Movies I have seen that are great:
"The Princess and the Frog" was classic Disney, in Disney classic fashion, from the bright colors, color coding of heroes, trippy music sequences, and story tropes from way back when. What amazes me about these is the fact that, even though the hero and heroine were strangers an hour ago, I almost cry when their hopes and dreams are nearly lost in the almost final act.

"Avatar (directed by James Cameron)", fits perfectly with his earlier work, and shows how much the art people have learned about making good SFX. While the machines and the animals (who wind up fighting for each others' throats--spoiler) are fantastic in nature, the disbelief remains suspended--it all looks real. Every character is thus worth caring about. Finally, it's refreshing to see the science make sense, after that "Red Matter" thing that popped over the summer.

Movies that, while not great, have their own meaning:
"Rocky Horror Picture Show" still shows in Midnight Movies all over the place the nearest one to me, in Santa Monica, has been showing it for 22 years, and their shadowcast (their word, not mine) has its own memorabilia and website. Their callbacks are new to me, and their theatre doesn't match the place I first saw it, but it felt like home--theatre, town, and city--as soon as the usherette started to sing.

Books I can't finish:
"Atlas Shrugged (featuring Ayn Rand)" has been on my night table for two long stretches now, and after 474 pages, is right back among the books I alphabetize, carefully place, and do not read. Despite an epic narrative, the tale does kind of sag between memorable events, and the epic events tend to be capped by filibusters. Every important character gets a speech, and no, I don't care to hear your views on everything, Rand.

Name:
Doug
Age:
28
Race:
White / Caucasian
Gender:
Male

Normal Questions:

Define normal using approximately ten words.
Enough to go around and acceptable to everyone else.
Would you frame someone else if your friend committed murder?
Nope, I'd run.
When is killing justified?
Mortal peril, or never.  There are few things worse than death.
What do you like most about yourself?
My ability to learn.
What was or is your favorite subject in school?
Biology
What do you want to do for a career?
Engineer--that means I solve problems.
Do you support the war in Iraq?
I used to.  Now, no.
Are you religious?
No.
Do you read, watch or listen to the news often?
Only on the Internet
Is older always wiser?
No
Is George W. Bush a good president?
I'd say no--around the bottom 10 or 5
If not, does he deserve to be assassinated?
No one deserves that--but it might be nice to see him at The Hague defending his actions in a world tribunal.
Who cares about the rainforest, right?
Anything that inspires so many tourists and dopey celebrity songs has to be worth something.
Are you going to marry your favorite celebrity?
Even if I had one, no.
Do you wish you were a celebrity?
No.
Is body structure a good indicator of personality?
I don't think so.
Is choice of clothing a good indicator of personality?
Of class, or race, maybe.  Otherwise, no.
Is choice of friends a good indicator of personality?
Absolutely.
Are more and more technological advances good for mankind?
Well, considering that the normals (see above) could abandon them at any time, as a social experiment, it's telling that they do not.  So yeah.  We'd kill one another even if all we had were rocks.
Between male and female, which is the weaker gender?
Why did men invent paper, cars, and couches?  Because they had to.
Do you believe in karma or pre-destiny?
No; just in cause and effect.
Are you vegetarian?
Lord no.  Animals taste too good.
Do you get along with your family?
Extremely well
When you discover that you are angry, what do you do to calm yourself?
Listen to loud music, pound things.
When you are sad, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
Re-focus my attention and think of what to do next.
Do you need a significant other in your life?
Probably.
Have you ever truly loved?
Over and over.
Is it okay for you to show weakness?
Always.  It's the only way we learn.
Is revenge always the answer when you are wronged?
No-revenge is like holding a hot coal and wishing the other person gets burned.
Is revenge ever the answer?
Living well is the best revenge.
Is everyone like an open book to you?
Never.
Do you keep your mouth shut in public for fear of sounding stupid?
Vocal restraint is something I had to work hard on.
Does your IQ mean much?
No.
I grant you three wishes.
More money, more time, and a home closer to work.

