This particular note/idea has been making its rounds around the Internet in various forms and fashions, and I thought I’d give it a shot.
The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen albums that you've heard that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Leave a comment on the blog, positive, negative or otherwise. If you don’t feel like commenting directly on the blog, leave me a comment when I post the link to this on Facebook.
Who’s Next – The Who
Simply put, the greatest rock album ever recorded. “Baba O’Riley” is amazing and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is the best eight minutes in the history of recorded sound, let alone recorded music.
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
The Man in Black at his finest.
Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin
My favorite Zep album of all Zep albums.
Just One Night – Eric Clapton
Recorded live in Tokyo with a band that can really jam. Even my mom likes this album.
Permanent Waves – Rush
Hard to pick one Rush album over another, because everything they did from the early 70’s to mid 80’s was fantastic.
Wanted: The Outlaws – Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jesse Colter, Tom-Paul Glaser
Defined my freshman year of high school. Outlaw country by the people who invented it.
Speechless – Steven Curtis Chapman
One of the greatest Contemporary Christian artists, who can severely rock when he gets a mind to.
Live Bullet – Bob Seger
Another live album, but ranks in the Top 5 live albums of all time.
Greatest Hits – James Taylor
I know, greatest hits album, blah, blah, blah. My go-to when I’m stressing out because the music is just beautiful.
Greetings from Ashbury Park, NJ – Bruce Springsteen
It’s “The Boss” – nuff said.
Occupation: Foole – George Carlin
Still makes me laugh.
The Grand Illusion - Styx
Prog rock, nerd rock, call it what you will. I call it great.
Song for America – Kansas
Because I love me some Kansas, so very much.
Songs From The Big Chair – Tears for Fears
I gave it some heavy rotation in the 80’s and even now it still sounds pretty damn good.
Escape – Journey
One of the most underrated rock bands ever.
There’s the list. It is by no means my “favorite albums of all time” list, but some of the selections would make that list.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Flexing Their Muscles
As some things change at a rapid rate, others definitely don’t.
Once again religious groups are flexing their muscles when it comes to politics. This is especially true here on Guam, where a large section of the population is Catholic. Through the centuries, the Catholic Church has wielded a lot of political clout, and here in the Year of Our Lord 2010, it’s still doing so.
The Archdiocese of Agana has told members of the Catholic community here not to support any candidates who are in support of same sex unions, calling the unions “an intrinsically evil act”. In the past, the archdiocese has also called homosexuality a “culture of self-absorption and death”. It also issued a statement in the past saying that homosexual behavior empowers violent Islamic fundamentalist groups, who “clearly understand” the damage these acts inflict on culture, therefore undermining American war efforts in the Middle East.
So basically they’re saying that gay people are helping out Islamic terrorists. This to me is more than a bit of a stretch. In fact, it’s pretty much fear mongering, especially among those gullible few people who actually believe horseshit like that.
Now, I know that the topic of same-sex unions and same-sex marriages is a touchy subject for a lot of people. There isn’t a whole lot of middle ground on the issue, and every time one of the talking heads on TV brings it a bunch of people to discuss it, it usually gets heated quickly. The issue is spending a lot of time in courts of law lately, and there hasn’t been an election in recent memory where the issue wasn’t raised.
I my own self believe that those who are gay should have the right to get married if they want to, or at the very least, legal unions. I don’t see where two gay people getting married will have any impact on my life, my marriage, or anything else that directly affects me. I do have a few gay and lesbian friends, and why shouldn’t they have the same rights (and especially the benefits) that I as a heterosexual have? The right to have that bond, that commitment between two people that love each other?
In a recent article in the Pacific Daily News, a member of the Guam Legislature pointed out that the Catholic Church could make better use of its time and clout by cleaning its own house, referring to homosexuality and pedophilia within the Catholic Church. I agree with this, because, ironically, it is one of those things that Christ actually taught when he was here on earth (about fixing yourself before you try to fix others).
