Friends (170 unread)

After work, today, Crisha and I met up with Kraig, Mallory and Mal’s dad, Duane, for some outdoor rock climbing in Bonita. It was amazing!
The climb was a bit short (30-ish feet), but I had a blast. I think outdoor climbing is more exciting than indoor climbing. I like the freedom that an outdoor route can offer, as opposed to planned and imposed indoor routes.
I’m looking forward to my next outdoor adventure!
The other day, I saw Jesse wearing his Amor shirt. I think about my Amor experience from time to time. But it’s been on my mind quite a bit more, lately. I have an eye on the calendar, an eye on the weather and a mind to organize another trip. I don’t think I can make this happen right now, but I’m going to commit to praying about this in the hope of seeing God create an opportunity.
And, I’d like to ask the faithful few who frequent my anorexic blog to spend another three minutes here and pray about this with me. And, if you feel that God wants you to be involved, shoot me an email or give me a call.
I installed the AIM iPhone app while walking to my car. I have got to be the most destracted driver in California.
I have a little more time in my commute. So, let me review my experience. AIMing to a txt is slow. AIMing to a Mac with iChat is fast. I’m assuming that when I close the AIM app, I’m logged off the AIM network, but I didn’t ask. Graphically, the app looks great. I think I’ll hang onto it for those bored and lonely moments… Like at the urgent care waiting room. ![]()
Last night, I updated my iPhone software to v2.0. I have mixed feelings.
This version broke my Wi-Fi, but added tons of new features to my 1st gen phone. The theory I’ve heard is that this version of the firmware/OS has trouble detecting the wi-fi hardware. It is also rumored that Apple is working on a v2.0.1, which should be available soon.
On the positive side, the new Apps Store is amazing. This is the second blog post that I’ve authored with the Wordpress app. I’ve also installed “Remote” by Apple, which will allow me to use my iPhone to remote control any iTunes or Apple TV within wi-fi reach. So cool! There are tons of apps available, some excellent, some lousy. But, Apple had enough foresight to add a user-review system to the App Store.
Aside from the apps, I can now sync my phone with the Exchange server at work. And,I can also save images from web pages or emails to my phone.
Bottom line, Apple, fix my wi-fi, and I think you’ve got an unbeatable mobile device.
I’m sitting in a meeting, and I’ve just installed a Woespress application on my iPhone. Looks pretty nearo-completo; however, I don’t expect many long blog entries to be authored from my phone.
I didn’t mention it before, but I won a software contest and received a $500 check at JAM. Well, I spent the entire check last night on a Wii and accessories. I now have a Wii, 2 Wiimotes, 2 Nunchucks, recharge station for my Wiimotes, component video cable, Wii Sports, Rayman 1, Rayman 2, and Mario Party 8.
More to come… check out my Wiishlist!
Last week, I was in Nashville, Tennessee. I was attending the 2008 Jenzabar Annual Meeting, which was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. I didn’t bring a camera, but I did take a few photos with my phone and uploaded them to Facebook.
Also, Friday night, Jenzabar rented out the Wild Horse Saloon. I’m not into the whole country music scene, but I thought it was a fun experience. Three U-shaped floors looking down onto a stage and dance floor. Again, no camera except my phone. And unfortunately, my iPhone doesn’t do well with motion or dark shots. So, forgive the blurriness.
I have two announcements. First, I have upgrade my blog software, again. I am, once more, running the latest & greatest. Second, I have crossed Idaho off of my list of states to visit.
I have two announcements. First, I have upgrade my blog software, again. I am, once more, running the latest & greatest. Second, I have crossed Idaho off of my list of states to visit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if no one noticed. I haven’t blogged anything in ages, so there’s really been no reason for anyone to visit. But — I did upgrade Wordpress not too long ago. And, I just wanted to say that this version (2.5) rocks!
An angel opened the book of life and wrote down the baby's birth. Then she closed the book and whispered: "too beautiful for earth". ~author unknown


I want to tell you a story. It’s a story about power and the things that happen when a power vacuum comes into existences. A story that takes place at my work. This story might take a while so I suggest getting that Mountain Dew and plate of cookies and getting comfortable.
