Brentology.com

Well Isn't That Special

"If your not electing christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin."

HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD NAIL ME TO A CROSS DUNK MY HEAD IN HOLY WATER SEE YOU IN HELL JUMPIN JEEHOZAFAT WHAT IN SAM HILL IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN?

Legislate sin? Are you kidding me? The sin she (you remember the braniac who was the Sec of State in Florida during the 2000 election) speaks of include abortion and gay rights as well as other worldly sins that send you to hell in her ignorant world. How can there be people , especiallythose that run for PUBLIC office who hope to represent THE PEOPLE , have such narrow minded and predjudicial views.

Oh, and the topping on the cake ----> This yenta on a high horse is being investigated for her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor and taking $32,000 in illegal contributions. Judge not...........

Posted by Brent at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Blogging, one year later.
Has a year gone by already since this little online home started? It seems like only yesterday that my first post went online. Has it morphed into what I envisioned? Not yet. Have I spent as much time on it as I would like? No -- not yet. But what it has done is become a great way to keep in touch, meet some new people, share some ideas, and ask questions while learning things. Giving some opinions, bitching about work, often while learning acronyms have also been highlights along with various rants, rants, and more rants. Oh and still more rants. Cats also have played a prominent role here, here, and here. And here too.

It has also been interesting to see (with Paul's help) the statistics of my little blog in the forms of traffic and number of visits a month and the different countries visitors are from. Blogs are funny in that you can't guage the readership by commentors alone. I regularly read 30-40 blogs. Some of which I comment frequently, some infrequently, and some never. There are also those people who like to send an email when something strikes a chord rather than do a public comment. Sometimes it's from an post-ending sentence about being tolerated from which I received a few nice emails, or those from Spiderman fans. It's also cool being able to type certain key-words into Google and have the results linking to different entries in your blog.

I have also found that much like human emotions, entries that stir emotions cannot alwyas be predicted. Some controversial topics can recieve little or no reaction while having the audacity to besmirch carrot cake can strike to the core beliefs of die-hard dessert lovers.

At any rate, it's been fun and I enjoy blogging. And while it may not be obvious to even everyday readers, Brentology Dot Com remains in an evolutionary phase, each day inching closer to its true voice and place in the universe.

Peace Out Y'all.

Posted by Brent at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

With my Saturday workday now completed, my long week is finally over and relaxing can commence. I had some serious insomnia this past week. I was only getting maybe three hours sleep each night and even that came in short spurts. By Friday I was just about nodding off everytime I stopped concentrating on something for a few minutes. I was told I was cranky too, but the person telling me this is so clueless that she did not realize she and her amazing stupidity and laziness was the source of any foul mood I may have had. In fact, I'm sure the insomia had something to do with work stress after returning from vacation and finding all the problems created in my absence and having to deal with them. It's like people (actually one person) only do things correctly when I am there and it's just "whatever" when I am not. My transfer is getting closer and I cannot wait. Last night I went to bed at 10:00 and slept straight through until my alarm starting going off this morning at 7:00.
I was still kind of sluggish today and my sinus' are acting up. I definetly need another night or two of quality sleep. But I also need some fresh air, so i think I will head out and rollerblade for a bit then perhaps get some Chinese food before turning into a couch potato tonight and falling asleep early. But also a movie may be in order too if I get antsy sitting aorund so we'll see.

Posted by Brent at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (696)

Bazooms is a funny word.

The mortgage rep from my office, a nice older man with white hair, came back from a client meeting today of a guy who owns a adult club and told me about the rather large "bazooms" one his staff members has. "And they were real." Thanks for telling me, I'll have to check them out sometime. Somehow him saying this made it really funny.

Posted by Brent at 01:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

3 minutes

Posted by Brent at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This poor horse at the San francisco Zoo has been given the name Coulter.

It is belived that the name given could be a political shot at Ann Coulter because of its resembelnce to the conservative witch and her horse-like face. But personally I think they were referring to another part of its anatomy. I feel bad for the horse being saddled (ha) with a name that conjures up images of the devil.

Posted by Brent at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Post Secret. It updates each Sunday.
PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

Posted by Brent at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Brad's site -- Dine out on Tuesday, August 29th at your favorite participating restaurant and you'll be helping relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region....

Go to www.strength.org for more info and to find a restaurant in your area.

