INSOMNIA?

It's almost 1:30am, I've been home for an hour, I'm editing digital photos and listening to 80's rock, more specifically, "Your Love" by Outfield.

WHY CAN'T I FALL ASLEEP? So many worries...

WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS

There will be a lot of people doing this today, but I just wanted to say goodbye myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMPIRE DINER!

365 days, done and gone.

One year ago today, at 7:49am, the words, "Testing, testing. Is this thing on?" echoed across the internet and information super highway. Since then, people's lives have changed, the borders of countries redrawn, the earth tilts differently and the universe is just a little more askew than it was a million years ago.

So a year ago, Kyle showed me this little website called Blogger. And of course, being that I need to have the same toys as all my friends, I started this, the Napkin Notes at the Empire Diner.

The name itself was derived from the Billy Joel song, "The Great Wall Of China." The lyric goes, "Help yourself, it's all you can eat at the Empire Diner tonight..." Plus I have some odd obsession with old 50s and 60s diners. So now that I've said that little factoid that no one cares about, we'll move on.

I copied my entire blog, every single entry into Microsoft Word (not by hand of course, I copied and pasted). In a year, I've posted roughly 87,000 words, which for some reason seems low because I talk so damn much about nothing. I went through a list of words I though I commonly used and counted them up...

• Biblical figures: Jesus (25), God (71, you can't link God)
  
• Choice words [parental advisory here]: Damn (82), Crap (48), Ass (228), Shit (51), Fuck (21, wow, I'm beaming with pride about that one), Hell (41)
  
• Friends: Stick Bus (83), Kyle (244, that's sad), Bruen (108), Jeff (124), Sarah (58), Connie (104), Mark (27), Alison (21)
  
• Famous People: Al Gore (2), Ichiro (22)
  
• Places: Chicago (61), Illinois (22), Los Angeles (32), California (22), Barney's Beanery (12), Columbia College (15)

And this is where I am today, one year later. Many things have changed in my life, most for the better. And trust me, the next 365 days are going to get interesting. Pretty much the last year has been other people's lives shifing around mine. This year, is my turn. I'm sure my site will fall prey to slow times and be plagued by "hiatus" graphics, but behind the scenes I'll still be at it and trying to win whatever battle comes next.

Here's to the diner and the next revolution...

...We'll begin with a spin,
trav'ling in the world of my creation,
what we'll see will defy,
explanation...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMPIRE DINER!

Yessir, today my very own Napkin Notes at the Empire Diner turns the big ONE year old. Oh and what fun it has been.

Expect a retrospective later...

TOYS

I love my new digital camera. Here are a few pics I've taken so far...

YOU KNOW IT'S A SLOW DAY WHEN:

You edit all of the names for blogs in your bookmark list to read the author's name followed by the blog title in parenthesis. For example: Dave (Empire Diner).

Now that's done, what do I do now?

UPS, DON'T FAIL ME NOW!

So I'm at work and I've been watching UPS Tracking all morning because I'm waiting for my new digital camera (pause to wait for my "comments" to fill up with messages about me not saving money and being in debt).

Anyway, if you're REALLY bored too insert the number 1ZA41W190244708887 and see if it's there yet.

BILLY ZANE SUCKS

Yes he does, and this will help me prove that.

JUST ONE OF THOSE ARTICLES

There's really nothing I can say to even sum up the contents of this article.

THE BOY IN THE CUBICLE SAYS:

I'm in hell.

DAVE'S NEW CAR JOKE OF THE DAY

"Is that a new cell phone?"
"No, that's my car."

DAVE'S NEW CAR JOKE OF THE DAY

"Sure it gets good gas mileage, but every ten miles you have to stop and empty the mulch bag."

...and there'll be more...

BIG DUMB MALE

So I went outside to get the mail. I saw I received the new Rolling Stone. When I revealed the cover, I blurted out to the neighbors and kids outside...

"HOLY CRAP."

