_zemlet.com_news_
Monday, December 29, 2003
Fresno
I was cleaning out my memos and found something I wrote about Fresno during my walk to the Theater for Trilogy Tuesday:
How can a city smell so much lke manure and also so much like exhaust? To borrow a line from the movie Adaptation, "it's like a battle between motors and horses, like technology... vs. horse"
.: posted by Zemlet 12:16 PM
Why?
Well, we just got back from the trip to Santa Fe and Colorado. It was so hellish- I was desperately sick almost the entire time. I kept thinking how utterly ridiculous it was to save up vacation days all year and then spend them all in bed in various hotel rooms. The hotel in Cortez, Colorado was such a crack-up with their decor, I felt like I was on "The Sims Vacation" see photos below.
I want to take the time right now to say there is nothing romantic about a "White Christmas" they are cold and miserable. I think the only reason they like them in those parts of the world which have them is that even weeds look good covered in snowy white. And we saw a lot of weeds. We've also learned that putting old tires on top of your house makes quite the fashion statement. I cannot wait to get some old tires of my very own. Yes, I'm grumpy, my brain feels like it is filled with cotton and my throat feels like it is has been dragged on the pavement. And I'm at work. Go me.
|  |  |
.: posted by Zemlet 12:06 PM
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
soooooo sickkkkkk
I am so sick. Were either my chest and/or head to explode at any moment, I would not be slightly surprised. Both have made attempts to do so throughout the day. Jon is off buying me medicine and the makings of grilled cheese and tomato soup, while I lie here in a heap, unable to sleep. Yes I am leaving on an airplane for Colorado tomorrow morning around 5AM. I know there is nothing for it but rest, but I kind of blame the office.
I have been working myself sick over there with no indication that it will ever let up. I've been granted an assistant, but with no firm plans as to what office space will be freed up for such a person or aquisition of the equipment they will need. I continue to be worked until I'm totally worn out and then expected to work some more. My attempts at taking vacation have been futile. In September I tried to take three days off. When I got back, there was so much for me to do that I ended up working 47 hours that week despite taking three whole days off. Then I didn't get a weekend off until late November. (I put out ten proposals in the month of October.) In December I tried to take two days off and got only one, then ended up working enough hours to make up for the measly 8 hours they let me go for. But this week takes the cake. With a wracking cough, dizziness and a fever, I call in to say I don't want to come in. Their answer, well, you have to, we need materials for an interview. Now this interview is very similar to two other inteviews I prepared packages for within the past two months, so, it would be quite easy, using the system I've devised to make this package. It would involve some cutting and pasting, printing and binding. There is also a PowerPoint presentation they want me to finish so they can change it all themselves in the hour before the interview. But apparently nobody can do it quite like me, so I come in with a fever, feeling so miserable I end up hating everyone I lay eyes on. One engineer said I looked terrible and the boss said I looked just fine to him. The admins are leaving early because, well, hell, Christmas is coming and, oh yes, one has quit. I not only ended up putting the package together, including sections other people claimed they were working on, but because all the admins left, ended up staying until 7PM printing and binding the hard copies myself at my stupor-induced snail's pace.
I'm growing increasingly tired of a lack of support or any indication that I deserve a work/life balance. I think I no longer need a vacation, more like a sabbatical.
.: posted by Zemlet 3:34 PM
Friday, December 19, 2003
Drinking
Drinking Responsibly During The Holidays of course I have to link to the Onion now and then... I'm only human. Here is the text for people who hate to click:
The holiday season is a time to enjoy family dinners, office parties, and get-togethers with friends. Festive drinks and tasty punches often contribute to the holiday revelry, so here are some tips to help you celebrate sensibly:
- If you are a woman, remember: Women are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. If you are a man, remember: Women are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
- Always drink from the bottle labeled "XXX." The bottle with the skull-and-crossbones on the front is poison.
- Drinking alone is a telltale sign that you know better than to put up with anybody's bullshit.
- Drinking more than seven nights a week is not just irresponsible, it's impossible.
- If someone you know is too drunk to drive, demand that he let you have his car keys. If he refuses, pull out a gun and demand the car keys again. This also works with people who are not drunk, and whom you do not know.
- Never drink with Tyler Schneeklov.
- While standing in the middle of the road at 3 a.m. yelling expletives at your ex-girlfriend, wear light-colored clothing so motorists can see you.
- Once you get married and have kids, stop drinking tons of whiskey and switch to drinking tons of wine.
- Always re-cap your flask between swigs. This lengthens the amount of time between drinks.
- Don't mix alcohol with stereotypes. If you are Irish, drink rum. If you are a pirate, drink whiskey.
- Don't drink and drive. Disregard this if you happen to be one of those people who drive better drunk.
- If you suddenly find yourself impaired by alcohol, prevent any social awkwardness by informing all those present that you profoundly love them, and that you never get this drunk.
