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Tell Us About the Stuff You’ve Been Enjoying Recently

May 14, 2012 By Jeff 33 Comments

Hello, friends. It’s been a long time since I’ve written one of these updates, and I’m hoping it’s just like riding a bicycle or setting warehouse fires. I’m counting on muscle-memory to take over.

I want to thank Virtual Jeff for posting a new Question from his database every day last week at 9:00 a.m.  I was otherwise engaged, but it seems like it went reasonably well. What did you guys think? Go ahead and be honest… [VJ] is unplugged and back inside his packing crate in the basement.

My extracurricular project went well, I think.  But, of course, it’s not for me to decide. I turned everything in on Friday, and now all I can do is wait.  I’m not the most patient person on the continent, but grit my teeth and pretend to be patient I must.  I’ll let you know if I get good news.  If it’s never mentioned again… you’ll know I was sent back to the drawing board one more time.

Oh well.  Whatever it takes.  I don’t give up so easily nowadays.  I often wish I could have my twenties back, which was a decade of my life wasted on dumbassery and high-impact douche-a-robics.  But I was so quick to give up on things back then. First sign of trouble: fukkit. I don’t need that tendency back, thank you very much.

I returned to work last night, and my desk was an absolute wreck.  My computer was locked-out with a generic password, which makes me think it was used last week as a time clock — where employees clocked in and out during every shift.  All my pens were gone, my two monitors were radically cockeyed, and my desk was covered in something that required a thorough scrub-down with Mr. Clean, or whatever.

I’m very territorial, and don’t like people messing with my shit. So… within seconds of arrival, I was already growling like a dog, and producing a daisy-chain of illogical profanity.  Order was restored within a half-hour, though.  It looked worse than it was, I guess.

I had 445 emails, which was a pleasant surprise. I was braced for 650. That’s what my inner-sensors told me: 650.  I went through them in an hour or so, and sent 99% to the garbage or one of a dozen folders I’ll probably never open.  At the end I was left with about 10 messages that required my direct involvement.

And just like that… I was officially back into the swing of things.  As if last week had never happened.  It made me feel mildly sad.

But while I was away I discovered two things I’m really enjoying, and would like to share them with you guys.  I noticed that [VJ] was pretty negative with his questions, so I thought I’d start the new week with something a little less… dark.

I’d like to know what new stuff you’ve discovered in your travels over the past few months, which you’re enjoying. I’ll start with my two, and you guys can take it from there.  OK?  OK.

The first is a free phone app called Evernote. There are plenty of applications which you can download to your phone, and use to jot down ideas and thoughts that occur to you throughout the day. I had one on my previous phone, but Evernote is roughly a million times cooler than that earlier one.

It looks great, for one thing, and is super-easy to use. And it also uploads your notes to a cloud drive, so you can retrieve them from any computer in the world.  It does a lot of other things, too.  But the notebook function is fantastic, and I’ve been using it daily.

And it’s completely free.  It’s one of the few apps I’ve discovered that is truly useful, and makes my life a little bit better.  I enthusiastically recommend Evernote.  Check it out, if you’re so inclined.

Also, I’ve been fairly obsessed with an unlikely album.  A few weeks ago I downloaded Bible Belt by Diane Birch, after I heard it mentioned by two different music nerds on unrelated podcasts.  It sounded interesting and I had a small balance in my eMusic account, so I took a chance on it.

I’m glad I did.  It sounds like a singer/songwriter album from the 1970s — like maybe something from Carole King or Carly Simon.  Or maybe a female Elton John.  The songs are really good, and it’s just a hell of a lot of fun.  I’m sure I’m drawn to the nostalgic feel of it; this stuff would’ve been all over AM radio if it had been released in 1973.  But it’s not ONLY about nostalgia… the songs and the performances are strong.

So, there you go.  Have you discovered anything new that you’d like to share with us?  If so, please use the comments link below.

And I’ll be back tomorrow, boys and girls.

Have a great day!

Now playing in the bunker
Treat yourself at Amazon: US and Canada

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Comments

  1. Ognir says

    May 14, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    It’s amazing what people do to your space when you are gone for a while.

