2008 Year-End Review

Hey. How are you? How was your year?

2008 was a pretty impressive (albeit dumb) year for Cruel Music. We managed to release 15 new albums this year -- the most new releases since 2001 (when we, somehow, pulled out a whopping 35 albums!). Two of those 15 albums were boxed sets (and, if you want to REALLY get technical with it, one set was 10 CDs and the other was 6, which would kinda bring the number of releases in 2008 to 30. Kinda.). Busy, busy year! So, for all of you naysayers out there that say Cruel Music's better years are behind them, then I'd have to disagree with you, I guess. This is only the beginning!

Also of note in 2008:
I finally married my soulmate.
We welcomed 2 new cats to the family.

Dumb Card 1.0

An actual Christmas card.

(Hint: That's not "Happy New Year.")

And, yes, I said *CHRIST*mas.

My Stroll Down Memory Lane

Here's my old high school.

The brick building next to it is the Junior High School, where I also went.

This is the track where we had to go for gym class.

This door is a side entrance to the Junior High School. To the left of the door is a vending area, where we'd buy chips and pop at break time.

We had this old, nerdy science teacher, named Mr. Tingler in the 7th grade. We named this place after him, "Tingler Alley."

Way before we started calling ourselves "The Slackers," me, Nathan H., Jefff C., Jimmy R., and Lee W. called ourselves "The Four Horsemen. (Yes, there were five of us. Heh heh.) This used to be the main entrance that we'd go into the alley by...

...And, we'd walk down this alley every day before school started, and / or at lunch time.

Here's the second half of the alley, on the other side of the street.

We'd come here, and just laugh, and make fun of Mr. Tingler for hours.

...And, we'd later use the alley's peacefulness to get away from the kids who made fun of us.

Even though the alley kept stretching on, we'd usually turn around here at this church...

...By this time it was getting about time for the bell to ring.

This is the fruit market, where we'd also go at lunch time, and buy tons of candy, gum, chips, and chocolate milk.

This window to the Fruit Market had a sign on it, 16 years ago, that said, "No Loafing Under The Shed." We thought that was funny, too. We were easily amused back then.

This tunnel (underpassing the railroad tracks) leads into town, where we'd walk to every day at lunch, while eating our pizza turnovers and drinking RC. Going downtown at lunch was more of a passtime for "The Slackers" (me, Nathan H., Jeff C., Peanut P., Peanut V., Wally V., Chad E., Ed S., John B., and Brian S.) than with the "Four Horsemen."

I didn't take any pictures of town that day. I just turned around, and took this picture of the view on the way back to school.

This is by the Fruit Market, on the way back to school.

This sign is fairly new... It's on the phone company building now, where I'd always go with my mom to pay the phone bill when I was little. I wonder if it had asbestos in it back then?

...And, I also had to take that picture, because that was the name of our coolest, most favorite, and most popular band in the early days of Cruel Music, ASBESTOS!

WDN Chatters 1004

1. I've come to realize that my boobs...
Are kinda flat.

2. I've come to realize that my job...
Sucks oh so hard.

3. I've come to realize that when i'm driving...
I get lost in my own little world. It's a happier world than the real world.

4. I've come to realize that i need...
Jelly.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost...
My marbles.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...
People tell me what to do.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...
It'd be a mighty freaky thing, because I don't drink.

8. I've come to realize that money...
Sucks even harder than my job.

9. I've come to realize that certain people...
Will always try to turn into rabbits. Try as they may, they rarely succeed.

10. I've come to realize that I'll always be...
Complaining about something.

11. I've come to realize that I have a crush on..
Denise.

12. I've come to realize that my mom..
Gets pushed around way too much.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone is...
Nonexistent.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...
I had to pee really bad, and it made my toes tingle.

15. I've come to realize that last night before i went to sleep...
I was wore out, and I fell asleep in, like, 5 minutes.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about...
Remodeling the house.

17. I've come to realize that my dad...
Will never be the same.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Myspace...
I like to check out band's bulletins.

