"Hey, you kids! Get off my lawn!"
Yeah, I kinda feel like I just said that.
Directly across the street from our house is an asbestos abatement company (not bad neighbors actually, as they don't store anything hazardous on site and mostly operate at hours when we're not home). They keep several big rig trailers on site.
And tonight I heard a bunch of the neighborhood kids playing in the area and series of loud bangs. No big deal; the kids in the neighborhood play around the area all the time. They're kids - that's what they do. For fuck sake, that's what I did growing up - run around the neighborhood making noise, quite often after dark.
The problem this time was that they were making noise by playing on top of one of the trailers.
Now, it's not the noise that was the cause of concern; I had been watching a hockey game, so noise wasn't a big deal. It was the playing on top of the trailer that was concerning. And not so much for the worry that they were going to fall off, but rather that they were going to fall off and then there was going to be a lot more noise and bother from the EMTs showing up to tend to the particular idiot who had inevitably fallen off and cracked their head open or shattered a limb.
So, yeah, I was the grump old bastard who called the cops to get them chased off. The worst part is, if I'm going to be the grumpy old bastard yelling at kids, I should at least be on the porch in a rocking chair, with a shotgun, a bottle of whiskey and a carton of cigarettes. Unfortunately, of those five items, the only two I currently have are the porch and the bottle of whiskey. No rocking chair, don't own a gun, and don't smoke anymore. And I don't see all of those things coming together until I'm at least 80 (at that point, I don't think I'm going to be greatly worried about lung cancer or liver failure.
Then, and only then, will I truly be the grumpy old bastard!
Friday, June 03, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Epic Survey Fail
I encountered a survey yesterday purportedly on "religion and spirituality" in this region. Given that we pagans are relatively few in numbers in this area (although there do seem to be a fair number of us around, enough to be statistically significant in a study like this), I figured I'd fill it out and help represent the pagans.
Yeah, not such a good idea. I've spent a good portion of yesterday and today being annoyed at the whole thing.
This particular survey is being done by the local University, and I happen to know the professor who's overseeing the project. And I must say, I'm disappointed; I know it's your grad students doing the actual survey, but it's your bloody job as the overseeing professor to make sure the study is being done right.
And. You. Have. Failed.
Despite the fact that it's advertised as a survey on "religion and spirituality," it's really a survey on "Christian, atheistic, and agnostic beliefs" in the community. The survey had such a western-monotheistic bias that they really can't justify calling it survey on "religion and spirituality." There was one - ONE - reference to any kind of polytheistic belief system. The one semi-polytheistic system they included was Hinduism; and that was in a question about how you think various religions/beliefs have a positive/negative/no impact on the world! The only other time they even came close that someone MIGHT have a view which falls outside of the western-monotheistic paradigm was when they said that "Higher Power" could be substituted for "God" (yes, "God" with the capital "G") "if necessary" . . . and that didn't happen until 90% of the way through the survey!
And then there were the questions on participating as part of a congregation. It quickly became clear that what they meant by "congregation" was "people who get together once a week, get preached at, and sing together." You're supposed to be academics! Do your damned research and figure out that congregation (in the religious context, anyway) simply means "a gathering, assemblage, or company" or "collecting in one body or mass" (not "Catholic mass" by the way). And that's according to the OED; religion doesn't even come into the picture until definition number SIX, and the way they're using it isn't until number SEVEN! And that's not even to mention the fact that MOST religions don't USE "congregation" - that's really only a Christian thing (and not even all forms of Christianity use it). Quit imposing your assumptions and understandings on the rest of us - or at the very least state them upfront so I know who/what I'm dealing with! Gah!
Here's the real problem - it's not they survey itself (although I'm still really annoyed at it; it's the underlying assumption that it reveals. And this particular assumption is one that I seem to be seeing a lot of recently (or maybe it's simply the fact that now that I've noticed, I can recognize it for what it is). It's the assumption that you and your family/friends are "normal", therefore most people are very similar to you. And if most people are similar to you, they think and act in similar ways. Sure, there are going to be differences, but when you look at it, most people are going to fall under the category of "normal." But since you're defining "normal" on your life and experiences, it's a hugely subjective standard - one which simply cannot hold up and is just . . . well, fucking wrong! Anyone or anything which falls too far outside of your frame of reference either gets marginalize or missed all together. It's not that it's ignored; to be ignored, there has to be at least some recognition that it's there to begin with. In the case of this survey, I'm guessing the thought process when something like: "Okay, since most people are Christian of some kind, we'll focus on them. But of course we want to include those of Jewish and Islamic faiths. And don't forget the atheists and agnostics. Who else is there? Oh, yeah, 'Eastern' religions - Hindus and Buddhists! Is that it? Yeah, I think that's about it."
