This is entirely too early
This is entirely too early to be awake on a Saturday morning.
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Friday, March 21, 2003
Fadi’s for lunch. Mmmmmn. Min,
Fadi's for lunch. Mmmmmn. Min, Greg, and I picked up EL and headed to Fadi's for lunch of this wonderful and sunny day. I love Fridays! I just need to make it through the next couple of hours and the weekend will wisk me away...
w00t!
w00t!
Friday at last. I have
Friday at last. I have dreamed of this day all week long. With rumors of layoffs and everyone walking around anticipating a sniper's bullet to strike them silently and without warning. The air of negativity is suffocating and the only peace I can locate is to distance myself from the place and the smell of fear in the air. I was listening to NPR this morning and am watching CNN on IPTV at my desk and of all the things that I agrees or disagree with concerning this war, the one thing that stands most prominent in my mind is the disassociation the American public has to the real, warm blooded, human lives that are endangered by it. Evidenced by commentary and news perspective, it seems to me that the public watch this war as if they are watching Survivor or Joe Millionaire... commercials, channel surfing, living room safety taken for granted... watching it all on TV like it's some make-believe Hollywood production while real soldiers die... real wives are widowed... real children are orphaned... oh well, *click* change the channel... oooh! American Idol is on!
I was in the military for eight years... from '91 during the Gulf War to '99. I did two tours in the Persian Gulf and was part of the Kosovo/Yugoslavia NATO campaign. I have friends in the Middle East right now... away from their family and friends for their country. God be with them all. Regardless of the outcome of this conflict or whether it's right or wrong... I pray they come home safely.
We ran out of cat food at the house. It cracks me up to see two cute and cuddly little kitties turn into jungle cats when they are hungry. They were stalking carpet I think... hallucinating that the living room rug was an antelope or some shit. Absolutely a riot. Lauren came over for dinner last night. It was great seeing her again. She and I went to high school together and have managed to stay in touch and remain close friends all these years. My 15 year reunion is coming up and it will be strange to see old classmates again... know about their lives through Lauren, yet never actually speaking to them all these years... I was out of the loop throughout the ninety's. EL made this really delicious southwestern style dish. We grilled some marinated chicken breast out back and she had prepared some homemade nectarine salsa and a spiced black beans. We had fresh, homemade tortillas from the City Tortilla Factory where I grew up (courtesy of my mother) too. I love those things. EL also had prepared a fresh strawberry fondue... I love strawberries. LOVE. Anyhoo, we chatted over dinner and wine and caught up on what's been happening in each others lives. Good times. The only bad thing about last night was that some college basketball hoo-ha was on instead of CSI. I dig that show. I have a friend that I met while employed at my previous job named Kirk. He spams my mailbox with all kinds of crap... partly because he knows I hate spam... partly because he has a lot of crap to say. He used to be a sports announcer. Now, he's a network engineering team manager. You see how he needs an outlet? This is an example of the type of crap he sends me (probably written while on the toilet or some such mess):
"I think the problem here is that folks are losing sight over the bigger picture. This isn't about right-wing or left-wing, Americans or Iraqis, what George Bush I did or did not do, what Clinton did or did not do, or what GB II is or is not trying to do. It is about one thing and one thing only: ALIENS
That's right. Aliens. They're a 'comin and we best be ready. Remember that Pioneer 10 satellite we launched like 31 years ago that NASA just lost contact with? Remember what was on that? That's right, that freakin' map of how to find Earth put on by Mr. Space Fluff himself, Carl Sagan. And we could debate how insulting that map is with its stick figure drawings (are we capable of launching something into space but only possess the rudimentary art skills of a caveman, or do we expect that folks capable of retrieving such a device only have the cognitive capabilities of a caveman). Either way the important part is that there are aliens out there right now gallivanting through the cosmos looking for things to do and the odds of them finding us are really really small. That is unless they have a MAP!. And when they find that map and come down here, are they going to be nice, cuddly tribble-like aliens? No. Are they going to make some stupid mistake like getting some flu the Chinese government has kept hidden, or have their head's explode when they hear the Ramones or let some guy with an Apple notebook anywhere near their ships? Again, no. If we can be prepared for that kind of mess, you can bet they will be too. So how are we going to ensure that these aliens are going to show a little respect when they visit and not treat our planet like a bunch of drunk college kids on Spring Break? Chances are someone is going to have to bloody their noses a little bit. Now it doesn't matter who that someone is (though we can all probably guess it wont be the French). What matters is the job gets done. And how will this someone get ready? The same way any fighter gets ready (well any fighter but Joe Foreman); sparring partners. So what is really going on here is that the world is working together to make sure that we as a planet are prepared to deal with an alien invasion by building our global defensive capabilities. Perhaps 30-40 years down the road when some guy from Camaroon starts spouting off at the mouth to some guy from Iraq about oil or ice cream or whatever. The Iraqi can look him in the eye and ask "When was the last time you had a Gipplefraz Anal Probe?" And the guy from Camaroon will respond "I'm from Camaroon. I have never had a Gipplefraz Anal Probe". And with a gentle twinkle in his eye, the Iraqi will smile and say "You're welcome."