.....Diners across the country can enjoy food and drink at thousands of participating restaurants that are contributing a portion of their proceeds to Share Our Strength's hurricane recovery efforts. As part of its efforts to end childhood hunger in America, Share Our Strength is helping families in the Gulf Coast region. By dining out on August 29th, the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, your support will help rebuild school cafeterias, open summer meal programs, provide assistance for affected restaurant workers, and more.

And it's another excuse to eat out or try a new restaurant.....

Posted by Brent at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (625)

Posted by Brent at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Back to work today. I only had 151 emails waiting for me and a few small piles on my desk. That's not bad, I was expecting more.
Just got home from our "quarterly event." It was held downtown in the party room of an upscale bar/restaurant. Basically it is a big morale booster/pat yourself on the back type meeting with munchies and lots of alcohol. I didn't really have too many munchies as the caterers seemed to be more adept at serving beverages, or I was more adept at ordering them, whatever. I noticed a chinese carryout across the street from my parking lot so I grabbed some beef and broccoli and headed home to eat. I may regret that in a little while.

Posted by Brent at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Refreshed, rested, and with a positive attitude back to doing my usual morning routine through the streets of Pittsburgh...

It was nice having time off. For the last ten days I ...
-- never woke to an alarm clock
-- had no schedule to follow
-- made no plans, just did whatever I felt like doing as things came up.
-- did not have any employees to worry about
-- caught up on book reading and read my favorite paper, The NY times, every day ( hard to do most work days, lots of info/stories to read and not sold everywhere)
-- did the above while sipping coffee, alternating daily between Starbucks and Caribou.
-- exercised more, rollerblading, racquetball, and hiking all over Pittsburgh
-- shopped
-- and most importantly, rested and de-stressed. And came to the conclusion I need to rest more and not get so stressed because I like feeling this way.

Posted by Brent at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Go see it. Funny, cute, and quirky movie about a dysfunctional family who like most families no matter how extreme the dysfunction, wind up being there for one another when it counts. No one character outshines the others (unless you consider the cuteness factor of the young girl, Olive), as the scenes are mostly done in the group family setting and they all together make it a really fun movie to watch.

Posted by Brent at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Has anyone else had the milkshake song stuck in their head?

Posted by Brent at 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

At Caribou Coffee this morning, I'm in my usual corner leather chair reading my usual NY Times and a man approaches.....
Stranger: "I'd like to give you this brochure (pic of Jesus and a church on front) to read, when you are done there is contact information on the back."
Me: "No thank you."
Stranger: "But I think you will find his words a very worthwhile read."
Me: "No thank you, I'm not interested."
Stranger: "I'll just leave it for you on top of your backpack..."
Me: "I said I'm not interested, goodbuy."
Stranger: "I was just trying to share...(cutting him off)...
Me: " What you were doing was interrupting my reading and invading my space all of which to I responded politely twice with no thank you. Now you are bothering me and and trying to force your literature on me while reaching towards my personal belongings. I'm done being polite an am now telling you to go away. "
He turned and left, probably trying not to have sinfull thoughts.

I then came across an article online about a straight man in Chicago who is trying to bring together poeple in the gay community with Christain fundamentalists. On the surface it sounds good. After all religion spans all races, sexes, gay, straight, etc. I can respect the religious beliefs of any person or group that does not use religion as a shield for their own prejudices. There are many enlightened people out there in the religious community on both sides of the issues working to build bridges and I think that is a great thing. But I had a few problems with this article and the work Mr. Marin is trying to do in Chicago. First is that a lot of back story he gives about his life and that he contends are the basis for his mission seem to not mesh with the people involved in them. (could you be making some things up here?) Second, he still has the attitude that "it's ok ot be gay (by choice), but you are still big flaming sinners and will burn in hell."

Third is the apparent buying into his ideals by the HRC. I think they need to be a bit more carefull lest they cement the growing notion among the gay community that they are becoming a bit too conservative. I applaude them for their efforts in finding middle ground. I think it is important to listen to reasonable people and try to work with them. However, one needs to be able to see the other as an equal person, a human, and a fellow creature of god if you use him to make your points. I guess I'm not interested in just being "tolerated"

Posted by Brent at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Are we really going to live through the JonBenet saga again? Am I going to have to watch TV land 24-7 to get away from it? At least it knocks Bush and his minions off the air for a bit.

