Saturday, February 2, 2008
I volunteered at a free tax clinic today. I was assigned to the intake desk, right inside the front doors of the votec school where the clinic was held. I took names & addresses, and handed out forms and materials. It would have been a pretty good assignment, except for a few problems.
There were two sets of double doors between me and the outside, but one of the inner doors wouldn't close when anyone opened it. And if someone pushed it partially closed, it crept wide open again. This meant if I didn't get up and close it everytime anyone went through the door, I was blasted by a constant cold draft. The door was about 15 feet from my desk.
I did manage to get hold of a building custodian. I explained the problem. She looked at the door hanging open, pulled it closed, and said "There, all fixed." I gave up. I considered blocking the door with a garbage can or something, so people would use the good door, but I was afraid I'd be breaking some fire regulation.
I noticed something really odd. The door with the attitude was on the right as you look at it from inside, on the left from outside. You'd push it to exit and pull it to enter. Everyone who exited pushed that door open. Ok, that makes sense. We automatically keep to the right in the US. However, about nine of ten people who entered, pulled on that door! They all reached out with their left hand to open the door, and pulled the door on their left open! They did not reach with their right hand to pull the door on their right open. About the only time anyone entered through the "good" door was when someone else was on their way out the "bad" door. How odd is this?
There were adult classes going on in the building, so there were literally hundreds of people going in and out.
The actual tax assistance was going on in a large room elsewhere. I think they forgot me. I was there for almost six hours, and nobody came to see if I needed a potty break, or a drink of water, or lunch. I couldn't leave the post because of the papers there, and because we couldn't have un-checked-in people wandering around the building looking for the tax room.
Luckily, I didn't need a potty break because I was so thirsty.
I'll be doing this again in two weeks at a different location, and I'll make sure I don't have the same problem. I'll make sure someone is assigned to relieve me occasionally.
I was surprised at the number of people who came in for tax help with all the kids in tow, mostly one-a-year ages. Like, three toddlers, or five preschoolers. I can't imagine what it was like in the tax room.
Most people left happy, and smiled and waved at me on their way out. That was nice. There were only three people who left in a huff - two because there weren't enough Spanish speakers to help them and they'd have had to wait, and one woman because "They're too impersonal in there!" Whatever that meant.
.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
1665 I Want to Do This!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
All I need is a few hundred volunteers, some people with video cameras, and a large crowded venue. Maybe the county fair? Anybody want to join me?
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo]
All I need is a few hundred volunteers, some people with video cameras, and a large crowded venue. Maybe the county fair? Anybody want to join me?
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo]
Friday, February 01, 2008
1664 Still Waiting
Friday, February 1, 2008
I'm still waiting for that shoe to drop, I guess. Maybe it's winter blahs. I'm just not doing anything or getting anything done. I look at the local events calendars and mark things I'd like to attend - lectures, "evenings", openings, coffee house discussions, whatever - and when the time comes, I'm just not willing to make the effort to go.
I'm skipping something tonight that I had been looking forward to. But at least tonight I can blame it on the weather. We've had alternating snow, hail, sleet, and freezing rain all day. The roads are a mess. I've been waiting for the electricity to drop, but I guess no sliding cars or falling trees have scored yet.
I spent the past Sunday and Monday in NJ. They have no snow. It was so nice on Monday I left my coat in the car while Daughter and I were shopping. I felt good there, even with the poison air and lethal roads. Then I drove home Monday evening, and when I crossed the river and neared home, I got more and more depressed, in direct proportion to the depth of dirty snowbanks along the road. The ice on my driveway was the final blow.
I want Spring.
.
I'm still waiting for that shoe to drop, I guess. Maybe it's winter blahs. I'm just not doing anything or getting anything done. I look at the local events calendars and mark things I'd like to attend - lectures, "evenings", openings, coffee house discussions, whatever - and when the time comes, I'm just not willing to make the effort to go.
I'm skipping something tonight that I had been looking forward to. But at least tonight I can blame it on the weather. We've had alternating snow, hail, sleet, and freezing rain all day. The roads are a mess. I've been waiting for the electricity to drop, but I guess no sliding cars or falling trees have scored yet.
I spent the past Sunday and Monday in NJ. They have no snow. It was so nice on Monday I left my coat in the car while Daughter and I were shopping. I felt good there, even with the poison air and lethal roads. Then I drove home Monday evening, and when I crossed the river and neared home, I got more and more depressed, in direct proportion to the depth of dirty snowbanks along the road. The ice on my driveway was the final blow.
