Ah, another Memorial Day weekend come and gone.
No more war movie marathons or anything close to it until July 4th or November 11th.
Grilling is now the order of the season.
AND!
The Cubs have already imploded.
Yes, if you look at my profile you will see that I am a fan of The Chicago Cubs.
You may ask, "Why is someone from Maryland who has NEVER lived in Illinois or the greater Chicagoland area a Cubs fan?"
I will answer you this: Expectations and Emotional Investment.
Why the Cubs? Because if they suck it's expected. And they just keep coming back, like Charlie Brown kicking the football they just don't know when to pack up and go home. I like that.
I invest a lot of emotion into my teams. Yelling at TV's, radios, etc. I wear my sports heart on my sleeve when I can get away with being an obnoxious loud annoying fan. (usually home alone or in a car.) So if you are familiar with the now regular fall of the O's every season, the beginnings of futility with the Nats AND the lean years of the Washington Redskins, you can understand that I needed a team to root for that would not help give me a stroke. Ergo I have picked the Cubs. I can sit back and enjoy the game. It's nice.
That and Wrigley Field is a great place to go see a game. I have been there, I want to go back. The fans, the real pipe organ, the drunken idiots in the bleachers...ah Chicago how I miss thee!
So what else is going on...
Had the BBQ, that went well. Go to NYC for an EPA Records Conference thing next week, that should be nice.
And work is work. Though I do have a research trip planned this weekend so that should be fun.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Memorial Day
It's Memorial Day weekend and I'm darn glad it is. AMC is showing all war movies, though I have a more than adequate collection of my own and there's the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 Tomorrow. And the gang is coming over Monday for a BBQ.
But it's also a time when I get a bit introspective...
For 9 years "professionally" and 14 years total I have studied military history. Primarily I am interested in the American Civil War but I've had a fairly wide range of interests in history books on this topic. So whenever this time of the year comes around and the movie channels start showing all the WW2 movies I watched as a kid with my dad I start thinking of cemeteries.
Yep, cemeteries. Part of it has to do with a tradition that my grandfather on my dad's side (hereafter known on this blog as Pop-Pop Fry) did EVERY Memorial Day. He went to all the cemeteries where his parents and aunts and grandma Fry's parent's were buried and put flowers on their grave. I usually went with him. Part of this started because he would take us to Kiddie City in Frederick for a toy at the end of the journey. Still I always remember going out with him. I also know where my great grandparents' graves are in Mount Olivet cemetery and Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick. (The tradition is modified now with Christmas trees that my Dad puts up instead of the Memorial Day trip. Still, someday I'm going to have to take up the duties. I may opt to do both.)
Anyway, there are a lot of veterans buried in Mount Olivet including a few score of Civil War soldiers who died from wounds received at Antietam. They were brought to Frederick by horse drawn ambulance and put in the army hospital, the churches around town and the old Hessian Barracks (originally built to house Hessian POW's from the Revolution.) I recall frequently looking at the headstones of those graves and others we came across that had flags and I took the time to read the dates of service.
Now with the US at war with terror I think about those graves a lot now. And the new ones with guys my age in them and I just get kinda quiet. Sometimes I don't know if this country is worth all the trouble that people go through to protect it. Seriously. We haven't done a really good thing for the world as a whole since the Second World War and the Marshall Plan. Most people don't vote for President. The best and the brightest don't serve their country in government as there's no money in it. We're selfish and have a short attention span.
What the hell happened?
Seriously? Why did we let it get this far? We're supposed to be the United States of America dammit! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. C'mon in, get a job make something of yourself, make your kids' lives better and on the odd occasion we SAVE THE FREAKIN WORLD! We did this. This whole country got its stuff together and looked at Nazi Germany and the Japanese Empire and said, "You guys are doing bad stuff, you didn't leave well enough alone and now you bombed us. We and several million of our friends here have come to kick your ass!"
And by God we did. It was that rarest of things, a GOOD war. I'm not going to argue it with anyone. It was a GOOD thing. It had to be done. It should have been done in 1935.
So I'm lamenting the past and now everyone is expecting some idea from me on how to fix it. I don't know how to fix this country but I have some ideas to try.
First I'm gonna steal an idea from Dan Rodricks of the Baltimore Sun; reinstate a draft. Now calm down and let me finish what Dan suggested. You can choose three paths; military service, domestic social service, overseas social service. Kind of like Armed Forces/Peace Corps/Americorps only you don't have the option of doing nothing. You as a kid have to pick one. Get off the computer kids and go fix the planet. I think this is a brilliant idea.
Second: Reality TV=VERBOTEN! Just make it stop, please for the love of all that is right and holy in the world. Make it stop!
Third: If in the future we decide to invade someone...BRING EVERYONE! No more of this bringing a small forces because the American public will blanche at a huge military buildup. If you're gonna go, GO! Go with EVERYONE! You're going to war, there are no half measures. It's supposed to be messy and a hard decision, it's WAR! We made that mistake in Vietnam and we've made it again in Iraq. If you do something like this do it all the way. There WILL be civilian casualties, they will be YOUR FAULT. But that's the way it goes. We never have had any second thoughts about Dresden, Berlin, Schweinfurt, Polesti, Wilhemshaven, Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, etc. When you go to war with a country you go expecting to fight the WHOLE COUNTRY. Like I said, going to war is not supposed to be an easy decision, nor is it supposed to be painless. That's what keeps war from being more frequent. It's a terrible thing.
Fourth: Everybody in this country needs a good sense of humor and to stop being so sensitive. Just relax. It's been worse.
Ok, that's all I got at the moment.
Happy Memorial Day everyone.
But it's also a time when I get a bit introspective...
For 9 years "professionally" and 14 years total I have studied military history. Primarily I am interested in the American Civil War but I've had a fairly wide range of interests in history books on this topic. So whenever this time of the year comes around and the movie channels start showing all the WW2 movies I watched as a kid with my dad I start thinking of cemeteries.
Yep, cemeteries. Part of it has to do with a tradition that my grandfather on my dad's side (hereafter known on this blog as Pop-Pop Fry) did EVERY Memorial Day. He went to all the cemeteries where his parents and aunts and grandma Fry's parent's were buried and put flowers on their grave. I usually went with him. Part of this started because he would take us to Kiddie City in Frederick for a toy at the end of the journey. Still I always remember going out with him. I also know where my great grandparents' graves are in Mount Olivet cemetery and Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick. (The tradition is modified now with Christmas trees that my Dad puts up instead of the Memorial Day trip. Still, someday I'm going to have to take up the duties. I may opt to do both.)
Anyway, there are a lot of veterans buried in Mount Olivet including a few score of Civil War soldiers who died from wounds received at Antietam. They were brought to Frederick by horse drawn ambulance and put in the army hospital, the churches around town and the old Hessian Barracks (originally built to house Hessian POW's from the Revolution.) I recall frequently looking at the headstones of those graves and others we came across that had flags and I took the time to read the dates of service.
Now with the US at war with terror I think about those graves a lot now. And the new ones with guys my age in them and I just get kinda quiet. Sometimes I don't know if this country is worth all the trouble that people go through to protect it. Seriously. We haven't done a really good thing for the world as a whole since the Second World War and the Marshall Plan. Most people don't vote for President. The best and the brightest don't serve their country in government as there's no money in it. We're selfish and have a short attention span.
What the hell happened?
Seriously? Why did we let it get this far? We're supposed to be the United States of America dammit! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. C'mon in, get a job make something of yourself, make your kids' lives better and on the odd occasion we SAVE THE FREAKIN WORLD! We did this. This whole country got its stuff together and looked at Nazi Germany and the Japanese Empire and said, "You guys are doing bad stuff, you didn't leave well enough alone and now you bombed us. We and several million of our friends here have come to kick your ass!"
