February 2004

Drinking Tips

Diva Fit

My work computer is fried (again). I spent my entire morning yesterday trying to get it working. This morning I've been tasked to find a place to drop the files we need, re-initialize the disk, reinstall the system, and then reinstall all the software. I'm not overly qualified to fix a Mac besides the fact that fixing computers isn't my job. Do I pitch a diva fit and refuse to play computer repairman or do I suck it up and spend all my time doing stressful, unproductive computer work?

Self-Appointed

So, on some level we all have special abilities; special powers you might say. I'd like to think that makes us superheroes. My superpowers is being able to see inside and connect with a person. This allows me to communicate in a way that uniquely suits them. This is what makes me a good one-on-one teacher and what frequently draws to me people I hardly know wanting to be close friends.

K's superpower is to transform chaos into order. A co-worker's superpower is the uncanny ability to get along with and enjoy the company of anyone no matter how different they are. As with all good superheroes we have limitations, weaknesses, and issues.

So what's your superpower?

Identity

when you cried i'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream i'd fight away all of your fears
and i've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have all of me
--from My Immortal, Evanescence

Up Yours

At work we've been tasked to "bump" or up-sell to customers. For example: "Would you like fries with your lamination?" or "Would you like to biggie size your newsletter order?" The owner just suggested to a customer to have us burn her job to a cd to make reprinting easier in the future. He gave some persuasive arguments and the customer agreed. She has no idea that she just agreed to spend an additional $10 on her job. I don't mind recommending other services to customers but I hate, hate, hate swindling them into spending more money. Grrrr.

Babel

The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
--Genesis 11:6-7 NIV (the Tower of Babel)

Misunderstanding, confusion, and difficulty getting along as people seems to be part of God's plan for us so we wouldn't gain too much power. It's interesting to think of our communication problems as an God given thing; another blessing that was taken away because of our sin.

Also... the Tower of Babel, the monument of man's pride and arrogance, became Babylon, the city spoken of throughout the Bible as the symbol of sin, selfishness, and corruption. I'm sure that the connection between the two is by no means coincidental.

The Less-Than-Great Commission

"Now go forth and make with the clicky."
--ADD, at the bottom of a list of links for the day

Raawr!

Dictionary Lesson

Okay people. Bi-monthly can mean both every two months and twice a month. Don't ask me why. I didn't create the word. That's just the way it is. Look it up in the dictionary if you don't believe me. It's the same with bi-yearly and bi-weekly. I just love having communication problems built into the English language. Brilliant.

While we're at it, in many dictionaries irregardless is recognized as a word meaning the exact same thing as regardless (dictionary.com). It is believed to be an accidental blend of the words irrespective and regardless. It is not considered proper for use in formal communication, but is often used in casual situations. I suppose this means that it's a bastardized word that has been used so frequently that it finally had to be recognized.

Screwing up an already screwed up language as we go... Power to the people.

Naive

this doesn't feel like my skin
what have you done to me?
am I a slave to my sin?
just too stupid to see
the empty shell of a man
that I used to be
the things that everyone knows
I must be so naive

--Naive, 9voltRevolt

Life Uncensored

The Truth in Advertising

via Valette

Closing the Gap

One of my sewing projects over the weekend was sewing up a hole in the pocket of my coat. My keys kept falling into the abyss that is my coat lining. Not cool, but it was an easy fix. The hole is all sewn up so it can't swallow any more of my belongings.

In other news, we haven't been able to find k's auto start remote since Sunday, when I went grocery shopping in her car. We looked everywhere, even in the garbage (yuck). They simply disappeared. While looking for another set of keys yesterday I patted down my coat only to find her auto start remote... sewn into the lining.

Earning My Salt

It's not even 8:10am and I've already finished my work for the morning... This is good in that it means lots of time for goofing off. It's bad in the sense that I just want to be in bed and am not overly motivated to be creative with my time. This inconsistent work load thing is a blessing and a curse.

Diva of the Zoo

Space

"I think we should start seeing other people."

Is it possible for this to ever turn out good? Here's hoping...

Bored Now

Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." (Genesis 6:3)

Prior to this people were living about 900 years. I guess God got tired of us. Can't say that I blame him.

P-P-Productivity!

What I did on my weekend vacation...

4 months worth of filing
setting up a new filing system for 2004 including printing folder labels
entered into and balanced 2 months worth of bank information
filed comic books and sorted the ones I'd like to sell on eBay
sorted through graphic design books to sell on eBay
coordinated two trades with sequential swap
3 weeks worth of laundry
sewed up two ripped seams and measured two pairs of pants to be hemmed
cooked two meals for consumption throughout the week
shopped for groceries
completed order form for free dvds
paired down credit cards
faxed music to a piano student
read the final three chapters for the bible study
completed a simple design project for a client

That's What I Want

"The best things in life are free, but you can save them for the birds and bees. Give me muh-uh-uhney. That's what I want..."

