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Thursday Funday
1 hour ago
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
CHANGE IS GOOD
The job changes in our household are most definitely afoot these days and they seem to be working out well all the way around.
The husband has officially started in this new position, he spent last week up at the company headquarters doing some training and meeting with different people involved with his new global project. It sounds like it is quite a change for him and he's got a lot going on for him to get on top of.
I am also now a week into my new job and it's really great. Mine is not nearly as much of a night and day change as the husband's, but it is substantial and I am really enjoying it so far. Mine is more site project driven so I am off to a semi-slow start just based on the current schedule (this is new for me, typically I end up getting thrown into the chaos- and that is fine too).
I almost forgot how nice it is work for someone who isn't an asshole. The department makeup is quite different and I really like my new group (1 deparment, 3 functional groups)- they are all characters who are realistic, and call it like they see it- I'm a good fit. The department is made up entirely of scientists and engineers.. I am exactly where I should be.
The department is vibrant, opinionated, competent, and optimistic. There are maybe one or two people who are not, and they are quiet and keep to themselves and that is fine. They are not in my group, so that's even better.
It's a major culture shift for me. My last department is dying. Drowning in paranoia and the after affects of people who make stupid and purely politically based decisions. Not to mention an unbalanced and unreasonable leadership.
Upstairs, I walked on eggshells in my own department and avoided my own group at all costs.
Downstairs, its a completely different world.
The husband has officially started in this new position, he spent last week up at the company headquarters doing some training and meeting with different people involved with his new global project. It sounds like it is quite a change for him and he's got a lot going on for him to get on top of.
I am also now a week into my new job and it's really great. Mine is not nearly as much of a night and day change as the husband's, but it is substantial and I am really enjoying it so far. Mine is more site project driven so I am off to a semi-slow start just based on the current schedule (this is new for me, typically I end up getting thrown into the chaos- and that is fine too).
I almost forgot how nice it is work for someone who isn't an asshole. The department makeup is quite different and I really like my new group (1 deparment, 3 functional groups)- they are all characters who are realistic, and call it like they see it- I'm a good fit. The department is made up entirely of scientists and engineers.. I am exactly where I should be.
The department is vibrant, opinionated, competent, and optimistic. There are maybe one or two people who are not, and they are quiet and keep to themselves and that is fine. They are not in my group, so that's even better.
It's a major culture shift for me. My last department is dying. Drowning in paranoia and the after affects of people who make stupid and purely politically based decisions. Not to mention an unbalanced and unreasonable leadership.
Upstairs, I walked on eggshells in my own department and avoided my own group at all costs.
Downstairs, its a completely different world.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
NO MORE EXCUSES
This is great.
In 2004, a woman named Kathleen Harris of Oswago, NY tripped on a portion of uneven sidewalk and sustained some injuries. She took her $879 medical bill and sent it to the city.
They claimed they were not responsible because they had not been notified in writing that there was an issue with this specific portion of sidewalk.
Of course.
So, Kathleem Harris, armed with a note pad and a ruler, walked over 100 miles of city sidewalks and composed a list of every incident of uneven sidewalk (where the difference was more than a quarter of an inch) that might prove a tripping hazard.
She submitted her final report to the city. All 7 inches of it.
Now they can't hide, at this week's common council, city officials insisted they haven't thrown the report away and Mrs. Harris told them - they better not have.
"If anyone falls on your sidewalks now, you are responsible," she told the meeting.
I love it. Right on Mrs. Harris.
In 2004, a woman named Kathleen Harris of Oswago, NY tripped on a portion of uneven sidewalk and sustained some injuries. She took her $879 medical bill and sent it to the city.
They claimed they were not responsible because they had not been notified in writing that there was an issue with this specific portion of sidewalk.
Of course.
So, Kathleem Harris, armed with a note pad and a ruler, walked over 100 miles of city sidewalks and composed a list of every incident of uneven sidewalk (where the difference was more than a quarter of an inch) that might prove a tripping hazard.
She submitted her final report to the city. All 7 inches of it.
Now they can't hide, at this week's common council, city officials insisted they haven't thrown the report away and Mrs. Harris told them - they better not have.
