Monday, August 29, 2005
Epitaph
It's 11:30 on a Monday and I'm working. Why? For one, I got a pretty nice raise a few months ago, and I'm hoping to grow into my new shoes. Two, there's work that needs doin'. Three, I'm awake and don't have cable or satellite.
So, here's a request to any reader who will still be fighting gravity after I've gone home. On my tombstone, please carve this:
Johnny! Colino
"I wish I'd spent more time in the office"
It's not true, but I'd like it as my epitaph anyway. Maybe someone will read it and think, "hey! why am I spending so much time at work when I'm just going to die anyway?!"
O.K. how 'bout this one...
Johnny! Colino
Worked like he didn't need the money.
Loved like he'd never been hurt.
Danced like nobody was watching.
Two out of three ain't bad.
So, here's a request to any reader who will still be fighting gravity after I've gone home. On my tombstone, please carve this:
Johnny! Colino
"I wish I'd spent more time in the office"
It's not true, but I'd like it as my epitaph anyway. Maybe someone will read it and think, "hey! why am I spending so much time at work when I'm just going to die anyway?!"
O.K. how 'bout this one...
Johnny! Colino
Worked like he didn't need the money.
Loved like he'd never been hurt.
Danced like nobody was watching.
Two out of three ain't bad.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
The problem seems to be...
I just got another call from one of my customers. I write programs for use internally in my company. Then, I get to support them for the rest of my natural life. I suppose if I got hit by a bus, they'd hook me up to tubes so I could support my applications. BTW, nobody else could do it because I'm lousy at documentation. Too busy.
So, I get these frantic phone calls every once in a while, "The system's not working! The system's not working!" They continue like this...
Me: "What seems to be the problem?"
Them: "The system's just not working."
Me: "What do you mean 'not working'?"
Them: "I mean I can't do anything."
Me: "What were you trying to do?"
Them: "I was just trying to log on, and it doesn't work."
Me: "Do you get an error message?"
Them: "Yes."
Me: "What was the error message?"
Them: "I don't remember. The system's not working!!!!"
Me: "I need to understand what the error is, so I can fix it. So, if you can reproduce the error, I'll have a better chance at fixing it."
Them: "Well, every time I try to log on, the error happens, and I can't do anything."
The lightbulb goes off. I'm 99.9% sure I know what the problem is now. The problem seems to be between the keyboard and the chair.
Ultimately what happens is the user locks themselves out of the system, and has no hope of reentering even with the correct password. I make my error messages short on purpose - in the hopes that they will read this short little message
So, I get these frantic phone calls every once in a while, "The system's not working! The system's not working!" They continue like this...
Me: "What seems to be the problem?"
Them: "The system's just not working."
Me: "What do you mean 'not working'?"
Them: "I mean I can't do anything."
Me: "What were you trying to do?"
Them: "I was just trying to log on, and it doesn't work."
Me: "Do you get an error message?"
Them: "Yes."
Me: "What was the error message?"
Them: "I don't remember. The system's not working!!!!"
Me: "I need to understand what the error is, so I can fix it. So, if you can reproduce the error, I'll have a better chance at fixing it."
Them: "Well, every time I try to log on, the error happens, and I can't do anything."
The lightbulb goes off. I'm 99.9% sure I know what the problem is now. The problem seems to be between the keyboard and the chair.
Ultimately what happens is the user locks themselves out of the system, and has no hope of reentering even with the correct password. I make my error messages short on purpose - in the hopes that they will read this short little message
Monday, August 22, 2005
Sunscreen
I just heard an interesting quasi-rap/strict monologue song on my Internet radio. It is apparently titled "Kurt Vonnegut's commencement address at MIT", although Kurt Vonnegut didn't deliver this speech, and this speech wasn't given at commencement at MIT. At any rate, it's deep and moving and makes you think if you still have a heart. I've copied the lyrics below. Most of it makes sense - especially the sunscreen.
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Buckle yer swash and brush yer teeth!
Officially, September 19th is Talk Like A Pirate Day, but I'm having a TLAP/housewarming party on the 17th of September! Grab yer parrot and put your peglegs on - invitations are on their way. If I missed you, send me an email and I'll send you the URL. My big pirate flags came in the mail on Saturday (I guess - I've been too busy to check mail) and they're really cool. I got my sword yesterday along with some bling-bling. I'm not dressing up for the party, but it's definitely putting me in a pirate party mood.
And... there's only 44 more work days until I fly to Ft. Lauderdale for the cruise!!! Woo Hoo!