THE HUMPTY DUMPTY LOVE SONG

I had a premonition
A movie in my mind
Confirming my suspicions about what I would fine
You followed me to LA, down to Mexico
Came in through the back door
At the start of the show

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE DROVE OVER A LOT OF SHIT

In February of 1999, I ventured out with my parents on one cold and snowing winter weekend in search of a car. Little did I know, I would be leaving there with a truck and what would later be a reliable friend.

My original intent was to become one of the many who drive in the Pontiac Grand Am family. I had liked the cars and they were somewhat affordable. At the time, I was working 40 hours a week at a real job and I was pretty sure that was not going to change (later I would high-tail it and return to school). So I test drove a $23,000 Mercury Mountaineer, V8 engine, leather interior, 6 CD changer, sunroof, the works. I would later sign the papers to make her legally mine.

In the years to come, her mighty chariot wheels would take me to Bloomington, Illinois where she makes and appearance in the Stick Bus film, The Blairwich Project (that trip would also bring another infamous incident where she was vomited on, I was not told of this until TWO YEARS LATER). She drove me as far north as Kenosha, Wisconsin to happy memories of batting cages. From Lake Michigan in the east, and the campus of Augustana in the west (she carried Gordons in on angelic winds). Finally there were the countless trips into the cornfields of DeKalb, she would fly me where I needed to go.

Sadly though, it was these trips, especially the ones to DeKalb, which would cause us to part ways far earlier than I had ever hoped. It was only a matter of time until she rocketed through the 75,000 mile marker, also bringing an end to her faithful warranty. Through the years, she had minor problems internally. Some electrical work here, some unexplained corrosion there, and once she blew out her subwoofer while singing along to Dr. Dre's, The Chronic 2001. It was the combination of these that made my parental units weary of her strength and feared that she may not remain reliable.

So on Tuesday night, November 13th, I gave her away in exchange for what can only be called a go-kart. I can only stare out my window at night, hoping that someone else will find her and love her like I did. Wax her and wash her, kiss her visor when she made it through the yellows, and yell, "THAT WAS F**KING AWESOME!" as she smashes into high standing water along the roadsides.

Perhaps one day, when the world slows down and the stars are seen from the west coast, we'll meet again. Goodbye dear friend, and here's to you, your legend, and your glory. May your wheels carry you far and your heart remain strong. Farewell.

Big Maroon Machine 1999 - 2001

THE WAKE

In ten minutes, I'm losing a good friend forever.

There will be an epitaph later.

NEXT REST STOP 1,745 MILES

Yesterday, after a long and heated discussion (again) with Kyle, I finally put into writing the major events that I need to make happen in the next year. I know most of you reading this could care less, I'm doing this more for my own benefit.

1. Due to bad credit card abuse, I'm cutting three of my four cards tonight. This also includes deleting all the stored credit card numbers I have stored in various online companies.



2. Tonight I'm buying a new/used car that will be covered under a warranty with low mileage. Of course this means it isn't a car I like, but getting one I do like isn't a choice I have. I LOVE my Mountaineer and now I'm going from a V-8 roaring machine to a 4-cylinder foreign lawnmower. Goody. Anyway, somewhere along the line the new car is going to be beneficial and I could save a little cash from it. I'm buying this new car today and I just have to deal with it (regardless of the damage it may do to my ego and image).



3. I am going to finish my schooling at CLC. After this semester, I will have 51 credit hours, 60 are needed for an associates degree. With help from Connie, I already know what classes I need to take to earn my associates degree. The degree WILL be received in June of 2002. Once I have that minor degree, I can transfer to almost any college I want and the degree ensures 60 credit hours, the college I would transfer to cannot reject any of those hours. At the same time, because I will be able to arrange my classes better, less time at school will be needed, therefore I will be able to work more than 19 hours a week. This will greatly benefit my checking account.



4. With the money I will have theoretically saved, I will arrange some form of transportation to the Los Angeles, California area. The next step will be either finding a cheap hotel or begging Kyle and Sarah (and baby) for stays lasting about a week, sporadically throughout the summer. While there, I will find a place to live and apply for many jobs, both in and out of the entertainment industry.



