So, today's headline comes to us from WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, TN:
Drunk 4-Year-Old Steals Christmas Presents
Yup. It's real. Commence with the hillbilly jokes...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
I like this guy...
I laughed out loud when I saw this headline today:
"Tube announcer advises passengers to consider shooting themselves"
I read the story, and I have to say, I like the guy's style. In fact, if I'd been in that station when he started his "communication with passengers," I might've hung out in the subway, letting trains pass me by, and just listened for as long as it went on. It's exactly the kind of thing I would've wanted to do if I'd gotten the criticism from my boss that he got, but I wouldn't have had the bollocks.
I lift my hypothetical glass to you, sir!
"Tube announcer advises passengers to consider shooting themselves"
I read the story, and I have to say, I like the guy's style. In fact, if I'd been in that station when he started his "communication with passengers," I might've hung out in the subway, letting trains pass me by, and just listened for as long as it went on. It's exactly the kind of thing I would've wanted to do if I'd gotten the criticism from my boss that he got, but I wouldn't have had the bollocks.
I lift my hypothetical glass to you, sir!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Blog? What blog?
Three weeks. I haven't posted in three weeks. That's gotta be a record! I can't help it, people. I've been busy!
I was on vacation, then I got back and had to get caught up on life, and then there were a couple of pressing projects that had to be completed, and next thing you know, it's been three weeks and Amazing Race is over and Christmas is around the corner. Whaaaaat?!
I won't bore you with a travelogue of my vacation, and all I can say about Amazing Race is thank heaven the stupid brothers didn't win! Oy. But I do have a comment about something interesting that happened yesterday.
I was at my desk at work, and I heard the BANG! of car accident outside our building. Our building is on the corner at a busy intersection, so it's not a common thing to have accidents out there, but it's not unheard of. My first thought was not to be terribly concerned, but I'll get up in a second and look. But then there was this other bang and this loud, low, metallic scraping sound. Huh?
I looked out the window (I'm on the 6th floor), and on the street below me is an SUV on its roof! I'm staring at the undercarriage of this truck! "Oh my God!" was about what I could manage. I saw a bystander run up to the car and get on her hands and knees to check on whoever was inside. That was the first of the things I saw that bolstered my faith in the goodness of people.
My co-workers and I crowded around the windows and watched things unfold as a crowd gathered outside. People respectfully stayed back as just a couple of folks (including the original good samaritan than ran up to the car) managed the scene until the emergency personnel got there, which only took a few minutes.
Cops showed up and blocked off the street and talked to witnesses, while firefighters stabilized the car then got the occupants out, and EMTs assessed their condition. Turns out there were two people in the car - an older couple. They both could get out and stand, but they eventually put the woman on a backboard and took them both to the hospital (which is right around the corner) in an ambulance. All of the emergency personnel seemed very professional, quick and concerned - more bolstering.
Eventually, a wrecker came out to remove the car from the street. Even the wrecker driver bolstered my opinion of humanity as I watched him carefully position his truck and place chains on the overturned SUV. He seemed to treat the car with respect, understanding that just an hour before, people had been in there - he didn't bang things around or toss things. Then he carefully pulled it upright, and I saw that it wasn't an SUV - it was an extended cab truck. Somehow that affected me - that I couldn't tell what it was until it was turned upright.
In any case, as it was righted, the doors (which no longer closed) flew open, tossing papers and some possessions of the couple into the street. The firefighters ran over and quickly returned most items to the car, cleaning up others with brooms and throwing them away. I wondered if anything important was getting thrown away, and thought about my own car - what's in there and what would get tossed into the street if my car were thrown on its head like that. What would I never get back, and what would other people see, and what would the items tell anyone about me?
My thought whenever I see an accident like that is always, "Someone was just going down the street, running an errand, living their normal life like every other day, and now, suddenly, everything has just been thrown in disarray. Who knows how far-reaching the consequences will be." I try to be thoughtful of what a big event that is to someone - not just rubberneck with curiosity. I wonder today how that couple is doing.
