Industrial Disease

Where can I pick one up?

2009-02-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

Funny stuff you have probably already seen.

2009-02-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

the sopranos, uncensored. from victor solomon on Vimeo.

No, I do not want to send you a goddamned read reciept!

2009-01-22T20:13:00.001-08:00

In my opinion, the requesting of read receipts in Microsoft Outlook, is the ultimate in workplace passive aggressive behavior. To the person who sends me 5 or 6 each day, I would like to say, please take your read receipts and stick them up your ass.

Thank you very much.

Overheard at Work

2009-01-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

To the driver of the catering truck:

"I need something sweet, how much are your Ho Hos bro?"

Is that amusing to anyone else? Maybe you had to be there.

Also, the breakfast burritos from the truck are awesome.

Stick around and maybe we'll put one down.

2009-01-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

One morning we found ourselves without an industry. My kind, in a way, extinct. I enjoyed selling records. At the end, I was working at the largest indie distributor in the country, pimping no less than 50 if the hippest labels. Free shows, free booze, expense reports written on the reverse of cocktail napkins. Now, more than seven years later, I miss it daily. The best job I think will ever have, and it was gone before I turned thirty. The job situation since, until recently has been miserable. In July I landed a great gig, manufacturing company, busy as hell and insulated from the shitty economy. Suddenly I don't dread going to work, not even on Mondays. Then, last week, warning lights were literally flashing down in Quality Control and all of this once again seems appropriate. ~~The gray though, thats got to go.~~

edit: I think I like the gray.

R.I.P. Rick Wright.

2008-09-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sad news.

It has arrived

2008-04-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

All in the Composition

2008-03-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

by Brian

Michael shooting at Miramar Beach near Half Moon Bay California on February 18th 2007. My wife, my son and my attorney are in the background.

Silent Contemplation

2008-02-10T00:28:00.000-08:00

by Brian

One Post Over the Line

2008-02-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

Modern spiritual indeed.

Thanks boingboing!

What are you playing this weekend?

2007-08-10T09:39:00.001-07:00

"To whom it may concern: It is springtime. It is late afternoon. "

2007-04-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

Photo by Peter Yang

Rest in Peace Kurt Vonnegut.

Going to California

2007-04-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

by Brian

Going to California Hosted on Zooomr

I took 75 photos on B&W film last weekend. I kept looking at the back of the camera expecting to see my shot on an LCD.

Shot on Film

2007-04-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

by Brian

morro bay harbor Hosted on Zooomr

Morro Bay Ca.

You can't see me.

2007-04-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

by Brian

San Luis Obispo Alley Cat Hosted on Zooomr

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

A Room With a Pew

2007-04-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

by Brian

Joel on Pew Hosted on Zooomr

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

This is Awesome!

2007-02-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

Via retroCRUSH

The Billy Zabka directed Video for No More Kings "Sweep The Leg"

Another Cat Picture

2007-02-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

by Brian

Roger_Jan_07 Hosted on Zooomr

I think Roger sleeps about 20 hours a day.

Straight, No Chaser

2007-02-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

monk_tshirt Hosted on Zooomr

I'm also standing in Hayward.

2007-02-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not crazy about the composition of this one, but it's cool because I took it at the same moment Michael was taking this photo.

The Feet In Question Hosted on Zooomr

That cat's something I can't explain.

2007-02-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

When she's not busy plotting my gruesome murder, Scout enjoys eating pumpkin pie.

SCOUTLIKESPIE_20D Hosted on Zooomr

Tha Alma Mater

2007-02-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

Michael and I took a photowalk up at CSUH over thanksgiving, here is one of my favorite photos. I'll sort them out and post some more later.

CSUH_ABSTRACT_20D_01 Hosted on Zooomr

Thanks Zooomr!

Life is a short, warm moment..

2007-02-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

It is the nature of my job that lets me spend so much time poking around the Internet.
My right brain must be occupied while the left side conducts business on the phone and tries to hide the disdain for most of the people on the other end. I come across a ton of things that are interesting or a tad amusing and I think to myself "I should link this on my blog", so I bookmark it and forget it. I think I have about a hundred pages marked now. So maybe it is time to share.

