January 2005 Archives
The guy who used to be the Production Manager who now has the fuzzy job title, whom I asked last week what I need to do to be an engineer around here, sent word back through Bosslady* that he needed a copy of my transcript.
I like the sound of that.
*my supervisor, who hasn't done anything remarkable enough to warrant a better nickname in the 10 months I've been working for her
Fly Girl and I are back together.
*happy dance*
I had breakfast with Maestro on Friday morning. We talked about a whole bunch of stuff, some of which was FG-related. This meeting was more about me just having someone to talk to because obviously life has been particularly stressful over the last month.
Anyway, he gets this idea in his head that we should pick up FG and have a chat, the three of us. And I'm all, "Uh, okay...." So we did. She didn't know that was coming, either. So he facilitated this whole discussion, some communication barriers were overcome, and we agreed to try it again.
And we are. Albeit with caution. We're supposed to be taking things slowly. She dropped by my house unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon, but didn't stay too long. A few phone calls were exchanged later Saturday. Sunday we hung out, finished our The L Word marathon and... yadda yadda yadda.
So, yeah, I feel better about things. All is right with my world.
*cheese*
Okay, not so much with the propagation just yet. I hit the wall with the transferring process. Namely, I got halfway through all the backing up and realized that I don't need to export and re-import my entries. I should just be able to restore my mySQL database at the new host. But I'm not sure how that coordinates with installing MT. Do I just move my whole mt directory over, change the file pathways, and hope it works? I feel like there's something else to it, but I haven't had a whole lot of time to research it.
It's been an eventful weekend.
The switch to the new host is on. This is gonna be really jacked up, I can tell. I might have forgotten that part where you need to set up the new blog before you change the nameservers.
But maybe not, because I didn't actually go to the registrar (not my current or new host) and change the nameservers yet.
I was gonna try and also upgrade to MT 3.x in one fell swoop, but I think I'll just reinstall 2.661 instead and then work on the upgrade later. Too many addons and things.
The mail part is what concerns me the most. Need to figure out how to migrate my email accounts.
Crap.
Since the breakup.
Today was a little better than yesterday. There were a few moments at work where my coworkers made me laugh. I changed my network password that had Fly Girl's name in it to something inspirational and forward-looking. I made a few phone calls, accomplished a few things, made some decisions.
I still have no appetite to speak of. I'm supposed to be booking travel and accommodations to St. Thomas for a wedding and now I have to rethink all those plans. I probably can go ahead and toss her toothbrush that's in my bathroom. I have a really cute picture of us from Christmas that I can't bear to look at, but can't bear to take down, either. I just flipped through my voicemail and there's a message from her that I can't bear to listen to, but can't bear to erase, either. I have episodes of Desperate Housewives on my computer that I had purposely saved so we could watch them together.
A gift that I ordered for her last week just arrived today, and I don't know what to do with it. It's nothing too personal. Just some bath product. Leaving it at her house is too creepy and stalkerish. Mailing it to her is only slightly less so. But I don't want it. I guess I could give it away. Or send it back. I just don't want it around here. Maybe I'll just mail it. I want her to have it. She can toss it or give it away if she wants. I don't know.
Going to sleep at night is hard. Too much idle time to think. I've been keeping myself awake and occupied until I'm exhausted so I can fall right asleep. It only works a little.
By far the worst part is I can't get this song out of my head. Worse than having the actual song in my head is that I keep hearing the ringer I downloaded for my phone.
I wonder how much she thinks of me. If she's having as hard a time with this as I am. I kinda don't think so, but I wish she were. Not that I want her to hurt like I hurt, but just because I want to know that she misses me a little. That it wasn't that easy of a decision for her to let me go.
People keep telling me that it's for the best and better sooner than later. Easy for people to say. I know they mean well. Somewhere deep down I know they're right. But my heart still hasn't caught up with my head.
