Manager Spin

The company I work for tends to spin bad news as if it was good news.

Example: No no no, your not getting an enema, your getting a COLONIC!!! woohoo! its a good thing!!

They did a salary restructuring where everyone was 'leveled' to the same base wage before comission. This means that someone working there for two months got a big ole raise, while the people there for four years got a nickle or so more. This was a 'good thing' because everyone gets more money.

To me it wasnt a good thing because it devalued my knowledge and contributions in the past.

institutionalized

My friend Shoo's mom worked at a State Mental hospital. This was an mysterious set of buildings with a high fence and a large greenbelt (and golf course) between the fence and the campus. I went there once to help Shoo with a boy scout project and I recall being very ill at ease with the people there. I have some guilt around my feelings towards them, in retrospect, at the same time it was my first encounter with the 'mentally challanged' and I really did not have any idea what to expect.

I did learn that you needed to remove the cupcake papers before passing out the cupcakes and you can expect to get hugged.

I wonder if there was some social paradigm that certain people needed to be isolated or removed from view or if that concept came after the idea of having a ' safe place' for 'those' people.

Tina's works in a classroom with challanged kids and they have them participate in the various classrooms as much as they can. So you have a school full of kids that are accepting of certain truths of life. Seperation and isolation leads to lack of tolerance, and is caused by lack of understanding.

Environmentalism Jihad

Islamists and Environmentalists have provided serious perception issues for the masses.

Giants in our time.

Back in the non-pc days of the 60's our boy scout meetings used to end with a full contact game of capture the flag or british bulldogs.

For one reason or another Shoo (see link to the right) and I were masters of Bulldogs.

The game consisted of running from one side of a field to the other side without being tackled by the person who was 'it'.

I could stop Shoo solo and he could stop me solo. But, that was about it. More times then I can remember it would boil down to the two of us being the final and similerly being drug down by multiple people and even dragging them across the field as well.

My favorite story involved a particularly game where me and shoo would run side by side as a juggernaut. Shoo realized they were going to use this against us next run so we opted to seperate and moved to opposit ends of the line. At the call I started to run and broke right and was slammed and slammed hard. I lost my footing and wondered who the heck had hit me that hard. looking around I did not see my attacker however, about where the impact took place, laying on the ground was Shoo. We had blindsided each other. Of course per the rules neither of us where out, I gasped out an explination something like "Shoo, get up, your not out... It was me"... He Popped to his feet and we survived a couple more runs. I kinda wish my folks had let me play football on defensive line next to Shoo.
We coulda be Giants in our time.

Motorbike and me

Once upon a time I borrowed a friends motorbike. It was fun and it was transportation and it was something I did not want my folks to know about.

I was over 18 and... well... stupid, quite frankly.

My dad rode motor bikes, he probably would have been fine with it and mom would have begrudgingly accepted the idea after some discussion (banter). However, I sidestepped and paid a price obliquely.

I was heading up harbor blvd. and I ended up rear ending an LTD station wagon. I do not recall the impact, not even if I was on the ground or not. Directly afterwards I knew enough to get out of the middle of the road so I kind of scrambled to the sidewalk. Around the time I made it there I realized that I couldnt breathe, so I slowly sank to the ground figuring I was going to pass out then die. Looking up, from my prone position I saw a police officer, oblivious to my plight at the front of the light. Also, a car load of girls next to me, looking and possibly screaming at the cop.

Then I inhaled. Elapsed time, maybe 30 seconds total. The cops where there, the bike was moved to an ex-taco bell parking lot. The Ambulance showed up with a male and female EMT, the female had a tough time and damn near dropped me at the hospital.

Results. a wrecked friends bike, A bruise where the helmet hit my upper chest (full face helmet), twin bruses across my upper thigh (handlebars), missing the naughty bits by a couple centimeters. Finally I got a unique looking five horizontal evenly spaced scars across my kneecap courtesy of the cooling fins.

