Friday 5
No Friday Five this week so I'm doing a remedial from October 3.
1. What vehicle do you drive?
1995 Ford Ranger Extended Cab
2. How long have you had it?
Since 1995, but my wife drove it primarily until about a year ago when we got her a Toyota Matrix.
3. What is the coolest feature on your vehicle?
RedHat sticker on the back window.
4. What is the most annoying thing about your vehicle?
Where my wife chiseled around the door after an ice storm.
5. If money were no object, what vehicle would you be driving right now?
Probably a Honda Element or Toyota Prius. I think Mini Coopers are cool,too.
You can talk to me
Friday, October 24, 2003
Thursday, October 23, 2003
This is a crime against the state
This is the meaning of life.
I'm sitting here struggling with setting up my new linux box to run on the wireless network. Thanks to some help from people at KCLUG, I've found the proper drivers and I'm working at getting them to work on this other box as I type this on my notebook. I should go run or walk my dogs but I just feel like I'm so close I hate to give up now.
You can talk to me
This is the meaning of life.
I'm sitting here struggling with setting up my new linux box to run on the wireless network. Thanks to some help from people at KCLUG, I've found the proper drivers and I'm working at getting them to work on this other box as I type this on my notebook. I should go run or walk my dogs but I just feel like I'm so close I hate to give up now.
You can talk to me
Monday, October 20, 2003
'Nother Well Considered Rant
Kenny asked me the other day if I'd heard of the espresso tax in Seattle which I honestly didn't remember hearing about before.
I said, "Does it include lattes, too?"
"No," he continued, humorlessly, "It's on all coffee drinks and its to pay for preschool for early childhood education in the inner city."
"I'm against it, then, " I responded, "sounds like a bad idea. Why should coffee drinkers be taxed specially?"
"It's just a dime, " he said.
"Still a bad idea, simple economics tells you if you increase the price, you reduce sales."
His gorge arose as he told me that, or asked me, "You have to agree that early childhood education for innercity kids is important."
Important, yes. Essential, no. I know it takes a village and all that and I believe it. I just resent having to take responsibility for someone else's kids just because I want a cup of coffee. It appears that they tax specific items in Seattle for other areas but what the hey. I'm not sure I'm in favor of those either.
I haven't been demonstrated that this is a necessity or that it'll be properly used by the city. I've seen the Kansas City Missouri school district. I was taxed 1% of my salary for awhile until the runaway judge was corralled. Billions went to pay for improvements in facilities that have not resulted in better integrated schools, higher achievements, better graduation rates. Fencing teams, olympic size swimming pools, all kinds of stuff that was nice for the schools but hardly essential or perhaps even necessary. Nothing like spending someone else's money, my dad says.
So, I'm cynical,too. Not one dime from me for your ideas until you can demonstrate something worthwhile.
You can talk to me
Kenny asked me the other day if I'd heard of the espresso tax in Seattle which I honestly didn't remember hearing about before.
I said, "Does it include lattes, too?"
"No," he continued, humorlessly, "It's on all coffee drinks and its to pay for preschool for early childhood education in the inner city."
"I'm against it, then, " I responded, "sounds like a bad idea. Why should coffee drinkers be taxed specially?"
"It's just a dime, " he said.
"Still a bad idea, simple economics tells you if you increase the price, you reduce sales."
His gorge arose as he told me that, or asked me, "You have to agree that early childhood education for innercity kids is important."
Important, yes. Essential, no. I know it takes a village and all that and I believe it. I just resent having to take responsibility for someone else's kids just because I want a cup of coffee. It appears that they tax specific items in Seattle for other areas but what the hey. I'm not sure I'm in favor of those either.
I haven't been demonstrated that this is a necessity or that it'll be properly used by the city. I've seen the Kansas City Missouri school district. I was taxed 1% of my salary for awhile until the runaway judge was corralled. Billions went to pay for improvements in facilities that have not resulted in better integrated schools, higher achievements, better graduation rates. Fencing teams, olympic size swimming pools, all kinds of stuff that was nice for the schools but hardly essential or perhaps even necessary. Nothing like spending someone else's money, my dad says.
So, I'm cynical,too. Not one dime from me for your ideas until you can demonstrate something worthwhile.
