Damn, did anyone hear the loud banging noise and see the sky light up last night?

That's right, the beast has returned to from the lad where his family is from.

I know you've all been eagerly waiting and update of both text and pictures, but my chord to upload from my camera is missing and I don't feel like looking for a memory stick right now, so the pics'll come later.

Ok, grab your pencil's and do a grid with one to five on one side and BINGO on the other. It's time to see what vices Aaron indulged himself in the most during his six week stay in Ireland.. Go ahead and draw some fun things in each square and we'll see who can get the most in a row.

And the list....

1) Drank at a 9 to 1 ratio of Guinness and water. Check.

2) Smoked some Cuban Cigars. Check.

3)Fooled around with a young girl with a funny little accent (I know, my grandpa wouldn't be proud of me associating with the colonizing pricks but she was just perfect.) Check.

4) Missed the only thing I really wanted to see (Skellig Islands. Look them up if you don't know what they are) because I'd rather go back to Galway and lock my self in a room with said british girl and only come out for beers and sandwiches at the local pub for three straight days. Check

5) Not regretting it in the slightest. Check.

6) Seeing Tom Waits in Dublin. Check. (Definite highlight.)

7) Going to a wedding and getting pissed drunk two nights in a row and being forced to put off a drive to Dublin for awhile. Check

8) Not regretting that either. Check.

9) Guinness at breakfast. Check.

10) More than once? Check. Twice? Check. etc. etc

11) Partaking in a little bottle of something called potcheen (moonshine) enough to get sicker than I've been from the drink in awhile. Check.


12) numerous times? I think you get the picture.

13) Forced to do unspeakable things to myself in the shower because god or mom or being irish would've brought down enough guilt on me if I did them in my cousins' beds. Um, no comment. Aw fuck it. Check.

14) Taking full visual advantage of the wifi I found at various cousin's houses. (Um, yeah well guilt is just a state of mind and not really a punishment, I guess. ) Check.

15) Days w/out showers or clean clothes? Check. (I'm on fucking vacation. beside, I fit in at some of the hostel where I stayed because of my lack of good hygiene practices. )

15) Ate too much fried food. Check. Kinda hard there to not eat it.

I think you get the idea. I had a great time. To paraphrase an overused and slightly hallmarky phrase:

On my trip, I drank like I wasn't driving, ate like I had low cholesterol, screwed like a nineteen year old and danced like a pinball game down a busy sidewalk after loads of beers not giving a shit who was watching.

Good trip. Stuff has a unique way of piling up for you and waiting until you get back though. Time to get my life back to order. (Also to reimmerse myself into the lives of those of you whose friendships I had neglected on my journey. Gotta get some sleep, do some paperwork and then read some blogs.

Be talking to some of you soon.

I know I've been neglecting the blog. I've been drunk in Ireland and haven't found too many wifi places.

I will send you my love when I get sober.

First off, thank you for all of the birthday wishes. I had a good one this year so far and the party isn't until Friday. (If you should find yourself near Oakland feel free to stop into McNally's Irish Pub. I am not to be held responsible for anything that happens after that. If you won't be around, just keep an eye out for the pics.)

Speaking of pictures, I finally put (actually, am putting) up the pics from my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 39 of the longest miles I have ever walked. I was being passed up by little old ladies even. But I finished the fucker. And all I had to show for it was a heap of stinking laundry, a couple pink shirts that I will never wear, some blisters, sore ankles, the realization that I am actually as old as my birth certificate proclaims, some rashes caused by friction in some uncomfortable areas (ouch) and some of the most karmaically (even a word?) satisfying feelings I've had in a long time. So, go look at the pictures. All in all, it was rewarding and I had a good time.

