Life in the Mind of a Modest Genius

Things to Be Grateful For

My Christmas present from G.  I had to excuse the fact that there is a Denver Bronco on the cover.  At least the book recognizes a Chief inside (Derrick Thomas, of course).  Anyway, it's the thought that counts...

Things to Be Grateful For

Joy (Enough to Go 'Round)

No one hated it more than me when they first started showing commercials in theaters before the feature presentation.  That was supposed to be the one place where we were safe from those.  You should be able to see some good previews and then jump right to the movie.  But we knew it was just a matter of time before advertisers infiltrated that arena too.

There have been a mixed bag of spots that air before the main show.  The Fandango ones continue to annoy me while yet amaze with how they can get so creative with a brown paper bag.  The one that remains a classic is the David Letterman with the little girl and the "wookie".  That one cracks me up just thinking about it.  This latest Coke/Wal-Mart one has now joined the exclusive list of those I admire.

A few things stand out that make this one memorable for me...

1. This kid looks a litte young to be able to afford a party with that many people.  Although for all we know, he could have a couple of roommates chipping in
2. The part where he tells the the girl "I love you" kills me.  The look on her face is just priceless
3. Best part of all is that hook at the end.  I've seen this spot before three different movies now and I've had that catchy hook in my head ever since...

Things to Be Grateful For

Laughter

This one is pretty self-explanatory.  You gotta' love those Hawk fans!

Things to Be Grateful For

Warnings

It probably would have been a better idea just to crash at my cousin Michelle's house after my scheduled events on Friday.  I did think about it but changed my mind at the last minute.  Instead, I decided to drive back to Ames late last night after spending the evening hanging out with bros to celebrate our 103rd anniversary.  That was just asking for trouble since I would be doing the two things I hate doing the most:  driving at night and driving while tired.

As I stopped to gas, the thought did cross my mind to get a Mountain Dew to help me stay awake.  I decided against that.  I was already feeling my cold coming on at full speed.  A Mountain Dew was not going to do that any favors.  Plus, I didn't feel like riding a caffeine high at 1am.  My plan in lieu of that was to soldier thru that 30 minute drive.  And to occasionally check my iPhone FB app to keep me alert.

I had finally hit the home stretch where I could see the Ames exit less than a mile away from me. the cruise was safely set at 78 mph (speed limit was 70) with only minutes left.  The phone buzzed from yet another Twitter update so I glanced down to check it.  That caused me to briefly lose sight of the center line and the car drifted an inch or two over the line for about one second.  That was enough time for the rollers to pop up in my rear view mirror.  I didn't even notice there was a car behind me.

Deputy Something Cooper introduced himself to me after I had pulled over to the shoulder.  He informed me he was stopping me for crossing the center line and speeding.  Said he clocked me at 80 mph.  Not sure how truthful he was about that since he was behind me.  I always thought that their radar detectors don't work when their cars are moving.  I'm pretty sure his "clocking" was really just him gauging my speed based on how fast he was going as I was traveling ahead of him.

He asked for my license, registration and proof of insurance.  The first two were no problem.  I had to dig a bit to get the proof of insurance.  Once I found it, I realized it was my expired card I had in the glove compartment.  No clue where the other one was.  At that point, I figured I was looking at a tickets for reckless driving, speeding and driving without current insurance. 

Deputy Dude went to his cruiser and ran my license.  I started having an entirely new anxiety as I hoped there weren't any outstanding warrants I didn't know about.  That would be just my luck.  However, he returned to my window to hand me back all of my information.  He politely informed me that he was going to take my word for it that I have valid insurance give me a warning on the speeding. 

I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  I couldn't afford one ticket let alone three.  Especially not one for driving without current proof of insurance which I heard carries a fine of up to $800.  It could be $80 and that would be too much for me.  I know better to keep my speed in better check on that stretch of the highway.  Especially at night when I can't see where 5-0 is lurking.  And I definitely need to find that current insurance card.

