Where were you?
This job is making me feel something I have not felt in a while. I feel really young. Young as in the oposite been around for a while, not necessarily as the opposite of old. Work makes me feel this way. I think it never really hit me before that the people I work with are sometimes much older than I am. I think of them as my peers, even if they happen to be close to retirement age. Even when I hear about one of my unit-mate's getting an honor for being here for 30+ years, it doesn't really sink in.
Working on this project makes it sink in a bit better though. I have to sort through one of the spill sites to organize the file. The file was started in 1968, when the agency opened. It's still going. Even this doesn't really sink in. I don't so much think "this file has been going since more than a decade before I was born" as, "there is way too much of this file, and it's going to take forever to organize...Why didn't someone do this earlier".
What hits me is that today I came across some spills for the site that happened on my birthday when I was 7. Some of my coworkers now were the ones who responded to the spill. That got me to thinking, what was I doing on that day? I was celebrating being 7. I probably had a birthday party of some sort. I would have been in second grade. That's the year I got glasses. I had my neighbor for a teacher. And we had these horrible, horrible math assignments EVERY NIGHT! I probably did my math homework, and read a book. Probably some of my aunts and uncles came for dinner. I maybe played with my friends, Katie or Jenni or Beth or Melissa or Jenny.
Wow. See, now that makes me put things in perspective. Some of the same people I greet everyday, were responding to spills when I was playing 'my little pony' or some such with friends. And the best part is, even though they probably realize this, I'm treated as an adult--my opinions matter. Maybe 20 or 30 years from now, someone else will realize all this about me.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Ticket? What ticket?!?
So, Sunday night, while Jenny and I were eating food at the Old spaghetti Factory I was blissfully unaware of the parking ticket lurking under the dripping, squishy windshield wiper-blade on my car. Oh, I knew about the possibility of a ticket, since the meter was broken in that lot, and so we couldn't do much about actually purchasing our parking, thus receiving the necessary receipt, as to avoid a parking ticket in the first place. But, I din't have the receipt, so I got the ticket. $50 dollars, but only $25 if you pay within 72 hrs. Kind of them, huh?
Personally, I didn't feel I should pay to park in a location where the pay-meter is broken. It's not my fault I can't pay, so they should give free parking til it's been fixed. I mean, there is limited parking downtown, and I can't be expected to try to find a different lot, farther away, just because this parking company doesn't have the manners to let me pay to park on their little piece of paved ground! Sheesh, what a privilege it was too, let me tell you. At least their little piece of paved ground was closer to the restaurant, and it was raining, so I didn't move my car.
So, I have this ticket, and I don't want to pay. I have been trying to get ahold of them since Sunday about it. But every time I called, the message would say "we're closed, call back between 8:30 and 4:30 pacific time. So I would, but they would still be closed (yesterday). Perhaps this company participates in random bank holidays, which would necessitate closing their doors, in California?!? (I think they were just lazy). Today, I finally reached the 'nice' receptionist. After explaining my problem, she put me on hold, only to tell me she would recend it this time, but next time I have to pay in the pay lot, or go somewhere else. DUH! I would have paid if I could, and I'm to lazy to go somewhere else. Since they took care of my problem, I didn't suggest that if they acquire a working meter. After all, they're making more money off tickets than paying customers anyway, or at least that is my guess.
So, Sunday night, while Jenny and I were eating food at the Old spaghetti Factory I was blissfully unaware of the parking ticket lurking under the dripping, squishy windshield wiper-blade on my car. Oh, I knew about the possibility of a ticket, since the meter was broken in that lot, and so we couldn't do much about actually purchasing our parking, thus receiving the necessary receipt, as to avoid a parking ticket in the first place. But, I din't have the receipt, so I got the ticket. $50 dollars, but only $25 if you pay within 72 hrs. Kind of them, huh?
Personally, I didn't feel I should pay to park in a location where the pay-meter is broken. It's not my fault I can't pay, so they should give free parking til it's been fixed. I mean, there is limited parking downtown, and I can't be expected to try to find a different lot, farther away, just because this parking company doesn't have the manners to let me pay to park on their little piece of paved ground! Sheesh, what a privilege it was too, let me tell you. At least their little piece of paved ground was closer to the restaurant, and it was raining, so I didn't move my car.