Here is a photographer that takes self portraits of himself running away from his camera. Running From the Camera

"The rules are simple: I put the self-timer on 2 seconds, push the button and try to get as far from the camera as I can."

I don't remember how I ran across this guys work, but I'm glad I did. Take a look.

In which I discuss my feelings toward a retiring football coach.

2007-01-05T08:20:00.001-08:00

On a particular evening in the Fall of 1978, while I was rolling hotwheels across the dining room floor, my mother received a phone call from her sister. "Your Aunt wants to know who your favorite football team is" my mother said, holding the phone receiver at arms length so I could shout my response. At the time I was barely aware of football. I was five. My father, not being a fan of any sports really, had never steered me toward any allegiance. So I shouted the first thing came to mind, "Pittsburgh Steelers!". This was because one thing my father had steered me toward was an early love of music, and at that tender age I was fond of the Father Daughter country singing duo The Kendalls. The Kendalls had a song that still rotates through the jukebox of my brain today, "The Pittsburgh Steelers". So it was not really a surprise when some weeks later a package arrived to our mountain top home containing a Christmas present from my aunt, a little Steelers Jersey, my name ironed on the back.

Flash forward thirty years, I'm a Raiders fan, have been since Football became more of a passing interest for me. They play just up the freeway, and though I have never been to a game I suffer through their XFL caliber play on the tube if the games are not blacked out, I take jabs for openly displaying my allegiance to the world via a variety of caps and hoodies. My son barely two, has a fine Warren Sapp jersey I picked up from the Raiders store at the mall. But in the back of my mind I am always conscious of Pittsburgh. The Steelers are a favorite because of that snap decision made on the dining room floor three decades ago. I was able to enjoy last years Super Bowl victory as more than a bandwagon fan. I was happy for the team, their die hard fans and especially for Bill Cowher. So with the announcement of his retirement I find my self emotionally moved. Much more so than when the Freaking Raiders make a coaching change. I don't really remember the Steelers without Cowher. I can close my eyes and picture him on the sideline, persevering, mostly winning and finally, triumphantly hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

It's not like the guy died, but I'll miss him there, brow furrowed, calling the shots on the sideline. I would thank my Aunt I guess, if she were still alive, for planting that seed back in 78. Or maybe the Kendalls for having that AM radio hit back then. I mean holy shit, I might have blurted "Dallas Cowboys" or something to my Aunt. I was lucky in my choice because Coach Cowher earned my respect and left me with a sentimental favorite I can root for year after year. I hope his replacement continues in his footsteps.

There are shades of Grey, I have seen them with my own eyes.

2006-11-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

Just clicked over to one of my new favorite comedy websites No Shades of Gray to see what Wayne "Great Election of 2004" Lutz had to say about todays results. I was tickled to see that he perused this very blog and even quoted me, I gotta admit I'm flattered since I only boast 3 or 4 readers. Compared to "NoShades gets 5000 unique hits a week, consistantly." (Thats a really huge E-Penis Wayne). This guy is one of the most entertaining satirists writing on the internet today. He even refuses to spell check his posts to add to the homegrown out of touch conservative feel. His blog is kind of like the Onion but without the AV Club and with more white trash boobies. Thanks for helping get out the Democratic party votes Wayne. And check your caps lock button, it may be stuck.

Welcome any readers who visit as a result, and please visit some of the links to your left.

Maybe there is a god.*

2006-11-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

*There is no God.

I'm angry and it's only 7:30

2006-10-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Michael J. Fox is a hero for his cause. Rush Limbaugh is a total fuckwad. Which I guess makes him a hero for his cause.

Mr. Limbaugh, please die in a fire.

Some Religious idiocy for your Friday

2006-10-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Restored Church of God says blogging is wrong.
via boingboing

The Internet —and more specifically blogs —has enabled everyone to have a voice on any matter. Now everyone’s thoughts are published” for all to see. Whether or not it is effective, as soon as something is posted the person has a larger voice. It often makes the blogger feel good or makes him feel as if his opinion counts —when it is mostly mindless blather!

