Problems I need solutions for.
May 21st, 2008 | by TJ |1. I think I need to move to a new host and, while I am sure it is not as complicated as my brains have decided it is, I find the entire concept to be so daunting that I immediately find something else to do, like clean the bathtub or plan some sort of expedition to Mars every time the thought enters my head. I know a bunch of people have switched recently – how big of a pain in my ass would this be?
2. I prefer running in the morning, around 5-5:30am, to running at night. Actually, I prefer not running at all. Anyway, I also more strongly prefer to shower at night. After moving things around a couple of times, the showering at night won out (showering twice a day makes my skin itchy), so I run at night. I don’t carry anything with me normally aside from my mp3 player, and now that I run at night, my knife as well. Clipping the knife to my shorts in the way that makes it easiest to get to/open has begun to cause a problem – it rubs against my skin and has left an extremely irritated/red patch. I need a better solution for knife carry-age. I tried wearing two pairs of shorts last night and clipping it to the outside pair, but that didn’t help. Obviously shorts with pockets are an idea, but I have yet to find a pair that has pockets that one, aren’t too flimsy, material-wise, to clip the knife to the edge of it, or two, aren’t too shallow that the knife comes out with movement. Perhaps I have not yet discovered the right shorts, or there is some other solution that has not occurred to me.
3. How to explain to people that yes, I DO sleep with a stuffed monkey, and no I do NOT think it is weird.
4. Now that I got a chance to watch someone (Ratshag!) do BlogTV last night, from the other side of the camera, I don’t know if I ever want to be on the visible side of the camera again, because the side you guys are usually on was WAY more fun! So you’d think the problem would be how to motivate myself to do TJtv again, but it’s actually, “How do I convince Ratshag and other bloggers that I have the authority to schedule them to do BlogTV sessions for my personal entertainment?”
5. Do I need to actually reply via MySpace to the guy in question from yesterday’s post or would my silence be enough? Because I’ve got NO idea what to say.
6. The best way to transport 15 bottles of salsa, by myself, from Maryland to Pennsylvania. They clunk and roll around in bags, a box is too heavy for me to carry. Is transporting this much salsa over state lines even legal?
7. I’m not sure how to avoid the alienation of my entire family this weekend when my cousin finds out that one, I am skipping her surprise wedding shower (actually, she won’t find that out til NEXT weekend. Heh.) and two, I am skipping her wedding. Because I have Alkaline Trio tickets.
8. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE DIRECT ME TO A PAIR OF HEADPHONES THAT WILL STAY ON MY HEAD WITHOUT HAVING TO BE CLIPPED TO MY DAMN PONYTAIL FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY WHAT THE HELL DOES A GIRL HAVE TO DO TO FIND A DECENT PAIR OF GD HEADPHONES?
By Odius on May 21, 2008
I just recently switched my headset for vent over to a pair of Sennheiser PC-151. THey’re very high quality and they’re pretty comfortable. Only cost me $35 at the store as well. They make regular headphones for listening to music as well if that’s what you were looking for.
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By Canth on May 21, 2008
1) Get a jackal to do it for you.
2) gun in shoulder holster would work better for running. Ofcourse this has other issues.
3) I blame that on lack of male body.
4) The TJ Invitational. You can even have them do Bloggertv with multiple simultaneous feeds.
5) What message? There was something with a report spam button you may have pushed. But memory is fading.
6) Socks. One sock per bottle. (assuming you have socks… else wrapped in other clothing will do)
7) I have never heard of Alkaline Trio. I have however heard of my cousin. And as such I would pick wedding over being disowned by the family.
8) They had this thing in the 80′s… Boombox. Great for travel.
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By Doomilias on May 21, 2008
like i already said, get a utility belt. like batman.
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By Ratshag on May 21, 2008
Sleeping with a stuffed monkey = not weird at all
Sleeping with a real monkey, THAT would be weird.
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By sonvar on May 21, 2008
1)I just started so I have no idea about the pains of moving. And the reason you probably stop yourself is due the customer service you get from them.
2) I don’t carry weapons around so I”m sure of a good idea
3)Not sure that is a problem but I don’t find it hard to believe
4)I’m not sure how successful you will be at scheduling that out. As I’m sure some are more camera shy or would prefer not to be seen.
5) If only to crush his soul with your response
6)cram in the back seat along with a lot of newspaper around each bottle
7) You should go to the wedding at least.
