Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Moving time....
Okay I'm gonna be away for a while until I get everything set up at the new apartment....please don't be scared....I'll be back....I promise.....
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
It was supposed to be easy...
...but it's not...
So...tomorrow I am off from work so I can do the last minute packing of the apartment and get it all loaded into the truck. However, the hitch to it all is that I have to be out of my apartment first thing on July 1 but can't get into my new apartment until around 4pm because that's when the person who is currently living in the apartment will be just starting her move out.
I'm hoping to work it so that while she's moving stuf out, I'm moving stuff in and can get my shit all set up in some form or another because I have to be in midtown by 7:30 in order to attend a meeting. Yeah...it's a little bit of a time crunch but it can be done I think....I hope.
So...if you have nothing to do Thursday afternoon and want to help out...I'm not gonna stop ya...unless you start stealing stuff ya know...
So...tomorrow I am off from work so I can do the last minute packing of the apartment and get it all loaded into the truck. However, the hitch to it all is that I have to be out of my apartment first thing on July 1 but can't get into my new apartment until around 4pm because that's when the person who is currently living in the apartment will be just starting her move out.
I'm hoping to work it so that while she's moving stuf out, I'm moving stuff in and can get my shit all set up in some form or another because I have to be in midtown by 7:30 in order to attend a meeting. Yeah...it's a little bit of a time crunch but it can be done I think....I hope.
So...if you have nothing to do Thursday afternoon and want to help out...I'm not gonna stop ya...unless you start stealing stuff ya know...
Quote of the Day
Who out there's a bottom? -- Janet Jackson at this year's Pier Dance, ultimately raising her own hand as well
Monday, June 28, 2004
Water. Shirtless Men. Janet Jackson. Medical Tent.
That was my Sunday.
The rugby team worked the Pier Dance (aka Dance 18) this weekend manning the only bar on the entire pier that was not selling alcohol. Of course this meant that everyone who came to us looking for beer or mixed drinks had to go elsewhere which meant lost revenue and tips for us...but we did fine...
Janet Jackson was the "surprise" guest (although I don't know how much of a surprise it could have been since pretty much everyone knew she was going to be there) and I had my own little diva moment of my own that was Janet related...and yes, it does involve today's quote...
I had to go to the bathroom and, working the dance, there were two areas set aside for workers to go when...well...when they had to go. I went to the one nearest our booth. They directed me all the way down to the other end of the pier where this nice woman pointed me in the direction of the facilities. Then she wouldn't let me back down the path to our bar. I was to be held in this one position for 20 minutes and wouldn't be allowed to move until Janet was on stage, had sung, and then left.
I said fuck that and decided to take my chances on making my way through the crowd.
Bad idea.
Having never been to the pier dance before (and by that I mean the actual on the pier portion, not working coat check like we did last year) I didn't realize how wall-to-wall flesh it was out there and how hard it would be to get through. This total cute hot-ass guy was in front of me politely trying to get through and I was following him. Some how I managed to get in front of him and we stalled out and couldn't get through anymore.
I turned to him and said, "You're feeling sick right now aren't you?"
His response, "Huh?"
"Just follow me." With that I turned to the crowd and began my chant of how we were taking someone to the medical tent and we needed to get through the crowd. Sure enough, the crowds parted because, DEAR LORD(!), someone might have been in a k-hole and needed immediate attention. Granted, I wasn't wearing the red medical shirt nor and I was holding by headset up in the air and the guys were probably blitzed out of their mind to really care.
In the middle of it all, hot ass leaned into me and said, "God, I love you."
At this point, I should have asked for a kiss on the cheek for him to prove his love, but I was just so tired I wanted to be out of the crowd and in my own little world of Bar #2 where I guzzled three Red Bulls before we started on cleaning the place up.
When Janet Jackson left, she was sitting on the window facing the crowd rather than the river so we had a nice clear view of her. She smiled and blew us a kiss and then of course the jokes began about how she was just so overcome by meeting (as the New York Post put it and left me laughing my ass off...) the "famous" Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club. ("Famous?" was my immediate reaction to seeing that blurb...)
I have no idea how much we brought in through tips, but I can say that my feet REALLY hurt today...but I did look smashing in my Utilikilt...
Oh and for the third year, I did a "boob count" on the march although this year I had to allocate that task to someone else as I was working the dance and couldn't march. The number of pairs of exposed women's boobs along the parade route as witnessed by Jorge was six this year. This is a 50% increase of the 4 sets seen last year and miles above the lone pair I saw during my first march...
Boobs...gotta love 'em...
The rugby team worked the Pier Dance (aka Dance 18) this weekend manning the only bar on the entire pier that was not selling alcohol. Of course this meant that everyone who came to us looking for beer or mixed drinks had to go elsewhere which meant lost revenue and tips for us...but we did fine...
Janet Jackson was the "surprise" guest (although I don't know how much of a surprise it could have been since pretty much everyone knew she was going to be there) and I had my own little diva moment of my own that was Janet related...and yes, it does involve today's quote...
I had to go to the bathroom and, working the dance, there were two areas set aside for workers to go when...well...when they had to go. I went to the one nearest our booth. They directed me all the way down to the other end of the pier where this nice woman pointed me in the direction of the facilities. Then she wouldn't let me back down the path to our bar. I was to be held in this one position for 20 minutes and wouldn't be allowed to move until Janet was on stage, had sung, and then left.
I said fuck that and decided to take my chances on making my way through the crowd.
Bad idea.
Having never been to the pier dance before (and by that I mean the actual on the pier portion, not working coat check like we did last year) I didn't realize how wall-to-wall flesh it was out there and how hard it would be to get through. This total cute hot-ass guy was in front of me politely trying to get through and I was following him. Some how I managed to get in front of him and we stalled out and couldn't get through anymore.
I turned to him and said, "You're feeling sick right now aren't you?"