Of course, it is entirely possible that I may be wrong."
I've come to the conclusion that before I delve deeper into my inbox this morning, I need more coffee.
I was in the military for eight years... from '91 during the Gulf War to '99. I did two tours in the Persian Gulf and was part of the Kosovo/Yugoslavia NATO campaign. I have friends in the Middle East right now... away from their family and friends for their country. God be with them all. Regardless of the outcome of this conflict or whether it's right or wrong... I pray they come home safely.
We ran out of cat food at the house. It cracks me up to see two cute and cuddly little kitties turn into jungle cats when they are hungry. They were stalking carpet I think... hallucinating that the living room rug was an antelope or some shit. Absolutely a riot. Lauren came over for dinner last night. It was great seeing her again. She and I went to high school together and have managed to stay in touch and remain close friends all these years. My 15 year reunion is coming up and it will be strange to see old classmates again... know about their lives through Lauren, yet never actually speaking to them all these years... I was out of the loop throughout the ninety's. EL made this really delicious southwestern style dish. We grilled some marinated chicken breast out back and she had prepared some homemade nectarine salsa and a spiced black beans. We had fresh, homemade tortillas from the City Tortilla Factory where I grew up (courtesy of my mother) too. I love those things. EL also had prepared a fresh strawberry fondue... I love strawberries. LOVE. Anyhoo, we chatted over dinner and wine and caught up on what's been happening in each others lives. Good times. The only bad thing about last night was that some college basketball hoo-ha was on instead of CSI. I dig that show. I have a friend that I met while employed at my previous job named Kirk. He spams my mailbox with all kinds of crap... partly because he knows I hate spam... partly because he has a lot of crap to say. He used to be a sports announcer. Now, he's a network engineering team manager. You see how he needs an outlet? This is an example of the type of crap he sends me (probably written while on the toilet or some such mess):
"I think the problem here is that folks are losing sight over the bigger picture. This isn't about right-wing or left-wing, Americans or Iraqis, what George Bush I did or did not do, what Clinton did or did not do, or what GB II is or is not trying to do. It is about one thing and one thing only: ALIENS
That's right. Aliens. They're a 'comin and we best be ready. Remember that Pioneer 10 satellite we launched like 31 years ago that NASA just lost contact with? Remember what was on that? That's right, that freakin' map of how to find Earth put on by Mr. Space Fluff himself, Carl Sagan. And we could debate how insulting that map is with its stick figure drawings (are we capable of launching something into space but only possess the rudimentary art skills of a caveman, or do we expect that folks capable of retrieving such a device only have the cognitive capabilities of a caveman). Either way the important part is that there are aliens out there right now gallivanting through the cosmos looking for things to do and the odds of them finding us are really really small. That is unless they have a MAP!. And when they find that map and come down here, are they going to be nice, cuddly tribble-like aliens? No. Are they going to make some stupid mistake like getting some flu the Chinese government has kept hidden, or have their head's explode when they hear the Ramones or let some guy with an Apple notebook anywhere near their ships? Again, no. If we can be prepared for that kind of mess, you can bet they will be too. So how are we going to ensure that these aliens are going to show a little respect when they visit and not treat our planet like a bunch of drunk college kids on Spring Break? Chances are someone is going to have to bloody their noses a little bit. Now it doesn't matter who that someone is (though we can all probably guess it wont be the French). What matters is the job gets done. And how will this someone get ready? The same way any fighter gets ready (well any fighter but Joe Foreman); sparring partners. So what is really going on here is that the world is working together to make sure that we as a planet are prepared to deal with an alien invasion by building our global defensive capabilities. Perhaps 30-40 years down the road when some guy from Camaroon starts spouting off at the mouth to some guy from Iraq about oil or ice cream or whatever. The Iraqi can look him in the eye and ask "When was the last time you had a Gipplefraz Anal Probe?" And the guy from Camaroon will respond "I'm from Camaroon. I have never had a Gipplefraz Anal Probe". And with a gentle twinkle in his eye, the Iraqi will smile and say "You're welcome."
