Meet Virginia (part I)

I'm baaaaack!

It's a bit sad that I only had two comments the entire time I was gone, but hey, what are you gonna do.

Well, as I mentioned in the previous post, I had planned on visiting a few places along my little journey and here is the first post in the series telling you about them.

My first stop was in Bedford, VA, at the National D-Day Memorial. You may be asking yourself why there is this wonderful, yet unknown, National Memorial located in a town of about 5,000 people. Well as the brochure tells you, "Proportionally this community suffered the nation's severest D-Day losses." It goes on to explain that in 1944 the town's population was about 3,200, 19 of which died on D-Day.

I've been here before but I enjoy returning every chance I get because this memorial means something special to me. My grandfather was a survivor of D-Day and I enjoyed nothing more than talking to him about the war. This memorial is staffed by actual D-Day veterans and I enjoy talking with them just as much. There's something to be said for living history.

The memorial itself is a recreation of soldiers storming the beach in France and fighting their way up the hills and over the German fortifications. In my opinion, the memorial is close to the best I've ever seen. It easily trumps anything in Washington D.C. in my eyes. The statues are all life-sized and are filled with emotion. The artist has perfectly captured the feeling, and the moment, and the bravery, and the honor of these men that took their last steps on that beach.

In addition to the emotional sculptures, the beach scene is supplemented with jets of air on the "ocean" floor that mimic bullets blanketing the water around the advancing soldiers. If you have a fast connection, check out this 30 second, (5MB) Quicktime video and you'll see the bullets hitting the water.

Complete with a waterfall, flower gardens, and wall of remembrance, every item from the color of the flowers to the height of the archway is significant for something that took place on D-Day.

More pictures can be seen here.

So if you get a chance, check out the National D-Day Memorial. And take my advice, spend the extra 5 dollars for a WWII Veteran to guide you around the park personally. It will teach you what no history book can, and when you're done, don't forget to thank him for what he did that day. And of course for the tour too.

You must download the Quicktime plug-in

Where the deer and the cell phones both roam...

Greetings. The Delawarean is taking a vacation. Well, not your normal relaxing, have fun, type of vacation, but leaving Delaware for a little bit nonetheless.

During my freshmen year in college, my parents decided to up and move to Virginia from Pennsylvania without telling me. (I'm not kidding) I came home to visit one weekend and there was no furniture in my room. They said they're moving and selling everything, deal with it.

So they bought this pretty nice little place in THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Situated on just under 40 acres of woods, their house is about a 30 minute drive, at best, to the nearest town. The driveway is dirt (go figure) after you turn off the paved road. You drive back the dirt road for almost 1,000 yards with embankments on both sides. During snow events my mother parks her car on the side of the road and walks up the driveway if she has to go to work because nothing less than a 4x4 will pass. But hey, to each their own. They treasure their privacy.

Although I must admit it's nice and peaceful there and I do enjoy wild animals constantly passing through the yard, I tend to get a bit bored. They only get 2 TV channels on a good weather day, no Internet access, and you can forget about cell phone signals. Complete solitude. Think Misery.

So they've requested my help in landscaping the yard. (Which I can never figure out because no one ever sees the house) Hence I will be traveling to VA, taking my time and doing some fun stuff for me along the way. I'm always in a rush when I visit. This time I'm smelling the roses.

I'll post pictures when I get back. I plan on revisiting some of my favorite spots on the way down. Spots like the National D-Day Memorial, hiking up the Blue Ridge Mountains, or enjoying the beauty of the Natural Bridge. I've been to all these places but never at my own leisure. Never really visiting them and just stopping to enjoy. It's always been "ok, that's done, let's go."

Now it's my turn. I'm taking this little getaway for ME. Because when I get back, it's back to work! Literally.


PS- Since I won't have Internet access I'm changing the video of the week today instead of Friday. Enjoy! Blog you when I get back!

Shhh! Be verwee, verwee quiet....

...the moose upstairs is hibernating.

I have been living in my current apartment for over three years now. The tenants come in and out like a revolving door. I think I've been in my building the longest, second only to the water buffalo old lady that lives directly above me with her granddaughter.