His response, "Huh?"
"Just follow me." With that I turned to the crowd and began my chant of how we were taking someone to the medical tent and we needed to get through the crowd. Sure enough, the crowds parted because, DEAR LORD(!), someone might have been in a k-hole and needed immediate attention. Granted, I wasn't wearing the red medical shirt nor and I was holding by headset up in the air and the guys were probably blitzed out of their mind to really care.
In the middle of it all, hot ass leaned into me and said, "God, I love you."
At this point, I should have asked for a kiss on the cheek for him to prove his love, but I was just so tired I wanted to be out of the crowd and in my own little world of Bar #2 where I guzzled three Red Bulls before we started on cleaning the place up.
When Janet Jackson left, she was sitting on the window facing the crowd rather than the river so we had a nice clear view of her. She smiled and blew us a kiss and then of course the jokes began about how she was just so overcome by meeting (as the New York Post put it and left me laughing my ass off...) the "famous" Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club. ("Famous?" was my immediate reaction to seeing that blurb...)
I have no idea how much we brought in through tips, but I can say that my feet REALLY hurt today...but I did look smashing in my Utilikilt...
Oh and for the third year, I did a "boob count" on the march although this year I had to allocate that task to someone else as I was working the dance and couldn't march. The number of pairs of exposed women's boobs along the parade route as witnessed by Jorge was six this year. This is a 50% increase of the 4 sets seen last year and miles above the lone pair I saw during my first march...
Boobs...gotta love 'em...
Quote of the Day
Excuse me. We're taking someone to the medical tent. Please let us through. -- How I lied my way through a pack of shirtless men wedged in tighter than the proverbial can of sardines at this year's Pier Dance to get back to the bar the team was manning....
Friday, June 25, 2004
Brooklyn, ho!
So...I'm moving at the end of the month to Brooklyn. Not to Jersey City as was the original plan but Brooklyn (Greenpoint to be specific). I will not go into the details of why this change was made as, frankly, it's too much of a headache for me to put into words but let's just say there was a major shift in opinion and thought that threw everything into peril and well...now I'm in Brooklyn.
First thing to note...my neighborhood is primarily Polish. With lots and lots of cute Polish guys walking around. Who knew the Poles were that hot? And let's not even get into talking about their sausage okay...the room in the apartment is a nice size and I will have to be a little creative in my furniture placement but that shouldn't be a problem. The couple I'm sharing with are pretty cool and apparently the entire building is full of people in their 20s and 30s. They throw occasional garden and roof parties (Fourth of July anyone?) and are pretty laid back. We hit it off pretty well...The rent is PERFECT and should I play my cards right I can start socking enough away get me to Europe in the coming years...
When I think about my personal migration since I moved here, it's kinda scary to think that I've gone from Fort Lee, NJ, to Astoria, Queens, to Washington Heights, to Hells Kitchen, and now out to Brooklyn. That's hitting three of the five boroughs and an entire other state. I guess this is the way of the city...people moving about trying to find their place not only in the city but the world at large as well.
It's sort of how I've been leading my life for the past few years. A year or so in New Jersey only ot spend about 2 in Queens and so forth...it's not that I've been unhappy where I'm at in life personally of physically but it's just that opportunities have come my way (or been thrown in my way like last year's fire) that have forced me to alter my way of thinking. These personal challenges really test my personal fortitude and how much I can depend on myself, my skills, and my resources to pull through in a crunch.
48 hours ago, I learned I might not have a place to move after all. 24 hour later, I had a new place to go. It's like that old line from The Sound of Music, whenever God closes a door sometimes he opens a window. Granted, I'm not the most religious person in the world but sometimes you have to put your faith in trust in whatever higher authority you believe in and pray that it turns out for the best. Sometimes I believe that higher authority just knows that we're making the wrong decisions and wants to put us back on the right track.
Maybe that's what happened here. Maybe not. Either way....BROOKLYN, HO!
First thing to note...my neighborhood is primarily Polish. With lots and lots of cute Polish guys walking around. Who knew the Poles were that hot? And let's not even get into talking about their sausage okay...the room in the apartment is a nice size and I will have to be a little creative in my furniture placement but that shouldn't be a problem. The couple I'm sharing with are pretty cool and apparently the entire building is full of people in their 20s and 30s. They throw occasional garden and roof parties (Fourth of July anyone?) and are pretty laid back. We hit it off pretty well...The rent is PERFECT and should I play my cards right I can start socking enough away get me to Europe in the coming years...
When I think about my personal migration since I moved here, it's kinda scary to think that I've gone from Fort Lee, NJ, to Astoria, Queens, to Washington Heights, to Hells Kitchen, and now out to Brooklyn. That's hitting three of the five boroughs and an entire other state. I guess this is the way of the city...people moving about trying to find their place not only in the city but the world at large as well.
It's sort of how I've been leading my life for the past few years. A year or so in New Jersey only ot spend about 2 in Queens and so forth...it's not that I've been unhappy where I'm at in life personally of physically but it's just that opportunities have come my way (or been thrown in my way like last year's fire) that have forced me to alter my way of thinking. These personal challenges really test my personal fortitude and how much I can depend on myself, my skills, and my resources to pull through in a crunch.
48 hours ago, I learned I might not have a place to move after all. 24 hour later, I had a new place to go. It's like that old line from The Sound of Music, whenever God closes a door sometimes he opens a window. Granted, I'm not the most religious person in the world but sometimes you have to put your faith in trust in whatever higher authority you believe in and pray that it turns out for the best. Sometimes I believe that higher authority just knows that we're making the wrong decisions and wants to put us back on the right track.
Maybe that's what happened here. Maybe not. Either way....BROOKLYN, HO!
Quote of the Day
This is an impressive crowd. The haves and the have-mores. Some people
call you the elite. I call you my base. -- George Bush, thinking he was telling a joke when he was really telling the truth.
call you the elite. I call you my base. -- George Bush, thinking he was telling a joke when he was really telling the truth.
