Now if only I had a Green Bay Packers polo shirt for Friday.
2003-12-31
2003-12-30
Insightful....
It turns out Boomer Esiason is a pretty bright guy. If you don't believe me, just read this column.
Gratitude....
For those of you who might doubt that Green Bay Packers fans are the best around, just read this.
2003-12-29
Something's fishy....
This is a good story for the holidays. It also makes you stop and think about where our priorities, as a nation, might be.
Part of this complete breakfast....
This is the kind of thing Maryanne would beat me for if I did it. Nonetheless, I find it amusing, and she probably will too, since someone else did it.
2003-12-23
2003-12-18
Comments....
Well, it turns out the free blog comment provider I had tried, though easy to use, is unreliable, and a mere day or two after setting up the feature, their site is already down. That does not bode well, so I switched providers to BlogSpeak, who I'm hoping will be more reliable. Since Maryanne was the only one having left any comments on the site, I'm not overly concerned with the loss of her two comments (Sorry!). Hopefully this new host will be more reliable, and I can look forward to some more active commenting here.
Apologies....
It's a couple weeks old now, but this Op/Ed piece is one of the best I've read in a while.
2003-12-17
2003-12-16
Now arriving: comments....
As you can see (or maybe not), I've added a comment feature to the blog. It's provided by a third-party vendor, called BlogOut, and is a free service. If you don't like it, then you can come up with an alternative for me.
2003-12-15
Full of surprises....
It turns out my windshield did have to be replaced, at a cost of $300-some dollars. It turns out Klein-Dickert is pretty cool, though. The part was in stock, and we were able to get it fixed right away.
Much of our weekend was spent doing some Christmas shopping. Did you know it's nigh on impossible to find desk lamps with a polished-brass finish? Or that it's equally difficult to find a bathroom towel rack in an antique-brass finish? It's all chrome and brushed nickel these days.
Saturday night there was a surprise birthday party for Maryanne's friend Kim, who was turning 30. She was surprised. It was an interesting evening that included silly string, marshmallows, flashing, and a little bit of pyromania. Thank God there were some other guys there.
Much of our weekend was spent doing some Christmas shopping. Did you know it's nigh on impossible to find desk lamps with a polished-brass finish? Or that it's equally difficult to find a bathroom towel rack in an antique-brass finish? It's all chrome and brushed nickel these days.
Saturday night there was a surprise birthday party for Maryanne's friend Kim, who was turning 30. She was surprised. It was an interesting evening that included silly string, marshmallows, flashing, and a little bit of pyromania. Thank God there were some other guys there.
2003-12-12
Cracked view....
Somehow I developed a crack in my windshield. I reported it today, and made an appointment to have it fixed tomorrow morning. But between the time I left home this morning and the time I got home this afternoon, the crack had grown. I'm not very optimistic that it's going to be able to be fixed, and I'm wondering instead of my windshield will have to be replaced entirely.
I have no idea what caused the crack. I don't recall anything hitting my windshield hard enough to do it. I suspect the crack has been there for a while, and the rain turning to snow we got earlier this week caused it to grow.
I have no idea what caused the crack. I don't recall anything hitting my windshield hard enough to do it. I suspect the crack has been there for a while, and the rain turning to snow we got earlier this week caused it to grow.
2003-12-11
Geeky Christmas....
Christmas gift ideas for the nerd in your life, brought to you by the good people at Wired. Geek factor: high.
2003-12-09
"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night..."
...Nor a massive snowstorm could keep these sisters from Lambeau Field.
2003-12-08
2003-12-03
2003-12-02
Bully tactics....
Whack-jobs aren't only found with PETA, but this guy's from California, and that's good enough for me.
2003-12-01
Gobble, gobble!
As Thanksgivings go, Thanksgiving 2003 was probably somehow the most organized in a long time, considering all that went wrong.
Maryanne and I arrived Wednesday night, but later than we would have liked. Caly's Blazer was in Mom's driveway, and we were greeted by the smell of cooking. It smelled like steak to me, but when we got inside we learned that Caly's pumpkin cheesecake had leaked all over the upper oven, proving that Mom's smoke detector did indeed work. Because of the buttery, smoky mess in the upper oven, Mom decided to run the cleaning cycle. With instruction manual in hand she started pressing buttons. The upper oven locked, and we set it on its merry way.
The next morning we discovered that the oven was still locked and without power. Resetting breakers did nothing to help, and we soon discovered we had to find another way to roast two turkeys.
One was done on the Weber kettle grill, while Caly came and picked up the other and cooked it at her house. With the dressing cooked on the gas grill, everything came together quite nicely.
Maryanne and I arrived Wednesday night, but later than we would have liked. Caly's Blazer was in Mom's driveway, and we were greeted by the smell of cooking. It smelled like steak to me, but when we got inside we learned that Caly's pumpkin cheesecake had leaked all over the upper oven, proving that Mom's smoke detector did indeed work. Because of the buttery, smoky mess in the upper oven, Mom decided to run the cleaning cycle. With instruction manual in hand she started pressing buttons. The upper oven locked, and we set it on its merry way.
The next morning we discovered that the oven was still locked and without power. Resetting breakers did nothing to help, and we soon discovered we had to find another way to roast two turkeys.
One was done on the Weber kettle grill, while Caly came and picked up the other and cooked it at her house. With the dressing cooked on the gas grill, everything came together quite nicely.
2003-11-21
What is your quest?
Another example of what happens when people have too much time on their hands. Geek factor: high.
2003-11-18
2003-11-13
2003-11-07
A scientific basis....
Here comes the science! Texas lays the smack down and makes a stand on education.
2003-11-04
Update....
After doing some "exploring," it looks like AmFam's web filter blocks anything that might be considered edgy. I wonder how edgy this blog would have to become before my own site got blocked?
Laugh at yourself....
I love a company that doesn't take itself too seriously and still makes a damn fine product. Read what other people have to say about them here.
The Web Gestapo....
Well, whoever does the web filtering for American Family Insurance has once again turned into the Web Gestapo. Most recently, they've blocked web comics such as Red Meat and Twisted Kaiju Theater. They also seem to be waffling on The Onion- some days it's open, some days it's blocked.
2003-11-03
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Nerzhin and Pauline Santiago on the birth of their new son, Collin Gerald. He was born on Friday, October 31, 2003.
Pauline's water broke around 2 a.m. that morning, and called Maryanne and me. Maryanne met Pauline at the hospital, and waited for Nerzhin to arrive from his Army Reserve duties. Maryanne left the hospital around 6 a.m. and went straight to work.
The two of us picked up Amy and Luke after work Friday, and we went to see them in the hospital. Everyone was doing well, though Pauline was a bit grumpy since she wasn't given an epidural. Afterwards, the four of us had dinner at El Pastor.
The next day Maryanne and I got to drive to Minnesota for a wedding. We missed the ceremony due to detours, but the reception was nice. It was a bit crowded, and the food was fantastic. It could have been much worse, being in the middle of Vikings country, but thankfully the bride's family was from Green Bay. Sunday we were able to see Jenny and Gene, as well as Jenny's brother Zach, who just graduated from Army boot camp.
Speaking of Green Bay... how 'bout them Packers?
Pauline's water broke around 2 a.m. that morning, and called Maryanne and me. Maryanne met Pauline at the hospital, and waited for Nerzhin to arrive from his Army Reserve duties. Maryanne left the hospital around 6 a.m. and went straight to work.
The two of us picked up Amy and Luke after work Friday, and we went to see them in the hospital. Everyone was doing well, though Pauline was a bit grumpy since she wasn't given an epidural. Afterwards, the four of us had dinner at El Pastor.
The next day Maryanne and I got to drive to Minnesota for a wedding. We missed the ceremony due to detours, but the reception was nice. It was a bit crowded, and the food was fantastic. It could have been much worse, being in the middle of Vikings country, but thankfully the bride's family was from Green Bay. Sunday we were able to see Jenny and Gene, as well as Jenny's brother Zach, who just graduated from Army boot camp.
Speaking of Green Bay... how 'bout them Packers?
2003-10-29
2003-10-27
2003-10-20
Utter chaos!
Our friends Barret and Jenny were married on Saturday. Since I was one of the ushers, it was a long weekend for Maryanne and me. We drove down to the God-forsaken land of Illinois on Friday, and had a pleasant drive for the most part. We shared a hotel room with Adam and Sammie, and then drove to Evanston for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, in what actually may have been the most fun day of the weekend.
Saturday was a bit chaotic. Maryanne and I still had to get a wedding present, so the four of us piled into the car and drove to the nearby mall where we were able to find something. After taking care of these errands, we had lunch at On the Border.
On the Border is a chain of Mexican restaurants, and as such won't be reviewed on my restaurant page. Let's just say I wouldn't visit again, and part of me wishes we had ended up at KFC like we had though about doing. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but it was far from authentic, and the prices were a little steep for Mexican food.
The rest of the afternoon was far more chaotic. The shuttle service offered by the hotel to drive us to the ceremony site was increasingly behind schedule, causing the ceremony to be delayed and Jenny's personal assistant, Sheryl, who was overseeing the wedding, turned into some kind of psycho. Thankfully things relaxed a bit following the ceremony, as the reception that followed was a great improvement. We were even able to see Greg and Jeneen, and congratulated them on their forthcoming child.
Sunday was little better, as it took us 30 minutes longer than it should have to find the restaurant for brunch.
God, how I hate Illinois.
Anyway...
Congratulations to Barret and Jenny!
Saturday was a bit chaotic. Maryanne and I still had to get a wedding present, so the four of us piled into the car and drove to the nearby mall where we were able to find something. After taking care of these errands, we had lunch at On the Border.
