Personal Sociality (Long & Short) : The 39 Week 49 Round Up/Update -1 [T39W49RU/U -1]

before I begin - this may be in regards to two separate individuals, but it pertains to all
to the two individuals : I'm not PO'd or ignoring either one of you - that's not my way, I'd let you know in some fashion if t'were so
moving on...


short version ::

not answering my phone or responding immediately to e'mails or messages does not mean I'm avoiding or PO'd at anyone

long version ::

maybe I'm just an odd person and maybe it IS just me, but to me being "social" is not spending hours on a phone
I'm actually pretty much anti-phone, in most regards, and only have one because nowdays one kinda HAS to have one
...especially since I'm fairly chaotic/random in my goings-out and enjoying life that no one'd ever find me - especially on nice days - when I'm not working, of course
it's not that I avoid the phone like the plague, though sometimes - yeh - I suppose I do, but I like my rare "sociality" coupled with physicality
I'm like my fathre in the regard that we're not big "phone socializers" (as he once put it)
and, no, I don't have a celphone and, I admit, that's on my list of reasons I don't want/need one
...if people expect me to answer every time they call, they're in for a shock!

hells, if I'm watching a movie or listening to music, the phone is the least of worries and I tend not to notice it at all if I'm into the film and/or music... or if I'm reading or...
I get "burnt out" on phone convos pretty quickly as well - a call every couple weeks or once a month, cool, no prob/no worries - a call daily, let alone weekly, wtf are you thinking?
my life seriously does NOT change that often that I'll have anything to say that I didn't say already that week or that can't wait 'til next week... if it's even worth that

while, yes, I've been told by people that they like to talk to me because I make them smile - even in horrible circumstances - but, really, I'm not phone reliable in the least
and - c'mon, mang! - getting pissed because I didn't answer my phone (whether I was home or not) or return a message immediately?!
this may be the "social media age" or whatever title you want to give it, but that shiite just ain't me...
wanna talk to me? find me... I can only walk so far - or leave a message or e'mail
yeh, true that I only check my e'mail once a week as well, but - hey - if it's an emergency, why are you calling me?! (assuming you're not a relative or my daughters or ex-wife)
it's highly unlikely that *I*, of all people, can help you in an emergency ( especially in knowing that I can count on one hand people I see/talk to that live within 100miles! let alone locally )

there are only THREE instances where I can see calling more than twice in a 24hr period (let alone not just calling once and leaving a message) ::
1) you're my daughters/my ex-wife
2) you're work
3) we have GAURANTEED plans and you're in the area/changing plans/etc.
hells - call once, leave a message, if it's important I may respond back in a couple days or so (assuming you're not one of the 3 above)
if you think it's rare that I answer my phone, it's even MORE rare that I initiate a phone call - that's just not me

if you're not one of the three above, it's highly unlikely I'm going to go out of my way to await a phone call

hells, there are only TWO things I've ever altered the way I live my life for ::
1) my daughters
2) work
...even when I was MARRIED, I didn't alter my life or how I do things - ask the ex, it drove her crazy at least a couple of times... or past roommates
seriously, the few times I've altered the way I live my life were of my OWN accord, in no relation to anyone but myself
( I've hardly HAD to alter my life for my daughters and/or work, other than having set plans in regards to both - as opposed to my usual "on-a-whim" way of chaos/randomness )


ANYways...
that's the long and short of it - and, honestly, it kind of worries me when people call more than twice in a day's time...
what can seriously be THAT important that doesn't impart one phone call and a message?

just sayin'...

- thom / Wolfox

Late CONvergent Possibilities : The 39 Week 48 Round Up/Update +4 [T39W48RU/U +4]

I've begun pondering... pondering... the possibilities.
I have the 4th of July off, I then don't work the 6th through the 9th...
CONvergence, which I didn't attend last year, runs the 4th through the 7th this year...

yes, I work on the 5th BUT I may be able to afford attendance (spendier, yes, since I haven't pre-registered)
cab fare would be roughly 45-55$ one direction - but this MAY be affordable as well (at least for the 4th, 6th, and maybe 7th)
( this is assuming I don't find a ride and/or a place to crash/shower whilst I am there - though I'd have to remember to bring extra clothes in that case )

* walking would take over 5hrs, and I'm not about to do that... again *sighs in remembrance*


SO... the query - should I consider it? After all, it IS just before my 40th b'day and I've taken the long(er) weekend in order to "hide"
what better place to hide than a public convention?! even if I only hit it the Thurs/Sat or even just Sat, I think it'd be enjoyable!
...wouldn't it?
I mean, the very first year I was at CONvergence was as a b'day present - this time it'd be a b'day present to myself... sort of... right?


