So, I’m driving to work today, listening to You Look Nice Today (a journal of emotional hygeine), and I’m taking note of all the political bumper stickers. Let’s face it, putting a political bumper sticker on your car is kind of a douchy thing to do (hopes none of his friends are guilty of doing douchy things). Let me explain… Ok, perhaps douchy is not the right word. I think I just wanted to say douchy. More to my point it’s a dumb thing to do. … But, that’s not quite as colorful… Let’s explore.

First, nobody cares. Guess what, you aren’t swinging the vote with your bumper sticker. Most of them aren’t even entertaining! I mean, at least make it so the rest of us can get a laugh out of it. Something like, “Save the Drama for Obama!” or “I’m a Maverick, Bitches!” You know, something other than, “McCain ’08″… Wheee!

Second, 95% of you aren’t going to remove these stickers after the election, and THATS when it becomes a douchy thing to do. Now you are just driving around in an old car…. You know?

Ok, but, I digress… That was not the point I was trying to make. The point I was trying to make — which is more of an observation than a point — is when I looked at the Obama cars, they all looked like hippies! You know, the steroetypical-just-smoked-a-joint-hippie. Those cars also had a shotgun blast of other opinionated stickers on their cars too… All the McCain cars had intensely serious and focused looking people. But, not intense and focused like they were concentrated on being good drivers. It was more intense and focused like they had a body in the trunk. … Just a random morning observation for you guys…

Have a great Thursday!

What the hell? This conversation is kind of like when you are on the road and some fuck-weasel in a Hummer cuts you off. Of course you give them the “Are you mentally damaged?” look. What do they do? They give you the finger along with the “Why don’t you watch where you are going, asshat?” look… WHAT!? *YOU* cut *ME* off, freak!…. I swear… Anyway, here’s the less dramatic IM version of that:

(14:21:11) monoidtrout Let’s discuss botany!
(14:21:20) slack006 Why?
(14:21:41) monoidtrout whos this?
(14:21:56) slack006 I asked you first.
(14:22:05) slack006 Let’s call me Slack.
(14:22:11) monoidtrout um ok
(14:22:17) slack006 Who’s this?
(14:22:25) slack006 Are you a botanist?
(14:23:33) slack006 come on… you IMed me. What’s up?
(14:24:29) slack006 hmpf… fine then. Friggin botanists…

So, if you like mentally retarded botanists, give monoidtrout (wtf does that mean) a holler…

How did this idea get approved!? Dear God…

So, where am I at these days? We’ll let’s see where to begin.

Monday I lost my job. It can honestly be argued that I quit or that I fired. I prefer the terminology “laid off”. How does that make me feel? Well, I liken it to getting released from a long prison term. So glad to be out, but now facing reality of getting something else going. We’ll see where this latest turn of career directions takes me.

To compound the fun, Rhys’ ear infections are back. He has to go into surgery to get tubes put in. YAY! I can’t tell you how excited we both are about this prospect. Especially the general anaesthesia part. Honestly, hasn’t this kid been through enough? That’s slated for the 27th. We’ll see if the insurance cards still work around then, but I’m not holding my breath. My ex-boss is just that way.

What else? Heidi is now sick too. It looks like an ear infection for her too! How does that happen!! It’s not like her son has two infections, and she works at a preschool. !? Of course, the recent change of events has increased the stress on my wonderful wife, but she is handling it quite well. I’m so thankful to have such a supportive wife. Truly.

I’ve sold my motorcycle… It’s gone. Done like dinner. The extra cash should help us float a bit longer if we have to. Let’s hope we don’t. I’ve applied to about 100 jobs (well, almost 100) and am not waiting for bites. Whilst waiting I’m gonna head up to Show Low to talk biz with my old biz partner, Greg. He’s talkin about starting up a web dev company. HEY! Guess what! I happen to love web development work! ;) Heading up there this Thursday.

I’ll keep all you cats posted, and if you have any ideas for me about what to do when I grow up, please don’t hesitate to email me! ;)

Happy Thursday, gang! We’re almost to the weekend! Have you survived?

All things are mostly the same in my neck of the woods. Came across a pretty interesting communication this week. Currently, I work for a software company (that in itself is another story). We are tied to the education industry, and that’s all I’ll say about that. But, there was a communication I was privy to between Teacher X and Sales Person Y. I just had to share this little pearl. You can guess how I feel about the No Child Left Behind deal… :: rolls eyes ::

Teacher X: We learned so much, and I have already begun implementing some of the suggestions you made concerning my ELL students. First thing this morning, I changed their passing score to be 70% rather than 80% on all tests. Hopefully, they will begin experiencing more success now. I have also taken out all lessons beyond 20 for my first grade students. That means that several are very nearly ready to exit the program!

Sales Person Y: I meant what I said when speaking of you being a MODEL implementation! Awesome job!

Come on… Really?

In other news, the new project is moving along. I’m getting probably one feature finished every day or two. Wish I had more time to concentrate on the code, but… I don’t. Both Heidi and I are pretty excited about this new project. I think it’s going to be fun! It’s been a learning experience for sure. At the very least it will be something to add to my portfolio. :)

Well, have a happy Thursday, and see you on the flipside.

Here’s a newsflash from our wonderful local newspaper: Moon’s spectrum of color same as sun’s. Get out! For real? It’s like the moon is reflecting light from the sun!!! What!? It IS!!! GET OUT! NO WAY! At night!? Is that even possible? Is it magic?

My god… shoot this town in the face.