Yep. I can't let it go.
Anyhoo, my good friend Google showed me a news article about Verizon Wireless building a switching center in Southfield, Michigan about four years ago. My good friend Mapquest shows a total distance of just over 5 miles between these 'burbs, give or take a bit of distance as I don't know the exact addresses of the facilities.
So! This means that, if indeed Verizon does have a switching center in Southfield, it's very possible, indeed probable, that switching center could have been affected by the same power outage that was at the root of AT&T's problems.
The difference? We haven't heard any news about Verizon customers being affected in the same way AT&T customers were.
Do I believe a power outage could cause a service disruption like this? Yes, but I also believe there were several failures along the way that caused this. Whether that's from a lazy NOC tech, lazy field tech, lackadaisical management or a combo thereof, I don't know.
What I do know is I'm sick of media outlets taking the word of public relations people as the gospel truth. Hard questions need to be asked, and some way or another, AT&T needs to be held accountable.
31 December 2008
29 December 2008
Dentists, insurance and incompetence
I was going through some old mail recently. I have a bad habit of not opening mail right away. I'd seen something from my old dentist, the fellow I used to go to when I worked with AT&T.
As I'm now working at Motorola and have different insurance, I have since visited a different dentist, one within walking distance of my apartment. I had my normally scheduled checkup a couple weeks ago. Thinking that the mail from the old dentist was a checkup reminder, I put it aside.
A few days ago, as I was going through all the crap mail that I get and shredding it, I saw the mail again. Imagine my surprise when I saw I had a past due balance due of close to $200.
I had last visited this dentist in August of 2007. More than 16 months later, they finally sent me the bill. No explanation. Just that I owed $200. This place has screwed up my bill before, confusing me with a 70-year-old man.
So, upon seeing the bill, I called the dentist's office last weekend, leaving a message asking why I owed this when clearly my old insurance would have covered the bill.
This afternoon, I received a phone call from the office. The stupid woman told me that the office had submitted the claim, but they never received any correspondence from the insurance company. More importantly, they had never received the money to cover my visit.
So, this stupid woman asked if the insurance company had mailed the check to me. No, I explained. This stupid woman than explained that the office had, allegedly, submitted the claim twice and heard nothing from the insurance company.
"Did you try calling them?" I asked.
"Oh, well it's a pain dealing with the insurance company," she said. "Sometimes, we have better luck if the patient calls the insurance company."
Wha.....?
"So, did your office make any attempt whatsoever to actually place a phone call to the insurance company?"
More hemming and hawing. More I don't know-ing.
"So, you can't call the insurance company right now and ask them what's going on?"
"Well....uh....uh....uh...."
By this point I was furious. For one thing, I'd been woken up. I work nights, after all, and I gotta sleep during the day to have any chance of not working while dead. That I can understand, as they're working during normal business hours. Anyway. For another, they sent me a bill sixteen frakking months after I'd actually been there, with no explanation, with no reason why I owed it. For another thing, I went out of my way to visit this particular dentist.
This particular dentist, and my former general physician, both had offices pretty close to my parents' house. I'd been to both since my family moved to Chicago more than 20 years ago. My parents have fallen on hard financial times in the last few years, and both offices had previously made efforts to work with my parents in still getting them the care they needed with a price plan they could afford.
For that matter, I wasn't doing so hot financially for a number of years. It took me several years and some hard work to get a good credit score after falling into trouble in my early 20s.
So, I continued to visit these particular doctors because I figured that if they helped my folks, I should continue to do business with them.
Take that all into account, and I think you'd feel pretty betrayed by this, too.
Yeah, I was pissed off. I'm still pissed off.
I'm pissed off because this frakking place wants me to do their work. Shouldn't they be contacting the insurance company? Couldn't they place a phone call? A simple frakking phone call?
So, in the interests of protecting my credit, I called the insurance company. A five-minute conversation revealed everything I needed to know. They haven't received any claims for all of 2007. The last claim they filled for me was in 2006, which coincidentally was the previous time I'd visited this dentist. To get the claim filled, the dentist must provide proof that they filed the claim before the one year deadline, which was August of this year.
This was all painfully simple stuff. This was something that a simple phone call from the office to the insurance company could have resolved. This was something that should never have involved me, especially more than a year after I last visited. This was something that could have easily been documented in my file.
So, after calling the insurance company, I called the office back. I advised them that this level of ineptitude and laziness is unacceptable. I advised that they need to work this out with the insurance company. I advised that their failure is not my problem. I advised her to call the insurance company and get the information they needed. Chances are she won't.
The next step is a written letter to the office, either hand delivered by me or sent via certified mail. Considering the level of screwups that have occurred, those are my options. I can't trust standard mail or a fax to these idiots. If they don't misplace it, they won't know what to do with it.
There is zero chance of me paying this bill. If the dentist doesn't get his money, that's not my problem. I was covered under insurance at the time of the visit. The office's failure to follow up properly and make sure they got paid is not my problem.
I know it won't make much difference, but I will make every effort to publicize the sheer stupidity employed by this dentist. I'll go to the Better Business Bureau.
Stuff like this clearly demonstrates why loyalty never goes unpunished.
As I'm now working at Motorola and have different insurance, I have since visited a different dentist, one within walking distance of my apartment. I had my normally scheduled checkup a couple weeks ago. Thinking that the mail from the old dentist was a checkup reminder, I put it aside.
A few days ago, as I was going through all the crap mail that I get and shredding it, I saw the mail again. Imagine my surprise when I saw I had a past due balance due of close to $200.
I had last visited this dentist in August of 2007. More than 16 months later, they finally sent me the bill. No explanation. Just that I owed $200. This place has screwed up my bill before, confusing me with a 70-year-old man.
So, upon seeing the bill, I called the dentist's office last weekend, leaving a message asking why I owed this when clearly my old insurance would have covered the bill.
This afternoon, I received a phone call from the office. The stupid woman told me that the office had submitted the claim, but they never received any correspondence from the insurance company. More importantly, they had never received the money to cover my visit.
So, this stupid woman asked if the insurance company had mailed the check to me. No, I explained. This stupid woman than explained that the office had, allegedly, submitted the claim twice and heard nothing from the insurance company.
"Did you try calling them?" I asked.
"Oh, well it's a pain dealing with the insurance company," she said. "Sometimes, we have better luck if the patient calls the insurance company."
Wha.....?
"So, did your office make any attempt whatsoever to actually place a phone call to the insurance company?"
More hemming and hawing. More I don't know-ing.
"So, you can't call the insurance company right now and ask them what's going on?"
"Well....uh....uh....uh...."
By this point I was furious. For one thing, I'd been woken up. I work nights, after all, and I gotta sleep during the day to have any chance of not working while dead. That I can understand, as they're working during normal business hours. Anyway. For another, they sent me a bill sixteen frakking months after I'd actually been there, with no explanation, with no reason why I owed it. For another thing, I went out of my way to visit this particular dentist.
This particular dentist, and my former general physician, both had offices pretty close to my parents' house. I'd been to both since my family moved to Chicago more than 20 years ago. My parents have fallen on hard financial times in the last few years, and both offices had previously made efforts to work with my parents in still getting them the care they needed with a price plan they could afford.
For that matter, I wasn't doing so hot financially for a number of years. It took me several years and some hard work to get a good credit score after falling into trouble in my early 20s.
So, I continued to visit these particular doctors because I figured that if they helped my folks, I should continue to do business with them.
Take that all into account, and I think you'd feel pretty betrayed by this, too.
Yeah, I was pissed off. I'm still pissed off.
I'm pissed off because this frakking place wants me to do their work. Shouldn't they be contacting the insurance company? Couldn't they place a phone call? A simple frakking phone call?
So, in the interests of protecting my credit, I called the insurance company. A five-minute conversation revealed everything I needed to know. They haven't received any claims for all of 2007. The last claim they filled for me was in 2006, which coincidentally was the previous time I'd visited this dentist. To get the claim filled, the dentist must provide proof that they filed the claim before the one year deadline, which was August of this year.
This was all painfully simple stuff. This was something that a simple phone call from the office to the insurance company could have resolved. This was something that should never have involved me, especially more than a year after I last visited. This was something that could have easily been documented in my file.
So, after calling the insurance company, I called the office back. I advised them that this level of ineptitude and laziness is unacceptable. I advised that they need to work this out with the insurance company. I advised that their failure is not my problem. I advised her to call the insurance company and get the information they needed. Chances are she won't.
The next step is a written letter to the office, either hand delivered by me or sent via certified mail. Considering the level of screwups that have occurred, those are my options. I can't trust standard mail or a fax to these idiots. If they don't misplace it, they won't know what to do with it.
There is zero chance of me paying this bill. If the dentist doesn't get his money, that's not my problem. I was covered under insurance at the time of the visit. The office's failure to follow up properly and make sure they got paid is not my problem.
I know it won't make much difference, but I will make every effort to publicize the sheer stupidity employed by this dentist. I'll go to the Better Business Bureau.
Stuff like this clearly demonstrates why loyalty never goes unpunished.
AT&T rant continued....
This is hilarious.
According to the AT&T paid mouth, it was difficult for them to notify customers about the outage because the service was allegedly only sporadically affected. In the same statement, the mouth attributes the problems to a power outage in a specific area.
Hmmm. So, you can pinpoint it, but you can't tell folks about it. Interesting.
This problem shouldn't have happened in the first place. The tomfoolery is compounded by the lack of any specific communication to the public in a decent amount of time.
Make no mistake, AT&T knows, or at least should know, which customers would be affected by this type of outage. It should be a simple matter to say, "AT&T customers in (insert cities and states here) may experience (insert types of service disruption) due to a commercial power outage at our facility in (insert location here). We are working to restore service as quickly as possible. We apologize for any trouble this has caused."
Simple. See?
Yet by not explaining, the company only creates more questions.
That is, it creates questions for those few who actually care to ask.
According to the AT&T paid mouth, it was difficult for them to notify customers about the outage because the service was allegedly only sporadically affected. In the same statement, the mouth attributes the problems to a power outage in a specific area.
Hmmm. So, you can pinpoint it, but you can't tell folks about it. Interesting.
This problem shouldn't have happened in the first place. The tomfoolery is compounded by the lack of any specific communication to the public in a decent amount of time.
Make no mistake, AT&T knows, or at least should know, which customers would be affected by this type of outage. It should be a simple matter to say, "AT&T customers in (insert cities and states here) may experience (insert types of service disruption) due to a commercial power outage at our facility in (insert location here). We are working to restore service as quickly as possible. We apologize for any trouble this has caused."
Simple. See?
Yet by not explaining, the company only creates more questions.
That is, it creates questions for those few who actually care to ask.
AT&T has the most screwups of any national carrier!
I love stories like this lovely linkage.
Please allow me to put on my telecom/tech hat for a moment. Stuff like this shouldn't happen unless there's a severe lack of redundancy or a really major disaster, like, oh, Hurricane Katrina.
Big facilities, like the one that lost power in Michigan, usually have battery and generator backups for commercial power outages. These facilities are sometimes unmanned. I'm sure there were relatively few, if any, people at this particular facility at the time of the outage.
That the facility was possibly unmanned at the time of the power outage isn't itself a screwup. That the facility ran on backup power and then lost service is a major screwup.
Explanation: all telecom companies have NOCs, Network Operations Centers. Most carriers have one nationwide, bigger ones, like AT&T, have two. These NOCs monitor alarms for any elements tied to their network. There are some more exotic alarms that my feeble mind can't explain, but the really important alarms are telco and environmental alarms. Telco alarms typically occur if there's a problem with the cable between a cell site and the landline provider. Environmental alarms are things like door intrusions, loss of power, high temp, etc.
These alarms are relayed to the NOC, where someone monitors these alarms and responds accordingly. A power alarm at an individual cell site is a big deal, enough to open a top severity case. A power alarm at the Bloomfield facility, which handles service for a wide geographic area, should not only be ticketed right away, it should be escalated to upper management. Phone calls should be made to make sure reserve power can be maintained until such time as commercial power can be restored. This means hauling in huge batteries, fueling generators, and so forth.
Big facilities like the one in Bloomfield usually have enough batteries and generator fuel to provide power for at least a few hours.
Trust me when I say I'm not just spouting random nonsense. I've seen a facility like the one in Bloomfield firsthand, and I've monitored stuff like this in the past. I know how stuff should be backed up, and I know what the response to something like this should be.
One thing I would like to point is the minimum amount of time that passed between the time the power outage occurred and the time that AT&T's service was affected. According to the article I posted above, Chicago's wireless service was interrupted at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
However, this lovely linkage from the Detroit Free Press quotes one woman who noticed her power was off at 5 a.m. Eastern time, which of course is 4 a.m. Central.
Using my mad math skills, that's at least five and a half hours between the time that commercial power was lost and the time that AT&T wireless service was actually affected. That's time that someone should have opened a ticket, called the power company, notified management, and called someone who actually worked at that facility to get their asses over there and make sure the generators were working.
I believe the word that applies here is fail. Maybe even two words: epic fail.
Of course, you won't see any reporters question this. "Oh, power's out, what can you do?" Few people actually know how things work or are even interested in learning remotely how things work.
Here's what I would really like to know. When did AT&T become aware of the power outage? If it was indeed at 9:30 a.m. Central, why didn't they know about it sooner? If they did know about it early Sunday morning, what was the response? When were field technicians engaged? Why did so much time pass between the time of the initial power outage and the time customer service was affected? How does the company plan to avoid situations like this in the future?
But hey, what do I know? I'm no good. That's why they laid my ass off last year. All in the name of Ed Whitacre's $160-million retirement package.
My job. Delivered.
Please allow me to put on my telecom/tech hat for a moment. Stuff like this shouldn't happen unless there's a severe lack of redundancy or a really major disaster, like, oh, Hurricane Katrina.
Big facilities, like the one that lost power in Michigan, usually have battery and generator backups for commercial power outages. These facilities are sometimes unmanned. I'm sure there were relatively few, if any, people at this particular facility at the time of the outage.
That the facility was possibly unmanned at the time of the power outage isn't itself a screwup. That the facility ran on backup power and then lost service is a major screwup.
Explanation: all telecom companies have NOCs, Network Operations Centers. Most carriers have one nationwide, bigger ones, like AT&T, have two. These NOCs monitor alarms for any elements tied to their network. There are some more exotic alarms that my feeble mind can't explain, but the really important alarms are telco and environmental alarms. Telco alarms typically occur if there's a problem with the cable between a cell site and the landline provider. Environmental alarms are things like door intrusions, loss of power, high temp, etc.
These alarms are relayed to the NOC, where someone monitors these alarms and responds accordingly. A power alarm at an individual cell site is a big deal, enough to open a top severity case. A power alarm at the Bloomfield facility, which handles service for a wide geographic area, should not only be ticketed right away, it should be escalated to upper management. Phone calls should be made to make sure reserve power can be maintained until such time as commercial power can be restored. This means hauling in huge batteries, fueling generators, and so forth.
Big facilities like the one in Bloomfield usually have enough batteries and generator fuel to provide power for at least a few hours.
Trust me when I say I'm not just spouting random nonsense. I've seen a facility like the one in Bloomfield firsthand, and I've monitored stuff like this in the past. I know how stuff should be backed up, and I know what the response to something like this should be.
One thing I would like to point is the minimum amount of time that passed between the time the power outage occurred and the time that AT&T's service was affected. According to the article I posted above, Chicago's wireless service was interrupted at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
However, this lovely linkage from the Detroit Free Press quotes one woman who noticed her power was off at 5 a.m. Eastern time, which of course is 4 a.m. Central.
Using my mad math skills, that's at least five and a half hours between the time that commercial power was lost and the time that AT&T wireless service was actually affected. That's time that someone should have opened a ticket, called the power company, notified management, and called someone who actually worked at that facility to get their asses over there and make sure the generators were working.
I believe the word that applies here is fail. Maybe even two words: epic fail.
Of course, you won't see any reporters question this. "Oh, power's out, what can you do?" Few people actually know how things work or are even interested in learning remotely how things work.
Here's what I would really like to know. When did AT&T become aware of the power outage? If it was indeed at 9:30 a.m. Central, why didn't they know about it sooner? If they did know about it early Sunday morning, what was the response? When were field technicians engaged? Why did so much time pass between the time of the initial power outage and the time customer service was affected? How does the company plan to avoid situations like this in the future?
But hey, what do I know? I'm no good. That's why they laid my ass off last year. All in the name of Ed Whitacre's $160-million retirement package.
My job. Delivered.
23 December 2008
Why Metallica no longer deserves my money
Believe it or not, there are times that Dan raises legitimate points about things. A tale of a blind squirrel finding the occasional nut comes to mind. Having seen his comment about my Metallica dislike, I figured I should point out why they get no more money from me.
Yes, the Napster episode is a big reason. Initially, I believed in their point of view, that they reserve the right to profit from their own materials. They wrote and performed the stuff after all. However, Metallica's rise to popularity came about largely from a heavy bootlegging culture. In their very early days, the band heavily encourage tape swapping. In my opinion, Napster was a lot like that when Metallica basically shut it down.
Metallica made their living from being counter-culture, anti-authority, anti-mainstream. So, for them to swoop in like vultures in the whole Napster fiasco made them look more than a bit like hypocrites. Bands sell image along with their music and whatever message that music has. So, when you're playing along with the government to clamp down on something you once endorsed, that makes you lose some fans. You've ruined the image that helped you sell so many records.
And before anyone says anything about reserving the right of an artist to make a profit, I say if you really believed that, then you'd go out and buy legit copies of every single song you've ever copied from anywhere. So, how many MP3's do you have from albums you've conveniently borrowed from someone?
Even more important to my reasoning is the quality, or lack thereof, in the band's more recent output. I ran out and bought St. Anger like a good little fanboy when it was released. I've farted better music than anything that appeared on the album. I tried listening to it, really. I gave it a few listens. I haven't been able to make myself listen to it in over five years. Between the tin can drum sound, Hetfield's melodramatic wailing and the lack of anything resembling anything good, I'd have to say it's the single worst album that I own.
