Rites of Spring

The snow is melting, the weather reports include freezing rain and ice (which can only mean its getting warmer), ball players have reported for Spring Training, hockey teams are making a push for life after the regular season, and another trade deadline has left the small portion of my hockey fandom contemplating the results. This is never in a good way.

Big names first:

• I absolutely cannot fathom why the Oilers traded Ryan Smyth. Nice treatment of their all star. I can only imagine the reaction in Edmonton that hit the news wires. But maybe I was missing something. I used to follow the Oilers pretty closely and have not even paid an extra shred of attention to the NHL this season. So who knows.
• It breaks my heart that Mattias Norstrom was dealt away from the Kings.
• It would have made me a Wings fan again if they landed Peter Forsberg, but they didn't. Now I want to pay attention to Nashville, which something I never thought I would say.
• Jason Williams was probably my third favorite Wing at any given moment and now he is a Blackhawk. I understand why he had to leave, but Kenny has no taste. Ugh. And while Bertuzzi is a fantastic player and has a style the Wings desperately need and haven't had in at least a decade, it's Bertuzzi. He has talent and skill that, if healthy, can be one of two things the Wings need in order to succeed in the post season (goal tending being the other one, but let's not get started with that). But...a cheap shot is a cheap shot. Do you think that Avalanche fans not cringe when they hear his name the same way Wing fans cringe when they hear Claude Lemieux? And it's closer to home than just Denver, Steve Miller is from Windsor. Bad wrap or not, he still has that cloud that will always hang over his reputation. It's not fair, but it is what comes with Bertuzzi.

I have a different perspective about this year's deadline: I'm a manager now.
I understand things have to happen to make a business successful. Sometimes, that includes trading away a hometown favorite for the future goals and objectives of the organization. A lot more goes on behind the scenes than the media can convey in words or that the ice and bright lights glamorize during the game. I'm sad about Jason being traded away, but he was always vulnerable because he was not a prominent player in the super star lineup. The bright side: he is still in the Central Division. It's not unbearable.

Working at the Joe, I learned to appreciate the game and be a fan of the game - that means all 30 teams, not just one. Despite giving others a hard time because they don't have this ability, my heart still lies with Detroit. I made it a point to watch the pre-game of the Wings/Blackhawks game last night. I watched the first period like I actually liked watching hockey on TV. I uttered the words, "yeah, I'm still a Wings fan." But that was when Drapes was on TV, so I think it was a biased opinion.

The next time I talk about hockey, officials in Toronto will be starting to polish the Stanley Cup...

Back with a Vengeance

I survived another trip to Colorado in February. This one was full of nice weather and sunshine. And fun memories. Pictures posted when I have time to catch up with everything.

I was welcomed back to work by three people today - all for different reasons, but all sincere. They missed me. And I always get complimented when I wear that necklace. They pay such close attention to some things.

I got my car back. Being pissed off is the quickest way to make a difference. I feel like I did that. Heartfelt apologizes make me feel better about the whole thing. Once I get a check in the mail, I can put this behind me. Since I have transportation again, maybe I can start sooner. We'll have to see.

Updated Wish List

I want a museum job in a city with public transit...
I want to pay salaries in a city for emergency personnel that actually respond to 911 calls, not in one that doesn't dispatch officers when requested...
I want to send that last sentence to the Detroit Police Department, and demand all of my city tax back - if they can't protect and serve me, I shouldn't pay for their job position...
I want people to pay more attention when they drive...
I want to escape from the idiotic behavior of Lodge Dodgers invading my daily commute up and down Woodward...
I want to thank Chevy for making cars with reliable bumpers, even in their smallest vehicles...
I want to laugh at Pontiacs for being piece of shit cars - and having styrofoam in their bumpers... I want you to know that despite getting stuck in two snow drifts this week, I am still very happy with my baby, proud of it even, because it stood firm against this rear-impact accident...
I want headache relief...For the first time in my life, I can say that I actually felt a headache start. It's actually quite amazing.
I want a nap, but I'm sacrificing it because I want to spend time with my best friend more...
I want to know that tomorrow when I wake up that I won't be sore, but I can't predict the future any better than the next guy...
I want to go on a vacation-esque type trip and not worry the whole time about today's events...
I want the reassurance I keep hearing to sink in...
I want everything to be okay....
And I want my heart to start beating normally again.