Quote of the Day
This is an impressive crowd. The haves and the have-mores. Some people
call you the elite. I call you my base. -- George Bush, thinking he was telling a joke when he was really telling the truth.
call you the elite. I call you my base. -- George Bush, thinking he was telling a joke when he was really telling the truth.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Quote of the Day
The secret footage of straight men having their first gay experience. Yeah right. Considering that all of the men have already been seen having "gay sex" on other websites they are really straight. -- My friend Anthony last night over dinner when the conversation turned to the musical Avenue Q and the song "The Internet is for Porn" when the conversation then turned to...well...internet porn.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Oh and while I'm at it...
Don't you just hate it when people leave anonymous comments on other people's blogs because they are just chicken to put their real name to how they really feel and it somehow makes them feel all big and powerful when it's really a sign of weakness that they won't take credit for what they've said.
Then again it's those same people who don't realize that sometimes by just visiting a site we can get your IP address and, oh, I dunno, say track you down to Lockheed Martin where you work...not that we would do that or even need to do that....but it could be done...
It's just annoying.
Then again it's those same people who don't realize that sometimes by just visiting a site we can get your IP address and, oh, I dunno, say track you down to Lockheed Martin where you work...not that we would do that or even need to do that....but it could be done...
It's just annoying.
(Overheard) Quote of the Day
The others are all looking serious and intimidating. But this one looks like he's trying to be Superman. -- A coworker in the elevator commenting on the team's cover picture on this week's Village Voice
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Quote of the Day...an oldie but a goodie....
Eh....fuck you, too. -- Yours truly to the psychotic bag lady on my walk to work
Monday, June 21, 2004
Ugh...
Bad day. Don't want to talk about it. Can someone just do a one day erase of this day from my memory banks....
Quote of the Day
I call on all nations to stop terrorists now...now watch this drive. -- President George W. Bush as seen in Roger Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 taken from a press conference the president conducted on a golf course just a few days after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
They are at it again...
I had to call the cops on the woman upstairs again.
She had been yelling, screaming, and ranting since at least 9:00 tonight if not earlier telling her husband to come home and get all of his things, how she was going to get a restraining order against him, she was going to call the cops. On and on and on.
And not just one phone call. Several.
From what I can gather from the screams is that she does not get along with his family. She's been called a whore and worse by his father (and maybe him too) and he may or may not already be with another woman. I did hear her scream something him being a married man which also made me wonder if she was the "other woman" in the situation.
Finally, the guy came home and she was a banshee in heat with her volume and intensity to the point where 1) I was sick of it because she wasn't being quiet and in doing so was pretty much making it miserable for everyone else in the floor below and above her and 2) I felt like I needed to bring the cops back in or it would just keep going for another few hours and I wasn't going to take it anymore. So I called the cops on her.
Again.
I know I did the right thing in case it turned physical (which at one point I thought it had) but part of me kinda feels selfish about interfering in this woman's life because the only thing that she was really impacting was my ability to sleep (well maybe not just my ability to sleep but you get the idea). I don't know her, I don't know her situation or anything, I don't even know what she looks like. But I know she can scream. AND LOUD!
The police arrived and knocked on her door and the first thing she commented on was how the neighbors were sticking their noses in once again. Apparently she didn't care about the fact that she was also keeping us awake and airing her dirty laundry all at the same time. What I did hear prior to the officers entering her apartment and shutting the door was that she was in fact divorcing the man who was yelling back at her that HE was leaving HER (and not the other way around) and that he wasn't giving her alimony or support or anything. I did hear one officer remark that alimony was only awarded when the divorce was finalized and that her husband wasn't obligated to give her anything...I'm not exactly sure how accurate that last statement was but oh well that's what was said...she didn't take it that well either...
Anyway, I dunno if the police have left or not but part of me is really tempted to go up to this apartment in the middle of the night and tape a note to her door that says, "Next time you decide to scream for three hours, think about your neighbors and everything that they hear. Then decide if you really want to do it."
But knowing me I'll chicken out thinking that she'll open the door right as I'm putting the sign up.....
She had been yelling, screaming, and ranting since at least 9:00 tonight if not earlier telling her husband to come home and get all of his things, how she was going to get a restraining order against him, she was going to call the cops. On and on and on.
And not just one phone call. Several.
From what I can gather from the screams is that she does not get along with his family. She's been called a whore and worse by his father (and maybe him too) and he may or may not already be with another woman. I did hear her scream something him being a married man which also made me wonder if she was the "other woman" in the situation.
Finally, the guy came home and she was a banshee in heat with her volume and intensity to the point where 1) I was sick of it because she wasn't being quiet and in doing so was pretty much making it miserable for everyone else in the floor below and above her and 2) I felt like I needed to bring the cops back in or it would just keep going for another few hours and I wasn't going to take it anymore. So I called the cops on her.
Again.
I know I did the right thing in case it turned physical (which at one point I thought it had) but part of me kinda feels selfish about interfering in this woman's life because the only thing that she was really impacting was my ability to sleep (well maybe not just my ability to sleep but you get the idea). I don't know her, I don't know her situation or anything, I don't even know what she looks like. But I know she can scream. AND LOUD!
The police arrived and knocked on her door and the first thing she commented on was how the neighbors were sticking their noses in once again. Apparently she didn't care about the fact that she was also keeping us awake and airing her dirty laundry all at the same time. What I did hear prior to the officers entering her apartment and shutting the door was that she was in fact divorcing the man who was yelling back at her that HE was leaving HER (and not the other way around) and that he wasn't giving her alimony or support or anything. I did hear one officer remark that alimony was only awarded when the divorce was finalized and that her husband wasn't obligated to give her anything...I'm not exactly sure how accurate that last statement was but oh well that's what was said...she didn't take it that well either...
