Friday, July 27, 2007
Breather
I think I'm going to take a breather from the blog for a bit...but I've said that before. This time, I may actually be forced to do it, thanks to my work schedule. But I'll be back...sooner rather than later.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Beans and Exercise
An ex-employee from years ago invited us to lunch today. She's better as an ex-employee than as a current employee, but she's actually interesting to talk to. Anyway, shortly after we sat down at the Mexican restaurant she had chosen, I knocked an entire bowl of bean soup into my lap. It was not a pretty sight. I handled it with as much aplomb as I could muster and, after the majority of the juices and sauce and beans were off the table and out of my lap, we moved to another table. After lunch, I dropped my wife off at the office and drove home to change.
My doctor has given me instructions to lose weight, change my diet, and get exercise. He has good reason; my triglycerides were through the roof during my visit earlier this week...more than three times higher than just a year ago. My weight has increased quite alot during the same period. He gave me a prescription to see a dietitian, who he says can give me guidance on a diet to reduce triglycerides. He diagnosed me as being afflicted with dyslipidemia, a disruption of the amount of lipids in the blood. It's caused entirely by diet, he says. So, I have to examine what I'm eating....apparently, too much fatty food, etc.
So, I resolve to do what I should have been doing all along: get more exercise and eat a healthier diet...and minimize the empty calories of booze. We have the pedometers, now we have to use them. And I need to go ahead with my $300 bicycle and my daily walks at lunch.
My doctor has given me instructions to lose weight, change my diet, and get exercise. He has good reason; my triglycerides were through the roof during my visit earlier this week...more than three times higher than just a year ago. My weight has increased quite alot during the same period. He gave me a prescription to see a dietitian, who he says can give me guidance on a diet to reduce triglycerides. He diagnosed me as being afflicted with dyslipidemia, a disruption of the amount of lipids in the blood. It's caused entirely by diet, he says. So, I have to examine what I'm eating....apparently, too much fatty food, etc.
So, I resolve to do what I should have been doing all along: get more exercise and eat a healthier diet...and minimize the empty calories of booze. We have the pedometers, now we have to use them. And I need to go ahead with my $300 bicycle and my daily walks at lunch.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I Want Inner Peace, Goddamn It, and I Want It Now!
Just now, I've commented on comments on my blog. I did that right after I spent an hour and a half on a client conference call/WebEx meeting. Fortunately, that's all it was. This particular meeting generally takes place "live" and lasts two hours. Today, my wife and I left the office a few minutes before 5:00 and zipped home. She microwaved a frozen dish and we both ate, finishing with only moments to spare before my call started.
And then I listened and took notes...made the occasional comment...and the call ended. What a blast!
Uh, oh. I just looked up to gaze at my little cordovan-colored Buddha figure...but it appeared to have disappeared! I was going to try to get some help with my stress level. I looked and looked about on my desk and then, as I leaned far to the right, I saw that it was sitting just behind a photograph. It seemed to have deliberately hidden. I know better. But it sure looked that way to me.
I'm anxiously awaiting a time, not too many weeks from now, when I'll be able to relax. A time when I won't have to look at the next weekend as simply another opportunity for clients to demand my limited free time. I'm so looking forward to some time to just kick back and relax. I want to relax right now! I'm getting frustrated at the wait, just thinking about it!
And then I listened and took notes...made the occasional comment...and the call ended. What a blast!
Uh, oh. I just looked up to gaze at my little cordovan-colored Buddha figure...but it appeared to have disappeared! I was going to try to get some help with my stress level. I looked and looked about on my desk and then, as I leaned far to the right, I saw that it was sitting just behind a photograph. It seemed to have deliberately hidden. I know better. But it sure looked that way to me.
I'm anxiously awaiting a time, not too many weeks from now, when I'll be able to relax. A time when I won't have to look at the next weekend as simply another opportunity for clients to demand my limited free time. I'm so looking forward to some time to just kick back and relax. I want to relax right now! I'm getting frustrated at the wait, just thinking about it!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Explanation
Just a short while ago I was musing over why I lost my temper at a traffic insult. And that got me thinking: why do I have a short fuse in general? Why can't I control my anger? Why do I let things get to me?
I suspect there's no easy answer for me. If I haven't figured it out in 53 years, it's not a simple thing. I consider myself pretty intelligent; a simple answer would have presented itself long ago.
And then something struck me that may have crossed my mind before, but not in recent memory. It's not just anger that is easy to come. It's every emotion, as if every emotion I'm able to feel is always just beneath the surface. I can become enraged easily. I can just as easily, if not more easily, be overcome by sadness or happiness or feelings of empathy or disgust or loathing. Maybe all these seething emotions are just looking for vents and, if they haven't been sufficiently vented in awhile, they boil to the surface.
That's a convenient explanation, but I don't think it's that easy. But it's one to put on my list of things to think about.
I suspect there's no easy answer for me. If I haven't figured it out in 53 years, it's not a simple thing. I consider myself pretty intelligent; a simple answer would have presented itself long ago.
And then something struck me that may have crossed my mind before, but not in recent memory. It's not just anger that is easy to come. It's every emotion, as if every emotion I'm able to feel is always just beneath the surface. I can become enraged easily. I can just as easily, if not more easily, be overcome by sadness or happiness or feelings of empathy or disgust or loathing. Maybe all these seething emotions are just looking for vents and, if they haven't been sufficiently vented in awhile, they boil to the surface.
That's a convenient explanation, but I don't think it's that easy. But it's one to put on my list of things to think about.
Unhinged
I came unglued today when, as I stepped on my brakes hard to avoid running through a yellow light, the guy behind me started mouthing expressions of annoyance with me. I saw it in my rearview mirror. He kept it up and I had a sensation that felt like a nerve in my brain had just short-circuited, shooting electrical impulses through my head. And, as I said, I came unglued. I started screaming at him and threw open my door, intent to go give him a piece of my mind. My wife was with me, and she screamed at me and grabbed my arm and pulled me back inside the car, scratching my arm pretty badly in the process.
Although I acquiesced to her admonition, I kept ranting and then, when the light changed and he started honking at me, my rage reignited. I made the turn and pulled into the right lane; the guy pulled up next to me and shot me the finger. And then my rage exploded even more. I swerved over toward his car and screamed something to him, probably a threat that I was going to kill the bastard, and took some satisfaction in seeing his car swerve. I held my rage in check, but kept pace with his car and glared at him. He switched lanes just before the next traffic light and turned off the road onto another one. And then I continued on my drive home.
There's no justification for my rage and resulting behavior, nor for the idiot's taunts. I think this is a signal that I need to withdraw into myself for awhile and think. What's driving me to the edge to the extent that I would almost get into a physical altercation with someone for a traffic insult?
I've always had a short fuse. Today, I felt like I had blasting caps going off inside my head. This is nuts. This is completely crazy. I will listen to Greg Brown singing "Laughing River" and maybe that will bring me back to the brink of sanity. It's not good becoming unhinged.
Although I acquiesced to her admonition, I kept ranting and then, when the light changed and he started honking at me, my rage reignited. I made the turn and pulled into the right lane; the guy pulled up next to me and shot me the finger. And then my rage exploded even more. I swerved over toward his car and screamed something to him, probably a threat that I was going to kill the bastard, and took some satisfaction in seeing his car swerve. I held my rage in check, but kept pace with his car and glared at him. He switched lanes just before the next traffic light and turned off the road onto another one. And then I continued on my drive home.
There's no justification for my rage and resulting behavior, nor for the idiot's taunts. I think this is a signal that I need to withdraw into myself for awhile and think. What's driving me to the edge to the extent that I would almost get into a physical altercation with someone for a traffic insult?
I've always had a short fuse. Today, I felt like I had blasting caps going off inside my head. This is nuts. This is completely crazy. I will listen to Greg Brown singing "Laughing River" and maybe that will bring me back to the brink of sanity. It's not good becoming unhinged.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Roadtrip Home
We started the day at Taqueria Jalisco, an unimpressive looking place on Highway 71 in Bastrop, just across the street from the H.E.B. grocery store. I'm not sure what attracted us to the place, but a full parking lot had something to do with it. Inside, the Mexican music was blaring, giving the place a lively, friendly atmosphere right from the start. The restaurant is decidedly casual...extremely so...and that got things started on the right foot for me.
My wife ordered a taco de carne guisada (like the day before in Austin) and a taco de nopalitos (made with cactus "leaves" and egg). I did the same, but added a second taco de carne guisada, on account of my gluttony. Good stuff! The guisada wasn't quite as appealing as the Austing version, but the heavy taste of freshly ground chile powder made up for it. I would go back. I will go back.
