Today I was in my office and I heard a fire truck coming down the road... it turned into a nursing home across the street. As I saw the firetruck pull into the parking lot, there was a white pickup truck that just stopped in front of the building... the driver put his truck in park just the firetruck was in his rear view mirror. He took his foot off the break as the bright yellow fire lane curb reflected off the side of his truck and the bumper of the stopped fire truck behind him. He was parked along the bright-enough-to-be-seen-in-space yellow fire lane curb filled with no parking and stopping signs. The driver looked back at the truck, which still had its blaring sirens and blinding lights on... what did the driver do? Did he pull out of the way so the fire truck can do its honorable duty? Did the driver pull into the nearest parking space not 20 feet away to make room for the truck? Did the driver say, "Eureka, there is an emergency truck behind me that needs to be exactly where I am parked right now to save someone's poor old grandma?" NO... he got out of his truck non-chalantly as if the truck didn't exist. I am open-minded and I know there could have been a number of reasons why he didn't acknowledge that mammoth, shiny, strobe-light blinking, piercing sirens playing the mambo on the ear-drum emergency vehicle. But come-on, show some respect! The guy waltzed around the back of his truck as the enormous, monstrous lunchbox of metal was stopped not even 15 feet away trying to get this gentleman's attention. A fireman within that NOISY, BLINKY hunk of metal told that guy to move the truck. Which he finally did. I am sorry, but what the heck was that guy thinking?
That is not the first time I have seen people recklessly disregarding emergency situations for selfish reasons. I encountered another discombobulating incident a few years ago, when I was supervising a weight room. As I stroll back to 1999, when the fire alarm goes off, the lights went off as well (except for the emergency lights, which is only one light in a large room cramped room with no windows). My job was to get people out of the building quickly as possible without anyone getting hurt then get myself out of the building for my own safety. So what happens? Some not-so-bright guys insisted to finish their workout! I mean come on, I know you want to feel the burn, but that is not the kind of burn you want to feel! After studying kinesiological sciences I know that one workout is not going to make or break a physique. I know that missing a set will not magically turn you into a competitor of the World's Strongest Man Competition. In fact, I am willing to bet the odds are in their favor if they get the heck out of the building. They continued to do another set of benching and squatting in the dark hoping that they had the right amount of weight one each side of the bar and hoping they could see whether or not they are going to smack each other with the 225 lbs worth of weight on their shoulders.... can anyone explain this to me? Okay, I will give them credit for not smelling smoke so it was most likely (and it was) a false alarm, but what if there was some other reason for the alarm to go off?
Can anyone explain this to me??
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
Why my cat is a dog in disguise
I adore my cat... he is unique, he is a neat and he thinks he is a dog. Maybe it is because I have wanted my own dog and deep down inside he wanted to please me. Or maybe he is just a transex...I mean transanimal. But that is our little secret.... I don't want him to appear on Jerry Springer. Jerry can easily has fun with him, especially if he has been neutered, so he is actually not a "he" nor is he a "she". Anyways, I am going to keep him a secret... I have been trying to raise him as a pacifist so I don't want any potential for a fight between him and that pregnant teenage prostitute who is love with their girlfriend's boyfriend's third cousin's gay cross-dressing three-legged Egyptian Minx. That is what I would call a catfight. Okay, that is beside the point. Here are several reasons I believe he is a dog in a cat's disguise:
· He plays fetch. No I am not talking about me throwing it and he watches me like the moron I am to retrieve it... I mean, he actually plays fetch. I throw a toy, he chases it and comes back and drops it waiting for me to throw it again! It is not fluke, he will do it till the cows come home!
· He plays hide and seek. Okay, that might actually be more above and beyond a dog's brain-power, so maybe he is actually a very hairy baby... or perhaps a very miniature bigfoot in disguise. But he will play that game with me. I would hide as he sits there and counts to...umm... never figured how high he counts... but after I am in my hiding spot, he would look for me. He would meow this weirdest noise as he tries to lure me out of my spot... but noooo, I am too smart for that. I want to play hide and seek, not Marco Polo!
· He likes to dig. You know how a dog wants to bury his bone... well, my cat wants to bury his food too, when he is done... not only that, he wants to bury his crap, his reflection in the mirror. I never could figure out why he tries to bury the mirror... he would jump up on top of the bathroom sink, get on his back paws to stretch up to the mirror and scratch at it. Perhaps, he is just curious to why I look in the mirror all the time. Before you even think about thinking about why I do it myself, I shave! Gosh, some people have the trashiest imagination. Anyways, I would get out of the shower and he would wait for me at the sink... as I put on the shaving cream (on me, not him!) he would be fascinated with the mirror and scratch at it. Weird!
· He is a peeping tom. Just like dogs, where they will stick their noses in the most awkward of places, he does that too. Just like he did for the 43525435432 time this morning, he was spying on me in the shower! I am okay with that... as a good "parent" should be, I will support him for whatever he prefers. But I will say, that hot female cat in the apartment below me will be disappointed. So he is a curious cat peeping on my pee-pee in the shower.
· He waits for me by the door when I leave and when I come home. Umm... I feel so special to have someone to greet me at the door. He has the intuition to know when I am getting ready to leave; he would go by the door and sit there... I know what you are thinking, he is indeed pulling that guilt trip on me... looking at me with his sad green eyes and make me late for work each day! He must know my footsteps because he always knows it is me when I open the door...otherwise he is under the bed enjoying his dog days of the summ...winter.
· He likes road trips. Okay, I think he is getting tired of the road trips now, but I always take him to my parent's house when I go do my laundry... oops... I mean when I go home to see them. He would sit on my lap and look out the window; sometimes he would jump to the back seat and ask in this ever so soft annoying voice..."Meuuuuuew? Meeuuuuew?" For those of you who have not studied the language... that translate to: "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
· He scares the hell outta big dogs and partners up with medium sized dogs. Ok, my parents have two dogs, both the same breed but two different sizes… the medium sized dog is the eldest and gets along well with my cat… hey, she even gives my cat a kiss when he walks in…. the larger dog is terrified of my cat. I mean she cowards behind my dad and searches on MapQuest for the longest route to avoid my cat. I gotta tell you, I am awfully proud of my cat *wipes the tear out of my eye* for dispelling the myth: Go pick on someone your own size… he refuses to and picks on someone twice his size.
As you can see, from the cold hard facts presented to you today, he is a dream come true to this dog-lover trapped in an apartment with too unpredictable a schedule to have a dog. I tell ya, I am awfully proud of my lil panther!
· He plays fetch. No I am not talking about me throwing it and he watches me like the moron I am to retrieve it... I mean, he actually plays fetch. I throw a toy, he chases it and comes back and drops it waiting for me to throw it again! It is not fluke, he will do it till the cows come home!
· He plays hide and seek. Okay, that might actually be more above and beyond a dog's brain-power, so maybe he is actually a very hairy baby... or perhaps a very miniature bigfoot in disguise. But he will play that game with me. I would hide as he sits there and counts to...umm... never figured how high he counts... but after I am in my hiding spot, he would look for me. He would meow this weirdest noise as he tries to lure me out of my spot... but noooo, I am too smart for that. I want to play hide and seek, not Marco Polo!
· He likes to dig. You know how a dog wants to bury his bone... well, my cat wants to bury his food too, when he is done... not only that, he wants to bury his crap, his reflection in the mirror. I never could figure out why he tries to bury the mirror... he would jump up on top of the bathroom sink, get on his back paws to stretch up to the mirror and scratch at it. Perhaps, he is just curious to why I look in the mirror all the time. Before you even think about thinking about why I do it myself, I shave! Gosh, some people have the trashiest imagination. Anyways, I would get out of the shower and he would wait for me at the sink... as I put on the shaving cream (on me, not him!) he would be fascinated with the mirror and scratch at it. Weird!
