April 05, 2006
Paying Caesar's Things to Caesar
I did my taxes today. I'm getting money back again. Great. After all, I only give Uncle Sam 1/3 of my paycheck. The least they can do is send me a few hundred of it back every spring.
I can't wait til next year when I get to write off a huge chunk from the interest paid on my mortgage. Of course for the next twelve months its not going to be fun paying said mortgage.
March 09, 2006
The Things You Own End Up Owning You
Well nobody knows if I'm going to close on my house today. There's a massive snow storm happening right now and apparently the underwriter is snowed in somewhere and by the time she gets to her office it may be too late to close today. Stupid, right? I mean, you live in Utah. UTAH! We anticipate it can snow any day all day from October through May. We know it can happen and are ready to deal with it. I just don't understand why one person can hold up an entire deal because they're incompetent.
It seems to me that the real estate process in general needs some serious retooling. Throughout the last nine months that I've been looking for a place I've jumped over so many hurdles and through so many hoops that I'm thoroughly exausted from it at this point. So much of it is based on a few individuals opinions. But at the same time they require the buyer to provide proof after proof of documented income and debt. To give you an example, I provided current balances and balances averages for all of my accounts three times in the last month. Sure, my balances changed, but the averages stayed the same because it was all within the same month.
On top of that my credit score has dropped almost 40 points this month because of the four times they ran my credit. Four times! Credit scores aren't going to change that much in a month. Unless of course you run it several times.
Alright, I've taken a moment to cool off. I'm sorry, but I've been getting so frustrated I just needed to rant for a minute.
January 11, 2006
Only Four Jobs Mon?
Rewind two years ago. I was asked by the manager of a local adult education facility to teach a web development class. I agreed and we tried to work out the details, but because of some details like, oh, she didn't have a computer lab with more than ten computers, we had to scrap it.
Rewind two weeks ago. I receive a phone call from that very same manager stating she now has the means for me to teach the class. We begin discussing terms and details.
Present day. Tonight is the first week of an eight week course that I will be teaching on web development. It should be interesting to say the least. I've certainly taken part in teaching sessions at leadership seminars and helped others by providing "expert-level knowledge" for trainings. But for the next eight weeks, I will be on my own. Going into it, I feel quite confident with my technical skills and knowledge. But I also feel some nerves about my teaching skills.
On another note, I have recently been hired by a catering company to bartend during the Sundance Film Festival later this month and early next month. I doubt it will be a permanent thing, as is my bartending gig over at the Grand America. But it's funny because technically right now I am employed by four different organizations. In addition, I have three freelance web design projects I'm working on. What a hard working boy I am!
It reminds me of that skit on that old Fox tv show In Living Color. The sketch was about a foreign family living in the United States and all of them had several jobs. "Four jobs?! What lazy kind o' mon only have four jobs?"
January 02, 2006
First Day Back
Yeah, so today I'm working. That's right working. I know what you're saying though. "What are you complaining about you've just had the last ten days off?"
Well, I just don't feel like I should have to work when everybody else in this country has it off. Apparently there was a scheduling error made three or four years ago wherein the scheduler didn't realize that New Year's Day landed smack dab on a Sunday so we should get Monday off and we are now paying for it.
Every year, this is the hardest day of the year for me because after all that time off I have a real hard time getting back into the swing of things. Anyway, enjoy your days off bitches.
December 05, 2005
Bartending
Last weekend while bartending, I figured out a few things. First, I believe I'm a pretty good hotel bartender. I'm sure there's a difference between working at a club, a pub, or a hotel. At most clubs tenders are just trying to make and serve as many drinks as possible. Thus, I don't think the quality of the drink is very important. I'd do fine at a pub, but being that the majority of the drinks you serve will be beer, I wouldn't have as much fun as I would mixing. In a hotel, especially an upscale one like the one I work in, quality is important. Plus I get to make a lot of fun drinks like cosmos, martinis, margaritas, and so forth.
The other thing I figured out is what kind of a bartender I am. I'm relaxed, I'm fast, but most of all I'm friendly and easy to speak with. All of those traits probably sound like the typical bartender. But there are many different styles. I know a guy who doesn't talk much and takes his time. Another bartender has a lot of cheesy one-liners to amuse the customer, but is very proper and formal. He would never talk to customers the way I do, even if I would only do it after serving drinks to that person all night.
