And I can't even really begin to understand or explain how the happy happens. Serendipitous convergence of unpredictable events eliciting positive emotional response? I suppose. Yet, this almost never happens in a blood pressure reducing way. And for once I am not retreated into a coffee shop to hide. Today I am celebrating the happy with a frosty German Chocolate Cooler.
Work was fun today. The "Old Self" of my friend showed up and stuck around for a few days. And I am hoping that this version is more permanent. But the "Old Me" has stuck around for a few days. And I am hoping that I stick around for a while too.
I got the help that I asked for, made a few points and didn't have anything horrid materialize on my folding table. Yes. Horrid happens in Hotels. But today was pleasant. I got most everything done htat needed to be done and managed to laugh in the process.
How can that be better?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
resistance is futile
Thanks to Wil's shamelss self promotion I have found an entertaining set of videos produced by NASA. Science Friday is Science everyday! Informative, funny and totally full on geek!!!!! Have a look at the Spitzer Space Center's channel on youtube. I'd like to provide a link but for some reason it isn't showing up.
Anywho... this is awesome. I wonder why it hasn't been picked up by some station like, oh I don't know, SCI-FI channel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean really, Saturday morning TV on SyFy (I die a little each time I have to write that) could use a dose of helpful and educational programming. NASA could use a shot in the arm too. Seems like it would make a great symbiotic relationship.
Science rules!
Anywho... this is awesome. I wonder why it hasn't been picked up by some station like, oh I don't know, SCI-FI channel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean really, Saturday morning TV on SyFy (I die a little each time I have to write that) could use a dose of helpful and educational programming. NASA could use a shot in the arm too. Seems like it would make a great symbiotic relationship.
Science rules!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
and the Geek goes on
One of the things that I never expected to share with my brother is the Big Bang Theory. I am a total geek. Yeah I know you know. Sometimes I need reminding so that I don't think more highly of myself than I ought. Anyway last nights episode was awesome. I giggled all the way through it and now I know why facebook thinks I am Sheldon Cooper. But bizzaro Sheldon cause there is no way I will ever be disappointed enough in Wil to hate him with the kind of passion that should only be reserved for the swaggering, arrogant, tin-plated dictators in the world. Sheldon made a disparaging comment about the orange juice that very much resembles my exclamations. No matter what is said at work, if I disapprove or disagree with something then my derision begins with "In what Universe is [insert objectionable material] acceptable?"
One of my brothers favorite things to when we are watching TV, because this is where he gets his geek on, is point out the other shows/movies that the actors have been in. And he likes to mess me up. Granted with the way that the market is divided among so many specialty channels it is getting easier to do. I don't watch the same kinds of shows that he does. So the only time the playing field is not stacked in his favor is when it comes to shows that Everybody watched when there were only 4 major networks. So last night he starts playing this game with me when Sarah Gilbert showed up. "Ew. Its his sister."
ME: "From what show?"
BRO: "Roseanne."
ME: "Boyfriend. David was her boyfriend. But he spent so much time in the Conner's house it is understandable that you would make that mistake."
Did I tell you that you should read my words with Sheldon's intonation or did you do it on your own? Good for you. No really, I mean that.
BRO: "Just seeing if you were paying attention."
ME: "um-hmm." Still looking at my computer screen.
Then the boys take Sheldon to the coffee shop.
ME: Sheldon cloak temporarily disengaged. "Blossom!"
BRO: "Do you know her real name?"
ME: "Mayim Bialik." tap tap tap tap. "Her first name means water in Hebrew."
BRO: "Who was her best friend?"
ME: "Six."
BRO: "Yeah what was her real name?"
ME: "Jenna von Oy."
BRO: "Damn!"
ME: "Would you like to go down the Joey Lawrence road now?"
BRO: [dejected] "no."
[inspiration hits] "Who was the dad?"
ME: "I don't know. And neither do you."
BRO: [mouth opens. mouth closes]
I was kind enough to not mention Bernard Hughes was her grandfather. I also left out the facts that Mayim had a recurring role on MacGyver after her Beaches acting debut. That the older brother, played by Michael Stoyanov, debuted on an episode of Quantum leap in which Sam was his mom and prevented his abduction after his geek buddies pranked him. I know. It's like cannibalism but it happens. Didn't I just post something about Grace? It applies to brothers too.
