While we had a wonderful time with msquared today, I thought that the actual OSC signing event deserved its own thread.
I left a little later than intended from the Chicago area, but timed the traffic right so that I didn't hit any major snafus. I managed to call Celia's cell phone exactly when she was giving her presentation, but she had the [evil?]foresight to turn it off so no harm was done. I was on an adrenaline high and Celia and I jabbered the entire way to Cinci while Hobbes smiled and nodded, and making a comment when he could get a word in edgewise. We discussed Le Tour de France and Lance's Armstrong's divorce. I couldn't help wondering how soon he would be in the market for another woman and if I should consider moving to Texas. <grin>
We found the motel uneventfully due mostly to Celia's excellent navigating. Meltingsnowman, blacwolve and blackwolve's brother all joined us there about an hour later. We all piled in my van to head to the bookstore. I warned them that my driving was not normal mommy mini-van driving and told them to avail themselves of the appropriate "Oh sh=t" handles provided if necessary.
We went to the bookstore first to get the tickets for the signing and then went downstairs to Johnny Rocket's (a burger place) for dinner. Unfortunately we should have gone to Johnny Rocket's first because OSC was eating there.
We then wandered back to the bookstore and found some seats. OSC kindly signed books for parents with screaming babies first before the official event started. We canvassed the crowd for hatrackers. Cyruseh found us at some point as did Happy Camper but I can't remember exactly when, because I was on a massive adrenaline high and bouncing off the ceilings and being spacy in general. There were a lot of engineers, including ourselves in the audience.
OSC was on a roll giving some diatribes that we are all familiar with and others that were quite fresh. Unfortunately (but predictably) there was the one person who came in late and asked about the Ender's Game movie after OSC had talked about it for the first 10 minutes. One of the random bits of info I remember is that he is changing his movie company's name from Fresco Pictures, to Taleswapper.
We hung out to the bitter end of the signing to have pictures taken with OSC. Cyruseh has a collection of OSC short stories originally published in Analog magazines to make the rest of us present turn green. (Though Calvin Maker shouldn't feel overly threatened by his collection.)
However, there was an older gentlemen at the end that we invited to come to Hatrack. He said that if he signed on, he would use a screen name like "Book collector" so we knew who he was. He had ALL of us totally jealous. He came from Detroit and brought in two suitcases full of hardback first editions in mint condition for OSC to sign. (Calvin Maker should probably feel threatened by this collection, unless he sold his to this collector and has the $$ to show for it.) OSC signed all of them cheerfully and thanked the collector for keeping meals on his family's table.
HappyCamper and cyruseh's father get medals of distinction for saving the day from Celia's unconscious evil sabotage attempt. They remembered cameras while Celia's remained mysteriously in the motel room. Celia said she would give Happy Camper, Annie's soul, for saving the day. However Annie's soul was acquired through shady business deal so whether the transaction actualy takes place is another thing. Celia never shook hands on it, and whether said soul is actually in Celia's possesion remains questionable.
Happy Camper decided it was too late to head back to West Virginia from whence he came. (He got half the day off to drive to the signing by donating blood and taking the 4 hour leave allowed.) So he came and crashed at the motel 6 with us. Celia, he and I (the over-21 Jatraquero contingent) decided to make a liquor run to the nearby Krogers. I think they were both scandalized that along with the Southern Comfort I insisted on buying a quart of milk.
When back at the motel, I chugged my quart of milk while meltingsnowman informed me of a contest where if you could down a gallon of milk in an hour and make it another hour without puking, you could get a free snowboard. Unfortunately he didn't remember the address of the store. It is probably just as well, because a snowboard and I would likely meet a bad end together.
We all watched TV together, and HappyCamper Celia and I partook of a bit of booze. The young minds that Celia was attempting to corrupt did not prove terribly pliable to her evil wiles. Meltingsnoman and Celia shared from their extensive stores of knowledge on failed and sucessful pyrotechnic experiements, resulting in much all around hilarity. After my complaint that my mother didn't let me play with fireworks, they all ganged up on me and agreed that it was for the best considering I was still alive today. Celia and I also had a discussion on whether anyone can look sexy in flannel pajamas. We decided that it is impossible even if the flannel pajamas come from Victoria's secret. We also found out about Celia's fuzzy handcuffs.
