Well maybe not the Cubs, but downstate from Chi-town the UofI Illini have done something they've not done in years... become the Big 10 champs and have a bowl bid. The Illini in the Big 10 were the Vandy equivalent in the SEC. They sucked, but with more students. I got so used to dogging them that I did not believe the reports that they were fielding a slightly better than half ass team. Thus, my hats off to them, Oskee-Wow-Wow and all that good stuff.

One of the few joys of going home is getting to do those things you dont get to do around Nashville. Such as move crap for the parents. Other such joys include hitting decent pizza joints and decent record stores. I made the pilgrimage on Friday over to Cicero's for some filling and much needed pizza. Despite one joint in Hendersonville, Nashville stinks when it comes to serving up good tasting pizza. Thus I make a 5 hour road trip to get my fill. Of course, once you get over to the Loop in the Lou you have to make your way over to Vintage Vinyl. Now a days they serve up the vintage in the form of plastic and aluminum but the vinyl lines the walls begging for a good home. I had the pleasure to frequent not only their Loop location but the one in Granite City.

The nice part about VV, and unlike Nashville's attempts to duplicate, the staff, clientele, and overall atmosphere (read music, decorations, selection) are hard to beat. What immediately sets VV apart from wanna be's is the fact that staff member's make up the little dividers that seperate all the CD's. As they say in Fear of a Black Hat, that's when you know you're big... you've moved out of "N" and into your own "NWH" divider. In the case if VV, you know you're big when the staff takes the time to either slap a positive (or negative) clipping on your divider, decorate it, or write some witty comment. Likewise, their filing system can only be described as fan driven. Wilco might be filed under Uncle Tupelo, or a pointer to that effect placed on the plastic divider. This is the same store that catalogs Guns N Roses as Guns N Fucking Roses. You just won't see it in any other joint.

So one of the joys I partook in whilst visiting their store was their $4.99 or less CD bin. You never know what you'll find. What is funny is the fact that they're more than happy to throw in several used N'Sync CD's into that bin... either cause they know it won't sell or don't want to be seen as eagerly wanting the lowest common denometer's money for the most profit. Just get it out of our freaking store is probably the response when a staff member comes across this poison of our future leaders. Likewise, you can find some really good stuff in these bins. While the stuff in there is stuff you've never heard of, in the case of the Granite City Location I came across Sugar, Sonic Youth, The Derailers, and The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash to name just a few. It's this take no prisoners approach that keeps people in their stores. And it keeps me coming back for more. They don't think twice about what they put in their bargain bin. It's just in there. It makes you wonder if their secret is volume. You know, sell a bunch at a low price rather than one or two at a high price.

Where they do get you is if you go for something new. The question becomes, is this new $15.99 CD really worth the cost or can I get it somewhere else. In the case of VV, it's often esoteric and thus probably worth the cost. I was disappointed to learn one of the few CD's I'd drop some serious cash on, a Baby Huey CD, was ordered in 1995 and had yet to arrive. I'll keep searching for this 300 pound baby of soul. VV probably has one of the most impressive Punk selections outside of NY. I came to the conlusion that if you want to make it in the Punk scene you have to have a band named with "The" in it. Thus, my punk band would be The RIMBoy's or some crap like that. Likewise, having "Ass" somewhere in the name also goes a long way. Like "The Assflames" would be a real good name since since it has "The", "Ass" and flames. Having fire in your name always goes a long way. I'm sure there is a Velvet Underground reference to be made. Have you heard about Lou Reed's passing? It is a sad day indeed. He passed away on the same day that Ken Kesey passed away. Unfortunately Ken got all the press. One flew over the cukoo's nest indeed. I really should find a buyer for that land in Florida.

So after taking Jen to Granite City for the first time in her life (and probably last), I can honestly say that I had a good, albiet not too rewarding weekend. I ate. I sat. I ate some more. I did some shopping (for myself of course), and then slept. I watched "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" for I don't know how many times. The only other movie I've seen more is "Shawshank Redemption". For whatever reason they keep playing "Lean on Me" which while good, is not nearly as good as Redemption. I watch Grape and Redemption simply for the fact that they entertain me and I keep thinking they're going to come out different. I keep thinking that at the end of Grape that how did Arnie snap out of his mental state, only to find himself on a sinking ship getting it on in the back of a stowed car. As my friend once put it... Leo's eye's are just sooo dreamy. I've always wondered if he was referring to his Arnie part or some other part. Don't answer that. I don't care. One of these days though Arnie is going to fall out of that damn tree, break his neck and spare us the wreck that was Titanic.

