One Hundred Thirtieth Entry
**Note: I just reread the blog, and it makes little sense to me, so good luck.
The last few weeks have been very trying at work. Along with getting behind in all my work, I feel I am under extra scrutiny from my Supervisor. I suppose it all started in late May...
~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~
I work in the Design/Graphics Division of the RMA, along with 6 other engineers. There are three other divisions which have engineers: Subdivisions/Flood Control, Traffic/Transit, and Construction. The engineers in the other divisions are all Engineer III's and above, no lowly Engineer I's like me. One of the Engineer 3's from the Subdivision Division took a job with the City of Visalia and left at the end of May. He was a good guy, a great engineer and everyone was pretty sorry to see him go.
That left an opening in the Subdivision Division for an E2 or E3. Attempts were made by the manager of that division to recruit an E2 or an E3 from within the county. Noone wanted to go.
In the middle of June, the work that the newly departed Engineer 3 was doing began being dumped on my division, with me doing a large portion of it. I slowly chugged along and got the extra work and my regular work done.
~~~~~~end flashback~~~~~~
Fast Forward to about three weeks ago. Interviews were held for the vacancy. The manager of Subdivisions did not like any of the candidates. He likes the position he is in with us having to do all the work.
That was about the time that my subdivision work started coming back, and things started to change.
I got back two of the jobs I had done. They had been reviewed thoroughly by my supervisor and by my manager. But the surveyors saw fit to comment and make changes to my designs. The bad thing is, they were right. How could the jobs be reviewed by two of my superiors and still be wrong? Well, it happened. I fixed the designs and resubmitted them.
About two weeks ago, I got what is called a Subdivision Map. A developer submits a map of a proposed subdivision, and the county makes comments on it. I just finished it on Tuesday. I gave it to my supervisor for his review. He then proceeded to tear apart my comments memo and wrote twice as many of his own. Talk about a confidence buster.
So this subdivision crap is one of the lenses of the "microscope of scrutiny" focused on me.
The second lens is with a little project that I am basically in charge of. Actually, it's a large project. It is for Caltrans, and believe it or not folks, this project of mine is of great statewide importance. It is the first of its kind. Usually, the state (Caltrans) designs its own projects. But in a rather bizarre twist, the state's planners want to avoid their own environmental branch of design and leave the design up to Tulare County. This is the first time they are trying anything like this. I am constantly being reminded that this project is "a pilot program" or "the first of its kind" or "of statewide importance" or "being watched carefully by the whole industry."
I have no problem with being a trailblazer. But on this project, I have to trailblaze through this with the laziest drafter in the history of drafting. I don't know what is wrong with him. He is always out on sick leave; he ran out of it this week. Every half-hour he walks (extra slowly) by my cube with his cup in hand on his way to the drinking fountain to get water. He is always tired and has permanent stoner eyes.
Last week, I needed him to do a lot of stuff that I needed basically the day before for a meeting a few days after. I knew that he had the capability and know how to do it on time. I left work late the night before the meeting without complete drawings in my hand, but assured that I would have them in the morning. What I didn't know was that he would call in sick the morning of the meeting and go to the doctor for some stomach problems he is having.
I got to work in the morning and did not see any drawings. Shit shit shit shit. I walk over to his supervisor and ask if he is going to be in that day. Super says no, he went to the doctor. But he also said that the drawings were completed and were in the plotter tray downstairs. Thank God!! The drawings were done well, and I was relieved.
The lazy drafter came in the next day. I asked him if he felt better. He started spouting off some medical terms. Whatever. I asked him how late he stayed the night before. He told me 9pm. I thanked him for all the work he did. I told his super that he said he was in til nine. The super told me that he told him 10. Interesting....
I find myself making excuses for him. I feel kinda sorry for him. What if he really is diseased? When his super asked me about the drawings and their quality, I said they were great, and that it was my fault for him staying so late. I told the super that I should have given him the design the day before I did, which was only half true.
The third and final lens became evident today. When I got to work at my usual 10 minutes late, there was a watch sitting in my chair. My supervisor used to be notorious for arriving at work late. His buddy in the Solid Waste division (Gere) used to put a watch in my supers chair whenever he was late. I never thought I would be a party to this little game that they play. But now I am. The whole day, the two of them were making jokes.
Gere "Hey Phil, how are you today?"
Me "Good Gere, how are you?"
Gere "Great. Did you get here alright this morning?"
Innocent?
Try this one that nearly pushed me over the edge:
(At the photocopier near the fax machine. Gere at the fax and Mike in front of me making copies.)
Gere "Hey Mike, do you know you are standing in front of the timeliest engineer in design?"
Mike "Uh, no I didn't."
Gere "Yeah, very timely."
I wanted to punch them all. I was close to throwing the watch away. I decided to hide it in the back of a drawer since it will probably remain in my possesion for a long while.
Three lenses of scrutiny.
What a frustrating week.
And it's not going to get any better.
8.28.2003
8.25.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Entry
Song of the Week
This weeks selection was very easy to make.
The Stereophonics have been around for a while. But noone knows them!
They are from the UK...Wales, to be exact. Oh yeah...that's why noone knows them!
The Stereophonics have released a song in the US before. "Have a Nice Day" was a mild hit, but one I thought everyone would recognize. To my surprise, noone does!
"Maybe Tomorrow" is a great song all around. Great guitars, great lyrics, great melody, great voices. Love it, love it, love it.
The song is a little on the sad and depressing side, but that is nothing compared to last weeks song.
This weeks selection was very easy to make.
The Stereophonics have been around for a while. But noone knows them!
They are from the UK...Wales, to be exact. Oh yeah...that's why noone knows them!
The Stereophonics have released a song in the US before. "Have a Nice Day" was a mild hit, but one I thought everyone would recognize. To my surprise, noone does!
"Maybe Tomorrow" is a great song all around. Great guitars, great lyrics, great melody, great voices. Love it, love it, love it.
The song is a little on the sad and depressing side, but that is nothing compared to last weeks song.
8.24.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Entry
Much fun was had by all this weekend!
Louis and Jen N. came to Tulare this weekend and we had a lot of fun!
Saturday:
Louis and Jen pull upto my apartment at about noon. Sonic!! Then we went to the outlets and walked around for a while. I was going to buy a chocolate covered strawberry at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, but they were $2! So I bought a battery charger for my cell phone instead.
Afterwards, we went to Blockbuster and rented Chicago. Louis hadn't seen it yet, so we watched it. Very good.
"Pop, Six, Squish, Uh-Uh, Cicero, Lipschitz."
After the movie, we relaxed for a while and watched TV. We saw a commercial for Bob's Big Boy in Fresno. Jen remarked that she used to go there with her family a lot. I suggested that we go, and we did! The dinner was OK.
Then we went to visit my cousin and play Phase 10. That was a lot of fun.
When we got back to the house, we watched the tape of Louis' sister on Jay Leno. Hilarious!!!
Sunday:
This morning, we got up late and had breakfast at Hometown Buffet. Then we went to the Indian Reservation and to Eagle Mountain Casino. I lost $43. It's OK. Jen won like $10!
After that, I took them to the best hot dog stand in Tulare. It is very cool. Then we went to Sonic and they got stuff.
We came back to the house and they chowed and after digesting a bit, they left.
It was a good weekend.