See the problem here? Kinda missed a few religions here. Even if you don't want to go into all the various denominations and subgroups, you've missed several of the major religion/belief categories: the various forms of paganism, Native American beliefs, Bahai, Confucianism, Shinto, Jainism, Taoism, Vodun, Roma/Romani, Hare Krishna, Sikhism, Santeria, Scientology . . . should I continue? Or have I made my point?
I'm hoping it's that they simply stopped thinking; it's better than the alternative, which is they followed up "Hindus and Buddhists!" with "We don't have to worry about anyone else because there aren't enough to matter." If that was what they thought, I'm going to have to go get the cricket bat and "inform" them of just how much one person can matter.
Yeah, not such a good idea. I've spent a good portion of yesterday and today being annoyed at the whole thing.
This particular survey is being done by the local University, and I happen to know the professor who's overseeing the project. And I must say, I'm disappointed; I know it's your grad students doing the actual survey, but it's your bloody job as the overseeing professor to make sure the study is being done right.
And. You. Have. Failed.
Despite the fact that it's advertised as a survey on "religion and spirituality," it's really a survey on "Christian, atheistic, and agnostic beliefs" in the community. The survey had such a western-monotheistic bias that they really can't justify calling it survey on "religion and spirituality." There was one - ONE - reference to any kind of polytheistic belief system. The one semi-polytheistic system they included was Hinduism; and that was in a question about how you think various religions/beliefs have a positive/negative/no impact on the world! The only other time they even came close that someone MIGHT have a view which falls outside of the western-monotheistic paradigm was when they said that "Higher Power" could be substituted for "God" (yes, "God" with the capital "G") "if necessary" . . . and that didn't happen until 90% of the way through the survey!
And then there were the questions on participating as part of a congregation. It quickly became clear that what they meant by "congregation" was "people who get together once a week, get preached at, and sing together." You're supposed to be academics! Do your damned research and figure out that congregation (in the religious context, anyway) simply means "a gathering, assemblage, or company" or "collecting in one body or mass" (not "Catholic mass" by the way). And that's according to the OED; religion doesn't even come into the picture until definition number SIX, and the way they're using it isn't until number SEVEN! And that's not even to mention the fact that MOST religions don't USE "congregation" - that's really only a Christian thing (and not even all forms of Christianity use it). Quit imposing your assumptions and understandings on the rest of us - or at the very least state them upfront so I know who/what I'm dealing with! Gah!
Here's the real problem - it's not they survey itself (although I'm still really annoyed at it; it's the underlying assumption that it reveals. And this particular assumption is one that I seem to be seeing a lot of recently (or maybe it's simply the fact that now that I've noticed, I can recognize it for what it is). It's the assumption that you and your family/friends are "normal", therefore most people are very similar to you. And if most people are similar to you, they think and act in similar ways. Sure, there are going to be differences, but when you look at it, most people are going to fall under the category of "normal." But since you're defining "normal" on your life and experiences, it's a hugely subjective standard - one which simply cannot hold up and is just . . . well, fucking wrong! Anyone or anything which falls too far outside of your frame of reference either gets marginalize or missed all together. It's not that it's ignored; to be ignored, there has to be at least some recognition that it's there to begin with. In the case of this survey, I'm guessing the thought process when something like: "Okay, since most people are Christian of some kind, we'll focus on them. But of course we want to include those of Jewish and Islamic faiths. And don't forget the atheists and agnostics. Who else is there? Oh, yeah, 'Eastern' religions - Hindus and Buddhists! Is that it? Yeah, I think that's about it."