This or That

Passiveness or aggression?
Aggression.  Hell yes, let's go after that problem.
Clinginess or detachment?
Cling; someone will eventually snap and fix the issue.
Flattery or honesty?
If you're talking to me, honesty.
Passion or reason?
Reason is good, but life is empty sans passion.
Liberal or conservative?
Liberal.
To listen or to talk?
Listen.  I learn nothing when I repeat what I've learned.
To discriminate or to be hurt?
I discriminate all the time; a truck is different from a Jetta is different from a pedestrian.
Friends or lovers?
Sure!
Money or fame?
Money.
Power or freedom?
Freedom; power grows from freedom.
Pain or numbness?
Pain--let me know what I gotta bandage or heal.
Night or day?
Night--the worst atrocities were done by day (like Nagasaki, and every time I've been fired, and every breakup)
Marilyn Manson or Justin Timberlake?
Manson at least admits he's a freak.
Pink or Evanescence?
Pink, I think, would be more fun.
Nine Inch Nails or Blink 182?
Blink-182
Bowling for Soup or Tool?
Bowling for Soup
Kittie or Britney Spears?
Who's Kittie?
Ani or Madonna?
Madonna sings pretty well.
Malice Mizer or F4?
No.
Escargot or no?
Never had it, but I love garlic butter sauce.
Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom?
Orlando seems more trustworthy.
United States or Canada?
America!
Felines or canines?
Dogs.  Always bet on dogs.
Charlie’s Angels or Kill Bill?
Kill Bill.
Chicago or The Hours?
Chicago; who're The Hours?
The Lords of the Rings or The Matrices?
LotR
Summer or winter?
Winter; no one gets sunburnt in winter--except idiots.
Finding Nemo or Scary Movie 3?
Nemo.  Seltzer and Friedberg lost their creative juju after Scary Movie 1
Newsweek or Playboy?
Newsweek's slid quite a ways, but I still prefer it.  Their pictures are real, at least.
Renee Zellweger or Angelina Jolie?
Renee.
Buy CD or burn CD?
R.I.A.A. can go bankrupt for all I care.  But sometimes I buy used.

"Ten generations separate Creation from Noah; this shows G-d's patience.  Ten generations angered him until he unleashed his wrath and swept the world of their sins."  (And these were BIG sins, which I won't add here). "Ten generations separate Noah from Father Abraham; this also shows G-d's patience.  G-d waited ten generations until Abraham appeared and claimed the reward they had lost."
     --paraphrased from a Hebrew Prayer book, commentary section

Whenever I think of patience, I think of this.

Nothing so separates loser from winner like patience.  Practice demands it; any craft or skill takes time to master.  Relationships call for it; anyone who cannot maintain a little distance from his friends and family, and a their moments of quiet, will drive everyone mad.  Add in geographic distance and patience becomes even more necessary--railing against the length of highways, the price of airfare, and the shortness of days to exercise those air- and free-ways won't make anything shorter.  Work is built on patience; everyone has to slow down and learn before making money, and aggregating unique skills takes time to make complicated products.  "A pencil is a simple object, but no single person can make one...all this would cost a lot of money, but a pencil costs 15 cents," so says P.J. O'Rourke
     I have been giving this a lot of thought because twice in this last month my lady has woken me at unusual hours to chat online, and I did it because we are so many time zones away.  I want her in town, as soon as I can, but, as noted, she is many time zones away. 
     The important thing is to work toward the result while waiting.  I want a dance stage repaired, so I'm putting up some cash to fix my own stage first, to practice on it.  I have work, so I'm putting time to learn and train.  I want to see my sweetie, so I'm saving pennies, keeping my IMs open, and responding to every last one.