After they had left, I called up Paula and she came over with the kids and we ordered pizza. They were here for like 3 hours. It was fun. Towards the end, Shaley clocked Georgia in the mouth. I was laughing, on the inside. Paula was just shocked about what she saw. Georgia bawled for like 5 minutes and Shaley bawled for like 10 minutes after being punished...life on the stairs in the dark is not fun, I guess.
So anyhow, fun weekend!
Tomorrow:
Work and depression.
Much fun was had by all this weekend!
Louis and Jen N. came to Tulare this weekend and we had a lot of fun!
Saturday:
Louis and Jen pull upto my apartment at about noon. Sonic!! Then we went to the outlets and walked around for a while. I was going to buy a chocolate covered strawberry at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, but they were $2! So I bought a battery charger for my cell phone instead.
Afterwards, we went to Blockbuster and rented Chicago. Louis hadn't seen it yet, so we watched it. Very good.
"Pop, Six, Squish, Uh-Uh, Cicero, Lipschitz."
After the movie, we relaxed for a while and watched TV. We saw a commercial for Bob's Big Boy in Fresno. Jen remarked that she used to go there with her family a lot. I suggested that we go, and we did! The dinner was OK.
Then we went to visit my cousin and play Phase 10. That was a lot of fun.
When we got back to the house, we watched the tape of Louis' sister on Jay Leno. Hilarious!!!
Sunday:
This morning, we got up late and had breakfast at Hometown Buffet. Then we went to the Indian Reservation and to Eagle Mountain Casino. I lost $43. It's OK. Jen won like $10!
After that, I took them to the best hot dog stand in Tulare. It is very cool. Then we went to Sonic and they got stuff.
We came back to the house and they chowed and after digesting a bit, they left.
It was a good weekend.
After they had left, I called up Paula and she came over with the kids and we ordered pizza. They were here for like 3 hours. It was fun. Towards the end, Shaley clocked Georgia in the mouth. I was laughing, on the inside. Paula was just shocked about what she saw. Georgia bawled for like 5 minutes and Shaley bawled for like 10 minutes after being punished...life on the stairs in the dark is not fun, I guess.
So anyhow, fun weekend!
Tomorrow:
Work and depression.
8.22.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Seventh Entry
Friday's Fun Fact
Hurrah!!! Friday is here!! And it's time for my inaugural Friday's Fun Fact!
Well, it was hard this week...but...I got one!
I learned this week that tires for my truck are really expensive.
I had to replace two of my tires this week because they were old and all worn out and gross. I was told by people at work that I needed new tires and they suggested this place in Visalia called Carroll's Tires. They said that Carroll's is cheap and fast.
Well, fast is right, but cheap is wrong.
I went in thinking I would pay maybe no more than $150 for the two tires. Well, the final bill came out to $286. Good lord, I almost fainted. I called my brother and he said that the tires should cost no more than $120 a piece, plus labor. That's exactly what it was. I guess my tires are just huge, and nothings too good for Bullet!!!
Next time I go to Costco.
So another lesson learned, and another....
Friday's Fun Fact!!!
Hurrah!!! Friday is here!! And it's time for my inaugural Friday's Fun Fact!
Well, it was hard this week...but...I got one!
I learned this week that tires for my truck are really expensive.
I had to replace two of my tires this week because they were old and all worn out and gross. I was told by people at work that I needed new tires and they suggested this place in Visalia called Carroll's Tires. They said that Carroll's is cheap and fast.
Well, fast is right, but cheap is wrong.
I went in thinking I would pay maybe no more than $150 for the two tires. Well, the final bill came out to $286. Good lord, I almost fainted. I called my brother and he said that the tires should cost no more than $120 a piece, plus labor. That's exactly what it was. I guess my tires are just huge, and nothings too good for Bullet!!!
Next time I go to Costco.
So another lesson learned, and another....
8.18.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Sixth Entry
Oh...there was one thing that I wanted to share with you all:
Let's Sing It. You can seriously find virtually any lyric to any song on this website.
They even have online karaoke, but I dont really like it cuz you have to pay for the good channels.
Have fun browsing!
Oh...there was one thing that I wanted to share with you all:
Let's Sing It. You can seriously find virtually any lyric to any song on this website.
They even have online karaoke, but I dont really like it cuz you have to pay for the good channels.
Have fun browsing!
One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Entry
In an effort to increase readership, I have decided to introduce two new features into my blog: "Song of the Week" and "Friday's Fun Fact".
The "Song of the Week" will be a song that I have heard recently that I particularly like and would like to introduce to the rest of you all. I will try to post it on Mondays, and include a link to a clip of the song. I will also write a blurb about the artist and the song.
"Friday's Fun Fact" will be an interesting fact that I learned during the week.
It's time for the.....
Song of the Week
This weeks selection was hard to make because it is hard to find a clip of a lot of the songs I wanted to choose.
This artist is a former member of the a huge British pop group, the Sugababes. Although she is only 18, she had spent the last three and a half years of her life in that group. Impressive! Believe it or not, she was the oldest member of the Sugababes, and left because she felt she wasn't living up to her full potential in the group.
Siobhan Donaghy's youth is not detectable in her latest single, "Overrated". It is a very grown up track, compared to some of the stuff I've heard from the Sugababes. Although you shouldn't listen to it when depressed, it is a great sound. The song starts with a pretty sad guitar. Then her voice starts in and all hope for a happy song is lost. Her voice sounds depressed, as if she is grieving. The lyrics are also very depressing. But I love this song.
This single did decently well in the UK...not well enough for how much I like it.
Siobhan Donaghy - Overrated. You will need to navigate a bit. Click the enter link. Click the "Listen to her New Tracks" link under "Latest News". Then click on the "Overrated" link. Enjoy.
And let me know what you think of the song and of the new feature.
In an effort to increase readership, I have decided to introduce two new features into my blog: "Song of the Week" and "Friday's Fun Fact".
The "Song of the Week" will be a song that I have heard recently that I particularly like and would like to introduce to the rest of you all. I will try to post it on Mondays, and include a link to a clip of the song. I will also write a blurb about the artist and the song.
"Friday's Fun Fact" will be an interesting fact that I learned during the week.
It's time for the.....
This weeks selection was hard to make because it is hard to find a clip of a lot of the songs I wanted to choose.
This artist is a former member of the a huge British pop group, the Sugababes. Although she is only 18, she had spent the last three and a half years of her life in that group. Impressive! Believe it or not, she was the oldest member of the Sugababes, and left because she felt she wasn't living up to her full potential in the group.
Siobhan Donaghy's youth is not detectable in her latest single, "Overrated". It is a very grown up track, compared to some of the stuff I've heard from the Sugababes. Although you shouldn't listen to it when depressed, it is a great sound. The song starts with a pretty sad guitar. Then her voice starts in and all hope for a happy song is lost. Her voice sounds depressed, as if she is grieving. The lyrics are also very depressing. But I love this song.
This single did decently well in the UK...not well enough for how much I like it.
Siobhan Donaghy - Overrated. You will need to navigate a bit. Click the enter link. Click the "Listen to her New Tracks" link under "Latest News". Then click on the "Overrated" link. Enjoy.
And let me know what you think of the song and of the new feature.
8.11.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Fourth Entry
You never realize how meaningful your personal relationships are until they are gone or almost gone. It shouldn't be this way. I take all my relationships for granted, when I really should cherish and preserve them.
When people leave your life, you reflect: some memories happy, some sad.
