So I was dropped a bomb to handle last Wednesday. I have to go to the US and Canada to install a couple of systems. Customer Care and Field Support are bogged down. Not my job, but, hey, everyone's gotta pitch in and lend a hand, don't they?
So I was all set to fly out on the 10th or 11th of June. It gave me a week to get ready. Just enough time. Time for what? Learning what the hell I was going to do. You see, I've never installed these type of systems before. In fact, some elements in these systems were never installed before. Certainly not in these versions which are brand new.
By the time Thursday rolled by, I was already flying out on the 7th.
OK, only three days. Not a problem. I can do it. I'll have to rally people up to help me a bit, but we're still cool.
Hey, at least I get to be in Canada and Wisconsin which I never visited before. Small towns, Hamilton outside of Toronto and Madison, just north of Chicago. Not quite your regular tourist traps, but that's alright.
But all this is not the point.
The point is that I am, effectively, temporarily on loan to the sales and support department. I have always had the satisfaction at my job of actually making something. It's not like carving stone or casting iron, but writing software does produce something at the end. Something that does something someone needs. I have always assumed that the sales and customer support and care departments don't really produce anything. Not that they don't work hard. They do. They're the ones bringing the money in. They just didn't actually make anything.
Or so I thought.
I was wrong.
They do produce.
A lot.
Mountains upon mountains of paperwork.
Volumes of e-mails going back and forth.
I have been CCed all the correspondences about my two sites over the fast two days and have received upwards of thirty mail messages and about fifteen documents. POs, SOWs, Quoting Tool, and something called channel Partner/Dealer Information form. I am sure that, just like me, you are wandering what all these things are. I have no idea!
A to B: "When are you coming...?" asks the first message.
B to A, cc C: "We are arriving at X...?" answered B.
A: "At Y...?" This is an e-mail message, not a phone, what's unclear about X?
B: "No, X"
C: "I like X."
A: "You sure you wouldn't like Y?"
B + C: "X is the date."
D: "I need you to be here on Z". Now, D is the customer. Why didn't anyone ask him beforehand?
B: "Oh, then I guess we'll be there at Z."
A: "But wouldn't Y be better?"
C: "Y is not an option. The customer wants it on the Z"
B: "We can be there on Z."
A: "Maybe we should try and work it out that we still arrive on X?"
B+C: "Z is fine. If that's when D wants it, then that's it."
A: "Oh...."
And the conversations go on and on:
A to B: "Our engineer has to talk to the customer."
B to A: "In addition, your engineer has to talk to the customer."
A to B: "We have to set up a conference to introduce him to the customer."
B to A: "Maybe we should have a conference to introduce the engineer to the customer?"
A to B: "We should talk about it."
B to A: "Let's have a conference with the engineer and work out what he needs."
A to B: "He would probably like to talk to the customer."
B to A: "Hmm, maybe that's not such a bad idea. Maybe he should talk to the customer?"
Engineer: Blows own Brains out.
That has been the content of my Inbox for the last few days.
If they're thinking I'm filling out all these forms, they are mad.
If they are thinking I'm participating in the sixteen conference calls they set up since Thursday, they are stark barking mad.
It looks like I'm actually going take this on and go through with the whole thing.
I must be a raving lunatic!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sandy and the Hedgehog
Sandy is our Golden Retriever. She lives with my parents at my parents' house. The Hedgehog is the one living on our street, traveling through the yards.
It all started a few weeks ago, when the spring started and all the night-time hedgehog activity ensued. Sandy, which spends her nights in a kennel in the yard so she doesn't go mad, started barking. Like mad. My mom eventually went outside to see what the bark it's all about, and discovered a hedgehog, in the, um....hedge. Sandy was protesting the uninvited trespassing of her yard. My mother, electing not to deal the small prickly creature, brought Sandy into the house, where she sat with her nose pressed against the door for the rest of the night. Admittedly, she might have dozed off at some point - nobody stayed up to watch her.
Sandy had spent the next few days sniffing out the little creature with no success.
One night, as I walked her, I met a neighbor, another late-night walker, and we stood and chatted for a bit. Sandy stretched her lead as far as it would go, and stuck her nose under the hedge of my parent's next door neighbor's' yard. She stood there, her faced fixed for almost two minutes. Now, Goldens do not stay focused for entire two minutes. Certainly not Sandy. It only occurred to me after those two minutes, that Sandy was looking at something very intently. Going around her, I saw her nose pressed as close as she dared to a curled up hedgehog. Hedgehog was rolled in a ball, thinking "take a bite...I dare you!" as hedgehogs do. Sandy was thinking "....???...." as Goldens do.
Two nights later, at a completely different part of the street, Sandy was pulling hard to the right, toward a fence. The little hedgehog was walking along happily. Out of curiosity, I let her get close. She again stuck her nose as close as she dared and sniffed. The hedgehog curled a bit, then decided it was not worth the trouble, stretched out, and walked on, Sandy at foot. We had to break off our slow pursuit finally. This really brings into question the whole survival instincts issue, but never mind.
Then, last night, I was pulling out - for those who wander what I'm doing at my parents' house so often it is because I was house-sitting for the last week, and they live very close anyway, and mom-food beats pizza-warming any time! Anyway, I was pulling out into the street, where a small black-gray-dotted-white thing walked across by headlights. The hedgehog was on the move again. He paused, looked my way, thought about it, and turned back, choosing not to stare down my car into submission. As I looked back in my rear-view mirror, I could see him taking a shot at crossing again.
The really cool thing about this whole affair is this: If I ever get a rock-and-roll band together, I have a great name!
Sandy and the Hedgehog.
Rock on.
It all started a few weeks ago, when the spring started and all the night-time hedgehog activity ensued. Sandy, which spends her nights in a kennel in the yard so she doesn't go mad, started barking. Like mad. My mom eventually went outside to see what the bark it's all about, and discovered a hedgehog, in the, um....hedge. Sandy was protesting the uninvited trespassing of her yard. My mother, electing not to deal the small prickly creature, brought Sandy into the house, where she sat with her nose pressed against the door for the rest of the night. Admittedly, she might have dozed off at some point - nobody stayed up to watch her.
Sandy had spent the next few days sniffing out the little creature with no success.
One night, as I walked her, I met a neighbor, another late-night walker, and we stood and chatted for a bit. Sandy stretched her lead as far as it would go, and stuck her nose under the hedge of my parent's next door neighbor's' yard. She stood there, her faced fixed for almost two minutes. Now, Goldens do not stay focused for entire two minutes. Certainly not Sandy. It only occurred to me after those two minutes, that Sandy was looking at something very intently. Going around her, I saw her nose pressed as close as she dared to a curled up hedgehog. Hedgehog was rolled in a ball, thinking "take a bite...I dare you!" as hedgehogs do. Sandy was thinking "....???...." as Goldens do.
Two nights later, at a completely different part of the street, Sandy was pulling hard to the right, toward a fence. The little hedgehog was walking along happily. Out of curiosity, I let her get close. She again stuck her nose as close as she dared and sniffed. The hedgehog curled a bit, then decided it was not worth the trouble, stretched out, and walked on, Sandy at foot. We had to break off our slow pursuit finally. This really brings into question the whole survival instincts issue, but never mind.
Then, last night, I was pulling out - for those who wander what I'm doing at my parents' house so often it is because I was house-sitting for the last week, and they live very close anyway, and mom-food beats pizza-warming any time! Anyway, I was pulling out into the street, where a small black-gray-dotted-white thing walked across by headlights. The hedgehog was on the move again. He paused, looked my way, thought about it, and turned back, choosing not to stare down my car into submission. As I looked back in my rear-view mirror, I could see him taking a shot at crossing again.