Now before we go any further, let me state something right up front. I am in no way anti-Catholic. My wife is Catholic, and I attend Mass with her on a regular basis, even though I’m not Catholic. There are some pretty cool things within the Catholic Church if you are willing to look past the dogma and the bullshit that pretty much every religious group is trying to sell or shove up our collective asses.
With that said, I think it’s wrong that the Catholic Church is trying to flex its muscles as it applies to who we should vote for. Politics, like religion, are a very individual thing. People should examine the candidates and decide who they think best represents their interests. The recent posturing by the Catholic Church will directly influence those who believe that the Church is infallible, never makes mistakes, and that the Pope is God’s right-hand man. Their statements will undoubtedly affect those who are unwilling to use their own brains and decide for themselves who to vote for.
Like I said, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's gone on for centuries and it will continue to go on.
Once again religious groups are flexing their muscles when it comes to politics. This is especially true here on Guam, where a large section of the population is Catholic. Through the centuries, the Catholic Church has wielded a lot of political clout, and here in the Year of Our Lord 2010, it’s still doing so.
The Archdiocese of Agana has told members of the Catholic community here not to support any candidates who are in support of same sex unions, calling the unions “an intrinsically evil act”. In the past, the archdiocese has also called homosexuality a “culture of self-absorption and death”. It also issued a statement in the past saying that homosexual behavior empowers violent Islamic fundamentalist groups, who “clearly understand” the damage these acts inflict on culture, therefore undermining American war efforts in the Middle East.
So basically they’re saying that gay people are helping out Islamic terrorists. This to me is more than a bit of a stretch. In fact, it’s pretty much fear mongering, especially among those gullible few people who actually believe horseshit like that.
Now, I know that the topic of same-sex unions and same-sex marriages is a touchy subject for a lot of people. There isn’t a whole lot of middle ground on the issue, and every time one of the talking heads on TV brings it a bunch of people to discuss it, it usually gets heated quickly. The issue is spending a lot of time in courts of law lately, and there hasn’t been an election in recent memory where the issue wasn’t raised.
I my own self believe that those who are gay should have the right to get married if they want to, or at the very least, legal unions. I don’t see where two gay people getting married will have any impact on my life, my marriage, or anything else that directly affects me. I do have a few gay and lesbian friends, and why shouldn’t they have the same rights (and especially the benefits) that I as a heterosexual have? The right to have that bond, that commitment between two people that love each other?
In a recent article in the Pacific Daily News, a member of the Guam Legislature pointed out that the Catholic Church could make better use of its time and clout by cleaning its own house, referring to homosexuality and pedophilia within the Catholic Church. I agree with this, because, ironically, it is one of those things that Christ actually taught when he was here on earth (about fixing yourself before you try to fix others).
Now before we go any further, let me state something right up front. I am in no way anti-Catholic. My wife is Catholic, and I attend Mass with her on a regular basis, even though I’m not Catholic. There are some pretty cool things within the Catholic Church if you are willing to look past the dogma and the bullshit that pretty much every religious group is trying to sell or shove up our collective asses.
With that said, I think it’s wrong that the Catholic Church is trying to flex its muscles as it applies to who we should vote for. Politics, like religion, are a very individual thing. People should examine the candidates and decide who they think best represents their interests. The recent posturing by the Catholic Church will directly influence those who believe that the Church is infallible, never makes mistakes, and that the Pope is God’s right-hand man. Their statements will undoubtedly affect those who are unwilling to use their own brains and decide for themselves who to vote for.
Like I said, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's gone on for centuries and it will continue to go on.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friends Versus Acquaintances
We all have people in our lives who fall into both of these categories. The friends are those that we are particularly close to, who know a lot of shit about us as individuals. We know the names of each others’ wives and children, know a lot about where each other has been and what they have done in their lives. These are also people that we trust, knowing that we could tell them anything. People we trust and who trust us, whose opinions actually mean something to us as individuals. We care what they think, and know that our individual opinions are important to them as well. People who could call you at 2 AM in need of something, and you would do whatever was necessary without a second thought.