Or I could turn to another favorite news source -- The Onion. Where else can you get headlines like:
U.S. Soldiers Ask Rumsfeld If They Could Get Surprise Visit From loved Ones Instead.
$18 Payment To Sponsored Child Withheld To Teach Child A Lesson
Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity With New 'Intelligent Falling Theory'

My addiction is a good thing....From a story on WebMD and reported in the local paper.
....After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, Harvard researchers calculate that compared with not partaking in America's favorite morning drink, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over java avoiders.

Posted a few more random pics I had on camera/computer.

The ads for "Snakes on a Plane" are driving this Ophidiophobe crazy.

The week is going by too fast.....

Posted by Brent at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OHMYGODFUNNYANDCREEPY,CAN'TLOOKAWAY. Did I miss this when it came out?

Posted by Brent at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

HA -- Gotcha

I went to the management office of my building today and inquired about the pet policy. My lease as I discovered today forbids pets but I have seen a few in my building including a couple cuties that sit in the hallway between two doors of people across the hall from each other and they leave them ajar from time to time to allow the kitties to wander back and forth between the two apartments. They often sit and watch people enter the hallway from the elevator area. I think of them as trained guard kitties that can spring into action if there was an emergency including the "break glass in case of emergency" alarms and using the fire hoses that are at each end of the hallway. Capturing robbers by tripping them with toy mice is another talent of theirs.
I have a vivid imagination and personification of kitties amuses me.

Anyway, it turns out that cats are allowed under my lease which they will amend with a $250 pet deposit. This is in addition to the $700 deposit I paid when I moved in. $250 is not too bad, I was thinking it would be more. So I fgure with that and the adoption fee ($55-$100) and this $169 cat tree that I just have to have, we are talking close to $500. So while it may be a bit longer (like a couple more paychecks) I shall be getting a feline friend in the near future.

Picking out a cat for adoption is going to be tough. I have been looking online at the cats up for adoption in my area by the various shelters. The ones online are only a fraction of the cats available and I can't imagine deciding when I actually go in person to meet and handle the cats. Just from the little background stories posted on the internet about each pet makes me want to bring them all home. I mean I figured it would be at least another 30-35 years before I became a crazy old cat person. Stay tuned....

Posted by Brent at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Some new pics in the gallery taken while skating today. Click here or on the gallery link on the right.

Posted by Brent at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm taking a few days off work....because I can. And as I prepare to go have dinner tonight with Alison, Paul, and a couple of their friends, it's a good feeling to know I don't have to get up tomorrow morning or come home tonight and iron a work shirt or anything like that. It makes me want to do my happry dance no matter what the signs say.

Baby's happy too

Even the hamsters could've danced all night......

Posted by Brent at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Maybe I shouldn't read the Sunday paper, because it always leaves me with frustrating questions.

Is Iraq really a war on Terror? Wasn't 9/11 financed by Saudis and not Saddam? Has the loss of 2,600 soldiers and hundreds opf millions of dollars spent in Iraq had a conclusive effect on the "war on terror?" Bush and the republicans in Congress have been in total control for five years. Anyone besdies the rich better off? Are we more secure? Osama been caught?

Let's send a message this November and in again in 2008.

Posted by Brent at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inspiring, sad, and a very well done movie. I highly recommend it and I would like to see it again. It's one of those movies where I have a feeling I will experience little things I may have missed the first time.

This movie was the true story of two Port Authority Policemen (played by Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena) who survived and were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center and their families coping while waiting for news. The actual images and footage from that day including the rubble, people plunging to their deaths after jumping, a city skyline blanketed in smoke, debris and specifically paper falling from the sky, and even Tom Brokaw reporting from that day make this a very real and in your face movie that makes it seem like yesterday and not five years ago. It is also one that keeps you glued to your seat and staring straight ahead while you ride the emotional roller coaster along with the cast as the scenes go back and forth between the trapped men and their families who await word on their husbands and fathers fate. The visions and memories the trapped Policemen have of their families while crushed under rubble are well done and inspiring as they seem to help them hang on long enough to be rescued.

It is not political and it does not stray into other aspects of the day other than acknowledging the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of United 93 in Pennsylvania. This movie stays totally focused on the tale of these two men.

It showed how people became heroes that day. It showed the grief and destruction. It showed the sorrow. It showed the strength and conviction of ordinary people.

