You Don't Know Jackson

2003-08-27T12:56:00.000-04:00

i moved here. come see me. you can actually see and read and leave comments. weird.

2003-08-12T23:16:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A former chief of staff of the Iraqi Republican Guard was captured Tuesday along with a general and 12 other Iraqis in raids south of Tikrit, a U.S. Army spokesman said. Lt. Col. Steve Russell said the Iraqis were caught during a three-hour raid on 20 houses south of the city, Saddam's ancestral home. Officials described the detainees as members of a family closely associated with the deposed Iraqi leader.

Word Of The Day

skulk \SKUHLK\, intransitive verb:
1. To hide, or get out of the way, in a sneaking manner; to
lurk.
2. To move about in a stealthy way.
3. To avoid responsibilities and duties.
noun:
1. One who skulks.
2. A group of foxes.

Jimmy and his crew are a bunch of skulks.

Yesterday's News

Today was a very tiring, but very fun. I started out working at about 9:30 in the morning. Chris and I got all the holes in the wall patched up. Tomorrow we have to sand them down and then paint the walls. I think when the job is done it will look damn good. We have to do it fast too. Anyway, I am very tired of the same meetings. When I go to meetings I used to go to I feel dirty. I don't think that I should go somewhere like that. Life is good these days. I am happy. Hopefully tomorrow I will have something good to talk about.

2003-08-11T22:58:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

About 50 people have died from heat-related causes in the last four days in the Paris region, said a medical official in France Monday, as scorching temperatures continued to bake much of Europe. In a television interview a day after Parisians sweated through their hottest night on record, the head of France's emergency physicians' association, Patrick Pelloux, criticized the country's surgeon general for characterizing the deaths as natural. "They dare to talk about ... natural deaths. I absolutely do not agree with saying that," Pelloux told TF1 television. A weather station in southern Paris reported Monday it had recorded 25.5 degrees Celsius (77.9 Fahrenheit) overnight, the highest nighttime low since France started keeping records in 1873. The previous record was 24C
(75.2F), recorded on the night of July 4, 1976.

Word Of The Day

excoriate \ek-SKOR-ee-ayt\, transitive verb:
1. To express strong disapproval of; to denounce.
2. To tear or wear off the skin of.

The man excoriated the rock and roll band for the language.

Yesterday's News

Oh my God. My brother is hitched. The wedding was amazing. I loved it. Those are the only words I can use to descibe it. I really enjoyed playing guitar for it. I am proud to have taken part of it. It is a huge thing to do and he did it with the perfect girl. Mel is an awsome girl. She is so cool. I am proud to call her my sis now. I am in awe of the whole event. My bro got married. Anyway, it was great.

2003-08-07T00:54:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

After dropping hints about his political ambitions, movie action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Wednesday that he will run for California governor in October's recall election. The surprise announcement came during a Wednesday afternoon taping of NBC's "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno which was scheduled to air Wednesday night. Prior to the taping, it had been widely speculated that Schwarzenegger, 56, would announce he would not run. The Austrian-born movie star and moderate Republican helped fuel speculation about his political ambitions this summer, just as his movie "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" was being released. California voters will decide October 7 whether to recall Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, and who should replace him.

Word Of The Day

tutelage \TOO-tuhl-ij; TYOO-\, noun:
1. The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship; protection.
2. The state of being under a guardian or tutor.
3. Instruction, especially individual instruction accompanied by close attention and guidance.

Tonto was happy to be free of his girlfriends tutelage.

Yesterday's News

I am in this odd form lately. I am really happy for no reason. I am pretty carefree. It is good. I think I am relaxed about my future. A lot of the stress I feel comes from my fear of the future. I feel like I won't make it. Kinda like an impending doom. Always, I was feeling something bad was gonna happen. Bad things happen, but they will get better. The "News Of The Day" really makes me feel good. Arnold is an awsome actor. I think it would be a good thing for this country. Just let loose and chill out.

2003-08-06T00:10:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

The House of Bishops voted Tuesday evening to confirm the Rev. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church's history. Robinson needed a simple majority of the 107 votes to be confirmed. He received 62. "It's not so much a dream as a calling from God," Robinson said after the vote. "I'm really thrilled to be on my way to being the bishop of New Hampshire.

Word Of The Day

constitutional \kon-stih-TOO-shuhn-uhl; -TYOO-\, noun:
A walk taken for one's health.

Timmy was overwieght, so he took a constutional.

Yesterday's News

I am so pumped for the wedding. I am really proud of my bro. He has turned into an awsome man. He is a great brother. I never realized how amazing and unique our relationship is. It is the only one in existance. It is pretty bad-ass. Today was bad-ass too. I went out with my friend Lauren and Benji-head. It was fun as hell. I went out east for a meeting. About 30 miles away. It was an alright meeting. I really would like to go to more meetings away from how to see what other good meetings there are.

2003-08-04T23:41:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

U.S. forces have carried out at least 17 raids in northern Iraq in the past 24 hours as part of an operation aimed at killing or capturing Saddam Hussein, U.S. military officials said Monday. The raids -- centered around Saddam's ancestral homeland of Tikrit -- netted 80 people, including a local resistance leader and two former midlevel officials in the Iraqi government, officials said. The operations also were intended to seize weapons and money, according to military officials, and to block Saddam's access to safe houses, cash and Iraqis who may be willing to help the toppled Iraqi leader.

Word Of The Day

physiognomy \fiz-ee-OG-nuh-mee; -ON-uh-mee\, noun:
1. The art of discovering temperament and other characteristic
qualities of the mind from the outward appearance, especially
by the features of the face.
2. The face or facial features, especially when regarded as
indicating character.
3. The general appearance or aspect of a thing.

Jon decided to go into physiognomy.

Yesterday's News

Today was an overall good day. I am very happy today. I am excited for Mat's wedding. I am looking forward to it a lot. I don't have much to say. Today is good.

2003-08-02T00:47:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

The United States released digitally altered pictures of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Friday that coalition forces are using in their efforts to track him down. The U.S. military images -- which were posted on the U.S. Central Command Web site Friday -- show five versions of Saddam. One shows him with his dyed black hair and a full beard; another wearing a salt-and-pepper beard and a white headdress with black bands; two poses show him with what would probably be his natural hair color -- gray -- and a mustache; and another shows him with gray hair and no mustache. Another set of images of the former Iraqi leader is being distributed only to members of Task Force 20 -- the elite military group charged with finding Saddam.

Word Of The Day

alfresco \al-FRES-koh\, adverb:
In the open air; outdoors.

Jim was running alfresco in the park.

Yesterday's News

Today my partner and I had our first job. It went well. We hammered it out in four hours. While we were working the conversations were based on the way I looked when I was using. He said I always had bags under my eyes and my face was always beat red. I always looked like I was worn from a long workout. I also found a family picture that I looked depressed and physically sick. I don't remember a lot from those days. They have long since passed. I never really took a look in the mirror at myself. I had never cared for my looks. I always thought I should look the part. It was scary.

2003-08-01T00:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Seeing a rise in hacker activity that could be a prelude to a broad Internet attack, security experts Thursday urged computer users to protect their machines by installing a free patch offered by Microsoft. The Homeland Security Department warned it has detected an increase in hackers scanning the Internet to find vulnerable computers. "That's a sure sign the intruder community is actively interested in finding out who they can exploit," said Jeffrey Havrilla, an Internet security analyst at the government's CERT Coordination Center, which monitors computer security.

News Of The Day

factitious \fak-TISH-uhs\, adjective:
1. Produced artificially, in distinction from what is produced by nature.
2. Artificial; not authentic or genuine; sham.

The man gave me a factitious $100 bill.

Yesterday's News

Everyday I talk about boring things. I don't really have much to say. The reason is because I am just a plain old teenager. I really have nothing special going on daily. A lot of what I talk about is sobriety. I feel sometimes like I am just sober.

2003-07-30T23:58:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Authorities say the woman who called the parents of a 6-year-old girl missing since 1986 was "the perpetrator of a cruel hoax." The woman who claimed to be the now-grown girl has been identified as Donna L. Walker, 35, according to Indiana State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten. He said an arrest warrant has been issued charging Walker with felony identity deception and misdemeanor false reporting. "We are seeking help from the public across the land to look for this woman," said Bursten, noting that her last known address was Topeka, Kansas.

Word Of The Day

tchotchke \CHOCH-kuh\, noun:
A trinket; a knickknack.

Steph just bought a pretty tchotchke.

Yesterday's News

Today was an ordinary day, except for loosing my keys. I thought I locked my keys in the trunk of my Cavalier. I say, "I thought," for a reason. When I got the whole back-seat taken out, I discovered the keys were not in the trunk. I went inside and looked under a couch cushion and found them. It was a little stupid. I got into it with my parents about it. They thought I was a dumbass. I agree with them. I hope tomorrow brings something good.

2003-07-30T00:12:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

The Department of Homeland Security is warning that Islamic extremists might be plotting suicide airliner hijackings to be carried out before the end of the summer, with possible targets including sites in Britain, Italy, Australia or the eastern United States. "As of mid-June, Islamic extremists may have been planning suicide hijackings to be executed by the end of Summer 2003," according to the document obtained Tuesday by CNN. "The plan may involve the use of five-man teams, each of which would attempt to seize control of a commercial aircraft either shortly after takeoff or shortly before landing at a chosen airport."

Word Of The Day

abattoir \AB-uh-twahr\, noun:
A slaughterhouse

The concert was like an abattoir.

Yesterday's News

Today's adventures took an odd twist tonight when I hit a pot-hole. I bent my rim badly. Two of the lugnuts broke of in the process of taking the warped wheel off. I got my mini-wheel on and trucked on home at speeds around 25 mph. When I got onto the home stretch a black volvo came up kinda fast and passed me up in a no passing zone on an incline on a bridge. My car let out a short lived honk and that was all. He slowed down and pulled to the side on the road. He threw his shifter into the "P" gear and opened up his door. As I was passing him by he got out of the car and yelled "Fuck-off!" I was puzzled. What should I fuck-off to. Anyway, the man followed me while I was on the phone with the cops. The lady told me to go to the cop-shop. The odd part to this whole thing is that the man pulled into the station with me and got out of the car. He asked me to role down my window. I declined. He got back into his car and was pulled over less than 100 yards out of the parking lot. To be continued...

2003-07-28T23:25:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has asked to meet with President Bush on Tuesday, and a diplomatic source said the Saudi official will seek the release of all, or at least part, of the material dealing with Saudi Arabia that was kept out of the public version of the new congressional report on the attacks of September 11, 2001. A White House official confirmed the meeting would take place, and another administration official said the Saudis are upset about verbal attacks against their government that several members of Congress have launched in recent days. Prince Saud al Faisal is to meet with Bush at the White House and will likely spend time with other senior administration officials as well, the diplomatic and administration sources said.

Word Of The Day

proselytize \PROS-uh-luh-tyz\, intransitive verb:
1. To induce someone to convert to one's religious faith.
2. To induce someone to join one's institution, cause, or political party.

He was to proselytize to the wife's faith on the 19th of this month.

Yesterday's News

Today, my partner and I did an estimate at a friends house. He wants us to do it around the 10th of August. We are going to do an estimate tomorrow too. It is really cool. We have to be careful to not bite off to much to chew. I think this business can be a fun thing to do, and an easy way to make money. It is a good trade too. Painting... Hell yes. I am hoping the guy tomorrow like the price we give him. That would be great. Anyway, my weekend was pretty damn good. I am practicing music for my brother's wedding, and that is working out well. Everything is great!

2003-07-25T00:47:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

The provisional authority in Iraq has released photographs Thursday it said were of Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay, aimed at convincing skeptical Iraqis that they were killed in a raid by U.S. troops. The pictures, said to have been taken after the brothers died in a firefight with U.S. troops Tuesday in Mosul, show grim images of the heads and upper torsos of the sons, their faces heavily bearded. An image identified as that of Uday is seen with his head shaved and with black marks on his face and head. Qusay's purported image reveals wounds apparently received in the gun battle and missile attack in which the two men died.

Word Of The Day

donnybrook \DON-ee-brook\, noun:
1. A brawl; a free-for-all.
2. A heated quarrel or dispute.

The two men got into a donnybrook about witch would take the lady out to dinner.

Yesterday's News

I am working tomorrow! I am working for a landscaping company for a few hours. It should be a good time. My friend Chris is going to be working too. I am looking forward to getting a bit of money. I am shot on funds. I am surprised that my money has lasted this long. It is nice. Tonight I went to a meeting and then went up to Friendly's afterwards. I had a good time. We just joked around and talked a little about sobriety. I watched the movie "Blow" today. It brought me back to my using days. It allowed me to see what will happen to me if I go back out. I would probably die before jail.

2003-07-24T00:52:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Photographs of the bodies of Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay will be released, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Wednesday. The pictures, taken after the brothers died in a firefight with U.S. troops on Tuesday, are described as "graphic." In answer to reporters' questions of when the photos are to be released, Rumsfeld said: "We haven't decided," but added it would be soon.

Word Of The Day

syncretic \sin-KRET-ik; sing-\, adjective:
Uniting and blending together different systems, as of
philosophy, morals, or religion.

The club began to be syncretic, accepting all the different people's beliefs.

Yesterday's News

Today was a damn good day. I had a great time with my buddy, Chris. We chilled out a decent bit. It was my Mother's birthday too. I picked her up from work early, and we went home and ate a home-made lunch. It was really nice. I really can't wait to get a couple jobs for work. I should really be talking to more people than I am. I am excited about it. Anyway, I am gonna get to sleep. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring some cool stuff.