On the Border is a chain of Mexican restaurants, and as such won't be reviewed on my restaurant page. Let's just say I wouldn't visit again, and part of me wishes we had ended up at KFC like we had though about doing. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but it was far from authentic, and the prices were a little steep for Mexican food.
The rest of the afternoon was far more chaotic. The shuttle service offered by the hotel to drive us to the ceremony site was increasingly behind schedule, causing the ceremony to be delayed and Jenny's personal assistant, Sheryl, who was overseeing the wedding, turned into some kind of psycho. Thankfully things relaxed a bit following the ceremony, as the reception that followed was a great improvement. We were even able to see Greg and Jeneen, and congratulated them on their forthcoming child.
Sunday was little better, as it took us 30 minutes longer than it should have to find the restaurant for brunch.
God, how I hate Illinois.
Anyway...
Congratulations to Barret and Jenny!
2003-10-13
A true fan....
Reading news on the web today, I found this:
I'm grateful there are some other die-hard fans out there that will support the Packers like I do through thick and thin.
Packer Report,
I'm a West Michigan Packer Backer and darn proud of it! I'm also tired of hearing Packer fans across the country saying "we don't have this" and Favre needs that! We can't have an all pro at every position! I will defend Mike Sherman to the end! He is one of the best coaches in the league. Although we lost to KC in OT, there are many positives to take out of this game, like the defense blocking a field goal, Priest Holmes being shut down, and Nick Barnett looking like the defensive rookie of the year!
When a team gets a lead it is easy to let your guard down and I believe this young defense will rebound just fine! I didn't hear anyone complaining about Ahman's two TD's and 100+ yards rushing or Favre's brilliant passing while we were up 31 - 14! But as I am typing this letter, I'm sure there is a so called fan out there typing another downgrading of a fine football team. The defense will learn from this and Sharper was one play away from this game having a whole different ending! Fumbles and tipped balls are part of the game and I am sure this team will be in the thick of things at the end of this season! I'll be there with them!
Mike (Packman) Kathan, Holton, MI.
I'm grateful there are some other die-hard fans out there that will support the Packers like I do through thick and thin.
Hard to swallow....
What looked like a certain victory for the Packers, one they so very needed against a 5-0 Kansas City team, turned instead into a mind-numbing overtime loss that again exposed the defense's glaring weaknesses. The lack of an effective pass rush by the defensive line has haunted the Packers for a while now, and yesterday it showed itself again.
2003-10-09
2003-09-30
Head east....
Some people have way too much time on their hands, and then we end up with stuff like this.
2003-09-29
Orwellian....
Followup: Not only is Fark blocked here at AmFam, but so are The Onion, and Rather Good. It's turning into freaking 1984 around here. I'm wondering if I should starting calling the the people a Information Security the Information Gestapo, instead.
No answers....
Today I discovered the vendor that provides website blocking for American Family Insurance has for some reason blocked Fark. I'm so disappointed....
It makes me think about a meeting we had some time ago, presented by the Information Security people. When we were discussing blocked websites, it was mentioned that sites that were inappropriate for work would be blocked. I, of course, asked who decided if a site was inappropriate. They never did give me a straight answer.
It makes me think about a meeting we had some time ago, presented by the Information Security people. When we were discussing blocked websites, it was mentioned that sites that were inappropriate for work would be blocked. I, of course, asked who decided if a site was inappropriate. They never did give me a straight answer.
2003-09-25
Return to sender....
So today I got some e-mail from a nice gentleman by the name of Dave Mayfield who was looking for a good place in northeast Wisconsin to get a brat. I tried to reply to him, but somehow his e-mail address got garbled in his message, which was submitted from this website.
So Dave, if you read this, please e-mail again and include your e-mail address in the body of your message. I have a nice long reply sitting in my mailbox for you!
So Dave, if you read this, please e-mail again and include your e-mail address in the body of your message. I have a nice long reply sitting in my mailbox for you!
2003-09-21
Happy Anniversary!
Today Maryanne and I have officially been married for one year. It's been great. We celebrated Friday, though, spending some time up in the Dells before sharing a nice dinner at Delmonico's here in Madison. I look forward to many more such celebrations.
Delmonico's was interesting. You'll find more here on my restaurant reviews page, but I'll add a little bit here in my blog. The place was beautiful, but noisy, which made it difficult for Maryanne. I was willing to put up with it all, though, at least until the neighboring tables made me want to slap them. Between one couple in a foursome bickering back and forth about probably inane topics, and the gentleman in another couple at a different table complaining about his risotto, I was getting anxious to leave.
The rest of the weekend was busy as well. We went to a wedding and a birthday party Saturday, and today we pretty much did nothing but watch the Packers lose to the Cardinals. The Packers didn't play very well, but I wouldn't have called it terrible. Personally, I think the outcome of the game was dictated by the truly terrible pass interference call in the fourth quarter. You know the one I'm talking about.
Delmonico's was interesting. You'll find more here on my restaurant reviews page, but I'll add a little bit here in my blog. The place was beautiful, but noisy, which made it difficult for Maryanne. I was willing to put up with it all, though, at least until the neighboring tables made me want to slap them. Between one couple in a foursome bickering back and forth about probably inane topics, and the gentleman in another couple at a different table complaining about his risotto, I was getting anxious to leave.
The rest of the weekend was busy as well. We went to a wedding and a birthday party Saturday, and today we pretty much did nothing but watch the Packers lose to the Cardinals. The Packers didn't play very well, but I wouldn't have called it terrible. Personally, I think the outcome of the game was dictated by the truly terrible pass interference call in the fourth quarter. You know the one I'm talking about.
2003-09-18
2003-09-15
Abandon all hope....
Yes, now you, too, can build your own version eternal damnation. Dante would be proud.
General asshats
Circle I Limbo
Riceboys
Circle II Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind
Parents who bring squalling brats to R-rated movies
Circle III Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow
Militant Vegans
Circle IV Rolling Weights
PETA Members
Circle V Stuck in Mud, Mangled
River Styx
NAMBLA Members
Circle VI Buried for Eternity
River Phlegyas
Uday Hussein, Qusay Hussein
Circle VII Burning Sands
Saddam Hussein
Circle IIX Immersed in Excrement
Osama bin Laden
Circle IX Frozen in Ice
2003-09-13
Dissenting opinion....
Not all pop musicians are money-grubbing bastards like Metallica. Check this cool shit out.
2003-09-12
2003-09-11
2003-09-10
The power of cheese....
So it turns out Europe is full of money-grubbing bastards as well. Behold the power of cheese.
2003-09-09
Dream away....
Lately I've been waking up far too early, around 4 a.m. or so. Since I don't need to be up until 6, I usually try to get back to sleep. In this case that means dream-filled REM sleep. I've had some doozies lately, including this gem from this morning.
I was working on some oil paintings. One I think was some kind of restoration job or something, as I was just adding some finishing touches. I was also working on something of my own, a large piece I had titled "Prom Date." I was working on it in my high school art room, and my art teacher, Mr. Rericha, was there, complimenting the piece and offering some suggestions. The piece started taking on a life of its own, evolving, and it started turning into some kind of profound statement. I'm not sure what that statement was, but everybody else must have known, because word started spreading around about this great painting I was creating, and a lot of the school's faculty, and even many of the students, started talking about it.
I was working on some oil paintings. One I think was some kind of restoration job or something, as I was just adding some finishing touches. I was also working on something of my own, a large piece I had titled "Prom Date." I was working on it in my high school art room, and my art teacher, Mr. Rericha, was there, complimenting the piece and offering some suggestions. The piece started taking on a life of its own, evolving, and it started turning into some kind of profound statement. I'm not sure what that statement was, but everybody else must have known, because word started spreading around about this great painting I was creating, and a lot of the school's faculty, and even many of the students, started talking about it.
2003-09-03
Bad driver alert....
Drivers in Madison, and particularly employees of American Family Insurance, should watch for the driver of a dark blue Ford Windstar minivan, license 473-DKR. She doesn't know what the fuck she's doing. Or, if she does, it defies all reason.
2003-08-26
Farewell!
Last night Maryanne and I went to a going-away party for Bernadette and Brad as they're moving to Fresno, California, for at least two years. It was a swell time, being held at the Fitchburg Great Dane. The food and company were both good, even though I didn't know everybody very well. Nonetheless, Maryanne and I will both miss them. We always seemed to have a lot of fun hanging out with them. Maryanne and Bernadette especially were close. I suspect the next few weeks are going to be rough on them both.
2003-08-25
2003-08-22
2003-08-20
Very punny....
Last night Maryanne was just full of puns and didn't even know it. We were hanging out with our friends Jeanni and Todd. First, at Hobby Lobby at South Town, we were looking at a model of a '69 Dodge Charger R/T. Maryanne said, "You could make that for your mom. She'd get a charge out of it." I said, "You made a pun! Get a charge out of a Charger!" Then later, for whatever reason, Todd started making roaring noises, and I blurted out, "Toddzilla!" Todd started singing "Toddzilla" to the tune of Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla." Jeanni said, "Great. They're just like too peas in a pod." Maryanne said to me, "You've created a monster." I replied, "Duh. Godzilla's a monster."
2003-08-18
Real drama....
Much of our weekend was occupied by a wedding that Maryanne was a bridesmaid for. Our friends Jenni and Jeff finally tied the knot in a dramatic ceremony at the Wisconsin Union Theater. The reception had been held at the East Side Businessmen's Association (ESBMA). The reception was very nice, with a good DJ, and the food being catered by Gaylord.
Friday Maryanne was off and spent a busy day picking up her dress and basically getting a test run on her makeup from Jenni's friend Kim. I knew very little of Kim, other than that Maryanne was paired with Kim's husband Alan, who is one of Jeff's friends. Maryanne isn't particularly fond of Alan, as from what Maryanne has said, he has a tendency to hit on anything with tits.