(And before the question is asked, I’ll answer it. Yes, you can have true friendships with people you meet at online social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook. I have several who fall into this category, and I value their friendship greatly. I trade Christmas cards with them, have spoken to them on the phone, and value their opinions as if they were physically here and we have daily interaction.)
Then there are acquaintances. These are people that we know somewhat, through work or hobbies, church or other social groups. Maybe they’re friends of friends. You’re not particularly close to an acquaintance, in that you probably don’t know a whole lot of details about them. You also know that, while you have to deal with these people at some level, you don’t consider them as friends. Maybe you don’t trust them completely and aren’t willing to share details from your life with them. In fact, some acquaintances turn out to be people that you really don’t like or can barely stand to be around. Usually, we don’t really give a rats ass what they think about anything relatively important. We know enough about them to do whatever is necessary, and don’t really dwell on them all that much.
It gets weird, though, when an acquaintance starts believing that you are their friend. They believe that they have bonded with you on some level that you don’t particularly share, and start treating you differently. Wanting to spend more time with you than you feel comfortable with. Telling you shit that you could care less about. Believing that there is more to the relationship between you and them than you feel actually exists.
This has happened to me recently, and it bothers me a little bit.
On one side of the coin, I kind of feel sorry for the guy in question. This person is not easily likeable at any level, has horrible personal hygiene issues, and believes that his opinion is valued by everyone he happens to cross his path. The reality of it is that people just barely tolerate him, and only communicate with him because it’s absolutely necessary to get things accomplished at work. In other words, he’s a pompous asshole.
Part of me wants to pity the fool. To show a little compassion for someone other than myself. Do some self sacrifice, take one for the team, and be nice to the guy. Be a pal. Reap a little good karma.
The other side of the coin is that inner voice that tells me, “Tell the guy to fuck off. It might be mean, but you have to cruelly stomp on his delusions of friendship before the shit goes too far.”
I’m currently trying the third option, which is avoid the guy like syphilis and hope he can take a hint. So far, this strategy isn’t working very well, but we’re just starting the process and I’m trying to be patient about it.
My friends know me and know that my loyalty to them is beyond question. If you are my friend, you know it without having to be told. While I have a lot of friends, I have very few close friends, and it’s been that way my entire life. Those that do consider me a friend and vice versa, know that there is nothing short of a felony that I wouldn’t do for them, and I feel the same from them without having to be told or have it spelled out.
Has anyone ever had one of these “acquaintance with delusions of friendship” situations, and if so, what did you do about it?
(And before the question is asked, I’ll answer it. Yes, you can have true friendships with people you meet at online social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook. I have several who fall into this category, and I value their friendship greatly. I trade Christmas cards with them, have spoken to them on the phone, and value their opinions as if they were physically here and we have daily interaction.)
Then there are acquaintances. These are people that we know somewhat, through work or hobbies, church or other social groups. Maybe they’re friends of friends. You’re not particularly close to an acquaintance, in that you probably don’t know a whole lot of details about them. You also know that, while you have to deal with these people at some level, you don’t consider them as friends. Maybe you don’t trust them completely and aren’t willing to share details from your life with them. In fact, some acquaintances turn out to be people that you really don’t like or can barely stand to be around. Usually, we don’t really give a rats ass what they think about anything relatively important. We know enough about them to do whatever is necessary, and don’t really dwell on them all that much.
It gets weird, though, when an acquaintance starts believing that you are their friend. They believe that they have bonded with you on some level that you don’t particularly share, and start treating you differently. Wanting to spend more time with you than you feel comfortable with. Telling you shit that you could care less about. Believing that there is more to the relationship between you and them than you feel actually exists.