The final thing I learned is that simply by being professional and friendly, and of course by being myself I am able to procure a lot more tips than my fellow bartenders. I believe I've gotten the hang of getting tips. Proof? In about 9 hours of bartending this weekend, I made $270 in tips. I know I've still got to perfect some drinks, but overall I think I've got the hang of 90% of the drinks I serve.
November 07, 2005
Breakneck
I've been working at breakneck speed of late. Amongst the things I've been working on are:
- » redesigning the website that pays my rent, bills, etc.
- » maintaining the current site.
- » freelancing work on four sites/projects when the client gets back to me (clients, it seems, are the bottleneck.)
- » working 16-20 hours at the bar.
Providing brief respite this week I'll be getting my wisdom teeth removed. Yes, I'm 27 and probably should have had them removed much sooner, but alas, I had neither the means nor the motivation to do so.
It's a sad day when you look forward to getting your wisdom teeth out because it means you're getting a "break."
October 25, 2005
I'm a Bartender
I started my second job this weekend, bartending. When I arrived, I was assigned one person to follow around and they would show me the ropes. He asked if I had any experience bartending, to which I replied, "no."
Him: Did you go to school?
Me: No
Him: Do you have any drinking experience?
Me: Plenty. At the minimum four years of undergrad experience.
Him: I have four years experience in the Marines. I can outdrink any college boy.
Me: ...
Obviously, a very mature bartender. In his first five minutes he turned our conversation into a pissing match. Anyway, as I continued helping out I learned where we have to pick up the clean glasses and set them up; where we get the big tanks full of bottles of beer; how we set up the bar; how to run the registers; and the "legal way*" to mix various drinks that I've been making for years.
It was a lot of fun. My favorite part about it is chatting with the customers. I love it. It is very much providing a customer service, but not under the normal circumstances. What I mean is that you're not dealing with people who are in a bad mood because their internet isn't working. All the people that come up to you are in a good mood and of course are getting in better moods with every swallow.
My first shift I pretty much watched, rang up a few customers, opened bottles of beer, and salted some rims of glasses for margaritas (which along with cosmos are the strongest drink that we can make). The second shift I would take several turns running the bar for several minutes at a time with a veteran bartender watching and providing expertise.
On Thursday I'll be running my own bar without anyone providing any help. Yeah, I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure that once I get my first few drinks made and I start chatting it up with the customers I'm sure I'll do just fine.
October 14, 2005
What Can I Get You?
On my lunch hour this afternoon I went to a job interview at the Grand America Hotel. No, I'm not quitting my day job as a lowly school district webmaster. I am, in fact, getting a second job. A night job as a ... drum roll please ... bartender. Kick ass, huh? I'm really excited. Even though I have zero experience, I've wanted to tend bar for years. I do have four years of undergrad bartending experience, but I'm not sure if they would consider that a "real" job.
The Grand America, if you're unaware, is the only five-diamond hotel in Utah. It's host to hundreds of parties and conventions a year, including one for the Governor. This time a year all of the big hotels in Salt Lake hire extra staff to accomodate the visitors who come to enjoy the "Greatest Snow on Earth."
Why am I doing this you ask? It's all about the Benjamins baby. And of course, papa needs a new pair of shoes. Actually, I just want to pay off student loans faster.
So, before long I'll be saying, "What can I get you?"
September 22, 2005
Finding the Joy
The last few months have been really weird for me. I have been having a very difficult time enjoying my job. I felt that I kept getting burdened with more and more responsibilities and that I should get compensated for it. I spoke to my supervisor about it and was told that I was going to have to wait, at least for the time being, for an answer to a raise. After that, as much as I hate to say it, my performance probably dropped. I became chronically late. Even worse, I was having a hard time getting inspired.
But about a month ago all that changed. I'm not sure what triggered it, but whatever it was I'm happy about it. I was told about a new "section" for our website that was going to receive a lot of community attention and so I immersed myself completely into it. I wanted it to be something I was proud of, something that I wouldn't be ashamed to attach my name to.
I’m not sure if this is how it is everywhere in the business world, but for me so much of what I do needs to "get done yesterday," and because of the time constraints I am unable to dedicate my entire creative faculties to it. This may have been part of my frustration the last few months. I have this real need/desire to be creative, or at least feel creative, and I didn't have that. It was probably even evident on this website by my uninspired postings.
I'm voicing this now, even though it literally just came to me, but I guess I realized subconsciously, that I need to slow down, take my time, and enjoy what I'm doing. Otherwise, I'll get burnt out.
