could be a reasonable replacement. (In DDR, you have a dance pad and you have to perform steps as they scroll across the screen. It can be quite a workout.) We paid and left.
We had decided on Saturday to wait on buying a memory card. Holli thought that he brother might sell us one, so we could get it cheaper than the $25 price tag you see on new ones. After playing a little bit on Saturday, however, I decided I couldn’t wait. We went to Pamida and bought a memory card, and then we decided to see what games Lewis would have. Lo, and behold! Beneath the stack of PS2 games we found not one, but two, GHII game bundles (which include a guitar)! Lewis, in Madison, had two of what no electronics store in Sioux Falls had. It seemed a miracle, and again, we forked over the money for it.
Here are the games we have, and their capabilities:
- Dance Dance Revolution Nova
- 1-2 Players
- EyeToy USB Camera
- Online, 1-2 Players
- Guitar Hero II
- 1-2 Players
- Final Fantasy VIII (for PS1)
- 1 Player
- BLACK
- 1 Player
- The Sims
- 1-2 Players
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance
- 1-4 Players
- Online, 2-4 Players
- Burnout Revenge
- 1-2 Players
- Logitech/PS2 USB Headsets
- Online, 2-6 Players
Do you guys have a PS2? What games do you have? Do you think you can beat us? Well, you can’t.
One Year Ago Yesterday
I was driving around Sioux Falls. And I had this really pretty, funny, talented girl along with me. And I was nervous. I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend.
In Walmart we were shopping around, and I called Holly Smith, my accomplice. I wanted to do it there. I had a fair idea that the girl would say “Yes”, but I wasn’t sure. Holly said under no circumstances could I do it in Walmart. So, I made the decision to go to Falls Park. Holli asked who I was talking to, and I said it was Bryce.
Lie #1.
At Falls Park, we sat for a while on a bench and talked. I carefully and quietly worked up the nerve to ask my question. And then I asked it. And waited. And waited. And after a considerable pause, she answered and said “Yes”. I told her that I would really like her to meet my grandparents. In truth, I was trying to score points by bringing my new girlfriend to see the family first.
Lie #2.
We got to Karin’s and no one was there. We call and wait, and talk to Grandma and Grandpa for a very long time. Share stories, connect on a deeper level than anyone could ever imagine. And then the day ended, and we went back to whence we came. It was a good day.
A year later we had plans to enjoy food at Jonny Carino’s, revisit Falls Park (for the first time since), and take in a movie. Well, weather was no permitting. Instead we went to Skipper’s in town (which is a pretty good Italian restaurant a couple blocks from my apartment), we exchanged gifts, and we watched A Prairie Home Companion. Skippers was good, the presents were sweet (I gave her an album of music that I’ve written since first learning the guitar and recorded this past week or so, complete with album art, and she gave me a scrapbook with pictures from our first year together), but the movie was disappointing and a little boring.
All in all, I think it was a good Anniversary, and I’m very happy to have Holli in my life. :)
Newsbleep Joins YouTube
That’s right! I have a Director’s Account!
You can now find Newsbleep at http://youtube.com/newsbleep!
If you have a YouTube account, you should go and comment on the videos and rate them! Send the links to your friends!
Happy Birthday Mom!
Here’s to five or six more! (j/k lol)
2006 Voting Guide
Well, tomorrow is voting day, and while this isn’t a Presidential election year, it has proven to be a banner year for the South Dakota ballot. There are four Constitutional Amendments, 6 Initiated Measures, and 1 Referred Law. Well, to help explain away some of the possible confusions is our very own Representative Rausch. For the sake of being truthful, I’m using the South Dakota Secretary of State page devoted to ballot questions for my Attorney General explanations. Get more info on the election from South Dakota Secretary of State’s website.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional Amendment C
Attorney General says:
South Dakota statutes currently limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman. However, the State Constitution does not address marriage.