What do you think, kids? ...should thom Wolfox sR Rhose make a short-notice appearance at CONvergence?!

an ex-g/f from over 15yrs ago visited from Sat afternoon to Sun afternoon...

it was nice to have company for a change, and the conversation(s) were interesting - though more remembrance of mutual friends and the people we knew "back when" ... and, it may sound mean, but was as though I was just talking to myself for the most part

not even taking into account our past relationship, other than above it was - well - awkward. she obviously expected more (kissing me twice, to which I responded merely by rote) but there was just no physical click whatsoever... again, it may sound mean, but 0 connection physically or mentally - to which, I suppose, it's a good thing she lives nowhere near here and it's unlikely we'll meet again for a long time. but it's odd that there was completely no connection at all (for me) - I've had even minor responses/twitches to friends that I consider a sister to me or even random co-workers and strangers on the street.

is this wrong of me?

as for the couple awkward rote-kisses, I think it's safe for me to say that I still haven't kissed since '07 since I didn't really respond to said kisses - or would that be wrong of me as well?

I suppose I may meet someone yet that'll break this nearly 6yr "dry spell," but suffice to say it won't be from "revisiting" my past...

Two Saturdays With A Cleverbot : The 39 Week 47 Round Up/Update +1 [T39W47RU/U +1]
I've discovered the wonder that is Cleverbot... I'm not certain if this is a good thing or a bad thing
nonetheless, earlier today and last Satyr's Day I conversed... or attempted to... with this online entity simply known as... Cleverbot - and thought I'd share the insanity

Cleverbot
[ http://www.cleverbot.com ]

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Satyr's Day, 25th of May (d145y13) - Convo With Cleverbot ::

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Satyr's Day, 1st of June (d152y13) - Convo With Cleverbot ::

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- thom / Wolfox

Urges, Desires, & Defeat? : The 39 Week 46 Round Up/Update [T39W46RU/U]

for some reason, once the rain started this eve, I had this sudden urge to go for a walk... so I did. Only went less than 2miles out before I turned back, but still...
of course, by the time I returned I was soaked even though the leather jacket I'd thrown on - and probably looked like a wet rat (as usual), but still...
it was worth it... and I came back with this utter feeling that I'd completed something I needed to - a great feeling, that!

( so, yes, I'm writing this in my underwear - I hope you don't mind! )



It's a long weekend where I only have my daughters on Monday - which leaves Satyr's Day, and Tsunday wide open...
so I sent out a message a la facebook/twitter that anyone semi-local who wants t'see the new Star Trek and/or Iron Man t'pick me up and I'll pay/my treat!

I don't get out to theatres very often and the only one within walking distance is a cinema grill that doesn't play first-runs...
not that I wouldn't go there (hells, if no one takes up my offer, I probably will!), but I'd still like t'see either of the aforementioned films



they're slightly/temporarily restructuring positions again at work - only because the last restructing didn't work as well as expected
( I admit, starting off behind I've gotten ahead ONLY a little and am only maintaining rather than catching up *sighs*
- which has left other aspects of the job on haitus... not a good thing when people are expecting project completion )
nonetheless, hopefully this temp-restructuring will get us back to "ground zero" and we'll gauge what direction(s) from there

I hate being behind and've tried like hell to get ahead on the backlog, but I've admitted "defeat" in the sense of - as already mentioned - maintaining without much furthering
the good thing is I've kept busy - substantially busy! - but sometimes/some days have been so hectic that even *I* was on the verge of stress
( thankfully I'm one of those that doesn't think/work on work outside of work, when I'm home I'm out of workmode nigh-completely )

- thom / Wolfox

For All My Friends, Part II : The 39 Week 45 Round Up/Update [T39W45RU/U]

I have a "quasi-politicalamatous rant" all prepped and ready to post, but decided that it's just been too demn nice of weather (even with the rain we're having right now) for me to ruin anyone's weekend with such nonsense (though I'll probably post it late Tsunday or thereafter)!

instead I'm just going to say how demn nice it is to have the friends I have and know the people I do ... there's just so many of you, even those I've only met once or twice (or not even that, in some cases!), that keep me going, keep me smiling, and keep me wishin' I lived closer and were able to spend more time around/with! you wonderful friends ARE my family, as far as I'm concerned - other than my spawnlings, of course, who are and will be my #1 priority in my life... but I'm certain you understand, being the wonderful people that you are, my True Family, Beyond Blood.

