bipolar

Ah, the roller coaster ride that is the summer before college. You know, I hate going from a peak post to a valley post in the span of a day, but having some close friends change their tune on a certain issue and put you down when you're already as low as you go has a way of changing your mood. Remember when you were a kid in like 4th grade when you were starting to get more responsibility and you bring home your report card and your mom yells at you because you're not getting good grades and all you can do is cry your eyes out while she screamed about responsibilities and attempt to explain in your little kid way that you're trying as hard as you can and that you'll try to do better next time? Well, that's what I've felt like when dealing with these people. I'm trying. This mood shifting has happened so much in the past year that I've diagnosed myself with the psychological disorder noted in the title. Thanks Mrs. Voigt! Thanks DSM IV-R!

I feel so goddamn gay complaining about this, and I know everyone is sick of hearing about it. But you know what? It's my fucking blog and I'm going to write about whatever the hell it is I'm thinking about. And it just so happens that I've been thinking a lot about this particular situation.

Let me explain something. Men don't cry. Men get angry. I like to consider myself a man, though some would argue I'm more of a boy or child (or in somecases a goddamn little girl). I'm notorious for overreacting and lashing out irrationally. Remember the Kevin situation? I don't even remember why I was pissed to begin with. Of course, this situation is a bit more concrete, and I sure did get my feelings hurt, so I think I'm not completely unjustified. I've annoyed a helluva a lot of people, and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for being an uber-bitch to someone who was a bitch to me in the past. I have to admit, I don't think the bitchiness was proportional, and I apologize. I assure you there is a method to my madness, but explaining it in a blog post would be a bit useless since I only really need to explain myself to two or three people. Just know that I had my reasons, and I'll get around to revealing them another time.

But I can't say I'm through. I'm through with being an asshole (I hope). There may be flashes of anger, but I'll do my best to keep them to a minimum. My next stage is avoidance. Just keep us apart, and I'll be "happy." Yeah, right. I'll be far from happy, but at least I won't be angry. I guess I'll just stick with the convenient medium of "depressed." I think the problem is that I fall in love too quickly and let myself get hurt too easily. Better I learn this now than in college I guess. Goddamn, what a summer. Hope I make it to the end without completely losing it.

Currently enjoying:

Nothing much right now...

Next post: I'm having trouble enough focusing on the present, and you're asking me to predict the future? The audacity! Let me sort out some things, and then I'll be back. Some people have been on my back for voicing my opinions in my own fucking blog, so maybe I'll just take a break. Happy now?

get in the car, manny, or you're going to die

I'm proud to announce that the title of this post is the cheesiest line in War of the Worlds. Other than that, the movie is quite solid. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Within ten minutes, shit is blowing up, which is always a good sign. Tom Cruise, although completely insane in real life nowadays, was convincing as the deadbeat dad who redeems himself by saving his kids from Martians. Tim Robbins...oh, Tim Robbins. I love that guy. He's awesome as "the crazy guy in the basement," as I would have labeled him in the credits. He had a name in the movie, but I forget. Another entertaining movie that won't do a damn thing to spur the Hollywood slump. I would say this was not only entertaining, because as we know just about anything entertains me, but it was good. So this one is highly recommended. Although they are completely different experiences, I think I was more absorbed in this movie than Batman Begins. And after the movie I got to make some comments to a certain woman that I'm not particularly fond of. So the night was a success.

Some odd coincidences (or are they?...yeah, probably) about War of the Worlds. The narrator at the beginning and end: Morgan Freeman. Tim Robbins (aka Andy DuFresne) digging a tunnel out of his basement (his "prison cell"). Shawshank anyone? Just an observation. Also, my close, personal friend Mr. Spielberg (or "Papa Steve" as only I get to call him) did a damn fine job with his third (count 'em, three) alien movie. E.T. is obviously gonna be top dog in this category, but I say this gives Close Encounters a run for it's money in the entertainment department. I recommend all three for the uninitiated.

H.G. Wells's book was quite different from the movie though. Of course, a story with a nameless, more or less objective narrator and little character use needs some livening up by Hollywood. Like I said, Wells's protagonist has no name, no backstory for that matter. David Koepp decided to spice it up by giving him an ex-wife, some kids, an attitude, and a metrosexual stylist. It gives the movie purpose, for sure, and for those who have read the book, you know what I'm talking about. The book is basically a roving reporter's account of what is happening as London gets fucked to shit by Martians. The movie is a guy saving his kids and getting them back to their mom while New York, Boston, and everything in between gets fucked to shit by Martians. The action scenes are superb, by the way. And it's one of the few movies with a competent child actor. Kudos to Dakota Fanning for being a somewhat annoying brat, but only because it's in the script.

