I quit my job today. I don't have any plans - but when it's time, there's no sense arguing.
- Z
Zobar's Journal
My Podcast Link
03/03/2008 13:48 #43539
let's go exploringCategory: work
(e:dragonlady7) says she thinks time should be a boolean. Either it's time, or it's not time. When people ask what time it is, nobody cares what the numbers are; they only want to know if it's time or not.
I quit my job today. I don't have any plans - but when it's time, there's no sense arguing.
- Z
I quit my job today. I don't have any plans - but when it's time, there's no sense arguing.
- Z
02/28/2008 20:48 #43502
don't lean on me man...Category: drugs
...'cause you can't afford the ticket.
This shit is messed up, yo! I went to Wegs to pick up some stuff for my poor sick honey ...Sudafed? Used to be like $15 for a tiny box, wicked medicine-head but it works real well? I guess if you take like an enormous pile of it and mix it up with some cat piss you get crystal meth. And in this post-9/11 world we just can't afford to have people eating Sudafed with a cat-piss chaser.
I went to Wegmans and saw this stuff called Sudafed PE. It has the same name and it costs just as much except it doesn't do anything. [I've tried.] I did not see the good stuff. Then I saw this rack of little cards that you're supposed to bring up to the counter, like at a video store. Sure I'll play along.
'Can I help who's next?'
Went up to the counter. Kid was still clicking around in his computer-box. 'Yeah I'd like to buy a box of crystal meth.'
'Sure, I'll be right ... wait, what did you say?' The girl next to him was giggling. I gave him the tag. 'The generic stuff OK?'
'No, he wants the name-brand meth. Ninety-seven octane.' Pharmacist humor, I guess.
'Lemme get the book.' There's a book! You give the little shit your driver's license and write down your name in a book! What the fuck is that?! Now my name is in a secret government database of extremely small meth labs and people with stuffy noses. The kid rolled his eyes; I'm sure he's heard it all before.
'If you think this is bad,' I said, 'there's a dude over in Albany, and his entire job is to type these into a big stupid database.'
'Whatever. That'll be $2.25.' $2.25! I think the loss of privacy is worth the $12.75 a box, don't you?
---
I don't really know who started this rumor going around work now that I'm quitting. It would be unprofessional to get into it but it certainly does seem that my chances of remaining employed through next week have taken a sudden, unexpected, and precipitous nosedive over the past few days. Anybody hiring? Will work for food.
- Z
This shit is messed up, yo! I went to Wegs to pick up some stuff for my poor sick honey ...Sudafed? Used to be like $15 for a tiny box, wicked medicine-head but it works real well? I guess if you take like an enormous pile of it and mix it up with some cat piss you get crystal meth. And in this post-9/11 world we just can't afford to have people eating Sudafed with a cat-piss chaser.
I went to Wegmans and saw this stuff called Sudafed PE. It has the same name and it costs just as much except it doesn't do anything. [I've tried.] I did not see the good stuff. Then I saw this rack of little cards that you're supposed to bring up to the counter, like at a video store. Sure I'll play along.
'Can I help who's next?'
Went up to the counter. Kid was still clicking around in his computer-box. 'Yeah I'd like to buy a box of crystal meth.'
'Sure, I'll be right ... wait, what did you say?' The girl next to him was giggling. I gave him the tag. 'The generic stuff OK?'
'No, he wants the name-brand meth. Ninety-seven octane.' Pharmacist humor, I guess.
'Lemme get the book.' There's a book! You give the little shit your driver's license and write down your name in a book! What the fuck is that?! Now my name is in a secret government database of extremely small meth labs and people with stuffy noses. The kid rolled his eyes; I'm sure he's heard it all before.
'If you think this is bad,' I said, 'there's a dude over in Albany, and his entire job is to type these into a big stupid database.'
'Whatever. That'll be $2.25.' $2.25! I think the loss of privacy is worth the $12.75 a box, don't you?
---
I don't really know who started this rumor going around work now that I'm quitting. It would be unprofessional to get into it but it certainly does seem that my chances of remaining employed through next week have taken a sudden, unexpected, and precipitous nosedive over the past few days. Anybody hiring? Will work for food.