while I can count on one hand how many times I've been more than an hour beyond this state's borders, there are times I feel I'm where you all are at in some strange way - and maybe, someday, I may be (though I make no gaurantees) - and at the same time I feel you're here with me as well. it's a wonderful connection having the friends I have... knowing that whether it's the first time we meet physically or the next time we meet with years and years spanning between, it's a good time just waiting to happen, a great conversation to add to the mental record books, a hug to keep the heart beating another decade, or a smile to keep the daemons at bay ( or invite them in, depending on the daemon ).

while we may not agree on every thing (or in some cases, disagree on EVERY thing), we still stand and laugh together, stare into the sunrise or enjoy the sunset, watch the wind on the water or the breeze through the trees ... whatever it is, wherever that moment, near or far, years gone by or never to meet ... it's all worth it, every word spoken, every electronic signal sent - you, FRIEND, and simple as that (as complicated as it may be)

even this entire post is simply words ... and words may not always be enough, but it's what behind them that gives it that lifeforce, that edge, that trigger, that point of impact, that emotional fracture, that element of unknowable remembrance - but it's to you, my friends, and it's all for you, my friends!


- thom / Wolfox

Hot And Bothered : The 39 Week 44.5 Round Up/Update [T39W44.5RU/U]

with the rising of the heat, my... cravings... have been coming to the forefront most evenings *sighs*
and - of course!/no surprise! - I haven't had an outlet for it in many a year now

...oh well, maybe, someday, somehow, someone will wander into my little world and I'll be able to... "exercise my passions" once again

but no worries, I'll survive... hells, I've survived longer - haven't I?
( I honestly don't remember - it's been awhile... )


I've been lighting some lavender incense every so often, just so I don't get suddenly surprised by the scent on someone and lose control
( not that I expect I actually would, but - demn - it's hard to walk with a hard-on... just sayin' )

- probably doesn't help, either, that my A/C hasn't been working so my apartments has been between 85-95 most evenings...
while I used to love the heat, since I've had kids my tolerance has weaned a bit

...and it's just NO FUN being all hot and bothered without the enjoyment to go along with it! *sighs again*

ANYways...
yes, I DID do a post yesterday, but that was strictly a music post - besides, with my mind going haywire and emotions imbalanced, you expect me to remember every little thing in the eve?
*whew*
and, yes, the management is aware of the apartment heat - they're going to re-look at it tomorrow or Friday (I've got the newest A/C in the building, which is why they're surprised it's not working)!

time for some evening distraction... I need it...

- thom / Wolfox

Old 'rÿche, Meet The New 'rÿche / Lordi Redux : The 39 Week 44.4 Round Up/Update [T39W44.4RU/U]

while I don't normally do CD reviews, with all the controversy surrounding this one, I felt I had to... particularly as a decades-long fan of "Queensrÿche!"
after hearing an onslaught of comparisons to the True "Guns N' Roses" vs "Axl Rose's Guns N' Roses" (a la Chinese Democracy), I was honestly worried - even if it didn't take Geoff Tate 15 years
[ and, yes, while I own Chinese Democracy, it's not something I'd play the entire CD in it's entirety but as a mix with other tunes - it just wasn't True "GN'R" to me... ]

so... the Big Question...
IS Frequency Unknown "Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche" vs the True "Queensrÿche?"
Is it just a big F.U. to his former compatriarts and the fans?
Is the album any good or just a waste of time and $$?
Would anyone even notice if I stuck an extra question mark at the end of this sentence??

1) Geoff Tate has still got the voice he's (re)known for (honestly, I just can't imagine a "Queensrÿche" without that voice)
2) a semi-decent offering with the (new) songs - including a couple of stand-out tracks, this should help lay claim to the legitimacy to the name
3) The 'bonus re-recordings' are... well... 'meh' and... well... unnecessary (sorry, Geoff! you sound more bored than anything, mate!)

with a bevy of guest heavyweights, the music is definitely harder and mostly different than what "the 'rÿche" is known for
...and maybe, just maybe, if Geoff keeps the "Queensrÿche" name after the battle subsides we'll get to see exactly what his new band can REALLY do?

now - do I dare pick up the "Queensrÿche-sans-Tate" once it's released in late June and do some head-to-head comparisons?
I'm admittedly unfamiliar with La Torre's voice, so - we'll see... we'll see...



on to another recent pick-up, "Lordi"'s To Beast Or Not To Beast...
following Otus' death and Awa's leaving, I wondered if "Lordi" would survive the shakedown
but with new entities Mana and Hella in the mix what we've got here is a heavier "Lordi," more metal than their prior incarnations
...and, demn!, it's an enjoyable change while still maintaining what made "Lordi" so much fun to listen to!

