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March 28 Yin/Yang And The Art Of CommunicationYesterday (Thursday) was perhaps the most bizarre day I have ever had in my working life.
First, we had some nasty snow going when I woke up and went to work. We got about four to five inches of wet and heavy snow, which pretty much meant that I would not move between buildings with my delivery cart.
Most of my colleagues from out of town opted to stay home, which I had no problem with. One of them was my my supervisor. He was available online and via cell, so that wasn't much of an issue.
Except:
One of the persons I set up a computer the day before had major issues when most of the office (help desk, etc. left) contacted one of off-hour techs about their new computer. The short version is, it went straight to my division head. Keep this in mind.
There were a LOT of miscues involved, but it was worked out, mostly because of communication. My boss communicated to me the problem. Unfortunately for me, a piece of software I needed to load was used by a select few users. I got the computer loaded up to the point where I needed to load this piece of software.
See, the day before, my boss loaded the software, but I didn't pay attention to what he was doing, as I was multi-tasking on other systems.. Even after I called him for help yesterday. I only saw part of the puzzle.
I more or less made myself focused on that one computer, and I frustrated myself that I just could not think. Even with my guidance via cell, I had issues, because I made it more complicated with the fact I didn't connect the dots on what he was telling me.
With this situation, I eventually went to my division head (since she was involved) mostly because I needed to just talk it out with someone. It was a very wierd and awarding conversation. It was wierd, because, I will admit that I had tears. I got grilled, BUT I was told to explore different avenues. I later emailed her a thank you for the time.
I took the advice to heart, and I found someone to help me with my quandry. As a means to just get away with it all, I went to deliver a couple of computers. After all, I was holed up in one area for much of the day.
I dropped off the product, and was just myself with my customer service skills.
I spoke to my boss about the entire day this morning, and it was a good talk. At one point in the morning, he told me to come to his desk.
It's not often that you get praised by someone that sends their praise straight to the head of your entire department; especially when in less than twenty-four hours of just doing what you can to fix a problem that you had control of in the first place.
I leave it at that.
March 23 The Passion Of The ChristTraditionally, little children roll eggs, and talk to the Easter Bunny. It's springtime, so it is rebirth. However, we all know what this day means.
The celebration of a person's death is known as a wake. It is a celebration that common friends with the recently departed get together and talk about the good things that the person accomplished. Everything from the kindness of opening a door, or helping someone by picking them up when they fall down.
Jesus Christ was born on December 25, a selected date. It is a fixed date for us all to celebrate His birth. However, the Easter season tends to be more fluent, more ethereal.
I am not the most religious person in the world, but several years ago, I saw Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ in the theater on its opening day. It is truly the hardest movie for me to watch, because of the violence. But, it was necessary violence. I essentially held hands with the people next to me; strangers. And throughout, I cried. We all did.
There were pastors from all of the churches in town that would talk to anyone who needed to talk to them after the film.
So remember Him. Random Video of The Day 3-22-08This video and song is so beautiful. I'm sure you'll understand the impact of this song and video on my life, and I am sure it will have some touch on yours.
U2 has, and always will have an influence on my life.
All I Want Is You
U2
The last song on Rattle And Hum
March 21 The Florida and Michigan MessI was a registered Republican in 2000, and a staunch supporter of Senator John McCain. That same year, South Dakota's "traditional" spot of early to mid-February (usually before Super Tuesday) was swapped with California's "traditional" early June slot. Both parties agreed to it, and neither then-Governor George W. Bush nor then Vice-President Al Gore, Jr. complained, because they were the favorite sons of their respective parties. They also happened to win California. By the time little South Dakota could vote, the primary season was long done. Frankly, I was pissed off, because MY VOTE DID NOT COUNT IN THE PRIMARIES. Hence, I did not vote in the general election.
Eight years later, Florida is in the center of controversy once again. However, now DNC Chairman Howard "YEEE-HAW!!!" Dean did it again by punishing Florida and Michigan by stripping ALL delegates. The Republicans did it right by at least allowing Florida and Mchigan to seat some delegates, but not all of them.