There is a mini war going on at my work and it all started the day one of my beloved co workers, Miranda, left. She was unofficially in charge of the department “Reports and Quotations” (terribly exciting I know) because of her seniority and general knowledge of how things are done. Back in the day when I still worked in that department I was her wing man (or wing woman, whatever) mainly because I had more brain cells than the rest of them combined and she recognized this. Anyway, shortly after I moved to the exhilarating department of Detection, she moved on to greener and more reputable pastures. Enter power vacuum.
The department “Reports and Quotations” consists of about 7 people and almost everyone also has a position within another department. This is because the company is not that big and management just seems to pile more work on everyone. (I say I left that department but really I still do some of that work, but I did get to move desks.) Most of these people are pretty dumb. Dumb in the sense that like monkeys they need a bit of time figuring things out and even then they tend to do things the hard way. Opposable thumbs are wasted on these people basically.
The main core of the activity of this department used to happen in the front office because that’s where Miranda worked. After she left three people remained in this office; Diplomat Boy, The “Receptionist” and Invoice Boy. Oddly enough Invoice Boy isn’t a part of that department but at the time that was the only desk left.
Perhaps you noticed the quotation marks in The “Receptionist’s” name. They are there because in order to be a true receptionist (no quotation marks) one has to sit at their desk, receive people and answer the phone. Until she has mastered any of these abilities the quotation marks will not be removed. I despise The “Receptionist” and not because she is dumb (which she is) or because she is fat (which she also is). I despise her because she is inept in every sense of the word. She cannot do her job properly but that does not stop her from trying to get more responsibility in order to feel better than everyone else. Plus she’s a drama queen. I once had a bad week because it had been 9 years since my dad died and I was graduating the next week which he would never get to see. Next week I apologize for not being in the best of humors and she had the fucking nerve to say how hard a time she had had the week before. Now, okay, I wasn’t in the best of moods, but that mostly entailed staring at my screen and not talking. It wasn’t like I snapped at her or anything, I just didn’t talk. But she is one of these people who think that they are the centre of the universe. And although her weight might be causing us to slowly collide with the sun; she is still not the centre of my damn universe. Hell, she’s not even on my perimeter. Sorry, bit of residual anger there.
The “Receptionist” does not get on with Invoice Boy. Invoice Boy is rather blunt. The trick to handling Invoice Boy is too be even blunter back to him. This creates a mutual respect which makes life a little easier. The "Receptionist", however, is the type of person who thinks everything is a personal attack on her, which in my case is rather true but not so with Invoice Boy. He just lacks the skills to communicate in a different form. In short they fight...a lot. Mainly they fight about who gets to tell them what to do and they both agree it's not the other one. I've tried pointing out that they apparently agree on something but the subtlety was lost on them. Or it was drowned out, I'm not sure.
Diplomat Boy tries to calm everyone down but the poor guy just fails miserably every time. This is mainly because these people seem to thrive on having arguments but also because Diplomat Boy has only been with us for a month and although he’s already better at his job than The “Receptionist” he just does not have the necessary clout to make them stop. What also works against him is that he’s a friend of Evil Manager and that is how he got the job. He’s widely considered to be a spy for the powers that be a.k.a. our lame ass management team that does not do any actual managing. If they did, they would have separated these two a long time ago. Hell, they would have fired The “Receptionist” along with a couple of other co workers I haven’t even mentioned yet.
It feels as though this story could go on forever and it probably would. There’s still the much anticipated arrival of Backstabber Girl, McCrossEyed and LoudMouth to come, but in all honesty I just can’t write anymore. Therefore…
To Be Continued
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Very Low |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Very Low |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | High |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | Very High |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | High |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | High |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Extreme |
| Level 7 (Violent) | High |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | High |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Very High |
I watched Bigger Stronger Faster last night. It's a movie about steroid use in sports which is something I thought I was pretty dead set in my opinions about. As a cyclist I'm keenly aware of how widespread cheating in the sport is and I've always held a pretty low opinion of those that did it.
A scant few things have challenged my opinions. Outside Magazine famously did a story on an older amateur rider taking all the banned substances he could handle and I remember the takeaway for me was "damn, that HGH actually sounds pretty good." and "Wow, I can see why people take these things."
