The Rambling Hand

Enlightening moment of the day

Cabes — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:57:00 +0000

Hi everybody, I just wanted to pass this along to the general public, since it seems to be unknown. When you drink coffee in a to go cup, take the lid off before you enjoy it. While the purpose of a to go cup is convenience, and prevent spilling on the consumer while driving, it just doesnt matter. The only way to get a real good coffee experience is by completely exposing it to as many senses as possible. When the lid is on, you can't smell the coffee very well at all, and this is where almost all the taste of good coffee comes from. As with some other foods, flavorful coffee is only real good if it can be smelled while being drunk.
Please keep this in mind the next time you find yourself dissapointed with your coffee while driving.

Trendy Trends

Cabes — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 03:44:00 +0000

I have been finding that the current trends we see from day to day are incredibly difficult to escape. Any attempt to stay out of the box, or remain unphased by the culture around is almost impossible. I try to think of ways that keep me from being in the current trends, but find that every time I hit on something, it ends up already being a trendy thing to do. I decided to figure out why its so hard to be original these days, and of course, the answer came while mowing a lawn, or two, or 10. Unfortunately, I can't explain it, so I am going to use this post to try and sort out my thoughts.

So first of all a quick look at a couple very common trends that are depressingly overused.

Colors for design, clothing, notebooks, anything: Browns with any bright or pastel color as a contrast. This is very cool, until every clearance rack and shelf at Walmart has this scheme. This is a sign that its time to move on. I like brown a lot, a whole lot, but something else would be fabulous.

Writing for advertising and marketing: No capitals, lots of a periods, incomplete sentences, and commands. It can be a very powerful method, but not when every other company uses it! Almost every good advertising company is doing it and its becoming totally useless. Statements like this appear on paper cups now: "drink." while the bag says: "food." making sure to include a period after the word. The period is cool, I did that quite a lot until I realized it was a thing... It says something more then just writing the word, it evokes a feeling that this one word says everything you need to know. However, it is going to far when everybody does it, too bad its still considered "different."

Ok so just kidding about having a huge list of trend problems, I kinda run out of inspiration after 5 minutes...
So on to the next part. Why I can't seem to break out of this shell and be so out of the box that I am an inspiration to others.

So I was sitting in physics trying to think of what doesnt fit in with society as far as colors go. So I know what all you perverts out there are thinking, but Im not, and I just like color a lot, and I have a pretty good sense of colors that go good together. ok!? thanks. So anyway, back to my colors. I tried to think of a single color combination for advertising/marketing, that wouldnt fit in the current trend, but would be acceptable in a cool way. I thought and thought, and couldnt really think of any colors that don't fit in(except teal and magenta, like back in the 90's.) I realized that this trend and culture we live in is not exclusive enough. The problem I found is that its trendy to be trendy, and trendiness is being unlike everybody else, at least in todays trend definitions. everybody wants to look original, and so, anything goes, as long as it isnt teal and magenta. Although, even thats ok if you add a dash of brown in. I am not real good at explaining it, but I hope yall are getting the picture. Basicly, every time I try to think outside the box, I am just being crammed more and more into it, engulfed by the power of culture. So drastic measures must be taken, I am not about to settle for this kind of thing, so, I just try and do things others dont think of, unfortunately, thats also trendy. See what I mean? Everytime I try and get out of it, I just find myself in it. Doing something different is cool. But fitting in with everybody is being different in todays standards, since everybody has to be trendy and different. Gosh, I just always get into this endless circle when I think about it. I mean, I am a good bit different then a lot of people, most people arent engineering majors and art minors, and most people in engineering or art, don't do lawn care for a living, and most people in college plan on using their degree when they get out, unlike me. But I just don't think that makes me cool. Its not enough in today's standards, now, if I want to be cool, I just have to go jump in a lake with alligators, or get stabbed by some sting ray or something that noone else would even dare to do. It's sad that thats how it is. I don't think I want to be cool if thats what it takes.
Oh, and as far as the writing goes, I am trying real hard to be more of a good writer and not some person who tries to fit in and uses lots of periods and incomplete sentences. That's at least a step in the right direction. I guess for colors I will just go classic black and white, it's timeless.