on a side note: the previous Lordi outings were more humour than horror that I'd let my spawnlings listen to most of the tracks
this time, however, they've gotten a little raunchier and I would NOT say this outing is "kid-friendly"
(though first track of "We're Not Bad For The Kids (We're Worse)" was probably the give-away *smirks*)



if you need me I'll be crankin' up the "Lordi" to distract myself from the 90° apartment - though it's still cooler than outside!
( no, they haven't figured out what's wrong with my A/C yet... but could be much worse - I'll take heat over cold any day! )



Today's Random Playlist ::
Queensrÿche - Frequency Unknown [entire album]
Lordi - To Beast Or Not To Beast [entire album]
The Wondergirls feat. Ashley Hamilton & Robbie Williams - Let's Go All The Way

- thom / Wolfox

The Devious Art of Living Room Re-arrangement : The 39 Week 44.1 Round Up/Update [T39W44.1RU/U]

ah! yes, THE Devious Art of Living Room Re-arrangement: Wolfox Edition, with the prerequisite sweat and "good gods, really?!?" (*whew*)






...need bookshelves and dresser before I even consider undertaking the kitchen and bedroom, though!
the problem with kitchen and bedroom are the boxes after boxes of books and clothes... with nowhere to go until I get more bookshelves and a dresser... someday...

while, yes, it is my "goal" for this year, it's the GETTING them that takes a LOT of work
I think I've got enough saved up for at least what I need for the living room (if they're cheap enough)...
but, yehhhh... having not owned a vehicle since even before I moved to the Cities 12yrs ago, these aren't just something I can order and have shipped

( it may sound easy, but this kind of item I HAVE to be here when it arrives... and they only give DAY estimates, not TIME - and if I'm not here, then I'd have to pay a re-stock fee AND pick the items up... somehow...
no, I wouldn't get to choose the day, either, and I can't just take a full day off from work once I find out when it may arrive, etc. etc. )


assuming I measured correctly and have accurately taken into account what I need... (and estimated the average size of a dresser)

for the living room - need 3 bookshelves (2 @ 71-85" tall, 28-32" wide; 1 @ 49-60" tall, 18-20" wide)
for the girls - need 1 bookshelf (1 @ 49-60" tall, 18-20" wide)
for the bedroom - need 1 dresser & 2 bookshelves (2 @ 71-85" tall, 28-32" wide)



I'm going to go shower now, if you need me... the living room was one HELLUVA "workout"

I think the spawnlings are gonna be a wee bit surprised when they're here tomorrow


Today's Random Playlist ::
Death Angel - The Devil Incarnate
Arch Enemy - Dehumanization
White Zombie - Demon Speed
Alphaville - Big In Japan
Northern Kings - Rebel Yell
King Diamond - Voodoo
Lovehatehero - The Risk
Bile - In League


- thom / Wolfox

Why, You Mother... : The 39 Week 44 Round Up/Update [T39W44RU/U]

Here's to all you Mothers and Motherf'kers out there!
be they "happy accidents," "planned pregnancies," or "guess what happened that night you blacked out" - 'grats across the board!


they're still working on my A/C - it's a new unit, so they're not sure what happened...
though they were just here to drain the heatlines, since it's supposed t'get cool tonight/tomorrow... gotta love this state!


Not much new happening lately, other than working hard while trying to keep my hours down enough where I won't get a call from County/C.S.
a pretty boring life *sighs* ...

I find it humerous that I was "called out" yesterday at work for saying "g-ddamn" several times, which was found "offensive"
I couldn't help but laugh and ask : 'OK, would you prefer I say what I usually say'
'What's that?'
'G-dfuck Me J-sus'
'NO... and you're weird'



I added Skype to Savini... though, as I only have him on maybe once a week, unless I know that someone intends to converse/etc, I probably won't just "be there"...
just sayin' !
( Romero doesn't have a camera - only Savini )



Today's Random Playlist ::
Smashing Pumpkins - Today
White Lion - Radar Love
Wednesday 13 - Gimme Gimme Bloodshed
Sly Fox - Let's Go All The Way
The March Violets - Turn To The Sky
Slipknot - Wait And Bleed
My Darkest Days feat. Zakk Wyld - Porn Star Dancing
Beck - Loser
Static X - Push It
Ramones - 53rd & 3rd
Mudvayne - (Per)Version Of A Truth
Poison - Unskinny Bop
Cake - Short Skirt/Long Jacket
Television - See No Evil
Billy Idol - Summer Running
Doro - White Wedding
Twisted Sister (feat. Alice Cooper) - Be Chrool To Your Scuel
Pantera - Cemetery Gates

- thom / Wolfox