I tried to listen to the most recent stuff. Some of it sounded halfway decent. It was a bit like a waking dream, when you're talking to a long-dead loved one. The voice sounds familiar, and you even think they've come back. Then you wake up, realizing it was all just a dream. The Unforgiven was a good tune. Unforgiven 2? Uh, I guess. Unforgiven 3? That's a rehash I just don't need to deal with.
That's about it. The band has betrayed their fan base, and they can't make any more good music. That's why they don't get my money anymore.
Yes, the Napster episode is a big reason. Initially, I believed in their point of view, that they reserve the right to profit from their own materials. They wrote and performed the stuff after all. However, Metallica's rise to popularity came about largely from a heavy bootlegging culture. In their very early days, the band heavily encourage tape swapping. In my opinion, Napster was a lot like that when Metallica basically shut it down.
Metallica made their living from being counter-culture, anti-authority, anti-mainstream. So, for them to swoop in like vultures in the whole Napster fiasco made them look more than a bit like hypocrites. Bands sell image along with their music and whatever message that music has. So, when you're playing along with the government to clamp down on something you once endorsed, that makes you lose some fans. You've ruined the image that helped you sell so many records.
And before anyone says anything about reserving the right of an artist to make a profit, I say if you really believed that, then you'd go out and buy legit copies of every single song you've ever copied from anywhere. So, how many MP3's do you have from albums you've conveniently borrowed from someone?
Even more important to my reasoning is the quality, or lack thereof, in the band's more recent output. I ran out and bought St. Anger like a good little fanboy when it was released. I've farted better music than anything that appeared on the album. I tried listening to it, really. I gave it a few listens. I haven't been able to make myself listen to it in over five years. Between the tin can drum sound, Hetfield's melodramatic wailing and the lack of anything resembling anything good, I'd have to say it's the single worst album that I own.
I tried to listen to the most recent stuff. Some of it sounded halfway decent. It was a bit like a waking dream, when you're talking to a long-dead loved one. The voice sounds familiar, and you even think they've come back. Then you wake up, realizing it was all just a dream. The Unforgiven was a good tune. Unforgiven 2? Uh, I guess. Unforgiven 3? That's a rehash I just don't need to deal with.
That's about it. The band has betrayed their fan base, and they can't make any more good music. That's why they don't get my money anymore.
22 December 2008
Merry Christmas to all!
Dan likes this one. So do I, for that matter. Audio is required for full enjoyment.
14 December 2008
Chinese Democracy: some thoughts
Yes, the punchline is now a reality. And yes, I was compelled to buy the album.
Yes, I know Axl fired everyone from the original lineup, save himself. Yes, I know the band lineup changed several times between the Use Your Illusion albums and the new one.
And still, the album is pretty good.
I think the album would have sounded much better if it had come out, oh, 10 years ago or so. There's clearly some industrial and hip hop sound on the album.
The album cost several million dollars to produce. Thankfully, some of it comes through on the finished product. Note to other bands (I'm looking at you, Metallica): poor production does not equal edginess or metal-ness. It just equals crap.
As songs go, there are a number of standouts. I personally like Scraped, Better, Sorry and Riad And The Bedouins. There's a ballad or two I could do without, but overall, I think the album is pretty good.
It's something of a minor miracle that Axl released it at all.
If Axl can finally release Chinese Democracy, then I can finally publish the next great American novel.
Just give me another 10 years or so.
Yes, I know Axl fired everyone from the original lineup, save himself. Yes, I know the band lineup changed several times between the Use Your Illusion albums and the new one.
And still, the album is pretty good.
I think the album would have sounded much better if it had come out, oh, 10 years ago or so. There's clearly some industrial and hip hop sound on the album.
The album cost several million dollars to produce. Thankfully, some of it comes through on the finished product. Note to other bands (I'm looking at you, Metallica): poor production does not equal edginess or metal-ness. It just equals crap.
As songs go, there are a number of standouts. I personally like Scraped, Better, Sorry and Riad And The Bedouins. There's a ballad or two I could do without, but overall, I think the album is pretty good.
It's something of a minor miracle that Axl released it at all.
If Axl can finally release Chinese Democracy, then I can finally publish the next great American novel.
Just give me another 10 years or so.
10 December 2008
Dump the Antibacterial Soap
I am amazed at the power of marketing and hysteria in the U.S. of freakin' A at times. Then again, considering the previous posts, not really.
But something that I think I should at least mention is the scourge (scourge, I say!) of antibacterial soap.
"Whaaaaat? You're off your meds again." True! But that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
We have been told, through our watchful media, that bacteria are bad. Bacteria are germs, germs are bad, and so we shall kill them whereever they hide. It makes sense.
The problem is, these people told you eggs were bad, then they weren't. They told you MSG was bad for you, until it wasn't. Fluorine in water- bad, until it's not. They tell you fat is bad for you, until it isn't. Carbs are bad, unless, y'know, they're not. Gluten is the new rage fad food-to-hate.
As with everything the media reports on, they never do their jobs by reporting balanced news- that's hard. No. Sensationalism- especially when it comes to science- that sells! Scare people with psuedo-science and they'll feel grateful.
Your body is covered in bacteria, whether you like it or not. Even better- it is theorized that there's more bacteria on you than you have skin cells! Yet, surprisingly, you're not dead?
That's because there is some bacteria that lives in symbiosis with you. (that means the lives of both benefit from each other's presence, Hronek) 70% of your bacteria lives in your gut. It breaks down components of your food and allows it to be absorbed by the body. They also enable white blood cells. In fact, the cleaner you are the more likely you are to be susceptable to random diseases, like colds and flu.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Antibacterial_cleaning_products?open
http://www.ei-resource.org/expert-columns/dr.-gloria-gilberes-column/bacteria:-the-good,-bad-and-the-ugly/
http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/bacteria-helpful-not-harmful/?referer=sphere_related_content/
http://media.www.thenorthernlight.org/media/storage/paper960/news/2008/11/11/MedicalIncredible/AntiBacterial.Helpful.But.Possibly.Harmful.In.The.Long.Run-3537672.shtml
The use of antibacterial soaps kills all bacteria, sure. Including, eventually, the good ones. Strangely enough, all soap is inherently antibacterial. The difference is that soaps labeled "antibacterial" contain added bacteriocides. There is a place for antibacterial soaps- hospitals. That's it. Humans don't need antibacterial soap. In a way, it's similar to the thought process "if one aspirin is good, then ten will really help."
I don't even know what impact these soaps have on the water supply, as it works its way through the sanitization plants and their filters of bacteria, then out into the water supply, into water plants and fish. I mean, no one is projecting panic over it and maybe it is effectively filtered somewhere... but it can't be good.
My advice- dump the antibacterial and get a bottle of plain ol' liquid soap. I haven't used antibacterial soap at home in over 5 years, and I haven't gotten a cold or flu once either. An oversimplification, sure, but it's at least semi plausible.
But something that I think I should at least mention is the scourge (scourge, I say!) of antibacterial soap.
"Whaaaaat? You're off your meds again." True! But that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
We have been told, through our watchful media, that bacteria are bad. Bacteria are germs, germs are bad, and so we shall kill them whereever they hide. It makes sense.
The problem is, these people told you eggs were bad, then they weren't. They told you MSG was bad for you, until it wasn't. Fluorine in water- bad, until it's not. They tell you fat is bad for you, until it isn't. Carbs are bad, unless, y'know, they're not. Gluten is the new rage fad food-to-hate.
As with everything the media reports on, they never do their jobs by reporting balanced news- that's hard. No. Sensationalism- especially when it comes to science- that sells! Scare people with psuedo-science and they'll feel grateful.
Your body is covered in bacteria, whether you like it or not. Even better- it is theorized that there's more bacteria on you than you have skin cells! Yet, surprisingly, you're not dead?
That's because there is some bacteria that lives in symbiosis with you. (that means the lives of both benefit from each other's presence, Hronek) 70% of your bacteria lives in your gut. It breaks down components of your food and allows it to be absorbed by the body. They also enable white blood cells. In fact, the cleaner you are the more likely you are to be susceptable to random diseases, like colds and flu.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Antibacterial_cleaning_products?open
http://www.ei-resource.org/expert-columns/dr.-gloria-gilberes-column/bacteria:-the-good,-bad-and-the-ugly/
http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/bacteria-helpful-not-harmful/?referer=sphere_related_content/
http://media.www.thenorthernlight.org/media/storage/paper960/news/2008/11/11/MedicalIncredible/AntiBacterial.Helpful.But.Possibly.Harmful.In.The.Long.Run-3537672.shtml
The use of antibacterial soaps kills all bacteria, sure. Including, eventually, the good ones. Strangely enough, all soap is inherently antibacterial. The difference is that soaps labeled "antibacterial" contain added bacteriocides. There is a place for antibacterial soaps- hospitals. That's it. Humans don't need antibacterial soap. In a way, it's similar to the thought process "if one aspirin is good, then ten will really help."
I don't even know what impact these soaps have on the water supply, as it works its way through the sanitization plants and their filters of bacteria, then out into the water supply, into water plants and fish. I mean, no one is projecting panic over it and maybe it is effectively filtered somewhere... but it can't be good.
My advice- dump the antibacterial and get a bottle of plain ol' liquid soap. I haven't used antibacterial soap at home in over 5 years, and I haven't gotten a cold or flu once either. An oversimplification, sure, but it's at least semi plausible.
09 December 2008
Piling On da Gov
"The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," Fitzgerald said.
"The charges in the criminal complaint are, in fact, staggering. They are stunning. Eyepopping. Gobsmacking. Jaw-dropping. Appalling. Unprecedented in their alleged brazenness." -Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune
"Many, including myself, thought that the recent conviction of a former governor would usher in a new era of honesty and reform in Illinois politics," FBI special agent in charge Grant said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-governors,0,1319988.htmlpage
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSTRE4B854120081209
http://weblogs.cltv.com/news/opinion/mcclendon/2008/08/nepotism-cronysim-and-chicago.html
http://dig.lib.niu.edu/ISHS/ishs-2004autumn/ishs-2004autumn255.pdf
Really? This isn't an excuse for hyperbole or other dramatic language? This is not shocking to anyone who's cast a semi-critical eye on Illinois government since 1850.
"In Illinois, with its flamboyant history of corruption, those [charges] are only too believable." -Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune
"In a city like Chicago, with its history of muscle and clout and corruption, it's probably not the first time—just the first we know of." -Prof. Norman Sims, U. Mass-Amherst
I have said since I moved away that I have nothing against the people of Illinois. Except Hronek. F*^k Hronek. No, not them- I wish to see every member of Illinois government brutally sodomized while they serve the consecutive life sentences they all deserve. There may be a few that are decent. Oscar Schindler tried to fight against the tide too, all that got him was an occasional mention in obscure history books and a movie- and he saved the Jews during the Holocaust. The baby has to go with the bathwater here.
"The state of Illinois is on kind of a bad run," Sen. Harry Reid (D) NV
Senators aren't supposed to be kings of understatement, there, Har. YOU THINK?!?!?
And for you mouth breathing leftists that hate Republicans, this guy and all their ilk are from the camp that claims to represent YOU. Fitzgerald's better than his label. You better hope to Obama that he doesn't find a link to the President Elect. Like, I don't know, a guy like Tony Rezko or Billy Ayers.
Blagojevich. Democrat. (D)-IL. Who else....?
"The charges in the criminal complaint are, in fact, staggering. They are stunning. Eyepopping. Gobsmacking. Jaw-dropping. Appalling. Unprecedented in their alleged brazenness." -Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune
"Many, including myself, thought that the recent conviction of a former governor would usher in a new era of honesty and reform in Illinois politics," FBI special agent in charge Grant said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-governors,0,1319988.htmlpage
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSTRE4B854120081209
http://weblogs.cltv.com/news/opinion/mcclendon/2008/08/nepotism-cronysim-and-chicago.html
http://dig.lib.niu.edu/ISHS/ishs-2004autumn/ishs-2004autumn255.pdf
Really? This isn't an excuse for hyperbole or other dramatic language? This is not shocking to anyone who's cast a semi-critical eye on Illinois government since 1850.
"In Illinois, with its flamboyant history of corruption, those [charges] are only too believable." -Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune
"In a city like Chicago, with its history of muscle and clout and corruption, it's probably not the first time—just the first we know of." -Prof. Norman Sims, U. Mass-Amherst
I have said since I moved away that I have nothing against the people of Illinois. Except Hronek. F*^k Hronek. No, not them- I wish to see every member of Illinois government brutally sodomized while they serve the consecutive life sentences they all deserve. There may be a few that are decent. Oscar Schindler tried to fight against the tide too, all that got him was an occasional mention in obscure history books and a movie- and he saved the Jews during the Holocaust. The baby has to go with the bathwater here.
"The state of Illinois is on kind of a bad run," Sen. Harry Reid (D) NV
Senators aren't supposed to be kings of understatement, there, Har. YOU THINK?!?!?
And for you mouth breathing leftists that hate Republicans, this guy and all their ilk are from the camp that claims to represent YOU. Fitzgerald's better than his label. You better hope to Obama that he doesn't find a link to the President Elect. Like, I don't know, a guy like Tony Rezko or Billy Ayers.
Blagojevich. Democrat. (D)-IL. Who else....?
Maybe he and George can play hide the soap
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested earlier this morning.
Shockingly, the allegations include federal corruption charges. I know, this is difficult to believe, considering the level of honor and respect Illinois politicians have served their constituents.
Wow. Just....wow.
I didn't think Rod would get arrested while still in office. Guess he left enough of a trail that he could finally be charged.
It's funny. When Rod first ran for governor 6 years ago, George Ryan was in the midst of a federal investigation. Rod had promised "change."
The only thing that changed was whose hands taxpayers' money was funneled to.
One of the more interesting, and by interesting I mean f#^@ing frightening, accusations is that Blagojevich had offered state help to Tribune upper management in selling the Cubs in exchange for firing editors critical of him and his administration.
Have I mentioned I don't like this guy?
No wonder so many politicians in Illinois want stricter gun laws. They're afraid people will take up arms against them.
Have I also mentioned yay second amendment?
And yay first amendment?
Ugh. No wonder so few people vote here.
I wonder what the conversation between Rod and George will be like when they're both in the slammer.
Shockingly, the allegations include federal corruption charges. I know, this is difficult to believe, considering the level of honor and respect Illinois politicians have served their constituents.
Wow. Just....wow.
I didn't think Rod would get arrested while still in office. Guess he left enough of a trail that he could finally be charged.
It's funny. When Rod first ran for governor 6 years ago, George Ryan was in the midst of a federal investigation. Rod had promised "change."
The only thing that changed was whose hands taxpayers' money was funneled to.
One of the more interesting, and by interesting I mean f#^@ing frightening, accusations is that Blagojevich had offered state help to Tribune upper management in selling the Cubs in exchange for firing editors critical of him and his administration.
Have I mentioned I don't like this guy?
No wonder so many politicians in Illinois want stricter gun laws. They're afraid people will take up arms against them.
Have I also mentioned yay second amendment?
And yay first amendment?
Ugh. No wonder so few people vote here.
I wonder what the conversation between Rod and George will be like when they're both in the slammer.
02 December 2008
An Open Response to the AT&T Complainant
For those unaware (and the 3 or 4 people other than the authors who actually read this), I used to work for AT&T. I lost my job about 14 months ago when it was decided it would be cheaper to fund outgoing CEO Ed Whitacre's $160 million golden parachute than to keep some jobs in Chicago. The worthless union cost me and my colleagues some significant severance pay, not to mention benefits.
Yeah, I'm still bitter.
Dan's situation sucked. I would not have wanted to deal with the same problems. We spoke briefly about a month ago about this, and the only thing I could really tell him was to get service somewhere other than AT&T, even if it meant spending more than he wanted to.
I'm not a fan of the company's service, nor am I a fan of how they treat their employees.
It is in that spirit I have written the following reply to Dan's open letter. Please note I don't agree with how Dan was treated, no matter how much I may hate him. This response is intended to mock AT&T, not Dan.
Dear sir/madam;
Thank you for your letter concerning your perceived vision of our failures. It always entertains us to read a letter from someone thinking they can make a difference.
We were even more entertained by the various ways in which you called us stupid. To know that you would waste so much time and intellect on something we don't care about gladdens our hearts.
If you think we don't care about your business, you're right. Let's be honest: your piddly stream of income for cheap services amounts to a raindrop in the ocean. Do you really think you're going to get the same treatment as someone who pays a lot more money to us? Really? Now, who's the stupid one?
We think it's cute that you'll tell everyone to not get our service. Let us know how that works out for you. For every rare, supposedly intelligent individual like yourself, we have a hundred stupid sheep lining up to get our service.
You know why? It's called PR. Word of mouth means nothing. Word from commercials and other advertisements carry the day. If we pay to say we have the most reliable service, clearly it must be true.
Please. Continue your one-man gang war on us. We need the laugh. We expect you'll have the same success in this as every other sorry sack who's said the same thing. Very original of you. In the meantime, we'll continue to increase our government influence and squash competition.
We are particularly pleased with your ISO 9001 reference. Ooooooh, scary. Do you think we really care? Do you think we don't know how to hide these sorts of things? Please. The only thing transparent about this company is the tape we use for cable repairs.
We'll file this in the same place we file all complaints from people as equally insignificant as you. Thanks for saving us money on toilet paper.
The fact of the matter is we are too big to fail. We make money. We have friends with more power than you could possibly conceive. We have the most customers, the most money, the most power, the best employees. We have the fewest dropped calls. Just look at our advertising. The fact is you really don't have much choice.
And when you're left with no other choice but us, we will welcome your grovelling and your money with open arms.
Say hi to your wife for us.
Sincerely,
The new AT&T.
Your ass. Delivered.
Yeah, I'm still bitter.
Dan's situation sucked. I would not have wanted to deal with the same problems. We spoke briefly about a month ago about this, and the only thing I could really tell him was to get service somewhere other than AT&T, even if it meant spending more than he wanted to.
I'm not a fan of the company's service, nor am I a fan of how they treat their employees.
It is in that spirit I have written the following reply to Dan's open letter. Please note I don't agree with how Dan was treated, no matter how much I may hate him. This response is intended to mock AT&T, not Dan.