2003-07-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

Today's News

U.S. troops are investigating whether Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay were among those killed or captured during a firefight with American troops in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Pentagon officials told CNN. A U.S. official told CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr that no people were captured at the house raided in Mosul, and that four people were killed. Further details were expected shortly. Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed Tuesday and another was wounded in a convoy ambush north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

Word Of The Day

aggrandize \uh-GRAN-dyz; AG-ruhn-dyz\, transitive verb:
1. To make great or greater; to enlarge; to increase.
2. To make great or greater in power, rank, reputation, or
wealth; -- applied to persons, countries, etc.
3. To make appear great or greater; to exalt.

The were out to aggrandize the image of the band.

Yesterday's News

Lately I have been feeling like I'm cheating people. I feel like I'm not up to par. I don't know why I feel this way. I'm not sure if it is valid or imaginary. I'm sober. I'm doing my best to carry the message to other people. I'm doing all my things that make me feel better. It's odd. It might be me not really getting much accomplished outside of A.A. It might be me not playing guitar enough. Either way, I feel odd; but I try not to let it bother me too much. Anyway, yesterday was a good day. I hung out with my buddy, Chris. Tomorrow we're going to check out a room that needs to be painted over on the far west-side of Cleveland. It is one of my friend's houses. He wants his room painted different colors on the wall. It should be fun.

2003-07-17T00:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today was even better than yesterday. I realized that I haven't let go of all my past. I haven't accepted those things as a part of me. This doesn't feel good, but it is awesome that I can point it out. Something is happening with me. I am moving into new and exciting territory. It is gonna be a fun trip.

2003-07-15T23:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today was great. I got a painting job of my own and a cute girl's phone number. I am really happy. I hope I can at least get a date out of the number. Everything is rolling smoothly with sobriety. I am not down. I am in great spirits. I am happy as ever. Tomorrow I am gonna have a great time. Hopefully. I am gonna go to a meeting and be happy. I am gonna go up to friendly's afterwards and kick it.

2003-07-11T00:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today was nice. I had a good guitar lesson. My teacher asked me if I wanted to sit-in with his band. I couldn't cause I had a meeting to go to. He is an awsome guy. Anyway, I am going to the twelve-step weekend tomorrow. I am looking to strenthen several area's of my life. I would like to get advice on many things. I also need a weekend away from everyday life. It is so refreshing to go to these weekends. I am gonna have a blast.

2003-07-09T23:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today has been a decent day. I forked over all my paycheck to get my car repaired. The comical part is that when I tried to start it up tonight, it shit on me again. It didn't do anything different. It has the same problems that I just paid to get fixed today. Obviously they didn't fix it right. I am a little mad. I gotta do what I gotta do.

2003-07-08T23:22:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Hey. Earlier this day I was down in the dumps. Right now I am in a great mood. I am listening to some Third Wish. It is a live bootleg. My buddy lent it to me to burn. I am gonna burn a copy for my bro. I am kind of sad that he is going back to school tomorrow. It is the last time I will see him until his wedding. I am really happy for him. I think it awesome that he has met the woman of his dreams this early in his life. I hope that is how my future turns out. I guess I will just wait and fate will help me.

2003-07-08T00:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

This weekend has been great. I had a lot of fun with my friends. I have met a lot of new people, too. These people I have started hanging out with are so nice and accepting. I am getting a lot out of these relationships already. I am loving every bit of life. My guitar playing is awesome, and my old relationships are getting better. My old sponsor and I are talking a lot and laughing, too. We used to be at the neck. Hell yes!!

2003-07-04T00:15:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today was sweet. I love attention from women. It is sweet. This is the first time in my life that I am getting this much attention. Anyway, I am in a good place. I am really happy and serene. I am enjoying every bit of life. Tomorrow is going to be even better! I am going to John's house for a sober party. Of course... A sober party. I wouldn't get myself into any drinking situations. I am going to be 18 in a couple of months. Hell yea. Shit, I am happy.

2003-07-02T23:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Aight... My news and word haven't come in. I am pissed. My Dad is gonna have to forward it to me. Oh, but am I tired. I had a good and productive day today. I helped get a lot of my deck painted and got some female attention. This girl that works at friendly's, who gave me her number, asked me why I hadn't called her. It was cool... but I should call her. Tomorrow. She is real cute and has a womanly shape. I am really interested. She seems cool as hell too. I am pumped. Hell yes. Anyway tomorrow I should be finishing the rest of my deck. I am gonna talk to my parents about me re-painting the fence and maybe a little inside the house. I really love this job. It is an awesome learning experience.

2003-07-01T23:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Today was a damn fine day. I did a bit of running around for work-related things, but it was nice. At my meeting we read on the 5th, 6th, and 7th steps. It was a good thing. It gave me a lot of ideas about what I can say to new guys. This program is an awesome thing. Getting out of yourself is a great thing for anyone. Helping another in need. That has a lot of pay-offs. You feel good. You are respected. Yada... yada...

2003-06-30T23:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

Hello... My word and news aren't coming. It is odd. I think it might have been cancelled. I hope not. Anyway, today was ok. I had a fun jam session with my buddy Adam and went to an early meeting. I was able to hit up Friendly's tonight also. One of my sponsies is not doing too well. All the shit in his house is affecting him a lot. He is keeping his feelings inside. He should vent them. When I have problems I talk to my sponsor. That is how it works. It works well.

2003-06-28T00:42:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Jurors Friday evening sentenced Chante Mallard to 50 years for the murder of a homeless man she hit with her car and then left to die embedded in the windshield. Mallard was sentenced to 10 years for tampering with evidence. Her sentences will be served concurrently. She was not fined for either conviction. Under Texas law a person must serve half the term before becoming eligible for parole. Mallard reacted with silence and tears. She tightly shut her eyes.

Word Of The Day

concupiscence \kon-KYOO-puh-suhn(t)s; kuhn-\, noun:
Strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust.

John had a concupiscene for Lindsay.

Yesterday's News

My big happening. I went through a roadside sobriety stop. It was wicked. The thing is that I was sober. It made my day exciting. I have heard about them, but never been through one. I am happy. Anyway, it was a good day. I chilled with Ben after the meeting at friendly's. That is pretty much it. I am sorry. I am really tired and slap happy. I need sleep.

2003-06-26T23:15:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

U.S. personnel searching in Iraq for unconventional weapons and their components are making rapid progress and the world could expect surprises soon, the CIA's chief weapons inspector told CNN. The progress is being made because key Iraqis are finally beginning to open up -- men like Dr. Mahdi Obeidi who turned over documents and parts of an Iraqi gas centrifuge system for developing nuclear weapons material. Obeidi buried the materials beneath rose bushes in his back yard 12 years ago.

Word Of The Day

insouciant \in-SOO-see-uhnt\, adjective:
Marked by lighthearted unconcern or indifference; carefree; nonchalant.

Tim has a insouciant way of taking care of tight situations.

Yesterday's News

I had a really long day today. Work was really hard. My arm hurts like hell. I think I strained a muscle pretty good. Anyway, I am feeling very good about everything. I am working with a few really cool new people. I am happy. Working with others definitely takes your mind off of your little problems. I'm realizing that others can deal with large problems, and I can barely handle a long-ass day of work. Hey... I am doing soooo much better than before. I really love the fellowship of A.A. It's amazing. I have friends that are fifty-years-old. That isn't old at all. It's just that I'm seventeen. I love life.

2003-06-24T23:34:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden may be "shifting sides" along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and Pakistani authorities have launched a massive hunt in remote border tribal areas. "If at all any al Qaeda operative is hiding in this region, we are after them," Musharraf said at a joint news conference with President Bush at Camp David. "Now, whether Osama bin Laden is here or across the border, your guess, sir, will be as good as mine," he told a reporter. "So, I wouldn't like to venture into a guess. But the possibility of his maybe shifting sides on the border is very much there."

Word Of The Day

parvenu \PAR-vuh-noo; -nyoo\, noun:
One that has recently or suddenly risen to a higher social or
economic class but has not gained social acceptance of others
in that class; an upstart.

He is the newest parvenu in the local highschool.

Yesterday's News

Today was a sweet day. I got a lot of stuff done that had to be done. I got a new title for my car. I got an e-check, and then got the knocking noise in my tire fixed. I also hit up my old Big Book meeting. I was really drained from all of the heat, but the meeting was great. Some of the people there act a little odd around me. Almost as if they think I went back out. That's ok. I know where I'm at, and that's what I need. Tomorrow I'm thinking of going over to my buddy's house to jam. I'm really hoping it will work out, but I'm gonna have to get a little caffeine in me beforehand.

2003-06-24T00:36:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A Qatari man President Bush designated an "enemy combatant" Monday was an al Qaeda sleeper operative tasked with helping other militants get in position for future attacks, Justice Department officials said. The officials said an al Qaeda detainee provided that information on Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, 37, who has been in U.S. custody since December 2001 and was under an indictment charging him with making false statements to the FBI and credit card fraud. The detainee also said al-Marri was trained in the use of poisons but was not ordered to carry out a biological or chemical attack in the United States, the officials said.

Word Of The Day

inculcate \in-KUHL-kayt; IN-kuhl-kayt\, transitive verb:
To teach and impress by frequent repetition or instruction.

The guitar teacher would inculcate to get the point to me.

Yesterday's News

Today was a good day. I had a hard day at work. I put about six hours in. It was really draining. After work I went over to my old out-patient treatment center with a couple of buddies. They told thier stories in short form and I just chilled. I really don't like talking to kids who look like they want to shank you. It is kind of scary. One kid did tell me he wanted to hit up some meetings. I told him I would get him there somehow. That was cool. After that I ran over to a meeting. I heard a good lead and then went out to get a bite of grub. It was a very good day. I am really having the time of my life.

2003-06-21T10:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's News

U.S. intelligence agencies have uncovered information about a possible al Qaeda terrorist plot on the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, prompting the embassy to close, intelligence and diplomatic sources said. On Thursday, the Defense Intelligence Agency issued a report to government agencies and officials in the East Africa region, warning of a threat to U.S. interests in Kenya, intelligence sources said. The threat is deemed specific, credible and continuing, and the United States is "taking it very seriously," officials said.

News Of The Day

2003-06-20T01:00:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

An Ohio trucker has admitted to helping plan al Qaeda attacks in the United States after meeting terror chief Osama bin Laden at an Afghanistan terror training camp. Iyman Faris, 34, checked out the chances of destroying a New York bridge and tried to buy equipment for proposed al Qaeda attacks while appearing to be a law-abiding trucker, according to documents unsealed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. Faris pleaded guilty May 1 to providing material support to al Qaeda and to conspiring to do so, according to the documents. The charges together carry as much as 20 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. Sources told CNN that al Qaeda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is in U.S. custody, told his interrogators the target was the 116-year-old Brooklyn Bridge.

Word Of The Day

bombast \BOM-bast\, noun:
Pompous or pretentious speech or writing.

His way of speaking was filled with bombast.

Yesterday's News

I am sorry for no entry yesterday. I was so tired from the Rollin's Band concert, that I had to sleep. Anyway, the concert was awsome. I loved it. The music was filled with such energy. I wanted to explode after the show. There were a lot of odd people there. Most mutilated with tatoos and piercings. Oh! Every other Monday I am going to speak at my old out-patient treatment center. I think it will be a big help for me and my sobriety. I am going to bring new young people every week. This coming Monday I am bringing a lady and my sponsee. It is gonna be great.

2003-06-17T22:41:00.000-04:00

Word Of The Day

land of Nod, noun:
[Usually capitalized N] Sleep.

I am going to the land of Nod.

News Of The Day

New details are emerging of the battle that led to the Iraqi capture of Pfc. Jessica Lynch and her comrades. Mechanics from the 507th Maintenance Company -- rather than trained front line soldiers -- fought a fierce 90-minute firefight against Iraqi paramilitary and regular forces after getting lost in the Iraqi desert. They tell of coming under fire from soldiers on rooftops near Nasiriya as their vehicles were hit by rocket-propelled grenades and some weapons were clogged with sand. "It was Mogadishu," said one military source familiar with the reports from survivors, referring to a 1993 incident in the Somali capital when 18 U.S. Army Rangers were killed by a Somali mob while attempting to rescue comrades from two downed helicopters.

Yesterday's News

I am really tired. I am slap-happy. My day was long and productive. I made money today. Anyway, tomorrow night is the Rollins Band concert. I am pumped. I might have to go home and take a nap before the show. I will be tired as all hell. I am sorry for being brief. I will be more descriptive tomorrow.

2003-06-16T22:17:00.000-04:00

Word Of The Day

fatuous \FACH-oo-uhs\, adjective:
1. Inanely foolish and unintelligent; stupid.
2. Illusory; delusive.

He had a fatuous personallity.

News Of The Day

As U.S. troops searched for Saddam Hussein loyalists in central Iraq, President Bush on Monday strongly defended the U.S.-led war to topple Saddam's regime against "revisionist historians" he suggested were trying to diminish the threat once posed by the deposed Iraqi leader. "This nation acted to a threat from the dictator of Iraq," Bush said during a speech to business leaders in New Jersey. "Now there are some who would like to rewrite history -- revisionist historians is what I like to call them. "Saddam Hussein was a threat to America and the free world in '91, in '98, in 2003. He continually ignored the demands of the free world, so the United States and friends and allies acted."

Yesterday's News

Today was a very good day. I put in a good six hours of work. I ripped up carpet and took down wallpaper. It was very tiring. I feel really good though. Tomorrow I am gonna go back and do the same. Tonight I went to a meeting and had a good time. Every time at that meeting this woman asks if I have bought a motorcyle. She always wants me to give her a ride home. She is in her thirties... I think. It is funny. Anyway, she came up and said hi. I responded with, "Hi, haaad do yoin." I don't know why it came out that way. It was odd. I usually don't stutter like that. The moral of the story is: It was embarassing!

