A Vast Wasteland of Nothingness

The journey begins...

2011-08-25T00:25:00.000-04:00

In just a few short hours, my little girl will be on a bus headed to her first full day of kindergarten. The whole day. 9:00 am to 3:15 pm, she will be in school.

How did this happen? How did my little girl turn 5 and head off to school without me noticing? When did she get so big? It is really not possible. There is no one this the same little girl with the full head of dark hair who I cradled in my arms. There is no way this is the same little girl.

And yet, it is. Her bright blue eyes full of energy and some trepidation. Her excitement to go see kids in her class and already for recess. Her nervousness about riding the bus by herself without mommy or daddy with her. Yes, this is my little girl. She is growing up...too fast.

When she was born, my supervisor told me to cherish those moments because they go by so fast. I laughed and many times, during long, sleepless nights when she would cry or not want to go to sleep, I would wonder, as I was swaying her in my arms, when does this start going fast.

And now here I am today, wondering where this time went. I wonder how things did go so fast and how my little baby girl turned into a beautiful, inquisitive, insightful little girl. She has faced adversity unlike many kids her age and yet, she acts no different. If anything, she is tougher and wiser because of it.

I am so proud of her today as she starts kindergarten. Being the softy I am, I have shed more than one tear privately realizing my little girl is growing up. Still, I am so very proud of the young girl she has become and relish the opportunity to watch her continue this path in to something special.

I love you Ella. Best of luck on your first day of kindergarten!

Not everything is political

2011-08-08T11:37:00.000-04:00

As many folks know I am a very politically driven person. Often, I allow politics to seep into conversations where it may or may not be appropriate.

One thing I am sure of, the death of the US Navy SEALS team this weekend is not political, nor should it be. I already have heard on the news and seen people posting on Facebook and elsewhere this should be a reason for us to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan.

Look, I agree our job there is ending and we need to withdraw our troops, but the death of these men does not deserve to be politicized. They knew the risks. They understood their job and they died protecting the beliefs and the freedoms of this country. In many cases, this was what they were born to do. Some have the courage to serve and put their lives on the line while others do not. Don't make their decision political.

I don't care what party affiliation you are. I don't care if you support or don't support this president or any president before him. Now is not the time for politics!

We need to pay tribute to these men with honor and dignity, just as they served this country. We need to recognize their sacrifices and we need to understand their willingness to protect us in the process. We need to understand their sacrifice was not for political argument. It was in service to this country and they need to be remembered for that service.

..."slipped the surly bonds of earth"...

2011-01-28T09:53:00.007-05:00

Twenty five years ago today at just a little more than a minute into its accent into space, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and fell back to Earth, taking with it the lives of its seven crew members on board.

At that point in time, I was sitting in Mrs. Wagner's third grade class at Franklin Township Elementary School. I was 8-years old at the time and my aspiration for when I grew up was to be, of all things, an astronaut. For so many the realization of what happened that day was shocking. Even for grown adults, seeing the shuttle destroyed live on the air was devastating. For a third grader who wanted to be on that shuttle, devastating doesn't begin to explain how I felt.

Needless to say, my life path changed that day. it most likely would have anyway. Who, in third grade, knows what they want to be and then follows through on this 20 years later. Still, the shock of that day for me was personal. I didn't know anyone on board that shuttle, except in the public way that we all grew to know Christa McAuliffe. Many of us didn't even know the names of the astronauts as this was a routine, everyday mission for them. They were doing what they were born to do. But still, the personal attachment of a dream is just as poignant. It is no less devastating when that dream is ripped away by tragedy.

Three years later, sitting in my reading class in Mrs. Phiel's sixth grade classroom in the newly built Franklin Township Elementary, I remember watching the space program get back off the ground and launching a shuttle for the first time since Challenger. I remember actually clapping and cheering for this while others in the class looked at me as if I had two heads. Indeed, while my career aspirations had changed, my love of space exploration and travel was still there.

The devastation of seeing Columbia fall apart in the morning sky several years later was shocking, but it was very different than that morning in 1986.Perhaps my more adult and less naive mind grasp what had happened. Maybe its because I had seen it before. Perhaps my senses had been dulled by other world and personal tragedy. Whatever it was, I was still riveted to the news, but not the same ways as I was with Challenger.

In every person's life, there are "where were you when" moments. For a generation is was the Kennedy Assassination. For my generation it was the Challenger and 9/11. They are moments that we wish we never experienced but also moments we will never forget.

To those astronauts that perished that cold morning in January 1986 we will never forget your sacrifice and we will not forget your mission. As President Reagan said in lieu of his State of the Union speech that night in January...

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."

And so...

2011-01-06T12:28:00.002-05:00

Well my friends, I am back on my Blog. I realized the other day that it has been almost a year since I posted anything to this page. Partially because I post articles and stuff that I used to post here, to Facebook more often now. But also just neglect. I have been doing this Blog since 2001...ten years now...and never had I only had one entry in a year until 2010. Oh well.

So here is Captain Cynical checking in for 2011 and hoping to do better in updating this page.

Now, on with the show...a coworker the other day posted a status update on Facebook that made me think. Her status was "The optimist knows the work week is half over. The pessimist knows there is half a week left to work. The realist is glad to have a job. Which one are you?"

When I read this, I immediately thought, that is a hell of a good question. Throughout my professional career, I have fallen on all three sides of that question. But, where do I fit now. Every time I complain about work or people at work, I try to remind myself that in this world we live in, I should be grateful to be employed. No matter how often I remind myself of that, I still complain again the next time.

The realization for today that has carried on for sometime is that perhaps a level of appreciation, no matter how small or how inconsequential, can go a long way to making someone's answer to this question positive. Perhaps with some recognition of a person's abilities, talents and value, they would value their job more and they would in turn be happy to be at work. They would look at the calendar and comment "Wow...I can't believe its Wednesday already!"

We all have bad days at work...that's part of life. But when you have people putting in the bare minimum to get the bare minimum and that is considered effective, perhaps your leadership chain can be questioned. If nothing else, your motivation abilities can be called into question.

I would love to see all current leaders sit in on a class on leadership development. Some would nod in agreement because they understand and personify what is being discussed. Some would nod in agreement because they saw the guy next to them nodding. Some would be offended that they had to be there and wouldn't be listening no matter what was said. And then there are some who would listen to every word and as soon as they leave the room, all of that information would be lost.

So...what is my answer to the original question? Half over, half to go, happy to have a job. I honestly still don't know. I am happy to have a job, but if it means that I am tormented by the incompetence and lack of respect from other, than is it worth it. I am happy the week is half over, but more because I know there were two days until the weekend. I cringe thinking there are two days left, but not because of the work. More so, it is the realization that I need to deal with levels of disrespect and intolerance for two more days before getting a break.

Well...like I said, I am back.

Here's...

2010-01-13T00:20:00.002-05:00

I never suspected that my first Blog entry of the new year would be in reference to television. Actually, if I had to guess, if it wasn't about the kids or the job, TV would be the next logical subject for me.

Nonetheless, here I am writing about the current late night situation on NBC. I am a Conan fan. I have been since he debuted at 12:30 and I was very excited to watch him transition on to The Tonight Show. I love his brand of humor and have watched more episodes (actually almost every night) of The Tonight Show with Conan hosting than I did in Leno's 17 years on the show.

I understand that Conan is not everyone's favorite. He definitely attracts a different audience than Leno or Carson or any of the predecessors of The Tonight Show. My argument is not about whether or not you like Conan, my argument is simple...

Give the guy a shot! Jay Leno announced 5 years ago he was leaving The Tonight Show in 2009. At that time, Conan was announced as his successor on the show. Here's my point...if the guy who did my job before I came to work at my employer suddenly failed at his new job, would he be offered my job and I be moved to something less than what I am doing? Not at all...this just doesn't happen.

Conan's ratings have been lower than Jay's, even losing the ratings battle to Letterman. Let's examine this now too.

1) When Jay took over The Tonight Show he had powerhouse shows like Law and Order, LA Law and even NBC's Must See TV lineup on Thursday nights to provide a strong lead for the affiliate (local) newscasts, ultimately providing a strong lead in to The Tonight Show. In addition, later shows like ER continued this strength in leading in to the late night lineup.

2) Letterman's rating went up after his big sex scandal this past summer. Scandal always leads to viewership. Leno can attest to this as well when he had on Hugh Grant immediately after his scandal. After that, Leno's rating grew and he continued to beat Letterman year in and year out.

So, Conan was not given a shot. His shot was squashed by a guy who should understand what it takes to make it at 11:30. Instead, he is going to comfortable move back to his slot, taking down the immediate future of the next generation.

I won't stop watching NBC completely, but my late night viewership will be switched. Whether I go to Letterman or I go to wherever Conan lands, I will be more than happy to tune my TV to something other than NBC. Fortunately, most of the crap they are producing now, allows me to keep my eyes off of their network a lot easier.

Anyway...my thoughts on that. Maybe this will be my theme for 2010 entries...bitching about anything and everything that has no direct relationship to my life at all :-)

I'M WITH COCO!!!!

The last year of the 20 aughts...

2009-12-27T00:45:00.004-05:00

Welcome to December 31, 2009...the last year of this decade.

As always, I am compelled, no matter how few entries I post within the year, to provide some type of year-end overview. In years past I have compiled my thoughts about a multitude of things from famous deaths to sports analysis and so one. This year, for the first time in the history of my Blog, affords me the opportunity to look over the past decade. Sure, I could have done this before, but actually doing it at the close of a decade makes a little more sense.

In 2001 I started this Blog as to express, mostly bad, thoughts about my life. Basically, it became a sounding board for a lot of different aspects of life and, in particular, my career. So what better place to begin my decade in review than looking at my career.

My professional life actually began in this decade. In December of 1999 I received my undergraduate degree, little suspecting that at the end of this decade I would still be in school! Nonetheless, my first job of my professional career started in March 2000 at the Wildlife Habitat Council. While it had its quirks, I still recognize it as one of the best jobs I have ever had. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, no matter how brief it was. And maybe, in hindsight, that is what made it so good. I didn't really have time to hate. Of course, the same could be said about my experience at Liberty Productions as well. My short 7-month tenure there was wrought with speculation of when I was going to be let go. From almost day one, my job search was sustained, an indication in any job that it probably isn't good. Again, though, I found myself searching for a job which, after 3 1/2 months of being unemployed without pay, I took the temp job with Academy (Pearson) Artworks. I have said it many times before, but when my career as a politician truly takes off, my first act of legislation will be a Temporary Employees Bill of Rights. To work for a company for nearly 3 years and be considered a temp, with no benefits, no vacations, nothing is not fair and equitable treatment of an employee. I was doing the same job as a permanent employee who had been at the company for 15+ years, yet getting paid so much less and getting no benefits. Anyway, I digress, I was never so happy to leave that place and begin my journey down the path of Higher Education. My tenure at The Restaurant School was tumultuous, especially at the end, but it gave me many opportunities to draw from my experiences and a platform to draw upon when drafting my own personal thoughts on an admissions policy and procedure. That then led to my job currently at Thaddeus Stevens College. After nearly 2 1/2 years here, my role has expanded greatly and again, my experiences have been a great learning experience.

More important than career, however, is my family which decreased in size early in the decade, but expanded greatly at the end. In March 2000 was when my mom died unexpectedly at the age of 49. No matter the age, especially if it is unexpected, nothing can prepare you for this loss. My mom and I were close and that made it much more difficult. I used to call her first in regards to all of the big moments, good and bad, that occurred in my life. As a matter of fact, the day she died, I was calling all day to tell her I was offered my first job out of college. Its funny how even almost 9 years later when something big happens, I feel the urge to share it with her. I guess you never outgrow that.

On a more positive note, in March 2006, Ms. Ella Marie Baker joined our family. Ella has shown me in the past almost 4 years what it means to be a father and shown me a brightness to the world. Her infectious smile and her bravery in dealing with her Diabetes is unparalleled. It sounds crazy to say a 3-year old is your hero, but in many ways, she is. I love her with all of my heart and sole.

And then there is Pudge. In October of this year, Anderson Jacob (AJ) Baker joined our family. What a blessing. His calm demeanor has been a refreshing change of pace from the overactive, overstimulated mind of a preschooler! As he continues to expand his abilities I am sure I will be no less astonished and amazed by him as I am with his sister. We have been very blessed with two awesome children who will someday overthrow this world and become its supreme ruler :-)

Besides the growth of our family, our family really began in this decade as well. In September 2001 Jen and I were married. Despite all of my kidding and obnoxiousness and ignorance, Jen has been my rock and I am truly blessed to have her in my life. There are few couples that I have interacted with that feed off of each other the way that we do. In a weird way, we are like Lego's, we just fit together. After 13 years together, 8 of which have been marriage, I am very blessed to have Jen in my life as well.

And of course, there is the little pain in my ass I call my brother :-) His life has been nothing but a roller coaster ride this decade. From the multitude of jobs, girlfriends, apartments, etc. it is amazing for me to see him today, at the end of the decade, as the devoted family. Its not that I never thought this day would come, but now that I have, I see him in a completely different light. While he is still the little twerp that I used to fight with endlessly (and still do when given the opportunity...ask me about our Boston trip sometime), I see Jason as a matured and dedicated father to three great little girls. God knows our paternal experiences can only be a testament to what we didn't get as kids. Sadly, we were taught not how to be good fathers, but what not to do as dads. While it wasn't always bad and certainly not as bad as some, our memories and experiences will forever shape us into what a dad really should be.

Some brief experiences I want to mention, if not to just recognize them as part of my life in the past decade...

9/11/2001 - how can we ever forget that. As a historian and as a person alive at that time, this event will forever shape this generation and many beyond

Cal Ripken's last game - I was there and will cherish that sports experience forever

Cal's Hall of Fame induction - just a truly awesome experience as an Orioles fan and as a baseball fan

Barack Obama being elected - political differences aside, what another amazing and positive event to be a part of in history

Buying our first house! - talk about maturity slapping you right in the face

Getting Buster Brown - as a dog lover, nothing warms your heart than to bring a dejected dog into your life and giving him the best home he has ever had and knowing full well, he is giving you more than you could ever give him

Governor Rendell's first inauguration - being of a political mind, this type of event is awe inspiring, especially when it is sub-freezing temperatures and your wife is next to you sick as a dog!

The trip to New York Summer of 2008 - in the words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I got to say about that!"

I know I am missing so much, but...at some point this trip down memory lane needs to finish, plus, you can always go back and read all of my entries from the past 8 years at least.

2009, I joked, was the year of transitions and in so many ways it was. But that really is a truer evaluation of the decade as a whole. In the past 10 years, my life has changed dramatically and, as much as it pains me to say it, I became a responsible adult in the process. Good and bad, the events of the past 10 years have shaped who I am, who I have become and how I move forward in my life. I have been more than blessed and I recognize this each and every day of my life. 2000-2009 will truly be one of the most transformative decades I will live.