So anyway, I was going to try and cover up a lame rambling post with a better structured post, too bad I didn't succeed.

Life's tough. I don't get some fancy name. People ...

Cabes — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 23:45:00 +0000

Life's tough. I don't get some fancy name. People don't say, "When's the plumber ever gonna get here?" or, "Where's the stupid electrician, he said he would be here a half hour ago!" No, Im just the lawn care guy, that grass cutting kid, the stupid always late lawn care boy. I mean, why don't I get a cool name? I mean, why can't people say, "When is the master gardener getting here to manicure my lawn," or even stupid landscaper, that sounds better then lawn boy.

So, school started, its stupid, and I think christmas break should be tommorrow. Well, it wouldn't be too bad if I didn't have to work, but I do. I am not a good multitasker in the small scale like talking on the phone and reading the paper, or in the grand scheme, like working and doing school. Jesus must love me a lot though because I can already see that I am way more efficient at studying then I was a couple years ago. I am also getting better and better at being late to every single class, appointment, and anything else that I need to be at on time.

I am taking one amazing class, well actually two cool classes, along with my other 3 evil classes: Judo/Jujitsu, and Printmaking. Printmaking is basicly gonna be killer cool, cause we get to learn all sorts of forms of prints and printing techniques. I am going to be screenprinting lots of tshirts this semester I think... Right now we are making woodcuts, pretty fun stuff.

This is the kind of post that inspired the title of my blog. Its kind of a ramble, but maybe someday I will become a good poster again. There really was a day a long time ago when I posted real good, all the time. That must of been before I did things or something. I don't know. thanks for reading.

Tips on surviving the hottest summer in 30 years.

Cabes — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:37:00 +0000

ok, so since I said it before, I have to be ashamed of myself for not posting. alright im crying, happy?
Alright now that the apology is over, I will bring you some of the best tips for surviving in the heat. Its a jungle out there, Im not the only one who knows that, you have to be prepared. Thankfully you found me, the person who spends most everyday in long pants, in 100 plus degrees. Once you learn the tricks, its easy. Now you will finally be able to go on a 2 week camping trip to florida in the middle of July without even feeling the heat. I decided to go for the classic question and answer approach.

Q. Dear Hand, I have one of those totally trendy nalgene bottles covered with patagonia stickers, but it just doesnt keep my drink cool in 120 degree weather. Not only that, but my trendy bottle was so expensive that I can't afford 6 of them, which is how much water I need to be drinking. ~ overheated.

A. Dear Overheated,
I will provide you with two alternatives, the trendy fashion sense alternative, with a bit of creativity thrown in, and the cheapskate alternative for those who dont experience guilt.
1. For those who refuse to part with their nalgene now have a way to keep their drinks cold! Simply pull a sock or two over the nalgene bottle and presto, colder drink. If you are still having problems, just grab that paper bag thats been sitting in the back of your car for months, and wrap the socked up bottle in that. It generally keeps the liquid cold for about 4 hours in a hot car on a summer day. I dont know, if you still have trouble, invest in wool socks.

2. Cheapskates - This is generally what I do, just go to the sonic drivethrough, and order 2 route 44 waters. They will kinda get mad at you, since it only is about 50 cents, but its worth it, those cups keep water cold for a long time, and as an added plus, you get plenty of the coveted ice that only sonic can do right. I have actually have the lids melt onto the cups due to the heat, and the drink was still fairly cold(it was probably like 80 degree water, but I dont know, it seemed cold to me).

Q. Dear Hand,
So I tried your water ideas and they worked amazing, but water gets old after a while, and I still get hot, Any beverage ideas?
~bored

A. Dear Bored,
To keep away from 2 gallons of water boredem, I always start the day with a hot cup of coffee, or an americano. Most the time I make sure to bring a quart of hot coffee with me, it tastes amazing, when you get to sip on it between jobs. The great thing about it is, it never cools down, you get hot coffee all day, its real relaxing, and gets you all revved up for the next lawn. The other thing I do, is spend about 80 dollars a day on smoothies and ice cream. Just go into your locally owned grocer, and purchase a 6 pack of popsicles, eat them all real quick, then go work some more, its a great way to cool off, and get hydrated.

