People get confused when I tell them about the vacation I just had. The reason they get confused is because of the way I had it planned.
It started with a road trip to visit a friend in Ohio, my father and another friend in Alabama. Then to end the vacation, I would head to Greensboro, NC to get on a train to head back south to Atlanta. That's what confuses people.
"Why do you have to go all the way up to North Carolina when all you needed to do was drive just 2 hours to Atlanta from Birmingham?"
"So you drove 1500 plus miles just to visit people for a few hours and then you came back and went back south?"
Then people's stories got mixed up about my trip...
"You took a train to Alabama then drove to Georgia and canoed to Ohio????"
Yeah, it was more than 1500 miles of driving. First stop was to Springfield, OH to visit a friend. Stayed there an extra night after some major drinking. And because of that, had to cancel visiting my father in Alabama and visit my friend down there instead, just so I could make it to Greensboro in time for the train.
On the way back from Alabama, I was hauling ass. The navigator on my phone had my route going through Atlanta to get to Greensboro. I refused to take that route since my train would follow that same route. So I headed through Knoxville, TN.
Because I was doing 85 to 90 and hardly had any traffic, I was making really good time. I was already 3 hours ahead of schedule by the time I reached the I-81/I-40 junction north of Knoxville. So I I-81 back home to Roanoke to clean myself of the road grime, eat something other than peanuts and slim jims, and to rest.
2 hours later I headed for Greensboro. Got to the Amtrak station at 10:30, met my friend Shaggy there and we loaded the train at midnight and took off.
Atlanta was the main event of my vacation. The Alabama-Virginia Tech game was the highlight of it. What a crazy atmosphere. Not only was the biggest game in college football for that weekend taking place, but also NASCAR races, Braves games, and some very weird Sci-Fi convention called "DragonCon". We encountered people dressed up as vampires, pirates, Ghostbuster characters, Trekies, etc.
One man on the train asked if we were going to DragonCon. We were like "huh?" That's when he explained what is was, said Leonard Nimoy and William Shattner were guest speakers. He thought we looked like the type. Fuck no, we were here to see Bama kick the shit out of Tech. We may be nerds in some ways, but not enough to attend an event called DragonCon.
The Bama game was awesome. The festivities that surrounded it was just as good. ESPN Game Day and a free concert by Collective Soul, the Alabama girls who looked better than the Tech girls, the tailgate parties, the crowd, the media, the parties, the girls, the music.... oh yeah, it was good.
Made it inside the Georgia Dome at 6pm. Our seats were good... lower level, row 35, right at the bottom walkway where we didn't have to walk over people to get out. A vendor was right behind us, so we could walk just a few steps to get food and beer.
We were nervous about being on the Tech side of the stadium. We searched for other Bama fans near us. There was one couple sitting a section over and down some rows. They were the closest. Then Shaggy looks over my left shoulder and shouts "Thank God! More Bama fans!" Sitting next to me was a couple wearing Bama gear. Found out from the girl that she is a friend of my sports anchor's wife and they got tickets from him, just as I did. And this chick's boyfriend or husband was the Alabama fan. We were relieved that we were not alone. The Hokies sitting below us didn't feel that way, especially in the 2nd half when the Tide's offense kicked in.
Final outcome for all those who don't know the score... Blacksburg is once again in mourning like they were after the shootings because they lost the opener.
Shaggy took notes the entire time we were in Atlanta to do a book about our hi-jinks. Lots of crazy stuff went on. "Elephant Shoes" will be out next year... maybe.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
On The Road
Yes! Vacation is finally here. Lots to do this week and I still haven't got much planned. Road trip for the first part with a trip to Ohio and then to Alabama. Then to Greensboro, NC to catch the train to Atlanta for the Bama-Virginia Tech game.
Three days in Atlanta and I still don't know what to do or how to get around. It's almost too late to figure it out now, so we may have to do things on a whim.
Many of my coworkers are envious that I'm going to this game. This is Virginia Tech country around here. Everywhere you go, VT, hokie bird, etc.... anything related to Tech is adorned on cars, homes, clothing. Makes me want to puke. Such an overrated team.