This is what I see is the problem with the Democratic Party from top to bottom:
1). Their version of the caucus system is just plain stupid and two-faced. I watched a live feed on www.CNN.com the night of the Iowa caucus in Des Moines. They focused on a John Edwards supporter that essentially was telling his people to "not be swayed by another camp". This same individual essentially went to other "camps" and did exactly what he told his people NOT to do.
2). Nevada (a delegate rich state) asked the DNC's permission to allow casino workers to caucus at work, if they could not leave work. IMHO, I think this was a valid request, because that's a 24/7/365 business. A week or so before, the largest union in Nevada (the culinary union) supported Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton's campaign tried to mimic Al Gore by suing to have the rule changed prior to the caucus. With the disenfranchisement of Florida and Michigan, Hillary has been hoping that a redux would help her, as she won those states. But, it doesn't look like it's going to happen.
3). Superdelegates are powerful Democratic members (many elected and former elected officials, former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton among them) can help sway the nomination process. However, this now poses a problem for the party, because it would virtually mirror the previous general elections (2000 more than 2004) with the exception that it would be at the nomination level. If Obama goes to the convention with both the popular vote and delegates, and Hillary sways the superdelegates to "annoint her", then the party is essentially two-faced. It would essentally wipe out their complaints of the 2000 election, and their accusations of the rigging of Ohio in 2004, because they would re-create both events in one fell swoop.
I openly admit that I am not a Hillary Clinton fan. I left the Republican Party because I felt disenfranchised by it. However, as you can see, I have too many differences with the Democrats to join their ranks. The freedom of being an independant is, I can choose whatever I want without committing and being forced to go the "party line."
The quagmire is the Democratic Party's decision to essentially wipe out Michigan and Florida's seatings was a mistake. Overconfidence by Hillary Clinton's campaign to underestimate Barak Obama, and the attempt to change the rules as the game is still being played that she herself had no issues with months ago. She agreed with the Party to not seat Florida and Michigan if they moved their primaries up. She did not complain about the Nevada caucus rule changes except when she did not get the endorsements she wanted.
Shame on you, Hillary Clinton and Howard Dean.
Familiar words? Yes. Ask the Democrats and Michael Moore.
If it comes to little South Dakota on June 3rd to vote to help decide the nomination, I'll vote Obama out of pure spite. Frankly, she should start coming here to kiss our asses, because we weren't significant enough. She was supposed to have it all wrapped up on Super Tuesday. She wanted to pull a Bush 2000.
I hope that both parties re-examine the entire process after this election. My personal solution would be to keep Iowa and New Hampshire as is, or at least let small states rotate through those slots. Have Super Tuesday be a mix of both delegate rich and poor states, and then have California, Texas, New York, and Florida be Super Tuesday II.
If both parties are so hell-bent on having this done by March, like the last two elections, I'd like to make them truly work for it. I want my voice heard, just like Florida and Michigan want theirs. I feel sorry for those who live in those states, because their voices got circumvented.
All because the Democrats punished them so blanketly, and the governors and officials of those states wanted to break the rules. Nowhere in this was compromise made, before the mess began, nor afterward, it seems (on the Democrat side, at any rate).
Nuff Said. March 18 Random Video Of The Day 3-18-08This is one of the best videos ever made.
Living On The Edge by Aerosmith
March 16 Random Song of The Day 3-16-08This is for a German girl.
99 Luftballons
Nena
March 13 Food For ThoughtMarch 04 The retiring of #4Well, the day came (onmy birthday, no less). Brett Favre retired from football.
Honestly, I'm kind of glad he did. Many times, athletes have stayed their welcome. This includes greats such as Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and Dan Marino. All of those are from the modern era (as in the last 25 years or so). The only one not mentioned on that list was John Elway. He left at the right time.
