A Year in the Kingdom

So it’s been a year.

Of course I realized this as I was about to start writing for a myriad of other reasons. And now, I glance at my calendar, and see that today was May 26, 2005. The Kingdom’s first birthday. It’s been an interesting run, yet strangely, there seems to be little to celebrate. As you get older, birthdays pass with perpetually diminishing fanfare (unless, like me, you insist on throwing yourself a party), so why should this be any different? The hits are drying up, my postings have been lethargic, and the novelty of this little neck-of-the woods has worn thin, I’m afraid. Yet still, I post. And today, I post for me.

I’ll start by thanking those of you that have been steady contributors and teammates over the last year, specifically Uram, Kujo, Grampy, Banner, Marc, KLE, Lara, Bill, and Lauren. Props to you all for your interest in my writing, and making my thoughts feel worthwhile. To those of you who come and go, often in anonymity, I thank you for reading and sharing. The most disappointing aspect of this endeavour has been the lack of interest in it by my closest friends, who don’t seem to understand the why and how behind why I write here. I often wonder if anyone really does, -- almost as often as I wonder why you even read what I have to say. So no matter, I salute you all. I’ve tried to make this your space, in a lot of ways, though I hope to begin making it more my space again (as creativity and time permit me as I prepare for the bar). Though I’ll be wrapped up in my Bar Prep over the coming weeks, I plan to keep on trucking no matter how few hits I receive, so know that if you wander away, I’ll always be here, immersed in my own little cathartic corner of cyberspace… and you’re welcome to join me.

That being said, on to what I was really going to write about…

So it’s been three years.

This time in 2002, I was in California with six of my closest friends, almost entirely certain I had everything figured out. Two days from now, I’ll receive my Juris Doctorate, my family will tell me how proud they are of me (aunts and uncles are coming out of the woodwork), and it’ll all feel strangely anticlimactic, pointless, and embarrassing. Despite my best efforts, I’ve been unable to keep my family from making a Big Deal of the First Knor to Graduate from Law School. I suppose I’ll just let them be proud for a day, though I find it increasingly confusing that all I’ve ever wanted was for my parents to be proud of me, and though I know they are, I don’t want to accept it, nor any of the accompanying accolades, this weekend. I would really just rather hide. I would really rather just go back to California.

California. I still remember The Moment. Standing on the bridge in Yosemite that Kurt and Buff would soon jump off of, in the process disturbing the serenity of the seemingly pure mountain stream, I looked up and around me, and counted (what was it? Seven? Eight?) seven waterfalls pouring into the valley around me. It was so green, and so beautiful. So moving. I was there with my dearest compatriots, basking in the glow of my Dickinsonian accomplishments, feeling so perfect, and so complete... almost.

It was then that I realized that the one thing missing, was the one person missing. The one person I should’ve told everything to before leaving. By “everything,” I mean, “Everything.” I knew my life would include law school in Pittsburgh, a year or two of eastward commutes, and then finally, togetherness. I knew who I wanted to be with, I knew who I loved. And I didn’t tell her. Somewhere before that trip, though, I had lost her. Sometime during that trip, she actually left.

Of course we all know of whom I speak, and of course you're all groaning at my continued self-torment, but I’m in a reflective mood this evening, so you’re going to have to bear with me. Because it’s been three years, and I still know that feeling. It still overwhelms me, still confuses me, still haunts me. It still overjoys me, saddens me, leaves me empty, and fulfills me all at once. It’s an incredible understanding of what I want, and what I can’t have that in three years, I’ve not learned how to deal with.

But what of the now?

Now, I live in the understanding of what cannot, and will not be. I seemingly revel in the self-destructive contentedness of beautiful friendship, and I live petrified by what it means to graduate Saturday.

Graduation means I’ve made it. Or at least, that’s what everyone seems to think. Since I first saw A Few Good Men with the aunt that would become my roommate some 13 years ago, I’ve dreamt of becoming a lawyer. Of going to law school. I’ve dreamt of making my father and my late-grandfather proud by making good as the “smart one.” Two men who I will forever cherish, admire, and respect, they’ve both demanded perfection of me with the quietist intensity. Both deceptively intelligent, they parlayed their abilities with tools and machines into a respected command of life through a grasp of “common sense.” Since I neither had the interest nor the ability to be a similarly well-equipped greasemonkey, there was only one way to make them proud, and it wasn’t by writing comics, drawing pictures, or acting in plays. It was by getting straight A’s, and becoming something “better” than they had dreamed. By proving that blue-collar hard work, grease, and sweat could pay off in children and grandchildren. It was about having a job with a tie, a briefcase, and a Big Fancy Diploma. For my sister, that translated loosely into “doctor.” For me, that translated into “lawyer.”

I don’t mean to complain. I’m happy with my career choice, don’t regret it for an instant, and love the thought of being a lawyer. But in realizing I’ve accomplished that (being that my family fails to realize the JD means jack without the Bar Exam), and have made them both proud (so they don’t have to be embarrassed at being related to the little boy that doesn’t like to hammer nails), I’m wondering what’s left for me. What’s graduation mean to me?

