A few days ago a friend called asking for some help with her computer. She was having trouble with the game site that she plays. I was only too happy to help. I gave a few tips to her and told her if she couldn't get it fixed, I'd come over to her house after work on Tuesday to try and fix it. I didn't hear anything from her yesterday, so I assumed that she got the issues fixed. Wrong. Flash forward to this morning at work when the receptionist called and said I had a visitor in the lobby.
I trotted up to the lobby, and saw my friend HM there, handing her laptop computer bag over to me with the instructions of "Fix it and call me when it's ready."
You have a lot of faith in me, HM. A lot of faith. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Black Friday 2011
Shortly after noon this past Wednesday, a Black Friday adventure started for two of my coworkers. Note: I didn't say "two of the guys that work for me." Yes, I'm they're boss, but we all work together. So that having been said, I let them leave extra early on Wednesday so they could go get in line at Best Buy to get an unbelievable deal on a 42" flat screen TV for $199 bucks. Here is a detailed report of their adventure that started at about 1:00 Wednesday afternoon and ended after 1:00 in the morning on Friday. This entry will be long, but I enjoyed being a part of their adventure through text and email updates and I wanted to put it in my blog to preserve for history.
1/23/11
1:00pm Left work early to be first at Best Buy. Thanks to great boss CP for the early exit.
1:05pm Reminded Black Friday partner AK to put ice in his cooler.
1:15pm Finally left the office.
1:30pm Made it to Best Buy on Shelbyville road. Talked to manager and found out we are first in line. Also found out we can get one item each of each door buster item. So, if you want me to get something for you call me before tomorrow night.
1:45pm Since nobody else is waiting we AK and me eat lunch at McDonald's.
2:15pm Wasting time in Best Buy because we are still first. Also looking for wall mounts for TV's.
2:30pm AK is already bored and bothering me. only 31 hours to go!
2:55pm Our first BF competition showed up. 10 guys were asking the same questions we did earlier. 2 more showed up asking the same questions. None of these guys stayed but I'm sure they will be back.
3:30pm Our hand was forced to actually get in line. 3 dudes set up a tent. Also a mother set up a tent. AK and I got in line finally. We are numbers 6 & 7.
5:00pm My beautiful wife stopped by and brought AK and me some Subway. Also, another guy showed up with a nice canopy and some camping heaters to keep us warm. 11 people are here in total so far.
6:00pm Taking stock of AK and my supplies:
2 folding chairs
2 sleeping bags
1 cooler with bottled water, sliced turkey, a loaf of bread & 2 Subway sandwiches
3 jackets
A bunch of Hot Hands
2 books
1 can of Pringles
1 football
6:05pm The first twinge of controversy happened. The first three people in line had a friend show up. The friend wanted to join the 3 guys in line but they told him he couldn't let him get in front of the other people in line. The 3 guys did the right thing but we would have told him to get behind us anyway.
6:25pm We've had two more tents show up. Now we have 14 people waiting.
6:26pm We campers have already has countless amounts of people taking pictures of us. Some people make fun of us and call us stupid. Well, we will have the 42" HDTV and they won't! We all are having fun with people asking us stupid questions. I'll explain the fun after watching a movie with AK.
7:25pm Two more tents have been added. One of the tents has a married couple with a child that appears to be less than a year old. Wow, I thought I was stupid! The other tent has two people. Just past the last tent is a lonely guy sitting by himself. He told me his brother works inside Best Buy and is going to take his place at 3am. He also said his brother has agreed to sit in line for him until midnight tomorrow because he paid his brother's phone bill. The lengths people will go through to get a 42" HDTV. The guy that set up the white canopy next to us just brought out a kerosene heater. It is a good thing he did because my fingers and toes are starting to get cold.
7:40pm I can't feel my nose.
7:45pm The guy with the white canopy let us move in. Warm and toasty with the kerosene heater!
9:10pm More people in line now. The baby is still here but sitting in a car with her father. Inside the white canopy is still warm. The poor people outside the canopy are literally freezing their collective asses off. Getting back to stupid people saying things to us waiting people. You would be amazed how many people ask us what we are doing or why are we camping. We are having fun saying equally stupid things back.
10:05pm The store just closed. No immediately available toilet until midnight Friday! Oh no!
11:45pm There are now twelve tents in our village. I didn't count everybody but it has to be close to 50 now.
11/24/11
1:05am I fell asleep and the others in our heated canopy made fun of me.
9:00am I've been awake for about an hour now after sleeping in my truck for a few hours. AK slept in the tent instead of his car. The India or Pakistani family behind us in line are now awake. I swear that family sounds like Borat's family. Very Nice!
10:00am AK and I just got back from making another run to Thornton's. Shelbyville road is very lively now. Thornton's too. A couple of young guys in line with us at Best Buy walked to Thornton's earlier. They had icicles hanging off their noses when they got back. I have to say that the idiocy of the people we are waiting with isn't limited to their decision to wait outside Best Buy.
11:30m Good friend EG stopped by to take my place for a little while in line so I can eat Thanksgiving dinner with my family. You don't really know how good a friend is until the take your place in a black Friday camp. I have to remember to buy EG lunch soon! The nice guy letting us use his canopy brought another toy out of his truck. We now have a TV hooked up to a battery and are watching the Macy's parade. The tv also has a built in DVD player. I guess we will watch some movies later. Again, AK and I are very fortunate! The line is still growing but no offers yet of people wanting to pay us for our spot in line.