I don't know her name but I do know that she's old and therefore is up STOMPING around at the butt crack dawn every day and gets up EIGHT times a night to use the bathroom. Flushing follows and I hear water drainage for 2 minutes. Then her rabid granddaughter constantly RUNS back and forth from room to room. That is the consequence I pay for living in an apartment complex.

For added effect I am surrounded on my floor by three apartments containing the following:

1) Wesley College Sorostitutes (with a severe underage drinking /partying problem)
2) Wesley College Football Players (who supply the habit of #1)
3) Dover AFB Airmen. (Actually they're nice guys)

All of which pound music and YELL drunken slurs each weekend, break bottles, and piss on the lawn.

So tonight I thought I'd sit down and enjoy a movie. I rented Flight of the Phoenix. I'm a big movie fan, (and a guy) so naturally I have a big screen and surround sound, both of which I used for the movie. I use them for every movie I've ever watched for the past three years.

However, tonight my movie was interrupted by the Good 'ol Boys. That's right, Dover PD pounded on my door as if I was some kind of crack dealer. I poked my head out looking for a video camera. But alas, I am not white trash and still had my shirt on so I wouldn't have made it past the editing room anyway.

They asked me to turn down my movie because "one of my neighbors" called with a complaint. They informed me that if they had to come back I would be donating $50 to the Dover PD weekend beer fund.

So I said "Blow me pig, you'll never take me alive" and slammed the door in his face...

Oh, wait, no I didn't. I happily obliged and they went back to their doughnuts and coffee.

Now here's my boggle. IF I did have the movie THAT loud, why didn't the moose just stomp the ground a few times? Or better yet, why didn't she just politely ASK me to turn it down? I must have been vibrating the piles of crack that she was trying to split up on her coffee table. And WHY doesn't it seem to bother her any other time? And even better yet, what about the drunken asses that turn our building into Spring Break every weekend?!?!?

That's it. I was looking for a reason to buy a house. Taking my movie watching experience away from me was the last draw.

To Tip or Not to Tip?

That is the question.

I have a phobia. I have this disturbing fear of not knowing things. Of being unprepared for any situation. Not of the situation itself, just being unprepared for it. For example, I have no problem whatsoever speaking in front of a large crowd, say at a conference. However, that's only as long as I'm prepared for it and I'm 100% certain I know what I'm talking about. I've managed to defeat this fear I have by constantly being prepared.

There are many instances where things happen in everyday life that you can not possibly prepare for. Things where you just don't know what to do. For me, tipping is one of those things.

First off, let's set aside the two main groups of people; those that tip and those that do not tip. For the sake of those post, we're going to only talk about those that do tip.

I am a tipper. I am a firm believer that the tip I give you is directly proportional to the quality of service you're providing me. Some will tell you that they give a percentage tip across the board all the time. However you tip, that's your preogative. My question is who do you tip?

Let's start with the food service industry. I tip all waiters/waitresses when I go out to eat. The better service, the better tip. I use 15% as my base and add or subtract from there. But where else is it appropriate to tip?

Should you tip your barber or hairstylist? I tip a few bucks when I get my hair cut. Do you? What about the guy that helps you carry that heavy purchase to your vehicle, load it, and tie it down? Do you tip them?

What about the bellman in your hotel lobby that hails cabs for you? All he does is raise is hand. It that worth a tip? HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M SUPPOSED TO TIP THESE PEOPLE?!

Honestly, I would feel bad if I didn't tip someone who's job only paid them less than minimum wage because of tips. It's not my fault, I didn't know! Can you see my predicament? What about the maid who cleans your hotel room? Do you leave them a tip? I didn't used to, but I do now. And you'd be amazed how much cleaner my room gets. Mints on the pillow and new refills of EVERYTHING!

And cab drivers. Do you tip them? The list is infinite! But in my life I deal with the people below. I'd appreciate it if you could maybe copy and paste this list into the comment box and after each let me know if you tip them or not. Maybe describe your tipping methodology hmm?

The list:

Waiters / Waitresses
Cab Drivers
Bellmen / Bellhops
Maids / Housekeeping
Barbers / Hairstylists
Pizza delivery dudes/ dudettes
Flower deliverers
Furniture delivers (heavy items)
Skycaps
Valets (drop off or pick up?)
Newspaper carrier
Full Service Gas Station Attendants


Feel free to add anything to the list that you may feel I should tip. And thanks for your input in advance!