It means I’m a failure.

I have found that I have accomplished all I wanted for others, yet so little of what I wanted for myself. My graduation is a tragic reminder of what I’ve truly failed to do over the last few years of my life. Now, Now- settle. I’m happy. I’ve got AMAZING friends, both old and new, and a fantastic little life built up in a city I positively adore. I’ve got an incredible family, I understand myself in ways I never thought possible, and I have immense hope for the future. What I have failed to do is capture, bottle, contain, cherish, and build upon That Moment in Yosemite. Though I have been able to learn and grown from my mistakes, I have failed to triumph over them. Needless to say my Big Plan never came to fruition, and tonight I was reminded of that.

So when she actually hinted at coming to Commencement, I nearly broke down. I want her there, want her to see me this time, which is why I made sure to put on my regalia for her this evening; but the very thought that tonight I virtually repeated, verbatim, the same conversation I had with her three years ago, where I explained that she need not come to Commencement, because it’d be boring, and she’d be stuck with my family, just reminded me of how little I’ve moved forward in three years. It just reminded me of how much I’ve failed to accomplish the one, true goal I set for myself in California. And how insignificant everything else seems in comparison.

Graduation is a sign that, like Obi Wan Kenobi, my “failure is complete.” However, it’s not a sad occasion. I’ve achieved so much, and come so far, and learned so much about myself and others and life and love. I guess that’s what Commencement will truly mean Saturday. It really will be the beginning of something new. The actual Brave New World I’ve been waxing poetically about is coming dangerously close to opening up to me. In this World, though—I’m playing for me, and I’m going after what I want, and I’m not going to let the expectations of others get in the way of that. I’m not going to look to make anyone proud of me, and I’m not going to look to fulfill some master plan of life, career, and family. I am, however, going to triumph over my mistakes. Of this I still believe.

In the meantime, life is good. And here’s to all those that helped me get to this point. There are so many teachers, family members, friends, teammates, Brothers, girlfriends, etc., who got me here that I can’t even begin to name names. Some of you know how you’ve helped, and many do not, and never will. But the fact remains that my J.D. represents the accomplishments of a LOT of people.

So thank you, for a year of Blog-Support, and a lifetime of strength, encouragement, friendship, and love.

I could’ve never done it without yinz.
-apk

HOLY CRAP!

Wow. Just....wow. That's a LOT of money.


and the movie's actually, you know...good.

-apk

MONDAY HANGOVER: Worst. Summer. EVER.

Yup, you bet. I'm already super-MIA. It sucks, I know, but that's the price you pay when you're prepping for the Bar Exam.

With any luck, this place will become my creative outlet, and I'll do a lot of afternoon posting. Here's hoping that, once I get into a routine (starting with Bar/Bri wednesday), that I'll be writing a little more often.

As for your Star Wars review, odds are I'll wait it out until Thursday, once my weeklong spoiler moratorium is over, and just go all out. I will tell you that I saw it again the other day, and liked it even more the second time around. Kup was relatively enthused on the phone tonight, but Jerry and I were in the midst of an ambiguously gay Corona/Friends-a-thon at Natalie's place, and I didnt have a lot of time to talk to him. Also, I was hammered, and couldn't pay a whole ton of attention to our conversation. I'd apologize, but he doesn't read here, so it's not worth the effort.

Anywho, what a week! Pmbr sucks already, meaning Bar Prep BLOWS. So I've spent my evenings keeping busy. I'll admit, I can't wait to clean the HELL out of this place this week, but taking these last few days to enjoy my evenings before buckling down has been pretty nice. Thursday, after my first class, I had a wonderfully chill evening at Carolyn's eating spaghetti and watching the season finale of the OC. I've seen two episodes now, and am almost officially hooked. Cheesy melodrama and cute girls is SO me.

Friday featured an evening on the town with Andy, Pizz, and Meredith, and Drew finally sacked up, got wasted, bought me a Club Chalupa, and booted. Good for him! About time he let his hair down! Generally, I scoped honeys all night, and since I lacked a point man, left it at that. Though I did look pretty stunning in my 70s shirt and glasses, I didn't feel motivated enough to try for any fine fine foxy ladies. Bounding into AliMac at the bar was a welcomed surprise, even if my generally worn-out demeanor didn't convey as much.

Saturday was solidness, as it started out with a Red Robin dinner with 'Dina and Chris my superduper sister/bro-in-law duo. I'll say this for them (even though they don't visit the Kingdom), they're probably the best, most purely in love and down-to-earth solid-as-all-hell couple I've ever had the pleasure of eating dinner with. I could only be so lucky as to have a relationship like theirs someday. However, it was slightly weird to jokingly ask them when I get to become Coool Uncle Adam, and actually get a straight-up-legit answer. It's official, kids, my sister's on the clock (not that she's pregnant..but that she's actively planning such tomfoolery) crazy. I'm almost officially old.

