I think every workplace has one. The employee who is such a poor fit for the position, you just have to shrug and fix their mistakes, because that's all you really can do. I use to work with a woman like that...her name was Lana. I won't get into all the easy tasks she couldn't perform, but I would like to share with you a particularly embassassing moment.
One day, I was at work when the urge to visit the "little boys room" hit me. So, I grabbed a magazine and headed down to snuggle up for a spell. Back in the office, the phone rang.
Lana answered it. Of course, since she was incapable of doing even the mundane tasks, she needed to seek help for the call. Even though there were others in the room, she felt I needed to answer the question.
"Where's Tony?" she asked? The other workers finally concluded that I was in the restroom, you know, resting. Another worker said, in a joking manner,
"You should just go to the restroom and yell in for him."
And off she went...heading for the restroom. I was finished "resting" and I was at the sink preparing to wash my hands when I heard a voice from the outside.
"Tony? Tony?" I couldn't ignore it, because there were other guys in the restroom who knew me, and knew the call was for me. You have got to be kidding me? I'm in the restroom here!!
At that point, what do you do? I was mid wash, I couldn't walk out and talk to her, I couldn't ignore her, or God only knows what she would have done...so, I yelled back.
"Yeah?"
"Can you come out here for a minute?"
WHAT?!? She has no idea if I'm washing my hands, finishing a number one, or consoling a number 2...and she has the nerve to ask me if I would come out there?
"Could you wait a minute, I'm kinda busy here." I yelled back as the guys around me shot weird looks in my direction. I slowly finished my hand washing...mainly so I could cool off before going out to face this odd situation.
When I finished, I had hoped that she would be gone...but no, she was standing right by the door. She asked me the question as I gave her the "what-the-hell-are-you-doing-standing-outside-the-men's-room-you-moron" look (what, you don't know that look? It's never happened to you? Will wonders ever cease!!)
The question amounted to something that anyone who was there for even a day could have answered, and at that point she had been there over two years...I was super pissed that she couldn't ask anyone else, or at least wait for me to come back to the office.
I fixed the "problem" and had a talk with the boss about keeping Tweedle Dumb out of the Men's room. From that day forward, I never returned to that restroom, choosing instead for the quiet serenity of the second floor facilities, which were free from distractions.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
The Reunion
On Monday, March 28, 2005, my Grandma will turn a very spry 83 years young. It seems this year, however, her birthday present came a bit early.
This past Saturday, March 19th, I got a call from my grandma. She asked me if I wanted to come over and meet somebody. I couldn't imagine who, until she told me the story.
Grandma explained that she had gotten a phone call from a guy whose voice didn't seem familiar. He asked a few simple questions...was your maiden name Braun, was your husband's name Laurence?
Yes.
Yes.
Then the line was silent. After a few seconds of silence, grandma heard crying over the phone. The man on the other end said he couldn't believe he had finally found her.
The man was grandma's 76 year-old younger brother.
They hadn't been in contact in 50 years.
50 YEARS!!
He asked if he could come and see her. Of course, she quickly said yes. She assumed her brother was deceased since they hadn't been in contact. But now she knew he was alive, and he was coming to see her.
.....................
"So," Grandma asked me "do you think you could stop by and see him?" Grandma doesn't ask for much, and she really didn't have to ask me to come and see him, I wanted to. For her, for him, for myself AND for the whole family. She went on to conclude that he was asleep, and she wasn't going to tell him anyone was coming, so he would be surprised.
"I'll be there." I replied.
Sunday at 1 pm, I finally meet Grandma's long lost brother. Before I met him, I wondered if it was really her brother, or just someone who was scamming her, or was mistaken. Those thoughts quickly faded when I saw him. There was no doubt he and grandma were related, as they looked strikingly similar.
Almost the whole family was there. All of grandma's kids (except my Aunt Mary Ann, whom we missed very much...wish you could have made it!!), a lot of the grand kids, and some great-grand kids all made appearances while Grandma's brother just sat, teary eyed, holding his face and repeating "I can't believe I'm sitting here, I can't believe this!"
All I could do was smile.
It's really hard to believe that in a family that is as close as ours, there would come such a reunion. But, in true Gillespie fashion, we made it a great one. I hope he knows how much we love grandma...and how, even though most of us had never met him until Saturday, how much we love him, too. He's a part of this family...and what a fine family it is.
This past Saturday, March 19th, I got a call from my grandma. She asked me if I wanted to come over and meet somebody. I couldn't imagine who, until she told me the story.
Grandma explained that she had gotten a phone call from a guy whose voice didn't seem familiar. He asked a few simple questions...was your maiden name Braun, was your husband's name Laurence?
Yes.
Yes.
Then the line was silent. After a few seconds of silence, grandma heard crying over the phone. The man on the other end said he couldn't believe he had finally found her.
The man was grandma's 76 year-old younger brother.
They hadn't been in contact in 50 years.
50 YEARS!!
He asked if he could come and see her. Of course, she quickly said yes. She assumed her brother was deceased since they hadn't been in contact. But now she knew he was alive, and he was coming to see her.
