We had the first day of our open house today, and without an ad, we had 4 people stop by. Not a whole lot, which was a little disappointing, but our agent said the ones who did stop by were serious lookers and not the causal passer-by. One guy was an investor who has several properties that he rents. He just sold one and has to buy another one within 180 days or else he has to pay capitol gains taxes on the income, and this would be perfect for him. He was here for 45 minutes.
So I had be out of the house all day, and instead of going out and playing some golf like I had wanted, I worked with my dad like I should have. My dad has helped my brother and I get everything ready on the house for the past 4 weeks, and he asked if I could help out today and tomorrow with a kitchen he was starting, and of course I couldn't say no.
The past couple of kitchens I've helped my dad with have been fun. There was a time when I just stopped enjoying doing that kind of work, so I stopped working with my dad, plus I was also working hard on my career and trying to have some sort of social life. But hen a few months back when we had not roommate, I had a need for some money so I started working with him again. When I get to work with him without my brother being there, it is actually enjoyable. When my brother is there, he treats me like his personal servant who is there to tend to his every need. There was one time when I was up on a ladder installing a light, he was working on some plumbing and he had the audacity to ask me to hand him a pair of pliers that were right next to him.
He can't accept the fact that I know what I am doing and thinks I am still the little 12 year old who rather play soccer than cut tile on a Saturday.
I did both growing up, it's not like my parent made me choose between my childhood and working in the family business, I got to do both, and I am glad I did.
Anyway, the blood part of the day came when I was installing some recessed lights, and I nicked the top on my finger with the knife somehow, and the damn thing wouldn't stop bleeding. When I get cleaned off (no I haven't taken a shower yet, and boy do I smell awesome!) I'm sure it will be this tiny little nothing, but it was dripping blood for like 15 minutes, I guess it was because I was using my hands a lot.
One more open house tomorrow, and more work with my father (with my brother this time) Hopefully it will be a day filled with more people and less blood
Showing posts with label black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
upcoming music
The latest from NPR's show All Songs Considered previews new music coming out this spring. Of particular interest to check out is Elbow, Portishead, Firewater, Shearwater, Wolf Parade and My Morning Jacket.
Going dark for a few days. Final push to get the house ready before the first open house next weekend.
Happy listening!
Going dark for a few days. Final push to get the house ready before the first open house next weekend.
Happy listening!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
My Celery Has Water
I had one of those moments today where you wonder what am I doing with my life?
I was in a 90 minute webinar (that's a online seminar for those lucky enough not to have heard of/experienced one) about the best way for associations to make the most money from corporate relationships. It took me about 45 seconds to realize the next 89.25 minutes were going to suck, and I was already grumpy from having to scarf down my lunch in under 10 minutes, and tired from the food coma that is post-pesto pasta yumminess. But then my mind started wandering as to what I was achieving by being there? What impact on society would I make by learning the best way to bundle sponsorship opportunities to get the most money out a greedy pharmaceutical corporation? I'm going to go with...none.
Luckily I got a phone call that I didn't actually answer answer, but I still left the room for about 15 minutes and walked around the office doing nothing. Then I ran into someone I didn't want to talk to, so I went back.
At this point the guy was talking about how it was more important to focus energy on companies that can give you large sums of money, "because doesn't it sound easier to manage 5 companies that can donate $1 million that 50 companies that can donate $100,000?" And yeah it does. But I started thinking, what about all those companies that can only spend $100,000, but need the exposure corporate sponsorship affords more than the big boys?
Anyway, I then traveled down a path of thought that lead me to the homogenization of our society, and how we've relinquished control over our free will and our desire to chose what's best for us. I know, it's just more of my bitching about evil Starbucks, and how "big box" stores are killing the mom and pop stores and therefore the fabric of "good" society. But for once I caught myself, and thought back to an episode of Penn&Teller's Bullshit, a really good show on Showtime, yes with that magician guy that never speaks and the other one who never shuts up.
The show looks into things that are bullshit, like the war on drugs, the death penalty as a deterrent, or ESP. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, so I don't either, but taken with a grain of salt, it has some good info (I'm now ok using public toilets for #2 is they are clean) and you get make fun of some fanatical idiots.
Anyway, the last episode I watched was about Wal-Mart haters, and how they are usually full of shit when the say Wal-Mart is bad for communities or an evil corporation. Sometimes they are, but most of the time they bring jobs to areas that need them, and they offer affordable merchandise to people who need it. Sometimes they put the mom and pop shops out of business, but in a lot of places, they were out of business before Wal-Mart came to town. It seems like the natural progression of things lately that these large corporations are increasing their market share. I see that as a potentially bad thing because we become over-reliant and more homogeneous, which leads to a loss of individuality and then creativity and intelligence (a la Idiocracy.)