2003-06-14T00:23:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

High-level Israeli and Palestinian officials might resume meetings as early as Saturday, a Palestinian source has told CNN. Israeli and Palestinian sources said Friday that the two sides planned to discuss the possibility of Palestinian Security Chief Mohammed Dahlan assuming responsibility for part of Gaza -- including keeping terrorists in the region in check and preventing Palestinians from firing Qassam rockets at Israeli targets. Since June 5, Palestinians have fired 15 Qassam rockets at Israeli targets, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The latest attack Friday hit a house, Israeli military sources said. Israeli gunships later hit a car carrying Hamas militants transporting Qassams and a warehouse where rockets were stored, Israeli sources said.

Word Of The Day

Hasn't Come Yet!!!!

My word is Joy.

Yesterday's News

I was at a meeting tonight and a guy asked me to sponsor him. I heard him in a discussion talking about how fucked up he got. It was amazing that he could have a smile on his face. It was amazing that he could feel some level of Joy. When I first got sober I could barely think about true joy. It was all fake on the outside and dark on the inside. A haze of hell. There are lyrics in a song that say: There's gotta be a Heaven, cause I've already done my time in hell. That sends chills down my spine. That is a reason I am sober. I was in hell before. Now I am able to experience something of a Heaven on earth. It is great. I love it.

2003-06-12T15:03:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Hasn't come yet.

Word Of The Day

bibelot \BEE-buh-loh\, noun:
A small decorative object without practical utility; a trinket.

He pulled out his bibelot and handed it to the fair lady.

Yesterday's News

Today I am gonna go jam over my friend's house again. We are gonna start writing some music and making recordings. I think it would be fun. I am all for doing something of that sort. I know that it is possible to make a little impression on the music world. My sponsor did it, and my boss did. It is possible. It is gonna be interesting. The best thing about Adam and me is that we have good chemistry. We know where we are going with the jam. It is so freeing. Freaking amazing feeling. Nothing compares to it and probably never will. It's like we read each other's minds. Sometimes I listen to our tapes and hear some amazing shit for a couple of seventeen year olds. It's great.

2003-06-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A suicide bomber set off a blast Wednesday that killed 16 people and injured more than 60 others, eight of them seriously, Jerusalem police and medics said. Within minutes, Israeli helicopter gunships attacked three targets in Gaza, Palestinian security sources said. Two Hamas militants -- Masoud Al-Tito and Suhel Abu Hamad -- were killed in the attacks, the sources said. The attacks come as the cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians threatens to derail the U.S.-backed "road map" to peace. The suicide bomb detonated on Bus 14 as it drove down Jaffa Road, one of the main routes into Jerusalem city center, shortly after 5:30 p.m. local time. The bomber died in the blast.

Word Of The Day

provender \PROV-uhn-duhr\, noun:
1. Dry food for domestic animals, such as hay, straw, corn, oats, or a mixture of ground grain; feed.
2. Food or provisions.

We had to fetch the provender from the dropsite.

Yesterday's News

My break off work has given me a chance to think about how I am doing. It's giving me a chance to get my head together. I am realizing that my Mom knows what is going on with me better than I do. It's funny. I should listen to her more often. Anyway, tonight I am gonna go to a meeting. What a surprise! I am gonna have a good time there. In about 10 minutes I am gonna go get a coffee from Starbucks. Led Zeppelin's new live album is at number 1 on the billboard record charts. They blew Staind off the charts. Hell yes. I will add on tonight.

2003-06-10T21:59:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A Hamas official targeted by an Israeli helicopter gunship Tuesday vowed that his militant Palestinian group would continue to launch attacks against Israelis. "We must fight those who came to hurt us inside our home," Hamas spokesman Abdel Aziz Rantissi said from his hospital bed. "At Hamas, we will not drop our weapons, even if all leaders are assassinated," he said. "We will not drop our weapons. This is the only option for the Palestinian people. "[Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon understood that the Aqaba summit had given him the green light to kill Palestinian people," Rantissi said. "We are today experiencing a Zionist war against the Palestinians."

Word Of The Day

surfeit \SUR-fit\, noun:
1. An excessive amount or supply.
2. Overindulgence, as in food or drink.
3. Disgust caused by overindulgence or excess.

He had a surfeit of jelly beans in his pocket.

Yesterday's News

Today was a really nice day. I went over to my buddy Adam's house and jammed for about 2 hours. It was very relaxing. The tapes we made sound great too. After that I went to Tuesday Basement Big Book. It was nice being back at that meeting. I haven't talked to a few of the people there in a long time. It was like good times back when I first got sober. That was when I had no worries. Well, today I have no worries. I am in a damn good mood. Everything is great. I don't think I am working tomorrow so I can get a little more read out of my book. I am thinking I will try to get fifty pages read. How about that?

2003-06-09T13:11:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Investigators arrested a man who they say may be a suspect in the kidnapping of 9-year-old Jennette Tamayo from her San Jose home, police said Monday. She was taken Friday afternoon after returning home from school, and resurfaced late Sunday when she walked into a convenience store 30 miles away. San Jose Police Sgt. Steve Dixon said officers arrested the man, described as "just a potential suspect," in a residence just two blocks from Tamayo's home. "The area where we stopped this fellow is very close to where the kidnapping took place," Dixon said. "He does fit the description so we're thinking he might be the suspect."

Word Of The Day

trice \TRYS\, noun:
A very short time; an instant; a moment; -- used chiefly in the phrase "in a trice."

I will be there in a trice.

Yesterday's News

These last few days have been boring as all hell. I read a lot though. I am getting some work done. I think I need boring. It is different for me. Anyway, I am in a great mood today. Just a little tired, but that will soon be gone when I get a four-shot latte. Hell yea. Tonight I am going to a movie with my lady friend. It should be fun. I think I am going back to work on Wednesday. I need some money bad. My parents are bumming it to me. I need to get back to the job.

2003-06-06T14:21:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A small team from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived Friday in Iraq to assess damage to a nuclear research center looted after the war. The experts from the U.N. nuclear body are on their first visit since the end of the U.S-led war, but the team will not conduct weapons inspections, spokesman Mark Gwozdecky said. Residents of villages surrounding the Tuwaitha nuclear facility, about six miles (10 kilometers) south of Baghdad, said they used drums from the site to hold water. The drums had contained uranium oxide, or yellowcake, which the villagers said was dumped on the ground.

Word Of The Day

Has not come yet!

Yesterday's News

Yesterday, life wasn't so hot. I am acting irritable lately, and my friend A.J. called me out on it. Ben had to butt in and get his chance at me. He said, "To be honest... I don't think you are a good sponsor." Well I told him that he should find a new one. I don't think that I deserved that comment from him. I think he needs to learn what a rut is. Tomorrow I am doing a second fifth step with my sponsor. That should iron the shit out. Today I am feeling better than a lot of days. I am positive and chill. I am serene.

2003-06-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A U.S. soldier was killed and five were wounded early Thursday in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, the U.S. Central Command announced -- the latest casualties in the city, which has become a center of resistance. An unknown assailant fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the 101st Airborne Division soldiers in Fallujah, which is 43 miles (70 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The injured were evacuated to a military medical facility. Last week, two soldiers were killed and nine wounded in a firefight with hostile forces in Fallujah, and on May 21, at least two Iraqis were killed there when gunmen opened fire on a U.S. patrol in the city center with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles.

Word Of The Day

stertorous \STUR-tuh-ruhs\, adjective:
Characterized by a heavy snoring or gasping sound; hoarsely breathing.

From smoking, I sound very stertorous in the morning.

Yesterday's News

As of right now I have not had a cigarette in 14 1/2 hours. That is pretty good for me. I am not sure if I am gonna quit today or what. My definite quit date is August 9th. That is when my Bro's wedding is going down. Let me tell you. It is nice not having smoke in my lungs right now. The problem with me and addictions is that they have to beat me down before I can stop them. Wait! I have not been drinking a lot of coffee lately. I have been having just one latte. That is so much better than the two or three I would've had before. Speaking of coffee, I think I am gonna ask my Dad if he wants to get any.

2003-06-04T10:23:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Israeli and Palestinian leaders Wednesday set down a fresh new vision of achieving Middle East peace, with Ariel Sharon backing the formation of a Palestinian state and the removal of unauthorized settlements and Mahmoud Abbas rejecting the use of violence to achieve Palestinian goals. Speaking after a summit with U.S. President George W. Bush and Abbas, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sharon said that Israel will "immediately" begin to remove unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank. "It is in Israel's interest not to govern the Palestinians, but for the Palestinians to govern themselves," Sharon said.

Word Of The Day

interpolate \in-TUR-puh-layt\, transitive verb:
1. To alter or corrupt (as a book or text) by the insertion of new or foreign matter.
2. To insert (material) into a text or conversation.
3. To insert between other elements or parts.
4. [Mathematics] to estimate a value of (a function) between two known values.

He had interpolate some last minutes ideas into the Presidents speech.

Yesterday's News

This morning a really pretty lady stopped over with some guy in a suit. I new they were gonna take my time and try to sell me stuff. I figured if i'd waste my time doing anything, I would look at a pretty lady. It turns out they were bible thumpers. It was actually pretty cool. They talked a lot about what God wants you to do in life. I liked some of the concepts a lot.

2003-06-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Martha Stewart faced possible criminal charges, her company said Tuesday, as prosecutors step up the pressure on the home decorating entrepreneur a year and a half after her controversial sale of stock in a small biotechnology company. The U.S. Attorney's office in New York plans to ask a grand jury to indict Stewart soon, her company said. She also faces a related civil action by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stewart's sale of nearly 4,000 shares of the stock of ImClone Systems in December 2001 came a day before federal regulators announced they had rejected ImClone's application for a new cancer drug, causing a plunge in ImClone shares. Eventually, ex-ImClone CEO Samuel Waksal, a friend of Stewart's, pleaded guilty to insider trading charges.

Word Of The Day

specious \SPEE-shuhs\, adjective:
1. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but
not so in reality; as, "specious reasoning; a specious argument."
2. Deceptively pleasing or attractive.

He is a specious type of guy.

Yesterday's News

Today is a damn cool day. My boss is giving me a few days off of work. I am pumped as hell. Tonight my sponsor is leading out in Bainbridge. I am gonna go out to that meeting. Next week I am gonna get back to going to Tuesday Basement Big Book. I have been avoiding it for quite some time. I feel I am ready go back and attend it every week. I am very positive today. The only problem is that I have a feeling of impending doom. It is wierd. I have had it ever since I got sober. I feel like I am gonna get in trouble for something. Maybe my brain is so used to feeling guilty it just keeps on doing that.

2003-06-02T14:10:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Centennial Olympic Park bombing suspect Eric Robert Rudolph will be transferred to Alabama to face trial on charges in a women's clinic bombing that killed an off-duty police officer, a court ordered Monday. A court-appointed attorney for Rudolph said his client waived the right to plead guilty in North Carolina and would accept the transfer to Alabama. He said Rudolph was not guilty of the charges. The U.S. Justice Department asked that Rudolph face trial first in Birmingham, Alabama -- one of the two cities where he allegedly planted his bombs -- Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Monday.

Word Of The Day

ephemeron \ih-FEM-uh-ron\, noun;
plural ephemera \ih-FEM-uh-ruh\:
1. Something short-lived or of no lasting significance.
2. ephemera: Items, especially printed matter (as posters,
broadsides, pamphlets, etc.), intended to be of use or
importance for only a short time but preserved by collectors.

The man collected all the Led Zeppelin ephemera he could get his hands on.

Yesterday's News

This weekend was filled with a couple highs and lows. On Friday night I was feeling really good about my lead. I felt that it was respected. When I got home on Saturday morning it all crashed down. I got into a stupid fight with my parents about money. The stupid fighting continued into Sunday. All of it was in my hands. My fault. I am finally coming around today into a good and willing mood. I have read a bit today out of my book. It is a pretty cool novel. I am still in the stages where the story is developing. A lot of description in the book. Almost more than I can handle. It is interesting though. Anyway, I am hoping that maybe I can stop over my friend's house tonight to jam for an hour or so before my meeting. Maybe I can meet my mother for dinner at the Olive Garden. That would be really nice. Well, I g2g.

2003-05-29T23:58:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

On the heels of gruesome information leaked from the autopsy report on Laci Peterson's unborn child, the prosecutor in the case filed a motion Thursday seeking to unseal the reports on both the mother and child so that the media can report "accurate information." Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton said the people of California have the right to correct inaccurate information, suggesting the media reports on the autopsy are not. "By releasing the autopsy reports, the court will allow the media to see what the actual facts are and then accurate information may be reported to mitigate recent adverse publicity," his motion read. Brazelton earlier Thursday released a statement, saying he "cannot verify the accuracy of any media statements concerning the contents of the autopsy reports without violating the court's order."

Word Of The Day

sempiternal \sem-pih-TUR-nuhl\, adjective:
Of never ending duration; having beginning but no end; everlasting; endless.

The sempiternal speech put me to sleep within fifteen minutes.
Yesterday's News

Oh my lord. I was asked to lead a meeting today. The meeting is tomorrow night. Every friday about 70-80 people show up. I am really nervous. A lot of my friends are going to be there, and that makes me more edgy. I am hoping it will all turn out well. I am going to meditate a lot before the meeting. I need to be in tip-top spiritual form. Man-o-man. I am crackin', dude. I almost feel like I did when I played at the eighth-grade dance. I was really scared that night. I need to watch some Zeppelin right now.

2003-05-28T23:35:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Derrick Todd Lee is described by those who recently encountered him as a charming man who started a bible study class at a motel in southwest Atlanta, worked construction jobs for cash, barbecued for his neighbors and liked to court women. But authorities say Lee -- a married father of two young children -- had a much darker side, smooth-talking his way into the lives of unsuspecting women and then killing them. He is now accused of five serial killings in Louisiana, and authorities across the United States are reviewing unsolved murders to see if they might be connected. At the Lakewood Motor Lodge in Georgia, where Lee stayed the last week for $135, residents seemed stunned by his arrest, recalling a gentler man who was easy to get along with.

