Submit to the 21st Century...

I went to a big art / craft fair today in Estero. It was more hassle than the hype was worth.

It was maybe half a parking lot full of local artists whoring their wares. Photogs stretching their pieces on canvas the size of a decent flat screen, metal workers heating scraps into lovely ornaments, jewelers appraising fake glass and hocking it as crystal. The list goes on. It was all over priced and under sold.

How you doing, big boy?

It's the (semi) official "This is Christmas?" blog update. As normal, there are ramblings, rumblings and extra special tidbits. 

Today's post is brought to you by a creepy drunk(en) Santa

Hit the deck!

What is it, two more hours before the world is supposed to end?

Today is the Mayan prediction of comets, meteors and asteroids. Fire and brimstone. Rape and pillaging. Tsunamis and snow and rain and earthquakes and any other bull spit you want to believe about Earth going *poof*.

Make a wish

Tomorrow is December 12. At this point, we all know our numbers and what it means. At 12:12:12am, on 12-12-12, it will spawn a new day of conspiracies and spiritual theorem. At 12:12:12pm, it will allow only 12 more hours of the day, before everyone can stop going bat shit crazy over the fact "you never see this".

Mmm... crunchy

We're now in "the Christmas crunch" at work. People are coming in wanting their Christmas cards printed, ornaments ready to be hung, blankets made for relatives up north.

In case I haven't stated lately, I work for a photo store. I'm the film & video production specialist, as well as a technical engineer. The latter is just a fancy term of me changing light bulbs and road signs.

Gobble gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! What are YOU thankful for?

Me? I'm just glad I have what I have, I know who I know, and that's what counts.

Someone needs fact correction

Good Morning America, ABC News and Yahoo, shame on you! Push a story and don't check it.

Or at least correct the person you just quoted from.

I am not a Twilight fan. I admit to watching the movies, but I only saw them because I had to set the DVD up for my mother. I am just not a sparkling vampire kind of person. I'm not apologising for it, either. Things that sparkle do nothing for me. Man up, you nut.

At any rate, because there's such a big to-do about this franchise, apparently Forks, Washington has been capitalising on it. To the point houses are becoming rental properties with a certain theme.

Case in point: the "Jacob Black vacation home" look a like. 'Twilight Getaway' Vacation Rental Home Offers Movie-Inspired Getaway

According to the article, a family has set up their old farmhouse to look exactly like what you would see in the movie, as the werewolves home. One of the owners, Linda Middleton, is quoted on this page as saying "It looks like the house in the movie so people started asking if that's Jacob Black's house and that gave me the idea" so the markets it as it being "right on the tree line where the werewolves protect the treaty line from the werewolves, that's how I sell it to people". 

Wait. Rewind. 

" [T]he tree line where the werewolves protect the treaty line from the werewolves" What?? I thought they had a treaty with the vampires? Am I wrong all these years, in thinking that the weres and bloodsuckers were on the same team? What the deuce. I think someone should have corrected her, or at least made a footnote on the page that she meant it was between the two. 

This was just the first thing I caught. Reading comments, other people caught it too, so it obviously makes no sense. Another thing people are questioning, is the fact the woman rents the place "pro bono", or for free, because it is to "raise money for" local charities and causes. How do they get the money (to then donate), if it's rented for free? 

It's too early to start nitpicking. 

This is why nothing makes sense anymore. People are too quick to write these articles and post them online. Gone are the days where there was an editorial room, chock full of people red inking pages. Fact correcting. Doing a better job than what is being tossed out now. Let me have a job as an editor or writer. I'll do a better service then some of the stuff I'm reading!

Cheers;

Research says....

According to my daily stats, I've been getting a lot of hits from my cluster bomb on Comcast. Not only that, there is a comment currently awaiting approval to be posted.

It's from someone at the "National Comcast Operations" centre. From what I've found, this guy posts the exact same message on every blog that talks smack about the company. If it's not  verbatim script, it's highly similar.

Dear Comcast:

• Quit refurbishing your cable boxes and doling them out as new (or "improved"). And stop having your staff claim they're not (refurbished).
• Stop having your customer service refer customers to having a technician come to visit, and have the technician say not to "trust the customer service because they don't know what they're doing" (and vice versa). Both sides hate each other equally. 
• Don't allow your customer service to send multiple signals to a box, to then say that maybe the customer has a loose connection; perhaps move some wires around. That fail? It must be your TV.

Un-Rock The Vote

It's voting day in America, kids! What do we think about that?

I for one, can attest to not getting the harassment of phone calls this week, reminding me to vote for a particular senator, congressman, president elect. I miss that. But, I'm glad it didn't happen. Instead, I did receive various post mail propaganda. What's up with that??

Daily Dump (of pictures)

For some reason, my pictures don't always stream off my phone and go to my computer. Yes, I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my antiquated phone. I am now using the iPhone 4, and it's a crazy phone. Almost useless in some cases. There has to be a way, where you can just make a call, with out it looking like a Skype screen, and adding a contact (who originally rang you), without calling them back. True story - I've accidentally called so many people back, because I intended on entering them as a contact, but somehow it calls, not saves. Why do we rely on these smart phones again?

I need a senior friend...

Maybe just need to "find an adult"!

It seems that all the advertisements I see lately, are for religious mingling, match making and harmonic meetings. Now, the more I peruse social networks, the more I'm finding people over 40 need to find love as well. Call it my ISP hacking into my computer, the fact I happen to live "in God's waiting room" (aka Florida), or I'm just getting inundated with the grey hairs wanting to find love.

Case in point:




And yes, you too, can find a friend or love for just 10 dollars a month!