Amendment C would amend the State Constitution to allow and recognize marriage only between a man and a woman. It would also prohibit the Legislature from allowing or recognizing civil unions, domestic partnerships or other quasi-marital relationships between two or more persons regardless of sex.
A vote “Yes†will change the Constitution.
A vote “No†will leave the Constitution as it is.
Rep. Rausch says:
“What I voted on was to make it constitutional that marriage can only be between a man and woman.”
Constitutional Amendment D
Attorney General says:
The State Constitution currently requires that all taxable property be valued for tax purposes at no more than its actual value, and that all property be classified and taxed uniformly.
The proposed amendment to the State Constitution would base the taxable value of property upon “acquisition value†for property sold after January 1, 2007. The Legislature may authorize the assessed value of such property to be annually adjusted by up to three percent, using the 2003 assessed property valuation as the base year.
The taxable value of the property may be further adjusted if the property has changed use or classification or has been subject to addition, improvement or destruction.
The limitations of this amendment will not apply to centrally assessed property or to any property sold prior to January 1, 2007.
A vote “Yes†will change the Constitution.
A vote “No†will leave the Constitution as it is.
Rep. Rausch says:
“It is my opinion, and it is shared by many, that this will cause an unconstitional balance. […] Causing a recession and a slow-down.”
Constitutional Amendment E
Attorney General says:
Citizens serving on juries, school boards, city councils, county commissions, or in similar capacities, and prosecutors and judges, are all required to make judicial decisions. Their decisions may be reversed on appeal, or they may be removed from office for misconduct or by election. However, they cannot be made to pay money damages for making such decisions. This allows them to do their job without fear of threat or reprisal from either side.
The proposed amendment to the State Constitution would allow thirteen special grand jurors to expose these decision makers to fines and jail, and strip them of public insurance coverage and up to one-half of their retirement benefits, for making decisions which break rules defined by the special grand jurors. Special grand jurors are drawn from those who submit their names and registered voters.
The proposed amendment is retroactive. The special grand jurors may penalize any decision-maker still alive for decisions made many years ago.
If approved, the proposed amendment will likely be challenged in court and may be declared to be in violation of the US Constitution. If so, the State may be required to pay attorneys fees and costs.
A vote “Yes†will change the Constitution.
A vote “No†will leave the Constitution as it is.
Rep. Rausch says:
“What makes this very scary is that our Attorney General has interpreted it as saying anyone who sits on a judiciary position, so it could- it’s anyone who is making decisions for people […] will be personally held liable for their decisions.”
Constitutional Amendment F
Attorney General says:
This proposed amendment to the State Constitution includes recommendations by the Constitution Revision Commission.
The amendment would remove the current limitation on expense reimbursements received by legislators, and would allow legislators to receive salary, per diem, expenses and mileage reimbursement as provided by law.
The amendment would remove the current specific prohibitions against enacting private or special laws. The Legislature would be restricted by a general prohibition against enacting a special law when a general or local law can be made applicable.
The amendment would remove the Congressional term limit, which the federal courts have found unconstitutional. The procedure for introduction of a bill would be shortened. The amendment would require a two-thirds vote to close a legislative session to the public and prohibit any vote to be taken in a closed session. The amendment would allow the Legislature to exercise emergency powers in the event of man-made and natural disasters.
A vote “Yes†will change the Constitution.
A vote “No†will leave the Constitution as it is.
Rep. Rausch says:
“This one is some changes that need to be made to our Constitution, mostly in clean-up language and just some tweaking.”
Initiated Measures
Initiated Measure 2
Attorney General says:
South Dakota currently taxes tobacco products. The proposed law would increase taxation on tobacco products sold in the state. The tax on a 20 stick cigarette package would be raised by $1.00; the tax on a 25 stick cigarette package would be raised by $1.25. The tax on all other tobacco products such as cigars, roll-your-own, and chewing tobacco, would increase from 10 percent to 35 percent of the wholesale price.