We headed to our respective motel rooms for the night. I fell sound asleep and as far as I know Celia did not avail herself of her evilness to kick me (at least I don't have any bruises yet).
The most vivid memory I have of the next morning is walking out of the motel room and seeing all the boys sitting sprawled in various poses of concentration up against the motel wall reading OSC books. As far as I know there wasn't a picture taken but it would have made OSC proud. We bid adeiu to HappyCamper and then set off (after my requisite tour of the parking lot in my pregnant sea cow) to visit msquared.
AJ
Oh yes KACard is AWESOME!!!!!
[ November 30, 2003, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
melting snowman and I also checked two things off our lists of "things to do before we die" that day.
1) see OSC 2) run up a down escalator
AJ
[ November 23, 2003, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Wow that sounds like so much fun! I'm just sad that I wasn't there too! Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
quote:2) run up a down escalator
A mall security dude yelled at me for doing that once at Union Station in Indianapolis. That was fun.
Posted by cyruseh (Member # 1120) on :
3) See OSC, run up a down escalator
Thats what is on my list!
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Sounds like a blast. Great recap, AJ. (And for what it's worth, I'd gladly get back into the minivan with you.)
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
I guess it's a good thing I didn't realize what you had been planning with that escalator before you ran inside to go to it, because I would have felt obliged to tell you about the time I managed to get myself rather bloody doing exactly the same thing at Disney World when I was about 12. That's all I'll say about that.
I just really wanted to thank you guys for letting me crash with you, as my distinct lack of ability to firm up any plans would otherwise probably have had me sleeping in my car somewhere on US-52 (or maybe it's OH-52) in Southern Ohio.
Moving backward in time from this point, I've got to say this. Cincinatti has a serious overabundance of parking lots with only one very poorly placed exit, and I think AJ managed to all of them (hence the requisite tour of the B&N parking lot after the signing, that I managed to avoid).
So I'm glad I finally got a chance to meet some Jatraqueros, and put some faces with the names (does this make me a true Hatracker too?). And the highlight of my day happened as I was sitting in the bookstore an hour or so before the signing was to happen and having OSC walk over to me for the specific purpose of signing my books, as I guess he had shown up at the store at roughly the same time I had arrived the first time and seen me and was under the impression that I was the first person there. I don't really think it's true, but who am I to argue with OSC ?
So, once again, thanks everyone, I had a great time, and I'm so glad I got to meet all of you. I'll get those pictures to Celia as soon as I can get them uploaded to my computer.
-Mike
Oh, yes and KACard really is AWESOME!!!
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
I think the high point for me was having KACard call me evil.
blacwolve is, if possible, nicer in person. Her brother is also disgustingly nice. meltingsnowman is very cool and I hope I managed to talk him into Purdue.
I found Happy Camper, or, he found me, when I sat down next to another guy who loosly fit cyruseh's description and asked if he knew me. He was some poor innocent bystander named Eric, but Happy Camper overheard us and introduced himself. He's a terrrific guy.
I'm glad the real cyruseh turned up as, not only does he have a fabulous collection of Analogs he let me flip through, he's also an interesting and nice guy to chat with.
Sure, mention the fuzzy hand cuffs and leave out the part about the vacuum cleaners that made me squirt soda and soco through my nose. And I can't believe I'm getting the blame for attempted corruption from you! Poor innocent blacwolve is surely scarred for life after having to share a room with us two filthy-minded, lecherous, cackling hags.
Everything I had personalized was for other people, and, unfortunatly, one of the two things for my mother ended up "Carol" instead of "Coral". Oh well. She'll be so happy that I passed along her thank you's from the signing she went to last tour, she probably won't even notice.
I had a great time. OSC and KACard were both awsome in person and AJ's planning made the whole trip smooth, even if I did leave the camera charging in the hotel room.
Oh, and then left my denim jacket in AJ's car. That was really my brilliant plan for having an excuse to visit you some time. Yup, that's it. I'm not an idiot at all!
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
The vaccum cleaner conversation to the best of AJ's remembrance.
"Yeah people collect wierd things"
"My cousin collects vaccuum cleaners (mumble) 10"
"Ten vaccuum cleaners or ten years old?"
