I keep thinking that saving for retirement is probably not a good idea. In all seriousness; the chances seem high that nuclear holocaust, world war, and/or collapse of the global economy will occur before I ever have the opportunity to see the maturation of such a fund. Honestly, I think I'd be better keeping my spare cash under a fucking mattress if that's the case, because doing so would make me the richest dude on the block.

Everyone else would've lost their ass in the ensuing chaos, stock market crash, etc.; and I'd be the only one with real money. I wouldn't use that money to pilot my way to the top of the miserable heap that humanity had become, though. Doing so would only make me a target, and I don't own any guns or feel like hiring security. I'd take my cash savings, and move the hell out to the country. Buy a big plot of land, raise crops to feed my family. Oddly enough, that sounds really relaxing.

Except for the whole 'civilization plummeting into chaos', 'collapse of global economy', 'nations reduced to warring tribal factions' thing. I just figure if I get far enough into Kansas I'll be alright, because people will forget the midwest even exists.

It's that line of thinking upon which we've based our decision to start a garden in the backyard. Okay, well it wasn't that line of thinking, but I like to imagine it was. We want to grow muskmelons, watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash/zucchini, peppers, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, herbs, and an attempt at Muscodine grapes. Yeah, I know. But we both grew up in families that had large gardens, and I come from a decently long line of farmers. I'm not kidding, when I was a kid, we had a 12x30 in the backyard of our suburban home, and my grandfather had one in the front yard of his suburban home that dwarfed ours.

I don't have the nuts to put ours in the front, I'd probably get attacked by these yuppies that live in my neighborhood. Hey, I thought yuppies had died off too; but let me tell you, those motherfuckers are alive and well. Remember the rant from a couple days ago? Friggin' the exact same scenario happend on Saturday night. It's not very often I call 'em blind; and I have to admit I was a little disappointed that things turned out the way they did.

We had some friends over for the night, and we all sat on the porch enjoying the nice weather and the fire burning in the backyard. Apparently, my neighbors were having a little soiree of their own, as we could hear groups of people coming to their back porch for the occasional smoke. Eventually the man of the house hops the fence (which is to say, he damn near busted his drunken ass trying to get through the hedge, climb the fence, and make it to the other side; a fairly quick, graceful motion while sober but a rather palsied and clumsy operation for him), to come over and introduce himself. This is the truth, he fucking walks into my backyard wearing a pair of black, flatfront slacks, shiny black leather shoes, a belt (seriously, who the hell wears a belt on the weekend??), and this collared, button-down shirt that looked like it was made out of satin or something. "Yeah, we're just drinkin' a shitload of wine [I fight to keep from rolling my eyes], hangin' out." He introduces himself as a mortgage lender/writer, hangs for a few minutes, shooting the breeze, and then says, "You guys should totally buy this place." He was a nice enough guy, just totally vacuous. It's fucking Saturday night, 11pm, you're hammered, and you still can't avoid trying to make the sale. How terribly depressing.

It could have been worse though, he could have been a total prick. He was friendly enough, which I must say I'm thankful for. I could be living next to someone more like myself, which would either result in mutual (but unspoken) disregard or monthly fisticuffs.

Posted by: shank at 06:13 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 684 words, total size 4 kb.

As an MBA, I'm always interested in new and creative ways to increase income, protect investments, and minimize expenses. However, I never ever thought I'd learn anything about that from Al Gore.

To recap: First, one of these Learjet Liberals has the gall to tell us all that we're all ruining the environment. Then we find out that he's actually one of the top offenders, gobbling up over 220,000kWh a year; about 20 times the national average. Such usage is defended by the claim that he purchases carbon offsets to counter the damaging effects of the coal burning plants that supply his power.

Well check this shit out, via Ecotality:

Frickin' genius! So not only does he get to run his fucking mouth about how we should all use less while he uses a metric shit ton more than average; but he gets to justify his position by boosting his investments, and maybe even garnering a wage as co-founder and chairman. The mind reels.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the discovery that a politician turned out to be an utter prick; but it just burns me up. Here I am using compact flourescents, burning approximately 30 gallons of gas (in total, for both of my automobiles) a month, keeping my thermostat at 68 degrees; right? Just cruising along, being mindful of what I use; and my efforts are completely negated by one person: the dicksmack who made a movie about how much I was consuming.

Al Gore can kiss my red state ass.

Posted by: shank at 10:51 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 291 words, total size 2 kb.

