happythoughts

In '99, the Real World/Road Rules challenge included an accuracy event. For some reason, I don't think that any of them had 10 skydives. The landing area was painted like a bullseye. One girl was called Princess A--- because she walked around with a tiara on her head sometimes (but mostly her attitude). She was amazingly hot, but she always had an excuse why everything was not her fault. "I lost because I hurt my ankle." "That happened after you landed. That didn't affect your accuracy in the competition." "Whatever." The producers-nephew-MTV-stars kept selling their total coolness to the women skydivers. My fav quote was, "Look, Sport, I deal with a bunch of jacked-up adrenaline junkies at the dz every weekend. Try not to bug me."

Dumber and meaner... I would say that the internet makes us better informed. It provides much more information of many varieties. An argument is generally presented that the information is flawed in value. However, it can always be discarded after consideration, and that is the positive side. Dumb? At least people have the opportunity to get information. Mean? Anonymity has always bred meanness. People in large cities are rude just to be mean. People in small towns realize that I will see them next week also, and not always at their convenience. Actions have consequences. The anonymity of the internet is the problem. (If people don't know me, it may be my choice.

People in IT are the biggest prima donnas in the world. They tend to confuse "work" with "life". Their status at work is the measurement of their self. Challenge their opinion and you challenge their ego. In meetings, I usually ask for opinions on how something should be done. Then, whoever thinks that they have the best method, I let them have it. Later, I send out a group-email praising them for a job well done. I also coach a lot of people. I assign them new types of work and then allow them to fail (kind of). Many times, I review their work without their knowing it. If there is a problem, I say, "I happened to notice..." and ask them to review it. Instead of anger, I get a, "Hey, thanks for catching that". If people are just publicly being jerks, I ignore them. Other people can figure out things for themselves. No matter what business you are in, people will go the extra mile for a person who has their back.

Since we live in the global economy, I am wondering how this will actually relate. The economies of India and China are stepping up as big consumers of everything. The oil may just move to other buyers, so I am unsure how low oil will actually go. However, the reduction in American consumption would help the trade imbalance. Many efficient cars are limited range or limited size. (You can't take a family of 4 on vacation in a two-seater electric.) So, there needs to be a feasible implementation. Many American two-car families could use an electric car for work commuting and still keep a "family-size" vehicle as the second car. I'd like to see it happen. Probably the largest movement in the car market will be for single people. For people in their 20s, with a 7 mile commute, an electric is ideal. Also, there appears to be a glut on the oil market. So, for people quoting the supply/demand model for pricing, it is not applying. clicky

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." Leaders of other countries played him for the well- intentioned, but naive, person that he is. "Is this a repainted, used taxi?" "No, sir, that's yellow primer."

One of my best axioms for work is that you "praise in public and criticize in private". If people really want others to learn, they present it in a comfortable manner. Explaining something in a quiet place, in a calm way, is received better. People who put people down in public are looking for control or attention. Attention - think the 3rd grader who pulls the pigtails of the girl in the seat ahead. Control - seeking out people with low self-esteem and promoting themselves as the person who assigns value. Solution? Whenever they make a remark, just ignore them, turn to someone else and continue as if you weren't listening. If someone mentions it later, just respond that their opinion doesn't concern you because you don't really value anything that the person says. Others will see the truth in that. If a person acts like that consistently, then they have identified themselves as a person that I don't need to be around. Contact can be minimal, but polite.

Ok, you need to read the entire article. They didn't lose 33%. They made 33% less than last year (which was a record year). They made a net profit of 7.8 billion. They are VERY much in the "black". A year ago, they set a US record for quarterly profit. They aren't hurting. They are making money like they are printing it.

How much "recuperation" do you need if you set a record for profit in 2007, and then break that record in 2008 by 20%. clicky As a friend of mine says, "If you've got it, a truck brought it". The price of oil adds to the cost of everything by making it more expensive to deliver. Everyone in the country is struggling and you are worried that Exxon will suffer a little. I don't think so.

clicky Another episode of the "I don't make this up". Two criminal "masterminds" are escaping from prison and sprint across the parking lot. It doesn't appear that they thought it completely through.

With some modifications... Cat-B-Gone

Bill - BILL! - Wake up dude - you're dreaming again. This is the internets. If I say it enough, it becomes true.

What's the point of wearing it if the real thing is just going to cover up the picture?

Enough to make you loose your mind.

All these unnecessary and violent suggestions. The problem is the peeing. Let's remember that "catheter" starts with "cat". Humanely capture the cats and install a small catheter so that it runs down the back of their front legs. It also sends a handy message to people who let their cats run around outside, pee at your place, and then return home. (I know women who let their cats curl up on their pillow, around their head, while they sleep.)

...last seen exiting from under the tail. Dog poop or a politician.

When I was a kid, people in Florida wanted to be astronauts and go into space. Because they were into science? No, because you were riding around in space, and you were the center of the media circus. Cool, fun job. Or cowboys? All day, riding a horse, hanging out with friends... fun. Spies? Traveling the world, racing exotic cars, hot chicks, money to burn. So, between being a hot-looking, rich, female rockstar and say... Supreme Court justice. Rockstar - all the guys chase the hot rock star chick. She has all kinds of money, lifestyle, and travel. All she does is sing and go to lavish parties. SC justice - go to college, then go to law school. Then, study and apply yourself through years of work... to be given more work. Rockstar... SC justice ? Hmm.... What a choice. Let's face it, being rich, for doing little but sing and party, sounds much more attractive than long, boring hours of work. Shall we wait for the Cosmo article on how to be a succesful heart surgeon? Last month, there was one on how to f- one properly. A-Fraud makes $6million a year. An accountant will never make that much in their life.

Good thing, she's going to be staying in for a while. Also, if you click on "Florida", you get a little "note"

So a grand total of $0? Yes, but at least you know that I am making an effort. Communications is really the key. I may just put my binoculars away and go over and introduce myself to her.

Whoaaaa... big fella. Nobody was talking about your grammar. She's probably a fine lady. You said, " I'm frustrated, so any advice is appreciated." Well there it is, any advice. I'd think you'd appreciate it. It seems you'd like a level playing field. A women who has only enjoyed the company of other women for the last 4 years, may be a little frustrated also. The two of you would have equal motivations...

You know that there was a monkey mother talking to her daughter and saying, "You know that your father and I tried to fix you up with that nice Neanderthal boy with a nice cave, but did you listen?"

"Thass right, Pelosi, I called you a ho..."

There are actions which are not going to have a good ending, but what is happening in the present tense is too much fun to miss. Like people who close the bar on a work night, or re-date someone who was a poor experience (or someone just like them). Sure, those cats know better, but why miss the action today? bad idea

Exactly. Maybe the politicians can share. Right now, you have to be in politics to get involved in prostitution or drugs. - parental conversation - "If you become involved in drugs or prostitution, you'll never get a decent job." "The mayor of Wash, DC is a decent job. The gov of NY does pretty well too." "...um, honey, I've got nuthin' left here..."

We have had many actors in politics... The Governator, Reagan, Eastwood. A few singers (I am not counting Sonny Bono as a singer). Why not rappers? Joaquin Phoenix is an actor turned rapper/psycho. Seems like the next logical move. How much worse could rappers be than the lawyers? "50-cent" will need a more prestigious name... maybe... "Three-fitty". How about Vanilla Ice? He isn't really a bad individual and everyone knows that he could use the work. I know there will be some objections because many have a criminal history of theft and drug use. ... but I think the rappers will be able to tolerate the politicians...