Have you got Spring Fever yet??

Yeah, it's starting again this year...

I look out, and I see all of the things that I want and need to do out in the yard and around the house..

Yet, for all of my observations, I just can't seem to get motivated to really "do" something about it all.

Do any of you have this problem?

Take this for example:

This weekend, I had a friend of mine come over, and we trimmed down the monstrous hedges that grow in front of my house. The fence that is between my house and these green monsters is 5 feet tall, and some of the sections that we cut off these hedges were six to eight feet taller than that!

Anyway, after trimming these down, we piled them on my "to do" pile of dump junk, and planned on making a full day of dump runs for this coming weekend.

My dump pile has gotten a bit out of control.

I mean, it's still got stuff from the house remodel (including the sliding glass door we removed), old yard clippings, closet door junk I'm never going to use, the wannabe carport that fell and crushed my poor work car this winter, and other sundry items that really don't have any place at my house...

All in all, I'm looking at about 6 trips to get it all cleared out of my yard.

My friend also has things he needs to get rid of, so on my day off yesterday, we went over and gathered everything he needs to get rid of, so that we'd be ready for this weekend.

As it's looking like right now, we'll have one full load for his stuff, about another half load from his dad's stuff that needed to get taken out of his shop, and then the 6 or 7 loads that I've got stashed at my place.

But it doesn't end there...

My folks are also needing stuff taken out as well, and that adds another 3-4 loads to our planned dump trip.

So the grand total?

About 14 loads.

I'm hoping to have two trucks, so that we can make just 7 trips instead of wasting my entire day doing nothing but running from house to dump all day...

That, and I'm also praying that this dump date doesn't get postponed for some unknown and ungodly reason, either.

Because if it does, I have no clue when I'll get motivated enough again to make the attempt!

Anyone feel for me?

Time to go find a soda and some doughnuts.

I've been around the world and seen that only stupid people are breeding...

Yeah, it's Friday.

I'm actually getting a bit annoyed with the antics of some of my "frequent flyer" idiots. I mean, there are only so many times that I can repeat something before I start wanting to get sarcastic and snarky.

How many times should one person have to remind another about logging onto one specific program before starting another one that requires the first program to be open in order to gather data from the initial program's database?

It's as simple as:

Open program A. Then open program B. Why? Because program B needs to get info from program A in order to work correctly.

Yeah. Not quite rocket science.

Then there are the occasional idiots that decide to make the worst decisions ever when I'm extremely busy, and caught in the middle of another job.

Take today for example:

I'm currently in the middle of doing an exhaustive inventory for ALL of the computer equipment located in my building. That means servers, switches, scanners, radio ports, data cables, even Cat-5 jacks and phones.

While scraping away 3-4 years worth of dust from some locations, I happen upon interesting things like copper line converters, and BOS twinex controllers. These have been phased out of my system for the last 3 years, and yet I've found four that are still hooked up, and running...

While doing this, one of our associates decided to calibrate the laser scanner that we use to determine cube for an item. This scanner has a scale and sonic measuring devices located on it to determine height, width, and depth along with weight. This then can tell us how many of these will fit on a pallet, and how many pallet we can potentially put on a 48 or 52 foot trailer.

So, while deciding to calibrate the scale, they start pressing random buttons all over the scale.

My corporate supervisors call me an hour later to tell me that the weight info they're getting from my scanner is WAY off from their initial scans. Things that used to be 2-3 cube items are now coming out to be 200-300 cube items.

I head over to check.

Yes, I found the problem.

While calibrating the scale and scanner, they hit the buttons for Grams instead of Pounds, and Centimeters instead of Inches.

My company's data is measured in Inches and Pounds. So for the Inches to increase from 3 inches to 155(cm) is WAY out of proportion. Why? Because their hardware is still trying to convert the CM into Inches. So it's reading 155 inches when it was last measured at 3...

Now imagine this 45 pound box coming in at 1500 grams or so.

Yeah. You get the idea.

Once nice long recalibration session later, I've got the issue solved, but I've also killed 1/3 of my workday.

Ah, the joy of knowing when to leave things alone, and when to just nod and go about your business like it's another "normal" day....

I'm actually looking forward to this weekend. Maybe in some way I'll forget about the stupid crap, and be willing to start all over again on Tuesday...

I honestly think that's one reason my General Manager asked me to move to the 4 12-hour shifts..