Dear sir/madam;
Thank you for your letter concerning your perceived vision of our failures. It always entertains us to read a letter from someone thinking they can make a difference.
We were even more entertained by the various ways in which you called us stupid. To know that you would waste so much time and intellect on something we don't care about gladdens our hearts.
If you think we don't care about your business, you're right. Let's be honest: your piddly stream of income for cheap services amounts to a raindrop in the ocean. Do you really think you're going to get the same treatment as someone who pays a lot more money to us? Really? Now, who's the stupid one?
We think it's cute that you'll tell everyone to not get our service. Let us know how that works out for you. For every rare, supposedly intelligent individual like yourself, we have a hundred stupid sheep lining up to get our service.
You know why? It's called PR. Word of mouth means nothing. Word from commercials and other advertisements carry the day. If we pay to say we have the most reliable service, clearly it must be true.
Please. Continue your one-man gang war on us. We need the laugh. We expect you'll have the same success in this as every other sorry sack who's said the same thing. Very original of you. In the meantime, we'll continue to increase our government influence and squash competition.
We are particularly pleased with your ISO 9001 reference. Ooooooh, scary. Do you think we really care? Do you think we don't know how to hide these sorts of things? Please. The only thing transparent about this company is the tape we use for cable repairs.
We'll file this in the same place we file all complaints from people as equally insignificant as you. Thanks for saving us money on toilet paper.
The fact of the matter is we are too big to fail. We make money. We have friends with more power than you could possibly conceive. We have the most customers, the most money, the most power, the best employees. We have the fewest dropped calls. Just look at our advertising. The fact is you really don't have much choice.
And when you're left with no other choice but us, we will welcome your grovelling and your money with open arms.
Say hi to your wife for us.
Sincerely,
The new AT&T.
Your ass. Delivered.
An Open Letter to AT&T
Dear AT&T Quality Assurance Personnel:
I'm writing this letter to inform denizens of the web, those who may search through Google and Yahoo and any other search engine, about how horrible your ability to perform basic phone services has become.
I'm not disgruntled. I'm furious. Your incompetence drove my wife to tears, inconvenienced our lives for over 6 weeks, and lost our business.
We chose to subscribe to AT&T land service via your website. We've done this before and all efforts have gone well multiple times in places other than Maryland. In Maryland, however, your company is too cheap to afford technicians that can count on things other than their fingers.
After being quoted 5-10 business days for installation, we were disappointed to learn the earliest installation date would be 12 business days later. On the day of the first scheduled installation, you cancelled. Your techs said they were too busy. They were too busy the next day. And the next. We called whatever number you gave us, and they gave us the same song and dance. Our phone was installed a week late.
We also requested that you install DSL on our phone line. Again, no problems with previous service in places other than Maryland. But in Maryland, your organization has difficulty not swallowing its tongue. Nowhere on your website does the DSL service installation say "you need to first have a phone line, THEN request DSL." So we were told that we couldn't have DSL because, duh, we had no phone. We were then told we needed to schedule the technician to install DSL... and that the installation date would be 5-10 business days later.
Not only was our phone installed a week late, but it was installed with the wrong phone number. We called whatever number you gave us, and they essentially said, "Huh. That's weird," and hung up on us. We called again, and they said "we'll figure it out and call you back."
I would have thought that working for the phone company, you may have the ability to press the number buttons on a phone. But your fingers were too busy probing orifices in your body to press the buttons, because we never received that call. Then again, you may have been trying to call us with the number we ordered but that your technicians were too incompetent to install.
TWO WEEKS later, we finally had a phone rep at a number that alledged to do service for you, try and solve the problem. After my wife spent FOUR HOURS on the phone, waiting for your crack bureaucracy to figure out how to tie their shoes, she was told that they would... call her back. I have never heard my wife scream in anger until that moment.
Eventually, one of your atypical representatives spun a resonable (if not accurate) sounding story about how your repair department said we had phone service but your main business said we did not, and that the technician just flipped a switch to give us phone service instead of giving us the phone number we requested. This person was helpful and friendly, very understanding, and I have no doubt that you have already fired her for being overqualified.
After she figured out what to tell us, she told us that yes, we would have to wait another 5-10 business days. Throw a few holidays into this mix. Then we could get DSL, once the phone was installed and would have to wait an additional 5-10 business days which would have pushed into December. Not only that, but a DSL modem- one that we already had from previous service with your bungling company- was going to be sent to us even though we asked one not be sent. The reason- because you have to send one. We were told to just refuse delivery. Normally I would ask how stupid a company would have to be to spend money on shipping for an item that the customer has declined in advance, but the track record is well established by now.
Your company, utterly incapable of making logical business decisions, scheduled to send us a DSL modem that we didn't need. We figured that since the technician's union likely has from Thanksgiving until Easter as a holiday, it made sense to forgo DSL installation as we were not going to actually receive it until May.
The unfortunate fact for you is that I was able, within the span of three days, to obtain a cable modem and have broadband internet installed. Three days. Not 6-12 business weeks.
You can consider this a "complaint." As a former ISO 9001 auditor, I might suggest you file this complaint under "total company failure." Optionally, you may file individual complaints with: your internet site for not reserving the requested phone number, the repair department for not communicating with other departments to determine why phone installation had not occurred, your customer service department for not knowing how to solve a customer problem at least four times, two complaints with your technicians for being three days late and installing the wrong number, and your top management for allowing this farce you call operations to continue in this manner.
You are not too big to fail. Might as well focus on the iPhone, it's the only business on which you haven't completely dropped the ball. I'm telling everyone I know not to get your phone service. Good luck watching your core business crash and burn.
Daniel Walter
I'm writing this letter to inform denizens of the web, those who may search through Google and Yahoo and any other search engine, about how horrible your ability to perform basic phone services has become.
I'm not disgruntled. I'm furious. Your incompetence drove my wife to tears, inconvenienced our lives for over 6 weeks, and lost our business.
We chose to subscribe to AT&T land service via your website. We've done this before and all efforts have gone well multiple times in places other than Maryland. In Maryland, however, your company is too cheap to afford technicians that can count on things other than their fingers.
After being quoted 5-10 business days for installation, we were disappointed to learn the earliest installation date would be 12 business days later. On the day of the first scheduled installation, you cancelled. Your techs said they were too busy. They were too busy the next day. And the next. We called whatever number you gave us, and they gave us the same song and dance. Our phone was installed a week late.
We also requested that you install DSL on our phone line. Again, no problems with previous service in places other than Maryland. But in Maryland, your organization has difficulty not swallowing its tongue. Nowhere on your website does the DSL service installation say "you need to first have a phone line, THEN request DSL." So we were told that we couldn't have DSL because, duh, we had no phone. We were then told we needed to schedule the technician to install DSL... and that the installation date would be 5-10 business days later.
Not only was our phone installed a week late, but it was installed with the wrong phone number. We called whatever number you gave us, and they essentially said, "Huh. That's weird," and hung up on us. We called again, and they said "we'll figure it out and call you back."
I would have thought that working for the phone company, you may have the ability to press the number buttons on a phone. But your fingers were too busy probing orifices in your body to press the buttons, because we never received that call. Then again, you may have been trying to call us with the number we ordered but that your technicians were too incompetent to install.
TWO WEEKS later, we finally had a phone rep at a number that alledged to do service for you, try and solve the problem. After my wife spent FOUR HOURS on the phone, waiting for your crack bureaucracy to figure out how to tie their shoes, she was told that they would... call her back. I have never heard my wife scream in anger until that moment.
Eventually, one of your atypical representatives spun a resonable (if not accurate) sounding story about how your repair department said we had phone service but your main business said we did not, and that the technician just flipped a switch to give us phone service instead of giving us the phone number we requested. This person was helpful and friendly, very understanding, and I have no doubt that you have already fired her for being overqualified.
After she figured out what to tell us, she told us that yes, we would have to wait another 5-10 business days. Throw a few holidays into this mix. Then we could get DSL, once the phone was installed and would have to wait an additional 5-10 business days which would have pushed into December. Not only that, but a DSL modem- one that we already had from previous service with your bungling company- was going to be sent to us even though we asked one not be sent. The reason- because you have to send one. We were told to just refuse delivery. Normally I would ask how stupid a company would have to be to spend money on shipping for an item that the customer has declined in advance, but the track record is well established by now.
Your company, utterly incapable of making logical business decisions, scheduled to send us a DSL modem that we didn't need. We figured that since the technician's union likely has from Thanksgiving until Easter as a holiday, it made sense to forgo DSL installation as we were not going to actually receive it until May.
The unfortunate fact for you is that I was able, within the span of three days, to obtain a cable modem and have broadband internet installed. Three days. Not 6-12 business weeks.
You can consider this a "complaint." As a former ISO 9001 auditor, I might suggest you file this complaint under "total company failure." Optionally, you may file individual complaints with: your internet site for not reserving the requested phone number, the repair department for not communicating with other departments to determine why phone installation had not occurred, your customer service department for not knowing how to solve a customer problem at least four times, two complaints with your technicians for being three days late and installing the wrong number, and your top management for allowing this farce you call operations to continue in this manner.
You are not too big to fail. Might as well focus on the iPhone, it's the only business on which you haven't completely dropped the ball. I'm telling everyone I know not to get your phone service. Good luck watching your core business crash and burn.
Daniel Walter
Regulators!... Mount Up!
"Nate Dogg and Warren G gotta regulate..."
That's what I do now. I'm a regulator. You may know for whom, but you won't know specifically. No using-my-internet-posts as blackmail for you.
Working for the gov't is, sadly, everything that the stereotypes claim it is.
There was an interminably long period of time where the only internet access I had at all was either from my parents' house or through my cell phone. As a result, I got really good with using my cell phone. And thank Jebuz I have unlimited usage in my plan, cuz I downloaded half the Library of Congress in October.
It's also a great way to surf at work while, y'know, working. Multitasking. The downside is that in the cell phone mobile browsers it doesn't allow posting to blogs. Most sites have trimmed down mobile content, etc.
I'm glad to be back in my home area, but then, there are a few people that deserve special attention...
That's what I do now. I'm a regulator. You may know for whom, but you won't know specifically. No using-my-internet-posts as blackmail for you.
Working for the gov't is, sadly, everything that the stereotypes claim it is.
There was an interminably long period of time where the only internet access I had at all was either from my parents' house or through my cell phone. As a result, I got really good with using my cell phone. And thank Jebuz I have unlimited usage in my plan, cuz I downloaded half the Library of Congress in October.
It's also a great way to surf at work while, y'know, working. Multitasking. The downside is that in the cell phone mobile browsers it doesn't allow posting to blogs. Most sites have trimmed down mobile content, etc.
I'm glad to be back in my home area, but then, there are a few people that deserve special attention...
01 December 2008
How to lose lots of voter support quickly
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin announced today that he would in fact ask outgoing President George Bush to commute disgraced former Governor George Ryan's sentence to time served.
This should disgust anyone with any semblance of a sense of justice. It should even further disgust the people who just voted Durbin in for another 6-year term just a few weeks ago.
Sheesh. The really pathetic thing about this is, if Durbin does run again in 6 years, this will be forgotten about. Or, if he decides to step down, I'm sure whoever his handpicked successor is will be elected.
It's just business as usual in Illinois. Unreal.
It's become beyond pathetic. In just the last few years, Todd Stroger inherited his dad's position as Cook County board president. Dan Lipinski inherited his father's 3rd district congressional seat. Emil Jones, the outgoing president of the Illinois state senate, timed his departure to conveniently allow his son, Jones the third, to take his place.
And yet, the voters continue to tolerate this.
Have I mentioned how disgusted I am with this?
There's a saying about how voters get the government we deserve. By continuing to elect these cretins, Illinois voters have reaped exactly what they deserved.
This should disgust anyone with any semblance of a sense of justice. It should even further disgust the people who just voted Durbin in for another 6-year term just a few weeks ago.
Sheesh. The really pathetic thing about this is, if Durbin does run again in 6 years, this will be forgotten about. Or, if he decides to step down, I'm sure whoever his handpicked successor is will be elected.
It's just business as usual in Illinois. Unreal.
It's become beyond pathetic. In just the last few years, Todd Stroger inherited his dad's position as Cook County board president. Dan Lipinski inherited his father's 3rd district congressional seat. Emil Jones, the outgoing president of the Illinois state senate, timed his departure to conveniently allow his son, Jones the third, to take his place.
And yet, the voters continue to tolerate this.
Have I mentioned how disgusted I am with this?
There's a saying about how voters get the government we deserve. By continuing to elect these cretins, Illinois voters have reaped exactly what they deserved.
29 November 2008
Crossing party lines to help corrupt bastards
Dick Durbin loves him some forgiveness!
Here's some backstory on the whole situation. George Ryan worked decades for the state of Illinois, holding the post of secretary of state for a number of years and eventually getting elected governor in 1998.
Amidst swirling accusations surrounding a drivers license for bribes scandal, Ryan did not seek reelection. Eventually he was tried and convicted of 18 federal counts relating to corruption.
Ryan has only served one year of an already too-short 6.5 year sentence.
Ryan is a Republican.
Durbin is a Democrat.
That alliteration was unintentional, as is this assonance.
Durbin has publicly stated he's considering asking President Bush for clemency for Ryan. Why does Dick want George free? Is it because he wasn't really guilty? Is it because of George's good works? Nope. George is all sad he's in jail. He's depressed. And, being old, he doesn't have much life left, so he should be free, right? Right?
Right.
Conveniently, Durbin said this just a few short weeks after he was elected to yet another six-year term as senator.
It's heartwarming to see such love across the aisle in Illinois. It makes me truly believe in all Barack Obama's talk of change. See, even now, how a new era of cooperation has started, with politicians on one side testifying for those on the other. All in the name of feeding from the same public trough.
Can we get away with robbery? YES WE CAN!!! Can we fool the voters enough to continue taking more of their money at the risk of their very safety? YES WE CAN!!!
Here's some backstory on the whole situation. George Ryan worked decades for the state of Illinois, holding the post of secretary of state for a number of years and eventually getting elected governor in 1998.
Amidst swirling accusations surrounding a drivers license for bribes scandal, Ryan did not seek reelection. Eventually he was tried and convicted of 18 federal counts relating to corruption.
Ryan has only served one year of an already too-short 6.5 year sentence.
Ryan is a Republican.
Durbin is a Democrat.
That alliteration was unintentional, as is this assonance.
Durbin has publicly stated he's considering asking President Bush for clemency for Ryan. Why does Dick want George free? Is it because he wasn't really guilty? Is it because of George's good works? Nope. George is all sad he's in jail. He's depressed. And, being old, he doesn't have much life left, so he should be free, right? Right?
Right.
Conveniently, Durbin said this just a few short weeks after he was elected to yet another six-year term as senator.
It's heartwarming to see such love across the aisle in Illinois. It makes me truly believe in all Barack Obama's talk of change. See, even now, how a new era of cooperation has started, with politicians on one side testifying for those on the other. All in the name of feeding from the same public trough.
Can we get away with robbery? YES WE CAN!!! Can we fool the voters enough to continue taking more of their money at the risk of their very safety? YES WE CAN!!!
25 November 2008
Subtlety isn't my strong point....
My manager had a discussion with me today about a dustup last week.
There was a work meeting at 7 a.m. last Wednesday, which is when I'm normally pulling a 23 skidoo. Mostly night shift folks attended, but there were a few day shift people there. One of those people is perhaps the most useless sack of skin I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with in my entire life.
Backstory!
Those who know me even remotely know I have little tolerance for incompetence, stupidity and laziness at work. I empathize with taking a while to get the hang of a job. It takes time. But there has to be some effort made by people to get it.
I used to work with this person in my old job, network montioring at AT&T. She only got that job because she complained to the union that her seniority demanded she get hired. Nevermind she had no idea what the job involved or that she had zero desire to learn it. That's right. Her 20 years with the company meant she deserved the job.
After we got collectively canned last year, she decided, several months after I did, that taking Cisco classes was the route for her to go.
There's $3,000 vouchers available to unemployed folks to assist with job retraining to get back into the workforce. That's how I was able to take the classes.
To get this voucher, you had to take a basic test. And by basic, I mean staggeringly easy. I mean, middle school math at the hardest, and perhaps some simple reading comprehension. You have to pass this test to get the voucher.
She failed. Twice.
Yet she was still given the voucher.
And she used it to take Cisco classes.
Because, you know, how hard can configuring a router be when you can't even do basic math?
So, as it turns out, she also applied for the same job I have currently. I interviewed well after she did, but was offered the position very shortly after I interviewed. When she discovered I was about to be hired, she wasn't pleased. More accurately, she kept pestering one of my colleagues via text message and cell phone call wanting to know why I had been hired when she hadn't yet received a response.
She's nuts.
She's the sort of person where you become dumber just by being in a 10-foot radius of her.
So, you can imagine my reaction when this....thing....sat down next to me at last week's meeting. I stood up and tried to just stay by the door, but this thing decided to do a guilt trip. "Oh, he doesn't want to sit next to me."
"Not particularly," I answered.
Apparently, management is using this occasion to make a mountain out of a molehill. This is a big deal if I want to stand away from stupid, psychotic people instead of being a team player.
So, when my manager brought this to my attention, I basically said the company made a mistake in hiring this person. That she's judged by a much lower standard than folks who actually want to do their jobs. That that's management's problem for hiring her.
But I have to be more diplomatic. I shouldn't display such open contempt for somebody, no matter how worthy they are of that contempt.
I know, everyone has to do stuff at work that they don't want to do. That's why it's work.
But the title of this blog involves rants, so I'm ranting. So freaking there.
Anyhoo, my manager asked me how I'd handle myself with this in the future.
"I'll be more subtle in my insults," I answered, to her wonderful smiling face.
There was a work meeting at 7 a.m. last Wednesday, which is when I'm normally pulling a 23 skidoo. Mostly night shift folks attended, but there were a few day shift people there. One of those people is perhaps the most useless sack of skin I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with in my entire life.
Backstory!
Those who know me even remotely know I have little tolerance for incompetence, stupidity and laziness at work. I empathize with taking a while to get the hang of a job. It takes time. But there has to be some effort made by people to get it.
