The rules of this game are quite simple.

Go back and read the first thirty online journal entries you had ever written. I'm talking alllll the way back, preferably to the days before you had MySpace or even LiveJournal. If your first online journal was either of those, that will work, too. Read those first thirty entries, and if you can get through all of them without face-palming yourself and saying, "God, I was a fucking moron!" YOU WIN!

I got through three or four and lost. How'd you do?

Where the Wild Things Are hits theaters October 16!

About all I remember from doing those stupid scenes in Drama back at Mountain View was Keith's T-Rex impression, and "Where the Wild Things Are."

Here's the new poster:

Charged with 87 different felonies, serial shooter Dale Hausner has been found guilty on almost every single one, including the murder of Robin Blasnek.

RIP Robin; it wasn't fair.

Three years ago, Tim Pigeon inducted me into THE GAME (my fault for even asking). I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but now, we are free:



(God bless you xkcd)

So I just got back from an audition for two short films. I got one of the roles, and the other one I may get as well. March ain't turning out so bad.

It has been just over a year since I found out that there was a Donnie Darko sequel in the works, and that it would be called s. Darko (how perfect is that?!).

I tried to remain optimistic despite the fact that, other than Daveigh Chase, not a single actor/writer/director/producer would a part of this so-called "sequel."

Then...unfortunately, I saw the trailer for this now straight-to-DVD travesty. Ladies and gentlemen, Mountain View 409ers...I present you with s. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale:

I love browsing the "Best of Craigslist" section every now and then. I found this little gem entitled "Driving in Phoenix." Do enjoy.

HOW TO DRIVE IN PHOENIX:
1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is: FEE-NICKS'. There are other names to learn such as Awatukee (Ah-wa-Too-Kee) but that will be included in the advanced course.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'Wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, crows, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the 'I-10' are the same road. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY. Dunlap and Olive are the same street too. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. SR 101 is also the Pima FWY except west of I-17, which is also The Black Canyon FWY, and The Veterans Memorial HWY. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd. but, Cactus Rd. doesn't become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

During a job interview today, the guy who was interviewing me ran into an old friend of his. He said to his friend, "I haven't seen you in a coon's age."

I had to control my laughter as I thought of Danny and Nate.

I'm heading to bed now; gotta wake up early to start the move. I won't be back online for a while; I'm not exactly sure when the next time I'll even get on the internet will be. So, in the mean time, if anyone needs to get a hold of me, you can reach me at 480-840-3320.

later

Well, we're moving down to the Valley tomorrow. Dad and I have spent the past few days packing everything up and cleaning the house so well you would think no one ever lived in it. I am going to miss living here, that's for sure. I never thought I'd ever say that, either, because after spending last summer building the other house up here, I honestly thought I would never like being in the Snowflake/Taylor area again. There are really only a few things that I actually I have liked about living up here, but there were enough to make it enjoyable:

1. My Computer Science teacher: One of the coolest and most knowledgeable teachers I have ever had when it came to computers. There's no doubt as to why he is the Lead Technician for all of the Northland Pioneer College campuses.
2. My kick ass neighbors: Having your retired neighbors invite you over pretty much every day to smoke you out makes any place awesome as hell. And there is nothing like watching cheesy made-for-TV movies from the 70s starring Jeff Bridges while your stoned to make your life complete.
3. The weather: it snows up here...enough said.

Before Dad and I left for the Valley last weekend to look for an apartment, I was thinking about how much I was going to miss these things. There was a flip side to that coin, however. There were too many things I was looking forward to when we moved back down. Dad and I were going to find an apartment in the Gilbert area, so I could go to school and get to work easily, even though I don't have a car. Valley Metro, while sometimes unreliable, looks amazing to me after being stuck up here with absolutely no means of getting around at all.

I had a job lined up as well. A small, family owned computer repair store had hired me to start this Friday, and seeing as how they were only a half a mile from the apartment complex we were moving into, it was absolutely perfect; the pay was awesome to the point of being ridiculous.

Then the time came to get the apartment.

For those who don't know, back in 2006 I was in a serious financial crisis. I had gotten laid off from my job, but was able to get another one as a waiter rather quickly. I did not make nearly the same amount of money working as a waiter, and realized that if I were going to keep my apartment, I was going to need a roommate. Another waiter at the restaurant I worked at was looking to move out of his apartment as soon as possible; I talked with the people at the restaurant who knew him well, and all agreed that he was reliable and trustworthy. A week later, he had moved in. The first two months were great; I was not nearly as stressed about money and my roommate and I got along fairly well. During that time, I had managed to get my old job back, but only on a part time basis, so I still needed the roommate. Something changed with him, though. In fact, to this day, I cannot figure out what caused the change. Sure, he had started dating a girl from work, but she was not one of those girls who makes a project out of guy. No, the change was that he started spending nearly ALL his money on her, to the point that he was getting behind on all the bills.

