I know, I know, not enough posts to really be calling this The DAILY Bitch. Should be more like the "When I Freakin' get pissed off and want to rant" Bitch. I'm a busy guy and sometimes I forget. I've gotten the idea from all the e-mails, thanks for the those, I'll be stealing..er using them soon. For the rest of those just wondering why I don't update more, well, I'll try.
Today's Topic: Helping the helpless and screwing the Helpful!
Yeah, that's what it's all about...today I heard that they are bringing some people back (that were laid off previously) to help with a project in another building. Why? Because they are too busy? Because they need the help? Because the local folks don't want to do it? It doesn't matter the reason why, actually it does, but first let's look at why this is happening.
Managment & "The Bottom Line." Things have gone to shit around here. Pay raises that were promised have been frozen again. More and more every day it seems that the "Upper" managment wants nothing to do with us and only when the "Client" starts making grevious noises do they spring into action. We've been cut to the minimum and finally "they" are starting to see that. Good for them, bad for us. Using a recent example will illustrate this perfectly. A couple of weeks ago, we were hit hard by the latest virus buggy circulating. We saw the ticket load jump 300% (if not more) due to all these infected machines. Now, if we would have had our normal complement of worker bees then this would have been a small bump rather then the life draining cluster-fuck that it turned into. It took "people in charge of virus" almost 4 days to come out with an official fix for this. Our ticket closing time was totally blown off the charts, but that's okay, because this was such a train wreck, management just said all of those virus tickets don't count. Huh? So, the huge ass pile of shit sitting there just got turned into a fart with a strong breeze blowing so not trace was hardly left. Yeah, until the variant of the same virus stopped by 2 weeks later AND IT HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN! No lie.
So enough on management and their screw-ups. Let's talk about people who don't want help. I work with some really smart people. One of them (during this first virus outbreak) wrote a little VB tool that worked in conjuction with the virus scanner. Worked great, we had it out and working 3 days before the official fix came out. The head virus honcho (who we'll call Mr. Raoule) got a hold of the tool and then got a hold of the creator. What do you think happened? Yep, Mr. Raoule is a bit anal retentive and bit of an egotistical shit head with no management power whatsoever. That did not matter to Mr. Raoule, he proceeded to verbally ream the creator for a good 10 minutes and then threatened him with getting him fired. Uh-huh. Yeah.... I have to give it up to the "Mr. Creator" because I would have gotten in my car and drove to his office and gave him a really good reason to fire me. I don't Mr. Raoule would have been as "verbal" with my foot 6 inches up his ass. The conversation was THAT bad, even a manager or two got pulled in on this one. The Rogue Team strikes again ? !
Being helpful is tough too. See Mr. Creator has come up with some really neat tools that would and could save tons of time, and it's free. It just requires a little work on the user's part the first time to get it setup. Do you think anyone that doesn't know Mr. Creator has come forward to say "Hey! That's great can I get some of that?" Nope. It's basically seems like it's just easier to play the ignorance role and just sit there looking for help, but only the help that you want. The kind of help that doen't require you to do anything. Reminds me of a joke I heard once:
....a small town is flooded. As the water rises, the homeowner, a religious man, prays to God to keep him safe. As the water fills the basement, a 4x4 truck comes by and offers him a ride. The man passes, knowing that God will protect and save him. The water continues to flood his house and he moves to the second floor. A boat comes by and offers him a ride to dry land and safety. Again, the man passes, knowing that God will protect and save him. The water rises high and forces the man onto his roof. About that time a helicopter spots him and offers to winch him up, but once again, the man passes, knowing that God will protect and save him. Finally, the waters rise above the roof and drown him. Upon reaching heaven the man storms up to God and says, I believed in you, how could you not save me? God replies, "What more do you want? I sent a truck, boat and a helicopter?"
Me? I could give two shits. I've been busy working on my new idea, the RRU. Resource Recovery Unit. Yep, I started my own group and I figure that it will look really good on my resume. What does it do? Exactly that, recover resources? What kind of resources? Oh you name it. This week, it's rubber bands, tomorrow it might be post-it notes or paper clips or maybe those binder clips. I'm working on filling the Unit's filing cabinent and making it the secondary supply location. Leave it laying around and chances are it will be RRU'ed. Doesn't it sound impressive? My own initiative and self direction taking me down the path of future employability. Yeahh...that sounds real nice.
Time for lunch...later!
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Thursday, March 20, 2003
So it begins....
It's started, no not the WAR in Iraq. I'm talking about the other side of the war that everyone sees the protesters! See I love this country, no matter whether we are right or wrong in what we do, I love America. The freedoms we are granted, freedom of the press, of religion, and most of all speech. That is what allows these folks to do what they do: Protest.
Protest is the heart of our county. It is written in our history. It is that little part of all us that wants to do something when we are wrong. I mean, there is a whole religion based on the protest of Catholicism. Yeah, it's called Protestant, but I'm wandering, back to the present.
Protesting is what we do in order to do when a group of people share an opinion that differs from the popular opinion. It makes our country great. You don't have to get a permit (sometimes) so you can pretty much do it at the drop of hat. Occassionally you can get arrested and sometimes you can cause a little shuffle (just watch them crazy white supremecists try and march anywhere).
Today though, someone decided to make an impression by decided to start their protest at 5PM. Downtown. Yeah, 5PM on a Thursday. Rush hour. WHO THE FUCK DID THEY THINK THEY WERE IMPRESSING? Come on! You had enough people that you could of got on the news either way. It get's better, they were marching to the Federal Building. The Federal Building at 5pm? Someone must have been stoned. It's 5pm you fucking idiots!! Shit, the DMV closes at 4:30, so who did you think was going to be watching?? Here's a really bright idea, next time do it at LUNCH TIME!! Then you'll not only catch people there, you can annoy them on thier LUNCH HOUR! That will really garner you some attention. I bet people down there will be really happy since you'll be delaying them in getting lunch and getting back to work. Extended lunch hour courtesy of the war protest.
No instead you decide you have to do it right in the middle of RUSH HOUR! People are trying to get home to thier families. Get away from work. Just plain get out of downtown. Now we have to deal with dipshits parading down main street stopping traffic. Stopping people who could possibly join thier protest maybe be swayed in the way they might feel about the war. Nope, they are in the middle of rush hour causing problems. Of course what happened here is nothing. In San Fransisco protesters there snarled morning rush hour traffic for an hour. In Philadelpha, they blocked the entrances to the federal buildings there. That is my idea of a nice protest as long as it's a sunny day. Have that extra cup of coffee and watch the festivities.
Even the Police chief asked the protesters to ease off. Because the more of these assholes like to get together the more police have to drawn away from real emergencies. So take note, do it the right way and try not to piss people off.
On the other hand, if I hear another self-indulgant, self-asorbed, never once set foot in a battlefield MOTHERFUCKER say that they are "ashamed to be an American," I will find their address, e-mail, or phone number and tell them to pack thier shit and get the hell out of this country! I can't stand to hear that! Ashamed? Color me astonished! I just can't believe that someone would say that. This is great county and people have died to make sure you can say that. No one would ever think to say that during WW2 much less after Korea. That is just plain old wrong.
"Freedom has a taste, that those who have never fought for it, will never know."