"He's ten years old. He's got 15 vaccuum cleaners."
"What does he DO with all of them?!"
"He vaccuums"
(You probably had to be there but at this point the SoCo went through Celia's nose)
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Oh yeah Happy, you've been a hatracker ever since you got a screen name, but now you are in the "Real" subcategory.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Celia, do you need me to mail it to you? We could drop the jacket off next Thursday or Friday on our way to Steve's dads in Ohio, if you aren't visiting relatives.
AJ
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Sounds like you guys had a blast!! I can't help but wonder if your "Bookcollector" friend is the same guy I met in Portland. Was he older and named Dave?? I remember him saying that he had a wicked collection and that he'd been to a gazillion signings and that he definitely wasn't from Portland.
Anyway, I'm glad you guys had fun!!! Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
he might have been. I'm bad at remembering names especially between mike, matt, mike and mark, it got interesting. I resorted to "hey you" mostly.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
we looked for weizoreck but never found him. If you were there, we are sorry we missed you.
AJ
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
You're forgetting, I met both of them and they are not the same person.
Hobbes Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
don't worry about it, i'll get it next time we're in chicago. i have other coats. Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I believe I have also graduated to the categories of hatrackers known as real.
I had an amazing time, I was worried before that it would be awkward, and no one would know what to say. That definately wasn't a problem. AJ is incredibly nice and managed to make everyone comfortable immediantly. Celia is also very nice, in an evil sort of way. AS is really everyone else. Hmmm, now that I think of it, everyone's very nice. I must say hatrackers are a superior breed of humans.
Kristine Card is every bit as nice as everyone has said she is and even more so. OSC was almost exactly like I thought he'd be from his writing.
Thanks so much AJ for arranging everything, and everyone else for making it a great time. Posted by snow (Member # 5804) on :
Yay! Im real too now!
Everybody else was really cool, and it was really nice to put some faces to some of the people that actually post on this crazy site. Running up the down escalator with OJ was priceless, as was watching celia cough her drink through her nose from laughing so hard, and countless other amusements.
Thanks much to BannaOJ for arranging such a trip ,to msquared for feeding all of us, and especially to OSC for giving us a reason for this crazy get together and making it completely worth it. -snow
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
snow are you the jatraquero formerly known as melting snowman, or are you blacwolve's brother? I'm confused. <grin>
AJ
Posted by snow (Member # 5804) on :
I was formerly meltingsnowman, I decided to change to a simpler name.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
quote: Celia and I also had a discussion on whether anyone can look sexy in flannel pajamas. We decided that it is impossible even if the flannel pajamas come from Victoria's secret.
It has always been my contention that womens is sexy despite their clothes, not because of them.
Unbutton the first two buttons on your jammies, let your hair down, and eetsa game time, baby!
[ November 23, 2003, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: Storm Saxon ]
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Sounds like you guys had a great time.
Wish I could have been there too.
**Ela**
Posted by cyruseh (Member # 1120) on :
Im working on getting those pictures sent out, but I have been kind of stalled. I will try to have them ready by tomorrow night sometime though.
I had a great time meeting everyone too, though I am not always a big conversationalist, I completely enjoyed hearing everyone else discuss OSC's works among other topics. Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Yeah, to jibe in with Stormy, while I don't think I've ever seen a real live woman in my bedroom wearing flannel PJs, nothing is a greater turn-on than women wearing my clothing. I'm sure the whole women-in-flannel thing would be great, too, if it were done with a man who regularly wears flannel.
But, yeah, it's a bit of a moot point. I mean, do people actually wear pajamas? Frisco's bunny slippers aside?
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Yeah. Why wear pajamas? I don't get it.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Well Celia and I both have nudist tendencies, but for the sake of young corruptible minds we decided to remain clothed.
We were actually discussing the particular variety of sorority girl (using it as a sterotype, so don't get your panties in a bunch) that goes to their collegiate classess with perfect makeup and hair that they clearly spent hours on but wearing a sweatshirt and flannel pants. I never understood the logic. I mean the amount of time required to pull on real clothing is negligible compared to the makeup and hair time.
AJ
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
I don't think I really have anything that would be described as a nudist tendency. Bill keeps the house too cold!