You can talk to me
Saturday, October 18, 2003
The Triumph Continues
As I sit here listening to the Fish Fry with my wife out of town, I'm installing RedHat 9.0., currently on Disc 3. Gosh, this is too easy. Other than one copy of Disc 2 getting funky on me, it has gone flawlessly.
The Jayhawks won, KState won and Missouri lost to Oklahoma. I finished listening to The Liars Club by Mary Karr and came to the realization that the Liars in the title were her parents or more specifically, her mother and not specifically the men with whom her father hung out.
Anyway, I missed Sasha and Kyle and ran by myself at Wyandotte County Lake Park for about 8 miles.
You can talk to me
As I sit here listening to the Fish Fry with my wife out of town, I'm installing RedHat 9.0., currently on Disc 3. Gosh, this is too easy. Other than one copy of Disc 2 getting funky on me, it has gone flawlessly.
The Jayhawks won, KState won and Missouri lost to Oklahoma. I finished listening to The Liars Club by Mary Karr and came to the realization that the Liars in the title were her parents or more specifically, her mother and not specifically the men with whom her father hung out.
Anyway, I missed Sasha and Kyle and ran by myself at Wyandotte County Lake Park for about 8 miles.
You can talk to me
Friday, October 17, 2003
Friday Five
1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
Soy Milk, Bosco, Milk, Orange Juice, Kinky Friedman Salsa
2. Name five things in your freezer.
Steaks, Sambazon Acai (some kind of Latin American Fruit), Bananas (for smoothies), Ice Cream, Chicken
3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
Trash can, Dishwasher soap, Zep orange spray, sponges, scrubbies
4. Name five things around your computer.
Squeezie balls, CD's, books, radio, unopened package for KVM switch, kleenexs.
5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet.
Tom's of Maine toothpaste, floss, shave cream, Crest toothpaste, Sudafed (generic), Ibuprofen.
You can talk to me
1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
Soy Milk, Bosco, Milk, Orange Juice, Kinky Friedman Salsa
2. Name five things in your freezer.
Steaks, Sambazon Acai (some kind of Latin American Fruit), Bananas (for smoothies), Ice Cream, Chicken
3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
Trash can, Dishwasher soap, Zep orange spray, sponges, scrubbies
4. Name five things around your computer.
Squeezie balls, CD's, books, radio, unopened package for KVM switch, kleenexs.
5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet.
Tom's of Maine toothpaste, floss, shave cream, Crest toothpaste, Sudafed (generic), Ibuprofen.
You can talk to me
A Triumph of Sorts
After working from 5:00 AM yesterday until almost 2:00 PM, I finally got over to Eric's and we built my computer on which I will install RedHat 9.0. I've downloaded the ISO's and am in the process of burning them to CD. The dream machine will come to be.
WoooHooo!!!
You can talk to me
After working from 5:00 AM yesterday until almost 2:00 PM, I finally got over to Eric's and we built my computer on which I will install RedHat 9.0. I've downloaded the ISO's and am in the process of burning them to CD. The dream machine will come to be.
WoooHooo!!!
You can talk to me
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Excess Drama
One of my newer team members is in a constant state of crisis. Everyone he comes into contact with is getting an earful of how miserable he is, which manages to make everyone else more miserable. The shifts he works, the money he's paid, and the leadership of the department all suck.
"You can't imagine how much I hate this department."
JUST QUIT, then. You're doing nobody any favors by hanging around here and griping all the time. You took this job, accepted the pay that was offered, understood the shifts that you'd be working and met the people you were going to work among.
Just get out.
You can talk to me
One of my newer team members is in a constant state of crisis. Everyone he comes into contact with is getting an earful of how miserable he is, which manages to make everyone else more miserable. The shifts he works, the money he's paid, and the leadership of the department all suck.
"You can't imagine how much I hate this department."
JUST QUIT, then. You're doing nobody any favors by hanging around here and griping all the time. You took this job, accepted the pay that was offered, understood the shifts that you'd be working and met the people you were going to work among.
Just get out.
You can talk to me
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Give Me a Break
Honestly, I love my job. Not the part where I get home around 11 PM. Not the part when I get up at 4 AM to be there at 5 AM. Not the part where I put my hand on my chin and it smells like fish. Not the days before payday when I'm worried about bouncing checks. But I do love the people there and the way I can make things happen.
