How can I breathe with no air...

Ok the title of this post doesn't really make any sense. But I just watched yesterday's episode of Glee on Hulu.com and it was one of the featured songs. This show is officially my new guilty pleasure. I just have no idea how it will last several seasons. I hope it does, and I guess that's why I'm not a writer.

I think its tough when you have a show dealing with kids in high school since they eventually have to graduate. I think that's what will be difficult about Friday Night Lights (another great show). All the characters that people have identified with are set to graduate and they really haven't introduced many replacement characters.

Oh well, that's my TV rant. But definitely catch episodes of Glee if you haven't already. Its definitely 3 strictor heads worthy.

On a sucky note, I think my clutch gave out today. I was heading out to run some errands when I suddenly couldn't shift into 1st or 2nd gear. Thankfully the engine was still running and I was close enough to home that I could get it there in 3rd gear. Guess I have a trip to the mechanic in the morning, good times. But, the positive is that I won't be the designated driver this weekend.

Hopefully there will be more people out and about this weekend though. Because it was the first really cold weekend, there weren't very many folks out last week.

Actually, I guess I'm not completely done talking about Glee related topics. After their rendition of Don't Stop Believing it got me thinking about my favorite Journey songs.

Journey was a truly awesome 80's band who's popularity may never go away. I would assume that most people would share my view and probably have these same songs in their top 3, maybe just in a differing order.

First some Honorable Mentions:

Any Way You Want It & Separate Ways

Nevertheless, here is Reset Button's Favorite Journey Songs:

#3. Faithfully

This is just an awesome love song. It has the required 80's guitar riffs and the appropriate amounts of whiny "whoa whoa oooohhhhaaaa".

Strictors Favorite lyrics:

Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscoverin' you
Oh girl, you stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully

#2. Don't Stop Believing

I really should try and learn the piano part so that if I ever get into a public area with a piano i could start playing. I guarantee that at least half of the people will start singing. This was a very close second by the way.

Strictors Favorite lyrics:

Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

#1. Open Arms

This gets the slight nod over Don't Stop Believe because open arms is my go-to karaoke duet song. This is my go-to song because its slow and I can usually sing soft enough so you hear the girl more. I bet that even if a guy screwed up his relationship if he could actually sing this song and have some dude play piano next to him, I'm pretty sure he could get his girl back for any reason short of murder.

Strictors Favorite lyrics:

How much I want you home
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay


Here's a parting question for you:

Would you want to have an awesome singing voice but have a very nasty speaking voice?

For example if you're a girl you would have a very deep, manish voice and guys would have an high-pitched, elfin voice with a slight lisp.

I think I'd be ok with it. Though I might pretend that my life is a musical and just sing all the time...then again, that might have the opposite effect on the ladies than I intended.

SLTSFMM

I like when you do this to me
Make me wanna tear it up
The way you move me, it's music to me
I just wanna turn it up
Higher level, highest level, feel like I can't be without you
Take you to a bass in no time
My body on your's, and your's on mine

"Switch" by Ciara

Its all about the lighting...

So I'm probably running at 97%. I have a minor little cough and hopefully that goes away by tomorrow. I've been putting off working out so that I don't relapse with the flu, so I plan to get it going again tomorrow. Since I'm now an official student again at the University of Missouri, I hope to make it down to the Rec center (and look old).

I suppose the one positive of being sick is that I've had very little of an appetite so I've actually lost weight. I was never a skinny kid. Even as a child I always had some sort of pot belly. I blame genetics and my outward slanting pelvic bones...Google it, I'm serious.

But, I have recently realized that I can look pretty cut with the proper lighting. Typically an overhead lamp that cast downward shadows. I'll post a picture of my best angle so you all can marvel at my buffness.

I ended up using the best lighting scheme for me. As you can see I'm posing with my right side more prominent. And yes, I am wearing Armani boxer briefs in case you were wondering. That picture is actually taken in my house too.