All in all, I recommend the book and the movie. Just don't be one of those people who complain that the book was "soo much better" (*ahem* Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings *ahem*). Just enjoy the ride. The preview for King Kong wasn't too shabby either. Of course, I would see it even if the trailer was just the big monkey taking a shit, because Adrien Brody is in it, and ever since he played that retard in The Village, I've been hooked, and because someone finally gave Jack Black a role where he doesn't just play himself (*ahem* Richard Linklater...School of Rock *ahem*). I was pleasantly surprised to see Colin Hanks in the preview as well. I enjoyed Orange County, didn't you?

Well, yet another late night post comes to an end. This one went long. Of course, my motto is "you can tell it's a good post by how many pointless links they throw in." But I'm not keeping score if you aren't...

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Next post: I dunno, I'm pretty exhausted after this monster. If I see another good movie, maybe.

100 bullets

Three days since my last post. I've been slacking. And I can't use work as an excuse because we've been slacking at work too. Monday, we didn't work at all. Me and James slept till about 1:00 and then played video games the rest of the day. Don't worry, we didn't get paid for it, we're not that shady.

I feel like a little kid today. Me and Revis went to the comic book store today and bought comic books. I haven't done that in like 5 years. Nostalgia has been setting in more and more lately. Guess since I'm leaving home, I'm reliving all the shit I used to do. If my mom tells me I'm wasting my money on comics, I can just tell her I'm preparing for class. I'm taking a freshman seminar about comics and graphic novels. Pretty exciting. I guess you kinda have to be into that kinda thing to get excited about it though.

Summerfest is next week, and I WANT TO GO. If anyone is in town on the 4th (yeah, the 4th of July) and wants to go to Ben Folds, call me. Seriously. I want to go. Or we can get tix to Styx on the 5th or Journey on the 6th or Death Cab or the Pixies and Weezer on the 7th or Pete Yorn on the 10th. See? It's such a damn good week. I want to get up to Milwaukee, so anyone who wants a ride is more than welcome. Just as long as I'm not going alone, I'm cool with it.

Did anyone else catch Raul Midon on Letterman last night? Props to Dr. Carlson for showing us kids this guy. Uh-mazing is all I can say. If he ever comes to play around wherever I am at the time, I'm going and everyone is invited. He's a damn good performer. I've never seen anyone who can play the trumpet without a trumpet before. I guess you just have to see it for yourself.

I haven't had any adventures lately, which may explain for the lack of postage. I'll do my best to keep up with the times and enlighten you all with the fascinating details of my life as often as possible. I know you're craving it. Until then...

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Next post: If something interesting happens, I'll tell you. If nothing happens, I'll tell you. Check out the comic 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello, if you're interested. Just picked up an issue today, and it was quite good, although I had no idea what was going on. It's tough to read comics when you start out on issue #58 and have to play catch up. I'm serious about all that Summerfest shit too. Anyone who wants to go, let me know.

august couldn't come soon enough

I want to go to college. You wanna know why? Here's why. August 17th is looking mighty friendly. And with all the buddies I've made on Facebook, partying shouldn't be much of a problem. Summer isn't bad right now, but I feel a slump coming on. As for that feeling of something on the horizon, still there, but I'm beginning to think it's just college. If not, I'll tell y'all about it. I like typing "y'all." Eh, no I don't. It looks stupid. Sorry, I won't do that anymore.

I'm always looking for a good party, if anyone can hook me up. You know the number!

so, the oil goes in the thing marked "antifreeze" right?

Wow. That is all I can say. The past 30-odd hours have been kickass. Last night, someone's parents were finally out of town, and I had...fun...that's all I'll say. Then today was quite an adventure.

Driving to Milwaukee, having no real idea where we're going, we drove around in circles a couple times (thanks Andy!), and we were late to the fucking CUBS GAME. Yeah that's right, I finally got to one. Alas, it wasn't at Wrigley, which is ideal, but Miller Park is damn nice. Andy got the tix, on account of us helping him move into his apartment. And by the way, if anyone out there is considering going to Marquette, or just moving to Wisconsin in general, I would advise against it, unless you really like cheese and beer. There is the smallest concentration of attractive women in Milwaukee. Seriously, baseball games are full of hot chicks, at least at Wrigley. NO hot chicks at Miller. Well, there were a few. But guess what? They were Cubs fans. Sweet irony. And while driving around town, I think we saw one hot girl, maybe two. So if you're going to college for the hot action, stay away from Wisconsin.

