My weekend will begin in about eight and a half hours. As of yesteray afternoon, I am NO LONGER A HOMEOWNER! THANK GOD!!!!!!!! Now I have the fun job of unpacking, throwing stuff away, re-organizing and all of that fun stuff. It feels incredible to be free of the yoke of a house.

I have found in the past year that the largest thing that separates me from my friends is that I cringe at the thought of rooting in and feeling locked into anything.

Well, gotta fly, have a great Saturday!

I humbly ask that each of you pray for Random Liberal Chick and her family. It isn't my place to share any details, but there is power in prayer. With the number of hits that this site gets each day, I know that a lot of prayers will go her way today. Her family really needs this right now.

My sincere and humble thanks,

Broch

What an amazing week it has been!!! In the past few weeks Canon has released their G5 Digital Camera, The new Harry Potter book is out and last, but certainly far from least, Apple has released their new G5 systems. I think that all of Appledom was completely and totally shocked, as very little leaked out about the release. 2005 was the originally thought of release, and for them to jump that far ahead was great. The new G5's are going to include such uberiffic things as USB 2.0, Firewire 800, Serial ATA hard drives, S-PDIF Audio inputs and outputs, analog in and out, and 8X AGP. All models are also being equipped with the "Super-Drive," which is a DVD Burner/CD Burner. OOOOOooh Baby. My mouth is watering!

The house is empty. The house is clean. Karen will be moving in over the next week, and I'm sure she will enjoy it. I left it in much better condition than I found it in, so I feel good about that.

I am alllllll moved now.

UPDATE!!!!!

I don't know how, but I almost forgot! Random Liberal Chick is getting set to move into her new UBER-COOL home! It sounds like an absolute dream, and Ill let her tell all of you about it!

I have been reading a really good book, The Lovely Bones, and just came across a quote that I thought would be very appropriate to share in this forum. They are words that I have tried to model this blog after..... "They were all things she would not give away in New York, where she watched others tell their drunken bar stories, prostituting their families and their traumas for popularity and booze. These things, she felt, were not to be passed around like disingenuous part favors. She kept an honor code with her journals and her poems."

Ditto.

because I passed up a perfect opportunity to right a wrong. I ended up going to our local Borders store to pick up a copy of the newest Harry Potter book and that is where the story begins.

There was a young man in front of me that was obviously lacking a bit in the social department/fashion department/ever have a chance to get laid department. That is all well and fine, he will probably end up working for NASA. He was also very mannerly and polite with the huge crowd.

Behind me there was a group of what was obviously "Cool" guys with their parent bought high fashion and bleach tipped hair. Bastards, I hope their hair falls out.

The guy in front of me was called as the next in line and when he was at the cash register a five spot fell out of his pocket. The "Dudes" behind me saw it and began plotting on who was going to nab the cash. Before I had a chance to say anything to the guy who dropped the money, a couple that was standing at the register next to him kicked the money towards the door and picked it up right before exiting the store.

Did I bother saying anything? No. In my eyes, I am no better than the ass-holes behind me, nor the couple that took his money. I don't know what I can do to redeem my lack of action at this point. Yeah, the pixie is going to be going tink-tink-tink on my window in the morning, and my ass is grass.

I want to publicly appologize for being a complete coward in this situation.

and she told me so! You know who I am talking about, the little sprite that visits everyones home at night to check up on them. We discussed it over a cup of Chai this morning, actually, she had a wicked little thimble full. After all of that caffeine and sugar, she was a naughty little tramp herself, but that is a story for another time. Never mind why we had Chai in the first place, we just do that sometimes.

Of course I am not naming myself the morality police, but come now! Rumor has it that Dante is being asked to construct a 10th circle of hell, just to contain the likes of you! There will be the tearing of flesh and the like going on there, but you will be subjected to watch Weird Al videos 24 hours a night while all of this madness is going on.

Be on the lookout dear friends, she has got your number! She has got mine as well, along with my address. When I hear the little tink, tink, tink on my window in the morning, I know that she is there to tell a tale, or go for Chai at the very least.

You have been warned, oh yes you have!

In an effort to improve my attitude today, i ran my website through the Snoop Dog Shizzolator, to translate it into Snoop speak. Im down with Snoop, and this is his translation... I hope you are sitting down!!!