This New York trip I'm heading out on tomorrow will no doubt do just the trick. In this day and age, New York City is the creative center of the world (maybe arguably). How could I not return from a 10-day trip to the creative center of the world and not feel completely revitalized and focused, with my creative juices flowing? With that said, one of my main goals for this trip is to take time for me. Every second I'm there I'll have a camera on me. I'll have the notebook I carry with me everywhere here, that's right, the one that hardly ever gets pulled out of my bag anymore. What is written may never see the light of day, but it will no doubt serve as an outlet for all of the emotions, sights, sounds and experiences that will be flooding my mind.
When I return, I have a handful of projects to begin working on. All of them will benefit my pocketbook, but with each one I promise I will gain more than just monetarily. I will continue the trend of the last month and “find the joy” of web creation that once breathed through me.
So, until I return ...
September 02, 2005
Sweet & Sour
Well, this has been one hell of a week at work. By the time I leave, which has been late almost every night, I haven't wanted to spend any more time in front of a computer writing for this site. But one good thing that happened, my boss bought me this.
June 13, 2005
I Work Hard For The Money
When I started my job two years, three months, and three days ago, I was working four ten-hour days so that I could have Fridays off to finish my degree. Needless to say, it was not that fun. But once I got used to waking up at five in the morning, it became very desirable. In fact, I liked it so much that once I graduated I asked my boss if I could continue it indefinitely. She said no, that I needed to be there 8-5 Monday through Friday.
But one good thing that happens every summer, is that the entire district goes on the 4 day-10 hour schedule. Today is the first day of FIVE weeks of this schedule, but with July 4th and 24th, I'll be working four days a week for the next SEVEN weeks. I'm excited. I've got several one-night camping trips planned and I'll most likely be leaving town a couple of times as well.
All I have to do is get through these next couple of days and it gets incredibly easier.
May 09, 2005
The Bermuda Triangle Explained
A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by the District Science Coordinator to be a judge for the District Elementary School Science Fair. If you recall, I helped judge one school's 4th Grade Science Fair last year. This year the stakes were raised as this was for the entire district, and all elementary schools and grades.
As this was all of the winners from every school, there weren't as many "funny" projects like there were last year. But there were some very well thought-out and executed ones. My favorite, although it didn't win, was one kid (I've forgotten his name) who studied the Bermuda Triangle. He even performed experiments with vortexes and magnets and the like.
I also really enjoyed another boy's experiment with sound waves and stereo speakers. The experiment wasn't necessarily that spectacular, but you could tell how much he loved music and stereos. He was, almost overwhelmingly, excited to hook up the little speaker to the amp and, finally, to turn up the music.
Trust me, these kids are much, much smarter than we were when we were their age, and even more smarter than the media gives them credit for.
April 22, 2005
Out Of The Way, I've Got A Piece Of Paper
I've recently realized that if I want to look busy at work, I simply need to carry a piece of paper with me. Say, I am walking upstairs to get something from the vending machines or a soda or anything, I'll simply carry a piece of paper and it looks like I'm on official business.
I've also found it works with a pen.
February 23, 2005
Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
One of my workplace pet peeves is when somebody emails me and a short time later calls or stops by to say, "hey, I emailed you." To which, I typically respond, "Cool."
Then they start to talk about their email. I've decided I'm going to start telling people to either stop by or email, but not both. I can't handle it. It's so frustrating. This happened twice yesterday. TWICE. On two separate occasions somebody emailed me and then stopped by within an hour to talk about it. I sat there and didn't respond to them until they shut up, then I answered with:
"Let me check. You emailed me at 1:22. It is now 2:04. To be perfectly honest with you, I haven't even read your email. I'm too busy working to read all my email the second I receive it and respond to it and all the other emails simultaneously. From now on, after you email me, please allow me to contact you before you contact me."
The other occasion, the person simply stopped by to say, "I emailed you." That's all. I emailed you. Five minutes after she emailed it. It takes five minutes to walk from her office to my office. So she basicly hit "Send" and then walked down here to tell me about it. What the hell? What do you say to that?
From now on, I'm just going to ignore them when they come in my office. And when they try to get my attention say, "Oh, I'm sorry I was reading and responding to email."
October 28, 2004
Surprise Day Off
I just found out that I have tomorrow off. I'm stoked. I think I'm going to pick up Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and make a weekend of sitting on my ass and not doing anything, but hijack cars, sell drugs, and perform drive-by shootings ... all from the friendly confines of my sofa.
October 22, 2004
Pirates & Emperors
October 13, 2004
B Is For Busy
I hate being busy at work. I have a massive stack of papers that needs to be scanned and all I want to do is write about how its my 26th birthday today and I just want to go outside and soak up whatever is left of the sun before it goes into hibernation for the winter.