When I found out about Dayni, I was very upset. It was shocking at first, and I somewhat thought it was a distasteful joke. But as the details came to me, I was sad. I was worried. How could anyone entertain these thoughts? Why would anyone think of doing this?
I thought about our years in Middle School, High School, and after. She used to call me "Tall-ee" because I was tall in Middle School. She always gives me a hug whenever we see each other. She is always very straight forward and doesn't beat around the bush. I love that about her. Her infectious laugh always makes me laugh. She is truly a great person and a joy to be around. She always likes to try new things. Our trip to Calistoga and the Petrified Forest was very fun. I love Dayni.
****
When Mylinh called me today at work, I knew it would be the last time I would speak to her for a while. She called me to say goodbye. She told me she will always love me. I told her that I would always love her. We cried.
Right now she is waiting at LAX for her flight to Vietnam. And I'm sitting here, reflecting. I remembered all her idiosyncracies. The same ones that drove me nuts, I find myself missing. I miss her voice, her scent. I miss the incessant 80s music in her car. I miss her laugh and smile. I miss her cooking. And I miss her reaction when she messes up her cooking. I miss her late night calls. I love Mylinh.
****
Jen is right. I should tell everyone that I love them. Because I do. I love all of my friends. I never say it, but it's true.
Jen is right. I should stop sweating the small stuff. It isn't worth it. Life is too important to worry about wrinkled clothes and shiny shoes.
****
Thanks for listening.
You never realize how meaningful your personal relationships are until they are gone or almost gone. It shouldn't be this way. I take all my relationships for granted, when I really should cherish and preserve them.
When people leave your life, you reflect: some memories happy, some sad.
When I found out about Dayni, I was very upset. It was shocking at first, and I somewhat thought it was a distasteful joke. But as the details came to me, I was sad. I was worried. How could anyone entertain these thoughts? Why would anyone think of doing this?
I thought about our years in Middle School, High School, and after. She used to call me "Tall-ee" because I was tall in Middle School. She always gives me a hug whenever we see each other. She is always very straight forward and doesn't beat around the bush. I love that about her. Her infectious laugh always makes me laugh. She is truly a great person and a joy to be around. She always likes to try new things. Our trip to Calistoga and the Petrified Forest was very fun. I love Dayni.
****
When Mylinh called me today at work, I knew it would be the last time I would speak to her for a while. She called me to say goodbye. She told me she will always love me. I told her that I would always love her. We cried.
Right now she is waiting at LAX for her flight to Vietnam. And I'm sitting here, reflecting. I remembered all her idiosyncracies. The same ones that drove me nuts, I find myself missing. I miss her voice, her scent. I miss the incessant 80s music in her car. I miss her laugh and smile. I miss her cooking. And I miss her reaction when she messes up her cooking. I miss her late night calls. I love Mylinh.
****
Jen is right. I should tell everyone that I love them. Because I do. I love all of my friends. I never say it, but it's true.
Jen is right. I should stop sweating the small stuff. It isn't worth it. Life is too important to worry about wrinkled clothes and shiny shoes.
****
Thanks for listening.
One Hundred Twenty-Third Entry
Today was an interesting day:
midnight - 3am: Video Games. Yes folks, I am now an official gamer. I bought a Playstation 2 at Target on Saturday. With it, came one controller, and two wires. I bought two games at Target also: The Getaway and GTA Vice City. Both very fun and interesting games. GTAVC is just a variation on the rest of the GTA series...basic car theft, murder, shoot 'em up game complete with prostitution and drugs. Super fun and interesting. I love it. The Getaway is sort of like GTA, but the missions are ten times more difficult because there are no gauges!! There is nothing on the screen but you and the action. The game is also a lot more realistic. It takes only three gunshots and you are dead. And the cars that you drive suffer a lot more when you crash them...like in real life. This is my favorite game so far.
My cousin Rodrigo spent the night. He loves video games more than anyone I know. We played forever.
3am - 10:30am: Sleep. And a restful sleep it was.
10:30am - 11:30am: Video Games. I woke up to a phone call from my aunt asking me to come over to grandmas house to help clean. Igo was already awake and playing his gameboy. He ate breakfast while I played The Getaway.
11:30am - 4:30pm: Cleaning grandma's house and hot dogs. I helped clean my grandmas house today. It was filthy! I guess I can't expect two old people to keep their house clean. We had rug doctored the carpets yesterday, and we moved all the furniture back in today. We put contact paper in some of the shelves. We watered the lawn and other plants. It was a good work day.
4:30pm - 5:30pm:
5:30pm - 8:30pm: Video Games and Dinner. I played The Getaway for a good hour and a half! I love that game! Then Igo said he wanted to eat dinner. So off we went to the land of Jack in the Box. Yumm. I got it togo and we ate at my house and watched the Disney Channel.
8:30pm - 11:00pm I took Igo to Paulas house where he is spending the night. I was there watching Paula play Final Fantasy 10 for the whole time. That will be one of my future purchases.
11:00pm - 12:00am Talked with Mylinh on the phone. She is leaving tomorrow! It is very sad that she is leaving, but this program is good for her. She will earn the title of "World Traveler" after this one.
Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Today was an interesting day:
midnight - 3am: Video Games. Yes folks, I am now an official gamer. I bought a Playstation 2 at Target on Saturday. With it, came one controller, and two wires. I bought two games at Target also: The Getaway and GTA Vice City. Both very fun and interesting games. GTAVC is just a variation on the rest of the GTA series...basic car theft, murder, shoot 'em up game complete with prostitution and drugs. Super fun and interesting. I love it. The Getaway is sort of like GTA, but the missions are ten times more difficult because there are no gauges!! There is nothing on the screen but you and the action. The game is also a lot more realistic. It takes only three gunshots and you are dead. And the cars that you drive suffer a lot more when you crash them...like in real life. This is my favorite game so far.
My cousin Rodrigo spent the night. He loves video games more than anyone I know. We played forever.
3am - 10:30am: Sleep. And a restful sleep it was.
10:30am - 11:30am: Video Games. I woke up to a phone call from my aunt asking me to come over to grandmas house to help clean. Igo was already awake and playing his gameboy. He ate breakfast while I played The Getaway.
11:30am - 4:30pm: Cleaning grandma's house and hot dogs. I helped clean my grandmas house today. It was filthy! I guess I can't expect two old people to keep their house clean. We had rug doctored the carpets yesterday, and we moved all the furniture back in today. We put contact paper in some of the shelves. We watered the lawn and other plants. It was a good work day.
4:30pm - 5:30pm:
5:30pm - 8:30pm: Video Games and Dinner. I played The Getaway for a good hour and a half! I love that game! Then Igo said he wanted to eat dinner. So off we went to the land of Jack in the Box. Yumm. I got it togo and we ate at my house and watched the Disney Channel.
8:30pm - 11:00pm I took Igo to Paulas house where he is spending the night. I was there watching Paula play Final Fantasy 10 for the whole time. That will be one of my future purchases.
11:00pm - 12:00am Talked with Mylinh on the phone. She is leaving tomorrow! It is very sad that she is leaving, but this program is good for her. She will earn the title of "World Traveler" after this one.
Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.
8.06.2003
One Hundred Twenty-Second Entry
I hate Alison. She needs to go. So do Nate, Justin, and Jun. My new faves for BB4 are (most favored first):
Erika: Good lady. Calm. Collected. Reminds me a lot of Lisa from BB3.