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Hey Celia, I've been searching desperatly for a link you posted a bit ago with those two charecters talking, both of whom look really werid. And then one who keeps saying "How cute" suddnely gets abducted into a freaky Japanese cartoon. Do you remember this link?
[EDIT: And while we're at it, does anyone remember the link to the claymation YMCA thing with the soldiers coming up out of the dirt?]
Hobbes
[ November 23, 2003, 10:45 PM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Have the snow flurries hit Lafayette yet? It was such a lovely day on Saturday at msquared's. I can't truly believe there were snow flurries as I drove to work this morning!
AJ
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
Flurries here in Dayton right now.
msquared
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
quote:But, yeah, it's a bit of a moot point. I mean, do people actually wear pajamas? Frisco's bunny slippers aside?
hatrack.ca wears pajamas!
(And, for the record, I am a fan of pajama pants, both on myself and other people. They are far more comfortable than other pants.)
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
yes, but can you actually look sexy in them?
AJ
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
Me? I don't know.
Other people? Yes.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
<-- ran up the down escalator of a subway station once. (Vienna on the DC Metro Orange line, for you enquiring* minds. Not the National Zoo or anything totally crazy like that.)
In reference to you Jatraquinos under 18, that's what I was blowing my brain cells on back then.
*edit spelling
[ November 24, 2003, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: pooka ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
But it is the person that is sexy to begin with. Can pajama pants actually enhance the sexiness?
(Now I'm having visions of wrinkly old people with varicose veins wearing pajama pants dancing in front of my eyes. But, in a case like that I suspect "Chef's pleasure sack" would be the better alternative.)
AJ
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
quote:Can pajama pants actually enhance the sexiness?
Yes.
They can also make me notice someone I wouldn't have otherwise (me being wrapped up in my own little daydreams and all).
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Sounds like you had a blast!! I'm so glad it was so much fun for you!!
*attempts to restrain sighs* *fails* Oh well, hopefully next time I can come too!!!
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Would you really have given up your activites on Sunday to go to the signing with us?
[ November 24, 2003, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: blacwolve ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
quote:we should have gone to Johnny Rocket's first because OSC was eating there.
Well! Now I know that OSC is a kindred spirit. I love eating at Johnny Rockets.
Of course so do all of you, so we're ALL one big kindred spirit!
Cool. Glad you all had fun!
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
I put Cyruseh's photo's up on my abulm so that Ralphie doesn't have to deal with it. Enjoy.
Hobbes Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
captions? Please? Just so I know who everyone is. Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Hmmm... maybe Cyruseh should do it, they're his pictures.
<--*Is feeling really lazy* If I get some energy I'll do it, otherwise, Y'all get to wait until someone else feels like spending energy.
Hobbes
[ November 25, 2003, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Please!
I mean, I recognize celia -- it's a defensive thing -- and mē and spouse, as well as AJ, were captioned.
But who is that guy with the goatee?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Group head squish shots:
Left to right bottom row: Happy Camper, Cyruseh, OSC, Celia600, BannaOJ
Top row: Matt (brother of blacwolve), meltingsnowman/snow, blackwolve, Hobbes
AJ
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Thanks AJ. You guys are a handsome bunch.
[ November 25, 2003, 12:11 AM: Message edited by: Narnia ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Must thank cyruseh. He is one of the few people ever to have succeeded in taking a decent picture of me. Normally I end up looking stoned!
AJ
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Nice photos!
I was going to add a comment to the one with the zoom lens, but the caption really says it all.
LOL
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Yes I thought so, though all of my captions were kind of spur of the moment things that one was too obvious to not put.
Hobbes
[ November 25, 2003, 12:40 AM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
God help me, I can't stop posting rude comments about Mark's inherent gangstaness!
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
Lalo
Now is if you had said geekiness, I would believe you.
msquared
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Oh, MAN.
Mark, damn, I think you made me damage major internal organs with those replies of yours. Heh HEH heh, jesus...
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Lalo, Weightlifter Bob is threatening to rearrange some of your remaining intact interal organs if you need any help. (see other thread)
AJ
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Heh. Aw, now, Bob, that's no way to start a relationship. And you were the one who started having fantasies of me as a woman, dude. I only fantasize about that when I'm wearing my "naughty" underwear.
