X-Entertainment.com X-Entertainment UGO
You are all doomed. Why not surrender? We might let you live.

07/13/2004: I’m an idiot.

Hello youse guys. Through working with people, in public, in someplace not my apartment, in daylight, for the first time in sixty years, I’ve drawn the disturbing conclusion that I just might be the most annoying person on the planet. Don’t get me wrong — everyone’s super nice and it’s a blessing to rejoin the world amongst such acey kinda folks, but yeah, I am fucking annoying. I knew that the biggest challenge of doing this would be socially integrating myself in there — it’s something I have zero experience in — but I never thought I’d find out so many bad quirks about myself. Example: no matter how many times I see a person on a given day, without thinking I let loose a “Hey! How’s it going?” If I see the same person two minutes later…. “Hey! How’s it going?!” I also have a tendency to thank people as I pass them in the hall, for no apparent reason whatsoever. They say hello, I say thanks. So during the lunch break I’m out on the street reaffirming myself by calling anyone around who knows me better, listing the many dozen awful things I’d done in the previous hours. There’s a moral to this story, folks: if you’re a shut-in, fix it before it’s too late. Wanna know what’s in store for your future if you don’t? Here it is: yesterday before leaving work, I had a five minute conversation with someone about the umbrella salesman outside the building. It’s been raining here all week, so it seemed like a topical conversation choice. Thing is, when I got downstairs and headed to my bus, something hit me. I spent the entire conversation referring to the salesman as a “saleman.” “The umbrella saleman.”

Keeping with the spirit, today I had take notes from someone, so as they’re on the way, I do the natural thing — grab a pad and a pen. Unfortunately, I’d somehow chewed my pen down to the point where it would’ve been obvious that I eat pens, so I had to find a new one quick. Checked the desk drawers to see if the guy who left the company before I got here had any spares hanging around. He didn’t, but he did leave a nice collection of what’s shown above — condiments of every kind. Chinese packets of Heinz ketchup, crackers, soy sauce, you name it. It’s like the prop room for The Sopranos’ Pine Barrens episode in there. Pens are always in short supply, but at least I’ll never run out of wasabi.

Still working on the next article in bits and pieces as I have time, but I think it’ll be a goody. Meantime, let’s start another survey…maybe the worst one ever: You’re on Amazon. You’ve got a hundred dollar gift certificate to blow. List the loot you’d pick. And no, I’m not looking for advice. I have no yummy certificate. I’m just curious for reasons I cannot comprehend.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Bookmark and Share


Discussion Thread: 133 comments

hopefully i get the first comment in. im new to your site. i only found it a week ago, but this is the exact kind of site ive been looking for, for a long time. thank you!(you probably get this a lot)

Ghosted by shane versalle @ 07/13/2004 11:14 PM EDT


nothing coherant or intellegant to say, just wanted to post something pointless and see my name in lights so to speak.

Ghosted by undead surfer @ 07/13/2004 11:16 PM EDT


This is my first post…I’ve been reading for a long time though.:)

Hmmm, lemme think…I’d probably buy that Ranma 1/2 1st season set I’ve been looking at with the certificate, then I’d spend however much I have left on some Alien figures, since I don’t have that many of those.

Ghosted by Camille Noire @ 07/13/2004 11:29 PM EDT


…hnn. How nice! I’m really happy for you in your new job, Mat…they don’t know how lucky they are to have a talented guy like you on their team! ;3 Anyway…

I would totally buy Unicron. Unicron, and Ric Flair’s book. And if enough wa sleft over, I’d grab up some five-dollar Pokemon manga. Whee!

Ghosted by The REAL Mother of Kane's baby @ 07/13/2004 11:31 PM EDT


About your "thanking people for no reason" problem, Matt.
I used to do the same thing!
I’d also say things like "Have a good night" when it was clearly day.
I hope you get over it soon. :)

Ghosted by Denise @ 07/13/2004 11:34 PM EDT


Prrrobably D&D junk. Because I am a hopeless nerd.

Also: NEVER! Being a shut-in is the best! Or at least the ‘enh, okay’-est.

Ghosted by Evin @ 07/13/2004 11:45 PM EDT


Working with the general public is pretty damn annoying. Discussing the weather seems to be the only thing people can talk about without having anything in common, but sometimes it would be better if they just shut the hell up.

On Amazon, I could spend that shit 69 ways to your mama on Sunday. I just got the 20th Optimus, so not that. Maybe some nice hardcover Stephen King novels, and then some toys, do they have Lego’s? They should. OOhhh, they should have Pudding Pops, even though I’d get fucked for shipping.