It was late and I did not feel that getting chewed out by my parents, even deservedly so, would be anything that could 'cheer me up'. So after release I called up Robert G. (link on the right). And interuppted his dial up connection to a BBS enough that he hung up the phone and I could catch a ride.

I recall getting into his car and it being a rather quiet ride home. Still it allowed me to save face till the wee hours of the morning. Then it hit the fan.

Thanks for the ride Rob. Sorry for being stupid mom and pop.

Oh, you should note that since that time no other young person has ever done anything stupid....

Mom .vs. Army part deux!

With my brothers tour of duty comming to an end there was much anticipation of Kraig comming back home. My mom was worried dispite him being in one of the more safer places during 'Nam.

Then a letter arrived. Due to a shortage of man power the relief for his base had been delayed so he would be there for an additional two to four months.

This prompted my mother to again pull out her pen and paper and send off a missive to the powers that be. "You took my son and that was fine, he has served his time and now I want him home. If you do not have enough people then draft more, my son has served and he is NOT going to stay one more day past his time" (paraphrased)

My brother was called into the CO's office and asked to take a seat. As one might guess he had an idea it had something to do with mom... The CO sat for a bit in uncomfortable slience.

"I am not quite sure who your Mom is or who she knows. but, somehow she has been able to do in two weeks Something I have been tryign to do for six months, get relief assigned here."

With that he informed my brother he would be going home on time and asked Kraig to PLEASE, inform his mother.

Personally, I would love to get my hands on moms letters to the army.

Skating

I have the ability to skate and to skate well. This, to me, means I am just as comfortable on my skates as I am on me feet. While I am by no stretch of the imagination one of those half-pipe, grinding, back-flipping, eXtreme skater. Still I am accomplished.

I have Mad Skillz.

I had a group of friends, associated with my Catholic Young Adults group who decided that adult skate night would be fun. I went along even though at the age of 19 I could not skate... at all..

As time passed none of them were skating, yet I was, then I started working at the rink. I bought a sweet pair of quads, stainless steel with a upgraded jump bar (that I still broke). My buddy Eric got me into a roller hockey team and I found out that Quads have no protection against hockey sticks.

So I got some hockey stakes. My last pair are really nice thick and tight but on occasion I will bruise one of my toes while skating. I think I need a pad or something above the little gap in the hard shell of the toe.

A couple weeks back I took Connor to a possible b-day party at the rink. Connor is athletic and over the two hours his ability and confidence grew remarkably. He really had a good time.

So Sundays they have a Parents go free with child. Diana and Trevor where in tow and again we had wheels meet wood. Connor continued to improve. Even would let go of my hand for a few seconds at a time.

The few laps I could do solo did bring back alot of good feelings that have been dormant for quite some time. Gotta go back again.

US Army vs my mom

Kraig, my brother was drafted into the army during the Vietnam war. He served in Okinawa, never saw any combat and learned all about real Humidity. During his tour he would regularly correspond with my mom. This was the pencil and paper with Envelope and stamp kinda missive. No Internet or cell phone or any such. Keeping in touch is much easier now by quite a leap.

I am not quite sure how it came about but I believe that in one of his letters he mentioned his feet were getting tore up because his boots did not fit well. Kraig had very narrow feet.

My mom wrote off to either our senator or someone in power and with poison pen in hand ranted on that here they took her boy across the ocean and despite all the tax dollars could not get him shoes that fit. This was unknown to my bro, of course.

A short time later the CO (commanding officer) called Kraig into his office. Wondering what was going on he was asked to sit down. The CO then took the new pair of Army Issue boots that were on his desk and asked my brother to put them on. Kraig complied, still not quite sure what to make of the situation. The CO asked him to walk around the office and see if they fit well. They did.

Then continuing in the same level voice the CO asked "Are you are satisfied with the fit of these boots?" He was, "Could you please... Inform you Mother that the US Army has now provided you with proper gear?"

To which Kraig replied with an embarrassed affirmative.

Lesson? Never mess with a Mom where her kids are concerned.

