Nosferatu (Symphony of the Dark) Preview

Due to Loss of Records....

At the end of the weekend Lor and I went through a couple of boxes I had in the storage unit outside of the apartment. Then we went through the Accordion of Life. While, I somehow purged my life of useless shit from years, and maybe just this last year. I felt about half way through as if I was the protagonist of a "Hoarders" episode. I found myself saying key sentences i.e. "I don't need this now, but I could use it later on." Yes, I said this with full confidence and a slight unsureness... As if I was seeking gratification I was correct from Lor.
Well, one giant television box filled with crap later. Lor and I made it down to the dumpster and ran into a tenant whom was dumpster diving. I gladly gave him the box of shit and needless to say he took care of it. But, then again, I'll go on record to say I've never had a problem with giving things away. Or losing possessions because I've had to start from scrap so many times. I lost a chunk of my possessions when I was 22 when Zoe and I couldn't pay the storage fee. Then I lost another sizable amount of possessions because either Zoe has a good amount of it in another storage unit. Or, I no longer needed these things and when one comes straight out from bootcamp you find you didn't really need much in the first place. There's kind of a ingrained notion to always be mobile.
Anyway, I went through the Accordion of Life. Which is just basically an Accordion folder. It's huge, and I think it was a pass-me-down from my sister. Anyway, I had put every known important piece of paper into that damn thing. And for about a year it sat in a green tub at Zoe's house in Washington D.C. Then, last year I rolled around to grab my stuff. I didn't go through the Accordion because it should have everything I need. Last weekend I looked into it and found out my Birth Certificate and Born Abroad Certificate is missing. In a panic I called Zoe, she didn't answer. Then I called Zach and told him to start looking everywhere in the house for my papers. The catch, I would pay him $20 if he found it before Zoe. Then Zoe called me and looked in two places she knew it would have been. They weren't in either places.
So, Tuesday morning I called the New York Birth Certificate Library (place) and told them my situation. Apparently, just because my social security number is sponsored from the state doesn't mean it's actually in New York. It's in a whole other Library. So, the young lady told me what website to go to and fill out a PDF and send it with a Notary and Billing Address. Come to find out it's $50 for a Birth Certificate and $62.84 for Shipping and Handling. What kind of highway robbery is this shit!? My birth certificate has literally cost me $112.84 do to loss of record. Holly shit fuck.

If you recall my last post, dealing with shopping fiascos which didn't pave through too well. Guy logic, and stupid hit my head this week. I went Christmas shopping for Lor. Went into a shop which had.... ( I know she reads my blogs) stuff, had stuff in it. I had a wonderful lady named Sonia help me in finding the items which I wanted.
I got home, and because I'm a sucker for even keeping a measly secret from Lor. So I took a bottle of perfume and held it behind my back. Lor is in anticipation of finding out what I got for her. I backed out for a moment and ran to her bathroom. Their I looked in a drawer which had a lot of perfumes and scented stuff. I looked at the bottle in my hand, then looked at the bottles in the drawer. It wasn't the same label!?
First word out of my mouth is, "FUCK!" Lor is in the living room confused. I walk back out and she said, "something wrong?" I gave her from behind my back a bottle of body spray called "Paris" from Bath&Body Works.
"I'm sorry I didn't get the right name. I thought, because it's a pink bottle it would be the same stuff." She began to laugh and assured me it was a great gift to give her and she liked the smell. Then she said,
"Oh, perfume what does it smell like?"
"I didn't smell it." I replied.
"Don't you know they have the little white strips?"
"I didn't see any."
"Honey, they're there. I know they are."
"I didn't want to walk out of the store smelling five perfumes AND smelling like a French Whore."
"So you bought a perfume and didn't smell it!?"
"Yes, because that's what men do."
There's the train of logic and conversation. And I see her point, but I didn't take it into consideration. Her train of though is, 'I'm going to smell every cologne in this store till I find one I want my man to smell like.' Which I'll entertain the thought, personally I never gave two cents into my 'smell' as long as it wasn't fruity. I'm a 'clean guy' kinda smell.... Not over powered musky smell. I'll go on record to say, anything from Old Spice is my personal taste. But normal guys don't have the time or the knowledge about perfumes. I'll top off my shopping endeavor with telling you all I learned a new word which will never be used in my vocabulary. Exfoliate: To open ones pours via removal of dead skin, clean and close back us with a cream stuff... That's my definition and I'm sticking with it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I like my layers of dead skin, and I'll go on record to say I like Lor's dead layers too.

