maximusmaganese

Another Day in The Life

2008-05-20T19:34:53Z

Ugh, this song that I'm listening to right now is so beautiful in so many different ways. I just learned this song on the guitar a few days ago. It's a pretty simple song, but what sucks is that I have to wince in pain when I play it because of my pinky. One of the knuckles of my left hand is out of place, therefor limiting how far I can move my pinky out (which I use a lot lot lot on guitar) and how hard I can press the string(s). Things would go well playing A Major, F#Minor isn't so bad because I don't have to press my pinky hard at all, Emajor is always in the bag - I don't need my pinky for that one, but Emin7 is always what kills me. I tried to alternate by using my ring finger instead, but it's just way too damn weird.
If you don't play guitar, I'm sorry for the useless info on the chords, it's just that I'm so close to playing like I normally do, after about a week of letting my finger heal, and now it's out of place. It's just frustrating.

There is always more to be frustrated about. Maybe that's what I get for living in TIP.

One thing that I'm not surprisingly frustrated about is the Cavs' failure to repeat as Eastern Conference Champions. At the same time, though, that team proved (yet again, all you jack ass columnists) how great of a team they can be. Overall, the trade during the middle of the season was for sure a good one. The fact that the renewed team could compete all while having to gell during the more competitive part of the season, let ALONE the post season, makes me a believer that the Cavs do have a bright future.

Besides, that game 7 against Boston was just great to watch - like watching Dominique and Bird back in the day. I was stuck at work watching Yahoo! sports through play-by-play descriptions, and I was STILL getting up from my chair, wigging out at the intensity of the game. It was that good.

There's something else that has been frustrating me (for at least two and a half years actually) but won't be much longer. That's right, I'm actually quitting JCPenneys. I don't know if I've mentioned this in past posts, about me about to quit and backing out, because I've already done that twice and made an ass of myself for it.

This time, I'm letting it all go.

Many things have changed since I first started working there, more often worse than better. Things were great when I first started working there. The team was there, and the purity was there. Our department had such a great nucleus, and now it's slowly starting to dwindle apart. Ever since my manager, Stacy, had to change departments as a manager for misses (instead of Ripped Catalog \m/) things have never been the same. It felt like a part of my job died. Most or less, the fun part.
Now, instead of Stacy, I get this joke of a guy named Chris. He has never given me any crap about anything, but everything that comes out of his mouth tends to resemble. From what I've witnessed and heard, I discovered how much of a fake, and a kiss ass, he is at work. It's hard enough handling the idiots who walk in and out of my department to drop off bought clothes and make copies of ads. The idiots who think I'd buy into a crooked smile, and repetitive conversations about the weather. But having a manager who's the same way sitting next to me between 4-8 hours a day? Someone who'll check out girl's asses while I take care of the majority of the customers? Someone who thinks that because he calls me "Maximus" (original, I know) that I automatically think we have substance? You get the picture.
I'm just done with that place. Done done done. I'm looking into this other job for a company called MGI. I have no idea what that stands for (Maxwell's Good Intention?) nor what the company does. But it sounds great from what I've heard.
Here's the good about it: You work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, having Friday and Saturday off every week. They pay $10.25 an hour too, so that spells good money. I already know a couple friends who are/will be working there, giving me hope that I can work with other people, not just by myself like my last three jobs I've had. The work description itself sounds fairly pleasing as well. From what I heard, it's just loading up and organizing cargo. Compared to Penneys, it sounds heavenly. No more customers, no more freakin' phones, and no more burdens for one person when really it takes at least two or three.
The only negative about the job is that it's graveyard shift; 11pm-7am. I don't mind that though, considering that my sleep schedule has been turning upside down, where I sleep more during the day than at night and morning, thanks to my friends, coffee, and poker.

The kicker? FREE PBJs BABY!

Another possibility; going to a school besides Tri-C. I don't even know what the school is called, but my mom arranged to have them call me a few days ago to talk about my plans for my career, my motives, etc. From the conversation, the school sounded somewhat promising. In case you don't know, my dream job has been to be a skateboard videographer since I was 13. I've always had an obsession with cameras, capturing on film, especially skateboarding. I love to edit too. It's such a fun, creative outlet for me - allowing me to capture and enhance some of the most fun times of my life. For a living? That'd kick so much ass.
My mom and I are going to visit Cincinnati Thursday morning, really early in the morning, where the school is located. If things go well to make my dream career seem quite possible, I very well will consider the school. I can get a better video camera, and even better - more advanced editing software, if things play out how I hope. The real dilemma is it's in Cincinnati, which is far from home, and away from friends and family. Plus, living in a city known as, "Nasty Nati" doesn't sound too welcoming either.

