Brentology.com

I'm hurting a little tonight. We had softball practice today and it was our first real practice where we actually worked up a sweat. First it was some time at the batting cages. Then it was over to the field. We hit, ran, shagged balls, and ran some more as well as hit some more. I can tell my sides are going to be sore tomorrow from so much swinging the bat and my legs are a bit sore now from running bases. But on the plus side the cardio aspect was fine, no major panting, huffing and puffing, or wheezing so I just may be in shape after all.

We also have a deaf guy on our team who I met for the first time. He can read lips a little bit but not too much. Still, he is pretty good at trying to communicate with everyone. So I figure I would learn some sign language, at least some basic phrases that would work in a game/team environment. Nice hit, good catch, thing like that. I figure he makes an effort to communicate with us, we could try too. I found a helpful site where you can choose letters of the alphabet and common words appear in list form. Click on a word and a little video comes up that continually plays someone going through the action of signing the word/phrase as well as describing the actions you take with your hand.

This got me to thinking how this could be a good skill to learn not only for hearing imparied clients at my job of which we have had a few at my office, but it would also be a marketable skill for the resume. Whether I take it that far, we'll have to see. But it's a thought.

Busy week ahead with more softball practice, networking group function, and dinner plans already on the calendar.

Posted by Brent at 08:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Do not under any circumstances order the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup milkshake at Baskin Robbins. Seriously, even if you have a gun to your head, you may wish to consider taking the bullet than drinking this concoction. But if you happen to have a foot fetish and enjoy the taste of feet in your mouth, by all means order a large. I think the problem in this drink that has all good sounding ingredients, is that they use some chemical laden syrup instead of actual peanut butter cups. I still had the after taste in mouth this morning. And it helps to take someone like Alison who will take your gross shake back to the counter and get it replaced with a different flavored yummy shake because you are too chicken to send it back yourself. Lesson learned: Don't bypass Coldstone Creamery just because there is a line.

But before the great ice cream fiasco of 2007, I had dinner with Alison and Paul. We checked out a new little Mexican restaurant. I liked it, maybe a bit pricey compared to other Mexican places but it is close and convenient. After getting our Mexican on and fiestaing like it was 1999, we headed up the street to the theater and saw "Year of the Dog" starring Molly Shannon. This is more of a serious movie so anyone expecting to see Mary Katherine Gallagher or her smelling her armpits will be disappointed. I know Paul was particulary upset at this. BTW, how did she ever get so much mileage out of that character? Anyway, it's not a bad movie, but not too good either. It has a serious message about animal rights and activism. There are some cute moments and some sad ones especially if you have ever lost a pet. I'm sure a lot of people seeing it will see themselves to some extent in her character as she realizes she finds escape from her loneliness and a world of materialism and selfishness in her love for animals. She seems to connect better with her pets than she does with people and by the end of the movie has set out on a new life of animal activism. So don't y'all fret none about missing it and maybe catch it someday on DVD if all the police academys are rented out. Ok, its not that bad, just don't see it if you want a feel-good movie of any type.

Posted by Brent at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today:
After four or five days of great spring weather, it is a gray and rainy day here in Pittsburgh. I'm off work today just catching up on sleep, doing laundry, and relaxing at the coffee shop. So far it's been a good way to spend the day. Tonight I'm having dinner/drinks with a friend so I'm looking forward to that later.

Great quote:
While perusing the Times today, I cam across a quote in which Sen. Harry Reid was responding to the Vice War Monger himself, Dick Cheney who was criticizing Democrats over their position on the Iraq war.
"I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody who has a 9 percent approval rating."

Just wondering:
When drinking out of a to-go cup, specifically like from a coffee shop, does anyone else use their tongue to find the opening hole after raising it to your mouth? Or is that yet another cute quirk of mine that makes me so irresistibly charming?

Work:
Work has been pretty uninteresting. Not bad and not good, just the same old routine. My annual review should be happening in the next week or so. Besides finding out what my increase in pay will be, I hope to get some info on my opportunities within the company in the near future. At this point I really need some clarification on what's happening with our company in this market. We'll see if I need to dust off my resume or not.

Adios.

Posted by Brent at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

My unintentional abuse of Finnigan's nose continued last night. (remember this episode?)
I was shifting around in my bed last night trying to get comfortable, just kind of rolling over and such when at some point he used his powers to become some kind of kitty Matrix type feline and suddenly appeared under the covers as my hand came down on his nose. Surprised by the sucker punch by someone who is always telling him what a good kitty he his, he jumps out and onto the nightstand and stares at me with his "WTF" look.