8)You could use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PMX70-Stereo-Neckband-Headphones/dp/B000FJD5IA/ref=sr_1_39?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1211380942&sr=1-39
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By Acme on May 21, 2008
Regarding salsa, I’m going to recommend moving an empty box to your car and putting the bags of salsa in the box.
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By Chris on May 21, 2008
http://codex.wordpress.org/Moving_WordPress
It looks straight forward, but that’s usually how they sucker you in.
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By Arrens on May 21, 2008
1.) Dunno squat about self-hosting, so I don’t know how difficult it would be. Though I don’t suspect it’d be too hard. Ask around on Blog Azeroth, they’re bound to be more helpful.
2.) How big a knife are we talking here? Crocodile Dundy or Rambo-style? If it’s just a pocketknife, keep it closed and hold it in your fist while you run.
3.)I’m lost. Is this topic frequently brought up? Because if so, there’s other issues outside of sleeping with stuffed monkey.
4.) Again, not much help since I’ve yet to see anyone on Blog TV. You folks keep scheduling it when I’m far from my computer. Though you’re presuasive enough, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you.
5.) Did you accept him as a friend or was it a MySpace email? If it’s a friend, remove him. If it’s an email, report as junk/spam/whatever. Don’t reply.
6.) Agreed with Acme.
7.) Family > than concerts. Sorry.
8.) In-ear headphones would probably work best for cases like that, no? If you’re looking for outer-ear headphones, try the ones that go around the back of your head, under the demonic ponytail.
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By TJ on May 21, 2008
In my own defense with regards to #7 – without getting into too much detail, consider this as well
- The bridal shower is NEXT weekend. I wasn’t told about it until less than a week ago. I already have had plans for months to travel home for the same couple’s son’s first birthday party THIS weekend. I am not changing my plans or driving up twice in 2 weeks.
- It is the second marriage for both of them.
- I was not told the wedding date (July 12) until the day AFTER my friend surprised me with tickets to see my favorite band who I have NEVER EVER SEEN LIVE EVER.
- The couple ACTUALLY got married in the Bahamas last August. They just want another wedding here in the States. The whole wedding deal – showers, attendants, reception, etc.
I WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THESE SHENNANIGANS.
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By TJ on May 21, 2008
ALSO! These are the headphones I bought two days ago. I am filled with hatred for them. They stay put, but kind of “pop” out of my ears completely at random, and on top of that, they have to be seriously jammed in which hurts. Earbud style does not work with my delicate and/or oddly shaped ears, at least not any that I’ve found.
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By Kelly on May 21, 2008
6) I agree w/Acme.
8) I got a set of Razer Protone m250 Street-Style Clip Earphones from woot.com when they had a deal on them, and I love them! I can run, walk, dance, etc, and they stay on. And they’re pretty comfy.
PS Thanks for blogging, you crack me up every freaking day.
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By sonvar on May 21, 2008
7) Ok so now that I have more backstory I say go to the concert but send a wedding gift if you didn’t for the prior wedding.
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By JGP on May 21, 2008
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11037422 I’ve used these for the past few years. Excellent sound quality and hook one over each ear.
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By Prof. teh Khol Abides on May 21, 2008
1) Hire one of your jackals, the intarwebs will ever come to your aid.
2) The pouch of a hoodie makes a great place to stash a knife while running. Also, where do you clip your mp3 player? As I recall, your knife is fairly small, so perhaps clipped to a simple wristband would be the solution.
3) Two words: UP YOURS.
4) You are TJ, they are the Internet, the Internet lives to serve you, not vice versa.
5) Silence works, so does reporting as spam or as a child molester.
6) A box would be the best solution, though moving the salsa from the bag to the box after the box is placed in the transport would be necessary if you can’t lift the box.
7) Again, two words: UP YOURS.
8) Head to the local megastore of your choice, go to the electronics department and look for a set of headphones that hook over your ears instead of over your head. They will look similar to earbuds (which are also an option but have a strong chance of falling out while running) but will have a plastic bit that hooks over your ear to secure them in place. They have the added bonus of being small and unobtrusive. Something similar to http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8703389&st=8702031%2C+8703389%2C+4503996&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199496037598 should serve your needs well.
