As I am sitting here alone watching the highlights from the '83 US Festival, guess who shows up on the screen? That's right, Quarterflash. Now tell them what they won, Don. "That's right Jeff. The guest has won a year supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Fransico..." Oh sorry. Didn't mean to lose it. Anyway, I digress. The US Festival and Quarterflash happened 26 years ago. 26 MFN YEARS AGO!!!
I bring all of this up because earlier this week I found myself working in a "war room" with a couple of engineers, regulatory and design quality people. This is all because the SPG (sales prevention group) struck again, but that is a different story. Anyway, we were talking about music, and I was mentioning that I I heard "Girls, Girls, Girls" by Motlley Crue on the oldies station in a store the other day. One of the young engineers said, "well, that was a little before my time, but I know the song."
To which I replied, "A little before your time? It came out in, like, '87."
To which he retorted, "I was 2!"
Ok, that threw me into a mind warp of biblical proportions. Well, come to think of it, I don't know that there are mind warps described in the bible, but you know what I mean.
I suddenly felt OLD, but this guy was born when I was entering Junior High. He has never heard of some of the biggest bands of that era. You know, bands like, uh, well, um, Brittny Fox or the Bullet Boys (that sounds gay), or Enuff Znuff. Ok, now I am embarrassed that I remember those bands.
I guess what I am saying is that a hell of a lot of years have passed without me even realizing it. It is kind of funny, but a little scary, too. I guess it makes me think about how easy it can be for a lifetime to pass by without really ever understanding the story. My kids will be grown someday, and I will really be old. It reminds me of the song FADE by King's X.
One day I'll get older
Then it will be over
Want to live a long life
Like there is no next time
Who knows how long after today
Life is too short to fade away
I've heard a million stories
Some self explanatory
But then the words fade into gray
Take from the final pages
Whatever is contagious
Then make it all just fade away
Each day I get older
Get a little colder
I don't need to fit in
Like I did way back then
Well, maybe that is a little over-dramatic, but you know what I mean. I would love to keep typing on the subject, but Missing Persons is about to take the stage. Gotta go.
Until next time, remember Frankie says "RELAX".
PEACE.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
I MADE A JOKE TO SOME FRIENDS: A POEM
I made a joke to some friends the other day.
Some caught on. Some didn't know what to say.
For the longest time, they didn't say a thing.
All was quiet, until I got an email ping.
He searched for a comment to say.
He sent it to me on this very day.
He said since I made the joke he wondered where I was.
Did he mean my in my heart or in my soul?
Told him that it was a joke.
But it made him stumble.
He was wondering about me.
He was bold. He was humble
So was I joking, or was I stern?
This is an answer that I have yet to learn.
So maybe time will tell, but to answer him...
I am not afraid of hell.
Until then... you figure it out.
J....
Some caught on. Some didn't know what to say.
For the longest time, they didn't say a thing.
All was quiet, until I got an email ping.
He searched for a comment to say.
He sent it to me on this very day.
He said since I made the joke he wondered where I was.
Did he mean my in my heart or in my soul?
Told him that it was a joke.
But it made him stumble.
He was wondering about me.
He was bold. He was humble
So was I joking, or was I stern?
This is an answer that I have yet to learn.
So maybe time will tell, but to answer him...
I am not afraid of hell.
Until then... you figure it out.
J....
Sunday, October 25, 2009
IRON MIKE
Yesterday, I watched the documentary on the life/career of boxing great, Mike Tyson. It was aptly called Tyson. I have seen several matches over the years with Mike and his one-punch knock outs. I also watch as Lennox Lewis beat Tyson in Memphis. No, I didn't have tickets. I had pay-per-view. I have also seen the many public moments in Tyson's life. The "rape" of the beauty pageant contestant, marriage to Robin Givens, Tyson going Hannibal Lecter on Evander Holyfield, his outburst at a press conference, etc. The list goes on and on. Each time that I saw something else in the news that he had done, I would always wonder if he would end up killing someone.
What surprised me was how vulnerable this guy was in the documentary. His story was basically told by him. I am sure it is how he remembers it, and that not all of it is accurate. However, it was interesting seeing and hearing this guy's perspective. He told of how he grew up and why he had to become a fighter. Not necessarily a boxer, but a fighter. He told about how he made a friend and trusted one person. His rise to the top and his fall to the bottom. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has ever thought they knew who this guy is.