Speaking of Wisconsin, is it just me or does Wisconsin seem really similar to Canada? It's probably just me and I know all of these assumptions are completely false, but when I think of Milwaukee, I think "seceded Canadian city." It's such an unassuming metropolis. There's no real skyline to speak of, the beer flows like wine, it's just fucking weird up there. I know, I'm crazy, but it's just the impression it gives me. Next thing you know, the drinking age will be 18 again, they'll all develop a faux-American accent which we'll be able to spot by the way they say "about" and "house," and it'll be the only American state with free healthcare. Just watch.

So on the way home, I'm driving Mark's car and the fucker flips over and explodes. Actually, we just ran out of oil, but when we got it fixed, we were afraid we would do something wrong and the fucker would flip over or something. And we got to have some fun with resident car fanatic, Dan Spencer. The title of the post is a quote from Mark to Dan. The rest of the conversation went something like this (from Mark's POV):

"It doesn't go in there?....So how would we go about draining that out?....You're fucking kidding....Shut the fuck up, dude, I have no idea what I'm doing!....Then you come out here and do it, fucker....So what do we do?....Fuck!"

All of that happening while me, Revis, and James are cracking up. So we get home, surprise the hell out of Spence-daddy, go to Coldstone (which is a huge waste of money), and now I'm here blogging for you. Just for you. God, you take me for granted...

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Next post: Work and my bro's birthday party tomorrow. Busy weekend with thank-you's to write, so I don't know when it'll be. I'll try not to keep you waiting.

look at me!

I just registered for Facebook, so check me out. I'm kinda tired right now, maybe I'll do a bigger post later.

i ain't afraid of no ghosts

Like wow, Scoob, this old cemetery looks mighty creepy! Let's go check it out! Blood's Point Cemetery, Flora Township, IL. I didn't see any ghosts, but it was a change of pace, and that made it fun. Beats sitting around at someone's house like we usually do. At least I was out and about. Being out in the middle of nowhere at midnight is fun enough without being in a cemetery under a full moon with 15 people expecting something craaazy to happen.

But nothing crazy happened. Mark played a few jokes, but to everyone's disappointment, there were no real ghosts, or crazy tall men, or black hearses. One kinda weird thing: Noah's car stalled. Twice. Well, not stalled exactly. The first time, his gas pedal stopped working for like 5 seconds, and he fucked with us for like 20 seconds after. But the second time, his gas, brakes, power steering, and stereo all just shut off. His lights were still on, but other than that, there was nothing. It was pretty odd.

No real partying yet this week, but there is hope. James's mom might be going to Madison one of these nights, and his Dad is fishing in Canada, so if that happens, look out. I've had this funny feeling lately. Like I'm looking forward to something, but there's nothing really on the horizon. Something big is gonna happen soon, I can feel it. I've hit a stride with the summer. Working during the day, and trying new shit with new people at night. Maybe it'll lead to that big something. Life is good for the most part right now. But the funny thing about life is that no matter how good or bad things are at the moment, they can always get worse. So let's hope things don't go downhill, because a giant snowball of disaster doesn't sound too appealing. Foregoing some unforeseeable disaster, I can't really think of anything that could go wrong though.

Let's hope this mood lasts through the week.

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Next post: We'll see.

what's the worst that could happen?

Well, I'm sitting here, bored out of my skull. I got done working today and came home and did jack shit for 3 hours. Blogging is fun, so I'm gonna blog.

I didn't really have anything planned to say, so I'll rant for a bit and we'll see where it goes. Thursday I might be going to Milwaukee to help a pal move into his apartment, and hopefully get paid in Cubs/Brewers tickets. Let's hope. Speaking of tickets, I was looking for Secret Machines tickets, and I got a little confused. Ticketmaster says Kings of Leon are playing at The Rave in Milwaukee and Congress Theatre in Chicago on July 29th and 30th respectively. No mention of Secret Machines. Now I was under the impression that these two bands were touring together. Some other Kings of Leon dates specify that they are playing with Secret Machines. I'm gonna buy tix for July 29th, because that's the day Revis can go, and Cal and Noah are going that day. So hopefully Secret Machines are playing. But whatever. What could go wrong, right?

I need some activity soon, or all of my future posts are going to be this shitty. I apologize in advance since I'm pretty sure that no one is going to burst into song and dance, I won't get caught up in a web of international intrigue and espionage, and there will be no high speed chases down my street anytime soon.

What a fucking shitty post.

so i'm in this club...