It's started, no not the WAR in Iraq. I'm talking about the other side of the war that everyone sees the protesters! See I love this country, no matter whether we are right or wrong in what we do, I love America. The freedoms we are granted, freedom of the press, of religion, and most of all speech. That is what allows these folks to do what they do: Protest.
Protest is the heart of our county. It is written in our history. It is that little part of all us that wants to do something when we are wrong. I mean, there is a whole religion based on the protest of Catholicism. Yeah, it's called Protestant, but I'm wandering, back to the present.
Protesting is what we do in order to do when a group of people share an opinion that differs from the popular opinion. It makes our country great. You don't have to get a permit (sometimes) so you can pretty much do it at the drop of hat. Occassionally you can get arrested and sometimes you can cause a little shuffle (just watch them crazy white supremecists try and march anywhere).
Today though, someone decided to make an impression by decided to start their protest at 5PM. Downtown. Yeah, 5PM on a Thursday. Rush hour. WHO THE FUCK DID THEY THINK THEY WERE IMPRESSING? Come on! You had enough people that you could of got on the news either way. It get's better, they were marching to the Federal Building. The Federal Building at 5pm? Someone must have been stoned. It's 5pm you fucking idiots!! Shit, the DMV closes at 4:30, so who did you think was going to be watching?? Here's a really bright idea, next time do it at LUNCH TIME!! Then you'll not only catch people there, you can annoy them on thier LUNCH HOUR! That will really garner you some attention. I bet people down there will be really happy since you'll be delaying them in getting lunch and getting back to work. Extended lunch hour courtesy of the war protest.
No instead you decide you have to do it right in the middle of RUSH HOUR! People are trying to get home to thier families. Get away from work. Just plain get out of downtown. Now we have to deal with dipshits parading down main street stopping traffic. Stopping people who could possibly join thier protest maybe be swayed in the way they might feel about the war. Nope, they are in the middle of rush hour causing problems. Of course what happened here is nothing. In San Fransisco protesters there snarled morning rush hour traffic for an hour. In Philadelpha, they blocked the entrances to the federal buildings there. That is my idea of a nice protest as long as it's a sunny day. Have that extra cup of coffee and watch the festivities.
Even the Police chief asked the protesters to ease off. Because the more of these assholes like to get together the more police have to drawn away from real emergencies. So take note, do it the right way and try not to piss people off.
On the other hand, if I hear another self-indulgant, self-asorbed, never once set foot in a battlefield MOTHERFUCKER say that they are "ashamed to be an American," I will find their address, e-mail, or phone number and tell them to pack thier shit and get the hell out of this country! I can't stand to hear that! Ashamed? Color me astonished! I just can't believe that someone would say that. This is great county and people have died to make sure you can say that. No one would ever think to say that during WW2 much less after Korea. That is just plain old wrong.
"Freedom has a taste, that those who have never fought for it, will never know."
Monday, January 27, 2003
I got this e-mail from my Mom today. I read it and thought had a lot of good things in it, but then again it was kind of silly. Check it out!
I like big cars, big boats, big motorcycles, big houses and big campfires.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some governmental stooge with a bad comb-over who wants to give it away to crack addicts for squirting out babies.
Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.
I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason. That is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts!
I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.
I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America and see what happens. Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.
I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.
When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that's not racial profiling, it is the law of statistics.
I know what sex is, and there are not varying degrees of it. If I received sex from one of my subordinates in my office, it wouldn't be a private matter or my personal business. I would be "FIRED" immediately!
I believe that if you are selling me a milk shake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen you should have to speak English! My father and grandfather shouldn't have to die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry a** if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or “stop" in English, see the above lines.
I feel much safer letting a machine with no political affiliation recount votes when needed. I know what the definition of lying is.
I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business. We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document and open to their interpretations.
I don't hate the rich.
I don't pity the poor.
I believe a self-righteous liberal or conservative with a cause is more dangerous than a Hell's Angel with an attitude.
I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better and put your name on the building. Ask your buddy that invented the internet to help you.
It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid and smack their little a**es when necessary and say "NO."
I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And please stay home until that new lip ring heals; I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me fries!
I am sick of "Political Correctness" and of all the suck ups that go along with it. I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa, so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.
And if you don't like my point of view, tough.
-Gail Knotts(?)
I like big cars, big boats, big motorcycles, big houses and big campfires.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some governmental stooge with a bad comb-over who wants to give it away to crack addicts for squirting out babies.
Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.
I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason. That is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts!
I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.
I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America and see what happens. Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.
I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.
When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that's not racial profiling, it is the law of statistics.
I know what sex is, and there are not varying degrees of it. If I received sex from one of my subordinates in my office, it wouldn't be a private matter or my personal business. I would be "FIRED" immediately!
I believe that if you are selling me a milk shake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen you should have to speak English! My father and grandfather shouldn't have to die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry a** if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or “stop" in English, see the above lines.
I feel much safer letting a machine with no political affiliation recount votes when needed. I know what the definition of lying is.
I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business. We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document and open to their interpretations.
I don't hate the rich.
I don't pity the poor.
I believe a self-righteous liberal or conservative with a cause is more dangerous than a Hell's Angel with an attitude.
I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better and put your name on the building. Ask your buddy that invented the internet to help you.
It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid and smack their little a**es when necessary and say "NO."
I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And please stay home until that new lip ring heals; I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me fries!
I am sick of "Political Correctness" and of all the suck ups that go along with it. I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa, so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.
And if you don't like my point of view, tough.
-Gail Knotts(?)
Friday, January 24, 2003
So it happened again today. It started with a quiet phone call this morning. Rumors of a "mandatory meeting" were circulating. That can only mean one thing around here: Layoffs. Can you believe it. We didn't even make it to the 90-day mark. This time it was only one from my immediate area. Why? Because this person made the mistake of taking too much vacation at one time. Whoops! "Hey while you were gone, we learned we could live without you! Clean your desk out!" I'm sure it didn't go that way, but I'm sure that's what it felt like.
I'm hearing a lot of things. More sad & bad then good. The local management is concerned, but the good thing is that for once, they are looking out for us. Yep, it didn't take long for it to degenerate into chaos. The transitioned vs. the new owners. We started at 200 and now we are down to 165 (estimate) in less then one year. How could this happen? It's all about the bottom line, the profit, the moolah, bling-bling baby....
Here's a great story from the front lines. This co-worker I know saw this really great job on Monster.com and he applied for it. They were excited about this job, it was right in line with what they do already. So they apply for it and have a nice phone interview. It went really well for them, and they were excited. Alas, the happiness was short-lived because they got an e-mail from the interviewer at the company... you know how this goes, blah-blah, thanks for interviewing..position has been filled, etc. etc.. Now the great part of this story is that the interviewer sent the same note to ALL the people who applied for the position. Only one problem, rather then put the names in the BCC field, he put them all in the TO field.
Oops.
Imagine this person's suprise when they see 3 other co-workers names in the addressee field. Yeah THREE other people from the very same company that they work for! That is something. Now if this ain't blog material then nothing is. Can you believe it? I couldn't, not even for a minute, but it's true. Now these other 3 people many or may not be the very best of crop, but still that's three people out of local group of 50 or so? Is it a case of the rats deserting the ship while it's sinking or do they see what's coming too? Wow! I wonder if management knows this is how disenchanted the troops are. What would they do if they did know? Is there anything they can do? How bad is morale around here? Obviously worse then I thought, that's for sure.