From there, we wandered around Bastrop and got a close-up look at the Colorado River which was far, far beyond its banks. The surface of the river was not smooth, but neither was it writhing with turbulence. In short, it was deceptively quiet, but it was apparent from the occasional log or branch speeding by that the currents were very fast and very dangerous. After our gander at the river, we went exploring Bastrop and found many very attractive houses, some of which were large and beautiful and expensive, others just large and beautiful. The town is chock-full of turn-of-the-century homes (from the 19th century) and older ones, many of which have been well-maintained and others which have been completely renovated. Only once or twice did we see evidence of idiocy and conspicuous consumption gone mad...the typical monstrosities that scream "more money than sense...a stupid person lives here!" The rarity of those beasts was refreshing.
Finally, we headed north and ended up at lunchtime in Taylor, a small town northeast of Austin. Louie Mueller's is closed on Sundays and we have eaten at another big-name place (whose name escapes me) a few years ago, so we thought we'd try a place we'd heard about, the Taylor Cafe. The Taylor Cafe is on the edge of the railroad tracks, just under the edge of a bridge that allows Main Street to pass over the tracks. It's damn hard to find and the entrances are almost unmarked. Upon entering, we saw low-hung ceilings, a center service area surrounded by barstools, and a few chairs and tables on both sides of the room. It was dark and dingy but smelled delightful. An old part-timer was our server and he apparently was really part-time, really new, and really had never worked in the "hospitality" industry. He wasn't unfriendly, just aloof. But he took our order of a rib plate for my wife and a brisket sandwich for me. The food was OK, but the atmosphere was stellar. It made me think I had landed deep, deep, in a Larry McMurtry story in a small Texas town...the characters, including the old black man sipping his beer and ocassionally wiping tables, the group of firefighter trainees, who sat at the counter eating their ribs, speaking in Texas drawls so deep I could barely understand them, and the hispanic guy who kept coming on to the mid-forties waitress who joined our old man server late in the game.
The restrooms were horrendously filthy and smelly and any health department in the world would shut the place down just because of the open access to rodents under the walls, between doors and walls, etc. But the place has serious character. It was a shame I forgot to take my camera on this trip.
From Taylor, we drifted north and finally got on the Monster Highway, IH-35. It wasn't bad most of the way, I have to admit. But it is an evil road. The only saving grace were our stops: one in a little town called Bartlett and another just outside Italy. Even though we were stuffed, when we say the ramshackle little shack with its lean-to "dining area" and its hand-lettered sign, we had to stop. It was Perez Barbeque, a place we learned is open only on Saturday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. It's obviously really only suited to take-out barbeque, because the "dining area" is too small for more than 3-4 people and, when we drove up, two workers and two of their friends were there. We decided we had to take something home, though, so we got some ribs and some sausage. We just couldn't pass it by. In fact, I have come to believe that the places that are open only when the owners don't have to work at their real jobs are the places likely to have the best stories and some of the best food.
Then, we stopped on the highway edge of the little town of Italy, where we went in to a market where they sell a huge variety of jerky and sausage (and they let me taste any jerky I wanted). We had stopped on the way down to Austin...and there was no reason not to stop on the way home. We were met outside by a country western musical group, who we took to be family members, just finishing up a number just outside the front door. They were good. But we had come for bathrooms, jerky, and an interesting new soda that my wife and I had developed a liking for...Izze. We particularly liked the clementine flavored sparkling water.
The stop refreshed me, so the 30-minute crawl once we got into Dallas didn't bother me too much, particularly since I got to see the reason for it, a minor wreck that backed up traffic for miles.
And then, home! And then, moments later, a downpour of biblical proportions. Next, wash the clothes and go buy a newspaper. And settle back and prepare for another week of wonder.
My wife ordered a taco de carne guisada (like the day before in Austin) and a taco de nopalitos (made with cactus "leaves" and egg). I did the same, but added a second taco de carne guisada, on account of my gluttony. Good stuff! The guisada wasn't quite as appealing as the Austing version, but the heavy taste of freshly ground chile powder made up for it. I would go back. I will go back.
From there, we wandered around Bastrop and got a close-up look at the Colorado River which was far, far beyond its banks. The surface of the river was not smooth, but neither was it writhing with turbulence. In short, it was deceptively quiet, but it was apparent from the occasional log or branch speeding by that the currents were very fast and very dangerous. After our gander at the river, we went exploring Bastrop and found many very attractive houses, some of which were large and beautiful and expensive, others just large and beautiful. The town is chock-full of turn-of-the-century homes (from the 19th century) and older ones, many of which have been well-maintained and others which have been completely renovated. Only once or twice did we see evidence of idiocy and conspicuous consumption gone mad...the typical monstrosities that scream "more money than sense...a stupid person lives here!" The rarity of those beasts was refreshing.
Finally, we headed north and ended up at lunchtime in Taylor, a small town northeast of Austin. Louie Mueller's is closed on Sundays and we have eaten at another big-name place (whose name escapes me) a few years ago, so we thought we'd try a place we'd heard about, the Taylor Cafe. The Taylor Cafe is on the edge of the railroad tracks, just under the edge of a bridge that allows Main Street to pass over the tracks. It's damn hard to find and the entrances are almost unmarked. Upon entering, we saw low-hung ceilings, a center service area surrounded by barstools, and a few chairs and tables on both sides of the room. It was dark and dingy but smelled delightful. An old part-timer was our server and he apparently was really part-time, really new, and really had never worked in the "hospitality" industry. He wasn't unfriendly, just aloof. But he took our order of a rib plate for my wife and a brisket sandwich for me. The food was OK, but the atmosphere was stellar. It made me think I had landed deep, deep, in a Larry McMurtry story in a small Texas town...the characters, including the old black man sipping his beer and ocassionally wiping tables, the group of firefighter trainees, who sat at the counter eating their ribs, speaking in Texas drawls so deep I could barely understand them, and the hispanic guy who kept coming on to the mid-forties waitress who joined our old man server late in the game.
The restrooms were horrendously filthy and smelly and any health department in the world would shut the place down just because of the open access to rodents under the walls, between doors and walls, etc. But the place has serious character. It was a shame I forgot to take my camera on this trip.
From Taylor, we drifted north and finally got on the Monster Highway, IH-35. It wasn't bad most of the way, I have to admit. But it is an evil road. The only saving grace were our stops: one in a little town called Bartlett and another just outside Italy. Even though we were stuffed, when we say the ramshackle little shack with its lean-to "dining area" and its hand-lettered sign, we had to stop. It was Perez Barbeque, a place we learned is open only on Saturday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. It's obviously really only suited to take-out barbeque, because the "dining area" is too small for more than 3-4 people and, when we drove up, two workers and two of their friends were there. We decided we had to take something home, though, so we got some ribs and some sausage. We just couldn't pass it by. In fact, I have come to believe that the places that are open only when the owners don't have to work at their real jobs are the places likely to have the best stories and some of the best food.
Then, we stopped on the highway edge of the little town of Italy, where we went in to a market where they sell a huge variety of jerky and sausage (and they let me taste any jerky I wanted). We had stopped on the way down to Austin...and there was no reason not to stop on the way home. We were met outside by a country western musical group, who we took to be family members, just finishing up a number just outside the front door. They were good. But we had come for bathrooms, jerky, and an interesting new soda that my wife and I had developed a liking for...Izze. We particularly liked the clementine flavored sparkling water.
The stop refreshed me, so the 30-minute crawl once we got into Dallas didn't bother me too much, particularly since I got to see the reason for it, a minor wreck that backed up traffic for miles.
And then, home! And then, moments later, a downpour of biblical proportions. Next, wash the clothes and go buy a newspaper. And settle back and prepare for another week of wonder.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Road Sanity
I awoke to the sound of my cell phone ringing. It was just a few minutes after 8:00 am. My wife and I had not set the alarm because we did not have to be anywhere until 11:00 am and, besides, we had stayed up rather late. I missed the call, but called back quickly to find that two people who were to attend my client meeting today were stuck in San Antonio by high water and more storms on the way.
After getting that bit of information, we drove to South First Street, where we had a nice Mexican breakfast at La Reyna. Lots of other places looked very inviting, but my wife had seen something about La Reyna and so that's where we went. My wife had a taco de carne guisada in a flour tortilla and a migas taco; I had a taco de carne guisada, one taco de barbacoa, and an order of carne guisada y pappas, the latter of which turned out to be slightly flavored slices of boiled potato. Everything else was outstanding. And the salsa picante was flavorful and hot enough to make me break a significant head-sweat.