I'm out of flavored creamer again and I haven't made myself go to the grocery store lately. I could buy a small bottle of it from the gas station for, like, $3. That's what I did last time I ran out. I stopped for coffee today out of desperation, since I was getting gas anyway and I hadn't had a coffee fix in a few days. It dawned on me that I could basically get a 12-oz cup of "coffee" and fill it up with flavored creamer for less than a dollar. This wouldn't work at the SuperAmerica down the block from my house because only has the little single serving creamers. But the Holiday down the street has a whole dispenser thing with hazelnut and irish cream. Rock on.
Also, I hate when I forget to bring chapstick to work. It's very dry in here. *lick*
I made a doctor's appointment. I talked to about four different people. All I wanted was to make an appointment at a particular clinic with the first available doctor. Not sure why I got bounced around like that, but whatever. I had been to another Park Nicollet location for my last checkup three years ago (right on schedule, I am), so fortunately they had me in their system and I don't have to worry about getting records transferred or anything.
Yesterday at work I talked to this guy who used to be the Production Manager and is now manager of one of those fuzzy sort of positions that they created just so they'd have something for him to do. I asked him what I needed to do to get a job in engineering. He asked if I had gotten in touch with either of the Engineering Managers. I said that's hard to do, but I have sent them emails. He suggested I make sure they have a copy of my resume and to try leaving them voicemails. So I sent off resumes. Haven't left any voicemails yet. I kinda don't have anything more to say than what I just said in my email, but I suppose I ought to do it anyway. I also mentioned the fact that these jobs don't seem to be posted internally and noted that they just brought two people in this month for positions that were never posted. He said something about budgets being up in the air and red tape with our parent company. Also -- and this is what I really wanted to hear -- he said that he'd ask around and see what he could find out. Don't know if he'll actually do that, but I'm glad I got a word in with him. Not a lot of people like him, but he's got influence.
Hel-lo, the Australian Open is going on. A quick scan of events so far tells me that Serena Williams beat Amelie Mauresmo in one quarterfinal and will face Maria Sharapova in the semi. Andre Agassi lost to Roger Federer who will play Marat Safin in one semi.
Great tennis, and I gots no cable, so I can't watch any of it.
Paige Davis done got herself fired from Trading Spaces. Except now they're saying it was a mutual decision.
I used to really love that show, but I can't tell you when was the last time I watched it.
I got one, of sorts. Of course I won't do any of the fun stuff I imagined I would. I'll be a good little girl and sock some away, pay some things off, and pay some things down.
Although, frankly, I'd be more than willing to blow some of it on Fly Girl and myself.
As linked all over, January 24 is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Mine was pretty fucking depressing. How was yours?
Fly Girl dumped me.
I like Michelle Kwan and all, but I really think that Bolero should just be retired from figure skating competition. It's Torvill and Dean and it will be no other. Nice to know that Christopher Dean helped choreograph her routine, though.
She won, by the way. A record-setting 9th U.S. championship. I was looking at tvguide.com to see when the football game would be on, and I saw that they're airing the winners' exhibition:
Those who watced QBs Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick last Saturday and have been kicking themselves ever since for missing skating champs Michelle Kwan and Johnny Weir get another chance today. Last weekend's winners at the U.S. Championships take the ice to perform the event's traditional exhibition routines.
Uh, two totally different audiences here. But then, I'd watch both.
Donovan McNabb vs Michael Vick
I don't get it. Who cares? I like 'em both because I like scrambling quarterbacks. Except for Daunte Culpepper, but only because he's a Viking and I automatically dislike anything having to do with the Vikings. But seriously.
I'm rooting for New England anyway because they have a lot of prominent former Wolverines.
...but you can still get some of these in if you hurry.
Some things to do before the Inaugural:
I know this has been around and around, but it's still hilarious. And as close to catblogging as I'll ever allow myself to get: CATPRIN!
I'm between the Stylish Dalmatian Tippet and Anne's Housekeeper Package. Or maybe the High School Girl's Package.