Wow, doesn't that pose just scream out "sex"!

Oh well, enough about lighting.

Unfortunately nothing new to report out in the Midwestern front. I'm still awaiting word for those Nursing Technician positions. I also applied for a transport position, but some folks advised me to go ahead and wait it out for a tech position as it will be serve me going forward into nursing.

I do have an ice cream social to go to on Wednesday for the prospective students in the accelerated bachelors program. It will be interesting to see the competition. Maybe my wife will be there, oh wait, that just happens in the movies.

I did get into a couple interesting debates recently. They are of the "nerdier" variety so I apologize.

The 1st Question posed was:

Which movie is more unrealistic, Star Wars or Knocked Up?

The root of this discussion revolves around how possible is it really for a slovenly, fat slacker to meet a fine hottie at a club whom he not only impregnates, but eventually maintains a relationship with.

On the flipside is an awesome coming of age tale of Luke Skywalker and his merry band of the Rebel Alliance doing battle with Darth Vader and the evil Empire.

So whats more plausible, that he is really be dating one of these ladies? (Remember he's a weed smoking loser and she's gets pregnant)

$20 says he's their "funny" friend that always eats crazy food combinations like a doggy biscuit stuffed in a Taco Bell gordita and covered with strawberry yogurt.

Or that there could be EPIC space battles like this:

I'm rooting for you tubby, but even he would admit that a space battle would be fucking sweet!

Reset Button's Conclusion: I would propose that both movies teeter on the exact same realistic/unrealistic edge. You would have to assume that at least ONCE in the history of clubs all over the world that some lucky shmuck hooked up with a super drunk hot girl, got her pregnant and she ended up keeping the baby and the shmuck. Also, with the current theories about the near infinite number of galaxies and universes, a Star Wars like conflict had to have occured with humanoid like beings.

So, its a push. It's as likely for Star Wars to really have happened as a fat slob hooking up with a hot girl and making a baby. And hopefully she didn't give him herpes.

Oh, that reminds me of that urban legend of the hot prom queen hooking up with the nerd. But when he wakes up in the morning she's gone. He goes into the bathroom and on the mirror, written in lipstick is: Welcome to the wonderful world of AIDS.

Thats a good anti-Knocked Up urban legend.


2nd Question:

(I apologize again because it gets even more dorky from here since were staying in the Star Wars universe)

Why did Obi Wan Kenobi age so much from Star Wars Episode 3 to Episode 4?

Okay a little refresher for the not-so-nerdy people reading. Star Wars Episode 3: A New Hope was the "original" Star Wars movie that came out in 1977, this is the one with Luke Skywalker and Indiana Jones. {Quick tangent: one guess on what other awesome thing happened in 1977...bonus points if you get this right}

Star Wars Episode 4: Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005. This movie is the last of the series and is where Darth Vader is created. Do you remember the extra crispy version of Hayden Christensen?

Now, according to the movie timeline, there should only be about 18-20 years between the events that happened in Episode 3 and Episode 4.

Yet, Obi Wan Kenobi went from looking like this...

Looking pensive and virile.

To looking like this...

Still looking pensive, but now needing Viagra.

Hot damn! I realize that some caucasians seem to age fast, but freaking whiteboy Jedi Knights must have crazy job stress!


Reset Button's Conclusion: Even in his wildest dreams George Lucas had no idea that the Star Wars franchise would get that huge. So, in 1977 he cast Alec Guinness into the Obi Wan role because he needed an actual actor with chops to play the mentor role. In the later series, he needed a young and adventurous Obi Wan, thus ushering in Ewan McGregor.

Either way, Obi Wan went from "cool uncle who buys you beer" to "grandpa who's about a year from being sent to the nursing home".

Thats it from me...

SLTSFFM

I can be the sauce you crave.
I can spell what you can't say.
Chocolate flavor love theme
Treat the treats you so mean
Covering your nights and days.