A quick massage of his ears and he was over it and back in bed only now perched atop the blanket. Although now he has found a spot to sit and watch until he is sure I am settled in for the night.

Posted by Brent at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Busy, tired, having fun, stressed, and all that crap. Last few days = work, softball, beer, Alison, Paul.

Catch up tomorrow. Turning puter off now, sleepy.

Posted by Brent at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Slow day at work today, customer traffic wise and me not wanting to do much on the last day of a long week. I spent a lot of time in the front conference room overlooking the busy street and those traveling it going on about their lives. Remember, easily amused here. One of my favorite people watching activities is watching people who are parallel parking challenged. And by 'challenged' I mean ridiculously clueless. Try it twice and if the parking gods hate you or common sense eludes you, just go find two nice big spaces to pull head first into and take up both of them. Also, it was the first really warm and sunny day of this so-called spring we have had and just about everyone walking by had ice cream or flavored ice. And any of these people wouldn't eat it with such gusto that they look like a blowfish inhaling its prey if they realized they were being watched by a bored office worker.

Saturday is softball practice, supposed to be another great day outside.

Posted by Brent at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I washed my car today for the first time in probably two months. I can't believe I let it go this long. I swear it is faster now that I got a couple layers of grime off. It has just been so wet or cold for so long now that never get around to it. Plus There are no automatic car washes anywhere near me so that was factor too as well as not driving as much anymore. Throw in my tendency toward being lazy and you have the perfect combo for a dirt-mobile. But now after $6 in quarters it is all shiny again and I even vacuumed out the inside. So I foresee rain and giant gassy berry eating birds with diarrhea in my immediate future.

Work was calm today. People took care of their own problems, the day went fast, and I even had a customer bring me an afternoon Starbucks cup-o-goodness. It was like my bizarro world office.

Saw the Spiderman3 trailer, I want to see it NOW. And, WTF is up with it opening in Tokyo and China before the US?

OMG -- Oreo has a new limited edition cookie -- STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE cream filling. I'm off to the store now.

Posted by Brent at 08:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Remember this little guy last year?

He's growing up:

Posted by Brent at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

More details are coming about the shooting at Virginia Tech. Obviously this kid was very mentally disturbed. Nobody will ever be able to figure out how someone can randomly kill so many people. Nobody will ever figure out what compels people who want to end their life to take other lives with them. But I do think that one day after the massacre, the 24-7 news cycle should not be running with debates and rants about immigration (the killer was Korean), gun control, and giving face time to people who simply like hearing themselves talk. How about some time, even a day, for reflection or even some space for those grieving families and students before giving loudmouth politicians and pundits with agendas ranting time. How about airtime for paying tribute to the fallen in some way? I'm a news junkie so I actually like the cable news channels, well Fox is evil but CNN and MSNBC are ok, but geez, the blood is not even dry and sensationalism is running rampant.

On the home front, my company let several people go from our offices yesterday including one from my office. This person needed to be let go. Their performance was not there and many opportunities were given to turn things around but those opportunities were not taken. Today I was tasked to clean out this persons office, and inventory and pack up all personal items as they are not allowed to take anything from their office. And of course all this has overloaded the already active rumor and gossip grapevine at work.

I was so looking forward to a calmer week. But then Monday came.

Posted by Brent at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I just finished my taxes. Yes I procrastinate and put them off, but they are not late. I discovered that the wonderful company I work for, who should really be better with numbers, was taking out an incorrect tax rate while I worked outside of the city for the first half of the year. I have always lived in the city, but only worked outside of the city part of the year and was taxed as non city resident. Since the city tax is higher than non city tax, not enough was withheld. So I actually owe city taxes of $382. Isn't that just craptacularly craptastic? I even owe a little federal taxes, but I knew and expected that. State taxes was break even so nothing back there. Oh well, at least they are done. But that noise you hear...it's the life being sucked out of me.

Anyway, later I am going to a team softball meeting and then with the team for happy hour so a few beers should work to re-energize and make me get over my tax issues.

Posted by Brent at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Saw on Dantallion's Blog. Well done video, drives the point home.

Posted by Brent at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Better day today, I took the day off. And that left me time to ponder

So apparently Bush, about 50 people in his administration, and Karl Rove have used email accounts outside of the White House in order to not have to abide by official record keeping laws. And of course emails that are being sought are "missing" and must have been deleted. Yeah right. Nothing is gone forever these days in computer records so it is a matter of the computers that were used and databases being provided for recovery efforts. Gee what are the chances of that happening? Really the only thing this country can do is wait out this horrible president's term. It's just one big flipping diaster and will go down in history as such.