Word Of The Day

interstice \in-TUR-stuhs\, noun;
1. A space between things or parts, especially a space between things closely set; a narrow chink; a crack; a crevice; an interval.
2. An interval of time.

The interstice between comments was burning him up.

Yesterday's News

Tonight was pretty trippy. A few guys and I have been pushing this kid to get a sponsor. Tonight it came back and slapped me in the balls. After the meeting the kid comes up to me and says, "Alright... You've done it. Will you be my sponsor?" I told him yea. I gave him my number. This is gonna be a wild ride. He has 10 weeks of probation left. He wants to give A.A. a try for those ten weeks. If he dosen't feel better he is going to smoke the ganja. That is messed up. I hope he can gain something out of this experience. His Mom is in the program also. She is a cool lady that respects me a lot. I hope the kid can stay clean and sober.

2003-05-27T23:13:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Atlanta police arrested Derrick Todd Lee, the suspect in five serial killings in Louisiana, a source from the U.S. Marshals Service told CNN on Tuesday. The Marshals Service source said the Atlanta Police Department's Fugitive Squad apprehended Lee about 7:45 p.m. at a boarding house. He did not resist and was carrying his identification. "It was a tip from the public that busted this guy," the source said. Atlanta Police Department spokesman John Quigley said simply, "It's good news." Lee, a father of two, disappeared from Louisiana shortly after he voluntarily submitted to DNA testing May 5. Officials have said they believe he went from Baton Rouge to Chicago, Illinois, and then to Atlanta.

Word Of The Day

lugubrious \lu-GOO-bree-us; -GYOO-\, adjective:
1. Mournful; indicating sorrow, often in a way that seems feigned, exaggerated, or ridiculous.
2. Gloomy; dismal.

His lugubrious facial expressions really piss me off.

Yesterday's News

I had a great time tonight. I went out with some friends to Applebee's. We had a lot of good laughs. The highlight of the day, besides talking to my galfriend, was picking up the new Led Zeppelin live material. I listened to some of it and found myself in ectasy. I was in "heaven." The joy thier music brings to me is unspeakable. It is raunchy and beautiful at the same time. I love the sloppiness of Jimmy Page's guitar playing. This is why I have those tatoos. Zeppelin is a part of me. They have helped me through times of pain and have brought me joy.

2003-05-24T10:06:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

We have a little puppy!

Word Of The Day

segue \SEG-way; SAYG-way\, intransitive verb:
To proceed without interruption; to make a smooth transition.
noun:
An instance or act of segueing; a smooth transition.

He segued the meeting from marketing to satisfying clients.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday was a great day. My Mom and Dad picked up our new puppy. It is a beagle. It is damn cutest dog I have seen. Anyway, Danny led last night at a young-peoples group. It was a great lead. After the meeting I went up to Denny's and had a blast. You know what... Nothing was really interesting yesterday. Today I am thinking that I am gonna go out with my buddy Matt. We are most likely gonna go up to Denny's. I think we are just gonna chill for a couple of hours up there. Drink water and smoke cigarettes.

2003-05-22T23:56:00.000-04:00

Word Of The Day

inveigle \in-VAY-guhl; -VEE-\, transitive verb:
1. To persuade by ingenuity or flattery; to entice.
2. To obtain by ingenuity or flattery.

He inveigled the phone number from the girl.

Yesterday's News

Damnit! The brakes are grinding in the Neon. I guess I will drive the "Cav" tomorrow. I am feeling very good today. I have a little headache due to a lack of caffine. Lately I have discovered that caffine does not affect me. I am so tolerant that no amount that can fit in my stomach can wake me up. It is not cool. I have pounding headaches in the morning. I am starting to decrease the daily dosage of the drug. I am hoping to get to a point where I won't need it to take away the headache. It sounds a lot like drug addictions. It has a similar progression to mostly all drugs I have used on a daily basis. Thank God I am sober.

2003-05-21T18:20:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

"Some sort of an explosion" occurred in Yale University's law school building Wednesday, a New Haven Fire Department official said, but no injuries were reported. Dorie Baker, a Yale spokeswoman, told CNN there was "probably some device" that triggered the explosion. "We don't know what kind of a device. It was in an empty classroom, not in the mailroom. All sources are agreed there were no injuries," Baker said.

Word Of The Day

prevaricate \prih-VAIR-uh-kayt\, intransitive verb:
To depart from or evade the truth; to speak with equivocation.

A lot of people that are close to me prevaricate.

Yesterday's News

Today... I am sober... I see things going wrong, but don't know what they are... I am "happy"... My dog just walked into my room. That only happens when something is wrong. She just sat on the ground next to me. That makes me believe even more that there is something wrong. Tonight... I will go to a meeting... I will forget about all my troubles... I will have a good time out tonight. Later on... I will go home... I will sense something wrong. It sucks...

"We are both from the same place - my dear
Love and hate come from above - I fear"

Stone Soup, 2003

2003-05-20T22:41:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Canadian agriculture officials said Tuesday a cow slaughtered in Alberta in January tested positive for mad cow disease. It is the country's first case in 10 years. The 8-year-old cow was tested and killed in January after showing signs of illness, Canadian agriculture officials said. Tests at a laboratory in the United Kingdom on Tuesday confirmed signs of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease. Samples from the cow tested positive for BSE last week, officials said. Canadian officials sent samples to the United Kingdom to confirm the test. Health officials said they think they have limited the spread of the disease. The meat from the cow was declared unfit for consumption, was kept from other meat bound for packing plants and stores, and the rendered byproduct was not mixed with byproduct from other cows, Canadian officials said.

Word Of The Day

panoply \PAN-uh-plee\, noun:
1. A splendid or impressive array.
2. Ceremonial attire.
3. A full suit of armor; a complete defense or covering.

John had a panoply of cigars.

Yesterday's News

I have a couple stories for you today. The first is a bit of comedy. A couple days ago, I was outside putting gas into my car from a gas can. I had a hoodie over my head. I felt something land on my head. About four seconds later it got off. I looked up and saw a bird flying away. It was awesome. That is the comedy for you today.

Anyway, something amazing happened tonight. My old best friend's brother walked up to me and said how much my first lead affected him. He said it was the best he has ever heard. I started to get misty eyes. He told me he was amazed with my recovery and loved the comments. I think that is one of the biggest rewards of being sober. People saying things like that. I love it. People in this program are the bomb. They can get things from somebody fifteen years younger than them. Anyplace where something like that can happen is amazing.

2003-05-19T23:14:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Speaking to reporters in Riyadh, the prince mentioned electronic "chatter," a reference to signals from various sources that intelligence officials listen to regularly. The chatter strongly suggests that something -- it is not clear what -- might be in the works, analysts said. Just before the series of bombings in Riyadh on May 12, analysts said, there was an alarming drop in such chatter. Analysts said they are not yet seeing a similar drop. Sources told CNN in Washington that there has been increased chatter about possible future terrorist attacks, though there has been no specific or credible information regarding any target in the United States.

Word Of The Day

sapient \SAY-pee-uhnt\, adjective:
Wise; sage; discerning.

The lead was a sapient man.

Yesterday's News

The last fews days have been filled with ups and downs. I felt great yesterday and today, for the most part. I am not going to explain the rest. All I have to say is, "Thank God I am sober." That is the best thing. I am sober. Anyway, I am looking forward to nothing really. There is nothing interesting going on in the future. Maybe, that is a good thing. I hope it is. I really want to sleep too. Badly! I am really satisfied with my job. I am getting good money out of it. This week I made $290. I think that is damn good for a seventeen year-old. That is really sweet. I am hoping to save more than half of it. That would be the best possible outcome.

2003-05-16T23:32:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

"We think that the outbreak has come under control in Hong Kong and that soon there will be no new cases," Who's head of communicable diseases, David Heymann, told Hong Kong Cable Television from Geneva in remarks broadcast on Saturday. But he said it might be several weeks before no new cases were reported. Heymann said in late April that the outbreak had peaked in Hong Kong, as well as Canada, Singapore and Vietnam. The U.N.'s health agency has set a number of conditions for lifting an economically devastating advisory against visiting the city, where the virus has killed nearly 240 people and infected over 1,700.

Word Of The Day

genial \JEEN-yuhl; JEE-nee-uhl\, adjective:
1. [Obsolete] Pertaining to generation or marriage.
2. Friendly, warm; kindly; sympathetically cheerful and cheering.
3. Mild, pleasant; comfortable; favorable to life or growth.

His genial personality made him a pleasure to work with.

Yesterday's News

These last couple of days have been really good. I have been working my ass off a lot. I am getting paid pretty well, too. $8 an hour. I think that is fat cash. I am hoping I can save about 50% of my checks. I think that would give me a decent bit of money just for shits and giggles. Anyway, my sobriety is really strong right now. I am feeling great and humble. I don't want to get feeling too good. That might be dangerous. I just got off the phone with my friend, Lauren. We might hang out on Tuesday night. I haven't talked to her in a bit. I am looking forward to it a lot. Tomorrow, I am going to work around 9am and probably working for about 10-12 hours. I hope I can make my Sunday night meeting. You know what? Maybe there is an early meeting tomorrow morning. I am going to call central office. Well, there is not. I did talk to a very nice lady on the phone though. I am gonna call up some of my people. Peace until tomorrow.

2003-05-15T13:56:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A team of FBI and other U.S. investigators arrived Thursday in the Saudi capital to investigate near-simultaneous suicide bombings that killed 25 people at compounds housing Westerners, including eight Americans. Nine suspected car bombers also were killed in Monday night's attacks at three residential complexes. U.S. and Saudi officials have said the operation may have been conducted by al Qaeda, the terrorist organization headed by Saudi exile Osama bin Laden.

Word Of The Day

eleemosynary \el-uh-MOS-uh-ner-ee\, adjective:
1. Of or for charity; charitable; as, "an eleemosynary institution."
2. Given in charity; having the nature of alms; as, "eleemosynary assistance."
3. Supported by or dependent on charity; as, "the eleemosynary poor."

My AA friends and i spend some time on eleemosynary work.

Yesterday's News

Last night was great. I went to a meeting and then Applebee's. At Applebee's I had a blast. Anyway, I am leading at a meeting tonight. I am so fucking nervous. I am afraid I will choke up in front of all these people. I am gonna try to put my message across in a good way. I will try to make it easy for new people to understand. I am babbling. Lately I have been feeling better than ever. There is nothing that is bothering me. I am very chill. I love it. I am gonna try to keep it lasting as long as possible. I am hoping that tomorrow night I can sleep over my friend Adam's house. It is closer to where I am working on Saturday, too. He usually wakes up around 6:30 a.m. I think it would be fun. I am gonna have to run it past my parents though. That's the hard part.

2003-05-13T22:23:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Saudi officials said Tuesday that the massive truck bomb explosions that killed at least 29 people in a Saudi neighborhood that is home to Americans and other Westerners were the work of al-Qaida. President Bush promised that the United States would find the attackers and vowed that they would “learn the meaning of American justice. The attacks “remind us that the war on terror continues,” Bush said in a speech in Indiana, where he was lobbying for his tax cut plan. The Saudi Interior Ministry issued a statement saying 20 people were killed in the bombings, which occurred shortly before midnight Monday in three upscale gated communities in northeast Riyadh. In addition, nine other charred bodies were found at the sites, the statement said, “and they are believed to be those of the terrorists.”

Word Of The Day

comity \KOM-uh-tee\, noun:
A state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect, especially between or among nations or people; civility.
comity of nations, noun:
1. The courteous recognition by one nation of the laws and institutions of another.
2. The group of nations observing international comity.

The comity in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous is wonderful.

Yesterday's News

Today was the best. I worked and earned sixty-dollars baby. It's a sweet deal. You know what? I am being shallow right now. I am feeling so good right now. I'm on the phone with a wicked-ass girl. She is pretty cool. The coolest gal i've met since I got sober. I am also feeling very in-touch with my higher power. It is great. I have prayed for the last two days in a row. I can never put together that many days of consecutive days of prayer. I feel so much better after praying. My problem is that I wasn't motivated enough to pray daily. It was more like every other day. Now I realize that I need it every day. Anyway, I am going to get going. I love you all out in blog land. But, I must get to sleep. Peace out... yo!

2003-05-12T13:08:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

There is a problem with my N.Y. Times.

Word Of The Day

supererogatory \soo-puhr-ih-ROG-uh-tor-ee\, adjective:
1. Going beyond what is required or expected.
2. Superfluous; unnecessary.

Tom is a supererogatory person when is comes to school.

Yesterday's News

The twelve-step weekend was great. I was revitalized there. I didn't learn a lot, but I talked a lot. I started working on another 4th step while I was there, too. It was a good time. A really good time. Anyway, my brother is home for a couple of days. I am hoping he'll want to get out of the house with me today. I am also thinking of going to see a movie with a girl this afternoon. Well, nevermind that thought. My parents want to go to the show with us. So, those are my plans. None will probably go through, but it was cool to imagine. Later on tonight, I will be hitting up a meeting and having a talk with my sponsee about where he is in his program. My day should be pretty fun. We just got our pool opened today. This summer is gonna be a blast. After work I can go jump into a nice heated pool. Ahhhhh... Good times.

2003-05-08T22:35:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

Federal investigators studying the collapse of the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001, say they now believe that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the government agency that built the towers, never performed the fundamental tests needed to determine how their innovative structures would perform in a fire. The preliminary finding, if it holds up, will undermine decades of public assurances by the Port Authority that the twin towers met or exceeded the requirements of New York City's building code, and therefore would be structurally safe in a large fire. The codes are based on tests of each building component in furnaces that subject the structures, and the fireproofing insulation that protects them, to the harsh conditions of a major fire. "At this point, we don't know why the tests were not done," said Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, who is leading the eight-month-old investigation at the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. But Dr. Sunder added, "To the best of our knowledge, they were not done."