"Ice Cream" by New Young Pony Club

In-flu-en-za...clap, clap...clap, clap

So the flu is kicking my ass like all other NFL teams are boning the Chiefs and Rams. I thought it was fitting to give the flu a nice cheerleader chant.

I didn't have much new to relate, but I've been stuck at home with the flu for the past 3 days. Hopefully, I'll be close to 100% by tomorrow. My fever has broken and I'm a little congested still, but other than an ear ache, I'm optimistic that things are looking up.

I've applied for a couple late night positions at the hospital. Hopefully I'll get something set up here soon.

So while I've been relegated to pretty much staying in bed, I've been able to catch some movies and TV shows. I must confess that I've become a huge Glee fan. I caught up on all the episodes on Hulu after watching this clip on a football board. Watch the clip if you have time. Let me preface it for you. So, the football team is winless and after the Quarterback joins the glee club he realizes that if the football team were to dance and shock the other team they could run a quick play to score...hilarity ensues.



I should try and get some sleep...though its tough since I can't breath and I go from hot to cold in 15 minute intervals.

So, I'll leave you with another installment of RCCOTM. And since I missed the last few months I'll select 3.

1a. STEPHANIE JACOBSEN

I guess try as I might I still have an Asian fetish. But I think that is somewhat acceptable since I'm also Asian. Or maybe its not. I may also be biased because she was on Battlestar Galactica Razor. Either way can't go wrong with this choice for RCCOTM. She's cutesy but looks like she could also kick ass should the need arise. And, knowing how weak sauce I am, I could use a girl with an edge like that.

I would normally make some lewd comment about the placement of that lucky necklace she's wearing...but I'm feeling under the weather.

1b. JAYMA MAYS

I remember her in Paul Blart Mall Cop, but I won't hold that movie against her. This could also be a result of me really liking the show Glee. But she's a saucy little tart. I'm usually not a huge fan of red heads but I'll happily make an exception here. Oh, and when I google searched a picture of her, I came up on some pictures of Kevin James' wife. I really liked his show King of Queens and knew he had an Asian wife. It looks like she's a Filipina (I'm guessing from the name). Check her out here. More power to you Kevin James!

Its cool cause she plays a dorky character in the show, but it looks like she can turn on the sexy when appropriate.

1c. AMBER HEARD

I just watched Never Back Down the other day. The movie was actually pretty good. It had your "Karate Kid" cliches but I thought it was well done and the fight scenes were pretty good. All I know is the girls never looked like that at my high school. Oh, and I only have 3 words for the following picture: Oh my goodness...

How come women are so sexy when there's a fan pointed at their heads and they look like they have to pee? Its either that or her boobies...I can't decide.

SLTSFMM

Can you picture my lady,
This empty scene.
There's no me or no you,
What will we do.
An awful sight to me.

"Forever my lady" by Jodeci

Home Improvement

Well, for the most part, I'm pretty much done with the home improvements. There are still some pictures and frames to hang, but most of the construction is complete.

Can't hate on a show that had both Debbe Dunning and Pamela Anderson

I've come back from Kansas and am trying to finalize my school application stuff. There were some issues for a former transcript that I thought was bullshit but I had to take care of none the less. During high school I had taken some placement tests and it seems that I had needed those transcripts from that college to be sent in to the community college I took some courses at earlier this year before the CC would send my new transcript out to the University. Waste of time...good thing I have a lot of time to waste.

I do have some harrowing news to relate. Prior to coming back here I mowed my parents lawn (which as I previously mentioned, I kind of enjoy doing). I was mowing a patch of grass near on of the trees when I felt a tickle on my upper arm. I was jamming to some R&B tune on my iPod so I didn't give it much notice, assuming it was a wayward leaf or blade of grass.

Eventually I glance over and to my horror there was a big ass spider chillin near the bend of my elbow. I assume if anyone happened to be looking at me at the moment would have thought that I'd been shot from long distance by some sniper hiding in the weeds. I flailed my arms up frantically and nearly fell over backwards.