- Never use alcohol to escape feelings of failure and loneliness. Use Vicodin.
- Before heading out to the office holiday party, tape a handcuff key to the inside of your watchband. Just trust us on this one.
.: posted by Zemlet 4:08 PM
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
LOTR TT
I have to work now and have not really slept since Monday, so I'll just say Trilogy Tuesday was awesome and give more details later. The third movie kicks ass. According to a review on ain't it cool news, "This movie will make you forget that if you stick a knife in your belly you'll bleed to death so do not bring a knife to this movie." Now that's a good movie.
Here are my lame photos, later I'll link to Henry's good ones, if he posts them.
.: posted by Zemlet 1:49 PM
Monday, December 15, 2003
RV leaving tonight
Stupid Evil Bastard Guide to What NOT to do during "Return of the King." This will certainly be one of the geekiest things I do all year: the RV leaves tonight FOR FRESNO with the Fellowship of Nine Nerds. I've never shown up for a movie more than a couple hours beforehand- this is crazy. I'm sure there will be photos of our dweeby adventures. "Spoilers? I've got a spoiler for you: you will all die alone."
.: posted by Zemlet 8:38 AM
Monday, December 08, 2003
We got it!
Thanks to everyone’s positive thinking (and my ruthlessness towards other lookie-loos) we got the condo we wanted. I’m so excited I can hardly wait to start packing and checking out area eateries. Luckily it is only a couple miles from J-dog’s current abode, so we have a staple of places we already like to go, and I know the whereabouts of the nearest Whole Foods Market, etc. It will be so nice to have a kitchen to myself again- there is going to be flour everywhere and it is going to be great. Did I mention there is a dishwasher? Hurrah!
I sold my TV, but might be putting other awesome possessions up for sale, including my entertainment center, if “Big Momma” the new HDTV doesn’t fit on it. My desk might also be up for grabs very soon.
This is going to be quite a grand experiment, seeing if Jonathan and I can blend harmoniously in a common space… but I think it is going to be quite wonderful.
.: posted by Zemlet 6:28 PM
Friday, December 05, 2003
New Digs for Zemlet?
This sounds so good! I go check it out tomorrow morning and will take some pictures- please burn some incense for me, say prayers, etc so I get it!
A beautiful upper-level, two-story condo with 2 bedrooms (bring on the guests) and 2 full baths on separate levels plus an office alcove. End unit - very spacious (1155 sq. ft), bright and quiet. With a cathedral ceiling, skylight in the dining/living room area and a bay window in the bedroom downstairs. Located in a gated community with pool, a carport parking space and plenty of guest parking. 5 minute walk to BART!
Wood-burning fireplace (can't wait to roast some marshmallows)
Fully-equipped kitchen - garage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, stove & refrigerator (that's right- I refuse to own a dish rack any longer!)
Washer/dryer in the unit (aka towel warmer)
Central air and heat (aka me warmer)
Plenty of closet and storage spaces (because I still have that telescope)
Balcony with pool view (for the herb gardens I like to re-plant quarterly, then watch die)
.: posted by Zemlet 7:08 PM
Paden City Plates
eBay item 3160401015 (Ends Dec-05-03 14:29:51 PST) - 9 1/4" Square, Lt Green, Paden City Plates
This shall not be the Winter of my discontent- it shall be the winter I get some damn Paden City plates! Somebody is trying to outbid me on taking over the Vancouver collection currently up for sale. But all these auctions end in a few hours... that's right, catesf: it ends tonight!
.: posted by Zemlet 10:02 AM
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
No Sleep
The bad news is: I continue to stay up late playing games as if I was on vacation or something. We had a Hornblower party, and I didn't much feel like sleeping afterwards. The good news is: my new roomie is a gamer. Most residents and visitors to the house shoot me some sort of pitying/confused look upon seeing me Nintendo-ing away into the wee small hours. Instead, Randy started unpacking his own Halo-Box uh, I mean X-Box. Hurrah! Apparently he plays in a 6v6 Halo game every Sunday. Perhaps I'll learn a thing or two from him.
On the Paden City Pottery front, I was outbid on a totally sweet Chartreuse lot! It even had two teacup/saucer sets and a few bowls. Grrrrr!!!!!! I've now put a reminder in my calendar for when my other auctions close, so I can watch over them like a hawk. There is a lady in Vancouver selling off her collection, so I'm picking up what I want from that. I really would like to keep surfing for more pieces to complete my collection, but I promised J-dog I would STOP BUYING THINGS for myself. Which is only fair, since I'm forcing him to do the same. We have been having some silly e-bay run-ins with each other, including a close call where he almost bid against me on the Christmas present I was getting for him. So much for the surprise. Good thing that isn't the only trick up my sleeve. HAH! Trebeck, the day is mine!
.: posted by Zemlet 12:16 PM
|