The really cool thing about this whole affair is this: If I ever get a rock-and-roll band together, I have a great name!
Sandy and the Hedgehog.
Rock on.
Friday, May 19, 2006
The cloths you wear
The power of music amazes me each time.
It is a large part of many people's lives. At a certain range of ages it is downright the defining element of their lives.
For many many years fashion and attitude was an inseparable part of one's musical preferences. The hippies and yuppies. Are you a punk? are you a rocker? rapper?
Today you can be Indie, or Emo; or are you Goth?
People dress, wear their hair and makeup, and speak the part of the musical fan of their particular genre of choice.
A girl asked me the other day: what do I consider myself. It took me a while to understand what she meant, and then I realized that she still thinks I'm young enough to care.
Eclectic Punk, I told her, and as far as I know I'm the only one in the world. In fact, the moment anyone, anywhere, will say that they, too, are eclectic punks I will automatically cease to be one.
But what does that mean, she asked.
Well, I said, eclectic because I like many many types of music. I like garage punk. I like some of the indie bands that pop up every now and then. I enjoy the big bands like U2 and REM. There is a host of 80s music that I love. I love Garbage. I like that new song by Rihanna (SOS Rescue Me with the Tainted Love base line). I'm addicted to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Queens of the Stone Age. I'll hurt anyone who says anything bad about Fiona Apple.
Punk is because I will kick the ass of anyone who tries to put in me in a box because of the music I listen to!
I hate that. I was into heavy metal in high-school. Nobody could understand why I wear my hair short. I was into grunge in uni, and everybody wondered why I don't have any plaid flannel shirts.
Now I jump from side to side in my respectable, adult car listening to the new Metric CD I got (which is great, by the way) and look at me funny, like I shouldn't, being my age.
I ought to wear a three piece suit for the next rock concert I go to, just to make a point.
Although I probably wont.
I just don't own one.
It is a large part of many people's lives. At a certain range of ages it is downright the defining element of their lives.
For many many years fashion and attitude was an inseparable part of one's musical preferences. The hippies and yuppies. Are you a punk? are you a rocker? rapper?
Today you can be Indie, or Emo; or are you Goth?
People dress, wear their hair and makeup, and speak the part of the musical fan of their particular genre of choice.
A girl asked me the other day: what do I consider myself. It took me a while to understand what she meant, and then I realized that she still thinks I'm young enough to care.
Eclectic Punk, I told her, and as far as I know I'm the only one in the world. In fact, the moment anyone, anywhere, will say that they, too, are eclectic punks I will automatically cease to be one.
But what does that mean, she asked.
Well, I said, eclectic because I like many many types of music. I like garage punk. I like some of the indie bands that pop up every now and then. I enjoy the big bands like U2 and REM. There is a host of 80s music that I love. I love Garbage. I like that new song by Rihanna (SOS Rescue Me with the Tainted Love base line). I'm addicted to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Queens of the Stone Age. I'll hurt anyone who says anything bad about Fiona Apple.
Punk is because I will kick the ass of anyone who tries to put in me in a box because of the music I listen to!
I hate that. I was into heavy metal in high-school. Nobody could understand why I wear my hair short. I was into grunge in uni, and everybody wondered why I don't have any plaid flannel shirts.
Now I jump from side to side in my respectable, adult car listening to the new Metric CD I got (which is great, by the way) and look at me funny, like I shouldn't, being my age.
I ought to wear a three piece suit for the next rock concert I go to, just to make a point.
Although I probably wont.
I just don't own one.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
"Money...It's a gas
...Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash."
So say the lyrics of "Money" by Pink Floyd.
A few weeks ago, Roger Waters has announced that he is canceling his upcoming performance in Israel, citing the treatment of the Palestinians by Israel as the reason. He canceled the show because of Palestinian pressure that told him that performing in Israel is a clear statement in favor of the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian Territories and Oppression of the Palestinian People.
The peace loving, humane, justice-hound Waters has promptly canceled his show.
The show was then reinstated after the venue was moved from the Yarkon park, the largest, most convenient park in Israel for any sort of gathering, especially for concerts of any kind, to Neve Shalom, a remote village somewhere in Israel. Neve Shalom is a small village west of Jerusalem. It is an experimental agricultural community where Arabs and Jews live together, and somebody, I guess, liked the symbolism of it. To host the show, huge tracks of agricultural land will have to be steam-rolled and tractored over to make room for a stage, a viewing area, camping ground, and a parking lot for thousands of fans. Crops laid to waste right before the harvest for the benefit of mass entertainment. Between you and me, with the current state of agricultural economy in Israel being what it is, the farmers are better off this way, by that's besides the point.
all the cost coming out of the promoter's pocket, of course. It wasn't some onward-peace gesture by Waters. He'll still get his money from this. The only reason the crowds aren't paying for this shift is that most of the tickets were already sold. I'm sure that parking prices will be high to try and recoup some of the lost.
If Waters really cared about peace, really wanted to make a stand, really wanted to boycott Israel, than he wouldn't let his music be sold here or played here. We can buy his CD's but we can't see him perform? As long as the money glides in, source unbeknownst to him, all is well, but when he is in the stage light, he feels he must suddenly make a stand?
I have to admit, that I was never a huge Pink Floyd or Roger Waters fan. Their music never spoke to me. Never understood the allure. Sure, I like a few of the songs specifically - Money, Wish You Were Here, and others - but if I ever get the urge to have some of them handy, you can bet your ass I'll find them elsewhere than a record store.
None of my money to Waters.
So say the lyrics of "Money" by Pink Floyd.
A few weeks ago, Roger Waters has announced that he is canceling his upcoming performance in Israel, citing the treatment of the Palestinians by Israel as the reason. He canceled the show because of Palestinian pressure that told him that performing in Israel is a clear statement in favor of the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian Territories and Oppression of the Palestinian People.
The peace loving, humane, justice-hound Waters has promptly canceled his show.
The show was then reinstated after the venue was moved from the Yarkon park, the largest, most convenient park in Israel for any sort of gathering, especially for concerts of any kind, to Neve Shalom, a remote village somewhere in Israel. Neve Shalom is a small village west of Jerusalem. It is an experimental agricultural community where Arabs and Jews live together, and somebody, I guess, liked the symbolism of it. To host the show, huge tracks of agricultural land will have to be steam-rolled and tractored over to make room for a stage, a viewing area, camping ground, and a parking lot for thousands of fans. Crops laid to waste right before the harvest for the benefit of mass entertainment. Between you and me, with the current state of agricultural economy in Israel being what it is, the farmers are better off this way, by that's besides the point.
all the cost coming out of the promoter's pocket, of course. It wasn't some onward-peace gesture by Waters. He'll still get his money from this. The only reason the crowds aren't paying for this shift is that most of the tickets were already sold. I'm sure that parking prices will be high to try and recoup some of the lost.
If Waters really cared about peace, really wanted to make a stand, really wanted to boycott Israel, than he wouldn't let his music be sold here or played here. We can buy his CD's but we can't see him perform? As long as the money glides in, source unbeknownst to him, all is well, but when he is in the stage light, he feels he must suddenly make a stand?
I have to admit, that I was never a huge Pink Floyd or Roger Waters fan. Their music never spoke to me. Never understood the allure. Sure, I like a few of the songs specifically - Money, Wish You Were Here, and others - but if I ever get the urge to have some of them handy, you can bet your ass I'll find them elsewhere than a record store.