· He is a peeping tom. Just like dogs, where they will stick their noses in the most awkward of places, he does that too. Just like he did for the 43525435432 time this morning, he was spying on me in the shower! I am okay with that... as a good "parent" should be, I will support him for whatever he prefers. But I will say, that hot female cat in the apartment below me will be disappointed. So he is a curious cat peeping on my pee-pee in the shower.
· He waits for me by the door when I leave and when I come home. Umm... I feel so special to have someone to greet me at the door. He has the intuition to know when I am getting ready to leave; he would go by the door and sit there... I know what you are thinking, he is indeed pulling that guilt trip on me... looking at me with his sad green eyes and make me late for work each day! He must know my footsteps because he always knows it is me when I open the door...otherwise he is under the bed enjoying his dog days of the summ...winter.
· He likes road trips. Okay, I think he is getting tired of the road trips now, but I always take him to my parent's house when I go do my laundry... oops... I mean when I go home to see them. He would sit on my lap and look out the window; sometimes he would jump to the back seat and ask in this ever so soft annoying voice..."Meuuuuuew? Meeuuuuew?" For those of you who have not studied the language... that translate to: "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
· He scares the hell outta big dogs and partners up with medium sized dogs. Ok, my parents have two dogs, both the same breed but two different sizes… the medium sized dog is the eldest and gets along well with my cat… hey, she even gives my cat a kiss when he walks in…. the larger dog is terrified of my cat. I mean she cowards behind my dad and searches on MapQuest for the longest route to avoid my cat. I gotta tell you, I am awfully proud of my cat *wipes the tear out of my eye* for dispelling the myth: Go pick on someone your own size… he refuses to and picks on someone twice his size.
As you can see, from the cold hard facts presented to you today, he is a dream come true to this dog-lover trapped in an apartment with too unpredictable a schedule to have a dog. I tell ya, I am awfully proud of my lil panther!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Productivity
Alright, I was determined, no matter what side of the bed I woke up, to be productive today. For the most part it was... as productive as trimming my fingernails with play-dough scissors... okay, it was more productive than that... I did to talk to some people and gave them some answered they didn't want to hear... but deal with it not everyone can get their way.
I got some terrible news that one of the best people I work with is stepping down from a major program. She has been very responsive and a pleasure to work with... plus she always called me "sweetie" when I talked with her. She was the program's liasion to my office... she has social skills and understands to relate with people, unlike some others. Since the program is one of the major ones, also a program with a history of more turmoil than Baltimore City Police's "Flex Squad", I am worried about having to deal with someone new. The fact that she stepped down because a "mutiny", does little to quell my fear. It is not my choice nor do I have a say in who the replacement will be. The program is filled with overly-passionately people in it who do not look at the whole picture... they tend to focus on the immediate surroundings not the whole picture. Being over-passionate is not always a bad thing, but when it gets out of hand, rules are broken and the point to be a good role model for the kids and people in the community is forgotten, then I have a huge problem with it. Think Mike Tyson determined to have a piece of candy and the only candy around is in a baby's hand. The parent would be more worried about finding a good plastic surgeon to repair the the bite marks on the baby than anything else. Ok, not the best analogy.
The council meeting tonight was long... but productive. Some people would not see it as a good meeting, but I did. I tend to look at the bigger picture, that picture is the issues and the concerns that have been arising lately are forcing the council to rethink their ways... becoming more active and more responsible for what they set out to do. The issues help educate them to become better at what they do. Hopefully, more would see what is happening and get more involved. New fresh blood would be a positive thing in this council. So all in all, it was a productive day.
I got some terrible news that one of the best people I work with is stepping down from a major program. She has been very responsive and a pleasure to work with... plus she always called me "sweetie" when I talked with her. She was the program's liasion to my office... she has social skills and understands to relate with people, unlike some others. Since the program is one of the major ones, also a program with a history of more turmoil than Baltimore City Police's "Flex Squad", I am worried about having to deal with someone new. The fact that she stepped down because a "mutiny", does little to quell my fear. It is not my choice nor do I have a say in who the replacement will be. The program is filled with overly-passionately people in it who do not look at the whole picture... they tend to focus on the immediate surroundings not the whole picture. Being over-passionate is not always a bad thing, but when it gets out of hand, rules are broken and the point to be a good role model for the kids and people in the community is forgotten, then I have a huge problem with it. Think Mike Tyson determined to have a piece of candy and the only candy around is in a baby's hand. The parent would be more worried about finding a good plastic surgeon to repair the the bite marks on the baby than anything else. Ok, not the best analogy.
The council meeting tonight was long... but productive. Some people would not see it as a good meeting, but I did. I tend to look at the bigger picture, that picture is the issues and the concerns that have been arising lately are forcing the council to rethink their ways... becoming more active and more responsible for what they set out to do. The issues help educate them to become better at what they do. Hopefully, more would see what is happening and get more involved. New fresh blood would be a positive thing in this council. So all in all, it was a productive day.
Gotta have fun
Today's theme was "gotta have fun". At work, my Office Assistant's (OA) daughter dropped by. When that happens, you can kiss productivity goodbye. My OA alone and I can have the oddest and most off the wall conversations, but when the DOA (Daughter of OA) you can expect nothing serious to come out of it. The two of them together is enough to make Andrew Dice Clay jealous. It was a lot of laughs, especially at the expense of each other.
Since it is (*looking at the clock*)...eh...was... Tuesday, it was also bowling night for me. I was simply pathetic up there. Even my best game was below my 197 average. It was probably the worst night of bowling since "Punky Brewster" was considered my hero. I ended up bowling a 195, 162, 147... for a total of 504. Despite the choking and the despicable scores, my team won three out of four... and most important, we had fun. I was in a wacky mood and talkative, I was able to enjoy the sport I have grown to make part of my life once a week for the past decade (on and off). I didn't take the ball's fear of knocking the pins down seriously. I even resisted the incredible urge to get the bumpers put up in the gutters to see how many times I can get the ball to bounce from one gutter to the next to even beat the scores I bowled tonight. It was fun tonight to kid around with my teammates and opponents for the goobers we are... even my teammate, Mr Whine-whine-whine-with-crackers-and-cheese was a bit more pleasant because of that little three letter "F" word. You gotta have fun. I just wish I could have that fun-loving feeling more often. I sometimes just cannot help myself from taking my life so seriously. Gotta go to bed, I have a council meeting tomorrow night... never the most fun-thing for me.
Since it is (*looking at the clock*)...eh...was... Tuesday, it was also bowling night for me. I was simply pathetic up there. Even my best game was below my 197 average. It was probably the worst night of bowling since "Punky Brewster" was considered my hero. I ended up bowling a 195, 162, 147... for a total of 504. Despite the choking and the despicable scores, my team won three out of four... and most important, we had fun. I was in a wacky mood and talkative, I was able to enjoy the sport I have grown to make part of my life once a week for the past decade (on and off). I didn't take the ball's fear of knocking the pins down seriously. I even resisted the incredible urge to get the bumpers put up in the gutters to see how many times I can get the ball to bounce from one gutter to the next to even beat the scores I bowled tonight. It was fun tonight to kid around with my teammates and opponents for the goobers we are... even my teammate, Mr Whine-whine-whine-with-crackers-and-cheese was a bit more pleasant because of that little three letter "F" word. You gotta have fun. I just wish I could have that fun-loving feeling more often. I sometimes just cannot help myself from taking my life so seriously. Gotta go to bed, I have a council meeting tomorrow night... never the most fun-thing for me.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
*No clever title here* but comments welcome.
As I read other blogs posted today... I ponder the direction I want to take with my relatively new addiction. Today there has been a lot of "controversy" about Lurking and de-lurking... whatever that revolution may be. As far as I am concerned, the only Lurk or Lurge (or however it is said) I want to be concerned with is the one from the Adam's Family. You know that big ol' quiet guy who looks up the the superior linguist skills of the apes in a zoo.
