Trials and Tribulations of The Atom Epiphone

scream (my 2nd fave MJ song)

2009-06-27T22:30:42Z

Tired of injustice
Tired of the schemes
The lies are disgusting
So what does it mean
Kicking me down
I got to get up
As jacked as it sounds
The whole system sucks

Peek in the shadow
Come into the light
You tell me I'm wrong
Then you better prove you're right
You're sellin' out souls but
I care about mine
I've got to get stronger
And I won't give up the fight

With such confusions
don't it make you wanna
scream
Your bash abusin' victimize
within the scheme

You try to cope with every
lie they scrutinize

Somebody please have mercy
'Cause I just can't take it
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make you just wanna scream

Tired of you tellin'
the story your way
It's causin' confusion

You Keep changin' the rules
While I keep playin' the game
I can't take it much longer
I think I might go insane

With such confusion

don't it make you wanna
scream
Your bash abusin' victimize
within the scheme

You find your pleasure
scandalizin' every lie

Oh father, please have
mercy 'cause I just
can't take it
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop *?!@#!in' with me
Make me wanna scream

"Oh my God, can't
believe what I saw
As I turned on the TV this evening
I was disgusted by
all the injustice
All the injustice"

"All the injustice"

With such collusions
don't it make you wanna
scream
Your bash abusin' victimize
within the scheme
You try to cope with every
lie they scrutinize
Oh brother please have
mercy 'Cause I just
can't take it
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream
Stop pressurin' me
Just stop pressurin' me
Stop pressurin' me
Make me wanna scream

I'm not a nerd. very sad.

2009-02-14T02:49:21Z

eh.

2008-12-30T04:10:19Z

stolen from yode and angie

2008-09-08T18:55:32Z

SP

1. Are you male or female? Space Boy
2. Describe yourself. Geek USA
3. What do people feel when they're around you? Stellar
4. How would you describe your previous relationship? My Mistake
5. Describe your current relationship. Zero (hah)
6. Where would you want to be now? My Blue Heaven
7. How do you feel about love? Apathy's Last Kiss
8. What's your life like? Raindrops and Sunshowers
9. What would you ask for if you had only one wish? Nothing and Everything
10. Say something wise. The Beginning is the end is the beginning

yeah.

2008-04-13T02:36:19Z

new el kubrio on the myspace.

what else.

still going to egypt. we'll see how it goes.

um.

i dunno.

i miss you guys. seriously. non work friends. i used to have them. come visit me. i'm getting fat and bored in the tigard suburbs without you.

new el kubrio

2008-02-10T18:46:08Z

Agatha Christie
Pennies in the Wishing Well

that is all.

hey folks

2008-01-20T01:47:13Z

whoop! whoop!

hoot. holler. still alive apparently.

life goes ok. still a team coach at good ole' vesta. it's been a long time working there. i think it will be 4 years if you count my time w/ Randstad as well. Life is pretty good. There's this girl in Peru who is a friend of my friend at work who I'm going to start writing letters to. Very pretty. wants to meet new friends and learn a different language. She can help me learn Spanish too. which is good. what else. Still planning on going to Egypt, but putting it off. I'm having second thoughts on selling my car to do it. I might go to school.

I dunno. I know I'll look back on now when I'm older and reminisce about how awesome life is. I'm the boss man at work. I've got lots of awesome friends. But I miss a lot of my old friends. feel weird about how life changes all the time. One moment, you're down. the next moment you're up. One moment you want to die. the next moment everything is nifty. Never count your chickens before they come home to roost. It's a good mixed metaphor for the moment. The only bad thing is that my stocks are down. Stupid recession. Maybe I should sell off and buy gold. yeah.

anyway. this blog is all over the place.

poop.

Viva Los Zeitgeist

2007-11-10T04:49:03Z

Viva in the news

eL KuBRio says hi.

2007-10-22T05:06:43Z

Smoker's Alley This song will have a cheerleader type call and response. Just wait.