To all of my friends that make it to the end of this, many best wishes for the year to come and for the decade we are about to delve into. And keep watching this Blog, if I do slack on writing, it will still be here for your perusal!

A moment of reflection...

2009-10-18T11:01:00.002-04:00

Or perhaps the title should be more aptly named "The calm before the storm."

This weekend, as we are less than one week from the arrival of the newest Baker boy, I have had a little bit of time to do some reflection. Maybe its the ugly weather or maybe the realization that Ship's homecoming, which was yesterday, would be our 10 year reunion, but I had a chance to think about where I am in my life and where I have come from.

Early October marked 13 years from the day that I first met Jen, ironically, outside of the pep rally for Ship's homecoming. We spent the next day, with our friends, at the game, but it seems, or at least my memory has stored this way, it could have just been Jen and I. We joked, we were perverse (wow, I would never have guessed), we talked and we really began our relationship fairly smooth. Within a few weeks (Oct. 26 to be exact) we started dating. Oh, and I have the video evidence of our first date...a party at 14 South Queen Street! There is a throw back to anyone who remembers that place.

Over the next 5 years, our relationship had its peaks and valleys. Both our parents divorced in that time, I announced that I never wanted to get married and we had one of those "where is this relationship" going talks. Poor Slick was locked out of our room until 3 am thanks to that talk! Nonetheless, we prevailed.

Again, at the Homecoming Pep rally in 2000, I proposed to Jen at almost the same spot we met. Despite her alcohol induced haze, she said yes :-) (Or maybe it was because of that haze!) We spent the next year planning for the wedding and of course, we were married on Sept. 15, 2001...surprisingly, not at Ship's homecoming! (Although thinking back, that would have been awesome to do at halftime!!!)

Our lives have been a roller coaster ride ever since. The obvious high was when Ella was born. Subtracting age 3 from the equation :-), we have been blessed with a beautiful, intelligent, witty little girl! She is such a brave little girl with all that she endures and that toughness, for better or worse, will get her through life in so many situations. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be able to accomplish everything she sets her mind to.

Now, on the eve of the birth of our son, I can't help but feel blessed but what I have in my life. Despite the daily stresses, the highs and lows of work, the heavy burden of a heavy travel schedule, the health highs and lows, and just about whatever else life could throw at us, I am convinced that life is good.

My cubicle at work is covered in pictures of Ella. Sadly, it always reminds me of the episode of The Simpsons where Homer is less than thrilled to be at work and he covers his office with pictures of Maggie, just to remind him of why it is all worth it. On tough days, it doesn't take long for me to look at the cheesy grin in one of those pictures and to smile myself. I can't wait until there are two faces peering back at me that have the same effect!

I know right before Ella was born, I wrote something about how prepared I was for her birth. Man...how naive is a new father? I could never have anticipated just how far off that statement was! I was somewhat ready, but not for all the twists and turns life has in store for you. Nonetheless, we made it this far with only minors scratches and bruises! :-)

So...as I wrap this up, I look back on the past year, 3 1/2 years, 8 years, 13 years and 32 years and realize, I may not be exactly where I wanted to be in my life, but that's okay...I am in a much better place than I could have ever anticipated or wished for.

Life on the road...

2009-09-30T18:56:00.002-04:00

I have been deep in my 6th cycle as a college recruiter for several weeks now. While I love this aspect of my job, it increasingly becomes harder and harder to when all I want to do is be home to tuck my little girl in at night. And of course, it won't get easier when the little guy come either. Ugh.

State Budget Impass...

2009-07-31T22:16:00.001-04:00

If you are looking for someone to blame for this budget mess, take a look at the Senate Republicans? Republican Senator and Lt. Governor Joe Scarnati has just announced that he is spending a half million dollars of your money on a special election on September 29th, only 5 weeks before the regularly scheduled General Election on November 3rd.

It defies common sense to throw away money in the middle of a global economic crisis while our state is facing a multi-billion dollar deficit.

Senate Republicans are handing working families of Pennsylvania another bill they should not have to pay. What happened to fiscal responsibility? This move is simply a reckless and irresponsible waste of time, money and government resources.

Call Joe Scarnati and tell him to stop playing politics and pass a budget - (717) 787-7084.

A little perspective...

2009-07-08T07:56:00.002-04:00

We are officially beginning the second week without a state budget here in PA. Both sides at the state level are deadlock and the speculation is that this could go on for months! Not weeks, but months. Thus far, the governor has proposed huge cuts to the current budget, as well as a sunset tax for PA residents. In a nutshell, this means after three years, the tax will be repealed and we will go back to where we began. This has been done successfully three times since 1980 here in PA and each time the tax was ended when it was to be ended.

All of this and no proposal from the other side other than to say the governor needs to cut more and do away with his tax proposal.

Okay, political affiliations aside, let's look at the human side of this. Many state employees are not going to get paid for the work they are doing. Would you like going to work each and every day and doing your job knowing that you are not getting paid for it. Sure, payment will eventually come, but when? If this goes on for months, it could mean no pay check for several weeks. In case you have forgotten, people exist on their pay checks. Food, utilities, fuel cost, healthcare, etc, etc, etc. all get paid out of those pay checks. So to be without one, means you are WITHOUT everything in a sense.

This doesn't account for all of those who will lose their jobs. Many PA workers have already had their jobs cut. In a job market which is already incredibly hostile, we have to see hard working, dedicated people thrown right into this market. With possibly more cuts on the horizon, more people could soon be faced with the same dilemma.

With all this said, is anyone in Harrisburg concerned about their job? We know the governor is not as he is out of office in 18 months or so. Many of the legislators don't seem to be. I see know proposals to cut their income or to suspend anything that will drastically effect their lives. Yet here I sit wondering whether my employment will be effected yet again. We already have 17% of budget proposed to be cut, will more now be dropped as a result of the wrangling that is going on in Harrisburg?

I said it before, and I will say it again...I am willing to pay a few dollars more a month for the next three years or hell, even longer, if it means I keep my job, my benefits and my life! I know that is selfish, but with a family that will soon be expanding, I can't not be selfish. There are few out there who will be effected as dramatically as those who have already have or could possibly lose their jobs as a result of this budget crisis.

The legislators and the governor need to compromise sooner than later and get this resolved...NOW!

The goal...

2009-06-24T08:24:00.003-04:00

On December 1, out of no where, I decided it was time to lose weight. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to do it, but I knew something had to be done. I knew I needed to set a goal and stick with it. So...

I thought today, my 32nd birthday would be a good date to shoot for. And how simple, I should look to lose 32 pounds by my 32nd birthday. That roughly worked out to be approximately 5 pounds per month. Certainly this was an attainable goal, right?

Well, as many of you already know, I shattered that goal. As a matter of fact, by mid-February, I lost the initial 32 pounds. So, I set a new goal. I passed that. I set a third goal and...I PASSED THAT.

As of my 32nd birthday, I have lost 64.5 lbs! Did you do the math yet? That is double my original goal!

Now, I will completely blow it over the next week, but I intend full well to get back on the horse by July 4 and lose even more! My new goal, another 23.5 lbs by January 1, 2010. I know these will be a lot harder to lose in 5 short months, but I think it is doable.

Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and the patience from everyone around me. I know I have become a real stickler with all of this and sometimes it can be annoying, but...my health and life thank you :-)

The joys...

2009-06-19T08:47:00.002-04:00

Sometimes the simple things in life are what get us from day to day. Yesterday, I called home from work to talk to Jen about something probably insignificant in the spectrum of life. As usual, Ella was overheard in the background with her incessant "I wanna talk, I WANNA TALK!"

Jen put her on the phone and she was tripping over her own words to tell me that she made me a picture frame for Father's Day at Gymboree. She was so excited and kept asking if I would be home to get it. Well, of course, I wasn't. My meeting that I had took longer than I anticipated and she was asleep until I got home.

Nonetheless, Jen told me she carried the picture frame to her room so I wouldn't see it until she gave it to me.

I am guessing...no I am guaranteeing, no matter what, this is going to be one of my all time favorite gifts. Her excitement just makes me want to fake an illness and go home right now and spend the day with her. It's amazing how something so simple can make my day.

Pennsylvania Pride...

2009-06-15T13:41:00.002-04:00

Over the weekend, PA had a huge weekend for sports. The Pittsburgh Penguins became the Stanley Cup champions, the Hershey Bears became the Calder Cup Champions and PA native Kobe Bryant won the NBA Championship with the LA Lakers and won the playoff MVP.

This caps off an already impressive year for PA sports. The Super Bowl was won by a PA team and the World Series of last fall was won by the Phillies. This is a pretty impressive track record for the state.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would have much rather seen my Flyers win Sir Stanley's Cup and my out of state teams win the other accolades, but...good one for PA.

Sometimes...

2009-06-03T09:35:00.003-04:00

Technology truly amazes me. When I first started Blogging my unimportant thoughts several years ago, it was often difficult to do so. Blogger was clunky and the functions were limited. As I have stuck with it, things have improved…DRAMATICALLY. Today, I organized it so I can send messages from my phone to my blog to be posted and I also set up an email address where I can post directly to the site just by typing and email! I know, the technology to do these things probably has been around forever, but for me, it is quite amazing.

Maybe this will help to keep me to keep you better posted.

Nah…once a slacker, always a slacker!

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom"...

2009-05-21T07:48:00.002-04:00

As so often happens with me, life has become extremely busy and I have yet again neglected my blogging public :-)

Just a recap of where things are right now in my life:

I began my second grad class last week. This is a 10-week class that has been reduced to 5 weeks online. To give you an idea of what that means, I have over 170 pages of reading for this week alone. There is a paper due next week, the following and the following week, with me and three others leading an online discussion in a few weeks. Very, very intense class and very busy.
Work has actually calmed a bit. I am finally off the road from traveling for what seems to be one of the most grueling recruiting seasons ever. I think part of this can be attributed to the fact that I didn't really have a summer last year. With going straight from work to the stadium to work most nights, I never really had a chance to recharge. It has been nice thus far this year to go home at night and play with Ella, work in the yard or, as I did last night, just collapse in a gelatinous passed out version of me!
I am still actively involved with the Democrats in York, now sitting on a steering committee for our Campaigns and Elections committee for the party. While this only takes up about 1-2 nights a month, there are additional behind the scenes responsibilities that go with this as well. More to come on that later.

Now that all of that is out of the way, a brief update on the family. First, Jen is doing well as Baby Baker #2 stews inside. Jen began to feel the little one fluttering around a few weeks ago, so that is very cool. Thus far, things have been as equally smooth as with Ella, so we keep our fingers crossed that stays the same way.

Ella is doing great. She is in the terrorist threes right now. I am coining that phrase! One minute she is fine, then the next, it is like a bomb has gone off and we are wondering through a war field of tears, screams, demands, and just utter disaster. She can be so bossy sometimes and she can be so insistent. I have no idea where she gets her bullheaded, pissy attitude sometimes. We always said, God help the child that gets the combination of that from me and Jen. We truly anticipate her taking over the world someday in a Lex Lutherish type of way :-)

We began work a few weeks ago to split our old Master bedroom into two rooms, one for Ella's big girl room and one for the new baby. Jen and I will eventually move into Ella's old room. Things have progressed slowly thanks to the township and the codes that they and the state have imposed. Needless to say, Jen and I have been uncomfortably sleeping on the sofa for the past three weeks. I hope this is done soon!

Well, enough of an update for now. I promise to try to do better keeping this going or for even that matter, actually posting junk from time to time. Its too easy to post the junk that I used to put on here on Facebook. Sorry folks!

Take care!

The sheer reality...

2009-04-15T08:30:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I just have to sit back and ponder the simply complex nature of the question "Why?"

Why do some people seem to skate by while others who work hard, bust their hump every day are passed over, neglected and ignored?

Why is the obvious to oblivious to so many?

Why is common sense not a prerequisite for any and every job?

Why are some people so blind to reality?

Why do I give a damn?

Why do I put forth an effort of any kind?

Why can't I just be oblivious too?

Why can't I just sit back and let the wave of ignorance sweep over me day in and day out?

Why are some people such ass kissers?

Why do some people let their ass be kissed?

Why is it only Wednesday?

Why is nothing ever simple? I am told some things are, yet I have never experienced them.

Why do some people pretend to be happy?

Why do some people resist change?

Why?

Randomness at its best...

2009-03-23T00:26:00.002-04:00

So, a few months ago I wrote that 2009 was a transitional year. Now almost three full months in, I completely feel that statement to still be true. It seems every aspect of my life has shifted thus far in 2009.

This is not a bad thing. While it may have made my life a lot busier, it is all for the good...or at least I am convinced.

I had the opportunity to spend some time today talking with some friends about one of the many organizations I am in. I am not sure why I still, this many years into my involvement, allow myself to get so worked up about certain things. I shouldn't care, but I do and that is one of the big problems. Nonetheless, I have an overwhelming sense of a transition coming there as well.

All that said...

I survived Kansas City. Those who didn't know I went, I left last Saturday and returned on Wednesday. I didn't get to see much of the city, unfortunately, but what I did was pretty interesting. I spend the week at a marketing conference that, while highly informative, left me we an unrealistic opinion of what I am going to be able to do at the school. Oh well...wishful thinking may help me in this case.

I took Friday and Monday off so I could spend some time at home with the fam. I have had a great few days and I think Ella will be extremely pissed when I go back to work on Tuesday. I think she is getting used to me being home! She is growing like a weed and so full of herself. I love the fact that I have a confident, intelligent, beautiful little girl. I hope those are all traits she is able to maintain as she continues on in her life.

Work is good, but tiring. I am not going to write too much about work, as when it is good, there is really nothing more to report.

I hope all my friends and readers are doing well.

If not before...have a great a April!

Sometimes...

2009-03-09T23:57:00.000-04:00

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything of any merit here and I am not sure that this will be any different. This post is more therapy for me than anything else. So I am not really sure where it will go or where it will take me. If nothing else, it will allow me to get some of my thoughts down for posterity's sake.

Friday marked the 9 years since my mom passed away and this Friday will mark 9 years since the funeral. While I sometimes feel guilty that I don't think about her every day like I used, I realize that is part of life. We heal, never fully, but we also need to move on. But nonetheless, certain things always make me think about her. It is doubly hard when the grand daughter she never had the chance to meet has a birthday right in between those two days.

Ella was born March 10. You really can't get any closer to the middle of those two dates if you tried. Every birthday party we have for her, every Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, I think about my mom. Maybe because a owe her so much in what I do as a parent. Maybe it is the simple fact that I hope I can be true to her ideals and beliefs and provide my daughter everything she could possibly want, but most importantly provide her love and support no matter what.

I think about all the milestones and holidays and fun my mom has missed out on. She would have loved Ella and spoiled her more than anything. She would have loved her so much and the fact that Ella will only know this through Jen and I's memories of my mom truly makes me sad.

