So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye
2006.
It was a good year.
I laughed, I cried, I lived, I ranted.
To everyone: I wish you a happy and safe new year. Me and Finny will see you in 2007.
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December 31, 2006
The Tissue Wad In My Nose Is Not A Toy
Well 2006 is fading out and so hopefully are the germs that took over my body that forced me into a medicine induced fog the last four or five days. For the most part I feel better but I still have some phlegm issues to deal with. My sore throat is pretty much gone, just a little itchyness remains in the late night and early morning hours. I did just have a bloody nose a few minutes ago, but I assume that is from the constant forcing of air and masses of sometimes chunky goo through it every five minutes the last few days. I have wadded up a tissue and stuffed it up where no finger should tread. Finnigan found this quite curious as he tried to knock it out, presumably to put it under the couch with his other toys.
Off to ring in the new year.....
December 27, 2006
Post Holiday Randomness
Me and Finny are now back in Pittsburgh after celebrating the holiday's with family in Michigan. It was a great Christmas filled with fun times, presents, and lots of food. Lots and lots of food. And still more food. I enjoyed spending time with everyone and being part of the fun at Grace and Jerry's house. I am very much appreciative of how they create such a welcoming and festive environment in their home and do so much for everyone in the family, it always feels so nice to go "home" to Michigan. Finnigan had a blast with the other feline residents of the house, Marie and O'Mally, even if they don't always appreciate his enthusiasm, they tolerated him pretty well. The consensus is that I need to get Finny Finn Finn a playmate since he is so good and playful with other cats. There was lots of cool pics taken. I'm just waiting for a certain someone to email them . (Grace!)
Unfortunately, besides presents, I also brought home a cold that came on full force today. My throat is very sore and if my head exploded, everything and everyone within a four block radius would be covered in mucus. Calling in sick to work is not an option since we have people on vacation and are short staffed to begin with. So I am doped up all day and now at night on Robitussin. Medicine head is great. I like spending the day at work in a bit of a fog. I figure it brings me a bit closer in mindset to some of the dolts I have to deal with on a daily basis. Now that wasn't very positive now was it? Oh well, the whole being more positive thing is a new years resolution and it's not the new year yet. So anyway, just a quick update on me, I'm now off to huck up some gooey goodness from the back of my throat and take my night time cold medicine and fall asleep. Peace out Y'all.
December 25, 2006
December 21, 2006
Hello
"You are taking me with you right?"
*yawn* Are we there yet?
December 20, 2006
Vacation Days
If Finnigan wasn't so cute and if he wasn't getting his claws trimmed later, I would be tossing him out the window as he does not understand that wrapping presents is not a game and paper and scotch tape are not toys to grab and run away with under the bed playing keep-away.
I am off of work till the 27th. The last few days have been fun. Over the weekend was a fun x-mas party at the house of a new friend. Also Paul, Alison, And I had our own holiday brunch Pittsburgh-style at the Grand Concourse and got a table on the waters edge overlooking the City. I believe we have started a new holiday tradition. I have also been kind of seeing somebody lately. Fellow Pittsburghers are aware of this, which goes to show everyone else should move here and be on the front line of the World of Brent. Anyway, he's a nice guy and we have just been spending some time getting to know each other and hanging out. It's been fun and for now it is what it is and we'll see if grows into more in the future.
Tonight I have my branch x-mas party and secret santa gift exchange. It is at the usual bar just up the street so I will not have far to walk if I decide to go completely outside of character and have an alcoholic beverage. Jeepers that would be so naughty of me.
Finnigan now seems content on my bed so I will go back to wrapping gifts -- very quietly.
December 19, 2006
Eight Years
A little break from Christmas cheer for a few minutes of reflection.
Today it has been eight years since my mom passed away. So I am spending some time thinking about her before going back to enjoying the holiday time a later tonight. I no longer spend a good portion of the 19th of December feeling a bit down and reflective. She would not approve of that of anyone she cared about. This was her favorite time of year and it is from her that I developed my enthusiasm for Christmas and the traditions it brings. So I honor her memory by enjoying myself as everyone that knew her should, perhaps raising a glass somewhere in the day. I think she would like that.
Ok, back to life.
X-Mas Randomness
So yeeeeaaaahhhh, if you do not get an x-mas card from me, it is definetly not because I forgot or was like "crap Christmas is Monday!" or anything like that. Rather I thought I might do "Happy New Year" cards instead. Yeah that's it.
Harry Connick Jr. really needs to do a new Christmas album. His old one is good and all, but I'm kind of over it and I really like his music.
I shall put a bow around my middle finger. That way when I come across asshats on the road like I did today, I can display my disgust with their galactic stupidity while still maintaining the spirit of the season.