I used to work with this person in my old job, network montioring at AT&T. She only got that job because she complained to the union that her seniority demanded she get hired. Nevermind she had no idea what the job involved or that she had zero desire to learn it. That's right. Her 20 years with the company meant she deserved the job.
After we got collectively canned last year, she decided, several months after I did, that taking Cisco classes was the route for her to go.
There's $3,000 vouchers available to unemployed folks to assist with job retraining to get back into the workforce. That's how I was able to take the classes.
To get this voucher, you had to take a basic test. And by basic, I mean staggeringly easy. I mean, middle school math at the hardest, and perhaps some simple reading comprehension. You have to pass this test to get the voucher.
She failed. Twice.
Yet she was still given the voucher.
And she used it to take Cisco classes.
Because, you know, how hard can configuring a router be when you can't even do basic math?
So, as it turns out, she also applied for the same job I have currently. I interviewed well after she did, but was offered the position very shortly after I interviewed. When she discovered I was about to be hired, she wasn't pleased. More accurately, she kept pestering one of my colleagues via text message and cell phone call wanting to know why I had been hired when she hadn't yet received a response.
She's nuts.
She's the sort of person where you become dumber just by being in a 10-foot radius of her.
So, you can imagine my reaction when this....thing....sat down next to me at last week's meeting. I stood up and tried to just stay by the door, but this thing decided to do a guilt trip. "Oh, he doesn't want to sit next to me."
"Not particularly," I answered.
Apparently, management is using this occasion to make a mountain out of a molehill. This is a big deal if I want to stand away from stupid, psychotic people instead of being a team player.
So, when my manager brought this to my attention, I basically said the company made a mistake in hiring this person. That she's judged by a much lower standard than folks who actually want to do their jobs. That that's management's problem for hiring her.
But I have to be more diplomatic. I shouldn't display such open contempt for somebody, no matter how worthy they are of that contempt.
I know, everyone has to do stuff at work that they don't want to do. That's why it's work.
But the title of this blog involves rants, so I'm ranting. So freaking there.
Anyhoo, my manager asked me how I'd handle myself with this in the future.
"I'll be more subtle in my insults," I answered, to her wonderful smiling face.
24 November 2008
HMO gripes
Since rejoining the ranks of the employeed about 6 months ago, I've rediscovered the joy of health insurance. This also means rediscovering the wonders of insurance company incompetence.
Earlier this morning, I looked online to make sure vision insurance is part of my health coverage. I also looked online to see if there's any way I could find an eye doctor covered in network. No such luck.
This meant I had to make the dreaded call to customer service.
I've worked in customer service. In a way, some of the stuff I do now qualifies as customer service. I suppose there's some element of customer service in lots of jobs. It's not easy.
Yet still, I marvel at the level of roadblocks involved in dealing with health insurance.
My first call to Humana involved lots of hold time and dealing with some poor woman who sounded like she had a cold. Before even talking to someone, I had to navigate through a series of options just to get to a live person. After spending entirely too much time on the phone, I was given the name and phone number for an optometrist in Oak Park, a short jaunt from my home.
Upon calling the phone number, I found out it had been disconnected.
Great. Time for a second call to customer service.
Upon navigating through the phone maze a second time, I again got through to a live person, who provided me a list of four working phone numbers for eye doctors less than half a mile from my home.
Why couldn't I get this during the first call?
My theory? Health insurance companies deliberately frustrate patients. They figure by sending folks in an endless path of paperwork, they can reduce claims. Therefore, less claims equals more profit.
At any rate, I at least have an eye exam scheduled next week. Yay for dealing with health insurance stupidity.
Earlier this morning, I looked online to make sure vision insurance is part of my health coverage. I also looked online to see if there's any way I could find an eye doctor covered in network. No such luck.
This meant I had to make the dreaded call to customer service.
I've worked in customer service. In a way, some of the stuff I do now qualifies as customer service. I suppose there's some element of customer service in lots of jobs. It's not easy.
Yet still, I marvel at the level of roadblocks involved in dealing with health insurance.
My first call to Humana involved lots of hold time and dealing with some poor woman who sounded like she had a cold. Before even talking to someone, I had to navigate through a series of options just to get to a live person. After spending entirely too much time on the phone, I was given the name and phone number for an optometrist in Oak Park, a short jaunt from my home.
Upon calling the phone number, I found out it had been disconnected.
Great. Time for a second call to customer service.
Upon navigating through the phone maze a second time, I again got through to a live person, who provided me a list of four working phone numbers for eye doctors less than half a mile from my home.
Why couldn't I get this during the first call?
My theory? Health insurance companies deliberately frustrate patients. They figure by sending folks in an endless path of paperwork, they can reduce claims. Therefore, less claims equals more profit.
At any rate, I at least have an eye exam scheduled next week. Yay for dealing with health insurance stupidity.
23 November 2008
You Can Never Go Home Again
I'm back. And I'm pissed.
Subject I will be touching on in future posts will include:
The incompetance of AT&T
The subtle trade of family guilt
The mechanics of government employment
Moving
Stock Markets
Politics
But for now, I am back.
I didn't get to vote this year. I didn't get to vote, not that my vote would have mattered because I would have been voting in California, so it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Obama (my future boss) was going to get all of those electoral votes sewed up. The only reason I have to vote is to vote judges out of office and on ballot initiatives. The rest of the system is gerrymandered in California, regardless of what they tell you. But the narrow passage of Prop 11 may change that. It will be interesting to watch. From far, far away.
I moved back to my other set of roots, back to the DC area. It's not changed much beyond the usual urban sprawl. I found it funny when someone said "do you know that over a million people live in your county?" No, but why should that matter? Oh well, there is a different perspective on everything, I guess.
It's good to be back online, even if I will have to get back in the groove.
Subject I will be touching on in future posts will include:
The incompetance of AT&T
The subtle trade of family guilt
The mechanics of government employment
Moving
Stock Markets
Politics
But for now, I am back.
I didn't get to vote this year. I didn't get to vote, not that my vote would have mattered because I would have been voting in California, so it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Obama (my future boss) was going to get all of those electoral votes sewed up. The only reason I have to vote is to vote judges out of office and on ballot initiatives. The rest of the system is gerrymandered in California, regardless of what they tell you. But the narrow passage of Prop 11 may change that. It will be interesting to watch. From far, far away.
I moved back to my other set of roots, back to the DC area. It's not changed much beyond the usual urban sprawl. I found it funny when someone said "do you know that over a million people live in your county?" No, but why should that matter? Oh well, there is a different perspective on everything, I guess.
It's good to be back online, even if I will have to get back in the groove.
19 November 2008
Buildup: I'm PO'd
Hi everybody!
I don't have internet yet! I've been in my new place for a month, and still don't have internet!
I want major businesses to fail! Incompetance of this scale should not be rewarded with paychecks!
Soon. Maybe next Monday, maybe earlier...
Toodles
I don't have internet yet! I've been in my new place for a month, and still don't have internet!
I want major businesses to fail! Incompetance of this scale should not be rewarded with paychecks!
Soon. Maybe next Monday, maybe earlier...
Toodles
05 November 2008
Help me, Obi-Wan Wolf Blitzer. You're my only hope.
The force is weak in this one.
Click on the pretty preceding letters for hilarity.
This has to be one of the most ridiculous, shark-jumping, fridge-nuking moments I've ever seen. Seriously? Reporting via hologram? Holy crap.
The only thing missing from this amazing technological advance was a holographic Anderson Cooper kneeling before Larry King, asking, "What is thy bidding, my master?"
Really. What does this technological advance add to the newscast? Anything? Something? A desire to see younglings slain via lightsaber?
Mind you, I've watched rasslin'. I've seen some ridiculous angles. Hell, I watched Heroes up until recently, and that show stinks.
This....this just beats it all.
I'm convinced now the world is about to end.
Click on the pretty preceding letters for hilarity.
This has to be one of the most ridiculous, shark-jumping, fridge-nuking moments I've ever seen. Seriously? Reporting via hologram? Holy crap.
The only thing missing from this amazing technological advance was a holographic Anderson Cooper kneeling before Larry King, asking, "What is thy bidding, my master?"
Really. What does this technological advance add to the newscast? Anything? Something? A desire to see younglings slain via lightsaber?
Mind you, I've watched rasslin'. I've seen some ridiculous angles. Hell, I watched Heroes up until recently, and that show stinks.
This....this just beats it all.
I'm convinced now the world is about to end.
03 November 2008
How I voted and why
For president, I voted for Obama. The clincher for me was Colin Powell's endorsement. I've had strong reservations about both Obama and McCain, but I think Obama is enough of his own man to be the right guy for the job right now. Yeah, he has ties to the Chicago political establishment, but when he ran for senate 4 years ago, he wasn't the establishment's handpicked candidate.
Almost everyone else, I voted Republican. Thing is, I live in Cook County, so those votes won't do me any good.
On judge retentions, I voted no for every last one of them. I'm sure there's some decent judges in the bunch, and again, I'm sure my vote won't make much difference. Still, I think the lot of 'em are bastards. If I can help get new judges in there, that's just fine.
I also voted in favor of an Illinois constitutional convention. I think there's a lot of crap wrong now with Illinois politics, and redoing the constitution might just be the way to right some wrongs. Also voted in favor of amending the existing constitution to allow voters to recall state officials. Illinois is on the verge of sending its second consecutive governor to jail. Rod Blagojevich hasn't yet been indicted, but the dominos are falling. It's only a matter of time.
In any case, regardless of what you believe, get out and vote if you haven't already. Yay, America. And stuff.
Almost everyone else, I voted Republican. Thing is, I live in Cook County, so those votes won't do me any good.
On judge retentions, I voted no for every last one of them. I'm sure there's some decent judges in the bunch, and again, I'm sure my vote won't make much difference. Still, I think the lot of 'em are bastards. If I can help get new judges in there, that's just fine.
I also voted in favor of an Illinois constitutional convention. I think there's a lot of crap wrong now with Illinois politics, and redoing the constitution might just be the way to right some wrongs. Also voted in favor of amending the existing constitution to allow voters to recall state officials. Illinois is on the verge of sending its second consecutive governor to jail. Rod Blagojevich hasn't yet been indicted, but the dominos are falling. It's only a matter of time.
In any case, regardless of what you believe, get out and vote if you haven't already. Yay, America. And stuff.
12 October 2008
It depends on what your definition of "is" is.....
With less than a month to go until the presidential election, John McCain and supporters have heavily criticized Bill Ayers, a man with some previous minor connections to Barack Obama.
Early in his political career, Obama served on some educational committees with Ayers. Ayers ultimately did donate a small amount of money, $200, to Obama's reelection campaign while Obama still served in the Illinois legislature.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Obama holds all the beliefs that Ayers had back in the day.
Back in the day, Ayers had a fondness for blowing stuff up, like the Haymarket Riot memorial in Chicago. Ayers also helped plan a number of other bombings elsewhere.
Naturally, once federal charges were dropped, this opened up a shiny new career for Ayers, in education.
In his writings, Ayers parses his words with all the skill you'd expect from a self-serving, narcissistic child of privilege. One of his money quotes?
Right here:
We were very careful....to be sure we weren't going to hurt anybody, and we never did hurt anybody. Whenever we put a bomb in a public space, we had figured out all kinds of ways to put checks and balances on the thing and also to get people away from it, and we were remarkably successful......Terrorists terrorize, they kill innocent civilians, while we organized and agitated. Terrorists destroy randomly, while our actions bore, we hoped, the precise stamp of a cut diamond. Terrorists intimidate, while we aimed only to educate. No, we're not terrorists.--Fugitive Days, Bill Ayers.
Guess that explains how Ayers got his nice, shiny professorship at UIC. Bombs educate people. On second thought, maybe that happened because his daddy ran Commonwealth Edison and was friends with Richard J. Daley.
Bombs sure educated a close friend of Ayers and his girlfriend in 1970. Three of his terrorist friends, including his girlfriend, were killed when a nail bomb they were building exploded, tearing them to shreds. Literally. Cops were only able to identify his girlfriend after they found what remained of her thumb.
Another thing I really dig is about Ayers is how others are fooled into parsing words like he does. Check out a recent blog entry from Eric Zorn, who writes for the Chicago Tribune: http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/10/what-is-and-isn.html#comments
By definition, a terrorist is someone who uses violence in an attempt to coerce others into different beliefs. Zorn justifies Ayers' actions by saying Ayers didn't want to kill anyone.
Riiiiiiiight.
So, let's sum up. All you have to do to become a respected professor is bomb a lot of shit, not mean to kill anyone, and have a daddy who's close friends with the mayor. This also works in never having to do time for your crime.
Ugh.
I'm not gonna even start on my disgust for both presidential candidates.
Early in his political career, Obama served on some educational committees with Ayers. Ayers ultimately did donate a small amount of money, $200, to Obama's reelection campaign while Obama still served in the Illinois legislature.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Obama holds all the beliefs that Ayers had back in the day.
Back in the day, Ayers had a fondness for blowing stuff up, like the Haymarket Riot memorial in Chicago. Ayers also helped plan a number of other bombings elsewhere.
Naturally, once federal charges were dropped, this opened up a shiny new career for Ayers, in education.
In his writings, Ayers parses his words with all the skill you'd expect from a self-serving, narcissistic child of privilege. One of his money quotes?
Right here:
We were very careful....to be sure we weren't going to hurt anybody, and we never did hurt anybody. Whenever we put a bomb in a public space, we had figured out all kinds of ways to put checks and balances on the thing and also to get people away from it, and we were remarkably successful......Terrorists terrorize, they kill innocent civilians, while we organized and agitated. Terrorists destroy randomly, while our actions bore, we hoped, the precise stamp of a cut diamond. Terrorists intimidate, while we aimed only to educate. No, we're not terrorists.--Fugitive Days, Bill Ayers.
Guess that explains how Ayers got his nice, shiny professorship at UIC. Bombs educate people. On second thought, maybe that happened because his daddy ran Commonwealth Edison and was friends with Richard J. Daley.
Bombs sure educated a close friend of Ayers and his girlfriend in 1970. Three of his terrorist friends, including his girlfriend, were killed when a nail bomb they were building exploded, tearing them to shreds. Literally. Cops were only able to identify his girlfriend after they found what remained of her thumb.
Another thing I really dig is about Ayers is how others are fooled into parsing words like he does. Check out a recent blog entry from Eric Zorn, who writes for the Chicago Tribune: http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/10/what-is-and-isn.html#comments
By definition, a terrorist is someone who uses violence in an attempt to coerce others into different beliefs. Zorn justifies Ayers' actions by saying Ayers didn't want to kill anyone.
Riiiiiiiight.
So, let's sum up. All you have to do to become a respected professor is bomb a lot of shit, not mean to kill anyone, and have a daddy who's close friends with the mayor. This also works in never having to do time for your crime.
Ugh.
I'm not gonna even start on my disgust for both presidential candidates.
11 October 2008
The bunny chronicles: Mops, Gollum and a food dish
Ever since the rotten little beast has taken up residence in my apartment, we've had a certain ritual whenever I want to get her back in her cage. She normally hides out under my bed whenever she's out of her cage. My bedframe is on wheels, so I would move the bed back and forth. Eventually, the beast would emerge, hop about happily, and finally return to her cage.
Recently, I said to myself: "Self, this is too much effort. You have a mop. Just put it under the bed, and she'll go home."
Right.
So, I tried this. The beast thumped, and instead of hopping back into her cage, she went between her cage and my CD case. From there, I'd try to get her back in the cage, but she'd thump again, then run away, darting back under my bed.
The subsequent second through fifth attempts had the same degrees of success.
Frustrated, I moved the bed back and forth, and naturally the beast returned to her cage.
I was not satisfied with this. Moving the bed takes effort, more effort than I'm willing to spend to get the beast back home.
I needed another plan.
Fortunately, I have cardboard cutouts of Ivanova from Babylon 5 and Gollum from the Lord of the Rings films. In my revised effort, I placed the Gollum cutout right next to the beast's cage. I also placed the Ivanova cutout right next to the Gollum cutout, placing the Ivanova cutout on its side. This created roughly a 6-foot long barrier, blocking off the living room area of my apartment from my bed. This meant when the beast emerged, her only choices would be to either return to her cage or go to the front hallway. Once she was in the front hallway, there was no escape for her.
Once I had the barrier set up, I again took the mop and placed it under the bed, moving it along until finally, the beast emerged. She looked around for a bit, didn't see her usual escape routes, and returned to her cage.
Victory was mine!
Naturally, when the beast returned to her cage, she was angry at being thwarted. So, she chomped on her food dish and threw it around her cage even more than usual.
I had to do something about this. First off, she wastes food when she does this. Second, she makes a lot of noise when she does this. I don't like hearing so much noise.
So I said to myself: "Self, you have superglue. Why not glue the dish to the plastic shelf it sits in?"
Yesterday, I finally did that after cleaning the beast's cage. For those who are worried about the rabbit eating glue, I only used the glue on the surface that contacts the shelf, not on a portion that she normally grabs to throw the thing around.
After letting the glue set for a while, I put the shelf back in her cage. I filled it with pellets. Naturally, the beast tried to throw it right away, but the dish stayed in place.
Victory is mine!
Or so I thought.
Shortly before I went to bed last night, I looked at the beast, and she looked right back at me. Standing on her hind legs, she tugged at the dish twice, finally loosening it and removing it from the tray.
I was gonna need another plan.
So, I again glued the dish to the tray. I left it out of her cage overnight, thinking perhaps the glue needed some more time to do its work.
Upon waking up today, I returned the dish to her cage, and again filled it with pellets. Right away, she tried to throw it again, but was only able to move the tray upon which the dish was glued. The dish was staying put.
Victory is mine....?
Time will tell if my plan worked.
Rotten little beast.
::edit, 8:29 a.m. Central time::
I've returned home. First thing I noticed as I got in the door? The bunny's food dish....on the floor of the cage instead of in the shelf.
I need a new plan.
Recently, I said to myself: "Self, this is too much effort. You have a mop. Just put it under the bed, and she'll go home."