We went to the rehearsal at the theater, and then to the rehearsal dinner at Maple Tree. With all the people involved, I was able to see some of Maryanne's friends that we hadn't seen in a while, and meet a few new people, as well. I was able to see Kim, as well, and I started becoming confused.
On our way to the Maple Tree, I was chatting with Maryanne in the car. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "So Kim is the one who did your makeup today, and will be doing it tomorrow?"
Maryanne: "Yes."
Me: "And she was the one with the dark hair wearing the striped dress?"
MA: "Yes."
Me: "And her husband is Alan?"
MA: "The jerk, yes."
Me: "OK."
The night progressed, a bit chaotically with all the people, but the dinner and company were good. Maryanne and I departed sometime later. We stopped for gas at the Kwik Trip in McFarland, basically across the street from the Maple Tree. Something kept nagging me as I pumped the gas. On our way home I asked Maryanne about it. I think it went something like this:
Me: "Alan didn't seem too bad tonight. Not that I was watching him all the time."
MA: "You must not have been paying close attention."
Me: "Something about all this baffles me. You're telling me that even though he's married to Kim, Alan feels it necessary to hit on other women when his wife looks like that?"
MA: "Yes. He's a jerk. He doesn't deserver her. She's such a sweet person."
Me: "What a dumbass."
MA: "I know! She's a total hottie."
That about summed it all up.
Friday Maryanne was off and spent a busy day picking up her dress and basically getting a test run on her makeup from Jenni's friend Kim. I knew very little of Kim, other than that Maryanne was paired with Kim's husband Alan, who is one of Jeff's friends. Maryanne isn't particularly fond of Alan, as from what Maryanne has said, he has a tendency to hit on anything with tits.
We went to the rehearsal at the theater, and then to the rehearsal dinner at Maple Tree. With all the people involved, I was able to see some of Maryanne's friends that we hadn't seen in a while, and meet a few new people, as well. I was able to see Kim, as well, and I started becoming confused.
On our way to the Maple Tree, I was chatting with Maryanne in the car. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "So Kim is the one who did your makeup today, and will be doing it tomorrow?"
Maryanne: "Yes."
Me: "And she was the one with the dark hair wearing the striped dress?"
MA: "Yes."
Me: "And her husband is Alan?"
MA: "The jerk, yes."
Me: "OK."
The night progressed, a bit chaotically with all the people, but the dinner and company were good. Maryanne and I departed sometime later. We stopped for gas at the Kwik Trip in McFarland, basically across the street from the Maple Tree. Something kept nagging me as I pumped the gas. On our way home I asked Maryanne about it. I think it went something like this:
Me: "Alan didn't seem too bad tonight. Not that I was watching him all the time."
MA: "You must not have been paying close attention."
Me: "Something about all this baffles me. You're telling me that even though he's married to Kim, Alan feels it necessary to hit on other women when his wife looks like that?"
MA: "Yes. He's a jerk. He doesn't deserver her. She's such a sweet person."
Me: "What a dumbass."
MA: "I know! She's a total hottie."
That about summed it all up.
2003-08-13
A different kind of recall....
An amusing, if somewhat radical, op/ed piece from Gil Leroy. You kind of have to like a guy who can call himself a curmudgeon.
2003-08-12
Bad driver alert....
If you work at American Family Insurance, or are a resident of Madison in general, watch for these drivers: A champagne-colored Oldsmobile Alero, license VDJ-613, and a midnight blue Saturn, license 301-DAE. The driver of the former seems to be lacking in general driving courtesy, while the latter seems to be clueless.
2003-08-11
2003-08-05
2003-08-04
Refusing personal responsibility....
When will people start taking responsibility for their own actions? I guess stupid people just need someone else to blame.
2003-08-01
Pushing buttons....
Have you ever met someone that just rubs your the wrong way? Someone you just want to haul off and punch in the mouth, for no good reason other than the fact that they're annoying? Someone who just pushes your buttons by merely existing? I have, a few of them, actually. It usually takes some time for me to learn just how annoying they are. After that comes the time when I just want to belt them and say, "Shut the hell up!"
2003-07-31
In stereo....
So thanks to Luke, I have discovered a new radio station in Madison. WHIT broadcasts at 93.1 FM, and they call themselves The Lake. Billed as a classic rock station, they are a superior alternative to WIBA (fuck you, Clear Channel!). After listening to them during my commute for a couple days, and a while last night, I'm fairly impressed. I have yet to hear a commercial other than a plug for the station itself, though for that matter I've yet to hear a station ID. The music selection has a lot of variety, being able to go from the Rolling Stones to the Cars to the Beatles to Wilson Picket to the J. Geils Band and everywhere in between.
2003-07-30
2003-07-29
2003-07-28
2003-07-24
2003-07-18
2003-07-14
Harry Potter....
I just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was a very exciting read, so much so that it will be far too long a wait for the next volume in the series. I was a little disappointed by some of the events in the book, despite some of the other loose ends being tied up. Luckily it wasn't one of those frustrations that leaves me wanting to throw the book across the room, a good thing, since it's my mother's book.
I now kind of wish I had waited longer to start on it, since then I wouldn't have to wait so long to read the next one. Like they say, hindsight is always 20/20.
I now kind of wish I had waited longer to start on it, since then I wouldn't have to wait so long to read the next one. Like they say, hindsight is always 20/20.
Just the facts, ma'am....
Here are some interesting facts regarding myths about gun control. Read them and think about them the next time someone wants to infringe upon your Second Amendment rights.
2003-07-10
Product quality....
Could it be that I will now have a twice-weekly rant that Clarify is a fucking piece of shit?
2003-07-08
Shoddy work....
Time again for my now weekly rant that Clarify is a fucking piece of shit. Whoever sold this software sure pulled a fast one.
2003-07-03
2003-07-01
Protected by the First Amendment....
Good news in the Freedom of Speech department. Apparently the Communications Decency Act was good for something after all.
2003-06-30
Formulaic....
I finished reading The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings today. I found it very entertaining, but I was still somehow disappointed. I'm very familiar with the Eddingses work, and I found this book to be a tad formulaic, and unfortunately too plot-driven. Despite all that, there were enough surprises to keep it moving and keep it interesting, and overall I enjoyed it.
2003-06-23
2003-06-20
Sick, sue-happy bastard....
Common sense takes another hit as a dumbass lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio, sues the Kings Island amusement park.
He says he's not doing it because the amusement park makes a lot of money. He says he's not doing it to hold the park responsible for his being struck by lightning.
He says he's doing it because the park should have warned the patrons about the lightning storm.
What kind of dumbass can't see the sky and think, "Gee, that looks bad?"
What kind of dumbass doesn't realize their big metal car is going to attract lightning?
I hope this gets thrown out of court.
He says he's not doing it because the amusement park makes a lot of money. He says he's not doing it to hold the park responsible for his being struck by lightning.
He says he's doing it because the park should have warned the patrons about the lightning storm.
What kind of dumbass can't see the sky and think, "Gee, that looks bad?"
What kind of dumbass doesn't realize their big metal car is going to attract lightning?
I hope this gets thrown out of court.
2003-06-19
Alexandre Dumas....
Yesterday I finished reading The Man in the Iron Mask.
This was the third book in Alexandre Dumas' trilogy about d'Artagnan and the rest of the musketeers. I started with The Three Musketeers a while ago, then read Twenty Years After, and concluded with The Man in the Iron Mask. Good reads all of them, with a similar style to The Count of Monte Cristo: a complex, character-driven plot.
After finishing The Three Musketeers, I thought to myself, "This is very little like that Disney movie from a few years ago. Damn Disney! Damn them to hell!"
When I got around to finishing The Man in the Iron Mask, I thought to myself, "This is nothing like that movie from a few years ago. What the fuck?"
As they would say on Fark, "Hollywood is out of ideas."
This was the third book in Alexandre Dumas' trilogy about d'Artagnan and the rest of the musketeers. I started with The Three Musketeers a while ago, then read Twenty Years After, and concluded with The Man in the Iron Mask. Good reads all of them, with a similar style to The Count of Monte Cristo: a complex, character-driven plot.
After finishing The Three Musketeers, I thought to myself, "This is very little like that Disney movie from a few years ago. Damn Disney! Damn them to hell!"
When I got around to finishing The Man in the Iron Mask, I thought to myself, "This is nothing like that movie from a few years ago. What the fuck?"
As they would say on Fark, "Hollywood is out of ideas."
2003-06-17
Mind-numbing....
The last 40 minutes were 40 soul-draining, will-sapping minutes I'll never get back. Oh, how stupid people annoy me.
Catch-22....
Have you ever been in one of those situations where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't? A real Catch-22, no-win situation? Yeah, me too. I hate those.
2003-06-12
Vermin spread disease, duh....
More news about monkey pox as federal health officials ban sales of prairie dogs and imports of African rodents. The CDC has congratulated Wisconsin officials in identifying the problem quickly.
The fact is, though, there should never have been a problem. I may sound like a broken record, but who wants vermin for a pet? Who wants to cuddle up with a prairie dog or a giant Gambian rat? And people are definitely cuddling up with them, because apparently there's some biting involved here.
I've never found rodents to be particularly interesting pets, with the exception of the more intelligent mice and rats. It seems to me that the larger the rodent, the dumber it is. Prairie dogs are pretty decent sized, and, well, giant Gambian rat kind of speaks for itself. Neither of these animals sounds particularly cute.
All this makes me wonder when people are going to learn that all these nasty diseases that are being spread around the world, be it monkeypox or SARS or even AIDS, wouldn't be such a problem if we as people hadn't done stupid things like wanting a pet prairie dog.
The fact is, though, there should never have been a problem. I may sound like a broken record, but who wants vermin for a pet? Who wants to cuddle up with a prairie dog or a giant Gambian rat? And people are definitely cuddling up with them, because apparently there's some biting involved here.