But I've come to be more optimistic lately...well at least slightly hopeful. My friend Pat mentioned one day that all of this is necessary and part of greater information access which will lead to a renaissance of thought. I hope he's right. But I can guarantee you that it will not happen if the intelligent are stuck in meetings listening to speaker phones drone on about the value difference in offering logos on tote bags vs. keynote speaker sponsorship.
Oh, and here's part 1 of one of my favorite episodes of Penn&Teller's Bullshit
I was in a 90 minute webinar (that's a online seminar for those lucky enough not to have heard of/experienced one) about the best way for associations to make the most money from corporate relationships. It took me about 45 seconds to realize the next 89.25 minutes were going to suck, and I was already grumpy from having to scarf down my lunch in under 10 minutes, and tired from the food coma that is post-pesto pasta yumminess. But then my mind started wandering as to what I was achieving by being there? What impact on society would I make by learning the best way to bundle sponsorship opportunities to get the most money out a greedy pharmaceutical corporation? I'm going to go with...none.
Luckily I got a phone call that I didn't actually answer answer, but I still left the room for about 15 minutes and walked around the office doing nothing. Then I ran into someone I didn't want to talk to, so I went back.
At this point the guy was talking about how it was more important to focus energy on companies that can give you large sums of money, "because doesn't it sound easier to manage 5 companies that can donate $1 million that 50 companies that can donate $100,000?" And yeah it does. But I started thinking, what about all those companies that can only spend $100,000, but need the exposure corporate sponsorship affords more than the big boys?
Anyway, I then traveled down a path of thought that lead me to the homogenization of our society, and how we've relinquished control over our free will and our desire to chose what's best for us. I know, it's just more of my bitching about evil Starbucks, and how "big box" stores are killing the mom and pop stores and therefore the fabric of "good" society. But for once I caught myself, and thought back to an episode of Penn&Teller's Bullshit, a really good show on Showtime, yes with that magician guy that never speaks and the other one who never shuts up.
The show looks into things that are bullshit, like the war on drugs, the death penalty as a deterrent, or ESP. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, so I don't either, but taken with a grain of salt, it has some good info (I'm now ok using public toilets for #2 is they are clean) and you get make fun of some fanatical idiots.
Anyway, the last episode I watched was about Wal-Mart haters, and how they are usually full of shit when the say Wal-Mart is bad for communities or an evil corporation. Sometimes they are, but most of the time they bring jobs to areas that need them, and they offer affordable merchandise to people who need it. Sometimes they put the mom and pop shops out of business, but in a lot of places, they were out of business before Wal-Mart came to town. It seems like the natural progression of things lately that these large corporations are increasing their market share. I see that as a potentially bad thing because we become over-reliant and more homogeneous, which leads to a loss of individuality and then creativity and intelligence (a la Idiocracy.)
But I've come to be more optimistic lately...well at least slightly hopeful. My friend Pat mentioned one day that all of this is necessary and part of greater information access which will lead to a renaissance of thought. I hope he's right. But I can guarantee you that it will not happen if the intelligent are stuck in meetings listening to speaker phones drone on about the value difference in offering logos on tote bags vs. keynote speaker sponsorship.
Oh, and here's part 1 of one of my favorite episodes of Penn&Teller's Bullshit
Friday, February 29, 2008
Is anyone else upset that the word Trio has 4 letters?
Was fooling around on You Tube today checking out some videos from a cool band called Elbow (you should check them out) They have a new album coming out soon, and are coming state side for the first time in many a year.
So anyway, I stumbled upon this video of a 4-year old drummer, yeah I said 4. It is a Polish kid named Igor Falecki, and he is 5 now, and appearently has his own jazz trio the Igor Falecki Trio. I've spent the last hour checking out different videos of this kid, he's amazing.
So anyway, I stumbled upon this video of a 4-year old drummer, yeah I said 4. It is a Polish kid named Igor Falecki, and he is 5 now, and appearently has his own jazz trio the Igor Falecki Trio. I've spent the last hour checking out different videos of this kid, he's amazing.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Oh Glorious Friday
What a shitty week.
Glad I got that one behind me, and a good weekend is just about to begin.