On my trip I essentially got a brand new wardrobe. 3 pairs of pants and 7 shirts all for a mere $90. Sales on clearance items are sinfully euphoric. MmMmm...

otnemeM

Kottke.org gives a fairly accurate representation of a mind-bending movie which I loved. Thanks Valette for sending me that link.

Upon Closer Reflection

What one will do while hanging out in the airports...

A Toast

To friends you can't trust and fellow Christians who feel "burdened" to tell you how to live your life. This one's for you.

Danger Will Robinson

Little Ray of Sunshine

Looky what I got at the Louisville Zoo. It sits proudly atop my work computer radiating joy and happiness.

Environmental Gifts

While I was gone k cleaned out the clutter of band equipment which filled out dining room taunting me with thoughts of failure, loss, and sadness. This generous gift of emotional health came with a side order of a complete rearrangement of the living room and dining room which is awesome. It feels all homey and cool again.

In addition she cleaned out the snail farm which was formerly a fish tank clearing the way (literally) for me to start over without the endless snail orgies.

On top of all that she rearranged my study so my keyboard could permanently sit up there and removed the cluttered bookcase finding places for all the stuff to go on existing shelves.

All in all our house feels fresh, open, and ready for the new directions that lie ahead. K was smart enough to enlist help with the projects in the form of Valette, Beth, and Bridger. Thank you all for a fresh new beginning.

Aaaaaaaah

Much better. I got a few hours nap before lessons yesterday, then slept lots last night, and got up in time to sort through all the mail and other stuff that was waiting for me when I got home. I'm still tired from jet lag, but am feeling much more ready to get back into the swing of things. Now I'm listening to a cd of 80's hits which I picked up on my trip. Fun for the whole family.

Zombie Walking

I'm home. I got home about 1am (which is 5am Louisville time). The flights were fine, but getting to work at 8am completely sucked. I'm riding the line between grumpy and tears. Here's hoping that I can convince my supervisor to let me off early so I can get a little nappy-poo before a long afternoon of teaching.

Final Broadcast

Yesterday we went to the Speed Art Museum. <yawn> I did get to see some Picasso, Cezanne, and Monet, but beyond that most of it was stuff that only moved me to move on. It was free so no big loss there.

Last night we went to the circus. It was tons of fun. Up to this point I had only seen dinky Alaskan circuses so this was quite a treat. There were trapeze artists, gymnasts, high wire acts, elephants, tigers, clowns, motor cycles, and a freak load of sugary goodness. It was so cool and only $20 each when you add in the snacks we bought.

After that we went to a bar to hear some live music. Here are some highlights from that portion of the evening:

acoustic folk rock music
angry poetry
hard rock music for meditation
a dude with a biker jacket and a bob haircut
tons of girl-on-girl action on the dance floor
lots of pathetically drunk people (besides the girls on the dance floor)
awesome industrial angst music
keyboard stand collapsing during industrial angst gig
meeting the industrial angst band
leaving bar smelling like we'd been bathing in cigarettes

All in all it was an awesome night.

And Again

Still in Kentucky. It's raining, but going well besides. The weekend is filling up with possibility. We're hoping to go to the circus, the zoo, and an art museum. We're also planning to see several bands. Friday night we're going to an "original rock showcase" then to see an industrial band with whom I connected via the web. There are more band possibilities the rest of the weekend, but we haven't decided on anything else yet. We're going to that postmodern church on Sunday night and maybe another one Saturday night.

Today I visited Angie's daycare and fell in love with her kids. 12-18 months. They are so adorable and full of personality. Emma was definitely my favorite but that may be because she flirted and played with me. I'm easy that way. While Angie worked I braved Louisville for a few hours in her car. I actually got around pretty well with my trusty phone book map. I'm checking in with my fans and doing research on weekend activities before eating lunch and chilling out for a few hours. Angie's mom is taking us to a thai restaurant tonight. I'm totally looking forward to that.

Later.

Hidee-Ho Good Neighbor

What do you know, we stopped by the library to search for some bands to see while I'm in Kentucky. That means that you are blessed with an unexpected message from me. Aren't you the lucky one. The trip has been great so far. The flights were awesome, on-time, pleasant, and actually fun. Angie and I have been having a great time shopping, eating, hanging out, and watching the first season of Will & Grace. I have bought 6 items of clothes for a grand total of $60. Oh yeah. I basically have a new wardrobe now. I'm stoked.

I had been frustrated with the lack of information regarding local live music, but the library came through for me. A fellow computer user pointed me to a free publication that lists tons of local bands playing each night that I'm here. I could be swimming in live music every night if I wanted. I'm so excited. Besides that good news I found a local church that is totally focused on the arts and is said to be a cutting edge ministry for the postmodern crowd. They meet on Sunday at 5pm. Totally cool. I can't wait to see what that is like.

Tonight I'm going to color and highlight Angie's hair. Maybe after that we'll go see a band. I can't believe that I've only been here two days. It's been so great and I have 5 more days of playtime before I get back on the plane. Vacations rock.