Glassbooth - Quiz to help you choose best 2008 presidential candidate

Glassbooth - Quiz to help you choose best 2008 presidential candidate

This was comforting -
a) my closest match ended up being my main guy, and
b) it was only a 74% issue.

See below my main issues, and how whoever it was matched:

Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy
very similar

Civil Liberties and Domestic Security
very similar

Immigration
similar

Iraq and Foreign Policy
similar

Taxes and Budget
similar

Environment and Energy
different

Sean's world is pretty cool

So - about 1/2 a mile from my house (immediately off Holcomb Bridge Road) there is a 3/4 empty strip mall. There was a Brazilian grocery at some point, but although the sign remained, it has been gone since before I moved in. Cornerstone stores include an Abbadabba's(??), as well as a Subway (which is pretty cool, but would be better if it was a store that did the whole $4 footlong after 4 PM thing.) Of course Subway hasn't been as good since *I* was a sandwich artist there, but I digress. A Dunkin Donuts *sign* has been up about 3 months, but no actual store yet. (similar to the frickin' Little Ceaser's down the way- don't get me started.) In fact, the only actual new store I've seen in the past 3 years is the pawnshop that opened last month.

Until Friday! Driving home, I saw the sign - BOOKS. (quick, and to the point)

Once & Again Used bookstore, and I was there on day 2. (i decided to hurry home to LN the first day - hope I didn't miss anything cool.

It's brightly lit, and I imagine (from the walk-in traffic I saw on Saturday) will be in fine shape for business. So - a place to get trade-in credit for my used books, and they have some new and nearly new books as well! I will be able to put off getting a library card for at least another six months!

Amusing corporate story.

Background -

My company is nationwide, corporate headquarters in California, and my offices are in Atlanta. It is also the week after the change to (from? I can never remember) Daylight Savings Time.

So, one of our accounting staff, having been with the company about 5 years or so, was about to leave for the day (at 1 PM, but that's another story,) and asked "Sean - Denver is 2 hours different from us, right?" I responded, "Correct." She continued, "... therefore Corporate is *3* hours ahead."

"Right again," I replied. "But behind."

She: "What?"

Me: "Behind. Corporate is 3 hours behind us."

She: "Ahead?"

Me: "No - behind."

She: "Really?"

Other random coworker: "Behind."

She: "Ooooohh. That explains why they are always at work."

I can understand (almost) people passing through this world for 30 years, and not necessarily being completely comfortable with time zones. (Indiana, for one) The strange thing for me is that she has to deal with our Corporate accounting office (in Denver) *daily*. Why does she not realize that there is a perfectly good reason they are CONSISTENTLY not at work before, say, 10 AM?

Jet returns to Midway after luggage falls out -- chicagotribune.com

Not our flight

but people on our flight were refugees. Photos from wedding uploaded soon.

mightybear: Azoni's

This story was funny because it was true.

Azoni's is a little family run all-you-can-eat pizza and southern food place just down the street. Its closeness and cheapness and family-friendliness bring us there time and time again. Knowing Sean and his love of the AYCE places, we often go there when he comes to visit. Because Mark works late a lot, sometimes it's just me and the kids with Sean.

Because it's family run, we've gotten to know the staff there. Really nice people! However, it's evident how strange we must seem. Me and Mark and the kids, Me and Sean and the kids. . . .as Mark said one day as we were walking in "Which husband is she going to bring today?"

Best part for me - I have a bunch of co-workers who live near there, and I have tried to get them to buy into the whole 'pizza/country cookin' concept, and they just haven't. But it is still really good!

Thanks, Slate!

So, random male coworker just dropped by, stuck his head in the door, and said: "So, what do you think? Asadasd or Asd?"

Me: {uncomprehending blank stare}

Him: "Floyd or De la Hoya?"

Me: {comprehending stare, catching my breath} "Well, from what I've seen, it really looks like De La Hoya is going to get BEAT."

Him: {Random boxing talk}

Me: {holding my own}

I would have just continued the stare uncomfortably long, having no clue what he was talking about, then looking like much less of a straight guy if I hadn't read THIS article at Slate.com yesterday.

Thanks for being my beard, Slate!

Two from Rome at RagnarTornquist.com

Above see link to random Rome post/photos. Everbabe - I could be wrong, but I think that is what you like about Rome, as well- the mixture of the modern and the really, really old.

That and the veal. Yum! When should we head that way? (SuperMark and LN can come too, I guess.) ((maybe even SeanJr and SeanJrJr....))

Diet 7UP Taste Test

Thought you might be interested. I mean hey, it's free!

