GregTheGreat's Xanga

Snow Day

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:22:15 GMT

The view off my balcony...

Effing ridiculous. A foot of snow last weekend, another foot or so today, and another foot or so tomorrow. It's really sort of pretty.... except when your Jeep is stuck in your street.... then in halfway in your driveway... and then, half an hour and a Bobcat's help later... in your garage. All part of the adventure!

Speaking of adventure.... this is one of those "life is great" updates. Despite the mountains of white shit outside, I couldn't be happier. Great job. Great place. Great friendships in the making.

Visit from Ryan in just over a week , then San Fran for a few days after that (both assuming that the airport is actually open).

I miss home. I miss my family and my friends. But this.... this is the life... MY life.

Apparently, I only update quarterly...

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 06:06:19 GMT

WOODBURY, MN -- Well Good Lord, folks, it's been a while.

So, yeah, Minnesota -- things are going surprisingly well up here. This place may not be home, but it's definitely okay for the forseeable future. My house is nearly complete (pictures to follow soon), it hasn't been too cold, the skiing/snow activities have been fun so far (the ski areas make their own snow, since we've had but an inch all winter), and work is fandamntastic. I know it sounds cheesy, but I love that I go to work every day to a place that truly amazes me -- I mean, we split atoms so your toaster will work, for God's sake! Even though I understand the science behind it, it still blows my mind. I work with fun, respectable people and get to do something different and challenging every day. No regrets here.

2006. Almost over, and that couldn't be more okay. It's been a crazy, sad, changing year. (I suppose I should have known the whole year would be for shit from the party that kicked it off, huh?) I lost a best friend in my grandpa. I lost another good friend to, well, his own stupidity, but fences are being mended. (Yay for duct tape and bailing wire. You have to be an engineer to appreciate that.) I scrapped plans to move to Dixie rather unexpectedly, and headed North. I think I've aged a few years in just a few months. I'm ready to get '06 behind me and hope '07 brings more happiness and stability.

The fam has been in town since before Christmas, which is cramping my style some (okay, a lot) but I'm trying not to complain -- I mean, they really are a freakin' blast. How many grandmas do you know that wouldn't slap their grandson if he invited her to play a "nice rousing game of sit down and shut the hell up?". She just laughed until she almost spewed coffee. We're crazy like that.

So yeah, that's the update. I work, hang with the fam when they're here, hang with "the islanders" when I can, and learn to speak Minnesotan. It's a "mature" life.... and as bad as it sounds, I think I like it.

See you Stilly bitches soon. Love to all. Happy 2007. GRC

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 07:12:55 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY -- I knew when I got on the plane, I shouldn't have.

Not that coming home was a bad idea, it just broke a month-long streak of building a new life -- turning my apartment into a good home, loving (mostly) my job, dating, etc. Now, I'm back and I know (rather, I remember) what I'm missing.

It was good to get to Stilly tonight and see a couple people that still have a hold on my heart, and even sadder to drive out of town than it was a month ago, because this time I really don't live there anymore...

...and it occured to me on the drive back to OKC that having a fantastic family and great college friends is both a blessing and a curse -- a blessing because it builds the personal strength to go and do great things, but a curse because in order to go and do, you must first leave. It really is the people that you leave that make you able to leave in the first place. So, if it wasn't for my family, the "men" I spent my evening with (EDIT: goes back and inserts quotations around men), and one fine lady who was off at another wedding that wasn't hers, I never would have been able to pack my shit, move to Siberia and keep the old nuke from burning down and killing the surrounding Indians. Wait, on second thought... damn you people, why couldn't I just stay in Stilly and go to big boy school like everyone else? (Because I'm bad at attending class -- asked and answered).

Off to bed -- my recently old ass doesn't do this 2am shit like it used to, doncha know. Love y'all. GRC

My Last Week as an Okie...

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 06:26:10 GMT

It's been a while. So sorry about that. Life happened, and interrupted the things I do when I don't have a life... like Xanga.

