My Only Friend, The End

Okay, so it isn't my ONLY friend,... but it is one of them. What? Who? The end of the semester, duh! Yay! I get to see another batch of young adults take off into the sunset, communication skills enhanced, some more than others. This makes me happy. I see people improve.

People often ask me though, "How do you tolerate it? Why do you still teach, given how snotty kids can be, how bitchy and whiny and irresponsible they are sometimes? Why in the world do you do it, especially at your salary?!? Why put up with all the shit for the low pay?!?" Here's my answer: A year from now ONE of these people MIGHT come back and tell me some story of how the skills they learned in this class helped them in life. It may not sound like much, but that one person's story can make this job worthwhile.

Of course, I'm sure I'd be just as happy in a corporate communication job, especially if the pay was good. :) But those opportunities come along very seldomly. When I was searching for a job prior to accepting this one, I had several interviews for corporate positions as well as those in academia. I applied about 50% to the corporate world, and 50% to academia, so I interviewed at everywhere from Clemson University to up to the 4th interview with Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Illinois (in Chicago).

Sidebar here about that BCBS of Illinois position... I think I was shafted on that one. I went for four interviews. I was even shown where my office would be (20-something floor looking out over Lake Michigan). Everyone IU had interviewed with told me I was perfect for the job. At the last interview, I gave a PowerPoint presentation and speech, highlighting the functions of workplace communication groups. I could tell they liked it. Four people even winked at me or nodded at me with a subtle 'thumbs-up' gesture. The whole communication group is made up of Barbie-Doll-esque women, and one male. The one male is the head of the group. At BCBS, the group even has the nickname of the "Barbie-Doll Team" and it is common knowledge that the guy hires only Barbie-Doll-esque women.

From all their positive feedback I was sure I'd get the job. A few days later I got a call turning me down. I found out who he hired,... you guessed it,.. another Barbie Doll-esque woman. Through an inside source I found out she was not even as qualified as I am for the job. I seriously considered sueing the living fuck out of them. I know I'd have a case. I didn't though. I hate how litigious our society has become and I despise wrongful hiring practices. I've actually been TOLD by an employeer before that I was the best choice for the job but due to equality distributions he needed to hire a woman or a minority. Damnit, I don't care what kind of quotas we need to meet in this world to "show" our equality. Hire the person that is best for the job! I don't give a shit if they're male, female, black, white, or purple. I say get rid of all this anti-discrimination bullshit. Let people hire whoever they want to,.. and if they choose less-qualified people for the job, based solely on their gender or color, then fine! Let them FAIL in business because they were too damned shallow to hire the best person for the position!!!!

Oh yes, so anyway,.. about all those interviews,...
There was one company I applied to that I never heard back from. Leica instruments. They are a swiss company and make instruments for civil engineering. I used to do Civil Engineering Drafting & Design for about 12 years total. Now I have a Master's in Communication. They needed someone to do PR communications for them. Ummm.... HELLO!?!?!? Why the heck did they never contact me?!? I'd have been PERFECT for that job! *sigh* That one I still wonder about.

So, where does all this leave me? I am out for the semester. I teach during the month of June, 5 days a week. I am in an annual contract position at a local University west of Atlanta. I wish I had more stability than being on a yearly contract. Why is it that they have to do that? Government budgetting? Inability to committ to hiring someone permanently? Why can't they hire people on a yearly basis for the first 2 years then change them over to be a 'lecturer' position in which they have job security? Even worse is,.. there is an unwritten rule at this University, that they don't keep anyone more than 7 years. Why is that? I think there are a lot of things in academia that are screwed-up. And sometimes, yes, I question what the hell I'm doing here. But every now and then I get that one student with the story of life change and it makes it all worthwhile.

(But corporate America, keep an eye on me! If you need someone with my skills,... you know where to turn!)

Musical Questions

I stole this from a friend's site,.. but she won't care. And if she does, she's naughty and deserves to be spanked.

The rules: Put your music player on shuffle. Press forward for each question. Use the song title as the answer to the question. Post this on your blog.
Leave a comment here when you post it on your site. Simple enough? Right? Right.

