Additional to the stuff in that other post I saw 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' today.
The greatest (but still very slight) praise that I can give this film is: It's better than the first one.
They really needed a writer on this thing. At least there was a plot, I saw it distinctly; lurking in the background of several of the scenes... And the actors delivered the dialog with a serious demeanor no matter how rediculous it got.
They thankfully dropped what I think they considered the 'humanizing' comic relief characters from the first film. But why couldn't they get any other people to return for this? (where's Scarlett, much less The Baroness?)
Johnathan Pryce seemed to enjoy himself chewing up some scenery. It's fun watching a bad guy enjoy his work.
And Cobra Commander at least wore a cool jacket. (and a neat helmet/mask)
But still, way too many plot holes to call it a good, or even fun, movie.
But it was still better than 'Prometheus' (I'm not bitter)
Monday, April 8, 2013
Nothing to see here...
Not much going on in my life right now.
I'm still living off taxpayer money... (no job in sight)
My father did get me a spiffy new smartphone though! (my first one)
I'm trying to get a new RPG started. (Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, it's fun!)
The latest season of 'The Walking Dead' ended. (But 'Game of Thrones' new season started.) :)
Anyway, I'll try to keep a more regular cycle of updates... (yeah, right)
I'm still living off taxpayer money... (no job in sight)
My father did get me a spiffy new smartphone though! (my first one)
I'm trying to get a new RPG started. (Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, it's fun!)
The latest season of 'The Walking Dead' ended. (But 'Game of Thrones' new season started.) :)
Anyway, I'll try to keep a more regular cycle of updates... (yeah, right)
Thursday, December 20, 2012
End of the World
Tomorrow is the 'End Of The World'(tm).
I find that the most amazing aspect of this (non) event is that when Saturday dawns and everything is basically the same, none of the true believers will alter their perspective. Just like when the world didn't end at the turn of the millennium (2001 not 2000 but that's a different rant), or any of the other innumerable 'last days', the bat-shit insane who truly follow this stuff will just seize on the next half-baked prediction and move on like nothing happened.
Seriously, the supposed Mayan doomsday prediction has been there for a thousand years but how many of us had even heard of it until the millennium end-times fizzled out?
I find that the most amazing aspect of this (non) event is that when Saturday dawns and everything is basically the same, none of the true believers will alter their perspective. Just like when the world didn't end at the turn of the millennium (2001 not 2000 but that's a different rant), or any of the other innumerable 'last days', the bat-shit insane who truly follow this stuff will just seize on the next half-baked prediction and move on like nothing happened.
Seriously, the supposed Mayan doomsday prediction has been there for a thousand years but how many of us had even heard of it until the millennium end-times fizzled out?
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Port Out!... Starbord Home?
The Medi-port that was implanted in my chest to administer my chemo treatments was removed on Friday.
It was an outpatient surgery and only took about an hour but, with blood tests and waiting, I was in the hospital from Eleven-thirty in the morning till nearly Four in the afternoon. Afterwards my Dad took me to a local place called 'Classic Diner' I had a Southwestern Philly sandwich. It was good.
This is the last medical procedure related to my cancer ordeal. I call it an ordeal but it wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, if you can; please avoid getting cancer. It's just that my experience was relatively tolerable. Lots of people got it worse than me.
But it's still really weird to think I could have died.
(yes, I really wanted to write this post just so I could use the POSH pun)
It was an outpatient surgery and only took about an hour but, with blood tests and waiting, I was in the hospital from Eleven-thirty in the morning till nearly Four in the afternoon. Afterwards my Dad took me to a local place called 'Classic Diner' I had a Southwestern Philly sandwich. It was good.
This is the last medical procedure related to my cancer ordeal. I call it an ordeal but it wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, if you can; please avoid getting cancer. It's just that my experience was relatively tolerable. Lots of people got it worse than me.
But it's still really weird to think I could have died.
(yes, I really wanted to write this post just so I could use the POSH pun)
Saturday, October 13, 2012
It's all over but the... port removal.