Of course, it is entirely possible that I may be wrong."
I've come to the conclusion that before I delve deeper into my inbox this morning, I need more coffee.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
for better or worse… it
for better or worse... it has begun.
[All times GMT and approximate]
Thursday 20 March
0401 The US issues a global alert, warning of potential terrorist attacks to American citizens abroad now the conflict has started.
0350 US defence officials say the air strikes so far have been of limited scope, and were designed to prepare the field for more intense operations.
0315 US President George W Bush addresses the American nation, saying that coalition forces have begun striking targets of military importance in Iraq.
0308 The main frequency of Iraqi state radio is reported to have been taken over by the US military.
0250 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announces that war has commenced. "The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun," he says.
0245 Explosions are heard over Baghdad and anti-aircraft fire is seen in the sky.
0129 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says: "The disarmament of the Iraqi regime will begin at a time of the president's choosing."
0110 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev condemns US military moves, saying the United States was acting as if the world was its fiefdom.
0100 United States deadline for Saddam Hussein to go into exile or face war expires.
0020 US National Security Council meeting ends in Washington. A senior administration official later says President Bush decided when to launch a strike on Iraq during the meeting.
Wednesday 19 March
1950 The Pentagon confirms new air strikes by the US and British planes against what it says are surface-to-surface missiles and artillery in the no-fly-zone in south-eastern Iraq.
1650 The US says 17 Iraqi soldiers surrender to American forces on the Kuwaiti border.
1600 US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair hold a 20-minute telephone conversation.
1600 Opponents of the use of force against Iraq - notably Germany and France - restate their objections at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
1540 Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix in a briefing to the council expresses "sadness" that it had not been possible to produce the assurances needed about Iraq's arsenal.
1430 The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, says military action against Iraq would be outside international law.
1120 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says Italy will provide political but not military support for a US-led military assault on Iraq.
1100 Jordan's national airline - the only commercial airline with regular flights to Baghdad - reportedly cancels flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
0900 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak blames Iraq for bringing the Gulf region to the brink of war, but warns that toppling Saddam Hussein is not the solution.
0730 The Iraqi parliament opens an emergency session with a rejection of the US war ultimatum.
0715 Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says "there is every chance" that a war against Iraq will begin on Thursday.
0507 South Korea declares support for the US policy and says it may send non-combat troops to contribute to the war effort.
Tuesday 18 March
2310 Turkish Government says it will ask MPs again to allow US request for permission to fly over territory during any Iraq campaign.
2228 UK Parliament approves use of military force to disarm Iraq by 412 votes to 149.
2214 Anti-war amendment defeated in UK Parliament despite signs of increased rebellion against Prime Minister Tony Blair.
1821 UN reports all foreign staff to be evacuated from Baghdad have now arrived in Cyprus.
1649 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says 45 nations have signed up to the "coalition of the willing" against Iraq.
1245 The Iraqi leadership rejects the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country.
1238 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair makes case for war to the House of Commons in a major debate: "I believe passionately we must hold firm to that course [of disarmament of Iraq]".
1110 Home Office minister John Denham becomes third MP to quit the UK Government over Iraq.
1108 The Vatican warns that those who go to war with Iraq "assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history".
1030 French President Jacques Chirac denounces impending US invasion as bound to undermine future efforts at peaceful disarmament.
0900 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says there is no justification for war against Iraq and no reason to end the weapons inspections.
0855 Departing UN weapons inspectors arrive in Cyprus.
0723 Health minister Lord Hunt becomes second UK minister to resign over Iraq.
0500 France says President Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein is "contrary to the will of the UN Security Council".
0122 US increases terrorism alert to orange, the second highest level.
0100 President Bush delivers live television address. He says "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at time of our choosing."