Then again, there's always the Mistake by The Lake.

Through the past few weeks, life (as always) has been having its ups and downs. I'm always losing something, all while gaining at the same time. I may have been losing at poker at CG, but I've been meeting some really cool friends all at the same time. I may be losing my current job at JCP, but gaining a better job for it. I might lose touch with all of my friends and family if I really go through with this school in Nasty Nati, but I'd only do it to gain what I want and need for a good career.

And sure I'll always have my problems with living with the family now that I'm back home, but I've never been more grateful to be with a family more than ever.

You just take the good with the bad.

Later.

Where do I start...

2008-05-05T20:18:37Z

Today, I sit here pondering, "Where in the world do I start?" I really don't know at the moment. I can't possibly cram everything that has happened within the past eight months into this entry within the hour that I have left before I have to get ready for work.
To say the least, I felt like my life has gone in all directions at every speed imaginable. From being able to proclaim myself as the happiest man in the world, to wondering if I can claim anything to myself at all, I have endured the highest of high (most tranquil of tranquility?) and some of the lowest of low (sorry if there are any grammatical errors already).
In my last post, I was living with my parents. I was also going to Tri-C, majoring in Journalism & Mass Communication. Right now, neither is the case. Since January 16 of 2008, I took the bold initiative to move into an apartment with two other friends. At the time, I felt the experience of living on my own would mold me into a better, stronger, more successful human being, rather than having to feel dependent towards my forever-loving parents. All while taking a semester off of school to get ready for it again in the fall.
My parents were understanding of my motive, and were in fact excited for me. I was sick of living with my parents because I felt so annoyed at home. I was spoiled. I felt like it was time to do more on my own, instead of feeling like being spoon-fed from my parents. Lauren didn't like the idea at all, but again - it just felt like I really needed it. She begged me, yelled at me, cried to me not to do it, because she saw nothing but bad news written all over the idea.

The first month didn't go that bad. My tax return of $720 gave me a great start to get ahead with money. However, living the life on my own, and with my friends, eventually brought me down to my laziest, most careless stage I would ever embark upon.
I was late and made no-show appearances for work a combined twenty-seven days in the month of March. The day it turned April, I was warned by the assistant store manager that if I were late two more times within the month, that I would be fired. Luckily, as much as I hate the shady store of JCPenney, I wasn't.
Soon enough, I would find that my status of being an employee would be the least of my worries, for that many more would arise. Car problems such as a flat tire, a drowned engine, bad brakes, and past-due registration started making transportation hard. Even sooner than that, money became a major issue, despite my bright start. Rent costs rose, along with additional electric bills, leaving me with very little money to spend, let alone save.
Poverty soon took over, and the only way I could get any money to afford my full rent due a month was to overdraw on my checking account. My bankcard is now deactivated with a negative balance of $277.
Things were definitely changing, abruptly and heartlessly. That's life I guess. My real friends who used to visit me and my roommates so often came less and less frequent, but they were being smart for doing so. People who lived in the apartment complex started visiting on a regular basis, doing nothing but listening to music, watching movies, and doing drugs.
At one point, drugs became the only thing I had access to. It felt like it was the only thing in my life that nourished me. I was able to get it for free, so it helped my money situation, sorta, and made me get away from the reality of problems that plagued me.
The situation was hurting Lauren and I as well. At one point, I struggled to be able to contact her for a few weeks because of my cell phone being past due, thus being deactivated from usage. It hurt to feel so separated. She was also beginning to love the college life, as she found her own crew of true companions, all in which are great loving people, to make her time away from home more enjoyable.
Meanwhile, back at the apartment, frustrations surrounded me, with every day becoming more monotonous than the other. One of my few good days while living at the apartment was when I turned twenty-one, and getting to enjoy my first hand experience of drinking at the bar with my friend Stacy.
With everything typed above, I can say that moving into the apartment was one of the worst moves I've made in my life....but at the same time, it was necessary. When I moved out of my parents' house, I was ungrateful for just how much my parents nurtured me without doing a thing around the house. In the past month, I had often visited my parents, because I missed them. I missed living across the hallway from my little brother, who isn't so little anymore considering he has at least a solid inch on me now. Through everybody whom I have met, and everything I have been going through, I have come to the conclusion that my brother, Zack, is the coolest kid I've ever met in my life because of how open and genuine he has remained, like I have struggled so much to be. But again, if I never moved out of my parents' house in the first place, I would've never felt the love that I feel for them that I do now, including my friends who continue to care for me for who I am, not for where I live or what I'm doing.
One of those friends is Lauren. That's right, we're friends now. It might sound harsh, but like I said about moving into the apartment - it was just necessary. The breakup was mutual, because we both have felt a loss of identity in our relationship. We're both growing up too. We all are. If we end up back together and have that love we had and remembered so well, it'd be a dream come true. But I'm done dreaming, because I felt like that is all I have done since moving into the apartment, along with all the other crazy things I've hallucinated and experienced since moving into an apartment.
I'm going back home soon, back to where my family lives, where I can live comfortably and gain more success. From everything I have learned and experienced, I'm grateful that I'm alive and actually well. Life can get so harsh, so awful, so fast without you realizing it - until it's too late.

