The short version is we moved, things went pear-shaped in multiple ways, we lived out of a motel for a bit, then found an apartment and have been scrambling for employment and the like to pay utilities and rent.

The longer version is more of that, with added swearing.

Mylo - Emotion 98.6

I seem to have come across a lack of desire to be online as much as I used to, with a forced separation from the internet like I had.

I check email, read some web pages I always did, then log off and go play a video game or watch TV. I see no need to sit online and do nothing.

It’s odd, when I think about it. I wonder why I’m not even worse than before. I’m not, though.

The Smashing Pumpkins - The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning

I have a job now, same job I’ve been doing. I work with 3 mentally retarded men in their home. 40 hours a week, mostly on weekends.

I like the job, not so much on working 40 hours in 3 days, two of which are 16 hour shifts. It’s an easy job, as they go. I just dislike the lack of sleep I get for two days a week.

I never used to look forward to sleep so much, either. I think it’s because I’ve worried a lot lately.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Whitewash is Brainwash

With jobs come paychecks, and with those come…freedom, after the bills are paid. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything for myself, at least in that fun, frivolous way. It’s really been all about me, surviving.

Survival is NOT living. There is more to life than barely scraping by.

I want something fun. Some laughs, smiles, even just a bemused look or two for a bit.

I think I deserve it. I know I don’t have to sacrifice to be happy. Hard lesson, learned.

Tori Amos - Raspberry Swirl

And as for here? I think I can manage, though I might not always have something to say. I’m happy, and I’ll leave it at that.

Live - Iris

See you next week. Really.

Let`s talk for a moment about love, and risk…

Love is.

Rather than put the songs throughout the piece, I kept them at the end. They should speak for themselves.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals - Half A Block

Roger Clyne & The Refreshments - Don’t Wanna Know

Morphine - Radar

Jimmy Eat World - For Me This Is Heaven

Tweaker Ft. Robert Smith - Truth Is

See you next time.

Queen - I Want To Break Free

In about 2 weeks, I’m moving back to my hometown, Scranton, PA. Partially it’s because after everything that’s happened, there is nothing left for me in Pittsburgh, but mostly it’s because I need to get out of this shithole.

I’m going home. Where people are still stupid, but not nearly as bad as in Pittsburgh.

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come

It’s a bittersweet feeling, mixed with dread. I’ve already given my two weeks notice, started packing, and it occurs to me that this is the first time I’m moving because I want to.

First time I’m choosing where I’m going to live for a while. Parents, and later the ex, always chose before this. An odd feeling, to say the least.

Speaking of the job, this is one of very few I’m quitting on my own, on good terms. Generally I piss someone off and get fired, or I get fired because I know too much or have reported my boss to the state and health boards.

This too is odd.

The journey, though….it’s almost exciting.

Almost.

Moby - Dead City

By exciting I mean scary, because there is no one to blame should this be another in a long line of catastrophic fuckups.

Risk is nothing without some chance of reward. To be happy again with where I am, well, I’m willing to risk it.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Redemption Song

I need a new job. That’s priority number one.

Then I need to buy a new bed, and the assorted things a home needs to be a home, and not just an apartment. I’ll have help, and the consolation that I’m doing this my way, or at least mostly my way.

That helps a lot. My way.

David Usher - Final Thoughs & The Last Day On Earth

See you next time.

Oh, before I forget, those of you reading via Livejournal who may leave comments there…I do not see those. If you read something you wish to comment on, please comment directly to the site. Thanks.

Usually, when stress hits, I revert into something akin to an online hermit. I lurk, but rarely speak. IMs don’t get turned on, because frankly I would only bitch and whine about my problems, and those I would talk to have their own.

Murderdolls - Dawn of the Dead

This time, the stress is work-related. I love my job, but am very annoyed, no, pissed, at the people in charge.

My girlfriend works for this company as well, and recently they decided to switch her to another house because of one of the staff there (at the new house). That staff is being investigated for abuse.

Because of this switch, my girlfriend is not a happy camper. That’s actually an understatement, but I’m giving the abridged version here.

Jedi Mind Tricks - Razorblade Salvation

Whatever makes my girlfriend unhappy pisses me off by default. I’m not sure what that actually says about me, but I am very protective of those I care about, so I’m sure there is a positive there somewhere.

Rancid Ft. Dicky Barrett - Cash, Culture, and Violence

Aside from that, my days are spent working, trying to relax, trying to see my daughter, and trying to figure out the logistics for an upcoming move.