On MetaFilter, user Chuckles compiled a list of 8 previous Tour de France top five results, with everyone implicated in doping marked with an X. If he updated it for 2007 and 2008, there'd be even more X's on the chart. It's really more ubiquitous than we want to think.
I have friends that have defended Barry Bonds and other atheletes and frequently mention Tiger Woods had eye surgery to improve his vision, which is another form of performance-enhancement that seems hypocritical to allow (and I can't help but agree with).
I sort of expected Bigger Stronger Faster to be either some sort of gross-out "let's take steroids and hurt oursevles" or a depressing "here is how it ruins lives" but it's nothing at all like either of those things. It really literally rocked my world because it presents a side of steroids in sports I'd never considered and it completely changed my opinion of the whole issue.
The best part is the main guy and narrator is quite literally just some guy off the street who was interested in examining a complex issue, and his passion for seeking the truth pulls you along through the entire film. I have no idea how the filmmakers found the guy or how the guy got into filmmaking, but he's the perfect subject to move through the film and I shared a lot in common (like my distaste for dopining in sports).
I can't recommend this documentary highly enough.
After watching McCain's concession speech last night, I realized it was John McCain's election to lose. From a mile up, the race was between a guy with tons of experience and some pretty hardcore wartime stories going up against another guy that was new to the senate and was basically unknown before 2004 to most voters.
I really liked John McCain in 2000, and wanted him to win the republican primaries. I probably would have voted for him as well (if I ignored some of his social conservative tendencies) because he seemed like such a centrist (or at least not too far from center on most issues, especially compared to Bush) and I found Gore totally and completely unexciting (I ended up voting for Nader).
When the republican primaries began in 2008 I was pulling for McCain as well, since I remembered the guy I loved on all those talk show appearances over the last several years. I was also pulling for Obama for the past year and was happy when both my early picks ended up on top.
Then the campaign happened. It didn't come on quickly, but I'd say definitely after the GOP convention, the old McCain I loved was gone. I don't recall much of any talk from McCain from the last two months about his detailed plans or reasons why someone should vote for McCain, instead all I heard about was why I should against Obama. That's never a good path to take -- when you don't accentuate your positives and instead focus on negatives, even if you convince others to avoid the opponent you end up with followers that don't have much to be proud of.
To this day I can't tell if it was McCain's choosing to do what he did at the end of the summer of if it was his true personality finally coming out. I like to think he became a slave to the GOP election machine that likely told him playing it straight with Obama and fighting on the issues wasn't going to rile his voting base as much as attacks and fear mongering could.
McCain's concession speech was eloquent, impressive, and left me with the admiration I remembered in the McCain from 2000 that I used to like. That the crowd surrounding him boo'd every time Obama's name was uttered makes me think maybe the McCain I used to like might be the guy still at the core but unfortunately let others run the controls during the election.
Anyway, for the first time since 1992 I was truly ecstatic on an election night. I knew the polls were looking good but I didn't want to be disappointed and a big part of me never thought Obama would actually win, but he did it. I'm glad my daughter gets to grow up and will remember her first president being an inspirational guy that proves anyone can still make it in America.
Of course, we've left Obama with a pretty tough nut to crack and I imagine once he gets in office all the crazy "socialist!" and "marxist!" talk will quickly go out the window as he'll move to the center and make some tough choices. I predict we'll see people on both extremes displeased with some choices but I find that a mark of a good leader. Bill Clinton made a heck of a lot of choices I disagreed with, but at the end of his term he turned a recession into a boom and kept us out of war and I hope Obama can do the same (obviously, without the intern thing).
I've been using twitter for about a year and a half now and I follow about 150 friends, acquaintances, and applications. A little over 2k users of the service follow me, and it seems I get about 10 new followers a day. Over the past few months however, I've taken to blocking the obvious spammy accounts where someone trying to market something tries to follow thousands of strangers. In the past few weeks it feels like I'm blocking at least half of the new followers.
I figure the people behind those accounts (if there really are people and it's not just an automated spambot attack on twitter which I suspect most are) deserve an explanation, so here are my reasons for blocking new followers:

Halloween is a time-honored holiday steeped in the traditions of sharing with your neighbor, celebrating childhood with candy and decorations, and generally having a fun time as the days begin to grow shorter.
