Master

It's official. As of today, I have been accepted into the MAT program for teaching English. No longer will I be taking courses as a non-matriculated student at Stony Brook. Instead, I am officially in the Master's program and will be taking courses toward my degree. You have no idea how excited I am about this. After all the headaches that I have endured over the past few months, I am now on my way toward becoming an English Teacher. Hooray!!! Ok, I'm off to celebrate with Magdalene.

Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
Owen - Nobody's Nothing

Time

Time seems to be flying by so quickly. It's amazing how quickly the days and weeks pass. I keep this blog as a way of holding onto the moments and the memories, but I have been so lazy about updating on a regular basis. Work has kept me busy for the past week or so, what with back-to-school kicking into gear. All the running around has left me exhausted for the past few days. It was so busy Saturday that I felt my vision blurring from exhaustion. I was in serious need of a cup of coffee, but couldn't leave the store. When I finally had the chance, I bought a "dead eye" (a coffee w/ 3 shots of espresso). I opted for the iced version. Talk about an intense drink. Despite the high dose of caffeine, I still didn't have the energy to even watch a movie after work. I attempted to nap for an hour at midnight, thinking I would then have the energy to watch A History of Violence, which I rented two weeks ago. This didn't work. I'll try to watch it sometime this week. Classes start next week, so I'll soon be busy with homework.

Speaking of classes, after months of trying to track down the department head for the MAT in English, I finally spoke with him... indirectly, that is. He came back from his extended vacation on the 15th, but hasn't been available during his office hours. So I gave up trying to speak directly with him and sent an email. In his response, he informed me that despite the problems I've had with trying to obtain the 3rd letter of recommendation, I may be able to matriculate into the program this Fall. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Life has been fantastic lately. Issues at school may be working out, I'm in an amazing relationship with a girl I'm completely in love with, I have a lot more space at my house now that my brother moved into his new house, and even work has been better. I'm seeing Owen next week at Knitting Factory, and I have tickets to a few more shows coming up (The Long Winters @ Bowery, Cursive @ Webster Hall, and Minus the Bear @ Irving Plaza). Now if I get a call from Sean saying that his computer is functioning again and he will be getting back to recording guitars, things will be perfect. Well, that and if I get approved to matriculate this Fall.

We played a show recently in Bushwick. It was a lot of fun. Mainly because I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while, and I got to be a part of a send-off party for a great friend who is going to teach in Beirut for the next 2 years. Personally, I think he is crazy, but I'd never try to keep him from what he wants to do. I just hope he comes home safe.

Ok, I'm off to run some errands and get a haircut. Later.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
Owen - Use Your Words

So...

Where to begin? Hmmm... Well, I guess I'll write whatever springs to mind. Must everything be chronological?

We didn't see Jeremy Enigk last week, but the night turned out to be a lot of fun regardless. I like to think of it in relation to when I almost saw Chamberlain when I was 20-yrs-old. Chamberlain was playing at Brownies (I miss that venue) during that years CMJ fest, and I went to The Continental to see 6 Going On 7 and some other bands with Owen and Billy Gargulo. We walked to Brownies after the show only to find out that it was a 21+ show. My underage status kept us out. So we stood outside for a while and, at least, got to hear them play Magnetic 62nd. In its own special way, hearing the muffled sound of that song through the walls of Brownies was better than seeing the show. At least that's how I like to remember it. As for this past Friday, I picked Magdalene up from work around 4:30pm, then we stopped by the Roosevelt Field mall and did some shopping. Then we went by her apartment so she could get ready. When we got to Bowery and found out the show wasn't starting until 11pm, with Jeremy Enigk going on at midnight, we decided we shouldn't stick around. We had to be up at 5:30am the next morning, which wouldn't have left time for sleep. Especially for Magdalene who was "on call" the next day, so she had to work from Saturday morning until Sunday morning. We decided to go in for a drink, and to hang out for a bit before heading home. I tried tequila for the first time, and it was quite tasty. Then we bumped into Tommy Orza and Meg and shot the crap with them for an hour. Always a good time. Prior to going in to the venue, we bumped into Brian Ward, who walked up the block with us when we went for pizza. He told us how he bumped into Jeremy Enigk in Starbucks a few minutes before and shared an awkward moment with him:

Brian: (to Jeremy) "I'm really looking forward to the show."
Jeremy: "Sweet."
(awkward pause)
Brian: "Ok, I'm going to get some Starbucks."

