The last day of summer. I can't believe its here. As the holidays loom in the distance I can't help but wonder how quickly another year will slip away from us. I'm looking forward to the snow of course but I can't help but think that another summer came and went. Somehow it seemed to last longer in high school and college. In any case today is a good day. Its Friday, payday and the doorstep to a three day weekend. What more could you ask for? Not much, I say.

Karen and I are enjoying having Lois living closer to us. I think this marks more visits together for us than all of last year. I think its great and I hope its a trend that the rest of the family will follow. We get the added benefit of not having to drive far but that's just the icing on the cake.

As I look towards the holiday weekend I can't help but wonder how I'm going to fit in all our plans over the next 3 days. In any case Karen and I are enjoying the 3rd season of the Sopranos, Bloodwake and Amped and I think I might be able to finally teach her how to burn her own music CDs. Now that she has a CD player in the car its become more of a priority for her.

And last but not least (everyone seems to be making comments about it), my two cents worth on the MTV VMAs. I tend to agree with most comments, its become more of a thinly veiled attempt at catching ratings. I mean really, what is an award coming from MTV really worth anyway? They certainly aren't a yardstick I'd want measuring my musical talent. In any case the highlights included Michael Jackson (worthless as usual), Moby and Eminem (predictable and lame), and Guns and Roses (aren't they dead yet?). Fallon was bearable but I can't help missing the awards from the days of yore... Remember when MTV actually played videos?

Smarty Pants. I scored 124 and my friend Dennis scored 131... How smart are you? Find out here.

Consciousness is the annoying thing between naps.

You'll have to catch me first. I know it looms in the horizon but I can't help but think that it will impossible to catch the millions of us that trade music on-line "illegally". For those of you who enjoy Kazaa and its other siblings here's an FYI.

Oh the Irony - Its a sad realization to find out you're worth more dead than alive. For some of us it could mean seven figure incomes. This article confirms that as a society we have some issues to address. Elvis has left the building people...

Feeling Blue? Or maybe you're feeling yellow or red. Find out how color reflects and influences your mood. This Color Test should keep you busy for about 20 minutes. Now what to do with the rest of your day..?

You're kidding, right? How long did it take those marketing genuises to make this decision? Even when we didn't have DVD, BetaMax was considered the bastard child of the medium... Some things look better on paper, I guess.

Appreciate . Leland Photography

Appreciate . Wreckage

Parenting 101. If you have a child that actually plays games like GTA 3 then you should really examine your parenting skills. No really, I won't water down the comment to make you feel better about yourself; As a parent - you suck, big time. And if you don't know why, you've got bigger problems. This is my two cents worth to you and there's more money in the bank where this came from.

Random Link . Kartoo

I was a teenage rebel. At least I thought I was. When I was that young I was sure that all of my original ideas and the way I viewed the world were unique insights. Come to find out that most of my angst and gusto was just my body reacting to chemical changes. The Learning Channel's expose on the "Teen Species" was an eye-opening commentary on how this otherwise chaotic time period in our life works. I'm not saying that this will give my kids the leverage they think they deserve but at least I will understand the process a little better. In either case we're not looking forward to surges of testosterone, unfinished brain development and lack of REM sleep... Sigh. I'm tired already.

If you've got 'em or are going to get 'em I highly suggest you watch the show or order the Video/DVD. If you've "been there" and "done that" you can at least feel better about your skill set. Its a wonderment that we made it out of adolescence alive...

Random Link . Slick Deals

Lotto pool makes 3. Why do I continue to contribute to a seeminly worthless effort? Even a somewhat level-headed person should realize that the odds are unbeatable. Of course at the underbelly of common sense lies that great fear of being the one left holding the bag as your co-workers march triumphantly towards a better life. So who do I give my $5 to?

Experience . Dreamcatcher

Experience . DareDevil

DVD bits. Well, what do I see on the horizon..?

