Technology has hit Bakersfield. Up until recently you'd have to go to a local independent music store to be able to listen to a cd before buying it. Problem being the selection is somewhat limited. Then Barnes & Noble got the set up with the headphones so you can scan the bar code of a cd to give it a whirl. Borders which opened up just down the block (which to me makes so little sense) also has the scan/headphones set up. Great things that they are - allowing you to listen to a cd before buying (wait...I thought that's what the internet is for...) there is one problem. People have this urge to sing when the headphones are on. I mean, if I can't hear me then you can't either right? Not that it bothers me, I just find it humorous, because the ones I usually hear singing are the ones that definitely can't. I can't. I don't. Okay, I try not to. I've got caught a few times on Friday when the halls are deserted. Speakers are cranked and you know how well you can groove to computer speakers. Oh well.
Poster Child For the new hires at work they now have this development program to help guide them through their first 5 years of work and get the the experience and training they need. The 'Horizons' program they call it. Prominently displayed in our hallway is this poster for Petroleum Engineering:
I find irony in the fact that the individual on the poster is currently somewhere in South America. Bolivia? Peru? Argentina?
Was going through some old bookmarks and stumbled upon this: Silophone. Now, prior to upgrading to XP, RealPlayer would freeze my computer up so it was pointless to try to play around on the site, but now...oh, now I can.
I know, it's been a while again. I'm half tempted to blow the shit out of the archive and start anew. Not like there's really good stuff in there or anything. Spent most of the day getting CPR certified for camp. It's less than two weeks away. Crikey. That's not far off.
Went out with some friends tonight to make up for being stuck in a classroom all day with a really bad instructor. He felt the need to go off on these commentary tangents that meant shit to me. Really, I don't need to know that you worked in a prison before you demonstrate the correct positioning behind a guy for the abdominal thrust. Really.
All is well though, because I passed (not a surprise) and a postcard from the Mac was waiting when I got home. I've now earned the title "collector of shit" from her - but I'm not sure what's scarier - that I had the Nantucket Nectar caps in a drawer or she found a use for them. Random boxes of crap are a good thing - unlike Martha Stewart. You should feel honored and privelidged to get one, especially if it's decorated like a Wonder Bread bag.
So yea, went out tonight, and the only reason I'm up is Starbuck's is open to midnight. It was Sara's idea, but who am I top argue. Probably stay up and read now. It was a good time though. Good music - this local band played - the female vocalist reminded me of Cowboy Junkies. Well, not exactly. She reminded me of Lisa Rosselli from college who would sing a cover of Sweet Jane - so there's that connection. Point being - it was good. You'd think I would be more into the local music scene, but I've decided my problem is 1 - the cds I do want to buy, I have to order, and I would much rather do that over the internet than through the local shop. I'm sorry, but there's no way in hell I'm going to buy an import version of Matthew Good Band for $20+ when I can get it from hmv.com for $12 CANADIAN! Get real. Plus, a lot of what I buy (if Jenn hasn't already hooked me up with it) is from Awarestore.com.
So yea, pretty oblivious to the local music scene, but maybe that's okay. Although I'm in the need for a little left brain, right brain balancing lately. Too much of the technical and not enough of the free flowing artsy fartsy crap.
Two and a half weeks left until I take off for a while. Really looking forward to seeing the whole family back home - but also the camp. A little anxious about it...just that it's going to be some heavy stuff to deal with some days. Life altering? Quite possibly. Until then, there's still work to be done. Unfortunately.
Yea yea, but no one reads this anyway right? If you do - drop me an email if you want to birkenmt@yahoocom. Although it looks like most people end up here looking for a certain artist that is currently flying up the charts and his first album is all sold out. Hmmm, maybe I should put mine up on Ebay.
Anyway...not a lot going on except for work I guess. Having to work all of my Friday's off to save up days for Camp Mak-A-Dream in August. Just a month away...time's going so quick. I'll get to catch Guster and John Mayer in concert now after all. Probably will owe someone banana bread for getting the hook up on tickets. As for concerts - not been going to that many of them lately. Tool and Tomahawk are playing here tomorrow and I'm half tempted to go just to experience it. Partially because a friend is such a big fan of Mike Patton (the guy from Faith No More....in Tomahawk now). Maybe if Sara's not working and wants to hit it up. Really need to meet some others that appreciate music and going to concerts locally - because everyone else I knew in the LA area seems to have moved away now and the people at work...well I try. I was called obnoxious after sending an email to 40 people of upcoming concerts - and yea, I know it was but I'll do it again too.