Trust me, I've tried those sites myself - the fishy one, the religious one.... that's the only time I paid for a service - the one for my faith. Sorry, I'm ye of little one, so after a month I cut them off. I wasn't paying $$ to message kids I knew from my youth group years. I'm not into that aspect of organised crime, thank you very much. When I swam in the ocean, I met a couple of guys; one of whom I actually went out with for 5 months before calling it off. Wasn't meant to be. That site too, although free, is not for me. A (guy) friend of mine actually raised a good point. He ended up creating a profile for himself and went trolling. He mentioned that all he saw, especially from people our age, were girls wanting rich guys to take them out, treat them nice, and oh, by the way: take care of they kids too. All the "women" he was seeing, had 1, 2, 5 kids already, and they are either a decade younger then us, or a couple years older. All wanting to be gold diggers and new baby daddies. Although not every woman is like that, look hard enough on these sites and you'll find alot have that in common. Or at least have child(ren). Same goes with the boys. Single fathers, barely making ends meet because they have custody of their kids, they pay child support and see the kid once a month, something. It's an interesting world we are living in now - people trying to find happiness on the internet, yet, have so much baggage.

Maybe as you grow older and want "a friend", you lose more inhibitions, but your baggage is lessened simply because you're of the age where your children are taken care of and they don't really need another parent.

Who knows; maybe I can sneak my way into the golden years crowd.....


Cheers;

Yearly Update

Last year, I made a post regarding the anti abortionists picketing in front of the Planned Parenthood. 

Well, they've slowly re surfaced over the past week and a half. I saw them almost two weeks ago, on a Thursday. There were only 3 people picketing the corner at this time. Yesterday, there were about a 14. Today, more or less the same. My camera caught 12. Who knows how many were getting coffee or more signs. 

I think that it's one of those flukes where there is very heavy car and foot traffic, and PP just happens to be at that corner. My cousin stated after I showed her the video, that people are out now, protesting, because it's an election year, and a certain Mormon presidential candidate is anti abortion. I see the point, but I choose to think otherwise. 

I mean, seriously, the proof is in my posting from last year. It was not an election year, and it was around this time I posted the query about why there were so many people out there. Like I said, there will be dozens in the weeks to come, sitting in lawn chairs and having a couple cold drinks, holding signs that tell the local citizens that they're going to hell for approving this. 

My writing and video, is in no way shape or form giving the okay that I'm for (or against) abortions. I'm just pointing out the facts as I see them, and that I find it oddly interesting that this many "good people" are choosing to deny a person their civil right to choose a freedom (of sorts)? It's not Joe or Jane that can tell Tammy she can or can not have a baby. Hell, the dude that got Tammy pregnant might not be able to tell her what to do! It's her choice. Don't ruin it "for the voters" or for the public because you want your freedom of speech to detour traffic out of a company, all for what it has to offer.

Cheers,

How do you pronounce...?

Captchas are becoming more evident these days, as hackers are ruining our internet "freedom". In order for a business site to see if you're human, you have to enter in two randomised words into a box. Normally, they are just letters strung together, not making sense. Sometimes you get an actual word, most times you don't.

I went applying to another job last night. This job site had me do a captcha in order to complete my application.

My words?

My landlord says "no"

I've been applying to and looking at jobs lately. I figured, "What the hell". One never knows where they will end up, and I honestly don't plan on staying here for ever.

That being said, I didn't know Dish Network bought Blockbuster.  I also didn't realise there were Blockbuster stores still open. On a whim, I applied to a few of them. The interesting part of the whole process? The question and answers on the application. In particular: "If hired at Blockbuster is there anything that would prevent you from becoming a DISH subscriber?" yes or no.

 Erm, not unless my landlord is against hooking the satellite to the house. Or my condo / complex doesn't allow it. Although I am neither for nor against this service, wouldn't becoming a member be dependent on where you live, and if it's allowed? What if you are in a community that has a contract with a competitor, and if you choose not to use the competitor, you pay a higher rate? Or, you live in an apartment, and the landlord doesn't want his property filled with dishes for whatever reason? So you're screwed out a job because you can't become a subscriber?

I'd have to find a place to live, where I can have the ability to have a satellite attached to my house, I guess. I don't want to not get a job because the place I live in, doesn't accept it. That would be discrimination, in a sense, wouldn't it? You may be fully qualified for the job, but due to the fact you have something hindering this little piece of the application process, you can not proceed and work. I would think that being a member wouldn't deter a job away. It may be an advantage - you at least know what Dish is, what they offer and can enroll people in it, but you shouldn't be turned away because something won't allow you to subscribe.

Cheers,

Woot! Old news again!

We all know how much I absolutely adore a certain mail client. Yahoo decided to show me old news again, in the "What's New" tab in my inbox.

Today's "new" headlines? It's day two of the Republican National Convention. Yup. All the candidates are waiting out Hurricane Isaac, and there hasn't been a powerhouse actor/director talking to an empty chair yet.

Wait, how do I know about the person giving Romney's speech? What is this 'empty chair' reference?

Because the RNC happened 2 weeks ago.




Yahoo, get on the news wagon and start showing me today's happenings. I'm tired of reading articles from the past. Actually, while you're at it, stop posting items that have no real relevance to society. Your readers will thank you.



Cheers,

Move or face my beeping

It seems like people are in a rush these days. However, a rush to go where, is the question at hand.

Twice in less than a week, I was stopped at a red light, and got beeped at. I didn't realise it's the law now to turn right on red, no matter what.