So, I have this ticket, and I don't want to pay. I have been trying to get ahold of them since Sunday about it. But every time I called, the message would say "we're closed, call back between 8:30 and 4:30 pacific time. So I would, but they would still be closed (yesterday). Perhaps this company participates in random bank holidays, which would necessitate closing their doors, in California?!? (I think they were just lazy). Today, I finally reached the 'nice' receptionist. After explaining my problem, she put me on hold, only to tell me she would recend it this time, but next time I have to pay in the pay lot, or go somewhere else. DUH! I would have paid if I could, and I'm to lazy to go somewhere else. Since they took care of my problem, I didn't suggest that if they acquire a working meter. After all, they're making more money off tickets than paying customers anyway, or at least that is my guess.
Monday, May 24, 2004
What a Weekend
Saturday I went to The Movie Troy with Karin and Cliff. I was leary at first, because I have read the Illiad, and I am reading it again. And I wasn't sure about a few of the actor(ess) choices. So, I decided to walk into the theatre pretending that the Illiad doesn't exist, and this was just a nice piece of historical fiction made up by Warner Brothers and the Screenplay-writer. I was pleasantly suprised. Yeah, things don't go exaclty the way they do in the Illiad, but they had to cram 10+ years of warfare and history into 3 hrs. The sets/props/actions were mostly attempting historical accuracy, and I was pleased w/ actor choice in most cases. Yup, as to not give anything away, that's all I'll say--oh and I'd go see it again! Then after it was Baker's Square and Pie, and then Barnes and Noble. A great day indeed.
Sunday I woke up late, because it was raining, and a good day for just sleeping. I finished reading a book, and then went grocery shopping and did laundry. I tried to make banana bread, and never have had a problem before, but this time I wasn't paying much attention, and forgot to add flour, so it became more of a bread pudding. Yummy, just really really sweet and mushy. Failing in that, I went to Old Spagetti Factory with Jenny and had a yummy meal. Then on to Kohls for some good deals on work clothes.
When we got back to my place, Jenny, Rachel and I were looking through old cookbooks. We found a recipe for "Tomato Soup Cake" Giggling like mad women, we decided to try it. So right then and there we did the baking of a cake, including an emergency trip to the grocer to get cream cheese for the frosting! We all thought, it can't taste good--it can't! It's cake w/ tomato soup in it. But, after cooking it, and icing it, and eating it, we were amazed. The thing actually tasted good. So, I took it to work today to share my experiment. Judging by the compliments and the amount of cake gone (almost all) I think Jenny, Rachel and I did a good job! (Or maybe it's just the Icing--wtg Jenny!)
Saturday I went to The Movie Troy with Karin and Cliff. I was leary at first, because I have read the Illiad, and I am reading it again. And I wasn't sure about a few of the actor(ess) choices. So, I decided to walk into the theatre pretending that the Illiad doesn't exist, and this was just a nice piece of historical fiction made up by Warner Brothers and the Screenplay-writer. I was pleasantly suprised. Yeah, things don't go exaclty the way they do in the Illiad, but they had to cram 10+ years of warfare and history into 3 hrs. The sets/props/actions were mostly attempting historical accuracy, and I was pleased w/ actor choice in most cases. Yup, as to not give anything away, that's all I'll say--oh and I'd go see it again! Then after it was Baker's Square and Pie, and then Barnes and Noble. A great day indeed.
Sunday I woke up late, because it was raining, and a good day for just sleeping. I finished reading a book, and then went grocery shopping and did laundry. I tried to make banana bread, and never have had a problem before, but this time I wasn't paying much attention, and forgot to add flour, so it became more of a bread pudding. Yummy, just really really sweet and mushy. Failing in that, I went to Old Spagetti Factory with Jenny and had a yummy meal. Then on to Kohls for some good deals on work clothes.
When we got back to my place, Jenny, Rachel and I were looking through old cookbooks. We found a recipe for "Tomato Soup Cake" Giggling like mad women, we decided to try it. So right then and there we did the baking of a cake, including an emergency trip to the grocer to get cream cheese for the frosting! We all thought, it can't taste good--it can't! It's cake w/ tomato soup in it. But, after cooking it, and icing it, and eating it, we were amazed. The thing actually tasted good. So, I took it to work today to share my experiment. Judging by the compliments and the amount of cake gone (almost all) I think Jenny, Rachel and I did a good job! (Or maybe it's just the Icing--wtg Jenny!)