This last week at work Diddly and I we're jonezing for chinese food. It just so happen a ritzy jive by the name of P.F. Changs is right up the street from both Diddly's and my place. Well, after the work week was done I finally got confirmation from Diddly what time to show up at P.F. Changs. However, his big mistake was allowing me to call in the reservations.
Here's the dialog for setting up the reservations:
"How many?"
"Four, at 8:00," said I.
"Okay, and under who's name?"
"Graves. Like a six foot hole in the ground. But a lot of them."
"That's a good one. Okay, four at 8:00. Is this a special occasion?"
"Yes, this is my friend Diddly's birthday. Can we do something special. Not too crazy, but special?"
"Sure, we could do something."
"Thanks, we'll be there at 8:00."
Come to find out his birthday is in April. We're just a little early. To be honest, I was hoping on having some kind of mariachi band play. However, we're in a Chinese dinner... I know they don't have mariachi, but I was just hoping on something with a Gong would be their.
Well, Jackie arrived at the table first. Diddly dropped her off first before parking the car. Immediately I told her I panicked when they asked if it was for an occasion. I filled her in on all the details and told her to make sure everything was authentic I got Diddly a gift too. She couldn't believe me, then she told Lor and I about the one time Diddly's mom and dad did a birthday mariachi thing. Apparently Diddly walked out of the bistro. Just completely ditching his family because they did a birthday surprise.
Well, surprise Diddly, you're getting an early Chinese birthday extravaganza. However, I told her we got him a present to make the story legit. When Diddly arrived I pointed to him so our waiter would know he's the birthday boy.
Dinner was amazing, I had an Orange Chicken which had a light kick to it. Everyone enjoyed the food. Funny enough I found myself adding hints which Jackie picked up on during dinner. Very subtle things such as, "Yeah Diddly, today IS your DAY." Or my favorite, "There's only ONE Diddly. Believe me, everyone here knows your name too." He never picked it up! Then it came down to deserts. Of course the ladies had picked out the deserts. When Joe the waiter took the orders I double pointed at Diddly, across the table from me and said, "Don't forget." Joe knew what I was talking about. So, a moment later and Joe comes back with two deserts for the ladies. Then he uncovers an Ice Cream cake with a candle on top.
Diddly is confused as fuck! He looks at me, looks at Jackie. Then he looks at Joe, like Joe would have known his birthday. The next thing, he looked at his cell phone and went on Facebook to find out what month he was born. No, April hadn't passed. Yes, it's a little early. No, I didn't think it was going to be this funny. Yes, it was everything I dreamed to embarrass the fuck out of him. To top off the whole thing I pulled out the gift bag of Deja Vu. Which just added the cherry on top for utter confusion on his part. Last but not least, Lor, Jackie and I began singing Happy Birthday to him. Photos we're taken, thanks to my smart and beautiful girlfriend Lor.
While Diddly was still distracted by the Happy Unbirthday shenanigans I created. I comfortably explained his feeling of confusion, and perturb via explaining all the times he shot me with a pallet gun, air soft gun, and the one time he killed one of my sock'n'boppers. Also, I went on record with telling him I can't wait to call reservations for the next double date. Furthermore, this non-existent mariachi band birthday party at such a ritzy dinner was totally worth it.

The Guy Logic

Here's my train of thought when shopping at the store. See, I was in a family where the first and 15th of the month was payday. Most of the time all the shopping of the month was done on the first. And with that said, it took hours because everyone in a military family did the same exact thing. Three shopping karts later and I'm looking at Dad thinking, 'I'm 16 and got shit to do...' Shit, implying ditching school work. Hanging out with Travis, Jordan or Melissa and or, the girlfriend at the time. (sing-songy) May her soul rest in peace (sing-songy).
Last week Lor asked me to shop while she took a quick nap at home. Me, being a typical dude who hasn't been home in a long while figured on the standards of shopping which would be quick, easy and cost efficient. First, was the produce... Grabbed a bunch of banana's and called it a day. Next was bread, but I knew Lor had just gotten a loaf... Next was the meat department. All the Beef, Chicken, Pork and Steak as far as the eye can see. Needless to say my train of thought was as follows:
"Well, I like hamburgers. We could do some beef in the freezer."
"Oh, Chicken boobs! White Chicken Chili in the future."
"Pork?! I think we still have some from a couple of months back. PASS!"
"Brats! Everyone loves BRATS!"
As you can see... Everything in my head said, meat, MEat, MEAT! I was obviously in need of some protein in my life. Then I saw the cheese section and got Lor a couple packets of shredded cheese. Then I saw the yogurts, OJ and Milk. Got some eggs, and finally got some cheese spread.
Got home and put the food away. Lor woke up some time later to find meat, MEat, and MEAT! Backed up with more cheese than I think she can handle. I didn't remember she already had a plethora. However, I took home the bronze metal gentlemen, because I found extra Cheese EXPLOSION Mac'n'Cheese which was cheeper than the easy-mac. Why bronze, you may ask? Because the noodles are the twisty type, not the elbow kind. Lor doesn't prefer twisty noodles.
Next night, after work I hit the store once more and finally found.... This time... Soups which Lor and I enjoy. Beagles. And finally, the right kind of Mac'n'Cheese. So, FYI ladies, a honey-do list goes a long way because honestly... Us guys have no idea what we're doing in life.