I wanted to share with you all one of the best places to hear new music. It is a little show called All Songs Considered on NPR. I stumbled on this one day about 2 years ago when my friend Caro gave me a bunch of new tunes to check out. I was liking one, and did a search on the ol' google, and they had recently been featured. I think I spent 4 hours a day that first week listening to the old archives, it's a good site.
Have a good weekend.
kg
Glad I got that one behind me, and a good weekend is just about to begin.
I wanted to share with you all one of the best places to hear new music. It is a little show called All Songs Considered on NPR. I stumbled on this one day about 2 years ago when my friend Caro gave me a bunch of new tunes to check out. I was liking one, and did a search on the ol' google, and they had recently been featured. I think I spent 4 hours a day that first week listening to the old archives, it's a good site.
Have a good weekend.
kg
Monday, February 18, 2008
Really?
Yeah really.
I have been a neglectful writer lately. Not much to talk about really, been more in a live it phase rather than a talk about it phase. But I am entering a period where I need to keep mind occupied and writing is a fun way to pass time.
In my past month of living, I've done some cool things, learned some stuff. Had a real strong coincidence occur. Randomly thought about someone I hadn't seen or thought about in over a year, then the next day our paths crossed for a seemingly inconsequential moment, but yet it had a very poignant effect on my thoughts at that time.
I'm going to sign off for tonight. I will be posting more again for the foreseeable future, I can't promise everyday, but as much as I can.
I leave you know with a couple of cool things I have seen recently. Peace
Awesome Thom Yorke interview on NPR
I have been a neglectful writer lately. Not much to talk about really, been more in a live it phase rather than a talk about it phase. But I am entering a period where I need to keep mind occupied and writing is a fun way to pass time.
In my past month of living, I've done some cool things, learned some stuff. Had a real strong coincidence occur. Randomly thought about someone I hadn't seen or thought about in over a year, then the next day our paths crossed for a seemingly inconsequential moment, but yet it had a very poignant effect on my thoughts at that time.
I'm going to sign off for tonight. I will be posting more again for the foreseeable future, I can't promise everyday, but as much as I can.
I leave you know with a couple of cool things I have seen recently. Peace
Awesome Thom Yorke interview on NPR
Friday, January 18, 2008
Orange you glad I didn't say banana
So not much to talk about today. Had the day off from work, and took that time to have a couple of doctors appointments. Got my eyes checked, and as much as I like the doctor as a person, I hate going to the eye doctor. Even now typing about it, my eyes are getting sensitive. But somehow I did not get any more blind over the past 2 years, amazing. I also went to the regular doc blah blah blah.
The only thing I got on my mind these days (at least that I'm willing to write about right now) is moving. With Bryan going to NC for a couple of months sometime in February, we may be selling the house sooner than expected, and I'm excited about that.
I've also been watching a bunch of Wizards games lately, and how bout those 2 wins over Boston? This team is going to be a force for a few years to come. They may not make huge waves this year, but they have a chance to at least get to the second round, depending on match ups. But the young talent they have growing right now, coupled with the vets just getting into their prime gives me good hope for the future of this team. So in a couple of years, we will have a dominate football team (with JC at the helm) and a dominant basketball team (with Agent Zero and Tough Juice leading the way)
The only thing I got on my mind these days (at least that I'm willing to write about right now) is moving. With Bryan going to NC for a couple of months sometime in February, we may be selling the house sooner than expected, and I'm excited about that.
I've also been watching a bunch of Wizards games lately, and how bout those 2 wins over Boston? This team is going to be a force for a few years to come. They may not make huge waves this year, but they have a chance to at least get to the second round, depending on match ups. But the young talent they have growing right now, coupled with the vets just getting into their prime gives me good hope for the future of this team. So in a couple of years, we will have a dominate football team (with JC at the helm) and a dominant basketball team (with Agent Zero and Tough Juice leading the way)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Long Time/B-day Wrap-up
Hello all,
It has been a while since I last posted, and my only excuse is that "I have been busy" which is a lame-ass excuse. But since my last post, I have turned another year older. Really, I've just aged a few days, but I am now in my last year of my 20's, oooo scary.
So a quick recap of the weekend festivities. Went out with a bunch of people on Saturday night to a bar in Falls Church, Dogfish Head Alehouse. It is a cool place, with great beer. But they close at midnight, on a Saturday what the hell is up with that? So a couple of people missed out and that sucks. But I still had an awesome time, and I think everyone else did as well.
Here is a video of my friend Dave entertaining us with his crazy parlor tricks:
After the bar closed, I went back to my friend Jason's place with a couple of people, and we drank more and played some music. I learned that I am a kick-ass tambourine player, and that a tambourine blister looks similar to another type of blister.