Firstly, this site reached it's 10,000th comment tonight. May we all wonder at the tidal wave of comment spam; and those of us in hats, tip them to the new revolution. Well, that and the fact that the 10,000th comment probably belonged to me. Becuase I'm a whore. more...

Posted by: shank at 12:07 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 544 words, total size 3 kb.

Just watched the Joe Rogan Live DVD. Funniest stand-up act I've seen in ages. Literally, maybe the funniest since Chris Rock about seven years ago, or even Louis Black.

Also, I've been reading David Sedaris, specifically Naked. I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book since that Old Testament course freshman year.

Seriously, with this kind of stuff being produced; I really don't see the need for myself or anyone else to blog (with a few exceptions). Most people just don't bring the funny hard enough.

Posted by: shank at 08:40 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 89 words, total size 1 kb.

By now IÂ’m sure everyone has seen the pics of that chick on American Idol that found their way on to the Internet. IÂ’ve seen quite a few of them, including the ones of her posing in a bikini on the WWII Monument. In addition to that display of exceptionally poor judgment and taste, there were some other pics, allegedly of her, giving a hummer to someone. And, of course, a shot of her sitting on the toilet.

One of her friends came out to say that the more graphic shots are not really her. I think I even accept that as the truth. But hereÂ’s the best part from that article:

"It's the way this town is: Everybody knows everything about their friends," said Mark Dillon, 17. "At least half the people in this town have pictures of their friends on the toilet. I've personally seen at least 20. It's only because she's on TV that they're online."

Well, that sounds like quite a town. Somehow, in my long life, I have never seen shots of any of my friends sitting on the toilet. I was always a pretty popular guy too. Maybe itÂ’s just this one particular town where toilet shots are mandatory. After all, this chap says heÂ’s personally seen twenty of his friends in photos of them sitting on a toilet. And heÂ’s only seventeen. Imagine how many toilet shots he will have seen if he lives a long healthy life in that town. Perhaps IÂ’m missing something. Am I the only one not photographing people on the toilet?

And while I have no idea what type of person this girl is, I do take issue with her posing like a pin-up, in a bikini, on the WWII Monument. ThatÂ’s just bad taste. Personally, I like chicks in bikinis, but posing on the WWII Monument is pretty insulting to what that monument stands for.

It doesnÂ’t seem to bother some people, however:

"She's this attractive, talented girl who's also intelligent and knows where she wants to go," Reid said. "I consider her a role model for my daughter."

On a related note:

Her first performance on which viewers could vote, a rendition of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," was roundly panned by the judges.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 11:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 387 words, total size 2 kb.

Read it and not be surprised.

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization, issued a press release late Monday:

“Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).”

This guy consumes more power in a month than most people do all year!

“In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, GoreÂ’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

GoreÂ’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for GoreÂ’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.

“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.”

What an asshole.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 11:00 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 320 words, total size 2 kb.

And then there are words that should be altogether dropped from the vernacular. Words and phrases that are passe, lame, or just sound dumb; and only make the speaker seem clueless.

'jumped the shark' - A phrase that has completed a self-fulfilling cycle so fast that the mind reels. I shouldn't even have written it here without censoring it, it's so dumb. From here on out, let's just consider it profanity. We promise not to use it in polite company, and when we have to use it (for reference only, as we do here); asterisks will be used as such: 'j*mp*d the sh*rk'.
'gobsmacking, -ly' - I don't know who came up with this, but I can't possibly imagine what kind of beatdown they recieved from the first person they spoke it to. Seriously, I keep a rusty crowbar in my trunk should someone utter this word. Consider yourselves warned.
'quiche' - Okay firstly, this word looks nothing like it sounds; which is actually a compliment because it sounds like the noise of a frog bursting, were someone to gradually squeeze it in a vise: 'Keesh!' Secondly, quiche is gross.
'stool' - This seems like an odd word to find here, no? Well, I'm only referring to a particular use here. When people refer to crap, turds, feces, shit, dung, guano, poop, number two, caca, or Carrot Top as 'stool'; it's irksome. With all the other great variants for crap, turds, feces, shit, dung, guano, poop, number two, caca, or Carrot Top; why use the word stool? I'll tell you why, because they want to use a word without any vulgarity attached to it. Look people! It's shit, shit's vulgar!
'panties' - Now, this might just be a me thing here, but this word sounds awkward out loud. Say it: panties. It just, I don't know. When I hear myself say it, it sounds like something a pussy might say. "Oh, my panties!"