(I Don't Need) Your Stupid Advice

early early early demo. the 2nd half isn't done yet. i'll do it tomorrow.

eL KuBRio was bored.

2007-10-10T18:55:02Z

Wicked Walk
Fireflies (Accoustic)

Can't Sleep LJ will make it easier!!

2007-10-04T11:49:55Z

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	5.9
Mind:	5.7
Body:	5.7
Spirit:	5.8
Friends/Family:	4.7
Love:	2.1
Finance:	6.1
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

7 years ago quiz

2007-10-04T11:41:42Z

How old were you? 19

What grade were you in? Gradumicated

Where did you go to school? PCC maybe? I doubt it.

Where did you work? 3rd St. Pizza Co. and McDonalds

Where did you live? McMinnville, Portland

How was your hair style? pretty much the same. unkempt.

Did you wear braces? no

Did you wear contacts? fuck no i've got 20/15.

Did you wear glasses? doubtful

Who was your best friend? steve, beback, jason, sugg, gina, etc. etc.

Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend? girls hated me. i wish they still did sometimes.

Who was your celebrity crush? hmm. i don't remember, honestly. weird.

Who was your regular-person crush? in 2000? Gina? I don't remember.

Were you a virgin? yeah, so.

How many piercings did you have? piercings are stupid.

How many tattoos did you have? i don't think i had mine yet in 2000

What was your favorite band? was I in Canada at the time? If so, SP. Those were good times.

What was your biggest fear? Being stuck in McMinnville forever. and bees.

Had you smoked a cigarette yet? Mmhmm. Lots of them

Had you gotten drunk or high yet? mmhmm. way too many times.

Had you driven yet? yeah.
If so what car(s) did you use? At the time, I believe I may have had the Club Car.

Which of your pets were still alive? Pets?

Which members of your family were still alive? the important ones.

where did you chill on the weekends? The Casa. I wanted to buy that place when I was famous and record hit records. Hah. Now I'm glad it's been demolished.

You feel old now don't you? Eh.

atomepiphone @ 2007-10-01T22:47:00

2007-10-02T06:00:19Z

1. Do you know anyone in prison?
no. unless you count people who work there.

2. Have you ever logged onto a boyfriend/girlfriend/crush's myspace?
fuck no!

3. When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly?
about a week ago.

4. Do you have a desk in your room?
nah. in the living room.

5. Have you ever gotten naked at a party?
i don't think so? scary.

6. What kind of car do you have?
2001 Mercury Cougar.

7. Are you named after one of your parents or grandparents?
no. I'm named after a cat.

8. Does your first love still live in the same town as you?
no. i really don't like that terminology, or know what the fuck that means. but none of them live in Tigard. And that's awesome.

9. Do you throw up gang signs?
no.

10. Have you ever broken a rib?
not mine.

11. Would you rather be a girl or a guy?
guy.

12. Who is the most spoiled person you know?
um. my niece madison i guess?

13. Would you rather have a million dollars or true love?
a million dollars. then i could buy true love.

14. Have you ever had sex in a church?
no.

15. Is your boyfriend/girlfriend a marine?
n/a

16. Do you watch the Grammys?
fuck no.

17. Would you ever work for the border patrol?
fuck no. fucking racists.

18. Which one word would describe your last relationship:
imaginary.

19. Would you rather date someone 2 years older than you or 20 years older?
younger. so the first one.

20. Have you ever had an eating disorder?
nah.

21. Do you have a porn collection?
nah. this is the 21st century.

22. How many proms have you been to in your life?
0.

23. Have you ever been in an interracial relationship?
um....

24. Is your birthday on a holiday?
not unless you're mark david chapman.

25. Are you old enough to vote?
yes.

26. Do you have any friends or family in the war right now?
i dunno. not any close friends or family.

27. What's the farthest you've been away from home?
Hawaii

28. Do you worry about global warming?
no. why worry about something you can't do anything about.

29. Do you like polar bears?
no. unless they give me coke.

30. Have you ever been cheated on?
i think so.

31. Do you own anything officially issued by the military?
fuck that shit.

32. What slang word(s) do you call marijuana?
doobage.

33. Are you an atheist?
christian.

34. Did you lose your virginity to your neighbor?
no.

35. Did or do you think your childhood dreams will come true?
no. i'm not in the NBA. the whole rock superstar thing didn't work out. The Presidency is a long shot. I guess I could still win something off the radio. although, if you lower your expectations, then all your dreams will come true.