I've never found rodents to be particularly interesting pets, with the exception of the more intelligent mice and rats. It seems to me that the larger the rodent, the dumber it is. Prairie dogs are pretty decent sized, and, well, giant Gambian rat kind of speaks for itself. Neither of these animals sounds particularly cute.
All this makes me wonder when people are going to learn that all these nasty diseases that are being spread around the world, be it monkeypox or SARS or even AIDS, wouldn't be such a problem if we as people hadn't done stupid things like wanting a pet prairie dog.
2003-06-11
Practice what you preach....
A while ago, probably around Christmas, I had remarked to Maryanne what a wonderful organization the Salvation Army is. I continued to remark that I wasn't terribly enthusiastic about the United Way. I even mentioned that I had gone so far as to set up an e-mail filter at work. My employer is a big contributor to the United Way, and I didn't want to see solicitations in my e-mail.
When Maryanne asked why, I went into an explanation about comparative salaries between the CEO of the United Way and the Commissioner of the Salvation Army. Check this out and see for yourself. If nothing else, it will leave you scratching your head and saying, "Hmm...."
When Maryanne asked why, I went into an explanation about comparative salaries between the CEO of the United Way and the Commissioner of the Salvation Army. Check this out and see for yourself. If nothing else, it will leave you scratching your head and saying, "Hmm...."
Asking for it....
I have a hard time feeling sorry for all these people getting monkeypox from what I would normally consider vermin. The motivation for having such strange critters for pets still baffles me.
As I mentioned to Amy, it all makes me wonder if PETA will have something to say about this.
As I mentioned to Amy, it all makes me wonder if PETA will have something to say about this.
2003-06-10
Disease du jour....
So apparently the disease du jour, monkeypox, has been spreading through the Midwest. Until now it wasn't found in the Western Hemisphere, and was probably spread to prairie dogs via a giant Gambian rat. These prairie dogs were first sold at a Chicago pet store, and some at a Milwaukee pet store, and authorities are now trying to track down all the customers.
All this begs the question, "Who the fuck would want a prairie dog for a pet?"
Prairie dogs are targets, not pets.
All this begs the question, "Who the fuck would want a prairie dog for a pet?"
Prairie dogs are targets, not pets.
2003-06-06
Not doing any favors....
More political correctness gone awry. Not surprisingly, it's in California, that sunny state that's home to so many bleeding-heart liberals who want to cater to the lowest common denominator.
2003-06-03
2003-06-01
2003-05-28
2003-05-23
Patton....
A selection of quotations from the man who once referred to himself as that "Son-of-a-goddamned-bitch named Georgie Patton."
Music from the past....
There was a lot of different kinds of music around when I was growing up. Mom and Dad shared some common music interests, including the rock and pop they grew up with, like the Beatles, etc. They had some eclectic tastes, as well. Mom seemed to be more into some of the more progressive sounds, being a big fan of the Moody Blues and Procol Harum, and one of her favorite albums was by a Brazilian group called Donato/Deodato that played Latin-Jazz Fusion. Dad had grown up with a lot of country music around, so he was a big country fan.
I think one of the biggest reasons Dad was a country fan is that he grew up with it. My grandfather and his family had grown up with it as well, especially since there was a lot of musical talent in the family. My grandfather, Lloyd, could strum a guitar, but his biggest talent was being able to harmonize with anyone. He sang with some of his brothers now and then, including Lester, Alfred, and Orville. Lester played guitar as well, and Alfred played fiddle. Orville played guitar and steel guitar, and was perhaps one of the most talented of the bunch. When I was younger I learned that he had done some touring, under the stage name Eddie Rivers, and had even met and played with Hank Williams, Sr. at one time, and had had a guitar autographed by him.
Unfortunately, country music wasn't mainstream back then the way it is now, and nobody made it real big. Even if the music had been more popular, I think it still would have been tough, as there was a lot of heavy drinking involved. My grandfather finally joined A.A. and gave it up, and his sponsors became close family friends, spending their weekends playing sheephead until they couldn't see straight to keep their minds off the booze. My great uncle Orville eventually gave up drinking as well, but not before he pawned that Hank Williams autographed guitar.
We had a few reel-to-reel tape recordings of Orville's band, and they'd sometimes play at our family reunions. I didn't appreciate the talent until I heard some less gifted players.
Now-a-days, of course, hearing some of the songs I heard back then reminds me of those days, the long lazy summers of youth when I didn't have many cares. Nostalgia seems to play a big part in the music we enjoy.
That nostalgia has been leading me to think about about a couple of songs by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Old Upright Piano, and Leon McDuff. I had been unable to find any information about either song from Barnes & Noble or Amazon, and finally did a Google search. It turns out they appeared on an album called Partners, Brothers and Friends, released by Warner Bros. in 1985, and is no longer in print. This is sad, really. I remember many of the songs from the album, including the two mentioned, as well as Redneck Riviera and Queen of the Road. Those songs were good foot-stompers. Old Upright Piano is a real tear-jerker; Leon McDuff is a good bluegrass song with a dark edginess to it. I couldn't appreciate their merits when I first heard them over fifteen years ago. Now that I can, the songs are sadly unavailable.
I think one of the biggest reasons Dad was a country fan is that he grew up with it. My grandfather and his family had grown up with it as well, especially since there was a lot of musical talent in the family. My grandfather, Lloyd, could strum a guitar, but his biggest talent was being able to harmonize with anyone. He sang with some of his brothers now and then, including Lester, Alfred, and Orville. Lester played guitar as well, and Alfred played fiddle. Orville played guitar and steel guitar, and was perhaps one of the most talented of the bunch. When I was younger I learned that he had done some touring, under the stage name Eddie Rivers, and had even met and played with Hank Williams, Sr. at one time, and had had a guitar autographed by him.
Unfortunately, country music wasn't mainstream back then the way it is now, and nobody made it real big. Even if the music had been more popular, I think it still would have been tough, as there was a lot of heavy drinking involved. My grandfather finally joined A.A. and gave it up, and his sponsors became close family friends, spending their weekends playing sheephead until they couldn't see straight to keep their minds off the booze. My great uncle Orville eventually gave up drinking as well, but not before he pawned that Hank Williams autographed guitar.
We had a few reel-to-reel tape recordings of Orville's band, and they'd sometimes play at our family reunions. I didn't appreciate the talent until I heard some less gifted players.
Now-a-days, of course, hearing some of the songs I heard back then reminds me of those days, the long lazy summers of youth when I didn't have many cares. Nostalgia seems to play a big part in the music we enjoy.
That nostalgia has been leading me to think about about a couple of songs by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Old Upright Piano, and Leon McDuff. I had been unable to find any information about either song from Barnes & Noble or Amazon, and finally did a Google search. It turns out they appeared on an album called Partners, Brothers and Friends, released by Warner Bros. in 1985, and is no longer in print. This is sad, really. I remember many of the songs from the album, including the two mentioned, as well as Redneck Riviera and Queen of the Road. Those songs were good foot-stompers. Old Upright Piano is a real tear-jerker; Leon McDuff is a good bluegrass song with a dark edginess to it. I couldn't appreciate their merits when I first heard them over fifteen years ago. Now that I can, the songs are sadly unavailable.
2003-05-22
A threat to your rights....
William Safire brings you news of potential infringement of Constitutional rights in 3... 2... 1.
2003-05-20
2003-05-19
Asshole....
So I had to stop at an ATM this morning so I could make a deposit. For whatever reason, I decided to use the ATM at the Anchor Bank branch ear East Town Mall. After I was done, instead of backtracking, I decided to get on East Wash/Highway 151 and follow it to the American Parkway exit. I'm not sure I'll do that again; Madison drivers are assholes. I needed to change lanes, so I turned on my signal. I checked my mirrors, checked my blindspot--all clear. I start changing lanes. That's when I hear the horn of a black Volkswagen. Where did he come from? He wasn't there when I started this process! Then the asshole has the nerve to flip me the finger while he speeds past.
2003-05-15
P.C. is P.U.
Political correctness runs amok in Arizona. Common sense is there, but predictably, not in anyone in a position of authority.
2003-05-06
Bad idea....
I don't recommend trying to get a table at a Mexican restaurant in Madison on Cinco de Mayo. The east-side Laredo's appeared to be packed, so we headed to La Hacienda. They were packed as well. Maryanne drove us to the west-side Laredo's, and they were busy as well, but we waited just under ten minutes. The food was much the same, but the restaurant wasn't nearly as comfortable. It's probably just as well we didn't try Casa de Lara.
2003-05-02
Boredom....
I have just been a blogging fool today. Of course, most of those entries don't say much, if anything, just a little blurb commenting on what I linked. I guess it's boredom, to some degree. It's been a quiet day at work, and I finished my book, not having another one on hand. I should have brought another one in with me.
Ignoring the Bill of Rights....
Liberal whack-jobs in Washington state want to define guns as weapons of mass destruction. Aside from the fact that there's all kinds of wrong with using the broad, intentionally vague definition of a weapon of mass destruction as they are, I think this does nothing but show their one-track minds and display their willful ignorance of both common sense and the law. Do they need to take a remedial civics class and relearn the Constitution?
2003-05-01
2003-04-30
Spring....
Well, May is right around the corner. It's actually beginning to look and feel like spring here in Madison, and it's about time it did.
2003-04-29
The rules....
I like rules, for the most part. They're supposed to help keep everyone safe and happy. Oh sure, there are some that don't make any sense, and are downright stupid, and these should be questioned. But for the most part, rules are a good thing.
One of the rules we have here at work is to try to limit the number of people on break at any one time to six. It's a good number, especially in a call center, and most of the time it works well. If you look here, though, you'll see eleven. Yes, that's right, eleven. Nearly twice as many as "allowed." Granted, many of those people had just come from a meeting that had let out early, people who would have been off the phones anyway if the meeting had been longer. I don't think that allows them to break the rules, though. The first six were OK. It were the others that bother me.