Word Of The Day

sardonic \sar-DON-ik\, adjective:
Scornful, mocking; disdainfully humorous.

This is a sardonic subject.

Yesterday's News

Today an A.A. named Ben asked me to sponser him. I told him yes. I think it will help me a lot. It will help me get back into a more spiritual mode. I really hope I can help him too. I think I would be good for him. He is a soft-skinned guy... So am I. He has good sobriety too. He is in touch with his own higher power. That is a great thing to have. I cannot wait for this twelve-step weekend. It is gonna be the shit. I am also looking forward to Danny's concert on Friday night. Actually that is tomorrow!!!! Hell yes. I will ttyl.

2003-05-07T12:27:00.000-04:00

News Of The Day

A Shiite Muslim cleric arrived at the Pentagon last week armed with a fatwa, or religious edict, a prop in his campaign to persuade the Bush administration of the worthiness of the Iranian-based Iraqi ayatollah he calls his leader. Among Iraq's main opposition chiefs, Ayatollah Muhammad Bakr al-Hakim is the one administration officials regard with most mistrust. In its name alone, his organization, the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, conjures exactly the vision of a theocratic, Iranian-style Iraqi future that the Bush administration is trying to avoid.

Word Of The Day

objurgate \OB-juhr-gayt\, transitive verb:
To express strong disapproval of; to criticize severely.

When you go into the meeting you have to objurgate the boss' ideas.

Yesterday's News

Hey!! The twelve-step weekend is coming up in a few days. I am thinking that when I go I am going to write another fourth step. The fourth step is writing a list of all the resentments you have and all the wrongs you've done. After that I am going to do my fifth step. I am going to tell my sponsor all these things and he will give me feedback. I think it is a damn good idea. I need to talk and vent all the resentments I have against some people in A.A. There are some assholes around. Some are really big assholes. I am really looking forward to getting my tanks refilled at this weekend.

2003-05-06T12:36:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

A bill pending in the House of Representatives would allow businesses with union workers to reduce their company pension obligations by billions of dollars, because statistics show that most blue-collar workers do not live as long as other Americans. The provision, which has gone largely unnoticed in a broad pension bill, is being supported by the United Auto Workers and manufacturing companies whose pension funds now have assets far short of what they are projected to need under previous assumptions about worker longevity. The measure would allow companies to assume that their blue-collar workers will on average die sooner than pension plans now assume they will. So companies, not having to plan to pay future blue-collar pensions as long as they now do, would not be required to put aside as much pension money as government regulations now require them to do.

Word Of The Day

comestible \kuh-MES-tuh-buhl\, adjective:
Suitable to be eaten; edible.

I am sure there is some comestible food on this island.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday was a good day later on. I got out of my negative feelings and let go of my crap. This morning I am feeling good too! The lead last night really wasn't too hot. It actually stunk a bit. The message got across, but in this very monotonus way. I drank... I got sober... Anyway, after the meeting I went home. I talked on the phone for about 2 hours in all to a couple A.A.'s. One had gotten into a fight with his Mom and the other was baby-sitting some dogs. She was scared. I was very funny actually. Today I am gonna try to get to this meeting called River Tuesday. I don't really feel like going to Tuesday Basement Big Book. I just seems like it would be boring seeing the same people over and over again. You know what I am talking about. Gosh Darnit! My cleaning lady just discovered I was home. Damn you Sheba for exposing me. You can probably guess that I am not to happy to see the cleaning lady. I don't like listening to her damn complaints about every day real life. Sooo... I am gonna get going and take my wonderful Mother out to lunch.

2003-05-05T22:38:00.000-04:00
Tonight's News

My Parents have pointed out to me that lately my blogs have been weak. I see where they are coming from. I haven't been reaching inside of me as much. All I have been doing is talking about my day. You know what I am talking about? I am going to start writing as I was before. I promise. I just go through these up and down creative periods. It happens all the time.

2003-05-05T15:45:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

"Severe acute respiratory syndrome arrived in Gainesville, Fla., by airplane from Asia and was spread with a cough."

A 60-year-old Gainesville woman, whom the authorities declined to name, returned to Gainesville in late March after a visit to Beijing. She had a slight cough, but did not seek medical treatment until after she had coughed on and infected a co-worker, a 47-year-old woman. Both women were hospitalized in early April but have since fully recovered, said Thomas Belcuore, health director for Alachua County. Neither showed signs of pneumonia and both are therefore still classified as suspect, rather than probable, SARS cases. They remain friends, Mr. Belcuore added.

Word Of The Day

autocrat \AW-tuh-krat\, noun:
An absolute monarch who rules with unlimited authority; by
extension, any person with undisputed authority in a relationship or situation.

Jeremy was the autocrat when it came to the band's decisions.

Yesterday's News

Lately I have been getting into it with my parents about a lot of stupid shit. Pretty much all of it is my fault. I am kinda pist at myself for being an asshole. You know? I am really looking forward to this 12-step weekend coming up. I really need to get back in touch with things. Anyway, I really hope Social Distortion comes back to Cleveland soon. I want to experience that again. They are one of those bad-ass groups that have hearts. It is cool. They make songs that give me goose-bumps. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. I can relate to the music too, because some of the songs are about addiction and recovery. The music also brings back a lot of good memories. Good memories about last summer. Mike and I used to always have a Social Distortion cd playing in my car. Good times. I will never forget the good times I had then. All sober memories too.

2003-05-03T00:58:00.000-04:00
Just some lyrics by one of my favorite bands... Social Distortion

At last we meet again, dear God
Hear the angels sing
The funerals are nicer, when we know you're there
when the angels sing
sometimes I try so hard to understand the things you do
I like to question you when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing

the prisoners pray when they're on death row
when the angels sing
the junky cries for love, but its all run out
When the angels sing
the sins of the world, and its cold on the streets and you're all alone
And the tears they start to fall when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
little by little, day by day
I watch the children play
'cause life and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing

when the angel of death, comes a looking for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
when the angels sing
There's gotta be a heaven, cause I've already done my time in hell
and a little baby's born, when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing

2003-05-02T10:15:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

A powerful earthquake leveled buildings over a wide swath of southeastern Turkey today, killing at least 100 people and injuring many hundreds more. In the town of Bingol, where the earthquake was strongest, a boarding school collapsed with 198 students sleeping inside. The bodies of 14 children and a teacher were recovered, but more than 90 children had been hauled out alive from the wreckage of concrete and steel by day's end, the Turkish authorities said. Rescue teams using cranes and jackhammers worked into the night in an effort to recover another 90 or so pupils still trapped underneath. Emergency workers gave water to eight students they found trapped in the debris late tonight, but they were unable to extract them immediately.

Word Of The Day

putative \PYOO-tuh-tiv\, adjective:
Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed.

You always come to putative conclusions.

Yesterday's News

Tonight I am going to a young people's meeting and speaking on the fifth step. My friend Adam asked me to do it after I led on Monday. I am kind of nervous to do it. I have never really talked about steps except in a one on one situation. I am looking forward to it because it will be a good experience. I think today I going out to lunch with my buddy Katie. I am also going to pick up my check from PetsMart today. I am hoping to hang out with Matt and Adam. It is always a fucking blast. Anyway, I am going to get going. Aha Aha Aha.

2003-05-01T12:19:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld rode through the streets of the conquered Iraqi capital today, six weeks after the United States began the war to topple Saddam Hussein, and he saw for the first time the results of the military campaign he had waged from the Pentagon. Mr. Rumsfeld dismissed any notion that he was indulging in a victory tour, but he clearly savored the chance to convene his top ground commanders and banter with cheering troops, 1,000 of whom gathered in a "cavernous" hangar. He also met with American and Iraqi officials who are struggling to restore water, power and other essential services to the city's 4.5 million people.

Word Of The Day

simulacrum \sim-yuh-LAY-kruhm; -LAK-ruhm\, noun;
plural simulacra \sim-yuh-LAY-kruh; -LAK-ruh\:
1. An image; a representation.
2. An insubstantial, superficial, or vague likeness or semblance.

At work, we were being shown a simulacrum of how the display will look.

Yesterday's News

I'd like to address the question about my smoking. I'm planning to quit at the beginning of August. I feel like it's getting to be time to quit. It's just not very much fun anymore. I just need to be completely sick of it though, you know? Anyway, today has been a tiring day. It's really hot outside, and the a/c is turned off. I only got four hours of sleep last night, too. It wasn't even good sleep. It was interrupted because I was pretty sick. I think I have a cold. I'm going to lay down and rest a bit. I'll try to blog later on tonight. I need some rest.

2003-04-30T16:33:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

The United States said today that it would withdraw all combat forces in Saudi Arabia by this summer, ending more than a decade of military operations in this strategic Middle East nation that is America's largest oil supplier. The American presence here began as a joint operation to contain Saddam Hussein after the 1991 Persian Gulf war, but increasingly became dangerous for the American troops involved because Osama bin Laden and fellow terrorists resented their presence in the land of Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. Twenty-four American soldiers died in two separate terrorist strikes here in 1995 and 1996.

Word Of The Day

funereal \fyoo-NIR-ee-uhl\, adjective:
1. Of or pertaining to a funeral.
2. Suiting a funeral; solemn; dark; gloomy; mournful.

The funereal homecoming of the vietnam vet hurt the parents' hearts.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday I quit my at PetsMart because they were working me unreasonable hours. I had an average of 20 hours a week over the course of four nights. That was about one-hundred dollars a week -- all at night. In my opinion that's not compensation enough for the meetings I miss and the time I am not with my parents. You know? I am going to get a job that I can work some hours in the mornings. I think that would be a hell of a lot better. More time at home with the parents. More meetings. Anyway, this Friday I am speaking on one of the steps at a young people's meeting. I am looking forward to that a lot. I cannot believe how often I am speaking at meetings. I feel like I am on tour! I like it too. You get to help somebody. Good pay-off.

2003-04-29T11:03:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Thousands of people rioted in a rural town in China on Sunday night and ransacked a local school, residents said, after word spread that a four-story building would be turned into a ward for patients suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Despite the presence of hundreds of police officers and two busloads of paramilitary troops in riot gear this morning, residents were unrepentant about their resistance, illustrating how hard it may be for the government here to control popular emotion about a disease whose existence it played down for months before abruptly changing tack eight days ago.

Word Of The Day

lacuna \luh-KYOO-nuh\, noun;
plural lacunae \luh-KYOO-nee\ or lacunas:
1. A blank space; a missing part; a gap.
2. (Biology) A small opening, depression, or cavity in an anatomical structure.

There was a large lacuna in the earth on the east side of the mountain.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday was good. The lead went well. It only lasted fifteen minutes. I barely spoke about my drunk-a-log. That lasted probably about 3 or 4 minutes. The rest was about recovery. I wasn't too pleased with how the message came out, but at least it didn't take an hour. That tends to happen when people have a shitty lead. They just drag it out way too long. The ride back was the best part. Blasting good music and singing along. Smoking cigarettes and laughing. It was great. Especially cause it was about 70 degrees when we got out of the meeting. We had all the windows down. Good times. Today I am going to my shrink's, a guitar lesson and then work. Long day, huh? I also have to cut the grass between the shrink and guitar lessons. It'll be a lot of fun.

2003-04-28T11:53:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

American forces today arrested Baghdad's self-appointed mayor, Muhammad Mohsen Zobeidi, bundling him and seven of his top aides into an Army Humvee after he defied warnings to stop acting as the city's chief administrator. In a separate incident, four American soldiers were wounded when someone opened fire on their Humvee while it was stopped in morning traffic in central Baghdad. One of the soldiers was in serious condition late today, the United States Central Command reported from Qatar. The attack came a day after a hit-and-run raid on an Army-controlled ammunition dump on Baghdad's outskirts caused an explosion that killed about a dozen people in a nearby residential area, military officials said. Many in the city fear that the increased activity is building up to a major incident on Monday to mark Saddam Hussein's birthday.

Word Of The Day

sartorial \sar-TOR-ee-uhl\, adjective:
1. Of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring.
2. Of or relating to clothing, or style or manner of dress.
3. [Anatomy] Of or relating to the sartorius muscle.

He appeared in front of the crowd, wearing a velvet coat in sartorial splendor.

Yesterday's News

Oh... I am so nervous today. I am going out to the east-side of Cleveland to lead an A.A. meeting. It will be my third lead. A man that saw my first asked me if I'd like to lead for him. I have only met him 5-10 times, but I know him pretty well. I just need to focus on how I am going to transmit my message. After I did my first lead I was talking to my friend Matt about why the people thought my lead was awsome. He told me that it might not have been about the lead. It was about how far I had come and who I am. That still sticks in my head as a reminder of how deep love runs in this 12-step program. Anyway I need to make it a good message for new people. I made my notes last night. I put in a line from a song: Bang, Bang, shoot 'em up - The party never ends - You can't think of dying when the bottle is your best Friend.

Kind of a stupid lyric, but it registers in my head. I am going to get going now. Wish me luck!

2003-04-26T00:31:00.000-04:00
Hello... How ya'll doing. I'm doing pretty good. I am really tired of cleaning pee. I think I am gonna get a different job. I am not trying to be negative. I like the job and all, but not the atmosphere. I would like to make a little more money, too. That would be sweet. I know I am only seventeen. That means I probably won't get paid much more for a while. It just feels like I am working too much for too little. My mind is so tired today also. I can't even remember when to use too or to. I'm sure you people know how that feels. You are sending out brain farts... You know what I am talking about. Right? Anyway, I am really going to try to start up a band. I think that would be awesome. I also think I am more than good enough to hack it. I am gonna go to sleep right now before my brain farts again.