     Thanks, once again, for reading.
Some useful music:
R.E.M. "The One I Love"
D.J. Taka "Absolute"
Golden Earring "Radar Love"

Well, I finished it.  920-odd pages.  I suppose everyone who finishes such a weighty, serious tome deserves to at least have their say about what touched them in it (see also Harry Potter, "Deathly Hallows").
     I didn't pick it up for that, though; I am a fan of BioShock, which is loosely based on "Atlas Shrugged", and borrows heavily from Rand's teachings and styles.
Ayn Rand isn't clear, at the beginning of the book, exactly what drives everyone, which was fun; each one, in turn, shows his or her strength and attitude.  The sentences are clear and such, but they're long.
I also appreciate that the violence--verbal, physical, and otherwise, shows up exactly when its appropriate; nothing seems gratuitous.  Although the plot has plenty of twists, it avoids any over-arching ones--the rise and fall of everyone involved is, once you consider Rand's philosophy, written plainly across each of their profiles.

Her philosophy in this book is simple: men are creators or parasites.  The creator exists solely for his own happiness, and does not care if others are happy (though he does want his work to be remembered).  He does not compromise, does not committee, and copies from no one.  Often, the creator is alone, save for like-minded people.  Eventually, the free will of man rests in him; his will can triumph all on its own.
The parasite borrows from everyone: in creating, he copies others' work; in social circles, he lives for others' approval; in life, he seeks to take others' things and not pay for them.  The parasite recognizes his lack of decision making (his other salient trait) and seeks others to decide with or for him; he flocks to committees, compromises, and the kind of end result that is no one's fault.  Ultimately, the parasite is only sustained by those around him; should they depart (and Rand is certain they will!) the parasite is nothing.
     Further, her philosophy contends that the selfless who seek societal approval for what they do are "getting paid" ("Everyone gets paid" --O.Rourke, "Eat the Rich") for their charity by public approval, and she disapproves.  In the extreme, her contention is that those who promote grand things to help society in general are just making a mess; many horrors of history were "for the greater good."

This seems to be a great philosophy for technophiles, engineers, and other forward-thinkers, plus people who hate taxes and welfare--man IS entitled to stand out and progress, regardless of others' reaction.  Man CAN take tax cuts to keep more of his money.  Considering Rand's life in Russia (pre- and post-Soviet Revolution), her anti-communist (and anti-big idea) approach to life makes sense.  She's John Locke with bigger books, right down to minimal government, which only shows up here as an agent of justice and tool of parasites.  I quote O'Rourke, again, "anyone who thinks he knows what's good for people better than people do is a SWINE.  Let's give the professional worriers something to REALLY worry about." [emphasis mine]
     Of course, as with Locke, her ideas do not account for things like schools or the common defense, nor do they shield the people from the excesses of the rich.
     By the way, if you like violent video games, I highly recommend this game.  Bear in mind how much it will tax your system, though--some extra RAM wouldn't go amiss.

In preparation for the move north to my job, I ransacked my storage for possessions long buried and came up with my tarot deck.  I bought one back in college and have ensured that only very close friends have touched it, so sometimes I can attach meaning to these cards.  Once I was done packing, for a lark, I shuffled, re-cut, and drew a card.  The Queen of Cups is depicted as a woman on a throne, holding a large, fancy cup and contemplating its contents, rather like a C.F.O. studying the clouds in her cappuccino [edit: Carly Simon said coffee; I don't care].
     After a days' worth of moving furniture (bookcase, two small cases, bed, tables and sofa, plus TV), 30 boxes (1+ cubic feet each) and signing papers, I began to understand its meaning to me.  As that magnificent moving truck (17 foot--glad someone ELSE was handling it) was returned, my phone rang. 
     Now that everything I own [edit: everything I consider my home] has been moved to Sylmar, I know what it means.  Three things, first:
     First of all, my new digs are a stones' throw from the Barrio of Sylmar, full of industry, burritos, and railroads.  I live on the edge of the Hansen Dam reservoir (and its lake-park--with water slide).  A few miles away are the opulent Burbank, the Rose Stadium of Pasadena, and the bustling malls of Ontario--wherein is the largest Food Court I have EVER seen and a Dave and Buster's. 
     Second, I could not have done this without the moral, physical, and mental support of some very special women and men. 
     Finally, home is where and what you make it.  I sleep well, shower, and play my games here in this city, and once I get groceries, I can cook as well.
     The Queen of Cups is a nurturing, supportive card.  Among the "royalty" of the court cards (or the personalities, I suppose--they all represent people), it (she?) represents a mother figure, teacher, mentor, what-have-you.
     By the way, I did a single-card draw a moment ago, and got the Six of Wands--the herald of good news.  How's THAT for coincidence?