Read the whole Goddamned thing.

*EDIT*
I was looking for a funny picture to post here so I googled "stupid religion" and ended up here. It's funny because this ignorant motherfucker is serious.

My favorite bit.

What Liberals Fear Most

Freedom, once had, is hard to take away again. Liberals know this, and that's why they fear it so.

This guy is awesome. He probably eats liberals for breakfast and then shits little American flags. What a douche.

Only on FOX.

2006-10-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Via Eat The Press.

Asteroids do not concern me

2006-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Credit Memo

2006-07-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am feeling extremely short tempered this morning. The idiot in the lobby is possibly stupider today than she was yesterday. I'm not sure how that's possible, but trust me, she is extra empty-headed today. She is acting helpless. All of the information she needs to do her job is at her fingertips, yet she can't seem to remember from one hour to the next how to use the menus in the accounting program. It's a menu you ignorant fucktard! Read it and hit the appropriate fucking key!

Every time she has a problem, she complains to me that I must have not given her some invoice or entered something wrong. I walk to her desk and show her what keys to press on her magic solitaire machine, I then return to my office, probably stupider myself just for having been in her presence.

Just moments ago she walked to my desk with a credit memo. It says credit memo on the top in big bold letters. We issue these to our customers when have a credit. "What's the story with this?" she says. "We issued a credit" I replied. "Why" she said, "Because we took some parts back" I said, pointing to the little box that says "parts returned for credit". "So they don't owe this?" she questioned. "It's a credit" I responded, trying not to show my sadness in the knowledge that this vacuous piece of meat has had at least one child, thus further polluting the gene pool with her doltish offspring, "Why would they owe it?" I added. "I'm confused" she uttered. I stared, stunned by the display of sheer dimwittedness. "Accounting is not really my thing" I said finally, "You may need to ask the boss when he gets back on Monday".

Right now I can hear her sighing and talking under breath, trying to get her head around this horribly complicated document laid out before her like some ancient clay tablet. The script staring up at her, just daring her to decipher its mysterious meaning. Just how does one deal with such a document, a document so cryptic, so enigmatic that the boss himself will have to deal with it on Monday? I would do the following:

Dial phone.
Me: "Hello customer, you have credit, did you receive the credit memo?"
Customer:"Yes I did, thanks for taking care of that!"
Me: "No problem, it's what I do. Bye."
Customer: "Bye"

or alternatively:
Mail copy of credit memo.
File a copy of credit memo.

But hey, that's just me, I'm no fancy accountant.

Doctor parkinson declared I'm not surprised to see you here.

2006-07-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

My boss is out of town this week, in another state, in another time zone. As usual his shortsightedness has made the last couple of days extremely taxing. Aside from deliberately misleading me about a wire transfer, so that I would in turn mislead a customer as to the delivery date of a very sensitive express shipment from Taiwan, the crate shows up with a freaking C.O.D. for the freight charges. Because of the series of unintentional lies I fed to the customer I had pay the freight out of pocket. It was either that or seriously fuck with the livelihood of our innocent victims in Texas. Would it have been such a big deal to leave a blank check just in case? It's not like this is the first time this has happened on shipments from Asia. Some bastard at some shithole sweatshop in Taipei fails to check a certain box on a UPS document and it ruins my Monday morning.

And now, it's only fucking Tuesday.

Piper at the Gates of Dawn

2006-07-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Rest in Peace Syd.

Update: Obit via Brain-Damage

This summer I hear the drumming.

2006-07-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Things around here are going down the shitter. I'm sure we will see a lot more items like this before either the American Taliban take over completely, or this country wakes the fuck up and regains some common sense.

When that fat old sun in the sky is falling

2006-06-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Solstice everyone!

The sun is in the east even though the day is done.

2006-06-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

When you have a few spare moments take a look at this web comic. Make sure you start from the beginning.