So then he starts to criticize the costumer. "Why do they have to look so dorky?" I know. But sometimes you have to bite your tongue and be Leonard. I pointed out that that is the way SoCal geeks roll. Everyone in the geek community who leaves comments about the show says how accurate it is. When we fly geek colors in Northern Michigan they tend to be on the subdued side. And I have to be honest, he would know better if he went into any of the game shops in town. There is a coffee shop that is kind of a haven for the geekly endowed. The owner is a jewelery geek and her kids are definitely punk/goth/new wave geeks in a Penelope Garcia way. So he doesn't really see the colorful side of geekdom. And it was kinda hard to explain. So that's why I left the house before he was up this morning.
I am so rockin' the geek garb. I found my Live Long and Prosper shirt yesterday, ran it through some lavender Tide for today. Thankfully it fits well enough to not choke me since I usually wear v-necks. It is nicely paired with chunky heeled mules and a blue plaid mini skirt.
listen to what the man says
One of my brothers favorite things to when we are watching TV, because this is where he gets his geek on, is point out the other shows/movies that the actors have been in. And he likes to mess me up. Granted with the way that the market is divided among so many specialty channels it is getting easier to do. I don't watch the same kinds of shows that he does. So the only time the playing field is not stacked in his favor is when it comes to shows that Everybody watched when there were only 4 major networks. So last night he starts playing this game with me when Sarah Gilbert showed up. "Ew. Its his sister."
ME: "From what show?"
BRO: "Roseanne."
ME: "Boyfriend. David was her boyfriend. But he spent so much time in the Conner's house it is understandable that you would make that mistake."
Did I tell you that you should read my words with Sheldon's intonation or did you do it on your own? Good for you. No really, I mean that.
BRO: "Just seeing if you were paying attention."
ME: "um-hmm." Still looking at my computer screen.
Then the boys take Sheldon to the coffee shop.
ME: Sheldon cloak temporarily disengaged. "Blossom!"
BRO: "Do you know her real name?"
ME: "Mayim Bialik." tap tap tap tap. "Her first name means water in Hebrew."
BRO: "Who was her best friend?"
ME: "Six."
BRO: "Yeah what was her real name?"
ME: "Jenna von Oy."
BRO: "Damn!"
ME: "Would you like to go down the Joey Lawrence road now?"
BRO: [dejected] "no."
[inspiration hits] "Who was the dad?"
ME: "I don't know. And neither do you."
BRO: [mouth opens. mouth closes]
I was kind enough to not mention Bernard Hughes was her grandfather. I also left out the facts that Mayim had a recurring role on MacGyver after her Beaches acting debut. That the older brother, played by Michael Stoyanov, debuted on an episode of Quantum leap in which Sam was his mom and prevented his abduction after his geek buddies pranked him. I know. It's like cannibalism but it happens. Didn't I just post something about Grace? It applies to brothers too.
So then he starts to criticize the costumer. "Why do they have to look so dorky?" I know. But sometimes you have to bite your tongue and be Leonard. I pointed out that that is the way SoCal geeks roll. Everyone in the geek community who leaves comments about the show says how accurate it is. When we fly geek colors in Northern Michigan they tend to be on the subdued side. And I have to be honest, he would know better if he went into any of the game shops in town. There is a coffee shop that is kind of a haven for the geekly endowed. The owner is a jewelery geek and her kids are definitely punk/goth/new wave geeks in a Penelope Garcia way. So he doesn't really see the colorful side of geekdom. And it was kinda hard to explain. So that's why I left the house before he was up this morning.
I am so rockin' the geek garb. I found my Live Long and Prosper shirt yesterday, ran it through some lavender Tide for today. Thankfully it fits well enough to not choke me since I usually wear v-necks. It is nicely paired with chunky heeled mules and a blue plaid mini skirt.
listen to what the man says
Celebrate your friends
It is a beautiful day today. There is absolutely no reason that I should be angry or upset about anything with a beautiful Northern Michigan morning gracing us with her presence. And maybe, thanks to the weird connectivity inherent with a geek brain, that very thing GRACE is what makes me angry. Grace. Sure on the one hand it is poise and an harmonious balance of elements (Eurythmia- yeah. Like that.) but on the other hand it is just plain old simple manners. The world is venting grace the way a hull breech vents atmosphere.
