Oh somebody kill me please

So I just bombed my fluids test. Nothing but profanity now. I'm not upset, just tired. I don't think there is anything more I could have done to prepare myself for those problems. I needed more time (the story of my life in EVERY aspect).

My fate lies in the stars now.

You tap the brake while I crack the window

Off work by 6:00pm. Time for car repair, then the gym, then hometeaching, then homework. That was what I had planned on.

I took Shelley’s car battery from the chassis and had it tested. It was fine, so I cleaned the electrodes and proceeded to position it back in the car. There is a crossbar with a square nut, and I needed to loosen to get the battery in place. I didn't have a wrench large enough, so I tried a pair of vice grips (Note that I’m too tired and pissed at the world to go up to my lab to get a proper wrench.)

Naturally, I couldn't place the grips flush with the nut because of the crossbar’s geometry, so I angled them the best I could and pulled…really, really hard.

It turns out that even when you’re angry, the laws of physics still apply. The grips flew off the nut and my left hand with them. My hand came to a stop but not before snagging a piece of sheet metal creating a 2.5" cut along the big muscle controlling my thumb. I looked down through the blood and noticed that I could see the muscle fibers.

"Band AIDS!!" Shelley yelled as she ran inside as I stood outside in shock that I did something so stupid. Then, out of nowhere, I got a, “DANGER WILL ROBINSON” vibe, and my whole body got tingly and cold. Also not good. I carefully walked into Shelley’s apartment and put my hand under some running water in the kitchen sink. (Note: I’m perfectly calm) My vision stared to tunnel, and I had trouble standing. “Knock it off body! I’m fine.” I sat down and put my feet on another chair. I breathed deeply so I don’t throw up. After consulting with my sister and her roommate, we decided I needed stitches and it was off to the emergency room…

Stay tuned for more adventures in Mike’s stupid life.

Diane, I don't say it but I know you know

Do you ever hit that point where you're bummed and don't want to talk to anyone? You're better off doing your own thing and interacting with no one. I hit it all the time. What do I do when I get this way and friends still need me? I don't want to abandon them or pretend I don't care, but I simply don't have the emotional energy to support them during those times. It's hard enough to maintain my own sanity.

Some days you just need a break.

When I need to sate, I just accelerated...into oblivion

Working until 6:30 – not my favorite for a Friday
Steak with marine buddies Mike and Dan – Entertaining and “Delightfully offensive” as Jessica put it
Get together at Cristina’s with 20 other people – not so much my thing
Gym at 11:00pm - unity of thought

$120 aerating with Zach, Wizard People, Dear Reader with 3M and company – pas si pire
Block party on condo row – uber gay
Jessica calling at 12:30 and talking for an hour even though I have church meetings at 7:00am – worth it

Stake leadership “training” at 7:00am the morning where they say nothing more than “be good” and do what we ask –Selfish blood boils, but Bishop Swenson had to be there too. I mustn’t complain (too much).
Sunday School on pioneers with teacher content to read manual – Shit! Does nobody care about anything!!!! A class full of lifeless lumps. Since when was Sunday school about hoop jumping?
Elder’s Quorum – better off saying nothing at all
Dinner at Boss Jim’s with homemade clam chowder, tomato basil, tortilla soup, bread, cornbread, angel-food w/ fresh peaches, and chocolate coconut cake – Heaven. Pure and simple. My stomach will never be large enough
Ward Prayer – not today
Band of Brothers – just missed it
History Channel special on Fallujah – Having your legs filled with AK-47 fire, dragging yourself over a fallen comrade to protect him from a pineapple grenade 6 feet away, maintaining consciousness for an hour while defending your postition with a 9mm. No trite phrase comes close to doing such an event justice.

Brad Kasal, you are an ispiration. http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/02/brad_kasal_a_us.html

Long conversation with Mike – The world sucks because nobody cares. Europe sucks because the World Wars killed the strong bloodlines. Bush sucks because he’s a politician. America sucks because we only elect politicians.
Fluid Mechanics HW – yeah right.

there's nothing new to talk about

Do you ever wonder what people see when they look at you? Sometimes it is frightening to learn that what a person sees in you is not at all what you see in you or what you expect them to see. Last night was the perfect example. I think it was the first time in years that someone has hurt my feelings. Even your good friends can totally have the wrong idea about you in certain respects. If nothing else, last night was an indication that I need to try harder to match my actions and words with my feelings and beliefs.

But then it's you I could do without

It's back together! After pulling apart my bearings, putting them back together, pulling them apart again, sonicating them in MeOH, Actone, and Toluene, attempting to use TriFlow, cleaning it off, trying again, and cleaning it off a second time, I went out and bought some speed cream. The stuff is some kind of oil, but I think it should work. I relubbed my bearings and reassembled the skate board. Now it's 2:30pm and I haven't even started my day.

Last night I stopped by the 134 girls and dropped off the Christams lights I'd been meaning to fix for two weeks. No one was home, but later, they all sent me text messages or called me. Warm fuzzies are nice.

What is love then? Taking 30 minutes to repair some crappy $10 lights. They know it, and I know it.

The western coast

So I finally did it! Score one for impulsiveness. Satuuday, I went out and bought a longboard. Granted it was the cheapest one I could find, but that's okay. That's all I need. I've been meaning to do this for about a year now. I figure I'll start simple. I'm so bad, I don't dare invite myself to go along with Steve, but once I get the bearings regreased, I'll have time to stink and get better on my own.

Should I stay at work, or should I burn up my time and go to a skate shop to find some bearing grease? Hmmm. I do have some extra time.

I saw you running away for no apparent reason cause you and I are changing for the season

An hour before class, "So we need to change labs. Can you make up these solutions?" "Sure, no problem" An hour later "my wife is having a baby, so they're all yours. I'll see you later." !!??!!??

Yeah, 15 Sr. and grad students who don't know remember a thing from freshman chemistry assigned to work on a lab of which I only know half. All things considered, we survived. I didn't look too scattered I hope. No one got their face burned off. No one drank anything poisonous. I only broke $40 in glassware.

Right now I'm sitting in my lab waiting for a solution to dissolve. Excepting The Format playing in the background combined with the seady hum of the oven filament, it's quiet and peaceful. For the first time in a while, I'm just observing. Stack glassware, ceramic furnace, old instruments, dull beige wall, 70's blue paint. For some reason, it all seems like a painting or desktop background.

Homesick at space camp

Matrix effects in an ICP; now that's an exciting thing to talk about. "So you can fit ten metals in a standard? What about wavelength overlap? How many data points do I need in my calibration curve? Will overloading the detector do any damage?" Ah yes, my job is marvelous.

Today,
KCSC
Books are good
Military presses are painful
SOP's are great fun to write