I consider myself an asset and I'm sure they folks do to. The cuts are coming so should you wait for them or do you get proactive and get the job before they fire you. Now if you're a smart person, you'll go now. Why? Because, if you get out there now, you can get one of the good jobs while they still exist. If you stay then you'll be here with the leftovers. Now by leftovers, I mean the people who can't find a job, the morons, and those people who work cheap and are scared.
I saw a quote on someone's cube: "Work like you don't need the money." Why? Because. You know, because is not a good answer, it ranks right up there with a shoulder-shrug. Isn't is easier to just say you don't know? Yeah..it is. Nothing wrong with not knowing. I'll admit to that. I consider myself an intelligent person (if you think that being loaded with vast amounts of trivial info is intelligence), but I'm not a smart guy. My common sense is lacking quite a bit. So what that happens if you work like you don't need the money? What is the reward? A hearty thank-you and a sound pat on the back? Thanks, but I'd like that bonus, or maybe a raise...yeah... How about this one: "Arbieite sind mach!" It's in German, and it says (loosely) work makes you free....It was on the sign above the entrance to Auschwitz. Yeah...that was a bit offensive, but then again, it's my blog.
Consider this. While I was at my last job, I thought Dilbert was funny. Now it's sad. Why? Because many times it is so true that it hurts. I was told "Give a man a job he loves and he'll never work a day in his life." Ahh...my Dad, there's a smart guy. Sage words to live by, and I really try to, but it get's harder and harder to enjoy my job anymore.
Well, I have to run. I have to go polish up my resume. Yeah...that's right DOCTOR....hmm...they'll never check to see if I got a PhD from a foreign college....
I'm hearing a lot of things. More sad & bad then good. The local management is concerned, but the good thing is that for once, they are looking out for us. Yep, it didn't take long for it to degenerate into chaos. The transitioned vs. the new owners. We started at 200 and now we are down to 165 (estimate) in less then one year. How could this happen? It's all about the bottom line, the profit, the moolah, bling-bling baby....
Here's a great story from the front lines. This co-worker I know saw this really great job on Monster.com and he applied for it. They were excited about this job, it was right in line with what they do already. So they apply for it and have a nice phone interview. It went really well for them, and they were excited. Alas, the happiness was short-lived because they got an e-mail from the interviewer at the company... you know how this goes, blah-blah, thanks for interviewing..position has been filled, etc. etc.. Now the great part of this story is that the interviewer sent the same note to ALL the people who applied for the position. Only one problem, rather then put the names in the BCC field, he put them all in the TO field.
Oops.
Imagine this person's suprise when they see 3 other co-workers names in the addressee field. Yeah THREE other people from the very same company that they work for! That is something. Now if this ain't blog material then nothing is. Can you believe it? I couldn't, not even for a minute, but it's true. Now these other 3 people many or may not be the very best of crop, but still that's three people out of local group of 50 or so? Is it a case of the rats deserting the ship while it's sinking or do they see what's coming too? Wow! I wonder if management knows this is how disenchanted the troops are. What would they do if they did know? Is there anything they can do? How bad is morale around here? Obviously worse then I thought, that's for sure.
I consider myself an asset and I'm sure they folks do to. The cuts are coming so should you wait for them or do you get proactive and get the job before they fire you. Now if you're a smart person, you'll go now. Why? Because, if you get out there now, you can get one of the good jobs while they still exist. If you stay then you'll be here with the leftovers. Now by leftovers, I mean the people who can't find a job, the morons, and those people who work cheap and are scared.
I saw a quote on someone's cube: "Work like you don't need the money." Why? Because. You know, because is not a good answer, it ranks right up there with a shoulder-shrug. Isn't is easier to just say you don't know? Yeah..it is. Nothing wrong with not knowing. I'll admit to that. I consider myself an intelligent person (if you think that being loaded with vast amounts of trivial info is intelligence), but I'm not a smart guy. My common sense is lacking quite a bit. So what that happens if you work like you don't need the money? What is the reward? A hearty thank-you and a sound pat on the back? Thanks, but I'd like that bonus, or maybe a raise...yeah... How about this one: "Arbieite sind mach!" It's in German, and it says (loosely) work makes you free....It was on the sign above the entrance to Auschwitz. Yeah...that was a bit offensive, but then again, it's my blog.
Consider this. While I was at my last job, I thought Dilbert was funny. Now it's sad. Why? Because many times it is so true that it hurts. I was told "Give a man a job he loves and he'll never work a day in his life." Ahh...my Dad, there's a smart guy. Sage words to live by, and I really try to, but it get's harder and harder to enjoy my job anymore.
Well, I have to run. I have to go polish up my resume. Yeah...that's right DOCTOR....hmm...they'll never check to see if I got a PhD from a foreign college....
Monday, January 20, 2003
Okay! I'm back. It looks like I've been gone for awhile while I heal, but as I gain strength, I feel I must turn and do something.
We've passed a point, I've had a life changing experience. Did it make a difference? You know it! I can walk, there's no pain, and I'm losing wieght (slowly). It looks rosey, but it's not. I have a dark spectre hanging over me. It's the thoughts that are setting in my head, just hanging there. Questions with no answers. So here I am again. Alone with my thoughts.
We had layoffs again at work. This was round #2 and it we know that it's not the last. I watched two good friends catch the whack this time. Then I look around and see the incompetant getting to stay. WHAT THE FUCK? Have I lapsed into some surreal dream state? Have I been magically transported to Bizarro world where everything is opposite? No. Same old cube. Same wife, same son. No, it's just some folks get lucky.
Fear, it's an ugly thing to scared. It's even worse to be scared at work. Now, we all wonder who's next? You know it will happen again it's just a matter of time. I don't ant to be fired. I don't want to look for a job. Reality sets in though so I've tweaked up the resume for that "just in case" scenario. It's just a matter of time. Well enough of this. Let's catch a bit of the Daily Bitch!
Alright! It's a new year, time for some new resolutions. Let's see, first of all I resolve to try and be more tolerant of the ignorance that happens around me. I mean come on, you know what I'm saying here, it's not like you haven't seen it first hand. It could be someone on TV, on the street, or even at your job. It's that one person, you know the one I'm talking about, that can barely breath and walk at the same time. Maybe it's a co-worker that you work with every freaking day. When the layoffs come, lots of good people go, but there that person is working away at problem for hours that any 12 year-old could have completed. I will really try hard not to use the words "Fucking Clueless" when describing a person, no matter how much it applies to them. Maybe I'll use new techies terms like "Walking 404" or "cranially insufficient," just so it sounds a little more polite.
I resolve to be nicer. Not that I'm not already a nice person. I just feel that I could be nicer to strangers and the people around me. That is unless it involves letting someone take advantage of me. Yep, try to use me as a doormat, you'll be walking on a nub. I'm tired of people wanting to take advantage of my good nature because I have some psychological guilt thing working. I'm a nice guy, just leave me alone unless you really need that done. The next dork to call me buddy or pal will wish they hadn't. See already I think I'm blowing this resolution.
I resolve to get out and exercise. Now that my hip is all fixed (more on that later), I need to stop being such a fat bastard and join the skinny "in" crowd. Like that is going to happen! I've done the hard part, paying the money or a gym membership, now I need to get in there on a regular basis. Need to lose the blubber before it kills me. See, I have the fat gene or at least that what the scientists believe. It does not give me an excuse to be fat, it just means I have to work harder to keep from ballooning up like a dead cow under the hot sun. I'm going to do it. You can bet me on that one.