The Final Frontier

NASA announced today that a wiring problem in the Discovery payload bay would slow it's journey to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

An open letter to NASA:

Please take your time. As excited as I am to see you succeed, I am sure that I am not alone when I say "cross your t's and dot your i's.

There are many skeptics that say we're wasting money on our space program. Many would say that America should take care of it's more important issues here on earth rather than worry about Martians and looking at stars. To those people, I say open your mind.

Americans need NASA. Setting aside the benefits that have already come from our space program, NASA has two responsibilities in my eyes; technological leadership and sustaining the American Spirit.

It is human nature to explore, to learn. Mankind is destined to stand on the top of one world look to the next. On February 1, 2003, the hearts of Americans sank as the Shuttle Columbia broke apart upon reentry. We felt sorrow for the lives that were lost, but I also felt the American Spirit cringe. Our space program is an icon of our resolve. The Space Shuttle is the vessel that transports our resolve. When the space program stumbles, America stumbles with it.

So believe me when I say, take your time. Get it right for all of America. Heal our hearts and our spirits, and show the world that our resolve is stronger than ever before.

Thank you,

The Delawarean

SIDE NOTE:

I've been to Cape Canaveral to see a Shuttle Launch. It's one of the most breathtaking moments you'll ever experience and I strongly suggest it. I was young, but perhaps that was even better. The lasting impression will be with me forever. In fact, I was so affected by it, that I begged my parents to send me to Space Camp. And for my 11th birthday, my wish came true. I still believe to this day, that is the reason I put so much interest and support in any kind of space exploration; NASA or private ventures.

I, wanna rock and roll all night...

Once again thanks to Veda for pointing out the best site in the world. As you may have noticed, I've taken full advantage of it and incorporated what I like to call "The Video Pick of the Week". You can find it on the right hand side just under my Blogger profile. Why not listen and sing along while you read and comment? Everyone wins!

I will make every attempt to change this video weekly to another one of my favorites.

A few housekeeping notes:

This is a Windows Media Player Plugin in case you don't have it installed.

Netscape users can find it here.
Windows Media Player 10 can be found here.

So enjoy and please remember, you might not always like the song I choose. Everyone's musical tastes are different, but I like to think mine are fairly good.

Video killed the radio star...

Veda has just made my day. She pointed out a website that allows you to stream music videos for free! They give you the html to paste into your website to stream a music video via your blog, or wherever you'd like to show it. I personally like to just browse through music videos that I haven't seen in a long time. I don't think I'll post any videos yet though. I like to give the reader control of any multimedia that I post and as of now, that's not built into the code. Hmmm... wait... if you change:


ShowControls="1" (instead of "0")

... in the html you give the reader the ability to view at their leisure... NICE! Looks like I'll be downloading me some music videos!

(PS- there is a tricky little way to save streaming video to your hard drive. Shoot me an email if you'd like to know how I do it.)

It's not easy being green...

*hic* Happy Paint Satty's Day! *hic*

Good 'ol Paint Satrick... *hic*

I can amember when I wasin collegsh... Paint Satty's Day wastha most mportant day of the year. *hic* Hava tess? Screw it. *hic* IT'S PAINT SATTY'S DAY! Gaa, I miss those days...

*hic* Now alleye have to look forwar to is wearing greeeeeeeeeeeen stuff to work. An I don look good in green. *hic*

Honsly, I was ripped off thisyear. *hic* I had tooooo much important stuff shit to deal wif. *hic* I didn even see Paint Satty comin. *hic* So I had to play ketchup...

Now *hic* if you excuse me, I have to go get my Shamrock Shake from McD... Mick da...Mc dan... That big clown that makes fries. *hic*

HAPPY PAINT SATTY'S DAY! *hic*

(I feel sick)

*runs to bathroom*

UPDATE: AHHHHHHHHH. Satisfaction.

Isn't that ironic, don't ya think...

The world works in mysterious ways.

I had just finished reading about how Brian is starting his new job soon ( congrats again, btw) when the phone rang. I looked at the ID and it was my friend/supervisor from the firm I want to work with.

"I have good news."

I immediately took a quick, deep breath.

"We should have a letter out to you with an offer by the end of the week."