3:15pm I just got back from eating with my family and friends. What a waste of time! EG had to leave to spend time with his girlfriend and her family. What a nice friend. The two ladies that are friends have some serious friction between them now. One friend has been here the entire time. The other friend has had a real hard time staying in line. Early this morning while everyone was sleeping she snuck away, drove home and went to bed. The friend that stayed is so embarrassed and is telling all of us other people her friend should lose her place in line.
3:45pm The line is now wrapped around the corner and down the whole side of the building.
6:00pm At 5:15pm AK and I made our last to Thornton's for a bathroom break. When we got back at 5:30pm, the local news crew was here. They filmed everybody in line, even the inside of the canopy we are sharing. One old man inside our canopy was interviewed. The line has now wrapped around the back of the building
6:30pm The lady friend that hasn't been here for hours just showed up. There is a sort of weird tenseness between the two ladies. People in line are starting to pack up their occupy/camp equipment. The stress of waiting out the elements and time is starting to disappear.
7:30pm We people at the front of the line are getting restless. Some feel that people are going to try to rush the front of the line. So we have dismantled our tent city and lined up clearly so everyone can see. Our actions have caused a chain reaction among the rest of the line. All the tents down the line are coming down. AK and I thought it was too early to do this, but there is a decided increase in traffic in front of the store. Now the wait in the freezing cold starts for the last few hours.
8:50pm Best Buy employees have been trickling in for about 30 minutes now. The police just showed up. It is getting closer and closer to game time. Hurry up time I'm freezing!
9:20pm I just made my last trip to see where the end of the line is. It took me over 3 minutes to walk from my #6 spot to the very end of the line. The line is literally hundreds and hundreds of people long. I have no idea what the people in the back expect to buy. It will take most of those people at least an hour just to get through the doors once Best Buy opens. Us at the front are increasingly feeling like animals in the zoo. In about 30 minutes the managers will start handing out the vouchers for the door buster items. The time is finally here!
10:15pm They finally started handing out the coupons/vouchers. About 5 minutes ago one homey tried to blend in at the front of the line. Every single person around me started yelling at the guy and the cops came over and made him leave. He said he was waiting for a friend to show up. Yeah, right!
10:40pm Finally! The wait is over! Now the wait for S.S.S. begins!
10:50pm Here is a picture of the kerosene heater that saved us. That is AK acting like a total sissy. OooooI'm so cold.....
11/25/11
1:00am We finally made it through. The journey started at 1:00pm on Wednesday and ended at 1:00am on Friday. After getting our vouchers for our items and then waiting for the doors to open at midnight, it took us 1 hour to get the items and check out. After helping AK take his treasures to his house, it is back to my home where food and sleep awaits. I think I will go home just after I stop at WalMart in pursuit of the elusive $2.84 waffle maker....
1/23/11
1:00pm Left work early to be first at Best Buy. Thanks to great boss CP for the early exit.
1:05pm Reminded Black Friday partner AK to put ice in his cooler.
1:15pm Finally left the office.
1:30pm Made it to Best Buy on Shelbyville road. Talked to manager and found out we are first in line. Also found out we can get one item each of each door buster item. So, if you want me to get something for you call me before tomorrow night.
1:45pm Since nobody else is waiting we AK and me eat lunch at McDonald's.
2:15pm Wasting time in Best Buy because we are still first. Also looking for wall mounts for TV's.
2:30pm AK is already bored and bothering me. only 31 hours to go!
2:55pm Our first BF competition showed up. 10 guys were asking the same questions we did earlier. 2 more showed up asking the same questions. None of these guys stayed but I'm sure they will be back.
3:30pm Our hand was forced to actually get in line. 3 dudes set up a tent. Also a mother set up a tent. AK and I got in line finally. We are numbers 6 & 7.
5:00pm My beautiful wife stopped by and brought AK and me some Subway. Also, another guy showed up with a nice canopy and some camping heaters to keep us warm. 11 people are here in total so far.
6:00pm Taking stock of AK and my supplies:
2 folding chairs
2 sleeping bags
1 cooler with bottled water, sliced turkey, a loaf of bread & 2 Subway sandwiches
3 jackets
A bunch of Hot Hands
2 books
1 can of Pringles
1 football
6:05pm The first twinge of controversy happened. The first three people in line had a friend show up. The friend wanted to join the 3 guys in line but they told him he couldn't let him get in front of the other people in line. The 3 guys did the right thing but we would have told him to get behind us anyway.
6:25pm We've had two more tents show up. Now we have 14 people waiting.
6:26pm We campers have already has countless amounts of people taking pictures of us. Some people make fun of us and call us stupid. Well, we will have the 42" HDTV and they won't! We all are having fun with people asking us stupid questions. I'll explain the fun after watching a movie with AK.
7:25pm Two more tents have been added. One of the tents has a married couple with a child that appears to be less than a year old. Wow, I thought I was stupid! The other tent has two people. Just past the last tent is a lonely guy sitting by himself. He told me his brother works inside Best Buy and is going to take his place at 3am. He also said his brother has agreed to sit in line for him until midnight tomorrow because he paid his brother's phone bill. The lengths people will go through to get a 42" HDTV. The guy that set up the white canopy next to us just brought out a kerosene heater. It is a good thing he did because my fingers and toes are starting to get cold.