Anyway, I dunno if the police have left or not but part of me is really tempted to go up to this apartment in the middle of the night and tape a note to her door that says, "Next time you decide to scream for three hours, think about your neighbors and everything that they hear. Then decide if you really want to do it."
But knowing me I'll chicken out thinking that she'll open the door right as I'm putting the sign up.....
Friday, June 18, 2004
Where were you...
Taken from Crash from got it from someone who got it from someone....
1. Where were you when you heard that Ronald Reagan died?
At home. I actually read it on CNN.com before I actually "heard" it. I was sleeping most of that dat.
2. Where were you on September 11, 2001?
At work. My boss' fiance called her to tell her about it and we went down to the trading floor to watch it on the TV screens down there. As I lived in Queens at the time, I had no way of getting back short of walking all the way to Astoria so I bunked at the boss' apartment that night. I just remember the sick feeling of having absolutely no control over anything and feeling so helpless.
3. Where were you when you heard that Princess Diana died?
At my parents' house. I was house sitting for them and I was having problems sleeping since I was also sick at the time. I was curled up on the couch watching Saturday Night Live when the news report came in. I stayed up all night long watching the news reports.
4. Do you remember where you were when you heard Kurt Cobain had died?
Not a clue.
5. Take one for The Gipper: What’s your favorite flavor of jelly bean?
Sour Apple.
6. Where were you when Magic Johnson announced he was retiring from the NBA due to AIDS?
Since I don't want to answer this one the same way as #4, I'll make up an answer and say I was having sex at the time.
7. Where were you when Reagan was shot?
Definitely in school. First grade in Dallas, Texas. Silver Springs Elementary, I believe.
8.Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
At home from school. I remember being pissed that they interrupted The Price is Right to show the news story of it. And then they showed the explosion over and over and over all day long. I got annoyed very fast. We were stuck inside because of the snow in North Carolina and well...there was nothing else on TV to watch.
9. Where were you when the 0J verdict was announced?
At work. Lots of people brought in TVs to watch the verdict live. I was at my friend Kathy's desk watching the verdict with her and about ten other employees. Only one person was happy with how it came out. The rest of us were in total shock.
1. Where were you when you heard that Ronald Reagan died?
At home. I actually read it on CNN.com before I actually "heard" it. I was sleeping most of that dat.
2. Where were you on September 11, 2001?
At work. My boss' fiance called her to tell her about it and we went down to the trading floor to watch it on the TV screens down there. As I lived in Queens at the time, I had no way of getting back short of walking all the way to Astoria so I bunked at the boss' apartment that night. I just remember the sick feeling of having absolutely no control over anything and feeling so helpless.
3. Where were you when you heard that Princess Diana died?
At my parents' house. I was house sitting for them and I was having problems sleeping since I was also sick at the time. I was curled up on the couch watching Saturday Night Live when the news report came in. I stayed up all night long watching the news reports.
4. Do you remember where you were when you heard Kurt Cobain had died?
Not a clue.
5. Take one for The Gipper: What’s your favorite flavor of jelly bean?
Sour Apple.
6. Where were you when Magic Johnson announced he was retiring from the NBA due to AIDS?
Since I don't want to answer this one the same way as #4, I'll make up an answer and say I was having sex at the time.
7. Where were you when Reagan was shot?
Definitely in school. First grade in Dallas, Texas. Silver Springs Elementary, I believe.
8.Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
At home from school. I remember being pissed that they interrupted The Price is Right to show the news story of it. And then they showed the explosion over and over and over all day long. I got annoyed very fast. We were stuck inside because of the snow in North Carolina and well...there was nothing else on TV to watch.
9. Where were you when the 0J verdict was announced?
At work. Lots of people brought in TVs to watch the verdict live. I was at my friend Kathy's desk watching the verdict with her and about ten other employees. Only one person was happy with how it came out. The rest of us were in total shock.
Quote of the Day
Shame is an improper emotion invented by pietists to oppress the human race. -- Robert Preston as Toddy in Victor/Victoria
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Burning the Candle at Both Ends (...and in the middle too!!!)
I must cut back.
I'm doing too much.
Must not get overwhelmed.
Must decide what projects are most important.
Must maintain whatever shred of sanity I currently am holding onto for dear life.
I'm doing too much.
Must not get overwhelmed.
Must decide what projects are most important.
Must maintain whatever shred of sanity I currently am holding onto for dear life.
(Belated) Quote of the Day
Do not hate what you do not know; for the greater part of knowledge consists of what you do not know. -- Unknown
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
I am such a cunt.
Yes...I used the "C" word and in this case it is very applicable.
I have my own management style that has worked well for me over the years. I manage with a firm grip. In that grip is a set of rope. Each rope is tethered to one of the underlings to whom I have delegated tasks. The theory is they have enough rope to do their job, do it well, and do it thoroughly. They are empowered to get their job done and when I need to whack the rope (or reins so to speak) to keep them on their task then I do it.
That rope, however, is also long enough to hang someone should they not do their work or accept the full responsibility for their action, or in this case, in action.
I totally bitched someone out today because they did not advise me of where they dropped the ball in a project. They have had over two weeks to let me know that they dropped the ball and, instead, I found out through a third party (and a fourth one at that) and never from this person.
Today I let them know that I knew they had dropped the ball. Their response, "Oh geez. I thought you already knew that."
My immediate response was (at least internally), "HOW THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT IT WHEN YOU NEVER TOLD ME! IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER PEOPLE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN." I wrote out a very harsh email pretty much saying that it wasn't anyone else's responsibility to tell me that he dropped the ball when he should have been the first person to tell me and he never did. Not when it happened nor anytime afterwards. If the other people hadn't let me know what happened then it would have vanished into the ether and I would have been none the wiser.