Other news, hmm. The girl thing is still going well. I received a birthday call from the ex followed by an invitation to her parents house where she is house sitting on Thurs. I politely declined knowing that I might be turning down some really good grudge sex only for a chance to potentially stab a dagger into her heart for just a little bit. I guess she isn't doing so well and might be looking for some comfort in some familiar yet turned away arms. Hahahahahaha. (Of course, she could've just wanted to hang out but it is so much better thinking that I finally have an upper hand in this fucking mess. Don't go spoiling my fantasies.)

Another somewhat big story in my life right now is that my friend that went into the Marines (from another blog 6 or 7 months ago. See the going away party picks) decided to go awol. I never thought that the marines would be right for him and he finally figured it out. It worried the hell out of me but he was able to somehow magically clear everything up and was discharged with nothing on his record. It is as though he was never in the Marines at all. I don't understand it fully but I am thankful that God or whatever didn't send one of the nicest most gentle guys I know off to a war I don't really support.

That's all of the politics I'm talking today. Promise.

That is about all for now.

But wait, what is that in the not too distant future? Fucking Ireland.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. New favorite band- Frightened Rabbit

Favorite lyric by them so far?- I might not want you back but I want to kill him.

Ok ,Voss, Stop complaining. Here it is.


A whole lotta work. I mean a whole lottaottaottaottaotta work. I've been pulling long hours at both jobs and still going out in the evening to enjoy my summer. I know, I should take it easy and get some rest and not drink so much when I have to be at work at 4:30 the next morning but I've been having a great time and I'm a stubborn asshole that way. Makes me an unapproachable coworker but heh, I'm not there to hang out with friends. Well, at least not the kind I work with. I could go into specifics but it would take forever and wouldn't really stray from wake up, go to work, go to work (no, I didn't repeat myself), have a couple of beers with my friends, take a nap, wake up go to work, go to work, etc. etc. and so forth.

On the eternal male drive to find companionship (or at least someone who wouldn't mind a few carnal excursions) I'm doing ok. The one I met not too long ago ended up turning into a platonic bestfriend. It's new ground for me. I don't generally get along really well with a girl when I'm not envisioning what she looks like naked and what kinda noises she makes and whether they'd find it gross to do things like...I'm digressing, you get the point. (And if you have a raised eyebrow, look at any application I've filled out before. The letter checked is an M on all of them. Comes with the gender sweethearts.) But we get along real well and hang out a lot and have sleepovers (I know, I don't get it either) all of the time. And, I still walk her doggie.

There is another out there though. We get along really well. I've known her for years (which is kinda odd) and we both seem to agree that it is gonna be a highly affectionate friendship. I was, as you are probably now, a bit skeptical at first, but it seems to be working for the time being. What is it about the smart ones that I find attractive?

Going for the walk soon. I've been training, but not enough. I hope to hell it doesn't kick my ass. I made my goal but it is still a good cause. If you want to donate (I'm a little tired of whoring myself out for donations. Hence the lack of a link.) email me and I'll give you the info. Or just go to a previous blog and clicky the linky. It's on the 12th and 13th of next month so feel free to send me emails or comments of encouragement.

And then, it's motherfuckingIreland.

Sounds like a good time to me.

I just now realized that I've written this blog to tell you all of the new things that have happened in my life and I haven't touched on anything that you haven't heard before. Hmm.

Going to this for the second year in a row.


Fucking great music

Last year was a blast. Heard some great bands. Found some new ones. All in all, had a great time.

What else? Talked about girls and walking and talked about Ireland and Tom Waits...hmm. Did I mention that Vampire Weekend is my newest guilty pleasure? "Poppy" as all hell but really a good band.

And, my biggest crush lately?




The wonderful Ms. Jenny Lewis can do no wrong. Especially with a song like this.

Portions For Foxes

"I know I'm alone if I'm with or without you
but just bein' around you offers me another form of relief "

What a fucking great lyric.

