Vacation at an End

Apr 282004
 

Well, I guess it’s obvious that I survived New Orleans despite my lack of posting during my stay. Coherent thought is not one of the common experiences of the Big Easy and I thought my delirious ramblings might not be the best reflection of my intellect to my faithful readers. However, it is safe to say that a good time was had. We saw some great acts, drank more than necessary and ate fabulous meals.

However, I should suggest staying away from the Radisson on Canal Street. Their employees learned about customer service from the former KGB agents now employed by your local DMV. My favorite being the hour long wait for light bulbs in a darkened room already smelling strongly of mildew from the flooded carpet in the hall that hadn’t been dried after two days. But hey, these are the things that make your vacation memorable.

Anyway, I’m back at work and it feels good. I always love vacations for the sole reason that I’m anxious to get back to the daily grind. I haven’t talked about the details at work lately, but I’ve been really short handed lately. The result being that I was left doing minor updates and lots of mind-numbing maintenance. I know it’s part of the job, but doing it for a few months is enough to cause even a workaholic like me to develop serious burnout. However, we are soon to be fully staffed again and can start doing some real projects again. I get to do some new design work which I really love. All in all, it’s good to be back.

I’m alive, I promise

Apr 122004
 

Ok, Ok, I’m sorry, what else can I say? It seems that my readership is on the verge of revolt. Well, I might be exaggerating a bit, but my lack of posting seems to have raised the ire of some of you out there.

Unfortunately, I don’t have all that much to say. I spent all last week doing interviews for the two positions I have open right now. This meant a lot of late nights in order to get my regular work done. I spent this weekend also being a dull boy and working. However, all is not lost. One more week and I’ll be on a must needed vacation. Hopefully, by then I should feel more inspired to write longer pieces.

However, until then I’ll post as much as I can just to let you know that I’m alive. Thanks for the concern.

Birthday

Mar 262004
 

Wow, I almost missed it. This is the one year birthday of this little blog. Quite a few changes since the first post but all in all I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out. (No, I’m not going to get misty eyed.) Well here’s to many more years of irritating my small group of readers!

[Listening to: Brand New Key - Melanie (02:30)]

Life Update

Mar 262004
 

What a week! It hasn’t been my best but I’m fighting through. We are way past “thin” in my department so I am now on a frantic hiring frenzy to fill our vacant posts. The economy must be improving because finding qualified local candidates is becoming extremely difficult. That or they are moving out of state faster than I can find them. We’ll find the right people, but I may have pulled out my hair before then. If you are looking for some good computer work with a fun company, check out these job descriptions.

My other horrible trial this week was my poor old car, Ruby. She’s been acting up a bit lately so I finally took her into the shop. It’s a horrible thing when you mechanic calls you up on the phone and the first words out of his mouth are, “You don’t want to spend a lot on this car, do you?” Essentially, as it stands right now, she probably could do with enough work that it would cost as much as her original asking price. I went with the bare minimum including the replacement of some very tired and loose tie rods. Let’s hope she can hold on till the end of the year when I can finally get my Mini Cooper. She’s been a great car, but I think it’s time I let her go to that great car graveyard that is the South Side of OKC.

I did do something fun and youthful this week. I went to the first big rock concert I’ve been to in several years: The Strokes with an opening act called The Sounds. Both acts were good and extremely entertaining but it was The Sounds that really got my attention. In essence they are a Swedish retro 80′s New Wave/Punk band. They have the act down perfect all the way from the crimped hair and thin ties to the funky dance moves and Moog synth sounds. They even came prepared with an entire audience of screaming fans who weren’t even born when that style held sway. Well, I guess that’s ok, I collect records from the 1930′s anyway. ;) However, I am scared that in five years we are going to have retro 90′s grunge bands. Like I said though, both acts give a great show. Give them a look if they come through your town.

Another Little Rambling

Mar 142004
 

I guess it’s time for a personal update though there isn’t all that much to report. Work has been keeping me a little bit busier than usual, but hey, if I wasn’t working I would have to figure out something else to do. Besides, keeping busy has been instrumental in helping me through the nicotine withdrawal. I have to admit that it has been much easier this time than any time in the past. Not sure why, maybe I’ve done this enough times that I’m in good practice. ;) Well, here’s to keeping it permanent.

However, the other side effects of quitting smoking are becoming apparent. One of the great things about being a smoker if you are a high-strung/high-energy person is that the work your body is going through to purge the toxins you pour in keeps you somewhat subdued. I’m a little bit hyper these days, requiring little sleep and suffering from a desire to bounce off the walls. This overwhelming energy has been leaving me with a great desire for an adventure. I’m not sure what I should do to fill this need, but I’ve been trying not to start hitch hiking towards Mexico.

Dylan and Ann

Dylan and Ann

Speaking of adventure, my friend and intrepid explorer Dylan and his lovely wife Ann are about to begin another great exploration. Being the hopeless romantics that they are, they have decided to walk 3000 miles across the country together with very few chances to bathe along the Continental Divide Trail. While there will probably not be much time or opportunity for Dylan to update his site, I’m sure he’ll occasionally find a way and his adventures are always worth a read.

While I doubt I will ever have the energy for such a trek, I’m gonna have to find something. One little thing I’ve been doing lately is going to see live music here in town. For you jazz fiends here in OKC, there is a great act playing here in town this weekend called Champian and the Big Boys of Rhythm. They will be playing at Maker’s Straight Up Jazz Lounge. I highly recommend checking them out this weekend as their lead singer is studying music in New York and only rarely makes it to town.

Outside of all of this, I’m finally feeling ready to start another entrepreneurial enterprise. While my secretive nature prevents me from talking about details, it feels real good to be working on a very personal project again. I think that sums up most everything. More soon . . .

[Listening to: 007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker - The Harder They Come (02:47)]

QuitMeter

Mar 102004
 

For those of you have noticed the QuitMeter on the site, I need to give a “shout out” (I’m not sure exactly what this means, but it makes me sound hip) to my friend Dennis for finding it. And to everyone, I apologize in advance for being really cranky. ;)

[Listening to: Rush Limbaugh 12 - Premiere Radio Networks - (07:13)]

Webcams Everywhere

Feb 172004
 

Well, it seems everyone I know has a webcam now. Thought I would publish a list of sites for all of those with a fetish for nerdy twenty-somethings who stare blankly at their screens:

PowTenCam: My friend and colleague Pete’s web cam here in the office.
AndyShepCam: My friend Andy’s web cam from New York.
StoneCam: My friend Dennis’ office camera in Chicago.
And last but not least . . .
RadicalWackoCam: Yours truly

[Listening to: Be Mine - David Gray - A New Day at Midnight (04:24)]
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