5. In August of 2002, pending the results of number 4, I will be moving to Los Angeles with home and job waiting.



6. Once living in Los Angeles, the search for work and income will take priority over education. In December 2002, if need be or I feel it is necessary, I will apply to colleges in California. With my associates degree, I can apply to any California college without fear of losing credit hours.



7. I live happily ever after on the west coast. Events taking place in this time will include scooters, tattoos, parties, marriage, kids, conquering the world, retirement, parties, walkers, death.

And of course it's all going to be much more complicated than all that, but that's the basic plan. There are probably more places and people I should mention in there, but I'm keeping it simple. I’ve always lacked a plan, this was pointed out as my downfall. I need dates to reach my goals, and steps to follow. In a way, I now have that.

I guess I'll see you there.

FU·RI·OUS
adj.

1. Full of or characterized by extreme anger; raging.


2. Suggestive of extreme anger in action or appearance; fierce. See Synonyms at angry.


3. Full of activity; energetic or rapid: the furious pace of the trading floor.

EEE-CHE-ROW

Konichiwa

I don't know what that means.

NOW, I'M WEEPING

I just saw the second Episode 2 teaser.

BLING-BLING-BLING-BLING-BLING

WONDERFUL TICKETMASTER

I recieved an e-mail from Ticketmaster this afternoon, the subject was, "RATT & more cool events happening near you!"

I was amazed to see "RATT" and "cool events" in the same sentence.

ANY FRIEND OF CONNIE'S IS A FRIEND OF MINE

Stick Bus: so what exactly do you need my lady for again this weekend?
Silki125: becasue I miss her
Stick Bus: oh...but you don't miss me?
Silki125: no not at all actually.
Silki125 signed off at 1:20:21 PM.

Isn't that sweet?

BOOM

If the feeling that I'm trapped here forever isn't bad enough...I've suddenly become very concious to how fat I am.

OUT/IN

so go out and
make strong your stance
you were the best of them
just breathe out and in
hold me again
cause then you're off to them
like the rest of them
you're gone

FRUSTRATION AND THE BIG MAROON MACHINE

Last night, my dad and I drove an hour and a half to Rockford to look into buying a new car. Well...it was a DISMAL failure.

The dealer was a nice guy and all, but I've pretty much screwed myself with the Big Maroon Machine. I still owe $10,535.80 on the Mountaineer, but the dealership was only able to give me $7500 on the trade in. So the $3000 difference would be added to the $20,000 price tag on the new car. Plus, I have no down payment (well, I do, but $100 isn't going to do much). After some calculations, the dealer said I'd be paying about $460 a month (that's IMPOSSIBLE when you work 18hrs. a week) and the dealer suggested that I try to sell the car myself and aim for $10,000. That killed me. Like someone kicked me in the face. It wasn't his fault so I wasn't mad at him, I was mad at the situation I've now been put in.

And of course, now this morning, the Big Maroon Machine had a REALLY hard time starting up. Great.

With all this, I'm frustrated, I'm pissed off and just confused. I was really hoping just to do this and move on. And I know Connie will be mad that I'm going to say this again, but if I had done what I was supposed to do (go to school) and finish when I was supposed to, then I might have had a full time job by now and been able to afford that. Ugh.

Now I just have to try and not be a spoiled little kid and probably sacrifice my pride for "something that just gets me from A to B."

Damnit.

ROADS?