None of my money to Waters.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
High Volume
I've had a little bitch-slap because apparently some of my friends do read this and I have not posted in a very long time. There are several reasons for not posting anything. It's not because I had nothing to say, it's just that there were three categories of things I might have written about in the past while. The first category of things - every day life - I was too lazy to write about. The second category of things - things that piss me off - I was too disgusted with to write about. The third categories - thoughts and muses - I was too blank to write about. So I didn't write anything.
However, my meager audience demands something, so here it is.
I've read an article the other day about blogs. Some woman in a national newspaper was putting down personal, general purpose blogs as being pretty stupid. Most, she pointed out, are by people who lose interest very quickly, and their few pearls of dumbness just collect bit-wise dust somewhere on a hard-drive. She said she did not want to start off something she knows there is a 99% chance she'll abandon in a month. Anything important she has to say, she claims, she will tell her family and friends directly, and not blast it over the void.
I'd like to comment on both her remarks. First, we all like to try new things and see if we like them. Sometimes it's a new restaurant and you blow of a little bit of money tasting new things. Sometimes you buy a guitar which rots away after a couple of months. Sometimes we take sky-diving lessons for a whole lot of change, only to discover that it's the farthest thing for what may be described as "for us". Luckily, the Internet and the good folks at dozens of sites, including Blogger, will let us experiment for free. So why not? Maybe we will like it. Maybe we will write things forever. So if this appeals to you even a little bit, and you feel like you might have something that you would like to write or show and tell about, go ahead. You might find that you have a taste for it. Or at least you will know for sure it's not for you.
The second point is this: how often do we really have long hard chats with our friends? I know that if I do have the occasional "heart to heart" conversation where I can be emotional or philosophical or anything else, it's usually with a single friend. Maybe two. Sometimes I would like to convey a message for everyone, and I want to do now, as the muse strikes me. I could e-mail something, but this is so much better. It doesn't feel like it's aimed at anybody in particular, while an e-mail is so directed.
The only problem is that you can't bitch about one friend to another. You bitch to everyone about anyone - somebody out there is saying "I lost more friends that way..." - or you can keep your mouth shut.
I'm thinking of creating another entity and bitch there. Yey Internet and virtual anonymity (nobody believes that we are truly anonymous anymore, do they?).
By the way, "bit-wise dust" is my own invention. Like it? I'm starting to use it for any piece of electronically existing thing that is shelved and never touched. I've also came up with "bugware", but apparently it's already widely used. I guess I'm not as creative as I thought I was.
However, my meager audience demands something, so here it is.
I've read an article the other day about blogs. Some woman in a national newspaper was putting down personal, general purpose blogs as being pretty stupid. Most, she pointed out, are by people who lose interest very quickly, and their few pearls of dumbness just collect bit-wise dust somewhere on a hard-drive. She said she did not want to start off something she knows there is a 99% chance she'll abandon in a month. Anything important she has to say, she claims, she will tell her family and friends directly, and not blast it over the void.
I'd like to comment on both her remarks. First, we all like to try new things and see if we like them. Sometimes it's a new restaurant and you blow of a little bit of money tasting new things. Sometimes you buy a guitar which rots away after a couple of months. Sometimes we take sky-diving lessons for a whole lot of change, only to discover that it's the farthest thing for what may be described as "for us". Luckily, the Internet and the good folks at dozens of sites, including Blogger, will let us experiment for free. So why not? Maybe we will like it. Maybe we will write things forever. So if this appeals to you even a little bit, and you feel like you might have something that you would like to write or show and tell about, go ahead. You might find that you have a taste for it. Or at least you will know for sure it's not for you.
The second point is this: how often do we really have long hard chats with our friends? I know that if I do have the occasional "heart to heart" conversation where I can be emotional or philosophical or anything else, it's usually with a single friend. Maybe two. Sometimes I would like to convey a message for everyone, and I want to do now, as the muse strikes me. I could e-mail something, but this is so much better. It doesn't feel like it's aimed at anybody in particular, while an e-mail is so directed.
The only problem is that you can't bitch about one friend to another. You bitch to everyone about anyone - somebody out there is saying "I lost more friends that way..." - or you can keep your mouth shut.
I'm thinking of creating another entity and bitch there. Yey Internet and virtual anonymity (nobody believes that we are truly anonymous anymore, do they?).
By the way, "bit-wise dust" is my own invention. Like it? I'm starting to use it for any piece of electronically existing thing that is shelved and never touched. I've also came up with "bugware", but apparently it's already widely used. I guess I'm not as creative as I thought I was.
High Volume
I've had a little bitch-slap because apparently some of my friends do read this and I have not posted in a very long time. There are several reasons for not posting anything. It's not because I had nothing to say, it's just that there were three categories of things I might have written about in the past while. The first category of things - every day life - I was too lazy to write about. The second category of things - things that piss me off - I was too disgusted with to write about. The third categories - thoughts and muses - I was too blank to write about. So I didn't write anything.
However, my meager audience demands something, so here it is.
I've read an article the other day about blogs. Some woman in a national newspaper was putting down personal, general purpose blogs as being pretty stupid. Most, she pointed out, are by people who lose interest very quickly, and their few pearls of dumbness just collect bit-wise dust somewhere on a hard-drive. She said she did not want to start off something she knows there is a 99% chance she'll abandon in a month. Anything important she has to say, she claims, she will tell her family and friends directly, and not blast it over the void.
I'd like to comment on both her remarks. First, we all like to try new things and see if we like them. Sometimes it's a new restaurant and you blow of a little bit of money tasting new things. Sometimes you buy a guitar which rots away after a couple of months. Sometimes we take sky-diving lessons for a whole lot of change, only to discover that it's the farthest thing for what may be described as "for us". Luckily, the Internet and the good folks at dozens of sites, including Blogger, will let us experiment for free. So why not? Maybe we will like it. Maybe we will write things forever. So if this appeals to you even a little bit, and you feel like you might have something that you would like to write or show and tell about, go ahead. You might find that you have a taste for it. Or at least you will know for sure it's not for you.
The second point is this: how often do we really have long hard chats with our friends? I know that if I do have the occasional "heart to heart" conversation where I can be emotional or philosophical or anything else, it's usually with a single friend. Maybe two. Sometimes I would like to convey a message for everyone, and I want to do now, as the muse strikes me. I could e-mail something, but this is so much better. It doesn't feel like it's aimed at anybody in particular, while an e-mail is so directed.
The only problem is that you can't bitch about one friend to another. You bitch to everyone about anyone - somebody out there is saying "I lost more friends that way..." - or you can keep your mouth shut.
I'm thinking of creating another entity and bitch there. Yey Internet and virtual anonymity (nobody believes that we are truly anonymous anymore, do they?).
By the way, "bit-wise dust" is my own invention. Like it? I'm starting to use it for any piece of electronically existing thing that is shelved and never touched. I've also came up with "bugware", but apparently it's already widely used. I guess I'm not as creative as I thought I was.
However, my meager audience demands something, so here it is.
I've read an article the other day about blogs. Some woman in a national newspaper was putting down personal, general purpose blogs as being pretty stupid. Most, she pointed out, are by people who lose interest very quickly, and their few pearls of dumbness just collect bit-wise dust somewhere on a hard-drive. She said she did not want to start off something she knows there is a 99% chance she'll abandon in a month. Anything important she has to say, she claims, she will tell her family and friends directly, and not blast it over the void.