Friday, May 21, 2004
BABIES!!
Yay, Jenni and Chad have had their little one, Erik! Happy B-day on Tuesday little man! I can't wait to hold him, and when he gets older, take him climbing, and give him candy and...oh wait, Jenni's probably reading this. I can't wait to be really nice and not spoil your child, so that when I have my own (1.3 million years from now) you can't one-up my spoilage :P
Congrats to both of them, and I know they will make excellent parents!
Yay, Jenni and Chad have had their little one, Erik! Happy B-day on Tuesday little man! I can't wait to hold him, and when he gets older, take him climbing, and give him candy and...oh wait, Jenni's probably reading this. I can't wait to be really nice and not spoil your child, so that when I have my own (1.3 million years from now) you can't one-up my spoilage :P
Congrats to both of them, and I know they will make excellent parents!
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Bleepity Bleep Bleep BLEEP!
I am so not fond of Munchenstein right now. Munch, who died a sad death earlier this year is survived by Munchenstein (read Munch in Stein, not 'Munich stein') Munchenstein received a few transplanted bits from Munch, namely a brain (and a spare brain) a mouth, some ears, and probably a kidney. But, alas. Munchenstein is being a pain in my ass.
(for those of you who don't know the torrid history of Munch and Munchenstein, I will sum up. Munch was my computer. It died, so I got a new box and a few new parts, raised the parts of Munch that weren't decrepit and decayed, and made Munchenstein)
So, Munchenstein got sick, he caught 4 viruses in a row. Then his quick launch toolbar (which I was fond of, and he found so useful) launched itself to the moon. He fell asleep a few times and wouldn't wake up, until he was jerked awake by some changes to his voltage. Then, the kicker. He lost his IP address. You should NEVER do that (it's since been learned that his ISP lost his IP address for him, but his ISP is very money hungry and will do anything for the right fee, so they were going to help him get his IP back). So, to remedy all this...Munchenstein was blown up, and rebuilt even better...
Or so I thought. You see, as these things always go, you forget the little things. Like addresses in your address book, or telling Munchenstein to remember the mail (poor, poor emails downloaded into M.'s brain, I've lost you forever). And so, One HD less(because M. won't recognize it) and a different set of clothes (Windows 2000 rather than XP), M. was reborn. Unfortunately for me, he still doesn't remember his IP address. At least we've gone from 169.blah blah blah to 0.0.0.0 But, I need a 66.blah blah blah to get the internet to talk with him. He's being coy, and not remembering how to talk to a server, telling me that his DHCP is all wacky (it's not, I double checked), and just being naughty. So, today I had to download him a new driver, so that maybe, just maybe his little self would remember his IP address. (which is DYNAMIC--hello, you don't have to remember lots of numbers just the first two, stupid Munchenstein!) If this doesn't work, I'll have to perform an "Ethernet card transplant" which could be dangerous and life threatening. In some cases where all this happens, Computer tend to jump out windows or in front of sledge hammers.
And you wonder why I called his father "munch"?!?!
I am so not fond of Munchenstein right now. Munch, who died a sad death earlier this year is survived by Munchenstein (read Munch in Stein, not 'Munich stein') Munchenstein received a few transplanted bits from Munch, namely a brain (and a spare brain) a mouth, some ears, and probably a kidney. But, alas. Munchenstein is being a pain in my ass.
(for those of you who don't know the torrid history of Munch and Munchenstein, I will sum up. Munch was my computer. It died, so I got a new box and a few new parts, raised the parts of Munch that weren't decrepit and decayed, and made Munchenstein)
So, Munchenstein got sick, he caught 4 viruses in a row. Then his quick launch toolbar (which I was fond of, and he found so useful) launched itself to the moon. He fell asleep a few times and wouldn't wake up, until he was jerked awake by some changes to his voltage. Then, the kicker. He lost his IP address. You should NEVER do that (it's since been learned that his ISP lost his IP address for him, but his ISP is very money hungry and will do anything for the right fee, so they were going to help him get his IP back). So, to remedy all this...Munchenstein was blown up, and rebuilt even better...