June 17, 2004
Anal-Retention
All of the sudden, my boss has become extremely anal. As I said before, I'm getting to work at 6 AM and working until 5 PM. They're long days, but by Friday, I'm loving the three-day weekend. But this morning, while getting coffee at about 6:15 my boss, who is on vacation, called (apparently just to check up on me). I was too far from my phone to hear it, but she left a message where her anger was so obvious it made me afraid to call her back.
When I did, she said she was coming in to talk to me.
"Oh man," I thought. "She thinks I was late and just getting to work."
A couple of hours later, she walked into my office with some papers for me for a special project I'm working on. After discussing this project, she pulled out another paper handing it to me to sign. It was a formal "Employee Discipline" sheet for being tardy. When I told her she had called while I was away from my desk, she knew she had jumped to a conclusion. She tore up the discipline sheet, but then told me that at 6 I was on the clock and that I need to get my coffee before I get to work.
What I don't get is, why is she getting anal all of a sudden? She's always trusted me and now she's decided she needs to check on me. It's pretty frustrating.
June 14, 2004
Long, Early Hours
Every summer for three weeks the entire central office of the school district works four ten-hour days and closes on Friday. This may seem a little odd, however every day that we don't operate saves the district $25,000 in operational costs which comes in handy with the current budget crunch public education is currently enduring.
So, on one hand, the district saves a nice chunk of change without losing any productivity and on the other hand for three weeks in the middle of summer I get three three-day weekends.
Today is the first and hardest day of this schedule.Its almost noon and I've been at work almost six hours.
I'm taking my nap, I mean lunch soon.
ADDENDUM
Do you remember that Seinfeld where George hired a carpenter to build a bed under his desk? I'm honestly contemplating that.
April 30, 2004
Mismatched and Alone
Couple of work notes for a Friday:
- » I was late for work today. "Why?" you ask. Because I couldn't find my shoes, underwear, socks, or toothbrush. God, I hate moving! At least I'll be done by tomorrow.
- » I now have my own office. My former "officemate" changed physical locations. I now feel special.
April 29, 2004
Poor Zach
Yesterday I judged a 4th Grade Science Fair. For some, this would not be a fun task. But for me, it was a blast!
The best one to me was Leslie's. She wanted to test the effect of music on the memory. So she had volunteers read lyrics to a song and after, write down as many lyrics as they could remember. Then she had another group of test subjects read the same lyrics while listening to the song and then write down as many as they could. One of the funniest things about her project was the two songs she used to test her subjects. The first was "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin, the other was "Rocky Mountain High" by John Denver. I asked her why she chose those two songs and she said they were old enough that her subjects wouldn't already know the lyrics.
My favorite, though, was Gardner's project. He had noticed sometime in the ten years he's been alive that water balloon's seem to "explode" better on it's target when they have a small hole puncturing the balloon. So, he took ten water balloon's with holes in them and ten water balloon's without holes in them and threw them to find the percentage of properly exploding balloons. It seems about 50% of the balloons exploded without a hole, whereas 90% exploded with the hole. The best part of his experiment was that he chose his brother Zach, who apparently "volunteered", to be the target.
Who says our students are getting dumber? I don't get to interact with students too often, but I was very impressed with all of the students and their projects.
March 22, 2004
Somebody's Watching Me
Somedays I'll be working, or not, and will hear behind me the distinct sound that eavesdropping makes. In that moment of, Rockwell-esque "Sometimes I feel like somebody's watching me," I turn quickly to see "The Librarian" with whom I share my office staring at my computer screen. I know she's not being a peeping-tom to get me in trouble, but rather because she's probably bored with her own work and more interested in mine. But either way, it freaks me out. The funny thing is, I catch her every time. Then she does her best to make up a reason why she was looking at my computer screens.
Yes, folks, this is your tax dollars at work.
March 10, 2004
Fake Work
I just had a meeting like this:
Them: "We need to have a new page about the new Strategic Plan by next Wednesday."
Me: "Ok, I'll make sure it gets done. Just send me the information."
Them: "Oh, we don't really have any information ready."
Me: "Uh . . . Ok. Just email it to me when you have it and I'll have it online in just a few minutes."
Them: "We also need an evaluation form that people can fill out that will plug into a database."
Me: "Let me guess: you don't have the questions for the form nor an inkling of how you'd like it done?"
Them: "How did you know?"