Ok, with that being said, I will have to say that there are some hilarious moments in the film, and they all come from Mike Tyson either making up words or using words improperly. One example comes from when he describes when he met Robin Givens. He said (insert Mike Tyson voice), "I followed her in to the restroom and ended up performing fellatio on her." Woah!!! He used it in a way that I had to look it up to make sure that I didn't miss something in the definition. There is one point where he said that Evander had knocked him into Bolivian." Now I know that Tyson isn't the most educated guy in the world, but the use of the situations are still funny.
I would still highly recommend it. Very informative and entertaining.
Well, I guess the only thing that I can say at this point is "Just chill till the next episode." (sorry, I also watched a documentary on the rise and fall of Death Row records.)
J...
What surprised me was how vulnerable this guy was in the documentary. His story was basically told by him. I am sure it is how he remembers it, and that not all of it is accurate. However, it was interesting seeing and hearing this guy's perspective. He told of how he grew up and why he had to become a fighter. Not necessarily a boxer, but a fighter. He told about how he made a friend and trusted one person. His rise to the top and his fall to the bottom. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has ever thought they knew who this guy is.
Ok, with that being said, I will have to say that there are some hilarious moments in the film, and they all come from Mike Tyson either making up words or using words improperly. One example comes from when he describes when he met Robin Givens. He said (insert Mike Tyson voice), "I followed her in to the restroom and ended up performing fellatio on her." Woah!!! He used it in a way that I had to look it up to make sure that I didn't miss something in the definition. There is one point where he said that Evander had knocked him into Bolivian." Now I know that Tyson isn't the most educated guy in the world, but the use of the situations are still funny.
I would still highly recommend it. Very informative and entertaining.
Well, I guess the only thing that I can say at this point is "Just chill till the next episode." (sorry, I also watched a documentary on the rise and fall of Death Row records.)
J...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
COMMUNITY THEATER
I took the day off yesterday so that I could accompany my oldest daughter on a class field trip. It was to a local performing arts center. The play was based on a Disney movie. I knew this when I agreed to go. What I didn't know is that it was all performed by kids between the ages of 6 and 16, and that it was a musical (which means suddenly breaking into song). Ok, I braced myself to just sit there and pass the hour and a half or so. Now there were about 50 kids in this musical, and I think that maybe 2 of them almost had the potential to perhaps carry a tune. Now I am a musician and I have a pretty good ear. When things are off pitch or just completely out of key, it is like someone is rolling a pizza cutter up my back. I know they are kids and trying new things and I can appreciate that. After all, if I went back and listened to my playing when I first picked up the guitar, there probably wouldn't be much evidence that I would become the guitar wizard that is typing this today. This revelation actually snapped me back to the realization that these are KIDS and changed my perspective on the whole show. I was impressed that these kids had the nerve to get up there, remember all their lines, and pulling it off pretty well.
Actually, what probably caught my attention (annoyance) more was the "sound guy" that was forgetting to turn on the microphones to key performers until they were 2 or 3 lines into a song. It could have been the equipment malfunctioning because there was a lot of interference with the wireless microphones and props.
Oh well, even if all had been complete chaos, I still got to hang out with my kid for most of the day. She was excited that I as there, and I was glad to be there too. Later on, we got to do one of her favorite things. That is she got to take control of my iPod and pick the songs she wanted to listen to. I have been trying to guide her toward good music. You know, something beyond Hannah Cyrus Miley Montanna or the Jonas Brothers. She has gotten a good dose of, and still likes to listen to, The Ramones, Foo Fighters, Van Halen, Extreme, and a few other bands.
Later on, I got some take out sushi and chilled for the evening. Maybe one day, my oldest will like sushi as much as I do. She has tried California rolls (starter sushi) and liked it. Although, I may have to be careful, sushi can get expensive. And I don't need that.
Till next time, remember Mr T. don't have time for no jibber jabber, fool.