Ok, enough of the stupid question and answer thing, I cant write anything like that.
Here are a few other ideas I have found to come in handy...

Jump in your customers swimming pool if they have one, they wont care.

When you drive for a few minutes between jobs, dont turn the air on, it will just make you wish you had it when you get out again.

Listen to good music if you are landscaping, it will pass the time, and make you forget about the heat.
Summer Recommendations that are Customer Safe:
The Postal Service
Half Handed Cloud
Danielson(Ok, so a few people might ask you if your box is messed up cause the music coming out is so squeaky...)
Snow Patrol
Imogen Heap
Decemberists
Shapes and Sizes

Those all have enough energy to keep you working, but not so much that the neighbors 4 doors down come complaining to you. And thats a big deal.

Wear a sweat band on your forehead.

oh dear, I have to be somewhere in 20 minutes. Sorry everybody, you will only be able to stay cool for half the day. Oh well, maybe you can come up with something on your own.

Darn Neurotoxins

Cabes — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:41:00 +0000

Anticipation is the best tool, and because of that, I am going to postpone the next trimmer post, and give you instead, a day in the life of Caleb Christopher.
So anyway, I'm out doing a huge landscaping job, and it just so happens all the work is located next to cable boxes, phone things, electrical wires, and whatever all that stuff is. As you can see I'm a real good engineer by knowing what all the wires and boxes and things are for. So anyway the whole day I am thinking to myself, "Wow, I am amazing, I have dug up close to 15 wires and managed not to slice through any of them, gosh, I must really be an expert like I thought. All those other lawn companies wouldnt have a chance, they would have more wires then roots pulled up. Ha ha ha, they are so lousy, don't even pay enough attention to miss a wire. Stupid." So just when I was thinking I had great blog material for gloating about my incredible skill with a pick ax, it happened. Yeah, two coaxial or whatever-their-called cables snapped under me. "Darn neurotoxins" I said as I picked up the broken ends, "so much for my blog post." Anyway, because of my quick thinking and problem solving skills, my life wasn't ended. A few quick phone calls, and some clever guessing, and poof - I figure out the cable company they are with, and another poof - the cables are fixed, for free. That was a happy day, the day I realized that neurotoxins could be beat with quick thinking and problem solving skills. Hooray!!

Those old things?

Cabes — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:52:00 +0000

The new craze? Trimmers. Everybody's talking about them. Don't you hear them, fussing over which brand is best, what string to use, what ratio of gas to oil they use? Well, if you haven't, it's simply because you aren't in the know when it comes to the newest fads. It is alright though, there is hope for you because you have found me; the definitive source of everything cutting edge. And I do mean cutting edge. Trimmers, also known as the weed eater, weed wacker, weed whip, and all manner of names, is the new pet rock. They are so fun to operate, when you learn how, and practically anyone in good physical condition can learn. Of course, when you get it down, you will learn fantastic moves that speed up efficiency, and just add that classic cool you always look for when you are out in the yard. Pirouette around trees, swing it, swath it, through the legs, and over the shoulder, with practice, it can be your best dance partner. Check them out, amazing things.
Everybody has their expertise, whether small or large. I may not have any big breakthroughs in expert knowledge or anything, I wasnt ever good in school, but, when it comes to trimmers, I wrote the book. Well, most of it, anything too complicated or useful is in the appendix, and that was written by other people. So basicly, forget that its some small engine thats impossible to understand, and think of it as a destiny. You and your trimmer were made for each other - a bond unseperable. So with that in mind, its time to decide which one to buy. I am going to be posting a series all about trimmers, giving advice on the trimmer for you, the string, and optional accessories. By the end of this, you will be on the cutting edge of the potentially biggest fad in history. Look forward.

It is my duty...

Cabes — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:41:00 +0000

My lack of care when it comes to posting has been evident, however, I realize that the general public DOES in fact need this. I realized my arrogance and pride have formed the wrong impression. Therefore due to my overflowing grace and philanthropic duties, I will now care. I will show great desire to post all the time, and when someone makes note of my slack, I will distress until it is updated. So, enjoy the bounty. It's coming.