This has happened to me recently, and it bothers me a little bit.
On one side of the coin, I kind of feel sorry for the guy in question. This person is not easily likeable at any level, has horrible personal hygiene issues, and believes that his opinion is valued by everyone he happens to cross his path. The reality of it is that people just barely tolerate him, and only communicate with him because it’s absolutely necessary to get things accomplished at work. In other words, he’s a pompous asshole.
Part of me wants to pity the fool. To show a little compassion for someone other than myself. Do some self sacrifice, take one for the team, and be nice to the guy. Be a pal. Reap a little good karma.
The other side of the coin is that inner voice that tells me, “Tell the guy to fuck off. It might be mean, but you have to cruelly stomp on his delusions of friendship before the shit goes too far.”
I’m currently trying the third option, which is avoid the guy like syphilis and hope he can take a hint. So far, this strategy isn’t working very well, but we’re just starting the process and I’m trying to be patient about it.
My friends know me and know that my loyalty to them is beyond question. If you are my friend, you know it without having to be told. While I have a lot of friends, I have very few close friends, and it’s been that way my entire life. Those that do consider me a friend and vice versa, know that there is nothing short of a felony that I wouldn’t do for them, and I feel the same from them without having to be told or have it spelled out.
Has anyone ever had one of these “acquaintance with delusions of friendship” situations, and if so, what did you do about it?
Shit My Dad Says
There is a new book that has hit the shelves recently called Sh*t My Dad Says. It’s a story of a guy who goes through a divorce and ends up moving back in with his father, and he captures some of the wisdom his dad lays down on him in a pretty amusing way. If you get the chance, give it a read. It’s a pretty funny book.
It did get me thinking about some of the things my Dad laid on me over the years. Some of the things my own Dad says or has said that still hold a place in storage in my brain, that I’ll occasionally go back to once in a while.
I Can’t Stop You from Doing It But I’ll Sure as Hell Break You of the Habit
Whenever anyone would do something stupid or get ready to do something stupid, you would hear this. It’s both funny and somewhat menacing at the same time. Kind of like saying “Go ahead, asshole. Do it and see what happens”, but in a funny kind of way. Still had the menace attached to it, and it made you give a second thought to what you were doing, but still pretty funny to hear.
Ya Gotta Be Tough to Live in the West
Something bad happens to you or someone you know. It could be bad as in sprained your ankle, or as in when life hands you a shitty deal and you have to go through it.
(Name of Company) Wanted Me to Have This
My Dad is the master at taking stuff that nobody wants and turning it into something useful. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That and the time honored habit of stealing from your workplace, something I think we all do or have done every once in a while. Dad is by no means a thief, but he has been able to take stuff that no one really wants and use it to his own advantage in his own home, or to give to someone else who has need. He once took a shitload of old railroad ties and made awesome garden boxes with it. I use this phrase my own self on those occasions when I find something I know no one has any interest in and decide to take home, where I can put it to good use.
If You Go Hungry in My House, It’s Your Own Fault
Even when he was unemployed and struggling, Dad was always able to put food on the table. While there were some rough times when I was growing up, I never went hungry. (That would come later on at my own hand, unfortunately). Growing up, there was always food on the table, even if it were something simple like eggs and toast for dinner. He made shit work, and if you were hungry, you had no one to blame but yourself.
These aren’t all of the phrases my dad is known to use, but they are the best ones; the ones that have hung with me over the years, and in many ways have adopted for my own use. There is wisdom there, in both small and large ways, and also a slice of his personality that remains a part of me.
It did get me thinking about some of the things my Dad laid on me over the years. Some of the things my own Dad says or has said that still hold a place in storage in my brain, that I’ll occasionally go back to once in a while.
I Can’t Stop You from Doing It But I’ll Sure as Hell Break You of the Habit
Whenever anyone would do something stupid or get ready to do something stupid, you would hear this. It’s both funny and somewhat menacing at the same time. Kind of like saying “Go ahead, asshole. Do it and see what happens”, but in a funny kind of way. Still had the menace attached to it, and it made you give a second thought to what you were doing, but still pretty funny to hear.