On Saturday, I was stopped at the light at my complex. I was on my way to work, so it wasn't like a weekday rush hour. However, some (older) man comes speeding through the gate and had to quickly jump on his brakes to not hit me. I also moved up a few inches to avoid a rear end accident. I swear to hell, that if I didn't move, and if no one was paying attention, the guy would have hit me. He easily was going 40 mph in the 50 feet from the gate to the light. So there I am, wondering what's his fire, when he starts giving me the "come on, move it, toots!" hand signals. The light was still red, and I didn't feel like moving. I was trying to judge the oncoming traffic, as I would be turning right into it. As I notice the hand signals in my mirrors, all of a sudden, he starts laying on the horn. Yea, buddy, I got your point with the bird you shot me a second ago. The light turns green and I go. He speeds up behind me, and then gets into another lane, just to give me the "what the fuck, asshole?" look, and speeds off.

Monday, something similar happens. This time, I'm on my way home from work. I turned down one street, and a car with 2 young guys turned on the road just as I passed them. They literally rode in my trunk until we hit the red light they wanted to turn right on. I didn't turn like they wanted because this was another corner where traffic is hard to judge. So I'm getting looks and laughs, beeps a plenty. Light turns green, I turn. They speed to pass me and cut me off, because apparently, we were going to the same place. My complex. So they didn't have a residence pass, and I did. They went into the guest lane to get buzzed in, and as I passed them in the right lane to go through the gates, I got the dirtiest of looks from both kids. I swear one of them even took a picture of my plates. I passed them in the gate, they get buzzed in, and as I'm nearing the stop sign to take a right, they fly like a bat out of hell, to ride in my trunk again. I take the right, they follow suit, and when I needed to take a turn, they sped up and I saw in my mirror that they had slowed down to see what house I would turn in to. Like they're going to find my car and what? Beat me up? Break my windows open? Guess what; there are other cars in my complex that are the same exact model as mine. Good luck finding my car, shit heads.

So yeah, it's the law to now take a right on a red light. It's illegal to do otherwise.

Cheers,

I need a definition

I was reading the current issue (October 2012) issue of Seventeen magazine earlier, and came across a blurb about hair survival in bad weather; what you can do to keep those loose ends tied.

In the screen cap, it states, "On days when there's just no way to fight Nother Nature, slip on a headband and go!"

I'm a Luddite

and proud of it.

Luddite: 

1. A member of any of the bands of English workers who destroyed machinery, esp. in cotton and woolen mills, that they believed was threatening their jobs (1811–16)
   
   
2. A person opposed to increased industrialization or new technology

definition here

Neo - Luddite:
Someone who believes that the use of technology has serious ethical, moral, and social ramifications. Operating under this belief, Neo-Luddites are critical of technology and cautious to promote its early adoption. While they are not necessarily opposed to technology, they would prefer to see a more serious discussion of the role of technology in society. Some Neo-Luddites actually dislike technology, opting for a life of "voluntary simplicity," but this is not always the case.
definition here

I guess I do fit in to both definitions, in a way, as I'm (in so many words) "against" modern technology. Or, all these fandangled contraptions that are being spit out now for kids to grasp, as opposed to machinery of yonder. Example: I'm perfectly content writing on a typewriter. I love the looks of the old Corona, Remington and Royal models. I've used them previously, and if I could find another one, I would. Although some people may just tell me to get into the later 20th century by purchasing an IBM, Brother or the electric Smith Corona, but honestly, I'd take them all. 

I've had so many problems with my current laptop, I tell you, I am |this| close to actually hunting down a typewriter and using that for my writing needs. I just got my third hard drive installed on this two year old Dell, and it's the second hard drive in 9 months. That means I am on my second "fresh" install of Windows 7. I am not looking forward to when this personal computer completely kicks the bucket and I need to upgrade to Windows 8. 

I've heard (and seen) too many reviews on how the new operating system is great on tablets, but fails immensely on computers, yet, the makers are pushing on, and want people to upgrade once the OS becomes available. Computer stores are offering a $15 upgrade right now, if you buy a new computer. That's right, for an additional 15 dollars, once W8 comes out, you will have the software delivered to your inbox. 

Great, just what I need. 

I guess the whole reason I'm writing this, is the simple fact that Windows 8 is coming. Microsoft is pushing for this system, and slowly letting the reigns go on 7. It's like when they left XP to eat dust- 7 is starting to clean up so it too can vanish in the wind.

Case in point: as the aforementioned "I've a fresh install", I had gadgets on my desktop. I went to download one right before I made this post. I happen to like the digital clock one, where I can set it to various countries, so I know when I'm able to talk to my friends overseas. 

So... I go to the gadget site and receive this message:

Link here

"Because we want to focus on the exciting possibilities of the newest version of Windows, the  Windows  website no longer hosts the gadget gallery."


What the hell?! At least still offer something! I mean, seriously, it's bad enough the program for my integrated webcam is no longer available on the Dell support site (long story short: a partial driver is found, but not the whole driver or the webcam central. I've got to use video conferencing programs to use my cam),  now I can't download a gadget?   

Are we, as a general populous, getting that addicted or that in need of wham bam, thank you ma'am technology, that you can't sneeze without having to upgrade your system? Come on... the OS isn't even out yet, and we're being detoured to something else! This world ain't right. 

Seriously, where is the typewriter when you need it?

Cheers,

Nobody was alive then!

Okay, maybe people were, and maybe I just knicked a piece of a routine from Eddie Izzard.

But...

50 years ago, August fifth, 1962, Marilyn Monroe died. Do you know where you were when you heard the news? Probably, if you're like Me, you weren't alive. I know a couple of Massholes that were only 5 and 2 months old, respectively. Other people were at least in their late teens to early twenties. I guess I hang around alot of older people....