That May, we were two weeks behind on the rent; I had my half, and he kept assuring me that he would have it when he got paid. I knew how much money he made, so I wasn't too worried that he would not have the money; I was worried, though, that he would not pay up. I spent that week in hell, stressed out not only because of my roommate, but also due to a few other things that made life even worse. One Friday, I decided I needed to get the hell out of town. I hadn't been to California in years and wanted to go. So, out of the blue, I hopped on the I-10 West and started heading for the coast. I called Coni (this was back when we were still in our on/off phase) to let her know what I was doing, and I called my roommate to let him know I'd be back the next day.

That day in California is still one of my favorite memories, if only because it was exactly what I needed at the time. I drove straight to the coast, stopping at a small beach-side sea-food restaurant. I ordered the greatest tasting lobster I had ever eaten, and spent the rest of the day sight-seeing and relaxing.

There was a downside to me leaving the state, though. When I came back home, I walked into the apartment to find my roommate gone, the place trashed, and all of his things taken; he had bailed out on me. Karma is a bitch, isn't it?

To make a long story short, I got evicted that May because I didn't have the rent. That eviction has been haunting me for years, even though I have been paying off the apartment complex like clockwork (and they have been really cool with me if I can't make the payment sometimes). So, last Friday, when Dad and I were filling out the renters applications, the memory of the eviction suddenly appeared in my head. I figured that it wouldn't be a problem since I had been current on the payments with it.

As the landlord took our applications, I realized how much I was depending on getting an apartment. My job, school, my social life...all of it was practically hanging on the fact that I was going to be living in the Gilbert/Mesa area again, not in Taylor and not in Queen Creek. As I waited outside of the complex smoking like a chimney, I began to loose my mind; what would I do if I couldn't get into the apartment? What would I do? Move back in with my Mom out in BFE? That thought sent a shudder down my spine, if only because I would be back where I was this summer, not being able to find work and totally broke.

The application was rejected. It did not matter that I was in good standing with my old complex; the simple fact that I even had an eviction automatically made my application void. It was the same story at the other three complexes my Dad and I went to. That image I had in my mind of moving on with my life, doing a job I loved and being close enough to my friends to where I could see them frequently, started slipping away.

I have no options left. I'll be moving back in with my Mom. I have spent the past week looking online for work, but to no avail. There is no one hiring in that area, at least close enough to where I could walk/ride the bike. Having to call that computer store and telling them that I won't be able to work there because of how far away I'll be living was painful. To make matters worse, I probably won't even be going to the 409 Reunion; I was gong to take my Dad's truck that night, but now he's going out of town Saturday morning, to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law. The reunion was another thing I was looking forward to, cause I haven't seen some of you guys in years, but short of walking from Queen Creek, I don't have much of a chance.

Things change...and sometimes I really hate it.

Exactly one week from now, I will be moving back to the Valley. I called up my ISP to have them shut off my internet connection at the end of this billing cycle so I don't have to pay for another month. Unfortunately, the billing cycle ends tomorrow, so it may be a while before you guys hear from me again. I figured I'd give you an update on what will be happening over the next week so you'll know where I'll be at:

Tomorrow: Going down to the Valley to look at apartments and look for work.
Saturday (13th): Do the same.
Sunday (14th): Come back up to Taylor and get ready for the move.
Wednesday (17th): Finish my last class of the semester.
Thursday (18th): Move down to the Valley with my Dad.
Friday (19th): Hang out with the 21-and-older 409 folks.
Saturday (20th): 409 Reunion
Sunday (21st): Hang out with Stefani Varney and the others who couldn't make it to the reunion.

I'm running low on funds, so I'm probably not going to turn my cell phone back on until after I find a job down there. I do, however, have most of your guys' numbers, so I'll give you all a call when I get settled in.

This is Taylor McCleve, signing off. You stay classy, Arizona!

So I was asked by the administrators of Orble.com to write movie reviews for them. I could use your support by spreading the word about the site:

CineFiend

If you get some free time on your hands, go check it out. It's nothing flashy, mind you. More like Maddox's website: less flash, more content. Thanks, guys.

My dad sometimes has this annoying habit of pointing out the fact that everything these days is expensive. Before gas prices started dropping, he could hardly believe that it passed $4.00 a gallon. He would always say, "Man, I remember when gas was only a buck," like back then spending a dollar on gas was a good thing. I constantly have to remind him that it's all relative. Just because gas was cheaper back then, doesn't change the fact that you were probably paying just the same amount as you are today. To prove my point, I made him this little picture:



If that text at the bottom is too small to read, this is what it says:

Based on the average amount of gas that year divided by the average amount of money a person made in a year if said person filled up four times per month on an 18 gallon vehicle. Sure, this isn't totally accurate, but it gives you a fairly good idea of how everything is relative. Just because you paid $0.30 a gallon for gas in 1955 does not mean that it was cheaper.