Wanna know what has my @$$ chapped today? I has been challenged be "Butt honest" 'n share wit izzall of yo' ass exactly why I am feeling izzall hostile 'n irritable." I has a dehumidifier running right now in my "Garden apartment," in which da windows are izzall nailed shut n' shit. Dehumidifier=heat, nailed windows=no ventilation n' shit. As I sit there in da heat, my blood is boiling over my new circumstances, know what I'm sayin'? A little over a year ago I had a gorgeous wife, a beautiful crib, 2 dogs that just rocked, 'n wuz looking so forward starting a family, know what I'm sayin'? Before any of yo' ass hit me wit "But Broch, that shiznit's just stuff, know what I'm sayin'? ...," don't go there n' shit. This ain't 100% 'bout da stuff, but 'bout having a crib (not just a house,) a wife that I completely trusted wit my life, a clearly defined future, 'n da planning of bringing izzle shorties into da world."

Yes, that shiznit is ALSO 'bout da stuff n' shit. Just because I am practicing voluntary simplicity doesn't mean that I don't like be surrounded by nice things n' shit. It means that I understand da opportunity cost of HAVING da nice things, 'n am willing concede that." Peeps, I barely has room THINK in my new place n' shit. What little is left of my belongings is stacked from floor ceiling in what should be my bedroom, know what I'm sayin'? I guess that I am going has get rid of pretty much what little that I has left from my life n' shit.

The one thing that I has escaped wit is my character, my mind 'n my dignity." Other than that, I has a 12 year old truck, my computer, my stereo, 'n an ex that I don't trust hella much anymore n' shit.

Good Fcuking night n' shit

Wanna know what has my @$$ chapped today? I have been challenged to be "Butt honest" and share with all of you exactly why I am feeling all hostile and irritable. I have a dehumidifier running right now in my "Garden apartment," in which the windows are all nailed shut. Dehumidifier=heat, nailed windows=no ventilation. As I sit there in the heat, my blood is boiling over my new circumstances. A little over a year ago I had a gorgeous wife, a beautiful home, 2 dogs that just rocked, and was looking so forward to starting a family. Before any of you hit me with "But Broch, it's just stuff....," don't go there. This isn't 100% about the stuff, but about having a home (not just a house,) a wife that I completely trusted with my life, a clearly defined future, and the planning of bringing our children into the world.

Yes, it is ALSO about the stuff. Just because I am practicing voluntary simplicity doesn't mean that I don't like to be surrounded by nice things. It means that I understand the opportunity cost of HAVING the nice things, and am willing to concede to that. People, I barely have room to THINK in my new place. What little is left of my belongings is stacked from floor to ceiling in what should be my bedroom. I guess that I am going to have to get rid of pretty much what little that I have left from my life.

The one thing that I have escaped with is my character, my mind and my dignity. Other than that, I have a 12 year old truck, my computer, my stereo, and an ex that I don't trust very much anymore.

Good Fcuking night.

Name: Broch
Birth date: April 30, 1970.
Birthplace: Normal, IL
Current Location: Bloomington, IL.
Eye Color: Blue.
Hair Color: Bald like Moby.
Height: 5'10"
Righty or Lefty: righty.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus.

LAYER TWO:

Your heritage: Scots, Irish.
The shoes you wore today:Brown Born loafers.
Your fears: Being stuck in corporate America for another year.
Your perfect pizza: Cheese, whatelse?
Goal you'd like to achieve: Making a difference in others lives

LAYER THREE:

Your most overused phrase in an online messenger: I don't IM much.
Your thoughts first waking up: Where am I?
Your best physical feature: Hy head, of course! Eyes as well.
Your most missed memory: If I am missing it, how would I remember?

LAYER FOUR:

Pepsi or Coke: Neither.
McDonald's or Burger King: Mac D's.
Single or group dates: Single.
Adidas or Nike: Adidas.
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Neither.
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate.
Cappuccino or coffee:Neither, Ill take Chai.

LAYER FIVE:

Smoke: Like a chimney.
Cuss: Like Fred Durst.
Sing: In the car.
Take a shower everyday: Often twice.
Have a crush(es): Usually.
Do you think you've been in love: Oh yeah.
Want to go to college: Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt.
Liked high school: No way.
Want to get married: no.
Believe in yourself: Very much so.
Get motion sickness: No.
Think you're attractive: Yep.
Think you're a health freak: Some days.
Get along with your parent(s): Oh yeah!
Like thunderstorms: Love em, especially with the right woman
Play an instrument: A few.

LAYER SIX:

In the past month...