I have this really awesome friend. He protects, defends and aids anyone that he sees needs help. He has a heightened sense of honor. Would be a great catch for some lucky lady as he is also handsome, charming, funny and affectionate. He is a bit on th bi-polar side and I like him better when he is off his meds cause he is Wakko Warner hysterical and we kill each other with the funny. But I digress. Anyway, I think it is his chivalrous nature that gets him into the most trouble. Just the other day he was telling me that a woman he works for casually asked for a favor. (Um, no. They do mix... like water and potassium. I shudder to think of the ramifications.) As I listened it occurred to me that she didn't really ask so much as told him he would have work on her house.
"Hey, I need you to (do this) for me while I'm out of town."
Um what? Where in that sentence is the "Please"? And where in that sentence is the "can you do me a favor"? Oh and how about considering his personal time may have other equally valuable and important items on its itinerary? He was astounded by the reason that she couldn't do it herself. I was astounded that he didn't notice that was a totally graceless and self serving move on her part. I know this happens to him all the time. I've seen it and heard it. Bosses aren't the only ones who forget their manners. So when I ask him for something I am very careful to ASK and then I make sure he gets a very enthusiastic THANK YOU.
But it isn't the same thing. Why are we like this? What is happening to us as a society? Really, upper management can't tell the difference between a personal favor and a regular duty roster? Yes she was going to pay him with her own money. That isn't the point. At work you NEED someone to do something. At home you WOULD LIKE someone to do something. Afterall, she acknowledged that it is a favor. I have bosses who do the same thing to me. But at least Jack, as I have mentioned, says Please and Thank you and he ASKS. She is his boss. He is not insubordinate by nature so he isn't gonna say no any more than I would tell Jack no. But I see it wearing him thin. He will be insubordinate by being abused. And every once in a while he looks me up for the express purpose of venting. It hurts to see him being used like that. And he knows he is. Once in a while he tells me that he has blown up at someone at work. Who wouldn't?
It isn't right. I know that we are in a better place socially than we were 200 years ago, 400 years ago and certainly better off than we were in the dark ages. But this condition of serfdom is creeping up on us again. The powers the be in any organization seem to have taken their authority for granted. Upper management is the new Nobility. And, in my not so humble opinion, is just as entitled to the perks and privilegde of those titles by virtue of being able to BS their way through a frat or a job interview to the same degree that the enobled of Europe were entitled to their p&ps by virtue of their fabled births. Give me a fruit-fucking break!!!! We are all human being, genetically descended from one of 6 genome pools with red blood, bi-pedal lateral symetry and a brain that is capable of operating at Soongian positronic levels if only it owuld be used! There is no REAL difference between any of us and tons of IMAGINARY differences. In the society we live in talent, skill and the willingness to participate in a project get trumped by the perception that titles matter more.
You are right. I would not put any kind of medical equipment in my brothers hand and let him perform brain surgery on me. Specialized skills and training do need to be acknowledge on a seperate plain. It doesn't make that doctor any better of a human being it just makes him a doctor. I am talking about us working class, working poor people. There is no real difference between him and his bosses or me and mine other than title. My bean counter can look at my life with a smug superiority only because he was better at not allowing his plans to be thwarted and has financial security. That doesn't make him a better human being than me. His boss can look at him and think that she is better because she doesn't have to sweat out the menial stuff like he does. But that doesn't make him a draft horse that needs no please, thank you or human kindness.
We all need grace. Not just the grace that flows from a divine being. But we need to give grace to each other. If we are not going allow all the greedy little Snowballs to beat us with the "some are more equal than others" stick and let us drive ourselves to madness then we have to be extra kind to each other. One of these days my friend is going to snap. And, in his defense, I will take up my pitchfork and torch in the grand tradition of my Eastern European ancestors and storm the castle to release him from whatever dank cell his running mouth got him thrown into. He is willing to do anything that is asked of him and that should be rewarded. If not with a .50 cent raise then with a please and thank you and with consideration. I think we all have friends who are in these situations. We need to be extra kind to our friends in the hope that it helps to ease the frustration and pain of living in a society that is losing grace.