There is also a culture war that seeks to end this traditional holiday.
Like the above photograph shows, several local churches near me are throwing parties aimed at avoiding this holiday of giving and sharing with thy neighbors, going by the euphemistic term "Fall Family Festival." They offer treats, fun, and games, but they just so happen to throw them on October 31st, during the prime evening trick or treating hours.
Make no mistake, no matter how many years (Norman Rockwell anyone?) Halloween has existed, no matter how harmless toddlers dressed as ghosts and princesses are, no matter, there is spiritual conspiracy behind this new found war on Halloween and it needs to stop. I fear the day is coming when we won't be able to display our Jack O'Lanterns in the town square, when we will be called names for trying to share real American treats like Crackerjack and carmel-covered apples, and when our sons and daughters will ask us why we can't go out and share candy with our beloved neighbors anymore.
We can't let this happen. Heroes, join me in opposing these PC-thugs and their so-called "Fall Family Festivals." This is a nation with a sweet tooth, our founding fathers ate candy (why else would they have wooden teeth?), and your children and grandchildren should too. Keep candy in Halloween!
Last month, I hung out with a friend from college that was impressed by the gadgets I carried and how I used them, but didn't have the spare time necessary to set everything up like I have (stuff like moving downloaded movie files to a TV for viewing, being able to check 5 email accounts on your iphone using gmail/imap, etc).
After each explanation of how I set things up grew increasingly longer, I realized there's probably a simple business model in place for a Personal IT staff kind of thing for regular users of technology that aren't uber geeks. I picture something that isn't the Geek Squad (they only do work piecemeal, right?) but is more like a subscription service, maybe $20 a month, where you as a customer can basically get your home computer and mobile phone updated remotely with the latest time-saving tweaks. I bet someone that reads lifehacker religiously, can do IT and PC Support work, and could figure out a way to do it remotely (either remote desktop sessions, or having customers' computers phone home to grab updates and configuration scripts) could build a pretty nice business off of it.
Is there anything like this out there today?
Three blogs I have recently found, devoured, subscribed to, and squeal with glee when they update: FiveThirtyEight (awesome election stats and coverage), Lovely Package (it's to product design what longtime favorite Brand New is to logos), and Be Sportier (like Uncrate, but just stylish sports stuff, with large photos and consistently otherwise impossible to find goods)
I've been thinking lately about a dream candidate for my nerd habits, my nerdy business, and the way I live my nerdy life. Regardless of party affiliation, if you're running for an office from as small as city council all the way up to president, if you hit on any/all of these things, you just might get my vote.
These are all pretty much self-serving: I was a science major in college and grad school, I work from home (and am enjoying a fast fiber connection), run a company that is considering employee healthcare, my wife drives a diesel car, and I previously worked at a non-profit cofounded by Lessig. I know there aren't a ton of details and there are downsides to many things I've mentioned but I came up with my own dream list.
I know I must be missing something, what would you throw on the nerd wishlist for candidates?
My brother's nuptuals were about a week and a half ago. I walked into the reception with my man by my side and whispered to him, "I think we're safe from dodging questions. They'll probably be asking the happy couple about having children. They're Italian. That's what they do. I suppose you already know that though.*"
Oh how wrong I was.
My mother, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends all asked when our wedding date was going to be. At first, the answer was, "As soon as the financial situation is better. You know how student loans can be..."
As the festivities continued and more alcohol was imbibed, our answer morphed. Jack fielded later questions by answering, "I have four weddings next year. I am standing up in two of them." From this, our official answer was formed.
"Not next year."That's right, folks. The Big Event will be not next year! Feel free to pencil in a date for then. Additionally, you may want to check registeries to see that our names are not listed. Ladies, go ahead and buy your dresses to wear; it will most likely be in the late summer or early fall of not next year so you may want to keep that in mind.
* He's half Irish and half Italian.
** Cross-posted
Dear Movable Type,
You were the first blogging CMS I used and I fell in love with you instantly. I came to know you and all of your quirks quite well. Dressing you and fixing you up were things I enjoyed but, alas, you have become a burden.