Nothing to do with Guy Logic, but this week I had to fire a gun yet again. To debacle my beliefs on guns; I will go on record to say I think they are a useful tool provided they are in the hands of capable individuals. With this said, I have as well a terrible backstory I've had to conquer over the past seven years which dealt with a gun as well. It's not easy and the first squeeze of the trigger is always the hardest for me. I'm shaking uncontrollably before, during and certainly after the evolution of firing a gun. And the sad part is I do feel alone. I feel like I'm the only one who's lost a loved one to a gun and is in the military. Which can't be 'true,' I'm sure there's plenty of people in my demographic. I wonder because of my nonchalant demeanor to my fathers passing if it turns people away whom haven't gotten to that particular place of yes. The place of yes I would like to get to is being able to pull a trigger.

The terra firma I found was breathing. However the counterpoint is the fact for these quals you have 10 seconds with 4 rounds. Not a lot of time, with not a lot of bullets. It's the trigger which gets me. So, the breathing and all that is suppose to come into play, but I go into tight, short breaths. Which doesn't equate to a good shot.

Well, they listed the point system and the bare minimum is 180. That was my bench, and I brought home 181. So it's not a 200 or anything extraordinary. Fuck that shit. 

Overall what a busy weekend for a three day weekend. I hope to just cram all my to dos into one and a half days and call it a weekend. For the most part though I think the only "Driving" involved is to the pet store and then to the dealership for a hot second. Other then that it should be an easy weekend.
I got a few dollars off at the pet store because my pet toad Bill needed a new cage. He's been in his tank for about a month now. I went with a simple 5.5 gal tank and gave him a simple update to his surroundings. He's got a pond to hide in and crickets to fill his tummy with. It's kinda funny to see a toad express his happiness with little hops. I know, call my psychotic now. Never mind the three weasels and 16 pound rabbit.
At the dealership I showed up and the detailer wasn't there. An hour later I showed up and sat in the waiting room for two hours. Two long, entertaining hours of watching my favorite show.... People in Real Life. It's my own special brand of reality TV where I sit in a lounge and watch the human psych at it's best. Point and case:
A guy passed the fuck out twice while waiting on his car. Eventually the serviceman tried to wake him up and eventually gave up. Putting the paper and car key on his lap and walked the fuck away. I began to laugh and realized everyone would think I was the weird one. Instead, I instantly took a photo and walked outside texting Zoe.
The last point I'd like to make; how the fuck did it take two hours to clean a truck!? It couldn't have been THAT bad. (Looks away for a moment) The feeling I've gotten from Virginian's is the fact everyone has to expedite. However, it's come to my observation the reciprocation isn't likewise. 

I don't recall when, where and how it happened. At some point in my life I began to think, "why make multiple trips for groceries from the car, when I can do it in one!" I believe the sad part comes in when I know I can't feasibly pull off one trip. Stubborn as I am though, I make that shit work. By the way it's not an option to ask if the lady of the house can help bring in groceries. That's not going to happen. It's not that I have any reason Lor can't bring in the food from the car. I just don't think it's chivalrous. I'm the man in the relationship, I bring in the shopping sprees. She gets to be the concurring lady who walks in and watches her man bring the goods in and put them away for her. I think there's only been a couple of times though when Lor has asked if she can help. I gave her the eggs and bread while I handled everything else. That's the level I'm at people. It's the extent of woman helping me out with bringing in groceries which I think wont ever, ever change.

Finally, before I close out yet again another post. I would like to show you all a project I've been working. It's a silent film called Nosferatu. I became mesmerized by the simplicity of the movie when I was teen. And when I was a young adult I wanted to write music for the film and now I have the opportunity. I've been working on the film in two aspects which I think hasn't been done yet. It's sonically driven soundtrack. There's some other surprises which I think will totally reshape the movie in a different light than what most silent film spectators will find fascinating. However, it's a challenge like anything and so far I'm 30 mins into the movie and puts me about half way in. Here's a three min snip of a few scenes and songs which will best describe my vision.
(Look at more recent blog post with embeded link)

Luck of the German.