And by God we did. It was that rarest of things, a GOOD war. I'm not going to argue it with anyone. It was a GOOD thing. It had to be done. It should have been done in 1935.
So I'm lamenting the past and now everyone is expecting some idea from me on how to fix it. I don't know how to fix this country but I have some ideas to try.
First I'm gonna steal an idea from Dan Rodricks of the Baltimore Sun; reinstate a draft. Now calm down and let me finish what Dan suggested. You can choose three paths; military service, domestic social service, overseas social service. Kind of like Armed Forces/Peace Corps/Americorps only you don't have the option of doing nothing. You as a kid have to pick one. Get off the computer kids and go fix the planet. I think this is a brilliant idea.
Second: Reality TV=VERBOTEN! Just make it stop, please for the love of all that is right and holy in the world. Make it stop!
Third: If in the future we decide to invade someone...BRING EVERYONE! No more of this bringing a small forces because the American public will blanche at a huge military buildup. If you're gonna go, GO! Go with EVERYONE! You're going to war, there are no half measures. It's supposed to be messy and a hard decision, it's WAR! We made that mistake in Vietnam and we've made it again in Iraq. If you do something like this do it all the way. There WILL be civilian casualties, they will be YOUR FAULT. But that's the way it goes. We never have had any second thoughts about Dresden, Berlin, Schweinfurt, Polesti, Wilhemshaven, Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, etc. When you go to war with a country you go expecting to fight the WHOLE COUNTRY. Like I said, going to war is not supposed to be an easy decision, nor is it supposed to be painless. That's what keeps war from being more frequent. It's a terrible thing.
Fourth: Everybody in this country needs a good sense of humor and to stop being so sensitive. Just relax. It's been worse.
Ok, that's all I got at the moment.
Happy Memorial Day everyone.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
I'm just workin for the weekend...
And I was working...
This weekend was volunteer weekend at the B&O Railroad Historical Society. So I spent these glorious two days around dusty documents.
Well...not really. Actually this weekend we started at the B&O Historical Society and then went to the B&O Railroad Museum to listen to a lecture. Then Sunday was a more productive day at the archives. More sorting, I strained my back trying to help move shelves. That wasn't so hot. But we got some good stuff done.
So now I go to the new building tomorrow and unpack. Hopefully all will be well.
We shall see.
This weekend was volunteer weekend at the B&O Railroad Historical Society. So I spent these glorious two days around dusty documents.
Well...not really. Actually this weekend we started at the B&O Historical Society and then went to the B&O Railroad Museum to listen to a lecture. Then Sunday was a more productive day at the archives. More sorting, I strained my back trying to help move shelves. That wasn't so hot. But we got some good stuff done.
So now I go to the new building tomorrow and unpack. Hopefully all will be well.
We shall see.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Movin'
So I'm not at my normal office today, actually technically today I don't have a normal office...WE'RE MOVING!!!
Ahem, well we're not moving, by we I mean the actually office workers, the moving guys are moving today. EPA people are off at some conference thing or just off, us contractors are scattered across the greater Arlington/DC Metro Area. I'm spending today at the company's office suite in Rosslyn. I'm about three blocks from the garage where Bob Woodward and Mark Felt met during Watergate. That in itself is a cool enough fact to ALMOST make me "tourist out." But I won't. I work here, I have a badge on a dongle. I'm supposed to be in a hurry, walking up METRO escalator and yelling "STAND TO THE RIGHT!" at tourists who are either corralling their kids, gawking at the metro (why you would gawk at what I consider to be some of the WORST subterranean architecture in THE WORLD I do not understand. Seriously, METRO stations are dark and sterile. There is no personality to them. Do what Chicago does, lighten them up and put some tiles or something on the wall...Paint murals! ANYTHING! Ahem, anyway...) or looking at their maps of DC wondering where the hell the Smithsonian/White House/insert memorial name here is.
This in itself is a shame. Those of us who work or travel through DC to our jobs really miss out on some neat stuff. Usually the highlight of my commute is taking the yellow line bridge over the Potomac and seeing the city and its water/train/air traffic, (yes, I like to watch boats, trains and planes, I am a transportation geek.) or walking across Farragut Square from Farragut West to Farragut North Metro Station. (Another thing, Adm. David G. Farragut doesn't get enough press these days. That's someone who needs a Carrier named after him. Though there is some solace in that Capt. Kirk's first assignment upon graduating Starfleet Academy was the USS Farragut. Also the Nebula Class USS Farragut was one of the three ships to rescue the crew of the Enterprise D at the end of Star Trek: Generations.)
So...where was I? Oh, not being able to "tourist out." Right...so yeah I think too many people take the city for granted or think it's a pain in the ass. And at times the traffic is a pain in the ass, this is what we get for having a Frenchman lay out the streets. (So George Washington gets a mulligan on that, otherwise he did pretty good.) So I'm just saying, look around you when you commute, you may not know what you're missing.
Anyway I'm off tomorrow. Getting a cable modem (HUZZAH!) and a haircut (HUZZAH!) and meeting with the Curator of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. (HUZZAH!) Busy day, but I think the meeting will be a great thing. Oh, and I have to drop off a calendar for the historical society to the printer. That's VERY important. Really, this is my first publishing project. I want to make sure it gets out right.
Also I was reading one of my friend's blogs and was struck by how she wanted to be Scarlett O'Hara but now doesn't. I think Scarlett is an interesting character and rather complex. However, I agree with Kim's new assessment that she's not a great role model. But it got me to thinking...who did I want to be from the movies...and I realized that I had several characters that I wanted to be, but I think the one that was always at the top...Han Solo.
Han Solo was the Mac Daddy of Star Wars. First, he got the coolest sidekick; Chewbacca. Second, he wasn't noble to the point of being a pain, nor brave to the point of stupidity. He was in most of Star Wars for the money, Empire to save his own skin and Jedi is when he finally decided...I'm in it for the cause...and the girl. This brings us to the third great thing, he got the girl. Nobody else got the girl in all of Star Wars. And in her day Carrie Fisher was indeed hot. Though she's hit the wall pretty hard now. Fourth, having the Millennium Falcon to tool around in is a major plus. Yeah, that pretty much sums up the reasons why I wanted to be Han Solo when I was a kid.
Well, I've got to go off and do the Kessel Run now. May the Force be with you.
Ahem, well we're not moving, by we I mean the actually office workers, the moving guys are moving today. EPA people are off at some conference thing or just off, us contractors are scattered across the greater Arlington/DC Metro Area. I'm spending today at the company's office suite in Rosslyn. I'm about three blocks from the garage where Bob Woodward and Mark Felt met during Watergate. That in itself is a cool enough fact to ALMOST make me "tourist out." But I won't. I work here, I have a badge on a dongle. I'm supposed to be in a hurry, walking up METRO escalator and yelling "STAND TO THE RIGHT!" at tourists who are either corralling their kids, gawking at the metro (why you would gawk at what I consider to be some of the WORST subterranean architecture in THE WORLD I do not understand. Seriously, METRO stations are dark and sterile. There is no personality to them. Do what Chicago does, lighten them up and put some tiles or something on the wall...Paint murals! ANYTHING! Ahem, anyway...) or looking at their maps of DC wondering where the hell the Smithsonian/White House/insert memorial name here is.