I also discovered this weekend that my four year old cousin now knows the art of passing SBD's. He conned me into playing Lego's (hey, grownups can still have fun) and at some point I was blessed with what is reason number one in my book to not have offspring. After repeatedly asking him if he needed to go, I finally asked what in the world was that smell. He get's this grin on his face and informs me that he's "farted". Even at my age I can appreciate a good wind breaker, but this one was just priceless. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. The joke was not nearly as funny when he passed a second SBD about 5 minutes later. I quickly finished the ship I was building and moved back to socialize with the family I did not socialize with after taking a nap post lunch. Kids these days.

Special thanks to Zorak for today's made up band name of the day. Be sure to check out the Cartoon network's Adult Swim. The Brak Show, Sealab 2021, and Spaceghost are all the cartoonage a single adult could need in a week. It's definately enough to keep one sane.

RIMBoy's Roundeye Duct Tape Jukebox Song of the day: Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer

Made up Band Name of the Day: Blood Dumpster.

So these past days were nothing of the excitement per se of the previous updates. I've kept myself busy in the name of meeting a deadline and doing other stuff that ranks as fun in my book. Granted, my book is about 2 pages long, but that's besides the point. So where does the fun begin?

I spent the weekend post Phreaknic catching up on all the sleep I either lost during Phreaknic or then refused to make up during the week. I of course compounded this issue by staying up late during the week. Thus when the weekend hit it hit hard. I managed to get the cluster up and running and started down the road towards Linux clustering enlightenment. The link to the left (my right) was added to reflect yet another facet of RIMBoy.com's many projects and ventures. It's in a very beta state (both website and cluster). I hope to get some work done on the site and the cluster... they both need just a little bit of tweaking and I'll consider the project wrapped. I can then move onto several other projects in the que, one of which was the car mp3 player. It of course needs mp3's and the cluster is the solution to making that happen.

In the meantime, two of my article 404'd with the implosion of Linux.com. One of these days I'm going to drop some words on everything that took place and is taking place with the once respectable VALinux / VAWedontknowwhatthehellweredoing. I'll eventually make the articles hosted by my site, I did take the time to get them mirrored in some state before the powers that be decided they were no longer worthy to their questionable goals. It's a sad state of affairs but it looks like I and others are moving onto bigger and better things. Fingers crossed the public wants what we'll offer.

This immediate past week was one of ups and downs. While I had the euphoria of getting one of my projects working, the week was also marked with my first experience of an aquaintance being laid off in the era of the dotcom downturn (gawd I hate these phrases). While I've known people in the area that have had their companies fold, this one was differnet. Whereas those people were ahead of the wave (for better or worse) this one was for all I know in the middle, the thick of whatever economic mess we've managed to put ourselves in. Having been in the same position (as the one having a job) during better economic times and having a pretty bad excuse for the layoff, I'm not sure which one is worse. One thing for sure is you take for granted your job and you cant help but make references to it. And while the people involved seem to take it very well, you know that not having that security is not a good thing. I've been in the position of not having a job but in both cases I was the one that put myself in that position. It was on my terms. However, I know that each and every day I did not work was one more day I was deeper in debt and one more day that I did not do anything productive. It's not a position I want to put myself (or others) in again. I have too much responsibility at this point (not that I did not then). I guess it had to happen sooner or later that I'd be put in this position.

So now that you're all good and depressed let's see what else I can bring up for discussion. In the bright news dept, Naked Dave called me on Saturday with some hot tickets to the Predators Hockey game. We hit row E in the Arena (E rows back from Center Ice). It was a battle from the bottom as the 2nd to last Preds took on the last place Columbus Blue Jackets. We got free fly swatters at the game (to smak them Blue Jackets). Nashville ended up winning a nail biter despite being slammed in the shots on goal dept and a considerable amount of penalty time. One of the few highlights of the 3-2 game was the 5 minute Boarding penalty and game ejection Predator player Kulse got less than 2 minutes into the 2nd period. I looked up in time to see the Blue Jacket come up and then slap onto the ice... out cold. He was out for a good 30 seconds before coming to. For those that are not aware, Boarding is the process by which one player slams another player's head into the boards. It's fairly dangerous and thus the stiff penalty. The Blue Jackets also happen to have the player that was checked on center ice last season for no reason (It was a cross check of sorts from behind... he was also playing for a different team at the time). He got knocked out pretty bad. The reason why I bring this up is because the NHL saw to it that the agressor got off easy. This so irked the Canadian courts that the agressor was taken to court on assault charges. It was good to see the guy that got hurt back out on the ice. I'm sure the fact of who he was was lost on most people at the game. Including Amy Grant and Vince Gill who unfortunately were at the game sitting several rows in front of us. I guess since they're married they can be seen in public together now without people wondering. Oh well.

