Tuesday, October 25, 2005
This is the men's restroom, right?
It's no secret that women frequently go to the restroom in pairs, packs, and various other-sized groupings. Goodness knows what goes on in there...chatting about their boyfriends/dates, discussing the latest fashion trends, arguing over Brad vs. Orlando vs. whoever else happens to be the Hollywood flavor of the month...frankly, I don't give a damn what they do in there. I can confidently guess, though, that whatever it is, guys don't do it. Bathrooms were created for a reason. Guys use them for that reason. They're not gathering places. They're restrooms. We use them and leave....most of us, at least. I've come to find out that there's at least two guys at work that don't necessarily adhere to this philosophy as they've each repeatedly tried to start up conversations with me while I'm in the restroom. I've gotta say that I'm not really comfortable with this. I can think of nothing so important at work that can't wait to be said until I'm out of the restroom and available for a meeting, email, brainstorming session, phone call, or really anything other than a impromptu bathroom chat. I mean, can't you wait to ask me about reversing that fee or reviewing an account closure procedure until I'm done zipping up my pants? WTF? How 'bout you be a guy, leave me alone, and leave me a post-it note or message instead.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Library cards and Lattes
A friend of mine began to wax eloquently on bookstores, books, and the universe of knowledge out there which got me thinking (danger, will robinson, danger!!!)...
I enjoy bookstores because they are humbling...they remind me of just how much I don't know. You would think I would like libraries for the same reason but there's two major differences. One, libraries have the stigma (and often reality) of work associated with them...you go there for research/because you have to when you're younger and that pattern continues for decades. Bah. New books that I can flip through w/o buying anything give me a far more joy than flipping through old books that I don't have to buy. It's like I get to learn something that I want to learn and stick it to the man all the while. And the other reason? Bookstores sell coffee inside, whereas libraries tend to discourage bringing in drinks. Note to libraries - I can read a hell of a lot more when I'm awake!!!!
I enjoy bookstores because they are humbling...they remind me of just how much I don't know. You would think I would like libraries for the same reason but there's two major differences. One, libraries have the stigma (and often reality) of work associated with them...you go there for research/because you have to when you're younger and that pattern continues for decades. Bah. New books that I can flip through w/o buying anything give me a far more joy than flipping through old books that I don't have to buy. It's like I get to learn something that I want to learn and stick it to the man all the while. And the other reason? Bookstores sell coffee inside, whereas libraries tend to discourage bringing in drinks. Note to libraries - I can read a hell of a lot more when I'm awake!!!!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
It's beginning to look a lot like...
commercial American X-mas. And I can't stand it
I mean it. I can't hardly tolerate going into a big box right now.
Part of the reason I can't stand it is because stores selling X-mas stuff starting Oct. 1 are simply taking the focus away from the fun holiday of Halloween. I mean, you've got Halloween at the end of October, Thanksgiving at the end of November, and Christmas at the end of December...and yet the last holiday of them all gets the most shelf-time at the ol' big box, competing w/the first one? Sad.
But that's really the least of it. Why don't stores put Halloween merchandise on the shelves 10 weeks prior to the holiday? Because it won't sell. Ah, but X-mas stuff apparently does (which means I'm also not a big fan of the people buying the merchandise that early, either). So yes...duh! It comes down to the almighty dollar! Nevermind the fact that I've seen nativity scenes on sale in the same isle as demon masks and statues at the same time. So long as they both bring in the Ben's, right?
From a purely business standpoint I can't say that I blame the companies doing it. If it sells well and the consumers are happy there's really little motivation for them *not* to sell it. Nonetheless, it frustrates me that companies refuse to hold off to sell X-mas gear until at least November, and it frustrates me a little more that people feel they need X-mas gear SOOOO much that they can't possibly buy enough of it from 11/1-12/24 so they have to start a full month earlier.
I realize not everyone does this. I know there's a vast body of people out there that still celebrate Christmas in it's traditional sense and remember the events that the holiday was intended to honor. I just get frustrated by the fact that $$$ has bastardized something wonderful and turned it into X.
*end rant...maybe*
I mean it. I can't hardly tolerate going into a big box right now.
Part of the reason I can't stand it is because stores selling X-mas stuff starting Oct. 1 are simply taking the focus away from the fun holiday of Halloween. I mean, you've got Halloween at the end of October, Thanksgiving at the end of November, and Christmas at the end of December...and yet the last holiday of them all gets the most shelf-time at the ol' big box, competing w/the first one? Sad.
But that's really the least of it. Why don't stores put Halloween merchandise on the shelves 10 weeks prior to the holiday? Because it won't sell. Ah, but X-mas stuff apparently does (which means I'm also not a big fan of the people buying the merchandise that early, either). So yes...duh! It comes down to the almighty dollar! Nevermind the fact that I've seen nativity scenes on sale in the same isle as demon masks and statues at the same time. So long as they both bring in the Ben's, right?