See you all on Tuesday, and have a great weekend!

Into Hell with a Handbasket and Squirtgun..

Yeah, seems like we as a country are headed that way, doesn't it?

I mean, we've got hard-working folks in this great nation.

We've even got good souls willing to help out each other with no thought for their own personal well-being.

Yet for all of this, greed and gluttony seem to be the keys to our economy and society.

We've got financial institutions who can't spend their money correctly, and yet expect us to float them loans or grants to keep them going.

My solution there? Treat them EXACTLY as they'd treat anyone coming off the street for financial assistance..

Look their credit over, check their spending habits, and the give them about a tenth of what they need at an insane interest rate..

We've got people in authority who are trying to make the quick buck, and making headlines with it.

My solution there?

Have them work with the homeless for a while. Keep them down and force them to live like animals with no food or shelter for just 90 days. See how well they adjust to this, and I can guarantee they'll be happy with what they have when they're able to get back. No more greed issues there.

We've got a nation of overweight folks. Fast food, quick and easy right-now meals, get it on the go, don't stop, don't exercise, don't bother..

My solution?

Take the stairs. Eat that carrot. Park a bit further from the store. Play with your kids.


Now, I'm not claiming to be perfect here. The fat issue is one near and dear to my heart, because I'd love to lose some of the extra pounds I've gained. Yet it's so much easier to be spoon-fed than it is to get up and do what's right.. Why is that?

Why are we so willing to enable people to bring us down instead of stand up and do what's right?

Why are we then willing to complain about how screwed up everything is when we're one of the reasons for that problem?

Why are we more than willing to point fingers and blame others when our own shortcomings are just as bad if not worse than the next persons problem?

I don't know.

I do know that I'm going to try to make a change.

I'm going to take those stairs.

I'm going to get my butt out of that gaming chair, and play with my kids.

I'm going to eat that carrot instead of munch on chips and drink soda.

Small steps, but important ones if we're going to make changes.

Start with yourself, then worry about fixing something else.

Take care all!

Dancing with Cinderella

About a week ago, I attended a Father/Daughter ball with my daughter.

We went to dinner, talked, sang to songs while driving in the car, and then had our picture taken and danced for a couple of hours that evening.

A song came on that I'd heard a few times before, but watching the differing ages in the girls dancing with their fathers, it really hit home to me.

The song is called "Cinderella" sung by Stephen Curtis Chapman. Here's the words:

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad, I need you"
"There's a ball at the castle, and I've been invited"
"And I need to practice my dancing"
"Please, daddy please"

So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the Prince never knew
Oh I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
Cause all too soon, the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.

She says he's a nice guy, and I'll be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad the prom is just one week away"
"And I need to practice my dancing"
"Please, daddy please"

So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the Prince never knew
I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
For all too soon, the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Well she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they have planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away"
"And I need to practice my dancing"
"So please, daddy please"

And I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the Prince never knew
Oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
For all too soon, the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.


They grow up so fast, and we have them for such a short time. I'm cherishing these small times when I can make her feel like the center of my world. I hope that with everything that's happening, and all that has gone on before that the teachings and lessons I've given will be enough.

My hope and prayer is that I'll have many more dances with my Cinderella before she's gone.

Tuesday Blues

Well, as some of you know, I work Tuesday through Friday, and have the weekend off, plus Mondays.

So the normal doldrums of Monday really don't seem to affect me as much as others who have to go back to work on Mondays.

However, Tuesdays for me really kind of suck.

As with most things that I plan, nothing really seems to go according to schedule with my weekends.

I had planned on working on the house. It never got done.

I had planned on cleaning up some of my mess outside with brush that I've been trimming. That didn't get done either, because I'm not one for getting soaked outside when it's nice and dry inside.

I'd thought about taking the wife away to the beach for the weekend. That didn't happen because she'd already made plans, and the weather SUCKED this weekend.

So what did I do?

Nothing.

Not ONE thing.

I sat around the house like a lump, and wondered what I was going to do.


I hate weekends like that.

Usually, I solve that problem by going and playing video games (as I've said before, I'm a gamer!) And because of this, games are an end-all solution to problems.

However, I've also noticed that my excessive game playing has caused problems with the family, so I'm trying to "detox" with the excessive gaming, and work on other constructive ways of dealing with things.