There are so many simple things I miss about my mom, but the most important, the most missed are the things that never were. The experiences she was not able to be a part of. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to get through.

I hope I have made her proud as a father, husband and son. I know she would have respected me no matter what I did in life and I know she would have been an important part of it. Even though she is gone, I know she continues to factor into my life everyday...even if I don't think about her.

It still bites...

2009-02-26T14:31:00.002-05:00

Almost a year and a half after my departure from my last place of employment, I have realized, my opinions for the place and some of the key people there really haven't changed. I had a chance to talk to a rep from that school today and found myself delving back into negative opinions of the place and its administrators. It is amazing, I had always heard time heals all wounds. Will that happen with me? Will I grow to appreciate my time there or to at least not look at it as if it were hell on Earth. Of course, when the vast majority of people who worked there feel the same way, maybe my bitterness isn't fully unjustified.

When you treat people like crap and constantly stomp of their positive ideas and work, they will become disenfranchised and alienated. Ha...leadership classes have given me a deep respect for the fact that I was squashed so much at the other school that I was never going to succeed there unless I removed myself or they removed me. Nonetheless, I agree fully with that idea, although I am not over it and maybe never will be.

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow...

2009-02-01T02:29:00.002-05:00

In the 14 years since I graduated high school I have always talked about how much I hated my experiences during those 4 years. I have my reasons and only those closest to me know why. Nonetheless, I have been thinking a lot about those times again recently. Believe it or not, it all has to do with Facebook. Suddenly, in the past two weeks, more of my former classmates have appeared as friend requests on my page. So, I began to think, was it all that bad.

The people that are connected with me are all good people. These are the people, while I may not have been closest with them, I liked. These are the people that, while others hatefully made remarks or comments about me, my friends or both, never said a bad thing. Some of them were friends. Some were acquaintances, but none of them were the immature, asinine jerks that others were.

My opinions of high school haven't changed, but maybe they have softened. I realize that not everyone was bad and not everyone jaded my view of those 4 years. I appreciate that more today than I did then. I appreciate them more now than I did then.

Friday Five: The Food of Life...

2009-01-30T11:05:00.003-05:00

I haven't done one of these in a while...so here it goes.

1. If you owned a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve?
Probably Chinese food, maybe sushi. I love Chinese cuisine, especially the good stuff. While I like the greasy dives from time to time, there are a lot of upscale places that offer some of the best Chinese food I have ever eaten.
2. What is your favorite restaurant and why?
Good question. Since I started dieting, it would be any place that has their nutritional information online. Otherwise, probably Shangrila, a chinese place in York or really any place that has great seafood! I always remember a place called Sea Breeze in Connecticut. It was right off exit 59 on I-95. It has been almost 14 years since I was there, but I remember the seafood being excellent!!!
3. What is your favorite fast food place?
Well, I have stopped eating fast food. But when I ate it all the time, definitely Burger King. Now it is probably Subway and their low calorie/low fat menu.
4. If you had to choose only one type of food to eat for a year, what would it be?
Chinese. Easiest answer in the world.
5. What is your favorite cereal?
Hmmm...this is a bit tougher. I am not a big cereal eater, but I do like Cheerios, Grape Nuts, Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch and anything chocolate.

Our long national nightmare...

2009-01-21T09:37:00.002-05:00

I had every intention of posting my thoughts about yesterdays inauguration and its historic significance here today, but my mood changed on my drive to work. While I may still follow up with another post later...this one has me fired up.

WARNING...IF YOU ARE A BUSH SUPPORTER, DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT!

During his introduction yesterday and as he was leaving, President Bush received boos and jeers from the crowd attending the inauguration. This morning, on two separate radio stations, I heard DJ's, some known supporters of Obama's, chastising those who were doing the booing. They said it was rude, uncalled for and just down right disrespectful. Several people, including one of Bush's biggest critics Kanye West, basically stated that Bush is just human and we should respect him in that manner.

To that I say, bullshit! Here is the comment I posted on a link I attached to Facebook yesterday:

To all those that were offended that people booed President Bush...to all those that keep saying he is a human being with feelings...

Maybe he should have taken in to consideration the thousands of lives he destroyed, ruined or killed before he made the decisions he did. Maybe before taking another trip to Crawford or some other vacation ... Read Moredestination, he should have thought about the task at hand, the people he SERVED and once thought...they are all human beings with feelings. You were the President, if you don't have a thick skin, you shouldn't accept the position.

Crawl back to Crawford and don't show your face again.

Bush deserved every last boo and chant he received. His ineptitude as a president, his lack of consideration for anyone but himself and his administration is appalling.

This is a man that sent thousands of soldiers to their deaths, not to mention civilian casualties, because of a vendetta. This is a man that watched from afar as hundreds drowned and lost their homes and livelihood in a city only hundreds of miles from where he now calls home. This is man that thought it okay to circumvent all rules and guidelines to manipulate an outcome that best suited his interests. This is a man who tortured people despite what anyone else felt was right or wrong. This is a man who inadequately sent troops to war, without armor or the proper tools to win. This is a man who had an approval rating after 9/11 in the 90%s and then dropped into the 20%s by the time he was gone.

He was a poor leader who made horrific decision that were to the detriment of all American citizens. He claims that because we weren't attacked again he did his job. Right! Gitmo, Katrina, the Economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, horrible world relations, circumventing the rules at all costs, and the list goes on and on and on.

Change is not always the best option but in this case it was the only option. No matter who won this election, they were to be handed the biggest plate of crap that any president has been handed. Aside from Nixon inheriting Vietnam, no other president has had these kind of hurdles to overcome.

So to those who think Bush deserved the more respect, get over it. He received yesterday only a small sampling of what he deserved.

Yes We Did...

2009-01-20T15:04:00.001-05:00

Transitions...

2009-01-18T02:11:00.002-05:00

So, if 2009 in my life goes down as anything else, it will be the year of transitions. Starting Wednesday, I transition back into the life a college student. Well, at minimum, the life of a part-time student with a full-time job, wife, kid, mortgage, etc. I am excited and nervous at the same time. It has been nearly 10 years since I set foot in a classroom that I wasn't speaking in. Yikes...10 years. Many my ass is getting old!

I am also transition weight. After many years of saying I was going to do it, I am losing weight. To date, 1 1/2 months into counting my calories, I have lost 23 pounds! Quite the accomplishment considering it was all done with diet. My goal was to lose 32 pounds by my 32nd birthday in June. At this pace, I will far surpass that goal!

Of course, not that it effects me 100% directly, but we will have a new president in office at this time next week. How can that transition be overlooked. FINALLY!

Little things are transitioning as well. Like this Blog. I changed the look, as you may or may not have seen. One reason you may not, I am now feeding this through my Facebook account as well. So...twice the viewers of my posts. Wow, now I have 4!!!

Things are definitely changing all around. I see nothing but positives from it all. Who knows, I bought a Powerball ticket tonight and didn't check it yet, maybe there is some substantial change coming my way :-)

Disgraceful...

2009-01-10T23:06:00.000-05:00

Someone please end this misery in Carolina.

Friday Five: What a Waste...

2009-01-09T10:38:00.002-05:00

1. What is your biggest waste of time in your home?
Probably our gaming systems, whether it is the Wii or Playstation. I could waste hours parked or moving directly in front of them.
2. When at work, what is the activity that you find wastes the most time?
Dealing with the red tape! If I could just get things approved and not have to go through 15 different channels, I could actually accomplish something.
3. When getting busy with a date or significant other, what ritual could you do without?
Hmmm...I don't know that I would take anything away. I can think of a few things I would add!
4. What is the biggest waste of time on the Internet?
One word...FACEBOOK. It is addicting, but such a waste, a huge waste, of time.
5. What do you do at a restaurant to waste time when waiting for your meal?
Currently...deal with Ella and try to keep her calm. When I am out on my own, if I go to a sit down restaurant, I try to avoid looking alone.

2008 in...

2009-01-06T21:28:00.002-05:00

On this 6th day of 2009, one thing has become abundantly clear to me...I have lost my creative skills. Normally, at the end of each year, I do a reflective, retrospective of that year. Sometimes it is all about me, while other times it has focused on others. Sure, it may not have always been interesting, but it took you more than five minutes to read and it was a nice interlude to whatever it was that you were doing.

But today, settling into 2009, I have nothing to include for last year. I have literally thought about this for nearly two weeks and still nothing. That is what has led me conclude that despite what I do, I will not achieve that euphoric moment of gratification when the perfect idea pops into my head.

I have also seen a huge decrease in the quality of this blog as well. Formerly named the "Cynics View on Life", this blog has taken a less biting and jaded turn in recent history. Am I mellowing in my old age or is this just another example of the piss poor writing skills I have been saturating you with.

Oh well, maybe my resolution for 2009 will be to be more creative in my entries. Maybe it will be to be more jaded in my views.

Then again, maybe my fat ass will continue to take the lazy route and just post random articles and pictures that only myself and a select few find amusing.

Happy New Year all and I wish the best in 2009 and beyond.

Did I Make the Earth Move...

2008-12-27T01:30:00.002-05:00

Did anyone else feel this???

3.3 Magnitude Earthquake Felt In Lancaster County

Jen and I both felt it! Just after midnight there was this loud rumble and since there were no trucks or heavy wind, we kind of assumed that this is what it was. Weird!

Welcome to Fantasy Football...

2008-12-23T08:20:00.002-05:00

I know it is sad, but I had the best season I have ever had at Fantasy Football this year. First, the league I have been playing in forever, my Yahoo league, I finished 3rd overall. While I had the best record throughout the season, I lost my first playoff game last week by one point and ended up settling for third place. No biggie, that ties my best record ever in that league.

I also had a league through NFL.com. I didn't even know I had this league until about two days before the season began. Needless to say...as the Cardiac Cats, here is the story posted on that site today:

CHAMPION!

Dec. 23, 2008

Cardiac Cats won the Panthers League Championship by a score of 125 to 50 over Smittypaws. DeAngelo Williams led the team in scoring in the championship round and Aaron Rodgers led the team in scoring for the season. Congrats once again to Cardiac Cats on a terrific Fantasy football Season. Hope to see you all next year!

Yes folks, for the first time in the history of me playing, I won a Fantasy Football league!!! As sad as it is, I am stoked. Simple things for simple minds I guess.

One week down...

2008-12-08T13:40:00.002-05:00

So last week, out of no where, I decided that Monday would start my diet. I didn't tell anyone I was planning this. Hell, until that morning, I really didn't know if that day would be "the" day. But, after much speculation, some grunts and groans trying to get into jeans that fit me a month ago, I decided, this baby I have been carrying for years is due.

So...with the help of fitday.com, a great calorie counting website and generally good weight loss page, I have lost, in just one week...drum roll please...

10 pounds! Not too shabby if I say so myself. My jeans, fit already. Jen says she can tell I difference in my appearance, I can't though. My goal is to lose 32 pounds by my 32nd birthday in June. While I know all of the pounds won't be this easy, the first third of my goal went pretty smoothly.

Since I am not on the road, I am not relying as much on workout as I am on diet and regulating my calorie intake. I have set a goal for myself of 1500 to 1800 calories per day. Thus far, my average is right around 1500. I have only gone over the 1500 mark 3 times and have been under the others.

Surprisingly...I am not starving either. I guess when you have this much on reserve, you have some to spare.

Nonetheless, this week will be my first test. I am on the road most of the week and will depend on restaurants for most of my food. If I can do it this week, I am convinced I will have no problems.

I am giving myself one cheat day...Friday. That is the day that we are most likely to go out to dinner, so I figure it is the day I would most likely go over anyway. Of course, sitting here in Panera Bread and smelling something baking...Monday might be my cheat day :-)

It's a Baker Family Ho Down Christmas

2008-12-01T23:36:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The time has come...

2008-11-30T23:07:00.003-05:00

As I just looked at my Blog, I realized how neglected it has been. 4 posts in the month of November. 44 posts thus far in 2008. Wow...I have been really slacking in what I write and what I update. So, long over due, here are some updates:

Family: The fam is good. Ella couldn't be a healthier, happier 2 3/4 year old. Oh, did I mention she is a typical 2 3/4 year old. Some days she is a perfect little angel. Other days I wonder if they are filming a remake of The Exorcist because she could easily be the pea-soup spitting demon child! Potty training has been incredibly taxing and her eating habits are horrendous. But...otherwise, she is perfect. Her diabetes has been ok. Not perfect, but not off either. She is doing well with difficult circumstances.

As for Jen, she is doing well while her last nerve hangs in the balance. Working from home is good for her and she is no longer watching William. Her days are filled with fighting the potty training and working hard on her profiles.

Work: If I had to give one reason for my neglect of this blog, it would be work. All of the recruiters at the school this year have been on overdrive. I have been to Pittsburgh, Altoona, Johnstown, York, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and all points in between. Sometimes...I am in many of these areas in the same week. My travel schedule has been incredibly hectic and tiring and leaves little room for rest and blog writing.

Overall, though, work is great. My responsibilities in Marketing and PR, as well as my recruiting duties keep my work life very interesting and things seem to be pretty good right now.

Misc: Well, for those who didn't know, I am starting my Masters Degree in January. I am going back to Shippensburg (or least Harrisburg for the first class) for their Organizational Development and Leadership - High Education program. Sound interesting? Basically, if I want to stay in Higher Ed, I will need to focus my Masters on that. So, that is what I have chosen to do. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Hey...did anyone hear we elected a Democrat as President! I worked very hard with the Democrats here in the area to ensure this victory, or at least as much as can be done in our wonderful county (which almost turned blue in the case of the presidential election! YEAH BLUE)

Well, that should give you enough to chew on for a while. I promise to try to add more than just frivolous fluff here from time to time. Easier said than done.

So long, Benedict Mussina...

2008-11-20T15:19:00.004-05:00

Mussina retires on a high note, with 20 wins in final season

Someone on the ESPN.com comments page put it better than I could and probably will a lot less profanity...

As a lifetime Oriole fan, I could see why Moose would leave the O's and try elsewhere for a championship. That being said, had he gone anywhere else but NY, I and a lot of Baltimore fans would have stuck by him. Since he did go to NY, I can honestly say that I am very happy that he never got a World Series ring. When you sell your soul in a quest for a championship you have to pay the consequences.

While the Orioles vs. Yankees rivalry doesn't come close to the Red Sox vs. Yankees and certainly has not been anything to speak of the past ten years, losing your ace to the Yankees is a disgrace. We should have done more to keep him, but he didn't need to go where he went. Nothing makes me happier than that he walks away without a ring. Of course, he walks away a multi-millionaire, but a ringless multi-millionaire.

And for those that I have already seen who are arguing he goes to the Hall of Fame and he should go in as an Oriole...go to hell. I don't want to see any sign of an Orioles uniform with this guy. When you go to the Yankees, you lose all connection to the Birds.

God Help Us All...