I resolve to stop giving such a shit about my job. It has become fully apparent that it does not seem to matter how smart or clever you may be, it won't matter when it comes down to wire. You can drive yourself into the ground doing the best you can. You can get glowing reviews, lots of bonuses and all the "pats on the back" you could ever deserve or wish for. What does it matter when it comes to the bottom line? Nothing. I watched it happen last year and I know that as sure as most CEOs are overpaid cocksuckers, it will happen again. No matter how much the person you work for likes you, if his/her boss says "fire him," you're history. I watch the team I work with get smaller and smaller. You'd think my co-workers would circle the wagons and protect each other. Nope. It's too bad that now all we can do is gossip about who is next and who deserves it more. I don't want to go to bed at night knowing that I caused someone to catch a pinkslip. That is unless they do deserve it because they are a waste of cubicle space. In that case, let me do it, I promise I won't smile, much.
I resolve to improve my morale. That could happen, especially if all the above happen. My morale has been going up and down faster then a $10 hooker at a Shriner's convention. There are really moments when I thought that I was manic depressive or something. Come to find out, I'm the same borderline sociopath I've always been. It's just the events around me that are bringing me down. Why worry? Be happy!
We've passed a point, I've had a life changing experience. Did it make a difference? You know it! I can walk, there's no pain, and I'm losing wieght (slowly). It looks rosey, but it's not. I have a dark spectre hanging over me. It's the thoughts that are setting in my head, just hanging there. Questions with no answers. So here I am again. Alone with my thoughts.
We had layoffs again at work. This was round #2 and it we know that it's not the last. I watched two good friends catch the whack this time. Then I look around and see the incompetant getting to stay. WHAT THE FUCK? Have I lapsed into some surreal dream state? Have I been magically transported to Bizarro world where everything is opposite? No. Same old cube. Same wife, same son. No, it's just some folks get lucky.
Fear, it's an ugly thing to scared. It's even worse to be scared at work. Now, we all wonder who's next? You know it will happen again it's just a matter of time. I don't ant to be fired. I don't want to look for a job. Reality sets in though so I've tweaked up the resume for that "just in case" scenario. It's just a matter of time. Well enough of this. Let's catch a bit of the Daily Bitch!
Alright! It's a new year, time for some new resolutions. Let's see, first of all I resolve to try and be more tolerant of the ignorance that happens around me. I mean come on, you know what I'm saying here, it's not like you haven't seen it first hand. It could be someone on TV, on the street, or even at your job. It's that one person, you know the one I'm talking about, that can barely breath and walk at the same time. Maybe it's a co-worker that you work with every freaking day. When the layoffs come, lots of good people go, but there that person is working away at problem for hours that any 12 year-old could have completed. I will really try hard not to use the words "Fucking Clueless" when describing a person, no matter how much it applies to them. Maybe I'll use new techies terms like "Walking 404" or "cranially insufficient," just so it sounds a little more polite.
I resolve to be nicer. Not that I'm not already a nice person. I just feel that I could be nicer to strangers and the people around me. That is unless it involves letting someone take advantage of me. Yep, try to use me as a doormat, you'll be walking on a nub. I'm tired of people wanting to take advantage of my good nature because I have some psychological guilt thing working. I'm a nice guy, just leave me alone unless you really need that done. The next dork to call me buddy or pal will wish they hadn't. See already I think I'm blowing this resolution.
I resolve to get out and exercise. Now that my hip is all fixed (more on that later), I need to stop being such a fat bastard and join the skinny "in" crowd. Like that is going to happen! I've done the hard part, paying the money or a gym membership, now I need to get in there on a regular basis. Need to lose the blubber before it kills me. See, I have the fat gene or at least that what the scientists believe. It does not give me an excuse to be fat, it just means I have to work harder to keep from ballooning up like a dead cow under the hot sun. I'm going to do it. You can bet me on that one.
I resolve to stop giving such a shit about my job. It has become fully apparent that it does not seem to matter how smart or clever you may be, it won't matter when it comes down to wire. You can drive yourself into the ground doing the best you can. You can get glowing reviews, lots of bonuses and all the "pats on the back" you could ever deserve or wish for. What does it matter when it comes to the bottom line? Nothing. I watched it happen last year and I know that as sure as most CEOs are overpaid cocksuckers, it will happen again. No matter how much the person you work for likes you, if his/her boss says "fire him," you're history. I watch the team I work with get smaller and smaller. You'd think my co-workers would circle the wagons and protect each other. Nope. It's too bad that now all we can do is gossip about who is next and who deserves it more. I don't want to go to bed at night knowing that I caused someone to catch a pinkslip. That is unless they do deserve it because they are a waste of cubicle space. In that case, let me do it, I promise I won't smile, much.
I resolve to improve my morale. That could happen, especially if all the above happen. My morale has been going up and down faster then a $10 hooker at a Shriner's convention. There are really moments when I thought that I was manic depressive or something. Come to find out, I'm the same borderline sociopath I've always been. It's just the events around me that are bringing me down. Why worry? Be happy!
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
Lookie Lookie! It's the madman himself! Live from Recovery!
Alrighty, I found the computer lab. Hmm, this was unexpected, but after a visit from a very jolly activities coordinator who stopped by to drop off a calendar (yeah, they have stuff to do here for the older folks) and check on my interests. So during this conversation, I mentioned where I work and what I did (after an interesting question about his VCR problem - computer tech = vcr tech? in his mind), he told me about this computer lab they have for the residents. Not much of one though, only a Dell P3, a dell P4, and a power Mac (old). Luckily it didn't take me long to get past content advisor and install Netscape which allows me to have free reign over the internet. So I fired up Navigator, got some WBER playing for some background music and decided to do an update.
For those that didn't know, I was in the hospital last week and the surgery went PERFECT! I woke up with my toes pointing in the same direction and legs of equal length!!!! Fan-freaking-tastic!! Now, let me tell you about how much better a Morphine drip will do you once you learn how to use it. Because this sumbitch HURTS the first couple of days until you get used to it, then the pain goes away. Of course, Mr. Mo hanging around was fun too, I went through of those babies! In fact I'm pretty sure Mr. Bob & Ms. Carrie stopped by, but I have not idea what I might have said to them. Just as they where leaving, my "manager who prefers not to be named in the blog" stopped by as they were wheeling me off to my first physical therapy. I was pretty much whacked out of my skull. Mind you, Mr Mo don't get you flying, he just makes you reeeeaaaalllllyyy sleepy. If you stopped by thanks because it does mean alot!
So now I got transferred over to Monroe Community Hospital where I'm doing my recevery. This is like a step above a nursing home. Imagine an all inclusive (low end) hotel with nurses that does physical therapy and that describes it perfect. Needless to say, I bored off my ass! Tre (my wife) has spent a ton of time up here, but now she's going back to work this week it means I'll be finding some shit to do this week before I go nucking futz!