Connor Phunny

(Double Click Image for a better look-see) Caption: She got stuck in the rocks. Pull me! Help Me!

Joke I stole and one I recall.

A guy walks in a bar and starts drinking himself blind. After a bit the bartender ask him "Why so Glum?"
The gent looks up and answers "Today is my wedding anniversary. We got married because her father caught us fooling around. He told me that I could either marry her or go to jail. I chose marriage."

Bartender, "So, it's your anniversary. Thats usually happy. Why so sad?"

Guy, "If I had chosen jail I would be getting out today."

-----one I recalled---
She told me we couldn't afford beer anymore and I'd have to quit.

Then I caught her spending $65.00 on make-up.

And I asked how come I had to give up stuff and she didn't.

She said she needed the make-up to look pretty for me.

I told her that was what the beer was for.

I don't think she's coming back......

Ring o Ring o rosie

Well lesee, Tina go sick with a cold, then Connor got a flu. Then Tina got back to back flu. Then Trevor got a light case of the flu.

Lotsa sleeping being done around the house.

Kids Illnesses

Connor was under the weather over the weekend. He had a fever and was generally listless and did not do much more then lay in bed or on the couch.

Being Autistic he does not relay how he is feeling in words. This really makes you worry that your correct in him having a cold and not something more. Add to that the fact he is one tough little guy. I mean it takes something very painful to elicit tears from him.

keeping him hydrated was tough as he did not want to drink. Telling him its important would get him to take a drink. buying him Gatorade (a treat) helped out quite a bit.

You always hate to see your kids not feeling well. Not being able to confirm how they are feeling verbally makes it worse.

Loved this quote

Isn't arguing like a liberal the intellectual equivalent of throwing like a girl?

Dino's Ristorante Italiano

With the Feast of Saint Valentine upon us going out to eat falls under customary to manditory. Living in a smallish city in the middle of the woods tends to bring mostly blue collar fare. Kill it, Cook it, Eat it... with beer... is the typical.

Other then the obvious fast food we do not have many franchise places to choose from. There are some great places for sandwiches, breakfasts and pizza. The kind of fare that lumberjacks like to eat.

Then there is Dino's. This place stacks up to any fine food experience anyplace anytime. It's quaint and downtown. The service is very italian and everything about the place is for your senses. Book selves with various travel guides and picture books. There is an 'Actual' Dino who seats you and prompts you as two what the finer dishes are and the wine to match. We sat next to some of his picture albums showing how Italy is never far from his heart.

Depending upon when you go there is musical entertainment from classical, jazz to barber shop. With prior commitments we opted to go the night after the Vanentines day feast. Dino look noticeable tired. He was very open and friendly and moved with the slower pace that let you know this was NOT fast food!

We ordered and as the meal was prepared we had time to look at the books and pictures. As the food was prepared.

We must have looked hungry because Dino decided we needed some soup and brought out a bowl for us to share (on the house). It was a bean soup and very full flavored and savory. That was followed by fresh bread and finally the main dish.

OH MY GOODNESS it was good! Tina got smoked Salmon Ravioli and I got the special which was Sweet potato in a hazlenut sauce. I had to restrain my eating to make sure every bite was chewed to full delite. The Salmon was 'smooth' in flavor and in a cheeze sauce that was not heavy as you would think.

We ended with Black forrest cake. It is easy to spend two hours just enjoying the experience. As they are now an Icon and Dino enjoys 'teaching' good food to the Pac NW.

Words used in pervious posting.

Grat (graat) Interjection - Used to express extreme displeasure.

Chak (chaakk) Adjective - Use to modify a noun or pronoun; carries a negative connotation.

Blit (blitt) Noun - 1.) A person who is thoroughly disliked. 2.) An unpleasant difficulty.

Flak (flak) Multi-functional - Can be used in nearly any circumstance, often carries an intense or distastful meaning. As a person, place, thing or idea, as any action or event, as a modifier of nearly any verb, etc.

http://www.brandonmdennis.com/

World of Warcraft - Inventing Curse Words

Answers to belows post

In order:

Austin Powers in Goldmember: Nigel Powers (Michael Cain).