My meeting took place....over at 1:30. Off we went to Lockhart, waiting to worry about where we would have barbeque until we reached town (only 30 miles from Austin). We opted for Smitty's, which is housed in what once was Kruez Market and is owned by one of the former owners of Kruez Market, which is now located in an old building nearby. We decided on Smitty's because we loved the sensations the place gives us. Walk in the front door, past an indented spot on the concrete floor where oak logs are burning...you have to be careful not to brush against them. Smoke is thick in the room and the odor of smoked meat is almost overwhelming. Order and pay in the hot room, near the grill, and take the meat (wrapped in waxed meat paper) inside, where you can buy accompaniments if you wish.
I got some brisket and a couple of links of sausage. My wife got ribs. It was delicious, but too much food. We packed away a good bit to take home with us. Of course, we also got a bit of potato salad, coleslaw, jalapenos, bread, etc. By the time we finished, rain was pouring down in sheets. I dashed out to get the car, drove close to the door, picked up my wife, and off we went toward Bastrop.
By the time we got to Bastrop, the weather looked pretty evil and I was not in the mood to ford rising waters, so we decided to stay overnight. A brief look convinced us that the Comfort Inn was the best deal, despite being a bit pricing.
After checking in, we drove around Bastrop, viewing the town through raindrops. It's a pretty town, with a beautiful courthouse and an attractive little downtown area with nice little restaurants around the square. We stopped during a brief respite in the rain to get out of the car and attempt to get a look at the Colorado River, which is flooding well beyond its banks. The only place we know to get a very good view is on the bridge from one side of town to the other, but we decided to wait to see if the weather is more cooperative tomorrow to try to walk across that bridge.
For dinner, we went to The Roadhouse, where we both had bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, jazzed up a bit with slices of avocadoes. I added jalapenos to mine. The Roadhouse has live music a little later, but we decided to get back to the hotel and settle in to watch HBO...at least my wife will. I'll seek information and record my ideas and avoid too much television.
Tomorrow, we're going to play it by ear. We must be home by about 3:00 pm so we can do our wash, prepare for the upcoming week, and decompress.
I do love these little trips, even short ones wrapped around business meetings. They allow me to prove to myself that I still have a little sanity left, and just enough craziness.
After getting that bit of information, we drove to South First Street, where we had a nice Mexican breakfast at La Reyna. Lots of other places looked very inviting, but my wife had seen something about La Reyna and so that's where we went. My wife had a taco de carne guisada in a flour tortilla and a migas taco; I had a taco de carne guisada, one taco de barbacoa, and an order of carne guisada y pappas, the latter of which turned out to be slightly flavored slices of boiled potato. Everything else was outstanding. And the salsa picante was flavorful and hot enough to make me break a significant head-sweat.
My meeting took place....over at 1:30. Off we went to Lockhart, waiting to worry about where we would have barbeque until we reached town (only 30 miles from Austin). We opted for Smitty's, which is housed in what once was Kruez Market and is owned by one of the former owners of Kruez Market, which is now located in an old building nearby. We decided on Smitty's because we loved the sensations the place gives us. Walk in the front door, past an indented spot on the concrete floor where oak logs are burning...you have to be careful not to brush against them. Smoke is thick in the room and the odor of smoked meat is almost overwhelming. Order and pay in the hot room, near the grill, and take the meat (wrapped in waxed meat paper) inside, where you can buy accompaniments if you wish.
I got some brisket and a couple of links of sausage. My wife got ribs. It was delicious, but too much food. We packed away a good bit to take home with us. Of course, we also got a bit of potato salad, coleslaw, jalapenos, bread, etc. By the time we finished, rain was pouring down in sheets. I dashed out to get the car, drove close to the door, picked up my wife, and off we went toward Bastrop.
By the time we got to Bastrop, the weather looked pretty evil and I was not in the mood to ford rising waters, so we decided to stay overnight. A brief look convinced us that the Comfort Inn was the best deal, despite being a bit pricing.
After checking in, we drove around Bastrop, viewing the town through raindrops. It's a pretty town, with a beautiful courthouse and an attractive little downtown area with nice little restaurants around the square. We stopped during a brief respite in the rain to get out of the car and attempt to get a look at the Colorado River, which is flooding well beyond its banks. The only place we know to get a very good view is on the bridge from one side of town to the other, but we decided to wait to see if the weather is more cooperative tomorrow to try to walk across that bridge.
For dinner, we went to The Roadhouse, where we both had bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, jazzed up a bit with slices of avocadoes. I added jalapenos to mine. The Roadhouse has live music a little later, but we decided to get back to the hotel and settle in to watch HBO...at least my wife will. I'll seek information and record my ideas and avoid too much television.
Tomorrow, we're going to play it by ear. We must be home by about 3:00 pm so we can do our wash, prepare for the upcoming week, and decompress.
I do love these little trips, even short ones wrapped around business meetings. They allow me to prove to myself that I still have a little sanity left, and just enough craziness.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Austin
My favorite wife and I drove to Austin today, leaving just after 2:00 pm and arriving more than five hours later. It's a 3-1/2 hour drive, but the traffic in Austin is much, much, much worse than Dallas traffic. My god, how do people cope?! I was ready to pull out the heavy artillery and blast cars off the roadway so I could pass. And, as far as I could tell, it was caused not by an accident, but by idiots who insist on changing lanes and then switching back again. I will not drive IH-35 through Austin again. I will take a much, much longer and more scenic route to get to this beast of a city and will then sneak in through the back roads.
OK, now that I've completed that rant...we ate dinner at an interesting little place on South Congress, the Magnolia Cafe. It's an eclectic place, with a mix of vegetarian dishes, meat-eaters' delights, and just some unusual but pleasant-sounding dishes. We both enjoyed our meals, mine a nightly special of rib-eye with potatoes, seasoned with blue-cheese butter and my wife's an interesting combination of butternut squash with a crust of pecans and brown sugar over squash that I believe had a mix of Indian spices...with a large side of an almost-vegetarian green curry to which my wife added chicken (she said it wasn't necessary). The place is inexpensive and has a decent selection of inexpensive wines by the glass.
We had hoped to go to Guero's Taco Bar, but the place was packed with hip young Austinites who were more willing than we were to wait in line for dinner.
Tomorrow, a 2-3 hour meeting for me about mid-day, then we will commence our barbeque expedition. And I'll promise to stop my gluttony and start my exercize regimen next week.
OK, now that I've completed that rant...we ate dinner at an interesting little place on South Congress, the Magnolia Cafe. It's an eclectic place, with a mix of vegetarian dishes, meat-eaters' delights, and just some unusual but pleasant-sounding dishes. We both enjoyed our meals, mine a nightly special of rib-eye with potatoes, seasoned with blue-cheese butter and my wife's an interesting combination of butternut squash with a crust of pecans and brown sugar over squash that I believe had a mix of Indian spices...with a large side of an almost-vegetarian green curry to which my wife added chicken (she said it wasn't necessary). The place is inexpensive and has a decent selection of inexpensive wines by the glass.
We had hoped to go to Guero's Taco Bar, but the place was packed with hip young Austinites who were more willing than we were to wait in line for dinner.
Tomorrow, a 2-3 hour meeting for me about mid-day, then we will commence our barbeque expedition. And I'll promise to stop my gluttony and start my exercize regimen next week.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Rent a Bicyle and Hire Someone to Ride It for Me
My day started at 4:00 am today because I had a 5:00 am conference call. That was the best time to get everyone necessary on the call...from Pakistan to India to Malaysia to Seoul to Sydney to Singapore...and a couple of folks on the U.S. East Coast. It wasn't bad, except for the telephone connections from Pakistan.
After the 1-1/2 hour call, I went to the office, worked until just before 5:00 pm, and headed home. I ate lunch at my desk while I worked. I'm used to it.
I did take a little break during the day and called about a Spanish class. I spoke to the guy a good 30 minutes and ended the conversation convinced that the best course for me is to take the 16 week beginner course, followed by either an intermediate course or an intensive course. We'll see. I have to register for the course still...it starts September 18. At least I'm making some inroads on my promises to myself.
My blogger friends Phil & Bev have offered good advice on my bicycle and kayak mindbeams. I'll take their advice. I've already checked on kayaking groups in Dallas and have come across the Dallas Downriver Club; I have yet to learn if they have resources for utter and complete novices, beginners with vast vacancies of knowledge about kayaking.
I do have to watch myself, though, because I tend to let myself get wrapped up in things so that I have no time left for myself...if I'm not careful, I'll rent a bicycle and then hire someone to ride it for me.
After the 1-1/2 hour call, I went to the office, worked until just before 5:00 pm, and headed home. I ate lunch at my desk while I worked. I'm used to it.