Yes, I admit I very much welcome comments from the peanut gallery and I will share my peanut shells with others. Yes, I like attention as much as the next person. Yes, it would be nice to be able to make a friend or two or three or four or fifty by means of blogging (especially since my social life is DOA. Yes, I would love to be able to be able to keep a pair of gloves for longer than a month without losing one. Yes, I would like to own a pair of sunglasses longer than it takes for 99% of NewYears Revolutionist to jump off the bandwagon. But the point is, it is what it is. Sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't. *Gawd, what is it lately with my nuts?* I want to write about my thoughts and feelings... the mood I am in mainly dictates the kind of blog I will write. I hope it will be entertaining enough to put a smile on someone else's face or even mine down the road if I re-read it. I would hope that I can put a positive spin to the content to help me feel more optimistic about my life. I would want it to be reflective of who I am and what I like and what is going on with me. I like to make a difference in someone else's lives (no matter how so insignificant that difference may be), something I don't feel I have been doing as much (and as often)lately. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside like a old moldy piece of fruit... ok, bad example. I tend to feel better about myself and more comfortable about myself when I feel like I have helped someone else or put a smile on another's face, as corny as it may sound. Something as simple as saying hi to a stranger walking down the street.... but that is as far as I go, the wizard has not given me courage to go beyond that yellow brick road. Blogs have been an avenue for me to convey my thoughts when I have not been able to do in person, behind the mask of gooberman. I put my blog on "Blogtimore, Hon" so I can get someone to read it, that is what it is designed to do, get your blog exposed to a larger population. That is my two cents.
Yes, I admit I very much welcome comments from the peanut gallery and I will share my peanut shells with others. Yes, I like attention as much as the next person. Yes, it would be nice to be able to make a friend or two or three or four or fifty by means of blogging (especially since my social life is DOA. Yes, I would love to be able to be able to keep a pair of gloves for longer than a month without losing one. Yes, I would like to own a pair of sunglasses longer than it takes for 99% of NewYears Revolutionist to jump off the bandwagon. But the point is, it is what it is. Sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't. *Gawd, what is it lately with my nuts?* I want to write about my thoughts and feelings... the mood I am in mainly dictates the kind of blog I will write. I hope it will be entertaining enough to put a smile on someone else's face or even mine down the road if I re-read it. I would hope that I can put a positive spin to the content to help me feel more optimistic about my life. I would want it to be reflective of who I am and what I like and what is going on with me. I like to make a difference in someone else's lives (no matter how so insignificant that difference may be), something I don't feel I have been doing as much (and as often)lately. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside like a old moldy piece of fruit... ok, bad example. I tend to feel better about myself and more comfortable about myself when I feel like I have helped someone else or put a smile on another's face, as corny as it may sound. Something as simple as saying hi to a stranger walking down the street.... but that is as far as I go, the wizard has not given me courage to go beyond that yellow brick road. Blogs have been an avenue for me to convey my thoughts when I have not been able to do in person, behind the mask of gooberman. I put my blog on "Blogtimore, Hon" so I can get someone to read it, that is what it is designed to do, get your blog exposed to a larger population. That is my two cents.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Moving right along now...
Today was just another day... not a productive at work... uneventful, except finding out that there is an event this weekend that is bigger than I anticipated. The program is asking for more than what is available. Since it is only monday and I have a full head of hair to pull out, I think I will be fine. I will be shopping for a temporary toupee or looking for rogaine after the week is up. Anyways, I am tired and uninspired... going to go read the book I have been reading since before Thanksgiving. It is a really good book, but I just have not been devoting a lot of time to reading lately.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The blues
Before reading this, arm yourself with some cheese... there is going to be a lot of whining.
Today was the day for singing the blues... I am not talking about the La-la-lala-la-la Smurfs tune. I am talking the sad, woke up on the wrong side of the bed blues. I simply wasn't feeling to happy today.. I was lonely and bored. Took naps on the couch with my cat on my chest (he tends to do that every now and then, so I enjoy it when I can). It is like a heating pad and vibrator rolled in in. Okay, that sounded very bad; But when he purrs it can be very soothing and comforting. I wish I had a girlfriend to take that soothing comforting role. It dawn upon me that even though I have a lot to offer someone else, I am not always a conversationalist would want out of a guy. I just don't understand. Maybe I am just thinking too much... if I could stop thinking too much and worry that the wrong thing will be coming out of my mouth, everything would alright. It is kinda like the three stooges... all three try to get through the door at the same time and their attempt to cross the treshold ends up miserably. On the right day with the right people, I can be outgoing guy who the spotlight can shine on. But other times it is like I am a bump on the log.. no, a bump a bump on the log would only hope to be to be considered a worthy bump.
It also occured to me that I live in a small town where almost everyone knows everyone else... everyone went to the same high school... but not me. It is not the town I grew up in. Even though people are relatively friendly, I feel like I am intruding on the town, especially since I am in a job with a lot of involvement with the community. I was asked to attend a meeting on Thursday... if things work out, then I might be in a bigger role dealing with the town's youth. Not a bad thing, especially since I prefer to be on the "front-lines" as opposed to behind the desk... how is that for an un0understandable mind? I like the front-lines, and do well (especially if I am guiding the way) but I am not a conversationalist.
When I was working for the gym... I loved to give the fitness orientations. I was on the front lines talking to people. People wanted me to personal train them because I worked well with them and I take a different approach, a more humorous yet realistic approach, but even though I am a certified personal trainer, it does not appeal to me. I don't want to have to wonder when my next client would be... I don't want to have to rely on commission, I want a steady paycheck, which I have. Besides, I prefer to give people tips for free. But that is beside the point for today.
I went to Hops today... I wanted to get out of the apt and I had a craving for seafood. It was a good meal and beer as I watched the bengals-steelers football game. I was hoping the bengals would continue their remarkable season. Oh well, the Redskins are still in... I have faith in Joe Gibbs. When I was at Hops, I don't small talk with the people next to me or the bartender... but I am cordial and say hello and smile to people, but that is as far as it goes. Not exactly intentional... I would love to get to know more people. Even if I did meet someone, would I even have the nerve to get their number? I just wish things were more simpler.
Well, I am a hopeless romantic, so what do I do? I pop in my favorite DVD, Love Actually. Each of the mini-stories within the movie are great. Makes me laugh each time I see it. Gotta watch the movie now.
Today was the day for singing the blues... I am not talking about the La-la-lala-la-la Smurfs tune. I am talking the sad, woke up on the wrong side of the bed blues. I simply wasn't feeling to happy today.. I was lonely and bored. Took naps on the couch with my cat on my chest (he tends to do that every now and then, so I enjoy it when I can). It is like a heating pad and vibrator rolled in in. Okay, that sounded very bad; But when he purrs it can be very soothing and comforting. I wish I had a girlfriend to take that soothing comforting role. It dawn upon me that even though I have a lot to offer someone else, I am not always a conversationalist would want out of a guy. I just don't understand. Maybe I am just thinking too much... if I could stop thinking too much and worry that the wrong thing will be coming out of my mouth, everything would alright. It is kinda like the three stooges... all three try to get through the door at the same time and their attempt to cross the treshold ends up miserably. On the right day with the right people, I can be outgoing guy who the spotlight can shine on. But other times it is like I am a bump on the log.. no, a bump a bump on the log would only hope to be to be considered a worthy bump.
It also occured to me that I live in a small town where almost everyone knows everyone else... everyone went to the same high school... but not me. It is not the town I grew up in. Even though people are relatively friendly, I feel like I am intruding on the town, especially since I am in a job with a lot of involvement with the community. I was asked to attend a meeting on Thursday... if things work out, then I might be in a bigger role dealing with the town's youth. Not a bad thing, especially since I prefer to be on the "front-lines" as opposed to behind the desk... how is that for an un0understandable mind? I like the front-lines, and do well (especially if I am guiding the way) but I am not a conversationalist.