From a purely business standpoint I can't say that I blame the companies doing it. If it sells well and the consumers are happy there's really little motivation for them *not* to sell it. Nonetheless, it frustrates me that companies refuse to hold off to sell X-mas gear until at least November, and it frustrates me a little more that people feel they need X-mas gear SOOOO much that they can't possibly buy enough of it from 11/1-12/24 so they have to start a full month earlier.
I realize not everyone does this. I know there's a vast body of people out there that still celebrate Christmas in it's traditional sense and remember the events that the holiday was intended to honor. I just get frustrated by the fact that $$$ has bastardized something wonderful and turned it into X.
*end rant...maybe*
Monday, October 10, 2005
It's almost here!
Fall and cooler temperatures.
Yes, I know I live in Arizona. But it does actually get cooler here. Not cold. Just cooler. Right now things are very comfortable...beautiful days and somewhat chilly nights. It's what I imagine spring ought to be like. Before the last three days of October we're gonna get blasted with a heat wave again when people will be pissy, then after that it's cooler temps until the end of February (then things suck again, but we won't think about that right now)!
I love being able to wear jackets comfortably! Long sleeves, campfires (hypothetically speaking), hot coffees, blankets...I love it.
:-)
Yes, I know I live in Arizona. But it does actually get cooler here. Not cold. Just cooler. Right now things are very comfortable...beautiful days and somewhat chilly nights. It's what I imagine spring ought to be like. Before the last three days of October we're gonna get blasted with a heat wave again when people will be pissy, then after that it's cooler temps until the end of February (then things suck again, but we won't think about that right now)!
I love being able to wear jackets comfortably! Long sleeves, campfires (hypothetically speaking), hot coffees, blankets...I love it.
:-)
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Insert Primal Grunts
This weekend was man weekend.
It started with finishing a hard day at work, then coming home to eat double-pepperoni pizza. Meat. Meat is good. I like pepperoni pizza. The next morning started much how the previous night ended - with pizza for breakfast.
We then move on to football (worst weekend so far...my teams went 1-7 [OU was my serrogate team this weekend - I wanted them to beat Texas since Tx beat Ohio State earlier]). My teams lose, but I'm doing nothing but sitting in my shorts, watching football, and being lazy. Football is good. I like football.
I then go and pick up an old roommate of mine to go see Serenity. For those that don't know what Serenity is, click on the link then go see the movie. For those that know what it is and haven't seen it yet, WTF are you waiting for??? As for it fitting into the man weekend, what's not to like about explosions, assasins, hot chicks that kick ass and openly admit that they enjoy a physical relationship, and deep blue space cowboy story? It's like John Wayne meets Matrix meets Star Trek. Fun stuff. Space Cowboy movies are good. I like space cowboy movies.
From there, I travel to poker night where we have wings, chips, beer, and other people's money. Needless to say (well, it *should* go without saying, but just in case you don't know me well enough to figure it out), I took them all, particularly during one hand of 7 card stud where I had four natural queens with an 8 kicker (yeah, kicker...like I could even use it). Wings, chips, beer, and other people's money are good. I like wings, chips, and beer. I REALLY like other people's money!
I woke up today and turned out the telly to watch some NFL action in HD on the big screen. Good times. After the early games were over I went to play some cards with another friend in the area, then returned home for barbequed meat...some burgers and salmon fillet. Barbequed beef is good. I like barbequed beef.
This was a good weekend! Nothing to complain about, lots of fun. Hope yours was just as enjoyable!
It started with finishing a hard day at work, then coming home to eat double-pepperoni pizza. Meat. Meat is good. I like pepperoni pizza. The next morning started much how the previous night ended - with pizza for breakfast.
We then move on to football (worst weekend so far...my teams went 1-7 [OU was my serrogate team this weekend - I wanted them to beat Texas since Tx beat Ohio State earlier]). My teams lose, but I'm doing nothing but sitting in my shorts, watching football, and being lazy. Football is good. I like football.
I then go and pick up an old roommate of mine to go see Serenity. For those that don't know what Serenity is, click on the link then go see the movie. For those that know what it is and haven't seen it yet, WTF are you waiting for??? As for it fitting into the man weekend, what's not to like about explosions, assasins, hot chicks that kick ass and openly admit that they enjoy a physical relationship, and deep blue space cowboy story? It's like John Wayne meets Matrix meets Star Trek. Fun stuff. Space Cowboy movies are good. I like space cowboy movies.
From there, I travel to poker night where we have wings, chips, beer, and other people's money. Needless to say (well, it *should* go without saying, but just in case you don't know me well enough to figure it out), I took them all, particularly during one hand of 7 card stud where I had four natural queens with an 8 kicker (yeah, kicker...like I could even use it). Wings, chips, beer, and other people's money are good. I like wings, chips, and beer. I REALLY like other people's money!
I woke up today and turned out the telly to watch some NFL action in HD on the big screen. Good times. After the early games were over I went to play some cards with another friend in the area, then returned home for barbequed meat...some burgers and salmon fillet. Barbequed beef is good. I like barbequed beef.
This was a good weekend! Nothing to complain about, lots of fun. Hope yours was just as enjoyable!
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