I did take a little break during the day and called about a Spanish class. I spoke to the guy a good 30 minutes and ended the conversation convinced that the best course for me is to take the 16 week beginner course, followed by either an intermediate course or an intensive course. We'll see. I have to register for the course still...it starts September 18. At least I'm making some inroads on my promises to myself.
My blogger friends Phil & Bev have offered good advice on my bicycle and kayak mindbeams. I'll take their advice. I've already checked on kayaking groups in Dallas and have come across the Dallas Downriver Club; I have yet to learn if they have resources for utter and complete novices, beginners with vast vacancies of knowledge about kayaking.
I do have to watch myself, though, because I tend to let myself get wrapped up in things so that I have no time left for myself...if I'm not careful, I'll rent a bicycle and then hire someone to ride it for me.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Bubbles and Barbeque from My Brain
Bubble 1: As I neared my house this afternoon, on my way home from the office, I noticed an interesting sign at the city-sponsored recreation center just a few blocks from my house, advertising the fact that intensive conversational Spanish classes are coming soon! I have been wanting to learn Spanish for a long time, so my opportunity to make progress, conveniently, may be at hand! I MUST do something soon to fulfill my promise to myself for 2007.
Bubble 2: The City of Dallas has notified me that the damage to my brick trash receptacle was not caused by City employees...so say the employees. It may well not have been a garbage truck, but circumstances suggest otherwise. However, I can't prove it was a city truck, no one reported seeing it, and my assumption it was a City truck was only supposition....so, I will have to disassemble the brick receptacle and try to figure out a use for the bricks. Work!
Bubble 3 & Barbeque: My wife and I are going to Austin on Friday afternoon. I have a meeting there on Saturday. I convinced my wife to come along to get a respite from work. After an 11-2 meeting on Saturday, the day will be ours. I envision a frenzied trip to Lockhart, TX to have some of the best barbeque in the civilized world (yeah, I know, Texas is arguably only near the civilized world). We may go to Taylor or Luling or Elgin...or all of them. Speakin of barbeque, here are my favorite places in Texas:
Smitty’s Market (original Kruez Market location) (1999)
208 S. Commerce
Lockhart, TX
http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbq-smittysmarket.asp
Kruez Barbeque (good barbeque doesn’t need sauce—don’t ask for it) (1900)
619 N. Colorado
Lockhart, TX
http://www.kreuzmarket.com/index.shtml
Blacks Barbeque (1932)
215 N. Main Street
Lockhart, TX
http://www.buyblacksbbq.com/
Louie Mueller’s
206 W. 2nd Street
Taylor, TX
http://www.louiemuellerbarbeque.com/
Taylor Café
101 N. Main
Taylor, TX
Meyers Elgin Smokehouse
188 Highway 290
Elgin, TX
http://www.meyerselginsausage.com/
Southside Market & BBQ (1882)
1212 Highway 290
Elgin, TX
City Market
633 Davis
Luling, TX
Luling Bar-B-Q (1986)
709 E. Davis
Luling, TX
Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ
505 W. Dallas
Llano, TX
Bubble 2: The City of Dallas has notified me that the damage to my brick trash receptacle was not caused by City employees...so say the employees. It may well not have been a garbage truck, but circumstances suggest otherwise. However, I can't prove it was a city truck, no one reported seeing it, and my assumption it was a City truck was only supposition....so, I will have to disassemble the brick receptacle and try to figure out a use for the bricks. Work!
Bubble 3 & Barbeque: My wife and I are going to Austin on Friday afternoon. I have a meeting there on Saturday. I convinced my wife to come along to get a respite from work. After an 11-2 meeting on Saturday, the day will be ours. I envision a frenzied trip to Lockhart, TX to have some of the best barbeque in the civilized world (yeah, I know, Texas is arguably only near the civilized world). We may go to Taylor or Luling or Elgin...or all of them. Speakin of barbeque, here are my favorite places in Texas:
Smitty’s Market (original Kruez Market location) (1999)
208 S. Commerce
Lockhart, TX
http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbq-smittysmarket.asp
Kruez Barbeque (good barbeque doesn’t need sauce—don’t ask for it) (1900)
619 N. Colorado
Lockhart, TX
http://www.kreuzmarket.com/index.shtml
Blacks Barbeque (1932)
215 N. Main Street
Lockhart, TX
http://www.buyblacksbbq.com/
Louie Mueller’s
206 W. 2nd Street
Taylor, TX
http://www.louiemuellerbarbeque.com/
Taylor Café
101 N. Main
Taylor, TX
Meyers Elgin Smokehouse
188 Highway 290
Elgin, TX
http://www.meyerselginsausage.com/
Southside Market & BBQ (1882)
1212 Highway 290
Elgin, TX
City Market
633 Davis
Luling, TX
Luling Bar-B-Q (1986)
709 E. Davis
Luling, TX
Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ
505 W. Dallas
Llano, TX
Health Care
This morning, my wife had an appointment with her cardiologist, a follow-up to her stress echocardiogram. I went along because the doctor, a guy with South African roots, expressed some concerns about some abnormalities the echo revealed. He recommended a CT scan, which he had recommended before but which the bastards at Aetna had refused because its use was "experimental" in detecting the problems he was seeking to identify. The other option is an angioplasty, a more expensive, more invasive, more expensive, and more dangerous procedure. They are willing to pay for that. Morons! Anyway, the doctor is going to battle the insurance company again in an attempt to get them to agree to cover the procedure.
All the news lately about the U.S. being 37th in quality of health care (and France being #1) has depressed me. Why do we insist on spending all our money, and the money of the children of our children's children, on invading other countries, yet refuse to fund a decent healthcare system for our own citizens?
It's a pitiful little statement from one rarely-read blogger, but I'll say it nonetheless: IMPEACH BUSH! I am so astonished at this government's ignorance and arrogance. Our president is a national embarrassment of unparalleled proportions. I have to think that, sometimes, the people who are being hurt the worst by his brutish policies may get a sense of justice by just thinking about the time when they will be able to urinate on the bastard's grave.
I don't have the energy to rail against him forever, but the occasional rant is enough to keep my own blood boiling.
All the news lately about the U.S. being 37th in quality of health care (and France being #1) has depressed me. Why do we insist on spending all our money, and the money of the children of our children's children, on invading other countries, yet refuse to fund a decent healthcare system for our own citizens?
It's a pitiful little statement from one rarely-read blogger, but I'll say it nonetheless: IMPEACH BUSH! I am so astonished at this government's ignorance and arrogance. Our president is a national embarrassment of unparalleled proportions. I have to think that, sometimes, the people who are being hurt the worst by his brutish policies may get a sense of justice by just thinking about the time when they will be able to urinate on the bastard's grave.
I don't have the energy to rail against him forever, but the occasional rant is enough to keep my own blood boiling.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Political, Social Rant
We're all so damn certain. Certain that there are weapons of mass destruction. Certain we'll be welcomed with open arms when we invade a country. Really, it's not just the nutjob right-wingers who are certain. Dems are certain that pulling the troups out will get us where we want to be. Libertarians are certain our lives would be hunkey-dory if we'd just get government off our backs.
I'm sick of people who are so damn certain. Life is not like that. Uncertainty rules us and will continue to do so. All of our black & white solutions to our problems, all of which were caused by "the other side," are unenlightened and shallow and utterly at odds with reality.
Once Bush and company completely fucked up the works by invading Iraq, there was no certainty left about how to extricate ourselves. Sure, no weapons of mass destruction, but does their absence absolve us of responsibility to rebuild what we destroyed? Will pulling out of Iraq actually help the Iraqis, or seal their fate to succumb to horrific civil war? We're invested in Iraq; we have to extricate ourselves carefully and we must not abandon the people we ostensibly invaded to save. We have to acknowledge that our own actions helped boost Al Queda and we need to figure out ways to stop that boosterism.
Democrats and Republicans alike are behaving in such an incredibly partisan manner that it makes me want to scream. They're both a bunch of spineless pricks who won't own up to the fact that, like it or not, we're the cause of the chaos and we must not simply walk away, leaving the spoils to whoever can muster the most power. First and foremost, Iraq should be a lesson: never invade a country on the off-chance it might be plotting against you. Second, when you break rule one, your choices are cowardice and its obvious results or sacrifice and it obvious pain. Third, the second rule should always guide us: don't break the first one.
This entire administration and the Congress should step down and let people with principles step up to govern this land. I truly hate the bastards who have bet our lives on their own personal political agendas.
I'm sick of people who are so damn certain. Life is not like that. Uncertainty rules us and will continue to do so. All of our black & white solutions to our problems, all of which were caused by "the other side," are unenlightened and shallow and utterly at odds with reality.