In my email, I included my rope analogy above. I closed out that paragraph by saying, "What do you think is at the end of your rope right now?" I did admit in my email that I was rather harsh but that was entirely due to the fact that 1) I was highly disappointed (which I did say was an understatement as to how I really felt) and 2) it was still along the lines of the pattern of action (or inaction) that I had felt for some time.
What really sucks out of all of this...I really didn't want to have to do it -- at least not in those terms. I would have much rather sat down, had a good, quality discussion over the issues and make it clear that it can never happen like this again. What got my wrath raging was the "Oh geez, I thought you knew" line. Even after I sent it and had satisified my bloodlust, I pretty much felt horrible about having to talk to someone that way. In an essence, I felt like a total cunt.
There are times in life when you have to take these hard stances and deal with the problem head on rather than waiting and letting things fester internally. It's never a pretty job and like I said, you get that temporary rush of adrenaline and relief from being able to express how you feel in terms of how you actually feel -- without having to mince words. Afterwards, you kinda feel like shit because you know the person that you're addressing this to now also feels like shit because you're calling them on...well on their shit...or at least the shit that should have been done.
And now I'm going to spend the rest of the day wondering how I could have handled this better...
I have my own management style that has worked well for me over the years. I manage with a firm grip. In that grip is a set of rope. Each rope is tethered to one of the underlings to whom I have delegated tasks. The theory is they have enough rope to do their job, do it well, and do it thoroughly. They are empowered to get their job done and when I need to whack the rope (or reins so to speak) to keep them on their task then I do it.
That rope, however, is also long enough to hang someone should they not do their work or accept the full responsibility for their action, or in this case, in action.
I totally bitched someone out today because they did not advise me of where they dropped the ball in a project. They have had over two weeks to let me know that they dropped the ball and, instead, I found out through a third party (and a fourth one at that) and never from this person.
Today I let them know that I knew they had dropped the ball. Their response, "Oh geez. I thought you already knew that."
My immediate response was (at least internally), "HOW THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT IT WHEN YOU NEVER TOLD ME! IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER PEOPLE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN." I wrote out a very harsh email pretty much saying that it wasn't anyone else's responsibility to tell me that he dropped the ball when he should have been the first person to tell me and he never did. Not when it happened nor anytime afterwards. If the other people hadn't let me know what happened then it would have vanished into the ether and I would have been none the wiser.
In my email, I included my rope analogy above. I closed out that paragraph by saying, "What do you think is at the end of your rope right now?" I did admit in my email that I was rather harsh but that was entirely due to the fact that 1) I was highly disappointed (which I did say was an understatement as to how I really felt) and 2) it was still along the lines of the pattern of action (or inaction) that I had felt for some time.
What really sucks out of all of this...I really didn't want to have to do it -- at least not in those terms. I would have much rather sat down, had a good, quality discussion over the issues and make it clear that it can never happen like this again. What got my wrath raging was the "Oh geez, I thought you knew" line. Even after I sent it and had satisified my bloodlust, I pretty much felt horrible about having to talk to someone that way. In an essence, I felt like a total cunt.
There are times in life when you have to take these hard stances and deal with the problem head on rather than waiting and letting things fester internally. It's never a pretty job and like I said, you get that temporary rush of adrenaline and relief from being able to express how you feel in terms of how you actually feel -- without having to mince words. Afterwards, you kinda feel like shit because you know the person that you're addressing this to now also feels like shit because you're calling them on...well on their shit...or at least the shit that should have been done.
And now I'm going to spend the rest of the day wondering how I could have handled this better...
Quote of the Day
Pick on someone your own age, jerk. -- Headline from San Diego Union Tribune in regards to a rather eager, if not outright rude, adult fan depriving a four year old kid of a foul ball hit at a Texas Rangers game and refusing to give it to the kid after the entire stadium chanted en masse "Give him the ball!" and STILL refusing to do so. The kid was showered with balls, bat, jerseys, and tickets from both teams while the bully left before he could claim his "Tough Guy" and "Ball Stealer" shirts signed by Cardinals reliever Steve Kline.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Quote of the Day
Life is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for. Unreturnable because all you get back is another box of chocolates. So your stuck with this indefinable whipped mint crap that you mindlessly wolf down when there's nothing else left to eat. Sure, once in a while there's a Peanut Butter Cup or an English Toffee. But they're gone too fast and the taste is... fleeting. So you end up with nothing but broken bits filled with hardened jelly and teeth-shattering nuts. And if you're desperate enough to eat those, all you got left is an empty box... filled with useless brown paper wrappers. -- Cigarette Smoking Man from The X Files
Monday, June 14, 2004
To make matters worse...
...the psycho co-worker is wearing shoes that sound like flip flops when she walks.
And it's not that they make a quiet noise when they walk. It's loud.
Very loud.
And annoying.
And it makes you want to cut off her feet and beat her over the head with them until she's knocked unconscious.
And it's not that they make a quiet noise when they walk. It's loud.
Very loud.
And annoying.
And it makes you want to cut off her feet and beat her over the head with them until she's knocked unconscious.
Shoot Them All. NOW!
Ever have one of those days when you just really want to take someone and strangle them until their eyes pop out and you can play marbles with them.
I'm having that now.
It's not pretty.
God, I wish I still drank heavily.
I'm having that now.
It's not pretty.
God, I wish I still drank heavily.
Quote of the Day
You tell them your mother said to quit egging you on. -- My mother to yours truly...
Friday, June 11, 2004
Conversation of the Day
Yours truly: It's like someone once said, "This is like putting cinnamon in a ham salad. It's just wrong."
Co-worker: Who said that?
Yours truly: I have no clue.
Co-worker: Who said that?
Yours truly: I have no clue.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Now I'm Sad...
Ray Charles died...
I guess my fondest memory of him is (of course after appearing in the opening credits of Designing Women singing "Georgia on My Mind") is when he appeared on the Oscars singing a medley of Oscar winning tunes and looked like he was having the time of his life...
