Fun and Games Dept

Back when I first started DJing this song was very HOT. In fact, there was a little hustle type line dance that many did to it. I called the dance the “Homo Hop”. I can still do it.

Presenting “1-2-3” by The Chimes. 1990.

062.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

Today I share with you a fub.

I hit the canal trail for the first time in 2009 tonight. It was good to get back in the saddle on my bike and I feel pretty good after doing about 15 miles when all was said and done. Aside from the fact that I can find my official cycling shoes and that I was accosted by a four-year old on a Big Wheel^TM, the ride went pretty smoothly.

The weather doesn’t look like it’s going to cooperate for cycling until next week, so I guess I’ll have to ride the exercise cycle in the basement in the meantime.

060.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

I hate it when they tell me the job is simple: “just move the blue cable to the new router”.

So I decided to try something new for April. Thoughts?

Calm down and check the calendar.

052.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

I just got back from dinner with my blogger friend Mike. I call him my blogger friend because he was the first person to recognise me in the mall courtesy of my blabbering on right here on my blog. Mike is a month and a day younger than me and a really nice guy. We hadn’t seen each other in about two years, it was time for us to reconnect and break some bread again.

I had a really good time and I’m glad he made the drive out here for dinner.

I’ve been completely wiped out today. My latest round of on call really wiped me out to the point that I seem to have caught a little something that threw me off my balance. I’m not sick as I am basically only visiting this planet and am traditionally not susceptible to human like diseases, colds and the like, but something has knocked me off my game a little bit. I plan to have it kicked in the morning.

So for now, I smile in the picture and head to bed.

So the latest round of on-call is now a memory. To celebrate the event, I got home from work and promptly took a two hour nap. This gave me that “freshly rebooted” feeling. To celebrate, Earl and I headed to the local Panera for a small dessert and some wi-fi time. Sometimes you need a change of view.

I ordered a low-fat hot chocolate (is there such a thing?) and then watched the assembler literally flood the mug with whipped cream from a can. Hot chocolate spilled over the sides of the mug and all over the counter. She didn’t seem to care. She was too busy snapping her gum.

The wi-fi seems to be struggling today. I blame the Dell computer at the next table. There’s probably a virus or something eating up all the bandwidth. It certainly isn’t my Mac creating the havoc! I know I sound like the stereotypical Mac user. I’m just being uppity and funny at the same time.

I actually think it’s the huge Packard Bell 486 laptop in the back corner.

Am I the only one that finds it mildly disturbing that there is a wicker basket on the floor with a sign proclaiming “Freshly Baked Baguettes! $2.59!” and that said baguettes are not wrapped? I think I find this to be against some sort of New York State health code.

I could sit and watch people all day long and not complain about it. I often complain about the state of our society, and I believe that it is spiraling in a downward motion at a shocking rate, but at the same time to watch it to be entertained. I chuckle in the corner like some sort of middle-aged crazy man. The feeling is not unpleasant.

I’ve been groovin’ to this song for the past week or so and finally found a video to go along with it.

I must be getting old. I find the guys on the dance floor in this video to be wicked hot (especially around 1:40) and I really appreciate the carefree attitude everyone seems to have whilst they’re partying.

Enjoy “Feelings” by The Grass Roots. The clip is from the movie “With Six You Get Eggroll”.

045.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

So after a few years of doing this on-call thing I have finally discovered what makes it a little easier to get through an evening of doing the work thing.

I need to shed my work clothes as soon as I get home and get comfortable. Once I’m in gear that feels good I am good to go and feel like I can accomplish anything.

I’m in full blown geek mode this week and I’m kind of enjoying it. I have a few computer projects in progress in the basement and I’m going to be selling a BUNCH of stuff very soon. I think I’m going to list what I have for sale here first and then if no one bites after a week or so I’m going to list it on ebay. I’d rather have my old computers go to someone that stops by and work out a deal that way.

By the way, I’m very proud of the Irish in me (and celebrate the fact that I’m the only one of my generation on both sides of the family that has red hair) and would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day. I hope you’re celebrating safely.

So I’m sitting on the aforementioned Delta flight to “Northern Kentucky”. Today’s flight attendant is Niki. She is very friendly and easy to understand on the intercom.

She said one thing during the safety announcement that I really appreciated: “While I am here primarily for your safety, if you need you assistance I’d be happy to help you.” I’m sure many flight attendants say this (though it’s the first time I’ve heard it in a long while), it seems that few passengers remember this. This makes me a little angry.

Flight attendants are well trained individuals that are there for the safety of the passenger and in case of an emergency. Whilst many think they are there to be a servant, this is hardly the case. Barking at a flight attendant is not only rude, but it is evidence of a misconception of what they are there for. The whole pop and peanuts thing is a courtesy on their behalf.

I have mentioned before that I enjoy flying. I’m a bit of an aviator geek. I know what type of plane I’m on, usually how old it is and who owns it (usually a leasing company). I know when a pilot turns ‘base’ and ‘final’ on an approach and I can almost always identify the moment that our wheels should leave the runway. I know where all exits are, even if they are behind me.

I still pay attention to every safety announcement and follow along with the information card in the seat pocket in front of me. It’s the responsible thing to do. I wish more people would put the paper down or shut up during the announcements. They’re not doing a stand up routine up there, they are sharing important information.

And one other thing. Every passenger on the plane has paid something in some way to get a seat. No matter the method of payment, your credit card isn’t better than anyone else’s. Sitting in seat 9A does not entitle you to any special treatment over the person in seat 9B.

So as an aviation geek that enjoys flying, loves a flight attendant and wants the experience to be a beautiful thing for all involved, I ask everyone to make an effort to be a friendly, responsible passenger.

Thank you and enjoy your flight.