I will tell you when you REALLY know it's time for a new job: you get one.  An obscure branch in a well-known company group took me on a two-day interview marathon two weeks ago in a city two hours from here, and their personnel point-person sent me a message last Wednesday.  I returned his call this morning and got a positive response.  I haven't said yes yet, must get it in writing, but I've been walking on air since then.  Thought you all should know.

I'm just gonna say here that I know almost NOTHING about the nuts and bolts (so to speak) of car repair.  I can identify the big bits (belt, belt, fan, block, etc.), but I can not parse the wiring.  However, I CAN change my oil without damaging the block or the wiring.  Monday morning, a few weeks ago, I lost my cruise control, my windshield fluid sprayer (but not the wipers, thank god), and half the timing of my turn signals.  I also got a "Service Engine Soon" light.  The mechanic who dutifully took my dashboard apart seeking why had an interesting story to tell. 
See the problem?  Near the air cleaner?

Over there, next the filter?

THAT's the part.  Right next to the air cleaner is a SYSTEM ground.
Now, here's what happened.  The quick-lube that does my oil changes likes to take out the air filter, wave it around, and scare people into spending $35 for a new one.  When they put it back on, they BROKE the system ground post, and didn't put THAT back properly.  When it fell off, the system ran up a whole list of problems.
     From now on, I'm taking my oil changes to the mechanic and ignoring these grease monkeys.

When I opted to get serious concerning my allergies about a year ago--caught out drowsing, nose-blowing and weeping at work, the horror--I was first told that, because I have a history of medicating myself, it might be easier to work with more drugs first.  The reasoning is that drugs are the least the HMO can do, since they take none of the labor to produce, and the drug billing is between you and your pharmacy. 
     I lasted about two months on zyrtec alone before the collective backup in my nose jammed my sinuses beyond capacity, causing nasty discharge and an infection that claimed three work days.  After a course of antibiotics and a round of bed rest, I was on pills and nasal spray.  I figured I'd done ok.  Of course I hadn't really--my situational allergies were still nasty, my snoring had worsened, I wasn't entirely alert at work, and I was still struggling to breath nasally.  Also, the drugs were $40 a month.
     Re-consulting with my doctor, I discovered that my unusual drowsiness was abnormal (go figure).  I was referred to an allergist, a sleep study doctor, and given another blood test.  I was also given a modified prescription--more pills (Allegra and Singulair), this time totaling a month's does at $96!  I was, of course, offered samples, but figured I should know, NOW, whether those "dolls" were covered by my insurance. 
    This, by the way, is the big difference between "HMO" and "spend a fortune" insurance.  Any unusual items come out of pocket. 
     Spent the worst night of sleep in months doing the study, during which every aspect of my sleep was studied and cataloged.  This covers things like volume of snore, brain wave, depth of sleep, heart rate, respiration rate, etc.  I discovered my Apnea index is 81 (average 81 incidents per hour where air flow was stopped completely), causing blood oxygen saturation drop to 84%--the same as a chronic 2-pack-a-day smoker.  I was given a bi-level positive airway pressure machine, which (I'm told) completely silenced my snoring. 
     Still, just symptoms, so I went to the allergist.  I was given a short course of prednisone to prepare for a scratch test.  Basically, the allergens are scratched into the skin, allowed to puff up, and then measured for size.  My chart has about 10 big markers on it, and that's just the first day--the second revealed 4 more. 
     So, shots it is.  Advantages: I can survive without pills, leaving the cheap nasal spray my only continuous medication.  Of course, the shots are unique to me--they have to be passed from doctor to doctor, until I need more.  Disadvantage: only a doctor can administer them, so I have to go to the office to get them.
     My allergist also ordered a CT of my head to look for polyps, scarring, or other nasty things.  Luckily, they found nothing.  Before I found that out, though, the possibility was frightening; I prepared little warning notes, plans for recovery, and so on.  I also set aside time and money for a naturopath.
     Alternative medicine...ah.  My HMO definitely frowns on this--everything I have done so far with this fellow is out-of-pocket.  I'm not sure about him either, but he might know something the rest don't.  A handful of new tests from this one, and the promise of "supplements" that only he and his office can sell.  I won't say what his method of relief will cost, only that it's steep.  I think that I may well just drop him after I find out what he knows...
     All I can say is, thank goodness I don't have REAL problems--this could have grown into a bankrupting nightmare.

