Eriq's Tavern

Oh noes! Art imitates my job!

2009-05-01T17:44:14Z

Holy hell, this is one of those Dilbert's that really hits home.

http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-05-01/

Seriously, I offered to teach one of our "after hours" classes at work on a variety of tech. topics that I'm qualified to teach. It's a bit of extra scratch for me, and a way to get my name out there internally. There's one small problem. . .

We used to have a couple computer labs dedicated to these sorts of classes. They got yanked due to funding concerns, and well, we need to space. Why? To build a giant computer lab and demo center that we use to market to new customers. This is all fine and dandy, except that we've basically gotten rid of a cheap way to enhance employee enrichment in favor of a really expensive marketing tool that may or may not bring in new money. Instead, they want to get away from the classroom experience and start doing more virtual stuff.

Major fail.

~EEE~

Today's xkcd is absolutely hilarious

2009-05-01T15:51:14Z

I seriously laughed for like 10 minutes straight. I so want to do this.

http://xkcd.com/576/

~EEE~

One of those days. . .

2009-04-13T20:48:13Z

It's an instant coffee and microwave popcorn kind of day. It's only Monday. . . I hope the rest of the week doesn't keep up like this.

~EEE~

I'm working late and this amused me.

2009-04-08T21:57:08Z

I'm a sheep right now. Deal with it.

http://triplee.mybrute.com

~EEE~

How have I not posted this here yet?

2009-03-18T16:12:06Z

I've really got to figure out what I do with this space, short of use it to keep commenting on friend's journals. I don't use FaceHugger[0] much, but since I have more friends on there than anywhere else, I tend to announce things there and forget to do so here. Anyway. . .

The Vegas trip I alluded to in the last post went well, very, very well. The plans I was talking about coming to fruition did so, and also went well, so I can release them into the wild now (as I've done elsewhere that isn't here).

I popped the question while we were there, and Seema and I are now engaged. No, we don't have a date set, or a location, or pretty much anything else figured out. I'm still in that zone between "Holy crap, she said yes" and "Oh hell, I have to help with this planning stuff", so we haven't really talked about much. Well, that, and we had some other stuff going on for her birthday, so that took priority when we got back.

And to answer any other questions in advance:

-- No, we didn't win big, but we didn't lose much either.
-- "O" was awesome, although unlike any other Cirque show I've seen. I'd compare it to others, but it's apples and oranges.
-- "Blue Man Group" was visually interesting, but really fucking bizarre. Like, bizarre enough that I think I'll never have to drop acid, because I'm sure that's what it's like. If the show hadn't tried to have a theme or meaning, then I'd be fine, but it's like there was an attempt and I just missed the point. Ah well, still entertaining.

So yeah, good times.

~EEE~

[0] For the like two people who are annoyed when I make fun of the names of organizations and such, I'm referring to Facebook.

Things are brewing. . .

2009-03-05T16:27:41Z

Off to Vegas for now bitches! I love that Seema, on finding out where we were going for her birthday, wanted to spend an extra day there. And I thought I was the bon vivant in this relationship. Haha!

Other things that have been in the works are afoot, and will be posted on my return. This will end a long silence on the matter.

The eagle is landing. In my pants.

~EEE~

Geeky Friday

2009-02-06T18:03:14Z

A couple links to finish the week off. . .

The Konami Code works on Google Reader. I tried it, and yes, it works. Unfortunately, I now have a Gothcicles song stuck in my head. Damn you dj_rabid_angel ! Damn you!

Also. . . this just made me giggle.

Guy robs 7-11 with Klingon weapon. I'm not sure which is worse. . . that the guy did this, or the clerks recognized the damn thing. Seriously, man, there's no honor in thievery!

~EEE~

D.C. gets schooled!

2009-01-28T22:47:36Z

Let me fill the world in on a secret. The Washington D.C. area is filled with people who can't stand the slightest bit of weather, and consider even a bit of summer rain to be cause to drive 20 miles an hour slower, clear out the stores, etc. Now, when it happens in the winter, and snow or ice come out of the sky, even a couple inches of overnight snow is considered a Class V Killstorm, and you nearly get riots in the grocery stores with everyone trying to get their hands on bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper. I guess snow gives people a craving for french toast and the diarrhea.