Does anyone know how to reverse arrhythmia?

Breakfunch

Surprising people who answer the phone with an unfamiliar number on the caller id is great. Especially when it takes them about thirty seconds to realize who is on the other end. Ha. Thanks for the laugh for the rest of the afternoon.

I was told today from my interview this afternoon that it was the most pleasant interview she had been on. After having one of my employees do nothing short of promise me a two week notice on her next shift yesterday, that makes me feel pretty good about that. People only get defensive because they know they are guilty, and that's fine, it's a lesson they will have to learn. If I am here to help teach them the importance of being better workers, then maybe I am a teacher after all. Who needs four walls and a chalkboard?

Preparing to go on vacation is exciting enough, but leaving work each day after completing major items on the never-ending to-do list feels pretty kick ass too. My work load never waivers, but sometimes my projects are so ongoing that I go weeks without feeling like I accomplish anything when I walk out the door at 4:00. Getting things done while still working on that big picture stuff is pretty rewarding. My job is too cool most of the time.

New jobs are exciting too, despite whatever level they are start in. The promise of advance and growth make up for it. And anything is better than working for a devilish, corrupted, ill-practiced business that is a sad excuse of a company. Don't ask me what I really think.

And yeah, I beat you to the blog title.
I got sick of looking it on your list.
Better answer it with part two so you can check it off.

p.s. To those of you who worry about things and to get this off my chest:
Defending of the boy will now only occur on my blogger or myspace (which I recently privatized...hahaha) and no longer on his comment boards. I'm sick of watching my tone of voice and being misinterpreted. My blog, my words, my worries. Don't like it? Don't read it.

Chow

Gone with the Wind

I had a really good post, but I lost it. Ah well, I'll just post some pics of the fishes cool, newly-decorated bedroom.

Hesitant Resident

So I guess a new voter's registration card and change of address sticker makes me an official resident of Oakland County. There's no pretending anymore. And so with that comes the West-sider title. Gross. I don't think I'll be able to identify with it for quite some time. Or ever.

I've lived in apartments or townhouses for slightly over half my life and have never experienced the rudeness of the idiots that just moved in next door to us. Really, is it necessary to have the volume up that loud at ALL hours of the day? My goal by November is to have them kicked out. And I dread what they will be like during the summer - which is really sad, because that's my favorite time of year. I don't even have a place to go outside and peacefully read a book. I don't like that feeling. I can't say I remember what it feels like to live in a house, but I miss it terribly. I think the privacy and quiet is something I would appreciate more than anything at this time in my life. And the parking. Mr. Noise has no idea how to park his damn car. Ugh - there are fewer things as annoying as that nonsense.

Time for more chores. Bye.

Joys of Interviewing

House is right: People are Idiots.

It makes me laugh how dumb people can be sometimes.
Especially in interviews.

Word to the wise:
If you are lucky enough to get past my resume screen - don't fuck up the interview by being rude and stupid.
You will not succeed.

Eat it Up, Darwin

I was born without any of my wisdom teeth. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's because of evolution.

I'm a "step-up" from the rest of you.

I always thought my wisdom teeth never came in because I wasn't wise. Little did I know that it's because I'm stronger and fitter than most.

Maybe that's why everyone annoys the shit out of me. Hmmm....food for thought.

I Threw a Rock

The amount of bigotry in this country stupifies - but never, ever surprises - me. Sometimes, you just have to accept the double-edged sword and deal with it. Don't make yourself sound more dumb by stating the obvious. I saw a t-shirt today in a cataloge I was flipping through:
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"
It was perfect.

Dead bodies are cool. This is worth the trip and expense: http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org/events/OurBody_exhibit.htm
And stop smoking. Lung cancer is scary.

I just experienced the best year of my life. Everything changed for me this year - and I can't wait to see what the future holds. :) And so it continues....

All right, low five

The Fun of Politics

I just saw a senator spell hogwash on the news.

H-O-G-W-A-S-H

Maybe it was only funny because he was an older man telling Georgie to go eat with the pigs - and to take his Iraq strategy with him for dessert.

In two years at this time, we will have a new spelling list for a new president. Amen to that!