I always rock out at work, but I usually keep my regular alt-rock playlists separate from my metal playlists, thinking that it would be difficult, somehow, to deal with the change in moods that would result from the constantly altering music styles. In retrospect, however, I was being stupid. Going from Ben Folds to Children of Bodom to Green Day to In Flames to Sublime to Atreyu keeps me guessing on my own moods, which is a strangely fascinating thing. I get all hyped up by Pantera, then soothed by, say, "Landed" by Ben Folds, perhaps the most relaxing song on the planet, only to be jarred back into a state of nervous energy by Killswitch Engage. The best part is, it's been happening on a subconscious level all morning, and only recently did I realize the rollercoaster that I've been on.

I also just realized that the five empty cans of Diet Mountain Dew on my desk are SOLELY responsible for this post. Back to work, Matt, you jackass.

Bahrain tourist boat sinks - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com:

A ferry carrying up to 150 people sank Thursday night off the coast of Bahrain, and at least 44 bodies had been recovered, the country’s interior minister said.

Sheik Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa also said 52 people had been rescued.

The official Bahrain News Agency said the ferry was on an evening cruise that was to last several hours. It overturned less than a mile off the coast, it said.

(In case you're wondering what I'm talking about regarding the Rochester ferry...)

By funny, I mean extremely stupid in hindsight (which, yes, is 20/20, but I'd still feel stupid if I had said any of this stuff).

"What's he going to talk about a year from now, the fact that the war went too well and it's over?" - MSNBC's Chris Matthews, speaking about Howard Dean--4/9/03

"Now that the war in Iraq is all but over, should the people in Hollywood who opposed the president admit they were wrong?" - Fox News Channel's Alan Colmes, 4/25/03

"Do you all remember Scott Ritter, you know, the former chief U.N. weapons inspector who played chief stooge for Saddam Hussein? Well, Mr. Ritter actually told a French radio network that -- quote, 'The United States is going to leave Baghdad with its tail between its legs, defeated.' Sorry, Scott. I think you've been chasing the wrong tail, again." - MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, 4/10/03

"This will be no war -- there will be a fairly brief and ruthless military intervention.... The president will give an order. [The attack] will be rapid, accurate and dazzling.... It will be greeted by the majority of the Iraqi people as an emancipation." - Christopher Hitchens, in a 1/28/03 debate

"I will bet you the best dinner in the gaslight district of San Diego that military action will not last more than a week. Are you willing to take that wager?" - Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly, 1/29/03

That last one's my favorite. I bet you the best dinner in any district of Rochester that he never paid up. More here.

Trust me on this one - you don't want to see this.

...check out this video that brings into question the official story on 9/11. I'm not saying I think it's gospel or anything, but...

Thought I could listen to his stand-up album at work without laughing out loud. Failed miserably just now.

Update - It's Friday now! I just tried listening again, and failed even harder, this time in tears, gasping for air as I desperately hid behind my monitor. My throat literally hurts right now from trying to restrain myself. If you've got a file-sharing program handy, I heartily recommend you download the album Feelin' Kinda Patton. The track that's physically hurt me twice now is called "My Christmas Memory".

You can be all like, "Shotgun no blitz!!!", AND be the first person outside, AND be the first person to see the car, but the moose wants shotgun, and the moose is getting shotgun.

Modesty be damned: I think I've gotten pretty durn good at logo design.

Pretty much.

(Joke stolen from Fark)

Nicollette Sheridan, Michael Bolton engaged - Access Hollywood - MSNBC.com:

Access Hollywood has learned that 'Desperate Housewives' star Nicollette Sheridan and Michael Bolton are now engaged.

I know he sang "When a Man Loves a Woman" and all, but I thought that was kind of wink wink, nudge nudge.

For example, this one from yesterday.

From Top 25 Cigar, a big cigar review web site. You're supposed to post analyses (that's the plural of analysis!) of the taste, smokability, build quality, etc... or I guess you can post a review like this one.

I was smoking one of these in an outdoor seating section of a steakhouse. We were having drinks and I had this behemoth going for around 50 minutes with no end in sight. Then, this piece of garbage asked me if I would put it out because the smoke was going torward her table. I said sure. Of course, I didn't put it out. Five minutes later he repeated his request and I said the same thing. Then he asked what the deal was, and I said "yeah, I could put it out...but I won't. How do you like me now?" After that, he shoved me. He was probably in his seventies so I didn't drop the cigar or anything. So I put this thing out right on his chest. Then I hopped the balcony fence and left my friends to cover my tab. I don't have anymore friends from there, but it was a great cigar while it lasted! I gave it a 10 in construction because it held together even when pressed against this old guy's skin.

I don't have any idea what Andrew Sullivan accused him of, but it clearly pissed him off. Alterman's got perhaps the most popular liberal blog in existence, and most people in his position would probably settle for rebuking the claim publicly and presenting whatever proof they had of their innocence. Alterman, on the other hand...