December 18, 2006
Contrary To What My Coffee Mug Says
I still over analyze and worry about things happening in life. I should just let things be what they are and not over think things right? Maybe let chips fall where they may, live in the moment, it is what it is, and so on...
So I'm self aware enough to realize it, yet I still do it. I think I'm doing it now in thinking about how I do it. Geesh....
Ones Own Freedom Is Bound Up With The Freedom Of Every Other Man
An interesting column by Leanard Pitts Jr, of The Miami Herald. It basically makes the point why people who are not gay should be interested in gay rights. The best line -- "you cannot assert your own humanity, then turn right around and deny someone else's."
Click below to read the column
LEONARD PITTS JR.: Why defense of gays matters
December 16, 2006
BY LEONARD PITTS JR.
This is for a reader who demands to know why I write about gay issues. His conclusion is that I must secretly be gay myself.
Actually, he doesn't express himself quite that civilly. To the contrary, his e-mails -- which, until recently, were arriving at the rate of about one a week -- evince a juvenility that would embarrass a reasonably intelligent fifth-grader. The most recent one, for example, carried a salutation reading, "Hi Mrs. Pitts."
We're talking about the kind of thing for which delete buttons were invented. So you may wonder why I bring it to your attention, especially since acknowledging a person like this only encourages him. It's simple, actually: He raises an interesting question that deserves an answer.
If from that you conclude (or fear) you're about to read a stirring defense of my manly male masculinity, no. The guy is free to believe what he wishes; I really don't care. And here, let me digress to confess that, though I refer to him using masculine pronouns, I actually don't know if he's a he because his notes have been anonymous. Still, I assume it's a guy because the level of sexual insecurity the e-mails suggest strikes me as -- boy, am I going to get in trouble for this -- rather guy-specific.
Anyway, to get back to the point, I'm not here to argue sexuality. I just find myself intrigued by the idea that if you're not gay, you shouldn't care about gay rights.
The most concise answer I can give is cribbed from what a white kid said 40 or so years ago, as white college students were risking their lives to travel South and register black people to vote. Somebody asked why. He said he acted from an understanding that his freedom was bound up with the freedom of every other man.
I know it sounds cornier than Kellogg's, but that's pretty much how I feel.
I know also that some folks are touchy about anything seeming to equate the black civil rights movement with the gay one. And no, gay people were not kidnapped from Gay Land and sold into slavery, nor lynched by the thousands. On the other hand, they do know something about housing discrimination, they do know job discrimination, they do know murder for the sin of existence, they do know the denial of civil rights and they do know what it is like to be used as scapegoat and bogeyman by demagogues and political opportunists.
They know enough of what I know that I can't ignore it. See, I have yet to learn how to segregate my moral concerns. It seems to me if I abhor intolerance, discrimination and hatred when they affect people who look like me, I must also abhor them when they affect people who do not. For that matter, I must abhor them even when they benefit me. Otherwise, what I claim as moral authority is really just self-interest in disguise.
Among the things we seem to have lost in the years since that white kid made his stand is the ability, the imagination, the willingness to put ourselves into the skin of those who are not like us. I find it telling that Vice President Dick Cheney hews to the hard conservative line on virtually every social issue, except gay marriage. It is, of course, no coincidence that Cheney has a daughter who is a lesbian. Which tells me his position is based not on principle but, rather, on loving his daughter.
It is a fine thing to love your daughter. I would argue, however, that it is also a fine thing and in some ways, a finer thing, to love your neighbor's daughter, no matter her sexual orientation, religion, race, creed or economic status -- and to want her freedom as eagerly as you want your own.
I believe in moral coherence. And Rule No. 1 is, you cannot assert your own humanity, then turn right around and deny someone else's.
If that makes me gay, fine.
As my anonymous correspondent ably demonstrates, there are worse things to be.
December 17, 2006
Snow People Crime
X-Mas Party Fun
The gays know how to party.
(hic)
.
December 15, 2006
X-mas Kisses
Jolliness
The week went by pretty fast as things tend to do this time of year. It just sunk in today that Christmas is ten days away! I'm looking forward to a busy weekend. I work Saturday and then I am going to a Christmas party in the evening. Then Sunday me Alison, and Paul have our own little celebration day or "Christmas Extravagannza Pittsburgh 2006" beginning with brunch at The Grand Concourse followed by seeing the current exhibit at The Warhol, then maybe some x-mas shopping. I really need to finish up. I used to be really on the ball with shopping often having it done early in the fall, but those days seem to be a distant memory as I try to wrap up (get it?) my shopping almost up to the 25th. It seems I am not alone in my shopping issues as pretty much everyone I talk to still has a lot of shopping to do. I have not and will not need to go to the mall this year. I have gotten everything at my neighborhood shops and various other local outlets. But hey, I still have time. I just wish there was snow on the ground, it makes everything much more festive.