In other news, I got one of my two remaining wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday afternoon. They're pulling the other one this Thursday. The really wierd thing is that it didn't hurt at all. I was going to go back to work, but it was after 4 when I got out, so decided against it. Well, that plus my mouth was full of chum (ick). Woke up with a pounding headache on Friday, so I took 1/2 a day off.
I'll get some pictures of this gnarley thing up on the net someday. Along with the pictures of Pirate Coat 1.0, Alex in Disneyland and all those pictures I keep promising.
Promise.
And... there's only 44 more work days until I fly to Ft. Lauderdale for the cruise!!! Woo Hoo!
In other news, I got one of my two remaining wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday afternoon. They're pulling the other one this Thursday. The really wierd thing is that it didn't hurt at all. I was going to go back to work, but it was after 4 when I got out, so decided against it. Well, that plus my mouth was full of chum (ick). Woke up with a pounding headache on Friday, so I took 1/2 a day off.
I'll get some pictures of this gnarley thing up on the net someday. Along with the pictures of Pirate Coat 1.0, Alex in Disneyland and all those pictures I keep promising.
Promise.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Paid!
I just paid for my next cruise to the Caribbean. 10 days in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Colon and Ocho Rios - Jamaica mon! And let's not forget the 4 days at sea which has its own kind of fun.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by putting so much effort into a costume. What if nobody else is dressed up? What if only the staff is dressed up and people start ordering drinks from me. Then, I Googled the newsgroups for "halloween" and "cruise". Oh yeah, I'm dressin' up.
The costume itself (i.e. not including the sewing machine, lessons, etc.) will reach the $300 mark pretty soon. The material alone is about $25 per yard. It's a deep rich red upholstery fabric - and looks fabulous!
I'm about 90% done with the fabric part of coat 1.0,a white cotton version of the final product. Still to do: sash, sword, bandolier, rings.
Pictures to come!
Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by putting so much effort into a costume. What if nobody else is dressed up? What if only the staff is dressed up and people start ordering drinks from me. Then, I Googled the newsgroups for "halloween" and "cruise". Oh yeah, I'm dressin' up.
The costume itself (i.e. not including the sewing machine, lessons, etc.) will reach the $300 mark pretty soon. The material alone is about $25 per yard. It's a deep rich red upholstery fabric - and looks fabulous!
I'm about 90% done with the fabric part of coat 1.0,a white cotton version of the final product. Still to do: sash, sword, bandolier, rings.
Pictures to come!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Best day of my life (part III)
O.K. now I'm really wondering why I started writing all this, but then I remember how good it feels to relive this day. Where was I? Oh yeah, dinner. Frog legs - eewwwww! On another night, they has escargot. I was tempted, but chickened out at the last minute when ordering (get it? chicken? o.k. so maybe that wasn't funny). Anywho, Michele got the escargot and I almost ate one of hers that she offered, but I just couldn't do it. Now, I have a bit of regret for having not tried. Not much though.
Anywho, the dinners aboard the Mercury were some of the best dining experiences I've yet had, and it was that good every night for 10 nights. The only very minor drawback was that it was usually SOMEBODYS birthday, and they insisted on singing to them. It wasn't quite as bad as Chili's or Chevy's, but it was a bit distracting.
After dinner, everyone (there were about 30 of us) would basically scatter to the four winds and do whatever. Actually, they probably all had plans to see the song & dance shows or gamble or something.
Me? I'd leave the restaurant, and by the second night, the host of the champagne bar would see me coming and pour my drink. I'd always have a glass of Napa Mumms after dinner, and he knew that after the first night.
I'd make some quiet time and walk the perimeter of the ship looking out into the ocean with the moon reflected in the waves. It was very calming and was the best of all possible ways to digest.
I headed back to my cabin where I washed up and got out of my tuxedo and into my dancing shoes. Around 9 o'clock, the dancing would start. I went straight to the Navigators club which was on the forward part of the ship. There was one aspect of the cruise that really gave me an edge here. The ratio of men to women was heavily in favor of more men, but about 90 of them were strapping young studly gay men, so needless to say, the women were lacking dance partners.
I had about 6 dance partners a night and could dance by myself without fear of stares if I felt like it. I showed up at the Navigator's Club and ordered a bottle of champagne with 7 glasses. That's not quite a full glass for everyone, but I don't recall ordering more than one bottle per night. Anywho, we'd dance and request songs and dance some more. It was like having our own private DJ because he'd spin anything we requested. We closed the nightclub as we did most nights after 2 am.
That would pretty much bring me to the end of the day too. It was very full and fun, and exhausting and relaxing and I'd do it all over again if given the chance. I know my next cruise won't be the same, but maybe it can be good too.