Roll Tide!
Three days in Atlanta and I still don't know what to do or how to get around. It's almost too late to figure it out now, so we may have to do things on a whim.
Many of my coworkers are envious that I'm going to this game. This is Virginia Tech country around here. Everywhere you go, VT, hokie bird, etc.... anything related to Tech is adorned on cars, homes, clothing. Makes me want to puke. Such an overrated team.
Roll Tide!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Count Down to Atlanta
Less than three weeks until the Alabama-Virginia Tech game in Atlanta. I got the game tickets yesterday and now the count down begins. Really good seats, except for it being on the VT sidelines. My friend and I may be the only ones on that side wearing Bama stuff, hoping we don't get the killed.
Lots of planning to do. Taking a train to Atlanta, getting there 8:30 am that Friday and leaving about 8 pm on Sunday night, so that's almost 3 full days. Need to figure out how to entertain ourselves during the free time.
Should be a good game... watch it, ABC, Sept 5, 8 pm EST. Roll Tide!
Lots of planning to do. Taking a train to Atlanta, getting there 8:30 am that Friday and leaving about 8 pm on Sunday night, so that's almost 3 full days. Need to figure out how to entertain ourselves during the free time.
Should be a good game... watch it, ABC, Sept 5, 8 pm EST. Roll Tide!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Saga Continues
Sometimes I wonder when my day will be, when will I leave the workplace?
It seems like it may be soon, especially if I'm not careful. You can't talk about things anymore. One example... working this morning with the director on a commercial, he said he had to talk to Gordon, the brother of the girl who recently got fired, about something he said and he didn't want anything to happen to him like what happened to his sister. I called Alex after work, upon her request, and heard the story. Her brother was telling the weatherman what happened to her, after he asked. What's wrong in telling someone the complete story?
Also, on my way out of work, I saw a bulletin about a sales/traffic associate "resigning to pursue personal interests." Found out from Alex that this person, who is good friends with her, got canned. She called Alex up early that afternoon crying because she got fired for misplacing something on her boss's computer.
The director I was working with today told me about a couple people in our department who were at risk of getting fired, because they don't do anything and have no desire to learn. Luckily I'm not that kind of person. I'll get fired just for not thinking about an action before I do it. But I am seriously thinking of looking for a new job.
Kids, do NOT work in television.... especially a station called WDBJ7. If we're the best in the region and the state, then fuck it, the others won't be any better.
It seems like it may be soon, especially if I'm not careful. You can't talk about things anymore. One example... working this morning with the director on a commercial, he said he had to talk to Gordon, the brother of the girl who recently got fired, about something he said and he didn't want anything to happen to him like what happened to his sister. I called Alex after work, upon her request, and heard the story. Her brother was telling the weatherman what happened to her, after he asked. What's wrong in telling someone the complete story?
Also, on my way out of work, I saw a bulletin about a sales/traffic associate "resigning to pursue personal interests." Found out from Alex that this person, who is good friends with her, got canned. She called Alex up early that afternoon crying because she got fired for misplacing something on her boss's computer.
The director I was working with today told me about a couple people in our department who were at risk of getting fired, because they don't do anything and have no desire to learn. Luckily I'm not that kind of person. I'll get fired just for not thinking about an action before I do it. But I am seriously thinking of looking for a new job.
Kids, do NOT work in television.... especially a station called WDBJ7. If we're the best in the region and the state, then fuck it, the others won't be any better.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bad Week
This has been a very stressful work week for me. First I hear about a coworker, Alex and me getting suspended. Then confessing to the bosses about it and going through a counseling session about how to be a good leader. During that talk I gave an example of a situation that happened a couple weekends ago and wondered how I should have handled it. Then I signed the paper work and took 7 hours (the rest of the day) off with no pay, along with six months probation.
Same thing for Alex. But she got two days suspension.