"If anyone falls on your sidewalks now, you are responsible," she told the meeting.
I love it. Right on Mrs. Harris.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
UNQUALIFIED
The farther we get into this baby thing the more I realize how amazing it is that any schmuck can have a baby, there are no requirements, no testing procedures or certifications.
Adopted parents go through an evaluation process and are probably way more qualified by the time there is baby in their arms than the rest of us. The rest of us, "qualify" if all the biology works.
If you are ever wondering how stupid and unqualified people having babies are, check any forum board postings from pregnant women. Well over 90% of them are written by people either just generally ignorant, too stupid to google/research on a credible website, or too stupid to ask their doctor.
It's baffling.
I am at the point in the pregnancy where I am researching and interviewing pediatricians for Bogaslaw and my own unqualifications are becoming very apparent to me. Thank God I realized that this is something you are supposed to do before the baby actually gets here.
I have interviewed/toured two of the three pediatricians I have identified by location (proximity from the house) and by talking to women I work with who already have kids. The third one is scheduled for next Monday.
Pediatricians all seem nice, it's their job. Being scary or pushy will probably drive you out of business in a short period of time. Most practices with multiple doctors offer pretty much the same services, sick hours, etc. The third one I am going to see next week is a single doc practice, so I am expecting that to be different- but I want to give it a shot.
But see, here's the problem. I don't actually like doctors. And you know what? I don't actually know what I am looking for in a pediatrician.
I hate sitting in a waiting room (wasting time, makes me crazy). I hate paperwork. All I really want it to walk in, at the appointment time, see whoever I need to see, get fixed whatever is wrong, and leave. All I really expect is that the admin, the nurses, and the doctors aren't assholes and are competent at their jobs. That is pretty much it.
The husband hates doctors even more than I do. I don't even know what his basis requirements for a doctor are. He refuses to go. In the 9 years I have known him he has gone twice, once because he was sure he was going to die and the second time because I got so tired of his walking sick-nasty that I threaten to call an ambulance if he didn't go on his own. The last time we discussed it, I think it ended with, "What is it going to take to make you just go see a doctor?" and I believe the response was, "I will go to the doctor when my anus falls off or my lung pops out. OK?"
Ok fine. No real room to argue with that. I asked for a definitive answer and I got one.
In the past he has broken down and gone, he has ended up at some quacks office, who didn't believe in computers or hiring help. He had papers heaped all over the place, no admin or anyone at the desk for check in, and he decided that Rob's 7 month death-rattle cough was probably acid-reflux, he handed him some nexium samples and a prescription. It took about 9 months for him to submit the paperwork to the insurance company.
The diagnosis was complete bullshit and that was the last time Rob saw a doctor. This had to be at least 6 years ago.
He picked our dentist in LA who was also a quack and tried to kill me. So he no longer makes and decisions related to the family medical care.
I have spent so much of my life moving around since I graduated college, that only until recently have I had the luxury to go back to the same doctor I saw the last time. It's not that I give a shit that I get to see the same person, I just like not having to fill out the reams of paperwork every time. Previously, if something was wrong, I picked the one I could get an appointment with the soonest, went in filled out all the paperwork, got fixed, and left.
I have seen the same general doc here twice now. I think he's kind of an asshole. I have only seen him once (I reserve the right to decide he is actually asshole until the second visit, cause everyone has a bad day) and the other time I saw the nurse, who was fine. I will stay with the practice avoid the paperwork until he convinces me he's a real live asshole or his office is incompetent.
I am insured and if I decide someone's an asshole, I am just taking my business elsewhere- just like when I left my OBGYN because of the drill sergeant nurses, the idiot condescending doctor, and their three-peat of fucking up my paperwork.
So back to the baby thing. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing according to the "experts." But all I really want is a doc that is going to be able to schedule my kid in on the day I call when he is sick, fix him, not be an asshole, and no one fucks up my paperwork. The rest of this shit is just details.