The End.
Anywho, the dinners aboard the Mercury were some of the best dining experiences I've yet had, and it was that good every night for 10 nights. The only very minor drawback was that it was usually SOMEBODYS birthday, and they insisted on singing to them. It wasn't quite as bad as Chili's or Chevy's, but it was a bit distracting.
After dinner, everyone (there were about 30 of us) would basically scatter to the four winds and do whatever. Actually, they probably all had plans to see the song & dance shows or gamble or something.
Me? I'd leave the restaurant, and by the second night, the host of the champagne bar would see me coming and pour my drink. I'd always have a glass of Napa Mumms after dinner, and he knew that after the first night.
I'd make some quiet time and walk the perimeter of the ship looking out into the ocean with the moon reflected in the waves. It was very calming and was the best of all possible ways to digest.
I headed back to my cabin where I washed up and got out of my tuxedo and into my dancing shoes. Around 9 o'clock, the dancing would start. I went straight to the Navigators club which was on the forward part of the ship. There was one aspect of the cruise that really gave me an edge here. The ratio of men to women was heavily in favor of more men, but about 90 of them were strapping young studly gay men, so needless to say, the women were lacking dance partners.
I had about 6 dance partners a night and could dance by myself without fear of stares if I felt like it. I showed up at the Navigator's Club and ordered a bottle of champagne with 7 glasses. That's not quite a full glass for everyone, but I don't recall ordering more than one bottle per night. Anywho, we'd dance and request songs and dance some more. It was like having our own private DJ because he'd spin anything we requested. We closed the nightclub as we did most nights after 2 am.
That would pretty much bring me to the end of the day too. It was very full and fun, and exhausting and relaxing and I'd do it all over again if given the chance. I know my next cruise won't be the same, but maybe it can be good too.
The End.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Best day of my life (Part II)
... Anyway, as soon as we pulled the anchor up, the festivities began. I've recently read a blog entry from someone who took the same excursion, but he didn't care for it very much. Not an exact quote, but she mentioned thae fact that he had a hard time being on a replica of a 14th Century ship which was pirated by 17th Century pirates - and on the wrong coast!
O.K. This guy had a serious broomstick-up-the-butt problem. Seriously, we pulled anchor and left the harbor and the Celebrity Mercury behind with background dance music. Once we were far from the harbor, the captain came on and made some "safety" announcement. Right afterwards, they started the "pirate show". O.K. I was thinking it was going to be pretty cheezy and corny (yum cheezy corn). The music started and all the ship hands started dancin' & singing. It was like they practiced for this. Like really practiced. They had some sword play, which is always cool. I had to admit, the show was much better than I thought it was going to be. I was very entertained.
Finally, we ended up in a "Blue Lagoon" type setting with lots of clear water and land in the distance. We all piled into another, smaller boat and went to the snorkeling area. We all had yet more "safety" announcements and we were off. I'd never snorkeled before and wasn't sure what to expect, so I got all my stuff together and fell backwards from the little boat like we were all shown. Instantly, I felt how warm the waters were. It was like a heated pool, only natural. I was floating with the aid of a life vest, so getting around was pretty easy. I casually put on my mask and snorkel and bowed my head into the water.
Zoinks!!! I was amazed! Where did all these colorful fish come from?! I immediately pulled my head up to see if everyone else could see what I was seeing - it was like a Jacques Cousteau film! Really! I don't have enough exclamation marks to do it justice! We swam for a while and the ship hands would occasionally dive deep and come up with a spiny thing or jelly fish (ouch) or other exotic creature from the not-so-deep. I really wished I had an underwater camera, but the images in my head will have to do until October (not sure if I'm going to get an underwater camera though - cha' ching!). I'd really like to go back to Marieta Island.
After snorkeling, we went back to the Pirate Ship Marigalante and set sail for Majahuitas beach for some beach time. I'd already gotten my money's worth with the food, drink (open bar - did I mention?), entertainment and snorkeling. We got there, and there was basically too much stuff to do! We were like the children in Gene Wilder's, Willie Wonka seeing the candy factory for the first time. I made a dash fo r the kayacks, but I soon realized that kayacking is 1) not that exciting and 2) a lot more work than you'd think. We got to shore and boarded the banana boat. I couldn't find a really good picture of one, but if you ever get the opportunity to ride one - GO! Oh, but it helps if the boat in front is piloted by a madman.