Me: "Just a hunch. I'm leaving now."
Them: "Do you want to play with my Legos®?"
Me: "Oh jeez, take that out of your nose."
So, what am I doing? Working on all that "fake work" they gave me? Hell, no! I'm writing about how crazy they are. I promise the entire year hasn't been like this.
March 10, 2004
One Year Ago Today
. . . I began my first day of work at the school district. Nervous and unsure of my decision to leave school 2 months early and take this job. Nervous and unsure of my workmates and workplace. Nervous and unsure of my skills and knowledge. Nervous and unsure that I would wear my age on my sleave with every decision I made. I was ready, though, to prove myself. Not only to everyone else, but to myself as well.
After one year, I still show up everyday ready to prove myself. It may not even be necessary anymore.
But it sure feels like it sometimes.
Over the past year, there were times when I took my job for granted. I don't want to do that anymore. I feel very blessed to be in the position I'm in. I feel very blessed to be surrounded by the people that are around me. I feel very blessed to go to a place everyday to do the things that bring me great joy.
This place is called work out of tradition. But for me, it's certainly not work. It's a career, yes. It pays my bills, yes. The word work implies that it's hard to come here. It's not. It's a joy. And I love it.
Where were you one year ago today? More importantly, where do you want to be in one year from today?
February 19, 2004
2/19/03
What a difference a year makes.
On this day one year ago, I awoke feeling much warmer than I was physically. The reason for my above-average state-of-mind? I'll get to that.
6:30 AM
I dragged myself out of bed on this cold wintry morning, nervous for much more than my first Network Security exam. I quickly showered, dressed in a suit and tie, packed five days worth of clothes and sat down to a breakfast of a granola bar and yogurt while studying notes upon notes of Cisco and IPSec. This lasted for about ten minutes before I realized that if I didn't know it by now it was too late.
I left my apartment with my bag of clothes, my backpack, and ample time to arrive for the test and chat with a couple of friends.
8:00 AM
Let's just say this test was the last thing on my mind at the moment. I did my best to concentrate, but it was a fruitless endeavor. I was one of the first few to finish, doing so in about 30 minutes of the alotted 50. Something I would definitely have not done on a regular day.
8:35 AM
Back in my car, I was heading north to Salt Lake City, of course still wearing a suit and tie sans jacket thrown hurriedly on the backseat. I had plenty of time to get there, but with the snowy weather, I knew I would cut it close. On the way, I practiced interview questions and got my mind in order for the hands-on portion.
12:45 PM
I pull into the parking lot for a job interview. At this point, I was feeling rather lackluster and not especially "fresh" after sitting in a suit for a four hour drive. I reviewed a couple more questions, tooks some deep breathes to relax myself, retucked the shirt, put on the jacket and donned the "interview face."
1:00 PM
I am told I have one half hour to "make a web page." Who the hell can make a decent web page in a half an hour, you ask? My thoughts exactly. I remember my boss down at the university telling me once that I was one of the fastest people she's ever seen editing html (even though at the time, I think she was telling me to slow down to make sure I'm getting everything correct).
I calculate my time and decide to spend a few minutes searching the computer they sat me at for the prior interviewees webpages. This really paid off in the end I think. After all, how many people actually get to see what the others applying for the same position did with their time? While checking out their projects, I see things that are rudimentary and average. It seemed to me that everyone before me had tried simply to fill a page. I was not impressed. Thus, I took a different route.
I decided to make an online resume for myself. Answering the question they were thinking. In fact, that was my header, "Why you should hire Neil Christensen!" Flying through it as fast as possible, I made a few graphics, included some javascript rollovers to give it some "excitement", and finished up with about 5 minutes to spare.
1:30 PM
After waiting a few minutes for the interview team to be assembled, I was led to a conference room where I faced five friendly faces. The technology director, the public information officer, the budget director, the interim webmaster, and the web server adminstrator. They all asked one question of me, none of which I remember now.
I was then to show them my portfolio. I sat at a computer connected to a projector and showed them my personal website, and the few other sites I had created, worked on, and advised. It was going ok, but I knew I still needed something to put me over the edge.
They said the interview was over and asked if I had any question or comments.
"Actually, I have several of both," I said.
Opening my folder, I found a page where I made notes about their current site. I brought up about a dozen comments ranging from accessibility to usability to marketing to design. One of my favorite things I said was, "Of course, these are just some points to help you conform to the legal requirements of the federal government which you're currently in violation of. Whether or not you hire me, I felt you should know about them," cracking a small smile and barely stifling a small giggle. I then thanked them for the interview and left.