As per my physical health, I'm feeling fine, and pushing my body as hard as a can, spending a equal amount of time in a wheel chair and in bed once I get tired. My mobility is right where it should be and I can put about 50% wieght on it before I get "squinty" and feel like it going to give out. Oh yeah -NO MORE ARTHRITIS PAIN! That point alone is amazing. I'm on NO pain meds (okay except for the 2 vicodin at bed time - but that just relaxes my leg muscles so I can sleep). They have me wearing a full knee brace just to keep me from messing up. You have to remember your 3 rules when you have hip surgery: 1) Don't break the 90 degree barrier (don't go under 90 when bending), 2) don't cross your legs, 3) don't inverse you leg (roll your leg toward the inside). Any of these can cause you POP your posthesis (dislocate) and you have to have it re-done surgically. Doing once makes you even more subsecptible to doing it again. So needless to say, I'm being really paranoid about how I move my leg.
Hopefully I'll be getting my staples out by the end of this week (42 of them suckers). I've got pictures (the doctor does and I'm waiting to get them), but my looks almost like an "L" on leg starting from my old scar and going across onto my ass. I've have yet to see it with my own eyes (even with a mirror) for the simple I think I would hurl.
Well, it's lunchtime so I have to go get my mush, so I'll post more soon!
Art "ScarAss" Crego
Alrighty, I found the computer lab. Hmm, this was unexpected, but after a visit from a very jolly activities coordinator who stopped by to drop off a calendar (yeah, they have stuff to do here for the older folks) and check on my interests. So during this conversation, I mentioned where I work and what I did (after an interesting question about his VCR problem - computer tech = vcr tech? in his mind), he told me about this computer lab they have for the residents. Not much of one though, only a Dell P3, a dell P4, and a power Mac (old). Luckily it didn't take me long to get past content advisor and install Netscape which allows me to have free reign over the internet. So I fired up Navigator, got some WBER playing for some background music and decided to do an update.
For those that didn't know, I was in the hospital last week and the surgery went PERFECT! I woke up with my toes pointing in the same direction and legs of equal length!!!! Fan-freaking-tastic!! Now, let me tell you about how much better a Morphine drip will do you once you learn how to use it. Because this sumbitch HURTS the first couple of days until you get used to it, then the pain goes away. Of course, Mr. Mo hanging around was fun too, I went through of those babies! In fact I'm pretty sure Mr. Bob & Ms. Carrie stopped by, but I have not idea what I might have said to them. Just as they where leaving, my "manager who prefers not to be named in the blog" stopped by as they were wheeling me off to my first physical therapy. I was pretty much whacked out of my skull. Mind you, Mr Mo don't get you flying, he just makes you reeeeaaaalllllyyy sleepy. If you stopped by thanks because it does mean alot!
So now I got transferred over to Monroe Community Hospital where I'm doing my recevery. This is like a step above a nursing home. Imagine an all inclusive (low end) hotel with nurses that does physical therapy and that describes it perfect. Needless to say, I bored off my ass! Tre (my wife) has spent a ton of time up here, but now she's going back to work this week it means I'll be finding some shit to do this week before I go nucking futz!
As per my physical health, I'm feeling fine, and pushing my body as hard as a can, spending a equal amount of time in a wheel chair and in bed once I get tired. My mobility is right where it should be and I can put about 50% wieght on it before I get "squinty" and feel like it going to give out. Oh yeah -NO MORE ARTHRITIS PAIN! That point alone is amazing. I'm on NO pain meds (okay except for the 2 vicodin at bed time - but that just relaxes my leg muscles so I can sleep). They have me wearing a full knee brace just to keep me from messing up. You have to remember your 3 rules when you have hip surgery: 1) Don't break the 90 degree barrier (don't go under 90 when bending), 2) don't cross your legs, 3) don't inverse you leg (roll your leg toward the inside). Any of these can cause you POP your posthesis (dislocate) and you have to have it re-done surgically. Doing once makes you even more subsecptible to doing it again. So needless to say, I'm being really paranoid about how I move my leg.
Hopefully I'll be getting my staples out by the end of this week (42 of them suckers). I've got pictures (the doctor does and I'm waiting to get them), but my looks almost like an "L" on leg starting from my old scar and going across onto my ass. I've have yet to see it with my own eyes (even with a mirror) for the simple I think I would hurl.
Well, it's lunchtime so I have to go get my mush, so I'll post more soon!
Art "ScarAss" Crego
Monday, August 26, 2002
Ok, this is it. Crunch time! It's 5am Monday morning and I'm ready to go to the hospital. This sucks. I'm about 2.5 hours from time for surgery, but I'm leaving here in 1/2 an hour. I think I'm ready to go. After all the time of planning and thinking, it's time for the real deal. I haven't been nervous all weekend, but now as I ready to leave the house, I'm a bubblin' !
I'll be on hiatus for 2 weeks. Maybe I'll have the wifey post an update to let everyone know how it went. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!
Okay Warden, I'm done. Let's start walking!
CRIPPLED BOY WALKIN'
-Art "I've got a fake hip, what's your excuse?" Crego
I'll be on hiatus for 2 weeks. Maybe I'll have the wifey post an update to let everyone know how it went. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!
Okay Warden, I'm done. Let's start walking!
CRIPPLED BOY WALKIN'
-Art "I've got a fake hip, what's your excuse?" Crego
Sunday, August 18, 2002
August ,18 2002 - Vol. 5 - Issue 3
So, I'm back from vacation and I'm exactly feeling in a bitchy mood, so this will be more of a combination of a bitch and a "can you believe it" kind of page. So sit back, and hopefully I'll make you giggle a bit, scratch your head and then make you go shower. Just kidding about the shower bit....
Our vacation this year started to be Maine, but it was too expensive to we decided to go to Canada instead. It was my son's first time going outside the United States, so he was excited about it more then we were. Anyway, we planned to go to Niagara Falls and Toronto. It was also about the same time as the World Youth Day (with the Pope) would be in Toronto, but he was leaving before we got there. We figured it would all blow over before we got to Toronto. Riiiigggghhht.
Needless to say, all of these "youth" that were in Toronto must have decided that since they were just down the road from the Falls that they should visit. Boy did they! Tons of tour buses and happy catholic kids. How do I know they were from this conference? Apparently everyone was given a backpack when they registered. That back pack was on every other person we bumped into. At least they were friendly even if they did have a tendency to shove.
So after hanging out at the falls for 2 1/2 days we went to Toronto. Holy cow! You guessed it, the youths that didn't go to the falls stayed in Toronto! Wait, that's not the best part. See before we left for Toronto, I decided to get instructions on how to find the Radisson hotel in East Toronto. Of course we go to the Fallsview Radisson to get directions. So we follow the directions, but for some reason can't seem to find our hotel. We can only find the Crowne Plaza which is right were the Radisson should be. Well after asking nearby folks about the Radisson, a guy at a gas station says that he thinks that Crowne and Radisson merged. Hmm, okay, let's go to the Crowne Plaza. So I go in there and the nice dude at the desk explains that this USED to be the Radisson. 4 years ago, but they moved (here look on this map) see, this is where it is. Cool, now we head to the right hotel, the whole time griping about how the Radisson would give us bad directions. Upon arriving at the hotel, I wander in and I'm told that they can't check us in because the computer is down. Okay, (deep breath) now I have had enough of the traffic and run-around that I need to relax in a hotel room, so I lay into this lady with "You can't check me in? I've been driving 2 1/2 hours of which an hour of that is because of wrong direction that the other Radisson gave me, so you tell me, how long more would you like me to drive around before I can go relax in my room?" She looks at me for a minute goes into the back office and then after 30 seconds comes back out and tells me we can do it manually. Wow, and I didn't even have to raise my voice. Little did I know, that the fun was not over.