So whoever is reading this, wherever you are, whomever you are, please - cherish every good thing that is in your life, because as much as you want that good thing in your life to last forever, it'll most likely not last. But if you cherish it, you'll have memories that you swear should be dreams because of how good they are....or were. And don't worry, if you do keep your chin up, and try to live life the way you really want to - you will be happy.

Oh yeah, the Cavs are going to beat the Celtics btw :)

I DID IT!

2007-09-17T03:03:31Z

That's right, I did it.

* It has been precisely ONE month since Lauren and I had to part because of College. Crazy right? I remember having one of the most dramatic mornings of my life that day. I was late to work, as usual, but being late didn't matter to me this time. As I walked down that barren parking lot, I'd say out loud to myself, "Come on Max, stop it, you have work to worry about" wiping off my humiliating tears that would strip me of my manhood. The truth was that no matter how hard I tried to suck it up and go with it, being away from Lauren, I just couldn't do it.

 I just couldn't.

 Soon enough, after about two weeks of it, things got much easier. Lauren and I would talk at least twice every night, and we'd go over about how our day went, whom we saw, any crazy stories to tell, and pass out on our cell phones together (Awwah!).
 Throughout this past month, many things have changed though:

 -August 16: Lauren leaves for College *

 -August 25: Max starts going back to school
 The classes I'm currently enrolled in are English, Psychology and JMC (Mass Communication/Journalism). Right now, I'm attending Tri-C (Western Campus) where I write for 'The Spectrum" newspaper; the college newspaper. So far, school has really been a huge breath of fresh air. I haven't felt so enlightened in so long. No longer do I feel like I'm in this rut of a schedule where my life would be work, food, sleep, repeat. The teachers I have are not bad at all. In fact, the material that I get to cover through my classes couldn't be anymore pleasing! In Psych, we're learning about the science behind sleeping - now who wouldn't be interested in that?! In English, we're covering different articles about perspectives on colleges and what college life does to today's youth - good stuff, seriously. Then, of course, anything I'm learning in JMC will at least catch my ear, because my planned career is to be a Journalist - preferably for a skateboard magazine (my dream job).

 -September 2: Ajay leaves for Boston College
 This is nothing too new. I mean, it's his second year in college now, but it hurts every time he has to leave :(. Although this summer hasn't gone as planned prior, Ajay and I definitely skated as much as we possibly could, and get the most out of our experiences. We even took a Saturday to skate the entire day with the Dupay Twins and my brother, getting footage the whole way. All day, we got together, got food, and skated everywhere. It was really a big turning point in my future in skateboarding (what future?! I take myself too serious!!) because before that day, I was questioning myself, wondering if I still had that same passion like I did when I was 13.
 Yes, I do.
 While we're on the subject of passion, I'd also like to mention that Lauren and I had our six month anniversary on September 2nd as well. SIX MONTHS SWEETY! I LOVE YOU!! <3

 -September 10: Dupays move to Vermillion
 Josh and Mike, after living in their North Olmsted household forever left with no choice. Their parents decided it would be best for the family since the old house was not conditioned for their living necessities (sorry, I'm really getting too techy with my writing). Nevertheless, this won't stop them from hanging out with their folks - it just takes an extra half hour now :(
 Love you Joshy! You too Mikey!

 To this date, I still complain that I get too many hours at work, because it interferes with my homework time/free time. I still talk to Lauren every single day like there will be no tomorrow. Most chances I get, I spend quality time with my wood-on-wheels and cruise with friends. However, I haven't been to Common Grounds in the longest time. I really don't know what to think of this - is it a big deal? I guess it depends if the same people I know still go there or not.
 But either way, I did it. I updated my Live Journal. Many of you thought this wouldn't be possible, but I did it.