Ya Gotta Be Tough to Live in the West
Something bad happens to you or someone you know. It could be bad as in sprained your ankle, or as in when life hands you a shitty deal and you have to go through it.
(Name of Company) Wanted Me to Have This
My Dad is the master at taking stuff that nobody wants and turning it into something useful. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That and the time honored habit of stealing from your workplace, something I think we all do or have done every once in a while. Dad is by no means a thief, but he has been able to take stuff that no one really wants and use it to his own advantage in his own home, or to give to someone else who has need. He once took a shitload of old railroad ties and made awesome garden boxes with it. I use this phrase my own self on those occasions when I find something I know no one has any interest in and decide to take home, where I can put it to good use.
If You Go Hungry in My House, It’s Your Own Fault
Even when he was unemployed and struggling, Dad was always able to put food on the table. While there were some rough times when I was growing up, I never went hungry. (That would come later on at my own hand, unfortunately). Growing up, there was always food on the table, even if it were something simple like eggs and toast for dinner. He made shit work, and if you were hungry, you had no one to blame but yourself.
These aren’t all of the phrases my dad is known to use, but they are the best ones; the ones that have hung with me over the years, and in many ways have adopted for my own use. There is wisdom there, in both small and large ways, and also a slice of his personality that remains a part of me.
Monday Morning at The Guam Desk
“It’s a town full of losers, I’m pulling out of here to win.”
Bruce Springsteen
And now, kidlings, now that I am fully energized with coffee and cigarettes, ready to face the challenges of the new workday, it’s time once again for an update from The Guam Desk.
+ + + + +
I love me some Facebook, but think it’s time to talk about something that has been bothering me for a long time. Those of you who are into the gaming that is a part of FB, cool. Good for you, glad you found something you enjoy doing. With that said, though, I have to tell all of you gamers that I REALLY DON’T CARE about what you happen to be doing in Farmville or Mafia Wars or any other time-waster that you get involved with, and I would appreciate it if you would just enjoy your gaming in private and not clutter up the ether with your posts. I could give a shit less that you have sodomized your barnyard animals in Farmland or Farmville or whatever. It also goes on to prove that there are people in the world who have a lot more free time on their hands than I do.
+ + + + +
Yesterday was our annual Company Picnic, being held down at Jeff’s Pirates Cove down at the southern end of the island. The Gorgeous One and I did not attend, because in spite of the title of this blog, I’m really not into Mandatory Fun. I’m also not fond of these gatherings because there is something about seeing wholesale ass-kissing up close and personal that really bothers me a lot. In my company, there are only about 30 people I can actually stand being around, so it was better not to be there and ruin their frivolity.
+ + + + +
Those of you who don’t have a lot of experience hanging out with Filipinos, let me school you on something for a moment. When Filipinos have a party, even a small gathering of friends or family to celebrate some occasion, there is always a lot of food involved. I mean, A LOT. For the second Saturday in a row, the wife and I spent the evening at her aunt’s house in Yigo, where we ate so much food that I’m surprised we were able to walk away. There was seafood, mussels, fruit salad (made with fresh tropical fruit and coconut) and of course, my personal Kryptonite, BBQ Pig Meat fresh off the fire. It was a good night, filled with a lot of laughter and interesting conversation, and fortunately the rain held off.
+ + + + +
A note to those of you who are currently running for public office here on Guam: ENOUGH ALREADY. You folks have ruined the scenery of the island by putting up your signs everywhere that there is a wide enough spot in the dirt to put one. TV is almost unwatchable because of all the commercials telling us how you will make life better for all of us. We all know that the government here is the second-most corrupt government in the Asia Pacific region (second only to the Philippines), and we all know that each and every one of you who is running for public office is already bought and paid for. Give us citizens a rest, for crying out loud.