A world of weight instantly lifted off my shoulders. He explained what was taking so long and even gave me a potential start date. April 11th.

So it would seem that April 11th is now officially recognized as "Start Day" by more than one employer. Maybe I should suggest that we declare it a national holiday and we'd all get off of work for it? Wait... I guess that would defeat the point.

Although this phone call was certainly a welcomed relief, I've learned many times in my life that NOTHING is certain but death and taxes. So I'm not doing any celebrating until I have that letter in my grasps.

After that, it's getting locked up in the case I'm buying for my solved Rubik's Cube.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: Expectations

EXPECTATIONS

One of the teachings of Eastern religions is that our biggest
problem is desire. Sadness comes from the disappointments of unmet
desires.

Eastern philosophers say the problem is having the desires in
the first place. They suggest we put our energy into eliminating
expectations rather than satisfying them.

Somewhere within each of us is a balance point between
expectation and satisfaction.

What are your expectations? Trace where they came
from. Ask yourself why you have them and what is in them for
you.

Are these desires built on your needs or someone else's?

People rarely question their expectations. Instead, they
question their personal adequacy. Evaluate what truly brings you
satisfaction and peace and let the rest go.

- Dr. J. James

A picture is worth...

Many of you have read or even blogged about the highly publicized "attractive protestors" in Beirut. I linked to Marcus a few days ago and Mellow-Drama brought it to my attention once again by pointing out that the sign bared the classic line from Mel Gibson's Braveheart in this photo.

So, you know me. I had to do it...

OR

We are the world...

In my never ending quest to become the smartest person alive, I've stumbled upon what may be officially recognized as "The Coolest Place On Earth to Live".

Behold THE WORLD.

Located just off the coast of Jumeirah, this group of 250-300 small islands is going to be the home to the worlds (no pun intended) elite. It turns out, I've been out of the loop for quite some time. Evidently this little endeavor is brought to you by the folks that created the Palm Islands.

Check out this promotional video for The World.

No doubt this would be a paradise in itself, but I can't help but be a bit practical. The upper breakwater in the "north pole area" may stop your average ocean tides and waves, but what if something like the tsunami disaster in Asia occurred?

Why settle for less than the best?

I give you the hi-rez version of the Episode 3 trailer...

(You need the Quicktime plugin to view this.)

A New Hope...

I'm with Marcus... When is the next flight to Beirut?

They always said democracy was the more "attractive" option...

Blast from the past...

In my overwhelming quest to keep myself occupied I was flipping through channels this morning and found one of my all-time favorite shows. A show that I used to watch religiously as a child.

I had no idea this show was even on anymore! It seriously made my day. (I'm easily amused) Of course it's cheesy. Of course it stars German singing sensation David Hasselhoff. But I was a young, impressionable, only child and I had a wild imagination. And let us not forget KITT. I found myself riding along in my mother's Subaru praying that it would just all of a sudden speak up and talk to me. I'd start pushing buttons on the heat and A/C and she'd yell at me. "Stop it. What are you doing?" My favorite part was when he'd back out of the truck and spin around. Did you know that there are tons of fans out there that have built KITT cars themselves? They actually sell "kits" to build "KITT"!

Isn't it fun to have something thrust you back into your childhood? It's like taking a drive past the old house you grew up in. Past the tree in the front yard you used to climb. (It looked a lot bigger back then) It reminds me of a simpler time. Wasn't it nice not to have anything to worry about? No bills. No work. Just being a kid all day long.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch some 80's movie...

All your friends are doing it...

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Enough of our lives are spent just waiting... I didn't want to add anymore to it...


Comment away! Haloscan should save a cookie once you enter all your info, so you shouldn't have to do it each time.


PS- and I've just noticed that all my old comments are gone... how nice...

Now I have something to do with my time...

Must be the shoes...

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career.

I've lost almost 300 games.26 times,

I've been trusted to take the game winning shotand missed.

I've failed over and over and over again in my life.

And that is why I succeed.

- Michael Jordan

Ladies and Gents, I give you Michael Jordan's home.

I can picture a typical conversation:

MJ: Is Mike Jr. home from school yet?
MJ's Wife: I don't know, let me call him and find out.


All that just for making a ball go through a hoop a few times...

Zzzzzz....huh,... what?