I'd like to comment on both her remarks. First, we all like to try new things and see if we like them. Sometimes it's a new restaurant and you blow of a little bit of money tasting new things. Sometimes you buy a guitar which rots away after a couple of months. Sometimes we take sky-diving lessons for a whole lot of change, only to discover that it's the farthest thing for what may be described as "for us". Luckily, the Internet and the good folks at dozens of sites, including Blogger, will let us experiment for free. So why not? Maybe we will like it. Maybe we will write things forever. So if this appeals to you even a little bit, and you feel like you might have something that you would like to write or show and tell about, go ahead. You might find that you have a taste for it. Or at least you will know for sure it's not for you.
The second point is this: how often do we really have long hard chats with our friends? I know that if I do have the occasional "heart to heart" conversation where I can be emotional or philosophical or anything else, it's usually with a single friend. Maybe two. Sometimes I would like to convey a message for everyone, and I want to do now, as the muse strikes me. I could e-mail something, but this is so much better. It doesn't feel like it's aimed at anybody in particular, while an e-mail is so directed.
The only problem is that you can't bitch about one friend to another. You bitch to everyone about anyone - somebody out there is saying "I lost more friends that way..." - or you can keep your mouth shut.
I'm thinking of creating another entity and bitch there. Yey Internet and virtual anonymity (nobody believes that we are truly anonymous anymore, do they?).
By the way, "bit-wise dust" is my own invention. Like it? I'm starting to use it for any piece of electronically existing thing that is shelved and never touched. I've also came up with "bugware", but apparently it's already widely used. I guess I'm not as creative as I thought I was.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Why I can't watch LOTR with my father anymore
OK, probably the greatest set of films produced. Ever. "Lord of the Rings". It leaves "Star Wars" in its dust, combining the amazing storytelling and plot weaving of J.R.R. Tolkien with the imagination, vision, and execution of Peter Jackson.
I have watched the entire trilogy three times already, and it leaves me with a gaping jaw every time. I have, of course, bought the extended edition release, because more is better in this case.
And so, I sat to watch it with my father, who is also a huge fan. Except I can barely watch five straight minutes of film without "was this in the original release?...was this...?".
Now, I remember, mostly. It is also indicated in the chapters which as been extended from or add to the theatrical version.
But I want to watch the film!
I need to concentrate. I need to feel myself disappear into the story. I welcome the abduction of all my senses when I watch these films, and I feel myself walking along with the characters. Awed with them at the sights that accompany them on their journey. Because where the film is amiss, I complete from my own knowledge of the story from the all the works of Tolkien I have read and even fleeting moments on screen take on a profound meaning, that someone who has only seen the movies might overlook, or be completely unaware of.
And then there are the gaps. Some things are not crystal clear in the movie, and I, having become the repository of all things LOTR for my father, find myself explaining little bits of background information. "Why did he say that?" and "Where did they go?" and "Where did they com from?" and my favorite "How come they don't know this?" It's annoying and distracting.
Next time, I'm bringing with me a piece of paper and pen.
Please save all questions to the end.
I have watched the entire trilogy three times already, and it leaves me with a gaping jaw every time. I have, of course, bought the extended edition release, because more is better in this case.
And so, I sat to watch it with my father, who is also a huge fan. Except I can barely watch five straight minutes of film without "was this in the original release?...was this...?".
Now, I remember, mostly. It is also indicated in the chapters which as been extended from or add to the theatrical version.
But I want to watch the film!
I need to concentrate. I need to feel myself disappear into the story. I welcome the abduction of all my senses when I watch these films, and I feel myself walking along with the characters. Awed with them at the sights that accompany them on their journey. Because where the film is amiss, I complete from my own knowledge of the story from the all the works of Tolkien I have read and even fleeting moments on screen take on a profound meaning, that someone who has only seen the movies might overlook, or be completely unaware of.
And then there are the gaps. Some things are not crystal clear in the movie, and I, having become the repository of all things LOTR for my father, find myself explaining little bits of background information. "Why did he say that?" and "Where did they go?" and "Where did they com from?" and my favorite "How come they don't know this?" It's annoying and distracting.
Next time, I'm bringing with me a piece of paper and pen.
Please save all questions to the end.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Black on Black
What a genius Lewis Black is!
I'm in the process of listening (it's better than reading) his book "Nothing's Sacred". It prompted an urge to download all his Back in Black segments from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I can no longer watch the show itself because of a cable versus satellite competitions and regulations and cost-value schemes, but the internet serves me with the highlights.
Anyway, it has been a long time since such a politically aware comic has been so affective is Lewis Black. Politically in the way of Political-Correctness comic, not a Political-Governmental way.
Satire about celebrities and minorities and life in general has been amiss since someone invented political Correctness, and that person should be shot. Jon Stewart has made a whole career of it. There have been people in the past, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and others I might no even be aware of, but in my life-time I can barely remember any. None that were really exceptional (may Chris Rock forgive these lines). It's more than making jokes about them, it's putting them in a rediculous light.
Returning to Lewis Black, I just love him. He doesn't always make me laugh, and that's exactly the point. He touches nerves that most people nowadays stay away from. Things that I may not find funny, do not put me off of listening to every word he has to say. He warns us about the things in life we might take too seriously, and points out their absurdities. He points out the naked kings we wish to follow, worship, and celebrate. The way we empathize with celebrities who a suffer minor indignation, while our neighbors and fellow men wallow in true misery.
And on top of that, he is funny!
What else can we ask for?!
I'm in the process of listening (it's better than reading) his book "Nothing's Sacred". It prompted an urge to download all his Back in Black segments from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I can no longer watch the show itself because of a cable versus satellite competitions and regulations and cost-value schemes, but the internet serves me with the highlights.
Anyway, it has been a long time since such a politically aware comic has been so affective is Lewis Black. Politically in the way of Political-Correctness comic, not a Political-Governmental way.
Satire about celebrities and minorities and life in general has been amiss since someone invented political Correctness, and that person should be shot. Jon Stewart has made a whole career of it. There have been people in the past, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and others I might no even be aware of, but in my life-time I can barely remember any. None that were really exceptional (may Chris Rock forgive these lines). It's more than making jokes about them, it's putting them in a rediculous light.
Returning to Lewis Black, I just love him. He doesn't always make me laugh, and that's exactly the point. He touches nerves that most people nowadays stay away from. Things that I may not find funny, do not put me off of listening to every word he has to say. He warns us about the things in life we might take too seriously, and points out their absurdities. He points out the naked kings we wish to follow, worship, and celebrate. The way we empathize with celebrities who a suffer minor indignation, while our neighbors and fellow men wallow in true misery.
And on top of that, he is funny!
What else can we ask for?!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Music bitching again...
I'm going to rant about music again. This time not in the disgusting self-pity of my lat entry, but in a militant "what-the-hell-are-they-playing" fashion.
As I've mentioned before, I occasionally like to go out an play some pool. I'm not very good at it, I've mentioned as well, but damn it, I like it!
We meet at a place not far from here, on the roof a large mall. It's a nice sized club with lots of people and large projected TV's all around so you can check out the current game on Eurosports, or maybe the latest in the fashion on FTV (depending on the mood of who=ever is in charge).
Now, as some may know, pool halls should have certain kind of music playing in them. Namely Rock. Rock and Roll. Punk Rock. Garage Punk...Anything with guitars and drums. It can be hard or heavy, melodic or bouncing, indie or progressive (no emo, please!), but it should fall into the category of "Rock Music".
Hip Hop, not to mention Rap, have no real space in a pool hall, but I can see how they would work.
Dance is right out!
That stupid banging and repetitive beats with dumb-ass words and three repeating bars of distinguishable music.
And that's kinda what they play at the place we go to.