I feel guilty picking a doctor for Bogaslaw the way I pick one for myself. But I am obviously unqualified for any other method. I think I am going to be vetoing the second practice based on the fact that I got the distinct impression that practice revolves around the breast-nazi method and that is just going to make me go North County on someone. No one needs that.
I kinda wish, when you have a baby they just issue you a doc and you go with that one until decide there's a reason to go somewhere else.
I am certainly not letting Rob choose. I guess this is one of those situations where I get to go with my gut. Or maybe I will ask the magic 8 ball. I guess the highest probability is that they are going to piss me off as opposed to the the likelihood that they break the baby.
That's comforting, I guess.
Adopted parents go through an evaluation process and are probably way more qualified by the time there is baby in their arms than the rest of us. The rest of us, "qualify" if all the biology works.
If you are ever wondering how stupid and unqualified people having babies are, check any forum board postings from pregnant women. Well over 90% of them are written by people either just generally ignorant, too stupid to google/research on a credible website, or too stupid to ask their doctor.
It's baffling.
I am at the point in the pregnancy where I am researching and interviewing pediatricians for Bogaslaw and my own unqualifications are becoming very apparent to me. Thank God I realized that this is something you are supposed to do before the baby actually gets here.
I have interviewed/toured two of the three pediatricians I have identified by location (proximity from the house) and by talking to women I work with who already have kids. The third one is scheduled for next Monday.
Pediatricians all seem nice, it's their job. Being scary or pushy will probably drive you out of business in a short period of time. Most practices with multiple doctors offer pretty much the same services, sick hours, etc. The third one I am going to see next week is a single doc practice, so I am expecting that to be different- but I want to give it a shot.
But see, here's the problem. I don't actually like doctors. And you know what? I don't actually know what I am looking for in a pediatrician.
I hate sitting in a waiting room (wasting time, makes me crazy). I hate paperwork. All I really want it to walk in, at the appointment time, see whoever I need to see, get fixed whatever is wrong, and leave. All I really expect is that the admin, the nurses, and the doctors aren't assholes and are competent at their jobs. That is pretty much it.
The husband hates doctors even more than I do. I don't even know what his basis requirements for a doctor are. He refuses to go. In the 9 years I have known him he has gone twice, once because he was sure he was going to die and the second time because I got so tired of his walking sick-nasty that I threaten to call an ambulance if he didn't go on his own. The last time we discussed it, I think it ended with, "What is it going to take to make you just go see a doctor?" and I believe the response was, "I will go to the doctor when my anus falls off or my lung pops out. OK?"
Ok fine. No real room to argue with that. I asked for a definitive answer and I got one.
In the past he has broken down and gone, he has ended up at some quacks office, who didn't believe in computers or hiring help. He had papers heaped all over the place, no admin or anyone at the desk for check in, and he decided that Rob's 7 month death-rattle cough was probably acid-reflux, he handed him some nexium samples and a prescription. It took about 9 months for him to submit the paperwork to the insurance company.
The diagnosis was complete bullshit and that was the last time Rob saw a doctor. This had to be at least 6 years ago.
He picked our dentist in LA who was also a quack and tried to kill me. So he no longer makes and decisions related to the family medical care.
I have spent so much of my life moving around since I graduated college, that only until recently have I had the luxury to go back to the same doctor I saw the last time. It's not that I give a shit that I get to see the same person, I just like not having to fill out the reams of paperwork every time. Previously, if something was wrong, I picked the one I could get an appointment with the soonest, went in filled out all the paperwork, got fixed, and left.
I have seen the same general doc here twice now. I think he's kind of an asshole. I have only seen him once (I reserve the right to decide he is actually asshole until the second visit, cause everyone has a bad day) and the other time I saw the nurse, who was fine. I will stay with the practice avoid the paperwork until he convinces me he's a real live asshole or his office is incompetent.
I am insured and if I decide someone's an asshole, I am just taking my business elsewhere- just like when I left my OBGYN because of the drill sergeant nurses, the idiot condescending doctor, and their three-peat of fucking up my paperwork.
So back to the baby thing. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing according to the "experts." But all I really want is a doc that is going to be able to schedule my kid in on the day I call when he is sick, fix him, not be an asshole, and no one fucks up my paperwork. The rest of this shit is just details.
