Rick Z profile picture

Rick Z

Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things.

About Me

Periodically I question who I am- what makes me, me. Each time I come back with more knowledge about myself and insight into those around me. Different people see different things in me. Those who casually know me might see only the face that I present to the public- quirky, funny, intellectual, with a childlike charm. Yet there are a few who get past the witty banter and jaunty exterior. What they find is somebody who is passionate, sensual, loving, honest, with a range of quirks and insecurities. They number in the handful because I don't want people to know how deeply I feel and how vulnerable I can be.

People with passion and ambition fascinate me and individuals who are willfully ignorant, who refuse to exchange ideas, and who fail to learn from those around them earn my ire. I have a love for the creative regardless of the medium. For the most part my upbringing was relatively mundane as at heart I am a relative goody two shoes. Yet, I love individuals with histories and stories to tell. It adds texture to their character and the writer in me appreciates that beyond explanation.

Life is about intersections with other people. Individuals and characters who you may have only known in name at one point in life become good friends, confidantes, and even lovers years and even decades down the line. Relish the experiences you have with them. Live in the moment, savor the past, and look forward to the future.

My Interests

I like to work out, write, draw, be creative in general and ask people on the street for money!

I'd like to meet:

Ecclectic and interesting individuals. People from my past. That one woman who is equal parts adventurer and librarian who will have made my wait worthwhile.

Music:

Cake, David Grey, Beastie Boys, Green Day, The Clash, Johnny Cash, Beck, Smash Mouth, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Review, The Amazing Royal Crowns, Lucero, Jack Johnson, Tenacious D, Styx, Dave Mathews Band, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Weezer, Reel Big Fish, AC/DC, and well pretty much anything that sounds good!

Movies:

The Army of Darkness, Bubba Ho-Tep, Crime Wave, The Princess Bride, Snatch, LOTR, Back to the Future, Airplane!, Memento, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, Spaceballs, Smokey and the Bandit, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrells, Big Trouble in Little China, Hero, Spiderman 2, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, MST3K The Movie, The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen, Mystic River, Usual Suspects, LA Confidential, Empire Records

Television:

Mr. Show, Arrested Development, The Family Guy, Futurama, Wonderfalls, Farscape, Angel, Smallville, Buffy, Scrubs, Dead Like Me, Huff, The Wire, The Venture Bros., Megas XLR, Monster Garage, American Chopper, C-Span, Lost, The Office, Surface, Invasion, Battlestar Galactica

Books:

The Dark Tower Series and anything Stephen King that relates back to the Dark Tower universe. Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Starship Troopers (trust me, the movie has nothing on this book), Armor, Vampire$, Lovecraftian short stories, Lamb: The Gospel According to Bif- Christ's Childhood Pal, Good Omens, American Gods

Heroes:

Casey- for being the magnificent bastard that he is and for serving his time in the military defending my right not too.

Chris- for being the other creative nerd in the family so I don't feel so lonely.

Lisa- for being the mom that I could only aspire to be through the miracles of modern surgery!

My dad- well, let's say he sacrificed ALOT early in life in order to put his family first.

My mom- I wouldn't be who I am today without her encouragement and support.

Broccoli- oh how I've missed thee. I didn't get to know you until my first Chinese food experience at the age of 16 but your tend sports and, oh... *looks around self-consciously and coughs*.

Spiderman for all his wall crawlyness and the fact that I have occasional dreams about web slinging, climbing walls, and flipping around.

Superman, the ultimate boyscout, as alien as they get on the outside yet filled with compassion and humanity within.

..

My Blog

observations of a beta male

Periodically I ponder the various aspects of my life. Usually such contemplation stems from outside forces, in this case, reminding me that, at 31, I am one of the last of my peers left unmarried and ...
Posted by Rick Z on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:33:00 PST

due process

Good morning sports racers, it's Monday October 8th and I just stole that intro from Ze Frank! Thursday, the Rikipedia got called into Jury Selection for an upfront dose of Civics 101. No, it was not ...
Posted by Rick Z on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:44:00 PST

built in flamethrower

I'm dizzy, a little out of it, and it feels like I'm shooting napalm from my dick. But, they didn't find anything yet. Next stop, CT. Probably next week. Yay!
Posted by Rick Z on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:05:00 PST

your mission should you choose to accept it

Is to have a tiny fiber-optic camera shoved up your urethra and deep inside your body. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I will be the proud (and let it not be forgotten, unconcsious) recipient of a cytoscopy...
Posted by Rick Z on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:26:00 PST

Artist Statement - Draft 1

I've been working on an artistic portfolio in the event that I decide I'd like to go back to school. Part of that process involves writing an artist statement. Typical of me, I procrastinated on it be...
Posted by Rick Z on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:40:00 PST

business process 101 (rant)

This county's healthcare system is so fucking screwed up. I know that for many I am simply repeating the obvious. As a "Senior Analyst" at my place of business, it is sometimes part of my job to revie...
Posted by Rick Z on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:02:00 PST

life according to scrubs

"The easiest way to lose something is to want it too much."- John DorianSometimes I am convinced that an episode of Scrubs has more truth to it than an entire army of advisors- dressed in the obligato...
Posted by Rick Z on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:06:00 PST

xkcd: Commitment

Yes, I'm cheating by not actually writing anything. But I'm making up for it by sharing the funny!...
Posted by Rick Z on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:54:00 PST

falling apart again

It began several weeks ago as a dull, throbbing ache in my groin. Guys, you know the kind I'm talking about. Imagine that grazing kick in the nuts sensation and hold onto that for about a week or two....
Posted by Rick Z on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:22:00 PST

it’s in their brains, eating their ideas!

Well, it was only a matter of time really. According to the journal Nature Neuroscience, "scientists at New York University and UCLA show that political orientation is related to differences in how th...
Posted by Rick Z on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:10:00 PST