Kottke asks, "What do you believe is true even though you cannot prove it?"
Fascinating responses, many of which are a little over my head. Lots of comments about science and religion (coincidentally, that was yesterday's Science Friday [1] [2] topic), and concepts of human consciousness and awareness.
I tried to think of something that I believe and cannot prove and frankly, I got overwhelmed.
(via Gay Orbit)
It's official. I think we're expecting about 9" when it's all said and done.
If you live in Minneapolis, be sure you know the parking rules. Okay, I guess if you live in St. Paul you need to know their parking rules, too. I printed out the Minneapolis schedule to keep in my car.
Would it be too much to ask the two cities to have the same rules? Yeah? Okay then. Minneapolis does some sort of odd vs even thing. St. Paul does this day vs night thing. Whatever.
I also signed up to get alerts sent to my phone. Handy, that.
Again, I find myself with a bunch of posts in draft mode, a bunch of posts saved in Bloglines, a bunch of bookmarks in my Camino bar, a bunch of emails in my inboxes, and more time on my hands than usual. I'm up to date on my intake, but I can't muster any output.
Usually when someone asks this question, it's about how you would spend, like, a million dollars. You know, something of "I done hit the Powerball!" proportions. When you answer it, you think in terms of how you would set yourself up for life.
Fly Girl and I recently talked about this, and it was more along the lines of "You have $1000 to spend this weekend. What would you do?" Setting aside the fact that I would immediately plunk that chunk down into whatever credit card payment was due next, it was quite fun to think about because it's actually somewhat realistic. It could actually happen (maybe).
We basically agreed on clothes shopping, eating, and massages. I'd throw in an electronic toy like an iPod.
So, how would you blow $1000 in a weekend?
Sometimes you just need a good dance party for one.
*dabs self with hankie*
Before I went out on my walk, I know I thought to myself at least twice that I should put on long johns. I threw on a fleece and an extra pair of socks and even switched hats, but I forgot the damn long johns.
My thighs were protesting within minutes of stepping outside. Every other part of me was fine. Even my legs from the knee down. But not my thighs. I walked pretty quickly, thinking if I just keep moving I'll warm up. My muscles were plenty warm. It was my skin that was a problem.
I think I was out for about an hour. Mostly because all the coffee and water I drank right before I left wanted out. By the time I got back within a half mile of my house, my legs felt warmer, but my fingers and toes were getting cold. I have poor circulation, and unless they're packaged just so, my digits tend to break into a cold sweat and stay that way.
Turns out my skin was just starting to feel the burn of frostbite. I got in the door, immediately stripped my jeans off, and went to the bathroom. I then went and got in bed and sat under the down comforter where I proceeded to shiver uncontrollably for about 30 minutes.
Then it was time to get re-dressed because Sunshine Sinatra was coming to take me to the Chinese buffet ("You go now!"). And of course I ate too damn much. I would have loved to take some leftovers so I have something to eat for the rest of the week, but you can't do that at the buffet. I'm totally sleepy and I'm sure within two hours I won't feel full at all. At that point, if I'm still awake, there'll be plenty of room for beer or some other adult beverage. Right now I'm just too full.
Screw the to do list. I'm going for a walk. Even though it's -2° out. I'm antsy and I have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Most of the most pressing stuff is taken care of already.
I need to suss some stuff out and I don't feel like going for a drive. Actually, I just don't want to pay for the gas, because I have a feeling if I get in the car and drive I could easily end up pretty far away. Which, from here, means I'll end up in the middle of nowhere. And I need to be back for dinner with Sunshine Sinatra anyway. But I have anxious energy and I need movement to bleed it off.
It looks like I haven't done much, but I swear I've been busy all day.
T.J. Maxx is my new favorite store.
I was noticing that all the nice pants I bought a while back don't fit anymore. As such I have exactly one pair of pants that's not jeans that actually fits well, so I went on a mission to find a pair of khakis. I headed towards the nearest Old Navy, but on a whim I went into the neighboring T.J. Maxx first.