I feel guilty picking a doctor for Bogaslaw the way I pick one for myself. But I am obviously unqualified for any other method. I think I am going to be vetoing the second practice based on the fact that I got the distinct impression that practice revolves around the breast-nazi method and that is just going to make me go North County on someone. No one needs that.
I kinda wish, when you have a baby they just issue you a doc and you go with that one until decide there's a reason to go somewhere else.
I am certainly not letting Rob choose. I guess this is one of those situations where I get to go with my gut. Or maybe I will ask the magic 8 ball. I guess the highest probability is that they are going to piss me off as opposed to the the likelihood that they break the baby.
That's comforting, I guess.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION - PRO
Looking for a simple way to make your neighbors hate you?
Here's a suggestion:
This really works with their pea green and bright pink polka dotted mailbox too.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
CARNIVORE
Hello, Bacon.... it's been a while.
I have been a vegetarian with a fish exception for a long time, most of the last 5 or 6 years. It is based on my dietary preference mostly for me; however, the ethical impact has also been taken into consideration.
I have never much been a fan of beef, chicken, or turkey. So I have never perceived it as a sacrifice. Not so much pork fan either, except I have always loved bacon. The only real sacrifice for me was the bacon and fake bacon bits have come a long way so even that hasn't been bad.
Training for my half-marathon I learned a lot about eating vegetarian for fuel and over the years I have gotten very good at it and quite creative with my cooking (when you don't use meat to flavor things, you tend to have to put a bit of work into it).
When I got pregnant, I did my research and found no evidence that a vegetarian diet was going to cause any adverse impact to the fetus other than requiring that I pay attention to my fish intake and the types of fish for concerns about mercury. The fish was how I got my fats and proteins mostly... so getting pregnant basically devastated a major staple in my diet.
I made a deal with myself when I realized I was pregnant. I decided that if I started to crave meat I was going to eat it. Based on my theory that it was possible that such an occurrence was because body wanting something in the meat that possibly I was not getting anywhere else.
The meat cravings started about a month ago. But it wasn't so much though the craving of the actual meat, as it was the fact that I could no longer make it between meals (even for short periods of time) before I was starving again. I was eating constantly and just felt like I couldn't eat enough to sustain me (and I can only eat so much pasta) and I started getting concerned about rapid excessive weigh gain. I just couldn't eat enough carbs and proteins to get from meal to meal without my blood sugar dropping and extreme hunger returning with a vengeance. That's not good for anyone.
So. I have started eating meat again. This is temporary, until the baby is born or until my body goes back to normal, of course. It was a rough start, but I have to say, I am actually enjoying it.
It's easier to eat places, there's more on the menu open to me, and with pregnancy I have noticed that foods actually taste better- and in this case, the meats that I didn't care for that much for before, taste incredibly good to me now.
It's weird still. I feel a little dirty about it. I had a cheeseburger from Sonic the other day, it was fantastic, and the whole time I felt guilty as hell. I imagine I am going to feel like that for the next couple of months.. in the meantime, I am going to try to enjoy it.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
UNPREPARED
Yesterday's 4th of July Party was a rousing success. I think everyone had a great time, including Rob & I. The festivities lasted from about 3:30 til 11pm- food, drinks, fireworks, and cornhole.
I continue to be amazed how addictive that game seems to be for men. They played for hours yesterday.
I did most of the cleanup last night, so I would have very little to do today. My plan for today what just what was left and then to spend the afternoon at the pool reading and working on my tan.
Our loud ass neighbors "the screamers" (who have I believe 25 children all under the age of 5) who are constantly screaming and yelling (mom too) have been thankfully out of town for the last week. I am assuming they will be returning this evening sometime.
I bet there didn't enjoy their vacation nearly as much as I did.
I figure this was my last chance at peace so I fully intended to take advantage of it.
I got up this morning to make coffee and realized.. it's raining.
Raining? I just stared at it.
It's been so nice lately every since day that I hadn't even thought to check the weather. I fell into the Cali Trap, where you just assume the weather is going to be nice because it always is.