So this weekend was eventful. Thursday afternoon my boss called to finally close the deal on all of the particulars of my job offer. I guess that made it official that I'm moving, but I didn't even have much time to think about it....

Bright and early Friday morning, mom and I got on a plane.... in Dallas. Why Dallas? Cause I am a Jew, and booking flights 12 hours before departure out of OKC is expensive.... as in new-watch expensive. So anyway, we drove in the middle of the night to leave DFW at 7. Got to MSP, high-tailed it to the plant ( )to fill out 102 pages of security paperwork, then began the apartment search.

Two days and four suburbs later, I decided on the first place I looked at. It's huge, beautiful, only 30 minutes to work, and in Minnesota's fastest-growing city, . Appropriately enough, the floorplan is called "The Stillwater", which before you ask, is NOT why I chose it. Well, not the only reason.

I have to be out of this apartment by Sunday, then it's off to Twin Cities for real-real. I start work Aug. 7.

...and here's the deal. People seem to be a little pissed that I'm not sad, or not showing it. And it's not that I'm not sad -- of course there is a huge part of me that is sad to leave good friends, my family, and heaven-on-earth Stillwater. But another part of me is excited to start a new chapter of my life in a city I never dreamed I'd live in but in an industry I enjoy and a job that is very promising and rewarding. I've had enough sadness in my life this year, so forgive me if I chose to embrace the excitement over the sadness, if for no other reason than to help get through a gigantic transition.

So, yeah. I debated over a few sad songs, but I went with this one. I know, you're thinking "Good Charlotte? Really?" If you're as lame as me, you know this is the theme song from MTV/Comedy Central's Undergrads, the cartoon about college freshmen that came out during my freshman year. I could totally relate to that show, about what college was supposed to be. (Full disclosure -- this version also says "...but that's alright, cause I get down with GC..." and we ALL love to get down with GC, if you know what I mean...)

I like the saying "It'll be okay in the end. If it isn't okay, it isn't the end." Well folks, it's the end.... and everything is okay.

Much love.... GRC.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 05:42:32 GMT

Not dead. Thought I was for a few days, but nope. Longest virus EVER... stomatitis.... inflammed tongue, ask Chase for an impression.

I've lost 10 lbs in less than 10 days, which means I weigh less now than I have since I got my drivers license at 16. Time to fatten myself up...

Bedtime. Love y'all. GC

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 07:59:13 GMT

3am. Need to sleep. Class tomorrow.

Class sucks. I am crazy for staying here for the summer, methinks, but it's working out well. Good times with good friends (even if Jenn is a little bitchy from time to time ). Extra time to spend with my amazing family, even if we're not happy all the time (Today would have been my grandpa's 80th birthday). The start of "something new", a.k.a. a summer fling with potential.

This weather is making the move to Almost Canada seem not so bad. 70's-80's sound nice.

Random post. Just a verbose "howdy." Love y'all. GRC

EDIT: so bored, I'm gonna do one of these fuckers:

01. Name? Gregory Ryan Cameron
02. If there were 3 wells (love, beauty, and creativity) and you could only drink from one of them, which one would you choose? Creativity. With that, you could get the other two, right?
03. Do you wish on stars? If the blinds are open and I see them.

04. Which finger is your favorite? The middle one, for family communication purposes.

05. What is the most disgusting food you've ever eaten? Sushi. Sorry Jared.

06. Would you kill someone? Absolutely, if I caught someone illegally in my house or crossing our border. :)

07. When did you last cry? Earlier today. See above.
08. If you were making a movie about yourself, who would play the lead? Leonardo DiCaprio in his big back-from-rehab comeback.

09. What TV show or movie title best describes your life? Dr. T and the Women. haha. Hell if I know.

10. Do you like your handwriting? Yes, it's very me.
11. Who are you jealous of? Anyone who can honestly say they're jealous of no one.
12. What is your #1 priority in life? Achieving success by my definition of it.