Monday 17 March
2114 Australian Prime Minister John Howard commits troops to join any US-led war with Iraq.
2019 The Turkish Government says it will urgently address the issue of whether more than 60,000 US troops should be allowed to move into northern Iraq from Turkish soil.
1843 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says the decision by the US, Britain and Spain to abandon diplomacy "could have heavy consequences for the region and for the world".
1831 Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri rejects a US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face war, describing President George W Bush as "the number one warmonger in the world".
1737 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announces he has ordered the evacuation of arms inspectors from Iraq and suspended the oil-for-food programme.
1610 A leading member of the British Government, the former foreign secretary, Robin Cook, resigns his post as Leader of the House of Commons, saying he cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support.
1515 The White House announces that US President George W Bush is to address the nation at 0100GMT on Tuesday. He is expected to issue Saddam Hussein with an ultimatum: leave the country or face war.
1500 UK ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock says the diplomatic process on Iraq has concluded and announces the withdrawal of a draft resolution co-sponsored by the US and Spain.
1355 Closure of Pakistan's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1353 Britain's Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith confirms in a written parliamentary statement that war on Iraq would be legal on the grounds of existing UN resolutions.
1328 Greece which holds the EU presidency says Britain and Spain have aligned themselves with the US on the Iraq crisis outside the framework of the EU.
1301 Closure of Greece's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1115 Russian President Vladimir Putin says war against Iraq would be a "mistake".
1115 China announces it is evacuating its embassy staff and Chinese journalists from Baghdad.
1009 UN's nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei says Washington has advised weapons inspectors to leave Iraq.
1009 Russia advises its nationals to leave Iraq.
0845 China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing says the Iraq issue should be solved through dialogue within the UN.
0815 Russia's deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov is quoted as saying that a second UN resolution has "no chance".
0720 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin reiterates that a second UN resolution on Iraq is "unacceptable".
0630 UK advises all its citizens, except diplomatic staff, to leave Kuwait
0600 Reports emerge that UN observers stationed along Kuwait's border with Iraq have ceased all operations.
0430 Australian Prime Minister John Howard says participation of his country in any conflict with Iraq is getting "more likely".
0130 US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait.
0001 In a pre-recorded interview on CNN, French President Jacques Chirac maintains threat to veto a second resolution, and says Paris is willing to compromise on how long UN arms inspections in Iraq should last.
Sunday 16 March
1915 In pre-recorded comments, Iraqi President Saddam says it is a "great lie" that Iraq has banned weapons and vows his country will fight "anywhere in the world" if the US invades.
Shortly afterwards, in an interview with Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri warns that tens of thousands of Iraqis have pledged to sacrifice their lives in operations against the US.
1835 The three emerge from their summit to announce there is a small window for diplomacy; President Bush declares Monday a "moment of truth" for the international community.
1710 US, UK and Spanish leaders meet in the mid-Atlantic Azores islands for what they denied was a council of war.
Thursday 20 March
0401 The US issues a global alert, warning of potential terrorist attacks to American citizens abroad now the conflict has started.
0350 US defence officials say the air strikes so far have been of limited scope, and were designed to prepare the field for more intense operations.
0315 US President George W Bush addresses the American nation, saying that coalition forces have begun striking targets of military importance in Iraq.
0308 The main frequency of Iraqi state radio is reported to have been taken over by the US military.
0250 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announces that war has commenced. "The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun," he says.
0245 Explosions are heard over Baghdad and anti-aircraft fire is seen in the sky.
0129 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says: "The disarmament of the Iraqi regime will begin at a time of the president's choosing."
0110 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev condemns US military moves, saying the United States was acting as if the world was its fiefdom.
0100 United States deadline for Saddam Hussein to go into exile or face war expires.
0020 US National Security Council meeting ends in Washington. A senior administration official later says President Bush decided when to launch a strike on Iraq during the meeting.
Wednesday 19 March
1950 The Pentagon confirms new air strikes by the US and British planes against what it says are surface-to-surface missiles and artillery in the no-fly-zone in south-eastern Iraq.
1650 The US says 17 Iraqi soldiers surrender to American forces on the Kuwaiti border.
1600 US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair hold a 20-minute telephone conversation.
1600 Opponents of the use of force against Iraq - notably Germany and France - restate their objections at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
1540 Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix in a briefing to the council expresses "sadness" that it had not been possible to produce the assurances needed about Iraq's arsenal.