Ghosted by kidneyboy @ 07/14/2004 12:19 PM EDT


Matt, sounds to me like you’re just nervous. Ease up and you’ll start speaking somewhat normal. I think right now you’re so worried about sounding normal that you sound worse then you normally would…does that make any sense? Anyways…I’d buy lots and lots of cds and dvds…boring i know, but i honestly don’t have that many dvds besides Family Guy and Old School. How sad is that? Oh wait! And that classic Sorority Boys. You gotta love that one.

Ghosted by Emmaaaaa @ 07/14/2004 12:35 PM EDT


I’d get the Simpsons 4th season box set, Aqua Teen Hunger Force vol 2 dvd, and the Sealab 2021 dvd.

Ghosted by Bright Noah @ 07/14/2004 12:42 PM EDT


I would buy Jem on DVD, definately! And a book, I dunno which one though.

Ghosted by Gabbylicious @ 07/14/2004 1:02 AM EDT


futurama dvds

Ghosted by ed @ 07/14/2004 1:06 AM EDT


Bright Noah has some good ideas, but I’d probably jettison one or two for the Mr. Show 3rd and 4th season dvds. No clue which one I WOULD pick, though.

Ghosted by G'Tron @ 07/14/2004 1:09 AM EDT


I do not know what I would buy at amazon.com. Maybe I could finish my Lou Reed collection. That’s it.

Anyways Matt, all I’ve ever been compelled to write you is "I love you."

It’s great to have people like you in the world. Even if you really are annoying in person, you recognize it and that is golden. I loved this little anecdote of yours.

Ghosted by KK @ 07/14/2004 1:12 AM EDT


I’d blow it all on Sailor Moon DVDs.

Ghosted by pikachulover @ 07/14/2004 1:39 AM EDT


So I work at a bookstore, right? And when I page from someone on the speaker system, I somehow have no idea what time of day it is. Last night, at around 9 or so, I say, "Good evening Barnes and Noble–" then I just paused, because I realized my mistake and couldn’t think of what or who I was asking for. The point behind this anecdote–yes, social isolation makes you completely unable to handle the real world. The solution: aescetic lifestyle forever.

Ghosted by inkmage @ 07/14/2004 1:55 AM EDT


I’d spend it on Loads of Graphic novels!

Anyway, I think Emmaaaas right that you might just be nervous. Otherwise just embrace your weirdness!

Ghosted by Tetsu Deinonychus @ 07/14/2004 1:57 AM EDT


Holy crap, the whole point of my post made no sense. I meant to say "Good afternoon Barnes and Noble." Argh–see what I mean? Even when I’m trying to make sense of nonsense I make sense, therefore making no sense. I sympathize with you Matt. Okay, I need to get some hot chocolate. Thanks for the audio clip Number5. I sent it to a friend who got a good laugh too. I must have really missed out on all that pro-wrestling.

What was that one article you did, Matt, where the wrestler comes through the wall or whatever? I have to find that again. More than any other article, that one has made me laugh more.

Ghosted by inkmage @ 07/14/2004 1:58 AM EDT


Found it. Those who never read it, prepare to wet yourselves–
http://www.x-entertainment.com/messages/431.html

Ghosted by inkmage @ 07/14/2004 2:02 AM EDT


Lone Wolf Adventure Books. Dear sweet Jesus in heaven, it’d have to be Lone Wolf Adventure Books. Already have 1-5 and 13, so I’d start at 6 and grab as many as that $100 would net me.

Actually, I may have to snatch up some of these anyhow, seem to have some decently low prices on them.

Ghosted by red_beard_neo @ 07/14/2004 3:02 AM EDT


Ug I always ask "how are you doing?"

My reply is "I’m fine, how are you?"

to which my reply is "I’m good, how are you?"

even though I just asked them that like 5 seconds ago….ug

Ghosted by Ant @ 07/14/2004 3:05 AM EDT


crap it double posted…

I’m just not having a good night

Ghosted by Ant @ 07/14/2004 3:08 AM EDT


shockmaster!!!!!

anyway I might get those Harry Potter books, but amazon.com sucks

If I just got a hundred bucks to spend someplace else, then I would probably buy a ton of cheap used movies, like the ones matt reviews, the ones that are bad in a good way.

Ghosted by dfgdffghsd @ 07/14/2004 4:09 AM EDT


I’d complete my Calvin and Hobbes collection. If there was anything left, I’d get Fargo and Bad Santa.