This in itself is a shame. Those of us who work or travel through DC to our jobs really miss out on some neat stuff. Usually the highlight of my commute is taking the yellow line bridge over the Potomac and seeing the city and its water/train/air traffic, (yes, I like to watch boats, trains and planes, I am a transportation geek.) or walking across Farragut Square from Farragut West to Farragut North Metro Station. (Another thing, Adm. David G. Farragut doesn't get enough press these days. That's someone who needs a Carrier named after him. Though there is some solace in that Capt. Kirk's first assignment upon graduating Starfleet Academy was the USS Farragut. Also the Nebula Class USS Farragut was one of the three ships to rescue the crew of the Enterprise D at the end of Star Trek: Generations.)
So...where was I? Oh, not being able to "tourist out." Right...so yeah I think too many people take the city for granted or think it's a pain in the ass. And at times the traffic is a pain in the ass, this is what we get for having a Frenchman lay out the streets. (So George Washington gets a mulligan on that, otherwise he did pretty good.) So I'm just saying, look around you when you commute, you may not know what you're missing.
Anyway I'm off tomorrow. Getting a cable modem (HUZZAH!) and a haircut (HUZZAH!) and meeting with the Curator of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. (HUZZAH!) Busy day, but I think the meeting will be a great thing. Oh, and I have to drop off a calendar for the historical society to the printer. That's VERY important. Really, this is my first publishing project. I want to make sure it gets out right.
Also I was reading one of my friend's blogs and was struck by how she wanted to be Scarlett O'Hara but now doesn't. I think Scarlett is an interesting character and rather complex. However, I agree with Kim's new assessment that she's not a great role model. But it got me to thinking...who did I want to be from the movies...and I realized that I had several characters that I wanted to be, but I think the one that was always at the top...Han Solo.
Han Solo was the Mac Daddy of Star Wars. First, he got the coolest sidekick; Chewbacca. Second, he wasn't noble to the point of being a pain, nor brave to the point of stupidity. He was in most of Star Wars for the money, Empire to save his own skin and Jedi is when he finally decided...I'm in it for the cause...and the girl. This brings us to the third great thing, he got the girl. Nobody else got the girl in all of Star Wars. And in her day Carrie Fisher was indeed hot. Though she's hit the wall pretty hard now. Fourth, having the Millennium Falcon to tool around in is a major plus. Yeah, that pretty much sums up the reasons why I wanted to be Han Solo when I was a kid.
Well, I've got to go off and do the Kessel Run now. May the Force be with you.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Railroad Warrior
For the second time in as many weeks, I've been driving like a madman. Not in terms of speed, but distance.
Yesterday at 6:45am I left for Wheeling, WV to pick up a donation of railroad documents from the B&O RR's Benwood Roundhouse. The forecast was for afternoon thunderstorms, so I was hoping to make it out and back before things got really hairy.
I took I-70 West to I-68 West to Morgantown, WV. Stopping there at 9:30am for breakfast and to refuel the truck I was in. Left Morgantown at 10:00am on I-79 North to Washington, PA where I got back on I-70 West and took that into Wheeling, arriving at 11:30am.
So in Wheeling I meet up with a local B&ORRHS member who met us at the woman's house and we caravaned to the place where the records were stored in McMechen, WV. We picked them up, I took the member back to his truck, we socialized, I saw a neat train layout under construction and then at 2:30pm, I left for the return trip.
I stopped in Cumberland, MD at 5:00pm for dinner and gas. (Note: the gas station I used did not require one to pay before pumping. That surprised me. It was under $3 a gallon out there, that did not surprise me.)
After Cumberland I went to Baltimore, MD to unload. I called people back who left messages for the HS and finally got back on the road home at 9:20pm. I got back to home around 10:30pm. A total of 16 hours on this trip.
Some would say I'm crazy to have done that, at times I was inclined to believe them, but it was a good trip.
Yesterday at 6:45am I left for Wheeling, WV to pick up a donation of railroad documents from the B&O RR's Benwood Roundhouse. The forecast was for afternoon thunderstorms, so I was hoping to make it out and back before things got really hairy.
I took I-70 West to I-68 West to Morgantown, WV. Stopping there at 9:30am for breakfast and to refuel the truck I was in. Left Morgantown at 10:00am on I-79 North to Washington, PA where I got back on I-70 West and took that into Wheeling, arriving at 11:30am.
So in Wheeling I meet up with a local B&ORRHS member who met us at the woman's house and we caravaned to the place where the records were stored in McMechen, WV. We picked them up, I took the member back to his truck, we socialized, I saw a neat train layout under construction and then at 2:30pm, I left for the return trip.
I stopped in Cumberland, MD at 5:00pm for dinner and gas. (Note: the gas station I used did not require one to pay before pumping. That surprised me. It was under $3 a gallon out there, that did not surprise me.)
After Cumberland I went to Baltimore, MD to unload. I called people back who left messages for the HS and finally got back on the road home at 9:20pm. I got back to home around 10:30pm. A total of 16 hours on this trip.
Some would say I'm crazy to have done that, at times I was inclined to believe them, but it was a good trip.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
10 Years...
10 years ago, around this time, I was graduating high school.
10 years ago, a little more than three months from now, I started UMBC.
10 years!!! Holy crap where did it all go?
Actually...
4 years undergrad at UMBC-2 girlfriends and Rheumatoid Arthritis
***1 BA in History with a certificate of General Honors***
2 years FT grad work at UMBC
2 years FT T. Rowe Price and PT grad work UMBC and PT RR Historical Society Archivist
2 years FT STG International, PT RR Historical Society Archivist with an additional year of PT grad work UMBC and one more girlfriend.
***1 MA in Historical Studies***
2 months at DPRA.
So that's where it all went. I guess I have been pretty busy. And I THINK...I THINK I'm the first of the UMBC Gang to have gotten an advanced degree. Which is ironic since I was not the one with the highest GPA.
10 years ago, a little more than three months from now, I started UMBC.
10 years!!! Holy crap where did it all go?
Actually...
4 years undergrad at UMBC-2 girlfriends and Rheumatoid Arthritis
***1 BA in History with a certificate of General Honors***
2 years FT grad work at UMBC
2 years FT T. Rowe Price and PT grad work UMBC and PT RR Historical Society Archivist
2 years FT STG International, PT RR Historical Society Archivist with an additional year of PT grad work UMBC and one more girlfriend.
***1 MA in Historical Studies***
2 months at DPRA.
So that's where it all went. I guess I have been pretty busy. And I THINK...I THINK I'm the first of the UMBC Gang to have gotten an advanced degree. Which is ironic since I was not the one with the highest GPA.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Ummm...I'll take "seriously? You mean it?" for $200 Alex
I'm listening to WTOP right now and they had a "Keith Richards update" just now;
"The Rolling Stones denied that Keith Richards has brain damage."
Perhaps not from the fall but...c'mon...the man has freakin' embalmed HIMSELF!
Seriously, good thing that was radio. I couldn't say that with a straight face.
"The Rolling Stones denied that Keith Richards has brain damage."
Perhaps not from the fall but...c'mon...the man has freakin' embalmed HIMSELF!
Seriously, good thing that was radio. I couldn't say that with a straight face.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Weekend of Trains and Travel
So...I've been on quite a trip.
Friday I took off work and got up at the normal time of 6am.
I was met by a fellow B&O Railroad fan and historical society member at 7:30 and together we embarked on a trip to Willard, OH by way of Altoona, Horseshoe Curve and Gallitzin, PA.
While it was a 9 hour trip to Willard, it was a good trip. First, Horshoe Curve ROCKS! Plenty of trains and a very scenic spot. It's a park with a funicular up to the viewing area, museum, gift shop and bathrooms that well...there are no flush toilets. It looks like a real bathroom, but it just goes down to a septic system below the building. If you drop your keys...they are so gone man. Second, Gallitzin, PA has a nice train viewing park near the Gallitizin tunnels. Very impressive to see a train roar out from a mountainside.
