I've decided naps can help rebuild sapped energy. I've never much liked to nap because I feel like I'm frittering away time, which is in limited supply in my lifetime, but then when I finally decide to take one, I'm refreshed. My wife is a professional napper. She's a real pro; can do them daily if given the opportunity. I have brothers and sisters who have the same skill. I didn't get the gene, or at least, in me, it isn't a dominant gene.
It's almost time for dinner, which will consist of baked cod, some butter beans, sliced tomatoes, and a side of a ricearoni sort of dish with a wonderful garlic aroma. Ahhhhhh! A glass of nicely chilled sauvignon blanc will accompany my meal.
And I'll take the rest of the evening off to decompress.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Nap in the Cards
Temperatures are drifting north of 100 degrees F, making it very unpleasant to venture into the garage where temperatures are amplified. We spent several hours at the office today, but left sometime after noon to have lunch. My wife couldn't sleep last night (she only got about 3 hours rest), so when we got home she quickly went about preparing for her nap.
I've been occupying myself with silliness of various kinds, taking this last chance for a couple of weekends to avoid work when I can.
The next two weekends will be dedicated to clients. Next weekend I'll be in Pittsburgh (Thursday through Sunday) and then I'll be a client meetings the following weekend here in town. At least I'll be able to sleep in my own bed during the latter event.
I've been busily preparing for our office move. I have a moving company stopping by on Monday to give us a quote. On the same day, I have 3-4 telephone companies dropping in to gather data to quote on new service when we move. We have 11 voice lines and a partial T-1 (whatever's not in use for phone lines) for Internet access. It's horrifically expensive to have all these lines, but that's life. I dread this next week's meeting. I'm afraid I cannot hope for changing a client's mind about reducing the management fee it's paying; it just doesn't have the money any longer. I keep thinking of the impact that will have on us; layoffs and salary cuts. It's never the right time for such things, but this is worse than most.
I'm feeling worn out today. Maybe a little nap is in the cards for me, too.
I've been occupying myself with silliness of various kinds, taking this last chance for a couple of weekends to avoid work when I can.
The next two weekends will be dedicated to clients. Next weekend I'll be in Pittsburgh (Thursday through Sunday) and then I'll be a client meetings the following weekend here in town. At least I'll be able to sleep in my own bed during the latter event.
I've been busily preparing for our office move. I have a moving company stopping by on Monday to give us a quote. On the same day, I have 3-4 telephone companies dropping in to gather data to quote on new service when we move. We have 11 voice lines and a partial T-1 (whatever's not in use for phone lines) for Internet access. It's horrifically expensive to have all these lines, but that's life. I dread this next week's meeting. I'm afraid I cannot hope for changing a client's mind about reducing the management fee it's paying; it just doesn't have the money any longer. I keep thinking of the impact that will have on us; layoffs and salary cuts. It's never the right time for such things, but this is worse than most.
I'm feeling worn out today. Maybe a little nap is in the cards for me, too.
It's a Shame to Waste a Criminal Mind
I've decided to launch a series of related magazines. They will be, to my knowledge, the only magazines of their kind, yet they should have extremely broad appeal. Because the markets toward which they will be directed have been extremely underserved, I anticipate an enormous amount of pent-up demand for the magazines. Just consider some of the magazines after which my new series will be modeled:
Midwifery Today, dedicated to the "heart and science of birth," targets a very distinct, utterly unique marketplace;
World Literature Today, showcases literature and culture from around the globe, also has a unique audience;
Psychology Today, which sprang from an interest in pop psychology, has evolved to focus its attention on an audience with unique reading needs.
After giving the matter considerable thought, then, I have decided to launch the following publications:
Auto Theft Today, targeted toward the professional who finds it increasingly difficult to keep pace with technological developments in automotive theft deterent systems;
Home Invasion Today, a magazine for the discerning criminal who needs to know the latest tips and tricks for avoiding occupied dwellings during his or her professional undertakings;
Mugging Today, aimed at the more violent offender who wishes to keep abreast of current practices in illicit crimes against persons;
Bank Robbery Today, a hard-hitting practical how-to guide that features monthly interviews with professionals who have retired from their careers (they got caught) and with some of the more astute players who continue to astonish the critics.
I am seeking experienced editors for each of the publications. Applicants should have impeccable editorial credentials, a strong work ethic, and experience in the fields of endeavor appropriate to the publication for which they are seeking to serve. We are looking for advertising sales people, as well; they will be paid on commission and must be willing to sign a code of standards and ethics.
To apply, send a PDF file of a series of pages that show your name, Social Security number, full address, credit card numbers and corresponding expiration dates and PINs, and a signed blank bank check to, info@criminalitytoday.com.
Midwifery Today, dedicated to the "heart and science of birth," targets a very distinct, utterly unique marketplace;
World Literature Today, showcases literature and culture from around the globe, also has a unique audience;
Psychology Today, which sprang from an interest in pop psychology, has evolved to focus its attention on an audience with unique reading needs.