I'd only been in a T.J. Maxx once before, and I was tagging along with someone else at the time, so I didn't really pay much attention to what all was in there.
Long story short, I picked up three pairs of very nice pants for $38. One pair of Tommy Hilfiger (!) khakis and two pairs of dressier "career wear" pants. I passed on socks and a pair of snazzy brown boots/shoes. I need brown shoes. I have plenty of black shoes, but no brown ones. I think I'm gonna make a list now for when I get my next check. I could use some non-t-shirt-shirts, too.
Mmm... shopping.... :9
If you wanted to remind me or notify me that...
...I'm doing something wrong
...I'm underachieving
...I somehow wronged you
...I need to pull my head out of my ass
...I'm not living up to your expectations
...I could really do better
...you just want to dump all your shit on me
...wait your turn. There's a long ass line ahead of you. And I probably knew that already.
I may be some kind of emotional savant, but at least my gaydar seems to be working.
You remarkably scored 85%. You personally got 17 of the 20 people correct and were better at recognizing girls than guys. Overall, you guessed better than 93% of all test takers.
My Empathy Quotient is 20, much like "most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism." Lovely.
My Autism Spectrum Quotient is 17, which is average. Whew.
I was too lazy to take the Systemizing Quotient test.
Actually, I think those scores are a bit artificially low because my self-assessment of my ability to be social is worse than it actually is. But still. Damn.
(via Meredith)
All that craziness behind the basket doesn't make players miss their free throws. Mark Cuban even tested it at a Mavericks game.
I think it would be weirder if there were just complete silence.
"New Scientist reports on physicist Dick Henry's development of a calendar that uses 364 days, with each date falling on the same day every year."
I'm apparently up for a Queery Award for Best Lesbian Weblog.
I'm not saying you should vote for me necessarily. Especially given my woeful lack of content lately. But definitely go check it out. Plus, Queer Day is an excellent source for all your gay news. Good peeps over there at Queer Day. So you should be visiting anyway. If you're into gay news, that is.
I kept forgetting to ask her for her permission to show her adorable face up here.
Yet another website to add to the "Cool T-Shirts" category: Test Tube T-Shirts. I'm thinking either this one or this one.
I told Fly Girl yesterday that I love it when she talks chemistry to me (cuz she's got two chemistry degrees and I've got a chemical engineering degree). We agreed that both organic and p-chem suck. She prefers geo/environmental stuff. I was kinda partial to biochem, even though I hated both biology and organic chemistry. Maybe some day I'll get her to drink out of the Erlenmeyer flask.
(via Meredith)
Expected Legislation from the President
For example:
The Affordable Health Care for Everyone Act: All persons, regardless of age, sex, race, or income, will, for a nominal fee, be issued a Band-Aid, two aspirins, a Tums, a wallet-size card illustrating the Heimlich Maneuver, a recipe for chicken soup, and a leech.
The Gay Rights Act: All persons of the same sex, including family members, will have the right to hug, provided that there be at least two inches of air between their bodies during said hug and provided that both parties continue slapping each other’s back for the duration of the hug.
The Equality in Education Act: In an effort to create equal opportunity for students of all capabilities, educational goals will be readjusted: A and B students will henceforth be characterized as snobbish overachievers. C students will receive scholarships to élite schools, since it is they who have the best chance to grow up to be President. And D students will be encouraged to excel by successfully spinning their failures, creating diversionary issues, and impugning the moral values of their teachers.
(via Dave Pollard)
It's got bass. And panting. And a drum corps!
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath*
They've come so far from Bills, Bills, Bills.
*removed
With projects like these, I can now kinda see how knitting could be fun.
