Thunder of Wade

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful day at work and I expect today to be much of the same. Very difficutl to get up this morning as a result – not much motivation.

I do have a story from a couple of days ago that’s finally funny – though it wasn’t at the time. I was in the middle of a call helping someone when the second line rang – and the caller ID indicated it was very important. So, I hung up with the first caller (something I really don’t like to do) and then got the second one. Not entirely sure how they got to me – but they were complaining that they got too much spam and they wanted me to “clear out their mailbox” – which I don’t have the time or authority to do. Or, they wanted a new email account. Reminds me of an episode of Will and Grace where Grace wants to move so she doesn’t have to clean her room.

I told the user that everyone gets too much spam and that I routinely clear out one of my accounts that gets about 500 messages a day as spam warnings and actual spam. I also told her that a new account wouldn’t really help – as it too would soon be filled with spam. Ultimatly, I directed her to the person who had the authority to do the things she requested – and the authority to tell her no.

“Too much spam”? We all get too much spam. And while I partially blame the spammers, I also blame the people that actually buy thing from the spammers. If no one bought anything from them – then they would go away. The only reason they still work is that it takes very little money to get the ad out to a vast number of potential customers. But if none of the customers bought anything from them anymore – then even that little bit of money would be wasted and they’d stop. Maybe that’s over simplified, but it’s a start.

Oh, and I read today that Bush’s budget plan calls for cutting funding for education and nutrition programs for kids by 20 billion or so – while also cutting taxes for mulit-millionaires. Anyone who didn’t see this coming, pleaase raise your hand. It will make it easier to identify you for the smacking you’ve earned.

End rant – back to work…

I think I’ve touched on (or harped on, as the case may be) my issues with people that don’t pay attention to the world around them. This morning, on the drive to work. I saw three cars sitting at a green arrow. Not only was the person in front not paying attention to the changing of the light – neither were the other two behind him since they neither honked to alert him or rolled forward in anticipation. In fact, once the lead car finally started rolling, the others delayed as well. They just barely got through the light before it changed.

Pulling into the parking lot, a car in front of me turned at a strange angle and stopped in the middle of the lane – perhaps working up the courage to go down the “do not enter” road. I managed to get around him, but I doubt he even saw me.

Getting into work – in the cube farm – two of the others that work around me began their latest all day shouted conversation. Even earplugs can’t drown these guys out. And they don’t seem to acknowldege that they might be disruptive to others working around them.

It’s not even 9:30 and I’m already annoyed. Even more so ’cause there really isn’t a solution. People are stupid when they drive. Telling my co-workers to shut the hell up or I’ll kill them isn’t reasonable. (Granted, there may be other approaches there)

I just want a little order. A little peace and quiet. A day without spam or being cut-off in the lunch line.

So, I’m sitting here at my desk, vampire stake at the ready – wishing I was anywhere but here. I think I need a vacation.

Instead…it’s back to work…

The city – not the bimbo. In my dream I’m in France somewhere, trying desperately to get home to America. The map isn’t much help, but I finally locate a road sign and I make my way to Paris and locate an international airport. Still not speaking any french at all, I find an American speaking ticket agent who finds a flight for me leaving in 20 minutes – a direct flight to the Akron/Canton airport – perfect! (Unlikely, yes, but still perfect).

There’s a problem, of course. He won’t get me on the flight until I ask my friend from college if she would like to make a “French Connection” with him. I turn and see C. in a bookstore across the concourse. What she’s doing in Paris is a mystery and how this guy knew that I used to know her is also puzzleing, but I really want to get home. So, I try to casually talk to her – without it looking like I’m actually talking to her – in case he figures out who she is and stalks her even if she says no. I somehow manage to ask her and she casually glances over at him. She smiles at me and says she’ll think about it. And I’m like “Well, think quickly, the plane leaves in 15 minutes”.

I woke up before she made a decision – so at least a little part of me is stuck in an airport in Paris – forever waiting for the answer to a “booty call”.

I wonder if there’s anything to that? If the land of dreams exists somewhere and unless you make a graceful exit, you can get stuck. With the throughness and intensity of my dreams, there can’t be much left of me here anymore. They are always so real and vivid – kinda makes you wonder. I suppose there are worse places to be stuck in a dream than Paris (see any of my zombie entries) – but it does explain why I had so much trouble getting up this morning – I wanted to go back and get the rest of me.

Well, back to work…

I went to give blood yesterday and while I was waiting for the medical history part, the guy in charge asked me if I would be willing to do the apheresis – or “double red” – and he was particularly encouraging when he found out I had O- blood. So, I agreeed since I’d done it before. I read my book through most of it, shivered at the cold, and got done in what may have been record time. I got a bright green bandage that supposed to rip the hair off my arm and then sent me over to the canteen area. The people there tried to push some soup on me, but I know what I need after giving blood – cookies and juice. 🙂

Didn’t do much when I got home – mostly video games and reading. Got to bed a little later than I should have and had a funky-ass dream. I was with one of my co-workers while she was getting her driver’s lisecense renewed. The clerk said he could also re-do mine – to give me a better picutre. Apparently, I wasn’t happy with my exisiting picture – so I agree. When he came back to me the picutre was terrible – far worse than before. And he’d also mesed up my name and address –

I was now Andrew L. Schmitson from St. Louis, MO.