See the problem here? Kinda missed a few religions here. Even if you don't want to go into all the various denominations and subgroups, you've missed several of the major religion/belief categories: the various forms of paganism, Native American beliefs, Bahai, Confucianism, Shinto, Jainism, Taoism, Vodun, Roma/Romani, Hare Krishna, Sikhism, Santeria, Scientology . . . should I continue? Or have I made my point?
I'm hoping it's that they simply stopped thinking; it's better than the alternative, which is they followed up "Hindus and Buddhists!" with "We don't have to worry about anyone else because there aren't enough to matter." If that was what they thought, I'm going to have to go get the cricket bat and "inform" them of just how much one person can matter.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wow - It's Been A While
. . . yeah, like almost a year. I'm thinking I'm going to have a deliberate effort to get back posting on some kind of regular basis.
I had a conversation with someone at work today, and it came about that I openly admitted to the fact that I am a happily cynical bastard. To any one who knows me, this shouldn't be any great surprise. But to a lot the people I work with, who really only see me in a professional setting, this can be a bit of a shock. That the was the case today. The person I was talking to kept trying to laugh it off, obviously thinking that I just kind of joking around. Yeah, right! I am a bastard - usually it's a fairly good-natured form of being a bastard. But every so often, heh, not so much!
Anyway, this conversation got me thinking about how I've described my bastardness in the past, which brought me back a post I wrote a few years ago. Rereading it, I came to the realization that when I was taking the time and effort to come up with interesting and/or fun thing to post, I enjoyed it. It was a chance to 'speak' about things and in ways that I couldn't do the majority of the time around the office in grad school. And now, I'm finding myself confined by the same limitations, if not more so, at my current job.
I think I miss that outlet.
So, I'm going to be making a deliberate effort to post more often (of course, seeing how it's been nearly a year since my last post, that's not really going to be hard to beat). We'll see how it goes, but I'm going to try to get at least 1 or 2 posts out every week. So, be on the look out for more rants, complaints, hatred, and general bastardness - I'm back!
I had a conversation with someone at work today, and it came about that I openly admitted to the fact that I am a happily cynical bastard. To any one who knows me, this shouldn't be any great surprise. But to a lot the people I work with, who really only see me in a professional setting, this can be a bit of a shock. That the was the case today. The person I was talking to kept trying to laugh it off, obviously thinking that I just kind of joking around. Yeah, right! I am a bastard - usually it's a fairly good-natured form of being a bastard. But every so often, heh, not so much!
Anyway, this conversation got me thinking about how I've described my bastardness in the past, which brought me back a post I wrote a few years ago. Rereading it, I came to the realization that when I was taking the time and effort to come up with interesting and/or fun thing to post, I enjoyed it. It was a chance to 'speak' about things and in ways that I couldn't do the majority of the time around the office in grad school. And now, I'm finding myself confined by the same limitations, if not more so, at my current job.
I think I miss that outlet.
So, I'm going to be making a deliberate effort to post more often (of course, seeing how it's been nearly a year since my last post, that's not really going to be hard to beat). We'll see how it goes, but I'm going to try to get at least 1 or 2 posts out every week. So, be on the look out for more rants, complaints, hatred, and general bastardness - I'm back!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Daylight Savings
Yeah, not a fan of this. I understand where it comes from, and I understand what some people might like about it, but having lived in Arizona and Hawai'i where you don't have to deal with this crap I can say for certain that I would be far happier without Daylight Savings.
Let's face it - it's just kind of a pain in the ass.
And I don't just mean the loss of an hour's sleep every Spring (and I don't care what anyone says, getting an hour back in the fall does NOT make up for it!). There's also the remembering to reset every single bloody clock in the house. The one I hate resetting the most - because I never remember it the first time - is the clock on the thermostat. We have the thermostat set so that it turns the heat way down over night when we're asleep and it only comes back on about 1/2 an hour before we get it. Talk about a nasty fucking surprise when you wake up on a Monday morning to find it's still fucking freezing in the house because the heat hasn't kicked on because you forgot to change the thermostat clock (and, yes, I do realize there are far too many "because's" in that sentence, just go with it dammit). And while it is, in fact, a nice perk that my slippers end up in the front of the heating vent so they are nice and warm when I wake up, as I said, that's just a perk. The real issue is that getting up to a cold house simply sucks. I often have enough trouble getting up in the morning as it is; when it's still cold, it's even harder. And you have exactly the opposite problem in the fall if you forget to reset the clock on the thermostat; you spend the last hour of 'sleep' tossing, turning, and sweating because the house is now warm but you're still under the blankets (that's part of the reason that "But you get an extra hour in the fall" argument doesn't mean shit - an hour spent tossing and turning because you're too warm is NOT the same thing as an hour of SLEEP!).