Back at work the next day, everything seemed good, like if nothing happened. The bosses are smiling at me, joking with me, saying hi. Seemed like a cult. Later on, I passed by the closed door of the boss and hear screams of "I'm sorry, it won't happen again!" come from Jan, a coworker who was the subject of the example I gave during my suspension meeting. A few minutes later one of the bosses comes to me and says they talked to Jan about being on the phone during newscasts and it won't happen again. I said "thank you".
Now this is Jan... a 50 something, single mother of two delinquent teenage girls, who is on antidepressants. She is the weakest link of our department, cannot do ANYTHING right. She always brings personal problems to work and therefore cannot do her job. And when you snap at her to pay attention, or correct her, she lets it linger in her head and it interferes with what she does in the present, therefore she screws up even more.
Well, even later in the day, I see Jan working on a graphic on a computer I need to use. I ask her how long she's going to be. She looks really distressed and nervous. She's complaining about why she can't get the graphic to look right. I look at it and say do this and that and never forget to do this. Long story short, she couldn't concentrate on a simple graphic that a monkey can do because of what was said to her in the office. "Why do I feel like everyone is after me?" I gave her a little pep talk and moved on.
Friday comes around, the day when Alex returns from her 2 day suspension. Her annual review is today also, so I advised her not to be rude, not to piss anyone off, and to tell the truth, except for the stuff we've been talking about.
An hour into the work shift, I hear Jan get paged into the boss's office. At that moment, I had a feeling someone was going to get booted today.
During the Five o'clock news, I was in an edit bay working on a commercial. The boss comes in and asks if I was busy.
I said "Just working on some promos."
"I want you to go out on the studio floor and take over for Jan on camera and tell her to come see me."
So I did that. Both camera operators, Jan and Alex, see me walk in and put on a headset. I walk over to Jan and tell her to go see Mark.
As Jan left the studio, I look at Alex and shrug my shoulders. A small grin appears on her face. We both thought Jan was getting fired. About fucking time! Should've been done a long time ago!
But the story has a twist...
Jan later comes back with Mark. Mark takes Alex away. This isn't looking good. My stomach is churning. What is going on? I look at Jan and she looks at me with a smirk.
Alex comes back in, with Mark behind her. She puts away her headset and heads back out. I feel like puking now.
After the newscast we were told that she was fired. No reason given.
During dinner break, I call Alex up to find out what happened. She said during a taping we do at the start of our shift, she and Jan got into an argument about where to place the camera. Just an exchange of words, probably with cursing involved. But that's why.
I feel really bad about it. Alex just started probation and she fucked up with a "minor" incident. She... we wouldn't be on probation if I, as a director, as supervisor that day last weekend, put a stop to her wanting to video tape something during work time. And that would've kept me from meeting with the boss and having him lecture me about leadership, which would've kept me from giving that example of what Jan did of being on the phone, which would've not stressed Jan out by being corrected, which may have prevented her from being temperamental with Alex and prevented the argument.
Bad week.
Same thing for Alex. But she got two days suspension.
Back at work the next day, everything seemed good, like if nothing happened. The bosses are smiling at me, joking with me, saying hi. Seemed like a cult. Later on, I passed by the closed door of the boss and hear screams of "I'm sorry, it won't happen again!" come from Jan, a coworker who was the subject of the example I gave during my suspension meeting. A few minutes later one of the bosses comes to me and says they talked to Jan about being on the phone during newscasts and it won't happen again. I said "thank you".
Now this is Jan... a 50 something, single mother of two delinquent teenage girls, who is on antidepressants. She is the weakest link of our department, cannot do ANYTHING right. She always brings personal problems to work and therefore cannot do her job. And when you snap at her to pay attention, or correct her, she lets it linger in her head and it interferes with what she does in the present, therefore she screws up even more.
Well, even later in the day, I see Jan working on a graphic on a computer I need to use. I ask her how long she's going to be. She looks really distressed and nervous. She's complaining about why she can't get the graphic to look right. I look at it and say do this and that and never forget to do this. Long story short, she couldn't concentrate on a simple graphic that a monkey can do because of what was said to her in the office. "Why do I feel like everyone is after me?" I gave her a little pep talk and moved on.