The proposed law would deposit up to $30 million of tobacco tax revenue into the state general fund. The next $5 million, if any, will be deposited in the tobacco prevention and reduction trust fund. Tobacco tax revenue in excess of $35 million, if any, will be divided among the property tax reduction fund, the education enhancement trust fund, and the health care trust fund. The proposed law also establishes continuous appropriations out of the tobacco prevention and reduction trust fund for specified purposes.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“I don’t really know. I don’t like new taxes, and I don’t like the fact that they’re dumping the $30 million into the state’s general fund. […] I probably won’t actually decide until I get into the poll booth. […] It’s not cut and dry. If you really hate smoking, and you think this will help, put it in, but it’s $30 million more that the state gets to spend in general funds. So, it’s a little dangerous.”
Intiatived Measure 3
Attorney General says:
State law currently allows local school boards to establish the start of a regular school term on any date. The proposed law would prohibit local school boards from establishing the start of a regular school term prior to the last day of August.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“I’d just as soon have the month of August to do things with my family. […] However, I will be voting against this because I think the starting of our school term and our school calendar should remain a local issue not a state issue.”
Initiative Measure 4
Attorney General says:
This initiative would allow persons, including minors with parental consent, with a debilitating medical condition, to be certified to grow (not more than six plants), possess (not more than one ounce) and use small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes.
“Debilitating medical condition†is defined to include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, or a chronic, debilitating condition that produces cachexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, including epileptic seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, including spasms caused by spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease or fibromyalgia or any other medical condition approved by the Department of Health.
Certification may be accomplished by submitting medical records to the Department of Health or by submitting a doctor’s recommendation.
A person may not drive while impaired by marijuana and may not smoke marijuana in any place where tobacco smoking is prohibited.
Growth, possession and use of marijuana will still be illegal under federal law but certification is a defense to criminal prosecution under state law.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“As a compassionate individual I really do feel for those that suffer and the fact that this does help some people in their medical condition and alleviate some of their discomfort, I will be voting against this. Part of this, it would still be an illegal drug for everyone else. […] We have other drugs that will work and will offer comfort.”
Initiated Measure 5
Attorney General says:
State law currently allows state employees to use vehicles owned or leased by the State only for state business. There is a limited exception for state employees with a supervisor’s approval. The Governor and certain law enforcement personnel are exempt.
The proposed law requires aircraft owned or leased by the State to be used only for state business, with no exceptions. A person violating this provision would now be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“It doesn’t really matter to me. It’s not really a shrug; I think I’m going to vote against this. I think it’s something the Governer of our state deserves. Call it a perk if you will. […] Maybe we need to come up with liability waivers and things like that that passengers going with him have to sign […], but I don’t have a problem with the Governor having a perk like that.”
Intiated Measure 7
Attorney General says:
The State operates video lottery as authorized by State law. During the last year, the State received approximately one hundred twelve million dollars ($112,000,000.00) from video lottery which is 11% of the state general fund budget.
The proposed law would repeal video lottery and eliminate this source of revenue.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“If you’re against gambling, and you think that’s a moral problem, this in itself will not take care of that problem. […] I’ll probably leave video lottery alone. I don’t play it; I’m not addicted to it. I am a little bit addicted to the 112 million [dollars it generates]. […] But I certainly will honor the challenge, if it is voted out, to try to replace those dollars without one grimace.”
Initated Measure 8
Attorney General says:
State laws impose a four percent tax on the gross receipts of companies providing wireless telecommunications (cell phone) services instead of a property tax.
Last year the State received approximately eight and one-half million dollars ($8,500,000.00) from the cell phone tax. Forty percent (40%) of these revenues are distributed to counties based on population; the balance goes to the State.
The proposed law would repeal this tax, and eliminate this source of revenue.
A vote “Yes†will adopt the proposed law.
A vote “No†will reject the proposed law.