One interesting note is that none of us ever could find the car that hit them. Possibly it was able to the pull through the intersection and park where we couldn't see it. But honestly, none of us knows exactly what happened - what collision occurred that resulted in the scene I saw out my window. That'll drive me a little crazy, won't it?
I was on vacation, then I got back and had to get caught up on life, and then there were a couple of pressing projects that had to be completed, and next thing you know, it's been three weeks and Amazing Race is over and Christmas is around the corner. Whaaaaat?!
I won't bore you with a travelogue of my vacation, and all I can say about Amazing Race is thank heaven the stupid brothers didn't win! Oy. But I do have a comment about something interesting that happened yesterday.
I was at my desk at work, and I heard the BANG! of car accident outside our building. Our building is on the corner at a busy intersection, so it's not a common thing to have accidents out there, but it's not unheard of. My first thought was not to be terribly concerned, but I'll get up in a second and look. But then there was this other bang and this loud, low, metallic scraping sound. Huh?
I looked out the window (I'm on the 6th floor), and on the street below me is an SUV on its roof! I'm staring at the undercarriage of this truck! "Oh my God!" was about what I could manage. I saw a bystander run up to the car and get on her hands and knees to check on whoever was inside. That was the first of the things I saw that bolstered my faith in the goodness of people.
My co-workers and I crowded around the windows and watched things unfold as a crowd gathered outside. People respectfully stayed back as just a couple of folks (including the original good samaritan than ran up to the car) managed the scene until the emergency personnel got there, which only took a few minutes.
Cops showed up and blocked off the street and talked to witnesses, while firefighters stabilized the car then got the occupants out, and EMTs assessed their condition. Turns out there were two people in the car - an older couple. They both could get out and stand, but they eventually put the woman on a backboard and took them both to the hospital (which is right around the corner) in an ambulance. All of the emergency personnel seemed very professional, quick and concerned - more bolstering.
Eventually, a wrecker came out to remove the car from the street. Even the wrecker driver bolstered my opinion of humanity as I watched him carefully position his truck and place chains on the overturned SUV. He seemed to treat the car with respect, understanding that just an hour before, people had been in there - he didn't bang things around or toss things. Then he carefully pulled it upright, and I saw that it wasn't an SUV - it was an extended cab truck. Somehow that affected me - that I couldn't tell what it was until it was turned upright.
In any case, as it was righted, the doors (which no longer closed) flew open, tossing papers and some possessions of the couple into the street. The firefighters ran over and quickly returned most items to the car, cleaning up others with brooms and throwing them away. I wondered if anything important was getting thrown away, and thought about my own car - what's in there and what would get tossed into the street if my car were thrown on its head like that. What would I never get back, and what would other people see, and what would the items tell anyone about me?
My thought whenever I see an accident like that is always, "Someone was just going down the street, running an errand, living their normal life like every other day, and now, suddenly, everything has just been thrown in disarray. Who knows how far-reaching the consequences will be." I try to be thoughtful of what a big event that is to someone - not just rubberneck with curiosity. I wonder today how that couple is doing.
One interesting note is that none of us ever could find the car that hit them. Possibly it was able to the pull through the intersection and park where we couldn't see it. But honestly, none of us knows exactly what happened - what collision occurred that resulted in the scene I saw out my window. That'll drive me a little crazy, won't it?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
From five to four
The Amazing Race is officially tight now. This week we started with five teams and now we are four. My thoughts on this week:
Travel to Estonia
The teams had to travel from Stockholm to Estonia by ferry. In true TAR fashion, they left the pitstop starting at 2:23 a.m., but the first ferry didn't depart until 5:45 p.m. Someone please tell me the point of having teams depart the pitstop in the middle of the freakin night when they can't go anywhere until the evening! Really annoying, guys. Annoying.
Estonian monk types
When evening finally came (!), the teams traveled overnight to Estonia where they had to find a building called "Mustpeade" where some sort of brotherhood (monks? Shriners? Who knows - I'm sure they said and I wasn't listening) holds their feasts and meetings and whatnot. They had figure out how to unlock the door, at which point a loud alarm sounded while they pushed open the door. What's the point of the alarm, anyway? Seems like you'd want an alarm if someone is breaking into your lair, but why do you want one when someone is entering using the proper key? Weird.
