New message board...

Thanks to C-bob, I now have a much better message board up. Be sure to check it out.

Message Board

I now have a message board up, currently only linked from this page, up top *pts up*

I think I will put the link here too.

Bloggin'

So I suppose it is time for me to update the ol' blogger. Keep the content current and what-not, much more.. entertaining?.. this way. I've been awake for about 45 minutes and the temptation to crawl back into bed is high. I'm not sure why, I'm not really tired, I just can't think of anything better to do.

Last Night: C-bob and I headed up to Omaha to see Chevelle play at Sokol Hall. We got there after the doors opened but at the time, not too many people had shown up. A bit after that it started to get crowded. The first band that played was Kill Hannah, overall a pretty good band, I liked the music and overall thought they did a good job. The next band up was Revolution Smile, a band I thought I was going to like going up there. The music was good, at first, but then got old and boring because everything started to sound the same. I thought the last song they played was never going to end. (If you want links to these bands, go to C-bob's page, I'm too lazy to find links)

Then Chevelle took the stage and it was great. It's always nice to see a band that you not only really like but aren't that bad to look at. They rocked out and it was awesome. They even played a new song, and that was cool. The set list was a mix of songs from the first album and songs from their current album. Overall it was a great show.

After the show, C-bob and I hit the Denny's where I partook in the eating of one Grand Slam with water to drink. It was good, and the place was great. There were some strange older ladies sitting across the restaurant with the strangest hair styles and clothing. I thought we had gone back in time. They were interesting to listen to anyway.

On another note, Steve Burns has a CD coming out August 12th. The music is really good, you should really check it out. I plan on getting this CD. So it gets the Quarkstar Recommendation for August.

"It's a problem of motivation, Bob..."

So now that I have these dreams of writing a book and articles and what not, I have to figure out a way to actually motivate me to get the work done. Right now I am still winding down off my old job and trying to not go insane. The past week and a half has been hella busy with lots of fun things, but really keeps me from focusing. I think I just need to let some steam off, but starting next week I'm going to have to really buckle down. This means that I am going to have to actually sit down and write. I'm going to have to force myself to send out letters and talk to people and see if I can get published anywhere. I'd really like to see my column's pushed to an actual audience beyond the few of my friends that actually look at my site.

So here's the thing, I am totally worthless at self motivation. I am hoping the fact that I am soon going to have to rely on this as a means to buy things will really push me into getting going. I hate to think that I can't motivate myself, I mean, that's the biggest challenge behind working for yourself. I am going to try my best to do it while still maintaining my normal level of sanity. (You know, the one just below being place under state supervision).

Wish me luck!

Blogger Directory Update

C-Bob has brought her blog back to live.. at least for now....

C-Bob's Blog-o-ramma... I made the name of it up, I'm too lazy to get the title she calls it... anyway.... enjoy...

Heat

The official temperature here is now: 100 degrees!! yee!! Heat Index is only 106 though, so not too bad. :)

Last night C-bob and I went to see Ultimate Fakebook play at Knickerbocker's. The bands Fallout Boy and New Reunions (I think that's their name) opened for them. It was an early all ages show, but over all it was quite enjoyable. I had not seen UFB live yet, so it was really cool that they came back to Lincoln. There weren't that many people at the show, but they played some good tunes and everyone seemed to have a good time. After the show we went out to the mexican drive-thru place (D'Leon's Mexican Food - 2140 West O Street) again, I think it's addictive. I went there again for lunch today. They have lots of choices on the menu and you get a ton of food for about $6, not counting a drink. It's worth the drive from here, so I think I will be eating their quite frequently.

Last night I decided to just order something I wasn't sure what it was. I saw something on the menu, the number 10 I believe, called the Chorizo Platter, so I went with it. Part of the reason had to do with how much it sounded like a pokemon character. It turned out to be pretty good. Chorizo, I learned online, is a type of sausage. The platter was the sausage and eggs with a giant warm tortilla, and the standard beans and rice. You will not go hungry eating at this place, trust me.

I have found a new game to be addicted to on yahoo, addiction solitaire. It took me a few rounds to figure out how to play it and I am still trying to get a feel for it, but the game is pretty fun overall.