Good news. On October the 2nd I had a second to last visit with my Doctor and I am now officially cleared of the big C!
As the title suggests I still have to go to the hospital to have the port they installed in my chest to administer the chemo removed. But that is an outpatient procedure and I don't anticipate any difficulties. Then there is one final follow up visit to see the oncologist and then I'm free!
Technically the cancer might return in the next year or two and that would be particularly bad but it's not incredibly likely. It's better than the small chance that the cancer could have caused organ failure before they could get things under control enough to actually attack it with the chemo in the first place. A fact that my Doctor didn't inform me of until our latest visit. (Under the theory that it would worry me unnecessarily. It would.)
Unfortunatly that's it for the good news part of this entry...
I'm still unemployed and it's hard finding someone who will hire a 46 year old with no real documented skills. Did you know that Avis car rental requires a fricking Bachelors degree to work their customer service desk?
As the title suggests I still have to go to the hospital to have the port they installed in my chest to administer the chemo removed. But that is an outpatient procedure and I don't anticipate any difficulties. Then there is one final follow up visit to see the oncologist and then I'm free!
Technically the cancer might return in the next year or two and that would be particularly bad but it's not incredibly likely. It's better than the small chance that the cancer could have caused organ failure before they could get things under control enough to actually attack it with the chemo in the first place. A fact that my Doctor didn't inform me of until our latest visit. (Under the theory that it would worry me unnecessarily. It would.)
Unfortunatly that's it for the good news part of this entry...
I'm still unemployed and it's hard finding someone who will hire a 46 year old with no real documented skills. Did you know that Avis car rental requires a fricking Bachelors degree to work their customer service desk?
Friday, July 27, 2012
Bad News
It's been a little rough over the last two weeks.
I'm still undergoing chemotherapy every three weeks for the cancer.
I learned that my position at work is being eliminated.
I was involved in a major road accident last Wednesday.
Now the silver lining. My treatments are going well and I expect them to be completed by early September. I am getting a small severance from work and will be eligible for unemployment while I search for a new job. I was not injured in the accident (a six car dust up on the highway - not my fault!) even though several people were taken away in ambulances.
My father is also taking this opportunity to get a new family car (primary user: me!) which is nice. He's getting a Ford Fusion. It's red but I still like it.
I'm still undergoing chemotherapy every three weeks for the cancer.
I learned that my position at work is being eliminated.
I was involved in a major road accident last Wednesday.
Now the silver lining. My treatments are going well and I expect them to be completed by early September. I am getting a small severance from work and will be eligible for unemployment while I search for a new job. I was not injured in the accident (a six car dust up on the highway - not my fault!) even though several people were taken away in ambulances.
My father is also taking this opportunity to get a new family car (primary user: me!) which is nice. He's getting a Ford Fusion. It's red but I still like it.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Nausea
Chemotherapy is loosing it's charm.
The first couple of times it was okay; the novelty of it all, the day off from work. But now I'm over that. I have to get up very early in the morning and sit in a chair all day hooked up to bags of poison. At least there is WiFi available, but the drugs knock me out for several hours anyway. I have to unhook from the power supply and drag the stand into the bathroom with me. And they pump enough liquid in through my chest that I have to go to the bathroom a lot!
And I simply dread the week after a treatment.
They give me all kinds of anti-nausea medications, but I still get these random waves of stomach upheaval. Thankfully I don't actually throw up, but sometimes I feel that It might be better if I did. Eating does nothing to calm my stomach, nor does not eating... The anti-nausea meds are to mitigate the side effects of the actual chemo, but then I have to take pain meds for the side effects of the anti-nausea drugs. And all of these drugs make me drowsy. (I love the one that warns: prolonged or excessive exposure to direct and/or artificial sunlight should be avoided while taking this medication.)
I can only imagine what it would be like without the drugs...
At least I'm likely to live through all this, today I met a woman named Evelyn who listed the extensive cancers she was being treated for, including breast cancer (double mastectomy), several organ cancers including a brain tumor, bone cancer, and a seizure that she woke up from four days later. She still has an amazingly positive attitude, at least to people she's just met.