When I was working for the gym... I loved to give the fitness orientations. I was on the front lines talking to people. People wanted me to personal train them because I worked well with them and I take a different approach, a more humorous yet realistic approach, but even though I am a certified personal trainer, it does not appeal to me. I don't want to have to wonder when my next client would be... I don't want to have to rely on commission, I want a steady paycheck, which I have. Besides, I prefer to give people tips for free. But that is beside the point for today.
I went to Hops today... I wanted to get out of the apt and I had a craving for seafood. It was a good meal and beer as I watched the bengals-steelers football game. I was hoping the bengals would continue their remarkable season. Oh well, the Redskins are still in... I have faith in Joe Gibbs. When I was at Hops, I don't small talk with the people next to me or the bartender... but I am cordial and say hello and smile to people, but that is as far as it goes. Not exactly intentional... I would love to get to know more people. Even if I did meet someone, would I even have the nerve to get their number? I just wish things were more simpler.
Well, I am a hopeless romantic, so what do I do? I pop in my favorite DVD, Love Actually. Each of the mini-stories within the movie are great. Makes me laugh each time I see it. Gotta watch the movie now.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
The Snooze Button
Lately I have been having a difficult time waking up. My alarm clock does a very nice job of getting me out of a coma, but since I know I have some cushion time. I normally wake up about 7-7:30sih range... I don't have to jump into the shower to get ready for work until 9ish. My goal is to go to the gym to get a brief workout. But I am a dreamer so the only workout in the morning is the reach for the alarm clock to hit the snooze button.
I cannot imagine life without the snooze button... I think it should be up there on the list for the world's greatest inventions. Ok, maybe not that extreme, in fact it should be on the opposite end of the spectrum as one of the greatest inventions leading to procastination! I admit, I did go to the gym in the morning once or twice this week, but the evening times have been more more my appealing to me.
Those multiple 8-mins of snoozing in a comfortable, warm, cozy bed doesn't seem to help... once I get up, what is the first thing I normally do? Go to the couch to check my email and the news. One thing leads to the next and before you know it, I don't have enough time to have a decent workout. Am I a procastinator at home? You betcha! (not that I am proud of it)
I cannot imagine life without the snooze button... I think it should be up there on the list for the world's greatest inventions. Ok, maybe not that extreme, in fact it should be on the opposite end of the spectrum as one of the greatest inventions leading to procastination! I admit, I did go to the gym in the morning once or twice this week, but the evening times have been more more my appealing to me.
Those multiple 8-mins of snoozing in a comfortable, warm, cozy bed doesn't seem to help... once I get up, what is the first thing I normally do? Go to the couch to check my email and the news. One thing leads to the next and before you know it, I don't have enough time to have a decent workout. Am I a procastinator at home? You betcha! (not that I am proud of it)
Friday, January 06, 2006
Me, a movie star? umm...
Alrighty then it is Friday night and I just got back from a Volunteer Appreciation party. Glad to be back at my cozy apartment. Not a big fan of those type of functions... a lot of small talk with people you really done know and I was the youngest there... it is a small town and most know everyone else and I am just the new kid on the block. (I know what you are thinking... but NO! I will not sing Step-by-Step... Ooo-baby... or any of those other teeny bobbers songs!)
Cool, I just got this email from a small movie studio... they saw my picture on the web and wanted to tell me about feature film being produced in Delaware. That would be fun and different to do. The website says:
That sounds good... I will be able to take off a few days to do this. I read on...
Hmm... That would be interesting... Gooberman's dimpled tight-butt on the silver screen. Well, they got one thing right; it would be a horror movie if they got my butt on screen! Okay, I have not got any complaints about my butt. But (no pun intended...okay okay, pun very much intended), it would be fun to be in a movie.
I actually do have professional headshots and photos. I took some “classes” on how to be a commercial print model and tv/movie actor. Long story. The headshots were never given out and I was left with a big hole in my wallet.
I was in a movie before. That’s right! Gooberman was actually in the movie: Major League II. MLII was partially filmed at Camden Yards and I was there. So if you look very closely in the crowds at the end of the movie. Look into the stands. I am one of those dots..umm... errr... I mean... faces in the crowd. If you find me, let me know.
Another 15 seconds of fame, I was on stage with D.L. Hughley at the Miami Improv... months before he started his tv show "the hughleys". He called me up on stage thinking I was a stud. I got up there and had not clue what he was sayings. So I started to talk in Sign Language. I figured that would catch him off guard and shake things up a bit. He then questioned what a White guy like me was doing trying to listen to a black guy like him. He went on and on about that. I must say, that was humiliating for me to be up there… but I would not trade that moment for anything. After the show he came up to me and gave me a big manly hug. He was a nice guy.
Fine, you win… I was on another comedy stage before… at Comedy Sports in Northern Virginia; the comedians there invited me up on stage there too. It was fun it got some laughs, end of story. It is past my bedtime…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Cool, I just got this email from a small movie studio... they saw my picture on the web and wanted to tell me about feature film being produced in Delaware. That would be fun and different to do. The website says:
##### will be shot in the spring of 2006 in Lewis, Delaware and lower Delaware. These are non-paying roles, but do offer you the chance to be in a full length motion picture. We will consider all regardless of past experience. As with any film the hours are extremely long and thankless. Serious and dedicated only please!!!
That sounds good... I will be able to take off a few days to do this. I read on...
Actors will need to be able to learn large segments of dialogue. Actors will be required to do nudity as it is part of the story.
Hmm... That would be interesting... Gooberman's dimpled tight-butt on the silver screen. Well, they got one thing right; it would be a horror movie if they got my butt on screen! Okay, I have not got any complaints about my butt. But (no pun intended...okay okay, pun very much intended), it would be fun to be in a movie.
I actually do have professional headshots and photos. I took some “classes” on how to be a commercial print model and tv/movie actor. Long story. The headshots were never given out and I was left with a big hole in my wallet.
I was in a movie before. That’s right! Gooberman was actually in the movie: Major League II. MLII was partially filmed at Camden Yards and I was there. So if you look very closely in the crowds at the end of the movie. Look into the stands. I am one of those dots..umm... errr... I mean... faces in the crowd. If you find me, let me know.
Another 15 seconds of fame, I was on stage with D.L. Hughley at the Miami Improv... months before he started his tv show "the hughleys". He called me up on stage thinking I was a stud. I got up there and had not clue what he was sayings. So I started to talk in Sign Language. I figured that would catch him off guard and shake things up a bit. He then questioned what a White guy like me was doing trying to listen to a black guy like him. He went on and on about that. I must say, that was humiliating for me to be up there… but I would not trade that moment for anything. After the show he came up to me and gave me a big manly hug. He was a nice guy.
Fine, you win… I was on another comedy stage before… at Comedy Sports in Northern Virginia; the comedians there invited me up on stage there too. It was fun it got some laughs, end of story. It is past my bedtime…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Thinking outside the box...
Today was busy, my Secretary was still feeling a lil under the weather. So the phones naturally were naturally ringing off the hook. It was productive through... approved a lot of requests that needed to be done for the registrations.
My coordinator and I had a very thoughtful and meaningful discussion. We searched the depths of our souls to think outside the box to come up with possible solutions. Just like in Patch Adams (a great movie with Robin Williams) we had to focus on the solution not the problem. Because after all, 1+1=3... the product is greater than the sum of all its parts. The solution we were looking for... what color to paint the room we will convert to a meeting room. At first I was thinking bright orange... but he would get lost in the room since he (and I sometimes) wears that color. He came up with plaid... but I figured it would be hard to paint... and the crew who will paint it will most likely be a bit sloppy (think about the filling in a 1 inch circle with a 12 inch paint brush sloppy). What about the flicking the paint off a brush to make it artistic. Nah. What about using a scratch and sniff paint...naa, too many people will be fixated on the room and sniffing the paint (that would ultimately look bad for us).