    One time when I was gone for a while, someone took the keyboard and mouse from my desk.

    Reply
  2. Henderson says

    May 14, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    445 emails. ppppffffffffttttt.

    Here’s what you do. ….. Delete ALL of them. If it was important, they will email again.

    Reply
  3. Jimbo says

    May 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I downloaded Evernote a while ago, but my iPhone 3G is too old-timey to run it. I also can’t play the new game Draw Something.

    So I guess I’ve recently discovered that my phone is old. I’ll be getting an HTC One X soon enough.

    Reply
  4. Rick says

    May 14, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Might just be a coincidence, but look at who all died while VJ was on the job… MCA, Goober, and Maurice Sendak.

    Reply
  5. dto says

    May 14, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Just a thought…the next time you leave for a while, wrap your entire area in that yellow crime scene tape and get some talcum powder and dust your monitor and around your desk and mouse. Maybe put some on your coffee mug too. That should keep the intrusive bastards out.

    Reply
    • jim britton says

      May 14, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Now that’s an idea!

      Reply
    • hardoxdan says

      May 14, 2012 at 4:54 pm

      About 30 years ago, my dad owned a construction company. He kept a shitload of stuff in our oversized 2 car garage including extension ladders, aluminum brake, shingles, insulation, hammers, saws, gas cans, about 100 extension cords, and it was a total wreck.

      Shit always turned up missing. Occasionally, my uncle who lived a couple of blocks would borrow something, but always put it back eventually.

      We were going on vacation to the beach for a week and my dad told my uncle to stay out of the garage while we were away because my dad was going to sprinkle a light dusting of flour on the floor and see if there were any foot prints in the garage when we returned. He locked the garage door, disabled the electric door opener, and locked the man door on the side of the garage.

      When we returned, he discovered that somebody was opening a window on the alley side of the garage and using our garage as party central. There were cigarette butts, condoms, empty beer cans, panties, and foot prints from about 20 different people.

      Dad nailed the window shut from the inside and that was the end of that, never did figure out who had been going in there for all that time partying and stealing stuff.

      Reply
    • Uncle_Wedgie says

      May 15, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      Spray some Liquid Ass all around your space. That should keep your stuff from being tampered with.

      Reply
  6. Dogberry says

    May 14, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Discovered Top Gear (UK). Yeah, I know I’m way behind, but it gives me more than dozen seasons of catch-up time, so I’m cool with that.

    Reply
    • Theresa says

      May 15, 2012 at 12:15 am

      Love that show, the US version isn’t as good.

      Reply
  7. madz1962 says

    May 14, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    The birds. I love waking up to the sounds of birds chirping. Except maybe for the squaking crows. Those bastards are loud.

    The smell of cut grass. And lilacs. What a symphony for the snoot!

    A breeze coming through the window at night.

    Just had a fantastic weekend. Took Friday off and went for a long, leisurely lunch. Saturday, we had tickets for Yankee stadium. After 6 straight months of pure suckage and sadness, I feel like we’re finally connecting with the living again.

    Reply
  8. Phil Jett says

    May 14, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Like Dogberry, I also started watching Top Gear (UK). This was after I caught myself watching 3 hours of Meacham Auto Auctions on Velocity. Saw about 40-50 cars I want but maybe two I could afford buy right now.

    Where in the hell do all these people get all that money!

    Reply
  9. Tipsey McChugney says

    May 14, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Scrapple

    Reply
  10. bikerchick says

    May 14, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    A friend recommended a “boot camp” class at a place right near my house I didn’t even know existed. I have never worked out so hard in my life. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. Its one of those classes where you either cry or throw up or swear you’ll never do it again. It’s fucking insane. But I would NEVER push myself that hard. And I need it. I’m so glad I found this place. The people who own it are pretty cool. They train female body builders for competition. In fact, the wife is one of the owners and used to compete herself.

    Reply
    • madz1962 says

      May 14, 2012 at 4:36 pm

      Not quite the same thing, but I’m doing Zumba now, and I LOVE IT. Great cardio workout and it’s so much fun. Hey, if I have to jiggle my ass for an hour, I’m going to have fun doing it.

      somehow, that doesn’t sound right….