Alterman: The Little Roy Challenge - Altercation - MSNBC.com:

Yes, I’m harping on this but the guy did call me a traitor to my country: Look at the situation plainly: I’ve offered to give $10,000 to any AIDS organization the newly anti-Bush pundit Andrew Sullivan so chooses if he can prove an extremely serious accusation he made against me after 9/11. Andrew, who is HIV positive and likes to discuss this fact with reporters, has not deemed to reply.

This can only mean one of two things. Either Andrew does not care about the victims of AIDS who are not as wealthy as he is enough to bother with my publicly offered contribution—with the added bonus for him that someone he deems “hateful” is out ten grand--or he is a liar who casts about wild accusations he cannot support against people for saying pretty much what he is saying today.

Which is it Andrew? Do you not care about your fellow HIV sufferers enough to bother to get them ten thousand bucks or are you just an irresponsible McCarthyite liar?

Iran threatens 'harm and pain' on U.S. - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com:

Asked whether Iran would use an “oil weapon” as the world’s fourth largest crude oil exporter, Javad Vaeedi, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told Reuters: “We will not (do so now), but if the situation changes, we will have to review our oil policies.”

The question wasn't whether you were going to do it RIGHT NOW; they were wondering whether it was on the table. That's the most affirmative "no" I've ever heard.

Step 1: Put this in your Integra's trunk.

Step 2: Get all the ladies.

SI.com - MLB - Shadows reveals truth behind Barry Bonds' steroid use - Tuesday March 7, 2006 1:57PM:

Depending on the substance, Bonds used the drugs in virtually every conceivable form: injecting himself with a syringe or being injected by his trainer, Greg Anderson, swallowing pills, placing drops of liquid under his tongue, and, in the case of BALCO's notorious testosterone-based cream, applying it topically.

According to the book, Bonds gulped as many as 20 pills at a time and was so deeply reliant on his regimen that he ordered Anderson to start 'cycles' -- a prescribed period of steroid use lasting about three weeks -- even when he was not due to begin one.

No obnoxious commentary necessary.

...Nike's decided that joining Bode isn't something most people are likely to want to do these days. Too bad.

(Build a forest? WTF ROFLzZ!!11!eleven!)

For example, this one: www.myassitches.com

14-year-old dies after choking game - U.S. Life - MSNBC.com:

Police and school officials are issuing warnings about a potentially fatal game gaining popularity among teenagers after the death of a 14-year-old boy.

Eighth-grader Rodney Webster died last week after choking himself to deprive his brain of oxygen so he could feel a brief rush when the blood flow returned.

Apparently this is a big thing, enough to have its own (ugly as sin) anti-web site. Seriously kids, if you want beer, I'll be in the Walgreens parking lot at five. $10 surcharge.

Is your bedroom preventing a good night's rest? - Health - MSNBC.com:

Improve sleep drive
Are you avoiding naps, except for a brief 10 to 15 minute nap 8 hours after arising?
Are you restricting your sleep period to the average number of hours you have actually slept in the preceding week?
Are you staying physically and mentally active during the daytime?
Do you drink a warm non-caffeine containing drink to help you relax as well as warm you?

Improve circadian rhythm
Are you keeping a regular time out of bed 7 days a week?
Are you avoiding exposing yourself to bright light if you have to get up at night?
Are you getting at least one half hour of sunlight within 30 minutes of your out-of-bed time?

Drug effects
Have you stopped smoking to get yourself back to sleep?
Have you given up smoking after 7pm or entirely?
Are you limiting caffeine use to no more than three cups no later than 10am?
Are you avoiding alcoholic beverages after 7pm?

Pre-sleep activities and sleep setting
Are you avoiding strenuous exercise after 7pm?
Are you avoiding to eat or drink heavily for three hours before bedtime?
Are you avoiding heavy meals and spices in the evening?
Are you keeping your room dark, quiet, well ventilated, and at a comfortable temperature throughout the night?
Are you using a bedtime ritual such as light music or breathing exercises before bedtime?
Are you allowing “worry time” and listing your problems and what to do about the for the following day before bedtime?
Are you using the bedroom only for sleep and sex, and avoiding other activities that lead to prolonged arousal?

My favorite: Are you allowing “worry time” and listing your problems and what to do about the for the following day before bedtime? Yeah, I schedule that. And nice spelling, Doctor.

I know - duh. But still.

Bush was warned before Katrina struck - Hurricanes' Aftermath - MSNBC.com:

Bush declared four days after the storm, “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees” that gushed deadly floodwaters into New Orleans. But the transcripts and video show there was plenty of talk about that possibility — and Bush was worried too.

What is a redux anyway? Did Apocalypse Now invent it? Does that even make sense? Anydangway, good news and bad news. The good: my right eye is 20/15. The bad: my left eye is 20/40, and it looks fairly likely that they may need to do a touch-up operation on it. I've got an appointment in six weeks; sometimes the eye just needs some time to stabilize (after all, both eyes were 20/20 or better the day after the surgery), but if not, it's back to the laser for me. Supposedly the touch-up operation isn't bad at all, since they don't need to cut the flap again; they can just lift it back up with a blade of some sort.