April 2005 Archives

   Sometimes I just have so much stuff going on in my head I just can't seem to sort it out. A board member was commenting about a post I made on an organizational bulletin board - I guess it was kinda "stream of conciousness." I called it a brain dump. It's like my head is a big ol' rock tumbler. All these things are bouncing around in there. If I leave my thoughts in there for awhile they come out pretty decent. But if you leave them in there too long, all the gems turn into a bunch of tiny rocks.

   It's tough to get to bed at a reasonable time when you've been getting home from work at 6am every day for the past week. I can't sleep and my eating habits are way out of whack. So I ate lunch at 11pm and spent the night drawing scale plans for a shed that we're planning to build. Now I have to figure out if I'm going to bed when I have to get up at 10am, or just stay up until I go to bed tonight. And I'm too tired to make decisions... Maybe I should look at those plans again later too.

"Times have changed, and we are no longer really teaching our children. We want our people to realize that support is in existence for a man and woman." - quote from Harriet Becenti regarding the Navajo Nation outlawing same sex unions

   When I read that I think about how ridiculous it sounds. Is it just me? There is support for a man and a woman? Well, geez, I didn't know that considering it's everywhere in society! I mean, I saw all these catalogs for gay couples, and saw all those shows portraying lesbian couples, and then even saw a gay sponge. I was so confused. Thank god now we're going to really teach our youngsters. While we're at it how about we talk about things like respect and diversity. Because that's a message that's just everywhere...

(source: Navajo Nation outlaws same-sex marriage)

   I saw some news stories that reported the Vatican denounced the Spanish government's sanction of gay marriage as "iniquitous." I think the Spanish government should respond by issuing a press release condemning the Catholic Church for its denial of basic human rights and its iniquitous attack on the dignity of LGBT people across the globe. Wouldn't that be somewhat fitting?
(source: Pope condemns Spain's gay marriage bill)

   So Microsoft is just as fickle as anyone would have thought. I'm not angry right now about the gay rights stuff. I'm pissed because Microsoft makes things as difficult as possible when they should be simple. For instance, I just went to install different skins onto Media Player for PPC. I went to their website to find out how, and it told me to see the help in the software to find out how. So I went there, and the help file told me to go to the website to find out how. How about I just wiggle my nose and see if that works?
   People have been pissed at Microsoft since Windows 2.0. Being ticked about Microsoft's stance on gay rights is like being pissed at Pres. Bush because he says "nucular". Be pissed because Microsoft puts out products that you must patch twice a month. Be pissed at Bush because of his stance on equality. Stay focused. In the meantime, we can relive the Coors boycott.
(source: Microsoft's switch on gay bill stirs anger)

It's snowing again!

   Just when I thought life wouldn't get too much crazier... I've served on the board of directors for a local LGBT service organization for about 2 years now. The first year I was elected to be secretary which meant I was an officer of the board. The 2nd year, I was just a board member. This year I was elected to Vice Chair of the board which put me in a position where I was a little more active, but since the VC doesn't do much more except in the Chair's absence I didn't figure it would be too crazy. Then the Chair went away.
   There were some personal issues for which he was totally justified in taking time off, but suddenly I was acting Chair. He has since resigned, and I'm still in that acting Chair position. The good news is that the board seems quite happy with the job I'm doing, and the feedback from them has been all supportive. Now elections are coming up, and most of the board has voiced the opinion that I should continue in this role. It's like we're about to have an organizational conclave.
   I'm honored that these people trust me and have faith in me that I will do a good job for our organization. I'm also turning into one of those people with a cell phone growing out of their ears. People call me all day sometimes. I don't mind so much because I enjoy doing what I'm doing, but occasionally I realize that some days I spend 3-4 hours catching up with people and trying to make sure everything is in order that I can have an impact on. It's a little stressful, but most of the time I feel very energized having felt like I'm making a difference. After last year's political season, I'm grateful to feel this way.
   I might write a bit on here about some things we're doing, and some of the trials and tribulations of what's going on. Although if I disappear from my blog for a few days, it's because I'm in the ER having my cell phone surgically removed from my head.

   Today at work a woman approached my work center and farted. Not just a petite little fart, but a nasty one. I was horrified. But my pain only began with the noise - it was the smell that was the killer. Shortly after her performance she walked a little ways away so that I could help another customer. Well, she might have moved away, but the smell lingered like a noxious cloud.
   The woman who came up after her gave me this look like I was just nasty. I wanted so badly to inform her that the smell did not originate from my clean behind, but from the woman nearby. She was still close enough that I couldn't explain without risk of her overhearing me. So I had to bear her embarassment for her. There was no defense for the flatulence...