2008-11-05T14:36:00.002-05:00

When did conservative Republicans lay claim to owning religion. Since the announcement of Obama's win last night, I have read more statements by Republicans that state "God watch over our country"; "God Bless America"; and "God Help Us". Last time I checked, Democrats had religion as well. I didn't realize this was something the Republicans owned. But, it appears that way.

I know many people who are Democrats with strong values. Bob Casey is a devout Christian who believes abortion is wrong. I may argue this, but does he not have a D next to his name. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, so moved by last night's results, is a man of God.

The difference...Democrats do not use religion as a scare tactic. We believe in what we choose to believe in. We believe that we will be judged, but I will never say to someone that they are going to hell because they had an abortion or are gay or because they don't agree with me. What a horrible thing to do to your fellow man. What gives you the right to judge them? What gives you the right to determine how I live my life or how someone else lives theirs.

Religion is not a scare tactic. Religion is not a marketing tool. Religion should never be used against anyone, anytime, anywhere.

So Republicans and Dems alike who use religion as a fear mongering tactic, to hell with you.

OBAMA WINS PRESIDENCY...

2008-11-05T00:03:00.003-05:00

YES WE DID!!!
Racial Barrier Falls as Voters Embrace Call for Change

Keep up to the minute on the election...

2008-11-02T21:28:00.002-05:00

Interesting interview...

2008-10-01T16:04:00.002-04:00

I thought this was a neat interview from a historical perspective:

Pure evil from Alaska...

2008-09-28T01:05:00.002-04:00

Friday Five: Being involved...

2008-09-12T08:10:00.002-04:00

1. Do you have a favorite cause that you support?
Actually, several. First and foremost would be the American Diabetes Association.

In addition, I am active with the Democratic Party of York County, Pi Nu Epsilon and support various other organizations.

2. If so, how do you support it?
In less than a month, we will be walking in the Diabetes AssociationStep Out Walk to support funding for future Diabetes research.

As a Democrat, I volunteer a lot of time for campaigns, especially over the next two months.

3. Have you been an active member of an organization (attending meetings, volunteering etc)?
Absolutely. Probably more than I should.

4. Have you ever led any group?
Yep. I am currently the National President of Pi Nu Epsilon, the president of my Homeowners Association, and a Regional Coordinator for the Democratic Party.

5. If so, how was your experience with it?
My experiences have been filled with a lot of ups and downs. Frustrations come when you desire other members to have the same passion and zeal for the organization that you have, but often they do not. When the organization flourishes, however, you do beam with pride and can't help but be happy.

My favorite political ad of the season...

2008-09-02T08:26:00.001-04:00

Friday Five: Olympics...

2008-08-22T08:20:00.005-04:00

Again, I venture out on my own for the Friday Five. As the 2008 Beijing Olympics draw to a close this weekend, I thought this a good time to reflect on the games. Below are actually a compilation of Friday Fives. Hope you enjoyed the games as much as I did.

First up:
Five Favorite Athletes of the Games(Michael Phelps excluded)
1. Jason Lezak - After trailing in his first relay at the Olympics, Lezak lit the fires and blew past his French, trash talking competition to win and keep Phelp's golden ambition alive. This was an incredible performance and maybe one of the most memorable events at the 2008 games. Relay Recap

2. Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor - With a winning streak almost as good as they are as players, the team of May-Walsh qualify as two of my favorites. Their talent, their ambition and their emotion make them so much fun to watch. Beach Volleyball Recap

3. Nastia Liukin - Shawn Johnson was supposed to captivate us in Beijing. And she did, but Nastia redirected the light on her and her abilities for most of the gymnastics portion of the 08 games. From a line of gymnasts, we would expect nothing other than her incredible run of golds and silvers in Beijing. Recap of All-Around Gold

4. The Men's indoor volleyball team - Through the tragedy that marred the games very early on, it was obvious this team could do one of two things. Sulk and fall in their sympathy or rise above it all to be great. As of today, the team is headed to the finals with a shot at gold and a guaranteed medal for the first time in 16 years. Triumph over tragedy personified! Quarterfinal Recap

5. Mary Carillo - This is an odd one, since she is not a competing athlete. Mary Carillo is a reporter and anchor of the light night programming for NBC. However, her feature pieces about China and its culture have been extraordinary. With an air of humor, sensitivity and personal awe for the host country, Carillo has produced some wonderful segments. I had no desire to visit China prior to the Olympics, but thanks in part to Carillo's coverage, I am reconsidering! Here are just a few examples of here work:
Intrepid Dining
Panda Preserve

Honorable mention: Jonathan Horton (Men's Gymnastics); Bela Karolyi; Usain Bolt; Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers

Five Favorite Moments of the Games(Michael Phelps excluded in this case)

1. Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay -- Final - See #1 above. Maybe the most impressive relay I have ever seen.

2. Opening Ceremonies - Although I didn't see the entire ceremony, this was one of the most incredible displays I have ever seen.

3. Sailing Finals - That's right, I said sailing! Watch this video and you will understand why this event, above all others, shows the true meaning of the Olympics.

4. Beach volleyball - I admit, once every four years, I become a volleyball junkie. I love watching the indoor and beach versions and know many of the players by name when I watch them. The Men's and Women's US Beach Volleyball Squads were some of the most fun to watch this year and I was truly impressed by the desire to win, their stamina and their sheer ability. Great fun, although late to watch.

5. All diving events - Why diving? Because whenever Ella watches the divers hit the water, she throws her arms in the air and yells "YEAH!" No matter what, every time from here to the day I die, when I see I diver, I will think of my little girl's enthusiasm for the 2008 divers.

Five Favorite Michael Phelps moments
I must say, Phelps made the first week of the Olympics incredibly interesting. It was hard not to cheer on this kid. He is an amazing athlete and he seems to be a very well-rooted young man. He is modest, he is a bit awkward and he is the best to ever swim a lap.

1. Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay -- Final - This has been #1 on all my lists. This was the best race I have ever seen. The trash talk leading up to the relay and the sheer ability of the four guys in the pool...stunning!

2. 200m Fly - Final - This was the one race, when it was over, I thought Phelps seemed a bit cocky. He had broken the world record and won the gold. Yet, he throws off his cap and goggles and looks as if he is pissed off at the world. Cockiness had nothing to do with his reaction. His goggles had filled with water and swam the last lap basically blind. Just another story to add to his already huge legend.

3. 100m Buttefly - Final - The length of a fingernail. That was what continued Phelps' streak. Maybe the best personal race I have ever seen. Out touching the wall by fractions of an inch. More priceless, his mother's reaction. She thought he had a silver. Her look of disappointment turned to one of sheer shock when she saw his name posted at #1.

4. All of the relays - Phelps was aware to win his record 8 golds, he needed to depend on his teammates in 3 relays to get him there. He did, they did and he respected them more than anything. Class acts all around for all guys.

5. #8 - Of course, to see history made in his final relay was impressive. To know this is most likely a feat soon not to be repeated was classic. We were all witness to history and one of the most impressive athletic performances ever.

Maybe one of the funniest shows ever...

2008-08-19T12:48:00.000-04:00

We all know it...

2008-08-05T08:44:00.002-04:00

Second place is the first loser!

I know that better than anyone.

Friday Five: Before Your Time...

2008-08-01T08:55:00.003-04:00

As a history buff, this is a good one...
1. Of television programs that aired before you were born, what’s your favorite?
Probably M*A*S*H*. This is one of those shows that no matter when it is on, I usually stop and watch it.

2. What person of historical significance was from your neighborhood or city?
Hmmm...that is a good question. Sadly, no one of really great importance came from York. The band Live is from York, although as they got bigger, they decided York was too small for them and they claim to be from the Philadelphia-area now.

3. What’s a story that’s often been told about someone in your family in the years before you came along?
Another intriguing question. I guess just the stories about my mom and dad living in Oklahoma when my dad was in the Army. Or stories about my grandparents. Nothing really sticks out specifically.

4. Which of previous generations’ dumb mistakes (in deed or thought) baffles you the most?
Now...since I am a history major...the isolationist approach we as a country took toward growing world leaders and issues in the 1930's. Had we not turned our backs the world, we wouldn't have been slammed the way we were at Pearl Harbor and perhaps Europe would not have dealt with the atrocities it dealt with. Of course, we have and will make the same mistakes again.

5. What aspect of life in the good old days would you love to see a return to?
Just the simplicity of life. You worked hard, you enjoyed life and you never knew the fast-paced, hectic society of today. While I love to constantly be busy, I think part of my stress and the stress of others comes completely from the world around us. Every generation, every decade has something I would love to experience or see or touch or taste. That's why I am a history buff. If hadn't found it fascinating, I wouldn't have majored in it!

Friday Five: Metaphors for being you...

2008-07-25T08:35:00.003-04:00

As Friday Fives go, this is one of the lamer ones I have filled out. I did it, however, because of the last question.

1. When you go to the beach, lake, or pool, are you more likely to lower yourself gradually into cold water or to take a determined plunge and get it over with?
I lower myself in slowly, unless the water is fairly warm.

2. How is this like (or unlike) your approach to other tasks or ordeals?
This is interesting. Sometimes I enter things slowly and sometimes I jump head first into the shallow end of the pool! I tend to be a bit more guarded and cautious these days, taking time to evaluate all foreseeable outcomes before diving in.

3. When someone gives you flowers, are you more likely to let them turn completely brown and gross before throwing them out, or to discard them the moment they take on that sick-flower look?
Honestly, I can't say I remember ever getting flowers. But if I did, I would probably wait until the brown, wilted and stinking before I threw them out. I wouldn't be holding on to them for any sentimental value...moreso because I am just shit ass lazy!

4. How is this like (or unlike) your approach to other gifts, purchases, or relationships?
I tend to be a pack rat when it comes to different things. I try to hold on to gifts, etc. as long as I can. If I lose something or throw something away I received, I feel incredibly upset and or guilty. It also pisses me of when someone gets rid of something I gave them. I am in no way like my grandmother who would receive something for her birthday and the next summer sell it at her annual yard sale!

5. Think of your favorite movie (or a movie you really like, if you can’t think of a favorite). Some people say that the reasons you love your favorite movie are related to what you value in romantic relationships. How is this true or untrue in your case?
The first move that came to mind as one of my favorites...Fight Club! So, if this were the case, my romantic relationships would be filled with personal turmoil and angst, peppered with bouts of delirium. It would demonstrate an internal struggle that was masked by only fleeting moments of reality and normalcy. Yeah...that pretty much sums it up :-)

Friday Five: Friends...

2008-07-18T10:01:00.002-04:00

1. If you could change one life-changing event in the life of someone important to you, would you?
Absolutely. Who wouldn't, especially if it was life-changing in a negative way.
2. Which do you think is easier to do, being friends for many years, or being life partners for many years?
I think they are one in the same. Life partners should be friends and friends can be life partners. While I know this isn't always the case, it should be.
3. Have you ever walked away from someone you considered a friend?
Yeah. I think inadvertently, we all do that from time to time.
4. If you had to choose between telling the truth and hurting a friend or lying and making them happy, which would you choose?
I would tell the truth. If you are a true friend, no matter how much it pains your friend, you need to tell them the truth. Part of friendship is honesty. If there is pain, then the friend should be there to get you through.
5. Which would you rather hear--the truth which will hurt, or the comforting lie?
I would love to say truth, especially after my last answer. But some part of me thinks maybe it is better not to know or to at least not hear it from someone you trust and admire.

Advanced screening...

2008-07-12T23:46:00.004-04:00

Jen and I will be off to see this at the IMAX on Tuesday...three days before the release date! Very excited!

Friday Five: UUUUGGGGHHHHH

2008-07-11T09:49:00.003-04:00

Today, I have decided that I will come up with my own Friday Five. Based on my experiences over the past three days, I would like to examine five reasons why being 31 means you can't act like you are 21!

1) Staying up until 3:00 AM two nights in a row, then getting up at 8:00 just isn't doable. Tuesday night, 3:30 bedtime. Wednesday night, 3:00 bedtime. Friday morning...ass dragging!

2) Speaking of Wednesday...consuming mass quantities of alcohol isn't doable. The pain and suffering I am experiencing even two days after the fact just is not worth it. While I loved it Wednesday evening, Thursday morning was rough. Thursday afternoon worse and Friday morning...blah. Hangovers last a lot longer as you get older.

3) Puking over a subway rail isn't as cool as it sounds! Puking in a hotel trash can isn't as fun as it sounds. Puking at a bagel shop isn't as fun as it sounds. Have a I made my point yet.

4) At 21 your conversations revolve around women, beer, sports, women. At 31 your conversations revolve around kids, work, sports, beer, and how tired you get all the time.

5) Good friends at 21 are still good friends at 31. I know that isn't a difference, but I am glad it's not.

In honor of the name of this Blog...

2008-07-03T08:48:00.001-04:00

Useless Trivia and Fun Facts (courtesy of Slick!)
- The Eiffel Tower has 1792 steps.
- Every year, the Moon moves a further 3.82cm from the Earth.
- Every minute in the U.S. six people turn 17.
- There are more than 1,000 chemicals in a cup of coffee.
- Blue and white are the most common school colors.
- On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day.
- The tip of a 2cm long hour-hand on a wristwatch travels at 0.00000275 mph
- There is about 200 times more gold in the worlds oceans, than has been mined in our entire history.
- Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.
- Termites eat wood twice as fast when listening to heavy metal music.
- The cockroach has a high resistance to radiation and is the creature most likely to survive a nuclear war.
-Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
-Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a bellybutton.
-A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 yrs.
-People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more.
-When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop ... even your heart!
-Only 7% of the population are lefties.
-40 people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.
-Babies are born without knee caps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old.
-The average person over fifty will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.
-The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
-The average housefly lives for one month.
-40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
-A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.
-The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.
-Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than the rest of the day.
-Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.
-The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.
-The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning it's head are the rabbit and the parrot. ( Don't forget Moms )
-Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State anthem.
-In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.
-Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane just in case there is a crash.
-The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.
-Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth.They are reused in vein transplant surgery.
-Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were seventh cousins.
-If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green
-Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.
-Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.
-There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
-The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.
-A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
-There are more chickens than people in the world.
-Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey.
-The longest one-syllable word in the English language is "screeched."
-On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over theParliament
building is an American flag.
-All of the clocks in the movie "Pulp Fiction" are stuck on 4:20.
-No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange,
silver, or purple.
-"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".
-All 50 states are listed across the to! p of the Lincoln Memorial
on the back of the $5 bill.
-Almonds are a member of the peach family.
-Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.
-Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.
-There are only four words in the English language which end in
"dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.
-Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina
de los Angeles de Porciuncula"
-A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
-An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
-Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
-In most advertisements, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10.
-Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
-The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after
Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful
Life."
-A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
-A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
-It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
-The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.
-In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
-The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar
tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
-The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
-There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.
-"Stewardesses" is the longest word that is typed with only the
left hand.

We are...

