Sweet!

Some one just tossed a bunch on the printer table!

Busy

So, wow, I get a comment on a post titled, "Phillies Win". Turns out that was my most recent post from the first day of the World Series 8 days ago. And as MHP pointed out the Evil Empire ended up winning and that truly does suck.

And now... winter. When does Spring Training start again?

Life has been busy the past couple weeks. I'm working long hours because of a new state law mandating a change in our business. We knew about it back in August and started making plans. Then the state got involved. Then the low income advocates got involved (the law mandates more assistance to low income customers). They hemmed. They hawed. They drug their feet. They told us our initial plans weren't up to snuff and we'd have to do something else. We'd have to interface with the state agencies. Of course, the state agencies didn't have their code ready yet. When would they be ready? They wouldn't say.

So we tried to design to their vague - very, very vague - specifications. We asked for more details and got nothing. Finally after much escalation, our executives went to the state big wigs and told them we would not be able to implement the changes by the end of the year - as mandated - because their people were telling us they wouldn't be ready until next summer!

Heads were crunched together.

The state agency came back and told us that instead of June 2010 they would be ready by December. Essentially, they were trying to get us to say we wouldn't be ready by then. We called their bluff. We said we'd be ready too. A week later the state agency said no can do. Now we're back to our original August plan but still have to implement in December. And that means long hours!

(Apparently I needed to vent because I meant that to be about 4 sentences long, not 4 paragraphs.)

I also moved my roommate out this past weekend. He's moved in with his GF. I have a new roomie coming in next week. He's a work colleague that flies into Chicago for work each week. He's gone on weekends. :) He's going to pay more to stay there. :)) I've got a lot of cleaning and prep work to do between now and then. :(

Add softball and volleyball leagues and I haven't even thought of stopping by here. I shouldn't be here now.

Phillies Win!

Good start.

That is all.

Stew, Bread, Remotes

Stew, Bread, Remotes
Originally uploaded by chicagoschraders

From Sunday night, dinner during the baseball game.

Good Ridance!

Per The Wiki, the last record naturally occurring instance of small pox was recorded 32 years ago today.

I see this via Bad Astronomy who does a nice job of smacking down the anti-vaccination people.

Man Bites Dog

Or, more accurately, mantis bites bird.

Found this is my most recent Nat Geo. I had not clue a mantis could do this.

Sunday, Sports Day

I sat my butt on the couch and watched sports. All. Day. Long.

• Man U. lost to Liverpool and were unable to regain 1st place.
  
• West Ham, havinig a very disappointing season, played Arsenal to a draw.
  
• The Vikings snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory as Favre had a case of the interceptions against The STeelers.
  
• The Bears... dear FSM what to say about that, um, I shudder to use the word performance. Let's just agree not to talk about this ever again.
  

NOW, it is time for BASEBALL. The stew is ready. The beer is cracked. Go Angels! Yuck the Fankees!


UPDATES:
WTF, Vlad! Getting doubled off. Smart play by Swisher.

Damon seems to have taken notes on how my Cards hit with bases loaded. 3 stranded.

McCarver must be tired of fluffing Jeter. Pettitte is getting all the attention tonight.

Also, I feel the need to note that I did something other than watch sports today. Laundry was completed and I got through my new Nat Geo mag.

And the Angels have a lead! That calls for another swig of beer. Cheers.

Damn! Evil Empire on top.

And, to almost no one's surprise, the Evil Empire wins.

German Engineering: Lesson Learned

I drove to work today as I have to leave straight from the office to go to volleyball tonight. I parked, got out of the car and put my duffel bag in the trunk. I noticed that the left taillight was on. Now my trunk has too much crap in it so I spent a minute looking for any wires that might have gotten pinched. I saw none.

I'm going to have to do something to prevent the battery from dying. I'm thinking pulling the bulb at this point. Hey! It was early. I decided to call my roommate first who was a mechanic to see if he has any better thoughts. He had none.

To make the call I had to get out of the parking garage. So on the way back down, after a bagel and some caffeine, it dawns on me that pulling the bulb isn't going to work as juice is still flowing. I'm going to have to yank the fuse. Well, when I get back to the car I notice that the left front signal light is also on!!!

That's just too coincidental. It's not a short in the trunk, it is something else. A little investigation and notice that the turn signal lever had been bumped down. My best guess is that I hit it with the duffel bag getting out of the car. So with the car turned off and the signal lever down the left turn signal lights were on. Not blinking, mind you, just on. Put the lever back into the neutral position and all is well again.

Today's Stat

400+
exoplanets have now been discovered. Exoplanets are planets outside of our own solar system. New techniques and pushing existing technology to the edge of its capabilities are discovering more and more small planets. Scientists have discovered 28 planets that are 20 Earth masses or less.

3 Years and Counting

This blog has made it through it's terrible twos and is three years old today. Unfortunately I won't be celebrating another St. Louis World Series win as I did my first year.

UPDATE: This was a preplanned post that has been waiting in the queue for a couple weeks. My concerns that the Red Birds didn't make it out of the 1st round of the playoffs are not what I would call pressing at the moment.

Freaked The F**k Out!

I have a policy of not posting the real names of people in my life. At least not full names. I don't really broadcast the existence of this blog to many people and I feel it is my duty to accord them some privacy. That is why I'm not going to publish a link with this next statement.

I just found the obituary of an ex girlfriend, The Teacher, as mentioned in times past. I'm blown away. I know she had some medical issues but had no clue they were really severe. Our time together was short and a bit of whirlwind. She was lovely person with a lot of intelligence but always seemed to be on the run from something. It was hard to hold her attention for more than a short period of time. I have fond memories of our time but was always aware that it was going to be short lived.

I hadn't really seen her much in the past year. Our circle of mutual friends and acquaintances was small and didn't cross paths much.

I'm sitting at my desk just stunned at the moment.

Rest in peace, my friend.