[update: due to popular request, I'm adding the following MP3 for this entry.
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   I'm amazed when I go into a store looking to make a significant purchase, and get poor service. We're looking for a John Deere riding mower, so it makes sense to visit a John Deere retailer. I visited Shetler's in Copley to take a look. Keep in mind I called them a few days ago to see if they had certain models in stock. When I asked about the 108 I was told they had them in stock, but I really didn't want that one. I needed the 111. OK, thanks..
   So I went there today to compare a few models. You can look all you want online, but sometimes you just need to see it yourself. A salesman approached me and asked if he could help me. I told him what I was looking at, and asked if he had a certain model on display. He proceeded to tell me all the bad things about that line of mowers. OK, I'm confused. Then he tells me about this other mower that's a real John Deere. Of course it's also $1000 more. In the meantime he's telling me all about how this expensive tractor is so much better, and that the one I want just won't do. I finally asked him, "So you don't recommend that line of mowers then?" I just want to mow the grass, not till a field. But he tells me the one I want is will only last about 5 years, and then I'll have to buy a new one. And if I only have so much to spend, then you get what you pay for. Umm.. yeah, thanks. I just turned and walked out.
   I would never make a scene in a retail establishment, but I really wanted to point out what a lousy salesman he was. And twice before I could get any information on the product I was looking at, I got an upsell. And if you want to make a point about a product, it's generally not the best idea to point out that your customer is a cheapskate. /rant

And by the way, perhaps Shetler's is a great place to go looking for higher priced stuff. But if you're like me and just looking for a reasonably priced mower, Miller's Lawn and Garden in Massillon is more than willing to talk about the John Deere 100 series.

   Did you know that if you leave your grass too high at the end of the season and you have heavy snowfall, your yard can become a tangled mess of thatch? (technically called laying over) I swear at one point we were mowing our lawn once every 4 to 5 days last summer. But after power and manually raking about an acre of lawn this weekend, and having the sore back and shoulders to prove it, we decided that perhaps there is another answer.

   This month XM Satellite Radio changed a bit. The price went up (from $9.95 to $12.95), but now we have XM Online included in the base price. I had it before, and I think I like it even more now especially since I'm essentially paying less with the family plan. The online radio interface has changed quite a bit. There are three tabs to view either XM stations, what's currently playing, and what's playing on a user selected presets list. It's easier to scroll through the stations and see what's on than it was before. You can also easily add presets and jump to a specific station. A much cleaner interface. There are also several online only channels in addition to the approx. XM 100 channels.
   I like not having to bring my Roady in from the car if I want to listen in the office. Of course the sound isn't as good being that it's coming over the internet. The sound can drop out from time to time, especially during high internet traffic periods - just the nature of things. Overall a good deal; fun and easy to use. Wonderful to listen to music without commercials. Available with XM subscription or for $7.99/month.
   And now it sounds even better with 5 speakers in the room. I'm such a junkie...

   I was looking forward to getting to work in the yard as soon as the weather got warm enough. Today it's 70° and it's time to get going. But it turns out we need to dethatch most of the yard. We're thinking of getting a power rake. Apparently we didn't mow the yard short enough at the end of last year. So it kinda matted over on itself in some places. I hope it grows back quickly. We spent so much time and effort on the yard last year that it pains us to see it in its current state.
   Now the excitement about working in the yard... not so much.

Time again for the search terms roundup. I just love these... In case you're unfamiliar with what these are, everytime someone searches on Yahoo! or Google and finds this website, my server logs the search term they used to get here. These are some of the notables:

- licking her cooter - ugh. Do people actually call it that? Well, they probably didn't find what they were looking for because the story is about a dog.
- snub camilla - Who's Camila and what on earth did she do?
- fuck anita bryant - yeah, my thoughts exactly
- killing of gays and lesbians - I hope they weren't looking for a "how-to." This one just bothers me.
- homosexuailty regulations - I think this starts with listening to showtunes and wearing fashionable clothes.
- how to write a good blog - Do I have suggestions for this? I'm just a hack who writes whatever comes to mind.
- i blackmailed my sister - Well why the hell did you do that?
- accepting bigotry - Actually, no you shouldn't. Challenge it everywhere.
- veronica lake - This is a lovely pond out in Kansas where you can never have too many lights or queers. (also an actress)

   I listened to the final show of Unfiltered on Air America (via XM's America Left) today on the way home. I am so sad to hear that the show has been replaced. It was one of my favorite programs on Air America - or America Left anyway. They were funny, witty, and intelligent. One of the few places where there was an intelligent analysis of the latest news, while poking fun of it at the same time. Strangely like The Daily Show...
   But here's what really gets me. They're replacing Unfiltered with Jerry Springer. WHAT? To me, Jerry Springer's name has become synonymous with trashiness and middle school level maturity. I know that he has more to him than just the sleazy drama of his former TV show, but it's going to take something to prove to me that he's worth listening to. I have audio visions of guests overtalking to the point that you can't hear either (and without the benefit of video you'll never know what's going on). Will they guests fight until an Air America radio security guard gets involved? Will the guests be people worth listening to? Here's hoping...

   I won't remind you to change your clocks tomorrow, but according to the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" campaign started by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer, it is the recommended time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. If your smoke detector is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace the whole thing. And if you're not sure how to change those batteries, get a step stool and find out how.

(sources: Change batteries for smoke detectors; Smoke Alarms - What You Need to Know; How to Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detector)

   From The Family Man...
I say you he dead!

   I've read reports over the past few days that the Pope's health has been steadily declining. I also read that he has refused further hospital treatment. I'm thinking that maybe the President and Congress will get involved again to ensure his health and future service to the Church.
(source: Pope's Health Has Deteriorated Further: Vatican)