See our package came with tickets to visit Ontario Science Center so the next morning we are there when they open at 10AM only to be told that the tickets were for 2 children. Shit! Back in the car and back to the hotel. I show the tickets to the desk clerk who apologizes and gives us the correct tickets. Back to the OSC we get back into the place and now apparently the tickets are good for 10% off adult fares. ARRRGGHH!!! Back to the Hotel and according to them, these are the right tickets. Fine. So we get OSC on the phone and they explained that I should go to the membership desk. Okay will do. So after 3 round trips and 2 hours we are finally in. I do have to give credit to the folks at the OSC. After we explained what had happened, they let John in for free. After that the rest of the trip was pretty non-eventful.
I know this really wasn't a bitch, but it was a funny story. Next time!
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Wow! Long time, No blog!
I went of vacation and had a minor Daily Bitch adventure. Quick! Go read it and tell me how much it sucks!
Hey! I'm going to have hip surgery! What? Yeah, check this page out! It's a good overview.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/thr_report.cfm?thread_id=2&topcategory=hip
I'm outer here!
I went of vacation and had a minor Daily Bitch adventure. Quick! Go read it and tell me how much it sucks!
Hey! I'm going to have hip surgery! What? Yeah, check this page out! It's a good overview.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/thr_report.cfm?thread_id=2&topcategory=hip
I'm outer here!
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
Monday, July 22, 2002
Ok, first of all, I know that I've set my goals a little high, maybe I should just put out new issues whenever I freaking feel like it. That appears to be a little more my speed. So anyway, onto what's bugging me because that's why you're here.
Sometimes I have to admit that when I want to vent, I don't want to contain it right here. I want to explode at the moment that I find myself deciding that this event would be a great "Bitch." Like today, my manager said something about being "politically correct," and of course I started to pop off, but then I though, hmm, maybe I'll put it up here. Believe me, my brain immediately started boiling on this one.
First of all, it shouldn't be POLITICALLY correct, it should be POLITELY correct. I think the basis behind that whole thing was at one point, political. I mean, our fine elected officials can't seem to refer to an Indian anymore, now they are Native Americans (damn skippy too! Don't even get me started on how we fucked them over!) or that brown guy isn't a black guy anymore, he's an African-American. Wait right there. Maybe if his Dad had come over from Zimbabwe, then he could be that, but I figure that guys is about as much African as I am Scottish. Only in ancestry does it figure in. Now Afro -American sounds a little better, even cooler, but still, we have to have a sort of label for some reason. It's a political thing because the politicians don't want to offend anyone. When it comes down to me and you, what do we care? As long as we aren't demeaning anyone or harassing them then is it wrong?
Just as an example, I was watching this lady walk by, and to put plainly, she was BIG! I mean she was pushing 350 easily, and I popped of to my buddy next to me "Wow, that's a big one!" Of course, he smiled painfully at me and the person walking ahead of me (not the fat chick - some other person - who was much thinner then me, like it matters) looked over her shoulder and gave me a disapproving look. I wanted to say something, instead I gave her a big grin. See, to me, I'm a fat guy, I'll admit it. Oh yeah, I'm also a CRIPPLE!! Now in my little brain that gives me carte blanche to say something to that blimp with tits, or the the guy with a nub where his hand should be, but is it right? That's where the debate hides. That is the point where you should be POLITELY correct. Being polite is that part of you that falls in the realm of Values & Morals. Should you make the whale joke? Should you tell the nub guy he couldn't find his ass with both hands? No. You know it's not right, it's mean, it's cruel, and won't be stood for, because that is what makes bullies. I was never a bully and I won't start being one now. Will I say something if you say something wrong to me? Oh yeah, you'll think I have Tourette's syndrome if you get me fired up. Then again, that's just me and we all know that I am truly blessed with skull full of bad wiring.
Like I said to my boss, POLITICALLY correct is being in the right party at the time everything in the country is going good. Then you can blame it on the other guys.
I’m done for today. If you can, Consider yourself "Bitched at."
Come back soon for another exciting session of "The Daily Bitch." I'm going to be trying for a new post on Mondays and Thursdays. See you then.
Sometimes I have to admit that when I want to vent, I don't want to contain it right here. I want to explode at the moment that I find myself deciding that this event would be a great "Bitch." Like today, my manager said something about being "politically correct," and of course I started to pop off, but then I though, hmm, maybe I'll put it up here. Believe me, my brain immediately started boiling on this one.
First of all, it shouldn't be POLITICALLY correct, it should be POLITELY correct. I think the basis behind that whole thing was at one point, political. I mean, our fine elected officials can't seem to refer to an Indian anymore, now they are Native Americans (damn skippy too! Don't even get me started on how we fucked them over!) or that brown guy isn't a black guy anymore, he's an African-American. Wait right there. Maybe if his Dad had come over from Zimbabwe, then he could be that, but I figure that guys is about as much African as I am Scottish. Only in ancestry does it figure in. Now Afro -American sounds a little better, even cooler, but still, we have to have a sort of label for some reason. It's a political thing because the politicians don't want to offend anyone. When it comes down to me and you, what do we care? As long as we aren't demeaning anyone or harassing them then is it wrong?
Just as an example, I was watching this lady walk by, and to put plainly, she was BIG! I mean she was pushing 350 easily, and I popped of to my buddy next to me "Wow, that's a big one!" Of course, he smiled painfully at me and the person walking ahead of me (not the fat chick - some other person - who was much thinner then me, like it matters) looked over her shoulder and gave me a disapproving look. I wanted to say something, instead I gave her a big grin. See, to me, I'm a fat guy, I'll admit it. Oh yeah, I'm also a CRIPPLE!! Now in my little brain that gives me carte blanche to say something to that blimp with tits, or the the guy with a nub where his hand should be, but is it right? That's where the debate hides. That is the point where you should be POLITELY correct. Being polite is that part of you that falls in the realm of Values & Morals. Should you make the whale joke? Should you tell the nub guy he couldn't find his ass with both hands? No. You know it's not right, it's mean, it's cruel, and won't be stood for, because that is what makes bullies. I was never a bully and I won't start being one now. Will I say something if you say something wrong to me? Oh yeah, you'll think I have Tourette's syndrome if you get me fired up. Then again, that's just me and we all know that I am truly blessed with skull full of bad wiring.
Like I said to my boss, POLITICALLY correct is being in the right party at the time everything in the country is going good. Then you can blame it on the other guys.
I’m done for today. If you can, Consider yourself "Bitched at."
Come back soon for another exciting session of "The Daily Bitch." I'm going to be trying for a new post on Mondays and Thursdays. See you then.
Thursday, July 18, 2002
July ,18 2002 - Vol. 5 - Issue 3
Ok, first of all, I know that I've set my goals a little high, maybe I should just put out new issues whenever I freaking feel like it. That appears to be a little more my speed. So anyway, onto what's bugging me because that's why you're here.
Sometimes I have to admit that when I want to vent, I don't want to contain it right here. I want to explode at the moment that I find myself deciding that this event would be a great "Bitch." Like today, my manager said something about being "politically correct," and of course I started to pop off, but then I though, hmm, maybe I'll put it up here. Believe me, my brain immediately started boiling on this one.