If it weren't for the awful music they play it would be perfect.
I swear my play time is cut short because long before I get tired of playing, the music just pisses me off! It does, indeed, save me money, but I'm not sure that it's the manager's intentions.
Every once in a while they have a good evening with kick ass music, but it's usually only for an hour or so, and then they return to the regularly schedule crap. We've spoken to them once, and the guy at the desk (running the music computer) says the music is mandated by the owners over the entire chain, and they can't do anything about it.
Tonight, for example, I've heard five Eminem songs in the course of the hour and a half we were there. That is too much, even if I am in the mood! Which I wasn't.
I apologize to all the Eminem fans out there, but "Cleanin Out My Closet" is not a pool-playing background-music song!
Makes me wanna stick a cue through my brain!
As I've mentioned before, I occasionally like to go out an play some pool. I'm not very good at it, I've mentioned as well, but damn it, I like it!
We meet at a place not far from here, on the roof a large mall. It's a nice sized club with lots of people and large projected TV's all around so you can check out the current game on Eurosports, or maybe the latest in the fashion on FTV (depending on the mood of who=ever is in charge).
Now, as some may know, pool halls should have certain kind of music playing in them. Namely Rock. Rock and Roll. Punk Rock. Garage Punk...Anything with guitars and drums. It can be hard or heavy, melodic or bouncing, indie or progressive (no emo, please!), but it should fall into the category of "Rock Music".
Hip Hop, not to mention Rap, have no real space in a pool hall, but I can see how they would work.
Dance is right out!
That stupid banging and repetitive beats with dumb-ass words and three repeating bars of distinguishable music.
And that's kinda what they play at the place we go to.
If it weren't for the awful music they play it would be perfect.
I swear my play time is cut short because long before I get tired of playing, the music just pisses me off! It does, indeed, save me money, but I'm not sure that it's the manager's intentions.
Every once in a while they have a good evening with kick ass music, but it's usually only for an hour or so, and then they return to the regularly schedule crap. We've spoken to them once, and the guy at the desk (running the music computer) says the music is mandated by the owners over the entire chain, and they can't do anything about it.
Tonight, for example, I've heard five Eminem songs in the course of the hour and a half we were there. That is too much, even if I am in the mood! Which I wasn't.
I apologize to all the Eminem fans out there, but "Cleanin Out My Closet" is not a pool-playing background-music song!
Makes me wanna stick a cue through my brain!
Monday, April 17, 2006
Silence
Music is one of the greatest things in the world. I love music. I can listen to music, but most often I experience it. I can't tell you what's my favorite song or who is my favorite band, because there are thousands of songs that I love the most, and dozens of bands that whose music I like almost unconditionally (the definition of fanatic!).
As long as I can remember, I had a sound-track to my life. I would wake up in the morning with a song in my head. The song would change with my mood. Sometimes, a surprising song on the radio will alter my mood completely. Music was defined my current mood, and affected it in much the same way.
However, lately, I have been waking up with nothing. And walking through the day with nothing. Sometimes, a song will elevate my mood, but it's occurring in lessening frequency. It is the brightest and most shiny sign of my lack of inspiration. I get up, and I don't want to go to work. I feel bored. I go to write something, and nothing comes out, and instead I let my mind lock on something stupid on the television set.
I need a change to happen. Quickly. Get up and change myself, people keep telling me, but it's hard to do when you're mired in dullness, and you can't see what's your interest in getting up and doing something.
I need something to elate me again, because I'm just sad all the time. And angry. And, sometimes nothing. Just blank.
As long as I can remember, I had a sound-track to my life. I would wake up in the morning with a song in my head. The song would change with my mood. Sometimes, a surprising song on the radio will alter my mood completely. Music was defined my current mood, and affected it in much the same way.
However, lately, I have been waking up with nothing. And walking through the day with nothing. Sometimes, a song will elevate my mood, but it's occurring in lessening frequency. It is the brightest and most shiny sign of my lack of inspiration. I get up, and I don't want to go to work. I feel bored. I go to write something, and nothing comes out, and instead I let my mind lock on something stupid on the television set.
I need a change to happen. Quickly. Get up and change myself, people keep telling me, but it's hard to do when you're mired in dullness, and you can't see what's your interest in getting up and doing something.
I need something to elate me again, because I'm just sad all the time. And angry. And, sometimes nothing. Just blank.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Let's Eat!
It is said that all Jewish holidays may be described in the following manner: "Somebody wanted to kill us all, but we were saved at the last minute. Let's Eat!"
It's true, for the most part. No matter how asinine the reason is for a holiday, there is an ample amount of food, many items specific to that holiday, an no others.
Never is this truer that at Passover. The entire holiday (all seven days of it) is centered around the food. There are special foods that we eat only during this week. There is a special Kosher designation for Passover. Many of the every day food-stuffs that we eat, become contraband in Passover. You are not even supposed to have them in access. Whatever you don't throw away you must sell!
There is so much food-related fussing, that the real reason for the holiday is almost forgotten in the shuffle.
Passover celebrates freedom. In Hebrew we refer to it as the "Liberty Holiday". It is also the "Spring Holiday". There are many names to it, but aside from a few select moments in this long holiday, we never remember them. It's all about who is more "Kosher for Passover".
It's down to Kosher bathroom cleaning products!
Likely to lick a toilet bowl, are we?
It's true, for the most part. No matter how asinine the reason is for a holiday, there is an ample amount of food, many items specific to that holiday, an no others.
Never is this truer that at Passover. The entire holiday (all seven days of it) is centered around the food. There are special foods that we eat only during this week. There is a special Kosher designation for Passover. Many of the every day food-stuffs that we eat, become contraband in Passover. You are not even supposed to have them in access. Whatever you don't throw away you must sell!
There is so much food-related fussing, that the real reason for the holiday is almost forgotten in the shuffle.
Passover celebrates freedom. In Hebrew we refer to it as the "Liberty Holiday". It is also the "Spring Holiday". There are many names to it, but aside from a few select moments in this long holiday, we never remember them. It's all about who is more "Kosher for Passover".
It's down to Kosher bathroom cleaning products!
Likely to lick a toilet bowl, are we?
Sunday, April 09, 2006
2nd Degree Relations
There is an old Israeli-army quote about career-NCOs: "I want a large circle of 360 degrees, and inside a small circle of 180 degrees!"
It is used in great reverence for their intelligence (where is that sarcastic blue when you need it) but I use it symbolize tight circles of relationships. Inside, you have your closest friends. Friends you can share any thoughts with. People you can share your very life with. A circle so tight it does seem to have only 180 degrees in it.
Outside, there is the "friends of friends". People who, usually, are met through mutual friends, who you keep a friendly term with, but not a person you would normally call out of the blue for nothing. These are the second degree relations. People who are not really close, but close enough that you don't want to hurt their feelings. Usually because of repercussion from people you do care about, but never mind the motive.
The worst is when these people don't notice. The circles are often very clear, and people share definition of a circle. It is rare, although it happens, that one person might place another in an inner circle, while the latter places the former in an outer circle. This misunderstanding of relationship definition can be, at best uncomfortable, and at worst, downright annoying.
This can often lead to greatly awkward moments.
Like last night
When I found myself in an outer-circle party, when all my inner-circle friends - the link to the hosts - were missing. It was a birthday party as well, so small gifts were involved, on top of everything. One got stuck on a trip with a broken down car and could not make it, one has a pregnant wife who was feeling ill, and another was sick at home with mild pneumonia. All valid excuses, except the pneumonia - what's a little coughing of contagious viruses! Except, that I was mostly by myself with people I wasn't so close to and did not look to get so close to.