I believe it went something like that. Anywho, so we didn't see the show, but it was one of those nights that turned out to be a fun adventure that will always be remembered. It's not always about what you do, as it is about who you do things with. At least that's how I like to see it.

I finally have my car back from the shop. It only cost me $2,400. Ugh! At least it works. That's what's important. I got it back Thursday morning, then Magdalene and I tested it by taking it out to Briermere farms in Riverhead for muffins, then Greenport, where we walked around for a while, then had coffee and gelato. Yes, it was a very healthy day. heh heh. Originally we planned to go to the beach, but we got a late start, having been out late the night before hanging out with her friend who was visiting from Japan, and getting my car. Plus, the weather was leaning toward the cloudy/rainy side. We may go tomorrow though. I haven't been to the beach in a long time. In fact, I only recently bought a pair of board shorts. It's weird, I used to go all the time in junior high & high school when I was attempting to improve my poor surfing skills. Now I never go. Let's hope the weather holds for tomorrow.

What else?

I bought a few more shirts from Threadless tonight. One new design, one reprint, and one I had never seen, but they apparently had one left. All were $10. They are having a Back-to-School sale. Speaking of BTS (as Bryan has been saying), it has begun at work, so we have been quite busy. The money will be nice, now that I have a bigger credit card bill due to the car repairs. But I'm not looking forward to being exhausted all the time.

I'm signed up for two classes this semester. Both are education courses. I'm still unsure of the status of my MAT application, though I tried again today to hunt down the department director, but at least the credits from these courses will still count toward my degree. I'm going to email the department director to set up an appointment to speak with him. Perhaps this will help. Cross your fingers.

On the WEIH front, Sean informed me on Monday that his computer should be up and running soon, so we'll be able to get back to recording. Most importantly, what we have recorded thus far has not been lost. This makes me happy.

Ok, I've probably damaged your eyes with the length of this blog, so I'll stop before I cause permanent blindness.

Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
American Football - Letters and Packages

Some observations

1) The people who complain about the price of an item the most, making great attempts to haggle for a lower price, are often carrying the largest billfold.

ex) A guy kept annoying me about the price of camo Clarks Wallabees, trying to convince me to drop the price from $109.99. Eventually i got so annoyed I said, "You can keep asking me all you want, but you're wasting your time. The price isn't going to change." Then at the register he pulls out several hundred in $100's, $50's, and $20's. Yet he continues to say, "You're killing me, man." In the back of my mind I was thinking, "No, but I'm feeling the urge to kill you." heh heh.

2) Most people don't pay attention when you explain a simple concept, hence the concept becomes way to complex for their feeble brains.

ex) A girl I helped on Monday comes back with her mom and dad and tries on the same shoes again. She was wearing a size 8 in the same model in brown, but wanted the pink & white version. I had a 7 1/2 & 8 1/2. Neither fit when she tried them originally, and I explained that I could no longer order the style because it was consolidated, meaning it was under the same stock number as other styles. As a result, the style would register as unavailable if I attempt to place an order because the system won't know which style under that new stock number is being requested. Also, no other store nearby had the style in a size 8, since I have recently called around for that particular size. When I told the mother I could not order them, she said, "My daughter was in on Monday and they said it could be ordered." My response: "Ma'am, I helped your daughter on Monday and explained to her that it could NOT be ordered." Then I explained why. Her response: "That doesn't make any sense. I don't understand why it can't be ordered." I attempted to explain again, and she repeated, "This doesn't make any sense." I finally said, "It's an old style. It just can't be ordered. I'm sorry." Ugh! Some people are idiots.