Anyway, each team had to grab a candelabra with a room number, then go to that room, where they found a scroll. They had to figure out to hold the scroll over the candle to reveal the clue. Oddly, I knew exactly what they were supposed to do as soon as I saw the scroll, but I can't fault Flight Time and Matt for thinking they might need to color the scroll with the crayon to reveal the message. It's not unreasonable. You just have to remember that they wouldn't give you the candelabra if you're not supposed to use it for something.
Pikk Hermann Tower Garden
Dan and Sam got all bent out of shape that the Globetrotters were following them to the tower. Whatever, man. You're going to the same place. What are they supposed to do - purposely go a different way, even if they think you might be right, just so you don't get your knickers in a twist? It's a race and you're all going the same places, you idiot. That means sometimes teams will be following each other!
Serve or Sling
J and I said we'd have done "Serve" because we both play volleyball. Meaghan and Shane clearly play, because they knocked the Detour right out. But J pointed out that it sure would be easy to snap an ankle or knee or something in that bog. You turn one way to get the ball, and your leg doesn't move with you. What got my attention was at the end of the task, Meaghan noted that it smelled bad. I hadn't thought about that! I'd definitely be headin' for the shower after checking in at the Pit Stop!
The fight between the Globetrotters and Brothers got ugly at this point, though. I honestly don't think either team was trying to be dirty. I think the brothers were running to the Pit Stop, and Flight Time was trying to pass them, and there wasn't enough room, and they got tangled up and he and Dan fell. I don't think he *meant* to take Dan down, and I don't think Dan *meant* to push or trip Flight Time. There just wasn't room, and they were slippery from the bog, and they both had arms flailing. But they're mad at each other now, so they're each accusing the other of pushing and playing dirty. It's a shame it's gotten like that between them.
Pit Stop
I was sorry to see Matt and Gary get knocked out. I like them. But they can feel good about how far they got. Top 5 ain't bad! I wouldn't mind seeing the brothers go out at this point. They're on my nerves now. I almost hate to see what the next leg will bring with them and the Globetrotters!
Travel to Estonia
The teams had to travel from Stockholm to Estonia by ferry. In true TAR fashion, they left the pitstop starting at 2:23 a.m., but the first ferry didn't depart until 5:45 p.m. Someone please tell me the point of having teams depart the pitstop in the middle of the freakin night when they can't go anywhere until the evening! Really annoying, guys. Annoying.
Estonian monk types
When evening finally came (!), the teams traveled overnight to Estonia where they had to find a building called "Mustpeade" where some sort of brotherhood (monks? Shriners? Who knows - I'm sure they said and I wasn't listening) holds their feasts and meetings and whatnot. They had figure out how to unlock the door, at which point a loud alarm sounded while they pushed open the door. What's the point of the alarm, anyway? Seems like you'd want an alarm if someone is breaking into your lair, but why do you want one when someone is entering using the proper key? Weird.
Anyway, each team had to grab a candelabra with a room number, then go to that room, where they found a scroll. They had to figure out to hold the scroll over the candle to reveal the clue. Oddly, I knew exactly what they were supposed to do as soon as I saw the scroll, but I can't fault Flight Time and Matt for thinking they might need to color the scroll with the crayon to reveal the message. It's not unreasonable. You just have to remember that they wouldn't give you the candelabra if you're not supposed to use it for something.
Pikk Hermann Tower Garden
Dan and Sam got all bent out of shape that the Globetrotters were following them to the tower. Whatever, man. You're going to the same place. What are they supposed to do - purposely go a different way, even if they think you might be right, just so you don't get your knickers in a twist? It's a race and you're all going the same places, you idiot. That means sometimes teams will be following each other!
Serve or Sling
J and I said we'd have done "Serve" because we both play volleyball. Meaghan and Shane clearly play, because they knocked the Detour right out. But J pointed out that it sure would be easy to snap an ankle or knee or something in that bog. You turn one way to get the ball, and your leg doesn't move with you. What got my attention was at the end of the task, Meaghan noted that it smelled bad. I hadn't thought about that! I'd definitely be headin' for the shower after checking in at the Pit Stop!