Right.
So, I tried this. The beast thumped, and instead of hopping back into her cage, she went between her cage and my CD case. From there, I'd try to get her back in the cage, but she'd thump again, then run away, darting back under my bed.
The subsequent second through fifth attempts had the same degrees of success.
Frustrated, I moved the bed back and forth, and naturally the beast returned to her cage.
I was not satisfied with this. Moving the bed takes effort, more effort than I'm willing to spend to get the beast back home.
I needed another plan.
Fortunately, I have cardboard cutouts of Ivanova from Babylon 5 and Gollum from the Lord of the Rings films. In my revised effort, I placed the Gollum cutout right next to the beast's cage. I also placed the Ivanova cutout right next to the Gollum cutout, placing the Ivanova cutout on its side. This created roughly a 6-foot long barrier, blocking off the living room area of my apartment from my bed. This meant when the beast emerged, her only choices would be to either return to her cage or go to the front hallway. Once she was in the front hallway, there was no escape for her.
Once I had the barrier set up, I again took the mop and placed it under the bed, moving it along until finally, the beast emerged. She looked around for a bit, didn't see her usual escape routes, and returned to her cage.
Victory was mine!
Naturally, when the beast returned to her cage, she was angry at being thwarted. So, she chomped on her food dish and threw it around her cage even more than usual.
I had to do something about this. First off, she wastes food when she does this. Second, she makes a lot of noise when she does this. I don't like hearing so much noise.
So I said to myself: "Self, you have superglue. Why not glue the dish to the plastic shelf it sits in?"
Yesterday, I finally did that after cleaning the beast's cage. For those who are worried about the rabbit eating glue, I only used the glue on the surface that contacts the shelf, not on a portion that she normally grabs to throw the thing around.
After letting the glue set for a while, I put the shelf back in her cage. I filled it with pellets. Naturally, the beast tried to throw it right away, but the dish stayed in place.
Victory is mine!
Or so I thought.
Shortly before I went to bed last night, I looked at the beast, and she looked right back at me. Standing on her hind legs, she tugged at the dish twice, finally loosening it and removing it from the tray.
I was gonna need another plan.
So, I again glued the dish to the tray. I left it out of her cage overnight, thinking perhaps the glue needed some more time to do its work.
Upon waking up today, I returned the dish to her cage, and again filled it with pellets. Right away, she tried to throw it again, but was only able to move the tray upon which the dish was glued. The dish was staying put.
Victory is mine....?
Time will tell if my plan worked.
Rotten little beast.
::edit, 8:29 a.m. Central time::
I've returned home. First thing I noticed as I got in the door? The bunny's food dish....on the floor of the cage instead of in the shelf.
I need a new plan.
05 October 2008
29 September 2008
Panic! At the Disco
Wow. What you're seeing is your government standing up for you even if it's the wrong thing to do, and then dropping the ball and leaving things in a mess. They've heard the voices of their people and they are responding. And boy oh boy are their people pissed. They are emotional and irrational, and willing to crush the entire system in order to set the system right. And after saying no, they're going on election recess.
People would much rather see their investments tank than bail out billionaires for their bad decision making. Initially people would have not paid any mind to the poor getting thrown out of their homes for taking a sketchy mortgage. Now it's trickled up to the middle class, and the middle class is getting hosed. Mostly people are looking at what they've done, said "I'm doing nothing wrong, why do I have to help people who are failing? Why do I have to take that risk? I didn't risk before, why am I being forced to risk now?"
There is a significant psychological component to this, this is true, and most people get it. But they aren't moving forward until, metaphorically speaking, heads are on pike staffs outside of the Capitol Dome. And if the system falls apart because Congress goes on recess, their heads should be right next to them.
More importantly, the references to Chicken Little or the Boy who cried "wolf" may not be 100% accurate but people are tired of eight years of "if we don't do this we're all dead." I'm fortunate. I don't have a mortgage, have significant cash in savings, and can eliminate my debt in a hurry. I also know that many others, well, are not.
A long shot is that the 371 billionaires in the U.S. could come up as heroes and bail out the government by each making a $20 million donation. But they got rich presumably by taking good risks. This isn't a good risk and everyone knows it.
When people are identified for prosecution, maybe then people will endorse the deal. There's a sense of cruel vindication. You lose, you don't get bailed out- you lose your shorts and go broke. That's the deal that the people want to see.
If the financial system can't take that, then the system is dysfunctional and there will be more pain coming.
24 September 2008
Who's To Blame for the Banks?
Always, always, ALWAYS beware of partisan politics. They rely on misinformation, half-truths, and blind partisanship to survive.
Yes, the people that caused this mess did so under Republican rule. But the ability for them to do the things that cause what they're calling a financial crisis was initiated and approved by a Democrat.
Pay particular attention to what caused the Acts to be written, and then in turn what caused them to be repealed and ask yourself... why?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass-Steagall_Act
Yes, the people that caused this mess did so under Republican rule. But the ability for them to do the things that cause what they're calling a financial crisis was initiated and approved by a Democrat.
Pay particular attention to what caused the Acts to be written, and then in turn what caused them to be repealed and ask yourself... why?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass-Steagall_Act
Cue: Drop, Other Shoe
When I handed in my two week notice last Monday, I felt a deepening sense of dread the entire weekend. Dread because I knew the people for whom I work were going to take the decision personally.
Nothing was initially said, but I did not accept that nothing would be said. Their displeasure would be released, I was certain of it. I had nothing more than a hunch and prior experience to base this on.
They realized something was amiss when, after I told them I was leaving, that my primary customer knew as well- because they were one of my references. That generated a look upon realization of "you sneaky bastard."
Yesterday, I was called into the office and "feelings were expressed."
After telling me that had I approached them first, they would have been happy to see me go and would have provided great letters, I nodded. When they finished, I countered with a simple "you didn't make me feel comfortable with that option and the decision I made at the time was solid." When I explained my reasoning, they retreated from their indignance and were conciliatory. "No hard feelings" was said enough times to attempt to mask the hard feelings.
Tick tock. Three more days to go.
Nothing was initially said, but I did not accept that nothing would be said. Their displeasure would be released, I was certain of it. I had nothing more than a hunch and prior experience to base this on.
They realized something was amiss when, after I told them I was leaving, that my primary customer knew as well- because they were one of my references. That generated a look upon realization of "you sneaky bastard."
Yesterday, I was called into the office and "feelings were expressed."
After telling me that had I approached them first, they would have been happy to see me go and would have provided great letters, I nodded. When they finished, I countered with a simple "you didn't make me feel comfortable with that option and the decision I made at the time was solid." When I explained my reasoning, they retreated from their indignance and were conciliatory. "No hard feelings" was said enough times to attempt to mask the hard feelings.
Tick tock. Three more days to go.
22 September 2008
Hope vs. Abandon Hope
We were in a store, when I happened to notice what looked like an unpackaged Obama-bobblehead on the floor. It wasn't actually a bobblehead, but a statue with a disproportionately large head. Nothing wrong with that, except the surroundings were strange.
1) It was facing the corner
2) On its left was a giant red plastic devil mask
3) On its right a pile of plastic signs "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here"
Every now and then, the doll would bust out with "Can we do it? Yes we can!" if you got close enough.
This felt... wrong to me. I mean, isn't it a fairly strong metaphor to put Obama in the corner, not facing anyone, even if only an effigy?
I point out to the clerk, and ask "don't you feel weird putting Obama in (and motioned to) the corner, especially with all this evil stuff?"
"No, it annoys the customers. It has no off switch. It doesn't shut up. ... Actually, it kind of reminds me of a 98 lb. version of O.J. Simpson."
I laugh my way out of the store. The sound of Obama's voice annoys the customer, juxtaposing his message of hope with Dante's Inferno. The sound won't ever stop, and after awhile the whole Obama message could be associated with a suspected murderer. But the real punchline?
This was an independant book store in the People's Republic of Berkeley, California. So blue they are indigo, possibly ultraviolet. Or more like red, and not Republican red. Green, and not money green. Too bad pink's not in the rainbow, because they've got that too. The only reason Obama would not get all of the votes in this town is because he's too central, too fascist, not true enough to the people's cause. Not liberal enough, not progressive enough.
I'm glad I saw this before I leave.
1) It was facing the corner
2) On its left was a giant red plastic devil mask
3) On its right a pile of plastic signs "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here"
Every now and then, the doll would bust out with "Can we do it? Yes we can!" if you got close enough.
This felt... wrong to me. I mean, isn't it a fairly strong metaphor to put Obama in the corner, not facing anyone, even if only an effigy?
I point out to the clerk, and ask "don't you feel weird putting Obama in (and motioned to) the corner, especially with all this evil stuff?"
"No, it annoys the customers. It has no off switch. It doesn't shut up. ... Actually, it kind of reminds me of a 98 lb. version of O.J. Simpson."
I laugh my way out of the store. The sound of Obama's voice annoys the customer, juxtaposing his message of hope with Dante's Inferno. The sound won't ever stop, and after awhile the whole Obama message could be associated with a suspected murderer. But the real punchline?
This was an independant book store in the People's Republic of Berkeley, California. So blue they are indigo, possibly ultraviolet. Or more like red, and not Republican red. Green, and not money green. Too bad pink's not in the rainbow, because they've got that too. The only reason Obama would not get all of the votes in this town is because he's too central, too fascist, not true enough to the people's cause. Not liberal enough, not progressive enough.
I'm glad I saw this before I leave.
18 September 2008
Corporate doublespeak, meetings and fatigue
I hate business meetings.
I really, really hate business meetings.
Invariably, these meetings turn out to be a big circle jerk, fingers get vaguely pointed to blame someone for some wrong doing, promises get made to improve the situation, and nothing comes of it. Business meetings are every bit the futile, soul-sucking exercise they're intended to be.
I hate business meetings.
In my not-quite-so-new job, I monitor alarms on government and military two-way radio equipment. The unfortunate part is the hours: I work overnight four nights a week.
So, whenever I have to attend a meeting, I have to attend it at 7 a.m., right as I'm supposed to leave.
I really, really hate business meetings.
Yesterday morning was a great example of the soul-sucking corporate meeting. Everybody from the overnight shift was present, as were a few folks from the day shift. Essentially, the meeting was called because some folks, myself included, screwed up in opening up a few trouble tickets and/or following up on tickets.
Luckily, I still have the FNG (Frakkin' New Guy) label, so I haven't come remotely close to getting canned....yet.
The meeting started with everyone seated around a rather generic-looking conference table in a rather generic-looking conference room, with two supervisors present and another on a conference call with the rest of us. The department head was also on the call.
Right away, the department head said "this was by no means any sort of disciplinary action." Right. That explains everything.
The meeting continued with examples of trouble tickets that various folks had screwed up, either by not following specific customer requests or by inputting a site ID incorrectly. Certain customers have different IDs, for the same site, based on how they want a particular alarm to be addressed. Once that was explained to everybody, this particular problem all but vanished.
Problem is, one of the customers who recently complained had been affected by recent hurricanes. Naturally, this meant more trouble tickets were opened, therefore, more errors happened than usual.
In the meantime, fresh off a 10-hour shift, the overnight folks were starting to nod off.
I really, really hate meetings.
I understand their purpose, really. Everyone's accountable to somebody else, so management has to demonstrate they're doing something to correct a problem, lest someone higher up the ladder decide cuts are needed.
I just don't like sticking around for something when I'm about to fall asleep.
Of course, the meeting disintegrated into a discussion of other problems, real or perceived. My personal favorite problem was about how burdened the overnight shift is because we have to handle monitoring alarms, opening cases and dispatching those cases to the appropriate technician. First and second shift only have to monitor alarms and open cases.
Normally, the overnight shift is pretty slow. There's exceptions when there's bad weather or when there's a major telco outage, but usually, it's pretty slow. In the last week, I read the last two books in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series and started reading a new book....while still doing my job.
Have I mentioned that I hate meetings?
I hate it even more when people ask questions in meetings. Questions only serve to drag the meeting out, keeping me from sleep. I like sleep. I don't like meetings.
Thankfully, the department head had another conference call to make, so the meeting adjourned at 8 a.m.
The catch? We have to meet again in a few weeks to see if there's been any improvement.
I hate business meetings.
I really, really hate business meetings.
Invariably, these meetings turn out to be a big circle jerk, fingers get vaguely pointed to blame someone for some wrong doing, promises get made to improve the situation, and nothing comes of it. Business meetings are every bit the futile, soul-sucking exercise they're intended to be.
I hate business meetings.
In my not-quite-so-new job, I monitor alarms on government and military two-way radio equipment. The unfortunate part is the hours: I work overnight four nights a week.
So, whenever I have to attend a meeting, I have to attend it at 7 a.m., right as I'm supposed to leave.
I really, really hate business meetings.
Yesterday morning was a great example of the soul-sucking corporate meeting. Everybody from the overnight shift was present, as were a few folks from the day shift. Essentially, the meeting was called because some folks, myself included, screwed up in opening up a few trouble tickets and/or following up on tickets.
Luckily, I still have the FNG (Frakkin' New Guy) label, so I haven't come remotely close to getting canned....yet.
The meeting started with everyone seated around a rather generic-looking conference table in a rather generic-looking conference room, with two supervisors present and another on a conference call with the rest of us. The department head was also on the call.
Right away, the department head said "this was by no means any sort of disciplinary action." Right. That explains everything.
The meeting continued with examples of trouble tickets that various folks had screwed up, either by not following specific customer requests or by inputting a site ID incorrectly. Certain customers have different IDs, for the same site, based on how they want a particular alarm to be addressed. Once that was explained to everybody, this particular problem all but vanished.
Problem is, one of the customers who recently complained had been affected by recent hurricanes. Naturally, this meant more trouble tickets were opened, therefore, more errors happened than usual.
In the meantime, fresh off a 10-hour shift, the overnight folks were starting to nod off.
I really, really hate meetings.
I understand their purpose, really. Everyone's accountable to somebody else, so management has to demonstrate they're doing something to correct a problem, lest someone higher up the ladder decide cuts are needed.
I just don't like sticking around for something when I'm about to fall asleep.
Of course, the meeting disintegrated into a discussion of other problems, real or perceived. My personal favorite problem was about how burdened the overnight shift is because we have to handle monitoring alarms, opening cases and dispatching those cases to the appropriate technician. First and second shift only have to monitor alarms and open cases.
Normally, the overnight shift is pretty slow. There's exceptions when there's bad weather or when there's a major telco outage, but usually, it's pretty slow. In the last week, I read the last two books in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series and started reading a new book....while still doing my job.
Have I mentioned that I hate meetings?
I hate it even more when people ask questions in meetings. Questions only serve to drag the meeting out, keeping me from sleep. I like sleep. I don't like meetings.
Thankfully, the department head had another conference call to make, so the meeting adjourned at 8 a.m.
The catch? We have to meet again in a few weeks to see if there's been any improvement.
I hate business meetings.
16 September 2008
Tragedy in City Council, continued
So they've found the accomplices. One was a German national, 9 months pregnant looking to score some drugs, and she was the getaway driver. The other was trying to identify a dealer to have him hit by the shooter. The shooter's name, Henry Don Williams, is out as is his checkered past. They've got the shell casings and the accomplices. Just a matter of time now.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/16/BA2612UCIB.DTL&hw=garcia&sn=001&sc=1000
It's both sad for the death and inspiring to see how the community has rallied around the death of this man.
What was revolting was that there was actually a small segment of the populace that said he deserved it for being in that place at that time. You know, visiting with a girlfriend in a driveway of a suburban residential area. Some even placed the blame on the girl. Never mind that she volunteered everything she could, including things not requested, in order that the police find the lowlifes that did this.
I have nothing other than contained rage, sadness, and empathy for the man's family and friends. I will do what I can so that he lives beyond his time on Earth.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/16/BA2612UCIB.DTL&hw=garcia&sn=001&sc=1000
It's both sad for the death and inspiring to see how the community has rallied around the death of this man.
What was revolting was that there was actually a small segment of the populace that said he deserved it for being in that place at that time. You know, visiting with a girlfriend in a driveway of a suburban residential area. Some even placed the blame on the girl. Never mind that she volunteered everything she could, including things not requested, in order that the police find the lowlifes that did this.
I have nothing other than contained rage, sadness, and empathy for the man's family and friends. I will do what I can so that he lives beyond his time on Earth.
15 September 2008
It's Official
I resigned my job today. My last day is September 26.
I accepted a job in Rockville, MD starting October 27.
Updates will follow as they become available.
I accepted a job in Rockville, MD starting October 27.
Updates will follow as they become available.
02 September 2008
Tragedy in City Council
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/02/BAEK12MJSP.DTL&tsp=1
This is a local, legal matter here. This one touched me deeply.
Here we had Matt Garcia, 22, councilman for the city of Fairfield. Fairfield is a bigger city, 100,000 people, with Travis Air Force Base. It has cheaper housing and became a commuter city to San Francisco. Just over the hills from Napa. The area is arid, dry, and pleasant. Just outside of the real desert.
How did a 22-year old become a councilman for a city of 100,000? He saw what was going on in the town, didn't like it, organized a campaign to beat a status-quo representative, and with hard work and elbow grease he won. As far as politics go, it's a standard yet inspiring story.
What was going on in town that he didn't like? Gangs and a lack of development. The city was not developing in a positive manner. He saw the gangs taking areas. He didn't see his government standing up to the gangs. He wanted to change it.
The problem wasn't that he wanted that change, but that the gangs didn't. There are many un-PC, taboo things to say here, but one of these is well known- the gangs here aren't always run by citizens of our country. Identifying the gangs and their members is immediately libeled (yes, libeled) as being racist. Even in the glaring face of common sense, it is racist to consider illegal aliens (not a perjorative, a LEGAL TERM) that break the law AS CRIMINALS.
These gangs are more violent, they have cause an upswelling in crime, and our current system tries instead to understand these people as opposed to treating them for who they are- invading guerillas, foreign nationals taking unsanctioned criminal action in a foreign land.
And for Matt's desire of change, he was slain. Shot in the back of the head. The media won't say who shot him, they may not even know. But for someone who desires the reduction and removal of gangs in their town, does it really take a genius to offer a guess?