But I realized today that it has been over a year since my last real vacation. Sure I went to Gnomedex last July for 3 days in Des Moines and I had a great time. But I need to get away from here, from my phone, from the clock.
I need a vacation.
You can talk to me
Honestly, I love my job. Not the part where I get home around 11 PM. Not the part when I get up at 4 AM to be there at 5 AM. Not the part where I put my hand on my chin and it smells like fish. Not the days before payday when I'm worried about bouncing checks. But I do love the people there and the way I can make things happen.
But I realized today that it has been over a year since my last real vacation. Sure I went to Gnomedex last July for 3 days in Des Moines and I had a great time. But I need to get away from here, from my phone, from the clock.
I need a vacation.
You can talk to me
Monday, October 13, 2003
The Week Begins
Today, my box of Kleenex is my closest companion. My head, including my brain seems to be filled with snot. I did manage to go to work yesterday and run 10 miles in the morning. It's starting to go away. I slept until 8 this morning but I have to work 2 until 10 tonight again and tomorrow.
Astrid and Duke may each be getting a new home. Astrid with someone in Lawrence, who is coming to pick her up this afternoon.
Duke, more intriguingly, is being tried out by Gina, a local yoga instructor and pet psychic. Don't know why that intrigues me so much.
Chiefs won yesterday.
You can talk to me
Today, my box of Kleenex is my closest companion. My head, including my brain seems to be filled with snot. I did manage to go to work yesterday and run 10 miles in the morning. It's starting to go away. I slept until 8 this morning but I have to work 2 until 10 tonight again and tomorrow.
Astrid and Duke may each be getting a new home. Astrid with someone in Lawrence, who is coming to pick her up this afternoon.
Duke, more intriguingly, is being tried out by Gina, a local yoga instructor and pet psychic. Don't know why that intrigues me so much.
Chiefs won yesterday.
You can talk to me
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Oh, My Weekend
I worked at 6AM so that Laurie and I could go to Doolittle Farms for a show by the Two High String Band. Then I got up to run with Dr. V. at 6:30, came home, took a nap and went to work from 2:00PM until 10:00PM. I need a rest.
You can talk to me
I worked at 6AM so that Laurie and I could go to Doolittle Farms for a show by the Two High String Band. Then I got up to run with Dr. V. at 6:30, came home, took a nap and went to work from 2:00PM until 10:00PM. I need a rest.
You can talk to me
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Yet another pointless rant
It's Tuesday night. I'm lost in Austin. Here at the Marriott Renaissance, I'm with the Team Member Awareness Group for my employer, the leading natural grocery chain in the United States.
The thing I hate most about business travel is that I've tended to be places where you might as well be anywhere. I've rarely gotten a sense of place when I travel on business and I missed the chance to go to Sixth Street. I just hope I'll get another trip to Austin in sometime.
This is such a great group of people. Committed, passionate, funny, diverse. No Blue Suits.
you can say anything
It's Tuesday night. I'm lost in Austin. Here at the Marriott Renaissance, I'm with the Team Member Awareness Group for my employer, the leading natural grocery chain in the United States.
The thing I hate most about business travel is that I've tended to be places where you might as well be anywhere. I've rarely gotten a sense of place when I travel on business and I missed the chance to go to Sixth Street. I just hope I'll get another trip to Austin in sometime.
This is such a great group of people. Committed, passionate, funny, diverse. No Blue Suits.
you can say anything
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Just about a Perfect Day
I got up this morning at 6 and checked my email. The usual array of spam. I went downstairs and made coffee and headed to Lawrence, Kansas for the Sand Rat Run. Put on Another Live by Todd Rundgren's Utopia and cranked the stereo in the truck, reliving the best parts of my high school years as I went down I-70.
I got to Lawrence and met up with the crew: Bad Ben, Sasha, Jim G. and his daughter and Janice. Tried for a pre-race constitutional but failed. Didn't realize I was wearing my singlet backwards.
Anyway, I started slowly, chatting with Ben as we leisurely cranked out 8:30 miles for the first 3 until we got to the levy and out of the singletrack for awhile. I hit it hard from there on out, picking off people and just simply running and thinking of nothing but running. There is something so wonderful about just picking your feet up and down, concentrating, throwing your shoulders into the turns, absolutely being nowhere except in the run, alone in the woods with the river below on a perfect sunny day. I passed runner after runner. It's really what racing is all about, pitting yourself against everyone else.