And now I've made their inner circle, which is why they are bothering me with IMs all day! Like now, as I'm writing this!
Social civility is a bitch!
It is used in great reverence for their intelligence (where is that sarcastic blue when you need it) but I use it symbolize tight circles of relationships. Inside, you have your closest friends. Friends you can share any thoughts with. People you can share your very life with. A circle so tight it does seem to have only 180 degrees in it.
Outside, there is the "friends of friends". People who, usually, are met through mutual friends, who you keep a friendly term with, but not a person you would normally call out of the blue for nothing. These are the second degree relations. People who are not really close, but close enough that you don't want to hurt their feelings. Usually because of repercussion from people you do care about, but never mind the motive.
The worst is when these people don't notice. The circles are often very clear, and people share definition of a circle. It is rare, although it happens, that one person might place another in an inner circle, while the latter places the former in an outer circle. This misunderstanding of relationship definition can be, at best uncomfortable, and at worst, downright annoying.
This can often lead to greatly awkward moments.
Like last night
When I found myself in an outer-circle party, when all my inner-circle friends - the link to the hosts - were missing. It was a birthday party as well, so small gifts were involved, on top of everything. One got stuck on a trip with a broken down car and could not make it, one has a pregnant wife who was feeling ill, and another was sick at home with mild pneumonia. All valid excuses, except the pneumonia - what's a little coughing of contagious viruses! Except, that I was mostly by myself with people I wasn't so close to and did not look to get so close to.
And now I've made their inner circle, which is why they are bothering me with IMs all day! Like now, as I'm writing this!
Social civility is a bitch!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Team Sports are hazardous to you health...
...if you're watching!
My sport is basketball. I can't play worth a damn, but I love to watch. I don't really have a team in particular, and my favorite change from season to season. The reality is that I'm a fan of coaches! I'm find myself rooting to the teams whose coaches I like.
All that's true in our local, national league.
The story is different in international competition when I'm a HUGE fan (of course) of the Israeli representative. In Europe, the biggest league is the Euroleague. The best teams in the continent play there. And the biggest team to play there, certainly over the last two year, is an Israeli team called Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
They year, the system has been cracked, and they face a much stiffer competition as all their moves have been studied and stopped by the other teams. This year there is a serious danger that they will not go all the. There is even a chance they wont make it to the Final Four (to be held at Prague this year, by the way).
How does all this affect me and why it is dangerous? Because of my poor heart that suffers a thousand tiny attacks during a forty minute game. On top of the immediate physiological affect, I also eat a lot during the game. Eat garbage of course, 'cause that's what you do while watching sports! All sorts of fat, oily, and salty things that come in little bags with health warning on them (I'm exaggerating of course; there are no, in fact, warnings in the bags, but there should be.)
Tonight, for example, was the second game in a series of three for the quarter finals. It was an away game, and Maccabi lost. The series it tied 1-1, and will be decided next week at home.
Maccabi played terribly. So instead of jumping up and down, screaming happily at the television, ignoring the munchables on the table, we sat there sulking, eating continuously. I feel quite sick right now, not to mention the poison that is now slowly being absorbed into my body.
Why do I keep doing this to myself? Because I have no self-restraint.
And because Maccabi keeps losing and playing poorly, and I'm worried that they are not taking the championship this year, and they might not even get to the Final Four.
It's all their fault!
I wonder if my insurance covers this in case I get a heart attack before the end of the season.
My sport is basketball. I can't play worth a damn, but I love to watch. I don't really have a team in particular, and my favorite change from season to season. The reality is that I'm a fan of coaches! I'm find myself rooting to the teams whose coaches I like.
All that's true in our local, national league.
The story is different in international competition when I'm a HUGE fan (of course) of the Israeli representative. In Europe, the biggest league is the Euroleague. The best teams in the continent play there. And the biggest team to play there, certainly over the last two year, is an Israeli team called Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
They year, the system has been cracked, and they face a much stiffer competition as all their moves have been studied and stopped by the other teams. This year there is a serious danger that they will not go all the. There is even a chance they wont make it to the Final Four (to be held at Prague this year, by the way).
How does all this affect me and why it is dangerous? Because of my poor heart that suffers a thousand tiny attacks during a forty minute game. On top of the immediate physiological affect, I also eat a lot during the game. Eat garbage of course, 'cause that's what you do while watching sports! All sorts of fat, oily, and salty things that come in little bags with health warning on them (I'm exaggerating of course; there are no, in fact, warnings in the bags, but there should be.)
Tonight, for example, was the second game in a series of three for the quarter finals. It was an away game, and Maccabi lost. The series it tied 1-1, and will be decided next week at home.
Maccabi played terribly. So instead of jumping up and down, screaming happily at the television, ignoring the munchables on the table, we sat there sulking, eating continuously. I feel quite sick right now, not to mention the poison that is now slowly being absorbed into my body.
Why do I keep doing this to myself? Because I have no self-restraint.
And because Maccabi keeps losing and playing poorly, and I'm worried that they are not taking the championship this year, and they might not even get to the Final Four.
It's all their fault!
I wonder if my insurance covers this in case I get a heart attack before the end of the season.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Isn't that deflating...!
It's nice to know that with all the technology around, and all the crashing of PCs and Servers, all of internet service failure, network congestion, etc., you can always trust a flat tire to bring you back to reality.
I drove into my drive way, and there was a strange sound coming from somewhere I didn't quite place. As I opened the door, the load hissing sound was no longer unmistakable. I had a flat. I don't exactly know how it happened. Normally, I get flats because there is still construction all around me, so there it always the odd nail or piece of metal that jams itself into the rubber. This time, the valve itself torn at the base, and all the air came rushing out.
But there is nothing like changing a tire, a little manual labor, to bring some sense into things. I wish everything could be as easily replaced as a tire. A little back-work, and you're done.
I wish everyday my puzzles would not be more difficult than figuring out which way the Jack goes (because every car has to have its own special king of Jack; a standard would be unthinkable!) So I have grease under my fingernails, and cuts and little bruises over my arms, but it made me forget my day, that's for sure!
I should have a weekly self-initiated tire change. I seem happy about it, for some reason, where I should be cursing and kicking.
On second thought, maybe I'll just leave the tires be.
Oooh! Pizza's done!
I drove into my drive way, and there was a strange sound coming from somewhere I didn't quite place. As I opened the door, the load hissing sound was no longer unmistakable. I had a flat. I don't exactly know how it happened. Normally, I get flats because there is still construction all around me, so there it always the odd nail or piece of metal that jams itself into the rubber. This time, the valve itself torn at the base, and all the air came rushing out.
But there is nothing like changing a tire, a little manual labor, to bring some sense into things. I wish everything could be as easily replaced as a tire. A little back-work, and you're done.
I wish everyday my puzzles would not be more difficult than figuring out which way the Jack goes (because every car has to have its own special king of Jack; a standard would be unthinkable!) So I have grease under my fingernails, and cuts and little bruises over my arms, but it made me forget my day, that's for sure!
I should have a weekly self-initiated tire change. I seem happy about it, for some reason, where I should be cursing and kicking.
On second thought, maybe I'll just leave the tires be.
Oooh! Pizza's done!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Of course I'm wet again!
Yes, it is spring time, and yes, it rarely rains in the spring around here, but it sure as hell going to rain on me!
I hate the rain.
I don't really hate it, but I don't like it. Mainly it is because it is wet. Water on ground - good; water falling through air on head - bad.