Rep. Rausch says:
“The second part of this that I see is that the counties, our local counties, take- they get their share of tax money off of this. And so, without a way to replace those revenues, even a Grant County is going lose about $32,000.”
Referred Laws
Referred Law 6
Attorney General says:
Current South Dakota law generally allows a pregnant woman to obtain an abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond 24 weeks, abortions may be performed only if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman.
House Bill 1215 would prohibit any person, at any time, from providing any medicine or other substance to a pregnant woman for the specific purpose of terminating her pregnancy. However, a person may provide a contraception substance to a woman without penalty prior to the time her pregnancy could be determined by conventional medical testing.
HB 1215 would also prohibit any person, at any time, from using any instrument or procedure on a pregnant woman for the specific purpose of terminating her pregnancy, unless the person is a licensed physician performing a medical procedure to prevent the death of the pregnant woman.
Any person other than the pregnant woman who violates the provisions of HB 1215 would commit a felony.
If approved, HB 1215 will likely be challenged in court and may be declared to be in violation of the US Constitution. If so, the State may be required to pay attorneys fees and costs.
A vote “Yes†will allow the Act to become effective.
A vote “No†will reject the Act.
Rep. Rausch says:
“I was very proud and privileged to vote in favor of that, and I will definately vote in favor of Referred Law 6. I wanted it to be law when I voted for it in the House, and I want it to be law now.”
Reboot!
It’s my birthday(.com)! To celebrate one year of MilesRausch.com, I’ve decided to share some of the major changes in my life so far.
“MilesRausch.com” Has Been Rebooted
The redesign (and redevelopment) boasts some new features. Along with an entirely redone design, you might spot:
- New favicon
- Four colored versions (which change on special days)
- Asides, Quotes, and Lyrics in the sidebar
- Improved “Archives” page
- Better support for Internet Explorer and Safari (but IE doesn’t work fantastic yet)
- Fluid-width layout
“The Car” Has Been Rebooted.
I traded in my POS (previously owned stupidcar) for $995 and got a brand-new (used) 2001 Chevy Impala LS for a decent sum. This was a huge step for me, and a huge amount of stress.
- Heated, leather seats
- OnStar (maybe)
- Trunk big enough to fit four dead hootchies in it
- Remote control
- Power sunroof
- tape and cd player
This is quite the story, so grab a snack. Actually, that’s what we were doing. It was Saturday, noonish, and Holli and I were going to get some beverages for our frozen pizza. If you haven’t had it, Coke with Lime is one of the greatest beverages out there. It’s got the hard, chrome-flavored kick of Coke with a hint of refreshing lime (note: you won’t get the same taste by mixing Coke with Sierra Mist).
Anyway, it’s hard to come by in Madison, so we decided to try every gas station in town. When we got up to Classic Corner, Holli noticed the marquee in front of Prostrollo’s read “Used Car Sale until 5:00 Today” or something. We went in to get our beverage (which they didn’t have!), so I totally trashed the place and left in an anger. I suddenly wanted to buy something expensive, and I wanted it to take a very very long time.
We drove around the lot, and I looked for any cars I thought I’d like. I didn’t see anything with “007 Stunt Vehicle” on it, but I did see some interesting cars, and we got out to look at them. Without warning or prompting, a salesman was upon us. I gave him my range, and the first car he showed us was a 2001 Chevy Impala. He said his cousin, Adam Pauli, owned it before and had traded it in for a pickup. He said he was originally from Summit. Then he said I could drive it.
This concept sorta blows my mind. They give you keys to a car and just let you leave. He didn’t sit with us. In fact, he used to time to find out how much my car was worth. Holli said that they use your current car as collateral (and as a reason to make you come back) but I had nothing attached to that car. We could have driven to Canada and found a better life amongst the ice-frosted stars.
Anyway, I eventually decided to get the Impala. We walked in and began the process. There were some awkward questions, mostly about work, like what does my employer do and what is my job title. Because I don’t have a job title, I just kinda explained what I do and we made something up with the word “manager” in it. Then he passed the paperwork off to the business manager guy, and we sat in the customer lounge.