I got no sense of time The second hand slaps me o...

Cabes — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:58:00 +0000

I got no sense of time
The second hand slaps
me oh so silly

And insults my character now
For I
Like my
Mood to lead me

I walk in to your room
Prepared with reasons why I can't join
you for this whole afternoon

I just got one day
Of writing it all down
And oh so here I go

I must seize all my time by
Grabbing this old clock setter
By his bald
Grey forelock

All wasted on the job
My life span quickly shortening

And rushing and only half done

Can't remember how old that I am

Not one minute to sit

I look so busy you don't

Bother not anymore to
Ask for my help
Not a yelp

I must seize all my
Time by
Grabbing this clock
Setter by his grey forelock

And at this very same moment
Take this task at hand
The one that landed
Right in my lap

When folks refuse to see
Ho much is too much
I shall turn away
Then to thee

In thee great chronicle
Of wasted
Time through these years

Sleeping does not appear now

I must seize all my
Time by
Grabbing this
Clock setter by his
Grey forelock

And at this very same moment
Take this task at hand
The one that landed
Right
In my lap

When folks refuse to see
How much is too much
I shall turn away
And to thee

For time is man's problem
A gift from dad with a
Plan and
The means to complete.
~ Daniel Smith

I love espresso, but have been becoming more and m...

Cabes — Thu, 25 May 2006 16:33:00 +0000

I love espresso, but have been becoming more and more particular about it. It is amazing me how technical and complicated it is. You can really tell by the taste of the espresso if the person behind the counter is experienced or not. Even if it is an automated system. Since I only really know if it tastes good or not, and am not knowledgeable on this, I decided to get a few different espresso's, each with different brew times. The top one in the picture was 18 seconds, The bottom right was 22, and the bottom left was 37 seconds. The differences are very interesting. The overall strength of the espresso is not the only changing factor though it has something to do with it. The first one, 18 seconds, was the sweetest, and also lightest of all 3. It had a good flavor, but seemed to lack the bitterness, it was mainly sweet and acidic. The 22 second one, still retained much of the sweetness and acidity, but also had some bitterness to it, it was well balanced I thought, full of flavor in all the spectrums. The 37 second one, was not as strong as I would think. It actually lacked the flavors found in the previous two. It was missing the sweetness, seemed bitter, not in a good way, but kind of tasted more like the coffee was squeezed for all its worth. I think that is too long. I would like to try a higher 20 second one, maybe 27-28, I think that might be a really good one. Anyway, I am not good at describing espresso or coffee, I just generally know if I like it or not, and can't seem to get the right words. It was fun though to try, and to taste the differences, I mixed them all up so I wouldnt know which was which, but I could still taste and figure it out so thats a good thing. Maybe next time I will try a few different times, but for now, 5 shots is plenty for one day. When I am really a knowledgeable coffee drinker, I will be able to know where the beans came from, and know all the roasting things, but not yet. Someday...

The semester is over, and I feel ready to post aga...

Cabes — Mon, 15 May 2006 03:50:00 +0000

The semester is over, and I feel ready to post again. I never felt guilty about not posting, it just wasnt something I wanted to do for a while, I was too worried about my grades, I didnt spend any time on the computer unless I was studying. Thankfully, it payed off, I did well for my standards.
I dont want to post anything too long, I just want to maybe clear up a point for anybody who might have heard me mention something about cultural icons. Anyway, I think I might have come up with a better way of saying it. The commercialization of coolness.
Starbucks, Target, Barnes and Noble, Napolean Dynamite, and most clothing stores. The coolness factor can't be bought, it's something deeper then that. I havent figured out what makes a person cool or not, but I definitely know when I see a genuinely cool person and its not something that can be bought. Just because you wear a shirt that looks like its from a thriftstore(oh wait, its from target) and can quote napolean dynamite(action figures at walmart?), hang out with friends at Barnes and Noble, and bring your co-workers Starbucks, does not make you cool. If you just cant seem to be cool, and are looking for a way to buy your way to coolness, here's is a tip, that will help you along. Be a local buyer, dont purchase things from huge companies. go to thrift store, buy books at the local bookstore, support small coffee shops, shop at the small grocery store, thats been around forever. The people are often so much nicer, so friendly. Its so much more cool, then doing what everbody else does to try and be something. Do something for the community, be cool the right way.
Thanks Reaves for helping me think.