Or so I thought. You see, as these things always go, you forget the little things. Like addresses in your address book, or telling Munchenstein to remember the mail (poor, poor emails downloaded into M.'s brain, I've lost you forever). And so, One HD less(because M. won't recognize it) and a different set of clothes (Windows 2000 rather than XP), M. was reborn. Unfortunately for me, he still doesn't remember his IP address. At least we've gone from 169.blah blah blah to 0.0.0.0 But, I need a 66.blah blah blah to get the internet to talk with him. He's being coy, and not remembering how to talk to a server, telling me that his DHCP is all wacky (it's not, I double checked), and just being naughty. So, today I had to download him a new driver, so that maybe, just maybe his little self would remember his IP address. (which is DYNAMIC--hello, you don't have to remember lots of numbers just the first two, stupid Munchenstein!) If this doesn't work, I'll have to perform an "Ethernet card transplant" which could be dangerous and life threatening. In some cases where all this happens, Computer tend to jump out windows or in front of sledge hammers.
And you wonder why I called his father "munch"?!?!
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Some things just shouldn't be seen...
They say there is a time and a place for everything. I have to disagree. I also agree with that, "you have to try everything once." statement. I do not feel the need to do things that would hurt myself or my friends. That being said, I'm not going to shy away from things, just because they are the unknown.
No, there are some things that don't need to be experienced. Like for example, seeing one of America's Finest in their underoos. I was going for a walk, minding my own business, staring blankly at the buildings on the side of the road. Then, to my consternation, we came upon a Firehouse. The window was lit by the pale and flickering glow of a television tuned to late night programming. I was still looking blankly at the buildings and windows, when suddenly, painfully, my eyes came into focus on the dorsal side of one of America's finest, changing his clothes in said room. He was in the process of adding pants to his attire. Ugh. Not something I needed to see, but I couldn't seem to turn my brain off fast enough. Now I have the contrast of dark briefs and pale legs burned forever into the part of my brain labeled "shouldn't have gone there". Sigh, note to self: Learn to look at the sidewalk.
They say there is a time and a place for everything. I have to disagree. I also agree with that, "you have to try everything once." statement. I do not feel the need to do things that would hurt myself or my friends. That being said, I'm not going to shy away from things, just because they are the unknown.
No, there are some things that don't need to be experienced. Like for example, seeing one of America's Finest in their underoos. I was going for a walk, minding my own business, staring blankly at the buildings on the side of the road. Then, to my consternation, we came upon a Firehouse. The window was lit by the pale and flickering glow of a television tuned to late night programming. I was still looking blankly at the buildings and windows, when suddenly, painfully, my eyes came into focus on the dorsal side of one of America's finest, changing his clothes in said room. He was in the process of adding pants to his attire. Ugh. Not something I needed to see, but I couldn't seem to turn my brain off fast enough. Now I have the contrast of dark briefs and pale legs burned forever into the part of my brain labeled "shouldn't have gone there". Sigh, note to self: Learn to look at the sidewalk.
Monday, May 10, 2004
T-minus 2 days, and counting
O-chem. Here I go again. Gotta love it, but you know, I'll be glad to have it over. I just studied for abotu 3 hrs (I know, sounds like a pathetic amount), but I'm too tired to study more. I think I'll be going to bed soon, reading a smidge, and going to sleep. I was gonna write about the weekend more. I will have to do that later. There is a nce breeze blowing in the window. I'm tempted, I'm moving...I'm gone!
O-chem. Here I go again. Gotta love it, but you know, I'll be glad to have it over. I just studied for abotu 3 hrs (I know, sounds like a pathetic amount), but I'm too tired to study more. I think I'll be going to bed soon, reading a smidge, and going to sleep. I was gonna write about the weekend more. I will have to do that later. There is a nce breeze blowing in the window. I'm tempted, I'm moving...I'm gone!
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Fire!!!
Holy singed eyelashes, batman! Yes, we had a bonfire on the property today. Not a big one, just a mini-one. A practice for the big hurrah on Memorial Day, you could say. Learned a few things. 1. Don't try to put out the grass fire while the wind is blowing soot in your eyes...it burns. 2. If you stay too close to the heat for too long, you will singe your eyelashes, making them a bit shorter, and causing them to curl every which way. 3. It take a long time for that much wood to go out. 4. Wear layers.