First of all, it shouldn't be POLITICALLY correct, it should be POLITELY correct. I think the basis behind that whole thing was at one point, political. I mean, our fine elected officials can't seem to refer to an Indian anymore, now they are Native Americans (damn skippy too! Don't even get me started on how we fucked them over!) or that brown guy isn't a black guy anymore, he's an African-American. Wait right there. Maybe if his Dad had come over from Zimbabwe, then he could be that, but I figure that guys is about as much African as I am Scottish. Only in ancestry does it figure in. Now Afro -American sounds a little better, even cooler, but still, we have to have a sort of label for some reason. It's a political thing because the politicians don't want to offend anyone. When it comes down to me and you, what do we care? As long as we aren't demeaning anyone or harassing them then is it wrong?
Just as an example, I was watching this lady walk by, and to put plainly, she was BIG! I mean she was pushing 350 easily, and I popped of to my buddy next to me "Wow, that's a big one!" Of course, he smiled painfully at me and the person walking ahead of me (not the fat chick - some other person - who was much thinner then me, like it matters) looked over her shoulder and gave me a disapproving look. I wanted to say something, instead I gave her a big grin. See, to me, I'm a fat guy, I'll admit it. Oh yeah, I'm also a CRIPPLE!! Now in my little brain that gives me carte blanche to say something to that blimp with tits, or the the guy with a nub where his hand should be, but is it right? That's where the debate hides. That is the point where you should be POLITELY correct. Being polite is that part of you that falls in the realm of Values & Morals. Should you make the whale joke? Should you tell the nub guy he couldn't find his ass with both hands? No. You know it's not right, it's mean, it's cruel, and won't be stood for, because that is what makes bullies. I was never a bully and I won't start being one now. Will I say something if you say something wrong to me? Oh yeah, you'll think I have Tourette's syndrome if you get me fired up. Then again, that's just me and we all know that I am truly blessed with skull full of bad wiring.
Like I said to my boss, POLITICALLY correct is being in the right party at the time everything in the country is going good. Then you can blame it on the other guys.
I’m done for today. If you can, Consider yourself "Bitched at."
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Some people you just can't understand. Other people you don't want to understand. Unless, of course, you could give two shits about them.
I'm tired of being a hard working while other people slack off. I've learned something today. As long as I don't blow my target times, then I pretty much come and go as I freaking please.
Not exactly the objective of my meeting today, but assumptions are made.
Curse me and my work ethic. Hopefully it will continue to pay off.
-I'm going home!
I'm tired of being a hard working while other people slack off. I've learned something today. As long as I don't blow my target times, then I pretty much come and go as I freaking please.
Not exactly the objective of my meeting today, but assumptions are made.
Curse me and my work ethic. Hopefully it will continue to pay off.
-I'm going home!
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in Tampa
Newspaper. He did quite a job.
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending
some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11,
we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.
However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the
politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our
patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone
who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is
almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few
things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently
some born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only
to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have
our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.
This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and
victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian,
or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our
society, learn the language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not
some Christian right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because
men and women, on principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly
documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our
schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the
world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. If Stars and
Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously
consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our
culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did
things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY our land, and our
lifestyle.
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his
opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are
done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our
national motto, or our way of life, we highly encourage you to take
advantage of one other great American freedoms,
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Newspaper. He did quite a job.
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending
some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11,
we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.
However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the
politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our
patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone
who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is
almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few
things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently
some born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only
to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have
our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.
This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and
victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian,
or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our
society, learn the language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not
some Christian right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because
men and women, on principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly
documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our
schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the
world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. If Stars and
Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously
consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our
culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did
things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY our land, and our
lifestyle.
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his
opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are
done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our
national motto, or our way of life, we highly encourage you to take
advantage of one other great American freedoms,
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
June 20, 2002 - Vol. 5 - Issue 2
You know, history is absolutely amazing. I'd like to know the guy who said: "Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat the past's mistakes." So that may not be the correct quote, but you get the idea. I have determined that all the studying in the world will amount to nothing. As a race, scratch that, as a species, we are most certainly doomed to extinction at our own hand. Why? Well this could be a long philosophical discussion with many viewpoints, but I will show one example and how that I interacted with it. The example? "Road Rage."
Road Rage by Webster's definition: "Violent behavior exhibited by drivers in traffic, often as a manifestation of stress." See, it's even in the dictionary. The auto is a wonderful invention (please bear with me on this - I'm using an allegory here) and we use it everyday in some form or another. The way it has effected our life is incredible and yet very sad. For as many examples of how the auto is a lifesaver you can find almost as many that show how the auto has taken lives. I was a first time witness to road rage yesterday and it shocked me to my core because I found so hard to believe. Don't get me wrong, I've flipped the bird or muttered under my breath when someone has cut me off, not yielded the right of way or offended my driving skills in some fashion. Oh yeah, would I love to have a set of twin .50 cals mounted on the top of the car. Cut me off? Take that! BUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPP! No more trunk, rear wheels and back seat for you! Ok, so it's fun to imagine, but what if I really did have that? Would I use it? Nah, but what about if they were PAINTBALL GUNS!! OH YEAH!! SSSSPPPPPPLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT! Followed by them dying in a fiery car accident because you scared the shit out of them, which caused them to swerve into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer.... ooops.
Back to the matter at hand. As me and wife are headed to see the realtor, Mr. Tricked-Out Ford Bronco pulls out of somewhere cutting off Mr. Shiny Black Chevy S-10. Mr. S-10 takes offense to this by honking, screaming and making some very lewd gestures. Mr. Bronco retorts by offering a lewd hand gesture of his own and reducing his speed to a casual "I'm touring the area" speed of 5 miles an hour. Mr. S-10 has obviously been pushed to his limit. He passes Mr. Bronco on the right side (on the shoulder) at high rate of speed and cuts him off (blocking ALL traffic behind him). After cutting him off, Mr. S-10 stops his truck and climbs out, and by his speech, dress, and ethnicity has proven him to be named Mr. Gino and based on what we've seen of Mr. Bronco, his name should be Mr. LeRoy. (Yeah I know I'm racially profiling, but like I said we're doomed anyways.) So Mr. Gino is pretty enraged at this point and is taunting Mr. LeRoy to get out of his truck. When he refused to do so, Mr. Gino approached Mr. LeRoy and called him, and I quote, "FUCKING NIGGER" and then spit on him. At that point Mrs. Gino got out of the truck and told him to get back in, which he did, but not before taunting and hollering some more. Mr. Gino then spun his tires throwing gravel all over Mr. LeRoy in his tricked-out Bronco.
At this point Mr. LeRoy seemed to take offense and pulled over to the shoulder as if trying to decide whether or not he could whip Mr. Gino or perhaps it was to wipe the saliva off.. As traffic began to move again, I too, pulled over on the side of the road, discussing with the wife if maybe would should take down plate numbers and call the police. I had witnessed an obvious assault, but I was unsure of what would happen if a bystander should enter the fray or offer assistance. After a minute, my self-preservation kicked in and since Mr. LeRoy wasn't moving I figured he wasn't going to do anything and we went on our way.