Any way, yeah, the blonde bombshell that wasn't a true blonde allegedly died of a barbiturate overdose in her Brentwood bedroom. So many tales have been rumoured about her death, that although I don't know what to believe, the Kennedy conspiracy sounds plausible. Yes, the "I know some conspiracies and general information about JFK and his clan" kid admits to seeing Marilyn Monroe's death as a murder by the Massachusetts politicos. I'm sure there's a guy I know that would dispute it though. If you're reading this, you know who you are.

I'm not delving into what I *truly* think, as it's 5:38 in the morning, and I've just been viewing celebrity death photos as I write this. My head isn't in the right spot to give the conspiracy theorem or true stories a spin, although I don't think I would be able to later in the day. There are just some things you want to believe, and some things you don't. I'm the Fox Mulder of thoughts sometimes.

At any rate, Ms. Monroe has left a very interesting impact on the world's culture, that's for sure. Good, bad, or indifferent, she is a great loss to Hollywood... as troubled as she was. Here's hoping someone can latch on to what really happened...

Cheers

in quattro parole io sono ancora qua

Si... io sono ancora qua!

Yes, I'm still here. I've just not been able to post lately, as I've left my retail big box chain store job, and settled into my photo store job.

Sway with me

I'm finally off Roy's music for now. But I'm back on Dean Martin. Honest truth. I got Orby out of my head and was singing something completely different at work today (at one point Radiohead's Creep), but I get home and all of a sudden, I'm whistling Sway by Deano.

I know I posted a video and quick blog roll back in November 2010, but it's time to resurrect it. Can't go wrong with The Rat Pack. Although, for a while, I was whistling (more like mouth trumpet - you know, when you make the trumpet noises) Frankie Valli and the Four Season's Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Maybe the latter is because I saw the off Broadway production of The Jersey Boys, or maybe I just like that music too much. Either way, now I've done and got both songs in my head...






Cheers,

It's 2 o'clock in the morning...

...do you know where your sleep is?


I got another Roy Orbison song stuck in my head. This time it was 2 in the morning, I'm tossing and turning, and instead of being sound asleep, Roy is telling me about his first wife Claudette. It stuck with me for at least an hour before I fell back to sleep, and actually was the first thing that woke me up, right after my mobile alarm went off.

What's up with that??





Cheers,

Up in smoke

I just read an article about Vietnam banning public smoking in the entire country. Like, you light up in the park, you face repercussions. The article did not state what will happen if you are caught smoking outside, but according to the article, the law "will take effect from next May"... until when, prey tell?

Thank you, Yahoo, for posting another piece of shit information. Do us a favour and re-read your text before you post it next time, please. I know less about this tobacco ban now, than I did before.

Cheers,

Stop me if you've heard this before

Again, I've a few songs on Pete and rePete in my head. Every couple of days, Roy 'The Boy' Orbison starts growling, guitar soloing, and then Blue Bayou goes round and round.

I've been singing it all bloody day.

I can tell you one of the "first" times I heard the song, although I most likely knew of it and heard of it prior, it really hit me while watching Dreamcatcher. The movie is from 2003, based on the 2001 Stephen King book.  I don't want to create spoilers for those who haven't read the book nor watched the movie, but Orbison's song is given quite the respect in the movie. It's one of those pivotal tracks that stays with the characters. Needless to say, it stayed with me as well.

Like I said, I have heard the song before, but never made the correlation. Sometimes it just takes a brief moment in personal history to make you realise what is going on. Now, 9 years later, Blue Bayou has been an ever increasing popular song in my head. Considering the track was written and released 49 years ago, Roy's vocal arrangements make it seem new. Then again, all his songs have that "this was released when?" feel.

The other day, I was actually looking up some information, and I read that his wife, Barbara, died 23 years to the day, that he did (December 6, 1988, December 6, 2011). You can't plan that. Honestly.

At any rate, good musician, good song:

Must be a slow news day

Okay, we all know Yahoo! is not immune to providing old news or articles that are completely irrelevant, that you wonder why on earth you just read it, let alone why was it posted.

Well, the Brockton Enterprise is slow on the uptake. They posted an article today about an incident that happened in December.

The article states that a six year old Middlboro boy wrote a note to his school that would excuse him from going to the local after school program with the YMCA. Instead, he would be going home. It was in the typical child form - misspelled words, scribbles, magic marker and finger paint paper. Apparently, it was so elaborately done, that the secretary in the elementary school not only believed the child, but called an old phone number to reach the parent. She also wrote on the note it had been accepted.

Now, the mother is taking action. She wrote on her Facebook how bad the school system is, for allowing this to happen. She has no plans to file a lawsuit, but wants the process of releasing the children resolved. She had no idea her son was not at the Y until they called her looking for him. Because the school didn't update their files, the number that was called, was invalid. Therefore, the mother was furious her child was missing. Come to find out, he was at a neighbor's house and enjoying a snack.

Hello! Why do you post on Facebook about something serious as this? Yes, the more people who can share it, the better, but you don't slam a school system on a social network. Write a letter to the paper. Talk to local news stations. Work with the school to rectify their mistake. Don't go online and just end it with Facebook... of all places! That's why things like this happen. You leave it on a system where you're more likely to get laughed at then helped. I mean, from my point of view, it's more comical that you reach out and want to pick a fight via a social network, than go to local places to get people involved. It may change people's ideas on how their schools act, but who really will use your message and start a revolution? Best to go small and local, than start national, in some cases.

Shakes head at current state of affairs....