The night continued as I met Jerry (insanity-- i know!) and Nat, and about a half-dozen of Nat's friends down in the Southside. I also met the positively pleasant Lauren, the Irish-Catholic PA School friend of Nat's who I spent a super-enjoyable evening laughing and carrying on with. She seems pretty gosh-darned cool, and the digits are mine. Details to follow (assuming I find the time this graduation weekend) to take the girl to dinner. The lesson I learned this weekend is that I'm a lot better at breaking the ice when I have an "in," and that once I do so, I'm pretty frakkin' irresistable ;)

Of course I kid, but really, though Nat and Jerry had absolutley zero faith in me, I did okay.

Yesterday I spent another fine, sunny afternoon with Jerbear, Nat, and Nat's roomate, Lara (freaky), hanging out, drinkin a little, and watching an AWFUL lot of Friends. Jerry has just NOW discovered the show, and he's working his way through the DVDs. We had an awful good time laughing, and determining (in what is to become the lamest sentence I've ever typed) that I'm somewhere around 70% Chandler and 30% Ross (but early season Ross-- not super-insano douchebag Ross).

Let us never speak of this again. Although watching Jerry and I reconvene in Nat's room to watch the show on her computer while the ladies watched Desperate Houswives and Grey's Anatomy must've been pretty funny.

That should do it for now. Give me a week or so to get used to my new schedule, and there should be some semblance of creative normalcy around here...I hope. I realize that I'm losing hits by the truckload. Ah well. Things started off a year ago, and I'm pretty sure we'll have a solid ebb/flow as the months progress..

That is, if I keep this up...

Alrighty, bedtime. Enjoy your Mondays, kids, I'll be back soon!
-apk

ps: I need two things from y'all:
1) Blogiversary Ideas
2) Good, outside-the-box ideas for first dates. Oh, how I miss the Sports Emporium.

.........................WOW.............................

I've got pmbr Bar Review class tomorrow at 8:30, so forgive me for not writing a whole review.

All I can say is: All Is Forgiven. There was still good in Lucas, I felt it. I knew it was in there.

Okay, I'll be honest, I loved Ep II the first time I saw it, so even I'm afraid of my gut reaction tonight, but I'll discuss all of that more tomorrow evening.

Quick checklist (SPOILER FREE!)

Visuals: ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. SciFi at it's finest. Melodrama at it's most frentic and beautiful. A+++

Characters: Better than I & II. Finally, the real Natalie Portman stands up. It's not her best work, far from, but she finally overcomes so still-terrible writing for her character. Luckily, she's pretty much the only poorly-written character here. Ewan carries this movie on his back when he's on screen, and his final confrontation with Anakin is stellar. Hayden brings it up a level, especially followin his Point of No Return. It seems he's 15 times better a silent, mood-actor than a speaking actor. There's some cringe-worthiness early, but he even manages to rise above it a bit. I told Craig after his first scene with Padme, "it finally feels like they're really in love," and that after his scenes with Ewan, "now it finally seems like they're best friends."

I dont' want to get too deep now, but let's put the characters (the Emperor was Fantastic!) at a solid B.

Story: Poor Anakin. That's what you get from this movie. Also, in the context of Eps I-III, the Emperor was a frakkin' genius. We all knew how this had to end, but somehow, they came up with an amazingly well-crafted twist that fully shows Anakin just got played. He never really was evil. Magnificent. A

Action: Wow. Buckle Up.

I know I'm gushing right now, and if that's all I get from this movie, so be it. No, it's not IV or V, but it might be pretty close to VI. It's tough for me to be critical against Jedi, because it's my 1) earliest memory, 2) favorite movie until I was 17, 3) I've seen this once, and Jedi countless times.

SITH has flaws, the second 15 minutes of exposition quick-cuts being the most glaring example. But I'll tell you, once it finally gets going... just amazing. I told the boys that from the moment Order 66 is given until the end, it felt like my girlfriend had just dumped me. You know that empty feeling in your heart, that was it. I was heartbroken.

Okay, bedtime. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to dream about surviving the purge and fighting the good fight. I'll hopefully whip up a real-gosh-darned full-SPOILER FREE review tomorrow evening. Then everyone gets ONE WEEK, and we start throwing around spoilers like they're going out of style. Once you've seen it, feel free to share your feelings, but try not to ruin anything for anyone else around here. If you post something that I feel is a spoiler, either mark it as so-- or face my wrath. I reserve the right to delete posts.

In summation, the fact that Lucas managed to make me feel like that after I didn't give a flyin' deuce about any of these characters following Eps I and II, is a testament to the fact that this one doesn't blow. In fact, I think this one's quite good.

I really think I forgive him.

-apk

Weirdness...

Check this out...

that sound you just heard was 137, 214 "screenplay writers" in California turning on their computers.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go come up with a mime-clarinest love interest for this great new movie I'm writing...

apk

DAILY DOSE: "I'm Getting Old and I Need Something To Rely On."

