October 2007 - Posts
I posted some time ago about how this article about Genarlow Wilson made me unhappy.
Well, ESPN published a follow-up story covering his release from prison, finally. It still makes me unhappy that there are people who think the right thing was done putting away a teenager for fooling around with a consenting peer, but at least the man is free now.
I am having a little argument with myself right now over something. I know, my mental state is brought into question when I say things like that -- let's just assume I am insane and be done with that part of the discussion.
We've all done this at some point or another to other people, and I am sure we think we're right in whichever method we choose, but I put it to you, which of the following scenarios is more annoying when you're on the object end of the situation:
a. Someone in a decision making position asks you for your input on something, then proceeds to correct you (kind of no matter what you say unless you happen to say exactly what they wanted to hear) and then goes on with what they had already planned to do, but act like they've included you in the decision-making process.
or
b. Someone in a decision making position completely ignores the fact that a decision they are making affects you in a fashion that deserves your input to the decision, and makes the decision as they see fit (it might be the right decision, in which case you might not care, but I am thinking more of a case where you might not think the decision was the one called for).
Whenever I am faced with (a), I get annoyed and say to myself, "why didn't they just (b)". But, on the other hand, if I find myself in a (b) situation, I get all indignant, and think "they should have at least done (a) as acknowledgement of the impact on me." I guess it is a grass-is-always-greener kind of situation. I think I actually just prefer a consistent (b) approach -- at least I know what I am dealing with and don't feel like I am being manipulated. It's hard to say, though, I might have to argue with myself about it a little bit longer...
I got a little award for doing some good things at work, and the prize was a technology gift of my choice within certain parameters. As such I chose something I've kind of wanted for a while anyway ... an Xbox 360.
The person who procured my prize brought it to me this morning, so it is sitting on the table in my office waiting for me to get done and go home and hook it up. Needless to say, this is a mild form of torture, sitting here, wanting to rip open the box and connect it up to the work ethernet and one of my monitors and play... I can probably last a couple more hours, though, I think...
Over the weekend in Traverse City, I was able to get out and spend a little time on the river, and got my first trout with a fly rod. Nothing huge, but it is a trout. Now to work on that casting technique...
I am pretty sure Dad doesn't read the blog, but I had to throw this out there, because it just made my day, and I think he would smile. I have my iPod sitting on my desk hooked up to some old amplified computer speakers that just plug into a 3.5mm headphone jack. I randomly pick something on there and let it roll for a while while I slug through my non-meeting-type work. This morning I had listened to some Howard Jones, Herbie Hancock, and a couple of other random artists whose names showed up in the 'G's and 'H's on the artist listing. I started scrolling a little bit ago and stopped in the 'J's looking for something tasty. J Geils Band, Jet, Jim Croce, and Jethro Tull all got skipped (as did Joan Jett, Jewel, and Jimmy Luxury and the Tommy Rome Orchestra), but I stopped on Jimi (if I have to say the last name, you are hereby shamed into never reading this blog again).
Anyone who knows about my Dad's younger years knows that he was pretty into Jimi Hendrix, and had quite a collection of vinyl at one point. I have never been quite as into it as he was, but I have a pretty solid appreciation of the repertoire, and certainly have some favorites (Little Wing is one of the greatest guitar songs ever written, in my humble opinion). Today as I was listening to the songs I have on the iPod, one song that isn't really one that I would put as one of my favorites, but one that I know came on: Remember. Instantly I had the visual image of Dad absolutely rocking out on the dance floor (probably from one of our weddings or some wedding somewhere since that is probably the only time I have ever seen him cut a rug). I have to admit, that image made me smile and just about laugh out loud. The only time I can ever remember that man voluntarily going for the dance floor (other than to slowdance with Mom, of course) was when a Jimi song would come on, and then you couldn't stop him. It is like when he hears that music he just can't resist the urge to dance. Gotta love that.
So, a shout out to DaveO... Hopefully you're still as inspired to try to get up and shake it now as you ever have been. It always has made me smile (even if I acted embarrassed during those awkward high-school years 
)