The Story of Shooting War

New York, NY - The year is 2011, and Jimmy Burns, a young anti-corporate blogger has just seen his Williamsburg apartment blown to bits by yet another terrorist attack on New York City. He's recorded the gruesome scene on his videoblog camera-footage Burns beams live to a freaked-out world and that makes him an overnight media sensation. Exploited by his own network (Global News: "Your home for 24-hour terror coverage"), enraged by the terrorists, and determined to tell the American people the truth, Burns takes off for Iraq to get the real story of a war that's been raging for more than eight years. SHOOTING WAR is written by Anthony Lappe, illustrated by Dan Goldman.

I promise it is worth your time.

You shout and no one seems to hear.

2006-06-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ok back to business. Mr. and Dr. Blahg were kind enough to send me this link about some deluded idiot who thought god would save him from the lions. Silly christian, lions have been happily devouring you since AD 72.

Living in Oblivion

2006-05-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

"You make great coffee!"

2006-04-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks, it's a little technique I like to call, GRINDING THE FUCKING COFFEE BEANS! Unlike you, who likes to leave half of the beans whole, because the electric coffee grinder is somehow too fucking complicated for you to use properly.

With your head down in the pig bin

2006-03-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

A little nugget from career criminal and Texas representative Tom DeLay.

"Our faith has always been in direct conflict with the values of the world. We are, after all, a society that provides abortion on demand, has killed millions of innocent children, degrades the institution of marriage and all but treats Christianity like some second-rate superstition."

Stop exaggerating Tom, I'd call christianity a first-rate superstition for sure.

No sleep this weekend.

2006-03-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

OK, so I was on the fence for a long time. The fact that it has been nearly impossible to find a system in stock anywhere helped a lot. The announcement that the PS3 is delayed until at least November and possibly next march was the final thing I needed to hear. That announcement coincided with the arrival K's bonus check. She picked up an ipod and a Coach purse and I, after some searching and a high speed trip to Fry's, have obtained the first of the "next gen" systems to hit the market. I will of course pre-order the PS3 and once Animal crossing ships for the Nintendo Revolution that machine too will become unavoidable.

I gotta admit that I'm a little bit confused.

2006-03-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun game. Once you start all you have to do is nothing. I'm having problems getting off level one.
Click the link and give it a go.

DON'T SHOOT THE PUPPY!

And if there is no room upon the hill.

2006-03-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

In case you find yourself lost (on the moon). I submit the following.

http://moon.google.com/

Fuck you, and your magic sky buddies.

2006-03-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

Why is it that the most bigoted people I know claim to be spreading the word of christ?

A coworker, whom I normally respect, loves to get on the phone with his fundie pals and spout some of the most ignorant shit I have ever heard.

I have this to say to you.

Dear idiot, god is just pretend. Your religion is seriously ruining this office environment as well as fucking up this whole damned country.

Guess what, I couldn't care less what the hell you idiots believe, just leave me the fuck out of it.

oi, where's the fucking bar John?

2006-02-24T14:19:00.000-08:00

This is entirely too much fun.

Going round and round my brain

2006-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, two weeks since my last post. I have been too enthralled in the Olympics to notice. Just kidding, I have an ear infection and have been feeling pretty shitty. The coverage of the Olympics seems to be as horrible as ever. I just can't take the 50/50 Nordic sport to commercial ratio. I have caught a few intriguing moments I guess, but for the most part I'll turn away during one of the numerous commercial interruptions and interest myself in something else. Also, figure skating sucks. Call me when there is some blood on the ice.

Today is Friday, my boss is in another state and I'm feeling bloggy.

An easy decision

2006-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Tonight FOX will show the final four episodes of Arrested Development. Most people I imagine, will tune in tune in to NBC to watch the Olympic opening ceremonies.

Where you can see this crap.----->

I think I'll watch FOX.

Ignore this post

2006-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

For the love of whatever you consider holy, do not click this link.

Try to keep up with the turning of the wheel.

2006-02-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is something I normally would ignore had it not come from one of the handful of humans I both know and respect. You others know damn well who the hell you are so wipe that pathetic look off your face. I'm not going to go on listing you all here.