Little known fact, I've been smoking since I was practically a kid. Thanks to Grandpa who would smoke a pack a day with no vent except for an occasional door opening and closing. For confessional reasons (another night of honesty) I'll go on record to say I would steal a pack once in a great while in middle and what little part of high school I did in that town.

Well about a year ago I stopped smoking and I find every time I wind up in Fallon, Nevada I get driven to a pack of Malboro 100's. I seriously don't like it as much as I thought I did but it helps calm the nerves. I'll go on record to say as a kid I thought it was cool to smoke because it was taboo to be young and smoke. Now I'm over it and could care less. However, most things in life it do come back to haunt me sometimes. 

Well to sum up my weekends it has to be explained in two acts. Here's act 1.

Took my car in to the auto-body shop after trying to help Diddly out with finding a Halloween costume. I went on the highway for five mins and I heard an annoying arrhythmic sound from the car. So, the next day I took in the car to the auto body shop I've made good customer service to and they finally put a nail in the coffin. It's literally a car I will spend more on than the car is worth. Internal Engine Failure. Three words a car owner does not, NOT want to hear. So, in back on the market for a car. This time I'm doing dealership and getting a truck. I'm done with cars! The week following I drove the car to the bitter end and it survived till I got a new vehicle. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Act 2.
Lor and I went to the fall company pick nick. Which meant we had to bring her pet rabbit (Bentley) along. While there, all the gun slinging co-workers saw the rabbit as dinner. Provided he is a 16 lbs none the less. After awards were given out, we duced the fuck out. Shortly after we went to PetCo for a  Halloween costume competition. Over all, we took 2nd place. We lost to a dog with a genetic disorder which made it a miniature, mini... AKA, a Dwarf Dog. Well, with pity points going to the dwarf dog, Lor took the second place with pride. When she left to show off Bentley to the associates and other pet owners. One of the judges walked up to me and said, "You were suppose to win." THANK YOU! We all knew this, and it made us feel better when we got home after a quick drive. After everything was said and done, we did a quick photo shoot outside of the house with Bentley in his bumble bee costume.
(The Next weekend)
After a week of hunting for the price range and what type of car I was interested in. Chief, his wife, Lor and I went to the auto dealer. After explaining what type of car I wanted, price and I wasn't being waffly about what I wanted... There were needs to be met. The funny thing about car dealers is how I know they're people too, but once they get to know you. Or you feel like they know you so well. That's when they get ya to buying a car over priced, and not what you wanted. Because they'll play the "friend card." 

Provided I've never had a car which had power Anything. I still have a car which has crank windows. Whatever, judge me now, but the first car the dealership whom shall be unnamed showed me. Was some kind of souped up Nissan which was self-painted, looked like someone took a paint pen and tried to stencil the word Nissan. Sad part, Chief and I thought it was a guy with MS. The paint was chipping, the doors were coming undone and and it was a crank door which is now a power window door. HUGE red flag because once someone gets to splicing wires and pulling power from somewhere; you may experience technical difficulties.

The next car, seemed nice. But, it had galvanic corrosion like a mother fucker. I looked at Chief and we said pass! Meanwhile Lor was with us and she and I texted about the dealers tactics of selling the cars on the lot. She was noting a few ways he could have done better and she was probably taking cues to apply to at her job. Meanwhile, she was also telling me how I could be a better customer. So it went both ways overall.

Well, truck number three. A white Ford F-150 8 foot long bed. New wheels, new battery, and most recent inspection. I looked into the cab and there was a used red bull can, and a bag of Reese's pieces. Also, it had 32 cents in the cab drawer. I looked underneath and found no corrosion, lifted the hood and the same could be said. Then the test drive and drove a good exit down the highway, went in a neighborhood and just drove it. Then the next day after Chief bargained the price, I took the truck (this time clean) into a friends mechanic shop. After three hours, Eric said it was a good truck. Unlike the last time I bought a car, I didn't have a mechanic look at it. So, I feel I took the proper steps this time. I will go on record to say, you should always have a mechanic look at a car before you purchase. Make friends with a mom&pops shop. Also, feel comfortable with their knowledge. Because a smart individual whom has a trade in a high-end investment is always a plus.

Needless to say, I bought the truck. And I'm happier with not driving in a death trap. Further more after a couple of hours of ownership I explained to Lor why every car has a name. It's A. a tradition I've had in my family. For example, Dad had three trucks I can remember. The first was Beast. Then he had Black Beauty. And his last truck to own was Big Blue. The three cars I've personally owned have been named Tsunami (it was a wave of V8 which was going to get ya). The second was the most recent and not missed Jinx (a problem child from the get-go). My new truck is named White Zombie. Photos will explain in the future. I'm just glad things are slightly getting back in order.