What about that edible body paint? I loved that idea... my staff would never need to go to the MickeyD's for a break, they just go to the offices and eat a piece of the wall. Then the most brilliant idea came out of my coordinator's mouth... sheer intellegence.... velcro the wall and get body suits that will stick you to the wall. Why is this absolute genius? Because it is a small room that may be able to fit 20... using the walls, we would be able to maxmize the space using the walls and have maybe allow 50 people in the meeting. With the use of the walls, the ceiling is now an option... how about we can put astonaut ice cream on the ceiling for refreshments, we already would have beverages using the sprinkler system's water. Now, that is thinking outside the box.
Then reality kicked in... the walls to the room had to be padded... and a coat rack is needed for our straight jackets.
... we never did decide on a color of the room. But as I told him... you gotta have fun when you are working.
My coordinator and I had a very thoughtful and meaningful discussion. We searched the depths of our souls to think outside the box to come up with possible solutions. Just like in Patch Adams (a great movie with Robin Williams) we had to focus on the solution not the problem. Because after all, 1+1=3... the product is greater than the sum of all its parts. The solution we were looking for... what color to paint the room we will convert to a meeting room. At first I was thinking bright orange... but he would get lost in the room since he (and I sometimes) wears that color. He came up with plaid... but I figured it would be hard to paint... and the crew who will paint it will most likely be a bit sloppy (think about the filling in a 1 inch circle with a 12 inch paint brush sloppy). What about the flicking the paint off a brush to make it artistic. Nah. What about using a scratch and sniff paint...naa, too many people will be fixated on the room and sniffing the paint (that would ultimately look bad for us).
What about that edible body paint? I loved that idea... my staff would never need to go to the MickeyD's for a break, they just go to the offices and eat a piece of the wall. Then the most brilliant idea came out of my coordinator's mouth... sheer intellegence.... velcro the wall and get body suits that will stick you to the wall. Why is this absolute genius? Because it is a small room that may be able to fit 20... using the walls, we would be able to maxmize the space using the walls and have maybe allow 50 people in the meeting. With the use of the walls, the ceiling is now an option... how about we can put astonaut ice cream on the ceiling for refreshments, we already would have beverages using the sprinkler system's water. Now, that is thinking outside the box.
Then reality kicked in... the walls to the room had to be padded... and a coat rack is needed for our straight jackets.
... we never did decide on a color of the room. But as I told him... you gotta have fun when you are working.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Good Grief!
My secretary was sick today... so according to the laws of nature. To be exact, it is: Article III Section B Subsection 3: "When thee who answers the telephones is out, thee invention of Graham Bell MUST be constantly ringing off the hook and relentless business must ensue."
So the laws of nature held true, it was a busy day in the office and the phone became a permanent fixture on my ear. Oh I sure do hope my Office Assistant gets well soon. Not only so she can handle the phones, but to keep the fun times rolling.
The past few days I have become fixated on a new toy I got for Christmas... it didn't occur to me the power of its entertainment until a couple days ago. I am not talking about that voice-controlled robot dog that will squeeze fresh orange juice at the same time it dusts the vents on the ceiling nor am I talking about the Mr. T Chia-pet. I am talking about the candle warmer. I mean, Whoa! I have all these deformed candles without wicks. I pop it on the candle warmer and boom, the wax is melted and the apartment smells good. But, that is not all, when you have more than one candle that needs to be warmed, you have instant-layered candles! I think I have the most unique candle ever "warming" on the hot plate... I think it is a mix of Ocean Breeze together with Vanilla cookies. What can be more relaxing than that? Basking in the sun with the ocean breeze as the smell of fresh baked cookies is in the air! Life does not get better than that...until you wake up to the sound of the phone ringing off the hook!
Well, my new jacket came today.... I love it!
So the laws of nature held true, it was a busy day in the office and the phone became a permanent fixture on my ear. Oh I sure do hope my Office Assistant gets well soon. Not only so she can handle the phones, but to keep the fun times rolling.
The past few days I have become fixated on a new toy I got for Christmas... it didn't occur to me the power of its entertainment until a couple days ago. I am not talking about that voice-controlled robot dog that will squeeze fresh orange juice at the same time it dusts the vents on the ceiling nor am I talking about the Mr. T Chia-pet. I am talking about the candle warmer. I mean, Whoa! I have all these deformed candles without wicks. I pop it on the candle warmer and boom, the wax is melted and the apartment smells good. But, that is not all, when you have more than one candle that needs to be warmed, you have instant-layered candles! I think I have the most unique candle ever "warming" on the hot plate... I think it is a mix of Ocean Breeze together with Vanilla cookies. What can be more relaxing than that? Basking in the sun with the ocean breeze as the smell of fresh baked cookies is in the air! Life does not get better than that...until you wake up to the sound of the phone ringing off the hook!
Well, my new jacket came today.... I love it!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Quick, Call 911!
I needs someone to call, because I CHOKED at bowling tonight! Okay, the first game went well... the pins just did not feel like standing up. I ended up with a 230. The second game, the lanes became more dry. The ball just had a mind of its own and just sailed off into the sunset... which is not at all good because the sun was setting in CHINA! Ugh... the second game ended up with 190. The third game not too shabby... if you wanted to lose that game! Which we did. It all came down to the tenth frame and I am the last bowler, if I striked twice and knocked down some other pins, we would have won. Pressure is normally something I can handle in bowling and I normally excel in the tenth, but tonight was not that night. But my team won three out of the four, so that is a good thing. Another silly thing that happened, my zipper broke on my jacket. Still usable, but hard to grip. I have never heard of a zipper breaking where you grip it, they always tend to come apart at the teeth... golly gee whiz. I have had that ski jacket for ages... in fact I probably was born in that jacket. What can I say? Well, I have a new leather jacket on its way... I am excited about that.
The choking and broken zipper was just a part of the day. At work, when one thing doesn't go right, obviously other things HAVE to happen too. I think I read it in an encyclopedia somewhere... it is a scientific fact. Can anyone prove me otherwise? I thought not! You see, I noticed a mistake on a flyer that went out to 6000 people... a registration date wrong, so the date that was wrong will HAVE to be a very rainy day when people show up to sign up their child and NOBODY is there to take their registration (you know that is what is going to happen, it is the law of nature!)... but on the positive note, it said Tuesday and Wednesday (which is right) but the dates were wrong... AND calendar of events, it was listed correctly. Also, There was a email that I totally forgot about... it had dates for a different registration that needed to be on that newsletter... UGH. The programs insisted that I had those dates, but I could not recall getting it... after all it was buried in the email with some other items, that I do recall. Well that is easily correctable, but being the perfectionist I am, I know I am going to have to go boot shopping more often because I am losing them up my butt each time I kick myself.
The choking and broken zipper was just a part of the day. At work, when one thing doesn't go right, obviously other things HAVE to happen too. I think I read it in an encyclopedia somewhere... it is a scientific fact. Can anyone prove me otherwise? I thought not! You see, I noticed a mistake on a flyer that went out to 6000 people... a registration date wrong, so the date that was wrong will HAVE to be a very rainy day when people show up to sign up their child and NOBODY is there to take their registration (you know that is what is going to happen, it is the law of nature!)... but on the positive note, it said Tuesday and Wednesday (which is right) but the dates were wrong... AND calendar of events, it was listed correctly. Also, There was a email that I totally forgot about... it had dates for a different registration that needed to be on that newsletter... UGH. The programs insisted that I had those dates, but I could not recall getting it... after all it was buried in the email with some other items, that I do recall. Well that is easily correctable, but being the perfectionist I am, I know I am going to have to go boot shopping more often because I am losing them up my butt each time I kick myself.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Rainy day off
Today was not bad. I woke up made a very good smoothie... the first one I made in a long time, the best one I ever improvised. I need to eat breakfast more often. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; yet I so often neglect to nourish myself... sometimes I would even skip lunch (or munch on the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies in the office cabinet... yum yum), then pick up a sandwich for dinner. Not the most healthy of habits lately.