You're probably thinking, "Terry, why should this bother you? Maybe you can pad your numbers a bit." But what if everyone ignored the rules, and went on breaks when they felt like it? Who'd be left to answer the phone? I'd be left, and the few who bothered to follow the rules.
You're right, life isn't fair. But behavior like this makes it worse, not better.
One of the rules we have here at work is to try to limit the number of people on break at any one time to six. It's a good number, especially in a call center, and most of the time it works well. If you look here, though, you'll see eleven. Yes, that's right, eleven. Nearly twice as many as "allowed." Granted, many of those people had just come from a meeting that had let out early, people who would have been off the phones anyway if the meeting had been longer. I don't think that allows them to break the rules, though. The first six were OK. It were the others that bother me.
You're probably thinking, "Terry, why should this bother you? Maybe you can pad your numbers a bit." But what if everyone ignored the rules, and went on breaks when they felt like it? Who'd be left to answer the phone? I'd be left, and the few who bothered to follow the rules.
You're right, life isn't fair. But behavior like this makes it worse, not better.
2003-04-21
Bad driver alert....
Watch out for this asshole driver at American Family Insurance: a Mazda 626, license 754-AHR.
2003-04-17
2003-04-16
Finally....
We got another call from Kayser last night: the truck was done (again). So Maryanne and I drove to Stoughton to pick it up. We took it for a test drive first, before surrendering the keys for the loaner. All was well with the truck. Apparently a cylinder had been misfiring due to a bad spark plug. Things are much better now.
2003-04-15
Still broken....
Yesterday I received a message from Kayser stating the work on my truck was done.
Very nice.
Maryanne and I went to Stoughton to pick it up. There was, of course, no one there from the service department, but the night cashier could handle everything.
The body work was done. It looked good. We climbed in, and set off for Madison. That's when the truck started vibrating, obviously some kind of engine problem, and the check engine light quickly came on. We decided to head back to the dealership. On the way back, at a stop light, the truck stalled. It was a disappointing end to an already frustrating day for Maryanne. Steve, the sales manager, suggested we talk to Greg, the service manager, in the morning. I called him up and explained the problem. We'll see where this goes. Hopefully it won't take them three weeks to get it fixed like it did for the body work.
Very nice.
Maryanne and I went to Stoughton to pick it up. There was, of course, no one there from the service department, but the night cashier could handle everything.
The body work was done. It looked good. We climbed in, and set off for Madison. That's when the truck started vibrating, obviously some kind of engine problem, and the check engine light quickly came on. We decided to head back to the dealership. On the way back, at a stop light, the truck stalled. It was a disappointing end to an already frustrating day for Maryanne. Steve, the sales manager, suggested we talk to Greg, the service manager, in the morning. I called him up and explained the problem. We'll see where this goes. Hopefully it won't take them three weeks to get it fixed like it did for the body work.
2003-04-14
2003-04-08
2003-04-07
2003-04-04
Bad driver alert....
If you work at American Family Insurance, watch for this asshole of a driver: a man driving a black Toyota Tundra, license "TUNDRA." Also, the female driver of a turquoise Chevy Malibu, license unknown.
Something to think about....
Food for thought, courtesy of Maryanne, by Joe Galloway, author of We Were Soldiers.
Is there anyone else out there who's sick and tired of all the polls being taken in foreign countries as to whether or not they "like" us? The last time I looked, the word "like" had nothing to do with foreign policy. I prefer "respect" or "'fear." They worked for Rome, which civilized and kept the peace in the known world a hell of a lot longer than our puny two centuries-plus.
I see a left-wing German got elected to office recently by campaigning against the foreign policy of the United States. Yeah, that's what I want, to be lectured about war and being a "good neighbor" by a German. Their head honcho said they wouldn't take part in a war against Iraq. Kind of nice to see them taking a pass on a war once in while. Perhaps we needed to have the word "World" in front of War. I think it's time to bring our boys home from Germany. Outside of the money we'd save, we'd make the Germans "like" us a lot more, after they started paying the bills for their own defense.
Last time I checked, France isn't too fond of us either. They sort of liked us back on June 6th, 1944, though, didn't they? If you don't think so, see how nicely they take care of the enormous American cemeteries up above the Normandy beaches. For those of you who've studied history, we also have a few cemeteries in places like Belleau Woods and Chateau Thierry also. For those of you who haven't studied it, that was from World War One, the first time Europe screwed up, and we bailed out the French. That's where the US Marines got the title 'Devil Dogs' or, if you still care about what the Germans think, "Teufelhunde." I hope I spelled that right; sure wouldn't want to offend anyone, least of all a German.
Come to think of it, when Europe couldn't take care of their Bosnian problem recently, guess who had to help out there also. Last time I checked, our kids are still there. I sort of remember they said they would be out in a year. Gee, how time flies when you're having fun.
Now we hear that the South Koreans aren't too happy with us either. They "liked" us a lot better, of course, in June 1950. It took more than 50,000 Americans killed in Korea to help give them the lifestyle they currently enjoy, but then who's counting? I think it's also time to bring the boys home from there. There are about 37,000 young Americans on the DMZ separating the South Koreans from their "brothers" up north. Maybe if we leave, they can begin to participate in the
"good life" that North Korea currently enjoys. Uh huh. Sure.
I also understand that a good portion of the Arab/Moslem world now doesn't "like" us either. Did anyone ever sit down and determine what we would have to do to get them to like us? Ask them what they would like us to do? Die? Commit ritual suicide? Bend over? Maybe we should follow the advice of our dimwitted, dullest knife in the drawer, Senator Patty Murray, and build more roads, hospitals, day care centers, and orphanages like Osama bin Laden does. What with all the orphans Osama has created, the least he can do is build some places to put them. Senator Stupid says if we would only "emulate" Osama, the Arab world would love us. Sorry Patty, in addition to the fact that we already do all of those things around the world and have been doing them for over sixty years, I don't take public transportation, and I certainly wouldn't take it with a bomb strapped to the guy next to me.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not in favor of going to war. Been there, done that. Several times in fact. But I think we ought to have some polls in this country about other countries, and see if we "like" THEM. Problem is, if you listed the countries, not only wouldn't the average American know if he liked them or not, he wouldn't be able to find them. If we're supposed to worry about them, how about them worrying about us? We were nice to the North Koreans in 1994, as we followed the policies of Neville Clinton. And it seemed to work; they didn't restart nuclear weapons program for a whole year or so. In the meantime, we fed them when they were starving, and put oil in their stoves when they were freezing.
In a recent visit to Norway, I engaged in a really fun debate with my cousin's son, a student at a Norwegian University. I was lectured to by this thankless squirt about the American "Empire," and scolded about dropping the atomic bomb on the Japanese. I reminded him that empires usually keep the stuff they take; we don't, and back in 1945 most Norwegians thought dropping ANY kind of bomb on Germany or Japan was a good idea. I also reminded him that my uncle, his grandfather, and others in our family spent a significant time in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, courtesy of the Germans, and they didn't all survive. I further reminded him that if it weren't for the "American Empire" he would probably be speaking German or Russian.
Sorry about the rambling, but I just took an unofficial poll here at our house, and it appears we don't like anyone.
2003-03-31
Busy weekend....
Maryanne and I managed to both get a day off on Friday, which we used to run errands. We used the loaner car. I don't know how many miles we put on it, but since many of our stops were on the west side of town at places we'd never been to, it must have been quite a few.
We stopped for lunch at Qdoba. We wanted to go to Outback, but they're only open for dinner. Qdoba was OK. It's a chain, so it won't go on my restaurant review page. The food was tasty enough. The atmosphere, in some respects, reminded me of Panera, except much louder. There are no soft surfaces in the place, so the acoustics were terrible, and the staff didn't speak very clearly. Not only did Maryanne have a hard time of things, but so did I.
Saturday was busy as well. Maryanne went with her friend Bernadette and another girl, Karen, to look at bridesmaid's dresses in Janesville. I hung out with Brad and Ryan at State Street Brats, watching Marquette open a can of whoop-ass on Kentucky. The six of us had dinner at the Prime Quarter, another chain. It was my first time there, but it certainly won't be my last.
We spent much of Sunday morning cleaning before having to go to Stoughton so that Maryanne could make choir rehearsal. We did some grocery shopping when we got back to Madison. It was nice to get home.
We stopped for lunch at Qdoba. We wanted to go to Outback, but they're only open for dinner. Qdoba was OK. It's a chain, so it won't go on my restaurant review page. The food was tasty enough. The atmosphere, in some respects, reminded me of Panera, except much louder. There are no soft surfaces in the place, so the acoustics were terrible, and the staff didn't speak very clearly. Not only did Maryanne have a hard time of things, but so did I.
Saturday was busy as well. Maryanne went with her friend Bernadette and another girl, Karen, to look at bridesmaid's dresses in Janesville. I hung out with Brad and Ryan at State Street Brats, watching Marquette open a can of whoop-ass on Kentucky. The six of us had dinner at the Prime Quarter, another chain. It was my first time there, but it certainly won't be my last.
We spent much of Sunday morning cleaning before having to go to Stoughton so that Maryanne could make choir rehearsal. We did some grocery shopping when we got back to Madison. It was nice to get home.
2003-03-29
The right to an opinion....
An interesting opinion piece, courtesy of Maryanne, from Andy Rooney....
You can't beat the French when it comes to food, fashion, wine or perfume, but they lost their license to have an opinion on world affairs years ago. They may even be selling stuff to Iraq and don't want to hurt business.
The French are simply not reliable partners in a world where the good people in it ought to be working together. Americans may come off as international jerks sometimes but we're usually trying to do the right thing.
