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Mrmike's Journal

mrmike
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09/16/2007 22:13 #41140

Things that make me go hmmmm
Category: random
Why do many drivers feel the need to get just enough of a head start on the left turns, ostensibly blocking traffic? The two to three seconds they save is absorbed in the inevitable bird exchange.

You ever get a dirty look from somebody making a left turn because your car had the nerve to be in the space they wanted to occupy during their turn?

Can the Bills be as bad as they looked today? Hell, yes, but it was nice to watch some football at the rents house while doing laundry, and having a healthy plate of Mom's pasta. Clean undies and somebody else's homecooking sort of gives the upcoming week a clean slate.

Watching the Emmys while I type this and Lewis Black may be the best part of the whole thing.

Gonna be an interesting week. Darling middle child who can simulataneously intrigues and scares me loses the braces tomorrow. I, being the smarty pants that I am, am going to present her with a tub of carmel corn to make up for lost time. Got the zoo, part 3 on Wednesday(which cannot get here fast enough thanks) and an email from TW reveals another department is interested in me. Trying not to get overpumped for the Wednesday appointment but part of my fevered lil brain wants to place greater significance on the fact that my meeting is being conducted by the person overseeing Business Administration and HR. We all know that the world is run by HR, ya know. Thanks for the positive wishes so far. Updates as events warrant.

The family that sneezes together stays together I guess. Number one son, his Mom and I were seated at the UU church today with a friend. The friend's perfume was a little "old lady" dated. My eyes watered a little. My ex sneezed so on reflex, I handed her my kleenex stash and on cue, Number one son started sniffing. More comical in the experience than in the retelling, but I take my mirth where I can find it.

In watching the Bills game today, the Steelers were wearing their old throwback jerseys from the 40s to commemorate an anniversary. I thought my dad's tv was off for a second when the Steelers came out in these burgandy brownish jerseys with the mustard yellow logos. I thought the Bills were playing the Vancouver Canucks with such craptastic colors. You really got to be a fan to go for some of those offerings. Guess it isn't me as a casual fan, who's three fantasy teams are already stumblin.

Another work week is almost here, peeps, watch out

09/13/2007 15:17 #41079

Round 3
Category: potpourri
Zoo just called. I've made it to the next round. Might have to bust out the Paisley Mickey Mouse tie.

Gonna go home and listen to "Animals" by Pink Floyd and maybe watch the real Dr. Doolittle.
metalpeter - 09/13/07 19:54
That is good news, and I wish you luck.
ladycroft - 09/13/07 18:08
yay!
james - 09/13/07 16:18
I always direct fans of Pink Floyd to the following:

Syd Barret's solo work: self explanatory

The Soft Machine: along with Pink Floyd they made psychedelic prog-rock more than just a little quirky phase. A little more avant-gaurde than Floyd, but the structure of the songs should please.

Robert Wyatt: Former front man/drummer for Soft Machine. His solo work is amazing. He does production for Bjork and guest appears on dozens of albums in addition to putting out albums regularly. "Shleep" and "Rock Bottom" are some of his best. He is also a beard enthusiast.

and congrats on making it to the next round.
jason - 09/13/07 15:39
Oh man, I loooooove Animals. Great album.

09/11/2007 12:40 #41049

Cars can Suck
Category: random
Cars can truly fuck with you. I'd been tending to mine to keep up with its various ailments, but it fooled me. I was driving home last night on the 290 and noticed a smell. No big deal really because the neighborhood by the big blue water tour does have a bit of a fume about it. As I made the turn onto the 33, I noticed my radiator gauge. It was redlining like an over modulated stereo. In a word, Fuck! I pulled over on the 33 (good times, there) and waited for a bit. Radiator didn't blow, but I think it was getting ready to. After about 20 minutes of sheer nerve wracking bliss, I got some coolant out of my trunk and refilled the radiator. Thanksfully it didn't pee all over the road, so I think the radiator might be salvagable.

Anyway, I get back into the car and turn the key. Nothing, nothing turns over, nothing happens (except for the sinking of my morale). With a feeling of dread, it's starting to get dark so I take the plunge and call Triple A and my Dad. Triple A actually asks if I'll be with the car. No place else to go. Customer service at Triple A wants to know if there is a milage marker. There is one right outside the window, with absolutely nothing on it. I tell her the only thing useable is the Harlem Rd exit sign is a few hundred feet away. Tow shows up and wouldn't you know it, the car starts right up. I forgot that it has a few sensors to totally keep it from imploding. Runs like a champ, but considering it nearly fried itself, I don't trust it. He tows it out to the garage in Clarence where Dad is waiting.