7:40pm I can't feel my nose.
7:45pm The guy with the white canopy let us move in. Warm and toasty with the kerosene heater!
9:10pm More people in line now. The baby is still here but sitting in a car with her father. Inside the white canopy is still warm. The poor people outside the canopy are literally freezing their collective asses off. Getting back to stupid people saying things to us waiting people. You would be amazed how many people ask us what we are doing or why are we camping. We are having fun saying equally stupid things back.
10:05pm The store just closed. No immediately available toilet until midnight Friday! Oh no!
11:45pm There are now twelve tents in our village. I didn't count everybody but it has to be close to 50 now.
11/24/11
1:05am I fell asleep and the others in our heated canopy made fun of me.
9:00am I've been awake for about an hour now after sleeping in my truck for a few hours. AK slept in the tent instead of his car. The India or Pakistani family behind us in line are now awake. I swear that family sounds like Borat's family. Very Nice!
10:00am AK and I just got back from making another run to Thornton's. Shelbyville road is very lively now. Thornton's too. A couple of young guys in line with us at Best Buy walked to Thornton's earlier. They had icicles hanging off their noses when they got back. I have to say that the idiocy of the people we are waiting with isn't limited to their decision to wait outside Best Buy.
11:30m Good friend EG stopped by to take my place for a little while in line so I can eat Thanksgiving dinner with my family. You don't really know how good a friend is until the take your place in a black Friday camp. I have to remember to buy EG lunch soon! The nice guy letting us use his canopy brought another toy out of his truck. We now have a TV hooked up to a battery and are watching the Macy's parade. The tv also has a built in DVD player. I guess we will watch some movies later. Again, AK and I are very fortunate! The line is still growing but no offers yet of people wanting to pay us for our spot in line.
3:15pm I just got back from eating with my family and friends. What a waste of time! EG had to leave to spend time with his girlfriend and her family. What a nice friend. The two ladies that are friends have some serious friction between them now. One friend has been here the entire time. The other friend has had a real hard time staying in line. Early this morning while everyone was sleeping she snuck away, drove home and went to bed. The friend that stayed is so embarrassed and is telling all of us other people her friend should lose her place in line.
3:45pm The line is now wrapped around the corner and down the whole side of the building.
6:00pm At 5:15pm AK and I made our last to Thornton's for a bathroom break. When we got back at 5:30pm, the local news crew was here. They filmed everybody in line, even the inside of the canopy we are sharing. One old man inside our canopy was interviewed. The line has now wrapped around the back of the building
6:30pm The lady friend that hasn't been here for hours just showed up. There is a sort of weird tenseness between the two ladies. People in line are starting to pack up their occupy/camp equipment. The stress of waiting out the elements and time is starting to disappear.
7:30pm We people at the front of the line are getting restless. Some feel that people are going to try to rush the front of the line. So we have dismantled our tent city and lined up clearly so everyone can see. Our actions have caused a chain reaction among the rest of the line. All the tents down the line are coming down. AK and I thought it was too early to do this, but there is a decided increase in traffic in front of the store. Now the wait in the freezing cold starts for the last few hours.
8:50pm Best Buy employees have been trickling in for about 30 minutes now. The police just showed up. It is getting closer and closer to game time. Hurry up time I'm freezing!
9:20pm I just made my last trip to see where the end of the line is. It took me over 3 minutes to walk from my #6 spot to the very end of the line. The line is literally hundreds and hundreds of people long. I have no idea what the people in the back expect to buy. It will take most of those people at least an hour just to get through the doors once Best Buy opens. Us at the front are increasingly feeling like animals in the zoo. In about 30 minutes the managers will start handing out the vouchers for the door buster items. The time is finally here!
10:15pm They finally started handing out the coupons/vouchers. About 5 minutes ago one homey tried to blend in at the front of the line. Every single person around me started yelling at the guy and the cops came over and made him leave. He said he was waiting for a friend to show up. Yeah, right!
10:40pm Finally! The wait is over! Now the wait for S.S.S. begins!
10:50pm Here is a picture of the kerosene heater that saved us. That is AK acting like a total sissy. OooooI'm so cold.....
11/25/11
1:00am We finally made it through. The journey started at 1:00pm on Wednesday and ended at 1:00am on Friday. After getting our vouchers for our items and then waiting for the doors to open at midnight, it took us 1 hour to get the items and check out. After helping AK take his treasures to his house, it is back to my home where food and sleep awaits. I think I will go home just after I stop at WalMart in pursuit of the elusive $2.84 waffle maker....
Monday, November 28, 2011
Anti-Cyber Monday
I spent the past two days looking online for a fairly cheap Android tablet. In my typical planning fashion, I visited countless websites and compiled all kinds of notes and lists about the many different models I researched. Then this afternoon, I had an epiphany. I was not going to spend a dime today on Cyber Monday, and instead I would be very content with the electronics and computer equipment that I had. Needless to say the stuff I had works way better than most of the cheaper tablets I looked at today. As Dorothy said in "The Wizard of Oz", "I won't look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."
Then just moments ago, I heard the news anchor say how many billions (yes, billions) of dollars were spent today on Cyber Monday, I'm even more glad that I came to my senses and didn't spend a dime online today. And it made me even more thankful that I'm not in debt right now.