Another problem is simply remembering that it's coming around again. And, yeah, I know the switches are on the same weekend every year (and then they had to go and change which weekends were used). I'm busy. I'm very often distracted with other things. There are days I consider myself lucky if I can remember which day of the week it is. Remembering which weekend I'm supposed fiddle with the clocks? Good fucking luck on that one. Hell, I had no fuckin' idea this last weekend was Daylight Savings until I heard a reminder on the bloody Weather Channel of all places!
Think about it. No more playing with clocks. No more fucking with your sleep schedule twice a year. No more Daylight Savings.
Yep - Arizona and Hawai'i have it right. Fuck Daylight Savings!
Let's face it - it's just kind of a pain in the ass.
And I don't just mean the loss of an hour's sleep every Spring (and I don't care what anyone says, getting an hour back in the fall does NOT make up for it!). There's also the remembering to reset every single bloody clock in the house. The one I hate resetting the most - because I never remember it the first time - is the clock on the thermostat. We have the thermostat set so that it turns the heat way down over night when we're asleep and it only comes back on about 1/2 an hour before we get it. Talk about a nasty fucking surprise when you wake up on a Monday morning to find it's still fucking freezing in the house because the heat hasn't kicked on because you forgot to change the thermostat clock (and, yes, I do realize there are far too many "because's" in that sentence, just go with it dammit). And while it is, in fact, a nice perk that my slippers end up in the front of the heating vent so they are nice and warm when I wake up, as I said, that's just a perk. The real issue is that getting up to a cold house simply sucks. I often have enough trouble getting up in the morning as it is; when it's still cold, it's even harder. And you have exactly the opposite problem in the fall if you forget to reset the clock on the thermostat; you spend the last hour of 'sleep' tossing, turning, and sweating because the house is now warm but you're still under the blankets (that's part of the reason that "But you get an extra hour in the fall" argument doesn't mean shit - an hour spent tossing and turning because you're too warm is NOT the same thing as an hour of SLEEP!).
Another problem is simply remembering that it's coming around again. And, yeah, I know the switches are on the same weekend every year (and then they had to go and change which weekends were used). I'm busy. I'm very often distracted with other things. There are days I consider myself lucky if I can remember which day of the week it is. Remembering which weekend I'm supposed fiddle with the clocks? Good fucking luck on that one. Hell, I had no fuckin' idea this last weekend was Daylight Savings until I heard a reminder on the bloody Weather Channel of all places!
Think about it. No more playing with clocks. No more fucking with your sleep schedule twice a year. No more Daylight Savings.
Yep - Arizona and Hawai'i have it right. Fuck Daylight Savings!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Have Fun Puking Your Guts Out
I just saw a commercial for a shrimp taco from Taco Bell. This frightens the hell out of me.
And not because I'm not a real big fan of fish tacos in general.
It's because I've heard too many stories about the way Taco Bell kitchens "function." Let's just say that even the folks we knew who worked there were known to call it "Toxic Hell."
When you add seafood to, what is in my opinion, a rather dubious kitchen situation, I'm just waiting to hear of someone getting some seafood-related illness with more syllables in its name than shrimp have legs.
And because of a well developed sense of self-preservation, I have absolutely no interest in being that particular someone. Instead, I will go with my usual technique - when it happens, I'm just going to point and laugh!
And not because I'm not a real big fan of fish tacos in general.
It's because I've heard too many stories about the way Taco Bell kitchens "function." Let's just say that even the folks we knew who worked there were known to call it "Toxic Hell."
When you add seafood to, what is in my opinion, a rather dubious kitchen situation, I'm just waiting to hear of someone getting some seafood-related illness with more syllables in its name than shrimp have legs.
And because of a well developed sense of self-preservation, I have absolutely no interest in being that particular someone. Instead, I will go with my usual technique - when it happens, I'm just going to point and laugh!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Stupid Work Ethic
I really don't want to go to work today. Unfortunately, there are things which I really should get done today before we go out of town tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
On Curling . . .