36. Do you wear your sweetie's clothes?
n/a

37. What are your opinions on gold diggers?
it's not polite to pick your nose.

38. Are you a country or city girl/boy?
city boy stuck in the burbs.

39. Is your car a 2000 or higher ?
yes.

40. Do you want to hit something?
your mom. i'd double HER entendre.

So...God...about this whole election business

2007-09-22T14:46:44Z

yeah..... would you please smite this man? it's not murder if you do it.

Stand Up Comedy

2007-09-19T08:07:19Z

Wow. went to Stand Up Comedy night for the 2nd time in my life with a friend from work. Last time I got the same impression, and I don't really know why I said I would go again. Moral support? Eh. Anyway. Comedians are mean spirited people who are obsessed with sex and bodily functions. Maybe that's a generalization. It just felt like there was this aura of negativity surrounding the place. I don't want to say that the people there were the dregs of humanity, because that was clearly not true. People go to unwind, and have a laugh. and I understand that. I just don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I want to be in an atmosphere that's more life-affirming. My job is what I live for now. It's starting to feel sad. but I get to talk to other people about their dreams. It's a way to forget about my own. There's one guy who works there who is an amazing artist, and he's working on a comic strip. It's somehow related to samurai culture and time travel, but he refuses to tell me the rest. His girlfriend is the production manager of their little venture. She costars in the comic as a princess. Another guy lives in his van. He's just working there until he finds a way to get rich off Wall Street. He's always playing chess.

This is undoubtedly a 2nd life for me. The concept of being "Born Again" is so overused to the point of cliche. But it's not a cliche for me because I get to live it. It is so much better than sitting around all day getting high in one way or another. So much better. I just want to scream thank you to the thin air.

To let go of all your stupid dreams, to surrender all of your stupid selfish desires. to get to that point where you know you won't be that person you always wanted to be. you'll never date that person you've always wanted to date. you'll never live in the house on the hill that you always wanted to live in. you'll never be the rock star. you'll never be the astronaut.

you die.

and then you can truly live.

cough

2007-09-17T17:38:33Z

i haven't had a cigarette in 2 weeks. i don't know why i quit. i haven't really had the desire to smoke. probably because i haven't been going out drinking either.

what else is new? let's see. hmm. so. blazer fans. um. about that #1 draft pick. um. so. what was his name? i think it starts with an O. no. I think it starts with a B. Bowie? Is that it? Sam Bowie?

Also. Derek Anderson!!!! holy crap! where did he come from? I remember watching him play for the beavs and watching him choke all over the place! What the hell?

and the lakers. This is the last year on Kwame Brown's contract. So you know what's up.

I really want to see The Darjeeling Limited. I also want to see that Brian DePalma movie about the Haditha massacre.

How you uh. coming on that novel you're working on? got a.. got a big stack of papers.. a nice little story... compelling protagonist? an obstacle for him to overcome? been working on that 3 years now... nice little narrative...... friends become enemies... enemies become friends... and the main character is a richer for the experience?

Angelina Jolie Confirmed as Dagny in Atlas Shrugged Movie

2007-09-14T11:34:09Z

ngelina Jolie set to star in Atlas Shrugged

Thursday, September 21, 2006

It's official: Angelina Jolie is set to star in the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. David Kelley, Founder and Senior Fellow of The Atlas Society (TAS) confirmed with producer Howard Baldwin that Jolie is "signed, sealed and delivered." Kelley is serving as a producer and consultant for the film, and TAS trustee John Aglialoro is serving as an executive producer.

The Baldwins acquired the film rights to the novel from Aglialoro in 2003, after launching Crusader Entertainment with Philip Anschutz.

