Lesser Phil- Episode 5: A Room With a View

Last time on Lesser Phil

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Episode Five:

This one is not a complaint- just an observation.

Lesser Phil’s room is the one with access to our balcony. The balcony isn’t anything great, but it overlooks our fairly large backyard and is the only balcony of the house. Because of this, there is a door that allows you to access the balcony in his room. This is pretty straight forward.

Next to Lesser Phil’s room is the bathroom which, oddly enough, has a full size window in the shower. We have a curtain so no one can see in, but it naturally lights the bathroom and, if you were standing in the bathtub (clothed I would hope) and pulled back the curtain then you can get basically the same view as you can from the balcony.

Though unrelated to this, the backyard is currently a mudhole. Snow has melted and the ground is saturated completely leaving the leaves (that we failed to rake last Autumn) as the only protection from the mud. Therefore, there is not much of a view.

Walking across the yard a few minutes ago I noticed that Phil had something sitting out on the balcony. I couldn’t tell what it was from the ground. Now- I was going to let it go but I wondered if I could see it from the window in the tub. But just as I was about to peer out I hear banging and some grunting.

Lesser Phil still doesn’t know where his key is, apparently. So rather than ask for a copy, or continue to be let in, he’s instead scaling the side of our house on a regular basis.

All I can say is- that’s sort of innovative. Also, I hope the wood doesn’t break and/or he gets hurt. Because what else would I whine about if he wasn’t doing crazy antics? Additionally- I don’t want to have to feel bad for him.

Lesser Phil- Episode 4: Google Maps

As always: Last Time on Lesser Phil

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At 1 am today I, Nat Rivera, am staring at my house via satellite on Google Maps and trying to approximate the year in which the photo was taken. I didn’t sleep the night before and instead of catching even a couple hours of sleep prior to work (at 4 am), I am staring at my backyard. (For the record- Google Maps points to the wrong house when I enter my address. It shows my neighbor’s house.)

At 11:30 pm, after grabbing dinner at the BK Lounge and driving straight home post practice/small group meeting, I come into my house where everything is silent. I try not to wake my roommates as I sneak past their rooms and then strip down and prepare to climb into bed. I was so concerned about sleep that I had eaten on my way home.

I pull the covers up to my head, say goodbye to my friends online, and snuggle down for a good night’s sleep. One of my last conscious thoughts was- “I didn’t see or hear Lesser Phil all day. 24 hours of peace. It was a nice holiday.”

Since I had come home at 7 am, he hadn’t been awake and through some good luck- I didn’t run into him for the rest of the day. It’s nice to know that he’s asleep down the hall and not making phone calls. Maybe he’s a decent human being afterall.

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12:37 AM: I awake with a start- my phone is ringing and it is the ringtone I have set for my roommates. I instantly know it is not Chas and as I reach for the phone I think “If he is calling me from his room or downstairs I am going to ram his phone up his ass.”

LP: ::REALLY LOUD:: HEY!
Me: ::groggy and irritable:: Yeah, what?

LP: I’m really sorry but I have no idea what I did with my key.

Me: Ok- When are you going to be home?

LP: I’m really sorry, it won’t happen again….. ::he continues to talk and not give me an answer::

Me: Just call me when you get here.

LP: Were you asleep?

Me: Yes.

LP: ::Get even louder and apologizes several more times::

Me: ::cuts him off:: Just call me when you get here.

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Alright- the dude locked himself out. I know- Stop your bitching Nat. He didn’t know you were sleeping (even though it was 12:30 in the morning) and he legitimately needs in.

EXCEPT THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME HE’S LOCKED HIMSELF OUT. Only one other time have I actually had to come back home to let him in, but the other three have required me to stop what I’m doing to unlock a door for him.

Additionally, it’s not like these all happened in like 24 hours and he’s just lost his key… noooooooo, he’s spread it out over the course of a week.

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So at 1 am, after unlocking the door, I am staring at maps online, because I just want to get back to sleep and can’t. Shortly thereafter I close my computer and attempt to go to sleep…. only after 2 am do I accomplish the goal.

So here’s my question- WHY COULDN’T I JUST HAVE 24 HOURS WITHOUT HIM BUGGING ME WITHOUT BEING PUNISHED FOR IT???

I just need sleep I think.

Oh yeah- When I woke up to go to work at 4, I interrupted a really cool dream where I was hanging out with Daniel Day Lewis. I’d like to think I could have had another hour of that dream.

Another Xanga Complaint and Another Scotch Tape Story

Scotch tape first because it’s shorter- I’ve decided that since I’m up really f-ing late working for these people, I should at least have Scotch Tape.  It’s not an unreasonable request and it would actually be useful here at the desk.