I did spend three bucks and some change at Radio Shack this evening, though, for an adapter I needed. While I was waiting to get checked out, an older couple was ahead of me in line, and hand to heaven, the total on their bill was over $1100. That was for electronics and computer crap for their three grandchildren for Christmas, which they were only happy to talk about with me and the store clerk. I couldn't help but wonder if those three grandkids had grown to expect such expensive Christmas presents from their grandparents. Or if they even appreciated them. Oh well. That's their mess to sort out.
Then just moments ago, I heard the news anchor say how many billions (yes, billions) of dollars were spent today on Cyber Monday, I'm even more glad that I came to my senses and didn't spend a dime online today. And it made me even more thankful that I'm not in debt right now.
I did spend three bucks and some change at Radio Shack this evening, though, for an adapter I needed. While I was waiting to get checked out, an older couple was ahead of me in line, and hand to heaven, the total on their bill was over $1100. That was for electronics and computer crap for their three grandchildren for Christmas, which they were only happy to talk about with me and the store clerk. I couldn't help but wonder if those three grandkids had grown to expect such expensive Christmas presents from their grandparents. Or if they even appreciated them. Oh well. That's their mess to sort out.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Link Of The Week
Hopefully everyone made it through Black Friday unscathed. But now we have Cyber Monday looming over us. I'm trying to fit in as much stuff as I can on my holiday weekend so I'll make this short and sweet. Before you go and buy something tomorrow, check first at http://www.pricegrabber.com/. Just enter in the item you want to buy and then you'll get a list of the prices that the item is going for. Happy shopping.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Small Business Saturday
TWIT is proud to be a part of Small Business Saturday. Now that hyped Black Friday is just a memory, today we can focus on the core of our country's commerce, the small business. A website promoting Small Business Saturday says "The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On November 26, we're asking millions of people to Shop Smallsm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge."
I started my Small Business Saturday observance yesterday, by getting carry-out from a locally owned awesome Italian restaurant here in the south end. And today I am observing it by buying a few groceries from a local non-chain grocery store not too far from my neighborhood. I don't really need anything from the grocery; I just want to go there and buy a few things just becaue it's Small Business Saturday.
And also in observance of this 2nd annual Small Business Saturday, I'm going to be working on some things for my favorite small business - mine!
I started my Small Business Saturday observance yesterday, by getting carry-out from a locally owned awesome Italian restaurant here in the south end. And today I am observing it by buying a few groceries from a local non-chain grocery store not too far from my neighborhood. I don't really need anything from the grocery; I just want to go there and buy a few things just becaue it's Small Business Saturday.
And also in observance of this 2nd annual Small Business Saturday, I'm going to be working on some things for my favorite small business - mine!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Flashback Friday
When I was younger, Thanksgiving morning was almost as special as the big meal later on in the day; it was when you got to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. You would get to see every float, marching band, gigantic balloon, horse-drawn wagons and carriages, and anything else that was in the parade. The very last float in the parade would always be Santa Clause. One year he might be waving to the crowds from inside a chimney, or he might be in his sleigh.
Yesterday morning, I got up and sat down in the Lazy Boy with my cup of coffee, looking forward to the Macy's parade. Boy was I disappointed. The majority of the TV coverage was big production numbers from a dozen or more Broadway musicals. Now, I'm the first to say I love Broadway musicals, but not as the main part of televised parade coverage.
What happened to the marching bands? I loved to listen to the announcer tell where the band was from and how many kids were in the band, and how long it took them to raise the money to get there to the parade. Not any more. And I especially loved all of the horses. In addition to the horse-drawn carriages and wagons, there were always half a dozen or so mounted riders, all in fancy costumes. Not any more.
We did get to see some of the gigantic balloons, but not all of the ones in the parade. The ones they showed were not being handled very well by their handlers, because they all looked like they were laying down.
It was very disappointing. But I should have known that not much in this old world is like it was when I was a kid.
Yesterday morning, I got up and sat down in the Lazy Boy with my cup of coffee, looking forward to the Macy's parade. Boy was I disappointed. The majority of the TV coverage was big production numbers from a dozen or more Broadway musicals. Now, I'm the first to say I love Broadway musicals, but not as the main part of televised parade coverage.
What happened to the marching bands? I loved to listen to the announcer tell where the band was from and how many kids were in the band, and how long it took them to raise the money to get there to the parade. Not any more. And I especially loved all of the horses. In addition to the horse-drawn carriages and wagons, there were always half a dozen or so mounted riders, all in fancy costumes. Not any more.
We did get to see some of the gigantic balloons, but not all of the ones in the parade. The ones they showed were not being handled very well by their handlers, because they all looked like they were laying down.
It was very disappointing. But I should have known that not much in this old world is like it was when I was a kid.
Black Friday
I am very happy to report that the extent of my Black Friday shopping was a quick visit this afternoon to Rite-Aid for their BOGO sale on vitamins and supplements and a trip across the street from Rite-Aid to Speedway for a tank full of gas. Other than that, that's all the money that they will get out of me today.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Something To Be Thankful For
In the days and weeks leading up to today, Thanksgiving Day, we've all been reminded to be thankful. Be thankful for our families, our health, our friends, our job, etc. Not a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord for those things and for many more. A couple of days ago, I was pulling into a shopping center parking lot and couldn't help but notice the large neon sign from a dentist. The sign said "Be thankful for healthy teeth and gums." I had to stop and think for a moment before I got out of he car to go in to the grocery store and ponder this. Out of all of the things I have given thanks for in my life, I honestly don't believe I've ever given thanks before for my healthy teeth and gums. But by golly, they are truly something you need to be thankful for if you have them. Without them, we would have had a pretty difficult time eating our Thanksgiving dinner today.