Ghosted by David @ 07/14/2004 4:41 AM EDT


DVD’s. I would buy DVD’s
I don’t know which ones just yet, but it’s a pretty good guess thats what I’d buy

Ghosted by GreyWeirdo @ 07/14/2004 5:40 AM EDT


And really Matt, you’re still just the new guy. No one at work will even hear a single thing you say much less listen for a good two months. So don’t worry about it. Just be nice and plan how you will get them all one day, oh yes, you’ll get them all

Ghosted by GreyWeirdo @ 07/14/2004 5:47 AM EDT


I’d buy the next season of Northern Exposure if it were out. I’d also buy the new 2 cd set Van Halen is putting out. I would also buy some Thomas the Tank engine piece for my boy.

Ghosted by Joe in OH @ 07/14/2004 7:38 AM EDT


Freaks and Geeks on DVD. The delux version, if I could find it. Of course, that would leave me in the hole $20 plus shipping, but it would be worth it.

Matt, embrace your idiosyncrasies. If you want people to remember you, you have to give them something to remember. So what if you’re known as the "How’s it going?" guy. At least you’re known for something. I mean, it could be worse, right? Like peeing your pants in your first meeting or getting caught picking your nose by the cute secretary down the hall.

So, how does the other half like you working every day?

Ghosted by trajeal @ 07/14/2004 8:48 AM EDT


I’d get that ultimate Far Side collection I keep seeing on there. It’s about $90, which seems insane, but damn if that isn’t my favorite cartoon of all time.

Ghosted by 4thDown @ 07/14/2004 9:21 AM EDT


ATHF Volume 1 or 2
Sealab 2021 Season 1
Futurama/Simpsons/Family Guy

Eventually, the Harvey Birdman dvd in 05.

Ghosted by Wills @ 07/14/2004 10:04 AM EDT


Ha! I do many of the same things in my office…my co-workers thing I am nuts because I always say "excuse me" when I bump into desks/walls other inanimate objects…:)

Man, I think about this Amazon thing all the time…my Amazon desires change daily…If I had $100 to spend TODAY….I would buy:

This:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564774953/qid=1089817062/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/002-4812383-2941614

This:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001DMXEC/qid=1089817190/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-4812383-2941614?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

Pre-Order this:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00020SH9E/qid%3D1089817256/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-4812383-2941614

And with any money left over, I’d buy a bunch of these so I could start my collection over…lost ‘em all when I moved as a child and must have them for when I have kids someday:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=stripbooks&field-keywords=mr%252520men&search-type=ss&bq=1&store-name=books/ref=xs_ap_l_xgl14/002-4812383-2941614

Ghosted by B-Dawg @ 07/14/2004 11:04 AM EDT


For some reason, I thought I had managed to read all the archives on this site quite a while ago. Apparently one escaped me. I just read the article on horrible wrestling angles…

Shockmaster?

"While the announcers scramble to come up with anything to say besides ‘holy shit’ or ‘I quit’,"

That, and the accompanying screen shots, is the funniest shit I have EVER seen!

Ghosted by B-Dawg @ 07/14/2004 11:16 AM EDT


Hmmm. one hundred-dollar HookerBot, or one-hundred one-dollar HookerBots?

Ghosted by kingklash @ 07/14/2004 11:45 AM EDT


I’d probably catch up on my Lupin dvds and manga…ever since I started college, not only have I not been able to buy anymore installments, but someone also stole my damn $30 Mamo dvd!

Ghosted by Sara @ 07/14/2004 12:03 PM EDT


Emmaaaaa is right Matt, you’re nervous, your brain is working faster than your mouth.
Don’t worry so much about the co-workers and have fun with the work. Remember, you’re the new guy, let people come to you, you’ll find people you can relate with soon enough.

Ghosted by Cyanyde @ 07/14/2004 12:13 PM EDT


Don’t worry Matt, you can’t have as much social grace AND serial wit on this. But the real thing that has been bothering me about this, if you really are in fact a shut in, is, then why haven’t we seen the archives of all those millions of articles?? sigh.

Ghosted by Bitsy&Roary @ 07/14/2004 12:52 PM EDT


off subject but what did you do before this job? Its something I have always been curious about.

Ghosted by thejyav @ 07/14/2004 1:34 PM EDT


You can never have too much Heniz.

Hey Matt, could you get back to me on the whole Bamboo Peanut deal?