So in the log under “supplies needed at desk” I am once again writing “Scotch Tape.”  Except this time, I writing it everyday and also varying my hand writing so no one will know who wants it but everyone will know we don’t have any.  Take that Resident Director!

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If you read my previous entry about xanga, it would tell you that Xanga won’t let me leave quietly.  Nope, not at all.  Additionally they’ve sent me these great emails from “My Friends At Xanga.”  For the record, none of my friends are at or on Xanga.  NOT ONE.   Anyway, after the last email I went back to check something at my old site and thus xanga has sent me another email.  It reads:

Welcome back NatalieLRivera!

It’s great to see you again! Now that you’re back, here are some suggestions to help you get plugged in: Find Your Friends It’s more fun with friends this link will help you find friends who may already be here Join a Blogring Find other people that share your interests! Keep Adding Stuff The more you post, the more opportunities for others to leave you comments! Not sure what to post? Check out Featured Questions Looking for interesting sites? Check out Featured Weblogs If you find a site you like, be sure to subscribe and leave some comments! - from your friends at Xanga

My thoughts are-

1. “Now that you’re back…” I was never back!!!

2. Had I come back, I would leave again just because Xanga is that needy.

3. I really don’t like xanga, regardles of whatever clingy email they send me, past or present.

Lesser Phil- Episode 3: No Phone, No Phone, I Just Wanna Be Alone

If you missed episode 2 check out Last Time on ‘Lesser Phil’.

Today my world was filled magically for nearly 6 hours of bliss while Lesser Phil moped about the house, searching half-heartedly for his missing phone. While I did not think to steal his phone, I wish I had the brilliance to have done so, because the peace was unmatched by anything prior to it. The effect was amazing!

As he sat silently on the couch I couldn’t help but hear Cake’s song “No Phone” playing as my theme for the day. He brooded and tried think of where he last had it and I ‘helpfully’ volunteered to call it. For many hours the phone call would not go through leaving my end of the phone with the most beautiful sound possible- “The individual you are trying to reach cannot accept calls at this time. Goodbye.” Goodbye indeed.

Eventually around 8pm, for whatever reason, Lesser Phil requested one more time that I call his phone. I did and from the realms of his room came his annoying ringtone (some sort of overly ridiculous song that tries to sound hard but just sounds dumb, especially out of a cell phone).

Anyway- This has all digressed from what we are here to to talk about: DELIVERING PIZZAS. Here is that story.

At 2:10pm I am standing at the foot of the stairs and Lesser Phil and I are talking to a painter (who has an uncanny resemblance to Geo from “Ugly Betty”) when I realize I should be on the shuttle. I am instantly aware of how pressed for time I am.

Then Lesser Phil turns to me as the painter walks away and says- “I got some really bad news today.”

Since I can’t really walk away now because I looked like I was interested, I say- “Oh?”

The conversation then plays out.

Lesser Phil: Yeah, Jordan is seeing some other guy.

(Jordan is his ex-girlfriend. THE ex-girlfriend who will no doubt play a continual role in Lesser Phil and my interactions despite the fact that they are not together and I will never meet her…. it’s weird.)

Me: I’m sorry. I have many words of advice on that but I need to go catch a shuttle right now.

Lesser Phil: Oh, that’s cool. I don’t wanna burden ya or anything. It’s just…

(My foot had been on the first stair and I was about to walk up but now I’m caught. I really need to get going, but I have to hear him out or I’m a douche.)

Lesser Phil: It’s just that there’s the whole money thing, you know? Like, I only have like a thousand dollars to my name and I need to save up for the pizza joint- Did I tell you about the that?

Me: No… What pizza joint?

(I take my foot off the stairs and turn around. I look at the clock and I’ve already missed the shuttle anyway, I’ll have to drive. But we’re talking about pizza and I just need to know.)

Lesser Phil: Oh, me and like five guys are going to buy this pizza joint in Utah in January but we have to save up for the down payment by then.

Me: How much is the down payment?

Lesser Phil: 10,000 dollars.

Me: huh. Um… that’s cool though. You think you’ll get enough?

::he nods::

(He actually was talking about fucking pizzas…. he’s just an awkward human being. . . )

Me: Sorry- I really have to go, I’m already going to be late.

*******

He was really talking about delivering pizzas…. and making them…. in Utah? Despite his desire to go back to the East Coast post graduation? I either misheard his mention of a house or maybe he just misspoke. At any rate, I hardly care about pizza in Utah.

This red herring of pizza proportions has me even more intrigued about what the real source of his weirdness is but has decreased my desire to talk to him even more since it is hardly worth the time to try and figure it out.

Additionally, my tolerance of his voice is currently shot.