My graceful swan dive launched the spider from my arm. Unfortunately, my reaction did not come before he was able to take a nice chunk out of my arm. Yes, yes, I may be embellishing slightly about the severity of the wound. But, for purposes of scientific exploration and because I had just watched District 9, I wanted to log any transformations or mutations that may occur due to this mingling of spider and human DNA.

For the sake of comparison and continuity, I tried my best to take each photograph in the same location for easier identification and cataloging of the mutations.


Stage 1: 19 Minutes after DNA Transfiguration/Spider Bite

No dammit, there aren't any mutations yet. That's what I look like. Also, I happen to like to get dressed up after doing yard work then pouring myself a Captain'n'Coke. That's how I roll.

Stage 2: 68 Minutes after DNA Transfiguration/Spider Bite

I felt my eyes get watery and itchy for a few moments. I had sweat all over my T-zone. After a little while, my 20/20 vision became 400/20 vision. Yet, this new 400/20 vision still didn't help prevent me from getting "beer goggles" after my 3rd Captain'n'Coke.

Stage 3: 581 Minutes after DNA Transfiguration/Spider Bite

It looks like I've entered some sort of chrysalis or cocoon form. Good thing I still get wireless internet in here. Its actually quite cozy. Hmm, a bootycall might be interesting in here...lubrication shouldn't be a problem.

Stage 4: 1822 Minutes after DNA Transfiguration/Spider Bite

Well, it looks like I've transformed into a Brown Recluse Spider. Which is one of the most badass spiders in the world, so I guess I don't mind. Also, it looks like I got to keep my sweet hairdo! Now I have awesome venom to go with my awesomely luscious locks of raven hair.

Sadly, it seems that I'm not much like Spiderman and can only shoot web from my ass...so don't ask me to do it!

Ok, before I have to go crawl up the water spout, I wanted to introduce another bodacious feature into the Reset Button Universe. Ok, its not particularly bodacious, but maybe it will help you kill another few seconds in your normally mundane exsistence.

We'll call it RMQ or more specifically Random Movie Quote. Typically they will be from a movie that I recently watched. I'll try not to make it so obscure and hopefully it will have some big hints. Also, don't be a quote Nazi if I get a few words wrong.

So cyberdwellers, here is our first RMQ.

He: We'll go through the Fire Swamp

She: We'll never survive!

He: Nonsense. You're only saying "never" because no one ever has.

Hint: Think the Wonder Years star.

The answer is HERE.


SLTSFMM

Lips that need no introduction
Now who's the greater sin,
Your drab eyes seem to invite
(tell me darling) Where do we begin.

"Feel Good Drag" by Anberlin

And I'm ghost like...

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze.

I hadn't really planned on blogging today, with Monday Night Football and How I Met Your Mother on tonight. But, as I was watching Federer get upset by Juan Martin Del Potro in the US Open, I flipped on the computer and saw the headline regarding Swayze.

Next to Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze was one of my favorite 80's Action Star. I know, most people (mostly girls anyway) equate Patrick Swayze with Dirty Dancing and Ghost, but he did star in several very cool 80's action films. Let's do a Reset Button top 5 of Patrick Swayze movies:

1) Red Dawn


I remember that there was a big to-do regarding the violence when this movie came out. Funny thing, this movie can't even hold a candle to the violence that you can see now on video game trailers. Its about a Russian invasion of the United States and the rebellion of some local yokels. It must have been a Midwest thing, but when we were out playing "Guns" with our friends in the expansive woods behind our neighbor hood, this movie was our example of what to do and how to repel a Commie invasion. WOLVERINES!

2) Point Break

Ok, technically the was a 90's movie, but you get the drift. Bohdi and Johnny Utah are still two of the coolest movie character names ever. If I ever became a porno star, I would have called myself Juan Utah. This is a good surfing buddy movie. Kinda like Surf Ninjas. Heh, not really, but its still a good action movie. As a kid, the movie made me want to move to California and learn how to surf. So, as an adult when I moved to California, I learned how to surf.