Yellow Submarine: John, George and Ringo.

Kill Bill 2: Beatrice Kiddo (the bride).

Zoolander: Derik Zoolander (Ben Stiller).

My Favorite Year: Alan Swan (Peter O'Toole).

The Matrix Revolutions: Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).

El Dorado: Cole Thornton (John Wayne), Alan Bourdillion Traherne 'Mississippi' (James Cann).

Silverado: Emmet (Scott Glenn), Auggie (some kid actor).

Duck Soup: Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx)

Favorite Movie Lines (see if you can name the movie)

"There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch."

Person A: "Yes, dey do look very nice, don't dey?"
Person B: "Yes, dey do."
Person C: "Dey do dough, don't dey?"
Person A:"Yes, dey do."
Person B: "Don't dey, dough?"
Person A: "Dough?"

[after entering a cafe, covered head to toe in dirt] "May I have a glass of water, please?"

"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking? "

"Damn you! I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!"

"Mr. Anderson. Welcome back, we missed you."

Person 1:"Can you use a gun?"
Person 2"Well if I could I'd be using one."

Kid: "He was trying to get away. He fell off his horse... off a cliff."
Man: "Jake... [disbelieving] FELL off his horse?"

"I'd be unworthy of the high trust that's been placed in me if I didn't do everything in my power to keep our beloved Freedonia in peace with the world. I'd be only too happy to meet with Ambassador Trentino, and offer him on behalf of my country the right hand of good fellowship. And I feel sure he will accept this gesture in the spirit of which it is offered. But suppose he doesn't. A fine thing that'll be. I hold out my hand and he refuses to accept. That'll add a lot to my prestige, won't it? Me, the head of a country, snubbed by a forgein ambassador. Who does he think he is, that he can come here, and make a sap of me in front of all my people? Think of it - I hold out my hand and that hyena refuses to accept. Why, the cheap ball-pushing swine, he'll never get away with it I tell you, he'll never get away with it."

black hole information paradox

Steven Hawking tried to destroy the universe by making Black holes destroy Physical information!

This put us all at tremendous risk and is generally considered by Quantum mechanics to be an evil act.

Good thing Mr. Hawking made a great comback and saved the universe:
The Euclidean path integral over all topologically trivial metrics can be done by time slicing and so is unitary when analytically continued to the Lorentzian. On the other hand, the path integral over all topologically non-trivial metrics is asymptotically independent of the initial state. Thus the total path integral is unitary and information is not lost in the formation and evaporation of black holes. The way the information gets out seems to be that a true event horizon never forms, just an apparent horizon.

Whew! that was a close one!

I'm going to die.

Found out from the doctor that I am indeed mortal. Shocking eh? Fortunatly my soul is imortal but this body is just gonna wear out and stop at some point.

I have adult onset diabetes. I noticed I was having a tough time staying awake at times during the day. It did not matter how much sleep I had. Had a long set of tests done one morning on an empty stomach. I was told that loosing weight (I had balooned up to 280) would help and I was put on a daily medication and daily blood tests.

I got to the point were the blood test would only confirm how I was feeling so I went to weekly tests and then only when I felt 'off'. I added a couple of suppliments and a baby asprin to my collection of consumables and over time lost 40something lbs.

This week I go in for my first big set of tests since I lost the weight. As I was borderline last time I hope to be 'insulin intolerent' or better this time around.

My doctor is a pretty good one. He doesnt rest on his laurels and spends quite a bit of time reading the latests research and adopts them into his practice on a one off basis.

For instance he noted my 'bad' cholesterol is a bit high and that the Omega-3 fatty acids have proven reduction. So he recommended me look into Flax Seed supplimentals.

This versus putting me on some additional medication on a perscription basis.

I would like to get down around 200lbs. That was where I was in my 20's. I have about 50 lbs to go.