Happy Thanksgiving
TWIT would like to wish all faithful readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that you take the time to read what I write, and in the seven and a half years that I've been writing daily in TWIT, I have not taken my faithful readers for granted.
I hope everyone enjoys a great meal today with your family and friends.
I hope everyone enjoys a great meal today with your family and friends.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Quote Of The Week #2
I heard something yesterday and it was too good to not share. The quote was spoken by my best friend in the entire world's father. She had made a comment to him about all she has going on in her life right now, and she said her plate was pretty full. He said (and I quote) "Then you just need to scrape some off of the plate."
If only it were that easy.
If only it were that easy.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving feasts tomorrow, I want to say I'm thankful and happy for Mom that her homemade pumpkin pie (sweetened with Splenda so she can have a slice) turned out so pretty.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Quote Of The Week
There's a two-fold meaning behind this quote. First and foremost, it was spoken by a President who's young life was cut short by an assassin's bullets on this day in 1963, John F. Kennedy. And it also has meaning for a situation going on at work right now.
"Life is not fair."
"Life is not fair."
Monday, November 21, 2011
It Hit Me Out Of Left and Right Field
There's so much I'd like to write about tonight and get off my chest, but for the sake of those involved, and more importantly and selfishly, for the sake of my job, all I can say is something happened at work today that me and many many others just did not see coming in no way, shape or form. As I type this, I'm still shaking my head in disbelief over it all. I know I'm being cryptic but to save myself from being fired for mouthing off about it, I have to keep my mouth shut. There's no way I can even write about it without explaining it all. So suffice to say I'm mad and at the same time very disappointed in certain people. Now if I can just let it go.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Link Of The Week
Thankfully so, our country celebrated Veteran's Day Friday before last. And for the first time in decades, they held a Veteran's Day parade here in the 'Ville. I've already made a vow to myself that I will attend next year's parade. But I digress. In keeping with the theme of our beloved and heroic veterans, I found a link this week that will help us all celebrate Veteran's Day all year long. It's called simply BuyVeteran. Just visit the site and enter a city and state or a business name or category and it will show you all of the veteran-owned businesses in that area or type of business. Visit http://www.buyveteran.com/ and support our veterans today.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Assess THIS!!
I had to work today on the official kick-off of year-end inventory, and I was driving to work this morning, an interesting commercial came on the radio. In fact, it was so interesting I pulled over into the parking lot of a convenience store to write down a few notes about it. The commercial was advertising a service called "reputation assessment." Yes, reputation assessment. Apparently, you pay these people and they will search online "thoroughly" and "clean up" anything that would ruin your reputation. There are other "reputation management" services that deal with marketing your products, etc, but this was about assessing your personal reputation. I only caught the tail-end of the commercial, so I didn't get to hear all their services. But my guess is they will search and if there are any incriminating pictures of you posted in Facebook or other sites, or any comments you posted along with your name, they will tell you about it so you can go in and get it all cleaned up before your boss or preacher finds it online.
I don't know how much a reputation management service would charge, but I'm guessing it probably isn't cheap. I'm far from being a saint, but I'm 99.9% sure that the reputation assesment people would be pretty bored looking my stuff up online.
I don't know how much a reputation management service would charge, but I'm guessing it probably isn't cheap. I'm far from being a saint, but I'm 99.9% sure that the reputation assesment people would be pretty bored looking my stuff up online.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Flashback Friday
A quote from my Grandmother has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. She said it about 20 years ago. A friend was interviewing Grandma for a project and was recording it on a tape recorder (note: that is a flashback in and of itself). My friend was asking Grandma different questions about life, living and friends. When Grandma started talking about friends, she said something that has stuck with me all of these years, and for the past few weeks I've thought about it. Grandma simply said "Old time friends - they're the best." I couldn't agree with you more, Grandma.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Top 25 Worst Passwords
1. password
2. 123456
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football
My only question is how they found out people's passwords in the first place. Just saying.
2. 123456
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football
My only question is how they found out people's passwords in the first place. Just saying.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Bring It On
On an unrelated note, I will also say "bring it on" for the northeast part of the country, which happens to be the part of the country where my company sells the most pumps during the winter and spring months.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
File Under: WTF?
I didn't think it was all that bad for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride this afternoon, but I guess I was wrong. On my way home, I saw two cars in a usual fender-bender, but this time, there were 7 LMPD patrol cars, all with sirens blaring and lights flashing, at the scene. I passed by the wreck, and to me, it looked like something that could be buffed out, but there were (hand to heaven) 7 LMPD patrol cars stopped at the scene of the accident.
The first thing that comes to mind is that the first officer responding did a check and both parties involved were wanted felons. That would be the only thing that would merit 7 LMPD cruisers at the scene of this fender-bender. I have to ask . . . WTF?
The first thing that comes to mind is that the first officer responding did a check and both parties involved were wanted felons. That would be the only thing that would merit 7 LMPD cruisers at the scene of this fender-bender. I have to ask . . . WTF?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Batten Down The Hatches
Whatever hatches are, get the battened down. And don't ask me how to batten because I'm clueless. All I know is the weatherazzi is all worked up over severe storms moving through the 'Ville tonight, with possibly tornadoes.