...called the League of Shadows. Wanna join? Well, you have to be ready to kick major ass, and with the help of a few plot twists...Ahh, I won't say it. You'll just have to see Batman Begins yourself. Forget Christian Bale (although he is exceptional), Cillian Murphy fucking rocks the house as Scarecrow. My only qualm is that he didn't get as much screentime as you'd expect. A surprising Gary Oldman as Sgt. Gordon was well worth the money. And yeah, I said Sgt. Gordon. When Christopher Nolan says Batman Begins, he really means it. Katie Holmes was notable, as were Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. An all-around awesome cast, with each playing their roles to a tee.

And of course, at the end of the movie, everyone had to mention to me, "Dude, McNally. Katie Holmes is such a cocktease in this scene coming up." Then after I see the scene, "Dude, wasn't she? Wasn't she a huge cocktease?" Yes. Yes she was. But in movies, it's forgiveable. I am aggravated by the fact that it is necessary for everyone to make sure that I know that she's a cocktease.

Hmm, bit of an angry last paragraph, don't you think? I've been in such a good mood lately, it was bound to come out sometime. But never fear, it won't happen too often. Of course, I say that only in the confidence that I won't be reminded how much a secondary character in a studio movie is a damn cocktease. Sorry. That was it. I promise.

I guess that's all I got for now. Catch you cats on the flipside.

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Next post: We'll try and keep it positive next time. Hopefully I'll be partying tomorrow night. At least that's the plan. I'll keep you updated.

it's official

All of the big, stressful things that had to occur this summer are past. My graduation is done. My orientation is done. My graduation party is done. So now all that's left is summer. The grad party went extremely well, I think. Blue Cheese was fantastic (Thanks Uncle Mike!) and the SpongeBob moon bounce was a hit. Thanks for coming everybody!

So now that all that shit is done, I'll have grad parties on the weekends, maybe some work during the week, and hopefully some parties to go to in between. I'm sick of this sitting around bullshit. I want some excitement before we all go our separate (or not so separate) ways. Being the one who is going the farthest away, this is particularly crucial for me. Being bored isn't an option for the next two months. If I'm not doing something (or someone *wink wink*) I'm just going to be a pissed off mood. So for those of you who don't like it when I'm in pissy moods, find a party to send me to, and you'll never have to deal with my whininess all summer.

Anyway, it's good to be done with all the important stuff. Now that I can just relax and have fun, things will be good. LA isn't too far off (time-wise), can't forget that. So in the meantime, as the infamous Rick James may or may not have actually said, "It's a celebration bitches. Enjoy yourself."

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Next post: My bro just got Chappelle's Show Season 2 on DVD, so I'll be quoting shit from that for a while. Holla, holla, holla, lemme holla atcha, holla, holla, I'm holla-in' atcha bitch, don'tcha hear me?! As for the next post, I have no idea. Whatever my muse tells me, I guess.

from titan to trojan

After making the extremely difficult decision to sacrifce Cubs tickets (Bleacher tickets!) to go to my USC orientation, I was doubting how much fun I would have registering for classes and all that shit. But I have to say, next year is going to be an experience, man. Los Angeles rocks the house, there's tons of chicks, everybody is hella friendly, and there is a shitload to do. And I still get to toga! Too bad I caught LA in the middle of the June gloom. Cloudy and misty in the morning, but it usually clears up by afternoon.

Plus, the Cubs got stomped 15-5. Outside of the bleacher bum experience, I didn't miss much. I won't have a class before 10 AM too, which is nice. And I only have one class on Fridays. So, so long Rockford. I'll see you in hell! Hello LA. Hello USC football games. Hello Mark Prior, who has come to see the USC football game. Fight on, baby. Fight on.

leavin' on a jet plane

Off to Cali for orientation tomorrow! Flying with my parents and spending three days listening to them bitch about how much money college is going to be is going to be so fun. I can't wait. Part of the reason I chose USC was to get away from my unusually cling-y family. I just need a break.

I should go to sleep, but as usual, I'm not tired. I'm either an insomniac or a nocturnal creature. Either way, I'm not a morning person. I guess I'll rap at y'all in three days.

love is an irresistable desire to be irresistably desired

Robert Frost said that. Isn't it funny how every clever, stupid little quote about love seems to apply to you when you like someone? I also think it's funny how when you like someone and you don't want to like them anymore, bridges, moving traffic, or just a pond full of flesh-eating bacteria look a whole lot more friendly. Anyway...

I saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith the other day. While the plot isn't all there, the dialogue is pretty sharp, and the movie is overall entertaining, which is what we all want in the end right? I mean, a movie could be the smartest thing since Einstein but if it doesn't entertain, then who the fuck cares?