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By Dechion on May 21, 2008
1. Iv’e ben blogging for all of a week so ia am still trying to figure out the freehosted wordpress. I already fear moving, lol.
2. It would be a bit of a fashion disaster, but you could try a diving knife. I don’t carry it when I run, but mine has a sheath that straps to my calf.
3. stuffed monkey = no weirder than sleeping with a 5 foot long body pillow.
4. I still have yet to catch any of these shennagins, could someone please record the feed so I can catch it when I have the ability?
5. copy yesterdays post, including all the comments. post it as a comment on his myspace page for anyone who knows him to see, then block him and ignore ever happily ever after.
6. Stop by liquor store, get compartmented boxes, transport in boxes. Remove from boxes to bags when you get there.
7. Send a gift, and enjoy the concert.
8. I use a pair that clips individualy to each ear. They seem to work well, and I can always take one off if I still need to pay attention to whats going on in the house.
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By Prof. teh Khol Abides on May 21, 2008
Added note since I just saw the bit about oddly-shaped/delicate ears…
The variety I’ve shown usually don’t need to be jammed into your ear, they actually sit comfortably just inside of it, since they aren’t relying on the friction of plastic against skin to hold them in place.
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By Kirk on May 21, 2008
Knife carry. If you’re wearing a sports bra while running, some women I know clip a knife to it. Clip lower edge and centered, “paratrooper style” – aka, so you pull down to pull it off. Second choice was mentioned above, and though it was meant humorously I agree – get a belt. Get one with a fabric liner by preference, and fit it around your WAIST (not down around your hips, which is probably where your shorts ride). Sadly, this will look a little peculiar and so may get rejected on that ground alone. Final choice is a bracer – a largish leather bracelet over your lower arm. If you do this, get one for both arms – the physical effect of the imbalance is small but definite, and putting it on both will help correct it. And while I’m at it, please, PLEASE, check on the law for carrying in your neck of the woods. I didn’t say obey it, I just said know it so you make an informed decision as to which risks are greater.
6 – bags to the car, boxes in the car. Actually, not boxes. What you want to find are the cardboard separators companies put in boxes to ship the bottles. Interlocking squares, basically. Yes, pulling them out and into bags to carry into the house is an extra step and a pain. It beats irregular red stained car floor, and… interesting smells in the summer.
– no advice on the other points, just happiness I have my own worries instead of yours. (very evil grin).
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By Ego on May 21, 2008
1) I use asmallorange for my hosting. I’m still deciding if they have too much downtime for my liking. they’re not awfulbad, and I’ve had really great customer service from them, and the user interface for the back-end is CPANEL and very easy to use. I like it, but I wouldn’t say they have 99.9% uptime. Probably more like 95%. Plus, they’re relatively cheap.
2) You could try clipping the knife to an armband or your sports bra, depending on how much movement happened there. both should be pretty close to your skin, and thus not move TOO much.
3) Body pillows are immensely popular, and stuffed animals are simply cute pillows. I don’t see the problem. If they ask you why you sleep with a stuffed monkey, ask them why they bother to sleep with pillows.
4) Just tell them “do a blogTV on Thursday night at 7 for my personal entertainment”. I think that’ll work for most of ‘em.
5) The only reason NOT to reply would be to spare his feelings. I don’t think they need sparing. Tell him that you’re not interested, at the very least, tell him why politely, or rip him a new one for being such a lameass jerkface. Blog if you do the last one.
6) Put them each in individual bags, like liquor, wrap them with t-shirts or socks, or get one of those little foldable portable dolly things and use a box anyway.
7) You probably can’t.
8) For jogging? I will email you my response to this one.
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By Doomilias on May 21, 2008
the solutions to all of your problems can be answered by one person. you must find him at all costs. his name…is Brad Nugget.
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By Vorn on May 21, 2008
All this talk of guns and knifes to carry as protection, All i can say is what a state society has come to when discussion gos on and no one feels it’s odd to talk about this !
I will stay in my small country town in rural NSW Australia where i can walk safely walk the streets at any time of day or night and not fear for my or my families safety.
/sigh
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By Andy C. on May 21, 2008
1. can’t help
2. I like the arm band/clip to bra ideas
3. Nothing wrong with sleeping with a stuffed animal, monkey or not.
4. /agree Ego
5. /agree Ego
6. call a local grocery store, ask if they will hold some salsa jar boxes for you. They’ve already got the cardboard sectioning in them. I know you didn’t want to do a box, but it’s the easiest way, trust me.