We all got thrown off the banana boat and almost drown because we were laughing so hard. I think we all made it though. Anywho, we got back to the beach and I was overcome by a Charlton Heston mood. I saw the long, stretching beach and a monolithic shape jetting out from the sand. I tried to fight it, but I just couldn't. I fell to my knees and shouted with my arms outstretched, "AH, YOU BLEW IT! YOU BLEW IT ALL UP!" People started to stare as I continued by pounding my fist on the wet sand just outside the reach of the current surf. "AH, DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!" Well, Dad knew what I was talking about, and for that, he thought it was pretty darned funny. Did I mention that they had a free open bar on the beach too?
So, having enough fun and sun to last a lifetime, we all piled back onto the Pirate ship where we were all treated to another pirate show. This one had the captains sister being kidnapped. The captain almost picked Kim to be his sister, but Kim, "didn't want to be his sister" (wink wink). Anywho, the second show was just as good as the first if not better because we were all loose and comfortable by now. Then, for the last hour or so of the cruise, we had games. "Dance until someone says margarita - then jump on someone's back", "tug-o-war" stuff like that. We pulled into the harbor and reports came later that we were quite loud with the music and laughing and dancing, etc. They could hear us from the 14th deck of the Mercury.
By this time, I have had one of the best days of my life and I was pooped. There's a picture of me with my jolly roger flag sitting on the stairs and you can see it in my expression. I'm smiling, but can't stand.
We went back to the room to change and we met at the pool area where the Jamaican band was playing. We sat in the hottub with drinks and watched the coastline begin to move into the background as the Mercury pulled from the harbor. O.K. this was definitely the best day of my life.
I can't recall if this was a formal night or a semi-formal night, but for the purposes of embellishment, I'll say it was. We all dressed up in tuxedos and little black evening dresses and made our way to early seating. By this time, I was just ordering the whole left hand side of the menu - this is the "The Chef Recommends" section. No thinking required. I had frog legs and it was wierd and wonderful and different and all the food was the best I'd ever had.
O.K. time for a break. I'll continue this someday... Still to come:
The champagne bar.
Some relaxing time alone
Dance till dawn - boogie oogie oogie.
Keep in mind that this is still one day's events. ;-)
O.K. This guy had a serious broomstick-up-the-butt problem. Seriously, we pulled anchor and left the harbor and the Celebrity Mercury behind with background dance music. Once we were far from the harbor, the captain came on and made some "safety" announcement. Right afterwards, they started the "pirate show". O.K. I was thinking it was going to be pretty cheezy and corny (yum cheezy corn). The music started and all the ship hands started dancin' & singing. It was like they practiced for this. Like really practiced. They had some sword play, which is always cool. I had to admit, the show was much better than I thought it was going to be. I was very entertained.
Finally, we ended up in a "Blue Lagoon" type setting with lots of clear water and land in the distance. We all piled into another, smaller boat and went to the snorkeling area. We all had yet more "safety" announcements and we were off. I'd never snorkeled before and wasn't sure what to expect, so I got all my stuff together and fell backwards from the little boat like we were all shown. Instantly, I felt how warm the waters were. It was like a heated pool, only natural. I was floating with the aid of a life vest, so getting around was pretty easy. I casually put on my mask and snorkel and bowed my head into the water.
Zoinks!!! I was amazed! Where did all these colorful fish come from?! I immediately pulled my head up to see if everyone else could see what I was seeing - it was like a Jacques Cousteau film! Really! I don't have enough exclamation marks to do it justice! We swam for a while and the ship hands would occasionally dive deep and come up with a spiny thing or jelly fish (ouch) or other exotic creature from the not-so-deep. I really wished I had an underwater camera, but the images in my head will have to do until October (not sure if I'm going to get an underwater camera though - cha' ching!). I'd really like to go back to Marieta Island.
After snorkeling, we went back to the Pirate Ship Marigalante and set sail for Majahuitas beach for some beach time. I'd already gotten my money's worth with the food, drink (open bar - did I mention?), entertainment and snorkeling. We got there, and there was basically too much stuff to do! We were like the children in Gene Wilder's, Willie Wonka seeing the candy factory for the first time. I made a dash fo r the kayacks, but I soon realized that kayacking is 1) not that exciting and 2) a lot more work than you'd think. We got to shore and boarded the banana boat. I couldn't find a really good picture of one, but if you ever get the opportunity to ride one - GO! Oh, but it helps if the boat in front is piloted by a madman.