We shall see what unfolds in tomorrow’s episode (when I will most likely discuss his weird rules toward Jordan and the possibility of them getting back together), but until then I leave you with a poem Hotchy sent to me written by the famous Pablo Neruda. It is pretty damn descriptive of the way I feel towards Lesser Phil.

Me Gustas Cuando Callas

Me gustas cuando callas porque estas como ausente,
y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te toca.
Parece que los ojos se te hubieran volado
y parece que un beso te cerrara la boca.

Como todas las cosas estan llenas de mi alma
emerges de las cosas, llena del alma mia.
Mariposa de sueno, te pareces a mi alma,
y te pareces a la palabra melancolia.

Me gustas cuando callas y estas como distante.
Y estas como quejandote, mariposa en arrullo.
Y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te alcanza:
dejame que me calle con el silencio tuyo.

Dejame que te hable tambien con tu silencio
claro como una lampara, simple como un anillo.
Eres como la noche, callada y constelada.
Tu silencio es de estrella, tan lejano y sencillo.

Me gustas cuando callas porque estas como ausente.
Distante y dolorosa como si hubieras muerto.
Una palabra entonces, una sonrisa bastan.
Y estoy alegre, alegre de que no sea cierto.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY: SECOND X-FILES MOVIE TRAILER LEAKED

So I found this out via the blog of my ex-boyfriend, but the second X-Files movie (untitled as of now) has a trailer that was leaked over the Internet. Though intended to only be shared with the attendees of WonderCon 2008, it is not being shared to the world via a handheld camera rip put on the internet.

UNFORTUNATELY 20th Century Fox Films are being DICKS about it and have pulled all copies of the pirated version from youtube. Thus- we have to go to the faithful bloggers who have come through for me:

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MOST EXCITING THING IN TEN YEARS

Alright, it’s possible that I’m overblowing it. It’s not a good version and the trailer is so-so, but watching the interview (movie below trailer) with David, Gillian, Chris Carter, and Writer Frank Spotnitz. There are some GREAT lines from the crew including:

****Question: It’s been ten years… why will the movie be worth the wait?*****

Chris Carter: Because it’ll scare the pants off you. Because you’ll get to see Mulder and Scully in a whole new way!

*****

Chris Carter later answered the question “Will Krycek return?” with his answer:

We are keeping it a secret and I think you’ll all appreciate we are… about who is going to appear in the movie, besides David and Gillian, of course… So, I’ll just say to you… nobody’s really ever dead in The X-Files.”

Is it possible that my favorite characters- The Lone Gunmen- might return??? Or Deep Throat??? Or the Cigarette Smoking Man??? Or Krycek???? The list of characters I would orgasm to see goes on and on and on, but most importantly I can’t wait to see Mulder and Scully. My hope is that they include Skinner but… who knows!

To read the basic transcript of the WonderCon Panel Click Here

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Ten years, 1 month, and 6 days after the original movie “X-Files: Fight the Future” aired we are FINALLY getting to see our favorite characters again on the big screen. GO SEE IT JULY 25, 2008.

You have no idea how happy this X-Phile is.

Future Lattes Expected to be So(y) Good

After many dollars spent at Starbuck’s recently and the decision to get rid of my now 2 year old coffee maker, I have decided to invest in a coffee maker/espresso machine combo.  As soon as I have a fridge again I’m investing in some soy milk (and regular milk, don’t think I’m a vegan nutcase) to enjoy in my cereal and in my homemade lattes.

My heavy drinking (of SL’s) has me paying a lot of money to Starbucks all the time.  For just two weeks worth of Starbucks (14 daysish) I could have a Latte anytime, regardless of hours, at home.  Downside- I’m lazy and would have to make it myself.  Upside- I’m lazy and would no longer have to leave my house to get it.

I’m rolling this decision around in my head.  It is a good future investment…. I just have other bills to pay.  However- then I’ll just continue to buy these stupid lattes at Starbucks all the time.  This situation is bad news bears, I tell you what.

Lesser Phil- Episode 2: Delivering Pizza

Alright, it is key that you read my previous entry about L. Phil or else this story doesn’t have the same impact. If you have not read it here is the link- Last Time on ‘Lesser Phil’

So after going up to my room and trying not to hear his muffled voice- which only proceeds to get LOUDER as more phone calls are placed. I begin to block it out and assume that he is a desperate or lonely man and that I don’t really care anymore.

So anyway- Hector and I are planning on heading to Talli’s to watch the Oscars as a small group and I, unhappily, pack back up my computer bag and plan to head downstairs knowing full well it means walking into the midst of his loud voice which has now become like nails on a chalkboard that’s eating my soul. I convince myself to leave only by reassuring myself that if I leave the house I will not have to listen to the increasingly loud mumbles of his voice booming from downstairs.