+ + + + +
This blog has been brought to you by Marlboro and Maxwell House, both feeding the addictions and habits of people for decades.
Bruce Springsteen
And now, kidlings, now that I am fully energized with coffee and cigarettes, ready to face the challenges of the new workday, it’s time once again for an update from The Guam Desk.
+ + + + +
I love me some Facebook, but think it’s time to talk about something that has been bothering me for a long time. Those of you who are into the gaming that is a part of FB, cool. Good for you, glad you found something you enjoy doing. With that said, though, I have to tell all of you gamers that I REALLY DON’T CARE about what you happen to be doing in Farmville or Mafia Wars or any other time-waster that you get involved with, and I would appreciate it if you would just enjoy your gaming in private and not clutter up the ether with your posts. I could give a shit less that you have sodomized your barnyard animals in Farmland or Farmville or whatever. It also goes on to prove that there are people in the world who have a lot more free time on their hands than I do.
+ + + + +
Yesterday was our annual Company Picnic, being held down at Jeff’s Pirates Cove down at the southern end of the island. The Gorgeous One and I did not attend, because in spite of the title of this blog, I’m really not into Mandatory Fun. I’m also not fond of these gatherings because there is something about seeing wholesale ass-kissing up close and personal that really bothers me a lot. In my company, there are only about 30 people I can actually stand being around, so it was better not to be there and ruin their frivolity.
+ + + + +
Those of you who don’t have a lot of experience hanging out with Filipinos, let me school you on something for a moment. When Filipinos have a party, even a small gathering of friends or family to celebrate some occasion, there is always a lot of food involved. I mean, A LOT. For the second Saturday in a row, the wife and I spent the evening at her aunt’s house in Yigo, where we ate so much food that I’m surprised we were able to walk away. There was seafood, mussels, fruit salad (made with fresh tropical fruit and coconut) and of course, my personal Kryptonite, BBQ Pig Meat fresh off the fire. It was a good night, filled with a lot of laughter and interesting conversation, and fortunately the rain held off.
+ + + + +
A note to those of you who are currently running for public office here on Guam: ENOUGH ALREADY. You folks have ruined the scenery of the island by putting up your signs everywhere that there is a wide enough spot in the dirt to put one. TV is almost unwatchable because of all the commercials telling us how you will make life better for all of us. We all know that the government here is the second-most corrupt government in the Asia Pacific region (second only to the Philippines), and we all know that each and every one of you who is running for public office is already bought and paid for. Give us citizens a rest, for crying out loud.
+ + + + +
This blog has been brought to you by Marlboro and Maxwell House, both feeding the addictions and habits of people for decades.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday Evening Notes from The Guam Desk
And now it’s time once again for some utterances and amusements from what we lovingly like to refer to as “The Guam Desk”, otherwise known as this thing I call my life.
++++++
I’m trying to live by the mantra “Work Hard and Keep Your Mouth Shut” at work, but it keeps getting harder and harder every day. I have a meeting that I am supposed to go to every Tuesday morning that I put in the same category as anal surgery without anesthesia; something to avoid if I can possibly get away with it. Go to these meetings, tell the managers (since we have no leaders) what the deal is, and then get asked the same exact questions the next week. Managers being reactive instead of proactive. I had a bit of a mini-explosion on one of my managers yesterday, because I was at the point where I believed that screaming at the bastard would be the only way to get my point across, since nothing else was working. Naturally, what I told him went in one ear and out the other.
“I love my job, I love my job, I love my job.”
++++++
You would think, given the fact that Guam is a pretty small island, that it would be nearly impossible to get lost. You see the island on a map and think, “There’s no way anyone could get lost on Guam. It’s too small a place. Plus, this guy has lived there for 4 years already, probably knows every nook and cranny of the island.”
I got lost yesterday.