What a cool garden. I've definitely got to check this out some night...

There's not much time to talk today, I've got a letter brief due by the time I leave here tomorrow. I can't believe how quickly time flies. It seems like only yesterday that I started working here, and now it all comes to a close as quickly, and as uncerimoniously as it began. It was a great job, with great people, and an even better dress code, and I will miss working here. I guess that sums up my law school experience better than whatever long-winded piece I'll come up with next weekend, too...

Elise wrote an amazing little journey of self-discovery on her blog today. I'd love to link to it, but I wouldn't dare open her up to that kind of scrutiny. However, she's got my always-tumultous mind in a little bit of a silent uproar, which might just lead to something particularly introspective within the next week or so. I'm in a sort of odd place right now, where chapters are certainly closing, and others are beginning. And actually, I'm starting to feel, for the first time, like I know what my life's going to be like. It's odd, really. I don't have a job, and I don't have a place, although I could quite certainly have both within a week's time (Though, like I told Lara and Aunt Paulette last night, if there's one thing I've learned about life, it's that right as it seems it's all about to start turning up "Adam," it doesn't). That being said, my hopes are certainly not up, it's just more of an intriguing dream, than anything.

I guess my life is full of intriguing dreams these days, perhaps moreso than usual. For once, they're all kind of grounded in reality, if that makes any sense. I once told Carolyn that "knowing where you're going feels a lot better than hating where you've been," and though I loved how that sound, I never took much stock in it, because really, who knows where they're going? I certainly don't. But I'm starting to get an inkling for it. I think I have a pretty good idea of who the major players in this thing called "my life," are going to turn out to be, at least for the immediate future, and I like what I see. So I guess, in those terms, I do know where I'm going, I'm just not quite sure what it's going to look like when I get there.

It's an exciting time, to say the least. Although, it's an often gut-wrenchingly familiar time, as well. Do I really think everything's about to start coming up "Adam?" No. But that doesn't mean I can't believe it.

And believing is the first step towards "doing," you know.

...and here I said you'd have to wait for me to get introspective. Consider this the iceberg's tip.

In the meantime, listen to YOUR Song of the Day, "Somewhere Only We Know," by Keane.

Also- 24 was it's usual good-shit-self last night. I'm excited for the two-hour season-ender next week. If Tony dies, I'm going to be so pissed. But when he invariably does, please remind me to comment on his character arc, and the wonderful way the writer's played that particular hand.

Oh- I've not watched the preview for next week, so don't comment on them, please. My gut's telling me that this one's gotta end with either Tony or Jack buying it. My gut also tells me Keifer's going down, while saving Tony, in order to close his character arc through redemption. Maybe even Audrey will forgive him before he fades away. Call me melodramatic, but I'm thinking that's the way I would've written it.

-apk

DAILY DOSE: "Dont Give Away the End-- the One Thing That Stays Mine"

Good afternoon, friends and a very hearty how-are-you, welcome to today’s episode of the DOSE.

Well, Trip’s dead. I knew it was going to happen. Hell, they even pulled a Steven King, and told us he was going to die at the end of the first Act. But I’ll tell you what, I wasn’t saddened by it. Some nerds have complained that his death didn’t resonate, and I’ll agree that T’Pol should’ve been there in sickbay as slipped away; however, I can’t deny that my heart didn’t feel heavy knowing that one of my favourite Trek characters had made the ultimate sacrifice.

That is, until, one of the finer pieces of writing I’ve seen in a long time came around. Without getting too deeply into a story very few of you care about, I’ll just explain that Cmdr. Riker of the Next Generation crew was watching a historical replay of the Enterprise crew’s last mission, in order to help him solve a personal dilemma, on the ship’s holographic-playground thing. So, after watching Trip die to save Capt. Archer, instead of treating us to the all-too-played out “he was my best friend” funeral montage, the writers pulled a great trick. They had Riker “hit re-wind” so-to-speak, and hang out and have a conversation with Trip, while posing as the ship’s chef. Okay, so it all sounds ridiculous, Trekkie, and convoluted, but trust me—it worked and made sense. In the course of the conversation, where Conner Trinneer acted his ass off, reminding me why I came to love Trip so much in the first place, Trip helped Riker make the tough decision he’d been mulling over. I’ll admit my bias- Riker and Trip are my two favourite non-Kirk characters. But it was a beautiful way to make the character resonate one last time for me, and was a more fitting tribute to him than any sappy, “I’ll miss him so much” diatribe could’ve ever served to be. It wasn’t the greatest episode ever, but it was a solid ending to a show I’ll miss dearly. As an added bonus, the show ended with Captains Picard, Kirk, and Archer each quoting a chunk of the “Space..the final frontier” prologue while their respective ships sailed through the stars. Cheers, Enterprise, for at least going out with some level of dignity.