Just a quickie

Now that Strokin Dick Clark isn't coming down for breakfast (yea, I'm slow on the uptake for blogging it), one of the websites I belong to, has posted a limited edition memorial bling. It's entitled "RIP DICK" and looks like this:

Here, I thought the people I hung around with were a bit pervy. When this bling came out, every member on the site loved it. The only down side is it says "RIP Dick" under the picture. So whoever owns this bling on their profile, gets a piece of ripping mister Clark in half. So much for Stroking Dick! 

Cheers,

Woot! Only took 15 years!

Watch, now that I say this, things will change and come Christmas, I'll get crap again.

As mentioned previously, I have gotten the odd gifts from family members. Whether that be a watch that's too fruity for me (and one I can't tell time on), or just a note card saying "Happy Birthday!", I finally get something I can use: a check!

Since my birthday is in 2 days, I've been getting the "what do you want for your birthday" questions. I reply I want nothing, but sometimes, someone's mail slips in with an unwanted item. This current round of gifts surprised me. The part of the family famous for re-gifting, actually sent money. Now, I have two choices: bank it, or use it to buy the last book in the Crepsley saga. Odds are, I'll cash it and book it. I did have to laugh, though. The card says "Congratulations!" on the front, and the inside reads "So happy for you!". Handwritten side note = "On your birthday - almost 30 - 1 more year." Uhm... yea. I need to be congratulated because I survived 28 years (29 come Sunday) with this family, and come next year, I can say I survived 30 with them!

Who knows. Could be a positively negative way on wishing me a happy birthday, or just a friendly way to say hello. Either situation could work, but I'm just glad I finally get something I can use.

Cheers,

Where were you last night?

Nicked a Traveling Wilburys line, but it still is the same theme. Sue me. LOL.

Lately, when I've been getting out of work, between 10:30 and 11 o clock at night, I've been finding myself watching foreign music videos on Youtube. Songs get stuck in my head during my meek hours at the store and I end up finding the video online. Suggested videos come next, including translated ones. 

For example, Mort Shuman, La dernier dance pour moi has become a rotated favourite of mine. I love the version on the American Queer As Folk, but I also love the song, in general. 

Did you know that Mort was one of the writers of this song? I didn't until I researched it further. Sure, the Drifters and Ben E King sang and ran with it, but who knew what the original thought process or writer was? Doc Pomus had the idea to say this to his wife, because he was in a wheelchair at their wedding (due to polio), so he wanted to make sure she saved the last dance for him... that she can dance with whom ever she pleases, but he wants the last one. Pretty sweet of him, no? 

Another big song I've been singing lately (rather humming along, since I don't speak the language yet) has been  Vasco Rossi Eh...già. Roughly translated, it means "Already". Interesting concept, once it's translated. Il Blasco just states that he's still hanging out and he's up for a challange - "in quattro parole

io sono ancora qua"..  or, "in four words I'm still here". 

Just the beat alone is pretty nifty - Juanes, Regalito. The concept is he "has a gift" he wants to share with his girlfriend, but is unsure she'll accept it. He knows she'll love it, too. It ends up being him, as a whole, as a person. 

Shows what happens when I stay up all night. I listen to weird rock songs... but I say give it a try. Listen to music during the day and see what you like. 

Cheers,

The answering machine is on, but no one's home

Rather, the business is vacant.

There's a reason Google was giving me just an address and phone number for a particular recording studio down here. I had seen the name of the place on a marquee in the same parking lot as a beef jerky store, so I figured I'd send a letter of employment to them (the studio, not the jerky store). True, some of the offices in that lot looked vacant, but still, give it a shot!

So I searched and searched for some sort of name to send the letter to. Like I said, the only thing available online was the phone number and address. Okay, let me call them. It rang, and rang, and rang some more. Finally, a machine picked up. A voice said that they were either in the studio or on the other line, and to leave a message. No, I didn't leave a message; I hung up. I thought since I was calling close to 5pm, they were getting ready to pack it in, and I'd send my resume anyway.

I did.

Three days later I get this:

"Return to Sender
VACANT
Unable to forward"

At least it didn't tell me "ADDRESS UNKNOWN".. haha.

Still. Surprised as I was, it shows the level of disappearances down here. Places close up or slim down their hours because the snowbirds have flown the coop. It's a sad state of affairs down here, and from what I've seen and heard, it's gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better.

Cheers,

This is from an HR source?

It seems like all I do is talk about job stuff on here lately. Trust me, it's easier to find some wrongs with employment opportunity postings, than fixing AP copy.

At any rate, I received an email from an HR representative with a video production position that I applied to a few weeks ago. Now, I know that all these responses are normally canned emails, but when they are written so poorly, it makes me question how many responses they get a day, that there's such bad spelling.

Hello-
We have received your resume iin response to our posting for a Video Prodcuer/Editor, and will be in touch with you if your skills and background are a match for our position.
Thank you for your interested in USA Water Polo, Inc, and we wish you great success in your job search!
Best Regards,
Human Resources

Erm, "[...]iin response to our posting[...]" ? Misspell one. 

"Thank you for your interested in [...]" Word usage! Yes, I was interested in the job, but my interest now relies in finding something else. 

It's a wonder why people still have jobs, with the way emails are written...

Cheers,

Is that the poor man's version?

I just had to go into my start menu to make sure programs were spelled right.

Again, early morning routines have brought me to the sports site and applying for jobs. As usual, there was a question with a "who made this up? Can they spell?" glance. The question asked if the candidate is proficient in the Microsoft Suite; primarily Word, "Excell, and Power-point" [sic].

My question is, Excell and Power-point are legit software from Microsoft? Or, are they some hacked version, souped up for the technologically advanced?

