(This is an unsorted list of random ideas about topics that I probably shouldn't be writing about.)

Back to the wall

I haven't used this page in quite a while. Reading back over it, it sounds like my life hasn't been a lot of fun. That's not true. However, I can say that things haven't changed a lot either. Everything written below is still quite descriptive of my current situation. Hm...

Can we not just do something?

The world (technological, commercial, environmental, social, moral, religious) is shifting again. It's becoming increasingly clear that we are about to go through a period where the chaff is going to be winnowed. You have been warned: It's not enough to look busy; Do something!
Sun, May 6, 2007

It's that time again!

kid with a fever (likely contagious); wife about to travel; concert this weekend; major release coming out next week; travel the following week; plus more. bah.
Tues, May 2, 2006

My life as a series of compromises

  • Get up at 6:00 am, because that is when the alarm goes off to give my family enough time to be ready. I could be at work on time if I got up at 7:30.
  • Feed the dogs every morning, since we'll be late if anyone else ever does it. (Aside: I always buy the dog food, because no one else can lift a 20 pound bag, even though bags of books and knitting supplies weigh more than this.)
  • Drive Dennis to school because he has missed the bus so many times that we don't even try any more.
  • Go to work and stand in front of a highrise desk, because a repetitive strain injury in my tail bone makes sitting painful.
  • Read my mail with Lotus Notes, because that is what the company wants, even though I have three other more capable mailers on my desktop.
  • Go out for lunch, because I'd have to make myself one otherwise; don't eat desert because I'm already too fat and there is a very high incidence of diabetes in my family.
  • Do not do interesting technical work; there are too many other issues to deal with.
  • (Leave a little early; I'm not having enough fun to stay any longer)
  • Eat pizza or McDonalds because events x, y, and z needed to occur and there was no time to cook dinner. X, y and z vary by day, but they always exist.
  • Avoid playing cello because I don't play very well, haven't practiced enough, and sound crappy; a concert is fast approaching.
  • Play video games until late in the evening; the experience is shallow, but at least it's positive.
  • collapse exhausted into bed.

[Repeat ad nausium]

Trust me, I realize that I'm not bad off. Sometimes you just like to have a way to vent your frustrations, and this page is mine. If you don't like it, then piss off.
Tues, Mar 14, 2006

What kind of society...

...breeds people who think that it's ok to indescriminantly kill innocent people over a comic? Their behavior is so frightening, that you can't even have a rational discussion on the topic, for fear of drawing their ire. Sheesh, and I thought Spammers were bad!
Tues, Feb 21, 2006

Everything is a good idea at the time

I will eventually do more on this site. Really.
Wed, Jan 4, 2006

On the Irish

Irish women have the sexiest voices.
Thurs, Dec 15, 2005

My God I Hate Being Sick

I hate being sick the way most people hate having their eyes torn out by wild dogs -- even when it's just a head cold that lasts a bit longer than most, like I currently have.
Wed, Dec 7, 2005

Religion is Not a Moral Compass

(work in progress)

  • Everyone has a moral compass.
  • You feel good when you do what you know is right.
    • dieting - or not
    • practicing the cello - or not
    • working when you are at work
    • learning things instead of sounding like you know what you are talking about
    • not logging on to IM in "silent" mode so people won't know how much time you spend at your machine
  • "Confession" is an attempt to externalize the moral compass.
    • Makes you associate that good feeling with the Church.
    • but you have the power.
    • it's inverted logic anyway. Don't do bad things, then confess them (and "act better") so that you can get into a better after-life. Just do what you know is good in this life: you won't need Confession, and this life will feel infinitely better.

Tue, Nov 29, 2005

My Games Are Deb's Books

I just realized that I now sometimes buy computer games without ever believing I'm going to play them. I just buy them because they're cool and I think I might get around to playing them at some point. Of course, the truth is there will always be another one coming out, so unless I actually start playing it within a week or two of buying it, it's not going to happen.
Tue, Nov 8, 2005

Sigh

You know, I rely quite heavily on Deb to keep my sane. When she's not around, my stress level is much higher, and I start obsessing about my (or Dennis') health. Every year we have to go through one event where she's away and Dennis gets sick. As usual, she comes back, he gets better, life moves on.
Sun, Nov 6, 2005

I'm Tired Again

I hate the fact that I can't go a whole day without feeling tired. I went out for a walk at noon today, and ended up being so tired I fell asleep at my desk afterwards. Ugh. I've got to get in better shape, or something (either snowboarding, snow shovelling or illness) is likely to kill me this winter.
Mon, Oct 31, 2005

Getting Angry Doesn't Help

One of the people who works for me is what is typically called "hot blooded". He gets very emotional about everything he does, and thinks that this means he is committed to the work. I've tried to explain to him that commitment is a logical process: It's about dedication, particularly in the face of adversity, not how loudly you can respond.

This morning, he posted a snarky response on a bug report, largely because he just didn't have the patience to deal with a member of the community who doesn't have the clarity of vision that he does. Now, I'm going to have to go explain to him (yet again) that pissing off your users is ALWAYS a bad idea. *sigh*.
Mon, Oct 31, 2005