 I DID IT!

maximusmaganese @ 2007-07-29T13:58:00

2007-07-29T19:07:16Z

Wow, it has been a long long time since I've updated this - I'll see if I can help bring everybody up to speed:

-Last week, I saw Suburban Legends for the second time. This time, however, I got to see them with not only Josh, but with Lauren, Lexy, and my brother! The show, overall, was a blast; Suburban Legends did an amazing job with their amazing ability to choreograph while jammin', and I got to see this new band called "Zoloft: The Rock and Roll Destroyer" which featured two former members of Reel Big Fish. The only cruddy thing about the show was the band, "Patent Pending". They literally had no new material: same songs, same order even, and the exact same antics. The only difference I recall from Patent Pending was they had a couple different jokes, but they sucked. Hell, they spent more time talking than playing - you'd think that'd make a good joke, but it's not a joke at all! I did learn quite a few things from them though, according to the guitarist of Patent Pending:
"I learned something new today. During that last song we played, I looked down and discovered that my zipper was down. Now, what should I do in this situation? I can't just STOP playing just to pull up my zipper! So you know what I did? I conveniently manuvered my guitar in front of my pants, thus, covering my zipper - THANK YOU!"
But enough about them. The show was still a blast. I got to skank with folks for the first time in a while - a very refreshing experience indeed. Also, I got to see Josh boldly pop up on stage and sing the chorus of one of Suburban Legends' songs loud and proud before stage diving into the mediocre-sized-but-pumped audience. Then, just when I thought things couldn't gte any better, my brother popped up and stage-dove for his first time ever! I'm so proud!!
What I was most happy to see though, was Lauren feeling better. I could clearly tell the difference in the way she was the day before* compared to being at the show. She was being her ol' upbeat self, and I was happy to be upbeat with her. She even went into the pit and skanked for approximately two seconds before getting elbowed right into her bad ear. The poor thing - but she's a trooper!!!<3

*Lauren had one of the most bogus things happen to her; an untreated ear infection that spread to her jaw. SO, she could only hear with one ear during that time, as well as lay on her side for hours on end because of the medicine she had to work with that turned out to do merely NOTHING! Now, if I was in her shoes, I'd think, "Well, if I'm going to feel like crap, I'm going to at least try and indulge myself with food", but with her ear infection you're screwed there too! At one point, she couldn't move her jaw at all. She'd have to limit herself in the way she talked. I tried everything I could think of to comfort her: a joke, some food, water, tucking her in, holding her hand, doing something stupid, anything! What sucked about trying to make her happy was that because of her infection spreading to her jaw, she couldn't smile or laugh!! So she couldn't even feel at least enlightened if she tried. You may think that because I'm her boyfriend that I may be dramatizing this a bit too much, but this is all actual. Thank goodness the infection is gone!

-On the same week of the show, Saturday, I went to Lauren's Graduation Party. I remember waking up at 10:30am to an enthusiastic "Wakey wakey, eggs n' bakey!" from <3you-know-who<3! She called hoping that I could come over before her grad party started so we could hangout. At that moment, I decided to upll off a stunt where I said I'd do one thing but do an entirely different thing. I told her that I wanted to go out and skateboard, and after I was done that I'd clean up and THEN stop by. Well, I didn't show up until half an hour before the party started. BUT, I actually spent all my free time putting together this big, two-paged letter complete with a few pictures of me and her for a little sentimental value. It was nothing amazing, but it was something I put a lot of time into.
The grad party was a great time though, for the two and a half hours I was there for. I WOULD'VE had that day off, but JCP loves to cooperate with me and my free time. But I learned to play this game called Fruitbasket, and ended up denting one of the metal chairs, and tipping over the plastic chair, thus, falling over on it. I'm so suave ;)
THOSE BAKLAVAS AT THE GRAD PARTY WERE SO GOOD!!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME THE WAY KRISTEN!!!!!