Amazon - and New Cusak/Gerrold

So, I recieved an email from Amazon.

Greetings from Amazon.com.
Because we reduced the price of your pre-release title between shipment (when we charged you) and the release date, you automatically received a refund.
$0.17 is your additional savings under Pre-Order Price Guarantee.
-----------------------------------------------
"Guitar Hero 2
Bundle" Video Games
Original Price: $89.99
Price you were charged:
$89.99
Lowest price before release date: $89.82
Quantity: 1
Additional
savings: $0.17
Tax refunded: $0.00
We have initiated a refund of $0.17.
You will receive an additional email when this refund is processed.

As an Amazon stockholder, i really really hope that they don't mail me a check. Please.

Secondly:

LN has stolen this book from me, (first book of mine I could get her to read (apparently no time until the school year is over.) So they are making a movie. YAY!

Awesome YouTube videos of bad engineering/construction

This one is thru work - probably water hammer from heavy rains.

And I like watching the athletes do their best to not get HIT in the FACE with GIANT BOARDS.

This one is more just reasonably cool - Plane crashes onto baseball field

NYC Condom Animation

Cute advertisments for the risque NYC branded condom. Sponsered by the... New York City government??

YouTube - Hallelujah Nuns

From my Momma. But you can watch it anyway.

PS LN - I am talking to YOU

Seannibal's Flickr Dump

Just wanted to give all of you my flickr.com site. It will hopefully tell you a story, like, for instance, what I have been doing with my time that was not blogging.

Ask questions, and you will be answered. Perhaps in picture format, but answered nonetheless.



Assassin's
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seannibal/sets/72157600003690223/



Kathryn & Geoff's wedding
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seannibal/sets/72157594537898586/




Sean's special lady friend
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seannibal/sets/72157600062585731/

Male birth control pill soon a reality - Men's Sexual Health Guide - MSNBC.com

OK, OK - it's an old article

but nonetheless there are two interesting parts to it:

"Brown believes many men will see “their pill” as a good idea and will want to use it.“It is time for men to have some control. I think it would empower men and deter some women out there from their nefarious plans,” says Brown. “Some women are out there to use men to get pregnant. This could deter women from doing this. An athlete or a singer is someone who could be a target and they could put a stop to that.”

Hey - can't the athlete be responsible enough to not go crazy with the ladies? He also wants it for his 17 year old kid.
Secondly:

“An injectible or an implant (similar to Norplant for women) will be the first to be approved. The big studies are now under way,” says Dr. Christina Wang, who is heading up the clinical trials of MHCs at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

You're kidding me. The name of one of the male birth control doctors is Dr. Wang.

splatgirl creates: A Bacon Moment

OMIGAWD KayRayGee thank you so much

SWEET MEET HEAVENLY MANA

Websnark: We are not just flesh and blood. We are... *stardust.*

Websnark: We are not just flesh and blood. We are... *stardust.*

With the embedded unicorn vs. narwhal

Couple of silly YouTube videos

So - I waited until after the run of the play (AWESOME, by the by) to get sick. I hope that I am on the 'makes you stronger' side of my traditional 'what doesn't kill you' equation. Yesterday, was trying to figure out my temp (i felt a little warm, so thought "hey, i have a digital thermometer... let's test it out. Sorta like EverBabe and her blood sugar monitor.) But then ran into a bunch of problems, from the simple (can't find it) to the frustrating (REALLY can't find the %^$^ thing) to the impossible (HOW THE F DID I TURN IT OVER TO CELSIUS CRAP WAIT WHAT'S 37 TIMES 9 DIVIDED BY 5 63 THAT ISN'T VERY HIGH AM I DEAD OH YEAH ADD 32) to determine that my temperature was 98.6. Wow, I must be dying. {grin} (no that's like a fever for ME, as i'm normally in the low But did feel vindicated today, now that it has ended up at 100.0 (F) (37.8, for those of you on the far side of the pond.) (simes - pretty much it's you there.)

Dennis Leary, in one of the most romantic songs. Ever. Not really. Some strong language, in his standard style. Don't watch it, if you can't handle strong language.

And LN's favorite commercial. "Maybe I *do* want to be a french fry." Don't know what that tells you about her, that she would enjoy it, or me, that I would tell you that she enjoys it. But there is much I don't know right now - 100 degree fever, remember? Also - I could be wrong - it could just be her favorite right NOW. Right?

PS - crap my temp fell to 97 during the writing of this post. stupid chilled drinks.
PPS - why is that bad? lower = better, right? must be a martyr.