And of equal importance, what the hell is up with people in cars who are stopped and in line and feel the need to inch forward? If you are already stopped what good does it do to move up two feet thus making other people in line move ahead two feet like conformist sheep hoping it will speed up the green light. And then there are the people who move up just because they see the cars in front of you edging up a bit, then you don't and they end up right at your bumper as if to say "oh if only you would just pull ahead two inches life would be better." "Look honey, he moved up too, oh what a glorious day. " Well I will not be a line incher upper. That's right, I'm taking a stand. I will let that gap between me and the car in front of me grow to two, four, and even six feet. So just sit there and enjoy my new Jesus fish.

And when one uses the restroom in a restaurant and that restroom has a lock on the door but has an enclosed stall with a door, a urinal, and two sinks for hand washing, are you supposed to lock the door? Does a lock on the door make it a single use room? I hate thinking about things like this when I need to use the restroom because if I am using a public restroom, I generally really have to go and do not need to be slowed down trying to figure out issues of potty etiquette.

So um, yeah.

Posted by Brent at 02:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5406)

I skipped watching "The Office" tonight because I thought it was a re-run, but I now see it was new. crap.

Posted by Brent at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every so often I just get tired of the same old issues and the same old hassles at work. Maybe I a getting a little burned out. Maybe I need to change jobs. Maybe I need an attitude adjustment of my own. Maybe I need some time off. All I know for sure is that I'm tired of everything related to work right now.

*sigh*

Posted by Brent at 08:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The JCC is open again after the holidays and that means the gym is back to normal full time hours. It felt good to swim again and work out this morning. And it is paying off as I bought a new suit and was able to get smaller pants than I usually get. So that tells me my goal of toning up is happening little by little. Now my suit coat stayed the same size. While it is looser in the front, my massive muscle laden shoulders and sculpted torso need the room in the uppper part of the jacket. I think I have become more modest too.

Yesterday, I received my gift card from work that I earned for a job well done. It was $100 and I opted for Giant Eagle grocery store. I choose that because you can buy other gift cards there and I wanted to break it down. So I did $70 to Dick's Sporting Goods so I can buy some cleats and things for the upcoming start of my softball league. I left the other $30 for getting groceries. I should have done Starbucks but now I may actually get something for my fridge to go with the lone stick of butter and bottle of ranch dressing. I'm not a very regular shopper instead getting things as I need them rather than stocking up.

I have been sleeping better lately too so I hope that lasts. It helps me spread my particular brand of sunshine to the world.

Posted by Brent at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I arrive at work this morning after being out all day yesterday conducting training and attending an afternoon meeting. You probably think that I can be away from my office for one day without all hell breaking loos right? Well you would be wrong. I let everyone know where I would be and told them to call my cell phone if I am needed. And yet, my phone was silent all day while my office was being turned into one giant mess that would fester and grow into a great big blob of errors, screwups, and oopsie-daisies until I arrive because apparently I have magic powers and can make everything all better. Yeah, let me pull my magic wand out of my ass or twitch my nose like Smantha from Bewitched. So crap from the day before took up my morning and then one employee had the nerve, the gall, and the audacity to get lippy with me. Oh no, that aint happening

If I am spending my time away from my workload while fixing your problems thus making you look better, you are damn well going to take direction from me without any attitude. This employee is on her way out and I think she realizes it so she is getting brave with her mouth. So I am now done trying to manage her as I have others who actually want to learn and do a good job and are much more deserving of my attention.

Ok rant over, now to my happy place.

Posted by Brent at 06:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I did, I did taw a puddy tat....
Below are Finnigan's cousins here in Pittsburgh. They are brother and sister and I am keeping them company while their mommy and daddy are in Michigan. The first pic is of Chloe. She is a cutie who rolls on the floor waiting for her tummy to be scratched when I come in. Later after treats, she hangs in the family room with me watching tv and often stretches out on my lap for a bit. Such a cutie.

The next pic is of Bob. Here he is in one of his favorite spots, nestled in the comfy blankets in the closet. He can be pretty shy at times, but he has been pretty good at coming down and hanging out for a bit when I go over to his house. Sometimes I shake the kitty treat bag for an incentive and he comes running and figures as long as he made the trip downstairs he can partake in a game of chase the mouse or laser pointer. He has a playful streak in him, you just have to know how to bring it out. Such a good boy.