1430 The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, says military action against Iraq would be outside international law.
1120 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says Italy will provide political but not military support for a US-led military assault on Iraq.
1100 Jordan's national airline - the only commercial airline with regular flights to Baghdad - reportedly cancels flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
0900 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak blames Iraq for bringing the Gulf region to the brink of war, but warns that toppling Saddam Hussein is not the solution.
0730 The Iraqi parliament opens an emergency session with a rejection of the US war ultimatum.
0715 Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says "there is every chance" that a war against Iraq will begin on Thursday.
0507 South Korea declares support for the US policy and says it may send non-combat troops to contribute to the war effort.
Tuesday 18 March
2310 Turkish Government says it will ask MPs again to allow US request for permission to fly over territory during any Iraq campaign.
2228 UK Parliament approves use of military force to disarm Iraq by 412 votes to 149.
2214 Anti-war amendment defeated in UK Parliament despite signs of increased rebellion against Prime Minister Tony Blair.
1821 UN reports all foreign staff to be evacuated from Baghdad have now arrived in Cyprus.
1649 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says 45 nations have signed up to the "coalition of the willing" against Iraq.
1245 The Iraqi leadership rejects the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country.
1238 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair makes case for war to the House of Commons in a major debate: "I believe passionately we must hold firm to that course [of disarmament of Iraq]".
1110 Home Office minister John Denham becomes third MP to quit the UK Government over Iraq.
1108 The Vatican warns that those who go to war with Iraq "assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history".
1030 French President Jacques Chirac denounces impending US invasion as bound to undermine future efforts at peaceful disarmament.
0900 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says there is no justification for war against Iraq and no reason to end the weapons inspections.
0855 Departing UN weapons inspectors arrive in Cyprus.
0723 Health minister Lord Hunt becomes second UK minister to resign over Iraq.
0500 France says President Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein is "contrary to the will of the UN Security Council".
0122 US increases terrorism alert to orange, the second highest level.
0100 President Bush delivers live television address. He says "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at time of our choosing."
Monday 17 March
2114 Australian Prime Minister John Howard commits troops to join any US-led war with Iraq.
2019 The Turkish Government says it will urgently address the issue of whether more than 60,000 US troops should be allowed to move into northern Iraq from Turkish soil.
1843 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says the decision by the US, Britain and Spain to abandon diplomacy "could have heavy consequences for the region and for the world".
1831 Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri rejects a US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face war, describing President George W Bush as "the number one warmonger in the world".
1737 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announces he has ordered the evacuation of arms inspectors from Iraq and suspended the oil-for-food programme.
1610 A leading member of the British Government, the former foreign secretary, Robin Cook, resigns his post as Leader of the House of Commons, saying he cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support.
1515 The White House announces that US President George W Bush is to address the nation at 0100GMT on Tuesday. He is expected to issue Saddam Hussein with an ultimatum: leave the country or face war.
1500 UK ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock says the diplomatic process on Iraq has concluded and announces the withdrawal of a draft resolution co-sponsored by the US and Spain.
1355 Closure of Pakistan's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1353 Britain's Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith confirms in a written parliamentary statement that war on Iraq would be legal on the grounds of existing UN resolutions.
1328 Greece which holds the EU presidency says Britain and Spain have aligned themselves with the US on the Iraq crisis outside the framework of the EU.
1301 Closure of Greece's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1115 Russian President Vladimir Putin says war against Iraq would be a "mistake".
1115 China announces it is evacuating its embassy staff and Chinese journalists from Baghdad.
1009 UN's nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei says Washington has advised weapons inspectors to leave Iraq.
1009 Russia advises its nationals to leave Iraq.
0845 China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing says the Iraq issue should be solved through dialogue within the UN.
0815 Russia's deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov is quoted as saying that a second UN resolution has "no chance".
0720 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin reiterates that a second UN resolution on Iraq is "unacceptable".
0630 UK advises all its citizens, except diplomatic staff, to leave Kuwait
0600 Reports emerge that UN observers stationed along Kuwait's border with Iraq have ceased all operations.
0430 Australian Prime Minister John Howard says participation of his country in any conflict with Iraq is getting "more likely".
0130 US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait.
0001 In a pre-recorded interview on CNN, French President Jacques Chirac maintains threat to veto a second resolution, and says Paris is willing to compromise on how long UN arms inspections in Iraq should last.