19. I've come to realize that today...
Was yesterday.

20. I've come to realize that tonight...
I'm not going to be getting much sleep.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will...
Be working, as usual.

22. I've come to realize that I really want to....
Spend more time at home... I bought a house that I hardly ever see!

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost...
Will probably think better of it, and just go to sleep.

Hey, Hey, Hey, What's Going On?

Glad you asked!

I've been keeping busy, as usual, lately. Consuming my mind with as much creativity as humanly possible... In the form of creating stuff myself, as well as utilizing other people's creativity. Trying to keep my thoughts off the fact that my family is crumbling at its foundation (Mom's declining health, Dad's declining sanity, and Debra's... Well, Debra!). So, ignoring all that stuff, and that little matter of my lack of patience with my job, and money situation in general, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT! Me and Baby Girl are holding up just fine, oblivious to the goings-on in the outside world. We are happy, and even more in love than ever.

~FUN~

The Blues CD is done.
The 2nd Christmas album is coming along nicely.
Digging "Chinese Democracy (been waiting 14 years to do so)."
Turkey.
Birthday cake.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000."
We put up our Christmas tree tonight (in the bedroom, so it can be safe from Daisy).
The Fireman (I'm listening to that right now...).
Snow.
Early snow!
Scott Weiland.
Ms. Pac-Man with Baby Girl.
An alan wrench gave me a flat. Seriously. Not exactly fun, but amusing.
Life Magazine's "Strange But True."
"UFO Hunters."
"Ghost Hunters."
"The Universe."
"Smallville."
"Supernatural."
"Ghost Whisperer."
"South Park."
"King Of The Hill."
Nickelback "Dark Horse."
"Ta Ta Ta."
New Pepsi can.
Bush is on his way out, so gas is cheap again.
"Let The Right One In (a lovely Swedish vampire film. Watch it. Now.)"

It's Over!

Finally, after what seems like at least 2 years of debating, we have a new president! Bush is finally done with his reign of terror! Woo hoo!!! Did I vote? No. What difference does it make? Our vote doesn't matter anyway. They're just going to put who they want in anyway, with their "electoral votes." I didn't follow the election at all. I was just excited that it's finally over, and that we won't have to put up with any more of those stupid "I approved this message" commercials, and, of course, the end of Bush. I didn't know the first thing about McCain or Obama. If I would've voted, it would've been for Obama, because at least he's a Democrat, and such a huge change from Bush. But, in my opinion, one is as bad as the other, with their empty promises, and kissing babies, and whatnot. But, nobody could possibly be as bad as Bush was. Instead of the "land of the free," America should be called "just another prison." With all the government's rules, and the way they control everything we do, we are definitely not free... But, hey, that's another argument for another day. The good news here is NO MORE BUSH!!! Well, after January, at least... It's neat that Obama got it, though. Maybe racism will finally start coming to an end now. Maybe?

Happy Halloween!

From all of us at Cruel Music, have a healthy Halloween!

Dumb Email -- Part 2

That dude wrote back to me today! Look at this load of crap:



Dear Jimmy,


I have made up my mind to do this business with you and you should know that this is not a joke but real. I really appreciate your interest and willingness to assist me realize this very transaction and as well share the benefits together with me.I want to re-assure you that you have made a very wise and profitable decision by accepting to help me carry out this transaction because we have a lot to benefit and many more bigger things to handle together once after this very business.


I am a staff of the same bank , where this claim is (B.O.A) Bank Of Africa I am in charge of making this payment of claim to all applicants of next of kin at our bank (B.O.A ) i am also among member of the board of payment committee .


Frankly speaking , i have been following up with the file of the deceased for the past seven years (7 years ) and have seen that it is 100% possible for me to use my seat / office at my place of work (B.O.A) to claim this money through the cooperation of a foreign partner since i cannot come out openly for the claim because i am a staff of the same bank.



Actually , i have the possibility of filing your name as the next of kin to the deceased as to enable the claim . This becomes 100% possible since the deceased did not / failed to fill the space of his next of kin with any name before and after his death , this and more gives room for me to fill the space with your own name as the next of kin to the deceased since we both have the same interest / goal .