Notice how even after the OPEC embargo, people were only spending about 13% of their paychecks per month on gas as opposed  to 1955 when people were shelling out nearly the same amount of their paychecks that we were in 2006.

Like I said, it's not completely accurate, but I just wanted to give him a general idea. Kind of interesting, in my book.

So Jacqui had a good idea about playing a movie trivia game using movie quotes! I'll provide the quotes...you guys provide the answers. (Oh, and come on, don't be a tool...don't use Goggle/IMDb). Some of these are rather easy, and those of you who hail from Room 409 back in the 02-03 year should get quite a few! So come on! Enjoy some movie trivia!

( TRIVIA!1!!!!!!11!!! )

Ha ha. Good luck guys.

I never would have imagined that 2008 would have been such an awesome year. Back in January, I had started working the night shift at Walgreens and knew right off the bat that I would hate it. Sure enough, I did. It wasn't the work I hated, nor was it the people I worked with. It was simply the hours. Working 70 hours a week, seven days in a row, killed me. I was back in school, though, and I loved it at first. But after a month of getting off of work at 8 AM, only to have to ride a bike to the bus stop to get to school, and then not going to sleep until three or four in the afternoon and having to wake up at nine got old really quickly.

I had managed to out of a very, very bad rut...only to fall into another one. While my life at the start of this year was not nearly as bad as it had been, it left quite a bit to desire. I began feeling stuck again, like I was going absolutely nowhere in my life, and it really was all because of my job. I honestly believe that if I had been working a normal shift, I would have loved that job, because I really did have a lot of fun with the people I worked with.

Only a few weeks after moving up here to Taylor, I realized how much I needed this. These past few months up here have been great: I started another semester of school up here, working towards a degree that I actually enjoy thouroughly; I started working with my dad again, and while the work itself is not that great (to me), I still enjoy it nonetheless; but most importantly, I manged to get so far with the book.

I remember last Christmas Eve, before going to bed, I had written a journal entry where I promised myself that I would finish this book in 2008. But after the first five months of this year, I was certain that would not happen. I hardly had the energy to do my homework, let alone work on the book. After moving up here, though, everything changed. I found that I was more relaxed most of the time, and found that writing the book theraputic again.

I have now been officially rejected by nearly fifty different literary agencies. You should see the folder in my inbox dedicated specifically to the queries I have sent out; almost all of the messages in there are all various ways of saying no. If my life has been any indicator of my choices, I would have given up already and said, "Oh, well." But something weird has been happening to me when it comes to this book, and not in a bad way. Instead of getting too upset about the rejections, I just shrug it off and keep sending them out. I would like to say that I have a wicked amount of faith in this getting published, but I don't think it's that. I think it is a ridiculous amount of desire on my part. I will not take no for an answer, and if one agency says no, then I'll just move on to the next. I am not going to stop until I get this thing published. I have never had that kind of determination before.

While the time up here in Northern Arizona has been a blessed relief, I have had the nagging feeling that I am not meant to stay up here. Little did I know, but Dad has been feeling the same way. We are nearly done with this remodel; we have maybe one more week left on it, if that, before we put it up for sale. Last week, after a brief discussion, both of us decided that we really wanted to move back to the Valley.

After this semester is over (December 17), my Dad and I are moving back to the Valley, probably either in Mesa or Gilbert. We're going to do the same thing: finding foreclosed homes and flipping them.

So get ready. Taylor's coming back to the East Valley and all of us need to party like it's 1999. Okay, maybe not party, but I definitely need to see you guys again. I haven't seen some of you guys for years, so I'm going to make a very large effort on my part to hang out with you all again.

Taylor.

Just bought 4GB of RAM for my computer. Is it sad that I'm overly excited about that?

Hey, there! Do you have too much faith in humanity? Has it been a while since you have thought, "Good, God, what is wrong with these people?" Then come on down to the IMDb message boards, where you'll find more than enough posts by ignorant, semi-passive aggressive morons.

Do you hate Republicans/Christians/Conservatives? Do you use phrases such as "neo-con," even if you're not completely sure what that even means? Then you'll be welcome! It seems that the majority of users there hate those people as well, so you'll be well liked.

Do you hate Democrats/Atheists/Liberals? Do you think that all Barrack Obama supporters should be cast into hell? Go ahead and post that ignorant shit...even if you get flamed like you're at a gay frat house!

Here are some testimonials from satisfied customers:

Taylor M from Arizona wrote:
"I was having a very good day and had a sudden thought that, hey, you know what? Us humans, we're not so bad sometimes. In fact, it started getting to a point where my faith in not only humanity but the entire world was higher than it had been in years.

"Fortunately, I was able to go over to the Internet Movie Database, browse the message boards for a matter of minutes, and my faith in humanity was utterly destroyed!

"Thanks IMDb!"