.....................
"So," Grandma asked me "do you think you could stop by and see him?" Grandma doesn't ask for much, and she really didn't have to ask me to come and see him, I wanted to. For her, for him, for myself AND for the whole family. She went on to conclude that he was asleep, and she wasn't going to tell him anyone was coming, so he would be surprised.
"I'll be there." I replied.
Sunday at 1 pm, I finally meet Grandma's long lost brother. Before I met him, I wondered if it was really her brother, or just someone who was scamming her, or was mistaken. Those thoughts quickly faded when I saw him. There was no doubt he and grandma were related, as they looked strikingly similar.
Almost the whole family was there. All of grandma's kids (except my Aunt Mary Ann, whom we missed very much...wish you could have made it!!), a lot of the grand kids, and some great-grand kids all made appearances while Grandma's brother just sat, teary eyed, holding his face and repeating "I can't believe I'm sitting here, I can't believe this!"
All I could do was smile.
It's really hard to believe that in a family that is as close as ours, there would come such a reunion. But, in true Gillespie fashion, we made it a great one. I hope he knows how much we love grandma...and how, even though most of us had never met him until Saturday, how much we love him, too. He's a part of this family...and what a fine family it is.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
St Patrick's Day
Top of the mornin' to ya! Erin Go Braugh! These Irish Eyes are Smilin'!!
Ok, so it's St Patrick's Day, which is, I confess, my favorite holiday of the year. I know what you are thinking..."It's because you can drink a lot..."
No, I actually have never had a green beer. And I'm not a drinker, so that's not it. The reason is actually two fold.
Fold #1: My ancestors were Irish. Like my great-great or great-great-great grandmother was of Irish decent.
Fold #2: The other holidays are so commerciallized, the meaning is lost.
So, for all you Irish men and women...and all you Irish want-to-bes, tip your green brew, and slam one back. Ireland, this one's for you!!
Monday, March 14, 2005
A Star Is Born
I'm a big music fan. Love The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, etc, etc, etc. however, I'm not a big Country music fan. I really don't know why, because there are some really good country tunes out there, and a lot of the people I like have been linked to some form of Country in the past...like Bob Dylan (Nashville Skyline) or Roy Orbison.
Last Saturday, however, I enjoyed two hours of country music by a wonderfully talented up and comer named Judy Sutton. I bet a lot of you have heard of her...probably because she's my Aunt and a lot of people who read this blog are related to her in some fashion.
She really is an amazing singer in the vein of Patsy Cline, or...ok, coming up with any Country artist was a stretch, but she sang 3 Patsy Cline songs, and totally torn them up, so I will go with that.
Aunt Judy just signed a record contract with True Country Records
www.dmirecords.com
Check out the link so you can read all about her, buy her single "There's Not a Wrong Way (For You to Love Me Right)", sign her message board, and check her progress.
Also, I highly encourage you to hear her song, which has reached #1 on the Country and General Country Independant Charts, at
http://www.soundclick.com/pro/?BandID=301369
Any one who likes country music, or ME should go and support my wonderfully talented Aunt!! I hope to have a link to her up on my sight soon, if Becky can figure out how to do that (she's so smart, I figure she will have no problem!!)
Last Saturday, however, I enjoyed two hours of country music by a wonderfully talented up and comer named Judy Sutton. I bet a lot of you have heard of her...probably because she's my Aunt and a lot of people who read this blog are related to her in some fashion.
She really is an amazing singer in the vein of Patsy Cline, or...ok, coming up with any Country artist was a stretch, but she sang 3 Patsy Cline songs, and totally torn them up, so I will go with that.
Aunt Judy just signed a record contract with True Country Records
www.dmirecords.com
Check out the link so you can read all about her, buy her single "There's Not a Wrong Way (For You to Love Me Right)", sign her message board, and check her progress.
Also, I highly encourage you to hear her song, which has reached #1 on the Country and General Country Independant Charts, at
http://www.soundclick.com/pro/?BandID=301369
Any one who likes country music, or ME should go and support my wonderfully talented Aunt!! I hope to have a link to her up on my sight soon, if Becky can figure out how to do that (she's so smart, I figure she will have no problem!!)
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Monday, February 28, 2005
Deceived: The Final Chapter
In case any of you out there were curious as to how the Book deception ended up, here's the rest of the story.
Joker Man finally e-mailed me back...actually, his wife did...and said to send the book back and she would return the money. She also said it was their mistake. That's all I wanted people!! Admission of guilt.
I declined her offer for a refund (I never asked for one, and it would cost more to return the book, because of shipping charges), and told her I wasn't trying to be rude or crappy. I just wanted her to learn something.
The moral:
It's better to be honest and not sell something, than it is to be deceitful and have to deal with me.
Besides, if it didn't say First Edition, I would have asked, they would have said, "I don't know", and I could have taught them about Book Clubs and First Editions, thus teaching them something. I hoped they learned their lesson.
Joker Man finally e-mailed me back...actually, his wife did...and said to send the book back and she would return the money. She also said it was their mistake. That's all I wanted people!! Admission of guilt.