The French lost WW II to the Germans in about 20 minutes. Along with the British, we got into the war and had about 150,000 guys killed getting their country back for them. We fought all across France, and the Germans finally surrendered in a French schoolhouse.
You'd think that school building in Reims would be a great tourist attraction but it isn't. The French seem embarrassed by it. They don't want to call attention to the fact that we freed them from German occupation.
I heard Steven Spielberg say the French wouldn't even let him film the D-Day scenes in Saving Private Ryan on the Normandy beaches. They want people to forget the price we paid getting their country back for them.
Americans have a right to protest going to war with Iraq. The French do not. They owe us the independence they flaunt in our face at the U.N. I went into Paris with American troops the day we liberated it, Aug. 25, 1944. It was one of the great days in the history of the world.
French women showered American soldiers with kisses, at the very least. The next day, the pompous Charles de Gaulle marched down the mile long Champs Elysee to the Place de la Concorde as if he had liberated France himself. I was there, squeezed in among a hundred tanks we'd given the Free French Army that we brought in with us.
Suddenly there were sniper shots from the top of a building. Thousands of Frenchmen who had come to see de Gaulle scrambled to get under something. I got under an Army truck myself. The tank gunners opened fire on the building where the shots had come from, firing mindlessly at nothing. It was a wild scene that lasted, maybe, 10 minutes.
When we go to Paris every couple of years now, I rent a car. I drive around the Place de la Concorde and when some French driver blows his horn for me to get out of his way, I just smile and say to myself, "Go ahead, Pierre. Be my guest. I know something about this very place you'll never know."
The French have not earned their right to oppose President Bush's plans to attack Iraq.
On the other hand, I have.
2003-03-25
Making things right....
Well, yesterday went OK after all.
I was a little neverous about the situation with my truck, being unsure of what Kayser would do about it. It all stemmed from a statement made by Jon, the salesman, to Maryanne. She had asked who was going to pay for the repairs. He replied he didn't know yet. As it turns out, we didn't have anything to worry about. It was all a question of who would be billed internally at Kayser: the dealership, or the service department.
I'll reserve final judgment until everything is over, but things have gone well so far. I have a loaner that's in pretty good shape. The dealership has been good so far. They acknowledged their mistake, and they are going to "make this right."
I was a little neverous about the situation with my truck, being unsure of what Kayser would do about it. It all stemmed from a statement made by Jon, the salesman, to Maryanne. She had asked who was going to pay for the repairs. He replied he didn't know yet. As it turns out, we didn't have anything to worry about. It was all a question of who would be billed internally at Kayser: the dealership, or the service department.
I'll reserve final judgment until everything is over, but things have gone well so far. I have a loaner that's in pretty good shape. The dealership has been good so far. They acknowledged their mistake, and they are going to "make this right."
2003-03-24
Alone....
Yesterday, March 23, would have been my father's 56th birthday.
Saturday, the day before, was probably roughest. After my rough day Friday, it would have been nice to talk to him and get some advice. Maryanne was busy most of the rest of the day, leaving me alone, without a vehicle. I was stuck in the house, which wouldn't have been bad, except that between what happened to my truck, and thinking about the fact that Sunday would have been Dad's birthday, I was feeling a bit depressed. I was becoming bored, since I wasn't really motivated to do anything constructive. Luckily Mom spotted me online and we were able to chat over Yahoo Messenger for a bit.
On a different note, tonight Maryanne and I will pick up the loaner car from the dealership. We'll see what they do about the repairs. I'll know more tonight after I talk to them.
Saturday, the day before, was probably roughest. After my rough day Friday, it would have been nice to talk to him and get some advice. Maryanne was busy most of the rest of the day, leaving me alone, without a vehicle. I was stuck in the house, which wouldn't have been bad, except that between what happened to my truck, and thinking about the fact that Sunday would have been Dad's birthday, I was feeling a bit depressed. I was becoming bored, since I wasn't really motivated to do anything constructive. Luckily Mom spotted me online and we were able to chat over Yahoo Messenger for a bit.
On a different note, tonight Maryanne and I will pick up the loaner car from the dealership. We'll see what they do about the repairs. I'll know more tonight after I talk to them.
2003-03-22
Downhill....
Yesterday started off well enough, but it was all downhill after that.
I had slept very poorly Thursday night. I didn't fall asleep until after midnight, and woke around 5:30. I was tired all day.
The morning commute was fine. But then the morning at work was unusually busy. Little did I know things would get worse. The afternoon lightened up, and finally it was time to go. On my drive home, before I had even left the American Family campus, I heard a strange sound in my truck, and felt an unusual vibration. Just after I had turned down the radio my left front wheel came clean off. It went one direction, and nailed a sign on the opposite side of the road. I was able to pull the truck off onto the shoulder, and call for a tow.
There is now some serious damage to the front of my truck. Hopefully that's the end of it. We will be contacting the dealership today. More news will be posted as it happens.
I had slept very poorly Thursday night. I didn't fall asleep until after midnight, and woke around 5:30. I was tired all day.
The morning commute was fine. But then the morning at work was unusually busy. Little did I know things would get worse. The afternoon lightened up, and finally it was time to go. On my drive home, before I had even left the American Family campus, I heard a strange sound in my truck, and felt an unusual vibration. Just after I had turned down the radio my left front wheel came clean off. It went one direction, and nailed a sign on the opposite side of the road. I was able to pull the truck off onto the shoulder, and call for a tow.
There is now some serious damage to the front of my truck. Hopefully that's the end of it. We will be contacting the dealership today. More news will be posted as it happens.
2003-03-18
Rants....
Check this out. It's pretty cool.
Trying To Help
By Dennis Miller
All the rhetoric on whether or not we should go to war against Iraq has got my insane little brain spinning like a roulette wheel. I enjoy reading opinions from both sides but I have detected a hint of confusion.
As I was reading the paper recently, I was reminded of the best advice someone ever gave me. He told me about the KISS method (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) so, with this as a theme, I'd like to apply this theory for those who don't quite get it. My hope is that we can simplify things a bit and recognize a few important facts.
Here are 10 things to consider when voicing an opinion on this important issue:
1. Between President Bush and Saddam Hussein, Hussein is the bad guy.
2. If you have faith in the United Nations to do the right thing keep this in mind, they have Libya heading the Committee on Human Rights and Iraq heading the Global Disarmament Committee. Do your own math here.
3. If you use Google search and type in "French military victories" your reply will be "did you mean French military defeats?"
4. If your only anti-war slogan is "no war for oil," sue your school district for allowing you to slip through the cracks and robbing you of the education you deserve.
5. Saddam and Bin Laden will not seek United Nations approval before they try to kill us.
6. Despite common belief, Martin Sheen is not the president. He plays one on TV.
7. Even if you are anti-war, you are still an "infidel!" and Bin Laden wants you dead, too.
8. If you believe in a "vast right-wing conspiracy" but not in the danger that Hussein poses, quit hanging out with the Dell computer dude.
9. We are not trying to liberate them.
10. Whether you are for military action or against it, our young men and women overseas are fighting for us to defend our right to speak out. We all need to support them without reservation.
2003-03-13
Carroll Tech?
A plethora of letters to the editor can be found here in The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The three at the top are all about the situation at, you guessed it, Carroll College. They didn't print my letter though. I think it was too long.
The Carroll saga....
Another illuminating letter in the continuing saga at Carroll College. It is a little out-dated, but interesting nonetheless.
Dear Colleagues:
I think we can agree that the Faculty Meeting on Monday could prove to be
important. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing from the FEC and the
exchange of views.
For what it's worth, I'd like to offer the following thoughts in advance of
this meeting.
This is my fifth (and final) year working at Carroll College. Five years ago
I was pleased to accept an offer to teach at "Wisconsin's Oldest College."
Like others who have agreed to offer their services to Carroll, I was eager
to join the faculty of an institution which was publicly proud of its
Liberal Arts heritage, "the Princeton on the Prairie" (I was told).
My own story is not unique: I uprooted my family to move some 3000 miles
from Oregon to take advantage of this opportunity. My wife gave up her law
practice so that I might pursue my career in teaching. My two kids were
thrown into a new community.
I remember very well arriving at the College in a Ryder truck, parking it in
the lower lot because I had no other place to put it. I remember, too, the
generosity of Gary Stevens, John Clausz, Tim Fiedler, and others, in helping
me move our stuff into our rental in the Pebble Creek development. I felt
welcomed by Carroll. (The only discordant note was the fact that, upon my
arrival, I learned that the man who had actually hired me, Bob Black, had
been replaced, seemingly while I was on the road.)
So, like all of us, I threw myself into my teaching and my scholarship and
tried to make a positive contribution to the College. The first hint of
serious trouble came in the Spring of 2000. The English Department had its
annual meeting with the Administration, this time with both Dennis Mick and
Lynne Bernier. My English Department colleagues and I had spent a great deal
of time in advance of this meeting coming up with ways to "contribute
significantly to our goals of strengthening Carroll College," to quote from
Frank's most recent missive. We hadn't gotten more than four words out when
Dennis and Lynne responded, in unison, that there was simply no money
available to support our ideas. (Remember: this was the Spring of 2000, at
the height of our recent economic fortunes.) I was concerned enough about
their reaction that I formulated the "Draft Resolution on Institutional
Priorities and Liberal Arts Instruction at Carroll College." In order to
underline the concern over the direction of the College, I circulated the
Resolution only among junior faculty members, more than a dozen of whom
signed the thing. You will recall, too, that I approached all three academic
divisions with this Resolution in an attempt to spark a discussion
concerning the priorities and values of the College.