· The Sopranos - 3rd Season (Its about time)
· Queen of the Damned (I'll bite)
· Blade II (Definitely buying)

Looks like I'm Best Buy bound next Tuesday. All of you movie hounds out there, take note. I know, its sad when the highlight of your week is "new movie release Tuesday", but hey - its the small pleasures in life that bring the greatest satisfaction. "And you can take that to the bank."

Curiosity kills this cat. My anonymous friend isn't that anonymous. You can get a clearer idea of who he is here: Jupiter Room

Very interesting. It seems that I have been linked to and I am awash with different emotions. In any case I guess this is what makes the whole project rewarding. Does anyone really pay attention to my drivel? I think at some point I made someone laugh, smile or feel some anger... Well, just to be fair, even though I haven't finished up adding a section of "daily reads" (I do have some favorites myself), I will plug my anonymous friend here: Pyramaniac.

With that said I'd also like to notify my gallery of lurkers that I have made contact with another Suclla. Once Google got of their ass there's been a little more traffic. And now its served as a conduit to finding family in the static that we call "cyberspace".

Full speed ahead, the road opens up before us and beckons with mystery, magic and stories yet to unfold...

I am Jack's seething envy - Doth my countenance cast an emerald pallor?

Random Link . Dog Toys

Random Picture . Created by Michael Parkes

BTW - Did I mention that Kelvin got a BMW 325Ci? After all the hoopla and work that is "buying a new car", Kelvin opted for the 3 series over the Z3 roadster. Considering he's had the honda for 12 years, I think it was long overdue. I welcome you Kelvin into the world of $45 oil changes and the inconvenience of never finding anything at the PepBoys for your new car. This of course may be offset by the "Ultimate Driving Machine" qualities that are inherent in all Bavarian Motor Werks creations.

Life mimics art. Sometimes this is not a good thing. Decide for yourself.

Random Link . Pirated Sites

Random Link . Gizmodo

Unbelievable. I thought I'd seen everything... Just when you think the idea may be too corny someone goes and proves you wrong. If this girl actually makes this thing work you can look forward to givejeffchange.com.

What do you think? Infiniti G35 Coupe or BMW 330Ci? Let me know...

Random Link . Purportal

Is it Monday again? How can the weekends be so short? I guess that's a better question... Not much to tell but I do have some catching up to do and some random thoughts.

My dad, mom, sister and niece are back from their respective trips. They all had a great time and Britanny proved to be the "super tourist". Everyone was impressed by her stamina and her great attitude in spite of the many inconveniences of traveling abroad. I'm glad they're home and we enjoyed listening to their various stories yesterday at Kevin's (my nephew) birthday party.

Our friends Dennis and Shari, on the other hand don't have such good news. It appears that the Elan may be a "write-off". Too bad too. There are rumours that Dennis will be trying to get a replacement Elan so I wish him the best of luck. Maybe he'll be able to find one better than the one he just lost. I'll keep you posted.

I took an early lunch today so I could be a witness to our friend's marriage ceremony. No fanfare needed here. Keoni and Kymmie are now officially Mr and Mrs. Ho. It was a great ceremony with a lot of family and friends in attendance. I think the courthouse was surprised at the turnout. I thought it was rather appropriate. In either case I look forward to watching our kids grow up together. They're a great couple with a bright future ahead of them.

What else do I know? Work is going well. With the exception of the Klez virus we seem to be doing okay. The virus is more a nuisance than anything else but we're hoping to have it "contained" some time soon.

My Limalama training is going well. I managed to add 4 more bruises to my ever growing collection... Did you know you can rupture blood vessels with an open handed slap? Well, you can. I have my arm to prove it too. Maybe I'll take some pictures of the damage. Its got some peculiar Rorscach qualities to it. This Wednesday night we're having a "guest teacher" at the dojo. We will be hosting the infamous "Fili" (my teacher's brother-in-law). The rumours are that he will be teaching some sparring, "slow hand" techniques and offensive initiation techniques. It should prove interesting. Hopefully I'll have the camera that night to record the techniques for posterity.