2003-04-24T15:45:00.000-04:00
Yesterday's News

Yesterday was a pretty bland day. I didn't do much except work. I got Starbucks and the usual. I hung out at home with my paps. It feels really good to have come this far in sobriety. 365 days of stone-cold sober. It is odd as hell that I could do that. I cannot believe that I am sober this long. I used to not be able to last a week without any alterations in mind or body. It could be something as sick as snorting caffine pills. I am so happy right now. This is awesome.

2003-04-22T22:46:00.000-04:00
Yesterday's News

I am just thinking right now how precious life is. It kinda sucks. It is scary too. It is scary that at anytime you can be hurt or worse. I am scared of the future. Fear runs my life. It is a big defect. It isn't bad but it holds me back from a lot from what I want. I am starting to notice my fears going out the window. I am happy as heck about that. You know what? All I need to live is my guitar and music. That is my savior. I have said that many times before.

2003-04-21T12:11:00.000-04:00
Yesterday's News

It is spring break. It is time to let loose and kick back. I probably won't get much of a chance, but that's cool. Anyway, tonight I went up to Friendly's with some guys. Jesus, Jesus is one funny ass cat. Well... Some girl just instant messaged me and told me how much she wants me and that when she splits with her boyfriend she is going to tell me. That is kinda odd... Isn't it? I think it is kinda fucked up. Anyway, back to the subject. I don't really know what to write about. Lately things have been looking up for me. I haven't hit any rutts or things like that. I am feeling good about life in general. Nothing is holding me back or messin' with my mind. Everything is very cool.

2003-04-18T11:27:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

The United Nations Human Rights Commission passed a mild rebuke to Cuba today, but it said nothing about the recent crackdown on dissidents that has set off international outrage. The resolution approved by the 53-member panel in Geneva called upon the Cuban government to allow a rights monitor to visit the country, something Cuban officials have already ruled out. A Costa Rican amendment calling for the immediate release of the more than 75 dissidents imprisoned in recent weeks was defeated, as was a Cuban proposal condemning the United States trade embargo.

Word Of The Day

trepidation \trep-uh-DAY-shuhn\, noun:
1. [Archaic] An involuntary trembling; quaking; quivering.
2. A state of dread or alarm; nervous agitation; apprehension; fright.

There was sence of trepidation along the highway after the twenty-car pile-up.

Yesterday's News

Today was awsome. I went to get my paycheck and then met Dan and Craig at a coffee shop. They came up with the idea to go to the metroparks. We pimped my car cause Dan had his jeep. We pumped some S.R.V. We checked out the gals. We checked out the scenery. It was peaceful. We drove around the metroparks for about an hour. Just rolled around in the neon and bumped the blues. It was great. Anyway, one of my friends came up with a good idea. He told me I should go to a jam night up and a bar a couple towns away. You know... to show off my skills. I think that sounds good. If I do that, a band might hear me and like my playing. That is a far stretch, but it could happen. It would be really nice to play in front of people. You know... Tell me what you think.

2003-04-17T14:37:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander of America's war on Iraq, sealed his victory today by convening a meeting of his top allied land, air, naval and special-operations officers in what was once one of Saddam Hussein's proudest palaces, now a symbol of his vanished grip on the country. The bevy of commanders who gathered today at Abu Ghraib palace — an extravagant amalgam of marble, tile, gold fittings and massive chandeliers, all surrounded by an azure moat — discussed how to maintain security and rebuild Iraq now that Mr. Hussein is gone, and agreed to meet again in General Franks's headquarters back in Qatar in several days to complete plans.

Word Of The Day

canorous \kuh-NOR-us; KAN-or-uhs\, adjective:
Richly melodious; pleasant sounding; musical.

Stone Soup is a very canorous band.

Yesterday's News

The last two days at work I have been doing a dynamite job. I am getting things done on time. I am actually getting my stuff done faster than anybody else. I am done with my closing duties at least a half-hour earlier than everybody else. I am getting in that groove. I am liking this job now. I used to not like it so much, but now it is sweet as tangerines. I don't know where that came from... Don't ask me. Anyway, I am feeling more secure about the future. The only problem is that I am procrastinating. I am not reaching for my dreams. After I did my fifth step with my sponsor, he told me I had the world by the yam-bag. That is very true. I don't have to go through all trouble in my thirties or forties getting sober. I don't have to lose sight of my path anymore. I have a chance at my dreams. You know?

2003-04-17T01:46:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Protests against the American forces here are rising by the day as Iraqis exercise their new right to complain — something that often landed them in prison or worse during President Saddam Hussein's rule. But no one here is in the mood to note that paradox, as Iraqis confront with greater clarity their complicated reactions to the week-old American military presence here: anger at the looting; frustration at the ongoing lack of everything from electricity to a firm sense of order; fear of long-term United States military occupation. "Down, down U.S.A. — don't stay, go away!" chanted Ahmed Osman, 30, a teacher among the several hundred Iraqis protesting today in front of the Palestine Hotel downtown, which the marines are both guarding and using as their headquarters to recruit civil servants to reconstruct Iraq's central authority. "Bush is the same as Saddam," he said.

Word Of The Day

susurrus \su-SUHR-uhs\, noun:
A whispering or rustling sound; a murmur

In the desert the wind would make a susurrus while blowing through the juniper trees.

Yesterday's News

Yeee-haaaa. I just got back from my sponsor's bands concert. I feel more in touch with everything. Every time I see them play I feel so good. They are one of my favorite bands. The songs they write are filled with all the feelings imaginable. They paint a vivid picture of life as it is with their music. They are a perfect example of what real music is. The worst part is that I have to wait a while to hear them again. They have not yet released their record. I hope it will be coming out soon. When it does, I will be the first to buy it. I keep hearing one of their songs over and over again. It is called "S.L.Y." It stands for "Someone Like You." Damn... I cannot wait until they come out with the album. Anyway, this is about my whole love affair with music. It is my first and last true love. It delivers me from my demons. It drowns out the sorrows, as blow used to. It does a better job too.

2003-04-15T23:31:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... War... and more war.

Word Of The Day

Word of the Day for Tuesday April 15, 2003

umbrage \UHM-brij\, noun:
1. Shade; shadow; hence, something that affords a shade, as a
screen of trees or foliage.
2. a. A vague or indistinct indication or suggestion; a hint.
b. Reason for doubt; suspicion.
3. Suspicion of injury or wrong; offense; resentment

It is easy to build up an umbrage when you are mentally sick.

Yesterday's News

Lately I have been getting lazy in "blogland." It is because I am working and slacking off. From now on I will be a little more serious. Anyway, I am going to write on the second and third step of Alcoholics Anonymous. I will tell you my experience with those steps. Step 2: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God (any higher power you choose). Step 2 is basically realizing that there may be something that can help you re-gain your sanity and give you a chance to put your alcoholism at bay. That is how I think of it. It helps me to put it into those words. Step 3 can be thought of as making a desicion to start living in a honest and decent way. I like to use the 4 absolutes as a way of living. 1. Honesty. 2. Unselfishness. 3. Purity. 4. Love. That is my way to think of it. Back when I was freshly working my second step I didn't have a hard time at all. I could see that there were times in my life when there was a God pushing the buttons. My third step was a little harder. I couldn't understand how I was going to turn my will and my life over to my God. I was told to try to live in a honest way. That's what I do. I try my hardest to live honestly.

2003-04-14T14:03:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Seven American prisoners of war were discovered alive in a town north of Baghdad today, three weeks after they vanished during fighting with the Iraqis. The prisoners included five Army soldiers missing since their convoy was ambushed near the central Iraqi city of Nasiriya on March 23. The two others were the pilots of an Apache helicopter shot down during an assault on Republican Guard units near Karbala on March 24. Two prisoners had suffered wounds, officials said, including the only woman in the group, Specialist Shoshana Johnson, 30, of Fort Bliss, Tex.

Word Of The Day

tmesis \TMEE-sis\, noun:
In grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a
compound word, now generally done for humorous effect; for
example, "what place soever" instead of "whatsoever place," or "abso-bloody-lutely."

I cannot remember the tmesis Timmy used yesterday. It was hilarious.

Yesterday's News

Hey... Yesterday I came to a couple of conclusions. I have to accept who people are and worry about myself. I am feeling a lot better. I am feeling chill. Careless almost. I am feeling like I was a couple months ago. Nothing can bother me. That is the way I want to feel all the time. Just chill. Anyway, I might be playing at a high school dance with a couple of my friends. It should be cool. I have to play bass... Which is fine by me. You know what. I don't have a lot on my mind. I will come back later tonight and blog. I will have more then.

2003-04-13T01:10:00.000-04:00
Song Of My Life

You know how you have a song you just love to death. Well, this is mine. This is off of Robert Plant's "Dreamland." I got to see this song live.

Darkness Darkness, be my pillow
take my head and let me sleep
in the coolness of your shadow
in the silence of your deep

Darkness Darkness, hide my yearnin'
for the things I can not see
keep my mind from constant turnin'
to the things I can not be

Darkness Darkness, be my blanket
cover me with the endless night
take away, oh, this pain of knowing
fill this emptyness with light
emptyness with light now

Darkness, darkness, long and lonesome
is the day that brings me here
I have felt the edge of sadness
I have known the depths of fear

Darkness Darkness, be my blanket
cover me with the endless night
take away, oh, this pain of knowing
fill this emptyness with light now
oh, with light now
...now...

Darkness Darkness, be my blanket
cover me with the endless night
take away, oh, this pain of knowing
fill this emptyness with light now
oh,with light now

Darkness Darkness, be my pillow
take my head and let me sleep
in the coolness of your shadow
in the silence of your deep
in the silence of your deep
in the.... oh ...oh...

2003-04-12T14:08:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Senior F.B.I. officials were told in the early 1990's that a Los Angeles woman accused this week of being a double-agent appeared to be spying for the Chinese, but they continued using her as an informer nonetheless, current and former officials said today. Around 1991, senior Federal Bureau of Investigation counterintelligence officials met in Washington to discuss evidence that the woman, Katrina Leung, was spying for the Chinese, an official said today on condition of anonymity. One F.B.I. supervisor in Los Angeles attending the meeting was James J. Smith, who was having an long-term affair with Ms. Leung after recruiting her to the bureau as an informer in the early 1980's. They were arrested this week on espionage-related charges.

Word Of The Day

bivouac \BIV-wak, BIV-uh-wak\, noun:
An encampment for the night, usually under little or no shelter.

Out at rehab, when the wind storms would come, we had to make a bivouac.

Yesterday's News

My last entry I was talking about being in a mini rut. I believe I am out of that rut. I am happy now. I still feel like something is missing. I still feel a bit lonely, but I am happy. Feeling is better than not feeling. I had no feelings a year ago except for pity and guilt. Now I rarely have any feelings like that. A year ago things were cloudy, and now everything is clear. My goals are clear. My goals extend beyond the current. My goal used to be to get fucked up on drugs. Now it is to get high on life and love. It is to absord all the beauty this world has to offer. The problem is that beauty is generally hidden by something ugly. It is hard to find. My goal is to find that beauty. Then I will be at peace.

2003-04-11T10:18:00.000-04:00
News Of The 10th

State governments from New York to Oregon are pulling back from their plans to borrow directly against future payments of tobacco settlements and are scrambling to find other ways to use the payments to ease their expanding financial problems. An Illinois judgment last month against Philip Morris, the nation's largest cigarette maker, prompted investors to demand higher interest rates on bonds backed by the tobacco payments.

Word Of The 10th

noisome \NOY-sum\, adjective:
1. Noxious; harmful; unwholesome.
2. Offensive to the smell or other senses; disgusting.

Outside of the house there was this noisome fume coming from next door.

Yesterday's News

Right now I can't think of anything to write about. I am not much interested in anything. I guess I am just tired from work. I am not as calm as I used to be. That is one of the consequences of working in the real world. You know what. I had a shitty dream last night. I was selling ecstasy and I took some myself. It was horrible. I have been having dreams like these a lot. A lot of relapse dreams. They are starting to piss me off. I know it is just my addict trying to make me crack and get railed. I don't want to though. I am in a hard spot in my sobriety though. It is my moment of truth. It is the test to see if I will fade away or stay. Being seventeen really stinks. It really is a drag. All my mind wants to do is party, but there is a little part that doesn't want it. It is a constant struggle.

2003-04-10T00:00:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

At least for the moment, the political planets seem to be sliding into alignment for President Bush, and he looked and sounded as if he knew it today when he appeared in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for a news conference with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. Mr. Bush was self-assured, blunt-spoken and aggressive. For once, the English language seemed his ally rather than his worst enemy. He betrayed not the slightest doubt about the decisions he has made on the war in Iraq so far or the ones he faces. I hear a lot of talk here about how, you know, we're going to impose this leader or that leader," the president declared, as he and Mr. Blair stood behind a pair of lecterns. "Forget it. From day one we have said the Iraqi people are capable of running their own country. That's what we believe. The position of the United States of America is, the Iraqis are plenty capable of running Iraq, and that's precisely what's going to happen."

Word Of The Day

assiduous \uh-SIJ-oo-uhs\, adjective:
1. Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive.
2. Performed with constant diligence or attention; unremitting; persistent; as, "assiduous labor."

One day I hope to be an assiduous worker.

Yesterday's News

Yeeeeeaaaa! I got a gal's phone number today. A very pretty, pretty gal. She is a couple of years older than me, but does it matter? Not really! I am so happy. I will tell you the story behind. My dad said she was talking about me. I decided to go up to Starbucks (her place or employment) and suck it up. Before I asked, she was talking about her car. She said it was a stick shift and slapped me on the back. She said, "I need somebody to teach me how to drive a stick." I was thinking... Ummmm... Lol. Then I sucked it up and went up the counter and asked for her number. She said, "If you teach me how to drive stick." I again thought... Ummmm... Shiat... Lol. I don't know what I am messin' with, but it can't hurt to give her a call. Hopefully she really wants to learn how to drive the car... (Mom, it's a joke).