But don't worry, it won't happen between us. Not because you and I weren't born for each other, it's just that if I were to go gay, I might not go for it with a dude who injects. I've heard some horror stories. I mean, why do you think Ahnuld carries around so many big guns as the Terminator?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
I added a couple of HappyCamper's pictures. Both of you are cracking me up!
Hobbes Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I can't tell Bob Eddie's latest quote even if he asks, he'd blow up!
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
After consultation with other Jatraqueras, Happy Camper has received several Hatrack hottie nominations.
I have assured them that he is as sweet and nice, as he is good looking. But, since I'm attached I didn't bother asking him if he was single. (Though I must admit I was tempted.)
AJ
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
-Mike
Posted by cyruseh (Member # 1120) on :
did i miss something, by not coming to the motel with you guys?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Lalo, the above are all what I would consider perfectly legitimate use of emoticons. I know you said that some were ok. What do you think of these examples?
AJ
(and cyruseh... you'll never know will you )
AJ
[ November 25, 2003, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Aw, now, you won't tell Bob? C'mon, failure to communicate is the number one cause of failed relationships! Don't you care about our love?
And yeah, heh, I don't mind emoticons when used in moderation. Adding a smile to the end of a post to signify a joke or laughter, it makes sense. What I have a problem with are morons who post nothing but emoticons. It really drags the forum down.
Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :
Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :
(Just kidding.)
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
I don't know Lalo. In my case anyway, the use of those emoticons delivered exactly the message I wanted to get across. And there's no easy way I could have said it better than those three little pictures.
Oh, and by the way, I think that post may have been the swift kick in the butt that my self-esteem so desperately needed. @ AJ
-Mike
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Oh my goodness Mike. If you are having low self esteem in my experience there's probably a girl involved somewhere. (The list of intelligent, extremely good-looking nice guys who dumped their girl problems on me is long indeed. Why they thought I could figure out how my own gender thinks, I'm not sure.) Ask her out. If she turns you down it is her loss.
Think about it, how many middle-aged male engineers do you know that are un-married? You have just graduated into one of the most desireable bachelor classes known. No, you don't want someone that's a money grubber. But most reasonable people (of either gender), once they actually evaluate what they want in life, would rather have a steady trustworthy reliable mate, with a steady income over someone who is swinging from the chandelier partying every night. You graduated with a Master's in Civil Engineering. If that doesn't prove you are steady trustworthy and reliable I don't know what does.
Engineers make some of the best husbands and fathers out there. When you look at parent run kids sports teams, often at least one assistant male coach will be an engineer. Their only fault is their tendency to be a bit strict at times and tell their kids that little choices can make a bridge fall and make them watch all of the taped footage of Galloping Gertie (I never did figure out if the dog got out of the car before it slid off the road) and that hotel balcony collapse. I should know, my father is a civil engineer too.
And, as far as looks go (in my humble opinion and I did graduate from an engineering school) you have an advantage over probably 85% of the engineers out there. Think about all the truly nerdy-geeky engineering profs you had and how many nerds and geeks there were in your classes. How many of your profs had pictures of a lovely wife and kids on their desks? Though Civil engineering does have a slightly lower percentage of true nerds than some of the other engineering disciplines, and Computer Science and Computer engineering have the highest, but I'd still put you in the top 30%. Even if you are blind, you have the sense not to wear 2cm thick glasses, but contacts and you don't have a pocket protector. You also have a reasonably decent sense of fashion, with a slight outdoorsy feel and a good physique that does not appear to have deteriorated from being hunched over books for hours on end.
The only area I could see that might be an issue on a date, would be the area of conversation, and that you can think out before hand. Girls talk more than guys anyway so you can just ask her a question or two about herself and get her rattling away and then put in a word or two as needed. When you had something to say it was always interesting, so don't ever be afraid to say something but my impression was that you are naturally quieter at least until you are completely comfortable. (And you are never going to be comfortable on a first date.) You probably should evaluate exactly what you need though in terms of conversation and a relationship, because that IMO makes all the difference. Do you need someone who is quiet too, or are you entertained (as you kind of seemed) to be with other people rattling on about crazy stuff, like Celia and I were doing?