Lessons learned, it was a fun time. We made even more piles to burn, though the ones we made won't be the ones we burn on Memorial Day weekend...not unless we are really ambitious, and have more in the way of fire prevention materials on hand. My brother works like a fiend. I think he doesn't like to sit still. I mostly played with kerosene, paper, and sticks, and carried fire around on the end of my burned stick, lighting other things on fire. Pyro? Who, me?
Holy singed eyelashes, batman! Yes, we had a bonfire on the property today. Not a big one, just a mini-one. A practice for the big hurrah on Memorial Day, you could say. Learned a few things. 1. Don't try to put out the grass fire while the wind is blowing soot in your eyes...it burns. 2. If you stay too close to the heat for too long, you will singe your eyelashes, making them a bit shorter, and causing them to curl every which way. 3. It take a long time for that much wood to go out. 4. Wear layers.
Lessons learned, it was a fun time. We made even more piles to burn, though the ones we made won't be the ones we burn on Memorial Day weekend...not unless we are really ambitious, and have more in the way of fire prevention materials on hand. My brother works like a fiend. I think he doesn't like to sit still. I mostly played with kerosene, paper, and sticks, and carried fire around on the end of my burned stick, lighting other things on fire. Pyro? Who, me?
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
And the beat marched on
The raindrops are goign splitter splatter outside the window, I can't hear them, but I know that sound well. The pace is frantic, and the noise is probably a bit squishy, from the water that hasn't drained off the sidewalk to make room for the next drop to fall from grace. Inside the tempo of coworkers talking, phones ringing, and people walking by my desk sets a more relaxed tempo, one of monotony. Inside my head, my thoughts are swirling around in a whirlpool. Get this done, make sure you have that with you, here is the deadline, etc...
It's finals time again. I feel I should write a poem or an epigram. I am just not so inclined. The beat of time marches on, and for once, I'm content to just sit her and let it sweep me up. I'll finish my paper tonight, after dark sometime, it's due tomorrow. I'm hoping there will be a thunderstorm so I can take a break and go play in the rain. I have a final next Wednesday in O-chem. I really should study, but I think I'll wait to worry about that til next monday or tuesday. Yup, I'm rather relaxed this time around. Relaxed or lazy or just stuck in a well of contentment and monotony that this week is like the one before and the one after, and I don't have to worry about it, just do what I do, and spend most of my time daydreaming.
That's where I have been the last two weeks...daydreaming and reading. I'm sure I have been doing other things-like visiting Jenni in St. Cloud (great times), and chillin w/ friends in the cities, and other stuff. But right now, with my belly full of food, and a good CD playing and another 3.5 hrs of monotonous work and meetings in front of me, I'm content to just daydream, and do data entry stuff, and drink my koolaid. A nap would be nice too.
The raindrops are goign splitter splatter outside the window, I can't hear them, but I know that sound well. The pace is frantic, and the noise is probably a bit squishy, from the water that hasn't drained off the sidewalk to make room for the next drop to fall from grace. Inside the tempo of coworkers talking, phones ringing, and people walking by my desk sets a more relaxed tempo, one of monotony. Inside my head, my thoughts are swirling around in a whirlpool. Get this done, make sure you have that with you, here is the deadline, etc...
It's finals time again. I feel I should write a poem or an epigram. I am just not so inclined. The beat of time marches on, and for once, I'm content to just sit her and let it sweep me up. I'll finish my paper tonight, after dark sometime, it's due tomorrow. I'm hoping there will be a thunderstorm so I can take a break and go play in the rain. I have a final next Wednesday in O-chem. I really should study, but I think I'll wait to worry about that til next monday or tuesday. Yup, I'm rather relaxed this time around. Relaxed or lazy or just stuck in a well of contentment and monotony that this week is like the one before and the one after, and I don't have to worry about it, just do what I do, and spend most of my time daydreaming.
That's where I have been the last two weeks...daydreaming and reading. I'm sure I have been doing other things-like visiting Jenni in St. Cloud (great times), and chillin w/ friends in the cities, and other stuff. But right now, with my belly full of food, and a good CD playing and another 3.5 hrs of monotonous work and meetings in front of me, I'm content to just daydream, and do data entry stuff, and drink my koolaid. A nap would be nice too.