-Tuesday night, I went out skating throughout Cleveland with Ajay, Josh, and Zack. We took the rapid there, and when we got there, we skated to the skatepark by the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, hitting spots on the way. The whole trip was an amazing experience. It did a lot of good for me. I was starting to get sick of skating in the same old spots all the time, and was getting very bored with them. Big cities, in general, are amazing to skate. Even if you don't find a nice skate spot, you can still cruise the hills, rip up the wide, smooth sidewalks, dodge pedestrians, ollie the welcome mat in front of the fancy hotel, etc.
On the way back from Cleveland, all of us were sitting in the rapid heading home when I realized that I left my keys at the skatepark! So, Zack and I hopped off while Ajay and Josh headed home. It wasn't anything disastrous really; Zack and I still wanted to skate anyway. We even skated the park for a little after I found my keys. I can't wait to skate Cleveland again :)

Other than the listed events, it has just been work work work. One of the ladies in my department will be out for a while because she had surgery due to a major kidney problem. Because of it, I'll be haulin' all the heavy hours. Get well soon Amanda! And whenever I am off work, I'm either sleeping, eating, or hanging out with Lauren. I seriously can't see her enough! And I love how she feels the same. We don't even care what we do half the time, as long as we're together. It's going to suck so much this upcoming semester for school. I'm going to miss her so much! I know that eventually we'll be back together. I'll DEFINITELY be visiting her, and take any chance I get to talk to her. She has really taken me by the hand, and has never let go. ever.

I love you Lauren <3

W00T

2007-07-04T17:40:38Z

    I'm back. It certainly has been a long time, but I am back! After weeks upon weeks of constantly being up to SOMETHING (whether it was work, goin' out skating, seeing Lauren, or chillin' out in my pad) I finally have a moment to stop, sit, and just....breathe. What do I mean you ask? Well, for one thing, I don't meant to say to have boredom on my hands. What I do mean is to have time to myself, and being able to think and gain perspective. Through the past few weeks, I have really come close with some new friends of mine. Let me speak of a few.
    Fargo. Whether I got the name right or not, that is what I've always called him by. I don't even know if it's his real name, because I would've never guessed that "Fargo" is an actual name. It's pretty damn cool though. What I do know is that it is nearly impossible to have a dull moment with this guy. The truth is that I've known about Fargo for quite sometime now. He has been friends with most of my friends for the longest time, which really makes me wonder why I never got to know him sooner. Never have I had a problem with him at all. Throughout my high school years, I'd randomly spot him at the ol' caffeteria, a random party somewhere, Common Grounds and what not. I never talked to him much way back when. Then again, things were much different back then too. He's a cool cat though.
    Not so long ago, I went with him, along with Josh, Kristi, Scruffy McNuttsac, and Adeline, to see "Oceans 13" Ever since the first time I saw Oceans 11 with George and Dusty at an old sleepover in middle school, I've been a diehard fan of the Oceans movies. Everybody I was with agreed that Oceans movies have a tendency to make you want to rob a bank, or some fancy, impossible-to-break-in, have-absolutely-no-chance, motel. It had the same cast, except with an extra member, hence the name, "Oceans 13" Al Pacino, being Al Pacino, powned at being the bad guy.
Then, on Sunday, the first of July, Lauren and I went to Lexi's graduation party. We celebrated the feat Lexi had done by sitting in the dinning room for over three and a half hours, eating! It was great though. You'd think we would get bored out of our skulls, since we're just sitting there - WRONG. We, and by we I mean Vicky, Sputnik, Chris, Mara, Lauren, and me, were cracking jokes like crazy. From eating delicious "better than watermelon" cookies, to having straaaaaawberry jam, to having our own personal canadian servant (sputnik). I really had no idea I'd have so much fun at a grad party, where all the old folks show up, congratulate you, sit down, and just eat. One of the reasons I had such a blast was a girl by the name of Vicky.
    Yessum, her name is Vicky. She also likes to talk southern, but how can someone not? You're all guilty of such an act, and you know it! Vicky also knows Ashton Kutcher well, because she has a natural tendency to punk anybody at anytime. Sometimes, I'd get her mixed up with Ashton because she is so good at it! I mean, the first time I ever met the girl, she punked me! Personally, I wasn't a fan of it, mainly because she got me so bad. Then I realized, it's not like I was her only victim. Yeah, that's right, she has punked armies of people at the wave of her hand. How? Good question. She was the girl who showed me how to Spin Dip. Yummerzzzzzz.
    I think that's enough for today. I've spent forty-six minutes typing this, so I'm WAY past my shift. Peace.

Movin' Along...