Other than being windy, it's fairly calm at The Compound this evening. But we've already finished with supper, and have washed the dishes in the sink in record time, so we're ready for the storm to hit. The portable digital TV is charged up, as are the cell phones. Candles, flashlights and lanterns are all systems go so bring it on. Even if the power goes out, we still have the portable digital TV to watch the "Dancing With The Stars" semi-finals tonight.
And let me say again how so very glad I was that we got the trees cut down this past spring with the big windstorm we had this weekend.
Other than being windy, it's fairly calm at The Compound this evening. But we've already finished with supper, and have washed the dishes in the sink in record time, so we're ready for the storm to hit. The portable digital TV is charged up, as are the cell phones. Candles, flashlights and lanterns are all systems go so bring it on. Even if the power goes out, we still have the portable digital TV to watch the "Dancing With The Stars" semi-finals tonight.
And let me say again how so very glad I was that we got the trees cut down this past spring with the big windstorm we had this weekend.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Link Of The Week
I'm inside for the day, trying to get some rest and get rid of this cold I've had for a few days now. Other than feeling incredibly tired this morning, I don't all that bad. With my tiredness and some aches, some would try to diagnose and say I have the flu. I'm the first to admit I don't even pretend to know what the difference is between a cold and the flu; I will leave that up to the doctors to decide.
Anyhoo, the flu is still out there whether we can accurately diagnose it or not. The fine folks at the CDC have a map where you can track confirmed cases of the flu. It's updated weekly. Check it out at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm. And just in case, drink plenty of water, take a vitamin C supplement, and stay healthy.
Anyhoo, the flu is still out there whether we can accurately diagnose it or not. The fine folks at the CDC have a map where you can track confirmed cases of the flu. It's updated weekly. Check it out at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm. And just in case, drink plenty of water, take a vitamin C supplement, and stay healthy.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Ohio Valley Crud
Some time in the past few days, I developed the usual Ohio Vally upper respirartory infection. I'm treating this with OTC meds, and I have to say it's working. Yesterday at work, I had no voice and had to have my guys get on the intercom and page people for me because I couldn't speak above a whisper. But I've been taking the miracle drug Mucinex (in liquid form) and in the past 24 hours, I can tell big results. I still fill incredibly tired, but haven't been coughing very much, thank goodness. When I got home from work last night, I barely spoke a word, and I think not using my voice made a big difference in my recovery.
I'm going to sign off for now and go back to my bedroom and lay down. And I'm trying not to talk. But I'm expecting an almost-full recovery by Monday morning. As always, I'll keep you posted.
I'm going to sign off for now and go back to my bedroom and lay down. And I'm trying not to talk. But I'm expecting an almost-full recovery by Monday morning. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Veterans Day
We interrupt the regularly scheduled Flashback Friday to wish all of the brave and selfless men and women who served or are currently serving in our military a very Happy Veterans Day. I would especially like to wish a Happy Veterans Day to my favorite veteran of all time, my Dad, who proudly served in the Navy during the Korean War.
In the few minutes that you would have [hopefully] spent reading a Flashback Friday post, please use that time to call or email a veteran and thank them for their service. I know they will appreciate it.
In the few minutes that you would have [hopefully] spent reading a Flashback Friday post, please use that time to call or email a veteran and thank them for their service. I know they will appreciate it.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Light Up America
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I Have A Dream
I don't think I've mentioned this before in the years that I've been blogging, but for as long as I can remember, I've had a recurring dream that a tornado was coming. Each time I had the dream, I could see the tornado through a window or from outside a building, and I would always wake up before the tornado would reach where I was. That is, until last night. Last night, I dreamed once again that I saw a tornado. Only this time the tornado actually hit while I was still dreaming.
In the dream, I was at company office, and could see the tornado through windows. The tornado got closer and closer and then it hit while I was still dreaming. In my dream, I could feel myself being shaken and jolted a bit, but after the tornado blew threw, I was fine. The top half of my company's office building was blown off, but I didn't have a scratch on me. After I knew I was OK, I remember calling home on my cell phone to tell them I was OK. After a few frantic moments of dialing and dialing, I got through and told my family I was fine, and then hung up the phone. The dream continued with me actually running across town from my demolished office building to find people that could have been hurt. Once I reached the destination and saw they were OK, I turned around and literally ran back to my demolished office. Then I woke up.
I know a lot of people put a lot of credence into the interpretation of dreams. I don't really get into it, but this dream was still significant to me - it was the first time in countless dreams of tornados that the storm actually hit and I was OK. I'm not sure what it means, or if it truly means anything. I'm just anxious to see if I have another recurring tornado dream. As always, I'll keep you posted.
In the dream, I was at company office, and could see the tornado through windows. The tornado got closer and closer and then it hit while I was still dreaming. In my dream, I could feel myself being shaken and jolted a bit, but after the tornado blew threw, I was fine. The top half of my company's office building was blown off, but I didn't have a scratch on me. After I knew I was OK, I remember calling home on my cell phone to tell them I was OK. After a few frantic moments of dialing and dialing, I got through and told my family I was fine, and then hung up the phone. The dream continued with me actually running across town from my demolished office building to find people that could have been hurt. Once I reached the destination and saw they were OK, I turned around and literally ran back to my demolished office. Then I woke up.
