Five Things I Think, Post Christmas

Greetings, gang! It's been a while, but I have a perfectly good excuse. Umm...reason. Add to that the rush of the holidays, that never-quite-caught-up-shit-I-forgot-to-buy-something nightmare before Christmas, compounded by being surrounded on all sides and at all locations by people walking around with plagues that I try not to catch but still end up a slave to mucus, and you not only have a run-on sentence worthy of Poe, but no time to blog.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

1) I think that colds, flus, and other assorted illnesses should be banned from the holidays. Just get 'em right on out of here for just one freakin' week.
Whereas last Christmas I was tormented, this year Little Danger and his cousin the General got to suffer from head cold hell. It didn't ruin their festivities, but it did introduce some grump and lethargy that would otherwise have been absent. Only the power of Christmas cookies and unwrapped treasures dented their dour demeanors.

Little Danger gets a kiss.

2) I think there aren't enough hours in the day, which I have been guilty of thinking before. I've picked up a second job, and I'm starting to really brain out my strategy of becoming my own boss. To that end, I will be scarce around here for a while. I haven't really been bringing the good posts in a while, and I have to face up to that and buckle down on the career. I'll still be here, but not as often. Hopefully I can refocus on writing that makes me happy. Conversely, this makes me sad, but it is the right thing to do. Damned responsibility. At this rate I'll be changing my handle from Dangerboy to SleepDeprivedZombieChainedToADeskboy.

3) I think that I started that 2nd job with a bang. I already have my first nemesis...I made an enemy and 13 friends all at the same time.
We had our first staff meeting for said 2nd job, and the managers were announcing an initiative we are expected to participate in. Nothing horrendous, either...just visiting neighbor businesses and offering to exchange flyers/coupons/whatevers to cross-promote. Enter the office asshole...every office has one, I think.
He loudly expounded upon how horrible such an idea was, and how it would surely result in being kicked out of places and "bad-mouthed all over town." Because that's what he would have done when he owned his own business. Which he no longer does. Maybe because he's an asshole.
To make a long story short, I cut him off at the knees, describing the best way to not get thrown out and to make friends and influence people. He was not amused, and told me he was not "a random fool". No, just a very specific one. I simply smiled at him...it is better to keep one's mouth closed and be thought a fool than to announce to the room that one is.
Fortunately for all involved, he'll be in a different location than I will. I'd hate to have to make him a hobby.

4) I think I'm well beyond ready for 2012 to get here. I mentioned elsewhere that it feels like 2011 has been an unruly houseguest. Sure, the conversation has been good, and I've learned some things...but the muddy shoes on the couch, trash all over the place, and blatant theft of my hard earned money...well, I'm showing 2011 the door. In my heart, it's ALREADY SUNDAY. Take that, 2011. Now all I have to worry about is that farking Mayan calendar.

5) I think you should have a fantastic New Year, and I hope your holidays have been happy and hope-filled.

So, what do YOU think?

Five Things I Think, Dec 6

Is my regular Monday thing now a regular Tuesday thing? What, it's Wednesday? I should perhaps be glad I'm not putting this off to 2012.

1) I think I've seen some good and bad holiday behaviour this season. The debate over Christmas vs Holidays has been addressed in nice fashion, and folks on both sides of the "what to say for a winter gift giving festival" seem to be swinging back toward the "take whatever is said as a nice wish, asshole" side of the aisle.
Funniest thing I have read on the debate? "Tell those who demand Christ be part of Christmas that you demand Thor be part of Thursday." It's a thing that makes ya go "Hmmm."

2) I think I had a great time drumming for our metro area's Gay Mens' Chorus. They did two African pieces in their holiday concert, and asked that I put together some percussion for them. Wifefish, Ruffstuff, and I teamed up for Bonse Abe and Betelehumu, and I dare say it was awesome. The chorus sounded great, and we had a great time helping them out. Perhaps if they upload a video I'll link to it. I don't often get paid to slap a djembe, but it was awesome to do so.

3) I think that the fact our Senate just passed a bill that would allow indefinite detention of American citizens by American military is fucked right up. This story has been hard to follow, and I'm going to be watching it as closely as I can. It's possible that the offending language has been stricken, but it seems that hasn't been confirmed yet. Here's hoping. I know that if I'd been ordered to do so when I was in the service, I would have refused. Police arrest Americans, and protect them from other Americans. Armed Forces protect Americans from foreign threats. That's the way it should stay; protecting against "domestic threats" was never intended to replace due process.

4) I think that last time I disparaged Time Warner Cable. Well, they got my message loud and clear, which was easy given that I tweeted and posted on their facebook wall. They called me with a "promotion" that I couldn't refuse, and I'm actually saving even more money than I would have been had they just honored their initial agreement. Lesson learned...the squeaky wheel gets the kick. (12 geek points if you can name the source of that quote)
I think that social media can be a fantastic tool for change, companies can no longer assume their clients and customers are anonymous voices, they know that countless others will see the words from a disgruntled client. Suffice to say that I am now gruntled.

5) I think I may not worry too much about the impact of finances on Christmas for Little Danger. Why, you ask? BEHOLD.


With enough cardboard, we can make ANYTHING. This is a race car/sled/Rebel Snowspeeder/podracer/and more, whatever makes him giggle. Give the kid 4 boxes and a passel of foam swords, and he's entertained for hours. Add a book and a dog, and he's in paradise. Still, he does love his talking Yoda. Especially when Empire Strikes Back is on TV, and I press the button at just the right time to make him think Yoda's playing along with the movie.
Dads are devious.

Well, that's Five Things for the week. I hope you're having a good one, friends. Stay Awesome!