Things to Be Grateful For

Mom's chocolate cake

G and I were up at the crack of dawn to get on the road for the trip to Bloomington today.  Although my 5:40am was still later than I had planned on.  I was supposed to be up at 4am and on the road by 5am.  I thought I had set the new alarm clock app on my iPhone for that time, but for whatever reason, it didn't go off.  Good thing I have that natural alarm working for me.

I had a pleasant surprise waiting for me when I arrived in Bloomington.  Everyone was eating some of Mom's world famous rice and bacon so we were too late for that.  However, sitting there on the counter was a covered cake platter with a very distinct silhouette peering from inside.  I lifted the cover and sure enough, there it was.  Ample remnants of Mom's chocolate cake.

I will never for the life of me understand why folks like to get all fancy with their desserts.  There's the infatuation with german chocolate cake that seems to be rampant.  Then the pecan pie fanaticism that many of my own relatives also share.  There's really no need for the all the intricacies.  It simply does not get any better than good old-fashioned chocolate cake.

Mom's version of it is the best ever.  Something about that circular design with the hole in the middle that is extremely visually pleasing.  Sorry, I'm no chef so I don't know what the official name of that style is called.  Anyway, it's as if it adds to the taste of the rich chocolate as it crosses my lips and enters my tummy.  The frosting and cake combine together perfectly with each bite to create a moutfhul of ecstasy.

One thing I noticed upon the inspection of the cake was that half of it was missing.  At first I didn't think anything of it.  I just figured that the first half of it had fallen prey to the Thanksgiving dinner aftermath.  That still left half the cake so I was fine with that.  Then I found out when Diah stopped by that she had taken a huge portion of it home with her.  She had heard I was coming and wanted to make sure she got some before it was too late.  Pretty sneaky sis.

You'll have to forgive the generic picture I have here instead of the real thing.  By the time I had thought of the idea to use it as my Friday thankfulness, the two pieces I had were long gone.  They didn't stand a chance.  Especially when they were coupled with some vanilla ice cream.  Those jokers were gone quicker than a doorbuster special on Black Friday. 

Things to Be Grateful For

Empire State of Mind, Part II - Alicia Keys

I happened to catch this one driving in to work one day.  I have to listen to some show called Elvis Duran on 107.5 until I get into range to catch Tom Joyner.  Duran's show is usually just filler since they're really not all that entertaining until today when they played this. 

Sorry Jigga, but Alicia Keys was always the best part of "Empire State of Mind".  It was always a tight cut; however, now that she has a version where it's just her and there are new lyrics, the song is perfect. 

Things to Be Grateful For

Unseasonable Weather

This time of year is supposed to be the thick of fall for us here in the midwest.  It's usually pretty difficult because the leaves are still coming down and the weather is normally cold.  So you should be outside raking the leaves, but you don't want to be because it's just too chilly to be out.  What makes the chore so bad is leaves aren't like  snow.  It seems that no matter how much you clear them, you can never quite get the yard as clean as you want it.  Then to top it all off, you have to deal with the weather at the same time.

But we were blessed with an early Christmas present this year.  For the past couple of weeks, we've had temperatures in the 60s  and above.  This past weekend, it even got up to 70+ degrees.  We aren't used to that around these parts.  We got to walk around in shorts and short-sleeved t-shirts which isn't supposed to happen here.  Well...at least for those folks with sense.  You always see the occasional idiot walking around outside in the snow and ice in a pair of shorts.  Funny how that's more infrequent around a college campus.

This type of climate could really spoil a brotha.  Here I am talking about getting to warmer temperatures to avoid any more winters then this happens.  It's like it's God's way of telling us "I'll go ahead and give y'all a break for now".  Then again, it could also be His way of letting us know "Hey...if you get down south, you could be enjoying weather like this all the time."  I'm going to go with the latter.

I should have gotten out more and enjoyed the reprieve.  Who am I kidding?  I should have gotten out to enjoy it even just a little bit.  Instead, I called myself soaking up the nice weather by opening up the windows and pulling the shades.  I can't lie though...even that was nice to be able to do that in the middle of November.  I'm a simple person so that was enough for me.