I know a lot of people put a lot of credence into the interpretation of dreams. I don't really get into it, but this dream was still significant to me - it was the first time in countless dreams of tornados that the storm actually hit and I was OK. I'm not sure what it means, or if it truly means anything. I'm just anxious to see if I have another recurring tornado dream. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
This Is Just A Test
Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 EST, there will be a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. As part of the Emergency Preparedness Coalition's ongoing efforts to keep our country and communities safe during emergencies, the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This Wednesday afternoon test may last up to three and a half minutes, and will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
This test is simlar to the local emergency alert system tests that we get on Tuesdays at noon. Tomorrow at 2:00, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: This is a test. When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
So now you know what will be going on tomorrow at 2:00, just so you don't think we're being invaded or flooded out or anything. As always, be aware and be safe.
This test is simlar to the local emergency alert system tests that we get on Tuesdays at noon. Tomorrow at 2:00, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: This is a test. When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
So now you know what will be going on tomorrow at 2:00, just so you don't think we're being invaded or flooded out or anything. As always, be aware and be safe.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Insurance Mess Update
In the midst of taking care of a dozen problems today at work, I was able to get in touch with the 'Rents' insurance agent and left a message for him to call Dad. Maybe I have more superpowers than I thought, because the guy called Dad within a half hour of me leaving a message. Anyhoo, their long-term care policy is not cancelled and all is well. For the most part. I don't have the strength to go into the full story, but suffice to say they still have their long-term care policy and all is well.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Link Of The Week
More and more I hear friends complain about how they're getting gouged for their phone, cable and internet service. Sure, they're all shiesters, but if we want the service bad enough we'll pay their high extortion fees.
This week, I found a site that can help us hopefully pay a bit less for not only our our phone, cable and internet, but for electric, water and other utilities as well. Visit http://www.allconnect.com/ and just enter your address and zip code and they will show you all of the available phone, cable, internet and other utility services available in your area. You can even refine the search more by entering what you currently pay for these services. Good luck and I hope you save some money.
This week, I found a site that can help us hopefully pay a bit less for not only our our phone, cable and internet, but for electric, water and other utilities as well. Visit http://www.allconnect.com/ and just enter your address and zip code and they will show you all of the available phone, cable, internet and other utility services available in your area. You can even refine the search more by entering what you currently pay for these services. Good luck and I hope you save some money.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
An Hour I'll Never Get Back
I wasted an hour of my life last night - a precious hour that I will never be able to get back. I watched an hour of "Extreme Home Makeover" and I regret it.
Back in "younger days" you couldn't hardly pry me away from the TV. Now, I hardly ever take the time to sit down in the family room and watch a show. Sure, up until six weeks ago, I would watch the day's episode of my beloved "All My Children", but other than watching shows that came on at 10:00 when I go to bed, (I lay in bed or on the floor in my room and watch certain shows that come on at 10:00) I don't watch much TV. There's just other things I would rather or need to be doing.
Last night, I was laying on the bed working on my security consulting stuff, and decided to turn the TV on for some background noise. "Extreme Home Makeover" was on and I was suckered in an watched it for an hour. And I wish I hadn't. For an hour, I laid there on the bed just watching the show and not even multitasking on business work. And the more I watched, the more it bothered me.
Sure, the moral of the show is very good - building a very expensive and huge house for a needy and deserving family. But last night's show bothered me. I hesitate to express my opinion on this but this is my blog and I can say what I want.
The show was about an Iraq War veteran who had a severe case of PTSD. It was so bad that he couldn't even be around people talking loud, because noise would freak him out and make him have an episode. But the Exteme Home Makeover crew got a huge piece of land away from anybody else and built the family a humongous house. They even made a "quiet room" in the house for the guy - with walls that were five feet thick and made of concrete.
I was happy for the family and especially for this veteran, but then it bother me. For the past couple of weeks I've been reading an e-book that is filled with stories of our "wounded warriors" - veterans from the current wars who were almost killed and how they and their families were just trying to survive. Their wives have had to put their lives basically on hold to help care for their husbands - most of whom had lost arms and legs and suffered severe burns. I started thinking of how many of the wounded veterans that could have benefited from the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on that new big house. I'm not saying that the vet on the show last night with PTSD didn't deserve help; that's not it at all. I just thought of how many additional vets that could have been helped with a portion of the money spent on that extreme makeover.
Back in "younger days" you couldn't hardly pry me away from the TV. Now, I hardly ever take the time to sit down in the family room and watch a show. Sure, up until six weeks ago, I would watch the day's episode of my beloved "All My Children", but other than watching shows that came on at 10:00 when I go to bed, (I lay in bed or on the floor in my room and watch certain shows that come on at 10:00) I don't watch much TV. There's just other things I would rather or need to be doing.
Last night, I was laying on the bed working on my security consulting stuff, and decided to turn the TV on for some background noise. "Extreme Home Makeover" was on and I was suckered in an watched it for an hour. And I wish I hadn't. For an hour, I laid there on the bed just watching the show and not even multitasking on business work. And the more I watched, the more it bothered me.
Sure, the moral of the show is very good - building a very expensive and huge house for a needy and deserving family. But last night's show bothered me. I hesitate to express my opinion on this but this is my blog and I can say what I want.