One of my guy friends made up a list of qualities he liked in a girl. While he was a bit more anal-retentive than I would be (and he wasn't even an engineer he was an artist) writing out a list isn't a bad thing. It will give you a much better idea of the type of person you might be compatible list. The time to be selfish is before you are in a relationship and evaluating it from the outside. Once you are in one then there is no room for selfishness. In Anthony's case he managed to go down the list AND find a girl who was a brunette version of the Little Mermaid who he was infatuated with AND is the one of the two who has the reliable income. I'm still not sure how he did it, but he knew exactly what he was looking for because of the list.
In my experience (and I have six male engineers in my family including my grandfather and uncles)engineers often tend to go for more nurturing types like nurses, teachers and social workers. A very few end up with female engineers, but I know the percentage isn't nearly as high. I have found that only the male engineers who have a very concrete sense of their own self-worth, can handle the fact (in a relationship) that their prospective mate may have actually had more differential equations than they have. The advantage is that they can ask intelligent questions when you talk shop. The disadvantage is you might get stuck in a rut talking shop, and need to make sure there are enough outside interests on both sides to compensate.
(How the heck did I get myself started on this diatribe?)
Know this Mike, everyone in our Hatrack group that met you liked you, even if they were laughing at me for coming down with an instant crush on you. I did tell Steve about it and his reaction was pretty much amusement, because he trusts me and knows I came home to him. And there are other Jatraqueras, who even though they haven't met you, think you are pretty cute too!
AJ
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I saw your picture. You're adorable.
Posted by pwiscombe (Member # 181) on :
Pictures??? where are the pictures.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
WOW, I never thought that my previous post would garner a response like that, and I sure don't want to make this thread all about me, which it's in serious danger of doing. But that being said, I really should say something here to respond to an obviously very well thought out post. Guess I ought to begin by clarifying a bit. I suppose that in some way it does have to do with a girl, or girls in general anyway, but it's really not that simple. If it were, there would be much less issue for me (or so I can lead myself to believe). Without going into too much detail, I've fallen into the mother of all slumps, and I've gotten to the point where I don't even notice a lack of true companionship anymore. But like it or not, there's a part of me (and I would guess, most people), that every once in a while just needs to have someone tell me that I'm the best thing to come along since sliced bread. And lets face it, it's better when it comes from a girl who thinks your chest make a nice pillow.
And that's been lacking. But since the sense fades with time, I sort of learned to do without, then you (AJ) said what you did, and suddenly I figured out that there really is something that's been missing, and maybe I can help myself do something about it now.
... well that didn't quite come out like I thought it was going to, but it's true, and I'll stand by it. Please, please, please lets not make this thread about me. I absolutely abhor being the center of attention. Though I can't say it's unappreciated.
And kat .
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
First of all, after what you said, you have no idea how tempting it is to start a thread exclusively for you. However, I wasn't trying to embarrass you and I apologize if I did so. I have this bad habit of saying what I think when I should keep my mouth shut.
Secondly, grad school seems to put a lot of people in a slump. I freely admid couldn't hack it. I got so stressed and depressed (though part of the stress due to external factors) that I dropped out, within a year of finishing. I don't know how Celia does it. One of my best friends is getting a PhD in planetary science, after going through a nightmare of a professor she finally switched profs. She sent me an e-mail yesterday nearly in tears saying. "This is the first compliment I've gotten from a prof on anything I've done in three years." She has a backbone of steel that I never knew she had. I don't know that I could have stood it.
Thirdly, don't be afraid to use Hatrack to bounce ideas off of. If you don't want to do it under your current screen name, change it. There are a lot of minds here that are far more intelligent than my own and you might as well get them to help you out. You might not agree with them all the time, but they also might make you think of things they wouldn't have otherwise.
AJ
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Somehow I have a feeling that any thread devoted to me would die a quick and unremarkable death. I just haven't been around long enough or made enough posts. My next one is only going to be 100. Oh, and I don't really embarass easily, I'd just rather be a foundation block than a stained glass window, ya know?
All in all though, I truly appreciate what you've said. I really had no intention of derailing the thread like this... So how bout the guy with one shoe? That's what it was right, didn't see him personally?
-Mike
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I thought you saw him! He had one shoe on and one shoe off and may have been in boxerish shorts as he was rooting through stuff in the back of his car car as we pulled out of the parking lot for the booze run (if my memory isn't betraying me.) I know you were sitting in the back but you still should have been able to see him out of the side window. I don't think I made my usual complete tour of the parking lot that time so maybe you didn't get a good angle.