Once Bush and company completely fucked up the works by invading Iraq, there was no certainty left about how to extricate ourselves. Sure, no weapons of mass destruction, but does their absence absolve us of responsibility to rebuild what we destroyed? Will pulling out of Iraq actually help the Iraqis, or seal their fate to succumb to horrific civil war? We're invested in Iraq; we have to extricate ourselves carefully and we must not abandon the people we ostensibly invaded to save. We have to acknowledge that our own actions helped boost Al Queda and we need to figure out ways to stop that boosterism.
Democrats and Republicans alike are behaving in such an incredibly partisan manner that it makes me want to scream. They're both a bunch of spineless pricks who won't own up to the fact that, like it or not, we're the cause of the chaos and we must not simply walk away, leaving the spoils to whoever can muster the most power. First and foremost, Iraq should be a lesson: never invade a country on the off-chance it might be plotting against you. Second, when you break rule one, your choices are cowardice and its obvious results or sacrifice and it obvious pain. Third, the second rule should always guide us: don't break the first one.
This entire administration and the Congress should step down and let people with principles step up to govern this land. I truly hate the bastards who have bet our lives on their own personal political agendas.
A Lone Kayaker
Last Sunday, my wife and I went to a mall where she returned a pair of shoes and ultimately selected another pair. While she was conversing with the shoe salesman, I visited a large sporting goods store nearby. I am not a sportsman, though I sometimes wish I were, but there are things in sporting goods stores that I find appealing.
After looking at pedometers, I took a look at bicycles. While taking a look, a helpful New Zealand native, just a few years my junior, talked to me about the various bicycles and offered some suggestions. The one he suggested was best suited to my intended uses only cost $209. Add the car carrier at $60 and it's still a steal. I didn't buy them, but I very well might in the not-too-distant future.
What appealed to me more than pedometers and bicycles were the kayaks and canoes. Just looking at them and thinking about being on the water, exercising and having a good time, really got my juices flowing. I was anxious to learn how to use them and to have fun and get some exercise in the process.
Later, after her shoe excursion, my wife joined me in the sporting goods store. I tried to get her interested in the kayaks or the canoes, but had no success. I really want to get out in the water...get some exercise...experience something different from a desk. But my wife is the only person who I'd ask to do such things with me, and she's just not interested.
Maybe I should try it as a loner.
After looking at pedometers, I took a look at bicycles. While taking a look, a helpful New Zealand native, just a few years my junior, talked to me about the various bicycles and offered some suggestions. The one he suggested was best suited to my intended uses only cost $209. Add the car carrier at $60 and it's still a steal. I didn't buy them, but I very well might in the not-too-distant future.
What appealed to me more than pedometers and bicycles were the kayaks and canoes. Just looking at them and thinking about being on the water, exercising and having a good time, really got my juices flowing. I was anxious to learn how to use them and to have fun and get some exercise in the process.
Later, after her shoe excursion, my wife joined me in the sporting goods store. I tried to get her interested in the kayaks or the canoes, but had no success. I really want to get out in the water...get some exercise...experience something different from a desk. But my wife is the only person who I'd ask to do such things with me, and she's just not interested.
Maybe I should try it as a loner.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Usability
Several months ago, I bought Blackberry cell phones for my wife and myself. I got bluetooth wireless earpieces, as well, thinking it would be much safer to use them than to try to wrestle with a cell phone in hand while we were driving.
Like many technologies, the promises of bluetooth, at least on our Blackberries, were greater than the experience. We haven't used the earpieces since we bought them, despite my valiant efforts to make them work. They are cantankerous, hard to get placed, harder still to sync with the phones, and generally more of a pain than they are worth.
But, today, I will try again. I'm going to go through all the motions of charging the beasts, syncing them to our phones, and all the other myriad steps required to get them to work. And I'm sure they will...just not as easily and as conveniently as they should.
Once, I bid on providing management services to an association of usability professionals, i.e., people whose job it is to assess and evaluate changes to products to make them easy to use, intuitive, and to maximize the relationship between effort and performance. We didn't get the business. If usability professionals were involved in reaching the level of performance achieved in my Blackberry/bluetooth earpiece combo, those professionals should be removed from their professional gene pools and returned to jobs watering plants, roles for which they are better-suited.
But I'll try again. I'm pretty technologically-saavy. Maybe I was having a bad time before and it will be easy. In that case, I'll withdraw my scathing comments about the culpability of certain usability professionals. Otherwise, I'll continue to gloat that the association didn't select my company for management, a sure sign of ineptitude!
Like many technologies, the promises of bluetooth, at least on our Blackberries, were greater than the experience. We haven't used the earpieces since we bought them, despite my valiant efforts to make them work. They are cantankerous, hard to get placed, harder still to sync with the phones, and generally more of a pain than they are worth.
But, today, I will try again. I'm going to go through all the motions of charging the beasts, syncing them to our phones, and all the other myriad steps required to get them to work. And I'm sure they will...just not as easily and as conveniently as they should.
Once, I bid on providing management services to an association of usability professionals, i.e., people whose job it is to assess and evaluate changes to products to make them easy to use, intuitive, and to maximize the relationship between effort and performance. We didn't get the business. If usability professionals were involved in reaching the level of performance achieved in my Blackberry/bluetooth earpiece combo, those professionals should be removed from their professional gene pools and returned to jobs watering plants, roles for which they are better-suited.
But I'll try again. I'm pretty technologically-saavy. Maybe I was having a bad time before and it will be easy. In that case, I'll withdraw my scathing comments about the culpability of certain usability professionals. Otherwise, I'll continue to gloat that the association didn't select my company for management, a sure sign of ineptitude!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Schizophrenic
The word for this condition is schizophrenic, that is, a state characterized by the coexistence of contradictory or incompatible elements. That describes my on-again, off-again decision about my car, AKA The Bastard. Having just spent $300 to repair motor mounts, I was almost ready to say I will keep it. But, then, the odor of burnt rubber gave me serious concerns and I decided, with certainty, that I would replace the beast with an as-yet-unknown new or near-new vehicle.
Today, though, at my wife's suggestion (because the odor was so strong as to make us fear the car might begin to burn any moment), I stopped in at the Toyota dealer. Without doing anything more than sniffing, the shop advisor said he was relatively sure it was simply a plastic bag that had gotten entwined on my muffler and that it would, eventually, burn off. "We get this all the time, and this smell is definitely a plastic bag." Now, his assessment may be worth what I paid for it, i.e., nothing, but if he's right, I'm now confronted with the decision again.
Does it make any sense to get rid of the car now, just because it has what I have been told will be a temporary bad odor? Considering the fact that I'm going to have to spent many hundreds of dollars on new frames and a new prescription for my glasses, I'm thinking not.
But I do so like new leather. I like nice, quiet interiors. Last night, two other couples and my wife and I went to dinner...we all went in the Continental Town Car one of the guys had rented while his car is being repaired. The car was quiet, luxurious, smooth...it was like gliding on a quiet ocean in a lushly appointed cabin. Could I like that? Maybe. Probably. But it's too big and expensive and ostentatious for me. I like The Bastard. Sometimes.
Today, though, at my wife's suggestion (because the odor was so strong as to make us fear the car might begin to burn any moment), I stopped in at the Toyota dealer. Without doing anything more than sniffing, the shop advisor said he was relatively sure it was simply a plastic bag that had gotten entwined on my muffler and that it would, eventually, burn off. "We get this all the time, and this smell is definitely a plastic bag." Now, his assessment may be worth what I paid for it, i.e., nothing, but if he's right, I'm now confronted with the decision again.
Does it make any sense to get rid of the car now, just because it has what I have been told will be a temporary bad odor? Considering the fact that I'm going to have to spent many hundreds of dollars on new frames and a new prescription for my glasses, I'm thinking not.
But I do so like new leather. I like nice, quiet interiors. Last night, two other couples and my wife and I went to dinner...we all went in the Continental Town Car one of the guys had rented while his car is being repaired. The car was quiet, luxurious, smooth...it was like gliding on a quiet ocean in a lushly appointed cabin. Could I like that? Maybe. Probably. But it's too big and expensive and ostentatious for me. I like The Bastard. Sometimes.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Beachcomber Vacations
I had an eye exam today, late in the day. Instead of going back to the office, I came home, arriving here about 4:00 pm. Shortly after getting here, I got a call, telling me I'd been selected for a free vacation to one of several destinations of my choice. The call came from Beachcomber Vacations, located in Dallas. I decided to have some fun.
I dutifully answered all the questions, but made a point of acting a bit stupid...and behaving as if I were suspicious, but intrigued by the offer. I was successfully turned over to a closer, who spent a good 30 minutes with me, trying to overcome objections and giving me their load of crap about how all I had to do to get the vacation package was to come to a 90-minute presentation which "absolutely will not be a hard-sales pitch." The woman with whom I spoke finally acknowledged that they would try to sell me membership in their vacation club, but it would be no pressure.