I am sad for the loss of this young man. Even if I disagreed with his politics, which admittedly I don't know, I nonetheless mourn a man who tried to do the right thing in an inspiring way. I can only hope another like him takes his place.
UPDATE (9/4): The FBI and California state investigative services have thrown their weight into the search and manhunt, and witnesses have reported the identity of the assassin, a latino or light skinned black male, late teens early 20s, 5' 9" or about. The news repeats like a drum that the police are not ruling out assassination as motive, but in typical California style they won't use offensive language (a targeted assault, honest to God, is what I heard).
This is a local, legal matter here. This one touched me deeply.
Here we had Matt Garcia, 22, councilman for the city of Fairfield. Fairfield is a bigger city, 100,000 people, with Travis Air Force Base. It has cheaper housing and became a commuter city to San Francisco. Just over the hills from Napa. The area is arid, dry, and pleasant. Just outside of the real desert.
How did a 22-year old become a councilman for a city of 100,000? He saw what was going on in the town, didn't like it, organized a campaign to beat a status-quo representative, and with hard work and elbow grease he won. As far as politics go, it's a standard yet inspiring story.
What was going on in town that he didn't like? Gangs and a lack of development. The city was not developing in a positive manner. He saw the gangs taking areas. He didn't see his government standing up to the gangs. He wanted to change it.
The problem wasn't that he wanted that change, but that the gangs didn't. There are many un-PC, taboo things to say here, but one of these is well known- the gangs here aren't always run by citizens of our country. Identifying the gangs and their members is immediately libeled (yes, libeled) as being racist. Even in the glaring face of common sense, it is racist to consider illegal aliens (not a perjorative, a LEGAL TERM) that break the law AS CRIMINALS.
These gangs are more violent, they have cause an upswelling in crime, and our current system tries instead to understand these people as opposed to treating them for who they are- invading guerillas, foreign nationals taking unsanctioned criminal action in a foreign land.
And for Matt's desire of change, he was slain. Shot in the back of the head. The media won't say who shot him, they may not even know. But for someone who desires the reduction and removal of gangs in their town, does it really take a genius to offer a guess?
I am sad for the loss of this young man. Even if I disagreed with his politics, which admittedly I don't know, I nonetheless mourn a man who tried to do the right thing in an inspiring way. I can only hope another like him takes his place.
UPDATE (9/4): The FBI and California state investigative services have thrown their weight into the search and manhunt, and witnesses have reported the identity of the assassin, a latino or light skinned black male, late teens early 20s, 5' 9" or about. The news repeats like a drum that the police are not ruling out assassination as motive, but in typical California style they won't use offensive language (a targeted assault, honest to God, is what I heard).
29 August 2008
Holy Name protesters discover their uninteresting fate
http://www.nbc5.com/news/17338235/detail.html
All six of the protesters were fined $2,600 and sentenced to one year probation plus 30 days community service.
Part of me wishes that these jokers got some actual jail time for their offense, but there's another part of me that's smugly glad.
These self-righteous know-all protesters actually seek some sort of martyrdom for their cause, whether they actually want to stop injustice or just wreak havoc as these jerks did. Jail time would have been a sort of martyrdom for them. Then, their few friends could say, "Oh, look how the big bad government and the big bad church have made our brothers suffer. We can't stand for this!"
Instead, five of the six protesters had to beg for extra time to pay off their fines. Hope you saved up all that money from your summer jobs and your pathetic theater gigs, kids. Wait! You didn't, and had to beg the system you despise so very much for more time.
You know what else is great? That you came off like weak-willed weasels when all your pathetic backers kept demanding mercy from the church and the government. So, let me get this straight. These hacks were willing to go wreak havoc but were not willing to pay a price?
Some martyrs they are. Maybe they should have gone the Thích Quảng Đức route. That'll show 'em.
Good luck with your community service, kids. Hope no one throws anything at ya while you're picking trash off the Eisenhower.
All six of the protesters were fined $2,600 and sentenced to one year probation plus 30 days community service.
Part of me wishes that these jokers got some actual jail time for their offense, but there's another part of me that's smugly glad.
These self-righteous know-all protesters actually seek some sort of martyrdom for their cause, whether they actually want to stop injustice or just wreak havoc as these jerks did. Jail time would have been a sort of martyrdom for them. Then, their few friends could say, "Oh, look how the big bad government and the big bad church have made our brothers suffer. We can't stand for this!"
Instead, five of the six protesters had to beg for extra time to pay off their fines. Hope you saved up all that money from your summer jobs and your pathetic theater gigs, kids. Wait! You didn't, and had to beg the system you despise so very much for more time.
You know what else is great? That you came off like weak-willed weasels when all your pathetic backers kept demanding mercy from the church and the government. So, let me get this straight. These hacks were willing to go wreak havoc but were not willing to pay a price?
Some martyrs they are. Maybe they should have gone the Thích Quảng Đức route. That'll show 'em.
Good luck with your community service, kids. Hope no one throws anything at ya while you're picking trash off the Eisenhower.
27 August 2008
Lunch at the Firing Range
Sometimes you can be reminded that you are in a unique job, and even if you no longer want to work there you still can point to the cool things about the place of employment.
My employer decided to have a 'sales event' wherein he invited several, er, like minded individuals and we all went out for lunch, then convened... on a firing range. Yes.
The last time I fired a weapon I was in college, and that was one day. The last time I fired a weapon with any regularity was 24 years ago, same weapon- .22 rifle.
There were eight of us. Half of the individuals involved brought their weapons, and we dropped an hour target shooting. I was able to fire three different types of pistols- a .357 revolver, a .45 semi-automatic, and a smaller-caliber semi-automatic that was arguably the best weapon to fire.
I can hear the peanut gallery now. No. No one is dead as a result of me stepping to the firing line.
There was significant muzzle flash from the .357, but I preferred to shoot it. The semi-automatics were less accurate, or at least I found them to be. And the ejected shells from the semi-autos rained like heavy brass confetti. One of the party was a former pistol instructor, so I got a freebie instruction from a pro on how to fire. Not surprisingly, I did fairly well the first time out as a result.
Afterwards, I contemplated doing that as a hobby. It has a high introductory cost: the weapon itself is at least hundreds, the license, and the schooling (because I won't own a weapon without being fully aware of how to maintain it). But once past that, you're really only paying for ammunition and cleaning supplies.
One thing's for sure- shooting firearms is not for the jittery. It didn't give me the "sense of power" that it gives alot of people, but then I wasn't shooting to destroy. I was shooting for accuracy. And it was muy fun.
My employer decided to have a 'sales event' wherein he invited several, er, like minded individuals and we all went out for lunch, then convened... on a firing range. Yes.
The last time I fired a weapon I was in college, and that was one day. The last time I fired a weapon with any regularity was 24 years ago, same weapon- .22 rifle.
There were eight of us. Half of the individuals involved brought their weapons, and we dropped an hour target shooting. I was able to fire three different types of pistols- a .357 revolver, a .45 semi-automatic, and a smaller-caliber semi-automatic that was arguably the best weapon to fire.
I can hear the peanut gallery now. No. No one is dead as a result of me stepping to the firing line.
There was significant muzzle flash from the .357, but I preferred to shoot it. The semi-automatics were less accurate, or at least I found them to be. And the ejected shells from the semi-autos rained like heavy brass confetti. One of the party was a former pistol instructor, so I got a freebie instruction from a pro on how to fire. Not surprisingly, I did fairly well the first time out as a result.
Afterwards, I contemplated doing that as a hobby. It has a high introductory cost: the weapon itself is at least hundreds, the license, and the schooling (because I won't own a weapon without being fully aware of how to maintain it). But once past that, you're really only paying for ammunition and cleaning supplies.
One thing's for sure- shooting firearms is not for the jittery. It didn't give me the "sense of power" that it gives alot of people, but then I wasn't shooting to destroy. I was shooting for accuracy. And it was muy fun.
26 August 2008
Chicago's long nightmare is over
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-080826mariotti-resigns,0,1339701.story
Jay Mariotti, long-time coward and general blemish to humanity, resigned from the Chicago Sun Times this evening.
I've disliked this douchebag for a long time. His hypocrisy, cowardice and blatant plagiarism have long plagued Chicago sports journalism.
Essentially, this guy's shtick was to be a complete contrarian, even if it meant angering a lot of folks. That in itself isn't so bad. But his complete refusal to even confront the folks he wrote about in person took away from his severely limited credibility.
You can't have much "courage of conviction" if you don't have the courage to face the people you criticize.
To me, the difference between journalists and folks like us lowly bloggers is the amount of access you have. Any no-talent hack can copy and paste AP quotes and steal stuff from a beat writer. Hell, Deadspin does that all the time, and I like Deadspin.
Mariotti, allegedly, is a journalist. To have the amount of access he did and not actually interview folks either by phone or face to face is a disservice to journalism.
Hell, even on the rare occasions he did interview someone, he made himself the focus of the story. Oh, look at Jay and what a courageous individual he is.
Mariotti had more feuds with colleagues and local athletes than a gangster rapper typically has over an entire career. He got run out of Denver for calling John Elway a "greedy, scared punk." Of course, there's his beefs with Ozzie Guillen, Ken Harrelson and Jerry Reinsdorf. More recently, he accused his former Sun Times colleagues of being soft.
Funny, considering they actually spoke to the people they wrote about from time to time.
To my fellow Chicago sports fans, I raise a toast with you tonight. Good bye and good riddance to the city's long nightmare. May what passed for Mariotti's career rest in pieces.
Jay Mariotti, long-time coward and general blemish to humanity, resigned from the Chicago Sun Times this evening.
I've disliked this douchebag for a long time. His hypocrisy, cowardice and blatant plagiarism have long plagued Chicago sports journalism.
Essentially, this guy's shtick was to be a complete contrarian, even if it meant angering a lot of folks. That in itself isn't so bad. But his complete refusal to even confront the folks he wrote about in person took away from his severely limited credibility.
You can't have much "courage of conviction" if you don't have the courage to face the people you criticize.
To me, the difference between journalists and folks like us lowly bloggers is the amount of access you have. Any no-talent hack can copy and paste AP quotes and steal stuff from a beat writer. Hell, Deadspin does that all the time, and I like Deadspin.
Mariotti, allegedly, is a journalist. To have the amount of access he did and not actually interview folks either by phone or face to face is a disservice to journalism.
Hell, even on the rare occasions he did interview someone, he made himself the focus of the story. Oh, look at Jay and what a courageous individual he is.
Mariotti had more feuds with colleagues and local athletes than a gangster rapper typically has over an entire career. He got run out of Denver for calling John Elway a "greedy, scared punk." Of course, there's his beefs with Ozzie Guillen, Ken Harrelson and Jerry Reinsdorf. More recently, he accused his former Sun Times colleagues of being soft.
Funny, considering they actually spoke to the people they wrote about from time to time.
To my fellow Chicago sports fans, I raise a toast with you tonight. Good bye and good riddance to the city's long nightmare. May what passed for Mariotti's career rest in pieces.
The Bunny Chronicles: Takin' it back
It's been over a week since I returned from my too-short vacation, and still, the rotten little beast has found new ways to either amuse me or tick me off.
I returned home on the 17th in the early evening. While on vacation, my sister texted me, regaling me with tales of the beast's cuteness. My mom went with my sister to my apartment to take care of the beast when I wasn't there. One of the rabbit's new tricks is to rest on my slippers when I'm not wearing them. Of course, my mom and sister saw this and immediately thought this was the cutest thing they'd ever seen. "Oh, she misses you!" my sister said.
If she only knew.
So, yeah. I got in the door, luggage in hand. First thing the beast does? She grabs her food dish with her teeth and throws it on the floor of the cage, dumping all her food there.
Great.
So, in my limited wisdom, I thought, "Hey, she can't spill the food dish if she doesn't have a food dish." So, I removed the food dish from her cage, opting instead to leave her pellet food on a plastic cage shelf thing. This still allowed her to eat the pellets, but she had no dish to throw around anymore.
I thought I'd solved the rabbit food waste problem.
Once again, I was wrong.
A few days ago, I'd noticed there was a large amount of pellet food on the floor just outside her cage. "How did that get there?" I wondered.
That question was answered yesterday. After work, I looked in her cage and saw she'd hopped onto the shelf. While hopping up there, she'd managed to knock a lot of food out of the cage, onto the floor.
Can't win for losin'.
Also last week, I let the rabbit out of her cage for a short time one morning. She made a beeline for the same section of stereo wire she'd previously destroyed, gnawing through it lickety-split. She hopped away as soon as she noticed that I saw her.
At least now I know how to fix stereo wire somewhat quickly.
Rotten little beast.
I returned home on the 17th in the early evening. While on vacation, my sister texted me, regaling me with tales of the beast's cuteness. My mom went with my sister to my apartment to take care of the beast when I wasn't there. One of the rabbit's new tricks is to rest on my slippers when I'm not wearing them. Of course, my mom and sister saw this and immediately thought this was the cutest thing they'd ever seen. "Oh, she misses you!" my sister said.
If she only knew.
So, yeah. I got in the door, luggage in hand. First thing the beast does? She grabs her food dish with her teeth and throws it on the floor of the cage, dumping all her food there.
Great.
So, in my limited wisdom, I thought, "Hey, she can't spill the food dish if she doesn't have a food dish." So, I removed the food dish from her cage, opting instead to leave her pellet food on a plastic cage shelf thing. This still allowed her to eat the pellets, but she had no dish to throw around anymore.
I thought I'd solved the rabbit food waste problem.
Once again, I was wrong.
A few days ago, I'd noticed there was a large amount of pellet food on the floor just outside her cage. "How did that get there?" I wondered.
That question was answered yesterday. After work, I looked in her cage and saw she'd hopped onto the shelf. While hopping up there, she'd managed to knock a lot of food out of the cage, onto the floor.
Can't win for losin'.
Also last week, I let the rabbit out of her cage for a short time one morning. She made a beeline for the same section of stereo wire she'd previously destroyed, gnawing through it lickety-split. She hopped away as soon as she noticed that I saw her.
At least now I know how to fix stereo wire somewhat quickly.
Rotten little beast.
22 August 2008
Gamers Taking it on the Chin for Humor
Please read below for Bill's review of the IL justice system's gradual release of the sub-human things that protested to disrupt an Easter mass.
Being a fan of D&D, Fantasy Football, and neutral on Obama, I've been pointed to, well, some snarky opinions from those without.
http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=08&year=2008&base_name=_protesting_too_much
http://graphjam.com/2008/08/20/song-chart-memes-before-they-were-fantasy-football-commissioners/
Being a fan of D&D, Fantasy Football, and neutral on Obama, I've been pointed to, well, some snarky opinions from those without.
http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=08&year=2008&base_name=_protesting_too_much
http://graphjam.com/2008/08/20/song-chart-memes-before-they-were-fantasy-football-commissioners/
21 August 2008
Newton's third law as it relates to anarchist nutjobs
http://www.wbbm780.com/Holy-Name-Protesters-Given-Extra-Time-to-Pay-Fines/2822353
About five months ago, these so-called Catholic Schoolgirls took it upon themselves to protest the Iraq war at Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Thankfully, these weasels were not able to worm their way completely out of legal problems. Seems they've plead guilty to misdemeanor charges and agreed to pay a fine. They're supposed to be sentenced a week from now.
Shockingly, they haven't been able to raise the money necessary to pay the fines. I suppose when you attack an institution that was already publicly against the Iraq war, that could cost you some friends.
I'm not a good Catholic. At all. Don't pray much.
So, tonight I pray: Dear God, please do not let these little leftwing bitches get out of the trouble they've brought upon themselves. Please let them truly know the meaning of your son's words, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." And render unto them a nice, big inmate at 26th and California who needs a Catholic schoolgirl for release.
All in thy name.
Amen.
About five months ago, these so-called Catholic Schoolgirls took it upon themselves to protest the Iraq war at Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Thankfully, these weasels were not able to worm their way completely out of legal problems. Seems they've plead guilty to misdemeanor charges and agreed to pay a fine. They're supposed to be sentenced a week from now.
Shockingly, they haven't been able to raise the money necessary to pay the fines. I suppose when you attack an institution that was already publicly against the Iraq war, that could cost you some friends.
I'm not a good Catholic. At all. Don't pray much.
So, tonight I pray: Dear God, please do not let these little leftwing bitches get out of the trouble they've brought upon themselves. Please let them truly know the meaning of your son's words, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." And render unto them a nice, big inmate at 26th and California who needs a Catholic schoolgirl for release.
All in thy name.
Amen.
13 August 2008
The Bunny Chronicles: A Guest Column
Bill is away at GenCon, and since I have little of interest to write about, I decided I'd guest write an episode of the bunny chronicles without his permission. I'm uniquely qualified to do this for two reasons: 1) I like rabbits, 2) I hate Bill. So with no ado about this, here we go.
-------------------------------------
A couple of days ago, I left the bunny and selfishly went to a stupid gaming convention. It wasn't the responsible or even the smart decision, but I am generally a masochist and so, oddly, I looked forward to the abuse and suffering I would endure upon my return.
The beast waited patiently for me, and behaved for everyone that took care of it. I couldn't be more relieved. I figure that if the bunny truly had a deep wellspring of hate, I would be noble and prevent others from seeing it. But the beast is cunning.
I spent more money than I had saved at the convention. Since I no longer have a credit rating and my car was repossessed, I was forced to turn tricks to earn cash for my swag. That I didn't shower was not a problem because at gaming conventions most of my clients don't shower, either. But I'm not hooked on anything, its not like that. I just needed 5 bucks for that Yu-Gi-Oh card with the mostly naked babe in battle with the tentacle monster. The point is I had alot of swag, and I intended most of it to be destroyed by the beast.
The beast was all too happy to oblige. When I had opened the door on my return the bunny had shaken open her cage and ran straight to me. Thinking it missed me, I bent down to catch it, or at least stop it. Instead, it went straight for my swag. I was beside myself. After all, even though I knew it's exactly what would happen I didn't expect the rabbit to ignore me. But then most people ignore me so I shouldn't really be surprised.