- Z
tiburon1724 - 03/03/08 22:56
yeah it's a lot of fun. At my store we actually scan the ID and it immediately checks to see if you've purchased over the allowed 4.6 grams that day. If so, you're denied. If not, you have to sign that you agree not to use it to make meth!
yeah it's a lot of fun. At my store we actually scan the ID and it immediately checks to see if you've purchased over the allowed 4.6 grams that day. If so, you're denied. If not, you have to sign that you agree not to use it to make meth!
fellyconnelly - 02/29/08 08:34
mmmm cat piss!
mmmm cat piss!
jason - 02/29/08 08:15
Ad Hoc beer requisition?? Wore a pink bunny suit?? Hahahaha. Well done, sir.
Ad Hoc beer requisition?? Wore a pink bunny suit?? Hahahaha. Well done, sir.
02/21/2008 14:18 #43416
fascinating!Category: dead people
You ever notice how cemeteries never seem to fill up? People die all the damn time, but there's always huge amounts of empty space in cemeteries. So I asked.
On the one hand, it's a little weird that they refer to their customers as 'permanent residents,' but on the other hand I kind of dig it. So if they average about 1,000 new permanent residents every year, the total capacity for their 269 acres is around 200,000. That means they average about 60 sq ft per person, which is a lot more than I was expecting. [Much of that is landscaping and roads, but still.] So Forest Lawn is filling up at the rate of 160 sq ft per day, which is 10'x16' - kind of a lot, but not really noticeable when there's 60 acres to spare.
My name is Dave, and I am a weirdo who emails people to ask them stupid questions about their jobs.
- Z
From: (e:zobar)
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:22 AM
To: flc@forest-lawn.com
Subject: Where does everybody go?
I think this is weird: people are dying all the time, but cemeteries never seem to get any fuller. Forest Lawn has been around for over 150 years, but there's still some pretty large sections that are totally empty. I know these are kind of weird questions, but: Where do you put everybody? About how long do you estimate before Forest Lawn is full? And then what?
curiously,
- Z
From: Betty Boyd
Date: Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Subject: FW: Where does everybody go?
To: (e:zobar)
Thank you very much for your interest in our Forest Lawn cemetery.
Currently we have 155,069 permanent residents buried here at Forest Lawn. We estimate to have burial space for at least 50 years or more.
Each of our full size graves allow for one casket burial and one cremated body burial, or two cremated body burials.
We also have available above ground burial space in our mausoleums. (this also conserves land space).
Forest Lawn was the first cemetery in our area to build a community mausoleum, and we are very proud of that. Our newest mausoleum is Serenity. We have crypts for caskets and niches for cremated bodies available.
We are always looking out for our future needs.
When anything is sold here, burial space, grave stone markers, benches, urns, crypts niches and the, a portion of the purchase price includes monies that have to be transferred to our permanent maintenance fund. We are regulated by the NYS division of cemeteries, and we must make this transfer. This will allow for the long term maintenance of the grounds and our facilities.
When we have no room left for burial space, we will then be somewhat like a museum. Folks will always have this beautiful park like place called Forest Lawn to visit, share memories, enjoy the nature, the art pieces and monuments left as legacy to be remembered by.
If you have any other questions, contact me anytime.
Have a good day.
Betty Boyd
Your Representative
Forest Lawn Cemeteries
1411 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-885-1600
On the one hand, it's a little weird that they refer to their customers as 'permanent residents,' but on the other hand I kind of dig it. So if they average about 1,000 new permanent residents every year, the total capacity for their 269 acres is around 200,000. That means they average about 60 sq ft per person, which is a lot more than I was expecting. [Much of that is landscaping and roads, but still.] So Forest Lawn is filling up at the rate of 160 sq ft per day, which is 10'x16' - kind of a lot, but not really noticeable when there's 60 acres to spare.
My name is Dave, and I am a weirdo who emails people to ask them stupid questions about their jobs.
- Z
fellyconnelly - 02/22/08 09:51
good question and a great job searching for the answers!
good question and a great job searching for the answers!
drew - 02/21/08 17:47
I think given the number of people who have died on this planet, we are already vulnerable to zombie attack. That's why zombies are so scary.