At any rate, case in point (as usual, a picture to back it up):

and it's spelled "Excel" and "PowerPoint"


Cheers,

OMG, this is AP??

I thought that particular sports job site was bad. Uh uh! I thought wrong!

Of course, Associated Press never really pays attention to their covering stories, so why the hell should they pay attention to their job postings? I logged in today, because I received an email for a job I may be interested in. Sure, I'm batting one thousand in actually getting an interview by them. What the hell. Yea, no wonder I am unqualified. I can spell.

Proof in point:

"Do you have experience developing stories using mutimedia?" Muti-who?  Smutty media? Sure! I can develop porn stories! Mutty media? Like dog related stories? Ok, my cousin has the cutest toy poodle. I'll hang out with him for a story!

Seriously. These job sites need to check their postings before hitting send / enter. Yet, I question why I can't get a job, or that I'm working a shit retail job for 7.61 an hour and get more stress from it, than satisfaction.

Cheers,

This is advanced?

By now, I'm sure that I've made it clear I'm a "Neo Luddite". I am against all the up and coming technologies, because quite frankly, I don't give a damn. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? HDMI / HDTV compatible television sets are coming with no component features, so that old school (i.e. 2004) VCR / DVD combo player you have? Don't work.

Yup. It took me about 3 years to realise flat screen HDTV sets are no use to VCRs. Why (or how) did I find this out? My mother hasn't been able to tape any of her shows on VHS since we've moved. She can't watch a movie and we couldn't figure out why. Come to find out, when everything was hooked up, the cassette recorder wasn't. That's because it was either hook up the cable box to the component outlet, or hook up the VCR. So we went with the cable. Tonight, I was able to hook up an HDMI cord to the TV and cable box, so I figured, use the component outlets for the VCR. Fair enough, yeah? I've done it plenty of times before. Nope. Won't work. It acts like trying to unscramble porn on a black box. Not cool. Therefore, I unhooked the VCR / DVD player and put it in storage.

So I ask you, when did we become so advanced in our nature?

Cheers,

Is it any wonder?

There's a reason a new (sports) job posting wants the candidate to be bilingual: Because they can't type in English themselves. 

I was on the usual sports site, and came across a weasel position for a club. Okay, I'll take a look at it. Hell, I may not want to be a weasel, but at least it gets me to a couple games. At any rate, having a good run down read through of what they wanted - basic skills and requirements. Seeing how I am familiar with what they want (I've done sales and I do sales), the only issue is the fact that one "Must by 100% fluent in Spanish, written and verbal". Erm, yea. I can adhere to being 100 per cent fluent if you give me time. Then again, given this option, there really is no specific date I need to be at full fluency for it. In that case, where to I sign up?

How do you say #DUH, professionally?

I was given a printout from a newspaper the other day, about a job fair one of the (variant) Chamber of Commerce committees are holding in a few weeks. I went onto the site and got a hold of who will be at the event. I proceeded to email some of them, that I knew I was qualified for.

Seeing how my entire resume says MA (Massachusetts), I'm currently in a triangle of sorts with why I am writing this.

One of the jobs I sent my information to, responded back to me today. I figured there were no openings, but it was worth a shot. But it begs the question as to why someone will be there at the job fair. Oh, I know. To get interns for college credit. But this is not the point. Read the screen cap. (I edited the major stuff out and sorry it's a tiny jpeg)

So I was tempted to write back to the apology saying it's not a problem, but still... it's weird. What I wanted to say in the original response was that I am not a permanent resident; I'm going back to Detroit once the Tigers leave, but since I don't live in Michigan, I guess I'm not following them.

At any rate, I gotta get to my job...

Cheers,

Why does this make news?

I love reading random news stories; especially when Yahoo snags it form certain affiliates (in this case NBC).


I was reading the tech story, Vigilante jamming cell phone calls on city buses to help preserve peace and quiet (which in itself is a long ass headline), and had a "WTF" moment.


There's a paragraph that states:

 "If caught and prosecuted, Eric could face a $16,000 fine as well as jail time. After learning of the consequences, he has agreed to get rid of the device" 

If caught?? NBC Philly bloody got him on camera, owning up to using the device! He had it in his hand, and showed them how to use it! I would have been like, uh, please step into my car. We're going on a ride. The fact that they let him slide and although he agreed to get rid of his device, caAn't NBC be held accountable for letting him go? Come on, this makes as much sense as a ten cent nickel!


Cheers,

Creatively cut!

I love when people can't take creative licence anymore.

I was reading a 

 /

 article, (also here) as usual, and it just got me thinking. If someone takes a Creative Writing course, why is this guy in hot water? He followed directions, always asked questions, and was creatively using his words. The basis of the article is a gentleman was in a class where he, for his own use in the course, updated Van Halen's Hot For Teacher song. He based it on his professor, as the song dictates. He didn't belittle her. Instead, he made her out to be respectable. It was his first impressions of the  woman, and he thought it was in sound mind. What he didn't think of, was the fact that he'd get kicked off campus. Unfortunately, the professor thought that this "sexually suggestive journal entry" was too sexual in nature. Like I said, and like the article states: the man repeatedly asked, in class and out of class, these assignments can be free form and they won't get into trouble from it. The teacher said they can be as uncensored as the student wants it to be. So, write on, students! But that got the guy in trouble. He now has been "charged with sexual harassment and intimidation."