As I glance at the forecast for the next week looks just as promising.  Still having highs in the 50s for at least the next several days.  They won't be the clear, sunny skies that we had earlier, but it's still not a bad trade-off.  I can deal with a little rain and overcast as long as the temps are well above freezing.  THIS is the type of greenhouse effect I can handle.

Things to Be Grateful For

The Return of the Meme
I'm fairly certain that I've already included "Meme" as something to be grateful for somewhere along the way previously.  However, it's been a minute since I've done one.  I was recently checking up on Success Warrior's site and came across this one.  Which also reminded me that I need to add him to the Blogging Against the Machine rollcall.  It may be a little long compared to the brief memes I normally prefer, but it does give you a little more insight into the Modest Genius...

1.  What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Salted cashews

2.  Where was your Facebook profile pic taken?
In the Dark Knight

3.  Can you play guitar hero?
Like it's nobody's business!  On the Easy level.  Once it starts requiring more than three buttons then I'm done

4.  Name someone who made you laugh today.  What was it about?
One of my co-workers trying to rationalize why it's not really all that cold in the office

5.  How late did you stay up last night and why?
Right around 1:17am-ish.  Probably fell asleep watching tv as usual

6.  If you could move somewhere else, where would you live?
Depends.  If money wasn't an issue, then definitely California.  On a realistic level, probably Houston where I know there are plenty of job opportunities for which I'm qualified and the cost of living is reasonable

7.  Ever been kissed under fireworks?
That'd be a big fat no.  Is that supposed to be something special?  Sounds very chick-flickish to me.

8.  Which of your friends lives closest to you?
I'm gong to have go with Wahl on that one.

9.  Do you believe exes can be friends?  With benefits?
Of course they can be friends.  With benefits?  I guess that all depends

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
Can't stand it

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?  Really hard as opposed to just sniveling?
Come on, now.  I'm a man.  I don't cry.  Next question please...

12. Who took your profile pic?
Me, of course

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Some random guy dressed up in the costume of Fat Jesus from "The Hangover".  I need to get out the post that coincides with the picture

14. Was yesterday better than today?
Well I woke up again to see another day.  Whenever that happens, it's a good day.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
I can, but I sure don't like doing it. 

16. Are you upset about anything right now?
I'm always upset about something

17. Do you think relationships are ever worth it?
That depends also.  They're not for everyone

18. Are you a bad influence?
I've been told that on occasion

19. Night out or night in?
Definitely in

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
My iPhone

21. Who was the last person that you visited in the hospital?
I typically don't do hospital visits.  The last I can remember would have been a former co-worker who had recently had a baby and even that was a couple of years ago

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
"I don't care how drunk you were, your sick!" from co-worker Colin Farrell.  You don't even want to know what the picture was that was sent along with the text

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
Eh.

24. Do you hate anyone?
Hate is a very powerful emotion that requires a wealth of energy to fuel it.  I'm not trying to invest that much time and effort into negative feelings towards anyone

25. If we were to look at your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
Yet another message from a Mafia Wars clan that I somehow belong to. 

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
With flying colors.  You wouldn't even find any traces of alcohol

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before.
Never

28. What song is stuck in your head?
"This is It" - Michael Jackson

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m.  Whom do you want it to be?
Someone telling me that that I was the winner in the Powerball Lottery

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you were 50?
I had really only thought about having shorties.  Hadn't really given much thought to having grandchildren

31. Tell us your Saturday night?
Probably a movie.  Maybe going out to see one, but more than likely it would be a Netflix and/or a Redbox pick

32. Do you think too much or too little?
Definitely too much.  I'm over analytical

33. Do you smile a lot?
Funny you should ask...  http://tinyurl.com/nosmile006

Things to Be Grateful For

Hassle-free Inner City Travel

I was trying to think of just the right name to give this one and the most effective way to describe it.  That was the best I could come up with.  It sums up the relief I enjoyed once I returned from Detroit.  It's pretty self-explanatory to touch on the frustration I dealt with while trying to navigate the streets of the Motor City.