I wish relaxing happened more often, but it’ll come. Good things will come. I know this.

Nine Inch Nails - March of the Pigs

I’m tired. I need a vacation. Can’t afford one, but that’s also another story.

Social Distortion - Don’t Drag Me Down

See you next time.

I should say that it’s nowhere near the list of songs that might be found over at Copy, Right?, but I’d like to think I hold my own in the “What the fuck? Who’s singing that? They fucking ruined it/That’s awesome!” area of cover song goodness.

I seem to do covers-themed posts whenever I lack better ideas or coherent themes. It’s probably for the best.

My American Heart - California Love (Tupac Shakur & Dr. Dre cover)

I got this one handed to be by someone who went to the recent Warped tour. I nearly hit a tree because I first listened to it while driving, and could not stop laughing.

Those boys are probably going to offend a lot of rap purists. Worse than Nina Gordon’s N.W.A cover. (Which, I’m surprised I haven’t posted here since I’ve been on Wordpress. Maybe next week.)

Arab Strap - You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC cover)

Another EP that made me laugh, this one was actually one of two covers I was thinking of posting. To my knowledge, the badly cut off ending is actually on the CD, not the file. I don’t know. I no longer seem to have the CD.

Come to think of it, I don’t remember owning the CD. So maybe the ending is just the file. I’ll figure it out eventually.

Ben Kweller - Today (Smashing Pumpkins cover)

Another recent EP, this one from Helio and MySpace. Say what you want about MySpace, but they’ve made superstars out of people record companies would have never touched.

Now if it would only work for me…. Hrm.

Getting back to the song, I like this one. “Today” was always one of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs, even being played at my wedding. I won’t hold that against the song, though.

Easy Star All Stars - Brain Damage (Pink Floyd cover)

I was recently asked about reggae versions of Pink Floyd, and this album has been on rotation in my iPod for a while. Too good not to share. Seriously. That this is one of my favorite Floyd songs is just a bonus.

Sneaker Pimps - Firestarter (Prodigy cover)

This one is a mystery. It was never officially released on CD, just vinyl, and it took a bit of google time to actually confirm that it was indeed the Sneaker Pimps. It sounds like Kelli Dayton (Now Kelli Ali) did the vocals, but I can’t be completely sure of that. It’s amusing though, and so I share.

There is a Silverchair version of this song as well, maybe next week. Ask nicely.

Until we meet again…..

M.I.A. - 20 Dollar

After listening to M.I.A.’s new album,I think I like it almost as much as the first. Almost.20 Dollar amuses me. Bassline from Orgy’s cover of Blue Monday, chorus lyrics from the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind”, baile funk and glitchy beats…..good road music. The rest of the album needs another listen, but this was the standout track. I’ll end up buying it when it comes out officially, if I can find it.

This area is NOT a very good place to find odd music.

Jonathon Coulton - Re: Your Brains

It’s not every day you hear a song written from a Zombie’s point of view. The fact that it’s good is quite a bonus.

I like zombies. Zombie movies, games, art, toys, you name it, I like it. Which is why the recent second remake of “Night of the Living Dead” is such a sad thing. It was funnier than scary, in that unintentional way.

Zombies should not ever be capable of sending text messages. Period. Someone tell the people who made “Night of the Living Dead 3D” to stop raping classic movies, knthx….

Poison - SexyBack

Speaking of rape….

I didn’t have much respect for Bret Michaels before Rock of Love. After Nashville Star, and those really horrid attempts at hiding his baldness (Seriously, it’s not working), now we get to see him drool over the white trash version of Flavor of Love’s baby mommas…..

He’s got no shred of credibility left. Thank Pong (Elder God of Cyberspace) that C.C. DeVille isn’t involved. Him I still respect.

Meat Loaf - Black Betty

Why?

Seriously, why?

It’s not bad, but……why???

Violent J - Yellow Brick Alleyway

And I leave you with this. This track is from the solo effort from one half of the Insane Clown Posse. The entire album is a retelling of sorts of the story of the Wizard of Oz.

Why?

Fuck if I know. See you next week.

That’s not entirely true, it’s also that in summer I tend to do more, and have more shit dumped on me. So the frivolous things tend to fall by the wayside, like here, and the sister blog, and a few net games.

In favor of real life, or as real as mine is.

Faith No More - We Care A Lot

Yes, that’s the song from the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs”. It’s been playing on my iPod a lot lately. The Transformers reference makes me smile.

I’m not attempting to blame anyone for my summer doldrums, nor give excuses on why I don’t update as frequently. Summer tends to be harder for me. That’s it.