I could sit them next to my Tampon Doll.
| Your Dominant Intelligence is Logical-Mathematical Intelligence |
You would make a great scientist, engineer, computer programmer, researcher, accountant, or mathematician. |
(via tanya)
After having our sooty ducts sucked and blown, we were instructed to put in a call to Minnegasco so they could send a guy back out to do something else. Probably flip a switch or some such. We were told they couldn't give us window but the tech would call 20 minutes before arriving. Because that facilitates planning ahead.
Anyway, I don't know what went down in the interim, but I left work early today and came home to heat in the house. Know how I knew? The cat was sitting on the radiator. It's still warming up in here. Takes a long time for those radiators to put 25° back into a whole apartment.
I stay home last night, away from my girlfriend, and the heat's out. It's a sign. A sign, I tell you!
Somebody showed up at 2 a.m. to look at the boiler. I had my headphones on and was rockin' out, so I completely missed all the commotion. Apparently our ductwork is really sooty. Thankfully, there's a guy here with a giant vacuum right now.
As you cannot tell by looking at this picture, the thermostat currently reads 52°F.
Fly Girl is sick, so I'm at home so she can get some quality, uninterrupted sleep.
Seen at Twin Cities Babelogue.
- "A Florida phone sex operator has won a workers' compensation settlement claiming she was injured after regularly masturbating at work." All those jokes about carpal tunnel and someone finally did something about it. (via)
- Alternatives to "Opening a Can o' Whupass" for the Less Confrontationally Inclined. My favorite is "Lightly Greasing a Ramekin o' Retreat." (via)
- Lake Superior State University's Banished Words List. "Blog" is one of them. (via)
- I totally want a Tampon Doll! Is that weird? (via)
Six Apart (creator of Movable Type, which powers this here website) has acquired LiveJournal. Can't wait to see what comes of that.
Thoughts on same, from the expert on such:
Live Journal is a culture, not simply a product or commodity that can be bought. From an outsider's perspective, it might appear as though they are similar properties - they are both blogging tools, right? Wrong.
Jump inside LJ culture. People who use LJ talk about their LJs, not their blogs. They mock bloggers who want to be pundits, journalists, experts. In essence, they mock the culture of bloggers that use Six Apart's tools. During interviews with LJ/Xanga folks, i've been told that MovableType is for people with no friends, people who just talk to be heard, people who are trying too hard.
Interesting.
(via Simon Willison)
You love Family Guy. You love blogging. Will you love the Family Guy blog?
Probably not, but it's still kind of neat.
(via Chuck Olsen)
According to my host, they've been trying to contact me for five months about renewing my plan. I never got any of those emails. Like, they didn't even go in the junk folder. They just never got to my account on record. So I don't know how that worked, but I need to re-sign up or find a new host ASAP. I got grandfathered in when my previous host got bought out, but my new host doesn't have anything even remotely approaching what I had before, much less have it affordably. (Was that a sentence? I don't think so.) And I have negative dollars in the bank at the moment anyway, so I don't know how long before they suspend me again. I doubt I'll make it until payday next Friday.
So spread the word. I'm host shopping. If I disappear again, that's why. And I won't be able to get your emails, either.
I was glad to be off work for almost two weeks, but being in Michigan the whole time was not the greatest idea. Ya'll already read about what happened with the fam over Xmas. I went to Ann Arbor, rounded up Fly Girl, then headed up north for New Years.
Up north was alright. The highlight for me was having FG there with me. We were on the farm for a few days, then we went into Traverse City to stay with other friends for a couple days. For as much as I've been up to the farm, I hadn't actually seen much of TC before, so it was nice to see what all was up there. I can see how my friends like living there, but I'm content to just visit.
So now we're back in the Twin Cities and wouldn't ya know, I actually missed it. I think I missed my autonomy more than anything. Staying with people and borrowing cars always sounds like a good idea from a money-saving standpoint, but sometimes you need to cough it up to keep your sanity.
I'm all out of sorts at the moment, for a variety of reasons. Lots of things to put back in order. For once, it's not my room that's the mess. It's mostly mental. And I need to pull some money out of my ass. Life as usual.
Good to be home, though.
