NOW i’m a railroader

as i’m typing this i’m on a laptop in my hotel room in Topeka.  I just got back from the downstairs bar in the Ramada where i’m staying.  I went by myself but I enjoyed it none-the-less.  One of the bartenders was a young attractive girl who also worked the front desk a few days ago when i first came up here.  She was amongst a group of front desk girls who made fun of me because i was new and she said to visit her at the bar friday when i came back so thats what i did.  I enjoyed watching all the drunks dance to this jazzy live band it was enjoyable.  I really felt like i was living the railroader life sitting in that bar(although unlike most dudes i avoid embarrassing myself by not trying to hook up with some random girl–uhh yeah not my thing).  

I dont know why it is with me, but i really enjoy being in far away places and doing things by myself.  its wierd.  This being on the road thing is definitely for me, especially while i’m single.

Also, it seems everywhere i go on the railroad everyone thinks i’m like 18 or so.  I guess i do look pretty young with my shaven face and curly locks.  Some 40+ yr old drunk woman said it will do me lots of good as the years go by.  well its good to get that kind of confirmation from a woman who looks probably 10 years older than she actually was.  yes, the irony! 

after i get back tomorrow i’ll have 2 days off then i’m in the topeka yard for the whole week, which means a whole week of living at the ramada!  least they have an indoor pool and a free breakfast!  oh yeah and next week i’ll have a car here!  hazahh!

Best Albums of 2006

Wow I thought last year was not so hot, but this year beats it out.  Since 1991 (when i was just 11!) i have bought at least 3 records from each year (with last year being the low point) and probably averaged close to 9 or so in most years.  For 2006 I have yet to buy a single record.  Although I am thinking I will end up getting what will be the #1 on my list.  

Like last year it appears most bands are content to release an album with only 2-3 decent songs on it and the rest filler.  The mp3 age forges onward….But enough blathering, here’s my list:

0. Pomonas: When You’re Electric  (no album cover available)

this isn’t an official release you can buy at the stores (yet), but its the best record I heard all year.  I’ll list it at zero because its not “official”. 

1. Peter Bjorn and John: Writer’s Block  

a nice little poppy record with a lot of good ideas.  I felt like it was the only really solid record start to finish this year-i’d put it on par with boy least likely from last year, if you dig that.

2. Decemberists: The Crane Wife

I hesitate to put this album this high.  Its good, yes, but it doesn’t break any new ground for this band.  It might even be the worst of their 4 albums.  But since the other 3 are very good thats not really a knock.  I personally probably won’t buy this one, but there are really a number of good songs here.  Definitely worth a listen.

3. Tapes N’ Tapes: The Loon

This is one i wrestled with for a long while as to whether its really worth buying.  I finally decided to just take my favorite songs, but the ones that i saved were extremely catchy and among the best songs of the year.  If the rest of the album could have kept up this would easily be the best album.  But it didn’t, so its not. 

4. I’m From Barcelona: Let Me Introduce My Friends

Aside from the pamonas, this was probably the most “fun” album i listened to.  The first 3 songs are stellar, but it drops off after that.

5. Sonic Youth: Rather Ripped

Like their last few albums its a lot more accessable than most of their early stuff.  If you normally hate this band i suggest giving this (or their last-and better one-Murray Street) a listen.  Only complaint here is a number of songs sound similar and there really isn’t any super standouts.  I think overall though if i gave this album some more time i’d probably move it up my list.  And since its my list I can change it whenever i freaking please!

Honorable Mention: Sunset Rubdown-Shutup I am Dreaming

Happy Christmas and whatnot

currently listening to: Sparklehorse-Good Morning Spider

for probably the only time in the next few years i won’t be working on Christmas.  this was somewhat a surprise because i was originally scheduled to work it but the RR scaled back most of their jobs so people could enjoy the holidays.  I didnt know they did such a thing, lol, they try to scare you so much in the hiring sessions that you’ll never see your family ever again on a holiday. 

For the rest of the week starting on tuesday i’ll be on a “local” train that goes from kc to topeka.  i stay the night then come back the next day.  should be interesting, i will finally get to see what conductors really do.

in other news a girl (jakes wife jessica) won my fantasy league.  this is somewhat disheartening only because last week i lost in the worst way possible to her in the first round.  i had a 30 pt lead with vinatieri to play heading into monday’s indy-cincy game and she had harrison/wayne left.  with vinatieri’s 11 pts i essentially had a 40+ pt lead and of course harrison/wayne combine for 4 td’s and about 180 yards to beat me by a point.  all of harrison’s tds were really short, like 3 yards which is especially annoying.  oh well.  at least ryan didn’t win haha.

speaking of ryan, if anyone didnt know, i’m a groomsman in his wedding on jan. 13th next month.  its down in new orleans which is where he’ll be living permanently starting next week.  his band, the pomonas, played their last show for a long time last night.  it was a badass show. 

k well have a good Christmas.  i’ll be back with my typical end of year lists like best movies and cd’s here shortly.

up in atchison

arrived last night in atchison, ks (bout an hr 15 min from olathe) and amongst other things i found out i will have no cell phone service this whole week.  apparently verizon has no access up here.  also, i’m accessing the internet at the local library. 