I can be happy when it rains. Happy in a sort of appreciative, grateful sort of way, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
It all comes down to experiences. People who never leave the house, at least not be outside, can like the rain. They can stay indoors, and watch the magnificent flow outside. There are also people who take walks in the rain. They bundle up well, or poorly, depending on the effect they're after, and go for a walk. They can always return as soon as they feel the least bit uncomfortable.
My experiences include standing on a rooftop in a storm that lasted three days. This was back when I was in the Army. I was wearing five layers of winter gear, a flack-jacket, and combat gear, but after six hours straight in the pouring rain, even my underwear was wet.
Another experience is a Golden Retriever that doesn't care what's going on outside, when she needs to go She Needs To Go! (even her bark is capitalized at that point). I can't wait until a more convenient time, and I can't return whenever I want. She needs to go NOW and I have to stay outside until she concludes her business. Anybody who owns a dog knows that there is a very strict protocol for relieving oneself, and one does not "go" just anywhere.
That's what happened tonight. I was at my parents', and Sandy (our Golden) needed To Go. So I took her out, and got caught in a sudden downpour. I had no cloths to change into, and had to stay wet until I got back home.
So yey rain, and boo rain.
Give me the sunshine anytime! (those are some tough words coming from a red-headed-fair-skinned man who has been known to get sun-burns from neon!)
Spell-check Note: I wrote "ourside" when I meant "outside". Speller's suggestion: "Hurst". Go figure...
I hate the rain.
I don't really hate it, but I don't like it. Mainly it is because it is wet. Water on ground - good; water falling through air on head - bad.
I can be happy when it rains. Happy in a sort of appreciative, grateful sort of way, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
It all comes down to experiences. People who never leave the house, at least not be outside, can like the rain. They can stay indoors, and watch the magnificent flow outside. There are also people who take walks in the rain. They bundle up well, or poorly, depending on the effect they're after, and go for a walk. They can always return as soon as they feel the least bit uncomfortable.
My experiences include standing on a rooftop in a storm that lasted three days. This was back when I was in the Army. I was wearing five layers of winter gear, a flack-jacket, and combat gear, but after six hours straight in the pouring rain, even my underwear was wet.
Another experience is a Golden Retriever that doesn't care what's going on outside, when she needs to go She Needs To Go! (even her bark is capitalized at that point). I can't wait until a more convenient time, and I can't return whenever I want. She needs to go NOW and I have to stay outside until she concludes her business. Anybody who owns a dog knows that there is a very strict protocol for relieving oneself, and one does not "go" just anywhere.
That's what happened tonight. I was at my parents', and Sandy (our Golden) needed To Go. So I took her out, and got caught in a sudden downpour. I had no cloths to change into, and had to stay wet until I got back home.
So yey rain, and boo rain.
Give me the sunshine anytime! (those are some tough words coming from a red-headed-fair-skinned man who has been known to get sun-burns from neon!)
Spell-check Note: I wrote "ourside" when I meant "outside". Speller's suggestion: "Hurst". Go figure...
Friday, March 31, 2006
Short Day
So, this being a third rate excuse for second class country, you can never tell when daylight saving time starts and finishes. I know it seems absurd, but here in Israel, DST is a political issue, and is completely dependent on the coalition the current government has created. That's why your humble servant has to wake up one morning, and then be surprised as he reads the first news page of the day that tonight is the night. At 0200 it will be 0300. I was supposed to remember, every one told me that in the fall they said that "winter time" will last until March 31. Next year we're expecting different dates, by the way. We just had elections, and hopefully we'll have a new government in the next few weeks (these things take time, you know). This means that coalition-building negotiations will determine the length and width of our daylight saving time.
On lighter news:
Funny thing happened on the road tonight. It has been a very long day (going on shorter since the clock jumps ahead) and I turned my radio on loud and started singing (and banging my head a little bit) to the rock on the radio. I've mentioned before that I tend to sing at the top of my lungs along to a good song. Well, this singing (and severe head bobbing) caught the attention of the woman standing next to me at the gridlock. At first she seemed horrified, and as she realized I was happily singing she started laughing and gave me a thumb up!
Cool!
Also, today:
I got my new scanner!
This is the reason why it is now 0132 at nigh....oh, shit, it's 0232 at night!...and I'm still up after such a long day. So far, I am ecstatic with it. It's great. So now, I'm pressing on. So many new applications, so many new modes.
Com'on! Just one more picture and I'm off to sleep...
Maybe a couple more...
We'll see...
On lighter news:
Funny thing happened on the road tonight. It has been a very long day (going on shorter since the clock jumps ahead) and I turned my radio on loud and started singing (and banging my head a little bit) to the rock on the radio. I've mentioned before that I tend to sing at the top of my lungs along to a good song. Well, this singing (and severe head bobbing) caught the attention of the woman standing next to me at the gridlock. At first she seemed horrified, and as she realized I was happily singing she started laughing and gave me a thumb up!
Cool!
Also, today:
I got my new scanner!
This is the reason why it is now 0132 at nigh....oh, shit, it's 0232 at night!...and I'm still up after such a long day. So far, I am ecstatic with it. It's great. So now, I'm pressing on. So many new applications, so many new modes.
Com'on! Just one more picture and I'm off to sleep...
Maybe a couple more...
We'll see...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Ode to Bureaucracy
I built a house.
I acctually bought a house as part of a larger project, and they built the project-house customized to my requirements. At first there was just a mound of dirt among many mounds of dirt. Then it was a flat field of dirt with little metal poles with red and yellow streamers. Eventually there was a house among a whole neighborhood of houses.
Along the way, the hardest thing to deal with was the bureaucracy that you have to go through. Luckily, there was a minimal amount that I had to personally complete, since the whole project had a management that took care of most things. But still, some did not escape me, and I had to deal with it myself.
Today is another step: I'm getting hooked to the fixed electrical connection. Up until now (almost a year) I was connected via a temporary connection, which is different only in the cost of kilowatt/hour (more then doubled for a temporery connection). And since I have no choice in the electrical service provider, I am at the mercy of the electrical company bureaucracy, which told me that the technicians will be here in the morning. "Morning", for those who do not speak the language of union-backed clecks, stands for "7am to somewhere between 12 to 12:30pm".
(NOTE: I'm sure where my fingers stumbled, but the blog published itself on me mid-writting - I'm editing the "original" post from here).
So I'm sitting here, waiting. Waiting for the ulmighty electrical comapany technician to do two minutes worth of inspection and fifteen minutes worth of work. I'm looking outside, and it looks like it might rain. Electrical work is always posponed in rain, it must be understood.
But that's just the latest. I had a building permit delay, I had inhabiting permit delays, water connections, suage connection, and garbage collection problems. All to do with the almighty-clerks of government operated services (local, regional, and state governmet).
So I wrote a little ode to bureaucracy and all the wonderful, kind, and useful people who work there (like italic, bold, and underline, and like the different kind of fonts, we need a to create a way to mark sarcasm in writting: "Font Sarcastic", or maybe: "Sarcastic Blue" - blue always strikes me as a sarcastic-sounding color).
So this is it:
The single to come out April 19th from Sony Music International.
I acctually bought a house as part of a larger project, and they built the project-house customized to my requirements. At first there was just a mound of dirt among many mounds of dirt. Then it was a flat field of dirt with little metal poles with red and yellow streamers. Eventually there was a house among a whole neighborhood of houses.
Along the way, the hardest thing to deal with was the bureaucracy that you have to go through. Luckily, there was a minimal amount that I had to personally complete, since the whole project had a management that took care of most things. But still, some did not escape me, and I had to deal with it myself.