Sunday 16 March
1915 In pre-recorded comments, Iraqi President Saddam says it is a "great lie" that Iraq has banned weapons and vows his country will fight "anywhere in the world" if the US invades.
Shortly afterwards, in an interview with Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri warns that tens of thousands of Iraqis have pledged to sacrifice their lives in operations against the US.
1835 The three emerge from their summit to announce there is a small window for diplomacy; President Bush declares Monday a "moment of truth" for the international community.
1710 US, UK and Spanish leaders meet in the mid-Atlantic Azores islands for what they denied was a council of war.
Have you just ever had
Have you just ever had one of those days? Or, in my case, it was just the afternoon. EL was the best part of my afternoon. Actually, she's the best part of my day... everyday. I have had this headache since lunch that feels like someone took a crowbar, sharpened the end to a fine point, heated it in some hot coals until it was glowing red hot, and jammed it into my skull via the eye socket... repeatedly. Ok, well it might not be that bad... but it's pretty uncomfortable. EL went shopping this afternoon and then later antiquing. I worked until I couldn't take the pain of my throbbing skull anymore and headed her way for a rendezvous. The plan was to treat her to a nice dinner and go home for some much needed quiet and dark relaxation. I short phone convo with Greg landed us as Sam's Boat... a place I despise... for a one drink social stop so he could congratulate us in person. I felt bad because I felt bad. It was like I was the party pooper. To top it all off, I had earlier cancelled plans to meet a business associate after work at Downing Street Pub on grounds that I felt to bad to go out. This was a spontaneous stop that was only to be a couple of minutes on the way home... my original plans to nurse myself back to health still were valid... just delayed by about 15 minutes. In that 15 minute time, guess who decides to skip Downing Street and go to Sam's Boat since I wasn't meeting him? Yes. The guy I said I was too ill to meet. Funny, isn't it? I thought so. Anyhoo, we left after a few short minutes at my request. I was actually getting dizzy on the patio. I almost asked EL to drive home, but I was determined to snap out of it. I've been doing some computer maintenance to set some things up for her in the last hour or so, but I am headed to bed early. I don't know what this is, but I don't like it. I am hoping that some sleep will make it go away. Goodnight.
My head feels like it
My head feels like it is about to pop right off. I am not sure I've ever had a migraine headache, but I imagine that this is what one feel like coming on. I've taken all the OTC drugs I had at my disposal. I'm ready for elephant tranquilizers.
Ugh!
On a (much) lighter note. Yes, it's true. Erin Lynn and I are officially engaged to be married. Jett scooped it the other day, but I suppose since I'm especially chatty today, this is a good time to announce it here. We haven't set an official date yet, but November 9th is looking like the unofficial day. That's a cool 234 days of engagement... plenty of time for her to kick me to the curb if I'm not the one for her. My mother suggested we get married on 3/3/03. I had to pause while she realized that day had passed. Then she suggested 4/4/04. My mother absolutely adores EL. She would probably sell me into slavery on the black market to buy EL a gift or something. Heh.
Ugh!
On a (much) lighter note. Yes, it's true. Erin Lynn and I are officially engaged to be married. Jett scooped it the other day, but I suppose since I'm especially chatty today, this is a good time to announce it here. We haven't set an official date yet, but November 9th is looking like the unofficial day. That's a cool 234 days of engagement... plenty of time for her to kick me to the curb if I'm not the one for her. My mother suggested we get married on 3/3/03. I had to pause while she realized that day had passed. Then she suggested 4/4/04. My mother absolutely adores EL. She would probably sell me into slavery on the black market to buy EL a gift or something. Heh.
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Other than my peripatetic venture
Other than my peripatetic venture for bean, today has been textbook buttocks-in-chair unadventure.
I don’t go to Starbucks
I don't go to Starbucks because they have superior coffee. I go to Starbucks because no one in close proximity can stay in business. Supply and demand. I need some fucking dense bean and the newsstand coffee that happens to be sold in establishments that don't specialize in coffee is to coffee what Coors Light is to beer: Sex in a canoe... or, for those that haven't heard that joke, fuckin' near water. All those little coffee connoisseurs out there that set up shop for the love of the bean don't have a chance around this caffeinated equivalent of Super Wal-Mart... driven out of business in every town and township across the nation... just like all the thrift stores, Mom-n-Pop shops, and Piggly Wigglies were pissed on by Sam Walden's behemoth. Yes, I go to Starbucks out of necessity. I'm not proud of it... but it happens.