When Anschutz decided not to make the movie, the Baldwins took the project with them when they left Crusader to form Baldwin Entertainment Group.

As TNI previously reported in our celebrity Rand fan issue of The New Individualist, Jolie is a longtime fan of Rand -America's most controversial individualist - so her enthusiasm for playing the female lead of Dagny Taggart, the intelligent and powerful executive of a railroad empire, is not surprising.

Producers Karen and Howard Baldwin spoke at The Atlas Society's recent Summer Seminar about plans for their film adaptation of Atlas Shrugged. At that time we passed on the news Jolie had expressed a “keen interest” in playing Dagny Taggart and that the Baldwins had already had extensive discussions with her.

Producer Karen Baldwin also told Robert Bidinotto, editor-in-chief of The New Individualist, that Jolie showed up to one of their meetings with a copy of TNI under her arm -specifically, our January/February "celebrity Rand fan" issue, which featured Angelina and Brad Pitt on the cover that spoofed People magazine. "She really liked it," said Baldwin.

Jolie has the stellar box-office appeal that would allow the film to be a huge success, not only in the U.S. market but also abroad. The challenging and unique role would also no doubt, add an intriguing new dimension to Jolie's body of work.

The news comes at a time when America stands at a historic crossroads; much of Atlas Shrugged reveals the design of decline in America. The film could therefore be a pivot point for significant change in America.

For previous TAS announcements about the film, click here.

The Politics of People (Rant)

2007-09-10T07:06:14Z

I used to be pretty heavy into politics. Most people who know me know that. It used to be an obsession. Republican. Then Libertarian. Then life happened. You're supposed to get more conservative as you get older, right? Well, it's not working that way. The older I get, the less I care about political ideals, and more about what other people think. I don't really have a vision for how I'd like the country to be. I don't even have a vision for who I'd like to be. What do you think? I like people questions. People are amazing. They have such awesome ideas and thoughts and dreams. Every week I get to ask people what they want to do in life. What their goals are. I have the opportunity to help them succeed in their job. I try to make call center life more tolerable. I have the opportunity to shape how they speak with customers, and I know from personal experience that the lessons you learn in customer service etiquette can be applied to all facets of life. Some people have Vesta as their first job. I get to be their first "boss". it's pretty neat. I love the opportunity to coach. My job has taught me that first and foremost, politics is about people. I used to put so much stock in ideology. Philosophy. It's bullshit. There is no closed philosophical system, belief, etc that can be enforced on others. Getting to a mutual conclusion is such an awesome thing. Does this work for you? What works for you? This has worked for me, what do you think about that? Asking questions, and finding answers together. It's really great. Why isn't politics more like that? The debate format is so backwards. I don't want a president who has all the answers. I want a president who asks questions. That's why Barrack Obama appeals to me more than anyone else, even though his ideals are at odds with a lot of mine. He's willing to engage in dialogue. This is the 21st Century. The Bully Pulpit should be more like a discussion forum. Can you negotiate with terrorists? No! But even Bush says that Bin Laden is "impotent"

Who are our enemies? Does Al Qaeda deserve the stature it receives from intelligence agencies? Or do they know that a peaceful world leaves them out of a job? Won't the free market correct the trade deficit we have with China?

I don't know. For different reasons, I like Mike Huckabee. I like what he has to say about being Pro-Life. He makes me want to be Pro-Life. It's not just abortion folks! It's about promoting all life. It's about charity, It's about decency, it's about loving your neighbor. It's about grace. Do I think abortion is wrong? Yes. What do you think? Have you put yourself in those shoes? I have not. Who am I to judge any other human being. Abortion should not be a political issue. It should be a family issue. So Yes. I like Mike Huckabee. But we disagree on pretty much everything.

I also like Ron Paul. I agree with him on the issues about 99% of the time. I disagree with him on immigration. I disagree with him on free trade agreements.

Is the perfect candidate going to emerge in 2008? I don't know. To be honest, I don't care. I pray that I remain as comfortable and optimistic as I am at this moment. And I hope to be visiting Egypt when the next president is elected.