Jee: Innocent bystander. Total dumbass, but naively so.
Jack: Smart guy. Careful who he talks to.
Robert: I just feel sorry for him.
Reasons the others need to go (least hated first):
Jun: Sneaky little bitch that can't control her mouth.
Justin: Dumb-ass. Meathead.
Nate: Even more of a dumb-ass than Justin.
Alison: Evil bitch that cannot be trusted by anyone. She is probably gonna do Justin so he nominates who she wants.
Well, enough about BB4.
Today at work was interview day. I became the proctor for the written portion of the interview. Basically, the candidates (I like to think of them as contestants) each had the same situation presented to them and had to write a memo concerning the situation. Each contestant had 15 minutes. I had to keep track of this. One of the contestants took five minutes over the time. I told him that his time was up and he said that he just needed to finish the sentence. Well, it took him like 5 minutes to finish that damn sentence! I will now forever be known as "The Proctor". "He may not be quick, he may not be strong, but he'll make sure you don't go over the time limit! He's the PROCTOR!!" I don't like the nickname, but I guess it could be worse.
Anyway, I have my favorite contestant in my head. I was hoping for at least one young female engineer to come in, but for some reason women engineers are very rare. What happened to Women's rights? Didn't they all want to be equal so they could do all the jobs that men do?? What ever happened to that???
I have adopted a new symbol at work. It is an exclamation point. Let me explain....
I was totally rebuffed in some curb and gutter grades that I finished a couple weeks ago. For some reason, the surveyor that was staking the job decided that my top of curb elevation was .02 feet off and needed to be recalculated. In the little post-it note attached to the front of the memo, he used a very large exclamation point to emphasize the extreme nature of my mistake. I showed the memo to my supervisor who agreed that it should have been something that was adjusted in the field. He also noted that the surveyor must have been really mad to make the exclamation point extra thick!
I printed out a 500 size exclamation point and colored flames around the outside of it. It hangs outside my office. Plans are in the works to make an exclamation point with icicles and one with a happy face to use as a temperament meter. Taking it a step further, in my return memo to the surveyor, I tried to throw exclamation points wherever I could. I don't know if he caught it, but I haven't heard anything yet.
Taking it another step further, my supervisor added an exclamation point to my name when I get emails from him.
And that was when I decided that the exclamation point should become my symbol.
Today I reflected a lot on the past year I have been with the county. I thought of all the fun stuff at work.
I like that I have been known as "The Bruiser", "Junior", "Young Hero", "Chief", "Young Phil", "Big Phil", "Ramp Czar" and some others I can't remember.
I like that I have a list of over a dozen movies that various people have recommended for me.
I like how everyone treats me like an equal even though I am less than half their ages.
I like how I can go over and sit down with Gloria and talk for a while about anything.
I like how whenever anyone has a birthday or some other milestone or special event, that person brings in donuts.
I like how we have a secret refrigerator that noone can know about.
I like how no matter how much work there is to do, once you put in nine hours for the day, you can leave.
I like how we go out and do stuff together every once in a while.
I like how no matter who you are in the Design division, it is understood that you hate the county and the way its run.
I like how everyone complains about the health insurance.
I like how people alway comment on my Spongebob and Lakeshore kids toys.
I like how people stand outside my office and read all the jokes and comics I have.
I like how I work with people with a seemingly infinite knowledge about everything, and even though I do the same stuff day in and day out, I always learn something new everyday.
I like how the "Roach Coach" couple, Carlos and Rosa (yes I know their names) lectured me yesterday about how I am at the right age to get married, and should do so right away.
I like how Carlos and Rosa, within two guesses, can say what I want for lunch.
I like how when I go downstairs to get my mail, I always say hi to Patty and she always says hi back and we talk for 5 minutes.
I like how Jane always makes me laugh on breaks or sneak smokes.
I like how Kham feels free to talk to me about women when Jane isn't around.
I like how whenever I go in to Bill's office we salute each other.
I like how Phil and I can joke about everything (like his tie) even though he is two levels above me, and been working at the county longer than I've been alive.
I like how Marcia is trying to fix me up with any girl she can think of.
I like how Blas teases me every chance he gets.
I like how I like everything at work, but the work.
I hate Alison. She needs to go. So do Nate, Justin, and Jun. My new faves for BB4 are (most favored first):
Erika: Good lady. Calm. Collected. Reminds me a lot of Lisa from BB3.
Jee: Innocent bystander. Total dumbass, but naively so.
Jack: Smart guy. Careful who he talks to.
Robert: I just feel sorry for him.
Reasons the others need to go (least hated first):
Jun: Sneaky little bitch that can't control her mouth.
Justin: Dumb-ass. Meathead.
Nate: Even more of a dumb-ass than Justin.
Alison: Evil bitch that cannot be trusted by anyone. She is probably gonna do Justin so he nominates who she wants.
Well, enough about BB4.
Today at work was interview day. I became the proctor for the written portion of the interview. Basically, the candidates (I like to think of them as contestants) each had the same situation presented to them and had to write a memo concerning the situation. Each contestant had 15 minutes. I had to keep track of this. One of the contestants took five minutes over the time. I told him that his time was up and he said that he just needed to finish the sentence. Well, it took him like 5 minutes to finish that damn sentence! I will now forever be known as "The Proctor". "He may not be quick, he may not be strong, but he'll make sure you don't go over the time limit! He's the PROCTOR!!" I don't like the nickname, but I guess it could be worse.
Anyway, I have my favorite contestant in my head. I was hoping for at least one young female engineer to come in, but for some reason women engineers are very rare. What happened to Women's rights? Didn't they all want to be equal so they could do all the jobs that men do?? What ever happened to that???
I have adopted a new symbol at work. It is an exclamation point. Let me explain....
I was totally rebuffed in some curb and gutter grades that I finished a couple weeks ago. For some reason, the surveyor that was staking the job decided that my top of curb elevation was .02 feet off and needed to be recalculated. In the little post-it note attached to the front of the memo, he used a very large exclamation point to emphasize the extreme nature of my mistake. I showed the memo to my supervisor who agreed that it should have been something that was adjusted in the field. He also noted that the surveyor must have been really mad to make the exclamation point extra thick!
I printed out a 500 size exclamation point and colored flames around the outside of it. It hangs outside my office. Plans are in the works to make an exclamation point with icicles and one with a happy face to use as a temperament meter. Taking it a step further, in my return memo to the surveyor, I tried to throw exclamation points wherever I could. I don't know if he caught it, but I haven't heard anything yet.
Taking it another step further, my supervisor added an exclamation point to my name when I get emails from him.
And that was when I decided that the exclamation point should become my symbol.
Today I reflected a lot on the past year I have been with the county. I thought of all the fun stuff at work.
I like that I have been known as "The Bruiser", "Junior", "Young Hero", "Chief", "Young Phil", "Big Phil", "Ramp Czar" and some others I can't remember.
I like that I have a list of over a dozen movies that various people have recommended for me.
I like how everyone treats me like an equal even though I am less than half their ages.
I like how I can go over and sit down with Gloria and talk for a while about anything.
I like how whenever anyone has a birthday or some other milestone or special event, that person brings in donuts.
I like how we have a secret refrigerator that noone can know about.
I like how no matter how much work there is to do, once you put in nine hours for the day, you can leave.
I like how we go out and do stuff together every once in a while.
I like how no matter who you are in the Design division, it is understood that you hate the county and the way its run.