I could really go sleep now but I need to go to the library at some point to pay my fine and take my books back. I stopped at Homer's before going to my car and got my ticket to see Chevelle tomorrow night in Omaha. It should be a lot of fun. As I was walking away from Homer's, as in I was outside, the women that sold me the ticket came out and asked if I wanted this free CD. Apparently it has Chevelle on it. It is one of those free sample compilation CDs, this one of "summer rock" music. I said sure and stuffed it in my bag. I may have to get it out later and check it out. I think it said it has Revis on it too, so that could be cool.

I have decided that I am going to stick myself to a once a week column updating schedule. I have come up with some ideas for columns and I think doing one once a week will give me time to polish them up and make them shiny. I think I will post them, probably, late Sunday nights so they will be ready on Mondays.

Oh and finally, I love getting email, about anything really. So if you are reading this, feel free to send me random email. abohling@quarkstar.com is my current email address.

Ciao!

BOOM

Normally I can sleep through thunderstorms at this time of night, but maybe my sleeping all afternoon has left me vunerable to the elements of sound tonight. Whatever it is, I had to stumble out of bed and check the radar. It's just a small storm that seems to be dumping some amount of rain on town but nothing of much significance.

Part-time worker... day 3...

Well what do you know, I really can sleep all afternoon if I want to!

Sweeeet

Ring over Texas

Man.. this is so sweet, everyone go check it out...

Ring in the Sky: What Was That?

Thanks for the link Jax!!

Freelancing..

I am discovering that freelancing is a lot like being a "writing whore" in some senses. You basically have to get out there and pimp your work to anyone that will read it. There are tons of publications looking for submissions, you just have to go find their guidelines, write up something that will fit, send it in and hope for the best. I have read a few articles that say rejection is all part of the game, I am actually excited to get my first rejection letter, because at least I am trying to do what I want to do.

The money in freelancing ranges from crappy to horrid. Well, some publications pay pretty well, but they are super hard to get published in, especially if you have nothing else published. I am currently working on this stupid article about credit card debt and college students. It's only in first draft mode and is starting to bore me. I think if I keep working on it, I can get a good article out of it. Whatever, I'm living the dream! (lol... I even annoy myself!)

The Mail

Is it possible for ambition and hope to come in the form of a manilla envelope? It wasn't something unexpected, rather, something I requested, but the information held with in could change my goals and desires greatly. I have not opened the envelope yet, so which way my desires are going to go, I am unsure yet. I have been reading a lot about these artist in residence places online, a lot of these places, if you are chosen, house and feed you for anywhere from 1 week to 3 months depending on the program. They basically give you a place to work on your art, whatever that may be, whether it is painting, photography or even writing. Many of the places provide you with studio space and a place to live. I found out there is one located in Nebraska City, and that is where this envelope is from. There is a lot of work I'd need to do in order to get accepted, but I have plenty of time to work on that now.

On another note, I finally went out and bought jeans today. I ended up going to a store I hadn't planned on going two and bought a couple pairs there. Turns out it is a good thing I did, because the store I was originally headed to did not have any left in my size. Very odd. After getting the jeans, I stopped at the Juice Stop for my favorite Grand Slam smoothie. As I was going to leave I noticed the popcorn place and decided to stop there too. This place sells both popcorn and cinnamon rolls, among other things. I just grabbed the $1 bag of white, low-salt popcorn and was getting ready to go. There was an older couple in front of me getting cinnamon rolls and coffee to stay so the guy was busy helping them. I started looking around and noticed they had these things called "cinnamon chips" that were only 99 cents. I went over to look at them and they are basically day old cinnamon rolls that have been broken up and stuffed in a bag. I decided to get a bag, they looked yummy and cheap.

The apartment is pretty much cleaned up now and I am happy with it. I would like to vacuum at some point, but it's not a big deal right now. I can probably wait until tomorrow so I don't overdue the cleaning today. Small steps to keep from feeling overwhelmed.

Random

This new morning alarm thing is really nice. I still have to get used to not hitting the snooze about 10 times though. I enjoy the bit of extra sleep I get now, even if it isn't much, every little bit counts.

I was almost late to work this morning because I couldn't find my glasses. I really could not remember where I put them last night. Turns out they were on my computer desk, but behind something so I wasn't seeing them. I got the lab up and running by 8 and all was well. I won't kid you, I do not have an exciting job, but what is probably nearly as close to the perfect job. Seriously, I sit around and do nothing expert for maybe an hour of my shift (15 mins here and there adding up to an hour) where I have to help people with print outs. Right now there are only two people even in the computer lab.