2:30 PM
My cell phone rings.
"Hello, Neil?"
"Yes," I respond.
"This is (my current boss). We'd like to offer you the webmaster position you interviewed for, but first we need to discuss how much time you'll need to arrange things with your professors."
"Uh . . . I'll have to get back to you on that," again, barely holding back screams of exultation in her ear.
There was more to it, but that is all you really need to know. She was referring to the fact that I still had three months left of college before graduation. So, I returned to school after a few days off and talked my professors into letting me either work at my own pace or sending my assignments in electronically while I worked. For the next two weeks, I worked my ass off completely finishing 3 months of work for three classes and getting things in order for the next two which needed to be done over time.
It's sort of funny to think about now, but when I was offered the position, I was so broke, but I decided to reward myself with a new CD. The funny part is that I probably buy two to three CD's a week. Funny how things change in a year.
Last year on this date, I was a broke college senior just hoping somebody would give me the chance to show how hard a worker I am and how good I am at what I do. Thankfully, I was given that chance. I was scared and I was nervous that the economy would leave me with a dead-end job or worse without one at all.
Today, I look back at all the hours, weeks, months, and years I spent putting myself in the position I am in today. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've been given. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I was given notice that I am going to be kept on 'til at least July of 2005 with the possibility and likelihood of being put on a continuing contract.
What a difference a year makes!
February 05, 2004
Bad Parent
I'm sorry, my bastard child, for not keeping you at the fore of my mind. I have been, and it seems will ever be, buried in a pile of stinking refuse called work. The good thing is learning my PHP is coming along very nice. I've finished several different projects and am feeling quite comfortable with it. I have even turned the heads of some fairly "important" people around here.
While I run my six miles tonight, I'll think of something worthwhile to tell you. Until then . . .
January 13, 2004
Et Cetera On A Tuesday
I will have a better post up later. But for now, I figured I'd give you a few little nuggets of information to tide you over.
- » First, I've tried cleaning up the site a bit. By that I mean I played with the sidebars. I've added a Made On A Mac button. I've changed my Typepad Logo. I've also added a Curb Your Enthusiasm button to the Watching Category. The new season started a couple of weeks ago, and I know it was going to be a permanent thing on there. (If you've never seen Curb Your Enthusiasm, its simply the best thing on TV since Seinfeld. The plot essentially follows Larry David, who was the creator of Seinfeld, in his life after the award-winning series ended. The character of George Costanza was based on his life and experiences. In short, just imagine a series that revolves around George's buffoonery, but because language is not a factor on HBO, people don't refrain from "going off" on the guy.)
- » For the last couple of weeks, I've plateaued above the 200 person/day hit count, which is pretty cool.
- » At work, I've been given a huge online survey that needs to be done by next week. It will involve some heavy database programming, PHP, MySQL, et cetera, et cetera.
- » Also, I've finished the initial draft for the layout of a recruitment/PR folder for the district. The layout was approved, but I will be making a few minor adjustments before it goes to print. Its a fun change of pace designing for print.
January 07, 2004
The Only Word In My Dictionary Today
Work: noun. the labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood.
I'm trying to get some breathing room to post something meaningful. I promise.
November 05, 2003
Talking About A Revolution
I don't have much time to write, but I figured I'd jump on and let everybody know what I'm doing today and tonight.
First, I had a meeting with my dentist about building him a website. For the next year, whatever my insurance doesn't pick up will be "taken care of." That'll be nice.
Second, I have a meeting with the webmaster of a school in the district, so I wasn't in the office but for a couple of hours this morning. Again, that was nice.
Third, after my meeting, I'm heading out to see Matrix: Revolutions with a couple of friends. Not too bad a day, don't you think?
October 22, 2003
Bratwurst & Sauerkraut
This is my third post in a row that has food in the title. I wonder if this is a sign of some sort . . .
The third Wednesday of every month, we have a departmental luncheon at work. Somebody is assigned every month to plan, cook, order, etc.
October was my month.
So, drawing on my lack of time and limited cooking skills, I decided to do Oktoberfest. Last night I marinated 15 brats in beer, bought authentic sauerkraut, German chocolate cake, and Henry Weinhard's Root Beer.
The food was good and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I'd have to give myself a pat on the back for this one. I have plenty of ideas for next year though.
Let me just say: over-night delivery of fresh strudel from the Strudel King, a 3-piece polka band, and one very bow-legged, lederhosen-wearing web designer.
Ah Scheisse!