Could someone please kick the Maytag repair man that's responsible for maintaining Blogger and the comments. I think he's fallen asleep again...


I'm about THIS close to invoking Haloscan for my comments...

Jedi (Web) Master

EDITORS NOTE: This post has been redirected to here

Ok, you all may have your Star Wars Trivial Pursuits and movie marathons, but how cool am I?

Yeah, that's right...

(PS- Sorry about the watermark, but I'm not paying $500 for the full compression software to post it here. The full (high quality) version of this is 30 MBs so deal with it people.)

Psychological Warfare...

Why is it that people tend to say one thing and do another? I'm not talking about lying. I'm talking about not doing something that you say you're going do. For example, people say I'll be there at 8:30. Then they show up sometime around 9:30. Why didn't they just say 9:30? Another classic example is politics. I can't even begin to count how many politicians say one thing and do another.

Or a better example even yet. You have a great interview with a company, who upon the conclusion, tells you that they'll call you early next week with an offer. Now here I sit, waiting. And waiting. If said company wasn't really going to call me this week, then why not just tell me that? Why not SAY what they were actually going to DO?

I mean, it's a very simple concept. Can you imagine how much better off the entire world would be if everyone would just do what they say they were going to do?

For example:

Iran: "We are building nuclear weapons because

we harbor terrorist. There are no plans for power

generation whatsoever."

Men: "Honey, I'll mow the lawn and do the dishes after I

watch the football game. So long as there's not anything else on

mildly entertaining after this."

Women: "Every time I get upset, there's really nothing

you can do. I just enjoy dragging you into my misery by

making you think it's your fault somehow."

Auto Mechanics: "Well, your transmission is fine. We just

added more fluid. However, we're going to have to charge

the full $1,530 because we're a dealer and we have a

reputation for overcharging for time and parts."

Doctors: "I'm not really sure what the hell is wrong with

you, however I get kickbacks from this medical company so

I'm going to prescribe this. It's got some nasty side effects,

so don't go driving anything big."

State Appointed Officials: (you had to see this coming)

"I'm going to look like an ass in the public's eye if I don't

hurry up and overreact to a situation that I don't

fully understand. I think I'll just fire a group of hard workers

for a reason that I think is just. I'm sure it won't come back to

bite me later on when I make a run for Governor."

See, it's really not that difficult...

Priceless...

The folks over a DAAS have done it again. You need to read this if you have a credit card!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: The Journey

THE JOURNEY

Success sometimes seems like a collection of products, or a place that you can get to or buy. When we are small we think we will be happy when we can finally turn over or walk or go to school. Then it's being old enough to date or drive or finish school - that really feels like success.

Some people think success is getting married. That's when they'll really be happy. Or that real happiness comes when a baby finally arrives. Maybe we'll be successful and when we get that job or promotion, or when the kids finally leave home and we have some peace. Success might be when the house is finished or when we retire. The "golden years" - that's it. That's when we reach success.

Success is every minute you live. It's the process of living. It's stopping for the moments of beauty, of pleasure; the moments of peace. Success is not a destination that you ever reach. Success is the quality of the journey.

- Dr. J. James

Just a little off the top, please...

So I'm sitting here watching TV and I hear the random Air Force cargo plane fly over. (My place is in the flight path of Dover Air Force Base.) I'm used to hearing fast and slow moving aircraft overhead all the time. I've learned to tune most of them out. I started playing a little game with myself and I'll try and guess the type of plane, cargo or fighter.

Tonight, however, was different. I first noticed it and I thought it was directly over my place. However the noise got louder. And louder. And louder. My building started to vibrate. The noise bellowed. My attention was peaked. Honestly, I was getting a bit concerned.

This noise was now INTENSE. Pictures were rattling against the walls, loose change was moving across the counter. The ground was shaking. I was very concerned. This plane, was not were it should have been. At least not where I thought it should have been.

I opened the door to my patio, and the noise was even more intense that I imagined it would be. I looked up because I seriously thought a cargo plane was about to slam into my apartment. For a split second, I thought I was going to die.

Sometime between my life flashing before my eyes, and my college diploma falling off the wall, the LOWEST FLYING, LOUDEST, LARGEST aircraft cleared the roof of my building. What I saw was one of these:

And I could see the tread on the landing gear as it flew over me. I shit you not. I'm really surprised that it cleared Dover Downs Hotel / casino.