Willard was the site of the 2006 B&O Railroad Historical Society Ohio Mini-Con. Good times. I enjoyed myself and there are plenty of trains in Willard as well. So, I was trained out. It took 7 hours to get home, a more direct route thankfully. We had good weather for the entire trip so that was a major plus.
So now back to the drudgery of work until this weekend when I have to venture once more into the mountains on a mission to Wheeling, WV.
Friday I took off work and got up at the normal time of 6am.
I was met by a fellow B&O Railroad fan and historical society member at 7:30 and together we embarked on a trip to Willard, OH by way of Altoona, Horseshoe Curve and Gallitzin, PA.
While it was a 9 hour trip to Willard, it was a good trip. First, Horshoe Curve ROCKS! Plenty of trains and a very scenic spot. It's a park with a funicular up to the viewing area, museum, gift shop and bathrooms that well...there are no flush toilets. It looks like a real bathroom, but it just goes down to a septic system below the building. If you drop your keys...they are so gone man. Second, Gallitzin, PA has a nice train viewing park near the Gallitizin tunnels. Very impressive to see a train roar out from a mountainside.
Willard was the site of the 2006 B&O Railroad Historical Society Ohio Mini-Con. Good times. I enjoyed myself and there are plenty of trains in Willard as well. So, I was trained out. It took 7 hours to get home, a more direct route thankfully. We had good weather for the entire trip so that was a major plus.
So now back to the drudgery of work until this weekend when I have to venture once more into the mountains on a mission to Wheeling, WV.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Look out Teldar Paper!
"Greed, for lack of a better term, is good."-Gordon Gecko (played by Michael Douglas)
Today I bought stocks for the first time. It was cool.
I now own little bits of:
Norfolk Southern Corp
Acher Daniels Midland
Genesse and Wyoming Inc
Six Flags Inc
Energy Partners Limited (Jim Cramer recommendation)
Mercantile Bankcorp
So far I'm up $90.
Today I bought stocks for the first time. It was cool.
I now own little bits of:
Norfolk Southern Corp
Acher Daniels Midland
Genesse and Wyoming Inc
Six Flags Inc
Energy Partners Limited (Jim Cramer recommendation)
Mercantile Bankcorp
So far I'm up $90.
LOU!!!
Got some bad news late last night, Louis Rukeyser has passed away.
If you're not familiar with Mr. Rukeyser, well he had a pretty good show on PBS called Wall Street Week that was produced out of MD Public Television in Owings Mills, MD. It's near where I used to work.
(good people, I still have my investments with them.) People would call and say, "Do you see Mr. Rukeyser in town?" These also tended to be people who were fun to work with on the phone, they knew their stuff and asked good questions and they generally had a good attitude about the market.
He was a smart guy who didn't scream or yell (though Jim Cramer does have his good points). But he was witty. For me wit and clever use of language go a long way.
Anyway he got royally screwed over when MPT put a new guy in charge who said "Hey let's go commercial and partner with Money Magazine." Lou said no, in fact he said, "HELL NO!" The bosses at MPT said, "Lou even though you made this show, we're going to screw with it." That's when Lou decided it was time to leave, so he told everyone. In fact he did it on his show, first verbally skewering his boss and then saying, "take this job and shove it," on TV. Then he went to cable with his show, his old boss got fired because of how he turned MPT into crap and then Lou retired because he got sick.
Lou, I'll miss ya!
If you're not familiar with Mr. Rukeyser, well he had a pretty good show on PBS called Wall Street Week that was produced out of MD Public Television in Owings Mills, MD. It's near where I used to work.
(good people, I still have my investments with them.) People would call and say, "Do you see Mr. Rukeyser in town?" These also tended to be people who were fun to work with on the phone, they knew their stuff and asked good questions and they generally had a good attitude about the market.
He was a smart guy who didn't scream or yell (though Jim Cramer does have his good points). But he was witty. For me wit and clever use of language go a long way.
Anyway he got royally screwed over when MPT put a new guy in charge who said "Hey let's go commercial and partner with Money Magazine." Lou said no, in fact he said, "HELL NO!" The bosses at MPT said, "Lou even though you made this show, we're going to screw with it." That's when Lou decided it was time to leave, so he told everyone. In fact he did it on his show, first verbally skewering his boss and then saying, "take this job and shove it," on TV. Then he went to cable with his show, his old boss got fired because of how he turned MPT into crap and then Lou retired because he got sick.
Lou, I'll miss ya!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Weekend...
Well, it's 9pm and I am T-I-R-E-D.
Saturday was retrieve parental units from DC as they returned from their vacation.
Then take brother to his place in Baltimore as he had borrowed dad's truck while his was in the shop.
Today was SLEEP!
But I got up at 9am anyway. I went to Brunswick for a historical society mission that went very well. I stayed in town to visit some folks at the museum there and for the Capitol Limited to pass on its was from DC to Chicago. It went by on time at 5:03pm. Nice work.
But my work is done, things are good and all is moderately ok in the world.
Three days to a new episode of Mythbusters.
Saturday was retrieve parental units from DC as they returned from their vacation.
Then take brother to his place in Baltimore as he had borrowed dad's truck while his was in the shop.
Today was SLEEP!
But I got up at 9am anyway. I went to Brunswick for a historical society mission that went very well. I stayed in town to visit some folks at the museum there and for the Capitol Limited to pass on its was from DC to Chicago. It went by on time at 5:03pm. Nice work.
But my work is done, things are good and all is moderately ok in the world.
Three days to a new episode of Mythbusters.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Jim, so help me, I'm starting to think I can cure a rainy day!
My enduring respect (and a prize if I'm feeling generous) if you can ID the fictional character who said the title.
Well, good news. New contractor wants to keep staff the same. Rep from said co said, "It's not broke. I don't want to or need to fix it."
Sweet. However, I implemented the evac plan now for what appears to be a false alarm. Not good. But the above was not in writing so I may yet need to evac.
Still, I have a job. Always good. Other folks I know do not or will not. :(
Now for some of my choice topics of discussion:
1. GASOLINE. Ok, that's it. We're gonna have to declare war on...hmmm...George who do we hit that can fix this? China? Then we lose all of our cheap imported goods. England? Nah, they pay $5 a litre. They're hurtin worse than us. Germany? Same deal as England. Venezuela? Not so much. Citgo is Venezuelan. Anytime you buy Citgo gas the profits go to Hugo Chavez. Remember that Red Staters, also Citgo sponsors a NASCAR team. Where's Homeland Security when you need it? Hmmmmmm?
Russia? Nope, they're cool with selling gas and not being a member of OPEC. We might want to get real buddy buddy with them.
Wait...I know...
FRANCE.
Their economy is gonna implode anyway, thanks to some short sighted students and some stubborn commies. People get used to getting fired because you're all gonna get your asses laid off in 20 years. Then Germany will buy your bankrupt country and say...Damn! We tried this the hard way THREE TIMES!!! and all we had to do was wait for you to do yourselves in. Danke Schoen. (In case you didn't notice, not a big fan of France. Bigger army than the Nazis in WW2...lasted a week against them in land combat. So much for a steadfast ally. So we bail their ass out with the ever reliable Brits. (motto: "C'mon, just TRY and invade us you little goose stepping twit.") And after we save their pitiful conquered butts they decide to horn in on the win. Puh-leeze. There's a reason why FDR called them "damn frogs."
Seriously, about the gas...buy hybrid. It's only gonna get worse. Or at least buy oil company stock to get some of your money back.
2. Trying to rob David Copperfield...magician not the Dickensian hero.
Four rocket scientists from FL tried to rob David Copperfield.
Ok, read the story and say it with me. Bad idea guys.
First who doesn't know who David Copperfield is?