One of my bosses tasked me to take a look at one of our old sites to see if it would be possible for me to install some microwave equipment there and get the particular cell site off of leased connectivity. Since I had never been to the site in question, I asked a couple of my friends how to get to the place. They told me, “Oh, it’s easy. Look for this street name nearby this elementary school, and you’ll see the site on the left hand side of the road.” Sounded reasonable to me, so off I went
The problem was that someone stole the street sign I happened to be looking for. I ended up on a back road that I didn’t even know existed, in a place where they have only seen white people like me on television. What many of us refer to as “banjo country”, as in “you can hear the banjo’s playing the theme song from “Deliverance” when you’re back that far in the jungle.” I eventually made my way back to an area that I knew, but it was just a little weird for a few short minutes. I had also never seen a boat up on cinder blocks before, like you would see an old car in many white trashy neighborhoods, but I saw one yesterday. In fact I saw several.
++++++
This weekend is our annual Employee Picnic, which, once again, I will not be attending. Sundays are generally days that the wife and I do a whole lot of nothing. That and the fact that I have to be nice to people I don’t really like while I’m at work; I’ll be damned if I’m going to do it on my off time if I don’t have to.
Some would call this being antisocial, but I beg to disagree. Another example of where my job and the people I do it with do not define who I am. It’s cool to hang out with some of the cool people at work in a pleasant setting, but it’s the other assholes that I would have to deal with that I can’t stand that put a damper on it.
++++++
That is All Ye Know, and All Ye Need to Know, at least for now.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests - we did.”
Otto, Animal House
++++++
I’m trying to live by the mantra “Work Hard and Keep Your Mouth Shut” at work, but it keeps getting harder and harder every day. I have a meeting that I am supposed to go to every Tuesday morning that I put in the same category as anal surgery without anesthesia; something to avoid if I can possibly get away with it. Go to these meetings, tell the managers (since we have no leaders) what the deal is, and then get asked the same exact questions the next week. Managers being reactive instead of proactive. I had a bit of a mini-explosion on one of my managers yesterday, because I was at the point where I believed that screaming at the bastard would be the only way to get my point across, since nothing else was working. Naturally, what I told him went in one ear and out the other.
“I love my job, I love my job, I love my job.”
++++++
You would think, given the fact that Guam is a pretty small island, that it would be nearly impossible to get lost. You see the island on a map and think, “There’s no way anyone could get lost on Guam. It’s too small a place. Plus, this guy has lived there for 4 years already, probably knows every nook and cranny of the island.”
I got lost yesterday.
One of my bosses tasked me to take a look at one of our old sites to see if it would be possible for me to install some microwave equipment there and get the particular cell site off of leased connectivity. Since I had never been to the site in question, I asked a couple of my friends how to get to the place. They told me, “Oh, it’s easy. Look for this street name nearby this elementary school, and you’ll see the site on the left hand side of the road.” Sounded reasonable to me, so off I went
The problem was that someone stole the street sign I happened to be looking for. I ended up on a back road that I didn’t even know existed, in a place where they have only seen white people like me on television. What many of us refer to as “banjo country”, as in “you can hear the banjo’s playing the theme song from “Deliverance” when you’re back that far in the jungle.” I eventually made my way back to an area that I knew, but it was just a little weird for a few short minutes. I had also never seen a boat up on cinder blocks before, like you would see an old car in many white trashy neighborhoods, but I saw one yesterday. In fact I saw several.
++++++
This weekend is our annual Employee Picnic, which, once again, I will not be attending. Sundays are generally days that the wife and I do a whole lot of nothing. That and the fact that I have to be nice to people I don’t really like while I’m at work; I’ll be damned if I’m going to do it on my off time if I don’t have to.
Some would call this being antisocial, but I beg to disagree. Another example of where my job and the people I do it with do not define who I am. It’s cool to hang out with some of the cool people at work in a pleasant setting, but it’s the other assholes that I would have to deal with that I can’t stand that put a damper on it.