I'm in a really weird mood. Politics still has its draw, obviously. Obviously, I'm confused about my own beliefs.

On a completely unrelated note. Blog is such an ugly word. We're all such narcissists, aren't we? I know I am, at times. But I want to get in the habit of writing about politics again. I don't think my voice is particularly important, but I'd like to remember what it is exactly I have to say.

atomepiphone @ 2007-09-04T22:53:00

2007-09-05T05:57:11Z

I'm not a very good writer, so I stay away from blogs. What's new? Brain moving away from humiliating failure and looking ahead to future. The future is in Egypt. For me anyway. I want to spend a month or two there in an immersion program. learn arabic, and experience a different culture.

i feel so stupid and boring and american. someone told me once that i'm "the whitest person they've ever met" and this is so true. but i don't have to be this boring corporate creature. i can define myself through my actions and adventures.

so. Egypt. next year. go go gadget saving money time.

Vacation

2007-08-08T01:10:04Z

So I went on a road trip with the stever to see the pumpkins at the fillmore in san fran. it was pretty friggin' awesome.

Then my car broke down on the drive back. and i was stuck at a motel 6 in redding, california until this morning (5 days! GAH!)

They couldn't get the part in. incidentally, they needed to put in a different part. the first part was covered during a recall, but the 2nd part cost like $240 to put in.

anyhow. i love SP. if anyone gets the chance, they should look on youtube for the fillmore show on 8/1. it's really good. especially "mama", "hummer", and "peace and love". ok those are my faves. let's see. what else. oh. i really hate redding, california. i will never EVER return there. EVER. ever.

ever.

eL KuBRi-Uh Oh!

2007-07-15T19:42:54Z

New inspiration. eL KuBRio is now on a mission to make the world's worst (!) rap album. ever. y'all ain't never seen white bread with a cheezy grill like this before.

I know you've all been DYING to hear new eL KuBRio (hah.)

2007-07-15T00:23:47Z

)so here's the first 1:25 of Embrace the Divine Cliche (the song)

Yippee skippee for drum machines and pop songs. (also. bad lyrics!)

love isn't real but it's something you can think about
it's never enough to believe in yourself in the face of doubt
purpose and prose from your head to your toes but you aren't here
you're somewhere about with your lips that are pouting another atmosphere
hear me out, i want your love
hear me out, your love's enough
to take away my pain
to take away my shame
and cover me with grace
we're just biding our time
thinking everything's fine
until the cliche embraces

atomepiphone @ 2007-06-20T17:47:00

2007-06-21T00:47:54Z

is everyone afraid
is everyone ashamed
they're running towards their holes to find out
apocalyptic thieves are lost amongst our dead
a message to our friends to get out
there's wagers on this fear, ooh, so clear
depends on what you'll pay to hear
they're bound to kill us all
in white-washed halls
the jackals lick their paws

please don't stop, it's lonely at the top
these lonely days, will they ever stop
this doomsday clock ticking in my heart
not broken

i love life every day in each and every way
Kafka would be proud to find out
i'm certain of the end, it's the means that has me spooked
it takes an unknown truth to get out
i guess that i'm born free, c'est la vie
i was meant to beg from my knees

please don't stop, it's lonely at the top
these lonely days, will they ever stop
this doomsday clock ticking in my heart
these lonely days, will they ever stop

we gotta dig in
gas masks on
wait in the sunshine overhead
if this is living
sakes alive
well then they can't win
no one survives

is everyone afraid
you should be ashamed
apocalyptic screams mean nothing to the dead
?
come on
last call
you should want it all

it's lonely at the top
these lonely days, will they ever stop
this doomsday clock ticking in my heart
these lonely days, will they ever stop
it's ticking in my heart
is everyone afraid

atomepiphone @ 2007-06-17T20:02:00

2007-06-18T03:02:24Z

atomepiphone @ 2007-06-17T10:55:00

2007-06-17T17:56:26Z

last night i got to dance with the girl of my dreams. huzzah.