I declined her offer for a refund (I never asked for one, and it would cost more to return the book, because of shipping charges), and told her I wasn't trying to be rude or crappy. I just wanted her to learn something.
The moral:
It's better to be honest and not sell something, than it is to be deceitful and have to deal with me.
Besides, if it didn't say First Edition, I would have asked, they would have said, "I don't know", and I could have taught them about Book Clubs and First Editions, thus teaching them something. I hoped they learned their lesson.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Deceived: Part 2
When we spoke last, I was in the midst of an E-Bay deveival...Joker Man decided he was going to tell me the book was a "First Edition", when in fact, it was a Book Club Edition.
Ok, enough recap, read Deceived: Part 1 if you forgot what's happening.
So, I get a return e-mail from Joker Man and he says:
"In my description, I never claimed to be an expert. I don't even know how to tell if a book is a book club addition."
Yes, addition.
So, of course, me being the nice guy I am, sent the following:
"If you were enough of an "expert" to claim the book was a first edition (for those of you not in the know, First Editions don't usually say First Edition on the inside), then you should be "expert" enough to know it's a Book Club Edition."
I went on to school him on where to find the BCE markings, and left him with the hope that he wouldn't deceive others.
He blew me off.
I think I will leave him negative feedback, because of the deception...and the crappy return e-mail. Serves this Joker right!!
Ok, enough recap, read Deceived: Part 1 if you forgot what's happening.
So, I get a return e-mail from Joker Man and he says:
"In my description, I never claimed to be an expert. I don't even know how to tell if a book is a book club addition."
Yes, addition.
So, of course, me being the nice guy I am, sent the following:
"If you were enough of an "expert" to claim the book was a first edition (for those of you not in the know, First Editions don't usually say First Edition on the inside), then you should be "expert" enough to know it's a Book Club Edition."
I went on to school him on where to find the BCE markings, and left him with the hope that he wouldn't deceive others.
He blew me off.
I think I will leave him negative feedback, because of the deception...and the crappy return e-mail. Serves this Joker right!!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Deceived: Part 1
Hello, my name is Tony, and I am an E-Bay Addict.
"Hello, Tony!!" (that's your part, jeez people, help me out here!!)
I love searching for stuff I don't need on E-Bay. It's one of the great joys of coming to work every day (don't tell the boss.) But sometimes, you make a purchase, and the results aren't as good as you had hoped.
Last week I bid on, a 1945 "First Edition" James Hilton Novel, "So Well Remembered." I am a big Hilton fan (if you haven't read Lost Horizon yet, DO IT!!), and I am also a collector of the aforementioned "stuff I don't need", so 1st Edition Hilton novels seemed appropriate.
After the bidding war ceased...ok, I was the only bidder...I had won the auction. today, the book came in. It looked like the photo...but upon closer inspection...
IT WAS A BOOK CLUB EDITION!!
Now, for those of you not in the know, a Book Club Edition is a mass produced edition of the original book that is distributed through the Book Club at prices that are the equivalent to 100 books for 3/4 of a cent. In other words, they aren't collectible, they aren't rare, and they definitely aren't FIRST EDITIONS!!
With my blood boiling, I layed down an e-mail to the seller, telling him of my disapproval. Before I sent the spewing hate, I rechecked the auction. Nope, it doesn't mention Book Club Edition...
So, I set back to the e-mail. Remembering that he has yet to leave feedback for me (E-Bay works off a feedback system...Positive, Neutral, and Negative. The more positives you have, the better your chances are of selling your items.) I decided to back off my original e-mail and give him a chance to respond to my allegations.
My letter basically said: I won this auction for a "First Edition" and the book is a Book Club Edition. I am very disappointed, as I feel deceived.
I never asked for a return in money or anything like that. Why? That's not the point. I don't want a refund...I want an apology, an explanation...AND, most of all, I want him to be nice and admit he deceived me. The book was cheap, so that's unimportant. I want him to say, "I made a mistake. I'm sorry."
But, I bet he won't. I bet he will come back and say something about "E-mailing him to ask questions BEFORE the auction ended."
If the description said "First Edition", would you e-mail and ask if the book was a first edition? Me either.
I actually hope he says something about "No Refunds." If he does, I'm going to bust him with the fact that I didn't ask for one, and then say: "It's funny that I can't assume the book isn't a Book Club, but you can assume I want a refund..."
What is today? The 24th. I will wait for his e-mail and update you all on what his resulting comments are. If he is nice...I'll give him a positive feedback for being nice, shipping fast, and the likes. If he is an ass about things, I'll sacrifice myself and give the negative. I have 219 positive feedbacks with only one neutral (a story for another time involving an LJN Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka doll...). I think it may be time to get that first negative for the cause of honesty in E-Baying!!
"Hello, Tony!!" (that's your part, jeez people, help me out here!!)
I love searching for stuff I don't need on E-Bay. It's one of the great joys of coming to work every day (don't tell the boss.) But sometimes, you make a purchase, and the results aren't as good as you had hoped.