I want Spring.
.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
1663 Depraved?
The way they scored this test is a bit confusing. I think the way it works is the lower the percent, the "better" you scored in that category. Like, I'm slightly less shameless than average, but I have a higher sex drive, and I've got a smaller gay side than average (I have seen other women naked, and have been seen naked, but that's all). And apparently I have a LOT more experience with the opposite sex than average.
It's easiest to just look at the comments on the right. If they're under the right column, well, wait. Eventually more posts will move it down past the obstructions.
I am amused that they can't compare me to anyone in my age group, because there's no one else in my age group in their data base. Sheesh. That alone should get me some extra depravity points!
It's easiest to just look at the comments on the right. If they're under the right column, well, wait. Eventually more posts will move it down past the obstructions.
I am amused that they can't compare me to anyone in my age group, because there's no one else in my age group in their data base. Sheesh. That alone should get me some extra depravity points!
| Your Ultimate Purity Test 2.0 Score Is... | ||||
| Your Score: | Average For All Users | Average For All Straight Moderate Single Pink-Skinned 60 to 66-Year old Females (1 total) | ||
| Dating | 19.23% | 34.13% | 19.23% | Gone steady |
| Self-Lovin' | 46.97% | 60.89% | 46.97% | When I think about you - or anyone - I touch myself |
| Shamelessness | 77.42% | 77.34% | 77.42% | Has yet to see self in mirror |
| Sex Drive | 61.9% | 75.01% | 61.9% | A fool for love, but not always |
| Straightness | 9.26% | 39.22% | 9.26% | Knows the other body type like a map |
| Gayness | 94.44% | 78.14% | 94.44% | Repressed, are we? |
| Dominant | 76.67% | 86.69% | 76.67% | Afraid to cross at "Don't Walk" signs |
| Submissive | 82.54% | 87.06% | 82.54% | Submits to no one... almost |
| Fucking Sick | 90.82% | 89.82% | 90.82% | Refreshingly normal |
| Total Score | 67.3% | 73.72% | 67.3% | |
| Take The Ultimate Purity Test 2.0 and see how you match up! (By The Ferrett) | ||||
1662 More Cat Stuff
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I forgot to mention that when I was putting the collar on Jasper, I noticed a small lump on his head, about a half inch above one eye. I had noticed the bump over the past several days, but had assumed it was just a tangle of fur.
Today I decided to find out exactly what it was.
You know how cats' claws shed, and you'll find claw tips wherever they like to "sharpen" them?
It was a claw tip stuck in the top of Jasper's head.
Miss Thunderfoot apparently scored a good one.
.
I forgot to mention that when I was putting the collar on Jasper, I noticed a small lump on his head, about a half inch above one eye. I had noticed the bump over the past several days, but had assumed it was just a tangle of fur.
Today I decided to find out exactly what it was.
You know how cats' claws shed, and you'll find claw tips wherever they like to "sharpen" them?
It was a claw tip stuck in the top of Jasper's head.
Miss Thunderfoot apparently scored a good one.
.
1661 Escape Artist
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Well, today Jasper got his first collar. He accepted it with no fuss or complaint. A half hour later, it was lying on my bed - unbuckled.
I put it on him again, with two finger's play, and again within a half hour he had unbuckled it. He didn't slip it over his head - he unbuckled it. Again I found it on the bed.
I put it on him a third time, tighter, and then went into the bathroom where I could see him on the bed without being right there. The little sneak immediately tucked his chin under, and pulled the band around until the buckle was under his chin. Within about 15 minutes of rolling around and amazing contortions, he'd managed to catch his lower teeth under the band next to the buckle, and he pulled on it until he had unbuckled it! Exactly the same way I would unbuckle it with my fingers.
What was cute was that his gyrations trying to get hold of the collar had spilled him off the bed, so he had removed the collar on the floor. The little stinker picked up the collar and deposited it neatly on the bed, so I could find it and put it on him again.
We have a new game.
.
Well, today Jasper got his first collar. He accepted it with no fuss or complaint. A half hour later, it was lying on my bed - unbuckled.
I put it on him again, with two finger's play, and again within a half hour he had unbuckled it. He didn't slip it over his head - he unbuckled it. Again I found it on the bed.