That's bullshit. I remember my creative writing class in college. We all get the same type of understanding and assignments - you have a daily journal, you write in it. It's uncensored and uninhibited. There are no feelings of being turned in for what you write because these are your thoughts. The teacher reads the writings and gives feedback, positive or negative, and you go from there. How do you think I originally started this blog? Some of the old timers may remember the story I was posting back in 2006. That was an assignment from my CW class. I've got stories upon essays upon journal writings from that semester. So by hindering some one's thoughts, you're turning into Big Brother and you're making an asshole of yourself and what you're doing, because it's as if you're retracting what you're saying. Maybe colleges / universities all across the country need to re-evaluate the creative writing course(s) they offer in their English departments and tone down the curriculum. Either that, or get rid of the class all together, if it's going to spawn allegations.

Cheers,

I can haz a job?

Again, whilst perusing the (sports) job networks,  I found four questions asking me for an answer. However, the way they were phrased, makes me think otherwise.

For example:

I am at least 18 years of age? Well, yes, I think. 

I have previous cash handling experience. Yes, but it depends on how legal it was. (just kidding)

I can work a flexible schedule to include nights, weekends and some holidays? Based on past job experiences, there's no such thing as a day off. So yes.

I can speak Spanish? No lo entiendo. 

Isn't there some joke out there that girls can only talk with a question at the end of their sentence? As in, they sound like they're asking for something? Makes me think of that.

Cheers;

Is it like "noir"?

Some one had me a dictionary, please, or at least a spell checker.

Once again, jobs need to check their advertisements before posting them online.

I went on a sports website and thought I was applying to a sales job. All good in the hood, except the question about "proir" work experience and that the ad got removed. I don't know why it won't let me finish applying, but if it's because the spelling mistake, then by all means, take the who advertisement down, and not have candidates fill 2 pages out (of 4).

You can't make this up...

Got to love AP news...

This is why I am unqualified for a job: I don't fit the writing style standards of the Associated Press.

I was reading the Yahoo News headlines, and clicked on "McCartney's wife resigns from NYC transit board" in the top news.

It may be a brief topic, but, erm, the thing I understood the most out of this article: Wife #3 is still dating around ("music legends"), even though she's married to Macca.

Proof is paragraph 2 "Nancy Shevell married the Beatles great in October" versus paragraph 4 "When she isn't dating music legends [...]" as seen in the photo:

If one were to deduce anything from this article, she's married, but she's still running around. Makes as much sense as a 2 cent nickel.

Cheers,

Pay for a job fair, stay for a game...

... That maybe you don't want to watch.

About 2 months ago, I received an email to pay between 30 and 50 dollars to attend a job fair and then stay for a sports game. I forget what it was, but it was for a Tampa team. I may have written about it. But since Tampa is more than 2 hours away from me, I didn't feel it was dire to waste a trip (in gas) to pay 50 bucks for a job fair. It was one thing when I paid 25 for the New England Revolution's fair, because I wanted to see the home opener as well. But when the meetings turned out to be lousy (not even tables / vendors, and every person in attendance was told to apply online - where the vendors did not accept paper applications right then), I felt this Tampa gig would not be worth it.

Now, I get an email two days ago from the same site that sent me the Tampa information. This new fair is at the Daytona International Speedway.  The fair is going to last an hour and a half (according to the information) and then the race starts.

I'm all for endorsing the Redneck side of sports, but not when I have to pay 55 dollars in support of the job fair. It's really 50 dollars for the race ticket and 5 for the fair, if you think of it like the way the Revs went down. $22 went to the Fort ticket (normal seating for diehards) and $3 for entrance of the fair. I wanted to go to the football match, so spending 25 dollars is not an issue. The issue for the Daytona gig is the fact it's 4 hours and 10 minutes (each way) from me, about $35 worth of gas, and the $55 to attend (AND $14 for ticket processing... total: $69). With the meeting starting at 6pm, I won't make it home until well after midnight. And that's having left my house around 1 in the afternoon (I don't know Florida or its roads too well yet, so give an extra hour to travel).  Plus, who knows if there will be tolls. It's honestly not worth it.

The thing I don't agree with, in regards to the emails, is the fact that these places are doing meet and greets for jobs, to "network" - which is all good, but it's a waste of resources and time. Especially when you're paying just to attend the venue (sport). I learned my lesson from going to a Fenway Park fair 5 years ago, as well as the New England Revolution fair - you can have PR/ HR people from local teams (Revs, Patriots, Celtics and Lowell Spinners had a table, amongst others), but when the line for each table is out the door and you spend 25 to 30 minutes in the line to talk to them, you waste energy for when they tell you they're looking for interns (for college credit... now we're telling this to the 50+ crowd... because...?) or they really are not accepting any type of application or resume, then you have to question why you are really there. It's not fair nor is it right. The three tables I talked to at Gillette, took my resume and paper application, but they said that they won't be looking at anything for at least 2 months afterwards. It was just to get people's information. !!!!!

So thanks, job fairs, for thinking you're doing a good deed for the unemployed or underemployed. You're really doing us all a disservice!

The email I received:

           Dear Amy,

You are invited to attend our next TeamWork Online sports careers professional networking event hosted by Daytona International Speedway.

When: Friday February 24th - 6:00pm
Where: Daytona International Speedway
Parking: Attendees can park free at lot 7 off Bill France Blvd. where free shuttle will be available
Race: Camping World Truck Series - 2012 DIS Nextera Energy 250 NCWTS
Presented by: TeamWork Online

How did I get this invitation? You applied for a job in sports with one of our 750+ clients or signed up for TeamWork Online's professional network. We thought it might be better if you were able to meet face-to-face with your local teammates rather than rely on just computer connections.

What's in it for me? We want to increase your local contacts in the industry. You will have the opportunity to network with senior staff from the Daytona International Speedway and other Daytona sports properties. As the adage goes, the more people you know, the better your chances are at securing your next job.