I think given the number of people who have died on this planet, we are already vulnerable to zombie attack. That's why zombies are so scary.
carolinian - 02/21/08 17:40
150,000+ is more than half the population of Buffalo. If more people leave, there will eventually be more dead people in buffalo than living. And then we'll all be vulnerable to zombie attack.
150,000+ is more than half the population of Buffalo. If more people leave, there will eventually be more dead people in buffalo than living. And then we'll all be vulnerable to zombie attack.
jenks - 02/21/08 17:20
wow, apparently I have a lot to say on this topic, but I'll try to make this my last comment.
In italy (and probably elsewhere) where there are a lot of catholics and not a lot of holy ground to use for cemetary space, apparently when you buy a plot, you only get it for 10 years or something like that. After ten years they dig you up, and put your bones in a smaller box, and re-bury them in a smaller spot. Then re-use your original grave.
How efficient!
wow, apparently I have a lot to say on this topic, but I'll try to make this my last comment.
In italy (and probably elsewhere) where there are a lot of catholics and not a lot of holy ground to use for cemetary space, apparently when you buy a plot, you only get it for 10 years or something like that. After ten years they dig you up, and put your bones in a smaller box, and re-bury them in a smaller spot. Then re-use your original grave.
How efficient!
jenks - 02/21/08 17:17
I've had a few people ask for their parts back. Or at least to see them. We can show them, but we're not allowed (by law) to give them back. I think it's an infection control issue. But I guess they USED to give people their gallstones back all the time, and grossly enough, it was not all that uncommon for people to make them into jewelry. Mmmmmm. Gallstone earrings. That's some style right there.
I've had a few people ask for their parts back. Or at least to see them. We can show them, but we're not allowed (by law) to give them back. I think it's an infection control issue. But I guess they USED to give people their gallstones back all the time, and grossly enough, it was not all that uncommon for people to make them into jewelry. Mmmmmm. Gallstone earrings. That's some style right there.
zobar - 02/21/08 16:05
That's me in a nutshell - tackling the important issues facing Buffalo every day.
I've always thought that whenever they remove one of your body parts they should give it back to you. I mean, it totally belongs to you but they don't even ask you before they throw it in a garbage bag full of human organs and mail it to the dog food factory. But it was sort of a half-baked idea because I don't know what you'd do with your former organs. Now I do: put them in the pile with all your other dead body parts. Makes sense to me.
- Z
That's me in a nutshell - tackling the important issues facing Buffalo every day.
I've always thought that whenever they remove one of your body parts they should give it back to you. I mean, it totally belongs to you but they don't even ask you before they throw it in a garbage bag full of human organs and mail it to the dog food factory. But it was sort of a half-baked idea because I don't know what you'd do with your former organs. Now I do: put them in the pile with all your other dead body parts. Makes sense to me.
- Z
jbeatty - 02/21/08 15:40
I wonder how many temporary residents they have???
I wonder how many temporary residents they have???
ladycroft - 02/21/08 15:20
You know, I had the same thought every single day I peddled my bike through there on my way to work/school. Now I know! Thanks for investigating.
You know, I had the same thought every single day I peddled my bike through there on my way to work/school. Now I know! Thanks for investigating.
jenks - 02/21/08 15:05
I love that place. And I'm not a goth-y, "cemetary person". But have you noticed that, just like in the real world, there are the nice "neighborhoods" and the less-nice ones? I wonder if you pay more to be by the pond, vs next to the road, etc.
And a total hijack- a guy at work was saying we spend so much on our burial plots, and worry about where they are, etc-- he thinks we should use them MORE. And he suggests than any time you "lose" a body part (a tooth, your appendix, a tumor, etc) you should bury it in your grave. So you can go visit your grave and enjoy the precious view you paid for, while you're alive. And then when you die, just put the rest in there. A reunion of sorts. I think I kind of like the idea.
I love that place. And I'm not a goth-y, "cemetary person". But have you noticed that, just like in the real world, there are the nice "neighborhoods" and the less-nice ones? I wonder if you pay more to be by the pond, vs next to the road, etc.
