Grant's blog has taken Friday off due to an abundance of irritation.
Check back later to see if he's over it.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Thursday, November 04, 2004
I think I've figured out why babies are so irritating.
I was sitting in Pizza Hut this afternoon, waiting for my P'zone for lunch. Getting one was my brilliant idea that I came up with, as I was on my way to Subway. That's not part of the story. I'm waiting in the Pizza Hut and this baby is just WAILING, like someone was beating it like a screen door. The worst, more incisive howl you'll ever hear.
Then I had an epiphany.
Babies are irritating because they just make noise. When a baby screams like that, they don't say anything useful. You can't glean a distinguishable cause of the crying. They just bawl. It is possible to figure out what is making them cry, if you analyze the surroundings, or witness the babies actions. But I, sitting around the wall and down a hall from this screeching bag of flesh, had no ability to discern the reason, and therefore remedy the problem. And I dearly wanted to, because the noise was giving me a severe pain. Throttling the child was given serious consideration.
So where does that leave us? I think we have to outlaw babies in public. If kept in a closed, well supervised area, babies are less likely to meet incidental hazards. Less hazards means a reduced potential for causing howls. And less howling bags of flesh will improve the quality of life for all of us that know how to speak a civilized tongue.
Who is with me on banning babies in public? Show of hands?
I was sitting in Pizza Hut this afternoon, waiting for my P'zone for lunch. Getting one was my brilliant idea that I came up with, as I was on my way to Subway. That's not part of the story. I'm waiting in the Pizza Hut and this baby is just WAILING, like someone was beating it like a screen door. The worst, more incisive howl you'll ever hear.
Then I had an epiphany.
Babies are irritating because they just make noise. When a baby screams like that, they don't say anything useful. You can't glean a distinguishable cause of the crying. They just bawl. It is possible to figure out what is making them cry, if you analyze the surroundings, or witness the babies actions. But I, sitting around the wall and down a hall from this screeching bag of flesh, had no ability to discern the reason, and therefore remedy the problem. And I dearly wanted to, because the noise was giving me a severe pain. Throttling the child was given serious consideration.
So where does that leave us? I think we have to outlaw babies in public. If kept in a closed, well supervised area, babies are less likely to meet incidental hazards. Less hazards means a reduced potential for causing howls. And less howling bags of flesh will improve the quality of life for all of us that know how to speak a civilized tongue.
Who is with me on banning babies in public? Show of hands?
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Greetings from Saskatoon!
Its been a weird day. Got up and went to work this morning, the same as usual. Got there and all hell broke loose.
Turns out I was going to a trade show. Pony up all the horses to get into Saskatoon for that.
Now everyone is interested in making Cowessess start before the end of next week. I hear nothing from no one for a month, now I'm supposed to be done. Whatever.
Tim pulled together a huge amount of info about the system in Ste. Rose Du Lac and wanted my time to talk about it. I did the best I could for him, but I was under the crunch for this trade show thing.
I had calls from the previous day to sort out, involving billing and repair work. That had to be summarized and presented to someone to phone about today.
Once the Cowessess ball was put into play, everyone needed to talk to me, about how it was all going to fit together. Meanwhile I'm being prodded to hurry up and go to Saskatoon for the trade show set up.
Finally I said screw it, and just left. As I drove I thought of more things that I was leaving unfinished, so as soon as I had cell coverage (thanks for the dead spots SaskTel) I made some calls to get other things arranged, in my absence.
Whew! I'm tired just typing it all. The show wraps up at 12:00 tomorrow, so with a little luck, I can be back in my seat of power before the end of the day. All to get more things accomplished.
If you need me, I'll be the guy getting oxygen at the end of the bench.
Its been a weird day. Got up and went to work this morning, the same as usual. Got there and all hell broke loose.
Turns out I was going to a trade show. Pony up all the horses to get into Saskatoon for that.
Now everyone is interested in making Cowessess start before the end of next week. I hear nothing from no one for a month, now I'm supposed to be done. Whatever.
Tim pulled together a huge amount of info about the system in Ste. Rose Du Lac and wanted my time to talk about it. I did the best I could for him, but I was under the crunch for this trade show thing.
I had calls from the previous day to sort out, involving billing and repair work. That had to be summarized and presented to someone to phone about today.
Once the Cowessess ball was put into play, everyone needed to talk to me, about how it was all going to fit together. Meanwhile I'm being prodded to hurry up and go to Saskatoon for the trade show set up.
Finally I said screw it, and just left. As I drove I thought of more things that I was leaving unfinished, so as soon as I had cell coverage (thanks for the dead spots SaskTel) I made some calls to get other things arranged, in my absence.
Whew! I'm tired just typing it all. The show wraps up at 12:00 tomorrow, so with a little luck, I can be back in my seat of power before the end of the day. All to get more things accomplished.
If you need me, I'll be the guy getting oxygen at the end of the bench.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
The more elections we have, and the more times we go to the electorate for direction on the future course of humanity, the more it becomes achingly clear that the average citizen is ill-equipped to make such an important decision.