December 13, 2006
Yule
| You Are a Tree |
 |
fa la ho ho ho la la fa la
Had the day off today. I wanted to sleep in and needed to sleep in, but woke up at my normal time and could not fall back asleep. I hate it when your are lying in bed and your mind starts racing.
Spent a leisurely morning at Caribou Coffee getting charged up while reading The Times. Then did a little x-mas shopping. Didn't get as much done as I had hoped but a couple more off my list. I then helped Paul put up x-mas lights -- FINALLY. Their house is now a festive Christmas wonderland.
December 11, 2006
I Really Was Hungry For More
This was the half time performer at the basketball game I attended Saturday. The Red Panda Acrobat totally got the crowd riled up and on our feet. She goes to each corner of the court on her really tall unicycle and catches bowls on her head, adding one each time she moves positions while this weird oriental music plays. The last one where she was catching five or six, took a couple tries and the crowd was cheering her on louder than the teams playing. It was almost a let down when the game re-started.
If You Are A Fan Of The TV Show Scrubs...
...and have ten minutes, watch this Charlie Brown Christmas special done by the cast of Scrubs. Amusing and well done.
December 09, 2006
My Saturday
Work was really busy today. I had a lot of customers at my desk for various issues. A few of them made me ponder something. What is it that makes people leave the house while smelling like a skunk who has rolled around in pooh? Is it a weekend thing that makes seemingly normal people think they do not have to bathe? I did not just have the random stinko, but rather three people reeking of BO. These are poeple who make good money so it is not a homeless thing or lack of indoor plumbing. One couple today funked up my office so much that besides me wanting to ask the wife what was she thinking letting her husband out like this, I actually took my next customer into another office because I did not want them to think I produced the stench that was lingering in mine. Ugh.
In other Saturday news, I thought about trying to get some x-mas shopping done this afternoon, but laying around and playing with Finnigan has won out. Tonight a friend of mine got tickets to a B-ball game, so later I'm heading over to Duquesne University to watch some hoops. And there you have my Saturday.
Is It Weird....
...to be using the steam function on my rice cooker as a humidifier?
December 08, 2006
Minor Rant
So Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Dick Cheney announced she is pregnant. This is not huge news. Maybe a grandchild from his daughter will make the war monger a little more tolerant and a little less ignorant, but doubtful. Anyway, what struck me while reading various news reports was that one focus of this event seems to be the fact that a pregnancy is ocurring with a woman named Mary. And the irony is riling some Christians conservatives as this aspect gets reported. Now come on, is that really a reportable fact that needs to be focused on? As much as I like to see some so called Christian groups in a snit, this is just a bit ridiculous.
But, reading further brought me to some not so ridiculous issues. One good point was made that Mary's partner will not be able to have a legal relationship with her child. Other groups, including that nazi-like group Focus on the Family point out things like "Love can't replace a mother and a father," or how "disappointing" it is to bring a child into a fatherless situation.
PUHLEEEZZ....
What is more important, the gender of parents or the love in that family. And what about all the heterosexual couples who bring a child into this world by "accident" or stupidity. And last time I checked, half of marriages still end in divorce, yet these "concerned" people who like to tell others how to live save their ranting for loving families who don't look like they do in their family photo. So what matters more, gender of parents or the love they create a family with. And make no mistake, same sex couples with children are families.
December 07, 2006
Camera Challenged
I have a few pics of Finnigan I wanted to share but cannot find my cable for plugging the camera into the computer. I think I may have left it in Dexter. That can only mean I will be checking with Paul and his stash of cables, parts, and random computer accessories. I should probably bring a few of the previously borrowed things back since I seem to be accuring them in my quest to keep my computer functioning properly.
Mood Swings
Work was much better today. Not one person made me want to do them bodily harm. Everything was calm, everyone showed up, and we all patted ourselves on the backs for getting through it as a team. We also were treated to lunch so that was nice. Tomorrow, I'm taking the morning off so I can sleep in and do some much needed chores around the apartment.
The x-mas party was fun. The conservatory was amazing with all the plant life, trees, and sculpted rock gardens and walkways. It was decked out for x-mas and there was even a Santa Claus and everyone got their picture taken. Not sure if we will get those pics or if they will show up at some company event or in the newsletter. First couple drinks were on the company then a cash bar for the rest. There were no large tables to eat at or food tables, but rather it was set up for mingling with waitstaff roaming around with trays of hors' douvres to sample all evening. There was also a music trio playing and singing holiday music. It was a very nice evening.
