Paul R Smith Dot Com

Back To School and We Have A Lot Of Work To Do

Blog Shock

BioShock is a new computer game I pre-ordered that will be released on Tuesday.  I'm very excited because it is science fiction horror and is done by Ken Levine.  I have an unnatural love for computer games.  I know this because I don't spend time playing them.  It's my fault I keep letting real life get in the way.  I swear I can quit at any time.  I cook. I read bedtime stories to Jade.  I exercise.  I eat too much food.  But I often find myself not doing things I find the most pleasure to do.  Why is that?  I wonder why I spend so much time not enjoying myself.  The word martyr comes to mind.

Okay, stop yelling at the computer screen.   I know I try to fit a 35 hour day into 24 and the interest rates are killing me.  I just don't know what I should give up to get what I want to do.   I would like to think if I manage to complete one goal, every thing else would fall into place.  When I am able to drop 30 pounds, my friends get more phone calls from me, I get more writing done, and I can get all my World of Warcraft Characters to 70. Damn, where did I put that genie bottle?  Bah, I'll get around to rubbing that later.

I've read somewhere to be truly successful at something you have to learn to use the word, "no." But few people mention that price.  Well, at least the ones who haven't say, "no" to me yet.  There's another really good book I've read called, "The War of Art."  One of the most telling chapters speaks of the risk of watching your closest friends may try to talk you away from your true calling.  I do the opposite, I make them read about how much time I stumbled and dropped out of my hands. 

At least, when I complain about time I've abused, I do it creatively:

"So what's this PaulRSmith.com all about."
"Well, it's this thirty something person who keeps writing about his daughter."
"Sounds dull."
"Nah, it's got some chuckles, here...and wait a minute!  That's his whole blog!  I've been reading this bloody thing for 7 years and that's his only theme!  That bastard!  I'll never fall into that trap again! I'm going to read comics.  Oh, here's something different, Lucy is about to hold a football for Charlie Brown..."

Jade, Me, and The Atlantic Ocean

This was a lot of fun on the Friday night we returned home.  My parents made a great suggestion to go to Robert Moses Beach.  After all, Jade had not seen the Atlantic Ocean.  She enjoyed getting splashed by the waves. 

I feel like this photo needs a poem below it.  Something really cheesy.  It would be found covered in a light layer of dust at some forgotten card store. 

Because I Love Well Done Commercials

  ;-)

Geek Slapping

CNN Tech article on "high tech manners."

I don't get it.  How is chatting with a friend in one table different than one person chatting on a cell phone at another table?  One table is lucky to have local friends while the other is known through out the world.  I'm sorry they are just a tad too far to drop in for lunch. 

Now, movie theaters, I can understand.  If I see someone chatting during a movie on a phone, they should be shot regardless of local gun control laws.   But in the interest of manners, a silencer should be used if possible.

This article gives helpful hints when encountering people who know how to set their own microwave clocks:
"But what's the proper etiquette for dealing with cell phone faux pas or people who've shunned you for their BlackBerry?

Ervin is a firm believer in the low-tech "icy glare," a shooting daggers-evil eye combo. But, it has mixed success."

I myself believe in the "defrosting finger."  After all, it's very polite to look at a friend coldly, especially after they received a call that their cat has died.  99 percent of cell phones have caller id.  Most people judge if they will answer or not if they are talking to me.  I'm sorry, no one is corrected equal.  (When's the last time you saw Bono waiting on line at the motor vechicle?)  If I'm in a social setting and a work number comes up, I have to take the call.  It's either that or I lose my job.  Amy Cox (the author with a very telling name) never brings up emergency calls, she just states how rude it is for people to have them. 

Now, I have very cool friends scattered across this country.  And I will talk loudly in public places with them whenever possible.  Because that is exactly what I would do if they were here in front of me.

August 7th 2003 11.55pm

Jade turned 4 today.

We took Jade to Dave and Busters. (Because Chucky Cheese is too scary  for Brenda.) We mistakenly gave her  birthday presents at the table.  She had one in her hand she really wanted to open. We told her no because there were little pieces (affectionally known as choking hazards to some.) that would get lost.  We told her to put it away.  She didn't listen and accidentally knocked her soda all over the table and right now my right pant leg. 

The clean up crew came over and wordlessly cleaned up the spill.   But Jade was in tears.  I picked her up and walked her out to calm her down.  We then went to the restroom, cleaned up and dried her tears.  I brought Jade back to the table. We let her know she has to be careful.  It's very important to pay attention to what you are doing.  I would have made Dr. Spock proud.  She cheered up and was finally back to her old self as I leaned back into my seat knocking my coke right over unto the table and all over my left leg.

After about an hour, Bren finally coaxed me out from under the table.

PaulRSmith.com: New and Improved! Now With Blog Entries!

I knew I was in trouble when I saw the number of hits go down on this website.  Heck, my own mom gave up on this site.  Well I thought you liked the zen look of a website gone blank.   It brought out a mind like water trance  as you didn't have to work too hard on a website that used to harass you into questions every week. 

Now, I bring you: blog entries!  I should bring out a new marketing campaign!   

It's almost as good as these Nacho and Salsa Combos.  What?  Sounds utterly repulsive?  Try them. Try them.  You will see.  They really taste like corn chips and salsa with a refreshing after taste of mono sodium glutamate.  Wash down with a Mr. Pibb!  I know most people have not eaten such fine cuisine since college.  Treat yourself.  There are just some days you really need to treat yourself to some preservatives.