13. What is your favorite lunch meat? Ham -- the kind you buy from the deli, not the prepackaged, poor people on food stamps kind.
14. Do you have any bad habits? I curse frequently (according to my mother), I drive fast, and I will litter anywhere that isn't Stillwater.

15. Are you a friendly person? For the most part, I think.
16. If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? I'd date me.
17. Are you a daredevil? No, but sometimes passengers in my car beg to differ (Michael).

18. Ever had a crush on a friend? Story of my life.

19. Have you ever told a secret that you swore you wouldn't repeat? Probably. I suck, huh?
20. What do you think is the most attractive animated character?  Xander from Drawn Together
21. Do looks matter? Yes, but only if the brains back the looks.

22. Do you pray? Yes, moreso now than ever before.
23. Have you ever met anyone famous? Pat and Vanna, Pat Green, Willie Nelson
24. Do you think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Hopefully a pot of platinum. It's prettier.
25. What are your biggest fears? Dying alone, disappointing my parents, not being able to work hard enough to get what I want.

26. What do you do to vent anger? Scream. Drive fast. Yell at Chase over IM.
27. Are you passive or aggressive? 75% agressive. Any input, anyone? lol
28. Who is your idol? My grandpa.
29. Who is your second family? Jenn and the few remaining gays.
30. Do you trust others easily? The first time, yes. The second time, only if I'm dumb or you're lucky.

31. What was your favorite toy as a child? Legos. If only real engineering was that easy.
32. What class in school do you think is totally useless? I used to say music, but knowing music majors has made me think otherwise... so.... PE?
33. What is the punch-line to your favorite joke? Honestly is the best policy, so here goes... "Yeah, well, we haven't played cowboys and ------s yet!"
34. Do you like sappy love songs? Yeah.
35. Do you think your life so far has been good? Absolutely amazing, with way more ups than downs.
36. Which was your best Halloween costume? Dick Tracy. Second grade.
37. Have you ever been on radio or television? Do I really need to answer that? You'll just bitch anyway.

38. Do you keep a diary? Of sorts, besides Xanga.
39. Have you ever intentionally hurt another person? Yes, before I grew up and got classy.

40. Believe in fate or destiny? I believe in luck.
41. Have you ever been in a mosh pit? Nope. Those don't happen at cuntry concerts.
42. Are you an overall happy person? Absolutely.
43. Do you feel understood most of the time? Most, yes.
44. Do you drink milk? Nope. Allergies.
45. Would you rather have a sore throat or an upset stomach? Sore throat.

46. Have you ever thought seriously about committing suicide? Not really.
47. What is the new saying that you've been using a lot? "I smell what you're steppin' in."
48. What time is it? 3:26am. Holy shit.
49. Do you keep your underwear and socks in the same drawer or in separate ones? Seperate!
50. Did you pay money to see "Honey I Shrunk The Kids?" Mommy probably did.
51. Would you rather be hot or cold? Hot. Why the hell am I moving to Mpls?
52. What is your favorite body type to cuddle with? Rich. haha
53. What was the best Christmas present you received? Bo. Go ahead, laugh.
54. Could you be a vegetarian? Hell no.
55. What is your favorite word to say when you think of something cool? Hot damn.
56. What band has the funniest name? Shit if I know.
57. Would you ever bungee jump? On the right day, yes.
58. Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off? Nope.
59. Who are your favorite white rappers? Eww.
60. Would you rather wear uniforms to school? Nope.
61. Have you ever given money to a needy person? Once, in a moment of weakness.
62. What are you worried about right now? Getting everything done I want to do in the next 2 months.
63. Do you ever wear overalls? Oh God no.
64. Do you think you are strong (emotionally)? Pretty much.
65. Do you hate anyone? Yes. Hit me up for the most recently updated list.
66. Do you regret anything? Truly regret, no. Are there things I'd tweak a little if given the chance, hell yes.
67. Have you ever been in love? Yes. See above answer. Lol.

...a quickie (just like your mother likes it!)

Thu, 25 May 2006 06:59:10 GMT

Hello boys and bitches...