So I was able to do this by just sitting around and watching paint dry.

Yeah. I don't think my idea is working too well yet.

Weekends when my kids are gone to my ex's house are really kind of tough on me. When my kids are at the house, it's kind of easy to forget about the games because I can fill my time with things other than the computer or game system. There are young bodies to tickle, wrestle with, and have fun with.

But when they're gone, the house just seems so empty. There's always a mess or two that didn't get taken care of before they left, and so I'm reminded that they're gone (temporarily) and that I'm alone.

Since getting custody of my kids, there's been one major problem that I've had to face. The toughest part about being a divorced father is trying to stabilize my kids with rules and regulations for my home, but those rules can directly clash with the things my ex will enforce.

My wife and I have tried numerous times to talk with my ex, and get us all on the same page. Yet for all of our efforts, things don't change. Sure, she'll (my ex) give us all of the yes-man attitude, and claim that she'll do her part, but when it comes down to basics, she's always done her own thing, regardless of the problems it may cause not only me, but the kids as well.

I had to face this problem when they got back home this weekend.

My oldest is 13. He's feeling his age, and is trying to learn how to mentally grow. I've encouraged his thinking, and I've tried to instill in him a need to provide stability when he can. Yet for all of my effort, there's a side of his personality that I admire, yet find difficult to deal with when he gets back from his mom's house.

That part is what I tend to call his "lawyer" side.

I encourage his questions. I love seeing his mind work through things, and figure out the next step. I don't love it when he argues an issue to death, and even when proven incorrect, will still argue some points that he feels are valid and warrant special attention.

Take this example:

I, as a gamer, have been persuading (read nagging) my wife for an XBox 360. I have friends who play, and I'd love to get some serious multiplayer Halo or Call of Duty going without having to go over to his house each and every time we'd want to play. My son knows this. He's in favor of the idea mainly because he'd love to be able to play along at some point. After all, playing games with the "big boys" means that he's growing up, right?

So this weekend when he got home, he proceeded to argue with my wife about how we needed to get this gaming system, and the valid reasons for it. I personally don't care if we get this system anytime soon, because I've got other things that can fill my attention span, and keep me occupied. My wife doesn't want another game system in the house, as we've already got a Wii and a "regular" XBox, so the two game consoles are plenty for her.

My son wouldn't let up. He argued. He pleaded, and he begged.

I've tried to teach him that when a parent says "no" that it's final. End of discussion. However, while at his mom's house, I know for a fact (because I've seen it) that the other kids in the house don't abide by these rules. They question, the complain, and they outright defy their parents.

How can I set any kind of ground rules for my family when those rules are completely tossed aside each weekend that they leave my house? How can I instill values that are going to be ignored and rejected by the authority figures my children are living with?

I'm not sure.

All I can hope to do right now is keep the faith.

I give them my unconditional love, my promise of safety and security, and my undying support.

My hope and prayer is that they'll see the good, and want to keep the lessons and things I've taught, and mostly block those things that aren't as constructive that they see and live with at their mom's house.

This is the prayer of a divorced father.

Friday recipe.

Because she's asked so nicely, Veronica (better known as Another Suburban Mom)..((Is it just me, or do you picture the Archie's spoiled little rich girl??)) Is getting her wish, and I'm sharing one of my "special" recipes with you.

She's been jonesing for some of my appetizer foods, and with her special request, I'm going to share with you a sauce that can be used to make wings, ribs, and steaks.

My recipe? Jack Daniel's BBQ.

Ingredients:


Jack Daniels, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, or to taste
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup vinegar
3 tablespoons
Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or to taste

Now here's how to make it:

First, combine the onion, garlic and Jack Daniels in a 3 quart saucepan. cook these until they're clear (about 10 minutes). Add all the remaining stuff and bring it to a boil. Simmer uncovered until reduced and thickened, about 15 to 25 minutes. Add more Jack Daniels if a stronger flavor is desired.

Now, I tend to make REALLY big batches of this sauce, because it's actually quite versatile. I'll sometimes add honey to this and maybe some hickory flavoring to add a more smokey taste.. It really all depends on the mood I'm in..

Now for the goodies.

ASM wanted wings.

Me, I buy two bags of flash-frozen chicken wings from the store, and I'll boil these in a nice, big pot for about an hour.

Once boiled down, I take them out, and let them cool.