No one can replace that man...sigh...
I guess my fondest memory of him is (of course after appearing in the opening credits of Designing Women singing "Georgia on My Mind") is when he appeared on the Oscars singing a medley of Oscar winning tunes and looked like he was having the time of his life...
No one can replace that man...sigh...
Rugby Rocks!
Yep...those are the boys of the Gotham Knights, my rugby team, featured in an Out Magazine photo spread.
Before you ask which one I am...I'm not in any of the photos and I may have been invited to a photo shoot but due to my webmail server screwing up during that time frame, I could have missed out on it entirely. Actually, it's not a bad thing that I'm not in there because based on who I have been told is in the issue, I would have been left on the cutting room floor anyway so it's not a big deal...besides, my agent would NEVER let me do it without getting his cut...
Before you ask which one I am...I'm not in any of the photos and I may have been invited to a photo shoot but due to my webmail server screwing up during that time frame, I could have missed out on it entirely. Actually, it's not a bad thing that I'm not in there because based on who I have been told is in the issue, I would have been left on the cutting room floor anyway so it's not a big deal...besides, my agent would NEVER let me do it without getting his cut...
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Reagan and Me
I'm conflicted over this whole Reagan thing. For all of the work he failed to do in regards to rise of AIDS in the early 1980's (that had it been done, who knows how many people could still be here) and how much I hate him for that, part of me goes out to him as a person for his bout with Alzheimers and how he gradually lost all of his memories to the point where he didn't even recognize Nancy anymore. It had to be scary and not only for him but for his family as well.
Today, I learned that since some banking markets would be closed on Friday for the Reagan funeral and, therefore, some banks would be closed as well.
Not us. We will be here. Part of me is sad not to have a day off to take of things I need to at home. But part of me is glad that I won't have to take off a day from work to recognize a president that everyone is currently deifying without recognizing the flaws in his administration and presidency. Death to communism -- a good thing. Death to millions of Americans due to ignorance -- a bad thing.
Today, I learned that since some banking markets would be closed on Friday for the Reagan funeral and, therefore, some banks would be closed as well.
Not us. We will be here. Part of me is sad not to have a day off to take of things I need to at home. But part of me is glad that I won't have to take off a day from work to recognize a president that everyone is currently deifying without recognizing the flaws in his administration and presidency. Death to communism -- a good thing. Death to millions of Americans due to ignorance -- a bad thing.
Quote of the Day
The thing I find most attractive in people is their flaws. I like the mystery. -- Nicole Kidman
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
"Now it's your turn to be Mary Ann Singleton..."
After learning I was working with Laura Linney, I debated whether or not I would tell her my story of me, Tales of the City (the book, not this blog), and how it holds an important place in my life. I went through rehearsals not telling her anything and pretty much just being in the background. The fact that her publicist was there as well also meant that I didn't get much personal time with her.
Sunday came and she was also accompanied by a nice gentleman. Her publicist's assistant left her on the red carpet in my more than capable hands and I still debated whether or not to say anything. I kept my cool and my distance. I only went down to see her every other commercial break, took her and her friend to the bathroom backstage, gave her some water. I was the cordial talent escort that I always am for the entire evening. Even backstage as she was prepping herself and going over her script I just stood there and held her purse full of make up. I was about to offer her some water when she put on the first coat of her lipstick or lip gloss or something. It made her look stunning.
The only hiccup came when she went off the wrong side of the stage and wound up on the opposite side away from me. I ran around the back of the stage behind the black curtain (or cyclorama as it is called in theatre parlance) and found her taking pictures with the producers of Henry IV holding the prop Tony Award. I took her back around under the stage and to her seat. She opted not to go back to the gift room as they take pictures of the people receiving their gifts and then use them as publicity for their company. Personally I find it a little tacky and so did she so it was back to her seat at the next commercial break.
But still no story.
At the end of the show, she opted to take the car home rather than go to the party but she was convinced by a friend she met to go to the party for a little while and I took her down the street passing Frank Langella along the way trying to work his cell phone.
Then I decided to tell her (and now you) my story...
When I first moved to NYC, a friend gave me a box with a card taped to it and said that I wasn't allowed to open it until I got to NYC and moved into my apartment. The box was rather heavy so I had no idea what was inside and kinda thought it was some objet d'arte (or however you spell it) for the new apartment.
After I moved in and a day after I was kinda settled, I opened up the card and all it said inside wasm "Now it's your turn to be Mary Ann Singleton." Inside were the two omnibus editions of Armisted Maupin's Tales of the City. I sat down that night and read them both from cover to cover. It flooded me with hope for the new opportunities ahead of me just like Mary Ann Singleton faced when she decided it was time to leave Cleveland, branch out on her own, and move to San Francisco.
The possibilities are still endless.
And I'm still Mary Ann Singleton.
Sunday came and she was also accompanied by a nice gentleman. Her publicist's assistant left her on the red carpet in my more than capable hands and I still debated whether or not to say anything. I kept my cool and my distance. I only went down to see her every other commercial break, took her and her friend to the bathroom backstage, gave her some water. I was the cordial talent escort that I always am for the entire evening. Even backstage as she was prepping herself and going over her script I just stood there and held her purse full of make up. I was about to offer her some water when she put on the first coat of her lipstick or lip gloss or something. It made her look stunning.
The only hiccup came when she went off the wrong side of the stage and wound up on the opposite side away from me. I ran around the back of the stage behind the black curtain (or cyclorama as it is called in theatre parlance) and found her taking pictures with the producers of Henry IV holding the prop Tony Award. I took her back around under the stage and to her seat. She opted not to go back to the gift room as they take pictures of the people receiving their gifts and then use them as publicity for their company. Personally I find it a little tacky and so did she so it was back to her seat at the next commercial break.
But still no story.