2003-04-08T22:43:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

Movie theaters are spraying their seats. Massage parlors are screening their customers. A hospital is refusing to treat people with colds. A French warship arriving from Singapore has been turned away. To its own amazement, Thailand has so far been spared many cases of the respiratory illness known as SARS, which is spreading fast in Asia. But it has not been spared the panic. With many rumors, but little information about the disease, dentists are worrying that their masks are ineffective, taxi drivers are afraid to pick up passengers at airports and flight attendants are calling in sick — not because they are sick but because they fear getting sick. Thailand is clearly a nation at risk, with 70 flights bringing 10,000 people a day from the five places in Asia that have been hardest hit by the disease — China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Word Of The Day

equable \EK-wuh-buhl; EE-kwuh-\, adjective:
1. Equal and uniform; not varying.
2. Not easily disturbed; not variable or changing -- said of the feelings, temper, etc

The equable sun burned my eyes through my binoculars.

Yesterday's News

The workplace is starting to get annoying. People are starting to form opinions about me. It is like going to school. I am the square kid. Just because I don't have any stories about getting trashed the night before I am square. Isn't that stupid. The best thing is that there are a couple of people that don't think that way. There is another "square" kid there also. Well, he is pretty damn square. He looks like dilbert. It is awsome. So... I missed the anniversary of Tuesday Basement Big Book tonight. I heard it was really cool. I missed seeing Bruce and some other cool people. I am really bummed out about that one. I think I am going to ask for Tuesday off every week.

2003-04-07T15:06:00.000-04:00
News Of The Day

To the Americans who arrived by tank and helicopter and Humvee, this city 45 miles south of Baghdad began to reveal itself today in hints of a sinister past in captured military archives. Inside a bombed military headquarters, soldiers found strips of film negatives showing images of people who appeared to have met violent deaths. The images, shown to a reporter, appeared to document injuries on the bodies of three different people. A lot of other negatives kept in the same cabinet appeared to show ordinary work scenes.

Word Of The Day

censorious \sen-SOR-ee-uhs\, adjective:
1. Tending to blame, condemn, or criticize; harshly critical.
2. Implying or expressing harsh criticism or disapproval; as, "censorious remarks."

Mr. Schranz is a censorious type of person.

Yesterday's News

Hey... How was the weekend for all of you? My weekend was ok. Yes, it was just ok. I started off being sick as hell and ended up being sicker than hell. My lead last night was a bomb. I was not feeling too well. I lost all my thoughts and ideas. When I looked down at my cheat sheet, I couldn't seem to fit anything into place. I spent more time in silence than I did talking about using and abusing. When I ended my lead, I had about ten comments. Two were from new people that said my lead helped them. That made me feel really good. You know what? All I am out for is to help one person. Plant one seed in one person's mind.

2003-04-04T17:31:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

For one motorcycle patrolman here today, it seemed to matter little that columns of American troops were nearing the capital, or that the drivers still on the roads might have reasons to hasten in a city under heavy bombing, or even that the government whose laws he enforces might not be quite so solid as its ceaseless announcements of battlefield triumphs have implied. Idling on the embankment beside the Tigris on a perfect spring day, the leather-jacketed patrolman spotted a car careering though a red light, and gave chase. From an 11th-floor balcony of the Palestine Hotel, it was not possible to hear what the driver of the red Mercedes said when he was pulled over halfway down the block, but his gestures conveyed the essence powerfully enough. "Get real," the driver seemed to be saying. "Look at the sky. Look across the river. The old is giving way to the new."

Word Of The Day

stentorian \sten-TOR-ee-uhn\, adjective:
Extremely loud.

Stevie Ray Vaughan had a stentorian way of playing guitar.

Yesterday's News

Right now I am sitting here in my room listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan playing live. The cd is a two-disc set from the Montreux Jazz Festival in '82 and '85. The sounds that are coming out of the speakers are that of a hot summer thunderstorm. They blow you to the back of the seat like a wind gust of a hurricane. Yes... a guitar hurricane. Everything in a jumble but still making sense to the trained ear. To a lot of people, it would sound the same. The same old chord changes and turn-arounds. You know -- all that crappy talk. It makes you want to throw up when you hear someone say that "Texas Flood" is the same as "You Better Leave My Little Girl Alone." They are different. Similar but different. That is the beauty of his playing. He can take the same chord changes and the same timing and make it sound completely different. Different emotions and different effects on the brain. It cuts into your heart like a freshly sharpened butcher's knife. The kind you chop through bones with. The strat has never been used to such limits as S.R.V. has used it. It has never been so abused and humbled. Before Stevie came along, the strat thought nobody could conquer it and push it to the limits. Stevie Ray Vaughan practically blows the pickups out of the body. I wonder what would happen to a Washburn or an Ibanez. They would probably crumble in his hands after one searing note from his finger. All I am trying to say is that Stevie Ray Vaughan is so out of this world. He makes sitting around doing nothing feel like Heaven.

2003-04-03T23:25:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

One of the most important episodes today in the intensifying war in Iraq was not the American advance toward Baghdad. It was the American military's effort to stop the Iraqi Republican Guard from getting to the Iraqi capital. As American Army and Marine columns rumbled toward Baghdad, Republican Guard units began to withdraw from their defensive positions outside the capital and retreat into the city, where some Republican Guard units have already managed to redeploy. The enemy is taking what forces he can muster and is ordering them back into the city," a senior American military officer said tonight. "He is bringing in the Republican Guard for a last stand. We have been trying to kill anything that is moving toward the city. We don't want a big siege at the end of this."

Word Of The Day

Brobdingnagian \brob-ding-NAG-ee-uhn\, adjective:
Of extraordinary size; gigantic; enormous.

Phil had the haul the brobdingnagian bag of trash to the dumpster.

Yesterday's News

Nobody fucks with the jesus!

I have a quick little story for you all. Last night I was on my way up to Friendly's with some A.A.'s. Matt and Ben were in the car. There was also a dude who I couldn't quite remember by name. I was talking to my Dad, and telling him who I was with. I told my Dad to hold on so I could find out the unknown man's name. He said, "Jesus (pronounced "Hay-zues")." Holy shit! Think "Big Lebowski." Let me tell you... This dude was one cool cat. He had a lot of good things to say. It was a great time. He had a lot of advice for the troubles of an anonymous alcoholic at Friendly's. Anyway, let me get off the subject of Jesus. Today at work I had a damn good time. It was tiring but fun. I had another cat closing with me, so that was quick. I am starting to enjoy going to work now. Mike stopped in to say hi and chit-chat for a minute. It was really cool.

2003-04-02T15:54:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Hasn't come yet.

Word Of The Day

minatory \MIN-uh-tor-ee\, adjective:
Threatening; menacing.

The alcohol in the bar is a minatory object to some people.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday was a fun-filled day up until work. I started work at 5pm. I was going to work a five-hour shift. Not that much time at all. About five pee cleanups later, it seemed like I was going to kill. You know how that keeps. People bringing their dogs in and just letting them pee. It was horrible. Pretty soon the whole store smelled like urine. Micturation! Arggghh! I started to close the dog section at about 8:30 and the cat at 7:30, and by 9pm all the cans were picked at again. I had to go back over everything and redo it. The lead cashier was pissed cause it was taking so long. My question is this: how do you expect a new employee to get 10 aisles of stuff organized in an hour?

2003-04-01T14:27:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

The main column of American marines set to attack Iraq's capital raced northward today, rolling on the country's main highway to within 70 miles of Baghdad and drawing only minimal resistance. The convoy, including dozens of tanks and some 14,000 combat troops, began its journey in the Iraqi desert and ended 40 miles away, along the newly formed front lines from which Iraqi soldiers had retreated just hours before. Night fell to sounds of American artillery bombarding the remnants of an Iraqi force that soldiers here said had been weakened severely by an American advance team early this morning. Two Iraqi missiles streaked across the afternoon sky, fired from a site a few miles up the road. Otherwise, the Iraqi guns were silent.

Word Of The Day

chicanery \shih-KAY-nuh-ree\, noun:
1. The use of trickery or sophistry to deceive (as in matters of law).
2. A trick; a subterfuge.

To get me out of the house my Mother resorted to chicanery.

Yesterday's News

Ain't no Billion Dollar Babies at meetings... Or is there?

Today I was at a meeting at noon and I saw a young woman holding a baby in her hand. I began to hear the opening chords and riffs of Alice Cooper's "Billion Dollar Babies." I was hearing the line, "i'm so scared your little head will come off in my hands." You could tell the girl didn't know what was good for the baby. She was bringing it into a place that was smokey enough to kill 6-8 small buffalo. I was surprised the baby didn't start choking. I am wondering if it was a bionic baby. A human outside with a bionic inside. It didn't cry the whole time either. It was very impressive. I couldn't speak. If the baby is truly a terminator baby it is an amazing development in robotics. It is all due to Miles Dyson of Cyberdyne Systems.

2003-03-31T10:45:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Gen. Hazem al-Rawi, a spokesman for the Iraqi armed forces, said today that 4,000 volunteers from 23 Arab countries stand ready to carry out suicide attacks against American forces. Citing Ali Hammadi al-Namani, the soldier identified by the Baghdad government as the man who carried out a suicide bombing on Saturday that killed four American soldiers, General Rawi said the volunteers would follow the soldier's example.

Word Of The Day

invidious \in-VID-ee-uhs\, adjective:
1. Tending to provoke envy, resentment, or ill will.
2. Containing or implying a slight.
3. Envious.

Jim tends to be invidious when around Bryan.

Yesterday's News

I guess I know what it is like to be tired from work now. It feels good. You know when you get home from a hard day. It feels really good. Anyway, I am starting to see why people loved that lead. It was a sign of fighting off alcoholism. It was a sign of maturity. My friend Matt told me that people thought it was amazing because it was a young guy. It was somebody that actually wasn't lying. About half of the comments were from people that I have helped in one way or another. That's what I wanted... to help... And I did.

2003-03-29T11:53:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

With the war against Iraq in its second week, the most influential antiwar coalitions have shifted away from large-scale disruptive tactics and stepped up efforts to appeal to mainstream Americans. One of the largest groups, Win Without War, is encouraging the two million people on its e-mail list to send supportive letters to soldiers. Other groups have redoubled their fund-raising for billboards that declare "Peace is Patriotic" and include the giant image of an unfurling American flag.

Word Of The Day

verbiage \VUR-bee-ij\, noun:
1. An overabundance of words; wordiness.
2. Manner or style of expression; diction.

The verbiage used at the meeting was enough to make you hurl.

Yesterday's News

Yawwwnnn... The last couple of days have been tiring. On Thursday I led the A.A. meeting. I spoke for twenty-five minutes, and the comments lasted longer than my lead. About half of the people in the seventy-five person meeting made a comment. It was amazing. After the meeting, I was asked to lead at three different meetings over the next two months. It was really cool. When I walked into the meeting, everybody started to cheer and clap. I had a standing ovation after I spoke, too. It was something I had never seen before. I felt love coming from every corner of the room. I can't explain how I felt. I felt proud and humble. You feel naked going up there to talk in front of all those people. After about two minutes I just sucked it up and felt calm and comforted. I loved it.

2003-03-27T10:48:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Well... The news is war. War everywhere. 24 hour coverage on cnn. It is sad. I watch it cause I am worried about it going bad. George Bush says it'll be alright. I don't believe it. I hope it. But I don't believe it.

Word Of The Day

deprecate \DEP-rih-kayt\, transitive verb:
1. [Archaic] To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer.
2. To disapprove of strongly.
3. To belittle; to depreciate.

Many people deprecate this war that is going on in Iraq.

Yesterday's News

Today is the big day. I am really pumped up for the lead. I am nervous too. I can't stop thinking about what I can say to help another alcoholic. Ok... Well... I will just be truthful. A lot of people are there to support me. That should be a comforting thing. Nate and Dan gave me good advice last. They told me to chill out. I am going to spend all day doing that. Sighhhhhhhhh... I am on the edge of my seat. My bro is going to be there. I am so excited for him to see the kind of people I see everyday. The odd thing is that I consider 40- or 50- year-old guys and gals my friends. It is really cool. For example, I got a call from a guy name Tom who wished me good luck with my lead. It felt good. Really good. A.A. is amazing.

2003-03-25T23:03:00.000-05:00
Word Of The Day

caesura \sih-ZHUR-uh; -ZUR-\, noun;
plural caesuras or caesurae \sih-ZHUR-ee; -ZUR-ee\:
1. A break or pause in a line of verse, usually occurring in
the middle of a line, and indicated in scanning by a double
vertical line; for example, "The proper study || of mankind is
man" [Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man].
2. Any break, pause, or interruption.

Not many people know how to use the caesura. I think it should be taught in grammar class.

News Of The Day

As United States troops close in on Baghdad, a central question facing American commanders is how fiercely Iraq's Republican Guard will fight. The roughly 100,000 soldiers in six Republican Guard divisions are considered Iraq's most loyal and capable force, better trained and better equipped than the rest of Saddam Hussein's 350,000-man army. Three of the divisions are now guarding approaches to Baghdad. Perhaps the toughest unit of all, the Medina Division, is dug in with its Soviet-made T-72 tanks to the south of the Iraqi capital and is the focus of a new American air assault.

Yesterday's News

These last couple opf days I have been on a spiritual high. I have felt better than I ever have. I must be me changing. I must be becoming more in touch with my higher power. It is a wonderful feeling to feel whole. Well almost whole. I am still not to the point where I feel that way. Anyway, the feeling is great. At work I am performing like a champ. I get my work done very quick. I help customers to the best of my abilities. The managers and other head people like the way I do things. My A.A. program is going smoothly. I am helping people and allowing myself to be helped. There isn't really anything absent from my life right now. Life is sweet!