So, Connie - feel better
Pretty Vacant- Hug your doggie
Fox- go drink a scotch
Capn J- (if you're around) Go get a proper pint for me. I might be in your neck of the habitat soon.
Charles dear- I'm still looking forward to that drink. (I imagine, it being Time O' Pride and all, that your having yourself more than a couple.
Dex- I should come over for a beer.
Ms. Becca- You know what I mean about that Jenny Lewis goddess.
Mr. ChocolateJ- Those pics will be coming. (No, not those you perv. The Tom Waits in Ireland ones)
Margot- We're neighbors now. Let me know if you wanna visit.
And Voss, hun, Sorry. Wasn't drunk enough to leave the blog you'd find interesting. You know, the kind where I tell you what I think about your hopeful pics. If that makes me creepy, well then I find it a fitting adjective.

Anyone else? Respond to the blog and I'll include ya. Always looking to make friends. (Like I can talk. I'm horrible at leaving comments.)

Have a good Fourth. Don't let anything blow up in your hands. Unless you are a male. A lonely lonely male. Or, if you know one and feel like being a very giving person. (um yeah, can you pass the kleenex?)

Everything is starting to fall into place.

I'm halfway to my minimum donation for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Plus, I've been doing some 10 mile walks up in the hills for training. All in all, I'm closer (and a little more confident) in being able to do this than I was 2 weeks ago. If anyone still wants to donate, you can go here. Aaron's Boobie Walk

It is for a great cause. (When asked by some of the older women on my practice walks why I am doing it, I responded, "Cause I'm a fan." I don't think they found it as funny as I did.)

Next up, the walk is on the weekend of my birthday. (I think the party is gonna be the following week to celebrate 1. my birthday, 2. Finishing a pretty long walk and gaining Karma points and 3. for la piece de la resistance, my going away party. Your old pal is heading back to Ireland to visit family, drink guinness out of the source and maybe score himself a couple of freckled colleens. All of this can be yours for just blah blah blah but wait, there is more. The flight was booked so they moved me up to first class. Jealous yet? Because I haven't even started to gloat. What can be better than walking for boobs, having a birthday, drinking heavily and going to Ireland first class? I have a ticket to see this guy




play in Dublin. In a small venue (from what I'm told)

Neener neener neener. I'd feel bad about gloating if I didn't work my ass off for all of this. I'm looking forward to a nice 6 week vacation in the place where I feel most at home.

So, Donate if you can, wish me luck on my walk and, if you have a couple extra bucks after all of that, come visit me in Ireland and I'll buy you a pint of the brown stuff.

Take care of yourselves,

Aaron.

So, I finally went out and signed up for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I'm a little nervous because it is gonna be a lot of walking and then I plan on getting shit faced after it is done. (It is my birthday weekend, after all.)

The minimum to walk is $1800 and so far I've only made $100. (True, I've only signed up a couple of hours ago, late at night, so the only one who has seen my email is my cousin in England.) (She gave a generous donation, by the way.)

So, how about it? Wanna help an asshole walk 40 miles for some tits?

I'll take anything. No matter how big or small. I like 'em all. (The donations, you dirty people.) (Well, actually I like all boobies also)

I'm gonna post a link to my page where you can make a donation. I am an idiot in computer terms so if it doesn't work, pm me your email address an I'll send you and email about it.

I realize that times are tough so don't feel that you gotta do it. But like I said anything helps. Even encouraging words.

Thanks a lot.


Aaron's boobie walk

And also, if you donate money, kind words or flashes of mammaries, I will send you a nice thank you note or, if you're local, buy you a beer. I might even start up one of those prize things you hear about in those wacky christian cult..er..I mean summer camps where if you get enough people to convert/donate, you get a little closer to heaven. (Maybe have your friends read my blog and become my friends. I gotta whole lotta ground to cover. Both physically and financially.)

I know, I know. "Who the fuck is this guy? He looks like someone I used to know but, shit, I haven't seen him in so long, I thought maybe he died."

Yes, I have disappeared off the face of the earth.
No, I'm not quite back yet.
I've been really really busy.