So, I've been told I snore.  Repeatedly, by friends, girl friends, family, and complete strangers.  Ear plugs and The Next Room have been necessities around me since I hit puberty, and before that, I presume I slept just as noisily, but children are rarely called out on such things. 
    On a related note, I cannot breathe efficiently through my nose.  Overdrive adrenaline or low physical activity will allow it to happen, but otherwise, every nose-breath is a gamble of me versus some law of air flow down my nose.
     As part of a general self-improvement campaign of this year (started at a loved one's behest, then sustained by me), I set out to banish both problems for good.
    Allergies are the first suspect.  I have had allergy problems in tree-laden, mid-humidity climates since birth, allergies that necessitate drugs of some kind and only let up in dry, tree-sparse places such as Colorado.  My mother was kindly enough to move the whole family to Colorado to fix her issues, and cleared my own, but each trip anywhere else, or a visit with a dog or cat (which we did not allow in the house) was punctuated by pills.
     In college (Cleveland), I got by on occasional OTC pill dosings in the spring, and afterwards here in California, I would go on the dosage if I was feeling down.  This list contains the ones I remember, and I think I missed a few anyway:
Pseudophedrine (Sudafed)            The old standby, and why I (briefly) wanted all meth takers and producers to burn, since government made it harder to buy.
Dexbromo-pheniramine (Drixoral)    12-hour relief, this one--worth the price
Chloro-pheniramine (Chlor-trimeton)   12-hour relief, but not as strong
Seldane (terfenadine)                     Early form of Claritin
Loratadine (Claritin)

    A year ago, when the allergies got so bad I couldn't breathe and couldn't work, I went to my doctor to get this sorted out.  This is where the story truly begins.  I was dutifully informed that there are a few ways to fix nasal congestion, the most common being pills and nasal sprays, then other pills, then more pills, then allergy shots if THAT fails, and then surgery, maybe, just to top it all off.
    To be continued, as it is now very late indeed.

IF you didn't read my other post for today--read it FIRST...then this one.

 Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will

be!!

1. Who was/were your best friend(s)?
Ben. Andy, Tim

2.What sports did you play?
Swimming

3. What car did you drive?
Deep green Pontic Trans Sport

4. It's Friday nite...where r u?
Swimming, Sleeping, religious services maybe

5. Were you a party animal?
No

6. Were you considered a flirt?
No

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
3rd chair violist, but, hell, I was good at it.

8. Were you a nerd?
that has been well established

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Not in High School

10. Can you sing the fight song?
No

11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Mr. Carmichael, Mrs. (don't remember...biology teacher)

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
near the stairwell, or in chess club

13.What was your school's full name?
Niwot High School

14. School mascot?
Spartan!

15. Did you go to Prom?
No...I was never that popular, and I had no GF

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Yeah--no GF means bad times

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
My feet burned...oh, and our Salutatorian was "better" than our valedictorian

18. Where did you go senior skip day?
Nope!

20.Were you in any clubs?
National Honor Society

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Stairwell, or chess club

22. Have you gained some weight since then?
I must have

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
---

26. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?
If I get invites from at least 3 people

27. Who was your home room teacher?
Home Room?  Not since Middle School

28.Who will repost this?
Beats me.