~Will I get far in life?
Blindfolded - Carelessness Kills

~How do my friends see me?
Daknit, Bard of Justice - Doesn't take a Telepath (to figure out what you were thinking)

~Where will I get married?
Poe - Hello

~What is my best friend’s theme song?
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench

~What is the story of my life?
Type O Negative - The Glorious Liberation of the People

~What was high school like?
Los Enanitos Verdes - Amigos

~How can I get ahead in life?
Collective Soul - The World I Know

~What is the best thing about me?
Dave Brubeck - There'll Be Some Changes Made

~How is today going to be?
Metallica - The Struggle Within

~What is in store for this weekend?
White Zombie - Blood, Milk, And Sky

~What song describes my parents?
Sound Clip from Cool Hand Luke - "What we've got here is,... failure to communicate."

~My grandparents?
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Please Baby

~How is my life going?
Elton John - Candle In The Wind

~What song will they play at my funeral?
Metallica - Until It Sleeps (LOL !!!)

~How does the world see me?
Days Of The New - Downtown (I knew I wasn't Uptown!)

~Will I have a happy life?
George Carlin - Capital Punishment (OMFG!!! LOL)

~What do my friends really think of me?
Braveheart - Amazing Grace

~Do people secretly lust after me?
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

~How can I make myself happy?
Metallica - Leper Messiah (ewww)

~What should I do with my life?
George Carlin - Minority Language

~Will I ever have children?
Jethro Tull - Part of the Machine

~What is some good advice?
8Stops7 - Satisfied

~What is my signature dancing song?
Type O Negative - My Girlfriend's Girlfriend

~What do I think my current theme song is?
Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator (Mmmm...)

~What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Blindfolded - Wonderful

~What type of men/women do you like?
Sound Clip of Beavis saying "Insane in the Membrane" but then
Kool & The Gang - Cherish

Boycott This!

Any business that I see closed today in response to the immigrant boycott, I will boycott for the period of one year. This already includes one of my favorite restaurants which I ate at last night and they told me that today theyd be closed.Illegal immigrants are criminals. They circumvent a procedure that is already in place. They cut ahead of law abiding applicants in line.

They get no support from me.

If they love this country so much, if they want to be here so badly, they should respect our laws and the people who are waiting patiently to enter this country legally. There are a lot of people in the legal line waiting to get in. They should be first. Thats why there is a green card lottery and a whole set of immigration legislation! If you break the law, you should be put in jail and then deported.

I have no problem with immigrants. Some of my best friends are immigrants. America was founded with immigration. My wife is an immigrant, a LEGAL one before I even met her. I have a problem with ILLEGAL immigrants. Legal immigrants go through the proper channels to be here, illegal immigrants do NOT and THAT is the difference.

As such, I am boycotting all closed businesses for one year. I also plan on eating out for every meal today and am purchasing some items today. So, illegal immigrants aren't showing up for work? They wont profit from todays sales? Good. They can suffer for their crime.

A world without illegal immigrants is fine. They'll see the only difference they make is a negative one. If they want to make a real difference, then they can go back to their countries of birth. Let America's economy adjust and prosper without them and let the Federal Government allow in people that are willing to go through the proper channels to GET to the land of the free, NOT those who get here on a free ride. They should APPLY to come and work and live here. THEN they will have my full respect and support.

And for those who say that this isn't about illegal immigrants but immigrants in general. I call bullshit. Did you even read my distinction above? Besides, a march, a protest, a boycott was never even thought of until Congress discussed introducing a bill to make illegal immigrants a felony charge. They should make it a felony. These people should not be rewarded for illegally getting here!

Thanks to ODB for the idea of posting on this. ;)
Peace, my friends.

Here is a pic of the trees in my backyard. I want to cut down all the ones with blue tape around them. 

Trivia, Old Friends, and Trees

This weekend I nearly killed myself trying to cut down some trees in my backyard. Thank goodness my brother called and told me he'd be able to come up in a few weeks to help me with the rest. I don't think I can do the rest by myself. I'll send a pic of the trees to here soon.

Tonight I went to eat at a place called Johnny's Pizza and Subs. It was a good place and it was trivia night. I came in 3rd place. =/ Damnit, I WAS in 1st place until I missed the last question. The sad part is I saw the 1st place winner guy using his cellphone to get the answer. That chubby fucking bastard! 1st place won a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant, so it wasn't some life-changing contest, but still. That's not right,... the fucker. Looking at the size of his belly he needs free food like a fucking hole in the head. At least the dick had kids, so I hope some of the food goes to them. Probably not though, the grubby dicklicker will probably eat it all for himself. Those poor damn kids are going to starve. Come to think of it, the kids did look pretty skinny. =/ Fat bastage!