Other activities this past weekend included watching Orgasmo (Everybody say Geddy Lee!), sleeping thru the meteor shower, eating, and bowling. Interspersed was more work on the cluster and burning the mp3's to CD for consumption in other systems at Casa de RIMBoy. There probably won't be much of an update for the next week or so. Between thanksgiving, several meetings the week post, and a trip to Western Kentucky University (and prep for that meeting) I'm going to keep myself fairly busy. Special thanks to Naked Dave's Dad (Mr. Naked?) for today's made up band name. I'd like to think the band would be some sort of Metal with Horns... maybe a Heavy Metal Mariachi band... Latino Metal. Metino?

RIMBoy's Roundeye Duct Tape Jukebox Song of the day: Hello Kitty Kat from Smashing Pumpkins Pisces Iscariot

Made up Band Name of the Day: 10 Amp Quesadilla.

Quote taken completely out of context, but thanks to Uthant.com for the quote. So here it is: the long awaited update. Part two, the followup, the sequel, the making poopy, well, you get the idea.

So when we left Scooby and the Kids in the castle, they were at The Boardroom, while viewers at home were left to ponder the meaning of the previous quote. So other than the fact that pictures were taken and I consumed food (which was good, thanks again Casey), we all departed and went our seperate ways. Fast forward to Friday. Phreaknic winds up and was the beginning of my annual weekend of sleep deprevation.

Phreaknic is kicking and in full effect. NLUG is chilling with computer and projection. Movies of various sorts. After Randal Schwartz's kick ass presentation on retarded laws and their effect on him, we all settle down to get our groove on. I decided being the sober one that I am I'd make a beer run for our distinguised guest. I don't know why, but something put me in a dancing mood and I bust some funky flexes in front of Randal. At which point he exclaimed "Stop dancing or else you're going to turn me gay!". Needless to say that prompted more dancing as I worked my way out the door and to the car. While I was gone, Allison and Randal got their cheap Vodka buzz going. I apparently came back in time with the goods and satisfied their need to get completely hammered and watch the mantra of all geek movies, "Office Space". You've never seen Office Space until you see it with drunk geeks. The fax machine scene is particularly interesting given the state of the actors and the audience. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.

Sunday rolled around and when everyone rolled out of bed we determined that it was time to get some food. We rolled down to Royal Thai, and proved once again that Terry (fatboy) is a complete wuss when it comes to spices. He only ordered his mild and was crying. I and others were sweating it out with at least Medium. Of course, my dancing was again the subject of conversation, at which time it was decided that it was time to leave. As Randal climbed into Brett's van I decided to bust a move on the running boards of the van. Randal proceeded to start furiously pounding the window that my buttocks were pressed against. It was kinda like deja vu or something, and to tell the truth, I kinda enjoyed it. Kinda a massage by proxy. Of course, once we hit the road Bob from Huntsville found it appropriate to stick his butt in the van window and jiggle it as they passed Terry and I by.

I think I survived, but low and behold, I went on another CD bender the other day. While shopping one of the few choices Nashville has in used CD stores, I came across a new Nerfherder album. I was undully excited at hearing the followup to what has become a staple in the favorites section in my collection. While the writing is not nearly on par as the Golf Shirt album has to offer, I did find a website address for the band (and strangely enough, no copyright notice on the entire album). So I stop on by www.nerfherder.net and peruse the band is up to. And whilst visiting their "xtra's" section, I came across their "Band Name Manufacturing Center". So I gave it a spin and came up with the previous update's bandname of the day. So, that is all the news that's fit to print (and some of it not, despite legal advise and threats from Spiffy Pants). Here you go, your moments of:

RIMBoy's Roundeye Duct Tape Jukebox Song of the day: Radio Song from REM's Out of Time

Made up Band Name of the Day: Unemployed Pudding.

And today's quote of the day comes from none other than THE Randal Schwartz, author of several books, perl guru, and overall nutty guy. One word: Manhole. That folks is the RIMBoy.com word of the day. You just had to be there.

So as you might be able to guess, I spent the better part of this past week in a busy state, vascilating between sleep, work, and partying. Hence, again, the lack of update. The time between updates can only be described as entertaining, as that's pretty much what filled my time. Where do I start:

Saturday, the 27th marked the occasion of yet another Naked Dave Birthday Bar Mitzvah / Halloween Fiesta. All the cool kids were there, including Casey (hah!, there's your shout out Jerky). Naked Dave managed to cull another costume from the depths of obscurity: Andy Warhulk. That's right, Andy Warhol, but as the Incredible Hulk. Pretty Brilliant. Makes you wonder what kinda art Andy would have created if he had been subjected to an experiment that went astray. Whoops, my bad, that would be the Velvet Underground. Needless to say, the freaks come out at night, and once again they came out to Dave's party. I gots to see many people I've not seen in awhile. Unfortunately that would also mean Dave's neighbor, who not only is "older" but quite uncool. She sucked what little coolness remained in the Jackson 5. Needless to say, I was quite glad I did not bring the Grease soundtrack. Pluhah.