It wasn't until later as I was reflecting on that incident that came to my epiphany. Mr. Gino was so mad that rather then call him anything else, he chose to slander him based solely on his skin color. All over an impolite vehicular maneuver and some accompanying hand gestures. Nothing was said about anything personal, it was simply because Mr. Gino did not like the treatment he got from another driver. (On a side bet, I think that Ms. Gina in the truck with him, may have contributed to his overall mood). Don't get me wrong, I've heard "Nigger" used quite a bit in my rather short life, but for some reason it struck me differently then any other time that I have heard in music, movies, TV, etc., etc.. Maybe it's because I would never, ever do something like that. I don't know, I'm still puzzling this one out.
This brings me to my doomed point. We are done for, at least until someone can show me something that proves different. Am I being a bit cynical? Yep. For all the good that is done, there is always a little bad. This was my spot of bad and I think it may have scarred me just a smidge. Nothing major, nothing even noticeable, but enough that I can only wonder about the actions of one individual on a planet with 3.5+ billion people who interact in some fashion every day. I will hold out hope that we are not alone in the universe because it will be a really quite place until someone or something happens along to fill the void.
I’m done for today. If you can, Consider yourself "Bitched at."
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
You asked and now you shall recieve.
I did it. I put a link to here on my main web page. Now the two are inexorably linked in a freakish twist of fate. Yeah you can say it, I'm a few sandwiches short of a picnic but at least it's fun to watch me write what the voices in my head tell me to.
Apparently another of my personal heroes has bitten the dust. Stone Cold Steve Austin of WWE is in trouble for spousal abuse ( http://www.badjocks.com ). What is the world coming too. Give me as much money as these fuckers have and I'll be the biggest humanitarian in the world. Well, not in the world, but I certainly do my share right here! Cripes!
Done.
I did it. I put a link to here on my main web page. Now the two are inexorably linked in a freakish twist of fate. Yeah you can say it, I'm a few sandwiches short of a picnic but at least it's fun to watch me write what the voices in my head tell me to.
Apparently another of my personal heroes has bitten the dust. Stone Cold Steve Austin of WWE is in trouble for spousal abuse ( http://www.badjocks.com ). What is the world coming too. Give me as much money as these fuckers have and I'll be the biggest humanitarian in the world. Well, not in the world, but I certainly do my share right here! Cripes!
Done.
Thursday, June 13, 2002
Alright then!
I've only gotten a couple of answers to my Post - No Post the BLOG question. I'm going to assume since enough people think it's a good idea, then it must be? Right? So that will have it's own link very soon. Oh yeah, a new Daily Bitch is up. I'm going to try and put out one on Mondays and Thursdays. The blog will be my mini catch-all for ideas that I have.
Thursday's DB deals with change. So far it looks like Monday will be the topic of "Friends, Lovers, Co-workers, and the other Lazy, Evil Shits who you have to deal with in Life" which is inspired by true events in my own life! I know...it's hard to believe, but it will all be true. Trust me.
Later gator!
I've only gotten a couple of answers to my Post - No Post the BLOG question. I'm going to assume since enough people think it's a good idea, then it must be? Right? So that will have it's own link very soon. Oh yeah, a new Daily Bitch is up. I'm going to try and put out one on Mondays and Thursdays. The blog will be my mini catch-all for ideas that I have.
Thursday's DB deals with change. So far it looks like Monday will be the topic of "Friends, Lovers, Co-workers, and the other Lazy, Evil Shits who you have to deal with in Life" which is inspired by true events in my own life! I know...it's hard to believe, but it will all be true. Trust me.
Later gator!
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
June 12, 2002 - Vol. 5 - Issue 1
First of all, I know that I have been away for a little bit and it's been a little while since I had a good "Bitch session." There are reasons, like I've been busy with my life, etc., etc., but you could care less. Even though my life has been going fairly smoothly, events have transpired that have convinced me that now, more then ever, I need to keep this updated, if nothing else then for my own sanity. Oh yeah, thanks to those that read my BLOG while I was away, it was your feedback that convinced me of what I had to do. So as I had said, there have been "changes" in my life and that's what today is all about.
Change can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing. Like changing your undies everyday. That's a good thing because no one want to smell them suckers after you been wearing them a few days and the funk starts emanating from them. Changing your clothes is a good thing too, unless you have poor fashion taste, then it's one nightmare after another for the people around you. Changing your significant other can be a good thing AND a bad thing. Learning all the "stuff" from your new partner can be really fun, but at the same time, the old baggage from your last partner can tend to hang around like the funk from those britches you been wearing for the last 4 days.
At the company I work for, we have gone through a BIG change. We were "outsourced" to a smaller company. Now even though we all still sit at the same desk, have the same phone, and do the same job, we have new bosses, a new name on the paycheck, and suck-ass health benefits. How could this happen? Well, first of all they (original company) tried to keep us in the dark by not communicating anything to us. Only by some industrious digging on the web and reading between the lines were they FORCED to admit what was going to happen. So finally, after the shit was spread really thick, did we finally get to wipe off and take a look at the plans. Can you freaking believe it? It was almost a total coup-detat, we were able to get the BIG GUYS to show us. We were kept in the dark intentionally for so long I started the Mushroom Revolution.
I guess that some changes can be good, but this particular change was a virtual 24/7 rumor generator. Everyday we would hear something that was the contrary to what we had heard the day before. Then without much ado at all, it happened. The Announcement. Now it was official, there was a change going to happen whether we liked it or not. See this is what I trying to figure out. How a change that you cannot control can piss you off and make you a really FUCKING BITTER! See, it's almost like being told you are going to die. You have those same types of stages of acceptance:
- DENIAL. "What? No freakin' way this is going to happen. They can't do this to us! If we do this we don't have the layoffs again? Yeah right, Kiss my ass!"
- ANGER. "YOU BASTARDS! This is my repayment for years of loyalty? Kiss my ass, you greedy corporate shits!"
- BARGAINING. "Well, it is a smaller company. We'll have more room to move to different positions. Did someone say we'll get to do hardware support?"
- DEPRESSION. "Oh man, did you see their health benefits? These suck. A new badge? Aww, now I'm a sub-contractor? That's like shit under the lowest pond scum."
- ACCEPTANCE. "Oh well, at least I have a job."
Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Me? I think I'm swinging back and forth on all of them and have yet to settle into the acceptance phase because I'm pissed about it. All I want is some answers to some really easy questions. Like why? or maybe my favorite: "Can I see the money math for this transition?" I mean, call me crazy if you want, but you have to want to know the whole what, why, when, where, and how of this situation. Or maybe just I do. I just want to walk up to the person in charge and kick him in the nuts for trying to keep us in the dark. What would that accomplish? Not much, just a little satisfaction of how it feels to have your loyalty tossed back in your face.
I thought I knew how funny Dilbert was at my last position, now it's so true it's tough to find the humor, but given my sense of humor and twisted nature, I'll find it. Besides, it's only a matter of time before the new bosses find out who I am.
I’m done for today. Consider yourself "Bitched at."
Friday, June 07, 2002
Hey...go check out my web page!! I've been working hard to get some good stuff up there! http://www.dailybitch.com
On a separate note, I can't decide if I should make a link to this here blog off my website. So I'll be democratic about it and put it up to a popular vote. E-mail with your nay or yay and go from there.
I'm out!
On a separate note, I can't decide if I should make a link to this here blog off my website. So I'll be democratic about it and put it up to a popular vote. E-mail with your nay or yay and go from there.
I'm out!
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