I finished last out of 4 in my age group, 34th overall. Checking the results tonight , I see that the person I passed on the final stretch of pavement was John Rinkenbaugh, brother of my former fiance'. Small world.
We hung out at the finish. None of us won anything save the lovely Laura Cheek. If I ever hoped for hardware, it would be at the Sand Rat Run, where the trophies are squeaky rubber rats spray painted bronze, silver or gold. My life might well be complete when I win a rat.
email me
I got up this morning at 6 and checked my email. The usual array of spam. I went downstairs and made coffee and headed to Lawrence, Kansas for the Sand Rat Run. Put on Another Live by Todd Rundgren's Utopia and cranked the stereo in the truck, reliving the best parts of my high school years as I went down I-70.
I got to Lawrence and met up with the crew: Bad Ben, Sasha, Jim G. and his daughter and Janice. Tried for a pre-race constitutional but failed. Didn't realize I was wearing my singlet backwards.
Anyway, I started slowly, chatting with Ben as we leisurely cranked out 8:30 miles for the first 3 until we got to the levy and out of the singletrack for awhile. I hit it hard from there on out, picking off people and just simply running and thinking of nothing but running. There is something so wonderful about just picking your feet up and down, concentrating, throwing your shoulders into the turns, absolutely being nowhere except in the run, alone in the woods with the river below on a perfect sunny day. I passed runner after runner. It's really what racing is all about, pitting yourself against everyone else.
I finished last out of 4 in my age group, 34th overall. Checking the results tonight , I see that the person I passed on the final stretch of pavement was John Rinkenbaugh, brother of my former fiance'. Small world.
We hung out at the finish. None of us won anything save the lovely Laura Cheek. If I ever hoped for hardware, it would be at the Sand Rat Run, where the trophies are squeaky rubber rats spray painted bronze, silver or gold. My life might well be complete when I win a rat.
email me
Friday, October 03, 2003
Schadenfreude
Rush Limbaugh may not be obese but he is still a Big Fat Idiot. And when I read about Bill O'Reilly denouncing those who called for Rush's resignation as "smear merchants", I had to laugh. Haven't we had at least 30 odd years of that from Rush and his compadres? At least since 1987 when the networks no longer had to operate under "Equal Time" or the fairness doctrine.
To me, Barbara Bush resembles a pitbull (even as a young woman, she was, to put it diplomatically, plain) but I never heard a liberal commentator mention that. But Rush held up a picture of Chelsea Clinton on his television show, calling her the "White House dog".
Anyway, I doubt this will begin a paradigm shift. The Right is far too well funded for them to enter the dustbin of history.
Ah well. Life goes on.
email me
Rush Limbaugh may not be obese but he is still a Big Fat Idiot. And when I read about Bill O'Reilly denouncing those who called for Rush's resignation as "smear merchants", I had to laugh. Haven't we had at least 30 odd years of that from Rush and his compadres? At least since 1987 when the networks no longer had to operate under "Equal Time" or the fairness doctrine.
To me, Barbara Bush resembles a pitbull (even as a young woman, she was, to put it diplomatically, plain) but I never heard a liberal commentator mention that. But Rush held up a picture of Chelsea Clinton on his television show, calling her the "White House dog".
Anyway, I doubt this will begin a paradigm shift. The Right is far too well funded for them to enter the dustbin of history.
Ah well. Life goes on.
email me
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Caddyshack Redux
As he often is, Bill Murray is the best thing in this movie. I'm really excited to see Lost in Translation.
This is my Friday since I don't have to report to work tomorrow. I do have to go to UMKC to serve as a teaching patient, tomorrow but that's not a big deal. After 13 plus years of dealing with insurance agents, having my prostate examined by amateurs is a day at the beach.
email me
As he often is, Bill Murray is the best thing in this movie. I'm really excited to see Lost in Translation.
This is my Friday since I don't have to report to work tomorrow. I do have to go to UMKC to serve as a teaching patient, tomorrow but that's not a big deal. After 13 plus years of dealing with insurance agents, having my prostate examined by amateurs is a day at the beach.
email me
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