Posted by Brent at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another terror plot has been foiled, thankfully. And I'm all for the new restrictions put in place at airports. I just hope they last longer than the headlines do rather than the normal pattern of gradually loosening precautionary measures and complacency setting in. From the reports I have seen on TV, most of the flying public seems to be going along well with the new rules about what can be taken on a plane but of course the complainers are always around to also be caught by cameras. Let's face it, airplanes are a way to get from point A to point B in a timely manner. It's not the end of the world, especially for the sake of safety, to have to go without your own personal bottle of water, phone, or iPod for a few hours. It's not your living room, your car, or another personal space. Suck it up, read a book, and quit bitching. Heck, I would like the TSA to follow the security measures that Isreal does not only in their country, but are aslo allowed to do at the airports in the US that flights leave from and go to their country. That includes being completely searched at two checkpoints and all bags being hand searched among other steps.

And by now I am sure the political posturing by Bush and his fellow minions in congress has started about the Dems not being tough enough on the war on terror, blah blah blah. Isn't that horse dead yet? And is the world a safer place because of the Bush policies??? Even a first grader knows that answer. I wish the Dems would become more unified and do more tough talking of their own. They have started a good pace, they need to just kick things up a notch.

Posted by Brent at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you go to this web site, www.letssaythanks.com, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Whether you are for or against the war, soldiers over there need to know we are behind them...

If you don't know someone in the military directly, you most likely know someone who has loved ones in the military. Do it for them too.

Posted by Brent at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

http://www.yugop.com/ver3/stuff/03/fla.html

Posted by Brent at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From the sentencing today in a case from Detroit.

Sal Vonatti is a 31year old gay man from Windsor Canada shot at close range outside of a Detroit bar after being called "faggot" by the gunman. He is still in a coma.

The gunman was found guilty and sentenced for up to 12 years.

The Judges comments:
"It haunts this court, Mr. Williams, that you choose to harm someone so vulnerable... Like you, Mr. Vonatti is a son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and lover. He loved and was loved and was on this earth to be left alone in peace and happiness. Who and how he loved was none of your business and was no threat to you and the community... Let's also get one other thing straight that came up in trial. Homosexuality is not a 'lifestyle' or 'choice..' Homosexuality is no different than the color of your eyes or hair; you come out of your mother's womb with no choice in the matter. After all, would anyone in their right mind choose to be homosexual with predators like you shooting them in the head for being gay? Defying the issue as one of choice only makes it easier to hate, condemn and harm as you so illustrate."

Well said.

Posted by Brent at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

First day out, 4 miles. I'm happy with that. I love the trail and it was a great day, sunny low 80's and I had my iPod turned up. I had forgotten how much it gets the heart rate up. Well' see if I'm sore when I wake up tomorrow. After a few more skates I may check out the Three Rivers In-line Skate Club. I often see the group at various points around the city and they seem to be enjoying themselves. They also have a couple weelkly skates at the trail I was on today. Now I just need a camera to take along so I can snap some pics.

Posted by Brent at 07:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bought a pair of inline skates today. It's been about four years since I have skated so I'm hoping I can stay upright without any problems. I wanted to try to change up the exercise routine a bit and this lets me head into downtown into Point State Park via the Eliza Furnance Trail, a portion of which is pictured here.

I have a meeting downtown tomorrow and am hoping it goes as usual in that we get out by mid afternoon so I can try them out.

Posted by Brent at 09:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remember the positive attitude I was going to start the week with? From just after midnight until my alarm went off this morning, it was gooing pretty well. However, all hope is not lost. Monday was kind of rocky but I'm trying to salvage my natural sunny disposition that gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling towards the world and my fellow man and makes me want to make the world a better place for all mankind. And, uh oh excuse me for a second...

Ok then, a little teeth brushing and mouthwash and we're back.
So my office was a bit hectic today. Crazy has figured out that people are figuring out that she does not contribute much. --WELL DUH-- She also figured out the sky is blue and water is wet.
Every time I pass her office and see her sitting there with the mother of all clueless blank stares, I picture her as a big bobble head bouncing up and down to the rythm of the echoes in her head. So this little bit of self awareness has made her try to do things to make herself look busy. The stratedgy she has chosen for doing this is interrupting me every five minutes to waste more oxygen, which keeps her moving about while she carries a folder with nothing in it. So every fives minutes I have to work to keep my head from exploding. But then I think that just maybe, just maybe I should be gratefull she is trying to do things and recognizes she probably should. So instead of complaining about her lack of direction and responsibilty, I will (once again) try to direct and coach her the best I can. Maybe something will click this time. It's what is best for my office and company.