Then I separate them. Take the larger part of the wing off at the joint, and fold the smaller part over. This gives you two pieces per wing.

Dump this batch into your crock pot, and slather the entire thing with the BBQ sauce. Once done, cook it for about 2 hours on a medium heat. Add garlic if you want (or whatever seasoning you're in the mood for).

Take wings out of the pot, and lay out on a shallow baking tray and bake in the oven at 425 for 15 minutes. Then return to crock pot to simmer and stew for serving.

Now, the baking actually seals the flavor and taste of the sauce into the meat. I don't recall exactly how I came around to find this out, but it's the KEY step in making nearly each and every appetizer that has to do with meat for me. Ribs, Wings, even meatballs!

Hope this whets your appetite, and thank ASM for the idea!

Yarrrr!

Yeah, I really didn't know what else to title this, so I figure that if I just put some kind of piratey-type of growl up there, it might attract some folks.

Have you ever wondered how some people got the jobs that they have today?

I'll give you an example:

Here at my work, we have an HR person. HR = Human Resources.

Now, by my understanding, this person should posess inter-personal relationship skills. You know, be a kind of "people person".

However, this lady doesn't have anything close to resembling people skills.

Yesterday was a great case in point.

I'm the network administrator for our warehouse's computer systems. I have to get authorization for any kind of software installs that are done on the computers, as they are all tied into the corporate network, and could potentially disable the entire company network if something weren't quite right with the software.

A couple of weeks ago my safety manager asked to install some software onto her computer for some tracking reports that were given to her by a supplier. These disks aren't company approved, and so I told her that I'd have to get permission from the corporate network executives before I could make any decision on whether I could install the software or not. I also warned her that because of the time she was making the request, it was probably going to take a back burner to other projects until the start of the new fiscal calendar year. She agreed, and we parted.

However, since that time, she has made a point to send me at least one email a week asking about this software. I have kept her in the loop regarding the request, and have copied and forwarded each and every response I get from my bosses over their decisions. They are just too busy right now with other matters affecting the company to look over some software to see if they don't mind it being added to a computer. This isn't a priority for them, so they blow it off.

Apparently this means that I fall into this same category of person, and so my safety person got my HR manager involved.

Now, I'm not management. I refuse to be a manager. I prefer working my hourly rate, and I really enjoy the job I do. I make the management team look competent and efficient, and since they look good, that reflects well on me for those who know where to look. (Read my bosses!)

Anyway, I was then called into the HR office to "talk".

I was informed that since I, being a "lowly" associate, needed to follow instructions, I was to obey this manager, and install the software. No questions, no reservations, I was to do as I've been told.

I nodded, asked if there were any other instructions I needed to follow, and got the fish-eye.

Apparently sarcasm when being taken down a notch isn't a good idea.

I was informed that my tone and attitude were bordering on insubordination, and that it could cost me my job.

When threatened like this, I tend to get confrontational, so I asked if I needed to bring in my General Manager, and make this a "formal" meeting.

She proceeded to tell me that it wasn't necessary, and that this discussion would be "Between the two of us".

I nodded, left her office, and walked directly over to my General Manager's office to inform him about what had happened.

Now, I'm going to install the software.

However, I've got a serious CYA clause going on right now, because she did the silly thing of sending me my escape clause.

She wrote me an email explaining to me that I would install the software, and then inform her when the install was done. No questions.

Because of this, I can now claim that I was ordered to do this by my upper management staff, and there wasn't anything else but to follow the orders given by a duly represented manager of my corporation. All responsibility for this action are now on her shoulders, and if my bosses decide that this program ISN'T necessary and shouldn't be installed on the PC, well she's going to have to explain to them why she wouldn't wait for their decision.

All of this, and she's so proud of her schooling and certifications.

Me? My pride comes from knowing that when assigned a job that I get in, get it done, and get out as quickly as possible to allow the smallest timeframe of down-time in a production setting.

This means that even though I have to get in and stall the line, I'll get done as quickly as I can, and get the line moving again to make the smallest impact possible in the total day's work.

You can tell when I've done my job right when there aren't calls for me going on around the radio systems in the building. The only real time my name gets called out too much is when there's something outside the facility that's causing trouble with our network mainframes.

Tell me about some of your experiences.

Do you have people that completely baffle you as to how they were able to get their position?