Today was my bill paying day... how much fun it is to write checks to large businesses that take pride in making people poor. I feel so good about helping them... everything from outrageous rent to ridulous add-ons for the phone to the state require car insurance. I really should do my bills a week earlier or even before that, but I never do. I always cut it close to the deadlines.
I was planning on rewarding myself by seeing the 1:10 showing of King Kong... I got there only to be reminded, it is a holiday and it is raining outside... everyone in the world will be there. The line extended outside in the rain. I opt not to see the movie today then went to drop off my bills in a mailbox and rent check. Afterwards went home to watch tv and explore the internet. Exciting. But the fun doesn't end there... I went to the apartment complex's gym.
It was the first time back to the gym in about 2 weeks. Spent 12 mins on the elliptical and 30 mins on the treadmill. I felt winded on the elliptical; perhaps it is the extra weight I gained. I am now at 190 pounds... the most I have ever been. I am normally at 170-175. My major in college was in exercise sciences, so I know what needs to be done to get back down.
That is what is happening in my life.
Today was my bill paying day... how much fun it is to write checks to large businesses that take pride in making people poor. I feel so good about helping them... everything from outrageous rent to ridulous add-ons for the phone to the state require car insurance. I really should do my bills a week earlier or even before that, but I never do. I always cut it close to the deadlines.
I was planning on rewarding myself by seeing the 1:10 showing of King Kong... I got there only to be reminded, it is a holiday and it is raining outside... everyone in the world will be there. The line extended outside in the rain. I opt not to see the movie today then went to drop off my bills in a mailbox and rent check. Afterwards went home to watch tv and explore the internet. Exciting. But the fun doesn't end there... I went to the apartment complex's gym.
It was the first time back to the gym in about 2 weeks. Spent 12 mins on the elliptical and 30 mins on the treadmill. I felt winded on the elliptical; perhaps it is the extra weight I gained. I am now at 190 pounds... the most I have ever been. I am normally at 170-175. My major in college was in exercise sciences, so I know what needs to be done to get back down.
That is what is happening in my life.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Just one of those days
Today was not one of my better days. I got up late, not in a very good mood. It all goes back to my un-understandable mind. I should be more upbeat, yet I feel so lonely and isolated. Pretty much all day I was unmotivated to do anything, feeling sorry for myself and wishing I were with some friends or a significant other. I felt like I would never find anyone else because I was destined to be single and alone. Gawd, I wish I were a female... I don't think I would have the same problems... even though this is 2006, this society still dictates guys have to make the first move, ask the girls out on dates. If it were the other way around, I am sure I would be having a lot healthier social life. I guess I will always be a hopeless romantic.
Throughout the day I wanted to go to Hops to grab a beer and something to eat as I watch the last week of regular season football. I don't always want to watch football, but today I was interested. I was going to go see the second half of the Ravens game, but never made it. Nor did the Ravens survive... the game got very ugly in the second half. They were laid to rest...maybe next season. The Redskins game came on next, more interesting game because it was a win or season is over game. The first half I watched, still in the shorts I wore overnight. Halftime came and went... finally I got my butt in gear and took a shower. I must admit, I love taking long showers. Because I don't pay for water at my apartment, I don't mind taking those long showers. I would just sit down as the water beats down on head and back. Just watching the water drop trickle off me and down the drain. I would wish I wouldn't have to get out... just stay there in the soothing shower. But all good things must come to an end.
I got dress and went to Hops to watch the last of the Redskins game. I was glad I went, got a good burger, beer and cheesecake. There was a funny older sitting across the bar from me... unfortunately I had no idea what they were saying but they reminded me of "The Jeffersons"... Where George would always be toying with his wife and mocking her behind her back.
Afterwards, I went to Giant to pickup a few groceries then went home to watch a movie; Hotel Rwanda... spectacular movie. It really shined light on an issue vastly ignored, as portrayed in the movie. I can relate to bits and pieces of it. Niger was not a genicide-affected country, but there was a lot of bribery and a lot of special treatment because we were white, let alone Americans. Niger is also very widely overlooked as a country. There is very little foreign interest in that country because there are no resources and reasons for people to invest... the temperature is extremely hot with high humidity, making it undesirable for living... there are no large animal sanctuaries for tourist to visit like in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa... the government is corrupt and bribery is rampant scaring off a lot of interest. The only commodity of great interest is the people with huge hearts. It is a shame such terrible plights such of famine is overlooked because of the lack of resources the country can contribute to another.
Throughout the day I wanted to go to Hops to grab a beer and something to eat as I watch the last week of regular season football. I don't always want to watch football, but today I was interested. I was going to go see the second half of the Ravens game, but never made it. Nor did the Ravens survive... the game got very ugly in the second half. They were laid to rest...maybe next season. The Redskins game came on next, more interesting game because it was a win or season is over game. The first half I watched, still in the shorts I wore overnight. Halftime came and went... finally I got my butt in gear and took a shower. I must admit, I love taking long showers. Because I don't pay for water at my apartment, I don't mind taking those long showers. I would just sit down as the water beats down on head and back. Just watching the water drop trickle off me and down the drain. I would wish I wouldn't have to get out... just stay there in the soothing shower. But all good things must come to an end.
I got dress and went to Hops to watch the last of the Redskins game. I was glad I went, got a good burger, beer and cheesecake. There was a funny older sitting across the bar from me... unfortunately I had no idea what they were saying but they reminded me of "The Jeffersons"... Where George would always be toying with his wife and mocking her behind her back.
Afterwards, I went to Giant to pickup a few groceries then went home to watch a movie; Hotel Rwanda... spectacular movie. It really shined light on an issue vastly ignored, as portrayed in the movie. I can relate to bits and pieces of it. Niger was not a genicide-affected country, but there was a lot of bribery and a lot of special treatment because we were white, let alone Americans. Niger is also very widely overlooked as a country. There is very little foreign interest in that country because there are no resources and reasons for people to invest... the temperature is extremely hot with high humidity, making it undesirable for living... there are no large animal sanctuaries for tourist to visit like in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa... the government is corrupt and bribery is rampant scaring off a lot of interest. The only commodity of great interest is the people with huge hearts. It is a shame such terrible plights such of famine is overlooked because of the lack of resources the country can contribute to another.
Happy New Year
Well, it is now 2005...umm I mean 2006... let's see how long it takes for me to kick the habit of writing "'05". I am thinking 2 maybe 3 weeks.
Celebrated the New Year at a friend of my sister's house... I also have got to know him a little over the years. Been to his large parties over the years, whether it was July 4th or New Years or just for the heck of it. He has an amazing townhouse in between Canton and Fells Point, which has a deck on the roof. A great view of the city and the fireworks over the Inner Harbor. I went with three of my neighbors... all three I have been playing card game with and even went to Kings Dominion. Two of them are old enough to be my parents which makes us an odd group of friends, but that is ok. Because of this I was worrying about how they felt at the party... they we definitely the oldest there, even though there were 30-40 people there. I was also not so talkative there... perhaps I was tired... perhaps I was just nervous about how my neighbors would feel there... perhaps I am just not a social person at large functions. There was a girl there who was the same age as I was... she seems nice enough, I think she was interested in me, but I had a hard time talking to her... but then again I had a hard time talking to everyone else, so I did pursue her.