I like how everyone complains about the health insurance.
I like how people alway comment on my Spongebob and Lakeshore kids toys.
I like how people stand outside my office and read all the jokes and comics I have.
I like how I work with people with a seemingly infinite knowledge about everything, and even though I do the same stuff day in and day out, I always learn something new everyday.
I like how the "Roach Coach" couple, Carlos and Rosa (yes I know their names) lectured me yesterday about how I am at the right age to get married, and should do so right away.
I like how Carlos and Rosa, within two guesses, can say what I want for lunch.
I like how when I go downstairs to get my mail, I always say hi to Patty and she always says hi back and we talk for 5 minutes.
I like how Jane always makes me laugh on breaks or sneak smokes.
I like how Kham feels free to talk to me about women when Jane isn't around.
I like how whenever I go in to Bill's office we salute each other.
I like how Phil and I can joke about everything (like his tie) even though he is two levels above me, and been working at the county longer than I've been alive.
I like how Marcia is trying to fix me up with any girl she can think of.
I like how Blas teases me every chance he gets.
I like how I like everything at work, but the work.
8.04.2003
One Hundred Twenty-First Entry
I want to go to Grad School
I have been wanting to go to grad school since my job started causing me more stress and boredom than it should, and that was about five months ago(if any of you ever work for government of any kind, you will see it is a feast or famine type situation.) I haven't been too serious about it until about two months ago and started thinking more heavily about it. I think the push came when I saw Micah walking at her grad school graduation in Boston. How cool would that be to be called Dr. Toste? Pretty cool.
There are several problems with me going to grad school:
- My undergrad grades are shit.
- I have no rapport with any of my past professors.
- I have no experience in anything other than Civil Engineering, and that is not what I would like to get a Master's in.
The only viable solution I can see now is to just start over in a new field of study. Should I ever desire to do so, I have decided in four disciplines:
- Chemistry,
- Bio-Chemistry,
- Genetics (or Genetic Engineering,)
- Construction Management.
For all of these (except probably CM,) I would need to start all over. Chemistry would be ideal...did I ever tell you guys about the time I made H2 and O2 out of water and some wires and almost blew up my house? Fun stuff.
If I were to go into a new Bachelor's program, I would need to quit my job, move back home and go to school full time if I wanted to get done ASAP. And after tasting complete personal, mental and economic freedom for the first time in my life, I don't think I would enjoy living at home again. It would be OK for the first few weeks, but not for much longer. Another option would be to stay local and take my time getting my degree(s) by taking only night classes. Its not like I need to have a life for another 10 years. I've been doing fine without one 'til now.
Hmmmm....I just thought of this one...another option would be to go to grad school at Fresno State or San Diego State or some other school with weak grad programs where they wouldn't care as much about my low, low grades. I must check this out.
I want to get my Professional Engineer's License
This requires another year and two months patience and study. Like I have said countless times: I need two years engineering experience under 3 or 4 licensed engineers to qualify for the test. Jane was telling me about the 2 day exam today at work. I got a little worked up about it. Both scared and excited about it.
I, now more than ever, know that after I get my license I am getting out of here. No more Tulare, no more Central Valley, no more California (for a while anyway.) I am really going to try and get a job either up north (Washington), somewhere in the northeast (Boston, Providence, Philly), or abroad (Europe, Australia, South America). After my brief stint as roving CE, I could then settle down into heavy studying for a Masters.
The idea of being a registered CE is cool. It would be cool to be employable anywhere in the country. It is kind of like the final step on the CE ladder. I don't know that it is what I want to do for the rest of my life, but the sense of accomplishment would be with me forever.
I guess none of these things would make me truly happy. But I could sure buy a helluva lotta stuff with the huge salary that comes with all this stuff.
I want to go to Grad School
I have been wanting to go to grad school since my job started causing me more stress and boredom than it should, and that was about five months ago(if any of you ever work for government of any kind, you will see it is a feast or famine type situation.) I haven't been too serious about it until about two months ago and started thinking more heavily about it. I think the push came when I saw Micah walking at her grad school graduation in Boston. How cool would that be to be called Dr. Toste? Pretty cool.
There are several problems with me going to grad school:
- My undergrad grades are shit.
- I have no rapport with any of my past professors.
- I have no experience in anything other than Civil Engineering, and that is not what I would like to get a Master's in.
The only viable solution I can see now is to just start over in a new field of study. Should I ever desire to do so, I have decided in four disciplines:
- Chemistry,
- Bio-Chemistry,
- Genetics (or Genetic Engineering,)
- Construction Management.
For all of these (except probably CM,) I would need to start all over. Chemistry would be ideal...did I ever tell you guys about the time I made H2 and O2 out of water and some wires and almost blew up my house? Fun stuff.
If I were to go into a new Bachelor's program, I would need to quit my job, move back home and go to school full time if I wanted to get done ASAP. And after tasting complete personal, mental and economic freedom for the first time in my life, I don't think I would enjoy living at home again. It would be OK for the first few weeks, but not for much longer. Another option would be to stay local and take my time getting my degree(s) by taking only night classes. Its not like I need to have a life for another 10 years. I've been doing fine without one 'til now.
Hmmmm....I just thought of this one...another option would be to go to grad school at Fresno State or San Diego State or some other school with weak grad programs where they wouldn't care as much about my low, low grades. I must check this out.
I want to get my Professional Engineer's License
This requires another year and two months patience and study. Like I have said countless times: I need two years engineering experience under 3 or 4 licensed engineers to qualify for the test. Jane was telling me about the 2 day exam today at work. I got a little worked up about it. Both scared and excited about it.
I, now more than ever, know that after I get my license I am getting out of here. No more Tulare, no more Central Valley, no more California (for a while anyway.) I am really going to try and get a job either up north (Washington), somewhere in the northeast (Boston, Providence, Philly), or abroad (Europe, Australia, South America). After my brief stint as roving CE, I could then settle down into heavy studying for a Masters.
The idea of being a registered CE is cool. It would be cool to be employable anywhere in the country. It is kind of like the final step on the CE ladder. I don't know that it is what I want to do for the rest of my life, but the sense of accomplishment would be with me forever.
I guess none of these things would make me truly happy. But I could sure buy a helluva lotta stuff with the huge salary that comes with all this stuff.
7.30.2003
One Hundred Twentieth Entry
For some reason this thought crossed my mind...
Noone in this world can ever be happy.
It is human nature to never be completely happy.
It doesn't matter who or what you have.
You always want more.
Go for the grad school.
Go for the travelling.
Go for the experiences you think you need to be happy.
You always want more.
It is really a depressing thought.
For some reason this thought crossed my mind...
Noone in this world can ever be happy.
It is human nature to never be completely happy.
It doesn't matter who or what you have.
You always want more.
Go for the grad school.
Go for the travelling.
Go for the experiences you think you need to be happy.
You always want more.
It is really a depressing thought.
7.29.2003
One Hundred Eighteenth Entry
I became a professional panhandler this weekend...but more on that later.
BB4 is going down the tubes. I can't believe Nathan used the veto. I can't believe it.
Ali is playing him like a guitar.
Spoiler alert!!
The only reasons I have been watching the show and keeping track of the goings-on in the house on the internet are gone: Amanda, Melissa, and now David. I think the boards are right and now that David is gone, the ratings will go down the tubes. There are no more hot chicks in the house, and no more funny stuff.