You see, MT, you are a drain on my patience and my time. After four years of using you, I have had it with your "quirkiness." I used plug-ins of all sorts to manage your shortcomings and the insane amount of "love letters" (see: spam comments) you would receive. And for a while, that seemed to repair our relationship. But now, I am fed up and refuse to continue tolerating your beastly ways.
Yes, that's right. I am looking for something to replace you. I am keeping my mind open and think I have found something new. Maybe I can show it off to others soon. We shall see. Nevertheless, consider our relationship terminated from this point on.
Sincerely,
erinblog.
Like 99% of all Chicago baseball fans (I think that 1% may be in traction or something), I watched the second game of yesterday's Crosstown Classic. For those not from this area, it's a three game series every year when the Cubs play the White Sox. Like the Subway Series in New York, it doesn't count for anything but is more for the fans, fueling the rivalry. Yes, it's still there. And yes, it is sad.
Anyway. So I was watching it when in all hell broke loose on the field. Feel free to watch "the melee" in the below video.
Oh no he didn't!WHAT.
From what I hear, Barrett said to AJ, "I didn't have the ball, bitch," right before punching him. And how was he supposed to know that? If a catcher steps in front of the plate like that to block a slide to home, it's standard m.o. that the scoring runner drills into him in hopes that he drops the ball so that the run is scored.
I've also heard that Barret thought AJ was going to do something to him because of the direction he was walking. I call bullshit with this excuse. WHY would AJ do something to Barrett? He just scored a run! Why would AJ be pissed about that?
I buy the first scenario much more than the second.
The end result? Barrett and Pierzynski were ejected (Pierzynski's ejection being because he was "involved" in a fight) as were Sox's OF Brian Anderson and Cubbie John Mabry.
And Jay Mariotti? He can go right ahead and kiss my ass.
Now I'm totally stoked to go to today's game.
My Aunt says she is bored with my blog. Frankly, I am too. I am at a lack of things to say! *gasp!* I know, right?
It has been craziness lately. Well, not "craziness" but you know what I mean. But first, let's rewind a few days back, shall we? I bought a new car on Thursday. Thank you savings bonds and trade-in. Oh, and that lowno interest loan from the bank of Mom and Dad? That helped, too.
What did I get? I got the sexiest car ever. Ever. And when I say "ever", I mean, "sexiest car ever that was in my budget." Oh, so I guess you want to know what kind. I got me one of these. The interior is amazing. See?
And like the pictures, mine is silver with black leather interior. Cool features include:
- Heated AND cooled seats! Yes! A slight breeze of cool air eminates from the teeny tiny perforations in the leather. That means no body parts will be sticking to these seats come summertime. That's right, there will be no funk in my hooptie.
- Keyless entry and ignition. No more digging the keys out of my purse. And to start it? Step on the break and press a button.
- Shelves in the glove compartment. WHY didn't someone think of this sooner?!
- Auxilary jack in the center consol to plug in my iPod and have it play through the speakers. And all with hidden wires!
- All wheel drive. Mmmm...
Enough about the car. I love it. 'Nuff said.
Next topic- Grey's Anatomy. I'll be the first to admit that I bawled like a a baby at tonight's season finale. Oh yes, I did. Anyone who watched that episode and was not moved has no soul. NONE.
My hand is doing mucho better. I am finishing up my occupational therapy and am no longer gimptastic. Three cheers for that.
Another topic- Bush's plan for illegal immigration control. Read this carefully, because I am not sure I will ever be able to use the following words again during the final two years of his administration.
His plan didn't piss me off. On the contrary, I think it is reasonable.
There, I said it. But hell, even Ted Kennedy supports it.
As for anything else? I got nothing right now. I am still stuffed up with burning eyes from bawling like a little girl with a skinned knee at a television show. Hello, issues.
Today I was having an interesting conversation over IM with Erin about our fantasy baseball leauge, Jesus, and the Romans. I told her how I took a Roman History course in college and summarized the entire Roman civilization for her in a few sentences.
Roman history 310 summarized: Rome started off with two babies that floated down the river and were raised by wolves. They grew up and liked their orgies and assassinations and philosophy. They also liked to steal gods from the Gr