Whats happening to my shows?

The OC
First - How good is The OC. And previews of a cat-fight in a pool for next week's episode remind me a simpler time. A time where short skirts were appropriate in the workplace, Allison and Billy were on-again/off-again, and the future seemed bright for Joise Bisset, Rob Estes, and the rest of the cast of Melrose Place. The OC is a bright spot in an otherwise bleak and sad television landscape.

American Idol

America is stupid. I hate you America. America should die a horrible, rotten death, and then spend eternity listening to the vocal stylings of John Stephens. Seriously folks - just LOOK at the following two pictures

Now, who do YOU think, just from LOOKING at them, that has more talent? Rot in hell America. You deserve it.

 

Angel

Only 4 more original episodes left. The WB sucks. The WB and America can be roommates in hell.

 

As always - honorable mention goes to: Alias, The Sorpranos, The Shield.

Until Julie Cooper follows AC/DC on tour......

Later today...

I'll post more - we have a Divisional meeting this morning to review our Strategic Plan. Blah-hum-bug.

Why I blog.....

Back in early 2004, times, they were simpler. I'd come to work, do my daily internet readings, and eventually sit down and begin my workday. Now, that pristine lifestyle has been shattered, thanks to the overwhelming need to chronicle my opinions and thoughts in my daily blog.

So, why did I start it? Well, for years, I've been considering creating a true web page. I figured what a great way for friends and family to keep up with me. In addition, I thought it would be a fun project, and that I'd learn a great deal.

However, something happened when I sat down to actually do this project. I had forgotten that I spent ALL DAY LONG in front of a computer. So, by the time I got home, the last thing I really wanted to do was more computer work.

Enter the blog. My impetus to really begin it began after watching the state of the union address this year. I was inflamed. I sat down and began typing. For the next few months, sporadic entries were made. Then friends starting writing their own blogs, and it just snowballed.

So, why continue? Well, I joke, but my blog is my voice, and you can't silence my voice! My blog has multiple functions, first and foremost, its for me. I'm happy people read it, I'm happy people find it funny, informative, or disagree with everything I write (which probably every reader falls into one, if not all of those categories). But honestly, its a chance for me to sit down daily, compose my thoughts, and write for a few minutes. Since I've been writing in this, I've found my opinions to better researched and more thought out. That makes me happy (see my previous entry!).

And yes, I do the silly stuff, cause anyone who knows me knows that on extremely rare occasions I can be silly. I do pop-culture stuff because I have a passing interest in all things E! related. I do political stuff because I have opinions, which may differ greatly from many of the readers of this, and I'm all about the open exchange of ideas.

What will this be if six months? Well, if Marion is to be believed, absolutely nothing - its a fad that will die out. Maybe. I will say that I've enjoyed writing thoughts down on regular basis, that even if its not in blog form, I'll continue it.

And for what its worth, blogs don't have to serve a purpose. It can be any and everything you want it to be. I just wanted to share my motivation for mine.

Link of the day

Okay folks, Wednesday is publication day for The Onion. Normally, there are one or two real standout articles, and the rest are cute, but not LOL funny. Not so today. I can honestly say that EVERY article on today's front page is worth reading. If you are pressed for time, however, read these following ones. They're GOOD.

 Senatorial Candidate Introduces New Low-Carb Platform

National Endowment For The Arts & Crafts Criticized For Funding Giant Macramé Penis

and ESPECIALLY:

Why Can't This Family Ever Have A Funky Good Time?

Have a good one. Until James Brown bakes me a pie.....

Is this really what the founding fathers had in mind?

You've seen and heard them: the campaign ads that amount to "If you vote for candidate X, then you're voting to steal money from your grandparents, give cocaine to small children, and raise taxes."

On my way to work this morning, I was listening to story on NPR regarding a Republican Senate primary race in Pennsylvania. These two candidates were trying to out conservatize each other (I'm fully aware that is not a word, but you understand what it means don't you? So shut up). And the thought just crossed my mind - this can't be what our democracy was supposed to be.  The very idea of a democracy is that different ideas are heard, the ideas with the most support are the ideas which make it. Have our attention spans really decreased to the point that a campaign is nothing more then a series of television and radio ads, not a true discussion of these ideas?

I think the answer may be yes AND no. In mainstream media, all the average citizen gets is the soundbites, and for many, it really becomes a question of what candidate looks the most trustworthy. This is the candidate's ads you will believe.

But for the more educated and involved, they seek out more information, and delve into the deeper meanings behind the rhetoric they hear in a campaign. These people do not blindly accept claims from an opposition's camp. They realize that every issue has some black, some white, and some grey. I'd like to think that I fall into this category, as do the majority of my friends. While I might not always agree with many of them, I do value any opinions reached through research and thought.

Links of the Day

An editorial comment about both of these links - they just happen to be one of the funnier things I've seen in the past day and one of the most interesting politically. I link to them not to make a statement, but simply to inform and educate. Shalom.

I wonder if Barbara ever ate fleas?

This DOES make sense.

 

Until John Kerry says "you know what, George, you've been right on everything" ........