I walk down the stairs and Chewie skirts past me into the living room and I find myself listening to his end of the conversation that plays out like this:

“Yeah, so it’ll be five of us guys living in this one man’s house. It’ll be totally swee…”

Midword he freezes and our eyes meet. I give no indication that I was listening or care, because I don’t UNTIL he awkwardly changes the subject to-

“So… you can cook a pizza like that right?……. Oh yeah delivering pizza……. Yeah, I didn’t know you did that…. I used to do that…. I really like pizza…..”

By this point I have already made it to the kitchen where I am hiding a laugh. Could he have been anymore obvious with his “cover-up” to that conversation? I am tempted to stay and force him to continue to talk about pizza but I have a friend to pick up AND (more importantly) I want away from his voice. I take off, considering for a moment not closing the door all the way and listening for awhile until I would come back because I “forgot something.”

If he’s moving out- that’s all the better for me…. I hope he doesn’t think I would ask him to stay. That’s not the first time he’s been sketchy with his conversations- repeating stories but the facts change each time they’re retold or being vague or telling another person a completely different version of a situation he’s described to you.

So I ask:

Drug Dealer, Paranoid Freak, or just Planning to Move Out? Find out next time on Lesser Phil!

“Lesser Phil” Strikes a bad cord

Things that annoy me:

1. Having sticky hands

2. The kitchen not being finished yet

BIGGEST ANNOYANCE IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW:

3. My roommate (who already talks on the phone really loud), who sits down on our couch while I’m watching tv and THEN proceeds to make outgoing calls. I can ALMOST understand not leaving the living room while someone is watching TV if you’re answering a call you just received. But- really????

THREE PHONE CALLS.

How do you respond to that?

OMG- THEN he asks to be updated on the show I’m watching and provides commentary on a story HE ISN’T EVEN WATCHING to his friends on the phone.

::sigh:: Sometimes I just want to tell people how ridiculously inconsiderate they are.

Incidentally- If you didn’t know, He’s called “Lesser Phil” because we needed someway to differentiate him between him and my old roommate, best-friend, ex-boyfriend Phil. A mutual friend of Phil and I came up with it.

Man I could punch Lesser Phil right now. I’m so glad Chewie hates him.

My Old Blogsite is A Clingy Ex-Boyfriend/Girlfriend

So I leave Xanga and it refuses to recognize we’ve broken up and sends me the following email:

Hey NatalieLRivera – We’ve missed ya!

We’ve really missed reading your blog. We’ve been taking care of all your weblogs, photos, and other posts for you.

Sign back in to relive the memories…

We’ve also been adding a lot of cool things to your site since the last time you were here:

Make your site look better
- There are thousands of themes to choose from
- or you can customize everything yourself
Making blogging fun again
- You can post weblogs, photos, videos, and audio
- Post from your phone using Pulse!
- Stream LIVE and chat with your subscribers on Xanga TV
Making it easier to keep up with friends
- Comprehensive feeds of all your friends’ updates
- It’s easier to read and respond to friends

We hope you’ll come visit us soon and check it all out. And we’d love to hear from ya too. Feel free to reply to us here and let us know what you think!

- from your friends at Xanga

Ironically, all the email did is make me realize how clingy I’ve been post-breakup with several individuals.

I’m glad Xanga watered my metaphorical plants after I moved out and repainted- but I’m not coming back for the raggedy old t-shirt entries I had there. “Relive the memories!….” of Xanga erasing your entry halfway through prior to post and having no autosave mechanism! Or having none of your other, actual, friends on Xanga!

In the world of blog sites, Xanga is the most drama ridden. It asks you to meet new friends through groups, to participate in new “fun” blog activities, and then hounds you after you leave.  “But look- I’ve changed so much!”

In the words of so many of my ex-boyfriends- “I would want to date you again- why?”

Sadly- it took a Xanga email and a week of sobriety to get that one. Oh well.

PS- I don’t know who wrote the email- I don’t have friends at Xanga anymore.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT TONIGHT’S LUNAR ECLIPSE!!!

I’m too lazy to retype the information in my own words so here is what the event “Total Lunar Eclipse” created by Brent Bailey (Abilene Christian College) said on it:

On the night February 20th, 2008 (or the early, early morning of February 21st), there will be a total lunar eclipse visible from North America (and some other parts of the world). According to the NASA website, this is a rough schedule of what to expect (in Central Standard Time):

7:43 PM – Partial Eclipse Begins
9:01 PM – Total Eclipse Begins
9:26 PM – Mid-Eclipse
9:51 PM – Total Eclipse Ends
11:09 PM – Partial Eclipse Ends

UPDATE:
For all of the time zones (and clarity on the date confusion), go here:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

If you want to see the event on facebook- check it out here:

http://creighton.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7547279442