According to the bank payment code of 1970 , amended in 1997 , section 24, paragraph 6 stated that any payment of claim which is not concluded for a period of eight years (8yrs ) , the total amount will be called back into the bank reserve account as unclaimed money and the beneficiary will automatically loose the money .



Since it is only remaining few weeks for this claim to end , i don't want this huge amount to be called into the bank reserve account as unclaimed, money since i can divert the fund into your account with the cooperation of both parties .This is why i decided in contacting you immediately i came across your e-mail address during the process of my navigation . l guarantee you 100% risk free of this claim since the deceased died a long side with all his immediate family leaving no one for the claim . this is our life time opportunity .



In view of the above , it becomes very necessary that i corporate with a foreign partner for the claim since i cannot come out openly for the claim personally . and as the need be , i decided to fast and pray , asking God for a helper , the person / foreign partner that can corporate with me for the claim .


Immediately and after my fasting and praying for seven days , during the process of navigation at internet , i can across your e-mail address which just appeared on the computer , based from the fact that i have been asking god of the same i decided in contacting as to explain my problem / need to you as to see if you will be willing to come in as my partner forthe claim before i receive your letter of acceptance .


Please don't be afraid , as a staffs of the same bank i guarantee you that all arrangement for the smooth claim of this money has been finalized locally here in Burkina Faso before even contacting you . I am from Burkina-faso in West Africa, Meanwhile , the best and only way you can work with me is to follow all my instruction very carefully .


1. You should call me on my private telephone number ++++ ++ ++ +++. After our discussion, i am going to send to you the text of application on how to apply and all the necessary informations you need to know.The bank on the receipt of your application of claim as the next of kin to the deceased will forward you with the bank official questionnaire , this official questionnaire contains all question relating to the deceased this questions will be drawn from his file which is with the bank.


Immediately the bank forwards you with their official questions. You should not fail to send the same questions to me as to enable me pick out the correct answers from the deceased personal file which is with the bank as this will enable you answer all the questions very correctly since your ability to answer the bank official questionnaire guarantees/ confirm you as the original next of kin to the deceased.


Immediately we are able to answer all the bank questions very correct the board of payment will forward you with an acceptance letter , accepting your claim as the next of kin and immediately you sign the originals of your fund release order form , payment will be effected into any nominated bank account of our choice (T/T transfer ) within 48hrs . Please , i am very serious , i know it may sound like a joke to you but it is real as a trial may convince you . it is a life time opportunity, i decided to trust you since that the only root to any international business and i believe you will not fail me.


Immediately and after we Might have received this money , we are going to bring out all related documents of claim so that there will be no trace of claim . You should also know that all the necessary Legal documents will be obtain from the various ministry of health and high court of justice to back up the fund from been question by any Government or Enforcement Agent, that means the transaction is Legal and risk free.


I have decided the sharing as following:

1. 50% for me

2. 40% for you

3. 10% will be out for all expenses that the both parties will spendin the course of transfering the fund after the fund have been transfered into your account.


Best Regards

Mr. Kumar Kedia.
Call Me ++++ ++ ++ +++

WDN Chatters 1003

You know those weird, dumb, annoying spammers that just won't go away? From time to time I like to open some of their messages, just to see how dumb they can be. Here's one I just got:

Dear Friend,

I know that this message will come to you as asurprise. I am the manager of Auditing and Accounting department of Bank Of Africa here in Ouagadougou , BF. In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of US$20.5m dollars in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer from Munich, Germany who died along with his entire family in July 2000 in a plane crash. You can visit this site:(http://news.bbc.co.uk/ )

Since we got information about his death, we have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because we cannot release it unless some body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidlings and laws but unfortunately we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim.

Mr. Kumar Kedia
Yours Faithfully,MANAGER.