Snow In Pittsburgh !!
It snowed today. Not too much but enough for a dusting. I took a long walk tonight. The air was cold and crisp and the gently falling flakes made for festive travels.
I noticed the local roads were covered in a glaze of ice as the light snow melted under car tires. And there is a Steelers game tonight so that means there will be a bunch of drunk football fans on the roads. Me thinks the police will have a busy night.
December 06, 2006
Do I Have A Fu**ing Target On Me?
The world hated me today. It shat upon me like an exploding diarrhea volcano. I don't think I have ever had such crappy day. It just put me in a major funk. I was audited today or more specifically my branch had its big audit. As operations manager, that's my focus. But I have only been at this branch for a few weeks, and this branch was somewhat compliant challenged due to the previous Ops Manager really being in sales and just a warm body until someone (me) else came along. And three weeks is not enough time to turn things around in a large busy understaffed branch. Luckily, it is noted on the audit that the current Ops guy (me) has just come to this location, so there will be no repercutions for me. I just have to get it straightened out for the expected Government audit sometime in the first half of 2007. This branch being the most productive in our region is the likely target for the big one. But back to the world pooping on me.... Besides running around like a mad man trying to stay one step ahead and fix things as I gathered the appropriate documents and folders ( I literally was filling in info and correcting things as I walked across the lobby to the auditors office) our head vault teller called in sick, so that made me in charge of the vault for the tellers and it was a cash shipment day. These are things I do not do hardly ever, and they have to be accomplished to the letter of bank policy during an audit. So lets try to figure out what to do with a whole lot of money while two thousand other people need my attention and an auditor is shadowing me because she saw the armored truck courier come in. Hello stress, please stay all day and make me miserable. Then I had a most unappreciative customer for whom I have bent over backwards to help on her issues the last few days tell me I should be on another line of work because I obviously don't know how to deal with people. I know how to stab people in the eye with a rusty ice pick, come a little closer bitch. Did I mention the issues she had were the result of her giving her atm card and her pin number to a family member with a known drug history? There were more issues throughout the day too, but you get the picture. I realized as I was walking home tonight that I was going at a much slower pace. It was like my life was sucked out of me. I turned back and got myself some banana ice cream. It helped but not enough. The only thing that will make my mood better is a new day. I should go to bed now, I'm pretty tired anyway.
December 05, 2006
My Alter-Ego.
| You Are Blitzen |
 Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini. |
December 04, 2006
It's Cold In Pittsburgh
Now bring on the snow....
Random Miscellaneous Stuff For Today
Tomorrow night is my company x-mas party. I will wear my new suit and look so good, the company bigwigs will be all like "You and that fabulous suit belong in a corner office downtown, will a 250% increase in salary be ok?" Yeah, I look that good in this suit. I look forward to our company parties because the alcohol flows freely and someone usually does or says something un-PC. It's like extra entertainment. I'm pretty carefull and maybe have a few, but they are spread out over the night and I nurse each drink for a while so I am able to keep my wits about me.
I put my x-mas tree out last night. Finnigan was pretty excited about this. Just when I thought he could not get any cuter, he pokes his little face through the branches and becomes an ornament. I have to try to snap a pic of that.
I had dinner at Alison and Pauls house tonight. As usual Paul made a fantastic meal. And my bag of salad rounded it out perfectly. In fact the meal was pretty worldly. The beverages and main dish were Italian, the butter was Irish, and the chocolate cupckaes with buttercream frosting were all American. I was once again reminded how I think buttercream frosting should be a part of everyday life.
Boring stuff lately, just a little lull, I'm working on it.....
December 03, 2006
Hello
Just arrived home from brunch today at The Grand Concourse and it was fantastic. It is a great place. The restaurant is in a historic building on the river which was once a major train station. It is very grand and the attention to detail that is preserved in the architecture is amazing. It is great that they were able to make use of such a historic landmark for such a large commercial operation while utilizing the historic features such as a grand staircase, original flooring, and antique server stations. The food was excellent. I spent the rest of the afternoon sipping cocktails with one of the other people in the group at the Gandy Dancer Saloon which is a part of The Grand Concourse. Along with the mimosas from brunch, I must admit I am blogging while just a bit tipsy. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday. Family dinner is postponed for tonight, so I am looking forward to being a couch potato and relaxing tonight. I may even start one of the several books on my shelves that I bought with the intention of reading but never actually starting. I think that along with a pot of brewed Starbucks and Finnigan content on my lap would be a nice way to spend a chilly winter evening.
Last night, I went with Alison and Paul to see For Your Consideration. It was a well done and funny movie. The style of the Christopher Guest movie is quirky as it parodies actors in Hollywood. Go see it.