Now that Trek is gone, the Worst Week in the History of Geekdom continues, as we prepare for the final chapter of Star Wars. I mean, seriously—what are the odds of Trek and Wars ending in the same week? I’m officially finally excited for Ep III, the fact that I tried to watch “The Phantom Menace” yesterday nothwithstanding. By GOD does that movie blow… even the lightsabre duel seems to have fallen down a peg for me at this point. I swear. I tried so hard to find that movie interesting yesterday, but I just. Couldn’t. do it. It’s truly that terrible. So who out there plans to see this guy this week? Anyone? I know you do, Staubbie..

Well, let me just warn you, friends, sometime Thursday you’ll have a (hopefully) spoiler-free edition of I AM THE LAW! detailing the pros and cons of the flick.

While I’m on the SciFi kick (I know, odd for around here, eh?) I’d like to point out that anyone who understands why the following passage is really humorous, can be my friend, no questions asked, for like, the next twenty years.

I strode over to Admiral Piett as he bent over the deflector control officer and inquired about the shuttle. They had transmitted an old code, but a valid one. The shuttle's arrival was no doubt according to the designs of my master, Darth Sidious the Emperor Palpatine.

"Seems normal enough to me," contributed the deflector control officer. "It's not like they're trying to keep their distance or anything."

And thus, I give you the FIRST EVER Link of the Day REPEAT! If you’ve not been to Darthside, the Darth Vader Blog yet, and need to get in the Ep III mood, really—do yourself a favour and go check this place out. Its hilarity, coupled with its insightfulness and amazing writing, is truly something to behold. If you don’t like Star Wars? …I don’t know… fly casual.

Hitting up some less-than-geeky subject matter, I give you Taylor and Mary: together at last. Yes, they hath set a date, for later this summer. Aug, 4, to be precise. It’s all sort of insanely last minute- due to Taylor’s imminent deployment. It’s actually a Thursday, which, though understandable, is insane. Marc, though- always the optimist (snicker), did point out, though, that “that gives us four days to drink…” Well played, Tae Bo, well played. I’m also proud to admit that I was drafted into the Groomsman Starting Rotation for the festivities, making me a three time, three time, three time groomsman in a little over a year. How many times is it that you can be a groomsman before never being a groom? Is there an old saying for that, too?

Overall, that was pretty much my weekend, Trip dies, Taylor sets a date. I didn’t go out or really do anything, other than fight off the urge to be introspective. Which, coincidentally leads us to Your Song of the Day, by Jimmy Eat World, called “23.” A little depressing, a little uplifting, and a whole lot of pretty, it headlines a recently burned compilation from My Pal Carolyn simply titled “You’re CD.” And yes, folks, the egregious grammar is deliberate. Good album chalk-full of good songs. Stay tuned for more.

Scarily, I’m dangerously close to starting to write again. I snuck out some poetry lines the other day, adding to a little diddy that had been floating around my head since last Wednesday. Dare I say it, has my muse returned? Time will tell.

..but really—hope it has, it’ll make the Kingdom a HELL of a lot more interesting.

Before I get back to my 2d to last day of work, a few items of housecleaning:

1) the Club Chalupa is as good as I remember. Probably better. Props to Aunt Paulette for buying.

2) suggestions for the Kingdom’s Anniversary (tentatively titled: Sesquicentennial: 150 Years of the Kingdom)?

3) I may have located prime living conditions for my post-graduate life. Updates to follow, I refuse to jinx this.

4) Vin Diesel had Parkinson’s Disease, but he shook it off. Also, Vin Diesel knew what Terry Schiavo wanted.

Be good to each other, and send some ideas of shit I should write about around, I’m really scrapin’ for ideas, here!
-apk

DAILY DOSE: "It's Been a Long Road, Gettin' From There to Here"

It's a sad, sad day here in the Kingdom. Tonight marks the end of one of my favourite shows, Star Trek: Enterprise, and the probable death of one of my all-time favourite Trek characters, Trip.

I'm mightly worried about how this finale's going to play out, what with a bunch of Next Generation cast cameos, and the use of the holodeck, etc., but I won't geek out on y'all, cuz I know y'all don't care all that much. Anyway, I'd be remiss to at least not throw out a sentence or two to the first Star Trek show since TNG that I truly enjoyed as it comes to a close. Though flawed, I almost always found the series and the characters entertaining, and enjoyed the concept. Sure, it pales in comparison to my new Sci-Fi crack, Battlestar Galactica, but Enterprise at least kept me entertained on Wednesdays/Fridays for four solid years. Sadly, next year will mark the first in 18 that will not feature new Trek, but I'm quite certain the franchise needs to take some time to breathe and regroup, so that the next series can recapture the fun of the original, without the technobabbly hogwash of the most recent decade. So though the Enterprise is dead, long live the Enterprise.