From backstage at Assassin's

So: it's taken me this long to get me chatting here, from a place full of computers, and a long time backstage to come up with interesting things to say. I'm not sure why I waited for the second-to-last performance, but I did. Which is good - gives me a chance to talk about some of the great stories that have happened onstage (and off:)

Of course, I've been a big ole' lech with all of the nubile young women. Well... not exactly. I mean, I am thrown by the fact that most weren't yet born when I started high school (it's seriously Star Wars girl all over again, but this time 10 years worse.)

Al "Guiteau" - He's got some of the most googly eyes I have ever seen (at least, since I last looked in the mirror.) ((or at a picture of Brian.)) (((SNAP!))) As a point of pride, he won't close his eyes during the scene in which he is praying (makes him look crazier... which he loves. But last Saturday, during the Friends of DramaTech full house, (with many alums who had been in the show previously attending,) his contacts popped right out. Pop. And Mom, KayRayGee, and Ellen all noticed (with others in the house.) Mom's comment - "i didn't remember him CRYING last night."

Theron D. at that same show - /slowly backing away 'I didn't realize you had so much anger pent up. '

Jimmy Rose - When did he get twin boys who are taller than I am? How? ???

David Cater - You did a great job!
Me - Where's my glass head???
David - {looking abashed} Oh my god, is that YOURS??
Me - it was just a LOAN. (sure, 10 years ago, but nonetheless....)
(he's supposebly gonna go look for it... i will believe it when I see it.)

Same show - as we were supposed to be pushing Oswald into shooting his president, we reached the peak of the music, the part usually followed by the biggest BANG of the show. This night -
"..change the world!"
{click}
{pause}
{click}
{pause}
{clickclickclick}
{clickclickclickclickclickBOOOOOOOM}
What you are not seeing is the sound of the sweat going down my forehead as it may not happen... and poor Oswald.... having to hold that in.

Followup to last week's post -

Tonight, DAD and LIBBY will be on my home computer and going through my pr0n for 4 hours while I am at the show. Hooray. {grin}

I must be the luckiest guy in the world - 34, and my parents are still finding my dirty magazines. {psigh} Oh well - at least they can't do anything with my allowance.

...i *hope*

Sean & Ellen

sean_n_ellen_southcity
Originally uploaded by seannibal.

(sitting in a tree)

One more Mom story, for BDayTwin

So: Mom is at my house, as I am away at work. Here is a chat transcript that will show you why I love EverBabe so much:

So she (your mom) tried to log onto your computer, but it is password protected. She asked me if I knew the password. I said I did not. Then she asked me why anyone would password protect a computer at their own home. I said probably to keep their mom off of it.

OK, I'm weird.

(but you, faithful reader, knew that.)

I was trying to explain to my mother about why people have time to generate used-created content for things like YouTube. (I think the fact that I had to explain what a cover song was should have given me the hint that at least one of us was tired.

We started at Coverville, and then went to Matt Weddel's Hey Ya cover. But, as it turned out, I had to explain who Outkast was, including the original video. THEN back to the acoustic version. Then I looked for Lazy Sunday, but I think it's fallen off the Innertubes. So (and here is where it gets a little weird) I showed her the JT breakout hit Dick in a Box. Followed by My Box in a Box. I then wrapped it up with Jonathon Coulton's Flickr, almost KayRay & Geoff's song at their wedding.

Mom liked them all, but she's always been cooler than you were... Nothing personal.

The model town of Seaside, 25 years later.

Every year, Dad's side of the family heads down to PCB for white, snady beaches and relaxation. And every year, we pile into the car and head west about 30-45 minutes to visit the quaint little town of Seaside. (hey, it's 'tradition,' right, T-Man?) The above link is to a slide show showing the positive and negative architectural aspects of the town.

Oh no you di'int!

Oh no you di'int!
Originally uploaded by seannibal.

I like my googley eyes in this one... also note Ellen's stellar 'jump-back.'

NPR : Creating Our Own Happiness

A phenomenal essay with a couple of unexpected turns. Click on the link at the top to hear him read it.

I believe we have the power to create our own happiness. I believe the real magic in the world is done by humans. I believe normal life is extraordinary.

....Now, maybe that's easy for me to say. I feel lucky to have fans around the world, a house with a roof and a wife who puts up with me. But I felt this way even when I was working at Long John Silver's. I worked there for 11 years as a fry cook. When you work at a place that long, you see teenagers coming in on their first dates; then they're married; then they're bringing in their kids. You witness whole sections of people's lives.