We sat there a long time. We watched, like, 10 “Trip My Truck” episodes, and I got increasingly panicked about my purchase. It’s a lot of money for a long time and my old car was still running. Oh, man. Why did I agree to this? It got worse and worse, and then we talked to the business manager.
So, for a car they don’t take credit card. They take cash or check, which means you have to have that money, which means if you don’t, then you have to get a loan, which I hadn’t yet, which they were going to find for me, and without this loan, you can’t get a car. So, the long wait was because “It’s not that you have bad credit; it’s just that you don’t have enough of it.” Right. So, the only loan he could find me was 16.99% interest. I didn’t know what else I could do, so I accepted it, but I didn’t have insurance yet, and I said I was going to research that over the weekend, so the loan was put on hold because they need that info.
Eventually we were allowed to leave with the car, uninsured and unpaidfor, and I drove it to my apartment. I was in a daze the rest of the day, placing calls to dad, Bryce, and sending pix, plus getting calls from mom and Tony, and Holli calling her parents, I was just kinda numb to all of it, and still am a bit. Dad keeps saying, “You just have to do it” and “Are you smiling yet?”
There are pictures of the car and the free swag I got from the dealership in my My New Car – 2006 photo set.
P.S. It appears that Coke with Lime isn’t sold in Madison; we ended up getting Pepsi with Lime, which isn’t even the same thing, don’t get me started.
“The Job” Has Been Rebooted.
I’m full-time at Certus Managed Hosting Solutions of which, CRESH is now CRESH.NET, a division of said company. Some of the high points of that are:
- Decent salary
- Decent Benefits
- Commute to Sioux Falls 3 days a week
- Head or manager or whatever of something or other
I’ve also decided to pursue writing as a career. I’m not quitting my day job, yet, but I am working on getting into festivals and contests and stuff. This means that:
- Writing “table”
- Joined The Dramatists Guild of America (and got a card)
- Currently working on: 3 novels, 12 short stories, 1 poems, 1 screenplays, 0 short films, 0 music videos, 3 one-acts, 3 three-acts, 5 sketches, 1 musical, 1 television show, 1 mini-series
- Currently completed are: 0 novels, 1 short stories, 20+ poems, 1 screenplays, 3 short films, 2 music videos, 11 one-acts, 1 three-acts, 2 sketches
- Currently published: 1 short story, 2 poems
- Currently performed/recorded: 3 Newsbleeps, 2 Off the Records, 4 one-acts, 3 songs, 1 poem, 2 prize-winning speeches, 1 short film, 1 sketch
- (numbers may be adjusted for inflation of ego)
It seems fairly overwhelming when you list it out like that, but I try to work on one thing at a time. Holli’s been very supportive, helping to keep me on track when I start things, and helping me to not get all crazy even after finishing things. An interesting development has been that the new Tech Director at DSU has a master’s degree in playwrighting, and I hope to talk to him soon (as soon as I have time).
So, romp! I hope you guys enjoy the new theme. I really like it.
Off the Record 001: Death
Guess who’s still getting the most out of his MacBook? That’s right. I’ve made a podcast. It’s called “Off the Record”, and it’ll hopefullly be entertaining to listen to. I plan on updating Off the Record more than I’ll be updating Newbleep because it’s a lot easier to just talk than it is to be in two places at once. Plus I do all my podcasts naked. The topic for this one was “death”, but you can’t listen to it here.
There is an entire other website devoted to Off the Record: http://offtherecord.milesrausch.com. And it’s a podcast-enabled site, so that means you can subscribe using iTunes, subscribe using Odeo, or you can use any other Podcast program by subscribing to the feed. And, as if that’s not enough, you can listen to the podcasts on the website itself using a nifty flash player. The mp3 version of the podcast is album art-only, but the m4a version is an enhanced podcast with chapters and multiple album arts for your enjoyment.