I checked into the comfort inn for the week, pretty nice place at $65/night (paid by the RR of course).  i think i can swing hotel life just fine…but i will need to buy a laptop soon if this becomes a regular thing which it likely will when i am on the road all the time.  hey, free breakfast each morning (waffles!)

i only work from 7-noon so i’ve got lots of free time.  this is a historical rail town, maybe i’ll hit up some museums or something.  least there is lots of football this week with the bowl games starting…

silly thing is i work M-F, off saturday(will go home), then come back for one day on sunday…ehh lame.

Railroad update

currently in my 3rd week of student trips where I shadow railroad workers in the yard.  Been going well so far, I don’t really do a whole lot other than watch.  Occasionally they tell me to go do some grunt work to help them out but thats about it.  I’m typically only there for 3-4 hours a night, 6 days a week.  I’ve mostly been working at night, like around 11pm to 2am or so, but last week i was on day shifts from 8am to noon. 

Next week gets interesting though because i’ll be in Atchison, KS all week long working day shifts in the Atchison yard.  UP pays for me to stay in a motel all week, it could be a loooong week i think.  i have a feeling i’ll get bored up there by myself, esp with no internet.

Anyways thats about it for now, i have 3 weeks of these student trips left then its back to the classroom in early january.

Andy’s personal year in review

currently listening to : Grandaddy-Sophtware Slump

a little early but frankly from this point last year in late december to right now, its been an amazing year.  Up until now, most of my 26 years have been without much fanfare or accomplishment.  Sure, I finished highschool and completed my eagle scout along the way, but after that its been fairly drab.  Not this year though. 

Here’s a rundown:

Late Dec ‘05 – 86 camry dies and i buy a 94 civic to replace it.  i quit that crappy job at gold bank

January 06 – start final semester at kansas state, broke off up and down relationship (this time for good)

March – Bob Huggins hired at Kansas State (just something i was really happy about)

May – graduate at KSU with my bachelor of science in Business Admin., finish 1st place in our spring semester bowling league

June – Visit Jason and my cousin Christina in Seattle.  Start railroad school.

July – wreck 94 civic that i just bought 7 months prior for $4k in cash.  didn’t fully insure it.  wreck was later ruled my fault even though i still question it.

August – finish railroad school, recieve invite to a hiring session for Union Pacific in Kansas City

September – recieve job offer from Union Pacific Railroad

October – purchase 2007 Honda Civic EX, start training with union pacific

November – I witness Kstate beat #4 texas

December – finish 1st (for the 1st time) in the regular season in my fantasy football league that i commish (playoff results pending)

Overall grade to the year: A- (the car wreck was a big downer to an otherwise great year)

I’m not so sure i’ll ever accomplish this much in a year ever again.  Thats pretty depressing.  Why even go on now?  lol.

do women actually get to enjoy their wedding?

currently listening to: Peter Bjorn and John-Writer’s Block

currently reading: Next by Micheal Crichton

currently playing: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages-Gameboy Advance

seems like the last few weddings i’ve been involved with or attended that the girl getting married is completely stressed and uptight about the whole ordeal.  so wrapped up in making sure everything goes perfectly that I wonder if she really gets to just sit back and drink it in.  If i ever make the mistake of getting married, i know i will make sure my fiance keeps it all fairly simple and relaxes and just enjoys it.  its silly how way to overblown the whole deal gets-so much that it becomes more a mind numbing chore than “the best day of your life”.

single living is expensive (but so is marriage)

currently listening to: The Decemberists-The Crane Wife

now that i have a good paying job its time to move out of my parents basement/swinging bachelor pad so i started looking a week or so ago and found this place:

http://www.apartments.com/summary.aspx?page=summary&property=120497.2&am1=0&am22=0&am23=0&am24=0&am28=0&am39=0&am49=0&area3=y&city=merriam&lid=overview_tab%2ccommunity_tab%2cmap_tab&onebdrm=1&rent_maximum=600&rent_minimum=300&rgn1=80&srt1=0.33&srt2=0.65&srt3=0.74&ss=1&state=ks&studio=1&subarea1=y&zip=66202&level=7&prvpg=20&lid=Overview_Tab

it fits exactly what i want- close to work (about 14 miles, which is half of my drive now) decent size studio/1bed, washer/dryer IN-unit, garaged parking, $600/rent or less.  getting all 4 of those things was not an easy find but here it is.

drew up a budget and man its not cheap overall.  however, the actual moving out expense really only adds about $750/mo (rent+bills) to what i’m spending right at the moment.

total though, with rent, bills(gas/elec/cell/cable/internet), car pmt, car ins/taxes, gas, groceries, and entertainment, it comes to about $1900/mo!  ouch.

so i’ll go ahead and put out a feeler for a career driven, independent woman with no strong desire for children or pets to help share bills with.  i prefer short and petite with similar interests that is clean and organized.  email your resume with photo to ksufan19 at yahoo dot com. 

Thought of the day

currently listening to: Build To Spill-There’s Nothing Wrong With Love

I was thinking recently about how most people today, when they aren’t in relationships or just went through a break up, I believe they don’t really miss any specific person, but rather the companionship/physical contact in general.   which is why a lot of people will often go back to a bad situation just to be with someone or will seek out a temporary fling.

Me personally, i think that this is easily overcome by more time with friends or a stronger religious connection rather than the lower level alternatives like those listed above. 

ok enough of that.

in other news i blew most of my first railroad paycheck on a 51″ HD tv and a surround sound system. 

good times.