"If I can compare it to golf, two sports invented by the Scots I'm convinced to drive us crazy . . ." ~announcer during the US/Japan women's curling event today.
What can I say? We Scots do love to fuck with people!
What can I say? We Scots do love to fuck with people!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Ice Problems
If you've been watching the Olympics this evening, you may have seen the report that they were having problems with the ice for the 500M Speed Skating event. This lead to more than an hour long delay.
The problem?
The zambonis were broken . . . all three of them.
Come on! This is Canada! There have to be some spares somewhere nearby!
The problem?
The zambonis were broken . . . all three of them.
Come on! This is Canada! There have to be some spares somewhere nearby!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Definition of . . .
"Outclassed"
Slovakia women's hockey team against Canada. (See also: "Ass-kicking")
Currently about 6 minutes left in the second period, the score is 12-0 Canada.
Slovakia women's hockey team against Canada. (See also: "Ass-kicking")
Currently about 6 minutes left in the second period, the score is 12-0 Canada.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Current Conditions
I'm sitting here watching hockey (Avs/Thrashers, 1-1 end of the 1st), reading webcomics, slightly bummed about the fact that Journey's and my trip to Hawai'i has been postponed two weeks because of the so-called "snowmagedon" in DC (our connecting flight through there for tomorrow was canceled a little after 9:00 AM this morning), listening to the snow melting and dripping into the attic, and wondering how much longer until those drips start coming through the ceiling.
On the plus side, I'm fairly confident that the Avs will win tonight, we're still going to Hawai'i in two weeks, it should get cold enough tonight to freeze most of the water on the roof so the leak will stop (temporarily at least), and our house-buying project continues forward. Hopefully, we'll be closing and moving real soon now.
Things could be worse.
2/11 7:40AM UPDATE: Well, I was right about the Avs winning. 4-3 in OT.
On the plus side, I'm fairly confident that the Avs will win tonight, we're still going to Hawai'i in two weeks, it should get cold enough tonight to freeze most of the water on the roof so the leak will stop (temporarily at least), and our house-buying project continues forward. Hopefully, we'll be closing and moving real soon now.
Things could be worse.
2/11 7:40AM UPDATE: Well, I was right about the Avs winning. 4-3 in OT.
Monday, February 08, 2010
You Need A New Advertising Firm
Whoever is designing the current Radio Shack television ad campaign needs to be fired (preferably out of a cannon, but just from the job will do). These are some of the most annoying commercials out there right now. They aren't exactly making me want to shop at Radio Shack; if anything, I'd go elsewhere because of the commercials. If the ads you're paying for are actually driving away business, you need to rethink your strategy; if you don't, all I can say is you're going to get what you deserve!
Sunday, February 07, 2010
And the Big Brass Balls Award Goes To . . .
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for calling a on-sides kick to open the second half of the Super Bowl.
Meh
That's my general reaction to The Who's halftime performance during the Superbowl. Their playing was just fine, but the vocals were kind of so-so. Granted, they're not in the their mid-20s any more, but Roger Daltrey kind of sounded like he had just smoked an entire carton of cigarettes and downed a case of whiskey at a few points. I'm just not sure he can really do that kind of rock anymore (sadly).
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Okay, Yeah, I Like This
I am so digging on these crock-pot bags they're making now.
We've had a crock-pot for years but just recently bought a box of the bags you just throw away afterward.
Crock-pots a great. You can just turn them on and let dinner cook all day. Clean-up, however, is usually a pain the ass. You have wait for it cool down, and then you got it fit it in the sink, and then scrub it out, and then let it dry before you can put it away.
With the bag you just pull the bag out, throw it away, and then put the crock-put back in the cupboard. This makes me happy.
And, yes, I am a guy and I do cook. Fuck off.
We've had a crock-pot for years but just recently bought a box of the bags you just throw away afterward.
Crock-pots a great. You can just turn them on and let dinner cook all day. Clean-up, however, is usually a pain the ass. You have wait for it cool down, and then you got it fit it in the sink, and then scrub it out, and then let it dry before you can put it away.
With the bag you just pull the bag out, throw it away, and then put the crock-put back in the cupboard. This makes me happy.