Spoiler over!!
If I was CBS, I would pull a BB3 and reintroduce one of the contestants into the house. I doubt that will happen, but you never know!!
My new favorite to win is one of these three: Erika, Jun or Robert.
So yeah, I was a panhandler this weekend. It was very embarrassing. I did not want to do it and was happy when dude came up and threw three bucks into my hat.
Story:
I lost the Cardio Bet. As a result, I had to play guitar in Union Square in San Francisco for three hours or until I got three dollars. The remaining participants in the bet let me skew things on Sunday way to much. They should have made everything on their terms. But that is neither here nor there. Amy and I got to Union Square in SF at 9am. Jen and Lisa were slated to arrive at 9:30am. I told them I would go a little earlier to get a head start. They were fine with it. At about 9:21am, this guy comes up to me.
Conversation:
Dude: Do you know any old time country songs?
Me: No, I'm afraid not.
Dude: Well, what do you know?
Me: I just know some Portuguese folk songs.
Dude: Well, lets hear something.
Amy: Why don't you play that one that you sing to?
Me: (whispering) Shut up.
Dude: Yeah, how about that one?
Me: Ok.
I played and sang for about a minute. Then the song was over. He looked pretty impressed.
Dude: That deserves some money.
Dude busts out a small balled up dollar bill into my hat.
Me: Thanks dude.
Dude: Thank you.
Dude starts to walk away.
Me: Well, don't you want to hear my story?
Dude: That's not necessary, but OK.
Me: Well, I lost a bet and as a result, I have to play guitar here for three dollars. I am not really poor, I have a job. I just lost a bet. Get it?
Dude: That's funny.
Me: Where are you from?
Dude: The Fresno area.
Me: Really? I work in Visalia for Tulare County!
Dude: Cool.
Me: Thanks again.
Dude: No problem.
I don't think he believed me when I said I wasn't poor. Nor do I think he believed me when I said that I worked for Tulare County. So according to someone in the Fresno area, I am jobless and probably homeless.
Amy bent down and checked the money and she said that there were three dollars there instead of just one! Finished!!!
Not five minutes later, but guy comes back and asks for directions to IKEA. Very random!! I gave directions as best as I could.
I proceeded to call Jen and Lisa. Jen showed up at about 9:40am and chewed me out for playing guitar so well. I think she was just tired. Oh well. I made my three bucks.
About ten minutes later, Lisa gets there and I am still playing, Amy sitting beside me and Jen sulking off to the side. It was pretty funny.
I had some fans too. They were from Lake Tahoe. They asked me what I knew how to play. I put out my hat again and was hoping to make a little more money. The guy came over and asked me for money!! Sorry buddy, it works the other way around.
Lisa then had the bright idea of reenacting the whole thing. Amy played the part of Dude and I played myself. Amy threw the money in the hat and I was playing. All the while the guy from Lake Tahoe was watching. He was probably pissed, but oh well.
By the time we felt like leaving, Jen was in a better mood but saved her words for Amy and Lisa. Again, in her defense though, she was very tired. Amy and I walked over to BART and went home.
Amy and I talked on the BART home and we determined that the guy sounded like he was originally from Missouri. Very interesting.
Anyway, I am a professional panhandler.
I became a professional panhandler this weekend...but more on that later.
BB4 is going down the tubes. I can't believe Nathan used the veto. I can't believe it.
Ali is playing him like a guitar.
Spoiler alert!!
The only reasons I have been watching the show and keeping track of the goings-on in the house on the internet are gone: Amanda, Melissa, and now David. I think the boards are right and now that David is gone, the ratings will go down the tubes. There are no more hot chicks in the house, and no more funny stuff.
Spoiler over!!
If I was CBS, I would pull a BB3 and reintroduce one of the contestants into the house. I doubt that will happen, but you never know!!
My new favorite to win is one of these three: Erika, Jun or Robert.
So yeah, I was a panhandler this weekend. It was very embarrassing. I did not want to do it and was happy when dude came up and threw three bucks into my hat.
Story:
I lost the Cardio Bet. As a result, I had to play guitar in Union Square in San Francisco for three hours or until I got three dollars. The remaining participants in the bet let me skew things on Sunday way to much. They should have made everything on their terms. But that is neither here nor there. Amy and I got to Union Square in SF at 9am. Jen and Lisa were slated to arrive at 9:30am. I told them I would go a little earlier to get a head start. They were fine with it. At about 9:21am, this guy comes up to me.
Conversation:
Dude: Do you know any old time country songs?
Me: No, I'm afraid not.
Dude: Well, what do you know?
Me: I just know some Portuguese folk songs.
Dude: Well, lets hear something.
Amy: Why don't you play that one that you sing to?
Me: (whispering) Shut up.
Dude: Yeah, how about that one?
Me: Ok.
I played and sang for about a minute. Then the song was over. He looked pretty impressed.
Dude: That deserves some money.
Dude busts out a small balled up dollar bill into my hat.
Me: Thanks dude.
Dude: Thank you.
Dude starts to walk away.
Me: Well, don't you want to hear my story?
Dude: That's not necessary, but OK.
Me: Well, I lost a bet and as a result, I have to play guitar here for three dollars. I am not really poor, I have a job. I just lost a bet. Get it?
Dude: That's funny.
Me: Where are you from?
Dude: The Fresno area.
Me: Really? I work in Visalia for Tulare County!
Dude: Cool.
Me: Thanks again.
Dude: No problem.
I don't think he believed me when I said I wasn't poor. Nor do I think he believed me when I said that I worked for Tulare County. So according to someone in the Fresno area, I am jobless and probably homeless.
Amy bent down and checked the money and she said that there were three dollars there instead of just one! Finished!!!
Not five minutes later, but guy comes back and asks for directions to IKEA. Very random!! I gave directions as best as I could.
I proceeded to call Jen and Lisa. Jen showed up at about 9:40am and chewed me out for playing guitar so well. I think she was just tired. Oh well. I made my three bucks.
About ten minutes later, Lisa gets there and I am still playing, Amy sitting beside me and Jen sulking off to the side. It was pretty funny.
I had some fans too. They were from Lake Tahoe. They asked me what I knew how to play. I put out my hat again and was hoping to make a little more money. The guy came over and asked me for money!! Sorry buddy, it works the other way around.
Lisa then had the bright idea of reenacting the whole thing. Amy played the part of Dude and I played myself. Amy threw the money in the hat and I was playing. All the while the guy from Lake Tahoe was watching. He was probably pissed, but oh well.
By the time we felt like leaving, Jen was in a better mood but saved her words for Amy and Lisa. Again, in her defense though, she was very tired. Amy and I walked over to BART and went home.
Amy and I talked on the BART home and we determined that the guy sounded like he was originally from Missouri. Very interesting.
Anyway, I am a professional panhandler.
7.19.2003
One Hundred Seventeenth Entry
Me: Guess what?
Loyal Reader (LR): What?
Me: I got a new toy today?
LR: What's that?
Me: Guess!!
LR: An easel?
Me: Nope!! Guess again!
LR: A digital camera?
Me: Nope!! Guess again!
LR: I'll never get it...
Me: Sure you will...I'll give you a hint: It is black and top heavy.
LR: Is it Beyonce?
Me: Nope!! Think "Erin Brockovich".
LR: Is it a paper shredder??
Me: Yes it certainly is!!
