Well, there's no way to recount everything that's happened so far, so let me try to sum up a few things:
1) I don't believe anyone has _ever_ read this. I thought I would eventually give this blog url to my folks, but I get the feeling that nobody cares. Oh, well. So, maybe this will disappear.
2) Got a call from a headhunter for a contract. I took a breath to say "No, thanks", then realized that I have no reason not to accept contract work. Clau's got benefits now and a decent salary, so we'd have something to sustain us during lean times and still have coverage if we get hit by a bus. As it happens this contract wasn't something I wanted to do, but still, it's something to keep in mind if another call comes in.
3) There was a reorg at work, so now I work in the applications group, which is cool. I'm busy trying to get rid of my infrastructure projects and I realize just how much I disliked most of it. It's too bad because infrastructure is what I did for a long time at QAD, and I thought I would miss it. But, mostly, it just seems like a PITA now that I'm seperating myself from it.
4) I want to take a Portuguese class at NYU. Classes start next week so I better figure it out. I think I'll take the level 3 class and find out where I need to catch up. Conversationally I'm OK, but obviously a lack of formal education has left some pretty big gaps in my skills (which is the whole point of taking a class in the first place). Still, it seems like a lot of money to pay just to force myself to learn (there's nothing stopping me from just picking up a book except for my own lack of motivation)
5) We took a road trip to Vermont a couple of weekends ago and ended up getting into a fight with John and Nicole. It was over who was going to drive, I think that they were pretty unreasonable, and Clau made a good point; we try very hard to be flexible, and the one time she really wanted something her way, they wouldn't be flexible in return. It's too bad because it occurred as we were leaving Vermont, which made for an unpleasant ride back to NYC, and we probably won't go out with them again. Too bad, because I liked going out with them (they're the good-looking ones in the Amazing Race picture).
6) The winter here has been really bizarre - so far only about 2 weeks of cold weather. Yesterday it was in the 50's and just a beautiful day. The trees are starting to bloom (they're confused) and the bugs are coming back. Today it got cold and wet. I keep having to remind myself it's the end of January and not March or April. Of course, that wasn't so good when we went to Vermont (no snow), but we got lucky and it snowed on the last day, so I got to try snowboarding.
7) I went to the gym about 6 weeks ago and asked one of the P.T.'s what I have to do to get into semi-decent shape in time for Carnival. The basic answer is "work out a lot". So, naturally, my response has been to sit on the couch playing Xbox. I don't know why I have such motivational difficulties when I know exactly what I need to do. January's gym membership was a waste, and I gotta get in there for February, if for no other reason that in my current condition I won't last two hours in Carnival. Even if I can't look good, I need to get myself into better shape.
8) I have to swap my drivers license. Seems easy, right? Well, not exactly. Went there on Friday and found out that I need my SSN card. Seriously, what's the point of that card? I'm the type of person who loses useless stuff, and the SSN card qualifies; it's got no photo, and I can't remember the last time I was asked for it - probably waaaay back in the day as proof of employment eligibility (and I mean years ago). So, yesterday I went to the Federal building to get another one. Like a dumbass, I left my pocket knife in my jacket, the one that Geo gave me right before I went backpacking through Europe (when you could still bring a knife on board). They were kind of harsh about it; you can't bring it in, we won't hold it for you, there's no place to store it. Either give it to us (so, we'll happily take it, but we won't hold it) or come back another time. Sigh. So, I'm coming back today (I ditched the knife at home).
Sometimes, all the security we have to go through really bugs me. NYPD doing random searches in the subway is a good example of it. There are literally thousands of ways to access the subway system. The NYPD might be checking two at any given time. Plus, since just randomly searching people is a blatant violation of their civil rights, you can just say "no, I'd rather you didn't search me" and walk away. Even if they use that as a justification to deny you access to the train (which I don't see how they can really do), you can just leave and walk to the next entrance (to the same station), or walk to another station entirely (in Manhattan that's about a 5-minute walk). This is a perfect example of what all this "security" really is: a stupid show to make people feel safer. My question is, how many people (in particular, how many jaded New Yorkers) see that show and actually fall for it? It can't be that many. Maybe tourists would fall for that, but even so, does having armed police randomly searching people send a good message about our city?
Another case in point; not allowing me in the federal building with my pocket knife. What the hell am I going to do with that? The worst thing I could do is deface something; do they think I'm going to try to take hostages with it? I can see that in a plane, where unless you have an air marshall on board, a pocket knife will probably rank as one of the most powerful weapons on board, but in a government building? What would that call be like, anyway...
Dispatcher: We have a hostage situation in the federal building. We have an armed perpetrator demanding a new social security card and he refuses to submit to the standard fingerprinting and DNA swab.
SWAT Team: We're on it! What's he holding everyone hostage with?
Dispatcher: It appears to be a knife - he has threatened to -
SWAT: What kind of knife? Bowie? Machete?
Dispatcher: According to reports, it's a regular pocket knife, but witnesses say it looks like it's very sharp.
SWAT: OK boys! Here's the situation - we have a perp with a knife! Everybody arm your slingshots - this could get ugly. Stand by with an ambulance, make sure it has plenty of band-aids.
Sigh.