Second who tries to rob a magician in the first place? Seriously. I'd like to know.
3. Tony Snow: New White House flack.
Ummm, he worked for Fox News before this. He really isn't changing jobs here people. He just doesn't have to work in the same building with Steve Doocy anymore.
4. Brett Favre decides to stay with Green Bay one more year.
YEAH! I admit it I am a Packer fan. And Brett Favre is fun to watch when he's not throwing into triple coverage. Let's get this guy a line and some healthy receivers and give him a decent year to head off into the sunset on. He deserves it. Better yet...have everyone in the NFL make a secret pact to let Green Bay into the playoffs. Just lay off enough that they make a wild card or eke out a division championship and play his last game at Lambeau. I'd get Veklempt. I'm getting Veklempt now. Someone channel Vince Lombardi and make this happen!!!
5. Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me! is coming to DC next week. Lisner Auditorium at GWU. Tickets are...get this...$60 a pop! $60!!! $60!!! People! WTF? $60?!?!?! I'll need that for gas!
6. Reading: I just finished To Dare and To Conquer
Not a bad book. Had some interesting tidbits about special forces throughout history and just what makes a special force special. Mainly the people and the objectives. Worth reading, especially as we will be using them in the war on terror a lot.
Currently I'm reading Team of Rivals So far it's very good.
Well it's late. I'm going to end this post. Perhaps there will be more on the morrow.
Well, good news. New contractor wants to keep staff the same. Rep from said co said, "It's not broke. I don't want to or need to fix it."
Sweet. However, I implemented the evac plan now for what appears to be a false alarm. Not good. But the above was not in writing so I may yet need to evac.
Still, I have a job. Always good. Other folks I know do not or will not. :(
Now for some of my choice topics of discussion:
1. GASOLINE. Ok, that's it. We're gonna have to declare war on...hmmm...George who do we hit that can fix this? China? Then we lose all of our cheap imported goods. England? Nah, they pay $5 a litre. They're hurtin worse than us. Germany? Same deal as England. Venezuela? Not so much. Citgo is Venezuelan. Anytime you buy Citgo gas the profits go to Hugo Chavez. Remember that Red Staters, also Citgo sponsors a NASCAR team. Where's Homeland Security when you need it? Hmmmmmm?
Russia? Nope, they're cool with selling gas and not being a member of OPEC. We might want to get real buddy buddy with them.
Wait...I know...
FRANCE.
Their economy is gonna implode anyway, thanks to some short sighted students and some stubborn commies. People get used to getting fired because you're all gonna get your asses laid off in 20 years. Then Germany will buy your bankrupt country and say...Damn! We tried this the hard way THREE TIMES!!! and all we had to do was wait for you to do yourselves in. Danke Schoen. (In case you didn't notice, not a big fan of France. Bigger army than the Nazis in WW2...lasted a week against them in land combat. So much for a steadfast ally. So we bail their ass out with the ever reliable Brits. (motto: "C'mon, just TRY and invade us you little goose stepping twit.") And after we save their pitiful conquered butts they decide to horn in on the win. Puh-leeze. There's a reason why FDR called them "damn frogs."
Seriously, about the gas...buy hybrid. It's only gonna get worse. Or at least buy oil company stock to get some of your money back.
2. Trying to rob David Copperfield...magician not the Dickensian hero.
Four rocket scientists from FL tried to rob David Copperfield.
Ok, read the story and say it with me. Bad idea guys.
First who doesn't know who David Copperfield is?
Second who tries to rob a magician in the first place? Seriously. I'd like to know.
3. Tony Snow: New White House flack.
Ummm, he worked for Fox News before this. He really isn't changing jobs here people. He just doesn't have to work in the same building with Steve Doocy anymore.
4. Brett Favre decides to stay with Green Bay one more year.
YEAH! I admit it I am a Packer fan. And Brett Favre is fun to watch when he's not throwing into triple coverage. Let's get this guy a line and some healthy receivers and give him a decent year to head off into the sunset on. He deserves it. Better yet...have everyone in the NFL make a secret pact to let Green Bay into the playoffs. Just lay off enough that they make a wild card or eke out a division championship and play his last game at Lambeau. I'd get Veklempt. I'm getting Veklempt now. Someone channel Vince Lombardi and make this happen!!!
5. Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me! is coming to DC next week. Lisner Auditorium at GWU. Tickets are...get this...$60 a pop! $60!!! $60!!! People! WTF? $60?!?!?! I'll need that for gas!
6. Reading: I just finished To Dare and To Conquer
Not a bad book. Had some interesting tidbits about special forces throughout history and just what makes a special force special. Mainly the people and the objectives. Worth reading, especially as we will be using them in the war on terror a lot.
Currently I'm reading Team of Rivals So far it's very good.
Well it's late. I'm going to end this post. Perhaps there will be more on the morrow.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Fin de Semanna
Well, another weekend down the drain. I did get to watch All The President's Men. I did not get to hang out with my friends. Seems we just couldn't pull something together with other commitments. Ah well. Things should settle down soon anyway. Besides it freakin' RAINED! Bad night to be out Saturday. Probably best for us all.
I did get belated birthday presents. BONUS! I got The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes and The Iron Horse and the Windy City about railroads in my favorite metropolis...Chi-town!
Let's see...that's about all I got going on. I did the volunteer thing. That's going well. Going to try and spend some of the organization's money. Let's see how that goes.
I also interviewed on Friday with my old boss. She moved on from my old job before I did. I may have to jump ship if the new company decides not to take me on. It'll be a pay cut but it will still be a pay check.
And it looks like we're going to get a great view of a comet in may take a gander at this here.
I did get belated birthday presents. BONUS! I got The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes and The Iron Horse and the Windy City about railroads in my favorite metropolis...Chi-town!
Let's see...that's about all I got going on. I did the volunteer thing. That's going well. Going to try and spend some of the organization's money. Let's see how that goes.
I also interviewed on Friday with my old boss. She moved on from my old job before I did. I may have to jump ship if the new company decides not to take me on. It'll be a pay cut but it will still be a pay check.
And it looks like we're going to get a great view of a comet in may take a gander at this here.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Jacques! Jacques! Start the plane! Start the plane Jacques!
I interview with for my emergency escape plan tomorrow at 3:30pm. I am feeling conflicted. On one hand, I want to have the escape plan. On the other hand I don't want to abandon a job that I like and co-workers I like. And on the other other hand, I don't want to alienate my old boss in case I DO need the escape plan at a later date.
GAH! Stupid conscience.
GAH! Stupid conscience.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
My first purloined survey:
1. Worst damage you ever took in a fight?
Well there was that time that squadron of X-Wings...Oh you mean a real fight. Nope no fights.
2. Most money you ever owed a utility company?
$98 electric bill during a damn cold winter.
3. Last time you got kicked out of a bar?
I don't drink.
4. Longest time you slept in a car?
3 hours
5. Most f'ed up nickname you've ever been given?
Hmmm...I like most of the nicknames I've been given.
6. Worst job you ever had?
My previous job on a FEMA contract. No direction from the agency and other problems.
7. Shortest job you've ever had?
Might be this current one.
8. Longest romantic relationship?
3 years, so far the best 3 years of my life.
9. Shortest romantic relationship?
4 months.
10. Food that you would eat til you puked?
Gibbles White Cheddar Cheese puffs.
11. Food that even looking at makes you puke?
Hagfish
12. What music saved your life?
Well...Glenn Miller saved my ass in Nam. Does that count? No seriously...classical. Stress relief. I can close my eyes and imagine the concert.
13. Person you miss the most in the world?
Alive: I refuse to say Gone: Pop Pop Fry
14. Worst movie you've ever seen?
Hmmm, I try to stay away from the bad ones. But I saw the original Maltese Falcon from the 1930's. Two words: TRAIN WRECK
15. Best movie you've ever seen?
The Sting. It's best the first time you see it.