Sometimes what happens is, players who are great don't know how to step back. Favre was different in the sense that he, like Rice, Montana, and Smith, he won a championship early in his career. Dan Marino and John Elway were supposed to be the wonder kids of their era. Marino unfortunately could not return to the big game. Elway managed to, and won his last two, and retired.
Brett Favre was different. The last three years or so in the off-season were nightmares for Packer fans. Will he, or won't he?
The fact that the last few years prior to the 2007 season were both statistically and emotionally not been good for Brett. But this year's Packers team surprised everyone.
I think that in the end, he retired because he had too much fun this year, and had wonderful emotions during the season. Stat hogs will say that his 442 touchdown (20 more than Marino), yardage 61,000+, and an amazing 275 starts since 1992 (including playoffs) is what he was shooting for.
I disagree.
He played his heart out year in, year out. The best game of his career I never saw because I was working. I'm not talking about the two Super Bowls. I'm talking about the Oakland game where he destoryed them Raiders a day after his father died.
So thanks for the memories.
March 02 The Influence of Philip K. DickThis man's work more or less influenced today's science fiction, both in fiction, and in film.
Obi-Wan and I have gone rounds and rounds on our love for Blade Runner, which is probably one of the best science fiction films ever made. Period.
Total Recall with The Governator (aka Arnold Schwarzenegger) was based on one of Mr. Dick's stories.
Minority Report with Tom Cruise as the lead (and directed by Steven Spielberg) is a fine film.
Those fans of The Matrix should check these movies out, if you have not done so.
It boils down to making a person think alittle. March 01 The Saviour of Rome: WhispersII:
Whispers
Caesar, why did you ask me to come to you?
I am just a soldier hat wants to go home
Two hundred-sixty-four and this day
Five thousand men are either cleaved or dead
What do you ask me to do?
You must know that I do not trust my son
He is not one to rule
As I told my daughter of
What I feel is wrong
She's falling down
The Saviour of RomeThe Saviour of Rome
Part I: Germania
As I look upon my eager men,
They are lean and hungry.
They are ready, and the Emperor of Rome
Looks upon me from the hill on his horse
I tell Quintius to hold back, as he is eager to fight.
As a Roman, I fight, but as a man, I know when to hold.
As the battle rages, we overrun the enemy.
The Emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius
Looked down from the hill, satisfied.
Random Song Of TheDay: 3-1-08Nuff Said.
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, There will be an answer, let it be. For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see, There will be an answer. let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me, Shine until tomorrow, let it be. I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. --The Beatles The Media I Despise (RANT)This pisses me off. This *REALLY* pisses me off.
Essentially, a possible future head of state/reformed playboy in the form of Prince Harry voluntarily joined up with the British military is being sent home after it was leaked that he was fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan willingly. And some dumbass FUCK decided to leak this story. This is two-fold for me.
First, by leaking where The Warrior Prince (which seems to be his now new nickname. MORE POWER TO HIM) was fighting at doesn't bother me except that this kid demanded to fight with his men. From all accounts, the troops he served with say he is brave. To Mr./Mrs. Fucknut who leaked this: were you there? If not, you sir/mad'am are a fucking coward. This kid lost his mother IMHO due to you. Ten and a half years ago, I watched this same MAN stoically walk the streets of London on the March from Buckingham to Westminster Abby. Essentially, that day changed *MY* life, as it was the day that I decided I needed to visit England.
I understand the need to pull him out. However, you made insta-targets for any troops who will extract him a target. I pray that you fucknuts will be SMART and not release what unit he was in. If that was leaked, then I hope you are happy.
My second point is, if he died, if you think the Pat Tillman situation was bad, this would be much worse. And sadly, you in the media would make this more of a circus than your stupid killing of his mother. It took papperazzi for me to actually care about the world. Princess Diana's death woke me up. She meant something to people, even those who aren't British.
That's why this story pisses me off. Here's a man who could possibly one day rule his country, placing himself in harms' way.
Leaking his departure is demoralizing, IMHO.
Thank you, Fucknuts. |
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