29. Who was your high school sweetheart?
Heather.  I miss her

30. Do you still talk to people from high school?
A few...not as many as I'd like

 1. What do you say most when you're trying NOT to curse?
FARK!

2. Do You Own An Ipod?
Little knockoff called MuVo

3. What Person On Your Top 8 Do You Talk To The Most?
Sally!

4. What time is your alarm clock set to?
6

5. Are You In Love?
YES!

6. Do You Wear Flip-Flops When It's Cold?
Are you NUTS?!

7. Would You Rather Take The Picture Or Be In The Picture?
Take

8. What Was The Last Movie You Watched And With Who?
Mists of Avalon, with my girlfriend

9. Do any of your friends have kids?
Heh.  Yeah (makes me feel young)

10. Has Anyone Ever Called You Lazy?
Not lately--I get stuff done

11. Do You Ever Take Medication To Help You Fall Asleep?
without allergy medicine, it's a lot harder...but that doesn't count...

12. Are you a cuddler?
I am!

13. Do You Prefer Regular Or Chocolate milk?
Chocolate!

14. Has Anyone Told You A Secret This Week?
I'm like, discount secret warehouse! 

15. When Was The Last Time You Had Starbucks?
Late July, mid-town Denver, for breakfast

16. Do you know anyone who lost their dad within the last year?
No

17. Do You Have A Trampoline In Your Back Yard?
I know a friend or two that ahs one

18. Do You Think People Talk About You Behind Your Back?
They must...I'm like that.

19. Did you watch cartoons as a kid?
Oodles of them.

20. What Movie Do You Know Every Line To?
Too many.  Any in particular you had in mind?

21. What CD is in your car stereo right now?
Duran Duran--greatest hits

22. What's your favorite song on that CD?
"The Reflex"--what's up with that woman?

23. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Deep

24. Are you still in love with your ex?
No.

25. Does anyone like you?
Yes

26. Do You Do Your Own Dishes?
I live alone--do the math (I was told there would be no math!).

27. Ever Cry In Public?
Define "public".  Yeah

28. Have you told a secret to someone this week?
Yes.

29. What was the secret?
Some frailty that is, if you ask, yours to know (otherwise, none of your business).

30. Do you think you could EVER be in love?
Oh yes

31. Would You Ever Marry Anyone Covered In Tattoos?
Absolutely--I suppose it depends on the tattoo

32. What Did You Do Before This?
Bawled my eyes out

33. When Was The Last Time You Slept On The Floor?
Define "floor"...I don't go ANYWHERE now without my air mattress and sleeping bag

34. How Many Hours Of Sleep Do You Need To Function?
6?

35. Do You Eat Breakfast Daily?
Weekdays, yes

36. Are Your Days Full And Fast Paced?
Lord no.  I like downtime.

37. What are you doing right now?
Watching "Iron Chef America", sitting on an aging chair.

38. Do you use sarcasm?
Like, duh!

39. Have You Ever Been In A Fight?
Lots of them!

40. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?
I think you misspelled "picky".

41. Have You Ever Been To Six Flags?
Hot damn!

42. Do you believe in ghosts?
yes

43. Do You Get Along Better With The Same Sex Or The Opposite?
Depends on what we're getting along to do

44. Do you like mustard?
Yes--except I can't braise or stew with it.

45. Do You Sleep On Your Side, Stomach, Or Back?
Side--less snoring

46. Do You Watch The News?
Only on FARK!

47. How Did You Get One Of Your Scars?
I fell down a rocky bank into a creek

48. Last person to make you mad?
Some insecure woman who couldn't even tell me "it's over"

49. Do you think you are someones first love?
No.

50. What do you want to do before the day is over?
Take my allergy meds

51. What last made you laugh?
Animaniacs...I miss that show

52. Reading any books?
Two of them, one of which is "A Cook's Tour"