I don't put much stock in the idea that a good attitude can actually affect the cancer, or any disease for that matter, but it can definitely help you achieve a better quality of life during whatever time you have left.
(but that's true for people without horrible diseases too.)
The first couple of times it was okay; the novelty of it all, the day off from work. But now I'm over that. I have to get up very early in the morning and sit in a chair all day hooked up to bags of poison. At least there is WiFi available, but the drugs knock me out for several hours anyway. I have to unhook from the power supply and drag the stand into the bathroom with me. And they pump enough liquid in through my chest that I have to go to the bathroom a lot!
And I simply dread the week after a treatment.
They give me all kinds of anti-nausea medications, but I still get these random waves of stomach upheaval. Thankfully I don't actually throw up, but sometimes I feel that It might be better if I did. Eating does nothing to calm my stomach, nor does not eating... The anti-nausea meds are to mitigate the side effects of the actual chemo, but then I have to take pain meds for the side effects of the anti-nausea drugs. And all of these drugs make me drowsy. (I love the one that warns: prolonged or excessive exposure to direct and/or artificial sunlight should be avoided while taking this medication.)
I can only imagine what it would be like without the drugs...
At least I'm likely to live through all this, today I met a woman named Evelyn who listed the extensive cancers she was being treated for, including breast cancer (double mastectomy), several organ cancers including a brain tumor, bone cancer, and a seizure that she woke up from four days later. She still has an amazingly positive attitude, at least to people she's just met.
I don't put much stock in the idea that a good attitude can actually affect the cancer, or any disease for that matter, but it can definitely help you achieve a better quality of life during whatever time you have left.
(but that's true for people without horrible diseases too.)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Too Bad About 'Prometheus'
SPOILERS!
SPOILERS!
SPOILERS!
Remember in 1979 when a movie called 'Alien' came out? Remember how it was good?'Prometheus' should have done more of that.
Bad Science. Bad Scientists. Unnecessarily secret competing agendas. The thing is really just a mess.
It suffers from what I call the five minute problem. If the major characters could just wait five minutes before jumping in there would be a lot less trouble. But then there would be less "drama" too. (notice the quotes)
The characters don't have what you could call personalities so it's hard to care about them. When Sigourney Weaver was running around in her underwear fighting for her life it was compelling (even apart from the underwear). When Noomi Rapace is running around in her underwear it's not very compelling (even in spite of the underwear).
If these supposed professional scientists on a direct corporate funded mission had a plan they could have all come home just fine. If the corporate backers had told anyone what the actual goals of the mission were, the plan would have been obvious.
Instead everyone just goes farting around like they're in someones back yard instead of on an alien planet! Y'know, just because the atmosphere is breathable doesn't mean its safe, don't take off your helmet! And please, lets not go wandering around getting lost until our magic floating balls finish making us a map of the endless caverns! Oh, and if you find a completely new alien life-form, don't poke it.
And let's not let the robot go wandering off and infecting the humans with alien bio-weapons with no more plan than 'let's see what might happen'. And hey, maybe we shouldn't go insulting the super-robot-man when he says things like 'Wouldn't you be mad if your creator said that to you?' I think he might take your anti-robot racism personally...
Also, there are about half a dozen examples of 'Chekhov's gun' in this film. I can't help but notice that stuff nowadays.
But it's got a wonderful cast, and really good production values.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Captain America's headgear
It is really a minor point, and I know I should be able to get past it but...
Oh, hell! You guys know me better than that - I can't stand this stuff.
They had a perfectly good helmet in his own movie:
It looked cool and appeared to be functional.
Then, in the Avengers, they had to go and fuck with it!
Now his head looks like a mushroom.
By the way; if you haven't seen The Avengers yet go see it! There is no better movie this year.
(okay, I haven't seen the new Batman flick yet... but you get the idea)
Oh, hell! You guys know me better than that - I can't stand this stuff.