Not that I want to start an argument. But it does strike me as funny that the United States is growing churches and mega churches on a Grace of Christ platform at almost unprecidented rates and it hasn't even begun to repair that pesky hull breech. I'll ponder than more but I can't promise that it will yield its own post.
I have this really awesome friend. He protects, defends and aids anyone that he sees needs help. He has a heightened sense of honor. Would be a great catch for some lucky lady as he is also handsome, charming, funny and affectionate. He is a bit on th bi-polar side and I like him better when he is off his meds cause he is Wakko Warner hysterical and we kill each other with the funny. But I digress. Anyway, I think it is his chivalrous nature that gets him into the most trouble. Just the other day he was telling me that a woman he works for casually asked for a favor. (Um, no. They do mix... like water and potassium. I shudder to think of the ramifications.) As I listened it occurred to me that she didn't really ask so much as told him he would have work on her house.
"Hey, I need you to (do this) for me while I'm out of town."
Um what? Where in that sentence is the "Please"? And where in that sentence is the "can you do me a favor"? Oh and how about considering his personal time may have other equally valuable and important items on its itinerary? He was astounded by the reason that she couldn't do it herself. I was astounded that he didn't notice that was a totally graceless and self serving move on her part. I know this happens to him all the time. I've seen it and heard it. Bosses aren't the only ones who forget their manners. So when I ask him for something I am very careful to ASK and then I make sure he gets a very enthusiastic THANK YOU.
But it isn't the same thing. Why are we like this? What is happening to us as a society? Really, upper management can't tell the difference between a personal favor and a regular duty roster? Yes she was going to pay him with her own money. That isn't the point. At work you NEED someone to do something. At home you WOULD LIKE someone to do something. Afterall, she acknowledged that it is a favor. I have bosses who do the same thing to me. But at least Jack, as I have mentioned, says Please and Thank you and he ASKS. She is his boss. He is not insubordinate by nature so he isn't gonna say no any more than I would tell Jack no. But I see it wearing him thin. He will be insubordinate by being abused. And every once in a while he looks me up for the express purpose of venting. It hurts to see him being used like that. And he knows he is. Once in a while he tells me that he has blown up at someone at work. Who wouldn't?
It isn't right. I know that we are in a better place socially than we were 200 years ago, 400 years ago and certainly better off than we were in the dark ages. But this condition of serfdom is creeping up on us again. The powers the be in any organization seem to have taken their authority for granted. Upper management is the new Nobility. And, in my not so humble opinion, is just as entitled to the perks and privilegde of those titles by virtue of being able to BS their way through a frat or a job interview to the same degree that the enobled of Europe were entitled to their p&ps by virtue of their fabled births. Give me a fruit-fucking break!!!! We are all human being, genetically descended from one of 6 genome pools with red blood, bi-pedal lateral symetry and a brain that is capable of operating at Soongian positronic levels if only it owuld be used! There is no REAL difference between any of us and tons of IMAGINARY differences. In the society we live in talent, skill and the willingness to participate in a project get trumped by the perception that titles matter more.
You are right. I would not put any kind of medical equipment in my brothers hand and let him perform brain surgery on me. Specialized skills and training do need to be acknowledge on a seperate plain. It doesn't make that doctor any better of a human being it just makes him a doctor. I am talking about us working class, working poor people. There is no real difference between him and his bosses or me and mine other than title. My bean counter can look at my life with a smug superiority only because he was better at not allowing his plans to be thwarted and has financial security. That doesn't make him a better human being than me. His boss can look at him and think that she is better because she doesn't have to sweat out the menial stuff like he does. But that doesn't make him a draft horse that needs no please, thank you or human kindness.