The fight between the Globetrotters and Brothers got ugly at this point, though. I honestly don't think either team was trying to be dirty. I think the brothers were running to the Pit Stop, and Flight Time was trying to pass them, and there wasn't enough room, and they got tangled up and he and Dan fell. I don't think he *meant* to take Dan down, and I don't think Dan *meant* to push or trip Flight Time. There just wasn't room, and they were slippery from the bog, and they both had arms flailing. But they're mad at each other now, so they're each accusing the other of pushing and playing dirty. It's a shame it's gotten like that between them.
Pit Stop
I was sorry to see Matt and Gary get knocked out. I like them. But they can feel good about how far they got. Top 5 ain't bad! I wouldn't mind seeing the brothers go out at this point. They're on my nerves now. I almost hate to see what the next leg will bring with them and the Globetrotters!
Friday, November 13, 2009
In my email...
This morning, "donotreply@v99d.com" says "I'll give you anything you want."
Wow. Anything? Because that's a pretty tall order. I've got some things I want, and they're not insignificant. No one has made me this offer before, so I think I should seriously consider it.
However, it says "donotreply" (that's "do not reply" for those of us who use the space bar). If I don't reply, how do they know that I accept their offer? And do they already know what I want? I don't like people assuming they know what I want. How can I make sure they know if I can't reply?
What if I end up with something like a Chia Obama or a Snuggie? I suppose the Snuggie might be okay. But it's not *really* what I want. And where will they deliver it? To my office? To my house? Will someone have to sign for it? Because if they use Saturday delivery, and they come to my office, no one will be here to sign.
I think these people need to reconsider the logistics of accomplishing this whole project. I don't think they've thought it through.
Wow. Anything? Because that's a pretty tall order. I've got some things I want, and they're not insignificant. No one has made me this offer before, so I think I should seriously consider it.
However, it says "donotreply" (that's "do not reply" for those of us who use the space bar). If I don't reply, how do they know that I accept their offer? And do they already know what I want? I don't like people assuming they know what I want. How can I make sure they know if I can't reply?
What if I end up with something like a Chia Obama or a Snuggie? I suppose the Snuggie might be okay. But it's not *really* what I want. And where will they deliver it? To my office? To my house? Will someone have to sign for it? Because if they use Saturday delivery, and they come to my office, no one will be here to sign.
I think these people need to reconsider the logistics of accomplishing this whole project. I don't think they've thought it through.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Amazing Sweden and its Swedish Swedes
Gonna jump right in on my recap today. Jump with me.
1. Fly to Sweden.
Finally something interesting with regard to the planes on TAR. All the teams didn't end up on the same flight, so the early departing teams actually had an advantage for a change. Of course, they made them leave the Pit Stop at 9:30 at night, and the first flight didn't leave until 6:55 a.m., so for no reason whatsoever, the teams all had to spend the night in the airport. Stupid. Anyway, everyone made it to Sweden, and it was off to the trains.
Some teams were faster than others on the ticket machines for the Stockholm train, but I'm wondering if the machines were complicated or if some were slower than others or if it was just a matter of getting to the machine faster. I couldn't tell from the editing. I also wondered if they were in Swedish only and an English speaker had to just figure out how to use it, but I doubt that. Europeans are pretty good about including English instructions, and I'm sure one of the teams would've mentioned it if there were no English instructions.
2. Amusement park
J definitely would've wanted to do the ride at the amusement park, and I would've wanted him to look for the clue because he's an eagle eye. Everyone got it on the first try, so the arrow must not have been too hard to see.
3. Roaming gnomes and dynamite
Not much to say on this one except I'm impressed that none of the teams left their gnome behind anywhere. I was kind of expecting that - maybe at the dynamite place. Blowing up the dynamite would've been fun, but Meghan was annoying when they were building the sandbag wall. She's so freakin' high strung. I don't know how Cheyne stands it, except maybe in normal life, there isn't so much stress, so he doesn't have to deal with her annoying stressed-out manner that often.