We all got thrown off the banana boat and almost drown because we were laughing so hard. I think we all made it though. Anywho, we got back to the beach and I was overcome by a Charlton Heston mood. I saw the long, stretching beach and a monolithic shape jetting out from the sand. I tried to fight it, but I just couldn't. I fell to my knees and shouted with my arms outstretched, "AH, YOU BLEW IT! YOU BLEW IT ALL UP!" People started to stare as I continued by pounding my fist on the wet sand just outside the reach of the current surf. "AH, DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!" Well, Dad knew what I was talking about, and for that, he thought it was pretty darned funny. Did I mention that they had a free open bar on the beach too?
So, having enough fun and sun to last a lifetime, we all piled back onto the Pirate ship where we were all treated to another pirate show. This one had the captains sister being kidnapped. The captain almost picked Kim to be his sister, but Kim, "didn't want to be his sister" (wink wink). Anywho, the second show was just as good as the first if not better because we were all loose and comfortable by now. Then, for the last hour or so of the cruise, we had games. "Dance until someone says margarita - then jump on someone's back", "tug-o-war" stuff like that. We pulled into the harbor and reports came later that we were quite loud with the music and laughing and dancing, etc. They could hear us from the 14th deck of the Mercury.
By this time, I have had one of the best days of my life and I was pooped. There's a picture of me with my jolly roger flag sitting on the stairs and you can see it in my expression. I'm smiling, but can't stand.
We went back to the room to change and we met at the pool area where the Jamaican band was playing. We sat in the hottub with drinks and watched the coastline begin to move into the background as the Mercury pulled from the harbor. O.K. this was definitely the best day of my life.
I can't recall if this was a formal night or a semi-formal night, but for the purposes of embellishment, I'll say it was. We all dressed up in tuxedos and little black evening dresses and made our way to early seating. By this time, I was just ordering the whole left hand side of the menu - this is the "The Chef Recommends" section. No thinking required. I had frog legs and it was wierd and wonderful and different and all the food was the best I'd ever had.
O.K. time for a break. I'll continue this someday... Still to come:
Keep in mind that this is still one day's events. ;-)
Friday, August 05, 2005
SWM 38 seeks SWF 30-38 4 LTR (Must Love Dogs)
So, I'm starting to decide that 2006 will be my year for meeting new people. Why not 2005? Simple, too dang busy. (see: busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest) Speaking of busy, this is where you come in. I'm asking everyone who reads this (and knows me) to write my personals ad. I may or may not do this, so I may or may not use your ad. I also may or may not takes bits and pieces from several ads and glue them together.
I started writing my own, but quickly over analyzed the whole darn thing. If I say I'm neat, will they think I'm a neat-freak? If I say I'm not a neat-freak, will I meet slobs? Basically, writer's block.
Anywho, if you decide to write one, you aren't responsible for writing the whole thing. Just let me know what I should include - and how to word it. My normal inclination is just a bulleted list of features, like I'm giving a PowerPoint presentation. I don't think that'll fly with personals.
Anywho, also let me know if this is totally whacked and stupid. ;-)
Post your comments now:
I started writing my own, but quickly over analyzed the whole darn thing. If I say I'm neat, will they think I'm a neat-freak? If I say I'm not a neat-freak, will I meet slobs? Basically, writer's block.
Anywho, if you decide to write one, you aren't responsible for writing the whole thing. Just let me know what I should include - and how to word it. My normal inclination is just a bulleted list of features, like I'm giving a PowerPoint presentation. I don't think that'll fly with personals.
Anywho, also let me know if this is totally whacked and stupid. ;-)
Post your comments now:
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Johnny The Amazing One Legged Man!
Hi ya'll,
Life's too busy for me to post. Just wanted to drop a line to say howdy and I'll post more stuff about how things are going when I get a chance to breath. Like I said all first quarter, "I'm busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest".
At least I know what excursions I want to go on and my pirate costume is coming along. More to come.
Life's too busy for me to post. Just wanted to drop a line to say howdy and I'll post more stuff about how things are going when I get a chance to breath. Like I said all first quarter, "I'm busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest".
At least I know what excursions I want to go on and my pirate costume is coming along. More to come.
Freaky Geek
So, I'm in this meeting yesterday and we started talking about different people doing different things on the project. Some action items could be done in parallel - others had to be done in serial.
It got me thinking...We call them serial killers, but we don't call the other kind parallel killers. I Googled "parallel killer" and did find a few references to the phrase-word.
I looked for the term on Wikipedia.org, and noticed that nobody had yet put in a definition. So, I made my contribution to techno-geekhood.
It got me thinking...We call them serial killers, but we don't call the other kind parallel killers. I Googled "parallel killer" and did find a few references to the phrase-word.
I looked for the term on Wikipedia.org, and noticed that nobody had yet put in a definition. So, I made my contribution to techno-geekhood.