We all need grace. Not just the grace that flows from a divine being. But we need to give grace to each other. If we are not going allow all the greedy little Snowballs to beat us with the "some are more equal than others" stick and let us drive ourselves to madness then we have to be extra kind to each other. One of these days my friend is going to snap. And, in his defense, I will take up my pitchfork and torch in the grand tradition of my Eastern European ancestors and storm the castle to release him from whatever dank cell his running mouth got him thrown into. He is willing to do anything that is asked of him and that should be rewarded. If not with a .50 cent raise then with a please and thank you and with consideration. I think we all have friends who are in these situations. We need to be extra kind to our friends in the hope that it helps to ease the frustration and pain of living in a society that is losing grace.
Not that I want to start an argument. But it does strike me as funny that the United States is growing churches and mega churches on a Grace of Christ platform at almost unprecidented rates and it hasn't even begun to repair that pesky hull breech. I'll ponder than more but I can't promise that it will yield its own post.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Do you know Victor Riley?
I found a blog that has been around for a while. It is well written and very entertaining. Victor is a fellow geek with all the questions and angst that comes with that territory. It is well worth a look. If you need more entertainment or you just want to feel like you are part of a bigger community of people who feel like you do then stop by.
In a lot of ways he reminds me of Wil. It takes conscientious focus for me to keep up with the references because of his various interests. But he writes very unselfconsciously. He also evokes the kind of stream of conscious/top-of-mind/lack-of-internal-editor that Rick Castle has. Fun and youthful in heart.
Victor doesn't post frequently so he'll be an easy follow. And the story of how he got his name is awesome. I think on some level those infectious private in jokes that spread beyond a group must be another hallmark of geekdom. We haven't had that kind of notoriety in our group. But we did manage a kind of generationality to the Denny's cup prank that warms my heart to no end.
BTW: I know generationality is not a real word. But we are wordsmiths... we can do what we want.
In a lot of ways he reminds me of Wil. It takes conscientious focus for me to keep up with the references because of his various interests. But he writes very unselfconsciously. He also evokes the kind of stream of conscious/top-of-mind/lack-of-internal-editor that Rick Castle has. Fun and youthful in heart.
Victor doesn't post frequently so he'll be an easy follow. And the story of how he got his name is awesome. I think on some level those infectious private in jokes that spread beyond a group must be another hallmark of geekdom. We haven't had that kind of notoriety in our group. But we did manage a kind of generationality to the Denny's cup prank that warms my heart to no end.
BTW: I know generationality is not a real word. But we are wordsmiths... we can do what we want.
Captain's Log
One of the things that I like about working in a company with the company of my fellow suffering serfs is the wacky sense of humor that we have. This comes out in various ways, but most permanently in the published log notes. Apparently being geeky is kinda cooler than it used to be but being a smart ass with a quick wit is on the top end of the job description. We have a front desk night auditor, Travis, who writes some of the best log notes I have ever read.
For the trekkies if you are thinking "Captain's Log Stardate....." you are correct. For those of you who stay at home, haven't worked somewhere other than in a legendary fast food chain or work for someone espousing brittle professionalism and stark efficiency, the notes in a Log are the company police blotter. Most of the time entries are limited to an event, update or a guest complaint noted with the authors initials. I don't work the front desk so when I have something to report is says "via Sherry" or "per Sherry". And any commentary is edited for content and formatted to run in the time allotted. But Travis is front desk and he frequently peppers his log entries with hilarious commentary. This is a nice touch. It rather takes the sting out of being called a dumb ass when you royally FUBAR a situation. Travis is usually unflappable so having to leave pertinent information in a missive for him is as rare an occurrence and as 9 planets (Yes, I still count Pluto) aligned with the galactic center... no I don't know but you can ask Mr Owl.
When I came in the other day he had experienced technical difficulty. it's not his fault really. If the township didn't have totally arbitrary and money grubbing reasons for putting very expensive and overly-engineered overflow valves on things he wouldn't have had a problem. I mean really, why take two steps to accomplish a task when you can take 6?!?!?!!! Engineers! Sheesh!!! Anyway he was baffled enough to ask me what was going on. Of course he never has to use the equipment in the Janitors Closest so he missed all of the verbal updates, especially the one that says "I don't care how defective the dispensary is we aren't replacing it." Too bad for Trav. But yea!! i got to do some creative writing. I love leaving blog-snarky notes for people. and this weekend was a Bonanza of opportunity.