What's the format? The event will begin one and a half hours before race time. You will meet members of the Daytona International Speedway business staff and other professionals within your area and engage in group discussions about current sports business issues. And you'll enjoy a fun night at the track. (Bring plenty of business cards!)

Cost? starting at $55.00, discount of $30 off regular admission (includes a ticket to the race). Register here or visit this link for more details Purchasing a ticket will automatically register you to become a "teammate" on the TeamWork Online professional network.)

Want to be more engaged in the sports business? Here's your chance. Come join us!
All my best,
Matt

Cheers,

SOPA

Yesterday went down faily decent, so I'm reading. I tried to stay away from the computer because of the whole SOPA and PIPA deal. But to quote the email I received this morning:

Today was nuts, right?

 Google launched a petition.  Wikipedia voted to shut itself off.  Senators' websites went down just from the sheer surge of voters trying to write them.   NYC and SF geeks had protests that packed city blocks.

You made history today: nothing like this has ever happened before.  Tech companies and users teamed up.  Tens of millions of people who make the internet what it is joined together to defend their freedoms.  The free network defended itself.  Whatever you call it, the bottom line is clear: from today forward, it will be much harder to mess up the internet.

The really crazy part?  We might even win.

 Approaching Monday's crucial Senate vote there are now 35 Senators publicly opposing PIPA.  Last week there were 5.   And it just takes just 41 solid "no" votes to permanently stall PIPA (and SOPA) in the Senate.  What seemed like miles away a few weeks ago is now within reach.

 But don't trust predictions.  The forces behind SOPA & PIPA (mostly movie companies) can make small changes to these bills until they know they have the votes to pass. 

Members of Congress know SOPA & PIPA are unpopular, but they don't understand why--so they're easily duped by superficial changes.  The Senate returns next week, and the next few days are critical.  Here are two things to think about:

1. Plan on calling your Senator every day next week.  Pick up the phone each morning and call your Senators' offices, until they vote "no" on cloture.  If your site participated today, consider running a "Call the Senate" link all next week. 

2. Tomorrow, drop in at your Senators' district offices.  We don't have a cool map widget to show you the offices nearest you (we're too exhausted! any takers?).  So do it the old fashioned way: use Google, or the phonebook to find the address, and just walk in, say you oppose PIPA, and urge the Senator to vote "no" on cloture.  These drop-in visits make our spectacular online protests more tangible and credible. 

 That's it for now. Be proud and stay on it!

--Holmes, Tiffiniy, and the whole Fight for the Future team.

 ___

 P.S. Huge credit goes to participants in the 11/16 American Censorship Day protest: Mozilla, 4chan, BoingBoing, Tumblr, TGWTG, and thousands of others.  That's what got this ball rolling!  Reddit, both the community and the team behind it, you're amazing.  And of course, thanks to the Wikimedians whose patient and inexorable pursuit of the right answer brought them to take world-changing action. Thanks to David S, David K, Cory D, and E Stark for bold action at critical times.

 P.P.S. If you haven't already, show this video to as many people as you can. It works! http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/
 

SOPA / PIPA

As you know by now... I've been posting about the SOPA and Internet Censorship the last month or so... This week is the week... Let's get together and get this killed once and for all. Everything we know about the internet will be shut down - from Craigslist to Facebook, to Google, Twitter and Youtube; everything in between as well. Even this blog faces death. PLEASE do some good and don't let SOPA (or PIPA) pass!!

http://sopastrike.com/


(image courtesy of sopastrike.com)


As I'm not going to be available on the computer until the weekend, I'm spreading the news now.... but I'll try to make it Wednesday!

Cheers

Never gonna give you up...

Never gonna let you down!

Ever want to just shut the radio off when you hear a bad 80s tune? Or the fact that you click (what you think is) a legitimate link and end up getting Rick Roll'd?

That's what happened to me yesterday at work, but instead of clicking a Youtube link, I walked right into the store to hear Rick Astley telling me he's never going to run around and desert me.

My immediate thought was "okay, where are the candid cameras?" and then I realised Christmas is over, so it's time to start pumping up the 80s tunes during the week, to keep customers happy with their shopping. Thanks for the cheesy muzak, retail store.

I guess, in theory, I should be happy I don't have to constantly hear Ava Maria or know that there is a Little Drummer Boy going pa, rum, pa, pum, pum. On the other hand, I have a strong dislike for 80s music, therefore I yearn for the 3 minutes I can get, when something from the 90s turns up (which it did on Saturday... quite a few times) or the minutes I get off the clock, where I can choose to listen to oncoming traffic.

Either way, this blog will never make you cry.

Cheers,

Time to test the conspiracy theorem of 2012

Happy New Year. It's 2012 and we're supposed to be seeing flying cars, hovercrafts and all sorts of transporters, no?

Well, this year brings on the time space continuum that needs to be tested: Conspiracies. According to numerous theorists, we're going to die by some sort of mother nature or science hazard. As in: tsunamis, earthquakes, winter freezes...all across the board, comets and asteroids flying into the planet and destroying it, mass suicide or just plain old death. From what I've read, I can only deduce the fact that it's going to be the real live version of a mash between The Day After Tomorrow and 2012. Pretty much the culmination of the two, times ten. Maybe Al Gore is right: global warming will kick our ass if we're not careful. But then again, who's Al Gore to say it's specifically "us"? The animals of the world contribute, by not as much as humans, but they still factor into the equation... No?

At any rate, it's still early into January first, and we've got a whole 364 days to test out the whack jobs' mutterings. Question is, who's making the Kool Aid this time?