This trivia event reminded me (in a good way) of Elvis though. (See, the whole thing was overall a great and fun time.) Elvis is particularly good at trivia. He kicks major trivia game ass. I like playing with him. We each have our own areas of expertise, but we're both pretty damn good at it. The last time he and I played trivia together was in a restaurant in Albany. I'm pretty sure that night we came in first place and won some sort of gift certificate then too.

What a Break...

Spring Break just came and went. What did I do? Eh, a few things...

1. planted flowers & bushes around new house (they died due to the freeze LOL)
2. played MTG with friends
3. played some WoW
4. I drove down to Smallbany, GA to visit friends

I know that Albany is not a small town - It is usually the 4th or 5th largest city in GA. I call it small due to the unfortunate situation many of its residents are in - a state of small-mindedness. I love my friends that are there - they are exceptions to the rule, but a great deal of the people there make me want to vomit. The words, "pretentious, racist, snobbish, judgemental, fanatically religious, and superficial" come to mind.

Mind you, as I said, the friends I made in Albany are my friends because they weren't those things. It is okay to be religious, but anyone who tells me I'm going to hell for the way I believe is judging me and they can go fuck themselves. Furthermore, the pretentious, superficial, 'I'm better than you because I drive/wear/went to/etc' people,.. well,... those people are a lifeform somewhat below the level of moldy cheese and they reminded me of why I don't like to visit SMALLbany. However, there are still reasons I'll probably visit again;

5. I played poker with friends, just hung out with friends,

6. I played some PnP RPG (Marvel) with good friends, and

7. I got to visit the most wonderful family I know, the Parrs.

The Parrs are family to me. I literally call them Mom, Brother, and Sister. Its because through my good fortune I made friends with one hell of a guy I call Elvis, some 16 years ago. He's a wacky type, so you can imagine we get along pretty well. :) I'm glad for that. His mom is terrific, and I consider her to be my mom of sorts too. Heck, she's raised me quite a lot since I met her. His sister is a riot too. She's a bit odd, but aren't all sisters? hehe ;) She has 5 children I really adore. Also living with them is his Aunt. She's a fruitbasket but I love her dearly as well - hehe! I got to spend hours with them just playing and talking. It was because of numbers 5, 6, and 7, that I will brave number 4 again. They make the trip totally worthwhile.

{EDIT}: Mitch, you dipshit, you're included in #5! Yes folks, I hung out with the amazing Mitch Belcher!!! :) Hehe. - Better?!? :P You Dork. LOL, Don't worry Mitch, I still luv ya!

Subdivision Entrance 

2nd Bedroom 

Backyard 

Dining room from Sunroom 

Front door 

Front Elevation of "Home" 

Kitchen from Dining Room 

Dining Room from Kitchen 

Living Room from Sunroom 

Living Room from Front Door 

Master Bedroom 

My desk 

Sunroom View 

Hazy Daze

Wow, its spring break already!
And amazingly the time left in it is flying by,... quickly coming to a close.

What have I done you ask? Where have I gone?

I went to Home Dept and Truevalue and Lowe's.
I planted flowers and bought a chainsaw to cut down some trees.
Exciting, huh? Well, it isn't the most exhillarating spring break ever, but hey, when you own a home, isn't this what you're supposed to do?

I also got the taxes done. I thought I'd be in good shape after buying a home. Big fucking surprise that a corporation screwed things up. I owe the state government $700!!! >.< I am NOT happy about it.

The only thing I AM happy about right now is that some friends are driving over from Atlanta today so we can play some Magic: The Gathering (card game). :) Wheee!

I'll take some pics of the flowers when I'm done and post them. =P

Unisex: Violation of Expectations ?!?

Ooh, ooh,.. I forgot to post about this last week. So here it is now.