I did not like who I was when I was there... I was shy, I was dry, and I was stiff. When that happens, it is not a good time for me, despite the neighborly friends as company. When I went to Kings Dominion with them, I had the time of my life. I felt comfortable, talkative, humorous.... it all just fit together all day. It was a great time.
So what was the difference between Kings Dominion and New Years? That is what I need to figure out... if I can get to feeling like I was at Kings Dominion, as confident as I was, then life would be good and my social life would be better. So my New Years Resolution... or for better terms, my goal is to be more social and get myself out more often to meet people. My goal is to go out on more dates, perhaps making me feel more comfortable socially. I have a good job that gives me financial independence and stability, established my work reputation as a successful hardworking individual. But there is nothing in the romantic department, one of the last pieces of the whole puzzle. Perhaps, that is the key to my happiness... just needs to find that significant other. Right now, as sad as it sounds, I am on my bed with my love... my precious cat. If it weren't for my cat, I don't know what I would do. I guess I just want to care for someone else, just as I care for my cat.
2006 has rung in, time to orchestrate my next symphony in life.
Celebrated the New Year at a friend of my sister's house... I also have got to know him a little over the years. Been to his large parties over the years, whether it was July 4th or New Years or just for the heck of it. He has an amazing townhouse in between Canton and Fells Point, which has a deck on the roof. A great view of the city and the fireworks over the Inner Harbor. I went with three of my neighbors... all three I have been playing card game with and even went to Kings Dominion. Two of them are old enough to be my parents which makes us an odd group of friends, but that is ok. Because of this I was worrying about how they felt at the party... they we definitely the oldest there, even though there were 30-40 people there. I was also not so talkative there... perhaps I was tired... perhaps I was just nervous about how my neighbors would feel there... perhaps I am just not a social person at large functions. There was a girl there who was the same age as I was... she seems nice enough, I think she was interested in me, but I had a hard time talking to her... but then again I had a hard time talking to everyone else, so I did pursue her.
I did not like who I was when I was there... I was shy, I was dry, and I was stiff. When that happens, it is not a good time for me, despite the neighborly friends as company. When I went to Kings Dominion with them, I had the time of my life. I felt comfortable, talkative, humorous.... it all just fit together all day. It was a great time.
So what was the difference between Kings Dominion and New Years? That is what I need to figure out... if I can get to feeling like I was at Kings Dominion, as confident as I was, then life would be good and my social life would be better. So my New Years Resolution... or for better terms, my goal is to be more social and get myself out more often to meet people. My goal is to go out on more dates, perhaps making me feel more comfortable socially. I have a good job that gives me financial independence and stability, established my work reputation as a successful hardworking individual. But there is nothing in the romantic department, one of the last pieces of the whole puzzle. Perhaps, that is the key to my happiness... just needs to find that significant other. Right now, as sad as it sounds, I am on my bed with my love... my precious cat. If it weren't for my cat, I don't know what I would do. I guess I just want to care for someone else, just as I care for my cat.
2006 has rung in, time to orchestrate my next symphony in life.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Gooberman lives!
Today was a fun day at work... my office assistant and my coordinator and I were just goofing off all day. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time, I must admit I laughed so hard I cried. With some of the really "stretching it" word play jokes and the almost insane conversations, I admit was a goober. Goober sounds like some sort of candy... sweet on the outside, nuts on the inside. We ordered Chinese for lunch with my boss and her OA... I had some more sushi, 4th time in the past 3 weeks... the only problem with sushi, it comes cut in either 6 or 8, and that is not always enough to eat. In the world of supersized meals (which I know is a huge contributor to the expanding waistline in this country), why can't sushi be supersized as well? At least it would be better the greasy fast foods. But it was delicious to eat. I am still looking for some sweet tasting sushi similar to what I had when I was on the island. My parents had some and said it was planton not banana as I originally thought. If anyone knows of where to get some, it would be a terrible thing to keep it a secret.
After lunch got to filling out my mileage report. I have slacked off so much with that report... it is for me to get more compensation yet that was not an incentive enough for me to turn one in since August. I tend to put it low on my priority list since I consistently take care of others (my employers, employees and others) before I think of myself. Not always the best way of thinking, but that's me. I finished my November and December reports ($145) thinking I would just do away with the Sept and Oct... but then was reminded my boss that in Sept and Oct, there were a lot of meetings outside my area which could accumulate even more extra gas money. At 48.5 cents a mile and driving to meetings 20 miles away can really add up. It is not that I really need the money, but extra money can never hurt. I didn't finish the report, so that is on top of my list for Tuesday (Monday is another holiday! woo-hoo!)
I went to blockbuster to use up my free rental, got home, watched some tv, took a nap. Glad to be able to coast into the weekend on a high note with no need to wake up early in the morning.
After lunch got to filling out my mileage report. I have slacked off so much with that report... it is for me to get more compensation yet that was not an incentive enough for me to turn one in since August. I tend to put it low on my priority list since I consistently take care of others (my employers, employees and others) before I think of myself. Not always the best way of thinking, but that's me. I finished my November and December reports ($145) thinking I would just do away with the Sept and Oct... but then was reminded my boss that in Sept and Oct, there were a lot of meetings outside my area which could accumulate even more extra gas money. At 48.5 cents a mile and driving to meetings 20 miles away can really add up. It is not that I really need the money, but extra money can never hurt. I didn't finish the report, so that is on top of my list for Tuesday (Monday is another holiday! woo-hoo!)
I went to blockbuster to use up my free rental, got home, watched some tv, took a nap. Glad to be able to coast into the weekend on a high note with no need to wake up early in the morning.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Productive Day
First day back from the holidays... I was so very tired today. I just wanted to go home and take a nap. Stayed up too late last night as I watched the movie (which I was tired before the movie even started). I was tempted to use one of my vacation days for Friday. However, I worked 4 more hours today than I was planning, so I will work less tomorrow. One of the perks of having a flexible schedule.
I spent a lot of time preparing for today's meeting I called for with my employees. I was not looking forward to it; it had potential to be such a big mess. The purpose of the meeting was to re-iterate their duties to get them back on the right track because council and the schools have been sharing with me those concerns. There are about 20 people on my staff including a coordinator who I am training to take more responsibility, a lot of different ages (but mostly teens still in high school), so the crowd is diverse. I understand it is just a part-time job for them and it may not be something they do for very long-time. I understand that it is not an easy job for a young kid to be telling people 2 or 3 times their age to follow the rules, but I believe that if play the cards the right way as a supervisor, any job can be fun or at least a good experience for them. I want to be able to help them become productive members in the workforce (whether for me or anyone else). As corny as it all may sound, one of the roles as a supervisor (I believe) is to educate them. The same holds true for any type of meeting, training or presentation. I am not at that point right now with my staff loving their job, nor am I at that point where I am the most effective superviosr but I feel I have made some really boring presentation subjects a lot of fun in the course of my public speaking “career”.
I spent a lot of time today talking with my new, young coordinator. I shared my philosophies and what I have been taught about trainings as well as got a glimpse to where he was coming from. With him being new (started Oct 31) in a position designed to be a stepping stone for organization, it was positive conversation. He also shared with me what my staff has been saying about me behind my back.
Unfortunately, whay he said made me feel like the supervisor from “The Office” (okay, I admit it! I have related to "Micheal Scott" from the Office before my conversation). He said they think it is annoying that I just pop-up when they least expect it and that I would be too hands on with the job. But that’s okay, I need to be available and check in on my staff. I practice what I preach and will enforce the rules that I expect them to be paid for, if they don't know when I am going to be dropping by, then hopefully it would keep them on their toes. I cannot be effective if I am not around and being passive. If everyone was being pro-active and taking the initiative, then there be a need for this meeting.