2008-06-27T10:52:00.002-04:00

I have been a Penn State fan all my life. The Orioles and Penn State are the two teams I remember cheering for as long as I can remember. Thanks to Penn State, I followed a player to the Panthers and picked them as my NFL team.

So...it pains me greatly when I walk into a restaurant in Penn State, I am here for college fair, and see a college-aged student sitting there with a Michigan sweatshirt on. The rage, the embarrassment and the sheer pity I felt for this guy were overwhelming. How dare he wear this shirt in Penn State. How dare he wear this shirt in PA? Actually, how dare he wear that shirt at all.

For shame young man, for shame!

31 is a prime number...

2008-06-24T08:23:00.004-04:00

This is quite possibly the best story I have ever found about my birthday through history:

June 24, 1928 - Cat pilots rocket car
The rocket-powered Opel RAK 3 debuted on a section of railroad track near Hanover, Germany. With approximately 20,000 spectators looking on, the rocket car recorded a rail-speed record of 157 mph on its first run. The result of a rather odd experiment, the RAK 3 carried a caged cat as its driver. Tragically, on the car's second run, too many of its rockets fired at once and the car crashed, killing its feline pilot.

Friday Five: It's All About the Benjamins...

2008-06-20T09:08:00.006-04:00

Not necessarily the most interesting, but better than some of the most recent ones that have been provided:

1. Did you get an allowance as a kid, and if so, how much was it?
I did, but I honestly don't remember how much. I remember there was an old, weathered yellow sheet that hung on the side of frig that listed our chores. If we did those, we got an allowance, albeit a rate occurrence.

2. How old were you when you had your first job, and what was it?
I think I was 15 and it was helping some guy clean up a construction site. I collected all of the junk and trash. That is, all the junk and trash they DIDN'T stuff into the cinder block walls in the basement.

3. Which do you do better: save money or spend money?
Spend money...easy answer. That is why I have Jen to keep me grounded.

4. Are people more likely to borrow money from you, or are you more likely to borrow from them?
Borrow...thanks to Jen. There was a time of day I was on the other end, but not anymore. Thankfully!

5. What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
Probably our house. I can't think of anything more expensive than that. Of course my college education, cars, etc. are up there on the list. Someday it will be the Orioles that top my list :-)

In the words of my wife...

2008-06-12T08:16:00.003-04:00

WTF?!?!?!

Anyone know what this sign is all about? If you do, you are much smarter than any driver coming off the Columbia ramp onto Route 30 into construction traffic. Normally, the ramp does not have one of these signs, but during construction, it is there. When traffic is backed up for over a mile and a half, you don't yield...YOU STOP ASSHOLES.

Thank you for joing me for this daily rant!

Friday Five - Throw your love around...

2008-06-06T12:36:00.003-04:00

1. Last laugh?
That would be this morning. I went to the dentist to get a cavity filled. Normally, for me this is one of the most anxious experiences I have, because the novicain sometimes doesn't work and I feel them working. UGH! Today, however, after taking additional measures. I was good...no pain. The reason I laughed though, when the dentist pulled the needle out, my eyes were watering and I wanted to yell. It reminded me of an episode of Seinfeld where there was a discussion over making the dentist office all adult. Jerry asks Kramer: "Do you really feel the need to curse at the dentist office." To which Kramer replies: "When they pull that needle out, I let he expletives fly!" That is definitely how I felt and I laid their in the chair with a shit eating grin on my face because of it.

2. What do you love?
This is an easy one. My beautiful daughter Ella. Although I love her totally, I especially love her sense of humor. She is such a fun kid and loves to have fun and laugh and just be absorbed in the innocence of childhood. Ah to be 2 again :-)

3. Gold or silver?
Probably silver. I think silver has a cleaner look to it. I am not sure if that makes sense, but I think it does.

4. Who do you hold hands with?
My boo Jen and my baby boo Ella!

5. Friday fill-in:
There's no time to ____.
...to forget. If we forget where we have come from we forget who we are. We can change, we can move forward, but there always needs to be sense of realization when it comes to where we have come from. Our history, our personal pasts have made us who we are, good or bad or any combination of the two.

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."...

2008-06-05T09:17:00.007-04:00

In 1963 the death of JFK was one of the most shocking and horrific moments to date for Americans. No one could imagine a man of Kennedy's youth, power, inspiration and endless future gunned down, leaving a mourning nation wondering what next.

Five years later, during one of the most tumultuous times in U.S. history, the nation was once again gripped with another Kennedy death and asking yet again, why?

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Robert Kennedy. Slain by a gunman in California, after just winning that state's presidential primary, a nation, already reeling from the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and in the grips of the Vietnam War, was left bewildered.

Just as was the case with his brother, RFK represented change. His youth, his passion, his fearlessness made Americans wonder if we were about to change. It made Americans wonder if, after many dark years, were we about to enter a renaissance of sorts regarding domestic and foreign policy. LBJ was not running again because of his many defeats regarding Vietnam. Protests of the war were incredible. Americans that just 25 years before abundantly supported their government and their foreign conflicts, were now embroiled in passionate debates over whether or not we belonged in Southeast Asia.

RFK represented a new light. A new voice, with a familiar Boston accent, was arising to take the challenges of becoming president in a time when most people thought you insane to even consider a run. RFK represented change, he represented hope. He offered a new vision for a nation that was about ready to burst at its seams.

So...as a historian, one of the most intriguing things I find about history are the "what if's". What if the South had won the Civil War? What if the British would have won the Revolution? the War of 1812? What if JFK has survived? What is RFK would have lived?

Would our nation be different. Speculation is a great thing because we just never know. But for a nation already fueled by the dissention of the Vietnam War, the last thing we needed was Watergate, but we got. Because of Nixon's paranoia, the nation lost what remaining beliefs they had in the government and began to realize things would never, ever be the same.

But what if RFK was not assassinated? What if he strolled through the kitchen at the Ambassador Hotel, went to his room, slept comfortably knowing his presidential aspirations were growing stronger by the minute. What if he had gone to the Chicago convention? No violence outside or inside...perhaps. What if in November, the Kennedy mystique carried him to a victory over Nixon...just as his brother had done 8 years prior? Would Nixon give us the "You won't have Nixon to kick around" speech yet again? Would we have immediately pulled out of Vietnam? Would we have maintained our image in the world as the predominant power? Would race relations and civil rights have flourished?

So many "what ifs". And we will never know.

Irony is a strange thing. And please do not misinterpret what I am about to write. I find it ironic that just two days before the anniversary of the national changing assassination, Barack Obama becomes the first major party African American candidate. While he is providing hope and beliefs of change to the nation, one has to wonder if he could be the first African American president had RFK lived? Would some else have done it earlier if civil rights and race issues were addressed much earlier? Would many of the issues of today be different if RFK has lived? Could Obama have even won if RFK lived?

History is a great thing. No one will ever know the alternate ending. But it is certainly great to ponder what could have been. No doubts lie in my mind that RFK would have changed the country, if the not the world. Just how and how much...that will always be the unanswered mystery.

MSNBC.com has a great section about the assassination. Here is an interesting article regarding those individuals who surrounded RFK and the assassination and where they are today.

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow...

2008-06-04T08:07:00.002-04:00

First I will be angry. Then I will be depressed. Then I will pout. Ultimately, however, I will support.

Last night Barack Obama clinched the nomination (essentially) of the Democratic Party. I am still extremely apprehensive that Obama is not the right person for the job. I have my doubts...sometimes very strong. Nonetheless, I will support him come November. It is hard for me to say that this morning, but it will become a little more evident that he is the better of the two candidates running in November over the next few months.

As for Hillary, not quite enough. I do believe she ran an okay campaign, but as a supporter, I have my suspicions on why she is not going to be the candidate. I don't think she had the right staff, I don't think she had a strong platform at the beginning and, believe it or not, I don't think she was aggressive enough, especially not in the beginning.

The Dems have their nominee. Now let's get the White House.

Pleading forgiveness...

2008-05-19T14:18:00.003-04:00

I am pleading forgiveness to my loyal readers...all 3 or 4 of you. I have been absent from this Blog for a while and not just in my lack if writing, but in my writings as well. I seem to have fallen from my old cynical self into a plain jane, boring-ass blogger.

Well...I will do my best to enhance my cynicism and create memorable posts here in the future. For the time being, I leave you with one very funny blog:

Things Younger Than John McCain

2 down...

2008-05-01T15:20:00.002-04:00

68 more to go!

I must admit, as large as it is, my ass was handed to me on Tuesday night! Never have I ever been so exhausted after working at the stadium. It was overwhelming! Opening night was very different this year as the stadium was completely finished. That means, all 20 suites opened on the same night, along with the 5 function rooms. Just a note...all 20 suites and 5 function rooms have never opened on the same day before. Lesson learned. I only had 5 suites and the press box. According to last year's perspective, this is what I expected to be a busy, but not overwhelming evening. WRONG!

The blister on both feet, the sheer exhaustion and almost inability to stay awake at work yesterday all combined with the general ache of my body is a clear indication that I almost didn't make it out alive.

Nonetheless, last night was better. Slower, quieter, fewer people...just better. Now, I don't pray for an evening like last night every night, but as a follow up to Tuesday, it was much needed and well deserved.

Take Me Out To the...

2008-04-30T15:34:00.001-04:00

Sports Illustrated has ranked major league baseball stadiums based on ten different criteria. While I am a huge fan of Camden Yards, I must admit that with the levels they are reviewing, I would say this is just about right.

Check out the article and rankings.

Another chapter begins...

2008-04-28T22:15:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow begins year #2 that I work at the stadium during Revolution games. This year will be the trial. Last year, I was laid off then unemployed while I was working at the stadium. This year, I am working full time from 8:00 to 4:00 then going right to the stadium at 5:00 until 10:30 or so when the game is over and clean up is complete. It is really amazing how life is different in just a short amount of time. What a difference a year makes.

Earth Day rocks...

2008-04-22T23:23:00.005-04:00

Hillary Clinton won big in PA

The Flyers advance to the next round of the playoffs

My GPS got here just in time for my trip to Penn State and Altoona

My new memory came for my laptop so it is MUCH faster

What a flippin good day this was!

If you are in PA...

2008-04-22T14:44:00.003-04:00

GO VOTE NOW!!!

Do you see the tears of boredom...

2008-04-21T18:52:00.003-04:00

I am sitting at an Adult Education fair right now and bored out of my mind would be an understatement regarding my current situation! I have been here since 5:00 and it is now almost 7:00. I spoke to 2 people...out of 5 that walked through. At least this allow me some time to do some work, catch up on correspondence, etc. I think, however, this may be the eye before the storm.

Tomorrow is the primaries. While I wish this was going to be an extremely busy day for me, I have a feeling that my volunteers have fallen asleep at the wheel and are ready to drive head on into those headlights in front of them. Then I am off to Penn State tomorrow night for a fair on Wednesday. An overnight then in Altoona, a day in Tyrone (just north of Altoona), a day in York, an Open House on Saturday and then...maybe a break on Sunday! Ugh...here comes the storm full force right at me.

Of course...I would have it no other way.

Just a quick update to. Ella is great. Way too chatty and way too smart. Very scary. Jen is good, Buster is good, I am good. So the short story is, we are all doing very well.

From 0 to 100...

2008-03-29T10:31:00.002-04:00

I said to Jen last night, did you ever have one of those days where you go from 0 to 100 mph in about 2 seconds. Well, what was to be a quiet Friday at work yesterday turned into one of the biggest days I have ever had a work.

It all began relatively early when rumors of a huge guest coming to campus began to circulate yesterday morning. By lunch, the rumors turned into a high powered buzz. By 2:00, we received an email that yes, indeed, Barack Obama will be holding a town hall meeting on campus Monday. Instantly, I knew I was going to have a busy afternoon. No sooner do we get the email, then I get a call from the president of the school indicating I am the Media goto guy for the school.

So, I sprung into action. After fielding a few calls from the local media, I was off to help WGAL obtain some footage of our students and campus. I also got my big head taped for posterity's sake as well. There was a live stand up at 5:00 and 6:00 and a pretty substantial story at 11:00. Pretty cool.

This weekend is a little more quiet, but I am sure Monday morning I will see the sun rise on our campus.

In case anyone is interested in attending, check out this link for ticket info:
Obama Town Hall Meeting in Lancaster. Tickets are free, but you do need to go to Lancaster to get them.

So...watch the news, both local and national on Monday and see if my big head pops into any frames along the way!!!

Who would have thought 2 months ago when I took on this position, this would be my role today!! I love it!

Political Friday Five...

2008-03-28T08:32:00.002-04:00

1. Did you vote in your most recent applicable election? (If you're not yet old enough, do you plan to vote in the future?)
I did. I also worked the polls that day as well, as I do every year.
2. Have you ever protested or attended a march?
Actually, I have not. I have considered several of the protests in Washington against the war, but just have not had the time to do so.
3. What political issue is the most important to you?
I think two. First, health care. With a a diabetic daughter your ideas kind of change of what is important. The other is the economy. How can any person in this country not be nervous about the economy today.
4. Are you a member of a party in your country? If so, which?
Yes...I am card carrying member of the Democratic Party.
5. Do you ever plan to run for office?
I have already considered it. Perhaps. We will see where life takes me.

IT RETURNS...

2008-03-21T11:19:00.002-04:00

A few years ago, there was a great webiste out there called The Friday Five. Basically, the host posted 5 questions that folks could answer and post on their blogs, etc. Well...I thought I would look and see if there was a new site out there and I found 3! So...for the first of many, here is my new Friday Five:

1. What song would you sing to your newborn child? (OR if you already had a child, which song did you sing to him/her?) Well, Ella currently is obsessed with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the ABC song. As a newborn, we sang all kinds of stuff to her to get her to sleep.

2. How do you think animals think? (i.e. in animal language, human language, etc.) What a weird question! (this is actually why I chose these 5 questions!!!) I believe animals speak in a combination animal-human language. When we are not around, they chat it up in Old English. When we are around, they communicate in a sophisticated language of blinks, nods and grunts.

3. As a child, did you have a dream to make a difference in the world? Can you describe your dream? Not as a child. As I got older, I did. Even today I hold that dream. I wouldn't work for a fledgling college trying to convince kids to go to school here if I didn't believe what the school has to offer is a brighter future.

4. Do you believe in God/a Higher Being? Yes...in some form or another. My views have changed over the years, but to deny that there is something or someone overseeing this fish bowl, I find it hard to accept.

5. Do you believe in aliens? Indeed I do. I believe we are completely naive to believe we are the only forms of life that mutated and evolved from our surroundings to exist in the universe today. Who knows what lies beyond our smallness here on Earth.

Sigh...

2008-03-13T08:36:00.002-04:00

Maybe its the time change. Maybe its a busier schedule. Maybe its just because its "that" time of year. I am in a funk. I am exhausted. I go home at night and pass out right after dinner. Two nights in the last week I have gone to bed and Jen has come in just a few minutes later to find me already passed out. That never happens. I am usually awake forever before I fall asleep. I feel overly emotional. Just a funk. Like I said, nothing in particular. I just feel as if there is something bubbling at the surface that with one more drop could spill over at any minute.