      Reply
      • bikerchick says

        May 14, 2012 at 4:41 pm

        As long as you don’t hear “tuck a buck”…jiggle to your heart’s content!

        Reply
        • CitizenX says

          May 14, 2012 at 6:43 pm

          My son is currently in SEAL training. When he was in HS he did cross-fit .. that is another great program.

          Reply
  11. ron says

    May 14, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    currently i am on 8 weeks accumulated vacation
    but i not worry about how things will be when i finish my vay k [ my co workers hate that term, so i use it a lot] because then i will be retired

    the thing i enjoy most is, every day is a saterday.
    get up when i want
    do what i want
    monday never comes

    Reply
    • Max says

      May 15, 2012 at 1:00 pm

      Damn, I had a hard time coming back to work after 10 days off. I can’t imagine coming back after 8 weeks.

      Reply
  12. johnthebasket says

    May 14, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    “I’ll be goddamn if ever’ day ain’t a holiday and ever’ meal a feast.”
    …………………………………….Dan Jenkins

    Reply
    • Chuck in Belpre says

      May 14, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      One of my all time favorite lines.

      Reply
  13. neilyoungfan says

    May 14, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Jeff-
    You might like to check out Diane Birch on “Live From Daryl’s House” (Daryl Hall’s webcast).

    http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/currentep.html?ep_id=21

    Reply
  14. CitizenX says

    May 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Yesterday I learned there is an X on the road indicating where JFK was killed.
    It’s all I got.

    Glad you found evernote! Everyone I know who uses it RAVES about it. I have downloaded it before but just cannot seem to integrate it / change my ways.

    Jeff! What? No passive-aggressive notes on your desk indicating “Do Not Touch” ??
    I feel a bit let down.

    Reply
    • johnthebasket says

      May 14, 2012 at 11:21 pm

      My Welsh is a little rusty, but I think the bottom message says something like, “Fuck with this desk and I will stick a laser pointer so far up your ass that your eyes will shine.”

      Reply
  15. Greg says

    May 14, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Tiger Woods commits to play The Greenbrier Classic in July, along with Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Tom Watson. Antics will ensue!

    Reply
  16. Vicki says

    May 14, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Late to the party and my son tells me I’m so “old school” but I finally paid for pandora and am enjoying the inth out of it on my work computer. My stations are: Adult Alt, Neil Yng, The White Stripes, Manchester Orchestra, Today’s Alt, Modest Mouse, Blink 182, The Shins and then John Prine just cause. Doggone but it can read my mind.

    Reply
    • johnthebasket says

      May 14, 2012 at 11:17 pm

      Every day will go just fine
      As long as you listen to ol’ John Prine

      Reply
  17. chill says

    May 14, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Cars with USB ports: stick in a thumb drive full of mp3s, and the music appears on the stereo. Brilliant.
    .

    Reply
  18. putski says

    May 15, 2012 at 6:44 am

    Had an ingrown toenail cut out today. That was pretty awesome to watch! It’s amazing how much actually comes out and I didn’t feel a thing. Nice.

    Reply
  19. dto says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:16 am

    My guess for your vague purpose…you went to NYC to meet up with your writer/agent/actor type friends to brainstorm and get down on paper, a pilot episode for a sit-com. I hope I’m right about that.

    Reply
  20. dto says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Someting I’m discovering right now…using a gas powered weed wacker is not near as fun as they make it look on TV. I think I’ll just let the stuff dry out a bit and buy a flame thrower. They’re lots more fun I’m sure.

    Reply
  21. DataTater says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    The # 1 thing I’ve found recently that I really really like: the Surf Report!! I’m LOVING it – thanks for existing Jeff!! (if I may call you Jeff)

    Reply
  22. Rob says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    Amongst the things I’ve been up to is doing a lot of reading on the Kindle that my wife gave me when she upgraded to the Fire. I’ve gone nuts on the free offerings (currently reading “Varney the Vampyre: Or, The Feast of Blood)- including Jeff’s book- “Crossroads Road”. Funny stuff. I plan on getting it again- and paying for it this time. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

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