In memorium, your Song of the Day is "Faith of the Heart" the mega-cheesy theme to Enterprise as sung by some guy named Russel Watson. It's cheesy, but harmlessly catchy, and though it represents everything the show got wrong from the beginning, I always kind of liked it, and hell-- Kup did too. Now, before I move on to the BIGGEST NEWS OF THE YEAR, let's just take a minute, and say a silent prayer for Trip, in hopes that Archer, Reed, or Mayweather buy it instead of him. Otherwise, Trip's death will be the worst-kept secret in TV since....well. A long time.

On to slightly less-geeky news, your Link of the Day, which fully exposes the NEXT Xbox, called the Xbox 360. Quite honestly, it sounds amazing. 20GB of harddrive storage? Wireless web acess? HD videogames? I never thought I'd upgrade from the ol' Gamecube...but HD videogames? And Xbox LIVE! is only like, 50 bucks a year? Damn. I may have to look into this guy in a year or two. And seriously-- this thing just looks damn cool. Oh, if only Nintendo were more popular...

Now, the BIGGEST NEWS OF THE YEAR!

THE RETURN OF THE CLUB CHALUPA

...


I'll let that sink in for a minute.

Yes, friends. The CLUB CHALUPA has RETURNED. You may remember it as the Kingdom's OFFICIAL GREATEST FAST FOOD ITEM OF ALL TIME.

from August 19, 2004 (holy frak, that was a long time ago...)

And the NUMBER ONE FAST FOOD ITEM OF ALL TIME IS…

1) Taco Bell’s Club Chalupa

It existed for just single month: February 2004. They were able to sell them until they were gone in mid March. In that six weeks, I probably ate two-dozen Club Chalupas, maybe more. A Chalupa with bacon? A sauce on something I actually liked? I can’t explain how good this was. Admittedly, it may have just been that my Taco Bell is an amazing place, but I’d like to believe the Club Chalupa could transcend environmental factors. I’d like to think I’d be willing to dodge bullets at the ‘O’ in order to eat one. This was a special taco. So special, I CALLED Taco Bell’s international hotline, and asked them to bring it back. So special, every time I go to Taco Bell, I secretly hope above all hope that it’ll be back, and this time, for good.

God Bless the Club Chalupa, and God Blesses, Everyone.

Do yourselves a favour, friends. Go eat one, and then report back to me. The return of the Club Chalupa is an amazingly strong omen for my post-graduate career. I don't want to jinx it, but it almost certainly means that, to paraphrase Gavin, everything's going to start coming up "Adam" real damn soon. I can't wait.

and with that, I leave you.
but first! anyone else realize that we're fast approaching A YEAR OF THE KINGDOM. I'm looking for good ways to celebrate this momentous occassion, so please supply some feedback and ideas!

and be good to each other,
-apk

DAILY DOSE: "On the Ground With My World Upside Down"

Best. Idea. Ever.

And that friends, is your Link of the Day. I've got to say, this idea sounds like so much fun, I can't even get over the thought of it. And between March Madness and this, March is going to become the best sports month of the year. The Bracketmaster will now have TWO tournaments to win every spring.

Without rosters even remotely set, my money's on the Dominicans. Think about this murderer's row (to quote the Page 2 Daily Quickie)

"Tejada, Pujols, Vlad, Ortiz, Aramis, Soriano, Sosa with Pedro as the ace. Yikes..."

of course, the Colonies will field a pretty decent squad, too.. let's think about this for a second...
RF Brian Giles
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Jim Edmonds
1B Sean Casey
2B Jeff Kent
C Jason Varitek

They'd probably use a DH, which would suck, but the bench looks like THIS (remember, 27 man rosters)
Derek Lee (1B)
Scott Rolen (3B)
Joe Mauer (C)
Adam Dunn (OF)
Pat Burrell (OF)
and a middle infielder (I would say Clint Barmes, Jack Wilson, Marcus Giles or Kahliel Greene)
or they could just use ULTIMATE UTILITYMAN Rob Mackowiak (i had to)

and they're pitching would be d-e-a-d-l-y.
Clemens, D-Train, Beckett, Prior, Maddux, Unit, Schilling, Mussina (THE OTHER Mr. Montour), Schmidt...

can you tell I think this is an amazing idea?
I can't wait.

Otherwise, slow day around here. Although I did get another bill from the library, brining my GRAND TOTAL up to $2,550.

However, I took the books back yesterday, and since they hadn't reordered any of the "lost" books, those charges were wiped away. That just left me with my overdue charges, which were reduced by the "one-time forgiveness" they can give me of 50% knocking the REAL TOTAL down to 60 bucks. She was like, "i'm sorry that's a lot.." to which i replied, "not compared to 1300 bucks, it's not!"

so alls well that ends well.

As for the interview...meh. we'll see. I'm less than confident on this one. I really don't feel like it's going to happen at this point, which sucks, because I'm all about this firm. They asked me how many years I played baseball at school, and then asked if I ever used steroids, to which I replied,

"I'm not here to talk about the past..."

after they stopped laughing (if you don't get the joke, i'm not telling), we were off and running. But I just don't know..they asked me for a transcript, which is never good, because my grades are less-than-stellar... frak.