This podcast I had a lot of help, and I think having group involvement really makes it interesting. Participants were Bob Davidson, Holly Smith, and Holli Gregg, with a special segment by David Rausch. Also, Holli made the awesome graphic. So, please head on over to the Off the Record 001: Death post and give it a listen!
Also, this weekend was spent in Hawarden, Iowa. David was nice enough to come with us, and we all had a good time. We saw a West Sioux football game, which was nice, since they won. We also met and talked to more family (which always makes me nervous), but it went well, and I really like Holli’s aunt’s voice. I know that sounds weird, but you should hear her voice, then you’ll see what I mean. It feels odd to meet her cousins because they are so much older than her. Her cousin Brody, for instance, is 30 years old. I didn’t even know that they made cousins that old.
No, but seriously, it was nice. We watched some Office, Carol had a birthday, and got a MacBook on Sunday. And, on the way back, we had a stimulating conversation about religion and it’s misuses and the way the public shapes and is shaped by religion. It was enlightening.
In Other News: Mom, the reason I didn’t answer my phone is because I was performing with Comedy Bytes from 7 until 11ish. But, yes, if I could have planned it I probably would have avoided your call. And, no, I haven’t seen the Gilmore Girls yet this season, so don’t ruin it.
Yes, that’s right. I thought last semester was my last show, but I agreed to stay on until auditions, which meant entertaining Freshmen during the first week of school, doing a quick 10 minute bumper at Monday night’s Coronation, and a full 45 minute show last night in the Underground. I think the show went really well. The turn out for the show last night wasn’t as big as I would have liked, but it was still a major crowd, and they laughed. Afterwards, they gave Holli, Mike, and I long underwear and a card with no money inside. It was touching.
In Related News: I got Digital Cable today, and the guy who hooked it up was a sexist. He had on The Price Is Right, and they have glamorously dressed girls, but I would say it’s quite tasteful. Camera pans to a girl. He says, “I think she should take her shirt off.” I was floored, not at the joke, because I’ve said so much worse, but at the fact that he was assuming I was the kind of person who would enjoy a joke like that. That, and she wasn’t wearing a “shirt”, it was a dress. There is nothing in my apartment to suggest that: no rifles or antlers, no posters of half-naked chicks fishing, no swimsuit calendar. There was a slightly awkward silence. The camera pans over to another woman, African-American, dressed in similar attire. He says, “I think she should, too.” So, feeling that I needed to respond, and knowing that he wasn’t yet down installing my cable, I said, “Well, if they did things like that, I don’t think they’d be on CBS anymore.” Laugh. He says, “Yeah, but I would watch religiously!” Ironic choice of words. I smirk, and go into the kitchen. That’s the last time I make small talk ever again.
Happy Birthday, Welcome, and Thank You
Happy Birthday to:
Sue Rausch
Jeff Gabhart
Tony Rolfes
Lindsey Nelson
Welcome to:
Dan Rausch. He has a new MilesRausch.com blog (which some people jumped the gun on commenting on). Check him out at MilesRausch.com/dan. Let’s all give him a big welcome because it took a lot for him to take that first plunge.
Thank You:
Sue Rausch. She sent me (and David and probably some others) a very packed care package the other day. Unfortunately, I have to share with Holli (greed is good), but luckily she packed doubles of a lot of stuff, so it made it easy, and it put me in Holli’s good graces. So, thank you, Sue.
I Hate You, Mike Shinoda
How dare you pen such catchy beats and riff such rockin’ rhymes! I remember when I first heard of Linkin Park. I remember seeing them on a show called Pharm House (or something) and they were an up-and-coming musical act. I lived and breathed Linkin Park. I went to fan sites and downloaded B-Sides and rarities. I memorized trivia. And now he seems to have done it again, Mike Shinoda, with his band Fort Minor. I got the CD for that one song (Where’d You Go?) and I (as a joke) listened to the whole album, and I liked it. I really liked it. Who’s heard this? What did you think?