I don't know, exactly, what they're trying to sell, but I couldn't resist sending them a reply:

Hello Mr. Kumar,

I am very excited about these things! It's too bad that feller, alongside of him all of his kinfolk, done got kilt in that wreck. Since it happened in 2000 you should be entitled to all that money, you'd think. May I suggest that you release these funds into the failing global economy, as a gesture of goodwill? That'd be really nice, I think.

Truthfully yours,
Jim Joe Paco

My Game Plan

I've got to work tomorrow, and then I start Vacation #2 Saturday. I'm going to be doing the usual vacation stuff: staining the deck, recording some goofy crap (a blues album this time), and holding Baby Girl in my arms as tight, and as often, as possible. And, I'll be doing something new this year -- Looking for (and hopefully) digging ginseng. We're going to check out some "haunted houses (the fake Halloween kinds, that is)." Watch a lot of scary movies. It's going to be awesome! Oh, and I'll finally get to rest my poor back!

Meet Kenny!

Ozzy brought this kitten home with him, last night. He’s afraid of people, just like Ozzy used to be, so I guess he felt some sort of kinship with the little guy, or something. We're calling him Kenny, because he's orange like Kenny (from "South Park")'s jacket.

And, it's the weirdest thing, he has 2 thumbs on each hand. Yep, 12 "fingers."

Kenny's Meow!

Cooking 101

Rule #43, Never put plastic containers in your oven when you're cooking ribs. Not even when you think it's glass!

7-25 Sighting

Better late than never... This is Chicken George, sitting in our neighbor's yard on July 25th. Yes, he's really that creepy!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My dad turned 61 today. It's not fair, ya know? Strokes are for old people! Dad is not old! 61 is not old! But, he's doing better now. He's walking and talking a lot better. He still can't see. His vision kinda comes and goes. Like, a couple nights ago he said that he was seeing really good, like he did before he had the stroke, before he went to be. Then, when he woke up the next morning he couldn't see again. His doctors are saying that his vision will eventually come back to him. "It might take 3 months, and it might take a year." But, yeah, he's doing really good, considering what he's been through. It's hard to watch him sometimes. He was always so strong, and he could do anything, and he was always there any time anyone needed his help. Now he just sorta walks in "baby steps," and has to hold on to stuff so he won't fall. Jonathan is at that age (20 months) where he wants to throw stuff all the time, and he's always hitting my dad in the face with things, because Dad can't see it coming at him... It sucks... But, like he says, he's lucky. A lot of people who have had strokes are a lot worse off than he is. And, he IS a strong person, so he's going to beat this sooner or later. He'll be back!

In other news, I've been feeding Dad's dog for him since his stroke... Mom and Dad's can opener sucks. It only opens 2 sides of the can... So, while feeding the dog tonight, I noticed that the can of dog food wasn't completely opened, as usual, so I started trying to tear it open. Rocks wouldn't do the job, and sticks kept breaking, so I decided to just use my hand to open it. Not the best idea in the world... I ripped my right index finger wide open!

Dad

My dad had a stroke on August 13th. It affected his vision, speech, and his legs a little. He's been in rehabilation for the last week or so, and he's doing a lot better. He can walk and talk now, but he still can't see. The "vision specialist" saw him yesterday. She said that there's nothing we can do about his sight, because the damage has been done, and it's "in God's hands now." Your prayers would be appreciated. :) I've been trying to visit him in the hospital as much as possible, but my work schedule is the same as his visiting hours, so it's pretty hard to do.

Tantric Attack

I almost met the band, Tantric, today.
I almost got my picture taken with the band, Tantric, today.
I almost got the band, Tantric's, autographs, today.
Nope... Nothing happened. See, Tantric was doing this autograph-signing thing at the FYE in Huntington, today. I saw them sitting there, with their crew, and fans, and stuff... But... I kinda didn't know who they were! Heh heh. I made eye-contact with one of the guys in the band, while I was staring at them, trying to figure out who they were... Man, if I'd known that they were actually a cool band, such as Tantric, I would've spoke to them, or something! Sucks that Mtv, or VH1 don't play good music anymore. If I only I would've known what they looked like, or something... Sucks!

July 24th Adventure (Better Late Than Never...)