This is seriously one of most annoying things about living here, even if it does make my commute to work easier as schools and many government facilities shut down. Today, though, today I've been vindicated by none other than the President himself. That's right, the man basically called D.C. a bunch of pussies when it comes to winter.

http://dcist.com/2009/01/obama_mocks_dcs_reaction_to_winter.php

Ha! Take that bitches!

~EEE~

P.S. Note that this is totally apolitical. If either of the Bushes made a similar comment, seeing as how they're really from Connecticut, I'd have been all over it just as much.

I am so immature

2009-01-21T23:54:07Z

I'm working on something for work, and ran across someone named "Harry Johnson".

I'm haven't stopped giggling. I swear I'm still 13.

~EEE~

Moment of Silence. . .

2009-01-15T01:18:46Z

Holy crap, Ricardo Montalban died today at 88. I seriously thought that dude would live forever on sheer pimpitude.

Sure, my first memories of him will be as the the chill dude who, with help from his midget friend, helped people make their dreams come true on some fantasy resort, but he was ultimately much more than that. He was the dude who managed to take a one time part in a nearly forgotten 1960's space opera and came back to turn it into arguably the best film of the entire Star Trek movie series.

It's been said before, mostly by Shatner, but I'll say it again, to commemorate his life:

KHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll miss you man. Seriously.

~EEE~

P.S. Yes, I am a geek.

Thoughts for the day. . .

2009-01-09T22:01:04Z

and. . .

~EEE~

I need a beer and a nap. And blackjack. And hookers.

2008-12-19T20:36:11Z

I'd rather post real events than memes, but I haven't done much of either later, and well, I was tagged. Normally, I'd ignore a tag, but Sevan is a pimp, so I do what he says. Note that at least one of these is a lie. Have fun guessing which one(s).

A. Each tagged person must post 8 things about themselves on their journal.
B. At the end, you have to choose and tag 8 people. -- I won't be doing this. Damn anti-pimping laws.

1. I used to be a clown, with makeup, goofy shoes, and a whole suit for the gig. I only marched in parades, but it was still damn fun.

2. At some point I gained a slight interest in financial stuff, and started listening to NPR's Marketplace on a regular basis.

3. While I've probably been to about half of the U.S. states and a "district", I've only ever been to two countries outside the U.S. Note that one of these was Kanuckistan.

4. I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom.

5. I don't really like sports much, but somehow end up at baseball games on a regular basis, and have also been to professional basketball, hockey and soccer games. I haven't done football yet, but that will happen on Sunday.

6. When this month is over, I'll have been to like 7 holiday parties, including my own. I'm tired of freakin' Christmas.

7. That said, I did buy a shirt that says "Who's your Santa?" because it was cheap and amused me. Like your mom.

8. My balls itch. A lot. I think I have the gonaherpecephalitis of the wang.

~EEE~

Announcement:

2008-12-19T16:04:58Z

I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby!

~EEE~

Life Lesson

2008-11-06T13:50:31Z

Note to self:

When on travel, always tip the housekeeping staff in your hotel. Seriously, they're not getting paid enough, and damn if they don't hook you up when you do.

Addendum:

When on business travel, you can also write that shit off.

~EEE~

Yo Vote'

2008-11-04T19:56:41Z

For the record. . . I voted for Kodos.

~EEE~

Wassssupppppp!!!!!

2008-10-31T17:16:51Z

Ok, so it's a campaign video, but this shit is HILARIOUS. Well, it is if you remember the original Bud "Wassup" commercials. If you don't, then get off my lawn you damn kids.

http://www.wassup08.com/index.html

And when you're done with that, here's an oldie but a goodie.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6695147256042019096

~EEE~

If the bottle doesn't kill me, there's a woman here who will

2008-10-30T22:12:44Z

I have some personal things going on right now, but I'm not ready to dive into those yet on here or anywhere else at the moment, so it's a work update this week instead.