I bent down to grab the beast, hoping to save some of the swag for later destruction. The bunny saw the opening went I leaned to get her and ran right through my legs, out into the hall and stopped. When I mumbled about how clever the bunny was, she bolted again for the stairwell. I could have sworn it flipped me the bird. I tried to find it, but it was gone. I was so distraught that I finished the bottle of Mad Dog I had in my fridge, and went to sleep crying.
When I woke up the next morning, the bunny was in the cage again, hanging off the wire and screaming bunny obscenities and thrusting bunny poop onto my carpet.
I love my rotten little beast.
-------------------------------------
A couple of days ago, I left the bunny and selfishly went to a stupid gaming convention. It wasn't the responsible or even the smart decision, but I am generally a masochist and so, oddly, I looked forward to the abuse and suffering I would endure upon my return.
The beast waited patiently for me, and behaved for everyone that took care of it. I couldn't be more relieved. I figure that if the bunny truly had a deep wellspring of hate, I would be noble and prevent others from seeing it. But the beast is cunning.
I spent more money than I had saved at the convention. Since I no longer have a credit rating and my car was repossessed, I was forced to turn tricks to earn cash for my swag. That I didn't shower was not a problem because at gaming conventions most of my clients don't shower, either. But I'm not hooked on anything, its not like that. I just needed 5 bucks for that Yu-Gi-Oh card with the mostly naked babe in battle with the tentacle monster. The point is I had alot of swag, and I intended most of it to be destroyed by the beast.
The beast was all too happy to oblige. When I had opened the door on my return the bunny had shaken open her cage and ran straight to me. Thinking it missed me, I bent down to catch it, or at least stop it. Instead, it went straight for my swag. I was beside myself. After all, even though I knew it's exactly what would happen I didn't expect the rabbit to ignore me. But then most people ignore me so I shouldn't really be surprised.
I bent down to grab the beast, hoping to save some of the swag for later destruction. The bunny saw the opening went I leaned to get her and ran right through my legs, out into the hall and stopped. When I mumbled about how clever the bunny was, she bolted again for the stairwell. I could have sworn it flipped me the bird. I tried to find it, but it was gone. I was so distraught that I finished the bottle of Mad Dog I had in my fridge, and went to sleep crying.
When I woke up the next morning, the bunny was in the cage again, hanging off the wire and screaming bunny obscenities and thrusting bunny poop onto my carpet.
I love my rotten little beast.
11 August 2008
The bunny chronicles: Adventures in Bunnysitting
On Wednesday morning, I leave for GenCon, something I like to call the most wonderful time of the year.
Begrudgingly, I had to find someone take care of the rotten little beast while I'm in Indianapolis. If nothing else, continued feeding of the rabbit will ensure a better stew later.
My sister agreed to come over for two days while I'm out of town. So, early yesterday morning, she visited the apartment to experience the rotten little beast first hand.
Luckily, the beast was in true rotten form.
She hopped out of the cage and investigated a bit, wondering who the new person was. Then she bolted under the bed when my sister tried to pet her.
This presented a good chance for me to demonstrate how to get her back in the cage. I moved the bed back and forth several times, and eventually the beast emerged. Instead of returning to the cage, the beast decided to run a victory lap around the apartment, and then went back under the bed.
This greatly entertained my sister, who then started using the same curse words I've used since taking ownership of the beast.
Finally, we managed to corner the beast and steer her back into the cage.
Thankfully, my sister knows of the rabbit's escape exploits, and has learned how necessary it is to secure the cage.
Soon, soon, I'll have a vacation from the rabbit. With my luck, she'll chew through the cage and destroy everything in the apartment.
Rotten little beast.
Begrudgingly, I had to find someone take care of the rotten little beast while I'm in Indianapolis. If nothing else, continued feeding of the rabbit will ensure a better stew later.
My sister agreed to come over for two days while I'm out of town. So, early yesterday morning, she visited the apartment to experience the rotten little beast first hand.
Luckily, the beast was in true rotten form.
She hopped out of the cage and investigated a bit, wondering who the new person was. Then she bolted under the bed when my sister tried to pet her.
This presented a good chance for me to demonstrate how to get her back in the cage. I moved the bed back and forth several times, and eventually the beast emerged. Instead of returning to the cage, the beast decided to run a victory lap around the apartment, and then went back under the bed.
This greatly entertained my sister, who then started using the same curse words I've used since taking ownership of the beast.
Finally, we managed to corner the beast and steer her back into the cage.
Thankfully, my sister knows of the rabbit's escape exploits, and has learned how necessary it is to secure the cage.
Soon, soon, I'll have a vacation from the rabbit. With my luck, she'll chew through the cage and destroy everything in the apartment.
Rotten little beast.
06 August 2008
Flame Out
Have you ever been flying and had your engine flame out within 5 minutes following takeoff? I have.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c50c4bd9-4651-4eab-9a07-f242cb0c6928&rss=764
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17083436/detail.html?rss=den&psp=news
I can say that I felt an unsettling shake in the plane. My first reaction was that it was one of three things: the flaps, the landing gear, or the engine. When it did, the main lights in the cabin went out and the plane stopped shaking. There was an eerie silence. The passengers on the faulty engine's side of the plane were all glued to their windows, so I saw nothing.
Eventually, one person pressed the call button. Another followed, then another.
In two minutes that felt like an eternity, the passenger started to grow restless. No one knew what had happened, what was happening. The cockpit audio channel had been shut off. The guy sitting next to me wondered out loud if we were in trouble.
I cannot say that I saw fire or smoke. The windows were covered with people trying to see the engine. We could make out that we were turning, slowly, in one direction. I knew that the plane was capable of operating with one engine (and was), so I wasn't really worried. Nevertheless, every second that went by with no word increased the tension.
Finally, after a few minutes, the pilot came on and told us there was a problem with the engine that we were going back to KC. The purser on the flight then gave a comical (darkly comical) announcement about how everything was fine because the captain said so. So we're fine. 'Cuz he said so. She was serious; I found it funny that she was nervous and trying very poorly to hide it.
Anyway, we made it on the ground okay, to see fire trucks and the like. The captain said "don't worry about them, that's just part of procedure- there's no fire." Some people claimed they smelled smoke, but it couldn't be smoke from the wing engine smelled inside the cabin. Occassionally I smell a little combustion smell at the start of the air system, but I know that's not smoke.
Everything ended up fine, just costing us almost an extra day to get home and me an additional vacation day.
The experience was... interesting.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c50c4bd9-4651-4eab-9a07-f242cb0c6928&rss=764
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17083436/detail.html?rss=den&psp=news
I can say that I felt an unsettling shake in the plane. My first reaction was that it was one of three things: the flaps, the landing gear, or the engine. When it did, the main lights in the cabin went out and the plane stopped shaking. There was an eerie silence. The passengers on the faulty engine's side of the plane were all glued to their windows, so I saw nothing.
Eventually, one person pressed the call button. Another followed, then another.
In two minutes that felt like an eternity, the passenger started to grow restless. No one knew what had happened, what was happening. The cockpit audio channel had been shut off. The guy sitting next to me wondered out loud if we were in trouble.
I cannot say that I saw fire or smoke. The windows were covered with people trying to see the engine. We could make out that we were turning, slowly, in one direction. I knew that the plane was capable of operating with one engine (and was), so I wasn't really worried. Nevertheless, every second that went by with no word increased the tension.
Finally, after a few minutes, the pilot came on and told us there was a problem with the engine that we were going back to KC. The purser on the flight then gave a comical (darkly comical) announcement about how everything was fine because the captain said so. So we're fine. 'Cuz he said so. She was serious; I found it funny that she was nervous and trying very poorly to hide it.
Anyway, we made it on the ground okay, to see fire trucks and the like. The captain said "don't worry about them, that's just part of procedure- there's no fire." Some people claimed they smelled smoke, but it couldn't be smoke from the wing engine smelled inside the cabin. Occassionally I smell a little combustion smell at the start of the air system, but I know that's not smoke.
Everything ended up fine, just costing us almost an extra day to get home and me an additional vacation day.
The experience was... interesting.
03 August 2008
The bunny chronicles: cell phone charger, stereo wire and a prison break
One of the things I learned the hard way with this rabbit is to never, ever, ever let her get near any wires unsupervised. She can chew through them very quickly.
I discovered this about 12 days ago. After getting out of her cage, she hopped near a table with my cell phone charger and a stereo speaker on it. Both had wire either plugged in or otherwise within biting range.
A short time later, I went looking for her. I noticed several small, thin pieces of black cord on the floor. I looked at the beast, and I swear she knew she was in trouble. I looked at that cord, then at my cell phone charger, realizing she'd destroyed it. A few yelled curse words later, and the damn thing darted under my bed.
She didn't get out of the cage for a while after that.
A short time later, I found out she chewed through stereo wire connecting to one of my speakers.
The cell phone charger was a total loss, so I ordered a new one online.
I was able to fix the speaker wire by stripping the ends the beast chewed through. I twisted the wire ends together and secured it with electrical tape.
After this, I found any loose wires in my apartment and wrapped them up, either using rubber bands or twist ties. This seems to have deterred the beast in her quest for destruction.
More recently, while the beast was out and about, I offered her a small piece of cardboard. She plays with it like it's the best thing she ever had. She gnaws on it happily and tosses it about her cage.
Go figure.
Before leaving for work last night, I let the beast out of her cage again. We have something of a routine now: she hops around for a bit, goes somewhere she knows she'll cause trouble, then darts under the bed to get away from me. When I want her to go back in the cage, I'll move the bed back and forth until she goes to her cage.
I could swear I closed the cage door after she went back.
The reason I mention this is because she chews on the cage bars. She props herself up on her hind legs, latches onto the cage door with her front paws, and shakes the cage.
So, I got ready for work, then I look and see her cage door open. I could swear I closed it.
Naturally, the beast went under my bed again. So, I again chased her back into the cage.
This time, I secured the cage door with some twist ties. For added measure, I propped my toolbox up against the door.
I really think she got out on her own. She's plotting her escape and my destruction even now, as I type this from work.
Rotten little beast.
I discovered this about 12 days ago. After getting out of her cage, she hopped near a table with my cell phone charger and a stereo speaker on it. Both had wire either plugged in or otherwise within biting range.
A short time later, I went looking for her. I noticed several small, thin pieces of black cord on the floor. I looked at the beast, and I swear she knew she was in trouble. I looked at that cord, then at my cell phone charger, realizing she'd destroyed it. A few yelled curse words later, and the damn thing darted under my bed.
She didn't get out of the cage for a while after that.
A short time later, I found out she chewed through stereo wire connecting to one of my speakers.
The cell phone charger was a total loss, so I ordered a new one online.
I was able to fix the speaker wire by stripping the ends the beast chewed through. I twisted the wire ends together and secured it with electrical tape.
After this, I found any loose wires in my apartment and wrapped them up, either using rubber bands or twist ties. This seems to have deterred the beast in her quest for destruction.
More recently, while the beast was out and about, I offered her a small piece of cardboard. She plays with it like it's the best thing she ever had. She gnaws on it happily and tosses it about her cage.
Go figure.
Before leaving for work last night, I let the beast out of her cage again. We have something of a routine now: she hops around for a bit, goes somewhere she knows she'll cause trouble, then darts under the bed to get away from me. When I want her to go back in the cage, I'll move the bed back and forth until she goes to her cage.
I could swear I closed the cage door after she went back.
The reason I mention this is because she chews on the cage bars. She props herself up on her hind legs, latches onto the cage door with her front paws, and shakes the cage.
So, I got ready for work, then I look and see her cage door open. I could swear I closed it.
Naturally, the beast went under my bed again. So, I again chased her back into the cage.
This time, I secured the cage door with some twist ties. For added measure, I propped my toolbox up against the door.
I really think she got out on her own. She's plotting her escape and my destruction even now, as I type this from work.
Rotten little beast.
29 July 2008
Hyperbole: The Internet Dickwad Theory
http://www.pennyarcademerch.com/pat070381.html
I try not to ascribe to hyperbole, but I have noticed it has a home. It festers, as disease-bearing entities often do, in seedy places not meant for the faint of heart. And sadly, it is becoming a method accepted in the vacuum of rational thought for conveying sentiment.
I speak, of course, about comments on the internet.
To me, the comments section and a Tijuana back alley are conceptually equivalent. People that exist there try to goad dim on-lookers into fights, others proclaim loudly who are smug in their power, others act as little jesters tittering away at something silly, and still others try in the face of all these to hold rational discussion without being assaulted.
It is the "man on the street" interview given more time and having no repercussions.
Not surprisingly, very very little of value is communicated in these fora. Oh sure, there may be some rudimentary grading system allowing the stronger voices to be understood. But this is no more than the biggest bouncer on the corner. Sycophants wish they were that strong, or had the ability to project themselves that well. Haters, well, they hate.
One could argue this is good for America, the ability to let go of decades of pent-up frustration at not being heard by those in power. But the therapy ends with the person typing, for only you believe 100% of what you believe. Even strong dogmas have people that stray from the main narrative.
I argue that this "blame the other" method of discourse is damaging. People who feel compelled to shoot other citizens for their beliefs are criminals. Organizations who feel compelled to shoot other citizens for their beliefs change the body politic. It's loosely known as war. Yet this is how war starts, with leaders falsely believing that they must villify one group and be themselves considered victims. Eventually one leader makes a call to take up arms, and if that leader is powerful enough, the followers will do just that. If the targets defend themselves, it's war- if not, it's genocide. Either way, it's hell.
But if we can't sit across from people with whom we disagree- strongly, violently disagree- and explain ourselves in a calm and rational manner in an attempt to gain understanding, then how are we different from a pack of chimps seeking to ostracize an outsider?
Right now a leader need not lead people to their visions away from the center. The leaders are so far away from the center that there is division amonst the populace. That is the flaw with leaders nowadays- they must be myopic, shortsighted, and deliver hyperbolic campaign rhetoric in order to continue to suckle at the public teat. These are the leaders America complains about. Until Americans can truly at their core accept a unifying force with whom they disagree but know that their input is considered and allowed to influence decision, flawed leaders will be what America continues to get.
I try not to ascribe to hyperbole, but I have noticed it has a home. It festers, as disease-bearing entities often do, in seedy places not meant for the faint of heart. And sadly, it is becoming a method accepted in the vacuum of rational thought for conveying sentiment.
I speak, of course, about comments on the internet.
To me, the comments section and a Tijuana back alley are conceptually equivalent. People that exist there try to goad dim on-lookers into fights, others proclaim loudly who are smug in their power, others act as little jesters tittering away at something silly, and still others try in the face of all these to hold rational discussion without being assaulted.
It is the "man on the street" interview given more time and having no repercussions.
Not surprisingly, very very little of value is communicated in these fora. Oh sure, there may be some rudimentary grading system allowing the stronger voices to be understood. But this is no more than the biggest bouncer on the corner. Sycophants wish they were that strong, or had the ability to project themselves that well. Haters, well, they hate.
One could argue this is good for America, the ability to let go of decades of pent-up frustration at not being heard by those in power. But the therapy ends with the person typing, for only you believe 100% of what you believe. Even strong dogmas have people that stray from the main narrative.
I argue that this "blame the other" method of discourse is damaging. People who feel compelled to shoot other citizens for their beliefs are criminals. Organizations who feel compelled to shoot other citizens for their beliefs change the body politic. It's loosely known as war. Yet this is how war starts, with leaders falsely believing that they must villify one group and be themselves considered victims. Eventually one leader makes a call to take up arms, and if that leader is powerful enough, the followers will do just that. If the targets defend themselves, it's war- if not, it's genocide. Either way, it's hell.
But if we can't sit across from people with whom we disagree- strongly, violently disagree- and explain ourselves in a calm and rational manner in an attempt to gain understanding, then how are we different from a pack of chimps seeking to ostracize an outsider?
Right now a leader need not lead people to their visions away from the center. The leaders are so far away from the center that there is division amonst the populace. That is the flaw with leaders nowadays- they must be myopic, shortsighted, and deliver hyperbolic campaign rhetoric in order to continue to suckle at the public teat. These are the leaders America complains about. Until Americans can truly at their core accept a unifying force with whom they disagree but know that their input is considered and allowed to influence decision, flawed leaders will be what America continues to get.
23 July 2008
Life is short
This is a blog for rants. This one is a gripe against the world. Sorry for the "bummer-ness" of this one.
I googled to find the email of an old computer-chemistry buddy of mine, Fred Arnold, with hopes he'd have time to share some the warm yet frank career advice I remember from my grad school days. I was shocked to learn that he passed away at the young age of 40, due to cancer.
[Fred, in case you get internet connection wherever you are, I'll never forget your tales of hiking though stinking jungles for hours on end with over 30 lbs of antiquated photographic equipment on your back for the sole purpose of capturing a lizard on film. ... And in case you don't get internet, I'm sure you'd prefer for me to stop.]
...
Today is a day after my birthday, 3 weeks after surgery. And I learn an old work chum, only 7 years my senior, is gone. One phrase dominates my thoughts: life is short.
No wonder I cried when I was born! Sometimes the world is pretty harsh. ... Maybe it's not fair to rant about stuff that truely is beyond anyone's control--if so, this is my last post of the ilk. ... That being so, it's probably my last chance to complain about sunburn. Sunburn sucks.
...
It appears I don't have time for 1-2 hours of computer solitare every day. The world is telling me I've got to change. And it's also telling me that my education isn't as important as my judgement. Time to start seeing clearly and make the right decisions.
I googled to find the email of an old computer-chemistry buddy of mine, Fred Arnold, with hopes he'd have time to share some the warm yet frank career advice I remember from my grad school days. I was shocked to learn that he passed away at the young age of 40, due to cancer.
[Fred, in case you get internet connection wherever you are, I'll never forget your tales of hiking though stinking jungles for hours on end with over 30 lbs of antiquated photographic equipment on your back for the sole purpose of capturing a lizard on film. ... And in case you don't get internet, I'm sure you'd prefer for me to stop.]
...
Today is a day after my birthday, 3 weeks after surgery. And I learn an old work chum, only 7 years my senior, is gone. One phrase dominates my thoughts: life is short.