Friday comes around, the day when Alex returns from her 2 day suspension. Her annual review is today also, so I advised her not to be rude, not to piss anyone off, and to tell the truth, except for the stuff we've been talking about.
An hour into the work shift, I hear Jan get paged into the boss's office. At that moment, I had a feeling someone was going to get booted today.
During the Five o'clock news, I was in an edit bay working on a commercial. The boss comes in and asks if I was busy.
I said "Just working on some promos."
"I want you to go out on the studio floor and take over for Jan on camera and tell her to come see me."
So I did that. Both camera operators, Jan and Alex, see me walk in and put on a headset. I walk over to Jan and tell her to go see Mark.
As Jan left the studio, I look at Alex and shrug my shoulders. A small grin appears on her face. We both thought Jan was getting fired. About fucking time! Should've been done a long time ago!
But the story has a twist...
Jan later comes back with Mark. Mark takes Alex away. This isn't looking good. My stomach is churning. What is going on? I look at Jan and she looks at me with a smirk.
Alex comes back in, with Mark behind her. She puts away her headset and heads back out. I feel like puking now.
After the newscast we were told that she was fired. No reason given.
During dinner break, I call Alex up to find out what happened. She said during a taping we do at the start of our shift, she and Jan got into an argument about where to place the camera. Just an exchange of words, probably with cursing involved. But that's why.
I feel really bad about it. Alex just started probation and she fucked up with a "minor" incident. She... we wouldn't be on probation if I, as a director, as supervisor that day last weekend, put a stop to her wanting to video tape something during work time. And that would've kept me from meeting with the boss and having him lecture me about leadership, which would've kept me from giving that example of what Jan did of being on the phone, which would've not stressed Jan out by being corrected, which may have prevented her from being temperamental with Alex and prevented the argument.
Bad week.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dangers Of Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites... Facebook, Myspace, and the like. Americans cannot like without it. 24/7, our friends, bosses, Grandma and Grandpa are on it. We think it is harmless, posting pictures and blogs that talk about things we think nothing about.
Monday, during my off days, my phone rang with my work listed on the caller ID. I did not answer because it was work calling me. Two minutes later, the phone rings again. This time, it was my coworker, Alex, on caller ID. I remember she works today. I answer and she was crying.
"What's wrong?", I ask.
"Are you home?"
"Yes I am. What's the matter?"
"I'll tell you in a minute."
So in a minute, she knocks at the door. I answer and she cries, "I'm sorry for getting us suspended for two days." I was thinking "What the fuck? What's going on?" I didn't know what to say, I was in trying to figure everything out.
Yesterday, Sunday, I showed her how to post video on Youtube and how to put a link to it on Facebook. This video, we shot at work during some free time, of us sneaking into the kitchen to grab a coffee pot to make coffee. The boss is a "friend" of hers on Facebook. He sees the video and decides to have a talk with her.
In the end, we both get suspended, just because of us doing this video while we're supposed to be working. During five minutes of our time that we have nothing to do, we're caught up with everything on a slow weekend. But NO, this is a company violation. Fucking stupid!
We hear stuff like this all the time on the news, how someone gets fired or gets in trouble because of something they post on a social networking site. It was during business hours on Monday that the boss logs on Facebook and sees this video.
So kids, think before you post. Think about all the scenarios that may take place when you post something on a website. Who will see it? Who will be offended by it? Is it necessary that you post it? Normally this would be nothing, but because our department is the red-headed step kid of the company, and the GM is Lucifer, this harmless event is as bad as Armageddon.
Monday, during my off days, my phone rang with my work listed on the caller ID. I did not answer because it was work calling me. Two minutes later, the phone rings again. This time, it was my coworker, Alex, on caller ID. I remember she works today. I answer and she was crying.
"What's wrong?", I ask.
"Are you home?"
"Yes I am. What's the matter?"
"I'll tell you in a minute."