This morning, I made plans to go home and have lunch with my lovely fiancée (yes, it's true... more on that later). This put me in a fabulous mood. What better way to celebrate? Since liquid depressant in the shape of alcohol isn't conducive to job retention, I elected to seek out some liquid stimulant in the shape of that luscious mixture of ground, dark roasted espresso bean and pressurized water heated above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. I picked my teetering-on-the-edge-of-carpel-tunnel-syndrome ass up out of the chair and went across the street to the previously mentioned monopolous coffee beverage establishment to find a line of people about 38 deep... some of them were two by two as if waiting to board the ark. I couldn't believe it. I did some quick math in my head and theorized that I could make it to Starbucks number two a couple of blocks over before they would find time to shoo these people away and make my drink here. I was off like a tube sock wearing power walker in a crowded downtown tunnel. Upon arriving at the next Starbucks, I was pleased to find the line was only 19 people deep. They were all kind of swaying and humming in unison... like a cult about to synchronize the imbibing of Kool-aid or something. I drew my wildcard. Starbucks number three was not far off... on the other side of my building... they kind of build a Bermuda Triangle of coffee if you will... *BAM!* I was off again... this time like old people power walking the shopping mall before the store fronts open (my will was wavering). I arrived a few minutes later in desperation. I needed my fix more than ever. I was behind a guy talking loudly on his Nextel direct connect communicator thingy and one of the baristas was on break. These were good odds. I held my ground. I could make it. I knew I could.
Ahhh... sweet nectar of the gods. I love my coffee. I love it even if it came from a Bill-Gates-of-Coffee company like Starbucks.
Game on.
This morning, I made plans to go home and have lunch with my lovely fiancée (yes, it's true... more on that later). This put me in a fabulous mood. What better way to celebrate? Since liquid depressant in the shape of alcohol isn't conducive to job retention, I elected to seek out some liquid stimulant in the shape of that luscious mixture of ground, dark roasted espresso bean and pressurized water heated above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. I picked my teetering-on-the-edge-of-carpel-tunnel-syndrome ass up out of the chair and went across the street to the previously mentioned monopolous coffee beverage establishment to find a line of people about 38 deep... some of them were two by two as if waiting to board the ark. I couldn't believe it. I did some quick math in my head and theorized that I could make it to Starbucks number two a couple of blocks over before they would find time to shoo these people away and make my drink here. I was off like a tube sock wearing power walker in a crowded downtown tunnel. Upon arriving at the next Starbucks, I was pleased to find the line was only 19 people deep. They were all kind of swaying and humming in unison... like a cult about to synchronize the imbibing of Kool-aid or something. I drew my wildcard. Starbucks number three was not far off... on the other side of my building... they kind of build a Bermuda Triangle of coffee if you will... *BAM!* I was off again... this time like old people power walking the shopping mall before the store fronts open (my will was wavering). I arrived a few minutes later in desperation. I needed my fix more than ever. I was behind a guy talking loudly on his Nextel direct connect communicator thingy and one of the baristas was on break. These were good odds. I held my ground. I could make it. I knew I could.
Ahhh... sweet nectar of the gods. I love my coffee. I love it even if it came from a Bill-Gates-of-Coffee company like Starbucks.
Game on.
I have had this recurring
I have had this recurring thought recently about how much careers have changed in the last twenty or thirty years. I believe there used to be a time when people felt ownership in their job... where good performance was as much about pride and personal satisfaction in a job well done as it was about doing the right thing for your employer and your career. These days, it's all about who can screw who to keep their job one day longer and maybe make a little extra coin. It's about money and greed. It's about skipping from job to job like a flat stone across a placid pond in an exhausting attempt to keep up with the Joneses. Where did that simpler time go? The one where people stayed at a job and build a career that was stable and secure... lasting. The type of career where effort is put into looking ahead toward retirement and not ahead toward the axe with a hot off the presses updated resume burning a hole in your back pocket. I love what I do for a living. I really enjoy my job... just not my work environment. I don't like looking people in the eye and getting the feeling I can't trust them. I don't like knowing that your job security is not based on hard work and personal merit. I don't like being a number on some HR roster without a face or value. This is the way of Corporate America. This is what it has become... what it has evolved to be. The people out there that we see every day... people like you and people like me... we made it this. Well, maybe not you specifically and definitely not me specifically, but you get the idea. I hate this. This is why I mostly enjoy the simple things in life.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Sprint PCS and the fine
Sprint PCS and the fine print scam!