4. Hay bales
I would've killed Dan if he had been my partner on this one. He needed to SHUT UP and let Sam to do the task! If he knew so much about it, he should've jumped in to do it, but he hesitated and let Sam do it, then he pestered him. At first, I thought, "I'd just ignore him." But it was incessant. I'm glad he *finally* realized after a while that he needed to back the hell off.
I'm glad Matt and Gary didn't get eliminated. I like those guys. I don't really hate any of the teams anymore, so I won't jump for joy over any of them getting knocked out at this point, but I think I wouldn't feel any real attachment to Meghan/Cheyne or Sam/Dan getting knocked out. Those are strong teams, though, so we'll see.
1. Fly to Sweden.
Finally something interesting with regard to the planes on TAR. All the teams didn't end up on the same flight, so the early departing teams actually had an advantage for a change. Of course, they made them leave the Pit Stop at 9:30 at night, and the first flight didn't leave until 6:55 a.m., so for no reason whatsoever, the teams all had to spend the night in the airport. Stupid. Anyway, everyone made it to Sweden, and it was off to the trains.
Some teams were faster than others on the ticket machines for the Stockholm train, but I'm wondering if the machines were complicated or if some were slower than others or if it was just a matter of getting to the machine faster. I couldn't tell from the editing. I also wondered if they were in Swedish only and an English speaker had to just figure out how to use it, but I doubt that. Europeans are pretty good about including English instructions, and I'm sure one of the teams would've mentioned it if there were no English instructions.
2. Amusement park
J definitely would've wanted to do the ride at the amusement park, and I would've wanted him to look for the clue because he's an eagle eye. Everyone got it on the first try, so the arrow must not have been too hard to see.
3. Roaming gnomes and dynamite
Not much to say on this one except I'm impressed that none of the teams left their gnome behind anywhere. I was kind of expecting that - maybe at the dynamite place. Blowing up the dynamite would've been fun, but Meghan was annoying when they were building the sandbag wall. She's so freakin' high strung. I don't know how Cheyne stands it, except maybe in normal life, there isn't so much stress, so he doesn't have to deal with her annoying stressed-out manner that often.
4. Hay bales
I would've killed Dan if he had been my partner on this one. He needed to SHUT UP and let Sam to do the task! If he knew so much about it, he should've jumped in to do it, but he hesitated and let Sam do it, then he pestered him. At first, I thought, "I'd just ignore him." But it was incessant. I'm glad he *finally* realized after a while that he needed to back the hell off.
I'm glad Matt and Gary didn't get eliminated. I like those guys. I don't really hate any of the teams anymore, so I won't jump for joy over any of them getting knocked out at this point, but I think I wouldn't feel any real attachment to Meghan/Cheyne or Sam/Dan getting knocked out. Those are strong teams, though, so we'll see.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
In my email...
From "Jobs Needed" the following email appeared: "Immediate Jobs needed For Nursing-No experience Necessary"
So, someone needs an immediate job in nursing? And this person has no experience?
Or someone wants to hire nurses, even if they have no experience, for immediate jobs?
Is this part of the new Obamacare plan?
I don't know, man. While I appreciate that someone is willing to hire me as a nurse without any experience, I think that as a patient, I want my nurses to have experience. That's just me, and maybe it's because I'm getting older and turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but yeah...I'm going to go with experienced nurses for my medical care.
You know what else is needed by "Jobs Needed"? An editor. I have experience, though - does that count against me?
So, someone needs an immediate job in nursing? And this person has no experience?
Or someone wants to hire nurses, even if they have no experience, for immediate jobs?
Is this part of the new Obamacare plan?
I don't know, man. While I appreciate that someone is willing to hire me as a nurse without any experience, I think that as a patient, I want my nurses to have experience. That's just me, and maybe it's because I'm getting older and turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but yeah...I'm going to go with experienced nurses for my medical care.
You know what else is needed by "Jobs Needed"? An editor. I have experience, though - does that count against me?
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