I got a paper shredder today from Office Depot. I love it. I have already shredded all my credit card stuff and receipts. I love it. I was trying to jam the thing, but it won't! I love it!!
BB4 is getting very interesting. Especially with Erika and Michelle up for eviction. Ha ha ha ha. Poor Michelle. Innocent little Michelle. Don't they know that the pawn always goes in BB??
Spoiler: Do not read unless you don't care about BB, in which case, you won't read it anyway.
The fact that David won the veto is very interesting. In monitoring the boards, many deals are being made to make sure David doesn't use the veto. Also, Dave has been saying that he has some very explosive information which he will share soon. Interesting!!!
Spoiler Over
Blog Over
Me: Guess what?
Loyal Reader (LR): What?
Me: I got a new toy today?
LR: What's that?
Me: Guess!!
LR: An easel?
Me: Nope!! Guess again!
LR: A digital camera?
Me: Nope!! Guess again!
LR: I'll never get it...
Me: Sure you will...I'll give you a hint: It is black and top heavy.
LR: Is it Beyonce?
Me: Nope!! Think "Erin Brockovich".
LR: Is it a paper shredder??
Me: Yes it certainly is!!
I got a paper shredder today from Office Depot. I love it. I have already shredded all my credit card stuff and receipts. I love it. I was trying to jam the thing, but it won't! I love it!!
BB4 is getting very interesting. Especially with Erika and Michelle up for eviction. Ha ha ha ha. Poor Michelle. Innocent little Michelle. Don't they know that the pawn always goes in BB??
Spoiler: Do not read unless you don't care about BB, in which case, you won't read it anyway.
The fact that David won the veto is very interesting. In monitoring the boards, many deals are being made to make sure David doesn't use the veto. Also, Dave has been saying that he has some very explosive information which he will share soon. Interesting!!!
Spoiler Over
Blog Over
7.17.2003
One Hundred Sixteenth Entry
The best line in the J. Lo and Ben interview tonight:
(in the kitchen, cooking) Ben: "It's like watching the Discovery channel. Watch the J. Lo in her natural habitat."
I bent double laughing.
I was just outside smoking a cig and it is still 90 degrees. Blechh.
That is all.
The best line in the J. Lo and Ben interview tonight:
(in the kitchen, cooking) Ben: "It's like watching the Discovery channel. Watch the J. Lo in her natural habitat."
I bent double laughing.
I was just outside smoking a cig and it is still 90 degrees. Blechh.
That is all.
7.15.2003
One Hundred Fifteenth Entry
Caution: Do not read the following paragraph if you do not want to read a BB4 spoiler. It will be hidden in the following paragraph to avoid accidental readage.
BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Apparently, BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Scott BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 threw BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 a BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 temper BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 tantrum, BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 throwing BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 chairs BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 around BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 and BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 stuff. BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Big Brother BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 saw fit BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 to BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 remove BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 him BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 from BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 the BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 house. BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4.
Interesting huh.
That little precaution should help me avoid the wrath of Jen, who hates having things spoiled. Where's the fun in suspense??
Another BB4 note: I discovered a free link to the web cams... www.bbchatter.com ... click on the links that say cam or quad.
I am becoming a BB cam junkie.
Caution: Do not read the following paragraph if you do not want to read a BB4 spoiler. It will be hidden in the following paragraph to avoid accidental readage.
BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Apparently, BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Scott BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 threw BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 a BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 temper BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 tantrum, BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 throwing BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 chairs BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 around BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 and BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 stuff. BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 Big Brother BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 saw fit BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 to BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 remove BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 him BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 from BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 the BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 house. BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4 BB4.
Interesting huh.
That little precaution should help me avoid the wrath of Jen, who hates having things spoiled. Where's the fun in suspense??
Another BB4 note: I discovered a free link to the web cams... www.bbchatter.com ... click on the links that say cam or quad.
I am becoming a BB cam junkie.
7.13.2003
One Hundred Fourteenth Entry
I went camping this weekend with my family. It never got above 80 degrees the whole weekend.
Much food, fire and fun was had by all. I am beat. Sleeping in a tent is fun, but not completely relaxing. No showers whatsoever, and the toilets were little more than holes in the ground with cold metal seats.
The place where I went camping was fun. Tons of trees, water and possible hiking. There used to be bears up there, but recently they have taken care of the problem.
Thoughts of a Survivor weekend were rampant in my brain. I was thinking...have the contest occur on a weekend and have people take either a Friday or Monday off, to extend the weekend. We will have two votes a day, voting two people off at a time, if need be. The last vote will be between the final two players. The fishing is supposedly good, but that would not be the only food supply. There will probably have to be a food competition a la BB. Or else, PB&J for the rest of the comp.
As for immunity, there will be no immunity competition until possibly the last two votes so the competitors won't be competitioned out. Maybe there will be immunity comps for the first and last votes. The folks voted off will be moved to a campsite approx. 10 miles from the Survivor campsite, where there are actual showers, the nights are a little warmer, and plenty of food and booze.
I am really getting excited about this because I actually can plan this out with the site of the competition in mind.
If anyone is interested, please let me know, and spread the word among those who would make it fun and would enjoy it.
In other news...
I watched the much anticipated series premiere of Banzai!!! Very funny. Just as funny as I remembered it in London. I am very much looking forward to watching it every Sunday night at 8:30pm.
I just saw a commercial for S.W.A.T. That looks like the dumbest movie in the history of dumb movies. It makes Mr. Bean look like Gone with the Wind, or something.
Good Night
I went camping this weekend with my family. It never got above 80 degrees the whole weekend.
Much food, fire and fun was had by all. I am beat. Sleeping in a tent is fun, but not completely relaxing. No showers whatsoever, and the toilets were little more than holes in the ground with cold metal seats.
The place where I went camping was fun. Tons of trees, water and possible hiking. There used to be bears up there, but recently they have taken care of the problem.
Thoughts of a Survivor weekend were rampant in my brain. I was thinking...have the contest occur on a weekend and have people take either a Friday or Monday off, to extend the weekend. We will have two votes a day, voting two people off at a time, if need be. The last vote will be between the final two players. The fishing is supposedly good, but that would not be the only food supply. There will probably have to be a food competition a la BB. Or else, PB&J for the rest of the comp.
As for immunity, there will be no immunity competition until possibly the last two votes so the competitors won't be competitioned out. Maybe there will be immunity comps for the first and last votes. The folks voted off will be moved to a campsite approx. 10 miles from the Survivor campsite, where there are actual showers, the nights are a little warmer, and plenty of food and booze.
I am really getting excited about this because I actually can plan this out with the site of the competition in mind.
If anyone is interested, please let me know, and spread the word among those who would make it fun and would enjoy it.
In other news...
I watched the much anticipated series premiere of Banzai!!! Very funny. Just as funny as I remembered it in London. I am very much looking forward to watching it every Sunday night at 8:30pm.
I just saw a commercial for S.W.A.T. That looks like the dumbest movie in the history of dumb movies. It makes Mr. Bean look like Gone with the Wind, or something.
Good Night
7.11.2003
One Hundred Thirteenth Entry
Who is not in love with Beyonce? Who has seen her video for "Crazy in Love"? HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!
She is going to blow up big time. She has it all: a hot body, long sexy hair, sexy raspy voice. Mmmmmmm....
Just thought you might like to know.
Check out the video if you can! You WILL melt.