In OKC, being a good son and visiting the old folks, and I'm bored enough to update, so fuck.

Not much going on lately. Catching up on sleep and spending time with friends I've neglected for the past, um, three months when school sucked my will to live. I don't think I've been awake before noon in over a week. It's fantastic.

Opinions/events of note:

-Went to Tulsa on Friday night for Casey's birthday. Ran a red light. Casey was following me, so he also ran the red light. He got caught. $160 ticket. On his birthday. Apparently Andy and Barney didn't see me. Oh well, now we're even for the Boulder ticket, and after trying to fight his drunk ass out of his car for an hour, I'm not so sorry for him anymore anyway. I'm adding "beligerent, angry drunks" to the list of things/people I dislike. Damn, the list is getting long.

-Apparently I'm road-tripping it to Michigan with Michael sometime this summer, which means I need to learn to drive a stick. No, that was not a double entendre.

-I'm redeveloping an old crush that may or may not pan out to be a wise idea, but it has the wheels turning in my mind. Thanks a lot, RYAN, for putting bad ideas in my head. Remind me to kick you in one of the three circus rings.

-I got to be Shirlock Homo the other night. It was fun, but I'm a sucky detective, so I'll stick with engineering, not that I'm great at that, either.

Okay, I guess that's all. Need to get some dinner and drinkie time on the books with some of you in the next week or so! Love y'all. GRC

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Sat, 13 May 2006 03:16:52 GMT

Never, in a hundred bagillion years, did I think it would be appropriate to quote Camp in a serious discussion, but I have found an occasion where it and only it is appropriate:

--"You should never meet your heroes. They always disappoint you."--

Jenn and I went to OU's graduation to see Katie Couric speak tonight. (I know, I know, we should have known better, but still...) So Katie about 25 minutes into her otherwise up-beat, happy, passionate, very Katieish speech, she got into a discussion about how all of the keys to happiness revolve around your relationship with others -- friends, family, community, etc. All good and true. Then, she made a reference to how in today's society it is too easy to isolate oneself, and was about to quote a similar statement from President Bush, which she introduced as follows:

"As President Bush said last weekend when he spoke at an, ahem, lesser University..."

I didn't really hear the rest, because I was offended and disappointed. Talk about bursting my bubble! In addition to having lost my desire to make sweet, sweet love to her on the Today show set, I have lost respect for someone who, despite her liberal tendencies, I admired and enjoyed.

I don't know why I'm surprised, however. It's just like OU to bring in someone like themselves who doesn't know appropriate. She even has OU in the middle of her name, which I had never noticed until 5 minutes ago.

So yeah, I'm irritated, and bummed. So irritated and bummed that, by the time I drove from Norman to OKC, I'd already talked to Schmidly (who was as annoyed as I was and promised to pursue a public statement and a letter to Ms. Couric) and Kelly Ogle, who was also annoyed as an alumni but unsure if addressing the issue in "My 2 Cents" was appropriate, considering she's about to be the CBS anchorwoman.

Anyway, that's my rant. I'm done with Katie, more done with OU than I thought I could be, and done with this post, which I'm sure you appreciate.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Tue, 09 May 2006 20:24:20 GMT

A few notes...

a) In Wisconsin. That's all there is to that, or to this place. Oh well, it was nice to visit. I made a list in the plane -- this makes 28 states I've been to. Not too bad for only being 22.

b) I got an A in Senior Design (which is apparently the only A he gave out). I am excited!

c) Looks like I won't have to leave Stillwater until August. NMC wants me to take one more class before I head to Mpls/St. Paul, so no goodbyes just yet.

d) The audio is for Jared and Sarah, because I enjoy bringing a smile to old people's faces. No, not really... it's just Lew, and he's funny.

Back to OKC tonight, Stilly tomorrow, Texas early next week. See y'all soon. Love ya. GC

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Thu, 04 May 2006 19:55:58 GMT

Job offer #7 overall (#4 under active consideration): Fire Protection/Design Compliance Manager, South Texas Project.

Damn, damn decisions!