7. If they’re already married and this is the vanity ceremony, don’t sweat it, tell them you had plans made already when you found out about theirs. Send a gift with someone you know going.
8. I use earbuds for my headphoning. I’d recommend those (I’ve got some from Sony, in the $50 buck range, they sound great and are very comfortable). I figure worst case scenario is run the wires under your Naruto forehead protector as you’re jogging in case they come out of your ears that way they won’t fall to far, just kinda dangle.
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By Lux on May 21, 2008
4. I have such a crush on Rashtag
6. Socks.
I know someone put it up there earlier but I’d like to say that I wrapped glasses in socks during my college-moved-three-times-in-one-year days. Granted I didn’t have very much to move but what little I did have I wanted to protect.
If you place salsa in a sock PLEASE put it in a ziplock bag. I can only imagine what could happen if you sat the salsa-sock containing bag down hard. Then you’d get to do laundry when you visit Maryland.
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By Chorius on May 21, 2008
I’m kind of curious why the decision to go with a knife instead of pepper spray? I would think the ranged benefit of pepper spray would make it the superior choice? That, and if you get into a hand to hand fight with someone bigger than you, wouldn’t the guaranteed incapacitation of the pepper spray be better than a knife?
Re #8: You could just say screw headphones and go with the Personal Soundtrack T-Shirt from ThinkGeek…
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/illuminated/a5bf/
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By Prof. teh Khol Abides on May 21, 2008
@Vorn
In small country towns, that is often the norm, however, once you move from the small town environment (and mindset) to any major metropolitan area, you get a larger cross-sampling of the population, which includes all ends of the spectrum. Put simply, more people equals a higher chance of running into scum.
While it may well be perfectly safe for TJ to go running at night in her area, the fact of the matter is that there is a good chance it won’t always be. TJ is being wise in her decision-making, as she has recognized this fact and is taking steps to ensure that should the worst happen, she will be a survivor, rather than a victim.
As my father taught me, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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By Mike on May 21, 2008
#8 – maybe http://www.livewiresforyou.com/
Then again, that sort of sound isolation might be dangerous if you want them for running? See http://www.head-fi.org for more info than you could possibly want on good headphones, earbuds, iems, etc. My apologies in advance for your wallet.
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By Lance on May 21, 2008
I have a good suggestions for the salsa. Ready Move to a state that sales the salsa you like. If the said salsa is home made wrap it in socks like someone else said above.
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By vorian on May 21, 2008
Knife:
http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/index.htm
look at the Van Cook Cross Trainer
http://onscenetactical.com/
Head phones:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2100370070%201092908217%201094008226&bop=And&Order=PRICE
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By GHOSTKID on May 21, 2008
This is the first time I’ve linked over to your blog from BRK’s. I really enjoyed the posts I read, and feel I may have to become a regular.
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By gt on May 21, 2008
Bugger the wedding, viva the monkey! Maybe you should just send the MySpace guy a “Seriously, I mean SERIOUSLY?!” and leave it there. :D
I bike to work and I would go with some Sony inner ear ones. the old m71 line is really comfy with good quality… they have a new version out with retractable cabling (mdr-kx70 I think) that makes my life better. They also don’t seem to block out too much of said “zomg there is a car behind me going to run me over” noise as long as I don’t crank them up too loud.
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By Clapus on May 22, 2008
2-Belt
5- link him to blog post. BTW he won’t be embarrassed.
6- UPS/FedEx
All the other is small stuff. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
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By z-man on May 22, 2008
There is nothing wrong with sleeping with a monkey real or stuffed. Micheal Jackson slept with a monkey for years, then he stopped and started with children instead. Which as we all know is very wrong on too many levels. Plus look where it got him.
So the moral of this story is don’t be playing with your children, play with your monkey. :D
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By Boffors on May 22, 2008
I think you should duct tape the knife between your shoulder blades just like Bruce Willis did with his gun in Die Hard.
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By vronak on May 22, 2008
I suppose running with the monkey and sleeping with the knife is a bad idea :/
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By Kailen on May 22, 2008
In response to 3, there’s nothing wrong with sleeping with a stuffed animal. You don’t have to give anyone an explination. (I sleep with a stuffed moose. You’re not that strange. :3 )
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