And, yes, I am a guy and I do cook. Fuck off.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Only One In The Office
I'm only a day and a few hours into the week and I've already noticed a marked increase in the number of phone calls I'm getting at work. At least I know the reason for this. As we approach the holidays and the end of the year, people have been taking time off for vacation and to use up any comp-time accrued during the year. While we all have roughly the same ammount of vacation time, the other planners in the department have banked a lot more comp-time than me (they have a lot of long night meetings). And since the City only has a limited ammount of money to pay-out on comp-time, the others are (understandibly) using as much of it as they can.
The result, however, is that I'm really the only planner in the department for the rest of the year.
On the one hand, being the only here means that I've been able to work on getting caught up on a few things which have had to be put aside at various points - which is good. On the other hand, since I'm the only one here, any time anyone has a planning related question, guess who gets it.
Yep, me.
Luckily, most of them I have been able to answer or they've been things which can wait until after the first of the year when the others are back.
The real fun thing? I'm going to be gone the rest of this week after today! This, of course, has put our angry, bigotted secretary in a snit. She spent 20 minutes yesterday bitching at me because there weren't going to be any planners around the second half of this week. I tried to explain that if the others used all of their comp-time time right after they get it, they wouldn't be in the office during the day
anyway. She refuses to accept this. She says "Well, when I worked for the non-profit, everyone was saleried and we didn't have this 'comp-time' crap." Well, yes, that's true. Saleried positions do not get comp-time. They also get paid more than us.
Ah well, another 5 hours and 10 minutes and I won't have to hear about it for a few days. In the meantime, I'm thinking I'm about due for another random call - it's been 10 minutes!
The result, however, is that I'm really the only planner in the department for the rest of the year.
On the one hand, being the only here means that I've been able to work on getting caught up on a few things which have had to be put aside at various points - which is good. On the other hand, since I'm the only one here, any time anyone has a planning related question, guess who gets it.
Yep, me.
Luckily, most of them I have been able to answer or they've been things which can wait until after the first of the year when the others are back.
The real fun thing? I'm going to be gone the rest of this week after today! This, of course, has put our angry, bigotted secretary in a snit. She spent 20 minutes yesterday bitching at me because there weren't going to be any planners around the second half of this week. I tried to explain that if the others used all of their comp-time time right after they get it, they wouldn't be in the office during the day
anyway. She refuses to accept this. She says "Well, when I worked for the non-profit, everyone was saleried and we didn't have this 'comp-time' crap." Well, yes, that's true. Saleried positions do not get comp-time. They also get paid more than us.
Ah well, another 5 hours and 10 minutes and I won't have to hear about it for a few days. In the meantime, I'm thinking I'm about due for another random call - it's been 10 minutes!
Monday, December 07, 2009
We Are Everywhere
I'm sitting watching the Avalanche/Blues hockey game - which makes me very happy by the way, and that's not just because the Avs are currently up 2-0 - and I've noticed something. The Avalanche have become one of those teams that it doesn't matter where they are, if you watch one of their away games you'll see a decent number of people in Avs gear (the only exception, maybe, being Red Wings games).
And yes, I know it's been a long while since I last posted - things have been crazy the last few months. I'm hoping to get back into the habit again soon.
And yes, I know it's been a long while since I last posted - things have been crazy the last few months. I'm hoping to get back into the habit again soon.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Amazing
I'm at a professional conference right now, waiting for the next session to start, so I've been people watching and I've come to a rather unescapable conclusion - a lot of young professionals do not know how to look like professionals.
I've noticed a lot of young people around this conference who apparrently couldn't be bother to take the time or effort to dress appropriately.
Now, I do not expect everyone to wear a suit to this kind of thing. Being a conference, there is some degree of relaxed standards. There are lot of people wearing what is basically considered "business casual" - and that is perfectly fine.
But I've seen several people with shirts untucked, or wearing faded jeans, or wearing sneakers. I can see one guy right now who is wearing slacks, a shirt, and tie, but is also wearing sneakers, had a knit hat with a bill (kind of like Radar used to wear in M*A*S*H) on backwards, and has his tie pulled loose with his collar unbuttoned. It is also clear that he didn't bother to shave this morning. Admittedly, I don't find shaving the funnest activity ever, but for a professional situation, it's kind of important. I really hope for his sake that he already has a job; because if he's looking for one here, he's not going to make a real good impression.