For the most part, I'm happy in my bubble at work. My team lead likes me, and actually gives positive reinforcement that I haven't been used to on this job for a while now. He's had me working at my level on stuff that isn't the most interesting work, but sure as hell looks better on my resume than the previous few years do. Being a generic Java developer with just enough spanning out to say I've touched J2EE isn't nearly as useful as having experience in the myriad of awful products that companies get bamboozled into buying and then need "experienced people" to work with (*cough* SAP *cough*), but it beats out being the Cold Fusion and content management guy by a damn sight. Even better, I'll be laying my current, somewhat dated project to bed after this month.

Next week, I'm driving up to Valley Forge (after I vote, of course!) to start on a new project, which will include me learning to work with .NET stuff. Since that's just getting as hot as Java internally, and probably externally, this looks to be a good thing for me. Again, it beats the hell out of being the Cold Fusion guy for several years. Overall, even though some internal rumblings don't look so good in the long run for where I sit, I'm happy with life.

I do have some worries, though. Namely, I've been booted out of our main Gaithersburg office into one that, while closer to my house by a couple freeway exits, is basically a black hole of work. I'm already isolated in that everyone I work with sits 3 hours away, and now, they've dumped me away from headquarters too. The people at my new site all sit in their own little cordoned off areas, and half the building is under construction. I know easily a dozen people at the new facility, but I'm not allowed into where they sit, and they can't come to me. It's a total pain in the ass, and I feel a bit abandoned.

I did just find out that a nearby group got absorbed into mine, which bodes well in the sense that I'll have more people reporting to my boss in my area (different building, but that may change soon). Unfortunately, they will be getting work the rest of my department doesn't want, and I don't really want to be lumped in with them, as I like what I'm working on. I don't want to go back to the stuff I used to do.

Furthermore, I have spent over eight years with the company, and all but six months of that has been internal support. My boss even told me that I should be trying to get onto a customer program to expand my career, but damn if I can do that. I have some of the skills they seem to want, but there's always some catch. Usually the catch is the fact that I don't have a clearance because I screwed up eight years ago when I joined up. See, back then I had the chance to join the part of my company that would sponsor me, but I opted out of the background check to go into another group. That has bit me so hard in the ass, that I'm feeling it to this day. The company pretty much only sponsors college hires, because it's cheap to let them sit around doing nothing. I spent too many years doing other work, having an ex jack up my finances, and now that I'm pretty much eligible again, I am too expensive. They did put me in a couple years ago, but it tanked due to, of all things, me having a foreign roommate. Note that "foreign" is from freakin' Switzerland and he worked for a US govt. agency. It didn't matter. Then again, I didn't want to commute an hour and work for No Such Agency.

Anyway, while I'm in no hurry for the govt. to probe my ass, the only way for me to get ahead internally seems to be exactly that. In fact, even if I planned to leave my company anytime soon, I'd have to have someone sponsor me for a good Top Secret (or more) ass reaming. Since the govt. is overloaded with requests as it is, and layoffs will put more cleared people on the market, I'm pretty much hosed. And let's not forget all of the people who are getting clearances by virtue of volunteering to be shot at overseas. There's enough of them getting out of their service, and companies around here are snapping them up like mad.

So. . . short term plans are to stay the course and learn what I can, since I am, indeed happy where I'm at. It's the best position I've had in the eight years I've been around. Long term plans include considering getting a master's degree already, and well, leaving DC. Seema has to be here another year or two with her job, but after that, we're considering bolting out west somewhere, since we both have parents out there who aren't getting younger. If I can get my skills up, I'll move with the company if possible, or move on if necessary. It's just a nice bonus that anywhere but DC means that I can actually get a job on skills and experience alone, and not have to beg for the privilege of working for the government.

Ok, enough ranting for now. I have stuff to do.

~EEE~

Announcements

2008-10-24T22:32:19Z

-- I'm alive.

-- I like pie.

-- I need to use this shit more, because I have a lot of pent up thoughts.

-- I feel like I don't talk to my long distance people as much as I want to, and used to in the past. This is definitely not for a lack of caring, as I have some great friends in other states. You are not forgotten. . . I just really suck at communicating from time to time, as I get wrapped up in zeitgeist. I also frankly get tired of sitting at a damn computer due to my job all day.

-- I also feel like there's some local friends I'm not seeing much either, and well, shit happens. Some of it is incovnenience on both sides. Some of it is me trying, and the other people aren't doing their share. Some of it is other people trying, and I am already booked. I'm not actively avoiding people, but frankly, at some point, my priorities do tend to skew towards those I'm closer to than folks who I'm not so close to. It's being an adult, but at times it seems to bother folks, and well, sometimes I feel guilty too. That's how it is.