2007-06-13T18:01:42Z

As I typed for my subject, this entry's theme will be "Movin' Along" Why? Well, for one, I feel like it. Also, it seems the best way to go about things, suddenly, is by thinking ahead.
For example, I like to think ahead when I am at work, as many would. You stand there, behind a counter, being professional (HAH!). You take care of customers, you smile, and you move along. There are some days where I feel so lifeless (literally, absolutely no soul in me, anywhere - go ahead and look!) that the best thing for me to do is to think ahead. To think about what I'll do after work, who I'll see, and how much better it'll be seems to put my mind at ease; that things will get better.
How about another example? Sound good? Take our now-beloved Cleveland Cavaliers. After being so hopeful, knowing their situation of being down 2-0 AND playing a game at home, the San Antonio Spurs knock out the Cavs by going up 3-0. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit; which sucks.

While I'm on the subject of basketball (you didn't REALLY think I was going to move on to the next subject did you?) I'm more aggravated with player Bruce Bowen. He plays for the Spurs. It seems that whenever a team is playing equally as well, or better, against the Spurs, weird things start to happen. Fishy things. It's weird. The San Antonio Spurs are a hell of a team, yes. But what is up with Bruce Bowen? Everybody hears about how great of a 3-point shooter he is, how great of a guy he is outside of the court, and how he is one of the toughest defenders in the NBA.

Well, is he really great? Or is he cheap?

Are his defensive tactics truly that good? Or is there more to it?

I can go on with this one. You can youtube this stuff all day.

Oh well. On the bright side, the Cavs have made massive improvements in the past few years. From making it to the playoffs, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, to making it to the Finals. It is just not the Cavs' year - yet. Just you wait!

Like I said: Movin' Along...

Sometimes I wish I had a time machine. Actually, it'd be cool if life were like a giant TiVo; where you fast forward, rewind, or just stroll through the programs on television. If you like a certain moment, you can pause it and cherish it for as long as you like. It'd be so nice. Ugh.

Sounds like an idea for some good lyrics, better write it down!!!

I've been skateboarding more often lately. At first, it felt somewhat weird to really get in the habit of skating so often. My legs don't have that "umph" they used to have, and I'm getting older. Basically, I'm a grandpa compared to the rest of my friends.
But lately, my skating has been picking up a little bit. I'm trying different tricks here and there. I can ACTUALLY kickflip consistently now, which I never thought was possible.
I have plans to go skate with Josh and others at this skate spot I've never been to. It's supposed to be this nice sewer drainage system that I hear is fun to ride. Hopefully it'll be a ball. I'll get pictures and video :)

That's enough for today. I'm going to clean myself up and get ready to enjoy the day.

I h3art Lauren.

"The Palace is Burning!"

2007-06-02T22:06:15Z

Something amazing happened on May 31st: A day that will live an infamy.

If you're a Pistons fan at least.

Why? Because on that fateful evening, I became a witness to what Charles Barkley called, "The Burning of the Palace" At first I thought I was watching a playoff game, and a pivotal one too. The Pistons and the Cavaliers were having another one of those close games where you knew, by the way both teams were constantly clashing back and forth, it would all come down to the last possession.
As the game progressed through the fourth quarter, the game slowed down and both teams began to grind it out with some tough defense. This was in favor of the Pistons. 3:15 was left in the fourth, and the Pistons were leading by seven. It looked like the game would eventually settle down calmly into the hands of Detroit by stopping Cleveland with its suffocating defense; just like they have so many times routinely. Chauncey was starting to get that ol' smirk on his face, laughing at pressure like the cool cat he was, and the crowd was pumped. It looked like it was over.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

In the blink of an eye, a rampaging inferno erupted and swarmed throughout the building. For the next 13:57, the Auburn Hills Arena would undergo a fire that simply would not be put out. The Detroit Pistons tried everything: double-teaming, switching defenders, playing some zone, even a Rip Hamilton elbow to the chin.

Nothing could stop it.

I couldn't believe it was happening; The Auburn Hills Arena was falling apart right on the television screen! Never have I thought I would see such a sweet scenery. Anything you could think of that was in that building, from the court, to the awestruck faces of the crowd, to the very team that was best known for their defense, all engulfed in flames to forever be mesmerized.

To forever be, Witnesses.

That's right, I'm not even going to mention the Name of the God-like being who single-handedly fooled the defense of the Pistons. At one point, it looked like Tayshaun Prince (His main defender) was simply perplexed by His presence alone as He dribbled, faked...

...and flew.

I think the Pistons realized, during the two overtimes, that everything they did was futile to stop Him.

It was futile to wave a hand in front of His face as He made the baseline fade-away 18-footer.
It was futile to double-team Him as He confidently made a three, right in front of the Detroit bench.
It was futile to even bother anymore, because every time the Pistons tried, they got burned.