In the beginning, it seemed like a dead end job. But at least I had a job. And frankly, it was easy. After two weeks, I knew all I needed to know, and it freed my mind. The job allowed me to dream about what my life could become.

EverBabe - made me think of you (at the Hut) and me (at the Papa.)

Shamelessly lifted via Wil Wheaton

I mean, KayRay will read this one webcomic occasionally, but I had missed the specific one re: Brittany. So:

Random story

So...

I've been getting up pretty early recently, what with the play and all, as well as a small tendency to work out in the AM. That's been nice, but means that occasionally I take a shower in the gym at work. So allow me to set up the situation.

I come into the locker room (tight quarters, and all.) And there is one of my indirect supervisors, mostly disrobed.

Man 1 - "...Hello"

Man 2 - "....good morning."







Man 1 - "So...."

Man 2 -

Man 1 - "Yup."

And it went downhill from there.

I'm not sure why that was more weird than seeing random gym people a'dangling in the breeze. But it was. I mean, sure it was traumatic in high school; but we survived it. Perhaps it is a function of him having given me some of my first work assignments.

Awesome Ass-kicking Grandpa

P-Dogg - I know this story will touch you in your non-Papa, anti-crime heart.

Have I screwed up my daughters forever? - By Michael Lewis - Slate Magazine

This story is awesome. And the pictures of the resentful daughters?

Priceless.

Assassin's poster

Poster for the show. Thanks, Toneman, for the jpg.

Sean's Play Schedule

Due to constant demand, I wanted to go ahead and post the link to reservations for the show.

LINK TO RESERVATIONS TO THE SHOW

WARNING = (and this is a little serious.) There is a fair amount of strong language in this show- it is called Assassins, after all. We also fire some guns; while not directly at the audience (of course,) it is still startling. Take my word for it. (or my boxer shorts')

And when I say "strong language," I mean it. There was at least one girl who ended up crying at the audition. But she may have just been sad. Who knows - she was a girl.

(THAT WAS SEAN PRETENDING TO BE SEXIST FOR COMEDIC EFFECT. IT WASN'T REAL. DON'T FEEL BAD FOR THE GIRL. SHE PROBABLY IS ALLEGORICAL, ANYWAY, AND WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE YOUR SYMPATHY)

Anyway - with that being said, there is a lot of dark humor, and the play really can make you think. So:

Starting next Friday, and running through the next three weekends, I'm playing Sam Byck in Assassins at DramaTech (through Georgia Tech.) Come on down = would love to see you.

Catch-up post from Jan 29 -

ORIGINALLY HAND-WRITTEN JAN 29 --
Sorry for the absence - did you find that your heart grew fonder? If not - I understand why. You might feel as though I abandoned you for another. No fear, precious one... I merely was creating room for *me*. So. I'm back from my inward journey of self-discovery, and if I have learned anything, its that I really need to do laundry. Spiritually speaking, of course. Let me do my best to catch you up with my life.
I'd decided to try to get back on stage, not as part of a chorus, but instead as part of a *musical.* (yay, drama!) I find it hard to believe that it has been almost 10 years since I've been up there, (from Joseph & his Cool Jacket in 1995 to Godspell in 1997 (or was it 1998?)) Even The Miser, as part of a Baroque quartet, roved to be an enjoyable time. I wanted to return for a couple of reasons: 1) hey man, I already done tole you I enjoyed it. 2) Lay-deez. Not really - but sort of. (I had so many pleasant experiences all of those years ago, and maybe, to a certain degree, I was trying to re-create that feeling.)
Back in December, Greg Abbott, long-time director of DT, passed away unexpectedly. Besides being just a real bummer, (he had been a calming and driving force for this student-run theatre for almost two decades,) it severely impacted the schedule of the theatre. For example, usually the winter show is cast at the end of November, etc. Toneman (who had done such a great job as Zangara in Assassins in 1993) stepped up and volunteered to direct, and held auditions at the beginning of January. I found out about it, auditioned, was cast, and then had an extremely busy two weeks:

Sun - Audition - DT
Mon - Rehearsal - CGA
Tues - Trivia - Ale House
Wed - Read-Thru - DT
Thur - Sing-Thru - DT
Fri - Salsa/Tapas -
Sat - King-Sized Elvis's B-Day show-
Sun - Fly to Vegas
Mon - Vegas, Baby
Tues - Fly from Vegas - RedEye
Wed - Rehearsal - DT