Monday, March 17, 2003
Okay. What does this sound
Okay. What does this sound like to you? A couple of months ago, in the midst of financial turmoil and periodic layoffs at work, my boss's boss is replaced with a new guy. My boss emails everyone in the department asking for a breakdown of who they were to the company and what they did for the company to give to his new boss. Seems normal enough. About a week later, my boss sends another email stating that effective immediately, every pay period (every two weeks), we would all send him a spreadsheet breaking down (bulleted) what we did over that pay period. A little unusual, but understandable. About a week later, my boss sends another email stating that the first job description thingy was required to be resent... with more detail and in a new standard format (which he attached). No problem. Done. A few of these pay period synchronized status report things go by (the most recent of which I turned in this morning) and today my boss sends out another email requiring that everyone in the department turn in a spreadsheet that breaks down every man hour spent on everything for the entire quarter... January One to present... by the end of the day. I'm not sure where all this paperwork is going, but I am generally a very busy guy at work and this is cutting into productive work time. I wonder what's next. I just finished the requested report and sent it in without knowing the required level of detail. I wish I could just condition myself to keep a running log. Maybe I could keep a continual file of my ongoing activity and set up a rule in Outlook to mail the file to my entire chain of command on a regular periodicity? That probably wouldn't be conducive to me keeping my job. It would be kind of funny while it lasted though... no? I sincerely hope that my colleagues and myself weather this storm and can get back to business as usual soon.
Oh shit. I just realized
Oh shit. I just realized today is St. Patrick's Day.
Look. My blog is wearing green.
Heh.
I'm such a geek.
Look. My blog is wearing green.
Heh.
I'm such a geek.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Sunday already. The weekend zoomed
Sunday already. The weekend zoomed by and a new week is upon us. Where does the time go? Friday was one of the most stressful days I've had in a long time. Friday night we had a great dinner at home before heading out for tentative plans to meet Kim for drinks. EL made this new dish that is similar to quiche, but instead of a breaded crust, the crust was made from potatoes. It had lots of veggies and yummies... and she made half of it spiced with habanero just for me. Our first stop of the evening was Christopher's Wine Warehouse where I had the best Chianti I've ever tasted. A couple of glasses later and a call to Eric's cell, we were at Baker's Street Pub expecting to see Harry's gig, but he wasn't to go on until later, so we crossed the street to the Gingerman. Our stay there was abbreviated by the crowd and lack of liquor, so the neighboring bar (Bronx) poured out next drink. Kim was tired and decided to stay in and we were both getting snacky again. The village was too crowded for our mood, so we hit the road. A turn or two later we were valet parking at Michelangelo's. I've never been a big fan of eating Italian out at a restaurant, but this place is really nice. It's an old converted home... low lit and full of atmosphere. They had a pianist, a cellist, and a violinist playing downstairs that were quite good. We were seated in a small, intimate room upstairs... good food and good wine... great night. We went home after dinner... having spent a wonderful Friday night together. Saturday morning came all too early. We had to get up and go grocery shopping before my mother arrived for her weekend visit. Her boyfriend helped me fix some damaged cedar shake siding on our rent house. His kung-fu is extremely powerful when it comes to building or fixing anything. EL's delicious lunch was only topped by the incredible meal we enjoyed in the evening. The four of us sat around playing cards and drinking wine the rest of the night. It was nice to see EL and my mom getting wine drunk together. We all had a blast... and consequently were a little hung over this morning. Heh. With the house quieted down and all the guests gone, that lazy Sunday feeling has set in and I'm not motivated to do anything. I need to study. I need to clean. EL is napping. I'm like a zombie in front of the TV with a snoring dog at my feet. Tell me again why I can't just get paid for doing nothing. I'm surprised I have the will to push these little keys down.
Friday, March 14, 2003
Wow! What a stressful, whirlwind
Wow! What a stressful, whirlwind of a day! I feel like passing out.
I can't wait to go home and see my sweetie!
I can't wait to go home and see my sweetie!