Drank alcohol: Yeah.
Smoked: 2 Pax a day.
Done a drug: Um, I think that I just answered that.
Had Sex: Yes
Made Out:..Heavily
Gone on a date: Yes
Gone to the mall: No.
Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Nope
Eaten sushi: NO WAY.
Been on stage: Nope.
Been dumped: Nope..
Gone skating: Nope.
Made homemade cookies: Yep.
Gone skinny dipping: Nope.
Dyed your hair: Nope.
Stolen anything: Nope.

LAYER SEVEN:

Ever...

Played a game that required removal of clothing: Does a bear......?
If so, was it mixed company: Yeah, of course!
Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Is that a trick question?? Duh!
Been caught "doing something": Of course, by my dad with a girl named Jenny.
Been called a tease: On occasion.
Gotten beaten up: Uh, have you seen me? No.
Changed who you were to fit in: Not for all the tea in China.

LAYER EIGHT:

Age you hope to be married: Never.
Numbers and Names of Children:Zilch
Describe your Dream Wedding: Going to someone elses.
How do you want to die: Having sex.
Where (did) you want to go to college: William and Mary.
What do you want to be when you grow up: Ill never grow up. I already do exactly what I want.
What country would you most like to visit: Czech Republic, Prague.
LAYER NINE:

In a girl...

Best eye color: Green.
Best hair color: Red.
Short or long hair: Short.
Height: 5'1 to 6'.
Best weight: doesn't matter.
Best articles of clothing: Whatever makes her feel sexy.
Best first date location: My patio.
Best first kiss location: My patio.

LAYER TEN:

Number of drugs taken illegally: 2.
Number of people I could trust with my life:3
Number of CDs that I own: 500+
Number of piercings: Zilch.
Number of tattoos: Nada.
Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Maybe 10 or so.
Number of scars on my body: 10+, all with a great story.
Number of things in my past that I regret: Not a one.

Ok, truth?? Here you go.... If you were allowed to commit one completely immoral, culturally unacceptable act of sin, and the next day no one would remember, what would you do????

The next week of my life is going to be EXTREMELY busy, as I am finalizing moving out of my house and into my new digs. I have a guest blogger that will be tending to all of you this week, and her name is Carla Beth. She'll be wowing you all with her mad "Wordsmith" skills.... I borrowed that term from April. Be sure to leave her some comments, and Nose, be nice!

There must be some serious Bad Mojo floating around in the ethereal plane this week. In my scanning of my favorite blogs, I am sensing a big dose of negativity. Anyone reading my blog would inevitably find the same thing at the moment. I think that the early summer blahs are getting to everyone in one way or another. I personally find fall very invigorating, and am looking forward to it arriving.

Another thing that has become apparent to me, as it should have long ago, is that changing ones geographical location only helps out in certain instances. My personal demons are going to follow me wherever I go. I know for a fact that part of my problem is that there are no like minded individuals in this area, and that I live in the most redneck part of the world. By redneck, I am not referring to just the people who have dead cars parked in their lawn, but attitudes in general. Bloomington-Normal is full of rednecks that live in $300,000.00 homes. They wear Versace and drive BMW's. I suppose that many of them even listen to NPR. Most of them would find it appaling to refer to an African-American, a Hispanic, or an Asian by a racial slur, but have no problem doing the same thing with a person of Arab decent. Grrrrrr.

It amazes me that with two major universities here that attitudes are so cro-mag. This is the primary reason that I want to split this area. If I ever have a family, I want to raise my children in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding combined with a less materialistic view of life. The quote that it takes a village to raise a child rings so true, yet for different reasons that one might expect. When the "Village" raises the child, he or she is exposed to everyone from the street sweepers to the bourgeois. Everyone is familiar and everyone is family.

Your thoughts?

Most of you are over the "Hump" of the week at somewhere around Noon on Wednesday. Well, my workweek is just beginning. I am none too fond of that. I am unsure of where to go with my life right now. Whats new, right? I really am at a crossroads, and all directions are appearing bleak and unfulfilling.

After taking a few minutes to reflect on where things started to go south, I found that I was really happy, career wise, until the company where I am on contract decided to start jerking my schedule around. This has caused me a load of grief, as I am on complete opposite schedules from those who I spent the majority of my time with. I can barely see any of my friends anymore, and it REALLY sucks. I have invested the last five and a half years of my life with this place, and I get no consideration in return. It is quite a kick to the ego to realize that I am just another cog in the wheel.

I have been considering several different options, and as of right now, none of them seem to be viable. I really need to decide what I am going to do soon.