Other music tips: Stereophonics, Maybe Tomorrow (a very good song by the, apparently, little known Stereophonics)
Who is not in love with Beyonce? Who has seen her video for "Crazy in Love"? HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!
She is going to blow up big time. She has it all: a hot body, long sexy hair, sexy raspy voice. Mmmmmmm....
Just thought you might like to know.
Check out the video if you can! You WILL melt.
Other music tips: Stereophonics, Maybe Tomorrow (a very good song by the, apparently, little known Stereophonics)
One Hundred Twelfth Entry
I played tennis with my cousin on Monday. We tried to go to some courts by his house, but they were all occupied. So we remembered that Tulare Union High has tennis courts. Score!!!
We get to Tulare Union at about 8pm, park, go through the gate, trek across the giant field they have to the tennis courts, and play tennis. By about 8:30, it was too dark to play and the heat was getting to us. Well...
We pack up and get ready to leave. We walk towards the gate we came in. The gate was locked! Hmmm.... There were people at the pool having a swim meet, and there were people walking on the track, both places with their own gates and fences. We figured that we could ask them to let us out if we couldn't find another way.
We walked all over the school looking for a weakness in the fence, any hole we could squeeze through. We searched for a good 40 minutes. Nothing.
Oh well, lets just go over to the pool and the track and get someone with a key to let us out. By that time, the pool was empty and the track had just two people on it. I leaned up against the fence at the track and shouted "Help!!" to a man jogging by. He turned towards us for a second, but kept on jogging. Bastard!!!
What to do! What to do?
I called my aunt. She is a teacher and I figured that she might know someone on the "inside" who could let us out. She did not know anyone. She came and kept us company though.
So, I called the Tulare Police non-emergency line. The lady was very nice and said someone would be right over. Not ten minutes later, a janitor at the school showed up and let us out. Much clapping and thanks was had by ALL!!!
That was my adventure for the week.
I played tennis with my cousin on Monday. We tried to go to some courts by his house, but they were all occupied. So we remembered that Tulare Union High has tennis courts. Score!!!
We get to Tulare Union at about 8pm, park, go through the gate, trek across the giant field they have to the tennis courts, and play tennis. By about 8:30, it was too dark to play and the heat was getting to us. Well...
We pack up and get ready to leave. We walk towards the gate we came in. The gate was locked! Hmmm.... There were people at the pool having a swim meet, and there were people walking on the track, both places with their own gates and fences. We figured that we could ask them to let us out if we couldn't find another way.
We walked all over the school looking for a weakness in the fence, any hole we could squeeze through. We searched for a good 40 minutes. Nothing.
Oh well, lets just go over to the pool and the track and get someone with a key to let us out. By that time, the pool was empty and the track had just two people on it. I leaned up against the fence at the track and shouted "Help!!" to a man jogging by. He turned towards us for a second, but kept on jogging. Bastard!!!
What to do! What to do?
I called my aunt. She is a teacher and I figured that she might know someone on the "inside" who could let us out. She did not know anyone. She came and kept us company though.
So, I called the Tulare Police non-emergency line. The lady was very nice and said someone would be right over. Not ten minutes later, a janitor at the school showed up and let us out. Much clapping and thanks was had by ALL!!!
That was my adventure for the week.
7.06.2003
One Hundred Eleventh Entry
This weekend was a really fun weekend. Jen and Lisa came down from the Bay Area on Friday and left today. I was really happy that they came. I was not happy that they could only spend one night.
On Friday, they got here around 1pm. We played in my new 'kiddie' pool in the backyard and afterwards went to Sonic for some grub. Yummm.
After we got back, we started to get stuff ready for our 4th of July BBQ. Jen put together the BBQ and it was very nice. I fired up the grill and, well, I put too much charcoal. See, I used the charcoal that you don't need to use lighter fluid on. Well, the fire burned for days.
After about half an hour, the grill was ready to cook on. The food turned out a little burnt, but oh well. Paula and Calvin and the kids came over and it was fun. We all sat around in the kiddie pool and shot our water guns at each other.
After dinner, we went to Paulas house and lit fireworks for like 2 hours. It was Fun!!!
Today we all woke up a little late and went to breakfast at Ryan's. After that, I took the girls to a meth lab in Plainview. We didn't go in, we just looked at it as we drove by. They had never seen one.
On the way to the meth lab, Lisa and Jen both wanted to drive my truck. So I let them. They did well.
After that, we came back and played Hoopla a lot. For dinner we went to Sonic!
And then they left. I was sad and said I wished they could stay til tomorrow. Oh well.
Lisa agrees that I am going bald. This officially marks the beginning of my adulthood. I now have to deal with my hairloss. Although it isn't anything too bad yet, I don't think I have too much time before I am a Kojak look-a-like. The clock is ticking. I like the Andre. Expense!!
So, with my hair becoming thinner by the day, I need to re-think some things. In a way, I am dealing with my own mortality. I am going to die, and this balding is signaling the beginning of the end.
I'm not going to go and kill myself or buy Rogaine (unless it gets really bad); I am going to treat each day as a gift. Something that should be made the most of. I am going to make the rest of my time on this Earth as good as I can. I am going to start leading a healthy lifestyle. I am going to learn things that I have always wanted to learn. I am going to treasure my leisure time and do things that I enjoy.
Probably after I sober up, I'll scarf down all the hot dogs in my fridge and forget all about this.
This weekend was a really fun weekend. Jen and Lisa came down from the Bay Area on Friday and left today. I was really happy that they came. I was not happy that they could only spend one night.
On Friday, they got here around 1pm. We played in my new 'kiddie' pool in the backyard and afterwards went to Sonic for some grub. Yummm.
After we got back, we started to get stuff ready for our 4th of July BBQ. Jen put together the BBQ and it was very nice. I fired up the grill and, well, I put too much charcoal. See, I used the charcoal that you don't need to use lighter fluid on. Well, the fire burned for days.
After about half an hour, the grill was ready to cook on. The food turned out a little burnt, but oh well. Paula and Calvin and the kids came over and it was fun. We all sat around in the kiddie pool and shot our water guns at each other.
After dinner, we went to Paulas house and lit fireworks for like 2 hours. It was Fun!!!
Today we all woke up a little late and went to breakfast at Ryan's. After that, I took the girls to a meth lab in Plainview. We didn't go in, we just looked at it as we drove by. They had never seen one.
On the way to the meth lab, Lisa and Jen both wanted to drive my truck. So I let them. They did well.
After that, we came back and played Hoopla a lot. For dinner we went to Sonic!
And then they left. I was sad and said I wished they could stay til tomorrow. Oh well.
Lisa agrees that I am going bald. This officially marks the beginning of my adulthood. I now have to deal with my hairloss. Although it isn't anything too bad yet, I don't think I have too much time before I am a Kojak look-a-like. The clock is ticking. I like the Andre. Expense!!
So, with my hair becoming thinner by the day, I need to re-think some things. In a way, I am dealing with my own mortality. I am going to die, and this balding is signaling the beginning of the end.
I'm not going to go and kill myself or buy Rogaine (unless it gets really bad); I am going to treat each day as a gift. Something that should be made the most of. I am going to make the rest of my time on this Earth as good as I can. I am going to start leading a healthy lifestyle. I am going to learn things that I have always wanted to learn. I am going to treasure my leisure time and do things that I enjoy.
Probably after I sober up, I'll scarf down all the hot dogs in my fridge and forget all about this.
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