I didn't have a dreadful hangover, but I wasn't feeling chipper by any stretch of the word. So I hung out and watched the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
Sunday night though I celebrated mine and my fathers b-day (Jan 17) with the fam at Flemings (we are so predictable). and while I normally would not have drank at that event, we did a vertical tasting of Joseph Phelps Insignia, one of the best wines in the world. We had 6 bottles between 6 of us...and moms didn't drink much.
Well they are starting the office b-day extravaganza since we have 3 b-days in our department this week, so I'm off for more food.
Peace
Friday, January 4, 2008
Me no like getting colds
Well happy new year to you all. So far it has not been the best year, I started the whole thing with a mild hangover that decided to morph into a cold, that cheeky bastard. So I've been sleeping, drinking OJ, and destroying a bag of Cold-eze the past couple of days, but I think I'm almost out of the woods. Good byproduct though has been my desire to smoke has been declining, so if this is the time for me to quit, it may be a little easier.
I was talking with a friend about music the other day, and she was asking how I can listen to as much as I do (I listen to about 5 albums a day) and we got into a discussion about where to listen to music. I have the "pleasure" of living in DC, so my commute is about 45 minutes each way, that's two albums right there, then I have music playing when I am at my desk (between the endless meetings) But she does not have these opportunities, and was looking for other ways/places to listen.
Where/how do you all listen to music?
Also, if you checked out the post a couple of weeks back where I posted the videos of RPM/Panacea, and liked what you heard, they have a show this Saturday at IOTA. Come check them out, I'll buy you a drink.
-Peace
I was talking with a friend about music the other day, and she was asking how I can listen to as much as I do (I listen to about 5 albums a day) and we got into a discussion about where to listen to music. I have the "pleasure" of living in DC, so my commute is about 45 minutes each way, that's two albums right there, then I have music playing when I am at my desk (between the endless meetings) But she does not have these opportunities, and was looking for other ways/places to listen.
Where/how do you all listen to music?
Also, if you checked out the post a couple of weeks back where I posted the videos of RPM/Panacea, and liked what you heard, they have a show this Saturday at IOTA. Come check them out, I'll buy you a drink.
-Peace
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Happy X-mas
Just wanted to wish a very happy x-mas to you and your family.
Below is my favorite x-mas pic for two reasons. One, because it is so wrong on so many levels, and b) because somehow, my friend Tom was able to convince a Santa to allow this pic to be taken. Bless you Tom.
Love and Peace,
K-dizzle
Below is my favorite x-mas pic for two reasons. One, because it is so wrong on so many levels, and b) because somehow, my friend Tom was able to convince a Santa to allow this pic to be taken. Bless you Tom.
Love and Peace,
K-dizzle
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Happy Festivus yall
Today is the unofficial celebration of Festivus. And I will do my best to follow the tradition the great Frank Costanza passed down.
Festivus begins with the airing of grievances, and while I may have grievances with some people, I do not think it is fair to air them in a public forum where I can't assume everyone is at least half drunk. So instead, I will air my grievances against the karmic world.
First and foremost, why the hell did that guy have to crash into my car in that rest stop in NY. What the hell was that all about? Then to top it off, the ass-hole doesn't have insurance, so now I'm out $2000 of my own money, which I have to sue him in NJ small claims court to recoup, assuming he doesn't leave the country or go bankrupt first. Then to top it off, I pick up the car and the transmission dies, and now I have to shell out another $4000 to get it fixed. Fuck you Karma!
My second grievance concerns the shit load of money I spent on this dating service "It's Just Lunch" They set you up on blind dates based on personality surveys, and it is low pressure because well, it's just lunch (or after dinner drinks for those who prefer to have a little alcohol before a blind date) So I've been on 8 of the "dates" now and and only one has turned into a second date, and she was moving to Iraq for 6 months 2 weeks after our date. And no they have been calling me to say "we found a match" and they get my availability, and never call me back with the date. You suck It's Just Lunch, I want my money back.
My last grievance for this Festivus is about society as a whole. We seem to be moving further and further away from the true meaning things. Take Christmas for example. We spend more time thinking about the perfect gift for someone, and forget why we are giving them a gift in the first place. We give gifts to the people we love, and who love us back. We give gifts because we want to thank those people for bringing joy into our lives. I heard a radio commercial for a jewelry store where the guy at the end says something like "I could say I love her, but actions speak louder than words" Yes, actions speak louder than words, but the act of buying a diamond necklace, then not showing you love her the rest of the year, says "I'm willing to spend $1000 on you in December and hope that shows I love you until next December when I'll spend $1100" Acts of love are not about how much you spend on a person, they are about giving of yourself.