So in a minute, she knocks at the door. I answer and she cries, "I'm sorry for getting us suspended for two days." I was thinking "What the fuck? What's going on?" I didn't know what to say, I was in trying to figure everything out.
Yesterday, Sunday, I showed her how to post video on Youtube and how to put a link to it on Facebook. This video, we shot at work during some free time, of us sneaking into the kitchen to grab a coffee pot to make coffee. The boss is a "friend" of hers on Facebook. He sees the video and decides to have a talk with her.
In the end, we both get suspended, just because of us doing this video while we're supposed to be working. During five minutes of our time that we have nothing to do, we're caught up with everything on a slow weekend. But NO, this is a company violation. Fucking stupid!
We hear stuff like this all the time on the news, how someone gets fired or gets in trouble because of something they post on a social networking site. It was during business hours on Monday that the boss logs on Facebook and sees this video.
So kids, think before you post. Think about all the scenarios that may take place when you post something on a website. Who will see it? Who will be offended by it? Is it necessary that you post it? Normally this would be nothing, but because our department is the red-headed step kid of the company, and the GM is Lucifer, this harmless event is as bad as Armageddon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Twenty Twelve
Sometimes I ponder about what life will be like in a few years. Presidential campaigns in full swing, new technologies in communication and healthcare, new genres of music, the end of the world?
December 21, 2012 is a day many people say the world will end. It all started with experts realizing the Mayan calendar stops at a date equivalent to the day in December of '12. A day that ends on the Winter Solstice.
What did the Mayans know? Maybe they just got tired of making a calendars for centuries into the future and went out of business?
While most people think it's the end of the world, others say there will be a change in humanity at that time. Our society is living on electronics. Cell phones, computers, electrical grids, television and radio are things we take for granted. Technology is advancing so fast that it is a way of life for most of us. Maybe this change in humanity will be when our technology stops working and we will have to live like the pioneers, with Pony Express to communicate long distances, oil lamps for light and ride around on a horse.
EMP, Electromagnetic Pulse, could be the cause. Or maybe solar flares. Some scientists say a new sun cycle will happen in 2012. Last time I checked, sun spot activity was at its lowest. Maybe the sunspots will all emerge at once at the next solar cycle, releasing solar flares and electromagnetic radiation that will burn out the satellites' wiring and chips, and wreak havock on modern society. But it should make for a beautiful night sky.
I can see the disaster in that. Teenage girls won't be able to text anymore. They will have to chisel "OMG WTF? I cant txt nemore!" onto a rock and throw it at their friend.
That's just my guess on what will happen. Others say the Earth's magnetic poles will shift, an asteroid will hit, ET will return, a black hole created in the particle accelerator in Europe will swallow us up, or a nuclear holocaust will happen.
Who knows? But this makes me want to prepare, stock up on guns and survival gear, and start digging my new home.
December 21, 2012 is a day many people say the world will end. It all started with experts realizing the Mayan calendar stops at a date equivalent to the day in December of '12. A day that ends on the Winter Solstice.
What did the Mayans know? Maybe they just got tired of making a calendars for centuries into the future and went out of business?
While most people think it's the end of the world, others say there will be a change in humanity at that time. Our society is living on electronics. Cell phones, computers, electrical grids, television and radio are things we take for granted. Technology is advancing so fast that it is a way of life for most of us. Maybe this change in humanity will be when our technology stops working and we will have to live like the pioneers, with Pony Express to communicate long distances, oil lamps for light and ride around on a horse.
EMP, Electromagnetic Pulse, could be the cause. Or maybe solar flares. Some scientists say a new sun cycle will happen in 2012. Last time I checked, sun spot activity was at its lowest. Maybe the sunspots will all emerge at once at the next solar cycle, releasing solar flares and electromagnetic radiation that will burn out the satellites' wiring and chips, and wreak havock on modern society. But it should make for a beautiful night sky.
I can see the disaster in that. Teenage girls won't be able to text anymore. They will have to chisel "OMG WTF? I cant txt nemore!" onto a rock and throw it at their friend.