At the end of the show, she opted to take the car home rather than go to the party but she was convinced by a friend she met to go to the party for a little while and I took her down the street passing Frank Langella along the way trying to work his cell phone.
Then I decided to tell her (and now you) my story...
When I first moved to NYC, a friend gave me a box with a card taped to it and said that I wasn't allowed to open it until I got to NYC and moved into my apartment. The box was rather heavy so I had no idea what was inside and kinda thought it was some objet d'arte (or however you spell it) for the new apartment.
After I moved in and a day after I was kinda settled, I opened up the card and all it said inside wasm "Now it's your turn to be Mary Ann Singleton." Inside were the two omnibus editions of Armisted Maupin's Tales of the City. I sat down that night and read them both from cover to cover. It flooded me with hope for the new opportunities ahead of me just like Mary Ann Singleton faced when she decided it was time to leave Cleveland, branch out on her own, and move to San Francisco.
The possibilities are still endless.
And I'm still Mary Ann Singleton.
Quote of the Day
Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amidst joy. -- Felicia Hemans
Monday, June 07, 2004
Something not Tony related...
I got home last night from the Tony gala ball around 1am and as I was putting my key in the lock I heard this screaming coming from upstairs. The woman was clearly screaming to a male that she wanted him out of the apartment to leave now before she called the police. There was clearly some shoving or something going on because I could hear things hitting the walls.
Well that got my attention. I might have been tired but that had me awake. I stood there not really knowing what to do so I listened for a bit more and it died down a bit, would swell up again, go back down. Ultimately after it died down for a good period I went into my apartment. Then it started all over again and went on for about twenty minutes. Finally, I just called the cops myself. I tracked down which apartment it was in to make sure I was reporting the right one and then went back to reading email. The noise, I did note, had disappeared about two minutes after I called.
Five minutes after I called (if that long), my phone rang again and the police were asking me to come down and take them to the apartment in question. They asked me a few things like if I heard anything like this before, what exactly I heard, etc. My answer to that was that I am normally asleep at 1am and was just getting home from a party when I heard it all. I took them up in the elevator to the apartment and pointed them in the right direction. There were four cops in this small vestibule so I went down the main hall while they knocked on the door. The only female cop said I could go back to my apartment and I told her which one I was in should they need me.
As I was heading downstairs, this is what I heard...
Apartment Woman: Yes?
Male Officer: Police.
Apartment Woman: Yes?
Male Officer: We had a report of a disturbance.
Apartment Woman: It was just me and my boyfriend. We were just arguing really loud. We do that often.
Male Officer: Well we've had a few complaints about it so we're just checking it out. Can we come in and make sure no one is dead?
At this point, I went into my apartment because I figured I had done the right thing considering all of the yelling and shrieking and screaming. Then I got pissed that these people apparently argue "really loud" like that on a regular basis and don't have any consideration for their neighbors who can hear it all. And, to top it all off, they were upset that someone called the police out of concern for their well being.
I swear...you can't do anything nice anymore.
Then again, maybe I just wanted to sleep in peace.
Well that got my attention. I might have been tired but that had me awake. I stood there not really knowing what to do so I listened for a bit more and it died down a bit, would swell up again, go back down. Ultimately after it died down for a good period I went into my apartment. Then it started all over again and went on for about twenty minutes. Finally, I just called the cops myself. I tracked down which apartment it was in to make sure I was reporting the right one and then went back to reading email. The noise, I did note, had disappeared about two minutes after I called.
Five minutes after I called (if that long), my phone rang again and the police were asking me to come down and take them to the apartment in question. They asked me a few things like if I heard anything like this before, what exactly I heard, etc. My answer to that was that I am normally asleep at 1am and was just getting home from a party when I heard it all. I took them up in the elevator to the apartment and pointed them in the right direction. There were four cops in this small vestibule so I went down the main hall while they knocked on the door. The only female cop said I could go back to my apartment and I told her which one I was in should they need me.
As I was heading downstairs, this is what I heard...
Apartment Woman: Yes?
Male Officer: Police.
Apartment Woman: Yes?
Male Officer: We had a report of a disturbance.
Apartment Woman: It was just me and my boyfriend. We were just arguing really loud. We do that often.
Male Officer: Well we've had a few complaints about it so we're just checking it out. Can we come in and make sure no one is dead?
At this point, I went into my apartment because I figured I had done the right thing considering all of the yelling and shrieking and screaming. Then I got pissed that these people apparently argue "really loud" like that on a regular basis and don't have any consideration for their neighbors who can hear it all. And, to top it all off, they were upset that someone called the police out of concern for their well being.
I swear...you can't do anything nice anymore.
Then again, maybe I just wanted to sleep in peace.
Quotes of the Day
From last night's Tony Awards:
It certainly doesn't suck to be us tonight. -- Robyn Goodman, producer of Best Musical winner Avenue Q
It takes effort and grace ... And in my life that grace has taken numerous forms. The first was the family into which I was born, parents who loved and wanted me, and a mother who fought fearlessly, courageously, consistently so that her children above all else could realize their full potential as human beings. -- Phylicia Rashad
Peter, it's an honor to play you and I dedicate this Tony to you. -- Hugh Jackman referring to Peter Allen whom he plays in The Boy from Oz.
When we started writing Avenue Q, Jeff was an intern and I was a temp. Our lives kinda sucked so we came up with an idea for a show about people like us whose lives all kinda suck. -- Tony winner for Best Original Score Robert Lopez.
This just in — Carol Channing has just been arrested for a drive-by. -- Tony host Hugh Jackman following Carol Channing rapping on stage with LL Cool J.