Posted by: shank at 12:50 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 327 words, total size 2 kb.

1 So, you wear panties but you don't like to SAY panties...interesting.

Posted by: De at February 26, 2007 02:01 PM (IdVP4)

2 I was with you up until "panties." In the first place, perhaps it's a conditioned reflex, but when I hear the word 'panties' spoken by a woman I have instant wood. Next, what the hell can we replace it with? Drawers? Not hardly, my friend. Unmentionables? I think that went out with Queen Victoria. Undergarments? Sounds like something worn under the uniform of a industrail janitor. Underpants? Way too masculine. Lingerie? Way too general. Could be a teddy, could be one of those other things that cover things but not really, could be all kinds of shit: slip, corset, et cetera. See. Not much left. And let's face it, they do need to be referred to from time to time. The word I have a problem with is "thong." While I enjoy the effect as much or more than the next guy, the word itself sounds like a Laotian recipe for battered monkey testicles.

Posted by: Paul at February 26, 2007 05:08 PM (ahClC)

3 Ok. I don't even know what the first two even mean. Maybe it's because I'm blond. Who knows. But how bout when I refer to panties like this. I slipped by finger under my panties and gently pulled them down.

Posted by: Tiffani at February 26, 2007 06:56 PM (Vf34l)

4 That works for me!

Posted by: Paul at February 26, 2007 07:29 PM (ahClC)

5 I suppose you're right about panties. But I maintains that it sounds dorky when I say it. So, from here on out I guess I'll just leave that word to those who say it best. Like Tiffani.

Posted by: shank at February 27, 2007 08:49 AM (+H1yK)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

IÂ’ve done very little sailing in my day, but IÂ’m a huge fan of nautical terminology. IÂ’ve decided to start using some nautical terms at every opportunity.

Some of my favorites:

Yaw
Scuppers
Gunwale
Belay
Abeam
Thwartships

And of course, my favorite: Coxswain.

I encourage everyone to throw the word coxswain into as many conversations as possible, especially in the workplace. I believe the correct pronunciation is “Cox’n” but the phonetic pronunciation works well too.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 11:23 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 81 words, total size 1 kb.

It's one of those days where I'd rather be at home. That being said (which...really has nothing to do with anything), I give you a list of great words and phrases. What makes them great? I don't know. Nothing, and the fact that I think they're nice sounding.

Bonkers - great word. "It was cool until the guy with the tattoo on his neck called Dave's mom a cornerstore hooker. Dave just went fucking bonkers on him."

Milli-fuckit - "The above statement outrageously overstates America's give-a-shit factor when it comes to those two (it's measured in mille-fuckits). "

Hoisted by his own petard - A petard was an explosive device slung over a gate or wall, back in the day (back in the day is industry lingo for 'the 19th century'). Sometimes, if the guy lighting the petard wasn't paying attention, he'd get caught in the rigging, slung over the gate/wall, and subsequently blown to bits. Now people use it instead of saying overused shit like "shot himself in the foot", "fucked himself", or "fucked himself in his own ass".

Got any other suggestions???

Posted by: shank at 11:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 186 words, total size 1 kb.

It was a fair enough question.

“You are, without a doubt, the most critical person I have ever met,” my wife continued.

“You criticize everything and everyone.”

“It’s not always negative,” I replied. “I simply call them as I see them.”

We were watching American Idol and when one of the cheeseballs started singing I said that he sucked.

“How could you judge him so fast? He just opened his mouth…it couldn’t have been more than one or two seconds!”

“I set the bar very high—for other people.”

It may have been the best line IÂ’d ever used.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 11:35 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 114 words, total size 1 kb.

My only question is, does this mean we're going to have to go over there and save their country for them again? Seriously, even French bees get their asses handed to them on the regular?

Also, notice the global warming plug. It's apparently become a standard feature in journalism; up there with a byline and title. Getting hot? Global warming! Getting cold? Global warming! French honey bees getting eaten by other bees? Global warming!

I mean, if that's the way it's going to be; I suppose I can handle that. I just want to make sure that it's an excuse that I'll be able to use in the future as well. Forgot the anniversary? Global warming! Got drunk and made an ass of yourself? Global warming! Not productive at work? Global warming!

Posted by: shank at 10:10 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 148 words, total size 1 kb.

I've never liked libraries. Not the actual idea (a place with books), but what they are. I have lots of books at home, hell; we're this close to having to stack them on the floor because we're running out of bookcases. And that includes the one we built out of scrapwood and spare screws.

