Life Updates

Ah, vacation at last. It’s shocking how much work it takes to go on vacation. I’ve been frantically trying to tie up loose ends during this last week just for preparation for this short junket. Then when I get back, I’ll have a stack of other stuff to go through. Almost makes you wonder if taking these rounds of relaxation is more or less stressful than not taking them. Not really of course, but I do love to complain.

Ok, Ok, I’m sorry, what else can I say? It seems that my readership is on the verge of revolt. Well, I might be exaggerating a bit, but my lack of posting seems to have raised the ire of some of you out there.

Unfortunately, I don’t have all that much to say. I spent all last week doing interviews for the two positions I have open right now. This meant a lot of late nights in order to get my regular work done. I spent this weekend also being a dull boy and working. However, all is not lost. One more week and I’ll be on a must needed vacation. Hopefully, by then I should feel more inspired to write longer pieces.

What a week! It hasn’t been my best but I’m fighting through. We are way past “thin” in my department so I am now on a frantic hiring frenzy to fill our vacant posts. The economy must be improving because finding qualified local candidates is becoming extremely difficult. That or they are moving out of state faster than I can find them. We’ll find the right people, but I may have pulled out my hair before then. If you are looking for some good computer work with a fun company, check out these job descriptions.

I guess it’s time for a personal update though there isn’t all that much to report. Work has been keeping me a little bit busier than usual, but hey, if I wasn’t working I would have to figure out something else to do. Besides, keeping busy has been instrumental in helping me through the nicotine withdrawal. I have to admit that it has been much easier this time than any time in the past. Not sure why, maybe I’ve done this enough times that I’m in good practice. ;) Well, here’s to keeping it permanent.

I guess everyone has noticed the conspicuous lack of posting of the Random Picture of the Day. Since my vacation in January I have to admit that I haven’t been feeling the photo bug as much. However, I’m getting back into it now. However, rather than rushing around snapping and putting up sub-standard work, I’m going to take a brief break from posting. I hope to start posting again in April. Additionally, I’m going to New Orleans in April which is always a photo rich environment. I’m also going to be taking a weeklong bicycle trek across Oklahoma in June as part of the Freewheel tour. It’s been many years since I last took this tour, but I’m really looking forward to it and I certainly will take many pictures. Until then, I’ll try to write more to fill the void.

Well, there will probably have to be a delay of the picture of the day for awhile. I was going to go and collect new pictures this weekend but then I went and sprained my ankle doing a particularly dangerous Nerf basketball maneuver. Hopefully, by Sunday, I can be back up and running enough to post some images.

[Listening to: Rush Limbaugh - Premiere Radio Networks - (02:05:43)]

It’s been awhile since I last wrote anything. I guess the best way to put it is that I have been burnt out on just about everything. Work has been hard and draining the last few weeks. I guess its all public news at this point. We had to lay off some very good people in order to get us into better financial shape. However, the necessity of the action doesn’t make it any easier. I know that as long as I stay in a management role, this will not be the last time I will make such decisions, but I sure wish it would. There are many who think that the decision of those to end someone’s employment is an easy one to make by the callous management of a company. However, if my stress and terror are any indication, this is simply not the case.

All I can say is “BONE CRUSHING ACTION!” Went to the Monster Truck races last night which I have to sheepishly admit, was great. A sporting event of certainly dubious authenticity but with all of the contrived action of a wrestling match with the noise of a Nascar race. The exploding trailer houses, motocross cyclists soaring high through the air and the smell of the exotic fuels being burnt made for a great spectacle Here’s a small video representing primarily the sounds of monster truck racing (sorry for the poor video):

Well, the Johnny Cash memorial was a blast and by blast I mean I didn’t get home till six in the morning. Good times had by all.

Consequently, I slept until noon when I was awakened and quickly summoned to the State Fair. I have to say that I was more than a little disappointed. I remember the fair from my childhood as a dark and seedy place where things were slightly surreal and very spooky. I remember strange and melodic banter of the carnies mixed with a universe of smells (not all pleasant). Now the carnies are basically employees of some arcade corporation. Some of the old style guys are there, but most are young hawkers who lack the shady look of the old days.