Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Job hunting this time of year is not fun. Companies seem to shut down, even though the lights are on. Mainly folks are going thorugh the motions of the job, just gearing up for the next holiday celebration or recovering from the last one. Hiring decisions are always put off until "after the first of the year." No urgency. LIke they expect you to enjoy the holidays on pins and needles while they "relax" and make their decisions. No use being angry about it, it's just the way people are, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Sunday, December 29, 2002

The new picture above is of my daughter Demarée, also known as Bumbum, when she was about 6 years old. It's one of my favorite pictures of her, although I've done some color alteration on it for this site. Today Bumbum is almost grown up -- a sophomore at BSU.
After wasting most of yesterday with TV and the occasional nap, I'm trying to actually get some stuff done. We just got our cable lineup expanded, and I'm beginning to realize just how MUCH of a time-waster TV has become. Too much to watch that is banal, stupid, destructive and in truly horrible taste.

I watched "The Man Show" last night. Here is a show that is, by definition, aimed at guys and basically sexist. I can live with that, because I don't really think, as a TV show, it really hurts anybody. But it keeps going over the edge in terms of taste (my taste, of course). I'm not talking about the dancing girls or the babes on trampolines, either. That seems like innocent look-at-the-pretty-girl fun to me, and there's nothing wrong with that kind of sexuality (remember, this is FOR guys). It's when they drag out vibrators and tampons and discuss female anatomy in detail that turns me off. Here' s a show that is actually rather clever in concept and has a lot of guy-oriented fun built-in. But couldn't it be just good, CLEAN fun?

I've noticed that, like the sudden incursion of the word "ASS" on network TV a few years ago, that on-screen talent can now say "nuts," referring to male anatomy. Like the word "wuss," these terms are used as a replacement, excuse, and even sometimes an apology for actual humor. (The only guy that uses the word "ASS" in any really clever way is David Letterman -- probably the funniest man on TV.) Ok, I have to admit that one of my favorite funny lines on cable is when the kids on South Park are attending a dreadfully dull school play and one of them says "Jesus Tap-dancin' Christ, when is this gonna be over?" But I've never been real religious so that kind of stuff doesn't bother me as much as explicit references to crotches and feces. Adult language is to be expected on some shows, such as the excellent "The Sopranos" as well as other HBO offerings. But there, it's really part of the story and the characters. On commercial TV, I feel kind of blindsided by it, plus, I have to be embarrassed when my kids hear it and look at me like I'm some kind of dirty guy for having it on.

I digress: back to my original point: TV has been taking over my life lately, and I'm not sure I like the effect. I've even written more than I wanted to on the subject. Maybe it's time to sign off for a while.

Saturday, December 28, 2002

Will work for food

For anyone who doesn't know it yet, I'm in a state of unemployment (more or less). TransLogix Corporation, has been experiencing the slowness of the economy, and so therefore, am I. A couple promising interviews so far, but no concrete offers. Am willing to free-lance:


  • Web application development.

  • Web design

  • Access/SQL Server 2000 application development

  • Marketing/marketing communication of all types

  • Advertising copywriting and project management

  • Video/radio scriptwriting


Full-time permutations of any of the above are also welcome. Resume is available on request.

Thursday, December 26, 2002

It's the day after Christmas. Got this really spiffy cordless keyboard from my kids, and it works really well. I'm actually surprised!
We finally got our cable upgraded in the last couple weeks. One of the first things I'm going to do when I get a chance is to go out and see if I can get cable internet. Supposed to be available now, if AT&T locally has its act together.
Happy Holidays to all and a great new year.
My blessings:

  1. Family -- a great wife (Michele) and three great kids, Demarée, Paige and Dylan.

  2. My health -- as witnessed by the fact that I helped unload 50 sheets of drywall and carry it into someone's basement this morning (one of my occasional while-job-hunting jobs.)

  3. A few very close friends -- my brother, Jim, Leslie, John and the gang at ECT, among others..


As my wonderful wife Michele keeps telling me, "count your blessings." You have a lot more of them than you think.
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