It certainly doesn't suck to be us tonight. -- Robyn Goodman, producer of Best Musical winner Avenue Q
It takes effort and grace ... And in my life that grace has taken numerous forms. The first was the family into which I was born, parents who loved and wanted me, and a mother who fought fearlessly, courageously, consistently so that her children above all else could realize their full potential as human beings. -- Phylicia Rashad
Peter, it's an honor to play you and I dedicate this Tony to you. -- Hugh Jackman referring to Peter Allen whom he plays in The Boy from Oz.
When we started writing Avenue Q, Jeff was an intern and I was a temp. Our lives kinda sucked so we came up with an idea for a show about people like us whose lives all kinda suck. -- Tony winner for Best Original Score Robert Lopez.
This just in — Carol Channing has just been arrested for a drive-by. -- Tony host Hugh Jackman following Carol Channing rapping on stage with LL Cool J.
Friday, June 04, 2004
New writing
So I've decided to delve back into serious writing again...I know after writing A (646) Guy in a (212) World, the thought of anyone taking anything I wrote seriously (in a fiction sense at least) was slim to fucking none.
Anyway, I decided to go back to a story that I had started writing a while back and seeing if I can actually finish it this time. I'm redoing a large part of it since I never liked how it was to begin with so now I can go back and fix some things. It's a mystery...a little murder, a little love, a little bit of everything.
It's not going to be something that I write every day, so you can sign up for the Bloglet email edition to get notified when new "episodes" arrive.
Enjoy my newest effort...The Murder Game and I'd appreciate whatever feedback you could give.
Anyway, I decided to go back to a story that I had started writing a while back and seeing if I can actually finish it this time. I'm redoing a large part of it since I never liked how it was to begin with so now I can go back and fix some things. It's a mystery...a little murder, a little love, a little bit of everything.
It's not going to be something that I write every day, so you can sign up for the Bloglet email edition to get notified when new "episodes" arrive.
Enjoy my newest effort...The Murder Game and I'd appreciate whatever feedback you could give.
Quote of the Day
You have such bodacious ta-tas it's not even funny. -- Yours triuly to my friend Wendi last night.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
British Parlor Games
I have come to love British parlor games as of late. Sometimes they don't even have to be British as much as it's just a parlor game. The latest one I played really tested how well you knew the personal tastes in attractive...or at least people you found to be attractive. Each person had to take a piece of paper, tear it into five pieces, and on each piece write down the name of someone they thought was attractive for ANY reason -- physical, mental, spiritual, etc. They were all placed into a bowl and you went around the room pulling out a slip of paper and trying to match the name on the slip to the person who wrote it. What was interesting to note was which straight people would put down someone of the same gender on their list.
So below are some of the people mentioned that night...let's see if you can pick out which five are mine...
Chris Meloni
Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie
Halle Berry
Vin Diesel
Julia Roberts
Jessica Tandy
Jimmy Fallon
The Rock
Derek Jeter
Enrique Inglesias
Susan Sarandon
Russell Crowe
Paris Hilton
Scarlet Johansson
Javier Bardem
Johnny Depp
Sean Connery
Tom Cruise
Mike Piazza
Anderson Cooper
So below are some of the people mentioned that night...let's see if you can pick out which five are mine...
Chris Meloni
Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie
Halle Berry
Vin Diesel
Julia Roberts
Jessica Tandy
Jimmy Fallon
The Rock
Derek Jeter
Enrique Inglesias
Susan Sarandon
Russell Crowe
Paris Hilton
Scarlet Johansson
Javier Bardem
Johnny Depp
Sean Connery
Tom Cruise
Mike Piazza
Anderson Cooper
Quote of the Day
Everyone wants the last word. -- Tagline from the promotional trailer for the documentary Spellbound, in honor of the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee which concludes today.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Comments!
So...I think I got this Haloscan commenting system to work...although my titles are centering on every other entry...so I have to figure that out...so much to do...also I kinda want to move the commenting link over a little more but I gotta work on that too...for now..I'm happy though...
And for the record....
I am not Man Standing Next to Woman on the Corner Talking on Cell Phone from the previous post.
Although I was thinking the same thing he was...he just had the balls to say it first.
Although I was thinking the same thing he was...he just had the balls to say it first.
Conversation of the Day
Woman on the Corner Talking on Cell Phone: We need to get rid of these activist judges on the bench. First it was gay marriage, now this whole abortion thing. They just have to go.
Man Standing Next to Woman on the Corner Talking on Cell Phone: And replace them with your activist judges?
Man Standing Next to Woman on the Corner Talking on Cell Phone: And replace them with your activist judges?
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Patrick...dear Patrick...(oh and other things too)
Email me honey....it's just brian at 646guy.com...got the message...just no way to contact you....
Smooch...
As for the rugby team in London...well, the guys on the (A) squad made it to the quarter-finals of the Cup competition and and the (B) squad all the way to the finals of the Plate competition before losing in sudden death double overtime in the finals.
Of course I'm jealous as hell that I didn't get to go watch (let alone play) but that's just how it goes I guess...but ya know...everything works out the way it does for a reason and I'm just gonna have to suck it up and deal... :)
This weekend....did laundry. Cleaned up some. Prepping for the third apartment I will have lived in less than a year.
Fun times.
Oh yeah.
Smooch...
As for the rugby team in London...well, the guys on the (A) squad made it to the quarter-finals of the Cup competition and and the (B) squad all the way to the finals of the Plate competition before losing in sudden death double overtime in the finals.
Of course I'm jealous as hell that I didn't get to go watch (let alone play) but that's just how it goes I guess...but ya know...everything works out the way it does for a reason and I'm just gonna have to suck it up and deal... :)
This weekend....did laundry. Cleaned up some. Prepping for the third apartment I will have lived in less than a year.
Fun times.
Oh yeah.
Quote of the Day
Is the country being run by a bunch of preschoolers who can't process all those big words and will only sit still for a colorful picture book?
See Rummy spin. Spin, Rummy, spin. -- Arianna Huffington
See Rummy spin. Spin, Rummy, spin. -- Arianna Huffington
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