16. Craziest shit you've ever done sober?
I'm pretty buttoned down. Sorry.
17. Ever almost die?
RA got me as close as I ever want to get.
18. Ever fistfight a member of the opposite sex?
No, that is ungentlemanly.
19. Best place you have ever lived?
Home right now. I can see stars and in 2002 I saw the Aurora Borealis.
25. At your poorest, were you a ramen noodle or Mac and cheeze aficionado?
Mac and Cheeze
26. Most money you have ever spent on a single meal?
$40 per person...not including tip.
27. Best gift you ever got?
I dunno. I've gotten a lot of great gifts.
28. Best pet you ever had?
Shadow. I miss her.
29. Ever run from the cops?
Nope.
30. Where were you when the ball dropped for 2006?
At Kim and Dave's
31. How did you get the idea for your profile name?
I'm a frustrated historian working for a government contractor. This brain for hire.
32. What song are you playing now, or wish you were playing?
I'm in the mood for "Clare de Lune" right now.
33. Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry?
Jim Henson. I grew up on muppets.
34. What color underwear are you wearing?
blue with polar bears
35. Do you own an ipod?
Nein!
36. What did you do this morning?
Got up, let Duff out, let Duff in, got dressed, brushed teeth, drove to the Metro, walked to work, got my everything bagel and large coffee from the shop on the ground floor of my building, worked.
37. What does your mom do for a living?
Children's Librarian
38. Where do you work?
EPA...for now.
39. What ended your last relationship?
There wasn't love between both of us.
40. What are the last 2 digits of your phone number?
94
41. What was the last concert you attended?
BSO
42. Who was with you?
Sabrina
43. What was the last movie you watched?
The Sting
44. Who do you dislike at the moment?
the people who are screwing up my employment and the French.
45. What food do you crave right now?
I got a hankerin for an apple.
46. Did you dream last night?
Not that I recall Senator.
47. What was the last TV show you watched?
MYTHBUSTERS!!! Rock on!
48. What is your fav piece of jewelry?
The pocket watch I got from Mom and Dad for college graduation.
49. What is to the left of you?
my dresser
50. What was the last thing you ate?
ice cream
51. Who is your best friend of the opposite sex?
Sabrina
52. Who last IMed you?
Shelby
53. Are you on any medication?
Yes.
54. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
right side.
55. What color shirt are you wearing?
navy blue
56. What color is your razor?
black
57. What is your favorite frozen treat?
any ice cream with caramel and nuts.
58. how many tattoos and piercings do you have?
none
59. What's your favorite store?
Bookfinder.com
60. Are you thirsty right now?
No, thanks for asking.
61. Can you imagine yourself ever getting married?
Sigh...I used to. But now I save myself the disappointment.
62. Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss?
My friends. I talk to them, but I miss the group dynamic.
63. What did you do last night?
Talked to Sabrina.
64. Do you care what people think about you?
Depends on the people.
65. Have you ever done something to instigate trouble?
Yeah
66. Do you like your nose?
Yes
67. What color is your bedroom?
Blue, it used to be green.
68. When was the last time you worked out?
19...
69. What are your font colors on AIM?
black
70. Where do you live?
in a house silly.
71. Are you an aggressive driver?
Nope.
72. Who is your cell phone carrier?
Cingular
73. Do you like the person who posted this last?
Yeah, she's cool.
74. What is across the room from you?
my bed.
75. What is the thing you'd most want to change about yourself?
I would want to get rid of my RA.
76. What color is your car?
blue
77. What do you smell like right now?
I'm a guy, next question.
78. What is your favorite color?
Billiard or Forest Green
79. money or health?
Health.
80. Where was your last kiss?
Holy crap, I don't remember.
81. What are you listening to right now?:
the news.
82. Whats your favorite number?
88
83. When was the last time you smiled?
tonight watching MYTHBUSTERS!
84. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
a co-worker, we had a conference call.
85 What is your worst habit?
I can be lazy.
86 Do you drink?
Can't.
87 Do you smoke?
Hell no.
88 When was the last time, if ever, you blacked out?
When I had my knee drained.
89 Girlfriend/Boyfriend?
none.
90 Your Hair color?
Red, more auburn at the moment.
91 Eye Color?
brown
92 Do you wear contacts?:
No
93 Favorite Holiday?
Christmas!
94 Favorite Month?:
Any one with snow.
95 Have you ever cried for no reason?:
Alas yes, but I was on prednisone
96 Favorite Day of the Year?
Christmas Eve.
97 Are you too shy to ask someone out?:
Yes
98 Last advice you received?
Do what's best for you.
99 What was the highlight of your weekend?:
Easter with the fam.
100 Chocolate or Vanilla?:
Vanilla
101 What is the last text message you received?
n/a
102 What is the last text message you sent?:
n/a
103 Who was the last person to call you?
co-worker
104 What was the last sports game you watched?
O's vs Angels Easter Sunday.
105 When was the last time you slept in someone else's bed?
Technically it was when I was at the Marriott in Charleston. The bed belonged to the Marriott Corp.
106 Favorite movies
See profile
107 Favorite football Team?
Washington Redskins.
108 What were you doing before this?
posting to my blog
109 Any pets?
Duff (spoiled 11 year old dog)
110 Favorite Drink?
Coke
111 Butter, Plain or Salted popcorn?
Surprise me.
112 Dogs or cats?:
Dogs
113 Favorite flower?:
Eidelweiss
114 When was the last time you got in trouble?
I dunno, some crap at my last job. I had stopped caring.
115 Have you ever loved someone?
Yes
116 Are you still friends with people from kindergarten?
Nope
117 Have you ever fired a gun?
Nope
118 do you like to travel by plane?
Yeah, trains are better though.
119 What websites do you go to frequently?
spaceweather.com, bookfinder.com, wtop.com, baltimoresun.com, amazon.com
120 How many pillows do you sleep with?
3
121 Are you missing someone?
Yep
122 How was your day?
Mediocre
123. State your name:
Nicholas
124. age:
28
125. height:
5' 10"
126. favorite food:
A well made crab cake, broiled.
127. favorite color:
See previous iteration of this question.
128. current profession:
Records Management Specialist
129. where are you right now, physically?
In my room.
130. if you are listening to music, what is it? If not, what's the last song you heard?
Right now classical since the radio stations here suck.
131. what are you wearing?
T-shirt and pajama bottoms.
132. Given that straight in front of you = 12 o'clock, name an object at:
3 o'clock: dresser
9 o'clock: computer desk
133. Describe the wall covering (paint/wallpaper) of the room you're in:
blue paint on dryall.
134. Does your chair squeak?
Yep
135. Are you currently drinking/eating? if so, what?
No
136. Is your desk/working surface clean or messy?
Messy as all get out.
137. Aside from yourself, is there an animal in the room?
Nope
138. Did the implication made in question 138 offend you in any way?
I'm getting out my old TA red pen for this. "Your question makes no sense in the current context. Either delete or move to a point in the paper where it makes sense."
139. If you are listening to music, hit pause for a second. Sit quietly, without typing or doing anything.
TV in the living room, computer fan
140. In general terms, how are you feeling today?
Good, but a bit achy.
141. Can you see a window (the outside kind, not the computer kind) from where you're sitting?
Yes
142. Name 3 words to describe yourself:
smart, goofy, boring
143. Name 3 words you think other people would use to describe you:
listener, nerdish, wierd
144. What do you do for fun when you're not on myspace?
I read.
145. Wallflower or Party Animal?
Wallflower
146. Describe your perfect date (the events, not the person):
I'll let you know when I have it.