Last week I bid on, a 1945 "First Edition" James Hilton Novel, "So Well Remembered." I am a big Hilton fan (if you haven't read Lost Horizon yet, DO IT!!), and I am also a collector of the aforementioned "stuff I don't need", so 1st Edition Hilton novels seemed appropriate.
After the bidding war ceased...ok, I was the only bidder...I had won the auction. today, the book came in. It looked like the photo...but upon closer inspection...
IT WAS A BOOK CLUB EDITION!!
Now, for those of you not in the know, a Book Club Edition is a mass produced edition of the original book that is distributed through the Book Club at prices that are the equivalent to 100 books for 3/4 of a cent. In other words, they aren't collectible, they aren't rare, and they definitely aren't FIRST EDITIONS!!
With my blood boiling, I layed down an e-mail to the seller, telling him of my disapproval. Before I sent the spewing hate, I rechecked the auction. Nope, it doesn't mention Book Club Edition...
So, I set back to the e-mail. Remembering that he has yet to leave feedback for me (E-Bay works off a feedback system...Positive, Neutral, and Negative. The more positives you have, the better your chances are of selling your items.) I decided to back off my original e-mail and give him a chance to respond to my allegations.
My letter basically said: I won this auction for a "First Edition" and the book is a Book Club Edition. I am very disappointed, as I feel deceived.
I never asked for a return in money or anything like that. Why? That's not the point. I don't want a refund...I want an apology, an explanation...AND, most of all, I want him to be nice and admit he deceived me. The book was cheap, so that's unimportant. I want him to say, "I made a mistake. I'm sorry."
But, I bet he won't. I bet he will come back and say something about "E-mailing him to ask questions BEFORE the auction ended."
If the description said "First Edition", would you e-mail and ask if the book was a first edition? Me either.
I actually hope he says something about "No Refunds." If he does, I'm going to bust him with the fact that I didn't ask for one, and then say: "It's funny that I can't assume the book isn't a Book Club, but you can assume I want a refund..."
What is today? The 24th. I will wait for his e-mail and update you all on what his resulting comments are. If he is nice...I'll give him a positive feedback for being nice, shipping fast, and the likes. If he is an ass about things, I'll sacrifice myself and give the negative. I have 219 positive feedbacks with only one neutral (a story for another time involving an LJN Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka doll...). I think it may be time to get that first negative for the cause of honesty in E-Baying!!
Thursday, February 17, 2005
'Cause I'm The Trash Man
Of all the thankless jobs out there, I think Trash Man has to rank right up there at the top. I understand that. But I still think we should hold these people accountable when they utterly destroy our trash cans.
I came home last night to find my trash can's handle torn and broken. This is the third time this has happened. Come on, trash men, it's not like I'm throwing blocks of concrete in the bottom of these things!!
"Let me gently pick up this trash can and WHOA!! Feels like a ton of bricks in that bad boy!"
No, I throw away a few bags of trash, and the trash man, in turn does a double handed yank on the handle, followed by a dump of the trash and a triple axle with a full Yurchanko as he slams it to the frozen ground, shattering the can's very being.
Who pays for this? Ultimately, it's the trash can who pays with broken parts and broken dreams. All that can wanted was to hold the trash, and make it's mamma proud. Now, it's just a broken shell of a can. That's just garbage!!
So, I will buy a new one and sit the old tattered can out to be thrown away...it's funny how long it takes the trash man to actually take the old can with him. For the first couple of weeks he will pick it up, see no trash and throw it back to the ground, empty. You actually have to put the old broken can into the new can...like it's trash, or that thing sits there forever.
I should write a note on it...
"Please throw my old trash can away. It was a good trash can, UNTIL YOU BROKE IT!! Please leave $10 to cover the cost of a new can."
Nah, better not...who knows what the Trash Man would do then!!
I came home last night to find my trash can's handle torn and broken. This is the third time this has happened. Come on, trash men, it's not like I'm throwing blocks of concrete in the bottom of these things!!
"Let me gently pick up this trash can and WHOA!! Feels like a ton of bricks in that bad boy!"
No, I throw away a few bags of trash, and the trash man, in turn does a double handed yank on the handle, followed by a dump of the trash and a triple axle with a full Yurchanko as he slams it to the frozen ground, shattering the can's very being.
Who pays for this? Ultimately, it's the trash can who pays with broken parts and broken dreams. All that can wanted was to hold the trash, and make it's mamma proud. Now, it's just a broken shell of a can. That's just garbage!!
So, I will buy a new one and sit the old tattered can out to be thrown away...it's funny how long it takes the trash man to actually take the old can with him. For the first couple of weeks he will pick it up, see no trash and throw it back to the ground, empty. You actually have to put the old broken can into the new can...like it's trash, or that thing sits there forever.
I should write a note on it...
"Please throw my old trash can away. It was a good trash can, UNTIL YOU BROKE IT!! Please leave $10 to cover the cost of a new can."
Nah, better not...who knows what the Trash Man would do then!!
Monday, February 14, 2005
If You Can't Beat 'Em...