I remember Celia was evilly cackling that we'd left the poor helpless innocents alone to defend themselves against the one shoe guy!
AJ
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
AJ has been talking you up all week, HappyCamper. Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
Hey
Eddie said that I was the playa in the group, not some guy who didn't come up to Dayton to party.
msquared
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Whine, whine, complain, complain... it always has to be all about you doesn't it M^2?
Do you actually take Eddie seriously about anything?
AJ
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
Banna, Uh yeah.
I mean this whole site is about my blatant self exploitation. What other purpose could it have?
msquared
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I was being sarcastic and joking m^2. That was what the winking smilely meant. Would this one have been better? AJ
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
I know you were kidding. That is why I had smilies on my post.
I just got a kick of of Eddie making ME a playa. It helps boost a 40 y/o's ego a bit.
msquared
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I think that had a lot more to do with your hot blonde wife, who is also a gracious hostess. AJ
(Though you aren't a bad cook either. If the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach you've got half a chance)
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
And now my dirty mind is wondering what meaning Eddie could wrench from the fact you served us bratwurst...
AJ
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
I also give great back rubs.
msquared
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Nope, I missed the guy. I think I just figured you were talking about a guy who had been there earlier. Wish I'd gotten a look.
-Mike
*edit* - Hey, post 100, probably the closest I'll ever come to a landmark, because at this rate I'll reach 1000 in about 5 years.
[ November 27, 2003, 12:18 AM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Okay, Mark, how have you kept secret on your inner Funny this long? He's great! Heh, jesus, if I'm anywhere in the Midwest (or wherever the hell Ohio is) come June, I'll definitely stop by for some cap-bustin'.
And AJ, damn, that hurts.
What about my relationship with Bob? Do you at least take that seriously? Or do you know something I don't? Has he been cheating on me? Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Happy Thanksgiving!
Actually Lalo, both you and Bob have a thing for olive skinned women. I can't find any of your rants from Costa Rica (or was it Puerto Rica?) to prove you are straight to him
I had Steve read this thread, particularly my rant. His comment, after laughing at my Civil Engineering comments (since he's one too) and telling me that the dog on the bridge did die (which I didn't want to know), was, "Man AJ, he may have said he needed a swift kick, but you didn't have to hit him square in the nuts!" He then proceeded to tell me of two situations in his office of Civils straight from grad school who were going out on their first dates in three to four years.
So while the specifics may not apply to Happy directly, I sure as heck got the generalities right. I apologize for being too harsh though. I still can't figure up my own hangup in being attracted to civil engineers though!
AJ
(Oh and Lalo when you go on your bike trip you are stopping by Chicago right?)
AJ
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
*ahem*
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Well, AJ I'd say it's not a hangup it's just that we civil engineers are just so darned sexy .
Mike
[ November 27, 2003, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Well I was going to let this thread die a natural death. However I sent Hobbes' foobonic link to a non-hatracker friend and found out that certain comments had been made by Frisco that needed rebuttal.
So Frisco if you are reading this, go look at the foobonic comments again. I want to put the IM angelic smiley here but since that is one of the few missing from our wide selection. I guess will have to do.
AJ
PS Mike, Steve agrees with you!
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
Well played, AJ.
They were a little pale, but were in no need of supplemental lifting support.
Just a shame you took the picture down before everyone else got a chance to see them.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
for the specific purpose of signing my books, as I guess he had shown up at the store at roughly the same time I had arrived the first time and seen me and was under the impression that I was the first person there. I don't really think it's true, but who am I to argue with ![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
OSC ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
? ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Yup, that's it. I'm not an idiot at all!
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
*fails* Oh well, hopefully next time I can come too!!!
![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
Thanks AJ. You guys are a handsome bunch.![[Evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
![[Monkeys]](graemlins/monkeys.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
I just haven't been around long enough or made enough posts. My next one is only going to be 100. Oh, and I don't really embarass easily, I'd just rather be a foundation block than a stained glass window, ya know?![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
![[Taunt]](graemlins/taunt.gif)
![[Evil Laugh]](graemlins/evillaugh.gif)
will have to do.