And SHAZAM - I got busy. Well... not exactly. That's a little gross {grin} My dance card got full. Now, five-six days a week, in the evenings, I have *something* to do. Which is fun.
What's in my upcoming schedule? That's a great question. KayRay's wedding in N'Awlins. Play the last weekend in Feb, as well as the first two in March. (10 performances, total!!) CGA performance March 3. (Yay, Requia!) And just staying honest. Anything I'm forgetting?
Hmm... Dug has a lady (!!!!) - and maybe a job here in town. Good luck there! T-Man called the other day - it was as awkward a call as you would expect from a teenager, but was still a very good conversation. And, when I told him about my play, Dad and I had a very unusual conversation, where he went on and on about when *he* was in plays back in grad school. (honestly - almost didn't recognize him. It was cute.)
Look for upcoming dispatches from my New Orleans trip in the near future! Maybe with pictures!

Groundhog's Day???

Really? Really??

So there I was, in the airport:

...on the way to aforesaid wedding, (which I hadn't *100%* lined up with my boss {grin}) but spotted something odd about the stand-by list.Can you spot what it is? I'll give you 2 hints:

1) Passenger 17
2) Right Said Fred

(and no, I wasn't a stand-by passenger. But thanks for the compliment.)

Supa (WHA??) Superbowl of Narnia

Just a quick, wedding-weekend update.

Listening to Billy Joel sing the national anthem right now, and am reminded of Dad's question to me earlier: "Well, son, what's your pick for the game today?" I fondly remembered all the times growing up where he and I would watch the big game together,(hint - NONE) and honestly felt like a bit of an imposter when I made up an answer (probably the AFC team, although I'm not even sure those are the right initials.)

In other local news: someone just brought 10 pizzas into the Drury Inn lobby, so there will probably be SOMEONE watching the game here. I may go head over to watch the game near the newlyweds, at least before I soak my aching bones in the hot tub.

Will fill in more information as to my great trip in a couple of minutes.

New Orleans - Day One

So - I wrote this big long post the other day during an intermibly long web-conference, but (and you are wise to ask for details) it hasn't been posted yet. Perhaps because I actually *wrote* it. :) you know, like with a pen and paper? I know, I know... dark ages here. {grin} but we will be able to overcome, I am sure. I promise it won't end up in the dustbin of the ages, like my DragonCon posts or Thomas's graduation.
So why am I in the Crescent City? KayRay's wedding, of course. This time. As I rode the shuttle into the Quarter< I was reminded of the last (and first) time I was down here, almost exactly five years ago. It was fun, although getting the car stolen was really the high point. But it really does bring to mind exactly what is different. Then I was with my (soon-to-be) fiance', a plethora of Jean's and Jeanie's (they're sisters, it's a Korean thing, don't ask), as well as their respective long-term boyfriends, and a prototype Yao Ming (well, he is a 6'8" ethnic Chinese, so it's almost the same thing.) Now - no fiance', the boyfriends are now husbands, and everything is different. Well, not EVERYthing... Jaime's probably still tall. {grin}
I'm staying at the Drury Inn, which is nice for a couple of reasons. Number 1 - there seems to be a wedding party getting all ready to go out, which (for some masochistic reason) seems to make me happy. Ah, yes - I figured it out. It's all of the pretty girls in their cocktail dresses. {grin} Secondly: They have a manager's reception at 5:30 PM, with three free cocktails. (you have to drink them in 90 minutes, but sacrifices must be made, right? {pause} Right??)
I'll update you with more information later tonight, or maybe tomorrow. Either way - hope I don't get murdered.
-sean

ps - if i do get murdered, there was nothing you could do. You did everything you could.

-pps - i really dope I don't get murdered. :)

You know that you have wondered the same thing.

How do you clean soap?

How clean is bar soap in a public bathroom? Is it "self-cleaning," since it's soap? It seems like a health hazard to me.

It's dirty, but that doesn't make it a health hazard. Soap can indeed become contaminated with microorganisms, whether it's in liquid or bar form. According to a series of tests conducted in the early 1980s, bars of soap are often covered with bacteria and carry a higher load than you'd find inside a liquid dispenser. But no one knows for sure whether this dirty soap will actually transfer its germs to your hands during a wash.

Makes sense, right? I mean, sure, it's magic. But *good* magic. However, this next part freaked me out a little.

Even under the best conditions, washing your hands can actually increase the number of microorganisms present on your hands, thanks to contaminated surfaces near the sink, splashes of contaminated water, or improperly dried hands. (In general, it's safer to leave your hands unwashed than to leave them wet.)

I would sometimes rather go out with wet hands than touch the other, nasty-ass towels. I might have to do some research on this, get back with you.

PS - Happy New Year!