I put it on him a third time, tighter, and then went into the bathroom where I could see him on the bed without being right there. The little sneak immediately tucked his chin under, and pulled the band around until the buckle was under his chin. Within about 15 minutes of rolling around and amazing contortions, he'd managed to catch his lower teeth under the band next to the buckle, and he pulled on it until he had unbuckled it! Exactly the same way I would unbuckle it with my fingers.
What was cute was that his gyrations trying to get hold of the collar had spilled him off the bed, so he had removed the collar on the floor. The little stinker picked up the collar and deposited it neatly on the bed, so I could find it and put it on him again.
We have a new game.
.
1660 Things I've found
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 (just after midnight)
I've been playing with http://www.pandora.com/. It's free. You set up a "radio station" by entering the name of a group or singer you like. Pandora analyzes the music, and then picks other artists you might like, on the basis of similar characteristics. As they play, you indicate whether or not you like what they've chosen (when there's something you especially like or hate), and that's input to further refine the selections. It doesn't seem to use lot of bandwidth to have a tailored "radio" playing the whole time you're on the computer.
Pandora has permission to play the stuff, and if you especially like something, they have the links for you to buy it. I discovered the contract bit when I was skipping some bad choices, and was informed that "under contract with the distributers" one is allowed to skip only a certain number a day. When you hit that limit, you have to listen even if you don't like it.
Try it. It's free. You just have to give them an email address, but in the four months since I registered, I haven't got any email from them.
-----------------------------
Sunday evening I introduced my friend to Billy's Balloon and Salad Fingers (both mentioned in previous posts). In return (or maybe to teach me a lesson) he showed me the Toyota Scion commercials. Now, these are vile! I couldn't believe they're real, but they are.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/dTeC9fKlHSk&rel=1]
[http://www.youtube.com/v/MZqOxxgUYsc&rel=1]
Just what I always wanted - a vomit green car.
There's also a game based on these commercials. You kill sheeple and use the green blood to fuel a Scion factory. If you don't mind, I won't give you the link, but Google will.
------------------------------
I may or may not have mentioned this before, but it has become one of my favorite cartoon sites and is worth mentioning again: "Basic Instructions - your all-inclusive guide to a life well-lived" at http://www.basicinstructions.net/.
I've been playing with http://www.pandora.com/. It's free. You set up a "radio station" by entering the name of a group or singer you like. Pandora analyzes the music, and then picks other artists you might like, on the basis of similar characteristics. As they play, you indicate whether or not you like what they've chosen (when there's something you especially like or hate), and that's input to further refine the selections. It doesn't seem to use lot of bandwidth to have a tailored "radio" playing the whole time you're on the computer.
Pandora has permission to play the stuff, and if you especially like something, they have the links for you to buy it. I discovered the contract bit when I was skipping some bad choices, and was informed that "under contract with the distributers" one is allowed to skip only a certain number a day. When you hit that limit, you have to listen even if you don't like it.
Try it. It's free. You just have to give them an email address, but in the four months since I registered, I haven't got any email from them.
-----------------------------
Sunday evening I introduced my friend to Billy's Balloon and Salad Fingers (both mentioned in previous posts). In return (or maybe to teach me a lesson) he showed me the Toyota Scion commercials. Now, these are vile! I couldn't believe they're real, but they are.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/dTeC9fKlHSk&rel=1]
[http://www.youtube.com/v/MZqOxxgUYsc&rel=1]
Just what I always wanted - a vomit green car.
There's also a game based on these commercials. You kill sheeple and use the green blood to fuel a Scion factory. If you don't mind, I won't give you the link, but Google will.
------------------------------
I may or may not have mentioned this before, but it has become one of my favorite cartoon sites and is worth mentioning again: "Basic Instructions - your all-inclusive guide to a life well-lived" at http://www.basicinstructions.net/.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
1659 Back, and Recovering
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
I hadn't realized I hadn't posted since Friday. I guess because I had a draft out there from Saturday that I added to on Sunday morning, and it registered in my head as having done posting duty.
I went to NJ on Sunday, spent some quality time with a friend, and then on Monday visited with Daughter. It was all good.
Now I'm playing catch up.
And, well, that's about it.
.
I hadn't realized I hadn't posted since Friday. I guess because I had a draft out there from Saturday that I added to on Sunday morning, and it registered in my head as having done posting duty.
I went to NJ on Sunday, spent some quality time with a friend, and then on Monday visited with Daughter. It was all good.
Now I'm playing catch up.
And, well, that's about it.
.
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