My first 100 days

After any major election, the first major milestone is the first 100 days of office. This is a chance for reflection on an elected official's promises versus output. While, I'm not running for office at this point in time, if I were, these are the things that I would propose to do within my first 100 days: 1) Make weekends longer - yes, I know what would happen, weekends would become 3 full days, and then people would still say the weekend needs to be longer - but really folks, 2 days just isn't long enough. I'd be willing to go to two and half. Lets start the work-week at noon on Monday. I'd even been willing to stay until six o'clock. With no lunch break, thats a reduction of 2 hours a week of work. Its already ten o'clock at work and I've done NOTHING, so its really not a stretch. How many people are really, really productive on a Monday morning anyway? 2) Release just the right amount of pollution to make the weather 75-85 all year long - c'mon, we all know about global warming. lets put it to good use. Sure, we'd have to hire some scientists to get the formulation right, but imagine a world where it was 80 degrees during the day ALL THE TIME. Crime would virtually be eliminated. And finally, 3) Declare every Thursday wings and beer day. It would be positively un-American not to partake in these delicacies every Thursday. Wings would be $ .15 each, and pitchers of beer would be $2.50. Businesses providing these services would of course receive a tax break. Vote for Daniel in 2024!!! PS - Happy Birthday Sean. PPS - I'm serious about the wings/beer thing.

Its Friday, I got a job, and I got shit to do....

My entries this week have been remarkably focused for me - each one has been about a single topic. As such, I've got a number of interesting links saved up from the week, so instead of rambling on about some inane topic today, I'm going to let other people do it for me. Anyways, on to this week's links: Maybe we can pay to put al-Sadr on this? There is just nothing else to say about this other then its a horrible, horrible way to die. I've been telling people this for years. If this is not doctored, its really, really messed up. Happy Secretaries Day Donald! Calling William Hung.... There may be a few openings in Hollywood.... Have a good weekend everyone. Until shepherds pie becomes the official dessert of Iraq......

Tales from the first six months...

In a few weeks, I will have been in my "new" job for six months. There are days it seems like I just started, and there are days that it seems like I've been here forever. All in all, a good move. Any job where you get to goof off with Howie for multiple hours a day can't be all bad.

But, from the front lines here at Palmetto GBA , there are a couple of stories. Wrote a blog about 'em. Like to hear it? Hear it go:

Get Well, Get well soon

I've never really worked for a big company - the largest was Blackbaud, and when I was there it had around 800 employees. There are 2700 people in my BUILDING now, so its been quite a change. And one thing I can say about these people with no hesitation is that they like their cake, cookies, and sweets. We had cake at 10:30 AM a few weeks ago to celebrate an employee's new job. There is a tin of cookies in our bay that is constantly being filled. Donuts are here once a week at least. Everytime I sneeze, I wait for people to come by with a cake singing "Get Well, Get well soon, we hope you get well soon."

Stupid People in the cafeteria

One of the perks of working here is the onsite cafeteria. I get to work, sign into my computer and make sure there are no crises needing immediate attention, and head on down to cafeteria, gonna meet some friends of mine. Friendly faces every where, humble folks without temptation. I typically go for the bagel, cereal, or oatmeal -all relatively healthy choices and a breakfast under a dollar. However, there are lines for people to get 3 eggs omelets without bacon, sausage, cheese, pigs feet, and okra.

Yesterday, while I'm preparing my bowl of oatmeal (a little brown sugar, some raisins, and a dash of cinnamon- write it down and put it in your recipe box)- a woman walked by me on her way to the fresh fruit bowl. She then proclaimed to a woman accompanying her that "I'm going to gets me some fruits." The written word really cannot portray the ghettoness with which this was said. Needless to say, I giggled about it all day.

Surplus

Here at Palmetto GBA, when you no longer need a piece of equipment in your bay, you move it to the hallway and stick a note on it saying surplus. Every week, there are chairs, desks, computers, monitors, and an assortment of file boxes and binders. This week, there has been a monitor in the bay directly across from the Automated Claims Processing Mill Bay (which is the department I work in, for all of you writing my biography at home). This monitor has a note taped to it saying "Sir Plus." Now, this may be a joke. It very well may be. I laugh everytime I see it. But, i fully recognize that with the geniuses we have working here, it may NOT be joke. And it is this possibility that makes me smile

Palmettosaurus

Height: Approx 5.8 feet

Weight: At least 200 pounds

Period: Early 21st centruy

What we know: The palmettosaurus tended to walk in packs - normally three wide down hallways of a business located in Columbia, SC. These carnivores were known primarily for their large posteriors, slow walking, gerneral disregard for their personal health, and complete and total obliviousness for the humanity around them. Attempts to go around the palmettosaurus were typically futile, as their hips tended to sway side to side enough that the attempted passer was very well taking his or her own life into his hands.

A diet of a palmettosaurus consisted of - bacon and eggs and sausage and grits after awakening, a double bacon cheeseburger and fries in the midday, and an undisclosed evening meal(a palmettosaurus has never been observed eating after 4:30 PM, but it can be assumed that the meal would consist of some sort of pork, possibly fried, and some manner of fried potato or vegetable).

Below is an artist's rendering of the palmettosaurus:

I hope you have enjoyed this look into the workings of Palmetto GBA. Until the Palmettosaurus starts eating grapefruit.......