Happy Festivus, Chanukah, Christmas, x-mas, Kwanza, and most importantly Happy Love to you all!
Festivus begins with the airing of grievances, and while I may have grievances with some people, I do not think it is fair to air them in a public forum where I can't assume everyone is at least half drunk. So instead, I will air my grievances against the karmic world.
First and foremost, why the hell did that guy have to crash into my car in that rest stop in NY. What the hell was that all about? Then to top it off, the ass-hole doesn't have insurance, so now I'm out $2000 of my own money, which I have to sue him in NJ small claims court to recoup, assuming he doesn't leave the country or go bankrupt first. Then to top it off, I pick up the car and the transmission dies, and now I have to shell out another $4000 to get it fixed. Fuck you Karma!
My second grievance concerns the shit load of money I spent on this dating service "It's Just Lunch" They set you up on blind dates based on personality surveys, and it is low pressure because well, it's just lunch (or after dinner drinks for those who prefer to have a little alcohol before a blind date) So I've been on 8 of the "dates" now and and only one has turned into a second date, and she was moving to Iraq for 6 months 2 weeks after our date. And no they have been calling me to say "we found a match" and they get my availability, and never call me back with the date. You suck It's Just Lunch, I want my money back.
My last grievance for this Festivus is about society as a whole. We seem to be moving further and further away from the true meaning things. Take Christmas for example. We spend more time thinking about the perfect gift for someone, and forget why we are giving them a gift in the first place. We give gifts to the people we love, and who love us back. We give gifts because we want to thank those people for bringing joy into our lives. I heard a radio commercial for a jewelry store where the guy at the end says something like "I could say I love her, but actions speak louder than words" Yes, actions speak louder than words, but the act of buying a diamond necklace, then not showing you love her the rest of the year, says "I'm willing to spend $1000 on you in December and hope that shows I love you until next December when I'll spend $1100" Acts of love are not about how much you spend on a person, they are about giving of yourself.
Happy Festivus, Chanukah, Christmas, x-mas, Kwanza, and most importantly Happy Love to you all!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Going Hi Tiz-ek
I got to do this thing with this person today. I had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the power of "The Man" kept it shorter than desired, but tomorrow presents another chance for continuance.
So my friend and fellow blogger Mike told me today that I need to start fancying up the ol' MyCI home base a bit with pics and videos and all that 23rd century shit. And since I'd rather through the light on other people, I'm going to hype up my boys Panacea/Restoring Poetry in Music.
First I should explain why the two names. Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM), is a band that formed back in in the day. I was living in a house with the guitarist in '02 and they are good. Then the MC met this guy K-Murdock and they put together an album under the name Panacea. Over the years, 5 albums have come out between the two names, with much colaboration between them, and they preform live as one with songs from both groups and it is dope.
Here is the first single off Panacea's major label debut, Ink Is My Drink, called Starlight.
And here is the first single off their second album, The Scenic Route called Pop's Said
And now two videos from RPM. First is Poetry Bum off the Poetry Bum CD
And this is the first single off their second album Pyramids in Moscow, Less is More
You can check out both bands at www.myspace.com/panaceanmusic and www.myspace.com/restoringpoetryinmusic
Stay tuned. I've got some good end of the year stuff coming
So my friend and fellow blogger Mike told me today that I need to start fancying up the ol' MyCI home base a bit with pics and videos and all that 23rd century shit. And since I'd rather through the light on other people, I'm going to hype up my boys Panacea/Restoring Poetry in Music.
First I should explain why the two names. Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM), is a band that formed back in in the day. I was living in a house with the guitarist in '02 and they are good. Then the MC met this guy K-Murdock and they put together an album under the name Panacea. Over the years, 5 albums have come out between the two names, with much colaboration between them, and they preform live as one with songs from both groups and it is dope.
Here is the first single off Panacea's major label debut, Ink Is My Drink, called Starlight.
And here is the first single off their second album, The Scenic Route called Pop's Said
And now two videos from RPM. First is Poetry Bum off the Poetry Bum CD
And this is the first single off their second album Pyramids in Moscow, Less is More
You can check out both bands at www.myspace.com/panaceanmusic and www.myspace.com/restoringpoetryinmusic
Stay tuned. I've got some good end of the year stuff coming
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