Apparently I have been "tagged". So I answer the questions and then "tag" some more people. Since Heather included some fancy "parenthesis" with quotes and amusing tidbits I did the same, not that you have to if I tag you. I'm not the boss of you Mr. Ed.

Four Jobs You've Had
1. Store manager of a toy store (I met my wife there)
2. Buyer for a record store (poor but well entertained) (met the Walrus)
3. Sales Rep for a shitty independant music distributor (acoustic Billy Squire)
4. Sales Rep for an awesome independent music distributor (acoustic Gillian Welch)

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over
1. The Good the Bad and the Ugly (If your gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk)
2. The Usual Suspects (Your death doesn't effect my life)
3. Serenity (This is your Captain speaking, we may experience some turbulence, and then explode.)
4. The Wall (I've got some bad news for you Sunshine)

Four Places You've Lived
1. West Point, Ca.
2. Avery, Ca.
3. Union City, Ca. (The Donosso Files)
4. Fremont, Ca.

Four TV Shows You Like to Watch
1. Survivor
2. Whats Happening!!
3. Northern Exposure
4. X-Files

Four Websites You Visit Daily
1. Blogger
2. boingboing.net
3. wapo.com
4. penny-arcade.com

Four Places I'd Rather Be
1.At home with my Wife and Son
2.Olympus Mons
3.Olduvai Gorge
4. 27° 59' N, 86° 56' E

Four People to Tag With the Lists
1. Ryan (sorry)
2. Rich (sorry, don't know many bloggers not on Heathers list)
3. Edmund Hillary
4. Your Mom!

There you have it.

A certain look in the eye and an easy smile.

2006-01-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

Today is the official launch day for our new product line. For the last ten months we have been making arrangements with partners in Hong Kong and mainland China, working on UL documentation and all the other crap that goes into starting a electronic manufacturing company. During this time we have moved into a new building and hired new personnel. Shiny.

So what's my gripe? My boss has decided that today is "dress up day". That means I put on the dreaded slacks and funeral shoes and walk around the office feeling like a self conscious monkey.

When I was selling records for a living, one of my rules was "never trust anyone wearing slacks". Alright, I know that this is a different business and all that but I sit in a cubicle and talk on the phone. I don't meet face to face with anyone. Am I wearing the slacks for the benefit of the UPS guy? Did I mention I feel like a monkey? Hey everyone look at the monkey in the fancy pants and fancy shoes!

Later this afternoon I'll have to go do the shipping. I'll move some palates around, build some boxes, maybe use some shrink wrap. I'll get dusty. If there is a lot of stuff going out I'll sweat. I'll get sweaty and dusty in my fancy fucking pants and black leather shoes.

Look, I wear a button down shirt or polo shirt every day. I understand that I work in a "professional environment". But I also wear jeans, no holes, no rips. They look fine in case customers come by the office and I can do the shipping and receiving and not worry about the dust and what not.

In closing, I feel like a monkey. Fuck stupid "dress up day". My boss wants to feel all fortune 500 and shit on the opening day of the new business. Look man, I have to deal with the old business, It's been in operation since I was in high school. I have orders to ship. The new website looks great and the customers are exited, but it's just another day at the office for me.

James Lipton does K-Fed

2006-01-26T19:29:00.000-08:00

Even though I can't get enough of Americas favorite mentally retarded rapper, I like this version better.

"The time has come," the Walrus said.

2006-01-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Walrus started a blog. Make with the clicky.

Think I'll buy me a football team.

2006-01-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that Heather will provide the in depth commentary and analysis, but I just want to say how great it was to watch Pittsburgh destroy the hated Denver Broncos on Sunday. Being a Raider fan has been painful the last couple of years but the Steelers have provided the excitement I miss in Oakland. Always a sentimental favorite, I look forward to a black and gold victory on February 5th.

p.s. Troy Palomalu, you can grow your hair as long as you like.

Spare Bricks

2006-01-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

Cube Field

Left and right keys to move. Don't hit the cubes.