Where I live, currently in Southestern PA, we get heat and humidity, and air conditioning can only do so much.

Plus, I’m not a small person, so sweat happens. I’m just glad I don’t smoke. It’s hard enough to breathe some days.

Bob Mould - First Drag Of The Day

There are a lot of things that I think about, when it’s too hot to move and ambition runs very low. I think of my past, the marriage and ultimate demise thereof. I think of back in high school, and how much easier it was.

I think about my current job, and how I like it, but can really do without one particular client.

I think about my girlfriend, and know that she’s keeping me from visiting the aforementioned ex-wife with a shotgun. (I brood on what my ex-wife is doing regarding my daughter. I get angry, and then my girlfriend tries to help me calm down. She’s good at that.)

Moby - Love Hole

No, that’s not a sex joke. It’s just another song I’ve been listening to a lot. Non-album track from the “Come On Baby” EP.

I seem to be repeating a lot of things from past entries. Hrm. Time to end with a final two songs for this entry then.

Oingo Boingo - Who Do You Want To Be?

The White Stripes - You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)

See you eventually….

I’ve been slowly resuming my forays into the used CD stores, thanks to a bit of overtime and a few bills paid off. It’s an odd feeling to be able to go look after one’s ex-wife rapes him via child support.

No, I’m not still bitter, not at all.

At any rate, I went looking in one of my favorite used CD stores, and found a small gold mine in oddities, not to mention cover songs that really made me blink a few times.

Huey Lewis & The News - Stagger Lee (Traditional, but Lloyd Price is generally credited)

You know, I’m way too used to the Nick Cave version. This, however, amused the fuck out of me on the ride home from work last night. Can’t hope for much better.

Speaking of amusing covers, I’m not even going to comment on this one.

Reel Big Fish - Another Day In Paradise (Phil Collins cover)

Sometimes, there are artists, no, legends of a genre who can take any song and make it theirs. I always thought Aretha Franklin could do no wrong.

I was wrong.

Aretha Franklin - Eleanor Rigby (Beatles cover)

Let’s also not forget those bands trying to use a cover song as a hot single, but nobody cares about them enough anymore.

Sugar Ray - Is She Really Going Out With Him? (Joe Jackson cover)

I’m sorry, sort of, that I’m not typing much. I’m cranky, it’s really hot, and Oblivion is calling.

So, I’ll stop and let you have the best one for last. Don’t ask me why they thought this would work.

Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby - Superfreak (Rick James cover)

See you next week, I hope.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately, when I have downtime at work. I’ve decided I need a change. I’m already planning to move back to the other side of the state as soon as certain conditions are met, and I’ll be getting a new job. I hope that that will be enough of a change, but I’m not certain. I know I want to continue in the field I’m in. I like my job, I’m just not fond of one of my clients.

Alabama 3 - Mao Tse Tung Said

I’m going to repeat an artist this week. Mostly due to the fact that while on random in my iPod, these two songs slid beautifully into each other. I’ve been listening a lot to Busdriver lately.

Busdriver - Happiness(’s Unit Of Measurement)

Going back to needing a change, I feel that I have grown since the shitstorm that was my divorce happened. (I also feel that my ex-wife has turned into a petulant child, using my daughter as a weapon, but that’s a story for another entry). I’m no longer as childish. I have wants, needs, and a desire to fill them.

I also have some days where I’m moody as all hell. This happens when I think a lot, as well.

Cold - Confession

I’m enjoying my time off. I’ve played a lot of Oblivion (Xbox 360). It’s mainly the reason I didn’t update yesterday, as planned. Just started a new character, based more on the skills I tend to use often.

It relieves stress, and I sorely need that. I need less stress, less worry, and more fun.

Nirvana - Lithium

I’ve been thinking about when I move back…home, for lack of a better term. I burned quite a few bridges with people I loosely considered friends, and while I’m certain the old drug scene no longer exists, I’m not sure if I want to risk it.

Even I like being mostly sober, I wouldn’t mind a bit of err, smoke, here or there, though. I just can’t afford to do what I used to do, drug-wise. I want to relax, only. Alcohol does not help me relax, it just amplifies whatever mood I’m in.

I don’t mind being a happy drunk, but a sad drunk annoys the fuck out of me.

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Jack Vs. Jose

I’m going to update again on either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Fridays are becoming too hectic with work lately. See you then.

Oh, and before I forget, I’ll have a new email for this site up shortly. In the meantime, comment if you like.