In any case, it was more than enough to get my adrenaline flowing for the day. *Whew!*

Note to Dover AFB: Please don't EVER, ever, ever, ever, do
that again. Ever. Thanks, Del.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Today was absolutely perfect. I'd have to say that all the crap I've put up with lately has really been taking it's toll. Then the next thing you know, a day like this comes along and wipes it all away. For once (and I'm only going to say this once) it's nice not to have to be at work.

So I spent the day taking short road trips to the nearby Silver Lake park and Bower's Beach where I sat and just enjoyed people watching, as do many others there. It's been a long time since I've taken time out to people watch. It's something I used to do nearly everyday in college and I didn't realize how much I've missed it.

Naturally, I carried my camera with me. I wasn't really in a mood for picture taking though. At least not as much as I normally am. For once I wasn't concerned with capturing the moment as much as I was with living in it.

Some things you just have to go with the flow on. So I sat there and watched. Oh, alright, so I took SOME pictures... Geesh... I hope you like birds, it was really the only thing that came out decent.

If I had a million dollars (part II)...

I'd buy you a K-Car...

Back to life, back to reality...

As some of you may know, the TV show Survivor is to me, what The O.C. is to many others in this day and age. Some seasons are better than others, yet some are down right boring.

Love them or hate them, I've often wondered how these cast members of Reality TV incorporate the shows with their everyday lives. For example, how many of you can honestly say that you could just set aside your entire life for any extended period of time, to go gallivanting in front of a TV camera for the world to see? Who pays their rent/mortgage during this time? Who pays their bills? What does their employer do with their position? Do they quit their careers?

I'd sell a kidney to be able to go on Survivor, but I'd never give up a promising career. And if you can leave a company for X amount of time and the company doesn't loose a step, how valuable are you to that company really? Would your employer let you take weeks/months off at a time to go play on TV?

Am I missing something? Unless you're planning on wearing a t-shirt with the company logo on it the entire time, I'm thinking that life after Reality TV (provided you don't win) isn't going to be all peachy.

Now, I'd like to take a moment to point out the one exception; MTV's The Real World. If you're lucky enough to be on People Magazine's list of 50 most beautiful, yet insane, people, you can be on The "Real World". (Because we all know that "real" means living with 6 other model-like people in a pop star's mansion and given a cake job that a 4 year old making Kathy Lee Gifford's clothes could do.)

But if you are picked, consider yourself set for life. Because the 6-12 year old demographic that MTV now reaches, loves to see cast members who are now pushing 45 from the first Real World. Seriously, I was flipping though channels and I was like "I remember that guy! I was in 7th grade when he was a cast member!" Don't even get me started on Puck, people.

Do you realize that there has been FIFTEEN Real Worlds?!?!? I was 12 when the first one aired. So sad. I know I'm waiting for The Real World: Dover, where I hear they all commit mass suicide from lack of social activity. In the meantime, they could put them up at Dover Downs and focus the whole season on the two NASCAR races. Ye-HAAA!

I am personally embarrassed for letting something like this become a pop culture icon. I'm so glad my parents didn't have cable growing up. I had to go over to my friends to watch TV.

So I'm not as warped as the rest of you...

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, today...

If there ever was a defining moment in my life, a moment that begged me to take hold of my future and run with it, it was today.

I made me way to Harrisburg to the offices of the cmopany I want to work for for Interview 2. I made my way into the office and was met by my would-be supervisor. We shot the breeze for bit and he escorted me back to the Vice President's office, where we sat and talked for a bit before heading out to lunch. As we talked, the President walked by and looked in. He stopped, recognizing my face from various conferences and meetings I've had with him in the past. I remembered that this man was a firm-shaker, and was ready for him. The VP invited him to join us for lunch, but he declined.

Lunch was a bit unexpected. A group of us went, most of who I knew very well already, one of which I didn't. Now, you must realize that the group of people (all men) that comprised our lunch group are 1) all friends, 2) certifiable, 3) professional yet, fun. These are the men who sit at the bar after a long day and give you a hard time because, well, because they just do.