Peace, J
Actually, what probably caught my attention (annoyance) more was the "sound guy" that was forgetting to turn on the microphones to key performers until they were 2 or 3 lines into a song. It could have been the equipment malfunctioning because there was a lot of interference with the wireless microphones and props.
Oh well, even if all had been complete chaos, I still got to hang out with my kid for most of the day. She was excited that I as there, and I was glad to be there too. Later on, we got to do one of her favorite things. That is she got to take control of my iPod and pick the songs she wanted to listen to. I have been trying to guide her toward good music. You know, something beyond Hannah Cyrus Miley Montanna or the Jonas Brothers. She has gotten a good dose of, and still likes to listen to, The Ramones, Foo Fighters, Van Halen, Extreme, and a few other bands.
Later on, I got some take out sushi and chilled for the evening. Maybe one day, my oldest will like sushi as much as I do. She has tried California rolls (starter sushi) and liked it. Although, I may have to be careful, sushi can get expensive. And I don't need that.
Till next time, remember Mr T. don't have time for no jibber jabber, fool.
Peace, J
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
AND THE WORD OF THE DAY IS...
So, I am in a meeting yesterday afternoon, and we are discussing yet another new process that has been dropped on our department by people that have had ZERO time in front of any of our customers. More specifically we were having a meeting to prepare for a meeting that is supposed to happen today where we tell the "process droppers" how jacked up this is and how they must be smoking crack (well, maybe it will be more diplomatic, but you get the picture).
Anyway, about 2/3 of the way into the meeting, one of the managers starts talking and making his points. The only thing is that he is basically restating what everyone else in the meeting had been saying for the past hour and fifteen minutes. To top it off, he started calling the process that had been dropped on us (and the logic behind it) an algorithm. Not only that, but he was pronouncing in AWL-gorithm. So the first time he said it, I thought, "what? did he really just say what I thought he said?" He must have read my mind because he used the word over and over and over again. People were looking at him like, "uh, ok, um, what?" So then he would suddenly say, "well, we need to just throw some instruments out on the table to show them what we mean." That was his fall back phrase. Well, after him saying AWL-gorithm and "we should just throw an instrument out", I couldn't contain my smart-ass-ness any longer (it may be a super power. I don't know). I raised my hand and said, "I have an idea. Why don't you bring a whole box of instruments into the meeting and just throw one or two out on the table about every seven or eight minutes? It won't matter what the topic is. They will surely see our side of things." He just looked at me with this blank stare. He finally got it when several others cracked up. I have to admit that it was pretty funny.
On another note, when did cell phones get so important that someone feels the need to answer the phone when they are sitting on the toilet? I walked into the restroom at work this morning and as I was washing my hands, I heard a phone ring in one of the stalls. Not so unususal, but what was surprising was to hear "Hey, Mike! The meeting is in C4-D? I am on my way right now." I thought, "uh, not EXACTLY." I wish that I would have gone into the stall next to him and flushed while he was on the phone. I hear people answering their phones more and more in the restroom. Is this the logical extension of multi-tasking? Seriously, if I ever call you and you are in the middle of a call with nature, you will not hurt my feelings if you don't answer. In fact, please, don't answer.
Till next time...
J
Anyway, about 2/3 of the way into the meeting, one of the managers starts talking and making his points. The only thing is that he is basically restating what everyone else in the meeting had been saying for the past hour and fifteen minutes. To top it off, he started calling the process that had been dropped on us (and the logic behind it) an algorithm. Not only that, but he was pronouncing in AWL-gorithm. So the first time he said it, I thought, "what? did he really just say what I thought he said?" He must have read my mind because he used the word over and over and over again. People were looking at him like, "uh, ok, um, what?" So then he would suddenly say, "well, we need to just throw some instruments out on the table to show them what we mean." That was his fall back phrase. Well, after him saying AWL-gorithm and "we should just throw an instrument out", I couldn't contain my smart-ass-ness any longer (it may be a super power. I don't know). I raised my hand and said, "I have an idea. Why don't you bring a whole box of instruments into the meeting and just throw one or two out on the table about every seven or eight minutes? It won't matter what the topic is. They will surely see our side of things." He just looked at me with this blank stare. He finally got it when several others cracked up. I have to admit that it was pretty funny.