We have tests, trials, and various other methods of determining if someone is skilled enough to handle a job. Why then is the American presidency little more than a popularity contest?
There needs to be some measure of competency before allowing someone to be president.
Someone wake me before Armageddon starts . . .
We have tests, trials, and various other methods of determining if someone is skilled enough to handle a job. Why then is the American presidency little more than a popularity contest?
There needs to be some measure of competency before allowing someone to be president.
Someone wake me before Armageddon starts . . .
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
I'm not a huge fan of this phone my parents have down here in the den. It has a red light on it, that flashes when its logged a call that hasn't been acknowledged. The damn thing reminds me of my office phone, that also blinks a red light when I have a message. I sit here and I'm constantly looking to the phone, thinking I need to check my voice mail.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Why does Tim McCarver have to make so many asinine comments during the course of a baseball game? His contribution by way of 'analysis' is often, 'he needs to throw a strike here' when the pitcher has the bases loaded and a 3-0 count on the hitter. We know that you idiot! Say something insightful, when you have some insight. Don't make a comment just to fill empty air.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Tonight, as I sit here in my living room, watched the Red Sox beat the Cardinals, I find myself contemplating my purpose on this planet. I have a job, but is that who I am? I have a family, is that what defines me? I have friends, but can they put that magical 'it' into the place that seems hollow?
I want something. I can't describe what it is. Its an emotion; a feeling. I know its there, and its absence pains me. But how do I acquire something, when I can't understand it well enough to ask someone for it?
I think I've found a place where I can get it. But its not so easy as just saving the money, and going to the store. It has to be earned. And therein lies the fatal flaw in this experiment they call life. I seem unequipped to cultivate the last remaining piece to the puzzle that is me.
Changes.
I want something. I can't describe what it is. Its an emotion; a feeling. I know its there, and its absence pains me. But how do I acquire something, when I can't understand it well enough to ask someone for it?
I think I've found a place where I can get it. But its not so easy as just saving the money, and going to the store. It has to be earned. And therein lies the fatal flaw in this experiment they call life. I seem unequipped to cultivate the last remaining piece to the puzzle that is me.
Changes.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Grant's Rant - October 25, 2004
I go to Future Shop in September to get an air conditioner that is at a good price. $320 for a 10,000 BTU unit. That's better than the $500 I've seen elsewhere. They don't have any in the store. They will have to order one in. Would I like to make payment to confirm the order? Yes, I want the no-interest, no payment, plan that is available with a Future Shop Credit account. Done and done! I go home to await my A/C unit.
Its now the end of October. No A/C unit. However, Future Shop Credit sends me a statement. We'd like you to make a payment on your air conditioner purchase Mr. Guenther.
WHOA!!!
I call Future Shop credit. Hi, I'd like to know what the deal is about asking me for a payment on my account when you haven't actually shipped the unit in question.
Their response?
I'm sorry sir, this is Future Shop Credit. We just take your money. We have no interest in delivering your product. Pay us or go talk to your Future Shop store.
Future Shop = GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I go to Future Shop in September to get an air conditioner that is at a good price. $320 for a 10,000 BTU unit. That's better than the $500 I've seen elsewhere. They don't have any in the store. They will have to order one in. Would I like to make payment to confirm the order? Yes, I want the no-interest, no payment, plan that is available with a Future Shop Credit account. Done and done! I go home to await my A/C unit.
Its now the end of October. No A/C unit. However, Future Shop Credit sends me a statement. We'd like you to make a payment on your air conditioner purchase Mr. Guenther.
WHOA!!!
I call Future Shop credit. Hi, I'd like to know what the deal is about asking me for a payment on my account when you haven't actually shipped the unit in question.
Their response?
I'm sorry sir, this is Future Shop Credit. We just take your money. We have no interest in delivering your product. Pay us or go talk to your Future Shop store.
Future Shop = GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blog Joke Of The Day:
(as provided by M. Bodman)
I'm tired because I'm overworked!
Here's why:
The population of Canada is 30 million. 11 million are retired, that leaves 19 million to do the work.
There are 5.5 million in school, which leaves 13.5 million to do the work. Of this there are 3 million employed by the federal government, leaving 10.5 million to do the work.
1 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing terrorists, which leaves 9.5 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 7 million people who work for Provincial and city Governments, and that leaves 2.5 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 476,000 people in hospitals, leaving 2,024,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons and 812,000 on Employment Insurance and Welfare. That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes. Nice. Real nice.
(as provided by M. Bodman)
I'm tired because I'm overworked!
Here's why:
The population of Canada is 30 million. 11 million are retired, that leaves 19 million to do the work.
There are 5.5 million in school, which leaves 13.5 million to do the work. Of this there are 3 million employed by the federal government, leaving 10.5 million to do the work.
1 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing terrorists, which leaves 9.5 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 7 million people who work for Provincial and city Governments, and that leaves 2.5 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 476,000 people in hospitals, leaving 2,024,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons and 812,000 on Employment Insurance and Welfare. That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes. Nice. Real nice.