Acapriccio: new car = awesome
Stick Bus: yeah? you floorin' it?
Acapriccio: yeah. i also have working brakes!
Acapriccio: i'm so excited
Acapriccio: and the keyless entry thing is OOC
Acapriccio: and the remote trunk pop thing
Acapriccio: i can't stop doing it
Stick Bus: welcome to the 21st century.
Stick Bus: i really don't know what i'd do without keyless entry though.
Stick Bus: putting a key in a door is so 1980's.
Acapriccio: my prob is that i keep hitting the alarm button in my pocket
Stick Bus: with your big dick?
Acapriccio: yep

OVERPASS

crawling home
the street lamps dotted the black sky
they lined the night like a flipped runway
around me the ghosts were driving red cadillacs
and the big memories were riding little scooters

the traffic was packed on the off-ramps
the trailer trucks crowded the shoulders
my suspension rode easy
across the gaps in the pavement
the speed grabbed at my antenna

unhappiness fought inside my engine
under the roar were the whispers of pistons
firing up and down
pulling me forward
telling me i was wrong for leaving

time stretches and doubles
the sleep in my eyes blurs the road into the 405
the cold autumn wind squeezes in
through a cracked read window it bites my neck
and snaps me back to the 294

i'm awake to the fact
that my mind is so everywhere
that i feel stuck going nowhere
the odometer just counts miles in the wrong direction
around me the fears were driving gold hondas
the hopes were in the distance walking on foot

the driving forces my mind to move just as fast
emptiness stretches and doubles
the sunroof is open
the moon shines through the street lamps
the dashboard glows blue

i should have stopped for gas thirty miles ago
but that would have made the trip worse
with the engine roar gone i'd be thinking clearly
and wanting to go back
to where i'm now allowed to be right now

i hate the distance where a phone call seems so quick
but a trip feels like days
what little strength i have left
from the addiction of sleepless nights
is beaten on by memories
behind me my dreams were piled in buses
and the tomorrows were in station wagons

somewhere in a memorized pattern
of left turns and right turns
i make my way back to my room
knowing that it's not where i'm supposed to be
and i'm sure not supposed to be alone

i left my bags on the floor
eighty-five miles back in a room
along with socks and shirts
there's a clichéd heart in a jar
on a nightstand
next to a book
under a light
and close to a sleeping girl

all the way i know
that my love is riding next to me
wearing a bright yellow coat
and driving faster than i ever could

FRESH CORN

With help from Kyle (as usual), Connie has a new website. I don't think she even knows it has changed yet...

INTENSE B-DAY WISHES

Happy birthday Robert Patrick! Run, jump, morph!

FUN AT 3AM

I've been waking up at 3 in the morning again, I've done it for the last 4 days. It's fun.

THE GAMES

The Bears game was PHENOMENAL. That's all I'll say about that.

And congrats to Arizona, and especially to Mark Grace. You did it with the wrong team, but I'll forgive you.

VAYA LOS OSOS!

Played football yesterday again, and like EVERY OTHER TIME, I got my ass kicked. I tried to stop a running play, the guy running was 5-foot-8 and like 250lbs. I tried to stop with only my thumb. My thumb subsequently was jammed or sprained or something BAD.

Sidenote: I was able to take down the guy using an illegal dragon-sweep.

Anyway, time to get ready. I have a Bears game to attend.

SURVIVAL OF THE FATTEST

How is it that respectable entertainment news sites like Mr. Showbiz die out, while the waste of entertainment news sites lives on?

WAX ON, GET OLD

Jesus, Ralph Macchio turned 40 today. He was 23 when he did the only work he's really known for. He wasn't a KID at all. Oh the lies of Hollywood.

CRUISIN'

So I'm not the only one who's in the new car market. Seems Kyle and Sarah bought a new ride this weekend.

NOTHING GOOD

Drunk and tired.

WHEN PEOPLE TAKE YOUR IDEA AND DO IT

This reminds me of back in the day, when Bruen, Kyle, Jeff and I used to cruise the Gurnee McDonald's because they had 25-cent burger nights. A Ronald McDonald just like the one in the article sat on a bench and begged us to steal him. However, we never did.

Yet, a couple of kids did. And when I see the finished product...it's far funnier than I ever imagined.

HOW KYLE FORD TAKES ON GEOLOGY

Acapriccio: i took geology at augie
Acapriccio: all i remember
Acapriccio: was that i licked them all
Acapriccio: to determine if they were salt
Stick Bus: HAHAHA!
Acapriccio: that's how i passed
Acapriccio: that's the key