They had a perfectly good helmet in his own movie:
It looked cool and appeared to be functional.
Then, in the Avengers, they had to go and fuck with it!
Now his head looks like a mushroom.
By the way; if you haven't seen The Avengers yet go see it! There is no better movie this year.
(okay, I haven't seen the new Batman flick yet... but you get the idea)
Saturday, June 2, 2012
More Pictures
Someone said there should be more pictures from the recent trip...
That's not every picture I took, but I think it's enough.
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| Apollo - Soyuz linkup |
 | |
| Voyager and the Spirit of St Louis |
 | |
| A V-2 Rocket with Skylab in the background |
 | |
| A Statue - sometimes a sword is just a sword... |
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| The Grand Army of the Republic |
 | |
| A Golden Naked Chick |
 | |
| The Navy Memorial - Decked out for Memorial Day |
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| Lincoln in front of a Court House |
 | ||
| Ford's Theater |
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| The Department of Justice |
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| The Capitol Building |
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| Keith - We finally got him... |
That's not every picture I took, but I think it's enough.
Friday, June 1, 2012
What? You expect me to update this thing?
Okay, a couple things have happened since the last time I wrote an entry in here...
My friend Keith and I returned to our nations capitol memorial day weekend (just Sunday). We spent most of the day in the Air and Space Museum. That is one fun place! I took some photos...
We also went to the Spy Museum, they don't allow photos. :(
And also, as an aside, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma at Easter time.
My friend Keith and I returned to our nations capitol memorial day weekend (just Sunday). We spent most of the day in the Air and Space Museum. That is one fun place! I took some photos...
 |
| The Apollo Lander 'Eagle' |
 |
| John Glenn |
 |
| Space Mural |
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| Me, in front of the FBI building. |
We also went to the Spy Museum, they don't allow photos. :(
And also, as an aside, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma at Easter time.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Poor Widdle Me...
I had to work all day Sunday again! It really sucks, our 'short' hours are from 10:00am to 8:00pm. I have to work a ten and a half hour shift, while my friends get to go out to the movies. (They saw the 'Planet of the Apes' movie.)
A more reasonable Sunday hours would be from 11:00am to 6:00pm, or even noon to six! That gives everyone plenty of time to get their 'emergency' shopping done (usually just returning junk they know they shouldn't have bought in the first place, but that's another rant altogether.) and I get to go out while the sun is still shining, maybe I'll even have time to have a little social life... one can dream.
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Now playing: Julie London - Blues in the Night
via FoxyTunes
A more reasonable Sunday hours would be from 11:00am to 6:00pm, or even noon to six! That gives everyone plenty of time to get their 'emergency' shopping done (usually just returning junk they know they shouldn't have bought in the first place, but that's another rant altogether.) and I get to go out while the sun is still shining, maybe I'll even have time to have a little social life... one can dream.
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Now playing: Julie London - Blues in the Night
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Captain America!
This is more like it!
After suffering through the atrocity that was Transformers, I needed something to rekindle my faith in movie makers.
This movie was that and more.
The plot, the pacing, the characterization, the effects, the acting! Every touchstone of a great film was hit! Usually, even in a film I like there are some small quibbles I have. (I like to complain!) But not this film, I enjoyed everything they did with this property.
I usually don't like 'origin' stories in movies of well known characters. Either we already know the origin or it doesn't matter to the story at hand how the main character came to be. We never needed a new origin story for James Bond or The Doctor every time they changed actors! But this one, much like the first Iron Man movie, tells the origin in a strong compelling way that doesn't leave the audience groaning through it thinking 'get on with it'!
But Captain America doesn't stop there. A compelling villain that actually seems threatening and an exciting series of missions that lead to an fantastic climactic confrontation! This movie delivers it all.
Even though just about anyone interested in the lore of Cap knows many of the touch-points of this story, the fate of Dr Erskine, the tragedy of Bucky, Cap's last mission, it all seemed fresh and exciting as when it was truly new.