I miss the snide comments or remarks and the offers of unconditional love so, I thought I'd poke my head in and tell you I'm ok and I'll be back as soon as work slows down and I get some beer in me and find something interesting to talk about.

Not a slump, just really fucking busy.

No Voss, I haven't been reading. I have been walking though. I've been doggiesitting my friend's dog a lot and she and I have become bestest buds. I take that bitch (obvious and overused play of words, I know) everywhere and we have a great time. So, the walking is still on. In fact, that leads to my next big announcement.



Drum roll please.




I know at least one of you did a little tapping thing on their desk/table/computer sitting surface. Don't lie.


I've decided to walk in the Avon Breast Cancer walk.

I can't give you a reason other than I like boobs. I mean, a distant aunt had it and though I'm close to her, in a way, it isn't something I'd do because of her. That isn't as bad as it sounds. I guess I'm saying that when I decided to do it, she wasn't the first thing to come to mind.

My mother never had it. I'd like to think that it was partly because of preventative measures which benefit from organizations like this. That would make me happy.

But, in the end, it was my love of boobs and this little tickle thing that I should be doing something good with my life and the fact that I need something to motivate my walking habits that lead me to this decision. (Why the fuck did it have to be in San Francisco though. Those fucking hills are gonna be the death of me.)

Once I get all the details, I might post a donation thingy on my blog. Don't feel you have to donate but if you do, I'd send you the nicest thank you note I could find. (Motivational pics of boobies would also be accepted. Does that make me a perv? Absolutely)

Anyhow, that's all for now. For those of you who do not have a Peet's Coffee in your state, I cannot begin to express the joy I am about to go indulge myself in. Happy Friday. Go get drunk.

Con, hon, drink a beer already.

That goes for everyone else too.


And, if Voss stumbles across this, I am in dire need of your motivational skills.

Went and saw Vampire Weekend tonight and was pleasantly surprised. First time I heard them, I thought they were good but a little too "pop"ish. But, they were really good and if it's pop, then I don't care. I had fun even though I was with someone I completely despise.

Which brings on the girl thing. What can I say? If men could figure out women, we'd lose interest and drink ourselves into slumber. You ladies are quite the interesting lot. I do believe that it is a universal thing for one to only like the one that isn't gonna like you back. There are a few that offer but the only one who interests me in the slightest is the one who is not being the most encouraging. Before you all (all three of you) remind me that it is the challenge that interests me, know that I already know that. It doesn't make it anymore pleasant though.

So, yeah, the company was not someone I'd keep around but I still had a good time.

In other news, I am a new Uncle. Not only to the first in the family to carry on the last name, but also to a young lad who took on the job of taking the name of an adoring uncle. (And they are big shoes to fill.) And yes, even though my brother and his wife named him after me (sorta, we share a middle name which was also the middle name of my grandfather) I still tried to convince him to name his son Brett in honor of the retirement of a mortal deity. He gave me a look like he thought I was kidding.

The St. Pat's celebration went well. I'm gonna try to get some pics up. We'll see. I almost made it too. On the fifth day, I stumbled and called it a weekend. (I didn't actually stumble. Actually, I did, repeatedly, but that wasn't the reason for calling it quits. My body just hinted that it was time.)

So, it has been a helluva couple of weeks and now I am tired and lack certain grammatical skills thanks to Prohibition IPA. I'm gonna turn in and tomorrow, I'm gonna start catching up on blogs and groups and boobs and stuff.

Lent is almost over for me. No drinking since the day after superbowl and still going strong. It's been pretty easy, actually. There is a light at the end of this tunnel and it is blurred by guinness and whiskey. March 13th is the day and you aren't gonna wanna know me the weekend following. The annual St. Pat's Party is coming. It is always the yearly highlight at the house where I live. Everyone here is invited although I think Gowt and CharlieLove are the only ones who can realistically attend. If you find yourself in or near the East Bay, drop on by. There will be a keg of Guinness and a keg of green beer (not the green piss you may be accustomed to in Pat's of years past. I get the goodstuff from the Tide House Brewery) and I only ask donations if you have the financial means. (Charles, hon, Gowt knows where the house is.)