Posted by Brent at 08:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sunday is here and the family has left for the trip back to Michigan after a nice big breakfast at a favorite restaurant. Even after nine months in Pittsburgh, it still feels weird to be waiving goodbye from the porch rather than making the trip back to Michigan. And I'm back in my apartment after a couple days of staying at Alison and Paul's house so Grandpa Jim could have a single floor living space. I'm going to relax for a bit and then get out for some fresh air by taking a long hike through the hills of Squirrel Hill. Later this evening I'll head over to Paul and Alison's for dinner.

Everyone had a good time this weekend. We all had some nice meals out at an Irish Pub Restaurant and some good Mexican food to name a couple spots we hit. We also went to Gullifty's which is just up the street from my place, and had dessert and coffee Friday night while listening to a Jazz Trio play. And of course what would be a trip to Pittsburgh without some shopping, massages and pedicures (for some), Ritas Ice, and a visit to Jerry's records. We also hit William Sonoma where Grace bought me a cookie sheet and mixing bowls. I now have no excuse to make those "fake cookies" that no matter how yummy, are a big no-no in our family. Putting weird vegetables in desserts is ok, but somehow the tubes of cookie dough are evil. But anyway, I like to cook so I shall soon give homemade cookies and other goodies a try.

Tomorrow is a new week with new opportunities and adventures.
How's that for staying positive? Yeah well I'm working on it.....

Posted by Brent at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (451)

My second networking/social get together was tonight at The Firehouse Lounge downtown in the Strip District. It was a pretty cool place and a nice evening. I met some more people in addition to socializing with some others I recently met and are part of the group. Some food, drinks, and a lot of conversation made for a fun evening.

Tomorrow Grace, Jerry, and Alison's Grandpa comes into town for a couple days. My living space, which is all on one floor with no stairs will be the quarters for Grandpa Jim. So I got the place all cleaned up and spiffy for the arrival of company. It also gives me a good excuse to leave work early Friday. Can't wait to see everybody.

Posted by Brent at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and is part of my daily commute. The building you see in the background up to the left is my apartment building.

Every day there is a slow down at this tunnel which is part of I-376 aka the Parkway which is a major freeway taking you in and out of the city. Otherwise normal and sane people who drive thru this tunnel everyday for some odd reason dramtically slow down upon approach.

Now there is no curve in the road nor do the lanes narrow. It is a staright shot into the tunnel, through the tunnel, and out the other side. Yet it seems nobody can maintain speed even though there are big brightly lit flashing signs that order you to "Maintian Speed Through Tunnel." This backs up traffic every day. And also everyday, I see the remains of an accident in which someone has rear ended another car. Sometimes it is the pieces of car left behind in the road or the actual car on the side of the side of the road, each day a different vehicle. But literally, everyday. I'm not sure who to balme more. The people not giving the road their full attention or the people who can't just drive straight in thier lane without slowing down by 30 miles per hour. I can't wait, soon I will be able to walk to work.

Posted by Brent at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Seriously, some days dodging flying pooh would be better than dealing with some of my coworkers. Any monkey could get this latest issue right which involves an easy to understand checklist for opening and closing the bank branch.

This is the standard checklist that the entire bank uses with some customized items added by myself and our local regional managers for our affiliate. It is also a big audit issue, which I am responsible for. So long story short, people are just initialing that certain tasks are done when indeed they are not. This comes from laziness and getting too comfortable with routine. While repetative and tedious, this list is in place for compliance and security reasons. It is also not rocket science.

So after a couple issues came up recently that took up a lot of my time to fix as well as hearing from my higher up boss about the fact that if MY employees were following procedure these problems would not have occured.

--- JTFC ---(no help, you just have to be a fan of the movie Team America)

So I sent an office-wide email reinforcing the importance of taking this audit issue seriously. I proceeded to tell the fuckwits that from now on we will be using my new checklist and everything will need to be signed by two people. Further, anything signed for and not done properly would result in corrective counseling no matter what your position. I then instructed each person to print out the email, sign it, and give to me for placement in their personal file.

Then I took away the mid-afternoon banana break.

Posted by Brent at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)