I sent you an eMail about it a while ago.

Ghosted by Mathew Olson @ 07/14/2004 2:25 PM EDT


I’d get the Space Ghost Coast to Coast DVD, and all of the MST3K DVDs I don’t already own. Oh, and maybe this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000WHY8O/qid=1089830953/sr=8-6/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i6_xgl60/103-5618222-0348624?v=glance&s=home-garden&n=507846

Ghosted by a piece of milk @ 07/14/2004 2:50 PM EDT


I know this series has been off the market for practically 20 years and this toy never had a chance to come out,but I’d buy the food fighters fortress.

Ghosted by MightyStalfos @ 07/14/2004 3:10 PM EDT


Hmmmmm…… i have $100 on amazon, let’s see,
i’d go pick up the critic and family guys on dvd, then with the maybe 2 cennts i have left i’d go scrounging in the couch cushions to find more money and spare gold pieces i could hock and get another card worth some money and then go crazy in the book center.

more kinds of crap that would just sit there and collect dust that i wouldn’t read unless i had time in between class and work.
ah well but atleast i have goals right?

Ghosted by Randy @ 07/14/2004 3:18 PM EDT


i’d also get this when i had a couple of those 100 dollar things to blow on this because it’s obviously been to the moon and mars, and autographed by 3 popes for this price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0340421347//002-9001195-7040854?condition=all

Ghosted by Randy @ 07/14/2004 3:26 PM EDT


This week I’m in techie mode, so I’m thinking I’d get a 256 or 512 MB USB keychain drive, and a couple video games with whatever’s left over (Suikoden and Parasite Eve are what I’m currently pondering – PSOne is the newest system I have). Next week it’ll probably be manga (Petshop of Horrors and Jing) and anime DVD’s (Haibane Renmei), and the week after, used folklore and fantasy books and possibly some Victorian fairy art prints, if they have those on Amazon (I think they do).

I usually *get* nice big Amazon gift certificates from my Jewish doctor/lawyer relatives for my birthday in June, but my sister graduated from high school something like two days before it, so everyone forgot me. I’ve been bitter…

Ghosted by Goz @ 07/14/2004 3:30 PM EDT


I’d get Cricket’s Exersize set, Her brother Corky and her big sister.

Ghosted by Jacqueline Mermaid @ 07/14/2004 5:08 PM EDT


I’d probably get the transformers movie dvd. If they even have it there, than spend the rest on cd’s and candy.
Hey anyone ever here about that transformers CGI movie that was supposed to be in the making?
Maybe that’s all it was is a rumour.

Ghosted by turkeys can't fly? @ 07/14/2004 5:10 PM EDT


DVD’s… but what to choose? ST:TNG, Buffy, Jem.

I’m lucky, my man buys the Futurama sets… love this stuff.

Some Mercedes Lackeys I imagine would be nice too, the Valdemar series.

Don’t worry about the job, just relax and maybe switch to (gasp) decaf. Plus, you’re at Nick, not Salomon Barnes or Citibank. I would imagine this place to be a little more tolerant of personal idiosyncrasies than big financial corporations. Unless you worked for the Donald.

Ghosted by Yzziefrog @ 07/14/2004 5:25 PM EDT


100 bucks to spend on Amazon, huh?

Well, I like junk, and would rather it be e-bay so I could import annoying things. But if it has to be Amazon, then I pick the season 1 and 2 box set of JEM.

As for being an annoying shut-in having trouble fitting in at work… I completely relate ;)

Ghosted by jjgoreha @ 07/14/2004 5:46 PM EDT


Maybe some hard-to-find game for my Atari.

Ghosted by kingklash @ 07/14/2004 6:05 PM EDT


turkeys can’t fly?, Transformers will be live-action. You can post ideas on the message board of executive producer Don Murphy.

Ghosted by ME @ 07/14/2004 6:19 PM EDT


Definantly would get a few old classic books. I am an avid book buyer. Half of the time I won’t read the ones I pick up from garage sales and the lot. I just like to have a lot of them on my book shelves.

I worked in the high school library and when we were throwing away some of the old books, like 60 of them, I took ALL of them home. It took 4 days to get them all home and on the last day my bag split open right as I walked in my door.

Like when I was in Marine boot camp and my librarian sent me 20 books because he ACTUALLY thought I’d get time to read them. I got punished so bad for that!

That or cool action figures.

I heart dorks.

Ghosted by Brite @ 07/14/2004 6:23 PM EDT


Add A New Comment!