But one song struck me (besides that one song) like [your mom reference] hit [sexual reference]. It’s called “Believe Me”, and I noticed something strange about it. I played againa and again, and then I noticed it. I recognized the violin line. I thought on it the whole day at work, and then I realized, it’s the exact same violin line from a song called Alessandra by the band Unorganized Crime. It’s a lower pitched, a little slowed down, but it’s unmistakeable. I wondered how he got away with that (if at all) or if the two struck an agreement. Then I was messing around with Garageband working on some music and guess what I discovered. That exact same violin line! Yeah! They both got it from Garageband, which, I suppose, makes it public domain, but it was odd.
Last week Holli and I took a walk and took some pictures. Her pictures are in her Walkaround DSU – Sept 2006 set and mine are in my Rendered DSU – 14 Sept 06 set. It was neat. I don’t know much about night photography, so it was a learning experience. Also, using long exposures sure show you how dirty your lense is.
Then, this weekend, we basically just lounged around hanging out. There wasn’t much on the agenda. Monday, however, I went on a spending spree. I had just paid off the last of my bills that weekend, and I still had over half my paycheck left, so I bought Ghostbusters 1 & 2 DVD set, The Office: Season 2, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Directions ( a Death Cab for Cutie DVD), and The Gilmore Girls Season 4 ($20 marked down from $50). It was awesome. So, now Holli and I have a problem. Continue to watch Aqua Teen Hunger Force or go ahead with The Office. It seem that our unofficial plan of action is The Office, and I’m okay with that. Who’s seen these? What did you think?
I would like to thank everyone for your comments on the Newsbleeps. I plan on making more. My eventual plan for content on MilesRausch.com is going to be two text posts and two multimedia posts per month and all for free! I have some things planned, some things incomplete, and somethings very nearly ready to disclose in the coming weeks. Something to think on, MilesRausch.com turns 1 on October 9th. So, hopefully, I’ll have some surprises for you. *wink*
This past week I’ve watched the movies Dune and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and I have learned something about the future and space: both are very weird. I hope I die before 10191, because I don’t think I’d like it much. Also, I’ll be much more careful about what seasoning I use on my food from now on. Who’s seen it? What did you think?
This weekend Holli and I are heading to Hawarden. She has some family gathering there, and we haven’t visited since May, and her dad is directing their musical this fall. It’s Little Shop of Horrors, and Holli and I are acting as Executive Producers. Well, not really, unless he wants us to, but that’s what I told Bryce so he would be impressed with me. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the movie yet, so we have to do that like right-quick. Who’s seen it? What did you think?
By the by, I injected this post with comment starters. Can you spot them? What did you think?
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Holly Smith!
And, I’m sorry that I said Happy Birthday to Tony. I was exactly a month early thanks to the incorrect way in which I entered it into my address book. Apparently, when you abbreviate “September” as “sept” it changes it to “August”.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Lindsey and Tony!
My Poster & Tim’s 40th Birthday
My Poster!, originally uploaded by m!les.
I ordered a poster-sized version of this photo, and it came in the mail the other day. Here’s what it looks like hung up.
Also, this past weekend, right after the wedding, we had a surprise party for Uncle Tim. Boy was he surprised, I think. We weren’t actually there at the time of the party because we had to try to track down a bottle of wine that mysteriously disappeared on our way back over to the hotel. It seems that they forgot to tell dad that he had a package.
Anyway, it was mostly sitting around, talking, and eating. Some family members came up for it, some of the great uncles and their families, so that was neat. The occassion was also kinda solemn since this would mark the last time we would see Bryce and Lindsey as occupants of South Dakota. I can’t be for sure, but I think Bryce was crying.
So, Tim: Happy Birthday! Pictures are here. And, Bryce and Linds: if you made it okay, give us a sign!