Monthly Archives: January 2012

Idle Words

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I was considering the other day the large quantity of simply ridiculous things that come out of my mouth. I wisecrack too often – the kinds of things that, in retrospect, make you think “Man… I really sounded/acted like a fool” and “I wish I’d kept my stupid cake-hole shut”.

From an indeterminate point in the recent past through to the future I’m going to try to do more thinking before I open my mouth and say another foolish thing.

Since this is, again, another retropost I can say I’m doing better at not filling the air with foolish things.

I was reminded of a verse from the Bible regarding such things: ~”Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” The context regards speaking wicked things, though if taken as a simple rule, we would be better off to keep control of our tongues and not speak without forethought.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

Humpback Whale Day

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Hi, this site is all about humpback whales, REAL HUMPBACK WHALES. This site is awesome. My name is Rando and I can’t stop thinking about humpback whales. These guys are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.

Facts:

  1. Humpback whales are mammals.
  2. Humpback whales fight ALL the time.
  3. The purpose of the humpback whale is to flip out and kill people.

So sayeth Robert Hamburger. Well… he almost said that. He was actually talking about ninjas, but those are pretty close to humpback whales anyway (see above facts) so it still counts.

Real Ultimate Power still exists, but I don’t know how easily you can find clone sites. Those were probably the funnier of the lot: replace “ninja” in the above intro with things like “doctor”, “hobo”, “clown”, etc.

In keeping with what has become a de facto tradition: retropost!

Fire. Rice.

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You heard me.

Fire. Rice.

Went to Sen Thai in the city yesterday to meet a couple of former co-workers for lunch. I ordered the “Fire Rice” and they ordered “Drunken Noodles” – it was as good as I remember it.

You can modify the spiciness of your dishes, if it pleases you. Ask for “Thai spicy” if you’re feeling adventurous or just have a grudge against your entire digestive system. I’ve done it twice and is ever good that way. Be aware that your “exit experience” several hours later will be similarly heightened. Good times.

On the manner of reminiscing about old times: it was pretty humorous to find your old CEO worked as a grocery store cashier before growing a beard, buying a motorcycle, and riding off to California after the business went under. I wouldn’t be where I am today without having met and worked with the people from that company; so I owe them that much in thanks.

Next update is Wednesday. I think that’s “Humpback Whale” day.

Strike Two

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Regular readers would be able to tell I didn’t make Tuesday’s publish date. You new readers won’t, though, and that’s the best part – everything’s still on time to you.

Since this is a backfill post, I don’t have anything in mind as a topic. Let’s see, let’s see…

Oh, I know! This just popped in: they don’t make movies like they used to.

Remember when a good movie took you on an adventure; movies like Ghostbusters, Harry and the Hendersons, Howard the Duck, Star Wars, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Back to the Future? Before everything became shoot-’em-ups with amazing special effects and ‘splosions every 10 minutes and racy kissing scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good action movie, but where’s the adventure? Where’s the thinking man’s movie nowdays?

P.S.: I’ve not been keeping up with Hollywood so I probably don’t know what I’m talkin’ about, but “srsly”.

T.G.I.F. or S. or U. or Whatever

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T.G.I.F. S. U.

Forget it – it’s O.G.I.M. again.

Totally missed Friday’s post and couldn’t get to it Saturday or Sunday. Good thing, though, is this: after I’m done writing this I’ll change the publish date to Friday so you’ll only know I missed it by reading the post. Bwa-ha-ha!!

Tomorrow’s the next day in the 96-hour schedule. Guh – don’t know if I’m going to make that one either. I should have something done by at least midnight to begin qualifying as a Tuesday post, but right now I got nothin’.

Have I mentioned some of my favorite web comics: Dr. McNinja? Girl Genius? No Need for Bushido? The Zombie Hunters? XKCD? The Order of the Stick? Erfworld? Bearmageddon? Axe Cop? Dinosaur Comics?

No? Well what’re you waiting for? You have the links!

“O.G.I.M.” Already

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Mondays… figures. Just as soon we’re “T.G.I.F.” it seems Monday is here again. Working a half day on Friday can really make a difference – you’re done with the week and start the weekend early enough it feels like you get a whole day back. But that’s Friday… we’re talkin’ Monday here.

I’m starting to grow weary of my profession – there’s no way to truly measure results for writing code or redesigning an application’s UI. Two years ago I came from a job where I was basically the senior web developer and systems architect to one where I’m (what feels like, at least) a maintenance programmer making near half-again more than I used to. But the joy’s gone out of it; I’ve known developer power and freedom and I want them back.

At the same time, however, writing code all day just seems like an endeavor that will never have any tangible consequences in the real world. Unlike fixing a car as a mechanic or crafting a bench as a carpenter, we’re unlikely to get any lasting appreciation for what we enable business to do. I’m thankful I have a job in this sullen economy, but I’m starting to feel like I’m stuck in a race condition with the code – trying to debug, refactor, and redesign 6+ years of lax code standards, no design patterns, and “quick-and-dirty” implementation requirements feels like never ending drudgery.

It could be insanity, but maybe a career change is in order; to a field with real-life results you can feel – physically, emotionally. I love the problem-solving challenges creating a well-designed system presents. Maybe being a mechanic or carpenter has the same benefits…

So Happy It’s Thursday

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It’s still Thursday – I can still keep this schedule.

Ha-ha. Guess not. I’ll see what I can do.

Some 36 hours later (it’s Saturday night now):
“Fail so hard”, that’s what I can do.

Didn’t really do too well keepin’ the schedule for Thursday. Next post is due on Monday – maybe, maybe not.

I’ll just keep this one short: I’d like to get my hands on some Sen Thai again. It’s expensive to get on a regular basis, but when I used to work downtown it was the best food in the area. The “Fire Rice” was my favorite – just a plain dish of rice and meat with a good mixture of flavor and heat. I recall having ordered the dish as “Thai spicy” and it was so damned hot, but it was still so very good.

Ahh, the good ole days. If you happen to work in the city of St. Louis proper or are just in the area, pay Sen Thai a visit and may you not be disappointed!