So today, being Friday, was a casual dress day for them. I was in a suit. I was stylin'. I was told I looked like an FBI agent. Anyway, the group spared no expense in the fact that I was the only one "dressed up" in the building. This is how a normal conversation went:

GF Staff: "We have to hurry and get Del's interview over with, Kmart closes at 9, and he has to return his suit. "

Del: (in all my witty glory, was ready for that too) "No gentlemen, it's okay. I rented this one from Wal-Mart and they're open 24/7."

That's pretty much how the entire day went. Back and forth. So after lunch, I filled out some paperwork, and rejoined the group in the conference room for the formal interview. We conference called a few more people in and began.

I answered their questions with tact and completeness. Each one, I carefully manipulated to promote myself. After all, isn't that what you're supposed to do? I asked my questions and got more clarification of the actual type of work I'd be doing, and where. Let's just say that I'm going to be busy beyond my comprehension. I greeted and thanked each of them as I left, telling them I look forward to hearing from them.

On the way home I got a call from my would-be supervisor, and he said that it went extremely well. In fact, the VP was more impressed after that than before, knowing me all this time.

You see, what my goal was today was to separate the former client (me) from the future employee (me, again). All of my dealings with Gannett in the past have put me on the "other side of the table", so to speak. It was always their responsibility to impress me. Because, let's face it. I (used to) sign their contracts. They have always pictured me as the happy, easy-going, guy that would "BS" with them and share in "the next round of drinks." My technical skills were never in question. My character and drive were.

Today I showed them that I am THEIR next American Idol. I showed them that I am ready for whatever they could throw at me. Whatever a client could conjure up, I could work my mojo and counter.

The ball is in their court. I'm just waiting to play.


PS- expect big news early next week.

People are strange, when you're a stranger...

From bouncegrrrl...


Breeding should be licensed.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: Human Potential

I have decided that what this blog needs is a gimmick. Advertising executives will tell you that a catchy gimmick can make or break a product. And after surfing the blogsphere for a while, and reading some quality blogs, I noticed that some have rather catchy gimmicks.

For example, Tara has Fortune Cookie Fridays. One of my favorite reads each week. Janet, over at the AOGB has Tell it to me Tuesday, where she gathers readers input on different subjects each week.

This is what I'm missing (excluding writing talent). So I have decreed that from today forward, each Wednesday shall be "Words of Wisdom Wednesday". Each Wednesday I will pull an excerpt from one the many books, magazines, newspapers, or internet sites I come across and share it with fellow bloggers. I will do my best to make each excerpt as uplifting and inspirational as possible. So let's get started shall we?

HUMAN POTENTIAL

The human potential movement is big business in the Northwest. They sell millions in books, lectures, seminars, and counseling groups. All of a sudden we have permission to look at ourselves.

We used to call it narcissism or selfishness, but now self-esteem has more credibility. People are beginning to realize that self-knowledge is not an end in itself. It's for the purpose of better relationships, so that we can give to our community. You can give from overflow. It's very hard to give from emptiness.

The human potential movement encourages us to look at ourselves, examine our values, find out what's truly important to us, change destructive patterns. Some people are afraid; they don't want to take the risk. They think that if they look within, they're going to find some kind of monster. Ignorance is not bliss.

People who avoid self-knowledge cause a great deal of pain to themselves as well as to their families and friends. We now have the permission and some of the information to tap the potential within.

Take your own inner journey, just a few minutes each day.

- Dr. J. James

The Think-Tank Redemption

You all remember this.


Well with my new found freedom, (and this full week with nothing to do) my old nemesis called out to me; solve me... solve me...

Like an alcoholic jumping off the wagon and reaching for the bottle, I embraced the cube with both hands. Feverishly I worked it from all angles. Chipping away at the mystic icon, bit by tiny bit. My palms sweating, twisting and turning the tiles. Green, red, yellow, orange, blue, and white. It was a battle against, well, a toy, but IT WAS ABOUT PRINCIPLE! I had vowed once before to return the sacred 80's icon to the glory that is once was. To return the glory that the devil stole from it. From me.

When the dust settled, and the smoke cleared, both man and icon were changed. Both for the better. The man had once again achieved a level of accomplishment that he had so sorely missed. And the icon has regained its honor as a masterpiece of 80's pop culture in its completed form.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Cube is back...