Arrested Development Indeed.

2006-01-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

I hate the Fox network. They have cancelled another one of my favorite shows. Hopefully it will be picked up somewhere else but since I am also waiting for the triumphant return of Firefly, I'm not that hopeful.

Men triumph in weekend trivia challenge.

2006-01-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

The "Fremont-Encino" Division 1 Trivial Pursuit Championship series continued over the holidays. The "1990's Time Capsule edition" provided by the senior member of the ladies squad proved to be entirely too easy, with no less that 3 "Ross Perot" questions in the two games contested last weekend. The series leading Men, managed to score a record three pie pieces in a single turn during the New Years Eve "Porkins Memorial Classic". A controversy arose when the women learned that a victory for their team would be recorded with an asterisk because of an extra team member, an eventuality that never materialized, because of a crushing defeat at the hands of the men's team.
The Trivial Pursuit powerhouse Men's squad leads the series 11-0.

Porkins Memorial Orchestra

2005-12-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Rest in peace Red 6. I always knew this day must come.

Dr. Strange is always changing sides.

2005-12-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

Now here is a student organization I could have been exited about.

Maybe there is some hope for the future.

Missed Opportunities

2005-11-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

Wal-Mart Sucks

2005-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Kathryn and I are sometimes at odds over my refusal to go into any Wal-Mart. I try to explain that its not because the interior will undoubtedly sell like ass, or that the employees are mostly retarded. Its that were already paying their employees medical benefits with our tax dollars. That as a matter of policy walmart under pays its employees and keeps as many as possible part time to avoid paying their benefits. That these assholes have in their stores an employee who's job it is help the others fill out and file their Medicaid and welfare forms.

Here is a good Times article on the subject.

James Dobson is a Pigfucker

2005-10-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

here's a good take from Cenk Uygur from youngturk.com.

Required Reading

2005-10-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

From Sam Harris via huffingtonpost.com

"Atheism is not a philosophy; it is not even a view of the world; it is simply a refusal to deny the obvious. Unfortunately, we live in a world in which the obvious is overlooked as a matter of principle."

Read the whole post.

"There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you."

2005-10-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

I hate these things.

2005-09-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Blame Heather.

You are a
Social Liberal
(76% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(36% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Democrat

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

WTF?

2005-09-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am once again rendered speechless by the antics of our leaders.

Washington Post Article

High Definition

2005-09-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to ordering Comcast's DVR service. When I ordered over the phone they asked if I wanted HD service as well. I knew our TV was capable so I said yeah and prepared to not be impressed. I installed the box last night and I have to say that the picture quality of the HD shows is striking. I'm not sure how many more pixels the thing ads or whatever, but color me impressed. Unfortunately the analog channels look like crap. They looked like crap before due to the cable wiring in our neighborhood I guess, but they look worse through the new box. I'm not sure if there is a fix, I'll try running new cable and see if it clears up. Most of the analog channels, the local networks etc.have HD counterparts further up the dial so I guess I can just get used to looking at those for network broadcasting. I'll probably go nuts changing all of the freaking settings over the next few nights, K may have to take away the remote. Tonight We'll see what Survivor looks like in High Def. Survivors Ready!

Wildlife as Canon sees it.

2005-09-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

There is quite a population of feral cats living in the office complex where I work. After seeing them around for a couple of years, I finally stumbled across the entire pride late one evening when I was dropping some junk in my employer's dumpster. One of the engineers from the business across the lot was working late and setting out some food. I quickly counted close to twenty cats. There is a corner of one of the parking lots that has a perfect area for them to hide. Last weekend I went down and took about a hundred pictures with my Canon EOS 20D. It was the early evening and the light was not so good. I have a lot to learn about setting up the camera for different situations, but I did manage to get a handful of decent shots.

Here is a link to a flickr photoset

If all of the cats were of a mind, there is some large prey wandering around the office park for the taking.

I was approached by a rodent.

2005-09-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on my parent's front porch when this little bastard came into the yard to bury his nuts. He got pretty close, I was sure he was going to attack.

