Face the thing that should not be

Just more proof that Metallica REALLY doesn't get it any more than they did when they went after Napster and alienated huge swaths of their fanbase. Let's see: the going price for a new album on iTunes is $9.99 so Metallica decides to charge $25.99 for digital delivery of the album and $37.99 (including shipping) for physical CD. Right there they are high on crack. Doesn't affect me either way, as I've hated everything they've done since Cliff died.

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Father, Father

As my eldest daughter was leaving the room to answer nature's call I hit the pause button on the TiVo for her. She stopped, turned around and said

Dad, don't do anything stupid.

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Tell me who are you this time

A new security/ID card system is imminent (again) so the powers that be are gathering a bunch of our personal info for no readily apparent reason. The PM asked me things like SS#, first name, middle name, last name, address, place of birth, etc. All stuff that should already be on file, but OK.


PM: Is there a suffix on your last name?
Me: No. But my prefix should be Reverend.
PM: raises eyebrow, moves on: Any aliases?
Me: Yes, Reverend.
PM: So that's a no. Address?

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A loop is a loop is a loop

IVR System: What is your destination?
Me: San Diego
IVR System: I heard Binghampton, is that correct?

What. The. Hell. IVR's suck.

*IVR: Interactive Voice Response. Anytime you call the bank, airline, phone company, utility, etc and get send through their phone tree, it's an IVR.

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Take what you want, just what you need

After Hurricane Katrina our agency issued Emergency Survival kits to all employees and contractors (nice that they actually included the contractors, as we normally rank somewhere below carpet mites). Except because they were worth $50 each they had to stay locked in a manager's office. Because in the event of an emergency I'm sure we'll all have access to the manager's office.

Today, our manager began unceremoniously dropping them on people's desks and telling us they had to go in our overhead cabinets. Being the curious sort I decided to see what was in it.

• a flashlight
• two D batteries for flashlight
• a 2400 calorie nutrient bar
• emergency survival blanket
• first aid kit
• 6 125ml pouches of emergency water

And all in a calming red carrier that says "SURVIVAL KIT" on the front. One of the water pouches in my kit leaked. And there remains only three years on the shelf life for the kit.

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JFK went down to Dallas

Dan Carlin has a bang up new podcast, an abbreviated version of Hardcore History called Hardcore History:BLITZ edition. This episode is about the impact that various mind altering substances, from alcohol to recreational drugs to allergy medications, may have had an influence on major historical events. Fascinating topic and well covered here.

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And now it seems we never talk at all

A prime example of a legitimate use of Bit Torrent: the new NIN album, Slip. M4A Apple Lossless FTW. Free in exchange for your email address, how cool is that?

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I can't sing I'm just standing here selling everything

There is much hubbub about a photoshoot that tween sensation Miley Cyrus did for Vanity Fair. Parents are questioning if she is still a suitable role model because she is showing about as much of her back as your average Oscar dress does. This is cause for concern? There aren't more important issues at hand? If you're going to question her as a role model shouldn't it be for the saccharine songs and mediocre talent that have been parlayed into a fortune based more on her looks than anything else?

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I fight authority but authority always wins

There are times when it seems like the best thing to do is to take a step back and breathe deep. In both my work and in being a parent I take my responsibility very seriously. There are parallels in the things that frustrate me in both environments.

In situations where there is a right way to do things, I expect them to be done the right way. If it is something that falls under my bailiwick then it is my responsibility to see that it is done the right way. That might mean regulating my daughter's behavior when she is acting out, or helping her understand how to acheive a goal when she's learning something new.

However, I have one of the same characteristics as Boo: I get frustrated quickly when things don't work the way they should or when people don't do things the way they should. In dealing with her, however, I am learning to manage my frustration better. Slowly.

Take a deep breath. Reflect. Delete the email.

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