I spent all day Sunday recovering, sleeping, and enjoying a non-alcohol induced hangover... at least that's what I would think it would feel like. I've never had a hangover, nor care to. I cannot even claim to be "drunk", "buzzed" or "fit-shaced". Needless to say, they call me the big "DD". I did however watch all of Roadhouse starring Patrick Swaze (I don't know how to spell his name. He did get it on with Jennifer Grey in that movie about some stupid crap, but not the one with Whoopie Goldberg). Why Roadhouse did not win any awards is beyond me. I offer these truths: It was set in Texas. It featured a lot of butt kicking. It had boots with knives attached. People driving down the wrong side of the road. Explosions. Butt kicking. Love scenes in Uncle Jesse's barn. Explosions, butt kicking, and more knives. Threats. And once again, it was set in Texas. I'm not sure why the academy did not tremble in their voting pants when they overlooked this piece of art. As a result, I offer up not one but two different Bush's in office as a result. Let this be a lesson to everyone. If the movie is set in Texas, you better do something about it come awards time or else we'll end up with some oil drilling crank head blowing other countries up.

Where to go from here. Tuesday night would be my first encounter with Randal Schwartz. They say there are two sides to every Schwartz. I believe I saw 2 exponential. After figuring out that he likes beer (should I be surprised), I set into motion events that I'm not sure I've fully grasped as of yet. I picked Randal up for lunch on Wednesday, we took him to Jimmy Buffet approved Rotiers. After that I turned him loose on Vandy's campus so he could get some high speed access and get some work done. From there he would meet up with Allison and Brett for Lightening 100's pub crawl while Brandon, Heather and I would head over to the Spitfire tour.

So I go to the Spitfire talks where Jello Biafra, Jill Sobule, and Kris N (from Nirvana, screw spelling the name) were talking. Overall a very good presentation. Jill did some pretty cool songs and I bought the CD her now defunct record label is pushing. I've given it a quick listen and overall Pink Pearl sounds pretty good. I got it signed which was cool, moreso for the fact that Jill is hawking these CD's. Since there is no-one to turn the money into she goes home with cash in pocket at the end of the night. Rock on girl. Jello was a blast... 90mph covering as many topics as humanly possible. Definately gets you thinking.

So afterwards, the three of us try to figure out where the pub crawl is currently at. We ended up at Fido's in an attempt to get some food. Apparently their kitchen closed. I was bummed, but I always try to think that something good will come as a result. We split from Fido's after they cranked the heavy metal (in a coffee house?!). I split and headed for The Trace, which any other night of the week I'd steer clear from. It's normally a place where all the cool kids hang, but since 100 had it on the crawl, I'd figure I'd see if they were still around. After determining that Naked Dave et al were still there, I waged my way past the Vandy set (some of which were in costume) to catch the tail end of the costume contest. Someone took the time to dress as Bob Barker and he had with him his Beauties. Rock on dude. He seemed to know quite a bit about controlling the pet population to top it off. And you'll look lovely in THIS NEW CAR!!!!

The plan was to depart The Trace and head over to The Boardroom where Casey (hah, another shout out jerky) informed me that they had some kickin sandwiches. Good, I was damn hungry. A funny thing happened as we're getting ready to leave. Randal comes walking back to where we were, completely unaware that I was there, as I was he (and Allison and Brett). Before I know it, Casey is slapping Randal's butt, and not only does Randal "enjoy it", he offer's Casey some money as thanks. I'm doubled over laughing at this point... never in my life did I ever think I'd see one of my friends slapping the rear of a guru in the Linux / Unix community. Where's my camera is the only thing I can think at this point.

So we head over to The Boardroom, which makes the 5th bar Allison, Brett, and Randal have visited. It also provides a chance for me to get some food, load the kickin jukebox with some money and get the first of what turned out to be many groove's on. The Boardroom has the best and most esoteric jukebox to be found anywhere in Nashville, beating out the Beer Sellar and without the wanna be yuppie crowd / smoke problem that Sellar has.

Unfortunately I've got quite a bit more to write. Since I've already given you a lot to digest, I'll save it for the next episode: RIMBoy.com update part 2, RIMBoy busts a funky move. On that note, I give you these sage words of advice:

RIMBoy's Roundeye Duct Tape Jukebox Song of the day: Magic Johnson from Red Hot Chili Pepper's Mother's Milk

Made up Band Name of the Day: Omnipotent Roosevelts. (I'll have some more info on where the one came from shortly).