After giving the matter considerable thought, then, I have decided to launch the following publications:
Auto Theft Today, targeted toward the professional who finds it increasingly difficult to keep pace with technological developments in automotive theft deterent systems;
Home Invasion Today, a magazine for the discerning criminal who needs to know the latest tips and tricks for avoiding occupied dwellings during his or her professional undertakings;
Mugging Today, aimed at the more violent offender who wishes to keep abreast of current practices in illicit crimes against persons;
Bank Robbery Today, a hard-hitting practical how-to guide that features monthly interviews with professionals who have retired from their careers (they got caught) and with some of the more astute players who continue to astonish the critics.
I am seeking experienced editors for each of the publications. Applicants should have impeccable editorial credentials, a strong work ethic, and experience in the fields of endeavor appropriate to the publication for which they are seeking to serve. We are looking for advertising sales people, as well; they will be paid on commission and must be willing to sign a code of standards and ethics.
To apply, send a PDF file of a series of pages that show your name, Social Security number, full address, credit card numbers and corresponding expiration dates and PINs, and a signed blank bank check to, info@criminalitytoday.com.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Me I Like My Lengua
Today's lunch was tacos de lengua with pico de gallo, rice, and refritos. I failed to make a lunch to take to the office, so I decided to go out instead. Cuquita's is a good little family-owned Mexican place near the office and I enjoy going there, where I'm almost always one of the very few gringos.
Their lengua is fantasticly good, though every time I order it (most of the times I go there, but I don't visit often) the Mexican waitstaff are pleasantly surprised that a gringo would actually order it and like it. Apparently anglos are not deeply into cooked cow tongue, as a rule. But I do love it. Today, one of the owners asked how the meal was and what I had eaten. When I told her it was wonderful, as usual and that I had eaten the lengua, she exclaimed, "Good for you! You like tongue?! It's one of our favorites. At home, we don't dice it like here, we shred it." I asked when I could plan on having dinner with her at home and she laughed. I was serious, but apparently that didn't come through.
I will admit that, conceptually, the idea of eating tongue is not terrifically appetizing. But the proof is in the eating.
If it hadn't been lunch (and I hadn't been obliged to go back to work), I would have had a margarita or six to accompany my wonder-meal. But I didn't. I've actually never had a margarita at the same time I've eaten lengua. I'll have to try that.
Their lengua is fantasticly good, though every time I order it (most of the times I go there, but I don't visit often) the Mexican waitstaff are pleasantly surprised that a gringo would actually order it and like it. Apparently anglos are not deeply into cooked cow tongue, as a rule. But I do love it. Today, one of the owners asked how the meal was and what I had eaten. When I told her it was wonderful, as usual and that I had eaten the lengua, she exclaimed, "Good for you! You like tongue?! It's one of our favorites. At home, we don't dice it like here, we shred it." I asked when I could plan on having dinner with her at home and she laughed. I was serious, but apparently that didn't come through.
I will admit that, conceptually, the idea of eating tongue is not terrifically appetizing. But the proof is in the eating.
If it hadn't been lunch (and I hadn't been obliged to go back to work), I would have had a margarita or six to accompany my wonder-meal. But I didn't. I've actually never had a margarita at the same time I've eaten lengua. I'll have to try that.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
It Takes Kidneys
Saw the doc today. Lab results say my bad voodoo blood has improved, so I am not scheduled to die in the near-term. "Come back in a month for a re-check and renal sonogram. Pay on your way out." Having no insurance in place at the moment (it's coming, just not yet in place), I have to pay for these visits. I think they're giving me discounts when I tell them I'm paying out of my pocket. Just $89 for today's visit, the same as last Thursday's visit. At that rate, I could visit the doctor twice a month from now on (of course I'd have to eat less between visits).
This family practitioner, who I've been seeing for about 6 years, didn't recall that I'd had a double bypass, nor that I'd had surgery many years ago for complications from Crohn's disease. I'm beginning to wonder. Not only did he not recall (which I can understand if he had a patient load of hundreds or thousands), but he didn't seem to have the information at ready access in my charts or in his computer.
Maybe I should become a doctor. My memory seems to be just perfect for the role.
Hhhmmm. One of my brothers used to tell a miserably bad joke, the punchline to which was for the person telling the joke to tap his temple and say, "It takes kidneys." Maybe that's what this whole renal episode is about.
This family practitioner, who I've been seeing for about 6 years, didn't recall that I'd had a double bypass, nor that I'd had surgery many years ago for complications from Crohn's disease. I'm beginning to wonder. Not only did he not recall (which I can understand if he had a patient load of hundreds or thousands), but he didn't seem to have the information at ready access in my charts or in his computer.
Maybe I should become a doctor. My memory seems to be just perfect for the role.
Hhhmmm. One of my brothers used to tell a miserably bad joke, the punchline to which was for the person telling the joke to tap his temple and say, "It takes kidneys." Maybe that's what this whole renal episode is about.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Damn Doctors
Damn doctors. Still no results from blood test, nor from pail of piss test. I'd just rather know what's up than not know. I called today to inquire; I was told someone would call me back. I didn't bother to ask when. If I had, the response might have been "Sometime in 2011."