Last weekend, Becky and I set out to convert a gaping hole in our computer room into a magnificent CD rack. Sounds simple enough. But when you consider my lack of any "handyman" type skills, and Becky and my inability to get along while doing projects, the task seems a little more monumental.
Last summer, Becky and I remodeled our bathroom. Part of the project included tearing out a closet from the Computer room, and incorporating the space into our tiny bathroom. The result left a hole in the computer room where the closet door use to be. Becky wisely suggested that we convert the space into an inlaid CD rack. (Great Idea by Becky #1)
After many months procrastinating (as I do so well), we finally decided to start the rack.
Ok, Becky told me I had to do it.
I drew up some plans and was mentally ready for the task. I was so confident, in fact, that I told Becky's mom the job would take, max, 5 hours (not including time to get the wood.)
We went and bought the wood and started to build. Things were actually going well. I was measuring the wood and cutting it with the circular saw (something I had only used twice before in my life.) Things were progressing well. Then, our first "discussion".
Becky: "Are you going to put spacers to hold the shelves up?"
Translation: "Don't put spacers to hold the shelves up, it will look stupid."
Me: "Yes."
Becky: "Oh, I think it would be better if..."
Oh, no. Here it comes. Becky tells me for months to build the CD rack, build the CD rack...then, after I rack my brains coming up with this plan...she tells me HOW to build it. UGH! This is why I get mad...usually. This time, I decided to take a different approach.
I admit, at first I fought her ideas. Saying things like, "That will be too hard!" and "I don't want to do it that way...(cause I'm a whiny little baby, I should have added.)" But then, I just said, ok, let's do it your way.
And you know what? It actually came out BETTER than my original idea. It took a little bit of work, but her CD rack idea was great. (Great Idea by Becky #2) The project got done, and we hardly fought at all about those little things.
After we finished building the shelf, puttying, and painting...we made a collage of music pictures on the back wall behind the shelves for added effect that came out cool, and was a fun project to do together (Great Idea by Becky #3). I was really surprised how well we worked together, given our shady past work history. Maybe I'm growing up a little, and becoming a little more patient. Scary thought.
In case you were wondering, the shelf took 8 hours to build, and about 4 hours to collage. Total with painting, getting the lumber, building and collaging...15 hours. But it was fun!!
Total Great Ideas by Becky on the CD Rack project: 3
Total Great Ideas by Tony on the CD Rack Project: 0
I hope you all will stop by and see Becky's great CD rack!!
Last summer, Becky and I remodeled our bathroom. Part of the project included tearing out a closet from the Computer room, and incorporating the space into our tiny bathroom. The result left a hole in the computer room where the closet door use to be. Becky wisely suggested that we convert the space into an inlaid CD rack. (Great Idea by Becky #1)
After many months procrastinating (as I do so well), we finally decided to start the rack.
Ok, Becky told me I had to do it.
I drew up some plans and was mentally ready for the task. I was so confident, in fact, that I told Becky's mom the job would take, max, 5 hours (not including time to get the wood.)
We went and bought the wood and started to build. Things were actually going well. I was measuring the wood and cutting it with the circular saw (something I had only used twice before in my life.) Things were progressing well. Then, our first "discussion".
Becky: "Are you going to put spacers to hold the shelves up?"
Translation: "Don't put spacers to hold the shelves up, it will look stupid."
Me: "Yes."
Becky: "Oh, I think it would be better if..."
Oh, no. Here it comes. Becky tells me for months to build the CD rack, build the CD rack...then, after I rack my brains coming up with this plan...she tells me HOW to build it. UGH! This is why I get mad...usually. This time, I decided to take a different approach.
I admit, at first I fought her ideas. Saying things like, "That will be too hard!" and "I don't want to do it that way...(cause I'm a whiny little baby, I should have added.)" But then, I just said, ok, let's do it your way.
And you know what? It actually came out BETTER than my original idea. It took a little bit of work, but her CD rack idea was great. (Great Idea by Becky #2) The project got done, and we hardly fought at all about those little things.
After we finished building the shelf, puttying, and painting...we made a collage of music pictures on the back wall behind the shelves for added effect that came out cool, and was a fun project to do together (Great Idea by Becky #3). I was really surprised how well we worked together, given our shady past work history. Maybe I'm growing up a little, and becoming a little more patient. Scary thought.
In case you were wondering, the shelf took 8 hours to build, and about 4 hours to collage. Total with painting, getting the lumber, building and collaging...15 hours. But it was fun!!
Total Great Ideas by Becky on the CD Rack project: 3
Total Great Ideas by Tony on the CD Rack Project: 0
I hope you all will stop by and see Becky's great CD rack!!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Let's Get Physical
There's nothing like a physical. Not the "turn your head and cough" kind, but a full out, check yo' nekkid ass, down and dirty, head to toe, physical.
On the one hand, it's nice to know that all the little aches, pains, odd veins, and weird rash things you have are normal.
But on the other hand...
If you take out "on the other" from the above sentence, you know what's bad about physicals. It's over now, thankfully, and I am healthy. For those of you that know me, I'm sure you are happy. For those of you who don't, you probably don't care.
Either way.