The core of the movie, as with all good movies I think, is the characters. The writing and actors conspire to make us feel that these are real people and that the things they are struggling through matter.
If you couldn't tell; I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film in it's own right.
Here is a bit of Cap nostalgia!
After suffering through the atrocity that was Transformers, I needed something to rekindle my faith in movie makers.
This movie was that and more.
The plot, the pacing, the characterization, the effects, the acting! Every touchstone of a great film was hit! Usually, even in a film I like there are some small quibbles I have. (I like to complain!) But not this film, I enjoyed everything they did with this property.
I usually don't like 'origin' stories in movies of well known characters. Either we already know the origin or it doesn't matter to the story at hand how the main character came to be. We never needed a new origin story for James Bond or The Doctor every time they changed actors! But this one, much like the first Iron Man movie, tells the origin in a strong compelling way that doesn't leave the audience groaning through it thinking 'get on with it'!
But Captain America doesn't stop there. A compelling villain that actually seems threatening and an exciting series of missions that lead to an fantastic climactic confrontation! This movie delivers it all.
Even though just about anyone interested in the lore of Cap knows many of the touch-points of this story, the fate of Dr Erskine, the tragedy of Bucky, Cap's last mission, it all seemed fresh and exciting as when it was truly new.
The core of the movie, as with all good movies I think, is the characters. The writing and actors conspire to make us feel that these are real people and that the things they are struggling through matter.
If you couldn't tell; I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film in it's own right.
Here is a bit of Cap nostalgia!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Transformers: The Dark of My Butt!
I was recently dragged, kicking and screaming out to see this... thing. I agreed to go because I wouldn't have to pay for my own ticket, ensuring that Michael Bay wouldn't get any of my money.
Not a scene went by that I didn't throw up my hands and say "What the Hell was that?"
Why was a very badly CGI President used in an unnecessarily long pre-credit opening scene instead of just a quick quote from his speech?
Why did the Decepticons on the moon need a teleporter when they could just fly down?
Why when the girl (what was her name?) is given an expensive car in a world threatened by Decepticons and having Decepticon sensors everywhere did no one say "Hey, look, a Decepticon!?"
Why was the Asian guy from the Hangover movies in this film?
Why was he playing the same character he did in the Hangover movies?
Why was there a huge chase scene where the heroes had to get a key character back to a base that he had never left?
Why when Cybertron gets teleported right next to Earth didn't it's mere presence tear both planets apart?
Why was John Malkovich in this film?
Why was John Turturo in this film?
There are no answers...
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Now playing: The Tubes - Mr. Hate
via FoxyTunes
Not a scene went by that I didn't throw up my hands and say "What the Hell was that?"
Why was a very badly CGI President used in an unnecessarily long pre-credit opening scene instead of just a quick quote from his speech?
Why did the Decepticons on the moon need a teleporter when they could just fly down?
Why when the girl (what was her name?) is given an expensive car in a world threatened by Decepticons and having Decepticon sensors everywhere did no one say "Hey, look, a Decepticon!?"
Why was the Asian guy from the Hangover movies in this film?
Why was he playing the same character he did in the Hangover movies?
Why was there a huge chase scene where the heroes had to get a key character back to a base that he had never left?
Why when Cybertron gets teleported right next to Earth didn't it's mere presence tear both planets apart?
Why was John Malkovich in this film?
Why was John Turturo in this film?
There are no answers...
----------------
Now playing: The Tubes - Mr. Hate
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Lemons is the New Cake
Cave Johnson is my hero.
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Now playing: Mike Morasky - portal2 want you gone
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Mike Morasky - portal2 want you gone
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
That was unexpected.
Yesterday a HUGE thunderstorm ripped through my area.
Trees were felled, power was out, there was talk of tornadoes.
The lights were out in my area for several hours, but there are still people without power now and they say it'll be late today before everything is back on.
Luckily my father got a home generator a couple of years ago after sitting in the dark for several days after a particularly nasty hurricane. So it was hardly even an inconvinience to us.