147. Describe your perfect evening alone:
Writing a historical monograph listening to Best of the Big Bands with Kent Jackson on WYPR.
148. For each of the following sets of 4 words, put a B by the one that BEST describes you and an L by the one that LEAST describes you:
a. EXPRESSIVE
COMPLIANT B
FORCEFUL L
RESTRAINED
b. CHARMING
POSITIVE B
LENIENT
EXACTING L
c. RESERVED L
OUTSPOKEN B
STRICT
ELOQUENT
d. HIGH-SPIRITED
TALKATIVE
GOOD-NATURED B
CONSERVATIVE L
e. TIMID
DEMANDING
PATIENT B
CAPTIVATING L
149. Clear your mind. Now type the first single word that comes to mind when you hear the following words:
a. angel : halo
b. guilty : verdict
c. pants : belt
d. dolphin : flipper
e. naked : truth
f. live : forgive
g. good : great
h. pasta : sauce
i. birth : life
150. What do you consider your best quality? I have a high tolerance for annoyance.
151. What do you consider your worst quality? When my temper does go...it goes.
Well there was that time that squadron of X-Wings...Oh you mean a real fight. Nope no fights.
2. Most money you ever owed a utility company?
$98 electric bill during a damn cold winter.
3. Last time you got kicked out of a bar?
I don't drink.
4. Longest time you slept in a car?
3 hours
5. Most f'ed up nickname you've ever been given?
Hmmm...I like most of the nicknames I've been given.
6. Worst job you ever had?
My previous job on a FEMA contract. No direction from the agency and other problems.
7. Shortest job you've ever had?
Might be this current one.
8. Longest romantic relationship?
3 years, so far the best 3 years of my life.
9. Shortest romantic relationship?
4 months.
10. Food that you would eat til you puked?
Gibbles White Cheddar Cheese puffs.
11. Food that even looking at makes you puke?
Hagfish
12. What music saved your life?
Well...Glenn Miller saved my ass in Nam. Does that count? No seriously...classical. Stress relief. I can close my eyes and imagine the concert.
13. Person you miss the most in the world?
Alive: I refuse to say Gone: Pop Pop Fry
14. Worst movie you've ever seen?
Hmmm, I try to stay away from the bad ones. But I saw the original Maltese Falcon from the 1930's. Two words: TRAIN WRECK
15. Best movie you've ever seen?
The Sting. It's best the first time you see it.
16. Craziest shit you've ever done sober?
I'm pretty buttoned down. Sorry.
17. Ever almost die?
RA got me as close as I ever want to get.
18. Ever fistfight a member of the opposite sex?
No, that is ungentlemanly.
19. Best place you have ever lived?
Home right now. I can see stars and in 2002 I saw the Aurora Borealis.
25. At your poorest, were you a ramen noodle or Mac and cheeze aficionado?
Mac and Cheeze
26. Most money you have ever spent on a single meal?
$40 per person...not including tip.
27. Best gift you ever got?
I dunno. I've gotten a lot of great gifts.
28. Best pet you ever had?
Shadow. I miss her.
29. Ever run from the cops?
Nope.
30. Where were you when the ball dropped for 2006?
At Kim and Dave's
31. How did you get the idea for your profile name?
I'm a frustrated historian working for a government contractor. This brain for hire.
32. What song are you playing now, or wish you were playing?
I'm in the mood for "Clare de Lune" right now.
33. Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry?
Jim Henson. I grew up on muppets.
34. What color underwear are you wearing?
blue with polar bears
35. Do you own an ipod?
Nein!
36. What did you do this morning?
Got up, let Duff out, let Duff in, got dressed, brushed teeth, drove to the Metro, walked to work, got my everything bagel and large coffee from the shop on the ground floor of my building, worked.
37. What does your mom do for a living?
Children's Librarian
38. Where do you work?
EPA...for now.
39. What ended your last relationship?
There wasn't love between both of us.
40. What are the last 2 digits of your phone number?
94
41. What was the last concert you attended?
BSO
42. Who was with you?
Sabrina
43. What was the last movie you watched?
The Sting
44. Who do you dislike at the moment?
the people who are screwing up my employment and the French.
45. What food do you crave right now?
I got a hankerin for an apple.
46. Did you dream last night?
Not that I recall Senator.
47. What was the last TV show you watched?
MYTHBUSTERS!!! Rock on!
48. What is your fav piece of jewelry?
The pocket watch I got from Mom and Dad for college graduation.
49. What is to the left of you?
my dresser
50. What was the last thing you ate?
ice cream
51. Who is your best friend of the opposite sex?
Sabrina
52. Who last IMed you?
Shelby
53. Are you on any medication?
Yes.
54. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
right side.
55. What color shirt are you wearing?
navy blue
56. What color is your razor?
black
57. What is your favorite frozen treat?
any ice cream with caramel and nuts.
58. how many tattoos and piercings do you have?
none
59. What's your favorite store?
Bookfinder.com
60. Are you thirsty right now?
No, thanks for asking.
61. Can you imagine yourself ever getting married?
Sigh...I used to. But now I save myself the disappointment.
62. Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss?
My friends. I talk to them, but I miss the group dynamic.
63. What did you do last night?
Talked to Sabrina.
64. Do you care what people think about you?
Depends on the people.
65. Have you ever done something to instigate trouble?
Yeah
66. Do you like your nose?
Yes
67. What color is your bedroom?
Blue, it used to be green.
68. When was the last time you worked out?
19...
69. What are your font colors on AIM?
black
70. Where do you live?
in a house silly.
71. Are you an aggressive driver?
Nope.
72. Who is your cell phone carrier?
Cingular
73. Do you like the person who posted this last?
Yeah, she's cool.
74. What is across the room from you?
my bed.
75. What is the thing you'd most want to change about yourself?
I would want to get rid of my RA.
76. What color is your car?
blue
77. What do you smell like right now?
I'm a guy, next question.
78. What is your favorite color?
Billiard or Forest Green
79. money or health?
Health.
80. Where was your last kiss?
Holy crap, I don't remember.
81. What are you listening to right now?:
the news.
82. Whats your favorite number?
88
83. When was the last time you smiled?
tonight watching MYTHBUSTERS!
84. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
a co-worker, we had a conference call.
85 What is your worst habit?
I can be lazy.
86 Do you drink?
Can't.
87 Do you smoke?
Hell no.
88 When was the last time, if ever, you blacked out?
When I had my knee drained.
89 Girlfriend/Boyfriend?
none.
90 Your Hair color?
Red, more auburn at the moment.
91 Eye Color?
brown
92 Do you wear contacts?:
No
93 Favorite Holiday?
Christmas!
94 Favorite Month?:
Any one with snow.
95 Have you ever cried for no reason?:
Alas yes, but I was on prednisone
96 Favorite Day of the Year?
Christmas Eve.
97 Are you too shy to ask someone out?:
Yes
98 Last advice you received?
Do what's best for you.
99 What was the highlight of your weekend?:
Easter with the fam.
100 Chocolate or Vanilla?:
Vanilla
101 What is the last text message you received?
n/a
102 What is the last text message you sent?:
n/a
103 Who was the last person to call you?
co-worker
104 What was the last sports game you watched?
O's vs Angels Easter Sunday.
105 When was the last time you slept in someone else's bed?
Technically it was when I was at the Marriott in Charleston. The bed belonged to the Marriott Corp.
106 Favorite movies
See profile
107 Favorite football Team?
Washington Redskins.
108 What were you doing before this?
posting to my blog
109 Any pets?
Duff (spoiled 11 year old dog)
110 Favorite Drink?
Coke
111 Butter, Plain or Salted popcorn?
Surprise me.