I bit at the bait and said I'd be there. She asked me whether I could be there tomorrow and I said yes. Then she slipped up, continuing on with her abysmally badly written script, saying she would send me a letter with my confirmation number. I said, "hold on, I won't get a letter before I leave to go to the presentation tomorrow!" She stumbled, but recovered nicely by saying she would email or fax it. I gave her my office fax number. Finally, she wanted to verify that my household income was over $40,000. "Finally, there it is," I thought, "the little bit of information they will use to back out if I answer wrong." No, I said, my household income is less than $40,000. Surely it's over $40,000 if you throw in bonuses, stock dividends, savings account interest, etc. No, I replied, it's far below $40,000.
The conversation came to an abrupt end. She quickly said I had to be absolutely sure to bring my confirmation number with me because, without it, I would not be able to claim my vacation. "Please be sure to check your fax to make sure you get it," she said, and if it's not there soon, my colleague will call you to verify." (What?? This person is not doing well trying to get out of this deal.)
I felt good. I had wasted a good 30 minutes of their time and then some. I'm tempted to go to see if they really did fax something to my office...and then actually show up at their sales drill. I'm actually very good at telling hard-sell types that the only reason I'm present is to take their free gift. I'm also good at lying that I taped the entire conversation...and I can quote chapter and verse of the Texas statutes that permit such taping with just one party being aware of it.
I could have some real fun tomorrow!
Before I forget...if Beachcomber calls you, please try to waste their time, if you can!
I dutifully answered all the questions, but made a point of acting a bit stupid...and behaving as if I were suspicious, but intrigued by the offer. I was successfully turned over to a closer, who spent a good 30 minutes with me, trying to overcome objections and giving me their load of crap about how all I had to do to get the vacation package was to come to a 90-minute presentation which "absolutely will not be a hard-sales pitch." The woman with whom I spoke finally acknowledged that they would try to sell me membership in their vacation club, but it would be no pressure.
I bit at the bait and said I'd be there. She asked me whether I could be there tomorrow and I said yes. Then she slipped up, continuing on with her abysmally badly written script, saying she would send me a letter with my confirmation number. I said, "hold on, I won't get a letter before I leave to go to the presentation tomorrow!" She stumbled, but recovered nicely by saying she would email or fax it. I gave her my office fax number. Finally, she wanted to verify that my household income was over $40,000. "Finally, there it is," I thought, "the little bit of information they will use to back out if I answer wrong." No, I said, my household income is less than $40,000. Surely it's over $40,000 if you throw in bonuses, stock dividends, savings account interest, etc. No, I replied, it's far below $40,000.
The conversation came to an abrupt end. She quickly said I had to be absolutely sure to bring my confirmation number with me because, without it, I would not be able to claim my vacation. "Please be sure to check your fax to make sure you get it," she said, and if it's not there soon, my colleague will call you to verify." (What?? This person is not doing well trying to get out of this deal.)
I felt good. I had wasted a good 30 minutes of their time and then some. I'm tempted to go to see if they really did fax something to my office...and then actually show up at their sales drill. I'm actually very good at telling hard-sell types that the only reason I'm present is to take their free gift. I'm also good at lying that I taped the entire conversation...and I can quote chapter and verse of the Texas statutes that permit such taping with just one party being aware of it.
I could have some real fun tomorrow!
Before I forget...if Beachcomber calls you, please try to waste their time, if you can!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Vehicular Veerings
My mechanic smokes pot in his garage. Seriously. I almost asked him to partake in his habit when I went to pick up my car this afternoon.
I'm $300 poorer, but the horrendous shudder and rattle and shake I've been experiencing in my car...gone! The mechanic and his son are honest, inexpensive, and unwilling to bend their personal rules so far as to get in the way of having fun. Hence the pot, I guess. And the photos on the shop walls, people smiling next to huge redfish, tuna, sharks, etc., etc. hanging from hooks next to them. My mechanic is, as his son says, "a fiend about fishing." His father calls himself an addict to fishing. Whatever, they fixed my car, at least a little bit. Their $300 repair would have set me back $1100+ at the dealer.
The shudder is gone, but the odor of burnt tires is not. And so, despite serious, serious misgivings, I am going to get rid of the Bastard. I will replace it with another vehicle, but I'm not sure what just yet. I'm drifting all over the place: small SUV that gets good mileage; pickup truck; luxury sedan; sports convertible; motorcycle; minivan; station wagon; bicycle. For years, I've argued that I should be buying used. I'm still arguing, but I'm arguing with myself. Maybe not. Maybe a full warranty means alot.
I hate, truly hate, taking on a new car with its horrendous payment. I hate equally, though, wondering whether the burnt rubber odor will turn into a broken hose, a broken belt, an under-the-hood-fire. I want my old car, but with assurances. I want guarantees. I've assumed the Bastard would last and last. It's still only 10 years old. It should not do this to me! I feel like setting the motherfucker on fire and breaking its glass with a sledge hammer for being unfaithful to me! I cannot do that, though. I should simply get new tires, say a few words to the beast, and then deal with its infirmities. It's old, after all. I should not throw it out. Mixed, mixed feellings!
So...if I next write about drivin a Mercedes-Benz that has 17" tires and windows all the way around, you'll know what happened.
I'm $300 poorer, but the horrendous shudder and rattle and shake I've been experiencing in my car...gone! The mechanic and his son are honest, inexpensive, and unwilling to bend their personal rules so far as to get in the way of having fun. Hence the pot, I guess. And the photos on the shop walls, people smiling next to huge redfish, tuna, sharks, etc., etc. hanging from hooks next to them. My mechanic is, as his son says, "a fiend about fishing." His father calls himself an addict to fishing. Whatever, they fixed my car, at least a little bit. Their $300 repair would have set me back $1100+ at the dealer.
The shudder is gone, but the odor of burnt tires is not. And so, despite serious, serious misgivings, I am going to get rid of the Bastard. I will replace it with another vehicle, but I'm not sure what just yet. I'm drifting all over the place: small SUV that gets good mileage; pickup truck; luxury sedan; sports convertible; motorcycle; minivan; station wagon; bicycle. For years, I've argued that I should be buying used. I'm still arguing, but I'm arguing with myself. Maybe not. Maybe a full warranty means alot.
I hate, truly hate, taking on a new car with its horrendous payment. I hate equally, though, wondering whether the burnt rubber odor will turn into a broken hose, a broken belt, an under-the-hood-fire. I want my old car, but with assurances. I want guarantees. I've assumed the Bastard would last and last. It's still only 10 years old. It should not do this to me! I feel like setting the motherfucker on fire and breaking its glass with a sledge hammer for being unfaithful to me! I cannot do that, though. I should simply get new tires, say a few words to the beast, and then deal with its infirmities. It's old, after all. I should not throw it out. Mixed, mixed feellings!
So...if I next write about drivin a Mercedes-Benz that has 17" tires and windows all the way around, you'll know what happened.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Ends and Odds
Monster rainstorms continue to plague north Texas, causing rivers to crest well beyond flood stage. Lots of wild rivers, awful damage, and human drama...fortunately for us, no damage in our area. As much as I love rains and storms and watching flashes of lightening and hearing cracks of thunder, I am ready for a very brief respite.
Tomorrow, I have jury duty. Petit jury, municipal court. So, I won't be on a murder trial, I suspect. But I did think of some book titles as I contemplated the trip downtown, via DART train: Municipal Murder; Municipal Manslaughter; or Murder by Municipality.
The following day, I deliver the Bastard to a good mechanic for a pronouncement: repair or replace. The last few days have given me several signals that I should replace: the plastic at the top of the key broke, making it impossible for the key to stay on a keyring; the odor of burnt rubber continues to occasionally fill my nostrils as I drive; the shudders caused by the broken motor mount are getting much, much worse, to the point that it feels and sounds like the car is in the process of stalling; I've noticed the paint on the rear view mirror on the driver's side door has lost all its luster and the plastic is showing through the paint; ditto the top of the rear bumper; when my wife opens the passenger side front door, the squeel is loud and sounds too much like the sound I imagine a human who's just been stabbed in the chest would make. Today, on the way home from work, I asked my wife what color car I should get, if by chance I decided to replace the Bastard. I take that as a sign from my psyche.
Friday night, my wife and I will join two other couples from the neighborhood for Lebanese Food, our first Ethnic Night Out for the homeowners association. I've been attempting to get our neighborhood to develop more of a sense of community; this is a start.