A new toy.

2005-09-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

090105 001
Originally uploaded by Industrial Disease.

During lunch the other day I was sitting in the truck playing with my new Canon 20D. I had taken a dozen or so shots of the dashboard when this upset looking dude from the office next door climbed into the dumpster. I took these through the tinted rear passenger window.

Valhalla awaits.

2005-08-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

We had seven good years together and in that time only one speeding ticket. I never saw the officers face, just his chest through the passenger window. I remember he sounded a bit upset when he said, "Do you have any idea how long it took me to catch up with you?". I didn't, so I said nothing, probably a good decision. He then said something about the decreased speed limit in the town of Strawberry and I was thinking "speed trap" as he walked back to his cruiser. A yellow slip and a "watch your speed" and we were back on the highway and on to a memorable week in Lake Tahoe. I'm going to miss you, but you know as well as I that your just not a "family" vehicle, and getting the kid in and out of the car seat is now more important than gut churning lateral acceleration. I'll think about you every time I have to slow down to take that right off of Grimmer. And so off you go to wherever trade-ins go. Godspeed old friend, you have served me well.

Pigs on the Wing

2005-08-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

I thought today was Friday.

2005-08-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

The last month has been really busy, with the blahgs wedding and the mortgage people digging through everything and the kid becoming more mobile. All of this combined with an incredibly short attention span has led me to neglect my blog, read by several people spread across as many counties. I had been meaning for some time to relay my feelings about the live 8 show when VH1 cut away from The Floyds performance and I nearly blew out my vocal chords screaming at the TV so I would have ended up sounding like that whore Rita Cosby from MSNBC. Anyway, congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Blahg who's wedding was a lot of fun. I hate any gathering of more than 10 people who are not my close friends, so that's high praise coming from me.

An Army of One

2005-07-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

My boss's 5 year old son has been at the office all week. Today, possibly because it's Friday or possibly because he ate a ton of candy, he is operating at a very high energy level. I have spent the morning using him as a smart weapon against the receptionist/accountant. I say "you better go see if Target needs help" or simply "go play a trick on target". When I use the latter, he sneaks up front then jumps into her office and screams. He brought a bunch of toys today, so I keep telling him that "I think target would like to see that". He is having such a good time that he is leaving his dad alone. A few minutes ago she went to the ladies room and boss Jr. was on the floor looking under the door yelling "I have a surprise for you!". When she opened the door he screamed at her and ran into her office and began to spin in her chair. He has not mentioned that he is purposely bothering her at my request, either because he doesn't think to do so or maybe he understands the joke. Anyway, the target is frustrated almost to the point of tears and too timid to ask him to stop or mention anything to the boss. She just came back to my office, fists clenched, her expression begging me to do something, the kid was right on her heels. "I need to go to lunch" she said hurriedly. She turned quickly and walked back up front. The boy looked at me, I waited until she was out of earshot and said "You better go help her find her keys", he immediately took off screaming her name.

Two Minutes Hate

2005-06-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

It's good to know that with all of the problems our congress can be dealing with, Iraq, the deficit etc. That they are concentrating on the really important thing. Once again trying to push through a god damned anti flag burning bill. Lets make the symbol more important than what it supposedly stands for! This shit really pisses me off. So go burn a flag, or don't, I don't fucking care. Somebody might be offended if you, do but I'm having trouble finding the constitutional amendment that grants the right not to be offended.

ON THE FIRST DAY PINK FLOYD CREATED GOD.

2005-06-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

As the Walrus pointed out to me first thing yesterday, the classic lineup of The Pink Floyd (Waters, Gilmour, Mason, Wright) will reunite for the first time in almost 25 years for the Live 8 "awareness" show in London. I doubt that this means that we will see anything new from the group creatively, but it's hard to explain what a big deal this is to an obsessive fan like myself. It was after all, the chemistry between Waters and Gilmour that made the The Floyd what they were in the 70's and early 80's. I hope that will be some sort of TV coverage of the event, I would gladly fork over some cash for a pay-per-view. (BBC STORY)

Thanks for all the dust.