There are really only two things I can think of to explain this lack of professionalism in these kids: (1) they've seen older professionals dressing however they please so these kids think it's okay; or (2) they didn't think it mattered.
With the first situation - those older professionals have put in their time and have earned the right to dress how they choose.
And as far as the second - it does.
I've noticed a lot of young people around this conference who apparrently couldn't be bother to take the time or effort to dress appropriately.
Now, I do not expect everyone to wear a suit to this kind of thing. Being a conference, there is some degree of relaxed standards. There are lot of people wearing what is basically considered "business casual" - and that is perfectly fine.
But I've seen several people with shirts untucked, or wearing faded jeans, or wearing sneakers. I can see one guy right now who is wearing slacks, a shirt, and tie, but is also wearing sneakers, had a knit hat with a bill (kind of like Radar used to wear in M*A*S*H) on backwards, and has his tie pulled loose with his collar unbuttoned. It is also clear that he didn't bother to shave this morning. Admittedly, I don't find shaving the funnest activity ever, but for a professional situation, it's kind of important. I really hope for his sake that he already has a job; because if he's looking for one here, he's not going to make a real good impression.
There are really only two things I can think of to explain this lack of professionalism in these kids: (1) they've seen older professionals dressing however they please so these kids think it's okay; or (2) they didn't think it mattered.
With the first situation - those older professionals have put in their time and have earned the right to dress how they choose.
And as far as the second - it does.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Are You Hiding From Me?
I happened to catch a motion out of the corner of my eye today, and glanced out the window to see what it was. It was someone in one of the offices across the way looking out his window. And I think he saw me see him. I say this because I glanced back again a second later, and he was still looking out the window, but had pulled the curtain over enough that most of him was behind it and all you could see of him was his head. I know I'm one of the Freaks, but hiding behind the curtains when you're in a completely different building than me? I didn't think I was that scary!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Answer is Four
The question? How many times can I almost be run over crossing the street in one attempt?
I was on my home this evening, and my route necessitates crossing two streets at one intersection. And this isn't exactly the safest intersection in town. I know this, so I actually wait for the crosswalk light before stepping off the curb. Most of the time, this is enough to ensure that I don't end up either on some one's hood or with tire tracks across my back.
Not today.
When I tried to cross the first street, a bus-driver making a right turn to head east clearly wasn't paying attention. I was. There's one.
As I was just about finished crossing this first street when a little black car, complete with teenage driver and pizza delivery sign on the roof, screeched up make a right turn (to head north) when he noticed that I was still in the crosswalk. There's number two.
I waited patiently at the corner for the light to change so I could cross the second street. The light changed, the little walkin' dude light came on so I started across. A soccer mom in a rather large SUV decided she wasn't interested in waiting through another cycle of the light, so she was just going to go ahead. While she didn't honk the horn at me, I could see that she was rather irritated that I had the gall to be in her way while she was running a red light. That makes three.
And then to top it all off, pizza-boy forgot that I was there and finally made his right turn, nearly running over my heals in the process. And that's four.
I was on my home this evening, and my route necessitates crossing two streets at one intersection. And this isn't exactly the safest intersection in town. I know this, so I actually wait for the crosswalk light before stepping off the curb. Most of the time, this is enough to ensure that I don't end up either on some one's hood or with tire tracks across my back.
Not today.
When I tried to cross the first street, a bus-driver making a right turn to head east clearly wasn't paying attention. I was. There's one.
As I was just about finished crossing this first street when a little black car, complete with teenage driver and pizza delivery sign on the roof, screeched up make a right turn (to head north) when he noticed that I was still in the crosswalk. There's number two.
I waited patiently at the corner for the light to change so I could cross the second street. The light changed, the little walkin' dude light came on so I started across. A soccer mom in a rather large SUV decided she wasn't interested in waiting through another cycle of the light, so she was just going to go ahead. While she didn't honk the horn at me, I could see that she was rather irritated that I had the gall to be in her way while she was running a red light. That makes three.
And then to top it all off, pizza-boy forgot that I was there and finally made his right turn, nearly running over my heals in the process. And that's four.
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