All I can say is just...sigh.

Happy Birthday Superman...

2008-02-29T09:10:00.003-05:00

Leap Day: Making Up for Lost Time (from historychannel.com)

Need an extra day? You got it!

Friday, February 29 is Leap Day, that extra day that's tacked on to the end of the month every four years.

Why the extra day? Earth's trip around the sun is nearly six hours longer than the 365 days on our calendar. So the extra day is added every four years to keep the calendar in sync with the earth's rotation of the sun.

If you want to get technical, the Earth actually takes 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds to rotate around the sun. Since that's not exactly six hours, leap years at the start of centuries are omitted unless they're divisible by 400. As a result, 1900 was not a leap year, 2000 was, but 2100 won't be.

Julius Caesar created the first Leap Year in 46 B.C., acting on advice by astronomer Sosigenes. And we've had an extra day every four years ever since. But what do people do with the extra day?

Here's a great idea. Many centuries ago (when courtship rules were stricter), the leap year tradition of allowing women ask men to marry them was introduced. Later, men who refused those proposals had to pay a penalty such as a kiss, gown or money. In the United States, the tradition evolved into Sadie Hawkins Day (celebrated in November).

On the negative side, there is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. In fact, one in five Greek couples avoids planning their wedding during a leap year.

What about people who are born on February 29? There are about four million of them around the world, including 200,000 in the United States.

Their birthdays only happen every four years. Otherwise they have to decide whether to celebrate Feb. 28 or March 1. Either way, that just isn't the same as celebrating on your actual birthday.

But people born Feb. 29 do have a few perks. Known as "leaplings," the Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies was established in the 1970s and now has a web site dedicated to promoting awareness of leap year baby issues.

Leaplings are also honored with a celebration in the town of Anthony, New Mexico/Texas. The town of 4,000 holds a Leap Year Festival every four years, complete with registration of Leap Day' babies, hot-air balloon lifts, a parade, birthday dinners and other attractions.

Also many leaplings get special product deals on Leap Day, like free food. Be on the lookout for that!

And leaplings also have fun with math. Well into their retirement years, they can claim to have celebrated only a teenager's worth of actual birthdays.

Some of the famous leaplings celebrating their birthdays this year include actor Dennis Farina (1944), self-help guru Tony Robbins (1960) and rapper Ja Rule (1976). Famous leaplings throughout history include Pope Paul III (born in 1468), band leader Jimmy Dorsey (1904) and songstress Dinah Shore (1916).

Which reminds us, let's not forget some of the historical events that happened on Feb. 29.

One of the biggest was in 1940 when Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American actress or actor to be honored with an Academy Award. She won for Best Supporting Actress in Gone With The Wind in the role of Mammy, a housemaid and former slave.

In all, Gone With the Wind won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. And it was the first time comedian Bob Hope hosted the Oscars.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson's National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission, warned that racism was causing America to move "toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal."

In 1972, Hank Aaron signed a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves that paid him $200,000 per year, making him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball at the time. Two years later, he became baseball's home run king when he broke Babe Ruth's long-standing record.
___________PLUS_______________

Top 50 Leap Year Facts (from ok50.com)

1. The original Roman 355 day calendar had an extra 22-day month every few years to maintain the correct seasonal changes. By the time Julius Caesar took reign, the seasons no longer occurred during the same months they once had.

2. This was remedied in 45 B.C. by removing the extra month and adding the extra day to a few months instead.

3. Julius Caesar proclaimed the last day of February as Leap Year Day, skipping it three out of four years. Back then, February 30th was the last day of the last month of the year, which is why he picked it.

4. Julius also threw in a month in honour of himself (Julius - July).

5. Around 10 BC, it was found that the priests in charge of computing the calendar had been adding leap years every three years instead of the four decreed by Caesar (Vardi 1991, p. 239). As a result of this error, no more leap years were added until 8 A.D. Leap years were therefore 45 BC, 42 BC, 39 BC, 36 BC, 33 BC, 30 BC, 27 BC, 24 BC, 21 BC, 18 BC, 15 BC, 12 BC, 9 BC, 8 AD, 12 AD, and every fourth year thereafter (Tøndering), until the Gregorian calendar was introduced

6. In 4 A.D. Emperor Caesar Augustus corrected a counting error in Leap Years. He also had the month of August named after him, and took the last day of February so that August can have 31 days, just like Julius' month. Now February has 29 days in Leap Years.

7. The calendar was finally perfected by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 who predicted Easter and Christmas would eventually fall on top of each other without his intervention.

8. Pope Gregory determined that Leap Day should fall on any year divisible by 4 but not 100 (except when the year is divisible by 400).

9. Century years were made leap years if they were divisible by 400. So, 2000 was a Leap Year, but 1900 was not.

10. At the same time, Pope Gregory moved the end of the year to December 31st.

11. He also moved the end of the year back two months so that Easter would occur in the spring.

12. Today our year is 365.2425 days, off from our solar year by .00031, or one day's error over 4,000 years.

13. Leap Seconds! Some years are longer than others. This is mostly due to weather. Every few years, scientists agreed to add or remove a second from a year right at midnight on January 1st or July 1st. This is called a Leap Second.
Newsflash: Scientists have now discovered that the Earth is not rotating as fast, and have deemed this practice unnecessary!

14. Leap Moons! Many countries use a lunar calendar to celebrate religious holidays. Whenever the lunar calendar falls behind the solar calendar by more than a moon month, a Leap Moon Month is added to the lunar calendar.

15. If you're a "Leaper," you will have beaten the 1,506 odds against being born on Leap Day

16. There is now in existence the Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club and the Worldwide Leap Year Festival.

17. Leap Year was the traditional time that women could propose marriage. When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years - February 29th.

18. It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St.Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. So, according to legend, St. Patrick said women could propose on this one day in February during the Leap Year.

19. According to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status.

20. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage.

21. The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year.

22. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a Leap Year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.

23. In the United States, some people have referred to this date as Sadie Hawkins Day, with women being given the right to run after unmarried men to propose.

24. There is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. Apparently one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.

25. Herman Hollerith developed the first computer on Leap Day 1860. He had been a special agent for the US census, and developed punch cards and electric tabulating machines in time to process the census returns, reducing considerably the time needed to complete the clerical work. Hollerith's venture became part of what is now the IBM Corporation.

26. Leapship - A friendship or relationship between 2 Leapies!

27. The Gotthard railway tunnel between Switzerland & Italy was completed on Leap Day 1880.

28. Dutch scientists produced solid helium on Leap Day 1908.

29. The discovery of the first pulsar in space was announced on Leap Day 1968.

30. LeapGramp and LeapGran - The Grandparents of a Leap Day Baby!

31. There are currently around 4.1 million ‘Leapers’ in the world today.

32. Ann Lee (founder of Shakerism) was born in Manchester Leap Day 1736

33. Rossini (composer) was born on Leap Day 1792

34. John Holland, American inventor of the submarine, was born on Leap Day 1792

35. Jimmy Dorsey (bandleader) was born Leap Day 1904

36. Ja Rule (Rap Artist) born Leap Day 1976

37. 1964 Olav Henriksen born - The 2nd of 3 siblings born on consecutive Leap Days

38. Leapophile - People who are not themselves Leapies but like and celebrate Leap Day!

39. Leap Year cocktail - never order a Leap Year cocktail by name. Instead, call out the ingredients: 1.5 oz gin, 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.5 oz sweet vermouth, and a squeeze of lemon. Shake with crushed ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

40. Leap Year Day Babies will never have a "Golden Birthday". A Golden Birthday is when your age matches the number of the day of the month you were born on. Leap Year Day Babies will have to be 116 before they turn 29 on the 29th!

41. Longest Reported Leap Day: Jon Hayanga Leap Year Day Baby 1960, had his birthday in Taipei one day then crossed the international date line going
east and had his birthday again the next day in Spokane, WA, USA.

42. Shortest Reported Leap Day: Ed Chatfield Leap Year Day Baby 1940, crossed the date-line in a ship (going west) the night of February 28th and woke up on March 1st. So he lost his birthday entirely.

43. Leapicide - People who celebrate on Feb 28 and Mar 1 as well as Feb 29!

44. Leap Year Day Babies born in 1884 had no birthday during their entire teen-age years. Why? Because 1900 was not a Leap Year.

45. The Order of 29'ers was operated by the Pittsburg, Kansas, Headlight-Sun newspaper, from the 1920's through the 1960's. Their motto was "semel quatuor annis," and they sent out certificates to people born on February 29th. The certificate was yellow and had a picture of a baby, bracketed by a stork on one side and father time on the other.

46. There was a time when Leap Year Balls happened all throughout the Leap Year. Women were given the "right" to ask a man for his hand in marriage. They were afforded a lovely place to display themselves, and propose their man of choice, at lavish and fantastic Leap Year Balls. If the man declined her proposal he had to provide her with a silk dress and a kiss on the cheek.

47. Leap Year Dances were common as well. Here, a woman may do the asking for a dance. The women attending either a Leap Year Ball or a Leap Year Dance may ask her man to marry her. It is "OK" for a woman to ask in a Leap Year.

48. The premise of Gilbert and Sullivan's musical The Pirates of Penzance is based on the birth of the main character on a leap day. Frederic was, as a child, apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted, orphaned pirates by his nurse who, being hard of hearing, had mistaken her master's instructions to apprentice the boy to a pilot. Frederic, upon completing his 21st year, rejoices that he has fulfilled his indentures and is now free to return to respectable society. But it turns out that he was born on February 29, Leap Year Day, and he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday (when he's 84!).

49. Make a Leap Year Kiss Cake - Take one armful of pretty girl, 1 lovely face, 2 laughing brown or blue eyes, 2 rosy cheeks and 2 lips like strawberries. Mix well and press to lips. The result will be astonishing. For frosting take 1 piece of dark piazza and a little moonlight, and press into 1 large or small hand so as not to attract attention, 2 ounces of romance and 1 or 2 whiskers. Dissolve half a dozen glances into a quantity of hesitation and 2 ounces of yielding. Place kisses on blushing lips or cheeks. Flavour with a slight scream and set aside to cool.

50. Yes, Superman is a Leap Day Baby! He is a comic book character, so he can have whatever birthday his creator decides to give him. An article in TIME magazine, March 14 1988, proclaimed Superman to be born on February 29. However, If you figure it out, there is no way anyone can be 50 'years' old on February 29, of any Leap Year. They would have to be 48 or 52. And, if someone did turn 50 'Leap Years' old on February 29, 1988, they would have been born in 1784!

The response...

2008-02-28T23:39:00.000-05:00

If you watched the video from two posts ago...here is the response:

On the road...

2008-02-07T17:04:00.000-05:00

Hello world!

I thought I would take five minutes out of my long week to pop in and say hey. I have been on the road since Tuesday night for work and, after dinner with the college roommates tonight, I will be back in my own bed. Ugh! :-P

What always seems to be a slow month, turns into a hectic, don't have time to rest month. It seems like meetings are popping up out of thin air and, now with the new responsibilities at work, there is never a down moment there as well. I know with time, the new position will begin to ease up, but without a marketing person for a long time, there is a lot of things to clean up.

Anyway...in case it is another month or two until you here from me...now you know why.

Oh...and is it me...or is 2008 going to be the year of the underdog?!?!?
-- I got a promotion (hasn't happened...ever!)
-- The Giants upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Super sweet!

I know it is still early, but I have a good feeling for the underdogs this year!

Too funny...

2008-02-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

Although not a huge fan of Sarah Silverman or Jimmy Kimmel, I have to admit this was to damn funny.

Life...in general...

2008-01-31T12:17:00.000-05:00

So it has been a while since I have posted anything truly meaningful here. It seems I am always finding time to post links to other sites or posting something that, though it is amusing or interesting, has nothing to do with me.

Well...here at last...an update.

First and foremost...as of Monday, I will officially be full time at Thaddeus Stevens College in the role of Recruiter/Marketing Coordinator. I will not only continue to recruit students for the school, I will also take over the marketing aspects for the school. I will be putting together all of the published materials, work closely with the majors to promote their programs and, in general, promote a school that desperately needs promoting. I believe very strongly in the programs at Stevens, I just think we need more recognition and notoriety...of the good kind. So, as my week comes to a close today (I have off tomorrow because I have all my hours in..HA HA!), I say farewell to part time and hello to full time, more pay and better benefits.

My final statement is the one that will rub some folks who read this the wrong way. If you are a fan of my MySpace page or even if you check out this blog frequently, you will see I have finally posted my support for a Presidential candidate. As a Deomcrat, I wanted to see how the primary season played out. I am a huge advocate for a National Primary Day...one where all states have a say. I think the process as it exists now is broken. But...even with that said, I have been secretly cheering on one candidate since the beginning...Hillary Clinton I feel she is the strongest, most qualified person for the job. I do not feel she is entitled to the position because of her relationships or background...I feel she has earned it. She deserves a shot to turn this country around.

Now I know, among many of my friends, they do not like Mrs. Clinton. They are apposed to her running for office and feel the election would be better if she just wasn't around. That is their opinion and I respect them for it.

Why is it then, as a relatively young Democrat, I haven't trended the same way as many of my demographic have? Simple...I don't like Obama, I don't think he has provided solid plans on any issue and, well, for one very superficial reason...OPRAH!

Before next Tuesday's Super Primaries, I will post a few of my thoughts on both candidate, but I did feel it was time to finally state who I was supporting. Hillary needs as much support as she can get and I plan to do as much as I can in conservative York County to see that she wins the nomination and then ultimately the White House.

Hells yes...

2008-01-30T22:47:00.000-05:00

The best TV show on the air is back tomorrow night at 8:00!!!

Call in the biplanes...

2008-01-16T22:38:00.001-05:00

It is not often I say this, but this guy is fucking nuts!!!

Witnesses Grab Man Trying To Jump From Empire State Building

One week later...

2008-01-07T23:14:00.000-05:00

...I make a New Year's Resolution.

"The last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

As 2008 approached and started, I wasn't sure if I was actually going to make a New Year's resolution. In years past I have made them and like so many, I neglected them by the second week of the year. Today, however, I was standing in the basement of one of the buildings on campus and I heard an instructor say the above quote to a student. Throughout the day, I began to give it more and more thought. Let me give a little background about the quote.

Dr. Frankl was a psychiatrist who spent 3 years of his life in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. What is ironic about his statement is the fact that it was made after he was released from the camp. A man who experienced the horrors and unspeakable acts witnessed in the camps emerged with the idea that attitude is what you make it. No matter how bad life is, no matter how horrible your experience is, you ultimately are the one who shapes it. Your attitude is self-evolving and if you remain positive, even the most horrific experiences can seem minuscule.