So, the schedule is as follows:
March 13th- The official return to the land of the living at Buffalo's (The local brewery)
14th- The Party
15th- The parade and then pubbing in the city
16th- Whiskey tasting and corned beef and cabbage cooking at the house accompanied by a full day of Irish themed movies. (Can anyone tell me why "themed" comes up wrong in spellcheck? And yes, we will watch both Darby O'Gill and the Little People and The Quiet Man. No this won't be up for debate.)
17th- Afternoon drinks at my favorite irish pub until the frats get there and then finding a dive in which to drink bad beer and whiskey while cursing out the traditional "granting of Irish ethnicity to the undeserving".

To sum it up, busy weekend that I might not be able to remember a lot of.

The new year's resolution updates are good. I (as stated in the last blog) finished the book and am currently deciding the next venture. I've been walking also. And, in two weeks, I'm going to 6 concerts. Let's see. Starting with Unified School District, then the Chieftains, tonight was Built To Spill, Wed. is Quasi, Next weekend is She and Him (M. Ward and that actress chick. Brought it up in the last blog), and the following Wed. is the symphony w/ the old man. In the near future, Vampire Weekend on Easter (oh the irony) (and the abundant and possibly incorrect, use of parentheses)(it's a habit) and another night at the symphony. Highly considering Tapes'n'Tapes and quite possibly Elvis Costello. Shit, I'm gonna be busy this month.

Besides that, everything seems good in hermitville. Taking it easy, not watching where I am going, not looking at where I've been. Just coasting along with the expectations of something fun and unhealthy.

Right now, it's 2am and I don't have to work tomorrow. I'm sitting on my porch, enjoying an Arturo Fuente cigar and listening to Ben Webster's "Soulville". Something I'd really like to get back to so, I'm signing out. Hope everyone is doing well.

Anyone need an invite to the party? They're always good fun thanks to photoshop. Send me your address and I'll send you one. This year's is gonna be pretty fun.

Yes I am aware that I use the word gonna. I'm also aware that I used it next to the word hafta earlier. Sorry. It's how I tawk.

Well, I finally finished "A Fan's Notes". I recommend it to anyone who wants to see inside the mind of a washed up, alcoholic, insane genius. I'm fascinated by the whole "thin line between insanity and genius" thing. Really really really well written book. I'm mad that it is done because I liked it so much. My copy has shit underlined on almost every page.

It is spring outside already. Makes me want to take the day off and go to the beach or a favorite coffee shop with a new book or a city park or something where I'm not inside looking at wine bottles (unless I was choosing one to take outside and drink.). 60 degrees, clear and rising.

Speaking of wine (beer whiskey etc.) The lent is going pretty well. It has been almost two weeks. Nothing adds to the asshole hermit image like hanging out in a bar and not drinking. I get more conversations from the fairer gender standing with my glass of water and my arms crossed like a bouncer's than I ever did getting shitfaced.

The ex recently tried to get ahold of me. She emailed me with "Why haven't I seen you in five months?"

"You think it might have something to do with you breaking up with me?" I'm stubborn. I know. But that was an eight year old heart that she ripped out and threw on the ground to lie and wait for the dredges to try to devour it. (And they've tried, believe me. And this would be considered conceit if any of them were worth their weight.) Good thing I've assumed the hermit role.

I have tickets to go see M. Ward and Zoey Deshanel in a band called Her and His. Great show already but the singer from Two Gallants is the opening solo act. Really excited about that.

That's about it. It is way to nice to be inside writing this. I think I'm gonna head out to the city to see what kinda trouble I can find.