The show was about an Iraq War veteran who had a severe case of PTSD. It was so bad that he couldn't even be around people talking loud, because noise would freak him out and make him have an episode. But the Exteme Home Makeover crew got a huge piece of land away from anybody else and built the family a humongous house. They even made a "quiet room" in the house for the guy - with walls that were five feet thick and made of concrete.
I was happy for the family and especially for this veteran, but then it bother me. For the past couple of weeks I've been reading an e-book that is filled with stories of our "wounded warriors" - veterans from the current wars who were almost killed and how they and their families were just trying to survive. Their wives have had to put their lives basically on hold to help care for their husbands - most of whom had lost arms and legs and suffered severe burns. I started thinking of how many of the wounded veterans that could have benefited from the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on that new big house. I'm not saying that the vet on the show last night with PTSD didn't deserve help; that's not it at all. I just thought of how many additional vets that could have been helped with a portion of the money spent on that extreme makeover.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Flashback Friday
On this Friday night, I'm thinking back to not so long ago, when Friday nights meant a time to relax and rest after the previous five days at work. Tonight, I think I'm working harder than I did during this past work week. Ever since I got home from work and ate supper, I've been working nonstop on either my security consulting business or doing research for a friend's Master's Degree program class. I wish it was a relaxing Friday night like back in the day but this is the real world. And while I'd like to have a night to do nothing and just goof off, I'm actually happy and content working tonight. Go figure.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Drama At The Compound
I'm glad that I will be leaving in a few minutes and will be gone the rest of the evening, because it's not going to be a very peaceful night here at The Compound. The 'Rents are on the warpath, and I can't blame them one bit.
Back in the summer, their old insurance agent moved to Iowa, and his replacement paid them a visit. He went over their coverage, and was even able to get them a premium reduction in one of their policies. During the review, Dad said they wanted to increase their coverage on their extended-care policy. No problem. The agent filled out the proper paperwork and it was a done deal. Until the next day, when they got a call from a nurse hired by the insurance company, saying she needed to come out and give them an exam in order for them to get the policy. Dad told her that they weren't getting a new policy - they were just adding more coverage. She had to come anyway. So she came and gave them the exams, and she even told them that there was no reason she should have come - they weren't getting a NEW policy.
Fast forward to today when the 'Rents received a letter from the insurance company along with a copy of the check that they wrote out for the additional coverage. The letter said the medical exam info arrived too late" and they were declined coverage. Of course when they received the letter, their insurance agent's office was already closed so they'll have to wait till tomorrow.
Like I said, I'm kinda glad I won't be around here tonight. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Back in the summer, their old insurance agent moved to Iowa, and his replacement paid them a visit. He went over their coverage, and was even able to get them a premium reduction in one of their policies. During the review, Dad said they wanted to increase their coverage on their extended-care policy. No problem. The agent filled out the proper paperwork and it was a done deal. Until the next day, when they got a call from a nurse hired by the insurance company, saying she needed to come out and give them an exam in order for them to get the policy. Dad told her that they weren't getting a new policy - they were just adding more coverage. She had to come anyway. So she came and gave them the exams, and she even told them that there was no reason she should have come - they weren't getting a NEW policy.
Fast forward to today when the 'Rents received a letter from the insurance company along with a copy of the check that they wrote out for the additional coverage. The letter said the medical exam info arrived too late" and they were declined coverage. Of course when they received the letter, their insurance agent's office was already closed so they'll have to wait till tomorrow.
Like I said, I'm kinda glad I won't be around here tonight. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Thank You, Little Voice
I had to run an errand after work, and then make a stop at a grocery store on the way home for a couple of necessities for tonight's supper. I sure am thankful that I listened to my Little Voice and stopped at Sav-A-Lot instead of Wal-Mart. At the time I would have been at Wal-Mart, there was a shooting in the store. Apparently, a Constable shot at a shoplifter. If someone were to shoplift, I would imagine they wouldn't have been in the canned vegetable section of the store that I would have shopped in had I visited Wal-Mart, but you never know. Anyhoo, I'm glad I went to Sav-A-Lot instead and avoided all of the drama at our local Wal-Mart. With the way this week has been at work, I think I might have started shooting, too. That having been saaid, watch the local news at 6:00 and you'll hear all about it.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Happy November
It's hard to believe that today was the first day of November. It's been pretty cool in the mornings for the past week or two -- in the low 30's -- but it's warmed up to the 60's and higher. Today, it was in the low 70's. When I stopped at the grocery on the way home, I was very surprised to see quite a few variations of Ugh Boots out in full force. And I saw a few parkas, too. Yep, it was 70 degrees and I saw some people wearing their snow boots and parkas at the grocery store.
I'll be the first to give an free pass on the Ugh Boots; it was in the low 30's this morning, so maybe people were cold and wanted their feet to be warm this morning so they wore their boots and didn't bring any other shoes to change into as the day got warmer. But as for the parkas, all I can say to them is WTF? It's 70 degrees - you don't need to be wearing your hooded parking into the grocery store. Nuff said.
I'll be the first to give an free pass on the Ugh Boots; it was in the low 30's this morning, so maybe people were cold and wanted their feet to be warm this morning so they wore their boots and didn't bring any other shoes to change into as the day got warmer. But as for the parkas, all I can say to them is WTF? It's 70 degrees - you don't need to be wearing your hooded parking into the grocery store. Nuff said.
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