So far, 2008 has brought some stress in my life. I won't bore everyone with the details, but I will say that hearing this quote today has made me realize a few things. First and foremost...stress does not exist with the proper attitude. So, as much as I can, I resolve to remain positive in 2008, rather than falling into my normal routine of be sarcastic, skeptical and pessimistic about everything.

My second resolution is to take control of the reigns. For years I have been the nice guy, pushed to the side and, in some cases, stomped on repeatedly. No more. 2008 will be the year I push back. The only way for me to move forward is to push through the barriers and to push myself forward. I need to take a few risks. I can't continue to blow hot air and expect that everything will turn out ok. I need to control my own destiny.

I know this all sounds very cliche, but this is exactly what I need. I believe that if I follow through with these resolutions, life in 2008 and beyond can only get better. I will still be a nice guy, but I won't hesitate to do what I need to do to move forward. Standing still is tiring, is exhausting and is something I have done too much of.

Best wishes on your 2008 resolutions!

Why I Love Music...

2008-01-06T01:19:00.000-05:00

So why not for my first entry in 2008 I write about music...from almost 10 years ago! A while back I wrote an entry here that talked about music and how it holds a special place in my heart...specifically music from the 1990's. I am not going to say that the 90's were the best decade for music in general, but it is the most memorable for me. Being in college from 95 to 99, the music of the 90's recinates memories through my head quite frequently. So when I saw VH1 was running the top 100 songs of the 90's, I couldn't help but watch it the whole way through. For some songs, I laughed remembering them. For some, they made me sad. I remembered friends who have come and gone and quite honestly, the best four years of my life. While I am happy where I am today, those four years will always hold a remarkably large space in my heart. If you were part of it...thank you.

Of course, after all of that...here are the
100 Greatest Songs Of The '90s
01. Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
02. U2 "One"
03. Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way"
04. Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You"
05. Madonna "Vogue"
06. Sir Mix-A-Lot "Baby Got Back"
07. Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time"
08. TLC"Waterfalls"
09. R.E.M. "Losing My Religion"
10. Sinéad O'Connor "Nothing Compares 2 U"
11. Pearl Jam "Jeremy"
12. Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"
13. Dr. Dre (featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg) "Nuthin' but a "G" Thang"
14. Mariah Carey "Vision of Love"
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Under the Bridge"
16. MC Hammer "U Can't Touch This"
17. Destiny's Child "Say My Name"
18. Metallica "Enter Sandman"
19. Beastie Boys "Sabotage"
20. Hanson "MMMBop"
21. Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On"
22. Beck "Loser"
23. Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue "Whatta Man"
24. House of Pain "Jump Around"
25. Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"
26. Eminem "My Name Is"
27. Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"
28. Ricky Martin "Livin' la Vida Loca"
29. Vanilla Ice "Ice Ice Baby"
30. *NSYNC "Tearin' Up My Heart"
31. Radiohead "Creep"
32. BLACKstreet "No Diggity"
33. Spice Girls "Wannabe"
34. Third Eye Blind "Semi-Charmed Life"
35. Oasis "Wonderwall"
36. C+C Music Factory "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"
37. Green Day "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"
38. Christina Aguilera "Genie In A Bottle"
39. Goo Goo Dolls "Iris"
40. Color Me Badd "I Wanna Sex You Up"
41. Spin Doctors "Two Princes"
42. Collective Soul "Shine"
43. En Vogue "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)"
44. The Fugees "Killing Me Softly With His Song"
45. Hootie & the Blowfish "Only Wanna Be With You"
46. Shania Twain "You're Still the One"
47. Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch "Good Vibrations"
48. Matchbox Twenty "3 AM"
49. Jewel "Who Will Save Your Soul"
50. Alice in Chains "Man in the Box"
51. Tupac (featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman) "California Love"
52. Sugar Ray "Fly"
53. Naughty by Nature "O.P.P."
54. Joan Osborne "One of Us"
55. Fiona Apple "Criminal"
56. L.L. Cool J "Mama Said Knock You Out"
57. Jay-Z featuring Amil and Ja Rule "Can I Get A..."
58. Sophie B. Hawkins "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover"
59. Weezer "Buddy Holly"
60. Bell Biv DeVoe "Poison"
61. Sheryl Crow "All I Wanna Do"
62. Live "I Alone"
63. The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Mase & Puff Daddy "Mo Money Mo Problems"
64. The Presidents of the United States of America "Peaches"
65. Digital Underground "The Humpty Dance"
66. Edwin McCain "I'll Be"
67. Deee-Lite "Groove Is In The Heart"
68. Will Smith "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"
69. Korn "Freak on a Leash"
70. Jamiroquai "Virtual Insanity"
71. Arrested Development "Tennessee"
72. Barenaked Ladies "One Week"
73. Marcy Playground "Sex and Candy"
74. Cher "Believe"
75. Kris Kross "Jump"
76. Blues Traveler "Run-Around"
77. Ice Cube "It Was a Good Day"
78. Lenny Kravitz "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
79. Meredith Brooks "Bitch"
80. Right Said Fred "I'm Too Sexy"
81. Paula Cole "I Don't Want to Wait"
82. Geto Boys "Mind Playing Tricks on Me"
83. The Breeders "Cannonball"
84. Snow "Informer"
85. Cypress Hill "Insane In The Brain"
86. The Cranberries "Linger"
87. Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart"
88. Duncan Sheik "Barely Breathing"
89. Liz Phair "Never Said"
90. New Radicals "You Get What You Give"
91. Sarah McLachlan "Building a Mystery"
92. Public Enemy "911 Is A Joke"
93. Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories "Stay"
94. Fastball "The Way"
95. Montell Jordan "This is How We Do It"
96. Nelson "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection"
97. Prince & The New Power Generation "Gett Off"
98. EMF"Unbelievable"
99. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"
100. Gerardo "Rico Suave"

2007 Memory - #1...

2007-12-31T09:08:00.001-05:00

Our Sugar Baby
For avid readers of this blog or for friends of ours, #1 comes as no surprise. Since August, #1 has been the defining moment of 2007 for me, Jen and those people close to us.

Late in August, Ella had started to get very fussy. Fussy, for a child that is 1 1/2 is not uncommon, but for Ella, it was. She would cry and be very clingy for days on end, not normal for a child who loves to run, and yell and play. So, Jen took Ella to the doctor based on a mommy instinct. Low and behold, we found out that Ella has Type 1 Diabetes. For those folks who do not know what Type 1 is, it is very different than Type 2. Type 1 basically means your body stops making insulin. By August, Ella's system had just about completely quit. While it is not as common for someone as young as Ella to be diagnosed, it does happen and in children sometimes younger than her.

Nonetheless, after a night in the hospital and weeks of learning about the disease and how to treat it, life has regained some normalcy. While things will never again be the same, they have not changed as dramatically as they sometimes seem. Ella is doing incredibly well and has blossomed...or maybe a better description would be exploded into her toddler years. Her numbers, while sometimes still high or low, have been pretty solid and she seems to be taking most of this in stride.

This was no doubt the #1 memory of 2007 and part of why we are glad to see the year come to an end. While many good things happened, one, life-altering event can tattoo itself to the year better than any other. 15 years from now, when someone asks me about 2007, I may remember the Revs, or seeing Cal get into the Hall, but I will most certainly remember it as the year we found out how sweet our little girl really is.

2007 Memory - #2...

2007-12-30T08:57:00.000-05:00

So Long Philly, Hello Lancaster
After three arduous years with The Restaurant School, my time with them came to an end in January. The Tuesday before we were set to head to Cooperstown, I was leveled with the news that my territory was being eliminated at the school, thus, so was my position. I still don't know what makes me more mad...the fact that I was let go or that I wasn't able to do it first! Nonetheless, better things were on the horizon.

The very next day I had an interview which did not pan out. However, the following Monday...less then a week after I was let go, I was offered a job as a recruiter for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Aside from the fact that the school is not a money hungry, self-serving institution, I see great potential for myself and the school as I whole with my involvement. I know that sounds a bit arrogant, but my confidence is higher than it ever was at TRS and I firmly believe this is a better fit overall.

2007 Memory - #3...

2007-12-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

Bronzed Because He Was Iron
One of the highlights of what turned out to be a long summer came at the end of July. Jen, Ms. Angela Kane and myself went to Cooperstown, NY to see Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The weekend was packed with event, capped by an amazing ceremony. We were part of the record-breaking crowd on hand that day to see two of baseball's class acts become a part of baseball's elite players. The crowd consisted of mostly orange and black, with a little blue speckled throughout.

We got very sunburned, we were very exhausted, but we had a great time.

2007 Memory - #4...

2007-12-28T23:33:00.000-05:00

Goin' to the chapel
January brought Jen and I attending Heather and Sid's wedding in Lancaster County. I was honored to be a part of the wedding part as one of the groomsmen. The wedding weekend was incredibly fun and a must needed break from work, life, all that fun stuff.

From the rehearsal to the wedding after party, we had such a great time. We were adopted into the Barker-Blumenthal clan as family members...as if there wasn't enough already :-)

Sparing you the details of our stay at the dreaded Cameron Estates and Inn, the weekend was one of the best highlights of 2007. We look forward to many more family events with our new extension of our family!

Here goes nothing...

2007-12-27T14:50:00.000-05:00

Okay...over the course of the next 5 days, I am going to add the 5 biggest things that happened to me in 2007. This is a project for me, as I am not sure if I will post on Saturday or Sunday, but if it all works out, by the Jan. 1, all will be revealed! :-)

So...here we go...

2007 Memory - #5
R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N!
June brought the rebirth of baseball to the city and county of York. The new stadium opened in late June and so did a new part time job for myself. In March, I went to a career fair for the baseball team and applied to work at the new stadium. I had no idea in what capacity I would work, if at all. But sure enough, I was hired as a suite attendant on the suite level (duh!) of the stadium. In June, I worked the VIP tent at the first game. It was awesome to be a part of the festivities and ceremonies of the first game back in York. It wasn't until the end of July that I was able to come to work in the suites. The first 10 were finished in the middle of July and the remaining 10 just a few weeks later. For a part time job, it ranks up there as one of my favorites. I like the people I work with, I enjoyed the patrons in the boxes and it allowed us some extra spending cash (of course that was when I was working it as my second job!)

In the off season I have had the opportunity to go back and work in some of the special function rooms as well. There is no doubt I will be back for the 2008 season...as long as I am wanted back!

So...the little part time job at Sovereign Bank Stadium comes in at #5 on my list of memories for 2007!

For my LOST friends...

2007-12-26T23:35:00.000-05:00

even though you probably have already seen this...

Random Christmas Eve thought...

2007-12-24T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Price is Right sucks with Drew Carey!

Happy Whatever...

2007-12-23T15:48:00.000-05:00

Greetings and Happy Holidays. I must apologize for my lack of entries this fall. For some reason it seems that I have completed neglected my blogging duties :-) Oh well...I actually have had nothing to write about. Work is good. Home life is good. Ella is great. Extracurriculars are good. Nothing to complain about. Weird, I know!

I will try to do better in the New Year...promise. In the next week I will post my annual end-of-the-year entry. I am not sure what I am writing about yet, but, as I have done every year, I will jot some nonsense here for your enjoyment.

Until then...have a great Christmas if you celebrate it. If not, enjoy whatever holiday it is you recognize this time of year.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere...

2007-11-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

from MSNBC.com
Dublin thief seizes 180 Guinness kegs
Lone robber seizes nearly $100,000-worth of Ireland’s trademark beer

DUBLIN, Ireland - A thief made off with 180 kegs of Guinness beer after smoothly driving into the Dublin brewery, which makes the black stout and snatching a trailer load of drink, police said Thursday.

The incident took place Wednesday at the Guinness brewery on the banks of Dublin's River Liffey where Ireland's trademark tipple has been brewed for almost 250 years.

The lone raider's haul also contained 180 kegs of Budweiser and 90 barrels of Carlsberg lager, police said.

"A man drove into the yard in a truck and took a trailer containing the drink which has an estimated value of 64,000 euros ($94,770)," a police spokesman said.

Take this job...

2007-11-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

Many times in the past I have posted negative stuff here about my job. After reading this information, I am beginning to think maybe I never had it that bad!

15 Weirdest Work Stories of 2007
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Natural disasters, revolutionary technology, pro-athlete scandals and national calamities marked 2007 as an unforgettable year. Yet, amid these major happenings arose stories that were overlooked, unseen or ignored altogether: tales of our nation’s work force.

Understandably, these pieces weren’t as newsworthy as Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges or Paris Hilton going to jail. But these stories held an angle unlike any other: They were just plain weird.

Here are 15 headlines that exemplify the strange happenings that took place in the workplace in 2007.

1. “Employee eats 32 vending machine items for charity”
A juvenile probation officer ate one of every item in a county courthouse vending machine in one day. She consumed more than 7,000 calories and more than 300 grams of fat, eating such items as beef sticks, candy bars, Pop Tarts and potato chips – all to win a bet with co-workers and raise $300 for charity.

2. “Cola wars get physical as Pepsi worker attacks Coke employee”
Two employees from the rival companies got into a tiff over shelf space in the aisle of a Wal-Mart in Indiana. The Pepsi worker allegedly assaulted the Coca-Cola employee, hitting him in the face, giving him a black eye and breaking his nose. Police say the two were also accused of trying to run each other over with pallets full of soda bottles.

3. “Alleged robber asks victim out for date”
After two men robbed a Domino’s Pizza delivery woman, one of them called the victim from his cell phone to apologize – and to ask her out.

4. “Four women fired for gossiping”
Four women employed in a small New Hampshire town were fired for gossiping about a relationship between the town administrator and a fellow co-worker. They were fired on the basis that “gossip, whispering and an unfriendly environment are causing poor morale and interfering with the efficient performance of town business.”

5. “Eau de Lawsuit: Woman sues over scent”
An employee in the Detroit planning department sued the city, saying a female co-worker’s strong fragrance prohibited her from working. The woman claimed she is severely sensitive to perfumes and her co-worker not only wore a strong scent, but also plugged in a scented room deodorizer.

6. “Salt lands McDonald’s employee in jail”
A McDonald’s employee was arrested, jailed and is facing criminal charges because a police officer got sick after a hamburger he ate was too salty. The employee accidentally spilled salt on some hamburger meat and told her supervisor and co-worker, who “tried to thump the salt off.” The employee was charged because she served the burger “without regards to the well-being of anyone who might consume it.”

7. “Carpenter free to ply trade in the nude”
A carpenter caught hammering nails and sawing wood in the nude says he prefers working in the buff because it’s more comfortable and helps keep his clothes clean. The carpenter was found not guilty of indecent exposure.

8. “Southwest Airlines employee tells passenger her outfit won’t fly”
A Southwest employee asked a young woman in a short skirt to leave the airplane, saying she was dressed too provocatively for the family airline. The young woman was eventually allowed to complete her trip after covering up. On her return flight, she came home with no problem – in the same outfit.