Since the Spring of 2000, the agenda of Tom and Frank has become
increasingly clear. While mouthing platitudes about "a strong, broad-based
liberal education" at Convocations, Commencements, and in directives from
Voorhees, this Administration has actively pursued policies which serve only
to downsize the College's commitment to offering a strong Liberal Arts
curriculum. The recent Strategic Directions Task Force report, clearly
manipulated by the Administration's data inputs, rubrics for manipulating
data, and choice of participating members, is merely a final, and public,
unveiling of its unfortunate Master Plan for the College.
I would like to suggest that we would do well to distinguish between the
different issues which are in play at the moment.
The first issue concerns what it might mean to be a "Liberal Arts College,"
or a College with "a strong Liberal Arts core," or some such. As a community
we have batted this ball around quite a bit since I got here five years ago
(and I'm quite sure that ball was in play well before). Tom and Frank and
their minions have argued over and over again that the changes they have in
mind do not represent a threat to our definition as a [strong] Liberal Arts
College. Indeed, they have even argued that these changes actually
strengthen the College's commitment to its Liberal Arts "core."
The fact that the Faculty of the College has, to its credit, consistently
rejected these claims has not dissuaded Tom & Frank & Co. Thus one stasis
point: the Administration arguing for one definition (as it "downsizes" and
"reallocates"), the Faculty insisting on a different definition.
The second, and more important, issue concerns the processes we have engaged
in working out our notions of what Carroll is, or ought to be. I think it is
fair to say that this Administration has claimed a tremendous amount of
authority in charting our common course. I have read the edicts handed down
from Voorhees. I have tried to work with representatives of this
Administration on governance committees. The clear message has been: it's
the Administration's way or the highway.
I understand that there are relevant historical reasons for the posture of
the Administration (and the Faculty). For good or ill, a Devil's Bargain was
agreed to in the early 1990s in response to very real economic problems at
the College. In this Bargain the Faculty ceded authority over curricular
decisions (and thus the status and direction of the College) to the Board of
Trustees (and ultimately to the Board's designee, the President).
Those of us who signed on to the College after this Bargain was struck have
never been comfortable with its terms (and, generally speaking, have not
felt bound to it). (We are not alone.)
Given all of this, I think it is understandable why many (Junior and Senior)
Faculty members have reacted negatively to the Administration's exercise of
its power.
We can argue until the cows come home whether or not Carroll, in whatever
guise, qualifies as a [strong] Liberal Arts institution. For myself, and for
many of my colleagues, I suspect, the real question concerns HOW we come to
answer this question.
If I may speak bluntly: until this Faculty decides collectively to challenge
this Administration's exercise of power and authority, nothing will change.
As we have seen, the Administration is quite eager to redefine the College
(bolstered by wonderful new books on setting our priorities, ecstatic
visions of the Promised Land, etc.) If this Faculty doesn't have the stomach
to challenge this power and authority, I don't think there's much to discuss
on Monday; we ought better to shut up and proceed with our jobs as
"employees" of the Board and its Administration.
The alternative, of course, is to reclaim our historic (and, I would argue,
appropriate) authority to chart the academic life of this institution.
Until recently, even the Board and Frank acknowledged this authority (or at
least paid lip service to it). If you read carefully the statement released
by Frank today, however, you will notice that some slippage seems to be
occurring even as we speak. Frank notes that the Board "cannot agree to
relinquish final authority for all decisions." This is a logical fallacy, of
course, and one with pernicious import. To my knowledge, the Faculty has
never expected, or demanded, "final authority for all decisions."
Rhetorically, this establishes an unreal opposition: either we agree with
Tom & Frank's Master Plan (and are thus moderate and reasonable) or we
disagree (and are thus placing extreme demands on the College and its Board
of Trustees, demands which will implicitly ravage the College economically).
Let us state the case clearly: the real threat to the economic (if not
intellectual) livelihood of the College has NEVER been posed by those who
have advocated a continued (even increased) commitment to our Liberal Arts
core. All the talk of "entrepreneurial nimbleness" notwithstanding, Tom &
Frank's Master Plan has represented, and continues to represent, the single
greatest threat to the continued viability of Carroll College. Ask your
students. Ask their parents. Ask yourselves . . .
But I am speaking of process here. Process matters. Some questions I would
like to have answered at Monday's meeting:
1) If what we are engaged in is a rational (let alone ethical) process, how
can we explain the fact that about 18 months ago (well in advance of the
"Prioritization" analysis) the chair of the Chemistry Department was told by
Lynne Bernier that only two of its three junior members would, a priori,
stand a chance of being granted tenure?
2) Why did Lynne Bernier explicitly threaten my own position during my
4-year review last Spring (again, well in advance of the supposedly
objective "Prioritization" effort)?
{these were NOT boiler-plate, cover-the-College's-behind statements--ask
your colleagues in the Chemistry and English departments, or members of the
T&P committee}
3) What business does the Strategic Directions Task Force (or Frank, for
that matter), have in dictating how ENG 170 ought to be taught? You will
recall that the proclamation has gone out across the land that forthwith ENG
170 will henceforth focus on "basic skills." No more mucking about with,
e.g., fostering written reasoning or critical thinking (which can only yield
citizens who might, e.g., object to the brazen and egomaniacal exercise of
raw power by our President (which one, you ask? I, too, grow more confused
by the day . . .)
4) Are we doomed to repeat history? It's time to recognize the facts of the
case. Which of these claims is in dispute?:
a) Frank Falcone lost his previous job after alienating key constituencies
(including
Faculty and Students)
b) Frank Falcone lost his previous job by attempting to "reshape" his
College according
to his unique vision
c) Frank Falcone was hired by Carroll College because nobody else would take
the job
d) Frank Falcone has completely alienated key constituencies at Carroll
College (including Faculty, Students, Alums, Emeriti, Parents, etc.)
e) Frank Falcone has completely alienated key constituencies at Carroll
College by attempting to "reshape" it according to his unique vision
(reified by the power handed him upon his ascension to the throne)
We all know, however, that should Frank abdicate, Carroll College would not
be out of the woods. Frank is Tom's creature. As long as Tom exercises his
power on the Board of Trustees, Carroll will be graced by the Frank
Falcone's of the academic backwash. Doesn't Carroll College deserve better?
Don't you, and your partners, and your kids, deserve better? More to the
point, don't the students (and their parents) who pay $22,000 for the
privilege of attending Carroll College deserve better?
As I said, nothing will change at the College until the basic distribution
of power and authority is challenged (and "reallocated," to use the word of
the moment). Looking at the agenda for Monday's meeting, I can't really
predict what will happen. But I'm eager to find out.
Dave
David W. Gilcrest
Assistant Professor of English
Carroll College
Waukesha, WI 53186
262.524.7262 (office)
gilcrest@cc.edu
2003-03-12
Paper trail....
I thought I would post a somewhat illuminating document regarding the happenings at Carroll College. It is an Adobe Acrobat document, and is a collection of some correspondence from members of the faculty to the president or to the board.
Check out this editorial cartoon from The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Thanks to Pauline and, in turn, Leanne, for bringing this to my attention.
2003-03-10
2003-03-08
Propaganda....
More propaganda from the Carroll College Alumni Office:
Summary of Carroll College Board of Trustees Action
March 7, 2003
The Carroll College Board of Trustees met today to review recent actions on
campus, including the faculty vote of no confidence in President Frank S. Falcone
on March 3, 2003.
Thomas F. Badciong, Chairman of the Carroll College Board of Trustees and a
1962 graduate of Carroll, said the board thoroughly reviewed the faculty rationale
for its recent action.
"These are important issues that concern all of our students, alumni, faculty
and staff," Badciong said. "The trustees remain committed to ensuring the
long-term success of Carroll College and to providing the very best educational
experience for our students."
To address issues identified by students, faculty and alumni, the board
approved the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION 1: The Board of Trustees reaffirms the Carroll College Mission
Statement and Vision Statement, both adopted in May 1995, and its Statement of Roles
and Responsibilities, adopted in May 1996.
RESOLUTION 2: The Board of Trustees requests the continuation of the
prioritization process. The Board endorses the inclusion of students and alumni, along
with faculty, in the subsequent review and study of recommendations to take
place during the 2003-2004 academic year.
RESOLUTION 3: The Board of Trustees instructs the president to lead the
appropriate constituencies of the college to once again address issues of shared
governance. This process should include a clarification of the Statement of Roles
and Responsibilities.
RESOLUTION 4: The Board of Trustees reaffirms the liberal arts as the basis of
study for all students. Faculty, staff, alumni and student views should be
considered in an examination of the liberal arts core experience.
The Board of Trustees, which includes 27 Carroll College alumni, also
unanimously approved the following resolution, proposed by Mr. P.E. MacAllister,
chairman emeritus and a 1940 graduate of Carroll College:
Resolution of Support
Whereas:
the progress of the College since 1993 has been evaluated, and is both
noteworthy and exemplary, and
Whereas:
the issues raised by the faculty have been reviewed and considered, and
Whereas:
the strategic direction of the College as currently outlined is supported, and
Whereas:
careful deliberation has been given to the record of the President over the
last 10 years, including:
10 successive years of balanced budgets.
Tuition increases averaging only 3.76 percent per year, below the average for
Wisconsin and the nation.
Enrollment increases of 50 percent, from 1,336 in 1992-93 to 2,009 in 2002-03.
Annual student financial aid increases from $6 million to $14.3 million.
Expanded educational offerings, including 9 new undergraduate majors and two
new master's degree programs.
Expanded student housing to accommodate rising enrollment.
An increase in total faculty positions, from 120 to 230.
The creation, through donor funds, of six new endowed faculty positions.
A successful capital campaign, which had an original goal $25 million, but
raised more than $36 million.
The completion of more than $30 million of campus improvements.
Be it resolved that the Carroll College Board of Trustees hereby strongly
affirms the leadership of Dr. Frank S. Falcone and authorizes the board chairman to
extend his contract.