And a total hijack- a guy at work was saying we spend so much on our burial plots, and worry about where they are, etc-- he thinks we should use them MORE. And he suggests than any time you "lose" a body part (a tooth, your appendix, a tumor, etc) you should bury it in your grave. So you can go visit your grave and enjoy the precious view you paid for, while you're alive. And then when you die, just put the rest in there. A reunion of sorts. I think I kind of like the idea.
02/20/2008 23:45 #43412
old business/new businessCategory: redux
Old business:
(e:zobar,42527) Taylor pork rolls are available at Wegman's/Niagara Falls Blvd for $6.19/lb. In New Jersey you could buy four slices at a time if you wanted to [which is just about all I could eat, like, in my entire life] but up here this is the only size you can get. They look pretty gross but thin-sliced and pan-fried they're actually pretty decent.
(e:zobar,42927) 'Unintelligible' = Antony and the Johnsons. What the fuck is this?
New Business:
I've got a yeasty ecosystem on top of my fridge and it's freaking me out! Somebody at work gave me Herman - she didn't want to throw him out because he's sort of alive. I've heard he makes good coffeecake and waffles. But by Sunday I'll have some offspring that I also don't want to throw out - anybody want some?
- Z
(e:zobar,42527) Taylor pork rolls are available at Wegman's/Niagara Falls Blvd for $6.19/lb. In New Jersey you could buy four slices at a time if you wanted to [which is just about all I could eat, like, in my entire life] but up here this is the only size you can get. They look pretty gross but thin-sliced and pan-fried they're actually pretty decent.
(e:zobar,42927) 'Unintelligible' = Antony and the Johnsons.
What the fuck is this?New Business:
I've got a yeasty ecosystem on top of my fridge and it's freaking me out! Somebody at work gave me Herman
- she didn't want to throw him out because he's sort of alive. I've heard he makes good coffeecake and waffles. But by Sunday I'll have some offspring that I also don't want to throw out - anybody want some?- Z
02/16/2008 17:38 #43364
dave don't eat it!Category: food
Thursday night we were invited over to a coworker's house for a cocktail party and had a wonderful time. Sitting on the table among all their decadent homemade desserts was a bowl of Russian chocolates, sticking out like Roger Moore at a Sean Connery convention. Forget the chocolate-raspberry torte, I'm going straight for the 'Krasnyj Oktyabr.' Perhaps some day I should learn Russian, as that would have raised a bright red flag. Rule for living: confectioners should not be named after Communist revolutions, and Red October is no exception. The only word on any of the wrappers I could puzzle out was 'Konfety,' but I guess it actually means 'candy.' Go figure. Here's their full catalog, if you're interested .
Alenka
OK, he didn't have any of these but I really dig the illustration. You get an idea of the challenges here: there's no possible way of knowing what's inside based solely on the wrapper. 'Alenka,' by the way, is a character in an obscure Cossack myth which translates best as 'hell-baby.' Beats me why you'd name a candy after that.
Zolotoe sufle apelsinovoe
'The Golden Orange Souffle'
This was an unusually informative wrapper, as was the one with a big pineapple on it. Considering that the places where you find oranges and pineapples growing are pretty much the opposite of Moscow, even I didn't have enough faith in the Russian science program to reproduce their flavor. Next!
Rakobye shejki
Thank you, Google Language Tools - you bring me more joy than you could ever possibly imagine.
Korovka
'Little Cow'
We all agreed this one was definitely not chocolate. Somebody said, 'maybe it's like a Bit-O-Honey.' Sure, or maybe it's like granulated Bit-O-Honey with a strong margarine aftertaste. Funny, I never felt that was missing from the original.
Krasnaya shapochka
'Red Cap'
You know how a little while ago they started making biodegradable packing peanuts out of soy? They don't really taste like much, and it turns out that melting a Swiss Cake Roll over them doesn't really improve the situation.