Err...wait, actually I learned that I was too afraid of riptides, sharks and was way to self conscious about being shirtless at the beach. Oh well, can't expect all our childhood dreams to come true (I'm still hoping I'll have a room in my house solely devoted to LEGOS).

3. The Outsiders
Wait a second...gangs used to consist of white people wearing jean jackets? How old is this movie? This was actually jam packed with 80's stars. Also, my cougar crush Diane Lane is in the movie. Another movie/book with sweet character names like Ponyboy and Sodapop Curtis. Hmm, maybe my porno name should be Ponyboy Sodapop Utah.

As Dallas says in the movie: "Don't you know a rumble ain't a rumble without me?". I actually grew up with a kid named Dallas. He sometimes carried a screwdriver; he said in case he got jumped...not that we were really under constant threat to get jumped in mid-Missouri. But, I guess he was handy to have around in case we needed to unscrew something.

4. North and South

This was actually a T.V. mini-series but definitely helped foster my interest in the Civil War. To be honest, I really can't remember much of it other than really liking it. As kids, when we visited our cousins who lived in Iowa, we would re-enact civil war battles we saw from this series. I've been tempted to find the series online and rewatch it, but I'm afraid that I'll not like it if I watched it again (Ala all of the old 80's cartoons and movies I've watched again).

5. Road House
Here is the most influential line in the entire movie:

"That girl has way too many brains to have an ass like that."

Thus proving to my young mind that it is indeed possible to meet a smart girl with a nice ass. AKA my soulmate.


Of course its incumbent on me to mention Ghost and Dirty Dancing. I did like Ghost a lot, and the very romantic clay molding scene is often sarcastically imitated, but is definitely a defining movie moment. So, I'll as I leave you to create your own Patrick Swayze list, lets just all agree that:

Nobody puts Baby in a corner!

I should be sleeping...

Well, I should be sleeping. For one, I'm trying to fix my sleep cycles again, and another I have a dentist appointment tomorrow morning at 7:45. But, as I put set my T.V. to sleep I was flipping thru the channels to find something to listen to as I read my book Wraeththu (more on the book later), and I settled upon TBS and started watching a movie called Purgatory.

And by jove, it hooked me. I didn't particularly plan on watching the entire movie, but the premise intrigued me. Its basically about an old town in the wild west called Refuge. A band of outlaws ride into town and find it extremely peaceful, the sheriff isn't even strapped. Yada-yada-yada, one of the "good" outlaws figures out that the place is actually a purgatory for old bandits like Wild Bill Hickock, Doc Holiday, Billy the Kid and Jessie James have to try and be good so they can get into heaven.

I liked the premise, and using the western theme was kinda cool. I've always found movies dealing with religion to very interesting and they are typically the scariest thriller or horror movies. Movies like The Omen, The 7th Sign, Fallen, Gabriel's Ladder and of course The Exorcist were very, very freaky.

Watching Purgatory made me eager to watch Legion, when it comes out next year. Click the link to watch a trailer if you haven't seen it already. It could be pretty cheeseball, but I do like a lot of the actors in it, so it may suck less. For one particular reader out there, I know she will notice that they used actors from both movie and TV version of Friday Night Lights (another awesome TV series that I highly recommend).

Oh well, I guess I'll get back to my book. I picked this book up quite randomly when I was in New York. We went into a book store and after looking around aimlessly for some time (I'm not quite sure how long we were in the book store, maybe and hour?), I decided to pick something up. Since it was actually a compendium of 3 books for $5, I decided what the heck not. 800 pages for $5 seemed like a good deal.

I just recently realized that there is somewhat of a following for these books. It took me some time to get into it, but its pretty good so far.