All they could do was witness.

Let us all do the same.

maximusmaganese @ 2007-05-25T00:42:00

2007-05-25T05:05:49Z

May 25th, 2007 (12:43am):

-I can't sleep. Tonight, I can't lay in my bed and sleep in peace, mentally mainly. There are just too many things bugging me at the moment. Through this Livejournal entry, I hope to overcome tonight's demons.
First off, my job has been suckin' with some extra sauce lately. I just have too many damn hours right now! Everything would go just fine as I work the catalog desk, smiling my fake smile, not getting mouthed at by customers and what not. It's just when I have to tell my friends that I can't do anything for the next five days because I have to work the evening shift.

I know what you're all thinking, and I'm not even going to say that four-letter word...

So why don't I do it? Well, I don't know what other job I can get hired for right now to get paid 7.40 an hour - which is fairly decent. Then again, at this point, it looks like the job that is more fun to do (or less stressful) would be the better one; not the higher paying one. Back in the day, when we weren't SHORT STAFFED, work was easier, more fun, and I wasn't needed as much. It's not that I don't want to stop working there, it's just I can't take all these hours! I feel like I'm taken for granted at that place - when they assume that I'm just perfectly content with working at a retail store five days in a row. Ugh, I'm done venting.

No wait, I'm not.

On to the after-effect:

Too many hours at work =

-Less time with friends

-Less time for my girlfriend (mesh that with "time with friends" if you like, whatever)

-Less time for family (Mainly missing out on dinner time, you know, when everybody is home from work and school)

I'm not saying this for good measure, but the list goes on...

Then my mom flips out on me for driving the Corolla, which is under my name, to work instead of the Taurus because the Corolla had gas, and the Taurus was on fumes. As much as I'd love to get stranded on the road, broke (AND have an actual excuse to call off work), I need to make money.

My worries are fueled mainly from my issues with work right now. Everything else has been fine, really. I'm tired of having problems. I'm tired of having to vent out of frusturation like this. But that's life.

It's times like these I want to go out and just night skate. Going out on the town on a piece of wood and wheels, and simply doing what I want.

Did you hear me on that one Bam?

P.S. - Cavs lost tonight to the Piss-ons (79-76). I think I'll take some time off from reading NBA.com for a while, unless I get ridiculously bored at work. The media has gone crazy on LeBron lately. "He should've gone for the layup instead of passing it to the open man!" - screw y'all :)

I'm soooo mature

Like old times..

2007-05-10T23:27:17Z

Last night, I decided to switch things up. Knowing that I had an early, and long, shift ahead of me the next day, I went out with Josh and Ajay to go night skate.
Of course, this just HAS to go against everything in being logical. First off, I'm waiting for my right hip to heal up after falling on it repeatedly. Also, like I mentioned earlier, I wouldn't have much sleep to live off of if I dared to go out into the night and skate with the guys. Thinking about it, I do feel a bit more tired than usual, and going out to skate did anything but make my hip feel better.

But I had a blast.

I met up with Josh and Ajay up at the usual spot, and we decided to just go with some good 'ol flat tricks. You know, just trying little stuff on the ground, gettin' our flip on.
For the night, I wasn't doing too bad on my board. A half cab big spin was still in my bag of tricks. At least I could still do my usual shuvit variations - I need to work more on flips though.
Josh, on the other hand, landed a kickflip here and there. In fact, I'm sure if he kept on working on his kickflips, he'd have it on lock; being able to do it anytime, anywhere, asleep, naked! Then, of course, there was this foreigner named Ajay.
Ajay, as usual, was doing his double flips and 360 flips; flipping his board in such an effortless and casual manner that it would almost make you think, "Oh, he didn't land it because he didn't feel like it" I swear, I'm jealous!

Especially after pulling this off...

Josh: "Hey Ajay, what happened there?"
Ajay: "It couldn't handle my sexiness I guess.."

Mmm, you're telling me! I wouldn't be able to handle it either if I landed a double flip with no nose, let alone a double flip, period!

After plenty of video was taped from some fun skating, along with plenty of rain, we checked up on the old office and chilled out. Then, Ajay got a call from his chick, Tiffany, and she was talking about how she misses him since she's not around because she had to move out to some random location that I could never remember the name of.
After a couple "I Miss You"s and a clap from the cell phone closing, I got a call on my cell a few minutes later.

I answered precautiously.