Posted by Brent at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lazy Easter Sunday here. Happy Easter to all. Did the usual Sunday morning rituals of coffee and Sunday paper today. Now I am home and in cleaning mode. First on the list was Finnigan's litter box. Ironically, I seem to keep his bathroom cleaner than my own. Also ironic is that I need a haz-mat suit if I come near a baby with a dirty diaper, but daily scooping of a litter box and regular dumping (hee hee 'dumping') of litter and washing out the kitty crapper is no big issue for me. And this is no little kitty box that I can just quickly dump and clean out. It is one of those big covered domed ones. You see, privacy and modesty is very important to the Finnmeister as well as room to comfortably move about. This was all discussed and agreed to before he allowed me to bring him home. Finny enjoys watching me too as he sits and follows every move I make with his Box. I'm sure behind those adorable eyes he is thinking "yeah that's right bitch, clean my potty, and maybe I'll continue being cute and cuddley."

So a little more cleaning of the apartment then I am going to do my taxes. No I have not them yet. Yes I am a procrastinator. I don't really get any money back so I guess I just put it off. But with a busy week ahead and the deadline coming near, I figure I will just get it overwith.

Later I am heading over to Alison and Paul's house as I am on cat duty for Bob and Chloe for the next four or five days. Bob needs his twice daily dose of medicine and Chloe just needs her wittle tummy-wummy scratched. They are traveling back to Michigan today to help out Laurie (Paul's mom) who is having knee surgery tomorrow. So best wishes to her tomorrow and for a speedy recovery. So tonight I will hang out there and eat dinner, watch tv, and maybe do a load of laundry or two while conducting a rousing game of chase the laser pointer.

Peace out.

Posted by Brent at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

When a cute guy in a bar tells you he was in Washington DC and saw the cherry blossoms, do not, I repeat do not confuse that with the Gin Blossoms and ask him if he enjoyed the concert.

Posted by Brent at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Work is good this week. Being in a primarily Jewish neighborhood, it has slowed down a lot for the Passover holiday. I have had time to catch up on a lot of work, which I needed as I have been given some additional responsibilities in preperation for future advancement. It also means that my gym, located in the Jewish Community Center is closed for a few days. I'm kind of going through withdrawl. I guess that is good that I miss going to the gym so much. Although the extra hour or so of sleep in the morning has been nice. And I have a day off tomorrow so that means more sleepy time before heading out to a networking event in the evening

I also hit a goal for my branch for the month of March and received a $100 gift card for my efforts. I won't get specific, but the goal was for something that customers hate and the bank loves. We may be letting an employee go here soon so I'm expecting drama in the comming days. Oh well, luckily my office has a door to close.

G'night

Posted by Brent at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Brent at 10:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The weather here in PIttsburgh has been great lately. I just got back from an hour long walk through my neighborhood and with only a slight warm breeze, jeans and tee shirt is all that was needed to be worn. I love strolling and looking at all the great old houses. If only I had a spare $300-700K. However, I hear it is supposed to cool way down over the next couple days. I turned on the A/C for sleeping the last couple nights as I don't really catch a breeeze coming through when the windows are open. And since I have sleeping issues anyway, laying in bed all hot (at least for no good reason!) is not going to happen so damn the electric bill. Some things are worth paying for, cable, quality toilet paper, good whiskey, and A/C just to name a few.

Posted by Brent at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As a gay man, my blood is not wanted. And my decision to donate my organs that is printed on my driver's license? Useless if the info is given that I was gay. First of all, ask the dying person who needs my organs whether they care. Second, if infection is a worry, last I checked straight people can be sluts too. But even that is rendered a bad argument with modern testing of blood.

We often hear how blood banks and hospitals go through shortages due to high demand and low supplies. As medical technology advances and more and more operations are done such as bypasses, organ transplants, C-sections, hip and joint replacements, the list goes on and on. Diseases and disorders also contribute to higher demand. And yet me, a perfectly healthy HUMAN BEING, cannot donate.

And let’s not forget the world we live in today. War zones, violence, and the realities of terrorism. Would someone half blown apart by a bomb or crushed by a falling building care about my blood donation? A blood donation that, in fact, goes through a screening process that can detect any viral infections, including HIV that would be present. So the biases and prejudices of a long gone era do not jibe with the current guarantees that modern blood screening can provide.

So if you or someone you love has to postpone elective surgery because of shortages of blood or you know someone languishing on an organ waiting list, thank the outdated and ridiculous policies of the FDA and Red Cross. Or better yet, before that happens write your legislators and demand these rules change.

Posted by Brent at 07:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (7639)

it''s raining. It's just a gray and wet day. I've already been to Caribou for my coffee, pastry, and Sunday newspaper fix. So it's totally fine to just be a sloth the rest of the day right?

Heck I might even start reading one of the tweenty or so books I have been meaning to start.

Posted by Brent at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)