SCRC @ Shark Club, phone calls, & upcoming plans

After the impressive thunderstorms this afternoon, the weather and roads were clear by 1845, when I headed for the Shark Club (now, or soon to be, Fast Eddie's) in Centreville, on my motorcycle. I would've arrived more quickly, but I mistakenly turned onto 28, and after realizing my error, tried to turn around. However, the sensor wouldn't pick up my bike, so after two cycles of being ignored I hopped to the next intersection and headed back.

Outside the club were several cruisers, and pulling up about the same time as me was a rider who was, in fact, part of the group. Robert, I think. (He was also somewhat new, but not as new as me. :) We went in and I met Karl, Alan, Barb, Olaf, Penny, Kevin, and some others whose names I've forgotten, and we sat around and chatted, ate, and played some pool until about 2130, leaving before the karaoke began. ;) In that time I recounted my October 2003 motorcycle accident several times, as well as my job search progress and riding history; I also took a call from Phill, looking for details of my visit to his corner of VA this weekend. Nice bunch of people, overall--all older than me by at least ten years, but quite welcoming, who just enjoy riding and respect those who feel the same.

On the way out, that last bit was hammered home, as I was approached by two guys who--after seeing my sport-rider-style gear--asked what I rode, and when they saw that I had a Ducati sport-tourer (not a Ducati naked or supersport bike) and was voluntarily hanging out with cruisers, they left with a few snide and boastful comments. Jerks.

Got home around 2200 or 2230, and talked with Christine from 2330 to 0100. :)

Thursday, there's yet another career fair at the Dulles Expo Center in the afternoon, and my evening plans involve meeting Esther and her dad at Wolf Trap to see Oliver, for which they have a spare ticket. :)

Friday night, meeting Christine and friends for food/fun/frivolity. Would've met her and Stephanie for a ghosts tour (in DC, I think, but possibly Alexandria), but Steph--not the most rational, mature, or selfless person--thinks she'd feel like a third wheel if I was present. (Neither Christine nor I share this sentiment, but have decided to humor her, so I'll meet them at Chez Antoine later.)

Saturday I ride down to the Norfolk/VA Beach/Portsmouth area, hopefully meet up with Phill, and go to a foam party in Norfolk hosted by one of Vicki Alfano's friends. Sunday, I ride up the eastern shore to Royal Oak, MD, for an early-afternoon family brunch, then back to NoVA. :)

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Via kelwyn:
Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Household Principles; Lamentations of the Father
Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand.

Go Agent Me!

Well that was certainly an interesting dream. Part of my house was being remodeled while I was at work, requiring the workers to dismantle part of my bird's cage and set up a new cage; in the process, they used both cages as temporary storage for a plot to smuggle both drugs and potent viral pathogens. I discovered the plot, the men who were involved (both the smugglers and a politician), and when and how it was going to go down (during a party at my house.) I busted in on the party, managed to destroy the contraband and prevent the men from making the hand-off, all without getting injured, but the men got away. Outside the house in a parking lot, I explained to the undercover agents who were present that it wasn't just about the drugs (that they knew about) but also the pathogens, and they urged me to go a big political event happening elsewhere in town and reveal the politician's plot.

Fun with Chris, and worms! Also, open carry in VA.

Haha!

deusinnomen's AIM Away message:

Real Men of Genius. Today we salute you, Mr. Compulsive Away Message Checker. While most people are out actually having a fun life, you are at home reading about it on your computer screen. Right mouse click, Get Buddy Info, or the little Info box at the bottom of the Buddy List. You have people on that list you haven't talked to in years, but you still loyally read their away messages every day to see what they're up to. So, crack open an ice cold Bud Light, Marauder of the Mousepad, and don't wander too far from your computer because you never know when someone's away message may change.

DeusInnomen (12:41:41): [11:40] DeusInnomen: My friend says there are actually three chromosomes: X, Y, and Fuckwit.
[11:43] WildCatForHireX: that explains about 90% of my calls
CU Stryker (12:42:35): one would assume that most people are Fuckwit carriers, and that it's recessive, so it's rare that you run into a double-fuckwit--and you'll rue the day you do.
DeusInnomen (12:42:44): pfft
DeusInnomen (12:42:46): I WORK with those.
CU Stryker (12:42:54): they congregate!
CU Stryker (12:42:57): they also call tech support
CU Stryker (12:43:02): and run for office

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I learned that the "superworms" that I feed my bearded dragon have the coolest scientific name ever: Zophobas morio! (Photo here, not for those who don't like big crunchy larvae.) Real size is about 1-1.5".

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This I did not know!

Virginia statute 15.2-915 [effective 1 July 2004] now completely prohibits any locality from enacting any regulations on gun ownership, carrying, storage or purchase, except for rules related to the workforce.

And though

Virginia law 18.2-287.4 expressly prohibits "carrying loaded firearms in public areas"... [this only applies to] semiautomatic weapon that holds more than 20 rounds or a shotgun that holds more than seven rounds -- assault rifles, mostly, Van Cleave said. Regular six-shooters or pistols with nine- or 10-shot magazines are not "firearms" under this Virginia law.

A related discussion can be found over here about carry policies on guns and other weapons.

Photos and job searching

Photos from my aunt Alice and cousins Riley and Daniel's visit to Manassas, here. Gratuitous cuteness, including Brendan. :)

Photos of Christine's roommate Vanessa's cats, Miranda and Vivian here, including some spectacular eye reflections. (Go Laser Eyes!)

Also, this person has a lot of entertaining userpics. Thanks to deusinnomen for pointing them out. :D

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Called Mickey (ADIC HR) to inquire about the email she said she'd send yesterday, left a message. Meanwhile, I've received two calls for Nathan looking to set up interviews, while he has two today and at least one more already in the works. :P