2003-03-24T23:06:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Iraq's defense minister said on Sunday that American forces driving north toward Baghdad had engaged in a pattern of "stops and swerves" around Iraqi defenses in cities and towns along the way, but that they would eventually have to "pay a heavy price in blood" by fighting for Baghdad if they wanted to topple Saddam Hussein. The warning by Gen. Sultan Hashim, delivered at an evening news conference, came only hours before an intensification of American bombing and missile attacks on the Iraqi capital. After a mostly quiet period in central Baghdad since the ferocious bombardment on Friday night, a volley of cruise missiles began slamming into key government and military buildings on both sides of the Tigris River early today.

Word Of The Day

salmagundi \sal-muh-GUHN-dee\, noun:
1. A salad plate usually consisting of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs, and onions, served with oil and vinegar.
2. Any mixture or assortment; a medley; a potpourri; a miscellany.

Please pass me the salmagundi. I need to eat some ruffage.

Yesterday's News

Hey... This war in Iraq is getting to be brutal. I am worried that we have gotten our country into something bad. I am trusting my life in Bush's hands. If I had a choice I wouldn't trust him. I am worried that another Vietnam is going to happen. The government is saying that it will be swift and precise. I can't believe that I am living through a time like this. A time of war and terror. I want to live in a time of peace. Unfortunately that will never come to pass. There will always be racism, war, and hatred. Heaven is the ultimate prize in the end of life. Heaven is the target I am shooting for.

2003-03-24T09:10:00.000-05:00
Song Of The Week

It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday it seems we're wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
And the people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bottle that you drink
And times when you're all alone all you do is think

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back
I been everywhere, still I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces an I've rocked them all

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

2003-03-23T18:36:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Iraqi forces have been repositioning their surface-to-surface missiles and are expected to try further missile attacks against advancing American troops, senior American officials said today. The officials also disclosed that the missiles fired at Kuwait over the past few days have not been random shots but have been targeted, based on Iraqi intelligence about where American units were positioned. Allied warplanes are now involved in an intensive effort to strike the Iraqis' mobile missile launchers before they fire again. United States military officials say they bombed several Iraqi missile launchers last night. But the Iraqi missile batteries now appear to be heading north on the highway out of Basra so they can fire at the right flank of the American troops as they advance toward Baghdad.

Word Of The Day

conspectus \kuhn-SPEK-tuhs\, noun:
1. A general sketch or survey of a subject.
2. A synopsis; an outline.

Your conspectus has to be due by Thursday.

Yesterday's News

These last few days have been really hectic. Friday and Saturday I had to close at work. On Friday night I went bowling. I bowled pretty bad, but I had a good time. Anyway, I don't like cat people(no offense to any of my cat owning family members). They have no respect for anything in pet stores. They rip into the sealed boxes of canned food, throw empty boxes on the ground, and steal cans of food. The cat food aisles look like a toy store on Christmas Eve. Everything is out of place, opened, and broken. It is a bitch to close because the stocker has to organize all the dog and cat food stuff. It takes about an hour to do the cat food alone. I have only worked for a week, but I am already cracking and want to punch the cat-ladies. The good thing is that not everyone is like that. There are cat people who don't care how fresh the damn food is. They don't care if the label is torn or faded. They couldn't care less. I like those people. They are wonderful. They are really fun to help out. I also love helping the beautiful women that come in looking for recommendations for dog food or treats. It is great. Anyway I am leaving to go to a meeting in a minute. I will ttyl!

2003-03-21T10:35:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

About 1000 American troops launched operations in eastern Afghanistan today in a hunt for al Qaeda members, a spokesman at Central Command headquarters said here. Soldiers from the Army's 82d Airborne Division were ferried in helicopters from their base in Kandahar, the former Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan, to areas around Jalalabad and Mazar-e-Sharif, the spokesman said. Teams of ordnance specialists destroyed a weapons cache of a dozen rockets and another cache of improvised explosive devices, the spokesman said.

Word Of The Day

virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.

The woman that pitched today was a virago.

Yesterday's News

I'm really sorry ya'll. I forgot to blog yesterday. Please don't shoot me. Anyway, yesterday was a cool day. I got some nice speakers put into the neon and tomorrow there will be a CD player in it. My Dad and I are pimping it out. Well... Not really. After I picked up the speakers I dropped by Matt's house and we went back to my house. At my house we proceeded to play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Anyway, I took Matt, Yacko, and Ben to Bay West Discussion. When I sat down in that meeting I felt at home. That will be my place for meetings on that night. After the meeting, we all went out to dinner a bunch of younger guys from that meeting. It was a blast. We were acting like a bunch of 9-year-olds.

2003-03-19T23:50:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

A Yemeni gunman shot dead three workers today at an American oil rig in northern Yemen, according to a spokesman for the rig's supervisor, Hunt Oil Company of Dallas. The assault, which left an American, a Canadian and a Yemeni dead, ended when the assailant shot himself, the company said. Another Canadian worker was wounded.

Word Of The Day

diadem \DY-uh-dem\, noun:
1. A crown.
2. An ornamental headband worn (as by Eastern monarchs) as a
badge of royalty.
3. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered as
symbolized by the crown.

The King wore his diadem proudly upon his head.

Yesterday's News

Listen to this. On my way home tonight, I stopped in at a gas station to pick up a pop. While selecting my flavor, I heard a report on the radio about the "War On Iraq." I asked the attendant what was going on. I stood there for ten minutes talking to him about war and how stupid it is. I really hate war. I never liked violence. Well... Except in Steven Segal and Bruce Willis movies. Anyway, the hidden point behind this little passage is that tragedy brings us all together. It is time to stick with our fellow man. Time to hang on. I am only 17, as you all know, so I don't know how serious this is. All I know is that it quacks (sucks). I do not like it one bit. I am putting my faith, as an American, in George Bush. I pray that he makes decisions for the good of all Americans. Peace...

2003-03-18T23:14:00.000-05:00
Word Of The Day

trencherman \TREN-chuhr-muhn\, noun:
A hearty eater.

When I get home from work I am a trencherman.

Yesterday's News

Good news! The Neon is fine. The oil filter was punctured. If was free to get it changed too. The man at the oil change place gave my Dad a freebie. That is really cool. Anyway, work was really good today. I worked hard and fast. The head cashier even complimented me. It was great. So... Before I went to work I picked up Matt (a new guy in A.A.) and we went to a noon meeting. It was great. After the meeting, we went to lunch with my Mom. I had a really good time with my Mom. It was something that I haven't really done in a while. After lunch I had to fly over to my guitar lessons. Drew (my teacher) and I jammed out to "Tequila." You know what is cool... His Dad wrote that song. That is awsome and crazy. After the guitar lesson I went to work. 4 words for you... I... Hate... Cat... Food.

2003-03-17T22:26:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Wen Jiabao, a number-crunching chief of staff who self-effacingly served China's top leaders for two decades, was formally appointed prime minister today. His election by the National People's Congress gives him day-to-day command of China's economy and its 100-million-person bureaucracy and completes the leadership transition that began last fall. Mr. Wen, 60, who succeeds the formidable and sometimes brusque Zhu Rongji, will face the challenge of keeping the economy primed. He has vowed to do more to raise the income of peasants and to help workers displaced by wrenching economic changes. Like his superior Hu Jintao, who became Communist Party chief last November and state president on Saturday, Mr. Wen scaled the one-party political hierarchy leaving few footprints and making no known enemies. People who have worked with him say he is conspicuous mainly for being fastidious. He lets policy documents sit on his desk for at least three days before signing off, they say, so he can slow-cook the contents in his mind and triple-check the grammar.

Word Of The Day

verdant \VUR-dnt\, adjective:
1. Covered with growing plants or grass; green with vegetation.
2. Green.
3. Unripe in knowledge, judgment, or experience; unsophisticated; green.

Alex is a verdant type of person when he is making decisions in his new job.

Yesterday's News

This is one of those days when you want to be locked in a shed. I have a good day until the night. I was on my way over to Craig's house when I hit a mailbox that was in the road. I was driving too close to the person in front of me so I didn't have enough time to react. This seems to be a constant problem with cars. This is the fifth car that I have used in a year. Car #1: '90 Toyota Corolla - Gave to brother, and two clutches within 10,000 miles. Car #2: '93 Nissan Altima SE - Crashed. Car #3: '92 Toyota Paseo - Engine blew out due to lack of oil. Car #4: '91 Chevy Cavalier - Two rims and five tires replaced within 3 weeks. Car #4: '95 Chrysler Neon - I do not know what is wrong. You get the point. The only positive thing that comes out of this is that I am still sober.

2003-03-16T11:01:00.000-05:00
Like A Stone...

2003-03-14T23:54:00.000-05:00
Word Of The Day

emolument \ih-MOL-yuh-muhnt\, noun:
The wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor; gain; compensation.

Jim gets a lot of emolument from his job. He is loaded.

News Of The Day

I haven't recieved the ny times in a few days. I think we can all assume that the news is all about war. That is the only thing that seems to be important to people anymore. I do not like it.

Yesterday's News

Tonight was as sweet as anything and everything. After the meeting we the A.A. people went up to Tony Roma's. I started to think about how cool and unreal life is now. I was sitting next to this 65-year-old man who drives a 98 Mustang Cobra. That dosen't seem like much to you, but it shows the youthfulness of the people in this program. I was thinking of how awsome it is that all these people care about me. They would do almost anything to help me. Mostly all of them are completely selfless. They care about others and would help anyone. It is amazing. I am noticing that I am becoming more selfless. I try to do as much as possible to help the other alcoholic. I will take it to the wall for mostly all of my A.A. peers. My life is amazing. It is a blessing from God. I just need to stay on the right track. I love you all...

2003-03-14T00:04:00.000-05:00
Word Of The Day

tetchy \TECH-ee\, adjective:
Peevish; testy; irritable.

Alex has a really tetchy personality. All he does is get pissed off.

Today's News

Today was a really great day for me. It started off kinda slow. After about 9am, it picked up. I read a good bit, too. Let's get into the later details. Later on I went to a meeting and saw a really great lead. The cat had about six years of sobriety. He is a recovering coke addict, too. It was nice hearing him talk about it. He talked about coke for a good five minutes. It was a really inspirational lead. He talked a lot about spirituality and prayer. He is not a religious man, but a very spiritual man. He was humble as hell. A lot of gratitude. His lead sounded like what I want mine to sound like. He talked like he was so together and confident. He talked like a real man. Emotional... Thankful. He kept it real, too. I am going to really work at becoming a person like that in everyday life.

2003-03-12T16:48:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Israeli troops in the West Bank destroyed a three-story apartment building today with a tank shell and a bulldozer, killing a Palestinian gunman inside. Soldiers also shot and killed two militants carrying pipe bombs outside a Jewish settlement in the southern Gaza Strip, the army said. The gunman had opened fire Monday night on Israeli soldiers in Hebron near the Tomb of the Patriarchs, sacred to both Jews and Muslims as the burial place of Abraham. One soldier was killed and five were wounded, the army said. The radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the militant Islamic group Hamas both claimed responsibility for the attack. Troops surrounded the gunman in the apartment building. This morning, they fired a tank shell, Palestinian witnesses said, but the gunman continued to return fire, and the building was razed by an armored bulldozer. The gunman's body was found inside, and Israeli soldiers and Palestinian residents went through the rubble at one point, looking for a second body, but none was found.

Word Of The Day

immolate \IM-uh-layt\, transitive verb:
1. To sacrifice; to offer in sacrifice; to kill as a sacrificial victim.
2. To kill or destroy, often by fire

I can no longer immolate myself by using drugs.

Today's News

ZZZZZZ... I am very tired. Today was great though. In the morning, I got up and went to work! I worked my ass off. If I can go on a diet and work, too, I can lose tons of weight. It is a damn physical job. Oh yea... I am a stock boy. Anyway, after work I went home and read a little. After that, I cleaned my room and showered. At around 6pm, I went over to Craig's house. We have a two-person "techno" band. The name is "The Dead Beats." We recorded our first song today. It is called "Freaks On The Dance Floor..." It was great. It is damn fun listening to it. I think we will make a whole album of cool stuff. It's really easy to make techno. All you do is bust out a modern key-board and bust out beats. All the cats are gonna love it. I need to sleep. I have been feeling so good since the Twelve Step Weekend. I feel refreshed. You know? It is great. Damn great.

2003-03-11T22:24:00.000-05:00
News Of The Day

Americans are growing impatient with the United Nations and say they would support military action against Iraq even if the Security Council refuses to support an invasion, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll. The poll found that 58 percent of Americans said the United Nations was doing a poor job in managing the Iraqi crisis, a jump of 10 points from a month ago. And 55 percent of respondents in the latest poll would support an American invasion of Iraq, even if it was in defiance of a vote of the Security Council.

Word Of The Day

mollify \MOL-uh-fy\, transitive verb:
1. To pacify; to soothe or calm in temper or disposition.
2. To reduce in intensity; to temper.
3. To soften; to reduce the rigidity of.

Why do you try to mollify John's punishment for shoplifting?

Yesterday's News

Hey... Today was my first day working in over a year. I got a job at PETsMART. It is a cool place. There are a lot of really good people working there. The managers are cool and the gal in the fish department is funny. Tomorrow, I will actually work. I am so damn excited. This gives me an opportunity to expand my life. I can make some money and become more independent. I have been taking little steps forward since I got out of rehab. This is a really big one.

I cannot believe my parents are giving me this much so early. It doesn't seem like much to you all, but it is a lot to me. It is really nice in the house. When I was using, there were fights and tension. Now, it is pretty calm.

There is love in the house.