When I was at Hertz getting the rental car, they asked me if I wanted the navigational system for an extra $13 a day.  I quickly told them I didn't need it just out of habit.  I was accustomed to driving around cities where I was familiar with the layout.  Even if I wasn't, I had my trusty maps app on the iPhone to help me out when I was in a bind.  Then something told me that I better take it just to be on the safe side.  So glad I listened to that inner voice.

It seemed like there weren't many streets in Detroit that went on for more than a mile or so tops before they came to a dead-end, had an abrupt turn or in some cases even blocked by construction.  To make matters worse, it was just my luck that I was in town while there was some marathon going on that blocked off more streets.  Apparently this must be marathon season since Des Moines also had one going on before I left.

The navigational system was a great help, but there were some instances when even it couldn't assist.  It didn't foresee the marathon cutting off some of the routes for instance.  There were also times that the turn was so quick and sudden that the GPS couldn't keep up.  I can't even count the number of times I heard the annoying "calculating route" response because I had left the path the GPS has originally mapped out.

Then there was the obvious issue of the freeway system.  This is something that wasn't indigenous to just Detroit.  Every large city has the problem.  The problem where there are so many intersecting exits and interchanges in and around the city that it makes it too easy to get lost on the highway itself.  I'm sure if a person had lived there long enough, you would probably get used to it.  But for someone visiting just a few days, it was annoying.  Almost down right stressful.

I never thought I would be so happy to see I-235 in my life.  I get home to Des Moines and back to one main freeway that traverses the entire city.  You can get on I-235 and get to pretty much anywhere you want to go in the city.  It's nearly impossible to get lost on it since it runs in a circle around all of Des Moines.  No confusing looping exits like those big cities.  Although they did try to make it like that when they recently redesigned the downtown exits. 

As far as our downtown, it doesn't get much simpler.  Grand and Locust are the two main streets that go one way in either direction thru all of downtown.  You don't have to worry about getting lost due to an abrupt dead-end.  So folks can clown all they want about how small the city and the downtown are, but at least that size allows us to get around effortlessly.  It just reminds you of that old adage that sometimes less is more.

Things to Be Grateful For

More music

This is Is It - Michael Jackson
I didn't realize that when they were planning a concert movie that it also meant new music from Mike.  This new single sounds more like vintage Mike than it does new material.  Come to find out it's because this was actually written in the 80s and is just now getting released.  I could really care less.  It's still a great song.  I don't know if it's good enough to get those AMA awards he's nominated for, but it was definitely good enough to make the Zune.

Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé
I was hearing bad things about that whole "Sasha Fierce" cd so I never bothered to pick it up.  Not to mention that I wasn't particularly feeling "Halo"or "If I Were a Boy".  Oh, and "Single Ladies" got played to death.  So much so that the only good thing about it is the "SNL" skit.  But then I caught this one on one of the digital music stations.  Definitely feelin' this cut.  Although still not enough to get that "Sasha Fierce" cd.  Even if it doesn't cost me anything with Zune Pass.

Regret - LeToya featuring Ludacris
Speaking of Beyoncé, her former bandmate is quietly blowing up on her own.  All without the help of Daddy Knowles.  I've downloaded her entire "Lady Love" cd and pretty impressed with it so far.  This first single highlights her soft vocals accented perfectly by great production.  As much as I like Luda, he really didn't even have to be in this song and it still would have been good.  The funniest thing is this cd is further proof that they should have kicked out Michelle and left LeToya in the group.  At least from a talent standpoint.

Try a Little Tenderness - Chris Brown
He may just now be nearing the end of his probation period.  Not the court-imposed one.  I'm talking about the one where we can start listening to his music again.  This isn't even a new song anyway.  I was watching "This Christmas" (yep...I still have a problem with the belt-whipping scene) on Starz and remembered his performance of this song.  Not a bad remake at all.  Although I still think Chris should do the most obvious choice for a remake and do an Ike Turner song for his comeback cd.