Illness

Blah.

So after being extremely sick last night, I'm at home today. Was barfing into the wee hours, not fun.

So I'm working from home, which is hard. Basically it means I hover near my laptop until someone sends me an email. Then I repond. Lather, rinse, repeat. I've done most of what I can do already today but I need to feel like I am 'working', since I'm billing for today. (I'm out of sick time for the year.)

Mostly I'm feeling better now, but extremely tired, weak, cranky, and dehydrated. (Which would explain the other three.) I'm drinking lots of water and not accomplishing much which is my solution to all illness.

So I'm too sick to go to work, but I'm too well to be laying in bed. That means I'm in a sort of purgatory until 5:00 when I can leave my work computer alone without guilt.

Blah.

(50th post, btw.)

-iRob

Damn boots

My boot broke today. The zipper came off the tracks, in such a way as to make clear that it will never function normally again.

The boots were not terribly expensive to begin with, (I think they were under 50$.) but the zipper in the other one went last year, and it cost me 30 bucks to have it re-done. I checked back and it would be another 30 to do this one. (no surprise)

Normally I would chuck them and get new ones, but they look good, are comfy, and generally function well. I have a bad track record with shoes, and they don't seem to last long regardless of how much I pay for them.

So do I sink the 30$ into the boots, or do I break down, chuck them, and go boot shopping? (Your votes are welcome.)

-iRob

"There are two types of people--those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am!' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'"
-Frederick L Collins

Shades of Dexter's Laboratory, Batman!

I've been reading an interesting article on the most dangerous toys of all time.

Number two is pretty cool - It's a home atomic energy set. (For the kiddies!)

It's really interesting to see how our views have changed. Nowadays if a toy can be considered even remotely dangerous it is banned. When I was growing up.. well.. let's just say I'm surprised as many people survived as they did. (Hands up whoever got to play with lawn darts!)

Of course, I grew up with that, and even I was slightly taken back by an electric fan that J's mom used to own. It had 4 inch metal blades, and the flimsiest of guards. (It was similar to this one but more deadly.) What was even more disconcerting was that it had developed an electrical short, and rather than replacing it she was attempting to find somewhere that would fix the death trap. (!)

From my observations it stands to reason that every generations' experience is safer than the one before, and vice-versa. So the grandchildren of our generation will be bouncing around a Styrofoam environment in hermetically sealed bubbles, while I'm pretty sure my great grandparents favorite toys were poison darts and a live wolverine.

-iRob

"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
-Voltaire

Chrismas Carol

Merry Christmas from Twisted Sister!



-iRob

Don't drop the soap

This is cool. I totally need to make one.

I have absolutely no idea what I'd use it for, but that's not the point. (Silly.)

-iRob

Best. Lines. Ever.

Evey: Who are you?
V: 'Who' is but the form, following the function of 'What'. And 'What' I am, is a man in a mask.
Evey: I can see that.
V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a man in a mask who he is.
(From 'V for Vendetta')

Damn that's cool.

-iRob

Too dumb to shop

Hi,

This is not an encouraging development.

I tried to buy something at a local store yesterday. Like many others, they have launched a self service checkout isle. The idea is that you walk up with your items, scan them yourself, bag them yourself, pay, and leave.

As someone who does not find joy in retail interaction, this sounds ideal.

And it was, insofar as it went. Right up until I tried to give them some money. According to the diagram being displayed on the instruction screen, I was supposed to swipe the debit card on the keypad and then use the pad to enter my PIN.

So I did. Then I stared blankly at the screen while nothing happened. And then a twelve year old customer service girl came up to show me that it isn't that card reader (indicating the keypad) it's this card reader. (indicating one mounted on the side of the screen.) Barely surpressing a smirk. (Good job, Grandpa.)

So I paid and left with what minor dignity I could muster. I decided to grab dinner at the Harvey's in the same building. When I handed the cashier the debit card, she gave me the keypad. Then she asked for the card back because she spaced out and forgot to complete the transaction, and needed to start over.

I call it a draw.

I seriously don't know what I'm doing. I never know if the answer to 'Do you want your debit receipt?' Do I need it? Do I not? No matter where I'm shopping, I guess wrong. If I hand the cashier the debit card to swipe, they hand it back and indicate I'm to swipe it on the keypad. If I hang on to it, they need to swipe it on their register. I can't win.

Is this it for me? Do I seriously top out at paper money I can hold? I used to be able to do this stuff.

-iRob

"The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom."
-H. L. Mencken

Lawyer humor

It's important that when you are thinking of getting close to someone that you remember to bring protection.

(This may be a good time to remind my readers that I do not guarantee SFW.)

Thanks to J for this little gem.

-iRob

"My mother always wanted me to be a lawyer."
-Tony Danza

What's in a name?

J's mom has occasionally calling me 'Rod' for twelve years. (That's the name of her cousin.) Another person I work with in HR keeps calling me 'Brad'. (That's the name of her boss.) A guy at work who I only ever communicate via email (my address of which is my name) keeps calling me 'Greg'. (This one I have no idea.)

Maybe it's me.

-iRob

The Tick: It's your turn now, Thorace-bog.
Alien: It's Thrakkorzog. Thrakkorzog. With a K.
The Tick: We're only serving humble pie, Whatchamazog.
Alien: For the last time, it's...
The Tick: Thorax-and-a-bog. Four-yacks-and-a-dog.
Alien: No.
The Tick: Ah, laxative-log.
Alien: No, no, no.
The Tick: Sapsucker-frog.
Alien: Thrakkorzog.
The Tick: Susan?
Alien: Now you're doing it on purpose. How juvenile.
-from "The Tick"

Scientists levitate small animals

It sounds like the punchline of a joke, but actually it's the title of a news article.

Those scientists - they're wacky!

-iRob