We had an important milestone on the way to welcoming our second child in November: picture day! I was convinced it was a girl, though this morning I when I said “she” this morning in conversation it seemed a little forced. I pointed this out to Kelly, who also claimed it was a boy.
Continue reading
Thinking Outside Da Boxes
Anyone know of a good place to get moving boxes?
Eric Idle’s FCC Song
Eric Idle, the nicest member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, has written a “little number while out duck hunting with a judge.” It’s called the FCC Song, and don’t expect to hear it on the air since doing so would cost about $250,000 in FCC fines.
Warning: Contains strong language of which the FCC wouldn’t approve. Not Safe For Work.
This One Won’t Go Under
I found an interesting job on IBM‘s site today. The official title is Product Information Technical Specialist. I take that as IBM-speak for sales engineer. The cool thing is that I’d be doing demos like I’ve been doing, only I’d be doing them remotely. No commute, no being tied down to a location. Pretty cool.
The other cool thing, of course, is that IBM won’t close its doors anytime soon. Gotta love that.
Now, if I only knew anyone who telecommutes for IBM . . .
Continue reading
A Bit Out Of Context
The story in today’s paper quoted me as saying “I would have been more concerned if this had happened two years ago” The story implies my optimism was based on the current job market. While that certainly plays a role in my optimism, the quote was taken from my description of how my personal priorities have changed.
Think back two years ago. Back then, I didn’t know what it meant to be a father. The incredible love she’s brought into this world has shown me just how unimportant a job is compared to family. I can lose a job and its no big deal. I could never lose a family.
So, yeah. I still need to put food on the table, and I will eventually do that. But I’ll always be Daddy, no matter what.
Time For Some Clash
I’m jonesing for The Clash’s version of “I Fought The Law,” but I don’t have it anywhere. Dang…
Are You Southern? Take The Test!
My yankee friend Matt Feath sent this to me. It’s Dick Trickle’s True Test Of Your Southernness. Matt scored 40 out of 71, which (oddly enough) puts him below the Mason-Dixon line. Sadly, I didn’t fare much better, with a measly 48 out of 71. My lack of NASCAR knowledge done come back to bite me.
Y’all try the quiz and post your results here.
N&O: Pink-Slip Party Finds Relief In Timing
The News and Observer ran the Oculan jobless story in today’s paper. Article is in the Work section, lower front page, called Pink -Slip Party Finds Relief In Timing. It also has pictures.
I got quoted, though my “finding work in one week” seems pretty stupid in print. Amazing what beer can add to an interview! The reporter, Vicki Parker, did call me up yesterday to see if I had actually performed this amazing feat. I ‘fessed up that, no, I had not.
Overall, though, the article is a positive thing. Folks sound pretty positive, and that can only help in finding work. Parker kept the door open for a follow-up article in a couple of months. Let’s hope she’s got more good news to report.
Memorial Day
This was forwarded from a vet list I’m on, originally appearing on swiftboats.org and written by a Vietnam Vet.
Take a moment today to thank a veteran.
The thought of a mother answering her door to find a somber looking young military officer saying “I’m sorry,” and the wail of excruciating anguish that follows crosses my mind. Memories of battles echo in my head. A chopper with no lift capability hovers above my Swift Boat trying to rescue the wounded. Blood sloshes from wall to wall as the boat rolls in the choppy waters. A child with a bullet wound in her stomach lies in my arms. She smiles and touches my face with her hand. A pleading grandfather in a tiny fishing boat begs for us to save her. One hour later, a corpsmen on a nearby destroyer hands her body back to me wrapped in a sheet, the grandfather cries as I hand the toddler over the side to him. I can dimly see the fog shrouded masses of our lost sons and daughters proudly standing erect. I look at “Old Glory’ waving in the crisp morning air. My heart pounds with pride and grief. Tears stream down my wind blown face as I remember my shipmates that are no longer with us. Our flag is the embodiment of their souls and our freedom is the recipient of their sacrifices. Yes, I remember. How could I forget?
Left and Right Socks
Why don’t socks come in “left” and “right?” Why are socks ambidextrous? It’s not like your feet are identical: you have left and right shoes. So why not socks?
Seems to me if socks were made to fit a particular foot, they would last a lot longer than they do. All that stretching to accomodate feet causes holes and wears them out.
Why don’t sock manufacturers do this? Who knows? Might be that the powerful Sock Lobby is happy with socks that quickly wear out. Keeps you buying more, you know? Still, if they would manufacture left and right socks, they could mark them up, so their profits could be higher.
It’s time for a change of socks. Support the Open Socks Foundation and insist on only free socks. And particularly, left and right ones, too.