The folks are using their cache with the garage guy for mercy since my guy on Hertel (Hertelstrip.org?) doesn't have any overnight space. A beer and a couple of burgers at the folks house and I'm in their camry on my way back to the city, arriving at my door 3 hours later than usual.

Argh!

As much as it sucks, I can only imagine how much worse it would have been if the car decided to have this fit while I was driving back from work at the Bills game. Given the traffic, the tow truck could have seen me, but never would have connected with me. A pain in the shorts to be sure. Kills any new computer aspirations that I may have had.

Cars can suck.
lizabeth - 09/11/07 17:23
Ohh, man, I hear you on the car thing. I am b.r.o.k.e. after having to get some work done on mine recently... hope yours sorts itself out without needing anything major.

09/10/2007 12:48 #41033

Attending Football makes folks strange
Category: potpourri
There is something bizarre about the atmosphere at Bills games akin to Lord of the Flies. There is a strange willingness among people to part with $6.50 for a papercup full of semi-cold Labatt's. It's enough to make this working stiff look forward to the second half when the beer stops.

Rain was nicely intermittent until the precise moment I got to clock out and walk to my car. White, wet t-shirts are not a good look for me. Anyway, during the game I got to break up a spat between two guys basically giving each other the finger from a few rows away, two guys way too old enough to now better. One drunken sot stomped passed me dozens of times during the day, only to go off on a rant at the end of the game. Both the sheriff's deputy and I told him, if you had an issue, probably would have been better to speak up when the trouble was happening, but whatever....

Interesting hush over the stadium when the Bills' Kevin Everett had his accident. The stadium scoreboard showed non-descript ads and about 2/3s of the stadium couldn't tell anything except that it was it was something bad, confirmed when the ambulance drove on to the field. Never saw 80,000 people hush like that. Once the ambulance left the field, it was surreal as eventually it turned back into a football game again.

Busted a few folks who smuggled beer in and eventually had to remind myself why I do this again. Then I remembered, had to buy a 90.00 graphic calculator for my lovely middle child's algebra studies as well as a few dollars more toward my high schoolers wants/needs. After swimming to my car, I was thankful for the fact that I prograstinate. My beach bag was sitting in the trunk complete with a sorely needed towel. Driving home, I was reminded that my omelette at Spot was a long time ago, so I left the cooking to Mr. Pizza -- always a wise choice.

Got tickets for Springsteen in Toronto so that capped the weekend appropriately.
metalpeter - 09/10/07 19:09
I Hope you have fun at the concert, I don't know if it is at the ACC or at Rogercenter but for the bluejays games Beer in the stands was $9.00 so if you are going to drink you may want to do it before the concert but I can't speak on the ACC's prices.

09/08/2007 10:51 #41001

The Week That Was...
Category: work
Interviewed (as some of you know) for a gig with the Buffalo Zoo doing marketing & p.r. and Web design and other stuff (Basically all the cool things I used to get do for Adelphia). I like to think it went well. My interviewer was very cool, the type you can see yourself working for pretty easily. It's a nice environment and I hope it comes to pass. I like my chances.

It had an ominious beginning. When else do you have to really dress up except when it's going to be 90 outside. I could foresee the flop sweat attack Wednesday night. The change to the hot weather brought on a sinus headache of epic proportions so I didn't write much down. All that was sticking in my brain was some banter from (e:jenks) and (e:imk2) about the power of guys in good suits. Felt like hell but got this far.

image

I didn't put the jacket on till I got to the security extrance. Anyway, the session itself went well. There is something to be said for just winging it and going with your gut. Trouble is most times my guts have shit for brains. But, I'm optimistic. And if I get further, I'm sure I'd drop cable in a heartbeat. So, consider this an official request for continued good vibes. I think the yellow submarine tie should put me in the right place. It would be nice to be 9 to 5 ish again. The 11 to 7 I currently works stinks to high heaven, but it did put me in the right place to get soaked watching Elvis Costello last night.

Off to finish buying school supplies. Enjoy the cooler day, peeps



lizabeth - 09/11/07 02:26
"Trouble is most times my guts have shit for brains." - you, sir, are brilliant.

And I do hope the zoo thing works out for you!
tinypliny - 09/09/07 14:49
\m/ All the very very best!! \m/
jbeatty - 09/08/07 15:01
Good luck!
mike - 09/08/07 13:30
good luck! They'd be lucky to have you!
libertad - 09/08/07 13:25
Good luck mrmike. Not that you need it im sure.
theecarey - 09/08/07 12:32

Your enthusiasm and that tie should nail you the gig.

  • sending crazy good vibes*
museumchick - 09/08/07 11:52
I really like that tie!

I hope you'll get the job.

leetee - 09/08/07 11:29
Consider the vibes sent. :)

Thanks for your assistance on our cable issue the other day. Hope to be able to bug you about zoo issues in the future...