Beginning a week from this Friday, I have a series of two more weekends devoted to client meetings. I'm going to put my foot down one day and tell each client I'm willing to give up three weekends a year for the client, no more. That will limit the weekends I give up to clients to 18, at the moment. I think maybe I should cut the number per client to two.
A visitor to my blog, Auntie Murray, reported on someone else's blog an interesting task she was doing for work. Mary (her other name), if you read this, please tell me why you were looking up the words to "Everybody Knows" and whether it was the same song written by Leonard Cohen.
Tomorrow, I have jury duty. Petit jury, municipal court. So, I won't be on a murder trial, I suspect. But I did think of some book titles as I contemplated the trip downtown, via DART train: Municipal Murder; Municipal Manslaughter; or Murder by Municipality.
The following day, I deliver the Bastard to a good mechanic for a pronouncement: repair or replace. The last few days have given me several signals that I should replace: the plastic at the top of the key broke, making it impossible for the key to stay on a keyring; the odor of burnt rubber continues to occasionally fill my nostrils as I drive; the shudders caused by the broken motor mount are getting much, much worse, to the point that it feels and sounds like the car is in the process of stalling; I've noticed the paint on the rear view mirror on the driver's side door has lost all its luster and the plastic is showing through the paint; ditto the top of the rear bumper; when my wife opens the passenger side front door, the squeel is loud and sounds too much like the sound I imagine a human who's just been stabbed in the chest would make. Today, on the way home from work, I asked my wife what color car I should get, if by chance I decided to replace the Bastard. I take that as a sign from my psyche.
Friday night, my wife and I will join two other couples from the neighborhood for Lebanese Food, our first Ethnic Night Out for the homeowners association. I've been attempting to get our neighborhood to develop more of a sense of community; this is a start.
Beginning a week from this Friday, I have a series of two more weekends devoted to client meetings. I'm going to put my foot down one day and tell each client I'm willing to give up three weekends a year for the client, no more. That will limit the weekends I give up to clients to 18, at the moment. I think maybe I should cut the number per client to two.
A visitor to my blog, Auntie Murray, reported on someone else's blog an interesting task she was doing for work. Mary (her other name), if you read this, please tell me why you were looking up the words to "Everybody Knows" and whether it was the same song written by Leonard Cohen.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
More Soon, I Promise...
I've not posted for a few days because I've been away at client meetings. Board meetings, social events, educational events...they take my time and argue against spending unavailable free time posting irrelevant comments. So, I'm sorry if you've been expecting comments and have found them wanting.
I'm still tired from my events. Late nights (11:30 pm +...not late for you, perhaps, but for me, very late), early rising (5:00 am or earlier...ditto), and the requirement that I be "up" to talk to people make this whole process very draining.
There will be more soon. Suffice, for now, to know that my car is still the same old Bastard; I have not become Republican: I like pecans., etc.
More soon, I promise.
I'm still tired from my events. Late nights (11:30 pm +...not late for you, perhaps, but for me, very late), early rising (5:00 am or earlier...ditto), and the requirement that I be "up" to talk to people make this whole process very draining.
There will be more soon. Suffice, for now, to know that my car is still the same old Bastard; I have not become Republican: I like pecans., etc.
More soon, I promise.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Same Job
I was impressed, though not overly so, with the 2007 Avalon I drove on the Fourth. I liked the Prius, too, and was surprised at how comfortable it was, considering its price compared to the Avalon. But, both of them disappointed me to the extent that I think any car that costs $20K or more should create a near orgasmic experience. Neither did.
I'm still looking. I'm still wondering how much I should spend on the Bastard before I give up and euthanize the beast. I have an idea it may be a while longer. Although, I was thinking...my wife has had her car for 5 years and it's now paid off. If I bought a car now, financed it for five years, it would be paid off when her car reaches 10 years...and we could start over. It may be worth thinking aobut.
Tomorrow morning I got to a client meeting. The board meeting starts at 1 pm, but we arranged for lunch for the early arrivals at noon. And a couple of reporters want to talk to me around 10 am, so I have to get there early. And then, the board meeting, sure to be contentious and surly. Possibly nasty for me, since the big problem is money and the amount they pay my company is a big target. I'm spitting on nickels or whatever I'm supposed to do to give myself 'luck.' Yeah, right, luck. Luck, Santa Claus, and Jesus have a lot in common.
It will all be behind me around 2 pm on Sunday, when I can return home, look at the pile of work that developed during this weekend meeting, and plan a year's worth of work for the remainder of the summer.
I want to be an ex-summer-school-teacher. I want to work during the summers by thinking about how to do it all ove again, but better.
I bought lunch today for a colleague, a good 15 years my junior, who just returned to Dallas with his wife (who got a nice job)...and now he's in the market. I offered him a position with my company at a very low base salary, but with a commission structure that could both make him some serious money and save my company if he is successful. I'm not terribly optimistic. He was paid well over $75K in his last position, about double what my base would be. And he'd have to perform fast and bring in revenue very, very quickly. He may choose something with more stability and more promise. I should take the same job that's probably going to be offered to him.
I'm still looking. I'm still wondering how much I should spend on the Bastard before I give up and euthanize the beast. I have an idea it may be a while longer. Although, I was thinking...my wife has had her car for 5 years and it's now paid off. If I bought a car now, financed it for five years, it would be paid off when her car reaches 10 years...and we could start over. It may be worth thinking aobut.
Tomorrow morning I got to a client meeting. The board meeting starts at 1 pm, but we arranged for lunch for the early arrivals at noon. And a couple of reporters want to talk to me around 10 am, so I have to get there early. And then, the board meeting, sure to be contentious and surly. Possibly nasty for me, since the big problem is money and the amount they pay my company is a big target. I'm spitting on nickels or whatever I'm supposed to do to give myself 'luck.' Yeah, right, luck. Luck, Santa Claus, and Jesus have a lot in common.
It will all be behind me around 2 pm on Sunday, when I can return home, look at the pile of work that developed during this weekend meeting, and plan a year's worth of work for the remainder of the summer.
I want to be an ex-summer-school-teacher. I want to work during the summers by thinking about how to do it all ove again, but better.
I bought lunch today for a colleague, a good 15 years my junior, who just returned to Dallas with his wife (who got a nice job)...and now he's in the market. I offered him a position with my company at a very low base salary, but with a commission structure that could both make him some serious money and save my company if he is successful. I'm not terribly optimistic. He was paid well over $75K in his last position, about double what my base would be. And he'd have to perform fast and bring in revenue very, very quickly. He may choose something with more stability and more promise. I should take the same job that's probably going to be offered to him.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Fireworks and Cars
I was up just after 6:00 this morning, even after staying up well beyond 1:00 am last night. Surprise, surprise.
We heard the massive explosions of the Kaboom Town fireworks extravaganza last night and even saw a few, but our choice (along with several others) of a viewing spot by the side of the road was not good. A large clump of trees blocked our view. I think next year we'll simply have to make a point of spending several hours ensnarled in traffic so we can get a good vantage point. It's only a 30-minute show, but worth the inconvenience every few years.
Thanks to my habit of listening to Cartalk, it finally occurred to me that I should look on Click & Clack's website to try to find a mechanic for my Avalon, someone I might be able to really trust to give me the straight scoop: is the vehicle worth investing in, or should I bit the bullet and replace? I found what I believe is just such a mechanic. There are many, many reviews, all of which give glowing reports of the guy and all of which suggest he is absolutely honest and exceptionally knowledgeable about Toyotas.
I called and spoke to the guy and he impressed me. So, I made an appointment to take my car in next week. When I told him the Toyota dealership's paperwork said I had a broken 'dog born mount,' he said it was actually the 'dog bone mount' and he said there is usually a reason for that mount to break. He said it's pointless to have it repaired without first knowing why the mount broke, suggesting that if we found the reason, that reason may or may not argue against spending any more on it.
If repairing the motor mount and the EGR and VSV valves will give me reasonable assurance that the car will last, reliably, at least until the end of this year, it's probably worth getting them repaired. Of course, I will need new tires all the way around just to pass state inspection this month, so that adds a chunk of money to the equation.
As it stands now, the horrific vibration at idle almost certainly will reduce the resale or trade-in value of the car dramatically. But, if I spend the money on it, I'll have to keep the vehicle for a good while to recoup the cost.
I'd rather be spending the money on retirement.
We heard the massive explosions of the Kaboom Town fireworks extravaganza last night and even saw a few, but our choice (along with several others) of a viewing spot by the side of the road was not good. A large clump of trees blocked our view. I think next year we'll simply have to make a point of spending several hours ensnarled in traffic so we can get a good vantage point. It's only a 30-minute show, but worth the inconvenience every few years.