On the one hand, it's nice to know that all the little aches, pains, odd veins, and weird rash things you have are normal.
But on the other hand...
If you take out "on the other" from the above sentence, you know what's bad about physicals. It's over now, thankfully, and I am healthy. For those of you that know me, I'm sure you are happy. For those of you who don't, you probably don't care.
Either way.
Here Today
So, this is it. The new layout. Becky made it a little easier to look at (no pink signatures behind the words.) Thanks to both of my commentors for helping me with the design.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
New Layout
Ok, I need some help here people!! Becky has thrown some new juice into my blog, and I want to see what you all think. Great, decent, too busy, liked the plain way better...
Just drop a comment in the comment section at the bottom and let me know!
Thanks,
Tony
Just drop a comment in the comment section at the bottom and let me know!
Thanks,
Tony
Charming: Round 2
A comment to the last post:
Anonymous said...
not try at all because you can't get it right the first time? how uninspired is that?! everyone deserves a chance and some things, they deserve to try until they are content with the outcome. it's because no one's perfect that we should encourage a third. nothing comes easy. it probably didn't take you only two times to learn to walk or talk in a complete coherent sentence or learn to ride a bike, or swim. There's hardly anything that a person can complish completely right in the first two tries. we learn and get better at things. my mom would always tell me a saying that they have in vietnamese and basically, it says that failure is the mother of success. plus, what is success without failure every now and again
My answer:
After having read this comment, and re-reading my post, I would have to agree with the comment. My post didn't make sense, and it was incorrect. Let me rephrase what I should have said:
To give someone a second chance, or even a third, is both acceptable, and honorable. But I would say "Keep trying!!" or "You'll get it!!"
Saying "Third time's the charm" to me is like saying the first two tries mean nothing, but it's the third try that's important. If you get it on the second try, it's ok, but the CHARM is the third try!! Be damned if it takes you 4, cause then what do you say?
"Third time's the charm, but the 4th try is pretty good, too!!"
No, you shot yourself in the foot when you say one particular try should be the best of the bunch.
Actually, I kind of like "Failure is the mother of success." Thanks anonymous's mom for that one!!
Anonymous said...
not try at all because you can't get it right the first time? how uninspired is that?! everyone deserves a chance and some things, they deserve to try until they are content with the outcome. it's because no one's perfect that we should encourage a third. nothing comes easy. it probably didn't take you only two times to learn to walk or talk in a complete coherent sentence or learn to ride a bike, or swim. There's hardly anything that a person can complish completely right in the first two tries. we learn and get better at things. my mom would always tell me a saying that they have in vietnamese and basically, it says that failure is the mother of success. plus, what is success without failure every now and again
My answer:
After having read this comment, and re-reading my post, I would have to agree with the comment. My post didn't make sense, and it was incorrect. Let me rephrase what I should have said:
To give someone a second chance, or even a third, is both acceptable, and honorable. But I would say "Keep trying!!" or "You'll get it!!"
Saying "Third time's the charm" to me is like saying the first two tries mean nothing, but it's the third try that's important. If you get it on the second try, it's ok, but the CHARM is the third try!! Be damned if it takes you 4, cause then what do you say?
"Third time's the charm, but the 4th try is pretty good, too!!"
No, you shot yourself in the foot when you say one particular try should be the best of the bunch.
Actually, I kind of like "Failure is the mother of success." Thanks anonymous's mom for that one!!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Charming
Often in the English language, phrases come up. They evolve. "The Proof of the pudding is in the eating..." has evolved into "The Proof is in the Pudding." I have writen about this before.
One phrase I can't figure out is "Third time's the charm."
What?!? Why exactly are we giving people who suck at something THREE CHANCES to get it right? That just seems a little excessive to me. Ok, two tries, I may buy, because nobody's perfect. But to encourage a third?
And where did this phrase evolve from? I have no clue. I think this is one that stood on it's own somehow. All I know is, if it's going to take me three tries to get it, I probably don't want to even attempt it once.
I want the first time to be the charm. I don't call it being lazy, I call it being realistic. If I'm not skilled enough the first two times...forget it!
One phrase I can't figure out is "Third time's the charm."
What?!? Why exactly are we giving people who suck at something THREE CHANCES to get it right? That just seems a little excessive to me. Ok, two tries, I may buy, because nobody's perfect. But to encourage a third?
And where did this phrase evolve from? I have no clue. I think this is one that stood on it's own somehow. All I know is, if it's going to take me three tries to get it, I probably don't want to even attempt it once.
I want the first time to be the charm. I don't call it being lazy, I call it being realistic. If I'm not skilled enough the first two times...forget it!
Friday, January 28, 2005
We'll Keep In Touch!
I got an e-mail the other day requesting some information. The sender was a familiar name, but the reason was shocking. The e-mailer wanted my address so I could receive information about my 10 year High School Re-Union.