The Board of Trustees expressed its desire to have the entire Carroll College
Community work together in a collaborative fashion to advance the college and
serve our students.
"We hope that together, we can all move forward in the spirit of cooperation to
ensure Carroll's future," Badciong said.
2003-03-07
Propaganda....
I never knew Carroll College was in the propaganda business. Check this out:
Dear Carroll College graduate,
We have recently received several inquiries from alumni regarding planning initiatives at Carroll. We want to provide you, our alumni, with access to information on these issues.
Please be assured that all of us who are members of the Carroll College community - alumni, students, faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees - remain committed to the liberal arts foundation on which this college was founded. No one has proposed moving away from our traditional liberal arts core experience for all students. In fact, we are considering ways to strengthen it.
The issue is not whether to preserve the liberal arts, but how to support them.
Please go to our web site and click on alumni for more information.
Sincerely,
Erin L. Brauer '00
Director of Alumni Relations
2003-03-05
Tooth and nail....
More information comes to light in the recent events at Carroll College. I found this article today online, from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I wish there was a little more information available. While it is true ousting Frankie may not be a long-term solution, I think the fact of the matter remains that control of the curriculum should lie with the faculty alone. If it takes ousting Falcone to do that, then so be it.
2003-03-04
No confidence....
Amy brought this article to my attention. It is, of course, in regards to the continuing fracas at Carroll College. I think it is a step in the right direction. I certainly hope that the faculty can continue on the path they're on, the path of regaining control of the curriculum. It's a shame that they should have to do this at all. At a private college, why should anyone but the faculty be in control of the curriculum?
2003-03-02
Trading up....
Friday I had a day off, so I was able to take care of some errands and some other things I wanted to do.
I had called my credit union, where my auto loan is, in the hopes of getting it refinanced at a lower interest rate. After talking to a lady there, I found out she could do it, but because of Wisconsin laws, she needed more information about Maryanne. I got the requisite information, and tried calling back. I wasted a good portion of the afternoon trying to return her call and wait for her to call back, leaving her three voicemails in the process. She never did call back.
Thus I got a much later start than I wanted to in heading out to Stoughton and checking out Kayser Dodge. It turned out it was worthwhile, though. While I wasn't able to trade up to a new vehicle, I was able to trade up to a truck that's two years newer, and the payments won't be much more than what I've been paying. It was a productive day.
I had called my credit union, where my auto loan is, in the hopes of getting it refinanced at a lower interest rate. After talking to a lady there, I found out she could do it, but because of Wisconsin laws, she needed more information about Maryanne. I got the requisite information, and tried calling back. I wasted a good portion of the afternoon trying to return her call and wait for her to call back, leaving her three voicemails in the process. She never did call back.
Thus I got a much later start than I wanted to in heading out to Stoughton and checking out Kayser Dodge. It turned out it was worthwhile, though. While I wasn't able to trade up to a new vehicle, I was able to trade up to a truck that's two years newer, and the payments won't be much more than what I've been paying. It was a productive day.
2003-03-01
Blog!
Well, it look like at long last I may have this blog thing working. Took a little bit of effort, as I had to somehow circumvent the lack of FTP capabilities on Yahoo. Thanks to Charter Pipeline, though, I was able to work around it.
More news forthcoming!
More news forthcoming!
2003-02-26
Uproar....
Amy brought my attention to this article about Carroll College, which we both attended. It does not bode well. While I don't think Carroll is in any trouble of suddenly going away, it certainly faces some hard financial times. This latest debacle, a potential attempt to turn it into Carroll Technical College, coupled with the on-going fracas over fraternities on campus, will certainly cause alumni to think twice about making donations to the school. Just as I am reaching the point in my life where I can begin to consider such a thing, actions like this from the administration are causing me to consider otherwise.
2003-02-20
Furniture....
Our new furniture was delivered yesterday. I had the day off because of my 5/4 schedule at work, and Maryanne got her AWP day switched. The delivery men arrived around 12:10, just as Maryanne was leaving to go to a meeting. The kitchen and living room both look so much better with new furniture in them.
The old dinette set went to Goodwill, along with some other items we no longer needed or wanted. The rest of the quite pleasant afternoon was spent running some other errands, though we forgot to get coasters to help protect our new end tables.
The old dinette set went to Goodwill, along with some other items we no longer needed or wanted. The rest of the quite pleasant afternoon was spent running some other errands, though we forgot to get coasters to help protect our new end tables.
2003-02-17
Furnishings....
A number of furniture stores in Madison had sales over the weekend. They did what they intended: packed the customers into the stores. Parking at the west-side American was horrendous. We didn't find anything we were looking for there, so we moved on to Steinhafel's. Parking was better, but we found the same situation. On our way back home we stopped at Oak Express, on the east side, and found what we were looking for, and much better parking. We ended up with a dining room table with four side chairs and a pair of end tables. We probably could have stood to buy two more chairs, but frankly, we don't have the room for them right now. It turned into a productive but tiring weekend.
2003-02-13
Bad driver alert....
American Family Insurance employees drive like assholes. Not all of them, of course, but enough to want me want to leave nasty messages on their cars and bludgeon the drivers.
Today it was an asshole in a dark, smoky gray Pontiac Grand Prix. He was obviously in a hurry, not only to get to work, but apparently in a hurry to break four traffic laws to do so! He pulled into the wrong lane making a left turn, passed two cars at once (myself included), passed on the right, and, of course, was speeding. I hope he gets a blowout!
Today it was an asshole in a dark, smoky gray Pontiac Grand Prix. He was obviously in a hurry, not only to get to work, but apparently in a hurry to break four traffic laws to do so! He pulled into the wrong lane making a left turn, passed two cars at once (myself included), passed on the right, and, of course, was speeding. I hope he gets a blowout!
2003-02-04
Moving forward....
Steve Jackson, gaming-industry guru, reflected upon the loss of the Columbia:
There's no such thing as "routine" in space. The Columbia was only a few minutes from landing when... what? Maybe we'll never be sure. Frontiers are dangerous.
The heroes on Columbia knew the dangers and were proud to accept them. The team that built and launched the shuttle, no less heroes, did their best -- more than their best. We could build a better shuttle if we started from scratch today, and perhaps we should. But what we must not do is get bogged down in hand-wringing, finger-pointing, and blame-shifting.
We must continue toward space. Not because heroes died. Merely in spite of it. No frontier was ever explored without risk, and to insist that all possible risk be avoided is the same as saying "Give up and stay home." And we absolutely must not give in to those who will seize upon this tragedy as an excuse to further gut our space program. The future is out there. Resources, knowledge, a home for humanity other than this one fragile planet... we must reach space, while we still can.
We lost seven heroes yesterday. Mourn them, but honor their dream. Close ranks and go on.
2003-01-22
No Animal House....
Carroll College, my alma mater, is in the news. They have become one of many schools to get worked up about fraternities and believe the answer to be shutting down their fraternity houses. Check out the story from the Milwaukee Jounral-Sentinel.
2003-01-14
Engaging....
In my zeal yesterday to post about my frustrations with Madisonian drivers, I neglected to make note of some more happy news from the weekend: my sister got engaged.
On Sunday my sister said yes to her boyfriend of some time. I've lost track of that time myself, but I think it's something like two years. I don't know any more. In the end, though, it doesn't matter, because what does matter is that they're both happy.
On Sunday my sister said yes to her boyfriend of some time. I've lost track of that time myself, but I think it's something like two years. I don't know any more. In the end, though, it doesn't matter, because what does matter is that they're both happy.
2003-01-13
In a hurry....
Today started off as a somewhat normal, if chaotic day. My wife began her math class at the local tech college today, and had to rise early because of that. However, once I left the house and got on the road, I should have suspected things would change. There were more people on the road than there normally are when I drive to work, and of course, most of them were in a hurry and doing asinine things like tailgating and speeding.
The final straw, if you will, came when I pulled into the drive leading to the parking ramp at work. I had made it about three quarters of the way, a distance of over a quarter of a mile, when I was suddenly being tailgated. I had seen the car before: a bright yellow Audi TT. The driver backed off, but took the first entrance into the parking ramp, and I took the second. As I proceed through the ramp on my way to spiral upwards, who should appear suddenly in front of my, nearly cutting me off, but that same yellow Audi TT. And people wonder why there's road rage.
The fact of the matter is, if you have to speed, or otherwise drive like an asshole in order to make it to work on time, you should be leaving home earlier. I try to be a defensive driver, but unfortunately all this aggressive driving is a little contagious. I find myself driving a little too quickly at times, and often have to change lanes long before I would otherwise need to for fear of being cut off or not being able to change lanes when I'd like. Driving around Madison is not very pleasant. The only blessing is that I don't have to drive on the belt-line.
The final straw, if you will, came when I pulled into the drive leading to the parking ramp at work. I had made it about three quarters of the way, a distance of over a quarter of a mile, when I was suddenly being tailgated. I had seen the car before: a bright yellow Audi TT. The driver backed off, but took the first entrance into the parking ramp, and I took the second. As I proceed through the ramp on my way to spiral upwards, who should appear suddenly in front of my, nearly cutting me off, but that same yellow Audi TT. And people wonder why there's road rage.
The fact of the matter is, if you have to speed, or otherwise drive like an asshole in order to make it to work on time, you should be leaving home earlier. I try to be a defensive driver, but unfortunately all this aggressive driving is a little contagious. I find myself driving a little too quickly at times, and often have to change lanes long before I would otherwise need to for fear of being cut off or not being able to change lanes when I'd like. Driving around Madison is not very pleasant. The only blessing is that I don't have to drive on the belt-line.
2003-01-09
2003-01-06
Dissin' the Colonel....
Whack-jobs against Colonel Sanders - PETA takes on KFC. Read all about the fun.
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