Thank you Sufjan! Thank you Green Goodness!

Cabes — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:38:00 +0000

The Following songs and beverages have helped me get through this semester. May they serve me well...

Casimir Pulaski Day ~ Sufjan Stevens
As You Do ~ Castanets
Tears and Rain ~ James Blunt
To Be Alone With You ~ Sufjan Stevens
Cold Water ~ Damien Rice
Lazy Butterfly ~ Devendra
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us! ~ Sufjan Stevens
Easy/Lucky/Free ~ Bright Eyes

A couple more songs that are a bit more upbeat:
A Certain Romance ~ Arctic Monkeys
Run ~ Snow Patrol
Let's Go Javeline ~ Half Handed Cloud

Because lists of songs get kinda boring, here are my favorite beverages this semester:

double shot of espresso
16oz black coffee with a double shot of espresso
16oz, 4 shot americano
Water
Green Goodness
Red Bull
Vault

Hi everybody. I hope this year has brought good c...

Cabes — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:22:00 +0000

Hi everybody. I hope this year has brought good cheer to you. I already had a good bit of cheer before, but now I have even more. the entry into this semester has been different then previous ones. The first semester at UAH, I looked forward to it immensly, and was excited about it for about a month after school started. Every semester about a week of excitement died, until now we get to this one. I didn't look forward to school at all, I dreaded going into that first class, and dreaded school even more by the end of the first day. It was odd also because in general, I have never had much in the way of homework due the first week. Well, this semester was definitely the time to start a new tradition... By the end of the first week, I had turned in about 40 math problems, had 20 returned and graded, and a quiz. Computer organization, I had a 5 page exam the first week, I had to read a book and take notes to turn in for intro to painting, and my physics instructor had already taken up and graded a couple homework assignments. Basicly the weekend after the first week was crazy, I had about 70 homework problems total, all of which take a long time. All this to say, its looking like I have a bunch of homework nazis for teachers this semester. So while Im not enjoying this school at all, I am really happy and excited about the future. I am not sure why completely, but I am ok with that. Lawn care has been going surprisingly well, I have had far more jobs this winter then anticipated, though I am definitely sick of leaf cleanup for a while... I started a bible study and thats exciting, except that I need an interpretor to translate my thoughts to something people can understand. I am very bad at formulating thoughts into speech, so I am glad God has given me this opportunity to do this. I also now have a climbing buddy so we get to go out climbing, which is awesome. Hopefully we will be able to go every week as planned... That will make everything good. So anyway, thats my life about right now. and I almost feel a little bad about never posting, but I mean come on, how am I supposed to keep up with all these websites when I am doing things that are actually productive? Anyway, if I can charge up the batteries on the camera, maybe I will get some worthy pictures. This is physics class. Exciting? I thought so...

Doodle Delay

Cabes — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 21:57:00 +0000

Unfortunately their have not been any recent doodles on the daily. This is because I am not in class and so dont have a reason to doodle. Once class resumes(Jan 10th or so), I will post more doodles, until then, just enjoy the hand, and http://christophercottage.com
Thanks!

Three things of the day...

Cabes — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:40:00 +0000

I found this in a small stream out in the woods. I felt like I was in a sci fi film set in a 1800's time period. Oh no! There must be aliens among us! It was rusty and dirty, yet still flexible, maybe a tenticle from some squid like machine. Such strange things in the dark deep of the forest!

There is something incredibly wrong in this picture. Oh Alabama, lets try harder...

My truck has a heavy smoking habit on cold days.

Here it is folks, proof that I am a healthy person...

Cabes — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 22:17:00 +0000

Here it is folks, proof that I am a healthy person. After learning the benefits of it, I have started drinking odwalla superfood, the green one, whatever flavor that one might be, because green drinks always look healthier. It says it is made in California so its gotta be. I have already explained the Hardees cup in my truck to those who were concerned, so there should be no further doubt that I am now a real healthy person.

Doing lots of leaf removal has brought upon a st...