10 YEARS!!
Damn, I feel old. Maybe a bit unimportant. You know how your mind wanders sometimes. Mine certainly does. Thoughts that run through my head:
1. Will anyone remember me?
2. Does anybody still think of me?
3. What great things will everyone else be doing?
4. How many people will be better off than me?
5. How many will be worse off?
6. What will people look like?
I never considered myself a "popular" person. I was known by a lot, acknowledged by many, but I never really interacted like others. A bit backwards, I guess you could have described me as. Will they remember me? Oh, I remember them. Small things flood back to me with the mention of each name. Things I should have forgotten long ago, but for some reason have locked into my mind, like the lyrics to songs.
Do they see my name and wonder "what ever happened to Tony?" I doubt it. But that's ok. I like to think I leave a mark on the people who leave a mark on me. It's kind of a respect thing, I guess.
How many people will have great lives? Will they be better off than I am? I highly doubt they could be. Don't get me wrong, others may have tons of money, live in mansions and sleep on gold...but that doesn't necessarily make them better off than me. I have a great life. I think I have done very well for myself.
I guess none of that matters. Chances are, I'll go, see some people, talk about the old times, exchange numbers and e-mail addresses and then never see them again. Just like High School. We'll keep in touch! Best Friends Forever!!
Seems like so long ago.
But I bet when I see the people I once held in such high regard, the valedictorian, the cheerleaders, the quarterback of the football team...I bet these people are just like me now. No hierarchy applies to the 10 year reunion. We are now all equal. Only, somehow, I feel like I have more to be proud of. It's like I was so insignificant in High School, and I did so much since...
I don't feel superior, just confident. Confident that I can go and be one of the group. One of the Class of 95. That's a good feeling. Not just a name.
10 YEARS!!
Damn, I feel old. Maybe a bit unimportant. You know how your mind wanders sometimes. Mine certainly does. Thoughts that run through my head:
1. Will anyone remember me?
2. Does anybody still think of me?
3. What great things will everyone else be doing?
4. How many people will be better off than me?
5. How many will be worse off?
6. What will people look like?
I never considered myself a "popular" person. I was known by a lot, acknowledged by many, but I never really interacted like others. A bit backwards, I guess you could have described me as. Will they remember me? Oh, I remember them. Small things flood back to me with the mention of each name. Things I should have forgotten long ago, but for some reason have locked into my mind, like the lyrics to songs.
Do they see my name and wonder "what ever happened to Tony?" I doubt it. But that's ok. I like to think I leave a mark on the people who leave a mark on me. It's kind of a respect thing, I guess.
How many people will have great lives? Will they be better off than I am? I highly doubt they could be. Don't get me wrong, others may have tons of money, live in mansions and sleep on gold...but that doesn't necessarily make them better off than me. I have a great life. I think I have done very well for myself.
I guess none of that matters. Chances are, I'll go, see some people, talk about the old times, exchange numbers and e-mail addresses and then never see them again. Just like High School. We'll keep in touch! Best Friends Forever!!
Seems like so long ago.
But I bet when I see the people I once held in such high regard, the valedictorian, the cheerleaders, the quarterback of the football team...I bet these people are just like me now. No hierarchy applies to the 10 year reunion. We are now all equal. Only, somehow, I feel like I have more to be proud of. It's like I was so insignificant in High School, and I did so much since...
I don't feel superior, just confident. Confident that I can go and be one of the group. One of the Class of 95. That's a good feeling. Not just a name.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
JMH
About 4 years back, I worked for a company called IKON. I'll give you a minute to scratch your heads, and try to figure out what IKON stands for and what kind of company they actually are.
Give up? Yeah, I thought so. IKON is an office solutions company, and a competitor of Xerox, a name we all know. What does IKON stand for...I Know One Name. Goofy, isn't it?
Anyway, while working for this company, I did a brief stint in the document center at Johnson Memorial Hospital. JMH wasn't a bad gig, really. A few copy jobs here and there, run around the hospital delivering mail. The best part, however, was the cafeteria, located right outside the door of the document center.
Ok, make your hospital food jokes now...feel better? Let's move on.
The food was actually pretty good, and it was right next door, so it was a doubly good thing. As my stint at the hospital grew longer, I began to experiment more with the exploration of the hospital. That's when the cafeteria gravy train stopped rolling.
Around the corner from the cafeteria was...the MORGUE!! Probably less than 50 feet away. My co-worker, knowing I didn't know my way around the building very well, and my disdain for the morgue, took me by it every chance she got, too.
I couldn't shake the image of the morgue being so close to my scrambled eggs...damn, now I won't be able to eat scrambled eggs, either.
Give up? Yeah, I thought so. IKON is an office solutions company, and a competitor of Xerox, a name we all know. What does IKON stand for...I Know One Name. Goofy, isn't it?
Anyway, while working for this company, I did a brief stint in the document center at Johnson Memorial Hospital. JMH wasn't a bad gig, really. A few copy jobs here and there, run around the hospital delivering mail. The best part, however, was the cafeteria, located right outside the door of the document center.
Ok, make your hospital food jokes now...feel better? Let's move on.
The food was actually pretty good, and it was right next door, so it was a doubly good thing. As my stint at the hospital grew longer, I began to experiment more with the exploration of the hospital. That's when the cafeteria gravy train stopped rolling.