Party at Pig & Wrona's was pretty solid last night, though I lost my only beruit match. They played six cup, and had, i shit-you-not, THREE Re-RACKS (at 4, 3, & 2), and played throwbacks. I hate throwbacks. I smoked four shots in a row at one point (but didn't get throwbacks, because we were shooting 1-and-1). So the game goes into OT, and with 1 cup left on their side, a freak bounce off of my chest plopped right into the goddamned cup. I hit my shot, but my partner missed, and that was that. Oh the bitter taste of irony (although that's a misuse of irony). I play great O for once, and botch the D, costing us the game. Oh well. Lots of cute girls there. Actually, it was sort of a Who's Who of Law School girls I thought were cute but never talked to. Even the Original Wasp made an appearance...crazy.

Your Song of the Day is "Forever Love" by Anna Nalick, for no other reason than it's been stuck in my head all morning, I don't know part of the lyrics, and I'm about to look them up anyhow. Congrats. It's a good song though, from my next ex-girlfriend Anna.

that should do for today, keep droppin' it like its hot, feel free to post-up and tell me all about how unacceptable it is for me to lose a game like that. I'd have been drummed out of the corps at Dson for a botch like that.. seriously..that mistake hit me really hard...

or just tell me what you think the Team USA lineup should look like.. I built mine around balance and flexibility, hence no Piazza, and the OBP MACHINE Giles leading off.

be good to each other
-apk

LINK OF THE DAY: Western PA NEWSFLASH!

I love living in the stix. Really.

No joke, on the website for the Tribune-Review, the local paper in my home county, the fourth story from the top is actually "Wedding Toppers No Longer Popular." That is what passes for news out here. People don't want plastic figurines on top of their wedding cakes anymore.

Two things about this article: First, someone who went to journalism school has been running around Western PA interviewing and calling cake shops in order to "investigate" this story; and 2) the final quote of the article, which is just downright hilarious. I guess when I get married, I can cancel the photographer, and just get myself a custom cake-topper. Sweet.

-apk

DAILY DOSE: "Yeah, the Boy Can Play"

You know what?

I'm really not all that interesting these days...

Now don't get me wrong, I'm still pretty awesome, but let's be honest, I've not had a good, entertaining post in these parts in a long time. It must be the end of school draining me. At least, that's what I'm gonna go with. That being said....

I AM DONE.

(forever).

until Bar/Bri starts next Thursday.



Okay, I'm not going to count Bar/Bri or pmbr, because I don't care if they're school or not. My academic career (barring some sort of flukish failure) is officially OVER. I turned in both of my papers on time, and they're both solid, if unspectacular. Actually, the paper on John Dickinson (all 32 pages and 104 footnotes of it) is pretty good. If you're interested in knowing that the namesake of my alma mater was not a "Tory prig" as Prof. Dwiggins once called him, then let me know-- I'll email it to ya. I finished my critique for Lawyering Process like, three weeks ago, I learned just enough Insurance Law last week to pass the exam (honestly-- I'm shooting for a 'D'..as in 'diploma' or 'J.D.') , and I knocked my ADR take-home around enough to get 'er done. Sorry to toot my own horn, but you know what? After writing close to 75 pages in the last ten days, it feels pretty good to be all DONE.

So let's be honest, I've been boring for a while. However, thing's are going to pick up, I betcha. I've got a lot of ballgames to go to soon, I've recently been drafted by Gavin's beer league softball team, and I'm going to want to be awfully creative during Bar Prep. Things'll be lookin' up around the Kingdom soon, I promise. In the meantime- if anyone wants to get some sort of controversy rolln,' just let me know. Feel free to write a guest-post, we've not had one of those in a while.

As for me, I'm going to get back to work (just one week left), think about how I bought my EP III tix last night, and I'm going to try not to be nervous about my Second Interview with my little Dream Firm this afternoon. If yinz got any good Karma out there for your boy, Adam, please feel free to send it my way at about 3:30 pm EDT.

Your Song of the Day is "Walk of Life" by Dire Straits. Largely becaue I'm listening to talk radio (decided to tune into the lady I used to babysit for today) and the guy talking now uses it as his entrance music, so it's stuck in my head. Good song, though. No link, unfortunately, I don't really have anywhere interesting to take you today. Feel free to drop one in of your own, like it's hot.

In the meantime, be good to each other, and have a great day.
-apk

MONDAY HANGOVER: "I'm Doin' All Right, The Best That I Can"

Okay! So I’ve finally returned. I told you not to expect much from me, being I was in the midst of finals and all. In fact, I’m still not done. I’ve got about two or three pages to write, and some footnotes to tweak tonight and my paperage/academic career will finally be complete. So yay me.