ex 2) All too often when someone comes in to try a shoe and I don't have their size in stock, I offer to bring out the same shoe in a different color so they can try it on for size, then I can order the color they want. Here's a scenario: The customer wants to try on their size in a black shoe. I explain I am out of their size in black, but can bring out their size in brown to see how it feels. If they like the size and want the shoe, I can order it in black and have it shipped to them. Usually, I hear, "Nah, I don't want it in brown." So I have to reiterate my statement and emphasize that I can order the color they want. I'd only bring out the brown pair to check for the correct size. Sometimes they get it, other times I have to continuously repeat myself. Other times, I offer to order the shoe and ship it to them and the customer says, "No thanks. I don't live around here." So, of course, I explain AGAIN that I will ship the shoes to their house. Again, sometimes they get it, other times I have to continuously repeat myself. But in all cases, I stand dumbfounded, shaking my head, and feeling my brain cells slowly commit suicide.

3) I am not a good shopper because I can never find what I want and I can never decide if I like something.

ex) Ok, that one is self explanatory.

4) Spiders are creepy, little bastards.

ex) No examples. Fuck spiders!!!

I guess that's it. I really didn't have a lot of observations, mainly dumb customers. This rant is now over. Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
Jeremy Enigk - Been There Before

Defects (an update)

So, I won't be getting my car back until tomorrow. As it turns out, the brand new solenoids my mechanic got directly from Saturn and installed were defective. So, he is getting them from a different Saturn and my car, supposedly, will definitely be ready tomorrow. Ugh! This is the longest I have ever been without my car. Well, let's hope it works perfectly when I get it back.

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday!

-Sergei xo

Carless

I haven't had a car since Monday of last week. My mechanic told me on Tuesday that he would be finishing my car Wednesday. So, I called on Wednesday, just before 1:30pm, to see when he thought the repairs would be completed. He said he planned on finishing that day, but did not have an exact time. Picking it up first thing in the morning today seemed like a better option. The shop opens at 8am, and Joe, my mechanic, told me to call in the morning before I come down. After getting up at 7:15, showering, and getting ready for work, which is where I should be right now, I called only to get more bad news. Apparently, a shift solenoid (yeah, I don't know what it is either) that he put in wasn't working correctly, so he had to replace it. It will be another few hours. Ugh! As a result, I had to call my manager, Frank, who now has to work open to close, since I can't come in tonight. I'll make it up to him. There will be a bottle of bourbon in his future. I wish I had called before I showered, I would have waited and gone running. I still went running, since now I don't have work, but I had to shower again.

Speaking of running, I have the strangest habit of choosing incredibly hot times to run. Yesterday i went at 11:30am, when the heat was already over 90 degrees. Today I went just after 10am. I think it had just reached 90 degrees. It's now 93 degrees. Crazy! It was so hot yesterday that I took my shirt off after two blocks. I feel bad for anyone who passed me. I'm so pasty that they were probably blinded. Drivers with daytime running lights probably caught a nasty glare off my pale skin. Sorry, Oakdale residents and passers-by. It was just too hot. Well, maybe I'll get a tan. I can surely use it. I did get some color. In fact, I ran shirtless again today. Luckily, I passed fewer people. I think everyone is starting to hide indoors until they know it is safe. Who likes being blinded by pale-skinned runners? Nobody.

Tonight is Christian's 30th B-Day dinner. I'm quite excited, since I haven't seen Christian and some of the hilo crew since the most recent Bouncing Souls video shoot. Some crew members I haven't seen in months and others I haven't seen in over a year. Also, Magdalene will be meeting Christian, as well as the rest of the crew, for the first time. She'll finally have a face to put to the stories. Today will be perfect if I get my car back soon. Cross your fingers.

In recording news, Sean's Mac has decided to, as he put it, "blow up," so things are on hold. My greatest fear is that somehow we lost the recording. Sean doesn't believe it is lost, but he doesn't want to say for sure until he knows something. Again, cross your fingers.

Ok, I'm off to slack on the internet until my car is finished. Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
matt pond PA - Kc