112 Dogs or cats?:
Dogs
113 Favorite flower?:
Eidelweiss
114 When was the last time you got in trouble?
I dunno, some crap at my last job. I had stopped caring.
115 Have you ever loved someone?
Yes
116 Are you still friends with people from kindergarten?
Nope
117 Have you ever fired a gun?
Nope
118 do you like to travel by plane?
Yeah, trains are better though.
119 What websites do you go to frequently?
spaceweather.com, bookfinder.com, wtop.com, baltimoresun.com, amazon.com
120 How many pillows do you sleep with?
3
121 Are you missing someone?
Yep
122 How was your day?
Mediocre
123. State your name:
Nicholas
124. age:
28
125. height:
5' 10"
126. favorite food:
A well made crab cake, broiled.
127. favorite color:
See previous iteration of this question.
128. current profession:
Records Management Specialist
129. where are you right now, physically?
In my room.
130. if you are listening to music, what is it? If not, what's the last song you heard?
Right now classical since the radio stations here suck.
131. what are you wearing?
T-shirt and pajama bottoms.
132. Given that straight in front of you = 12 o'clock, name an object at:
3 o'clock: dresser
9 o'clock: computer desk
133. Describe the wall covering (paint/wallpaper) of the room you're in:
blue paint on dryall.
134. Does your chair squeak?
Yep
135. Are you currently drinking/eating? if so, what?
No
136. Is your desk/working surface clean or messy?
Messy as all get out.
137. Aside from yourself, is there an animal in the room?
Nope
138. Did the implication made in question 138 offend you in any way?
I'm getting out my old TA red pen for this. "Your question makes no sense in the current context. Either delete or move to a point in the paper where it makes sense."
139. If you are listening to music, hit pause for a second. Sit quietly, without typing or doing anything.
TV in the living room, computer fan
140. In general terms, how are you feeling today?
Good, but a bit achy.
141. Can you see a window (the outside kind, not the computer kind) from where you're sitting?
Yes
142. Name 3 words to describe yourself:
smart, goofy, boring
143. Name 3 words you think other people would use to describe you:
listener, nerdish, wierd
144. What do you do for fun when you're not on myspace?
I read.
145. Wallflower or Party Animal?
Wallflower
146. Describe your perfect date (the events, not the person):
I'll let you know when I have it.
147. Describe your perfect evening alone:
Writing a historical monograph listening to Best of the Big Bands with Kent Jackson on WYPR.
148. For each of the following sets of 4 words, put a B by the one that BEST describes you and an L by the one that LEAST describes you:
a. EXPRESSIVE
COMPLIANT B
FORCEFUL L
RESTRAINED
b. CHARMING
POSITIVE B
LENIENT
EXACTING L
c. RESERVED L
OUTSPOKEN B
STRICT
ELOQUENT
d. HIGH-SPIRITED
TALKATIVE
GOOD-NATURED B
CONSERVATIVE L
e. TIMID
DEMANDING
PATIENT B
CAPTIVATING L
149. Clear your mind. Now type the first single word that comes to mind when you hear the following words:
a. angel : halo
b. guilty : verdict
c. pants : belt
d. dolphin : flipper
e. naked : truth
f. live : forgive
g. good : great
h. pasta : sauce
i. birth : life
150. What do you consider your best quality? I have a high tolerance for annoyance.
151. What do you consider your worst quality? When my temper does go...it goes.
Remember that scene...
in Raiders of the Lost Ark?
The part where Indy has the idol in his hands has jumped the chasm walked past an impaled Alfred Molina (pre Doc Ock) and is almost home free. And he sees that boulder coming down the ram towards him?
Just got the word on the contract...the boulder is coming. Now will new uber company want to hire me on?
I haven't heard. But I have an interview with my old boss who works somewhere else now on Friday.
This is why I have this rule about jobs; "Don't burn the bridge, you never know when you'll have to use it again."
Surprisingly my supervisor/co-worker is taking this worse than I. She's worried about the rest of us, I'm rather sang-froid about it. We're the modern equivalent of bureaucratic privateers. Our services go to the highest bidder stability is not a given. Also this situation going to crap is NOTHING compared to what happened to me from 1999-2000, or as I like to call it "My crappiest 18 months." As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men...
The part where Indy has the idol in his hands has jumped the chasm walked past an impaled Alfred Molina (pre Doc Ock) and is almost home free. And he sees that boulder coming down the ram towards him?
Just got the word on the contract...the boulder is coming. Now will new uber company want to hire me on?
I haven't heard. But I have an interview with my old boss who works somewhere else now on Friday.
This is why I have this rule about jobs; "Don't burn the bridge, you never know when you'll have to use it again."
Surprisingly my supervisor/co-worker is taking this worse than I. She's worried about the rest of us, I'm rather sang-froid about it. We're the modern equivalent of bureaucratic privateers. Our services go to the highest bidder stability is not a given. Also this situation going to crap is NOTHING compared to what happened to me from 1999-2000, or as I like to call it "My crappiest 18 months." As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men...
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Will tragedy strike our intrepid hero?
Rumors afoot about changes with the contract. Headhunters are out. A decision has to be made by May.
So naturally I'm freaking out. I may wind up working for someone else on this job or I may have to go with plan B which pays less but still pays.
Welcome to the wild wooly world of contracting.
So naturally I'm freaking out. I may wind up working for someone else on this job or I may have to go with plan B which pays less but still pays.
Welcome to the wild wooly world of contracting.
Monday, April 17, 2006
A new week...
Or, five days to kill until the weekend.
Actually it's going to be a busy week. Two meetings at work, servers getting migrated to the new building at Potomac Yard. All sorts of things that can go awry.
Add to that: one emissions test tomorrow or Wednesday morning or evening and you've got a whole lotta fun.
Well, not really. Man what a boring week. Nothing exciting like The Wacky Neighbor's Actuarial Exam (You're a braver man than I Gunga Din.) Of course having roomed with TWN in college I know that TWN really likes math, like I really like history. However his major translated into a good job applying his knowledge. I am managing records.
But the real treat hits Saturday when I do my volunteer thing. That's always nice. And I'll try and log some time with my old movies. I think All the President's Men needs to be a movie of the weekend...hmmm what else to watch. Something lighter than politics, I already saw The Sting this weekend. Hmmm...perhaps Henry V. Yeah, I gotta strange idea of what constitutes light viewing. Of course there's also Rio Bravo. That's always a good one.
I dunno. It's late. I've taken my Rheumatoid Arthritis meds so I'm getting tired and Duff is fast asleep on my bed. I guess it's time to wrap this up and carry on tomorrow.
Actually it's going to be a busy week. Two meetings at work, servers getting migrated to the new building at Potomac Yard. All sorts of things that can go awry.
Add to that: one emissions test tomorrow or Wednesday morning or evening and you've got a whole lotta fun.
Well, not really. Man what a boring week. Nothing exciting like The Wacky Neighbor's Actuarial Exam (You're a braver man than I Gunga Din.) Of course having roomed with TWN in college I know that TWN really likes math, like I really like history. However his major translated into a good job applying his knowledge. I am managing records.
But the real treat hits Saturday when I do my volunteer thing. That's always nice. And I'll try and log some time with my old movies. I think All the President's Men needs to be a movie of the weekend...hmmm what else to watch. Something lighter than politics, I already saw The Sting this weekend. Hmmm...perhaps Henry V. Yeah, I gotta strange idea of what constitutes light viewing. Of course there's also Rio Bravo. That's always a good one.
I dunno. It's late. I've taken my Rheumatoid Arthritis meds so I'm getting tired and Duff is fast asleep on my bed. I guess it's time to wrap this up and carry on tomorrow.
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