But my sympathies go out to all the people still waiting for their air-conditioning...
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Now playing: Origa - Rise
via FoxyTunes
Trees were felled, power was out, there was talk of tornadoes.
The lights were out in my area for several hours, but there are still people without power now and they say it'll be late today before everything is back on.
Luckily my father got a home generator a couple of years ago after sitting in the dark for several days after a particularly nasty hurricane. So it was hardly even an inconvinience to us.
But my sympathies go out to all the people still waiting for their air-conditioning...
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Now playing: Origa - Rise
via FoxyTunes
Friday, May 20, 2011
It's been nice knowing you all.
Well it's the end of the world tomorrow, so I won't be seeing any of you again.
Actually it's just the rapture tomorrow, the end of the world (and universe) isn't until October 21st, so I guess I still have to go to work on Sunday.
Oh, well.
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Now playing: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
via FoxyTunes
Actually it's just the rapture tomorrow, the end of the world (and universe) isn't until October 21st, so I guess I still have to go to work on Sunday.
Oh, well.
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Now playing: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, May 7, 2011
THOR
We went and saw the latest superhero movie last night.
The general consensus is good, everyone seemed to enjoy nearly every aspect of the film.
Kenneth Branagh seems to have been able to shine directing a big action film and bring out the 'Shakesperian' drama of the characters.
To my thinking all the actors did an admirable job with their characters, everyone really seemed to live in their roles without too much mugging or self aware performances one fears in 'comic book' movies.
The story itself is quite good; bringing the main originating themes of the Thor title to life in the limited time allowed in a single feature. Fathers and sons! Sibling rivalry! Friendship and honor! Power paired with humility and responsibility! All vast themes well represented inside quite a good action story.
The production design and special effects are also worthy of mention. In a day when it is 'easy' to depict vast alien landscapes and larger than life action the vista of Asgard and combat with frost giants really come to life. There just isn't any part that you point to and think 'reality ends here' the CGI and practical effects meld very well with the live action parts.
Thumbs up all around.
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Now playing: The Black Angels - Call To Arms
via FoxyTunes
The general consensus is good, everyone seemed to enjoy nearly every aspect of the film.
Kenneth Branagh seems to have been able to shine directing a big action film and bring out the 'Shakesperian' drama of the characters.
To my thinking all the actors did an admirable job with their characters, everyone really seemed to live in their roles without too much mugging or self aware performances one fears in 'comic book' movies.
The story itself is quite good; bringing the main originating themes of the Thor title to life in the limited time allowed in a single feature. Fathers and sons! Sibling rivalry! Friendship and honor! Power paired with humility and responsibility! All vast themes well represented inside quite a good action story.
The production design and special effects are also worthy of mention. In a day when it is 'easy' to depict vast alien landscapes and larger than life action the vista of Asgard and combat with frost giants really come to life. There just isn't any part that you point to and think 'reality ends here' the CGI and practical effects meld very well with the live action parts.
Thumbs up all around.
----------------
Now playing: The Black Angels - Call To Arms
via FoxyTunes
Friday, April 22, 2011
flat.
I have terrible luck driving.
It has to be luck, because it couldn't be MY fault.
Over the past year or so I've gotten several speeding tickets, the gas pedal connection broke, and I've just had a flat tire from running into a curb. Looking at that list it seems the only one I couldn't have avoided was the gas pedal, that just failed because it was it's time to go.
But I swear it wasn't my fault. It's all just bad luck.
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Now playing: Jonathan Coulton - I Crush Everything (Demo)
via FoxyTunes
It has to be luck, because it couldn't be MY fault.
Over the past year or so I've gotten several speeding tickets, the gas pedal connection broke, and I've just had a flat tire from running into a curb. Looking at that list it seems the only one I couldn't have avoided was the gas pedal, that just failed because it was it's time to go.
But I swear it wasn't my fault. It's all just bad luck.
----------------
Now playing: Jonathan Coulton - I Crush Everything (Demo)
via FoxyTunes
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