No wonder I cried when I was born! Sometimes the world is pretty harsh. ... Maybe it's not fair to rant about stuff that truely is beyond anyone's control--if so, this is my last post of the ilk. ... That being so, it's probably my last chance to complain about sunburn. Sunburn sucks.
...
It appears I don't have time for 1-2 hours of computer solitare every day. The world is telling me I've got to change. And it's also telling me that my education isn't as important as my judgement. Time to start seeing clearly and make the right decisions.
16 July 2008
11 July 2008
The bunny chronicles: Special Extreme Fatigued Def Haiku Jam edition
3 a.m., bunny
chews on cage bars, wants to play.
Who wants rabbit stew?
Furry little beast
Seems to make noise all the time.
Does it ever sleep?
Tried to bribe the thing
With some yummy bunny treats.
Turned its nose right up.
3:30 a.m.;
Bunny's water bottle comes
crashing to the floor.
Such a cute small face.
Whoda thunk this rotten beast
Could look innocent?
I just let it out.
Happily it hops along,
hoping to destroy.
Get back from those wires!
I really mean it, bunny!
Don't you chew that up!
Still shaking the treats.
Hoping, though quite pointlessly
that the beast will stop.
Finally, she sleeps.
Time to nod off, I pray that
she won't wake me up.
chews on cage bars, wants to play.
Who wants rabbit stew?
Furry little beast
Seems to make noise all the time.
Does it ever sleep?
Tried to bribe the thing
With some yummy bunny treats.
Turned its nose right up.
3:30 a.m.;
Bunny's water bottle comes
crashing to the floor.
Such a cute small face.
Whoda thunk this rotten beast
Could look innocent?
I just let it out.
Happily it hops along,
hoping to destroy.
Get back from those wires!
I really mean it, bunny!
Don't you chew that up!
Still shaking the treats.
Hoping, though quite pointlessly
that the beast will stop.
Finally, she sleeps.
Time to nod off, I pray that
she won't wake me up.
09 July 2008
My Eyeballs are Dry
Hot doesn't begin to describe it.
I walk from the, ah, "temporary office structure" (trailer) to the building where my client sits all the time. It's about 100 feet.
When the wind blew, it hit my cheek bones, deflected into my eyes, and my eyes froze. They had been dried out with a simple gust of air.
The air conditioner in the trailer is good to cool down the inside 20 degrees. It's 110 degrees outside.
It certainly is a different type of heat. In the east and midwest, this heat is joined with an oppressive humidity. Feels like everything just sticks to you and it's unpleasantly hot.
Here there's no moisture. Your sweat evaporates right off your body. The heat index here is actually negative because your sweating cools you down a small bit.
Now it just feels like walking into an oven. It's not hard to breathe, but it's hard to blink.
Which do I prefer? Neither. I'm not a fan of the desert or the swamp.
I walk from the, ah, "temporary office structure" (trailer) to the building where my client sits all the time. It's about 100 feet.
When the wind blew, it hit my cheek bones, deflected into my eyes, and my eyes froze. They had been dried out with a simple gust of air.
The air conditioner in the trailer is good to cool down the inside 20 degrees. It's 110 degrees outside.
It certainly is a different type of heat. In the east and midwest, this heat is joined with an oppressive humidity. Feels like everything just sticks to you and it's unpleasantly hot.
Here there's no moisture. Your sweat evaporates right off your body. The heat index here is actually negative because your sweating cools you down a small bit.
Now it just feels like walking into an oven. It's not hard to breathe, but it's hard to blink.
Which do I prefer? Neither. I'm not a fan of the desert or the swamp.
06 July 2008
A new concept: work for profit
A common trend amongst academic scientists is "the important stuff." Said stuff is new science--new discoveries and understanding. In other words, figuring stuff out. The goal is to do that as much as possible, be it at the expense of everything else.
You know this. At least, anyone who watches movies can recognize the scientist: Bad hair. Goofy glasses. Scatterbrained during lectures. Socially inept. Wearing a lab coat out of habit... Because, after all, how could spending $20 on a haircut every month possibly help in the understanding quantum physics?
Most of us are not the stereotype, however we do tend to focus on the "important stuff." We're aware of the realities of living in society. We notice and care about looking respectable, being nice, and trying to explain things clearly. We love our families--normal stuff. From college you probably know that profs are normal people who just tend to focus on something they do well.
The reason I'm writing is to reveal an aspect of most academic scientists that people usually don't know: fallacies about money.
Although there are a plethora of reasons why people go into academic careers (egotistical: gaining respect from peers, renown ... practical: relaxed work hours, liberal atmosphere... or even altruistic: helping students) they never go into the job for the money. Mention "salary" to most professors and you'll most often hear a grumbly answer about under appreciation or work load.
From within, a career in academic science is viewed as one of sacrifice. We don't do it all for the nuggie--we do it for the important stuff. At least that's the official reason.
Candidly, we hope and pray for the best of all possible worlds: that we end up as one of the few success stories out there that can both do "important stuff" and then somehow retire rich due to some simple and profitable spin-off application of their discoveries. Forget 401k--scientists hope for a multi-million startup with their names on it.
... But isn't that whack?
I mean, if you believe in logic and cause and effect, and you live your life hoping that your dedication important stuff will be recognized for it's importance, correctness, and worth, and that a big fat financial retirement plops in your lap one day, aren't you setting yourself up for a fall? Isn't the most statistically favored outcome to just end up bitter?
... Alternatives? One is to convince yourself that even unappreciated work makes a difference. Another is to give yourself credit for at least trying. But yet another--which is looking increasingly honest and worthwhile to me--is dropping the act and going straight for money from the beginning.
Of course, the trouble with science for profit is that it's restrictive. Ideas have to be useful. Competition isn't just for street cred any more. And suddenly lawyers and accountants are equally as important as you. But doesn't it make sense to follow your honest dream?
I'm not turning my back to academia. Rather, I view it as something to do after having retirement worked out. I guess I've realized that while I can do science at some level, it's not the impressive kind that changes the world quickly. If I do stumble onto something big, I hope to have both eyes on idealistic goals--not one looking for a nest egg.
So that's the theory. Time to do the experiment.
You know this. At least, anyone who watches movies can recognize the scientist: Bad hair. Goofy glasses. Scatterbrained during lectures. Socially inept. Wearing a lab coat out of habit... Because, after all, how could spending $20 on a haircut every month possibly help in the understanding quantum physics?
Most of us are not the stereotype, however we do tend to focus on the "important stuff." We're aware of the realities of living in society. We notice and care about looking respectable, being nice, and trying to explain things clearly. We love our families--normal stuff. From college you probably know that profs are normal people who just tend to focus on something they do well.
The reason I'm writing is to reveal an aspect of most academic scientists that people usually don't know: fallacies about money.
Although there are a plethora of reasons why people go into academic careers (egotistical: gaining respect from peers, renown ... practical: relaxed work hours, liberal atmosphere... or even altruistic: helping students) they never go into the job for the money. Mention "salary" to most professors and you'll most often hear a grumbly answer about under appreciation or work load.
From within, a career in academic science is viewed as one of sacrifice. We don't do it all for the nuggie--we do it for the important stuff. At least that's the official reason.
Candidly, we hope and pray for the best of all possible worlds: that we end up as one of the few success stories out there that can both do "important stuff" and then somehow retire rich due to some simple and profitable spin-off application of their discoveries. Forget 401k--scientists hope for a multi-million startup with their names on it.
... But isn't that whack?
I mean, if you believe in logic and cause and effect, and you live your life hoping that your dedication important stuff will be recognized for it's importance, correctness, and worth, and that a big fat financial retirement plops in your lap one day, aren't you setting yourself up for a fall? Isn't the most statistically favored outcome to just end up bitter?
... Alternatives? One is to convince yourself that even unappreciated work makes a difference. Another is to give yourself credit for at least trying. But yet another--which is looking increasingly honest and worthwhile to me--is dropping the act and going straight for money from the beginning.
Of course, the trouble with science for profit is that it's restrictive. Ideas have to be useful. Competition isn't just for street cred any more. And suddenly lawyers and accountants are equally as important as you. But doesn't it make sense to follow your honest dream?
I'm not turning my back to academia. Rather, I view it as something to do after having retirement worked out. I guess I've realized that while I can do science at some level, it's not the impressive kind that changes the world quickly. If I do stumble onto something big, I hope to have both eyes on idealistic goals--not one looking for a nest egg.
So that's the theory. Time to do the experiment.
02 July 2008
Post No. 69: An Inconvenient Truth
http://ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=299718849952830
After this and many other well thought out papers, dissertations, and explanations that demonstrate the sheer arrogance of man to think we can alter our climate to the degree that these predictions claim
solely
to promote an economy based on trading money for a mythical "carbon credit," to promote cap-and-trade motive, all at the expense of a few secular, progressive shamans?
I have come to one conclusion.
Man is the cause of global warming.
Scientific debate means nothing. Assuming blame for something that's out of your control, that's very... responsible.
Responsible. This word is utterly lost on people. You can be responsible for global warming, but not for crime. You can be responsible for natural cycles in weather, but not for the inevitable by-product of unprotected sex. You can be responsible for another person's poor governance of a nation that's not your own, but not for handling of the consequences of your own mistakes, like spilling coffee on yourself, or being shot while robbing a house.
Therefore, I will support the cause of anthropogenic global warming if only to kindle the seeds of self-responsibility.
After this and many other well thought out papers, dissertations, and explanations that demonstrate the sheer arrogance of man to think we can alter our climate to the degree that these predictions claim
solely
to promote an economy based on trading money for a mythical "carbon credit," to promote cap-and-trade motive, all at the expense of a few secular, progressive shamans?
I have come to one conclusion.
Man is the cause of global warming.
Scientific debate means nothing. Assuming blame for something that's out of your control, that's very... responsible.
Responsible. This word is utterly lost on people. You can be responsible for global warming, but not for crime. You can be responsible for natural cycles in weather, but not for the inevitable by-product of unprotected sex. You can be responsible for another person's poor governance of a nation that's not your own, but not for handling of the consequences of your own mistakes, like spilling coffee on yourself, or being shot while robbing a house.
Therefore, I will support the cause of anthropogenic global warming if only to kindle the seeds of self-responsibility.
01 July 2008
The bunny chronicles: revenge is a dish best served warm
I've heard that allegedly, rabbits are witless, helpless critters. Dumb, in fact, was another word that I've heard.
At any rate, last night after work, I came home and let the rotten little beast out of her cage. The cage is in the front hallway of my apartment, and the vacuum cleaner sits a few feet away from her cage.
So, the beast hopped around for a bit, then sat right next to the vacuum cleaner. She seemed pretty calm and relatively happy there, and she didn't seem to be destroying anything, so I walked away for a bit.
Ten minutes later, wondering if she'd destroyed anything, I checked on her again, and she was still in the same spot. I decided it was time for her to return to her cage, but she thought otherwise. I'd soon see the reason: 30 little dark brown pellets now rested right next to the vacuum cleaner.
Naturally, the beast hopped away. I'd soon catch her and return her to the cage without further incident.
I now regard Elmer Fudd as a tragic character.
At any rate, last night after work, I came home and let the rotten little beast out of her cage. The cage is in the front hallway of my apartment, and the vacuum cleaner sits a few feet away from her cage.
So, the beast hopped around for a bit, then sat right next to the vacuum cleaner. She seemed pretty calm and relatively happy there, and she didn't seem to be destroying anything, so I walked away for a bit.
Ten minutes later, wondering if she'd destroyed anything, I checked on her again, and she was still in the same spot. I decided it was time for her to return to her cage, but she thought otherwise. I'd soon see the reason: 30 little dark brown pellets now rested right next to the vacuum cleaner.
Naturally, the beast hopped away. I'd soon catch her and return her to the cage without further incident.
I now regard Elmer Fudd as a tragic character.
29 June 2008
The bunny chronicles: Cleaning, chasing and more cleaning
Saturday marked the one-week mark in my care of the rotten little beast. This meant two things: one, that I was patient enough not to throw her in a stew, and two, her cage was getting stinky enough that it required cleaning.
So, after a nice, leisurely breakfast, I got around to cleaning the cage. I tried coaxing the beast out, but she just thumped her hind leg and cowered in a corner. So, I scooped. And, I scooped. And, I scooped some more.
Then, I hit the bunny pee mother lode and begged for God's mercy.
No such luck. So, I continued my scooping, chasing the bunny out of her corner. I tried to catch her, but she just hopped to another corner of the cage.
Rotten little beast.
After about 15 minutes of scooping, the cage bottom was just about bare, except for the occasional pellet and hay. And the beast.
I reached in the cage with my right hand and got her out of her corner. As she bolted for another corner, I snagged her with my left hand, secured her with both, then finally extracted the beast from her lair. I put her aside for a moment, and the beast had a mind to go right back into the cage. Luckily, I managed to close the cage before she could get back in.
So, the beast expressed herself by leaving a small, brown round little gift before hopping away.
Rotten little beast.
With that finished, I procured some wet paper towels to wipe down the bottom of the cage. I knew the beast was close by, ready to take any opportunity to return to her lair, so I made sure I blocked the entance completely as I cleaned.
Finally, it was time to put the fresh bedding/litter in the bottom of the cage. My friends left a little bit for me, but I didn't think it was enough to cover the whole cage bottom.
So, it was time to shop at the pet store.
But first, I had to return the beast to her lair.
You'd think that with the amount of effort it took me to extract the beast from her cage, she'd be anxious to return.
You'd be wrong.
I checked around the apartment, finding her underneath my kitchen table. So, I walked by the kitchen area, and she promptly hopped near her cage. I get her within about two feet of the cage, and she bolts back under the kitchen table.
So, I repeated as required. After about five minutes of shouting at the beast, she finally hopped back in her cage as I ambled after her. She got the last word with another mighty hind leg thump, though.
With the rotten little beast secure, I headed to the grocery store to pick up some veggies and then to the pet store to pick up her bedding/litter stuff and a wooden chew toy (for the beast, of course). As the cashier rung up my purchase, I of course had to tell my tale of woe about the beast and her urge to destroy.
The cashier sympathized, saying one of her rabbits destroyed her favorite shoes, which is why her rabbits now live outdoors.
There's a thought.
So, I got back home, and once again, the beast didn't want to leave her lair. So, I just chunked in the bedding around her, but some of it landed in the carpet in front of her cage.
Now, with a fresh cage and a new toy, the beast was sated. I, however, was aggravated by my toils.
Then I realized how I could get my revenge: more cleaning.
I have a pretty good vacuum cleaner. It's powerful, picks up lots of stuff, and it's loud.
So, I plugged in the vacuum cleaner, put it right in front of the cage, and hit the on switch.
The beast didn't like it.
She may have thumped, but I couldn't hear it above the vacuum cleaner.
This was the best cleaning ever.
Satisfied with the thorough apartment cleaning, I got ready to head out for the evening.
The beast then chewed on the cage bars, indicating she wanted to come out again.
So, on my way out, I walked toward the cage, reached for the door, then stomped my feet rapidly, scaring the beast back into her corner.
Rotten little beast.
So, after a nice, leisurely breakfast, I got around to cleaning the cage. I tried coaxing the beast out, but she just thumped her hind leg and cowered in a corner. So, I scooped. And, I scooped. And, I scooped some more.
Then, I hit the bunny pee mother lode and begged for God's mercy.
No such luck. So, I continued my scooping, chasing the bunny out of her corner. I tried to catch her, but she just hopped to another corner of the cage.
Rotten little beast.
After about 15 minutes of scooping, the cage bottom was just about bare, except for the occasional pellet and hay. And the beast.
I reached in the cage with my right hand and got her out of her corner. As she bolted for another corner, I snagged her with my left hand, secured her with both, then finally extracted the beast from her lair. I put her aside for a moment, and the beast had a mind to go right back into the cage. Luckily, I managed to close the cage before she could get back in.
So, the beast expressed herself by leaving a small, brown round little gift before hopping away.
Rotten little beast.
With that finished, I procured some wet paper towels to wipe down the bottom of the cage. I knew the beast was close by, ready to take any opportunity to return to her lair, so I made sure I blocked the entance completely as I cleaned.
Finally, it was time to put the fresh bedding/litter in the bottom of the cage. My friends left a little bit for me, but I didn't think it was enough to cover the whole cage bottom.
So, it was time to shop at the pet store.
But first, I had to return the beast to her lair.
You'd think that with the amount of effort it took me to extract the beast from her cage, she'd be anxious to return.
You'd be wrong.
I checked around the apartment, finding her underneath my kitchen table. So, I walked by the kitchen area, and she promptly hopped near her cage. I get her within about two feet of the cage, and she bolts back under the kitchen table.
So, I repeated as required. After about five minutes of shouting at the beast, she finally hopped back in her cage as I ambled after her. She got the last word with another mighty hind leg thump, though.
With the rotten little beast secure, I headed to the grocery store to pick up some veggies and then to the pet store to pick up her bedding/litter stuff and a wooden chew toy (for the beast, of course). As the cashier rung up my purchase, I of course had to tell my tale of woe about the beast and her urge to destroy.
The cashier sympathized, saying one of her rabbits destroyed her favorite shoes, which is why her rabbits now live outdoors.
There's a thought.
So, I got back home, and once again, the beast didn't want to leave her lair. So, I just chunked in the bedding around her, but some of it landed in the carpet in front of her cage.
Now, with a fresh cage and a new toy, the beast was sated. I, however, was aggravated by my toils.
Then I realized how I could get my revenge: more cleaning.
I have a pretty good vacuum cleaner. It's powerful, picks up lots of stuff, and it's loud.
So, I plugged in the vacuum cleaner, put it right in front of the cage, and hit the on switch.
The beast didn't like it.
She may have thumped, but I couldn't hear it above the vacuum cleaner.
This was the best cleaning ever.
Satisfied with the thorough apartment cleaning, I got ready to head out for the evening.
The beast then chewed on the cage bars, indicating she wanted to come out again.
So, on my way out, I walked toward the cage, reached for the door, then stomped my feet rapidly, scaring the beast back into her corner.
Rotten little beast.
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