I have been bringing in magazines to read and surfing the web. Yesterday I played bejeweled for about two hours, it's an addictive game really. Is it just me or does the word bejeweled seem to overuse the letter 'e'? I have about an hour left of work, after which I will go home and clean up my place. It is slowly becoming junky and I can't let it go any longer or I won't care anymore and it will get worse.

After I clean, I really need to go get some new jeans and maybe hit the library. I'll probably watch Cowboy Bebop: The Movie when I get back from those errands, or take a nap. I could probably take a nice nap before shopping, who knows, the choice is mine.

What I really need to do is start cracking down on this writing thing and really get going with it. I need to set up a schedule and stick to it. Try to find some freelance work and what-not. I get this newsletter via email and it had some freelance opportunities listed that I think I will try and work towards.

I will keep you all posted with how things go. Later!

oh yea...

I was gonna update this a while ago but forgot.

C-Bob and I got tacos tonight at this cool 24hr Drive-Thru Taco Place (it's on West O for you Lincoln people). We had gone there before going to Sheri and Tony's the other night. This place is super cool for the ordering experience alone. I believe I used the term "russian roulette ordering" after we left. Basically ordering at the menu sign does not guarantee you will get what you order, or as we learned the first time, get anything at all. (C-bob got her food, I ended up with nothing, but it was alright).**Editorial Point: We were not charged for the food we didn't get.**
Tonight was funny though. We ordered two meal deals, the #9 and the #19.
Pull up to the window and the lady leans out and asks "Was that a number 18 and a number 8?"
C-bob was like, "no, a 9 and a 19. "
She again asks "A number 19 and a number 8?"
C-bob, again, says "no, a 9 and a 19."
The lady stops, and the say, "An 8 and a 19?"
Finally C-bob got her to understand our order but we didn't know until we got back to my place if it was right or not. It was. I had the chicken tacos and C-bob had the little rolled tacos (taquitos).

After that we went to Joni's in Waverly for ice cream. If you can make the drive it is totally worth it. The small cone is only a dollar and it is huge. It looks like what most places would sell for a medium or even a large. It is very tasty too.

Watched the movie Strange Brew tonight, it's really funny. I'm glad that I rented it this afternoon.

Been talking to Jax tonight about schools and showing her pictures and stuff. It's been a lot of fun. Now she is trying to help me come up with a pen name I can use for fluff stuff, should I decide I need some cash. The names so far are Maggie Fuller, Kathy Ferris, or Sheryl Brown. If you have suggestions, please leave comments.

I better get to bed since I have to work in the morning. Which reminds me, I need to change my alarm too, I don't need it going off at 5:30 am any more. I actually haven't needed that for a long time, but I have been lazy about changing it.

*yawn*

So what would you do if you went from working full-time to working part-time? What would you do with the extra time?

Here is what I did with my first afternoon of freedom:

Drove all over the place trying to find a working ATM and confuse some poor bank teller by telling her some ATM (of that bank) down the street didn't work.
Rented movies from Hollywood: PCU, Strange Brew and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. The guy that checked me out seemed impressed by my picks. I guess that's cool, but I'm not sure. He couldn't remember the due date so I ended up telling him when they would be due back.
Drive thru taco bell for soft tacos. Mmm, soft tacos.
Drive home.
Lay on the living room floor, watching PCU while eating tacos. Then chatted with ppl and watched TV.

I had a few things I should have done this afternoon, like put the laundry away, but why would I want to do that, when I can lay on the floor and do nothing??

Heh, life is good.

Mornin'

Had a good time at Sheri and Tony's last night, ended up spending the night there. I'm not really big into staying at other people's place though, I really like sleeping in my own bed and my own place. Didn't crawl to bed until after 4 and then got up around 8. I'd like to go back to sleep now, but I have some stuff I really want to get done. So I am going to just suck it up and get stuff done. I can sleep later.

C-bob and I stopped by McD's on the way home. Tried the new McGriddle. It's not bad, but it seems like a lot of food all crammed into one little package. But over all it tasted like all their other breakfast sandwiches.