-- If you practice the Snake style of Kung Fu, then I really do owe you a phone call, and may be able to hang out somewhere between Philly and Dirty Jersey. You know who you are.

-- I need to hang out with all other local members of the organization known as The Regime as well. Hardcore.

-- I've got some plans in motion. Big plans. They will be announced when they happen.

-- I plan to post something, no matter how small, at least once a week here. Hopefully.

-- I really need to pee.

-- It's a Friday night and my dumb ass worked late and is now writing a blog entry instead of driving home to my woman. I'm a damn fool.

I'm out bitches!

~EEE~

Meme. . . But a good one

2008-09-15T18:28:57Z

I barely post, and at this point, I'd prefer to have some substance, but in this case, it's a meme about food, and well, I tend to like cooking and food and such. I especially like weird foods, so I'll give this a go.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you've eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

Found @ www.verygoodtaste.co.uk

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. ~~Borscht~~ -- I really, really hate beets.
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari -- Mmmm, baby Cthulhus
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi -- Would not repeat. Only Indian dish I don't like, because I hate freakin' cauliflower.
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans -- Are you kidding? I practically live on this!!!
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. ~~Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper~~ Sweet zombie Jesus!!! I'm already partially dead inside. . . this would kill me.
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi -- I'd try it, but those mango ones are damn good and hard to pass up.
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail -- Sounds gross. . . totally fucking delicious
41. Curried goat-- This is making me so hungry
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat's milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer -- Thank you India! You've managed to improve CHEESE!!!!
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV -- Mmmm, Dogfish Head
59. Poutine -- Blame Canada!
60. Carob chips
61. Smores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake -- I grew up on churros, you insensitive clod!
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill -- Ok, on a technicality. I have eaten deer that was freshly hit by a car.
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse -- My parents claim I ate this as a young kid. I don't remember.
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. ~~Soft shell crab~~ -- Sorry, this creeps me the fuck out.
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
101. ~~Trouser snake, smothered in the Creme of Sum Yung Guy~~ -- Just seeing if you were paying attention.

Get off my lawn you kids!

2008-09-04T22:24:13Z

I need to post more often. So much going on in my head.

Anyway, today is a milestone. . . Compensating for timezone shifts and such, I can now officially say I have been breathing for a good 30 years now.

Holy fucking Hell, I made it to 30.

Now, why are there guys in tight sweaters talking about taking me to some Carousel joint?

~EEE~

Don't forget your cover sheets

2008-06-06T17:36:46Z

I actually just saw someone on an internal forum at work referring to TPS Reports, a la Office Space. I hope the person remembers their cover sheets.

I think I need to just quit now, which is sad, because I pulled off a trifecta of awesome on my job this week. *sigh*

~EEE~

My videos. Let me show you them.

2008-05-23T19:54:40Z

Weezer has kind of bored me for the last few years, and just haven't been like they were when I was all about nerd rock in college.

And then they go and do this:

Well played, boys. Well played. It's like an internet meme factory exploded.

~EEE~

So, so wrong

2008-05-16T17:53:13Z

feline is an evil, evil, evil woman for showing me this. I dedicate it to my old college roommate, Scary Mike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCRE9qOgbug

~EEE~

P.S. Yes, I know I owe like a dozen people some emails. I'll get on that sometime between now and my imminent death by not getting enough sleep.

Beans and rice AND now this?!

2008-03-27T21:26:06Z

So. . . soccer. . . tequila. . .delicious food. . . and they don't like emo kids?

Seriously, just open the border to Mexico already. What's not to love? Hola, amigos!

~EEE~
I'm so going to Hell.

Forget what I've said before. . .

2008-03-27T19:27:17Z

. . .but Panera Bread is ok in my book.

It's the closest joint to my office that has wi-fi, and well, for the price of coffee I can outdo my Network Nazis and check my damn Gmail. On a work laptop no less. I'd prefer to be at Mayorga, since it's local and the coffee's better, but I can't walk there.

Fuck the man!

~EEE~