Today is another step: I'm getting hooked to the fixed electrical connection. Up until now (almost a year) I was connected via a temporary connection, which is different only in the cost of kilowatt/hour (more then doubled for a temporery connection). And since I have no choice in the electrical service provider, I am at the mercy of the electrical company bureaucracy, which told me that the technicians will be here in the morning. "Morning", for those who do not speak the language of union-backed clecks, stands for "7am to somewhere between 12 to 12:30pm".
(NOTE: I'm sure where my fingers stumbled, but the blog published itself on me mid-writting - I'm editing the "original" post from here).
So I'm sitting here, waiting. Waiting for the ulmighty electrical comapany technician to do two minutes worth of inspection and fifteen minutes worth of work. I'm looking outside, and it looks like it might rain. Electrical work is always posponed in rain, it must be understood.
But that's just the latest. I had a building permit delay, I had inhabiting permit delays, water connections, suage connection, and garbage collection problems. All to do with the almighty-clerks of government operated services (local, regional, and state governmet).
So I wrote a little ode to bureaucracy and all the wonderful, kind, and useful people who work there (like italic, bold, and underline, and like the different kind of fonts, we need a to create a way to mark sarcasm in writting: "Font Sarcastic", or maybe: "Sarcastic Blue" - blue always strikes me as a sarcastic-sounding color).
So this is it:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhThank, you. Thank you.
Why, God? WHY?
Grrrrrrrpppppppffffffttttt
Blrprprprprprprprprprp.....
You Sons of Bitches!!!
You Heralds of Evil Doom!
....
The single to come out April 19th from Sony Music International.
Monday, March 27, 2006
I stink, really
You what I hate? Coming home from an evening out, somewhere that's smokers roam. I come back reeking of cigarette smoke. But that's not really what I hate. What I hate is to come home and discover that I have forgotten to turn on the electric water heater.
And now I have to sit here, reeking, until the water will be hot enough to shower.
I can feel the cigarette smoke on my cloths, in my hair, on my skin. It's a part of any decent pub or pool hall (which happens to be where I'm coming from), so I'm not complaining. If I wanted to avoid the smoke I'd find somewhere else to be. It's just that I keep forgetting to turn on the friggin' water heater! And because of that I have to pass the time in my smelliness, until the water is ready!
Doesn't that just stink! Yes, it does.
SPAM MAIL UPDATE:
I got one that says: "Wanna get back in those jeans." It suddenly reminded me of a pair of jeans I'd like to get back into, but the girl decided it would be best if we didn't see each other any more...
And now I have to sit here, reeking, until the water will be hot enough to shower.
I can feel the cigarette smoke on my cloths, in my hair, on my skin. It's a part of any decent pub or pool hall (which happens to be where I'm coming from), so I'm not complaining. If I wanted to avoid the smoke I'd find somewhere else to be. It's just that I keep forgetting to turn on the friggin' water heater! And because of that I have to pass the time in my smelliness, until the water is ready!
Doesn't that just stink! Yes, it does.
SPAM MAIL UPDATE:
I got one that says: "Wanna get back in those jeans." It suddenly reminded me of a pair of jeans I'd like to get back into, but the girl decided it would be best if we didn't see each other any more...
Sorry, I'm Sore
OK, so after not moving my lazy ass for almost ten years, I recently bought an elliptical-crosstrainer. It all started when I had to climb three flight of stairs when the elevator went out in a building I was in. I got to the top out of breath, and the next morning I could feel, just a little bit, the quadriceps in my legs.
There was that risk of my newly purchased exercising machine becoming another very expensive cloth-stand, but so far I've been good. Really, I have. I've been rolling on it almost every day for the past month. These sort of commitments are usually beyond me, but so-far so-good.
But I've been running on Zero. My lungs and heart protested dearly when other parts of my body demanded they start working harder. Like any good worker that got used to the easy life, really. It's not their fault, but they are paying the cost of my couch-potato attitude.
Anyway, in my vanity I said to myself last night that "I can do better! I'm not that much out of shape!"
It turns out I am. Not really a couch-potato, but apparently some other larger, mushier vegetable. Like a rotting squash, or something.
I moved the resistance level to Two (out of Fifteen, so it's not as impressive as it sounds, although it wasn't impressive to begin with). This meant two things. First, my legs had to work harder; the second is that my arms had to start working too.
Now I can barely lift them.
I'm exaggerating, of course, it's not that bad. I can lift them to the keyboard well enough. It's just that I'm sore at places I haven't felt in ages: shoulders, triceps, etc.
Good health had better be worth it, or else I swear I'll...
...probably do nothing, I'm too lazy...
There was that risk of my newly purchased exercising machine becoming another very expensive cloth-stand, but so far I've been good. Really, I have. I've been rolling on it almost every day for the past month. These sort of commitments are usually beyond me, but so-far so-good.
But I've been running on Zero. My lungs and heart protested dearly when other parts of my body demanded they start working harder. Like any good worker that got used to the easy life, really. It's not their fault, but they are paying the cost of my couch-potato attitude.
Anyway, in my vanity I said to myself last night that "I can do better! I'm not that much out of shape!"
It turns out I am. Not really a couch-potato, but apparently some other larger, mushier vegetable. Like a rotting squash, or something.
I moved the resistance level to Two (out of Fifteen, so it's not as impressive as it sounds, although it wasn't impressive to begin with). This meant two things. First, my legs had to work harder; the second is that my arms had to start working too.
Now I can barely lift them.
I'm exaggerating, of course, it's not that bad. I can lift them to the keyboard well enough. It's just that I'm sore at places I haven't felt in ages: shoulders, triceps, etc.
Good health had better be worth it, or else I swear I'll...
...probably do nothing, I'm too lazy...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Acid Flashbacks
I am a very "multi-media" kind of person. By that I mean that images and sounds are what get burnt into my memory. I can remember a face, but a name is a near impossibility. The keys to many of my memories are particular music or views I had at the time.
I file away into the deep bowls of my memory tones of audio-visual experiences which usually accumulate dust. Then, all of a sudden, something would trigger an avalanche of memories and emotions.
I can't tell what exactly it was, but "Turn Around" popped into my head the other. "Turn Around" is a song from the 1992 "They Might Be Giants" album "Apollo 18." I'm not a big TMBG fan, but my roommate at University was. We must have heard this album a million times. Whether from the original cassette tape or the best-of compilation he made for himself. On that compilation tape he also had Monty Python stuff, which suddenly reminded me that I used to have a tape like that.
Anyway, the fallout of memories can rolling out, and again, I felt sad. Sad for all the time that went by. Sad for the people and tapes I've lost.
Sad for all the money I'll have to spend right now to retrieve all this music!
The music industry is going to make a killing from my nostalgia. Don't you hate that?
I file away into the deep bowls of my memory tones of audio-visual experiences which usually accumulate dust. Then, all of a sudden, something would trigger an avalanche of memories and emotions.
I can't tell what exactly it was, but "Turn Around" popped into my head the other. "Turn Around" is a song from the 1992 "They Might Be Giants" album "Apollo 18." I'm not a big TMBG fan, but my roommate at University was. We must have heard this album a million times. Whether from the original cassette tape or the best-of compilation he made for himself. On that compilation tape he also had Monty Python stuff, which suddenly reminded me that I used to have a tape like that.
Anyway, the fallout of memories can rolling out, and again, I felt sad. Sad for all the time that went by. Sad for the people and tapes I've lost.
Sad for all the money I'll have to spend right now to retrieve all this music!
The music industry is going to make a killing from my nostalgia. Don't you hate that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)