The meeting went well, better than I anticipated. The staff was receptive and they shared ideas and participated. It felt like it accomplished the objective. There was no finger-pointing or blaming. There are things that I could have said better and other things that I would do differently next time, but I felt good about the meeting. I tend to talk like Bush sometimes, words come out in not-so-ordinary ways just to get the point across, (Bushism- I think it is called). I was relieved that it is over and I felt more satisfied with this meeting than some of those in the past.
Now I am looking forward to a quiet, calm Friday and then a weekend featuring a big party at a friend’s townhouse over looking the Inner Harbor in Baltimore City.
I spent a lot of time preparing for today's meeting I called for with my employees. I was not looking forward to it; it had potential to be such a big mess. The purpose of the meeting was to re-iterate their duties to get them back on the right track because council and the schools have been sharing with me those concerns. There are about 20 people on my staff including a coordinator who I am training to take more responsibility, a lot of different ages (but mostly teens still in high school), so the crowd is diverse. I understand it is just a part-time job for them and it may not be something they do for very long-time. I understand that it is not an easy job for a young kid to be telling people 2 or 3 times their age to follow the rules, but I believe that if play the cards the right way as a supervisor, any job can be fun or at least a good experience for them. I want to be able to help them become productive members in the workforce (whether for me or anyone else). As corny as it all may sound, one of the roles as a supervisor (I believe) is to educate them. The same holds true for any type of meeting, training or presentation. I am not at that point right now with my staff loving their job, nor am I at that point where I am the most effective superviosr but I feel I have made some really boring presentation subjects a lot of fun in the course of my public speaking “career”.
I spent a lot of time today talking with my new, young coordinator. I shared my philosophies and what I have been taught about trainings as well as got a glimpse to where he was coming from. With him being new (started Oct 31) in a position designed to be a stepping stone for organization, it was positive conversation. He also shared with me what my staff has been saying about me behind my back.
Unfortunately, whay he said made me feel like the supervisor from “The Office” (okay, I admit it! I have related to "Micheal Scott" from the Office before my conversation). He said they think it is annoying that I just pop-up when they least expect it and that I would be too hands on with the job. But that’s okay, I need to be available and check in on my staff. I practice what I preach and will enforce the rules that I expect them to be paid for, if they don't know when I am going to be dropping by, then hopefully it would keep them on their toes. I cannot be effective if I am not around and being passive. If everyone was being pro-active and taking the initiative, then there be a need for this meeting.
The meeting went well, better than I anticipated. The staff was receptive and they shared ideas and participated. It felt like it accomplished the objective. There was no finger-pointing or blaming. There are things that I could have said better and other things that I would do differently next time, but I felt good about the meeting. I tend to talk like Bush sometimes, words come out in not-so-ordinary ways just to get the point across, (Bushism- I think it is called). I was relieved that it is over and I felt more satisfied with this meeting than some of those in the past.
Now I am looking forward to a quiet, calm Friday and then a weekend featuring a big party at a friend’s townhouse over looking the Inner Harbor in Baltimore City.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Vision Quest
Well, my folks are back in town and I am back to my apartment. I surprised them by cleaning their cars, vacuuming/ dusting part of their house, made them a dinner (first time I really cooked for them, complete with salad), make a fire in the fireplace, and watched Polar Express with them after we exchanged gifts. My main gift is on its way back from internet store… exchanging the leather jacket for another style I like more. I was pleasantly surprised to get a large vintage bullfighting poster… it was even personalized in Spanish as if I were the famous bullfighter. Even though I have never been to a bullfight nor been to Spain, it would fit well with my bedroom motif. Vintage Red Cross poster (I make it a habit to give blood), vintage Ringling Bros and Barnum Bailey Circus poster (Grew up going to the circus when it is in town), a University of Maryland poster and the diploma (the poster they gave to the graduates instead of the diplomas they mailed to the house), and the National Club Volleyball Tournament poster (I worked and helped out with the tournament when I was at UMCP.) My room pays tribute to a few things I have done and/or enjoy. My living room/ dining room had an African Motif. Complete with memories of my trip there. A Christmas gift added to the collection… a wall hanging made from a 50-gallon drum barrel. It is a very nicely crafted piece of art made in Haiti, but sold in Dominican Republic, where I recently vacationed. It works nicely with the décor and is very much appreciated.
After the evening festivities, my cat and I headed back to my apartment, I put away my laundry then watched the movie, “Vision Quest”… a story about a guy inspired to make his mark on the world by dropping several weight classes in wrestling to face an undefeated, feared state champion. Good movie, but not great. Worth seeing.
Time to go to sleep, got a busy first day back at work tomorrow.
After the evening festivities, my cat and I headed back to my apartment, I put away my laundry then watched the movie, “Vision Quest”… a story about a guy inspired to make his mark on the world by dropping several weight classes in wrestling to face an undefeated, feared state champion. Good movie, but not great. Worth seeing.
Time to go to sleep, got a busy first day back at work tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Smothered in Puppies
Tonight is the last night before my parents come home. The last night for me to house/dog/cat sit.
The two dogs are a joy to be around and they have totally different personalities. The older dog is mellow, loyal and affectionate. The younger dog..umm.. she is very playful, goofy, lovable, (did I mention goofy?) and quite a character. Gotta love them both. The two of them get jealous of one another, so at times I would get all smothered in the affection. They would compete with one another for the prime location for a decent backrub... not realizing they may suffocate me in the process. Real bright of them, snuffing the one who would take them to paradise with a grand petting, just to outdo the other.
Meanwhile, my cat was in his hyper mood... he was jumping from one sofa to the next like he is spiderman. He would run around at full speed without a worry in the world. Being as agile as he is, he never crashes into anything, just glides from one area to the next. Gotta love him for his antics.
I bowled inconsistently tonight. We won 1 of 4 versus the 1st place team. Our opponents had a former Baltimore Oriole on their team. Paul Blair, who played from 1964-1980 in the outfield. He is a nice guy, very upbeat and happy. Not a bad bowler, either. We actually matched series-wise at 590. The first game I was sticking on the approach and got a measly 167. The second game went extremely well on the right lane when I got all strikes, but the left lane was trouble for me... ended up with 210. Third game went well, ended up with a 213. My average should be at 197.
After bowling, I went to the store picked up a few things for tomorrow... planning on making a dinner for my parents, my own recipe: Teriyaki pineapple Chicken over brown rice and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Huckleberry dressing. I also got Sushi for dinner tonight... it was not as fresh as I would prefer.
The two dogs are a joy to be around and they have totally different personalities. The older dog is mellow, loyal and affectionate. The younger dog..umm.. she is very playful, goofy, lovable, (did I mention goofy?) and quite a character. Gotta love them both. The two of them get jealous of one another, so at times I would get all smothered in the affection. They would compete with one another for the prime location for a decent backrub... not realizing they may suffocate me in the process. Real bright of them, snuffing the one who would take them to paradise with a grand petting, just to outdo the other.
Meanwhile, my cat was in his hyper mood... he was jumping from one sofa to the next like he is spiderman. He would run around at full speed without a worry in the world. Being as agile as he is, he never crashes into anything, just glides from one area to the next. Gotta love him for his antics.
I bowled inconsistently tonight. We won 1 of 4 versus the 1st place team. Our opponents had a former Baltimore Oriole on their team. Paul Blair, who played from 1964-1980 in the outfield. He is a nice guy, very upbeat and happy. Not a bad bowler, either. We actually matched series-wise at 590. The first game I was sticking on the approach and got a measly 167. The second game went extremely well on the right lane when I got all strikes, but the left lane was trouble for me... ended up with 210. Third game went well, ended up with a 213. My average should be at 197.
After bowling, I went to the store picked up a few things for tomorrow... planning on making a dinner for my parents, my own recipe: Teriyaki pineapple Chicken over brown rice and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Huckleberry dressing. I also got Sushi for dinner tonight... it was not as fresh as I would prefer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)