The note that I left for Travis, after he asked "What's wrong with that Contraption?" went something like this:
Travis
RE: Liquid Cleaning Agent Dispensing Contraption
Two issues with dispenser operations working against you may have come into play. First there is a matter of insufficient water pressure. If this is the problem, release the dispensing button then open the faucet fully and try again.
If that does not resolve the matter then the issue is with the dispensing button not being fully depressed. I like to implement the Griswold Method to fully depress the button. Reminding it that "it's father was a hack Commodore 64 that couldn't even run Pong and its mother ran away with an iPad prototype... from the future" seems to be most efficient.
Good luck in you next endeavor
SC
Humor in Uniform department
I don't know what his response will be to that one. He has the next few days off. But I hope it gets the same kind of riotous laughter I got from the housekeepers who read it. Since my notes never make it to the log I left it with his time card which means anyone who notices it will see it too. Privacy? Pshshst! What is that?
The one I left for Jack wasn't as creative. I essentially told him that the next person who leaves the dumpster doors open so that I can wake what ever slumbering feral critter lurks inside and makes me scream like the blond chick in a slasher movie will not like the consequences. Yeah... a million English teachers just rolled in their graves. Sorry if you ran for cover.
For the trekkies if you are thinking "Captain's Log Stardate....." you are correct. For those of you who stay at home, haven't worked somewhere other than in a legendary fast food chain or work for someone espousing brittle professionalism and stark efficiency, the notes in a Log are the company police blotter. Most of the time entries are limited to an event, update or a guest complaint noted with the authors initials. I don't work the front desk so when I have something to report is says "via Sherry" or "per Sherry". And any commentary is edited for content and formatted to run in the time allotted. But Travis is front desk and he frequently peppers his log entries with hilarious commentary. This is a nice touch. It rather takes the sting out of being called a dumb ass when you royally FUBAR a situation. Travis is usually unflappable so having to leave pertinent information in a missive for him is as rare an occurrence and as 9 planets (Yes, I still count Pluto) aligned with the galactic center... no I don't know but you can ask Mr Owl.
When I came in the other day he had experienced technical difficulty. it's not his fault really. If the township didn't have totally arbitrary and money grubbing reasons for putting very expensive and overly-engineered overflow valves on things he wouldn't have had a problem. I mean really, why take two steps to accomplish a task when you can take 6?!?!?!!! Engineers! Sheesh!!! Anyway he was baffled enough to ask me what was going on. Of course he never has to use the equipment in the Janitors Closest so he missed all of the verbal updates, especially the one that says "I don't care how defective the dispensary is we aren't replacing it." Too bad for Trav. But yea!! i got to do some creative writing. I love leaving blog-snarky notes for people. and this weekend was a Bonanza of opportunity.
The note that I left for Travis, after he asked "What's wrong with that Contraption?" went something like this:
Travis
RE: Liquid Cleaning Agent Dispensing Contraption
Two issues with dispenser operations working against you may have come into play. First there is a matter of insufficient water pressure. If this is the problem, release the dispensing button then open the faucet fully and try again.
If that does not resolve the matter then the issue is with the dispensing button not being fully depressed. I like to implement the Griswold Method to fully depress the button. Reminding it that "it's father was a hack Commodore 64 that couldn't even run Pong and its mother ran away with an iPad prototype... from the future" seems to be most efficient.
Good luck in you next endeavor
SC
Humor in Uniform department
I don't know what his response will be to that one. He has the next few days off. But I hope it gets the same kind of riotous laughter I got from the housekeepers who read it. Since my notes never make it to the log I left it with his time card which means anyone who notices it will see it too. Privacy? Pshshst! What is that?
The one I left for Jack wasn't as creative. I essentially told him that the next person who leaves the dumpster doors open so that I can wake what ever slumbering feral critter lurks inside and makes me scream like the blond chick in a slasher movie will not like the consequences. Yeah... a million English teachers just rolled in their graves. Sorry if you ran for cover.
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