That's just my guess on what will happen. Others say the Earth's magnetic poles will shift, an asteroid will hit, ET will return, a black hole created in the particle accelerator in Europe will swallow us up, or a nuclear holocaust will happen.
Who knows? But this makes me want to prepare, stock up on guns and survival gear, and start digging my new home.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Flies Are Stupid
Most living organisms on this great Earth know that when they are in a situation that causes life-threatening danger, they stay away from it. Not flies.
Today was a day when the house became invaded with house flies. I had the windows up with screens and at about 2 p.m., the entire house was infested with flies. 10 to 20 of them would be smacking into the windows, then fly away, only to do a 180 degree turn to hit the window again. Swarms of flies were outside the window attempting to get in.
After a while, I went out to buy some sticky fly catcher tape to hang up on the windows. I closed the windows and hung them up. The stupid flies would smack into the tape and start buzzing. Some would just give up. But there were some that refused. They would buzz their wings non-stop until they freed themselves. Then the stupid fuckers would fly back into the tape a minute later. IQ's of less than 1 at its finest.
Watching a movie later, one of the few flies roaming around lands on the TV and I attempt to swat it. Knowing his life was in danger, he flies away. But returns a few minutes later. The stupid life-form came back three times before I ended his sorry life.
Flies are stupid. I hear one buzzing on the tape right now trying to get free. But it'll be back.
Fuck you, PETA!
Today was a day when the house became invaded with house flies. I had the windows up with screens and at about 2 p.m., the entire house was infested with flies. 10 to 20 of them would be smacking into the windows, then fly away, only to do a 180 degree turn to hit the window again. Swarms of flies were outside the window attempting to get in.
After a while, I went out to buy some sticky fly catcher tape to hang up on the windows. I closed the windows and hung them up. The stupid flies would smack into the tape and start buzzing. Some would just give up. But there were some that refused. They would buzz their wings non-stop until they freed themselves. Then the stupid fuckers would fly back into the tape a minute later. IQ's of less than 1 at its finest.
Watching a movie later, one of the few flies roaming around lands on the TV and I attempt to swat it. Knowing his life was in danger, he flies away. But returns a few minutes later. The stupid life-form came back three times before I ended his sorry life.
Flies are stupid. I hear one buzzing on the tape right now trying to get free. But it'll be back.
Fuck you, PETA!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blogs
I am not much of a blogger. I do not have any kind of writing skills. I hardly let people know what I'm thinking about. So therefore, I am not a blogger.
But after being referred to this website dedicated solely to the art of writing by a friend I had not seen in years, I thought I would jump on the blogging train.
But what do I write about?
I've posted a few blogs on sites such as Facebook and Myspace, if it was something that I thought would be interesting and I wanted everyone to know. But those sites are not just for blogs. But a site like this, makes me feel I need to deliver something on a regular basis.
A friend who is a big Washington Nationals fan has a blog site and he sometimes posts articles four times a day about the happenings in the Nationals franchise. He and his wife have a blog site devoted to telling friends and family about their new daughter and her progress in life.
People can write about anything... their lives, hobbies, family, jobs, habits, etc. I wonder if I can do the same? I think I will just write about what's on my mind, most of the time my mind is blank anyway.
Where did the term "blog" come from anyway?
But after being referred to this website dedicated solely to the art of writing by a friend I had not seen in years, I thought I would jump on the blogging train.
But what do I write about?
I've posted a few blogs on sites such as Facebook and Myspace, if it was something that I thought would be interesting and I wanted everyone to know. But those sites are not just for blogs. But a site like this, makes me feel I need to deliver something on a regular basis.
A friend who is a big Washington Nationals fan has a blog site and he sometimes posts articles four times a day about the happenings in the Nationals franchise. He and his wife have a blog site devoted to telling friends and family about their new daughter and her progress in life.
People can write about anything... their lives, hobbies, family, jobs, habits, etc. I wonder if I can do the same? I think I will just write about what's on my mind, most of the time my mind is blank anyway.
Where did the term "blog" come from anyway?
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