Cabes — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:39:00 +0000

Doing lots of leaf removal has brought upon a strange pity for these trees. Lets think of the leaves on a tree as hairs on a human head. We could say that autumn is the time a tree gets a haircut. Now sweeping away the hair after its been cut is no big deal, we dont have any sentimental feelings toward it(well, I dont anyway.) In the same way, a tree doesnt care much for the dead leaves that fall, thanks for sweeping them away it says. However, what gets nasty is when people want the leaves mulched back in, to benefit the yard and the tree. Think about it this way, that hair cutter gathers up all the hair clippings on the floor, throws them in a blender until its dust, mixes in some water, and forces you to drink it because its good for you. To top it off, you recieve a seasoning container full of your powdered hair to put on everything you intake. This poor tree! Why should it have to eat its own leaves? Sure it may be good for it, but who cares, thats just nasty.

I think I want to move to a place in the middle o...

Cabes — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 03:13:00 +0000

I think I want to move to a place in the middle of nowhere, on a thousand or two acres, and become self sufficient with some other people. Then we wouldnt have to worry about keeping up with technology, or appointments, or anything. Just nothing, and everything, soaking up God's creation. We'll grow and raise everything we need, and make our own clothes, and houses, and food, and school books, and everything. Sounds like a plan to me. I'm gone. We might have a mail box, but only for emergency.

Counting the days till finals are over and break b...

Cabes — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 03:27:00 +0000

Counting the days till finals are over and break begins!

This is what I need. Finals don't help, neither do...

Cabes — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 05:17:00 +0000

This is what I need. Finals don't help, neither do griping customers, or high gas prices. Even if they are falling. Not just sleep, but rest, a break from high speed. Its all a blur going past, and I am ready to stop for a quick break. After some hardcore broomball, yes, rest is what I need.

The following is straight from one of my sketch p...

Cabes — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:27:00 +0000

The following is straight from one of my sketch pads, written during a dark stormy evening in the truck. Random...

Here, in the bench seat of my truck. Pouring rain, screaming cars are all trying to get a space. I'm taking a whole place just to lay here and relax to some aqualung and bright eyes on the 60 gig ipod, also known as an hp notebook. The gas gauge is telling me its below empty. Maybe I should turn it off. All the way or the battery will probably complain. This sweet mint gum is inspiring. I just drew Charlie Chaplin on the foggy windshield. Im reading Barn Burning. Ab Snopes would be a strange role model.The ink in my pen is leaving, drying up. I'll just sing and not care.

Choice. That's all my life is. I like it.

Cabes — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 18:09:00 +0000

Choice. That's all my life is. I like it.

dum dums are gross.

Cabes — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 00:48:00 +0000

dum dums are gross.

They are in a cage, and we are beating it, in hope...

Cabes — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 06:48:00 +0000

They are in a cage, and we are beating it, in hopes of heightened entertainment. The glass cage, getting slammed from the inside and out, is covered in skid marks, as if someone had been running on it. The nets on either side that go to the top are asking me to climb them. I resist the temptation. People are screaming fiercely at the imprisoned fighters. They keep fighting then abruptly stop and are set free after a couple hours. Hockey.

632

Cabes — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 20:41:00 +0000

The Brain - is wider than the Sky -
For - put them side by side -
The one the other will contain
With ease - and You - beside -

The Brain is deeper than the sea -
For - hold them - Blue to Blue -
The one the other will absorb -
As Sponges - Buckets - do -

The Brain is just the weight of God -
For - Heft them - Pound for Pound -
And they will differ - if they do -
As Syllable from Sound -

~Emily Dickinson

Check it...

Cabes — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 01:55:00 +0000

I know I already said this earlier but just so you remember, if you want to see whats up, check http://christophercottage.com because I have been putting most of my blogging energy into that. Each post takes me a while every night to post because of all the pictures. I ran out of space on my host the other day, so if you are wondering where christopher-ink came from, thats another of my hosts, that I am now hosting pics on, but then transferring to christopher cottage. Anyway, now you know. But yeah, check it out because I am updating that with millions of pics everyday for the next week at least. I will still be updating the Daily Doodle, but probably not this one as much, while I am putting it all in cc.