Yay me, and my $1350 in library fines. Yes, folks, apparently the books I took from the library last semester are “lost” (lost? They’re right over there, in my bookcase, by my bed..) and now I owe the University of Pittsburgh like 1300 bucks in overdue fees, replacement costs, and re-stocking fees. Needless to say, apparently their online renewal system doesn’t work as well as I thought it did. Obviously, I’ll be having an interesting discussion with the circulation desk tomorrow. They’re charging me like, $200 in “replacement fees” for $12 books. I’m a little angry.

And, you know, I can’t graduate until I pay the fines. Or at least receive my diploma. Awesome.

My overtly “dramatic” ramblings about my library fines aside, (Carolyn called me “Mr. Drama” this morning, then tried to argue that I shouldn’t be offended) let’s talk about my Super-Deluxe-Bad-Ass-Friend-Filled-Weekend-of-Spectacularness.

Okay, so it wasn’t that awesome, but I did get to see some great friends.

On Friday I traveled to Baltimore where I got to see my little Nicolitta and my Dream Girl Heather. We had all sorts of fun drinkin’ with Nic’s work-friends, and I ended up crashed out on some guys sofa. I vaguely remember waking up thinking, “where am I?” and not in a “where am in Baltimore” kind of way, but a “where am I on EARTH?” sense. Nic should be proud to know that 2 of my finest hangovers have taken place in Baltimore. So yay Nic.

Highlights of the trip included getting a ride to Nic’s friend’s place with Ty, the fast-car drivin’, urban-music blastin, seat-backin’ man-about-town. We made a stop to pick up his ex-girlfriend (and apparently, luckily, not to do anything illegal) at which point he called me “homey” and asked if I’d kindly move to the back seat. Little did he realize, I’m the Whitest Guy in America. Saturday I ended up having a highly-vegan smoothie/sandwhich brunch with Heather and The Girl Who Had Crashed At Nic’s House, and then hung out with Heather and got my ASS handed to me in Dr. Mario. Yes, folks, the Gaming Pro lies defeated. I think I’m in love.

Oh, but love comes so quickly to the melodramatic, for upon surprising Ang with my arrival at her going away party in DC Saturday evening, I fell in love all with a very very special girl, Kelly. Kelly, it came to be known, was so hazed by her father in the rites and rituals of baseball as a child, that she not only knows and understands the Infield Fly rule, but ALSO what a “Double Switch” is, and why someone would institute said maneuver. After asking her to marry me, I found out that she’s a SOX fan, and I instantly divorced her. Such is my fickle heart. She was pretty cute, though…

The party was swellness, and I got to bond with Long-Lost Morganite and my failed Tag Team Partner Rob Steele. “Bobby the Brain,” whose Dickinson email address awesomely reads “steeler,” and I go way back, and it was cool to reminisce. Good times, and good food.

I capped off the weekend with the splendidly boring drive home, a pitstop at the Knor Hacienda to give my love to my mommy, say hello to Penny and Gooder, and bring home some homemade stuffed shells. MMMMMMmmmmMM! My mom can cook! Then, I met up with the KGBeast, Kevin Lanouette, who was in town for business. I treated him to an outside tour of PNC Park, and where we enjoyed an Outback dinner on his company tab. A short jaunt up to Mt. Washington later, and we both turned in. I, tired from a long (but great weekend) and he, exhausted from the thought of getting up for work at 5:30 in the AM.

All-in-all, it was great to see three very special friends in three very special days, and you should all be jealous of me. Also, the Bucs won 16-2 yesterday. They’re awesome, and have a better record than the Yankees.

I’m off for now, by the time I next post, I’ll be officially waiting for graduation…or scraping pennies together to pay that fine.. don’t be surprised if I’m charging admission to the Kingdom by noon tomorrow.

Your Song of the Day is “Jacob’s Ladder” by Huey Lewis and the News, just ‘cuz. And the LINK will take you to EW’s Star Wars poll. Share your answers, and I’ll share mine :)

Be good to each other. And yes, I just used a smiley. Could I be any lamer?

-apk

New Pic! "Glory Days, They'll Pass You By"

#6? How did that happen, you ask?

Well, it was Florida, senior year. We were playing our fourth game in two days, and we didn't have laundry service like big shot D-I schools. Hence, the BP jerseys were out in full force. And, since the BP jerseys were simply outdated unis, and there was no 13, I got to be the legendary Billy Fisher for a day. I know I don't look great in the picture, but what can I do, it's only one of two pics that exist of me in my D-Son uni. (for the record, I looked GREAT in the sleeveless greys).

Oddly enough, I went 5-7 on the day (over two games) with like, a couple RBI, and I think two doubles. And I made one of the great throws of my life, turning at the wall to fire to the SS (hitting him at the chest around 3d Base) who relayed to home to kill a runner dead. It's utter BS I don't get credit for an assist there. Being an outfielder sucks.

If you look closely, I'm sporting my long-lost HHH wristbands. The loss of those wristbands correlates directly to the loss of my senior-year mojo. Coincidence? I think not.

Peace, bitches.
Talk to yinz Monday (maybe.. Final Finals start in full force in t-minus 36 hrs.)

-apk
(13 for life!)