Suffering from Mother Nature's meteorological schizophrenia

8888 100th Post!! 7777

This weather is just effed up, to the Nth degree. It's warm, then it's cold for a day, then it warms up...no wonder everyone is sick.

So, according to some people I still talk to at my old job they got some new management. That new management group then decided a departmental restructure was in order. The result: corporate downsizing. A large number of people I used to work with are unemployed, as of March. Now I'm glad I didn't stay (on top of all of the other reasons I'm glad I didn't stay - no more overnights; no more working weekends and every holiday...et cetera, et cetera, et cetera). It makes my current job seem downright cushy, and secure by comparison. I often say it would take an act of Congress to terminate me. Or a cyborg from the future sent by Skynet after it becomes self aware. But, hey. That could be fun, too, in a way. In a running, screaming, being chased by cyborgs kind of way.

I'm currently engrossed in reading Michael Chrichton's new novel, Next. I had sworn off Crichton many years ago after reading the debacle that was Congo (I'm sorry, but I was a teenager when I read that book, and even then I thought it was junk - the movie adaptation even more so), and more recently because of what has been written of his opinion on the scientific validity of the Global Warming phenomenon. But this book is interesting. To say the least. It is current and topical and full of insight into the growing "business" of biogenetics. He takes creative license and stretches the reality of gene theraphy and transgenics just a wee bit, but it is a work of fiction so I expected to snort at a couple of the scenarios outlined in the book. But, in all, it's engaging and paced pretty well. I want to find out what happens to Gerard the parrot - obviously based in no little part on Alex. *Update*: The ending was flat, and a little of a disappointment after all of the buildup of the plot lines. I am now all revved up to read the Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child sequel to Relic, titled Reliquary.

Reminds me of that song by Styx. No, no. The other one.

Someone stole one of our sailboats the other night. Apparently it's as easy as stealing a car...assuming you know how to operate a boat. I point the finger of blame at those pirate spongers from a few weeks back. I think it may have been found/returned, though, since there were three boats out by the dock this morning. I have training all day today *in a late breaking development since this was posted, the training was boring and I skipped the second session*. This is going to be a very long day. I'll need some form of stimulant to keep me alert. Maybe coffee. No time for Fauxbucks, so the office tar will have to do. And they had us print out a 77 page manual for this.

I just learned the other day that there is a quaint Canadian term for my style of irrelevant blogging:

Washing the undies: n.
Blogging about the most tedious, minute, personal non-events.

A Spider Darkly

And more of the same, for your viewing pleasure...

Fluffernutter!

I just like to say that word. And PB + mallowcreme = Mmmmmm. Can you tell it's getting close to lunch time? On a side note I got an e-mail at work today that said the following (certain portions highlighted for effect): "I will also be bring down paperwork in just a few regarding a new hire that I just find out about." I knwo it's hard to tell - English really is this person's first language. Seriously.

I'm working on the details of my trip with M to ORL to see Ok Go (opening for Snow Patrol) at the Hard Rock in a couple of months. The plan is to hit up Islands of Adventure earlier in the day. Plus, the hotel deal I have my eye on includes a complimentary CityWalk party pass. What could be better? Ah, alcohol, how you soothe my latent angst.

By the way - Pat Robertson says God talks to him, and fancies himself a prophet. Myself, I would call him a fearmongering asshat and I wish his lord would tell him to shut the hell up already. The worst thing is that people actually listen to him. Can't they tell he's a megalomaniacal nutbag?

MSN released their totally useless and utterly banal "Year in Review" lists. If you're the easily entertained type you may find this a great way to pass some free time...

Meet the new year. Same as the old year.

This is how my coworker summed up the end of 2006: “What’s his name got hung. James Brown died.” And don't forget, Gerald Ford was eaten by wolves. He was delicious.

For me the beginning of 2007 is just a continuation of where 2006 left off. I don't feel any new beginnings - just more of the same drudgery. None of that bright, shiny newness. The two holiday breaks were nice, but they (along with this grey, dreary weather) reinforced my antipathy towards my current employment situation even more. I've got to start playing the lotto. Gambling is the way to the American Dream, I tell ya!

In other 2007 news, the French are silly and have too much time on their hands. And we gots a new Governor, guv'nah! I really hope he does something about this homeowners insurance issue, since we were issued a notice of non-renewal on our policy right before Christmas. How's that for some holiday cheer, eh?

Post Script: I watched a special on the French Revolution last night on History International, and now I want more (but that does not include reading A Tale of Two Cities) -- Viva la Revolution!