++++++
That is All Ye Know, and All Ye Need to Know, at least for now.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests - we did.”
Otto, Animal House
The Current Playlist
My current playlist of stuff that makes me happy or want to sing in the car.
“Carolina in my Mind” – James Taylor
OK, some of the lyrics make absolutely no sense at all. There are others that are insanely good. “And it seems like it goes on like this forever, you must forgive me if I’ve up and gone to Carolina in my mind” – genius. I’ve always loved James Taylor, but as I get older I’m starting to appreciate him even more.
“Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen
I’ve listened to this song many times in the past, but recently it’s taken on new meaning. For some reason (I was probably behind the wheel and bored), I really started paying attention to the lyrics a bit more, and realized that Bruce Springsteen is probably the greatest musical genius America has created in the last 40 years. That probably explains why I listened to this song 38 times the other day.
“Stars Tonight” – Lady Antebellum
It is impossible to not feel good after hearing this song. Such positive energy, driven by some very kick ass music. The guy in the next lane over probably thought I was insane while singing along and pumping my fist listening to this jam. This is a band I am going to keep a serious eye on, because they have the potential to become absolute monsters in the country-pop arena.
“If You Want Blood (You Got It)” – AC/DC
When they’re shoveling dirt over my grave, I’ll still love AC/DC, even though I’m not a huge fan of metal. A great song to get aggressive with.
“Who Are You” – The Who
No playlist of mine would be lacking a Who cut. I’m digging on this at the moment because Roger Daltreys’ singing of Pete’s lyrics are just brutal, filled with anger and attitude. Sounds like THE most pissed off white boy on the planet, ready to kick the shit out of anyone or anything that gets in his way. The Who are still the gold standard as far as rock music is concerned, at least in my brain.
“Shower the People” – James Taylor
I know, another track from “Mr. Mellow” his own self. I just dig the way the track is put together, and the sentiment behind the lyrics, about never letting those who we love know that we love them. Something that we should all think about.
There are others, but these are the songs that have captured my imagination lately.
“Carolina in my Mind” – James Taylor
OK, some of the lyrics make absolutely no sense at all. There are others that are insanely good. “And it seems like it goes on like this forever, you must forgive me if I’ve up and gone to Carolina in my mind” – genius. I’ve always loved James Taylor, but as I get older I’m starting to appreciate him even more.
“Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen
I’ve listened to this song many times in the past, but recently it’s taken on new meaning. For some reason (I was probably behind the wheel and bored), I really started paying attention to the lyrics a bit more, and realized that Bruce Springsteen is probably the greatest musical genius America has created in the last 40 years. That probably explains why I listened to this song 38 times the other day.
“Stars Tonight” – Lady Antebellum
It is impossible to not feel good after hearing this song. Such positive energy, driven by some very kick ass music. The guy in the next lane over probably thought I was insane while singing along and pumping my fist listening to this jam. This is a band I am going to keep a serious eye on, because they have the potential to become absolute monsters in the country-pop arena.
“If You Want Blood (You Got It)” – AC/DC
When they’re shoveling dirt over my grave, I’ll still love AC/DC, even though I’m not a huge fan of metal. A great song to get aggressive with.
“Who Are You” – The Who
No playlist of mine would be lacking a Who cut. I’m digging on this at the moment because Roger Daltreys’ singing of Pete’s lyrics are just brutal, filled with anger and attitude. Sounds like THE most pissed off white boy on the planet, ready to kick the shit out of anyone or anything that gets in his way. The Who are still the gold standard as far as rock music is concerned, at least in my brain.
“Shower the People” – James Taylor
I know, another track from “Mr. Mellow” his own self. I just dig the way the track is put together, and the sentiment behind the lyrics, about never letting those who we love know that we love them. Something that we should all think about.
There are others, but these are the songs that have captured my imagination lately.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)