But libraries suck. Firstly, they're way too quiet. Without any soft background noise, all I hear is the other people in the room. They're sniffling, coughing, shuffling in their coats, having low conversations with the other homeless people, etc.

Secondly, there's just too goddamn much there. Go to Amazon.com, search the book you want to read, and buy it for three and a half fucking dollars. Why spend your time to go poring through some freakin library looking for a book? If you're going to spend the time to read the damn thing, just pay three bucks and take some real time to indulge yourself in it. If it sucks, Amazon.com. If it's good, stack it on the floor with the rest of your collection.

Thirdly, very few libraries contain any information that can't be found online; in the comfort of your own home. Yeah, maybe The Library of Congress has the Constitution, the Declaration, the Bill of Rights; but seriously, how many times have they been reproduced - word for word? Libraries are useless unless you're looking for a really voyeuristic place to slam ham. Yeah, I just said 'slam ham'.

I know. Some people will claim that libraries contain lots of locally specific information. I call BS, becuase they won't carry it unless they buy the rights to some smalltime exhibit of the month. "'Early Black Folk', showing Feb 1 - Feb 28th"; "'The History of the (your local county here) Shellfishing Industry', showing the first week of all months ending in R". Locally specific public records (births, deaths, census, etc) can be found in all kinds of other places. Obviously online, but also at courthouses and county seats. Hell, when we applied for our marriage license, I was so busy poring over the segregated birth logs that I damn near missed the whole "Put your hand on The Book" thing.

The only reason libraries still exist, is because we've got all this goddamned microfiche and we can't figure out how to turn it into ones and zeroes.

Posted by: shank at 09:20 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 400 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Buy me a Gutenberg Bible on Amazon and I'll convert to your way of thinking. Otherwise, not so much.

Posted by: Jennifer at February 20, 2007 10:28 PM (ZQRIL)

2 Check your local antique bookstore. We found a leatherbound dictionary with 'unique typeface' for 25 dollars. Yeah, it's ungodly heavy and retardedly obnoxious, but talk about a conversation peice! Besides, if the only reason you have to go to the library is to read Gutenberg Bibles, you're bascially attempting to shit in an infinitely (and ridiculously) far place from where you eat. You can do the same thing at home and flush it, without having to go ten feet from the kitchen.

Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 11:02 PM (LDIDK)

3 BTW, the Gutenbergs go for their own weight in poo on Amazon. Oh wait, you wanted an original? Why? So you could smell his sweat on the paper? Because it's that much mo' betta to read? Because it brings us all closer to the blah, blah, blah, blah,blah? Give me a break. Reading an original is absolutely no different than reading a copy. There's no sensory depth, because the words don't reside in their medium. It's not like wanting an original recording or an original painting. There's depth there, in the medium the song/art is layed on. But words are different. Their power is not amplified by reading them on the original pages.

Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 11:13 PM (LDIDK)

4 There is more to books than the words in them. The Gutenberg Bible is not important for the story of Genesis it contains...books are artifacts. And some of us can't afford to buy every book we need to use for research. And some of us actually research books that aren't available in printings of millions.

Posted by: Jennifer at February 21, 2007 01:58 AM (zUsbF)

5 I don't know about this one. I've done a lot of research in my day. Reference boks cost a fortune and they're often hard to come by. Sometimes you just need a name. And of course, the the microfilm, old newspapers, etc.

Posted by: Paul at February 21, 2007 07:11 AM (ahClC)

6 Libraries are a good place to decide whether a particular reference book is worth the expense to buy.

Posted by: Ted at February 21, 2007 02:05 PM (+OVgL)

7 Okay, I changed my mind. The Law Library on campus sucks beyond all reason. It's on the wrong side of campus (i.e., not near the buildings I haunt), there's very little damn parking, and they won't cooperate in the inter-library loan program all the other campus libraries share in (so I can't order a book and pick it up at the Main Library...I have to go to the wrong side of campus, not be able to park, and get it there).