California is looking mighty inviting nowadays. Grad parties are thinning out, both in number and in entertainment value. And although I think I'm going to miss my friends quite a bit, I'm ready to make some new ones. I need a change of pace like a Satanist needs an epiphany. And depending on your point of view, according to that last statement, I could or could not need a change of pace. For those of you thoroughly confused by now, let me put it this way: I need to get laid.

This is a pretty sporadic post. Kind of spur of the moment. I didn't really have anything planned to say, I just can't sleep and wanted to write. Fuck! Speaking of writing, I just remembered that I promised myself I would do some of that this summer. So far, no dice. It's like every goddamn New Year's resolution I've ever made. Oh well. I've still got a few months...

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Next post: Well, I'm still due for that social commentary, but I wouldn't count on it. I sense a lot more venting and complaining. They don't call me McNegative for nothing. Damn, I hate that nickname. I'll try to lighten it up next time.

sweet quiz

Which member of the Gorillaz are you?

women...

Some fucked up shit has occured in the past week. I'm not going to go into details, but I can say that life is unfair to everyone, death sucks for those of us who live to see it, girls can be bitches, and I'm ready to get on with the summer. Some of these things have been dealt with and some of them have yet to be resolved.

Now that I'm leaving for Cali from the good old Midwest, I'm finding out who my true friends are. I estimate about 100,000 people have told me "Oh man, Southern California? I'm totally gonna come visit you, is that alright?" Of course, I answer "Oh yeah man, totally. Come on down." Now, I know that not even 1/25,000 of those people will come to visit me, but, hey, I can dream.

An important point that needs to be addressed, some girls are bitches and some girls get a bad wrap. Don't get me wrong, there are some great girls out there. Unfortunately, they are taken by either the rich, the incredibly handsome, or the "badasses." I am none of these (although I do have a tattoo. That makes me badass, right? Right??) The rich don't care, the handsome take it for granted, and the badasses treat these great women like shit. So the rest of us are stuck with the indignant bitches who are pissed that they can't always get the rich guy or the handsome guy or that guy that broke a pool cue over that nerd's head at a bar that one time. And we, the nice guys, are the ones who suffer. I've been cheated, been mistreated, and I'm pissed about it. I try to be nice to these girls, and they think they can treat me like shit just because I'm the one who is coming to them and not vice versa. Be grateful I'm coming on to you at all! There are plenty of girls just like you, who may not be as moody as you, or at least take some Advil when they're on the rag. You're expendable, and you probably think of me the same way. So why can't we just make out and move on? We're still going to be unhappy afterwards so we might as well get something out of it. The moral of my rant: The women I have to deal with suck.

In lighter news, I am now an unintentional, unconvicted felon/terrorist. A long story involving a pipe found in the trash, a fox, one lactose-intolerant Argentinian, and myself concludes with a call to the bomb squad here in Rockford. For a more detailed account, check out that Argentinian's website.

To wrap up tonite's episode, I'll just say a few things. Kate, I'm sorry. Mark, have fun with your new blog, I know I will.

I'll end with a quote from famed feminist Germaine Greer. "Women have very little idea how much men hate them. A few men hate all women all the time, some men hate some women all of the time, and all men hate some women some of the time."

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Next post: Who knows? Maybe a good social commentary. The world can always use more of those.

crash

It's been a few days, but I haven't been feeling very loquacious lately. Today is no exception. I'm here to talk about Crash, but I'm going to do so with as few words as possible. Fantastic is the first word that comes to mind. Fantastic acting, directing, writing, etc., etc. This movie is worth the eight to ten dollars we are forced to pay nowadays, which is more than I can say for Star Wars. Don't get me wrong, I loved the last movie. But eight dollars is a lot of money to pay for a story we all knew already. Anakin turns into Darth Vader, key characters die, Yoda goes to Dagobah. Funny, I didn't intend to mention Star Wars today. Anyway back to Crash. It's Traffic but without the drugs. Many intriguing storylines weaved together (intentionally, hence the title, people crashing into each other, becoming connected) in a manner that I can only hope to achieve one day. Your humble blogger was nearly brought to tears on more than one occasion. It's a smart, emotional, and thought-provoking movie that everyone should see. And I mean everyone. For those of you reading who know him, even Dan Spencer loved this movie. All in all, my experience with this movie was a great one. An excellent dinner with an excellent girl (who I will be going to college with next year) followed by an excellent movie. Summer's been good so far. As of right now, Crash is the best movie of the year, in my opinion.

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Next post: We'll see! Maybe a nice introspective on some shit that's been going on lately. That's the kind of mood I'm in.