I told him it was wrong and that he needed to fix it – but he said that it was now the valid liscense and I would have to go to another office on another floor to get it fixed.

I woke up cranky.

And now it’s time to get back to work…

At least that’s what it felt like. Really really really bad nightmare. I was in a 5 story mall and the dead were rising. They looked normal until they attacked and then their eyes would glow.

It was just the start of the end of the world, but it got worse as the dream went along. I had my sword out and I was running though the mall, trying to find an exit. I stumbled into a large kitchen and watched a running disaster as people slipped and fell and impaled/stabbed each other with knives and other implements – looked like about 40 people died in a domino effect.

Finally got out of the mall and over to a farm, where I tried to get my family to safety – but they wouldn’t listen. Felt like cassandra or something. Went to a supermarket – where the panic was just starting. I was going to get supplies, but I didn’t want to put my sword down long enough to steer a cart. So, I just left the crowds and wandered outside – decapitating anyone who lunged at me.

I woke up shaky and scared.

So not wanting to be here at work – too many people…

Met up with a friend from college – and she brought her 6 year old along. We had a nice dinner, folded some paper, and just hung out a bit. And I got a drawing of my ring:

Yeah, it’s a little greasy, but hey, he’s six and he had fries.

Finished the Prince of Persia game – the last boss battle was kinda lame. Didn’t even get below 50% on the old health bar. Still, overall, the game was a blast and looking forward to going through it again to unlock some of the secrets.

Well, I’ve got a poll to set up and a boatload of pdf files to move, so I should get cracking.

Back to work…

I visited my folks this past weekend to celebrate my sister’s birthday. We went out to eat and watched movies – a pretty good visit. I also finished up my latest origami project – photo’s here. I think it turned out well – but I’m also glad it’s over. Lot of work into that one.

Tomorrow I’m going to have dinner with a friend from college – haven’t seen her in 8 years. Should be fun.

Well, lots to do today so it’s back to work…

So, I got an invite from my friend from Kent State to go to the Akron/Kent basketball game last night. I managed to score a couple of free tickets to the game – and bought the rest early so that his friends wouldn’t have to stand in line. The group of eight walked to Aladin’s for dinner – they were packed. We tried 3 amigo’s they were packed too. Walked back to his house, then hopped in cars to go to Spagetti Warehouse – 1 hour wait. Finally, plan “D” at this point, we went to Parason’s – where we proceeded to stuff ourselves silly.

Then to the campus where we parked far away from the arena (I figured the other lots would be packed). And since we go there just before the start – the place was packed. We ended up in the far corner, in a Kent State section.

Highlights:

1. Zippy was cool and seemed to have a lot of fun.

2. The Zips dance team was pretty good, but they’re a long ways away from Laker girls – hey not everyone can be Paul Abdul

3. A zips player goes flying off the court and take out two people sitting on the side – and breaks a chair. One of the two people gets pissed and throws the broken chair out onto the court. The ref talks to him and then the police come over to escort the guy from the area. The other knocked over person is also talking trash, but not enough to get her thrown out. They were both akron fans.

4. The game was really close all the way down to the wire – but Akron lost by three.

I had threatened to throw popcorn on the Kent State fans in my midst – but the popcorn selling people were too far away. And plus – I hate to be that obvious or obnoxious. I’ll get them later – when they least expect it. hehe

Additional notes – the meatball sub at parason’s = really really good.

back to work…

Well, I turned 32 yesterday. I don’t really feel that old mentally, considering the size of my comics collection and my skills at video games – but I guess I’ve still got to count it.

Talked to my folks, my grandmother, and my sister last night – got some well wishes and got caught up a bit. I’ll be visting them toward the end of the month when our assorted schedules aren’t so full.

Work has been really busy – trying to launch a new calendar system. I’ve been really pushing to get it done – we’ve been working on this for eons.

Otherwise, things are going well and are fairly quiet. There’s other stuff going on, but I really do need to get,

back to work…

Feels weird to be looking at a full week of work – the holidays and their shorter weeks were really nice. The boss is still on vacation, so things are a little quieter on that front. Everybody else seems to be back, though, so it’s making life in the cubes kinda noisy.

Found a cool new bit of technology – http://www.io2technology.com/dojo/178/v.jsp – called the Heliodisplay. Wicked cool – I can’t figure out how they do it.

My birthday is coming up – not entirely looking forward to it. Not cause I’m getting older – cause that doesn’t really matter to me – but because it leads to some stress with family and travel.

And I think I’m getting a little depressed. There are some factors, but nothing that I’m not already dealing with. Maybe its one of those Seasonal Affective Disorders or that I’m coming down with something. There’s an increasing quietness and slow-down to me. I’ve had these before, and they never last long. Course, the people around me may think the “crankyness” lasts forever, but they’ll just have to deal with it until it passes.

Work is kinda pointless and stupid today – but I’d better get back to it.

…

Update – found a site called Quiz Farm – turns out (as a result of the quiz) that I’m:

You scored as Neutral Good.

A Neutral Good person tries to do the ‘goodest’ thing possible. These people are willing to work with the law to accomplish their goal, but if the law is corrupt they are just as willing to tear it down. To these people, doing what’s right is the most important thing, regardless of rules, customs, or laws.

———–

Sounds pretty accurate to me. 🙂