Posted by: Jennifer at February 21, 2007 03:19 PM (Hso8L)

8 Oh man, shank. You knew I had to come in for this one, right? As a librarian, I couldn't disagree more. There are people who read 5 to 7 books a week (or more). Why would they buy that many books and then have to either sell them or give them away in order not to turn their home into a fire hazard? Some lower income families can't afford to order things from Amazon or shop the local bookstore, the library is a free place to check out books of any subject. Most public libraries are carrying movies now. That's probably our most checked out item; the DVD. Lower income families love taking advantage of the free DVD check outs. Then let's talk about MY section of the library: the computers. Here, I mostly deal with the lower income people also. These people can't afford computers of their own. Some have computers but can't afford internet access. Some live in rural areas that don't have high speed internet. Some people work from home and their computers crash or their printer is on the fritz so they head to the library to do their work. Some people travel and need to check their email or find direction so they borrow our computers or they bring their laptop in and connect to our free wireless internet. Students use our computers for their projects. Teachers require book resources as well as internet resources so the books are still relevent. Public libraries also offer programs for children and adults, free of charge. There are book clubs, writing clubs, lectures and other educational programs...FREE. Yes, it's quiet and yes, you can find TONS of the same reference information on the internet but there are good reasons why people like me have jobs. So...suck on it!

Posted by: De at February 21, 2007 03:38 PM (IdVP4)

9 Goddammit, I hate the blogosphere, with it's condescending self-correction. Fuck all!

Posted by: shank at February 22, 2007 09:13 AM (+H1yK)

10 My library, actually my county federated library system, doesn't suck We have an excellent search engine which gives access to every book, magazine, cd, dvd and stuffed animal in the system, including the three sub-basements under the city block sized central library. I have checked out and taken out books last checked out in 1950; I've checked out a book printed in 1875. I can check out any of these items on impulse, and sometimes do so because it popped up in a Countycat search for something else entirely.

Posted by: triticale at February 22, 2007 11:02 PM (9YuSf)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

As far as I'm concerned*, this is one of the best songs ever written. Not because it's musically groundbreaking, which it isn't; but because it's the definition of what a song is. If I ever adopted a life-changing work ethic and went back to school, I'd get an advanced degree in music history and write my thesis on this song alone. Unfortunately, there aren't enough stimulants in the world to keep me awake through a single music history class; let alone enter a library and do actual...research. Libraries give me the vertigo. No, it's worse than that. They give me a small dick complex. I hate libraries. More on that later.

Just check out the Wikipedia thread the music geeks have put together on this song. I love the three or four warnings at the top too. No shit it's unsubstantiated blathering, that's what analysis is!

At any rate, it's an awesome song, in the true tradition of song-writing; for what it's worth.** more...

Posted by: shank at 07:53 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 258 words, total size 2 kb.

People who put two spaces after a period.

ThatÂ’s from the caveman days, people. In the days of typeset printing and typewriters you needed two spaces because the fonts were non-proportional. Nowadays, most fonts are indeed proportional (except maybe Courier). That extra space is useless.

Please stop now.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 05:02 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 62 words, total size 1 kb.

There's one bus driver on my route from the commuter lot to my stop who insists on playing contemporary Christian tunes. Jesus freaks don't neccesarily bother me or anything; it's just that their music...well, it sucks.

It was this dude softly singing, in this moderately high (and decidedly wimpy) tone; backed up by some generic soft rock-ish band. Not surprising. Being a resident of the Bible Belt, I've been exposed to a decent range (to use the term loosely) of contemporary Christian music; and it's all the same. Musically non-descript and (ironically) devoid of inspiration; this genre is similar to pop in that it's not created out of a love for music or artistic expression. That's what makes it so bland. I've heard a few good bands, but they only sounded good because they were imitating the sound of a more mainstream artist/band.

However, since I was locked inside a moving vehicle this morning, silently enduring the sounds of mediocrity; I decided to listen to the words. I almost burst out laughing. Here's this singer, in near falsetto, repeating the following chorus:
God Cooooome, God Cooooome, God Cooooome...
I smirked on the inside, and continued to listened to the verses.
...I can feel you inside of me...
Wait. Do what?
...Fill me up with your warmth...
Oh come on. I hope I wasn't laughing out loud at this point; because I was either listening to a seriously warped closet case elicit his cry for help, or this band was purposefully trying to mess with people's minds.

The moaning lyrics, about being touched by the spirit/bathed in white/etc with regular returns to the choral plea for God to cooooome; continued nearly the entire ride. Funny, yes. But also disturbing. I mean, I kept picturing people singing along with this kind of stuff, like; what's going through your head when you sing the words "I can feel you inside of me, fill me up with your spirit"? Seriously, if Christina Aguilera was singing that song, the MPAA or Mothers Against Filthy Sluts or somebody would be smashing CD's in the street.