On another note, when did cell phones get so important that someone feels the need to answer the phone when they are sitting on the toilet? I walked into the restroom at work this morning and as I was washing my hands, I heard a phone ring in one of the stalls. Not so unususal, but what was surprising was to hear "Hey, Mike! The meeting is in C4-D? I am on my way right now." I thought, "uh, not EXACTLY." I wish that I would have gone into the stall next to him and flushed while he was on the phone. I hear people answering their phones more and more in the restroom. Is this the logical extension of multi-tasking? Seriously, if I ever call you and you are in the middle of a call with nature, you will not hurt my feelings if you don't answer. In fact, please, don't answer.
Till next time...
J
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
SLEEP
I don't know what is going on with me. For the past week or so, I have been waking up every morning at 4:22. I mean it is that exact time every morning. When I open my eyes, I know what time it is before I even look at the clock. It is getting old. Combine that with the dreary weather over the past couple of weeks, it puts me in a perpetual state of sleepiness. It was enough that I grabbed a LARGE cup of coffee from work to drink. I guess I needed the caffeine because it sure wasn't the flavor. Starbucks, it is not. Maybe that is why I am eating Wasabi Almonds along with the coffee. They mask the taste. HA! I was able to doze back off this morning around 5:30, but that sleep was filled with weird dreams. Not that I can remember all of the details, but when I woke up I was thinking "damn, that was weird. where did that come from?"
I also found out this week that the 2nd of my two work trips has canceled. Well, not really canceled, it was never really set up. When I called the meeting coordinator, she said, "well, it was a play it by ear meeting for the sales team." Really? You would think that if we are spending a couple of grand on each person to go to a meeting they would have more details. When did we become so disorganized? Amazing.
My other trip was supposed to have been to New York. I was kind of looking forward to that. Manhattan is a cool city. I have had a blast each time I have been there. Then again, the coworker that I was supposed to be traveling with annoys me. Maybe it is good that I am not going.
Well, I guess that I am off for another cup of coffee.
later, J
I also found out this week that the 2nd of my two work trips has canceled. Well, not really canceled, it was never really set up. When I called the meeting coordinator, she said, "well, it was a play it by ear meeting for the sales team." Really? You would think that if we are spending a couple of grand on each person to go to a meeting they would have more details. When did we become so disorganized? Amazing.
My other trip was supposed to have been to New York. I was kind of looking forward to that. Manhattan is a cool city. I have had a blast each time I have been there. Then again, the coworker that I was supposed to be traveling with annoys me. Maybe it is good that I am not going.
Well, I guess that I am off for another cup of coffee.
later, J
Monday, October 05, 2009
One of Those Days
This is one of those days where I am just NOT into it. I got to work a little early for a meeting with Germany. It went ok with the exception of the German/Mississippi hick language barrier. Throw in a Minnesota and a Michigan accent, and it just doesn't help a whole lot. We got things done sure enough, but now I am just not into the rest of the day.
I am catching up on emails and paperwork in between staring out the widow on this overcast day. I left my windows open on Saturday night because a cold front moved into the area. I woke up freezing Sunday. Didn't think it would get THAT cold. Days like those and days like today are days where it is really tempting to stay in bed. Maybe I will get some coffee and see if that will perk things up.
Oh well. I guess that I will just catch up on emails, go to my Monday afternoon meeting, and then go shopping for a washer and dryer. I haven't bought one of those in 15 years. I don't even know where to begin. From the looks of it, everyone is saying that the front loaders are the best. Who knows?
Now, back to staring out the widow. I am glad that this is a short week for me.
Later,
J
I am catching up on emails and paperwork in between staring out the widow on this overcast day. I left my windows open on Saturday night because a cold front moved into the area. I woke up freezing Sunday. Didn't think it would get THAT cold. Days like those and days like today are days where it is really tempting to stay in bed. Maybe I will get some coffee and see if that will perk things up.
Oh well. I guess that I will just catch up on emails, go to my Monday afternoon meeting, and then go shopping for a washer and dryer. I haven't bought one of those in 15 years. I don't even know where to begin. From the looks of it, everyone is saying that the front loaders are the best. Who knows?
Now, back to staring out the widow. I am glad that this is a short week for me.
Later,
J
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