...Makes Jack a Dull Boy

A few weeks ago (or maybe months) my friend Jayare tagged me with some kinda strange blog version of Tag, 20 questions, and the dating game all rolled into one. Apparently I'm supposed to relay to you, my reading audience, 5 things that you previously did not no about me. (I've seen this as 6 weird things about yourself and 5 things people didn't know about you, etc. etc. You'll get a little of both) So, in no particular order...

1) I have been on CNN.
Back when I was in the satellite phone business I had a chance to go to Atlanta and train the president of CNN on how to use one of our phones. While getting a tour of the HQ from the VP of Satellite communications he pointed to the cameras about 30 feet in front of us and said, "And we're on camera right now"

2) I have uttered the phrase "I'm sorry but the Secret Service has closed the garage. We'll get your cars back to you as soon as they open it back up." to a waiting crowd of over 150 people.
This occurred when I was in charge of the valet department at the Worthington Hotel and Laura Bush spoke for a meeting there. Blaming the Secret Service for any delays has got to be one of the best excuses I can think of. It shuts angry people up real quickly I've noticed.

3) I almost drown once.
My first long term summer camp in Arkansas, with the Boy Scouts was in 1984. Since the primary focus of the camping trip revolved around the lake and various water activities the first thing we did was take swim tests. About 2/3rds of the way through my swim test I completely ran out of energy and started flailing in the water. There was a canoe stationed out in the lake for just such an emergency and one of the boys in the canoe threw me a rope. Only, in the excitement he forgot to hold on to the other end. Fat lot of good a loose piece of rope does you when your trying to keep your head above water. Luckily my father, who was the lifesaving instructor that week, jumped in the lake and got a hold of me before I completely went under. I never wanted to go through that again. By the end of the summer I had earned my swimming merit badge. By the end of the next summer I had earned my Lifesaving merit badge. Eventually I went on to be an instructor at my council's Aquatic School.
image via classic-space.com
4) I've become extremely interested in Steampunk lately.
Probably because it combines my love of history, science fiction, and technology all in one neat little package. Check out the delightful Steampunk blog "Brass Goggles", but be prepared to waste some time there.

5)I constantly write songs in my head.
So far my latest favorites include "10,000 Porcupines" and "Meggers and Beggars".

Here's the chorus to 10KP I wrote it one day when Amy misunderstood what I was saying while taking a shower.10,000 Porcupines
Once more and you'll be mine
10,000 Porcupines

Hey. I didn't say they were good songs.

Thanks for your support!

I've received a number of phone calls and emails and all of them have been remarkable supportive. (No Frank and Ed did not call me.) Not a single one of you called me dim, and for that I must thank you. Although someone lamented the fact that I was just shy of making it a full year at this place of employment I will point out that I stayed at the bookstore for well over a year and a half.

I chalk up the well wishes to the fact that most people at one point or another have always wanted to tell their boss to shove it. I'm just one of the few people irresponsible and rash enough to actually do it. For any future employers reading this, rest assured the circumstance was somewhat unique and I don't plan on doing this a lot. It was a little stressful to say the least.

As far as my new job prospects go, I'm really not in a big rush to go out and get a 9 to 5 again. I'm enjoying my new found freedom and quite frankly I'm staying both busy and productive. Heck I might even get some housework done tomorrow. (Don't hold your breath or anything though.) Once again, thank you for your support.

Be seeing you!

I quit my job last Thursday.
I've been thinking about all the reasons why in particular I quit. They range from the fact that my boss was uncommunicative and breathtakingly dense, to the fact that he brought in a consultant who did nothing but insult me. (at one point she called me dense. I think she did this because she didn't understand the answer I had just given her.)

I also realize that you're getting this story from my perspective a la Rashomon.
But the fact of the matter is that when you're in a job where your boss will not talk to you, doesn't listen to what you say, and will not follow your advice, then it's probably time to quit.

I admit I probably could have handled it better. Instead of walking into his office and handing him my resignation at the end of the day, I should have given him 2 weeks notice. The fact of the matter is that 2 weeks notice wouldn't have helped me any other than another pay check and it would have made the last two weeks of the job a living hell. (well more so than it was anyway.) And the fact of the matter is even if we had left on good terms I wouldn't want any perspective employers talking to bosstypeperson. They would realize that he was a complete imbecile and would wonder why I worked for him as long as I did.

I did have a little fun with my resignation letter. Being a big fan of The Prisoner I typed on to a single sheet of paper the word "RESIGNED" and put the penny-farthing logo from the show below it. I realize he'll never get the reference, but the idea made me chuckle.

Tubes are filled

click on picture for better image

via thesyntaxofthings.org

All I am saying...is give think a chance.

Look, I know it's a little dangerous to rant about your workplace online. There are entire companies out in cyberspace dedicated to checking up on potential employees with regard to thier blogs, myspace accounts, etc.

I also realize that not everyone is technically saavy. There is not a vast cadre of nerds waiting to fill every postition. I'm fine with that. In fact it guarantees I'll have some type of job for quite a while. But for goodness sakes people, whether you like it or not, computers and the internet are a vital part of business. Learn a little, a modicum, the scant basics of the theory about what's going on here. Otherwise we have senators running around talking about the internet being a series of pipes and the president talking about The Google.

Speaking of The Google, my bosstypeperson called me on the phone this morning. (He prefers these things over sending me internets.)

Bosstypeperson:"Does Google have a website?"

Me: Yes.

Bosstypeperson:What is it?

Me: (pausing ever so slightly) uh. Google.com

Bosstypeperson:Yeah, well that takes me to the search thingy. I want to know if they have a website like ours. That tells me about their company.

Me: (pausing again) On that first page there is a link that says "About Google" click that and I think you'll find what you're looking for.

Bosstypeperson:Ok. Thanks.

Oh God... just let me have strength.

I'd rather deal with spam

Some times I get tired of my job. We all do. The hours, the drudgery, the stupid people you have to deal with etc. etc.

That being said my job has some perks. I have a fair amount of freedom. I get some cool toys to play with. And I have my own office with a big window.

So I looked out my big window this morning and saw something that reminded me that no matter how bad my day was going... it could have been worse.



Apparently these guys were trying to lift some tiles to the third floor using a lift and didn't anticipate the effect of the weight of their payload.It's hard to see from this picture, but the white truck has its side smashed in and there is a big tear in the 2nd floor balcony.

And I thought I was having a rough week.