Bolshebnaya flejta
'Magic Flute'
This was the only one I couldn't finish. I'll cut the suspense: it is chocolate filled with sweetened wet sand. I said as much, and although I couldn't see this being in any way compelling, (e:dragonlady7) wanted a bite. I don't know if she didn't believe me or what. Then the host came by and asked what it tasted like. 'Wet sand,' we said. He took another piece from the bowl, bit into it and exclaimed, 'that's astonishing!' [but not in a good way]. He theorized that in the depths of a very long, very dark St Petersburg winter, perhaps this might remind you of that vacation you took on the Crimean, when you got sand in your teeth. Maybe that's a pleasant memory for you, and maybe this candy is all you need to take you back to that special time. I sure hope so, because otherwise this is some really ill shit.
- Z
is no exception. The only word on any of the wrappers I could puzzle out was 'Konfety,' but I guess it actually means 'candy.' Go figure. Here's their full catalog, if you're interested .Alenka
OK, he didn't have any of these but I really dig the illustration. You get an idea of the challenges here: there's no possible way of knowing what's inside based solely on the wrapper. 'Alenka,' by the way, is a character in an obscure Cossack myth which translates best as 'hell-baby.' Beats me why you'd name a candy after that.
Zolotoe sufle apelsinovoe
'The Golden Orange Souffle'
This was an unusually informative wrapper, as was the one with a big pineapple on it. Considering that the places where you find oranges and pineapples growing are pretty much the opposite of Moscow, even I didn't have enough faith in the Russian science program to reproduce their flavor. Next!
Rakobye shejki
Thank you, Google Language Tools
- you bring me more joy than you could ever possibly imagine.Korovka
'Little Cow'
We all agreed this one was definitely not chocolate. Somebody said, 'maybe it's like a Bit-O-Honey.' Sure, or maybe it's like granulated Bit-O-Honey with a strong margarine aftertaste. Funny, I never felt that was missing from the original.
Krasnaya shapochka
'Red Cap'
You know how a little while ago they started making biodegradable packing peanuts out of soy? They don't really taste like much, and it turns out that melting a Swiss Cake Roll over them doesn't really improve the situation.
Bolshebnaya flejta
'Magic Flute'
This was the only one I couldn't finish. I'll cut the suspense: it is chocolate filled with sweetened wet sand. I said as much, and although I couldn't see this being in any way compelling, (e:dragonlady7) wanted a bite. I don't know if she didn't believe me or what. Then the host came by and asked what it tasted like. 'Wet sand,' we said. He took another piece from the bowl, bit into it and exclaimed, 'that's astonishing!' [but not in a good way]. He theorized that in the depths of a very long, very dark St Petersburg winter, perhaps this might remind you of that vacation you took on the Crimean, when you got sand in your teeth. Maybe that's a pleasant memory for you, and maybe this candy is all you need to take you back to that special time. I sure hope so, because otherwise this is some really ill shit.
- Z
I somehow missed this post of yours until i saw (e:Theecarey)'s comment today. How could i have missed it? I guess time got away from me?
Good luck and happy exploring!
very cool. Now the freedom and energy to explore and figure out what you want to do next. Enjoy and take "your time".
Best of luck to you, Z. Get that dolla!
Dude: dude, this is an awesome thing.
Quitting ( or losing) a job can remind you that you are an a live thing that can be a hunter/gatherer of the best figurative small game and berries life has to offer.
I just saw your journal after writing you that email. I guess congratulations in a way on changing your life. I know as soon as I got out of the last job that was bringing me down, everything changed. I am a much happier/everythingier person now than I was at Canisius.
congratulations!
I am constantly preoccupied by time, but not by numbers. I just always want to know-- is it time? Y/N
It was time, dude. I understand.
Ush says no worries on the wedding, and we can come visit anytime we like-- it's not a fancy wedding, she's just been ordering food by the kilo. She needs a final answer two days before so she knows how many tables to get.
But I told her you were really really eager not to miss the lesbian shotgun wedding, as you don't get invited to those very much.
That's why the Greeks had two different words for time. Whatever the chronos is, the kairos was right.
Enjoy your exploration, and keep us updated!
did i miss something, or did you not write about it? why'd you quit? did something bad happen?
good luck...
You mean all these years the cheesy band Chicago was right about time? Whoda thunk it. Sorry about the Artvoiceness. Here's hoping whatever is next is better than what it replaces.