It turned out to be Tiff, again, which seemed odd. She said that she wasn't leaving until tomorrow, and that she was on her way to the office as we were speaking, and to keep the boys busy until she arrived - Just as a surprise.

Sweet, right?

Sooooo, I started by acting like I was talking to mom: "Umm, yeah mom, we're up by that old office - remember? The one that I always told you about? Yeah, well, I'll be careful, we're just skating....Love you too, bye"

After feeling like a total sketchball around Ajay and Josh, I tried taking some pressure off, and buying time, by proposing to skate a little. Out of nowhere, I just had this sudden need to try and land a trick I hadn't land since almost a year ago. Sketchy? Naaaahhhhh!
To make a long story short, Tiffany arrived, and Ajay was totally surprised. Josh was too, because he thought I was actually talking to mom. I feel bad about it now, but it was for the good of it. Seriously Josh! It was fun though, watching Ajay hold Tiff up like a little ragdoll, awwwwwah!

Then I went to CG and lost at poker. Again.

The End!

Prom prom prom

2007-05-06T07:30:26Z

Prom.

The final dance for your class. After all those painstaking years of sitting through lecture after lecture, assignment after assignment - you've come to this point. You see all your classmates wizzing by, memories flash in your mind of how it was. There you are, sitting with your date at the table, enjoying the food, seeing friends that you might not see in the future.

Then - the servant starts stealing your food!

The food was pretty scrumptious. Sure I didn't eat a whole lot, but I wasn't hungry! Apparently, the servants took it too personal when they saw a couple crumbs left on my plate. Eventually, Chris and I came to the conclusion that one of the servants was a criminal who was addicted to salt shakers and butter.

The freak.

Prom was lovely though. The whole trip was an adventure for me. From exchanging corsages with Lauren, to losing feeling in my jaw from smiling at cameras, to cruisin' in da limo, to bumpin' n' grindin' (OH SNAP!), to After Prom; it was just a blast. Never a dull moment, that's for sure.

A couple things I learned from Prom:

-When it comes to Limos, Prom is certainly about the journey; not the destination (Thanks 80HD!)

-I should consider jamming with Chris (Mara's bf) sometime

-I can't dance, despite the excuse of having a bad hip

-Everybody has their own face. Kristen has her face. Then Chris has his own face.

-Servants can be really bossy, especially the ones who steal your salad!

-Lauren is a gambling addict! I should've seen this one coming...

-I look good in red

-You know you have great friends when they CYCLE over to your Prom photoshoot

-Despite that I wear business-like attire to work, I still have yet to truly master the art of tieing a tie

Above all though, I'm just glad everybody had fun. That's what Prom is all about: Enjoying the last of your year with a bunch of friends and having an unforgettable night. Thanks Lauren for having me come along - I truly enjoyed it. <3

.....Thauren!

April 30th, 2007

2007-04-30T14:11:48Z

So what do you do when you get bored? Do you lounge around, stare at the ceiling (Ajay!), watch tv, take naps, or try and figure out what the largest number is?

Neither do I, but I do believe the largest number is 45,000,000,001
British Comedy rules, no matter what era it's from :)

But when I do get bored, I like to spend some time outside. Maybe take some pictures, that is - if I had a better camera! Other than that, I check out my MySpace, maybe post some cute comments, maybe spend some time looking at guitar chords - that usually makes my fill. More often than not, I find myself with nothing to do when I'm at work. I work at JCPenney in the Catalog Department. I'm either taking returns, making orders, or I'm chillin' on da comp. I swear, I feel more like I get paid to read blogs off nba.com than taking returns all day. But at least that's one good way to look at it :). I'll tell ya what though, with everything that's going on in the NBA right now, especially since it's the Playoffs, it's interesting to read everything that's going on all at once.

For one, the Mavs are in trouble!

The, now crownless, Heat got swept by the Bulls.

The Lakers WILL get powned by the Suns.

-And the Cavs are gonna make it to the East Conference Finals :)

Anyway, enough about basketball. Wait, just check this out for a moment. Okay, enough about basketball.

Today, I think I'm going to stop by Guitar Center. I just tried switching the strings on it, and the strings literally laying on top of the frets from the second fret to the end. Answer? New bridge - I hope.

Oh, and Ajay, I'm sorry for not calling you last night if I was night skating or not. My head was throbbing with pain, along with my leg, and right now, my heart does too because I feel bad! Forgive me buddy, we'll skate soon!

Well, that's enough for today. I'll post some more junk later.

-Max