Here's a quick list of books that I've recently read (or more accurately, listened to on CD):

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton
Mary, Mary by James Patterson
Children of Men by P.D. James
Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell

All of them were decent. But, nothing too life shattering. I would probably recommend Rule of Four the most if you kinda like a history based mystery. Its kinda like Di Vinci Code, but not as thrilling and with more historical references.

OK, its 2:30 and I actually still want to read my book for a bit so thats all from me for now. Hope everything is all good whereever you are reading this...

2009: The Big Decision

Hello denizens of cyberspace! I haven't been able to post anything lately so I thought it was overdue. The last month has been pretty action packed. Between a 10 day trip to the left coast and home renovations/moving into my new/old condo, its been pretty busy. Busy, but extremely fun.

Yes, even the renovations were somewhat enjoyable. There is some satisfaction with working with your hands sometimes, and figuring out how to do things like laying tile, installing light fixtures, and watching your work transform a place. Damn, I really wish I had taken "before & after" pictures so I could brag about the drastic change that metamorphosed the apartment.

Oh well...back to the topics of the blog. BIG DECISIONS!

You maybe wondering which decisions I may be referring. There are many to choose from and probably many worthy of conversation.

Could I be talking about the much debated health care reform? Nah, my thoughts would probably be drowned out by zealot conservatives who just shout whatever the fuck Fox news tells them to shout.

Could I be talking about buying Chiefs football tickets? I must solemnly admit that the prospect of spending that cash and the 2 hour drive to watch some pretty shitty football is not that appealing.

Could I be talking about a decision that has vexed me for weeks: should I get a hair cut? Maybe, but more on this later.

No, the Big Decision I refer to pierces the very center of any red blooded male. Its a soul wrenching decision. A conjurer of rifts. A passionate deliberation. A tragic controversy. A life altering amalgamation of doubt, indecision and remorse.

Just what the hell am I talking about?

Whether you choose the cute and wholesome blonde girl next door - or - the sexy, rich but spoiled brunette...

This is the question that has perplexed man for decades...nay, centuries.

It seems the decision is clear...at least according to Archie.


Archie has proposed to Veronica. And in a sucky coincidence Betty happened to be walking by at the most inopportune moment. Thus ending a nearly 70 year tug of war between Betty and Veronica. Personally, I would have chosen the blondie. But this could be because I've made a recent choice to try and pursue the Anglo-Saxon variety of the fairer sex.

Why do I bring this up when I don't read or even like the comic? I guess I found it interesting that the writers decided to buck convention a bit, and decided that the hero would not choose the "girl-next-door". Did Archie feel that Betty was better off as a friend? Did Archie want to inherit the fortune that Veronica's parents possess (I've probably been reading too many murder mysteries lately)? Did Veronica's snide bitchiness win over Betty's wholesome longing? Maybe Betty didn't do anal. Who can be sure?

Read the caption and you decide why Archie may have chosen the girl who walks around in her pajamas. Two words for you: Sexually Liberated.

I'm sure some grad students will use Archie's decision as the basis of their sociological dissertation so we needn't get into it further. However, it would be a pretty interesting dilemma to have. If I were Archie I would really have gravitated towards the phrase: menage a trois.

Now, about my hair...

It seems that after a poll completed by US Weekly, its nearly unanimous that I should shear off my luscious locks.

Photo credits: Chase Guazonater.

Alas, I will succumb to the whim of the masses...back to the faux hawk I suppose. And just when I was able to pull it all up into a top knot, DAMMIT!

Not much new to report out here in the Red States. Luckily, I was probably able to visit with many of you who are reading this now. If not, I do apologize and hope we get to meet up in the future. I'm sure I'll have much more exciting events to regale you with soon.

That's it for now...Boy Gaga out!

SLTSFMM

Someone like you and all you know and how you speak,
Countless lovers under cover of the street,
You know that I could use somebody,
You know that I could use somebody,
Someone like you,

"Use somebody" by Kings of Leon