Posted by: shank at 11:05 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 359 words, total size 2 kb.

Britney Spears shaved her head.

Seriously, like we didn't see this one coming. Afterall, she's a middle child; and as such is predisposed to being an avid attention whore. So let's all gawk and stare at the crazy person.

5 to 1 her next album sells in packs of 15 as commemorative coasters. Takers?

Posted by: shank at 11:25 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 66 words, total size 1 kb.

No matter where I go I am assaulted by media reports regarding Anna Nicole Smith.

First off, I barely know who the hell she is. I think sheÂ’s some broad who married a 90 year old man, obviously for the checkbook. ThatÂ’s about the extent of my knowledge. But judging by the media youÂ’d think she split the fucking atom. Everywhere I turn itÂ’s nothing but news about this woman. Does anyone give a shit?

Please stop the madness.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 07:26 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 83 words, total size 1 kb.

Well, having made quite a run at the career thing in the recent years, I think I'm beginning to feel the sluggish effects of burnout. Well, I'm not sure if it's burnout or not, but I've recently gotten some acute feelings of frustration with the current system.

I've been doing project management all day everyday for a couple of years now, and it's beginning to lose its luster. The easy projects have become kind of boring (even though success is nice), and the larger projects have become tiresome even though they're not challenging. It's kind of like addition. We've all pretty much mastered addition, and if your job was to add; you'd find adding two numbers together all day to be intensely boring, and you'd find adding two hundred numbers together tiresome.

Current events have also further exacerbated my corporate malaise. The other day, someone two rungs above me on the ladder left the organization. My mentor, on the rung above mine, is moving into the position in the interim, with the clearly communicated goal of taking the position on full time. The upshot for me would be that should he get this new job, I'd probably have a decent shot at his old one. He and I have a very similar skillset, progression, and background. It'd be nice, because it would throw other tasks in with the project management. I'd still have some of the larger projects, but some of the piddly stuff would be left behind, and I'd get a helping of people management on my plate. I know, everyone bitches about people management; but it's something I need to get under my belt and it's a welcome change of pace. Besides, contrary to what evidence might be on this site, I'm actually pretty good at it.

However, it seems a monkey wrench has been thrown. My old mentor told me this morning that someone's already been shadowing him, learning his job. To make matters even more irritating, this person has only been here six months (as an intern-type position, no less), making this his very first job. The scuttlebutt is that he's somehow put himself in the good graces of the CEO, but scuttlebutt and a dollar might get you a cup of coffee. Even if it's true, acknowledging it in public will only mark you as a fool. To say the least, it's a hard pill to swallow; that someone with less experience has been plucked from obscurity to cut me out of the loop, possibly taking a position with more responsibility (and of course, pay) than my own. It seems like I'm about to get leap-frogged by a nepotist (nepotee?).

I'm meeting with my VP tomorrow, and I'm trying to collect my thoughts on this. I want to communicate my desire to take over some of the duties, but I think I'm going to play stupid on knowing who the shadow is, or that there's even any going on. Mostly because I pretty much always tend to play close to the vest when it comes to this stuff; but also because I've only been under this VP for a few months, and I'm unsure if I am trying to be kept here. I'll just explain the similarities between myself and my mentor, the need for variety in my workload, and a few of the other aspects that make me a logical fit. I'm assuming the Veep can't smell this coming, so the more clearly I think the conversation through, the more leverage I'll have when the time comes.

Anyone have any experience with this??

Posted by: shank at 02:57 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 607 words, total size 3 kb.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jim Treacher. New site, same old funny. Now go vote.

Posted by: shank at 10:32 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 25 words, total size 1 kb.

Glen Reynolds points to a Zogby poll of movie goers, well technically I suppose it's a poll of people who don't go to movies. At any rate, the poll says most people think the cost is too high, and the material stinks; without ever mentioning comfort or audiovisual quality. IMO, the entire survey is missing the boat.

I'd be willing to bet, if polled correctly, the vast majority of people would tell you that both image and sound quality are better at home than at a movie theater; and for a fraction of the cost! Not to mention the fact that I don't have to get gouged at the snack counter, or that I can drink a beer or two if I want, or that reclining on my couch is immensely more comfortable than one of those folding theater chairs, or that I can pause and rewind if I feel the need.

And the theaters can't figure out why people aren't buying seven to ten dollar tickets for an obviously lower quality product than the one they can get at home?

Posted by: shank at 10:17 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 183 words, total size 1 kb.