I am sitting on the porch now, surrounded by my napping heard, watching it rain. I got online and checked the weather and it looks like it is going to rain all day. Damn.
I hadn't even considered the option.
I have absolutely no idea what to do with myself today and I am not really sure where to start.
I think I will start with breakfast and work from there.
I continue to be amazed how addictive that game seems to be for men. They played for hours yesterday.
I did most of the cleanup last night, so I would have very little to do today. My plan for today what just what was left and then to spend the afternoon at the pool reading and working on my tan.
Our loud ass neighbors "the screamers" (who have I believe 25 children all under the age of 5) who are constantly screaming and yelling (mom too) have been thankfully out of town for the last week. I am assuming they will be returning this evening sometime.
I bet there didn't enjoy their vacation nearly as much as I did.
I figure this was my last chance at peace so I fully intended to take advantage of it.
I got up this morning to make coffee and realized.. it's raining.
Raining? I just stared at it.
It's been so nice lately every since day that I hadn't even thought to check the weather. I fell into the Cali Trap, where you just assume the weather is going to be nice because it always is.
I am sitting on the porch now, surrounded by my napping heard, watching it rain. I got online and checked the weather and it looks like it is going to rain all day. Damn.
I hadn't even considered the option.
I have absolutely no idea what to do with myself today and I am not really sure where to start.
I think I will start with breakfast and work from there.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
PARTY TIME
The pool is cleaned, the food is prepped, the beer's iced down.
We are ready to celebrate the 4th of July and so is Patrick:
Thursday, July 2, 2009
BUSINESS
I really hope this turns out to be a hoax:
$25 Each to Attend Michael Jackson's Memorial Service
and it gets better:
________________________________________
Update: 7/3/09 - Announced that Michael Jackson's Memorial Service will be free... no word on T-shirt sales though.
$25 Each to Attend Michael Jackson's Memorial Service
and it gets better:
T-shirts that were going to be sold on Michael's upcoming "This Is It" tour will not go to waste. They will be sold outside Staples to people entering the service.His life was a circus, I guess his death will be too.
________________________________________
Update: 7/3/09 - Announced that Michael Jackson's Memorial Service will be free... no word on T-shirt sales though.
THE FREEDOM TO STAY HOME
We are finally staying put this weekend and I couldn't be happier.
Ever since our trip to Rome is seems everything has been a blur. Our summers are always like that and I am not complaining.
This weekend, however, we are staying home. We will be hosting a 4th of July Pool Party and rolling out a festival low country boil. We have a stocked beer fridge and after a trip to the farmer's market and grocery store tomorrow we should be good to go.
Here's to our Independence!
Ever since our trip to Rome is seems everything has been a blur. Our summers are always like that and I am not complaining.
This weekend, however, we are staying home. We will be hosting a 4th of July Pool Party and rolling out a festival low country boil. We have a stocked beer fridge and after a trip to the farmer's market and grocery store tomorrow we should be good to go.
Here's to our Independence!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
CHEAPER HOOTCH!
With the economy downturn we've seen a lot more negatives than positives.. but as the pendulum swing the other direction a bit things are starting to get cheaper (still waiting on shoes and clothes! hello?!).
But here's one worth mentioning (we'll take the good news where ever we can get it), according to this article in the Raleigh News & Observer, high end liquor is getting cheaper.. YAY!
Starting Aug. 1, the cost of a half gallon of Grey Goose vodka will drop from $71.95 to $59.95. The cost of a fifth of Absolut vodka will drop from $21.95 to $19.95. And, for those who can afford it, a half gallon of Glenmorangie scotch is slated to sell for $89.95 instead of $99.95.Why the price break?Because the high-end booze has been taking a sales hit as consumers have increasingly turned
to bargain-priced liquor. Distillers of the good stuff are chopping their prices to hang on to recession-weary customers.
Good news for NC!
I gotta say.. I think it's hilarious that they refer to it as "Hootch" on the front page of the news paper.. when I first saw the headline I thought "Hootch" was referring to something like home stilled bathtub liquors..
I love it. I gotta start using that term more.
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