Around the corner from the cafeteria was...the MORGUE!! Probably less than 50 feet away. My co-worker, knowing I didn't know my way around the building very well, and my disdain for the morgue, took me by it every chance she got, too.
I couldn't shake the image of the morgue being so close to my scrambled eggs...damn, now I won't be able to eat scrambled eggs, either.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Worst Gift Ever
Now that the holidays are over, I feel a bit of relief. No, I'm not finding comfort in the holidays being over, I'm finding it in the revelation that I did not receive any extremely crappy gifts this year. Ok, some may think the socks and underwear my mom buys me every year is a bad gift, but I, for one, think its a fabulous gift. Have you priced that stuff lately?
As far as bad gifts go, I received my WORST gift back in 1984.
When you're six years old, Christmas has a magical feeling. Santa Claus, presents, cookies and milk, you get the idea. My family would always open our gifts at home on Christmas Eve, and go to my grandma's on Christmas day.
I don't remember what great gifts my mom and dad bought me (ironic isn't it? Forget the good gifts, remember the bad.) but I do recall what was waiting for me when we went to my grandma's house. My brother, my cousin, Scott, and I all received...
THE MICHAEL JACKSON BELT.
Granted, Jackson was huge that year with the release of Thriller, but come on. I actually liked Michael Jackson, but still remember feeling like this was a crappy gift.
I never wore it.
Can you even imagine giving that gift to a six year old now? YIKES!!
As far as bad gifts go, I received my WORST gift back in 1984.
When you're six years old, Christmas has a magical feeling. Santa Claus, presents, cookies and milk, you get the idea. My family would always open our gifts at home on Christmas Eve, and go to my grandma's on Christmas day.
I don't remember what great gifts my mom and dad bought me (ironic isn't it? Forget the good gifts, remember the bad.) but I do recall what was waiting for me when we went to my grandma's house. My brother, my cousin, Scott, and I all received...
THE MICHAEL JACKSON BELT.
Granted, Jackson was huge that year with the release of Thriller, but come on. I actually liked Michael Jackson, but still remember feeling like this was a crappy gift.
I never wore it.
Can you even imagine giving that gift to a six year old now? YIKES!!
The Proof is in the Pudding
I heard someone say "The Proof is in the Pudding" the other day. What the hell does that mean? The proof of what is in the pudding? And, for that matter, how far into said pudding do we have to search to find proof?
I did a little research and found the origin. Don Quixote. "The Proof of the pudding is the eating." That, I get. But why, oh why is the proof now IN the pudding?
I don't need proof, I don't like to get my hands dirty.
I did a little research and found the origin. Don Quixote. "The Proof of the pudding is the eating." That, I get. But why, oh why is the proof now IN the pudding?
I don't need proof, I don't like to get my hands dirty.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Fruit Cup
My mom use to make a mixture of fruits called a "Fruit Salad." You know, take a bowl, cut up lots of fruits, and bingo-bango-boingo...Fruit Salad. I use to think she was crazy, and came up with this mixture on her own.
I guess it's a more widely used receipe than I had thought.
Becky and I went to Max and Erma's for dinner last night, and low and behold, the Fruit Cup. Becky ordered one, and I thought, "what could be better than a fruit cup?" That's when I remembered what was wrong with the Fruit Salad my mom use to make.
Apples.
You dice some tangerines, some pineapple, throw in some grapes...great, they all have a good flavor. Then you load it down with a flavorless fruit like the apple! What a load of crap! Those red apples, what are they Washington apples or something? Well, they have no flavor. And when the ratio is 4 to 1, apples over fruits with taste, the Fruit Cup is a dud!
Why would the primary fruit be the apple? I remember my mom would lay a plentiful portion of apples and bananas in her Fruit Salad, and you know what would happen? After about 2 days in the refrigerator, the apples and bananas would turn a lovely shade of brown, and no one would want to eat it anymore.
People, stop the madness! Add fruits that have taste, and that won't brown. If I would have had better tasting fruits in my mom's Fruit Salad...I may be in better shape today!!
I guess it's a more widely used receipe than I had thought.
Becky and I went to Max and Erma's for dinner last night, and low and behold, the Fruit Cup. Becky ordered one, and I thought, "what could be better than a fruit cup?" That's when I remembered what was wrong with the Fruit Salad my mom use to make.
Apples.
You dice some tangerines, some pineapple, throw in some grapes...great, they all have a good flavor. Then you load it down with a flavorless fruit like the apple! What a load of crap! Those red apples, what are they Washington apples or something? Well, they have no flavor. And when the ratio is 4 to 1, apples over fruits with taste, the Fruit Cup is a dud!
Why would the primary fruit be the apple? I remember my mom would lay a plentiful portion of apples and bananas in her Fruit Salad, and you know what would happen? After about 2 days in the refrigerator, the apples and bananas would turn a lovely shade of brown, and no one would want to eat it anymore.
People, stop the madness! Add fruits that have taste, and that won't brown. If I would have had better tasting fruits in my mom's Fruit Salad...I may be in better shape today!!
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