2005-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

The receptionist has emerged from her cave and invaded my space with a bottle of orange scented pinesol. I guess she got tired of listening to her self help tapes. She is several cubes over but her off key humming is making me want to pour the cleaning fluid down her throat. I think I'll need to play some grand theft auto tonight.

A Message from our Dear Leader.

2005-05-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

President Participates in Social Security Conversation in New York
Greece Athena Middle and High School
Athena Performing Arts Center
Greece, New York

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.".

President George W. Bush
Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Full text here.

Caveat Emptor

2005-05-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

I really don't like lying to customers. This is main reason I will never be a great salesmen. I try to be as honest as possible but I often need to blur the line to save an order or secure future business. Just now I lied to a regular customer about some overdue items. It's our fault they are late. The customer calls, I blame the factory. I tell the poor bastard on the other end of the line that I am doing everything I can to get his order to him. I lie some more and tell him we will cover the freight charges to overnight the parts from the factory. I know that this will never happen. We will, as a standard procedure, pay the inbound freight from the factory, but air freight? Hell no. I will lie later, and tell the customer that the order shipped from the factory one day later than it actually did, and so it will seem as though I did indeed pay air freight. I have to do this now and then and it makes me feel like garbage. Were fucking with these people because we can't get our shit together. The problem is not my fault. But I am the lucky one that gets to relay the bad news to the customer.

CAFFEINE!

2005-05-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have been consuming entirely too much of it. I drink a sugar free red bull on the drive to the office, followed by no less than three cups of coffee before lunch. I bring a thermos to work. I am addicted. When I get home from the office today the first thing I will do is open a cold caffeinated beverage. If I don't get my fix in the morning, the headaches creep in around noon and they become unbearable soon after. I have myself convinced that I can't function without coffee. I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning if there wasn't a pot brewing in the kitchen. If I leave my thermos at work, I will turn around to retrieve it. I have gone to the office on a Sunday to pick up the thermos from my cubicle, because the thought of facing Monday morning without it was too much to bear. I'm not sure what my point is. I'm going to starbucks.

Flying Fortress

2005-05-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went over to Hayward executive Airport to take a look at a restored B-17 bomber. We arrived just in time to see her land and taxi over to where we waited to get a closer look. Although this particular bomber never saw combat, it was restored with an authentic paint scheme. According to the B-17.org website, she was used toward the end of WWII as a transport for VIPs including Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur.

More Pics:
One
Two
Three

Your papers are not in order.

2005-05-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

www.unrealid.com
www.lp.org

I have a bit of filing to do.

2005-05-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Only four or five inches..

Is it too much to ask?

2005-05-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

The stupidest human walking the face of the planet has been located! Unfortunately, they were found working in my building. There are only three of us here. How fucking hard is it to at least shout down the hall that you are leaving for the day. Especially when you are the one working in the lobby answering the phones and watching the front door. I just love going out to the warehouse to do some shipping and coming back only to find out the fucking receptionist has been gone for at least an hour and the goddamn phone has been ringing off the hook. Just fucking quit, go sell your fucking amway and leave me in peace.

It's like a ghost town

2005-05-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

Like most Friday afternoons, I am alone in the office. As I mentioned previously, I work in a fairly large building. Much larger than one might expect for a small business with only three employees. Back when the telecom business was raging and I was still hocking records for a living, there were probably twenty or more people working here. Their work spaces for the most part are as they were when they left. Outdated calendars and little statues of golden retrievers still adorn the desks. I have pirated most of the office supplies over the last three years but what do I need with a "State of Kansas" christmas ornament? When I am really bored I'll sometimes go through the drawers of the empty cubicles, I get to feel like Howard Carter. There are some ketchup packets and a moist towlette in the top drawer two cubes over, just in case I ever find myself trapped in here.

Oops.

2005-05-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

In all of my screwing around and experimentation I managed to delete my earlier posts.

Yeah me!

So you will have to wait if you wait to hear more about my job. For now, look at this picture of The Scout. She will claw your eyes out.