Well, back to the grind - maybe I'll remember to take my Saporro home tonight...

I'm sleepy and tired. I'm also spending the final hours of this fine Friday in a training class. The only good thing about today is that Mish remembered to bring in the last of my Saporros - now I just want the end of the day to arrive.

Well, Ho Dee Do. I finally made it into the DMOZ. Of course this progress wasn't made until I registered the site under different categories in the directory. I just figured if one category wasn't working I'd try another. Go figure... Now, if I could just get the meta tags to work right.

Random Link . MakeShift

Random Link . cMart Design

Random Link . Art by Feng

No news is good news. This unfortunate tidbit came to my attention when my friend Dennis called me last night. He and his wife were in an auto accident while driving their Lotus Elan. I was glad to hear that they were doing well (in the end, this is the important part for me) but you can't help but turn your attention to the issue of the poor Elan. For me this has special interest because I'm the previous owner and I enjoyed her company for about 2 1/2 years. I was happy to sell it to Dennis and I have loved the fact that he has enjoyed more than me. Its unfortuante that it may see its own demise in the eyes of his insurance carrier... For now we'll have to see what happens.

Not to be morbid, but its part of life - here are some of the pictures. If its not available when you click on the link just give it time and the system will reset itself within the hour.

Anna Nicole - I couldn't sum it up any better than this:

I'll admit it - I watched the premiere of The Anna Nicole Show last night. If I liked to lie, I would brush it off as a "well there wasn't anything else on," but the truth is, I wanted to see it.

The show is basically a rip of MTV's Osbournes but with Anna Nicole Smith, that blonde Guess jeans girl who married a 100 year-old prune and made off with millions of his estate, and her merry crew of assistants. Cameras follow Smith around as she eats, giggles, cries, rolls on the floor, and slurs her speech every time she opens her mouth. And it was the latter part that turned an otherwise funny show into a disturbing one.

Contrary to Ozzy, who is sober and irreversably absent minded (hilariously so) after decades of substance abuse, Smith seems dangerously stoned out of her mind - right now. Not just stoned, but mentally unbalanced to the point where her antics aren't funny at all - they're sad; as sad as watching a bloated, pill popping Elvis in the late seventies, sweating like a pig in his rhinestone suits, face tired and withdrawn. And like Elvis, everyone around Smith just laughs, rolls their eyes, and escorts (and at times carries) Anna anywhere she wants to go. Everywhere, of course, except a place to get the woman some help.

Off Topic . Dragon Fly

1

I am.
Cold discomfort.
Drumming silence...

The darkness replaced by light, to be replaced by color glowing, seething, melting from one strange shape to another. I am brought forth in anger and fear. I have no choice. I adapt. I wait...

I sleep, wake and eat. The world changes all around me and I continue to adapt. Memories from my early childhood blend into one another. Time passes and I am left unblemished in its wake. I am safe and happy. Sometimes it feels like time stands unchanged. Is there more to experience? Is there anything outside of my mother and the others that surround me from day to day?

I begin to utter sound from my mouth and it pleases me. I learn the value of making myself heard but realize that sometimes silence has greater rewards.

I have spent two years in this strange world. I know my mother. The comfort of her touch, her warmth. I know of no other, I need no other. My mother serves as both my security and my freedom. I am her daughter, we are family.

2

The trees reach far above us. Beyond the tops of their ever present branches I can see the ocassional bird. The canopy above us changes in color and mood. There is rain and there is heat.

I stop to listen, my mother is near me - watching, listening. The jungle calls out all around us. Sometimes serving as a lullaby sometimes a caucophany of voices. Today there is a new voice. It is a quiet voice, thinly veiled in the rustle of the trees.

In my silence I feel my heart, each pulse growing until I can feel my own heartbeat in my ears. I become distracted and the silence is broken as quickly as it settled. I remember many things, mostly I remember my mother. I never forget my mother.