The Setup
For quite some time I've entertained conversations with a few coworkers about the labeling of what used to be the Men's Faculty Bathroom. Now it is the "Unisex / Handicap" bathroom. We often joke about the fact that very often people will go in to use it and not lock the door. At the same time we wonder if it is strange that people go in and lock the door, since it is afterall "Unisex". We always joke that one day we'll use the urinal and not lock the door and see if people still come in or if they immediately leave. To understand where this is going you need to know what the bathroom looks like.

The Bathroom Layout
There is an exterior locking door. Inside, there is a sink, a urinal (with small walls on either side), and one stall with a locking door.

The Event
One day last week I had to pee really badly. I left my office and went around the corner to the Unisex bathroom because it is closest to my office. (There's a men's room on another hall not 50 more feet away though). I opened the bathroom door to find a young woman styling her hair at the sink. Seeing as I had to pee really really badly,.. I politely said, "Oh, hello,... excuse me." and I walked right past her and started using the urinal. She left in quite a hurry thereafter. Once the door closed behind her I chuckled slightly as the wave of relief washed over me.

The comedy of it all - and the Questions this poses
There's a separator wall between the sink and the urinal. Should she have not felt uncomfortable seeing as it was a Unisex bathroom? Should she not have hurried out but instead finished styling her hair? I think if I walked in and some woman was using the stall, I'd still use the urinal. I mean, really,.. who gives a damn. We're adults.

I know a lot of students probably have not had a public bathroom experience, but I have (and no, I wasn't even in Europe). I know me continuing violated her expectations. As for myself, I think its rather comical. That'll teach her to use the Unisex bathroom! I can hardly wait until these young adults go out into the corporate world and have to use a bathroom where there are 40 stalls side-by-side and people actually *gasp* talk to each other while defecating.

Janet and Chris at my WebCT Vista training session

We're switching over to WebCT Vista at work. I like using WebCT for my courses, and this looks like it has some nice features even though I'm sure I'll spend a few more days figuring out how to make it do what I want it to do. Chris is a nice and very helpful guy. Janet is awesome. She's helped me a lot with WebCT and other distance learning issues. Snapping their picture with my camera phone is somewhat revenge. They're always taking pictures of us (faculty) at their functions and I figured it was time for some payback. ;)

Rock-N-Roll never dies - It just changes venues!

Yesterday I was driving to work and I was flipping through the radio stations. I stopped because I came across some Huey Lewis and the News. They were playing "Heart and Soul" - a great song with a hard driving guitar lick. "Dum Dum Du Dum Dum Dumm Dumm Dummmmmm - She's Heart and Sooouuuull!" Damn that's good. You sing it Huey. Fuckin' A!

I wait until the song is over and then I hear the station I.D. .... [drum roll please] .... it was on the fucking LIGHT FM station!!!! NOoooooooooooooooooo!!!!! Say it isn't so! That's just not right! Damnit, Rod Stewart I can understand, but NOT Huey Lewis' Heart and Soul, No Way!!!

Immediately I thought back to my Dad telling me when I was a kid about how mad he was that he heard Neil Diamond and Neil Young both on a Light FM station. Heart and Soul is a ROCK song! It has a hard hitting guitar lick! It belongs on a ROCK station! Damnit, I AM NOT that old yet!!!! If I had heard him in an elevator I think I would've died right then and there. A Light FM station was bad enough. Ugh. Don't worry, Huey, it's still rock-n-roll to me.

Going well

Things have been going well for me lately *knock on wood*.

Classes are moving along. I changed some policies this semester and I'm really liking the changes, especially since it is reducing my stress and my workload too! :) The only thing going wrong of late is that my laptop is acting weird. All of a sudden I can't do hardly anything on it without it locking up on me. I think it is time to call in the pros and ask them to defrag / reformat / whatever it takes to solve the problem. (And this time I'll ask them to PLEASE leave off all the junk software that they think I need. The hard drive is full!)

The house still needs a lot of things done to it / around it, but oh well,.. I'll get to them one by one. All in all, I am very happy with my new home. If you feel energetic you're welcome to come cut down some of the trees in my backyard. I love trees, but I prefer to reduce the amount of pines and I'll keep the others.

Today is a very pretty day - sun shining, light breeze, blue sky,... I took off a little bit early and just drove around during the daylight before coming home. :)

Today I'm in a great mood.
I am optimistic that it will continue.

My character Swiftangel in front of one dead Dragon, "Onyxia". :")