Thanks to my habit of listening to Cartalk, it finally occurred to me that I should look on Click & Clack's website to try to find a mechanic for my Avalon, someone I might be able to really trust to give me the straight scoop: is the vehicle worth investing in, or should I bit the bullet and replace? I found what I believe is just such a mechanic. There are many, many reviews, all of which give glowing reports of the guy and all of which suggest he is absolutely honest and exceptionally knowledgeable about Toyotas.
I called and spoke to the guy and he impressed me. So, I made an appointment to take my car in next week. When I told him the Toyota dealership's paperwork said I had a broken 'dog born mount,' he said it was actually the 'dog bone mount' and he said there is usually a reason for that mount to break. He said it's pointless to have it repaired without first knowing why the mount broke, suggesting that if we found the reason, that reason may or may not argue against spending any more on it.
If repairing the motor mount and the EGR and VSV valves will give me reasonable assurance that the car will last, reliably, at least until the end of this year, it's probably worth getting them repaired. Of course, I will need new tires all the way around just to pass state inspection this month, so that adds a chunk of money to the equation.
As it stands now, the horrific vibration at idle almost certainly will reduce the resale or trade-in value of the car dramatically. But, if I spend the money on it, I'll have to keep the vehicle for a good while to recoup the cost.
I'd rather be spending the money on retirement.
An Unfamiliar Appreciation
According to my watch, it's closing in on 1:00 am and that makes it, officially, the Fourth of July. I've long been one who finds chest-thumping nationalism both offensive and dangerous, but that's not what I think the Fourth of July is, or should be, about.
What's important about the Fourth of July is that it acknowledges and appreciates the actions of a group of brave people who, despite their human frailties and imperfect attempts to achieve justice, did in fact create a form of government that has endured for more than 200 years and has made the lives of many, many people better for it.
This Fourth of July, though, we're saddled with a President who cannot understand the fundamental principles of democracy. We're dealing with a set of wars of our own making that, regardless of the arguments made in their support, are examples of what can go wrong when democracy fails. We're facing a world that, because of the wreckless arrogance of the sitting President and the mistakes of several of his predecessors, loathes us and much of what it appears we stand for. This Fourth of July we're confronted with an example of what can happen when the worst aspects of religion are allowed to mold public policy, both here and abroad. In the USA and in countries across the globe, terrorism (or whatever you call it) is striking fear into the hearts of millions.
In spite of all this, I think the fundamental concepts that were codified by the men who brought a new breed of democracy to life remain valid. Certainly, their ideas of democracy have been adapted over the years to recognize changes in the world and to correct mistakes in the original ideas upon which modern democracy is based. The world largely acknowledges (though there remain horrible examples that the world still has dangerous holdouts) that women deserve an equal place in democracy and, indeed, the world. Slavery has been clearly labeled as inhuman by most of humanity. But there is still so much inequality yet to be quelled. There is so much to do.
The Fourth of July and the people who gave birth to this country, the USA, should be celebrated today. Our independence should be celebrated. The ideals upon which this country are based should be celebrated. We may disagree about what constitutes democracy. We may argue that capitalism and democracy are, when paired together, murderous. We may argue that democracy is still an experiment destined for failure. The point is this: we can argue. We can disagree. We can publicly castigate people in power when we realize the people we (or our fellow citizens) elected to high office are incompetent, ape-like, stupid, and dangerous.
All of the negatives can be viewed as positives...not as positives we want to keep, but as examples of why there is still hope. We live in a decidedly imperfect world and in a decidedly imperfect country. There are misuses of power taking place from morning to night. There are huge chasms between the haves and have-nots in this country. There is systemic corruption that seems insurmountable. There are systemic problems that make it appear, sometimes, that we cannot solve the problems of race and religion and poverty and education and on and on and on.
We should still celebrate. Wave the flag. Appreciate. Despite its many, many faults, this country of ours has enormous potential. But we have to be careful with it. And we have to look beyond our own borders when we are looking for people to help. Because if we help people worldwide who need help, our efforts to quell the religious zealots and their supporters will be more successful...the world will continue to improve...and we can solve the problems of humankind and of the earth. At least the Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to be hopeful, if we'll just take it.
What's important about the Fourth of July is that it acknowledges and appreciates the actions of a group of brave people who, despite their human frailties and imperfect attempts to achieve justice, did in fact create a form of government that has endured for more than 200 years and has made the lives of many, many people better for it.
This Fourth of July, though, we're saddled with a President who cannot understand the fundamental principles of democracy. We're dealing with a set of wars of our own making that, regardless of the arguments made in their support, are examples of what can go wrong when democracy fails. We're facing a world that, because of the wreckless arrogance of the sitting President and the mistakes of several of his predecessors, loathes us and much of what it appears we stand for. This Fourth of July we're confronted with an example of what can happen when the worst aspects of religion are allowed to mold public policy, both here and abroad. In the USA and in countries across the globe, terrorism (or whatever you call it) is striking fear into the hearts of millions.
In spite of all this, I think the fundamental concepts that were codified by the men who brought a new breed of democracy to life remain valid. Certainly, their ideas of democracy have been adapted over the years to recognize changes in the world and to correct mistakes in the original ideas upon which modern democracy is based. The world largely acknowledges (though there remain horrible examples that the world still has dangerous holdouts) that women deserve an equal place in democracy and, indeed, the world. Slavery has been clearly labeled as inhuman by most of humanity. But there is still so much inequality yet to be quelled. There is so much to do.
The Fourth of July and the people who gave birth to this country, the USA, should be celebrated today. Our independence should be celebrated. The ideals upon which this country are based should be celebrated. We may disagree about what constitutes democracy. We may argue that capitalism and democracy are, when paired together, murderous. We may argue that democracy is still an experiment destined for failure. The point is this: we can argue. We can disagree. We can publicly castigate people in power when we realize the people we (or our fellow citizens) elected to high office are incompetent, ape-like, stupid, and dangerous.
All of the negatives can be viewed as positives...not as positives we want to keep, but as examples of why there is still hope. We live in a decidedly imperfect world and in a decidedly imperfect country. There are misuses of power taking place from morning to night. There are huge chasms between the haves and have-nots in this country. There is systemic corruption that seems insurmountable. There are systemic problems that make it appear, sometimes, that we cannot solve the problems of race and religion and poverty and education and on and on and on.
We should still celebrate. Wave the flag. Appreciate. Despite its many, many faults, this country of ours has enormous potential. But we have to be careful with it. And we have to look beyond our own borders when we are looking for people to help. Because if we help people worldwide who need help, our efforts to quell the religious zealots and their supporters will be more successful...the world will continue to improve...and we can solve the problems of humankind and of the earth. At least the Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to be hopeful, if we'll just take it.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Food: Can It Bring Us Together?
A Lebanese neighbor I've never met was the first, and is so far the only, person to express interest in what I've called Ethnic Night Out (hereinafter, ENO). I presented the concept of ENO to my neighborhood, hoping to generate interest among neighbors in meeting one another whle dining at interesting ethnic restaurants. Apparently, there are few food-nuts in our area. The Lebanese neighbor wrote me a nice note, thanking me for creating the website for our homeowners association and expressing an interest in ENO, as well as eatAbout, my concept for a neighborhood food fest in which people make some favorite dishes and share them, from tables on the sidewalks, with other interested neighbors.
She is the only neighbor who has expressed any interest, whatsoever. I'm only modestly surprised. This culture (at least in North Texas) rewards people who do not engage in neighborly conversations. I'm now trying to get her and her husband to help my wife and I form the core of a new food-centric social network. We'll see.
Would that the world could be made a safer and friendlier place via a shared interest in food.
She is the only neighbor who has expressed any interest, whatsoever. I'm only modestly surprised. This culture (at least in North Texas) rewards people who do not engage in neighborly conversations. I'm now trying to get her and her husband to help my wife and I form the core of a new food-centric social network. We'll see.
Would that the world could be made a safer and friendlier place via a shared interest in food.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Wanting Memories of Maine
My wife's sister, who lives in Boston, sent us an email with links to information about a number of Texas towns, places that are "off the beaten path" and have some attributes that make them worth visiting (at least to some people). If I can convince my wife that a Fourth of July day-trip is a reasonable way to relax, we may pursue one of those day-trips. What I'd really like to do, though, is join my sister-in-law and her boyfriend on their trip to Boothbay, Maine. That's tough to do this year, though, since I have a client meeting this coming Friday through Sunday...yes, same week as the Fourth. The client, though, has come to the same conclusion I have: it is utter insanity to schedule a meeting at a time when so many people schedule their own vacation time. So, next year there is a chance for this holiday.
In the meantime, we will explore options for very quick snippets of free time.
In the meantime, we will explore options for very quick snippets of free time.