9. “Employee accused of faking being cop”
A Taco Bell employee was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer and attempting to arrest his managers and co-worker. He passed himself off as an undercover narcotics investigator, going as far as typing fake criminal histories on the general manager, two shift managers and an employee and telling them they were going to be arrested.

10. “Employee took 1 million screws home from factory”
An assembly worker hid screws in a specially designed hiding place and took up to 7,000 home with him every day. Over a two-year period, he stole more than 1.1 million screws with an estimated value of $155,000. He allegedly sold the screws over the Internet at discount prices.

11. “Deputy nabbed twice for DUI – by husband”
An off-duty jail deputy was pulled over and charged with driving under the influence – by her husband, a fellow deputy. She supposedly left before he could give her a Breathalyzer test, so he pulled her over again and called for backup. She was placed on administrative leave.

12. “Workers killed after seeking raises”
A car dealership owner killed two employees because they kept asking for more pay. The employer told police he was having financial problems and was under a lot of stress.

13. “Man demands coupons from radio station employee”
A radio station employee was threatened at gunpoint when an angry patron was unhappy with the promotional bumper stickers he received. The patron demanded McDonald’s coupons instead; when the employee didn’t have any, the man flashed what looked like a handgun. She searched her car and found a coupon for a free cheeseburger. The man took it, made a derogatory comment about the radio station and rode away on his bike.

14. “Wienermobile gets cop roasted”
When a 27-foot-long, 11-foot-tall vehicle – known to most as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile – was slowing traffic in a construction zone in Arizona, an officer ran its “YUMMY” license plate to make sure it was street legal. A bad computer entry erroneously showed the Wienermobile as having stolen plates, forcing the officer to pull it over. After further investigation, the officer learned that the entry should have read that license plate had been stolen – but only if found on any vehicle that isn’t a giant hot dog.

15. “Drive-through dispute gets suspect jail food”
Workers at a Burger King in New York got into a dispute with a customer after he refused to turn his music down while ordering at the drive-through. The customer grabbed the restaurant’s manager, tried to pull her through a window and then attempted to run over a worker who came to help the manager.

Last Black Friday...

2007-11-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

EVER!!!

I had been waiting to get a laptop until Black Friday. I was sure there would be a great deal somewhere, so I thought, in the effort to save some moolah, I would see what came about. Sure enough, both Circuit City and the new Best Buy here in York were running some pretty good deals. I thought I was going to Circuit City until I saw the Best Buy ad on TV on Thanksgiving eve. They had a Toshiba laptop with a Canon printer for $229! Holy cow. I was astonished at the price. I was certain I would be there to get a laptop.

On Thanksgiving Day, I began to outline my game plan. I would go to Best Buy around 1:00 AM on Black Friday. They were handing out tickets for the products at 3:00 and then would let people through the doors at 5:00 AM. I was set. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with family and kicked back to relax for the evening. My brother, Nicole and the girls left here around 6:30 and headed for home. Shortly after their departure, he calls to tell me that there are already people sitting outside of Best Buy in tents. There are only maybe 5 or 6 people, so I wasn't too concerned at that point.

About 2 hours later, he calls to tell me that there are easily 75-100 people outside of the Best Buy in Allentown. Now I started to get worried. The laptop I wanted was advertised as having only a minimum of 20 systems per store. While that was the lowest number they could I have, I was a bit concerned that with my luck, that would be all they had. So...after much complaining and himhawing...I decided to go to Best Buy...at 10:00 PM Thanksgiving night.

I got to the store, found a great parking space and walked up to the building. The line stretched all the way across the front of the building and half way back the side. I was, estimating, 70 people deep in line...5 hours before tickets were to be handed out and 7 hours before doors opened.

So I sat down in the chair I brought with me and waited. In the cold. Did I mention it was cold? Earlier in the day, temps were in the low 70's. After a strong breeze came tearing through, the thermometer went into a free fall. By the time I got to the store, it was near the freezing point. And I was sitting in it. For the next 7 hours.

Although time flew, I still nearly froze to death. All along, not sure if I would even get the laptop I was there for. Granted, they had some other great deals, but this was the one I wanted. This was why I was there.

3:00 AM rolled around. Tickets were being handed out. First were there GPS tickets. Then TVs. Then game systems.

3:15 AM and still no computer tickets. They were rumored to be coming, but after a quick survey of the crowd by a girl just three people behind me, it was clear most everyene was there for a laptop.

3:20 AM and the rumor starts to circulate that the Toshiba tickets are gone! I had just sat for 5 hours and I wasn't going to get a ticket.

3:21 AM I called Jen. I knew she was going to get up around this time to check on Ella, so I wanted to see what she thought I should do. In 11 years since we started dating, little to none of my decisions have been made without some input from her. I wasn't about to let the earliness of the day prevent me this time either.

3:23 AM Jen says to go for the next cheapest model available.

3:24 AM While I am still on the phone, the ticket guy finally gets to me. I ask about the next cheapest model and sure enough, they had tickets. Then I thought I had better check on the Toshiba.

3:25 AM I am standing with a ticket in hand for the Toshiba I set out to get!!!! I was ecstatic! After 5 hours, a numb ass and exhaustion setting in, I had got what I came for!!! I told Jen, hung up and began to warm in the glow of my triumph. I kicked Black Friday's ass and was walking away with a laptop and printer for under $250!

5:00 AM the doors opened, I walked in, handed over my ticket and credit card.

5:30 AM I was back in the car on my way home.

6:15 AM I was in bed, warming up, ready to wake up and play with my new toy!

Never again will I tackle Black Friday. I know I danced with the devil this year and won. This won't happen again and I am not daring enough to try.

Random nothingness...

2007-10-28T01:49:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I have put anything meaningful down on this thing...and tonight will probably continue that trend.

For the past week, I have been in one of my funks and this time, as has happened in the past, I have no clue what is causing it. Work is good, so usual suspect #1 can be eliminated. Ella and the home life are good, so that too can be eliminated.

I am active as ever. I am still on the HOA board...for now. I am still working with the Dems with a big election coming up in just about a week. I am also still working with Pi Nu which is going well. So, nothing really out of the ordinary there.

I am just in a funk. I think part of it is lack of sleep. Today, after sleeping 10 hours last night, I woke up and felt like I could have just gone back to bed for another 10 hours! I was exhausted and still am. Although now I am at that point where even if I went to sleep, I would be awake again in the next half hour.

Who knows what it is, but its there and I hope I am able to shake it. I hate it.

Slacker...

2007-10-22T14:23:00.000-04:00

Wow...I can't believe it has been a whole month since I last wrote here. Amazing how time flies when you have so little of it!

Let me fill you in on my life:

I have been doing a lot more overnight trips for work.

I am running for the HOA board again in a contested election.

I am organizing a National Service Day for Pi Nu

I am organizing all of the voting efforts in Region 3 for the Democrats

I am working every now and again at the stadium for special events.

On top of all of that, I am trying to spend some quality time with my daughter! Its not easy, but I am trying to squeeze it in.

So...if you wanna know...LIFE IS NUTS RIGHT NOW!!!

This is the end...

2007-09-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

A bittersweet last night. Thursday evening marked the last home game of the Revs this year. While I certainly will not miss the 9 and 12-game home stands, I am going to miss the job. As exhausting as it could be, it may rank in my top 3 jobs that I have worked at. I like the people, I like the fans and suite holders (most of the time) and I actually feel like I fit in there. Many of the regulars in the suites know me and talk to me. Hell, I even had a guy come up to me in Cobblestones the other night and ask me if I worked in the suites because he thought he remembered me being there a month or so ago! It is always nice to be recognized.

At any rate, I will miss seeing the people I worked with on a regular basis, but the good news is...the new season is less than 8 months away!

Stop the insanity...

2007-09-05T13:03:00.000-04:00

The madness continues...one more day. Tonight will be my last game with the Revs until next Monday. Count those days folks...four of them. I work at TS tomorrow and Friday and then...what, it can't be. I HAVE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY COMPLETELY FREE!!!!

I can't believe it either. It seems too good to be true. How is this possible? Maybe I will get to see the PSU/Notre Dame game. Maybe I will get to watch some NFL this weekend. Oh, I can't believe it. I just can't believe it is true!

Slowly fading...

2007-08-30T08:57:00.000-04:00

I think I am dying! In the past 72 hours, I have worked approx. 47.5 hours! And there is no end in site. I work both jobs tonight and tomorrow and then, while most people will be enjoying a 3-day holiday weekend, I will be work at the stadium. Don't get me wrong, the money is good...but I am not sure if I will stay awake. Thankfully, the end is near. After Monday, I will only be at the stadium one day next week, four the following and then the season will be over. No playoffs, nothing!

Got it Revs...no playoffs.

Once bitten...

2007-08-29T10:35:00.000-04:00

Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black...

2007-08-28T11:55:00.000-04:00

From MSNBC.com:

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who has voted against gay marriage and opposes extending special protections to gay and lesbian crime victims, finds his political future in doubt after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from complaints of lewd conduct in a men's room.

This Republican Senator from a very "red" state may just be one of the biggest hypocrites out there. Me thinks the Senator doth protest too much!

I know I have been on this soap box before, but when a Republican who strongly opposes gay rights/marriage is busted for lewd acts with a man in a men's bathroom, I have to point it out. I strongly believe a politician's personal life is their very own and not the business of anyone else, but in this case...the irony is not lost.

Something old...

2007-08-24T08:57:00.000-04:00

So, I know 30 is not old by any stretch of the imagination, but when I read articles like the one below, I can help but feel just a bit antiquated:
College knowledge relegates more to history
The class of students entering college this month is the first post-Cold War class, according to the Beloit College Mindset List, a compilation of the events and social trends that shaped them.
Just for the record, I was in 7th grade when the Berlin Wall fell.

Something new...

2007-08-24T08:37:00.001-04:00

I am ending my first week at my new job. That's right folks, for those that didn't know, I am working again! I actually accepted the position less than a week after being let go at TRS! Eat me bastards!!!

Nonetheless, I have started my employment as an Admissions Recruiter for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster. It is 30 hours a week at the same pay scale I was at when working at the other place. It still allows me to work at the baseball stadium in the evening as well, so that is some nice ca-ching I will be making.

So far, so good. While the first week is always slow and quiet, I have already started to make some appointments and jump right back into the admissions game. Sometime I will have to write about my interviewing experiences as well. I went on 5, I already wrote about 1 and one of the others was for TSCT. So, I will fill you in on the other three later.

So I am once again part of the working class. The earlier mornings are rough getting used to again and working from 8:30 in the morning to 11 at night on game nights is exhausting, but its worth it. Besides...I need to pay for my baby's medicine!!! :-)

Ah sports...

2007-08-23T08:56:00.000-04:00

There are many thing about sports I love. The competition, the adrenaline rush when a game is close, etc.

But it seems, in the past few years, I have suffered a lot. My Panthers go 1-15, setting and NFL record for most consecutive losses. My Pacers hold the record for fewest points in a game. And then, there was last night.

As an Orioles fan I have learned to endure a lot. Hitting the decade mark for below .500 seasons is one of them. Never having pitching and when we do, never having offense. An owner who looks like a bloated tick and makes George Steinbrenner look like a nun! All things I have learned to accept as someone who bleeds black and orange. But last night, amid the fanfare for the Texas Rangers and there accomplishment, lay a anger for this team that I had not yet seen. I have never been so embarrassed to call myself and O's fan. The 30-3 loss against the Rangers can't be described as a whooping. It can't be described as a lashing, a beating or ever annihilation. Plain and simple, it was an embarrassment. I sheer embarrassment that will be burned into our minds forever. A record that has been unmatched in the modern era, a record that was 110 years old is recalled thanks to this embarrassment.

I actually heard an ESPN analyst laughing on air last night about this game. It was an embarrassment. Hell...the NFL Baltimore Ravens haven't allowed 30 points at home by an opponent since 2003! 4 years!!!

It is a sad day for baseball in Baltimore. This may be the low point that finally shocks someone into realizing it is finally time to do something. If this doesn't do it...all hope is lost.

Bronzed Because He Was Iron...

2007-07-30T23:31:00.001-04:00

A little sunburned and worn completely out, we made it safely home from Cooperstown late last night. Our trip to see Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn get inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame was incredible.

What follows are a few pics from the trip. More to come once the 35mm gets developed.

Jen as a future Hall of Famer

Ah...remember when the Orioles were good!

The Hall of Fame

Cal and Tony awaiting their turn.

Here's one for you...

2007-07-26T01:36:00.000-04:00

So here is a riddle.

What do July 24, 2001 and July 24, 2007 have in common?

If you answered they were both Tuesdays, you would get partial credit.

If you answered that I lost my job on both of those days...you would be correct!

As of yesterday, my territory at The Restaurant School was eliminated, thus was my position. Without going into all of the details, let me give you the short version. I drove to Philadelphia (2 hours) to be told I was being let go. I got in my car and came home. Anyone think this could have been done on the phone?

Bitter? Yes. Angry? Yes. Surprise? Not really.

So...for some reason, when July 24th falls on a Tuesday, I get screwed. In 2001 I was fired from Liberty on Tuesday, July 24. In 2007, it was the school's turn.

Lesson learned.

Riddle me this...

2007-07-18T01:39:00.001-04:00

Maybe it is because I have never been in the position to hire someone before, but I am baffled continually by how interviews and follow ups are conducted so differently and how some places totally do not care that, in many ways, they are toying with your emotions.

Example you ask...well, of course I have one.

Back in June I went on an interview. The position was not completely one that I had ample experience with, but based on a culmination of my skills, my background and my involvement in one of my extra curricular activities, I thought I had a good shot at it. I went on the interview, thought I was confident, but not too confident. Based on my read of the two people I interviewed with, I felt good. I wasn't sure if I got the job or not, but I chalked it up to, if nothing more, another notch in the interview belt.

Then I waited. I heard nothing. I received no letter indicating they were not choosing me.

Then today, as my weekly Monster report arrived in my email inbox, I discover that the job has been reposted.

Now, as I said, I am not sure and I will not say that I was the best person for the job, but have a little consideration for those that you interviewed. At least send them a letter saying thanks and good luck. Don't leave them hanging, don't ignore them. I took two hours out of my day to sit with you and try to earn this position and all I get in return is a pang in my stomach when I see the job has been reposted.

Courtesy is a lost art in the business world. No one gives a shit about anyone else. When did the corporate world become so cold and callous that it ignored its workers and those that make it run. This to me was just another example of how the business world works and it disgusts me. Maybe I am in the wrong mindset, but a little common courtesy is all I ask. I am tired of being ignored. I am tired of being the pushover. I am tired of people walking all over me. This is ridiculous.

Step up. Face me. Tell me I'm not good enough. Tell me I am not right for the job. That's all I ask. My bitterness and resentment would be much less if you had the balls to treat me like a person and not like a cover letter and a resume...simply put, a piece of paper.