Sprinting Down Broadway

This last weekend was one for my record books. I was invited to a Nashville Predators game by one of the salesmen that I work with. Someone wasn't able to make it, so they invited me to take their place last minute. Free food, free beer, free ticket, and a some folk from other companies to meet. Predators lost 2-4, whattayagunnado? It was a great time, nonetheless.

I learned the hard way that Bridgestone Arena does not allow professional cameras. After going through the line, scanning my ticket and getting detected metally, then someone bothered to let me know, "You can't bring that in here." Thanks. That would've been real useful to know, like, five security guards back. The game was about to start in a few minutes, and I had to get back to my car to put my camera up. I'm so far away that it would take me more than half an hour to get back. Fuck it. I ran from Bridgestone to the Square Park and back. You know in high school when "the weird kid" would run through the hallways? Yeah, that's exactly how I felt. I will say, running down city blocks is actually very fun. Anyway, I got back, super sweaty, and had a great time.

My brother had friends visiting from Ireland at the time, and, since he was in the area, we all went out and had a good time dancing and migrating between a few different bars. Of course, I was carrying my camera. Not every bar is friendly to people with professional cameras, so I actually ended up messing up the itinerary they had planned. I thought I was being a nuiscence at first, but it turns out that they think places that don't let in cameras are very shady. I have to agree.

The first bar that declined me was tried to say that every picture taken on the property is technically their copyright, so they actually own all the rights to every photo taken...or something like that. It's all just bullshit because every single person inside of the bar has a camera (a smartphone that can take better pictures, in some cases!). We argued- ...well, my brother argued with the bouncer for a few minutes until they became a part of our s*** list.

Another bar didn't outright tell me no, but the lens had to be covered up. I told the dude, "Yeah, sure. I can pull off a sock if I need to." Luckily, my pants pocket was big enough that the lens could sit securely. Let's not think about the weight of the camera itself putting strain on the lens mount. Props: they let me in instead of being dicks about it! Instead, I took pictures with my flip phone to silently prove a point (since my smart phone was dead).

We got back, and I stayed up very late talking to my brother's friend from Ireland. Getting a foreigner's perspective on this country, and the world in general, was very refreshing. Very nice fella. I hope to run into him again soon. Slept until like five o'clock the next day then went to Longhorn. Mmmm.

No Alcoholics

After that night, my thirst was quenched nonetheless. My buddies and I got together to watch the fights at the host's house. Awesome night for UFC. Really shocking and brutal matchups. Then, the fights were over. Usually, we head to the bar afterwards and stay up 'til like five in the morning. Usual weekend activities. However, one of the guys has a medical condition and nearly died the weekend prior due to alcohol. Nobody seemed to agree on a plan of what to do, so guess where we ended up? The bar.

The sick fella and I weren't comfortable with this, but we went ahead and came along anyway. At least I could get some good footage of my friends- OH WAIT! This bar, that I've carried my cameras into tens of times previously, all of a sudden didn't allow cameras. In the security guy's words: "They don't know if their work is gonna see them on social media, and some folk come out here without their husbands or wives. People just want to have a good time without having to worry about where that is going to end up." He's saying this to me while I'm holding a VHS camcorder, by the way. You know, fucking tape? A magnet could look at it the wrong way and it would be gone forever. It's not going to accidently end up exposing an affair or getting someone fired. I'm off topic.

We're already here, so I might as well have a good time. No alcohol for me (except a Jeuger bomb at like eleven o'clock). I had so much fun sober that I don't think I am going to drink at a bar anymore. I danced my ass off upstairs.

It was a tough night emotionally. There was a lot that was running through my mind that I won't get into, but basically, look out for yourself. And if you have to get drunk to have fun somewhere, it's probably not that fun to begin with.

Talking Tool to People Pleaser

Last night, I gave a friend that lives states away my landline number, and she called immediately. It was really fun talking to them, and there's something about using a phone from fifty (or more) years ago. It's pretty wild that landlines were a household staple not even that long ago. Now, everyone you see has a smartphone, so why pay for a landline when you practically need a smartphone in modern civilization?

I don't know, man. Putting down my phone in public and people watching is so depressing. The second someone feels an itch of boredom, all their attention pours straight into their personal, portable screen. I don't want to be another mindless drone flipping through algorithms to trick my brain into being happy. Just this past weekend, I lied in bed for at least a couple hours and I don't even remember 99% of what I watched. It's embarrassing. Literal voluntary bed-rotting because I'd rather chuckle at or take inspiration from people I don't know. The solution seems so simple on paper, but it keeps me from feeling alone, you know? Out in the world, it's not so hard to keep my phone in my pocket 'cause... there's a world out there.

Maybe I really am an old man losing his mind.

Later That Night...

Going through old photos is a grounding experience. There are so many pictures of people I once deemed the closest in my life that I don't even think about anymore. Have you every felt guilty for loving someone?

I'm indecisive at my core. Truthfully, it's hard to imagine being with a single person for the rest of my life. Commendments to the people that stick together and have a fulfilling relationship. I know too many that are only with someone to keep from being alone.

I don't think I'll ever get love. Does anyone, really?

This is my first time making a blog. I needed some place to just mind dump when I can't really fit certain topics on the other parts of my site.

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POTS

I've set up a landline for myself. I recommend you do as well. It's currently useless since I don't have an answering machine, but it is fun calling out to friends and family.

The process is actually way easier than I originally thought. First, you need a phone. If you want to be cool, get yourself an old Model 500. Newer phones have way better features like voicemail or wireless handsets, but convenience isn't exactly the first thing on your mind when setting up a landline.

Next, you need some way for the phone to be able to send and receive calls. In the US, you can still get a true landline experience using AT&T's copper lines. Masochists and money burners usually go this route. Last I checked, they charge fifty bones a month. Plus, if anyone ever cuts a copper line in the ground, they will not be replacing it.

What you can actually do is call over the Internet that you're using to read this. An ATA device (Analog Telephone Adapter) will connect to a phone service over the Internet. Originally, I ordered a DID number through VoIP.ms to use. Turns out, DID stands for "Direct-Inward-Dial" and is only meant to receive calls. This will work, but I want to be able to call out, too.

After looking at different providers, I landed on Zadarma since it's free to dial out using my personal Caller ID. An actual number for people to call is only two bones a month. I still need to do some more testing before I fully trust it.