The Bosque

Dammit! I missed another day...and I was online most of last night too! Ah well...

So, the thesis is essentially done. I have to give the paper one more hard walk-through and it's complete. And I got high marks for my PowerPoint presentation on the first try. Whoohoo!

My professor advised me to walk away from it for 24 hours and then re-read it to make sure it's the way I want it. Sounds like a good idea...I've been working on it almost non-stop since last Tuesday.

The pizza shops extended their hours by one starting yesterday...we're now open until 11 during the week. Apparently, we don't do a lot of business during that extra hour...and I can't recall a lot of deliveries during that hour in the past. It sounds silly, but that hour is like a world of difference. At least Wednesday is the only night that I close.

Ah well...off to work...

About 10 minutes ago, I basically finished the written portion of my thesis...2 weeks ahead of schedule.

Essentially, I put it together in about a week and change. I started working on it hard-core last Tuesday, though I had started putting pieces together last weekend. I wound up finishing the bulk of it between Friday and this evening.

30 pages...17 of it writing, the rest references, appendices, etc. I'm very proud of it, and relieved that most of the hard work is now done.

Notice I said "most"...this is only a rough draft. Once my professor reviews it, I'm sure there will be some changes to be made...maybe a lot. And I still have a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation to put together.

But I think the worst part is over...my life can now slowly return to normal. The presentation is either next Thursday or the following Thursday. And that's it.

Excuse me while I collapse into unconsciousness...

Howdy folks! Back after a couple of days of rest...

From MSNBC: Most likely to succeed? Try most likely to go to jail.

The yearbook for the high school in this mountain town near Denver published photos of students smoking marijuana and drinking beer, drawing the ire of parents and administrators.

Hannah Fredrickson, the senior who served as yearbook editor, said she regrets not balancing the yearbook pictures of teenagers smoking pot with pictures of non-drug users. She also said she is sorry about not warning her principal.

Where the hell was the faculty advisor on this one?

That pretty much describes my life right now.

I want to get this thesis done and out of the way. I procrastinated too much in the beginning, but I'm finally in the groove and whooping 39 kinds of ass.

As such, I told April earlier in the week that I didn't want to make any plans until I'm done...no parties, no dinner dates, nothing. The only "extra" thing I'm doing right now besides working is going to the Y once or twice a day to work out.

Oh...and writing Manifestos...I ain't guaranteeing high quality for the next 2 weeks. :)

While we were eating dinner at our local Applebee's last night, April suckered us into their trivia night. We won...34 out of 34 points. Yeah...we rock.

Unfortunately, this was our prize...but better this than nothing:

From today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch: AmerenUE’s residential customers will pay about 3.3 percent more for electricity beginning this summer under an order approved today by state utility regulators.

Rejecting calls from consumer representatives for a rate cut, the Missouri Public Service Commission authorized a $43 million rate increase for the St. Louis-based utility.

On average, a residential customer's bill would go up about $2.40 a month.

Commission Chairman Jeff Davis said he empathized with thousands of St. Louis-area customers who went powerless for days after several summer and winter storms.

But Davis said that Ameren has kept its rates low for 20 years and the company needs a modest rate increase to improve its infrastructure and customer service.

Ameren probably would have gotten all the money they wanted if they had taken stronger actions during last year's storms (July and November-December) and weren't responsible for the Taum Sauk Dam collapse. They need money to improve and respond to the shareholders...I understand that. But they seriously need to get their shit together.

Chris is in charge today.

Crazy Baby and I went to see a couple of flicks this past weekend.

First on our agenda was Spiderman 3. Now I'm a HUGE Marvel fan. HUGE!!!! I liked the first two Spiderman movies and I liked this one...kinda. As always, the action scenes were awesome, but I had a little problem with the writing. About 10 minutes into the movie, I was thinking that someone needed to take a damn prozac. The characters were way too emotional. I swear there was a character crying like every 20 minutes. Now granted, the end of the movie was worth a good cry. I bawled for like five minutes, but I wasn't the only one so I didn't feel so bad. All in all, it was definitely worth seeing.

We weren't gonna see another movie that day but when we got out of SM3 there was no line for the next Shrek the Third movie and it was in like 20 minutes. So we got in line, got our tickets, got some more refreshments and found us a seat. I LOVED the first two Shrek movies. Who wouldn't. It's a movie you can take your kids to see but you aren't bored cause there's a lot of humor in it for you. I was a little disappointed though. Seems like all the good parts, I saw on TV or trailers before the movie even came out. Now don't get me wrong, those were definitely worth another laugh, but I wanted to see some new stuff. Not what had already been regurgitated three weeks before the movie had even come out. If you liked the first two movies, you will like this one. I would wait until the crowds thin down a little though.

Pirates of the Carribean also comes out soon. Now, the first movie was one of the best I've ever seen! I can't say enough about it. We own it and the second movie....which I haven't even watched. I've not been in a hurry to watch it because I've heard it's atrocious! Now, I know that sometimes second movies are worse than the first and third. It happens. I'm not sure I wanna see the second one of POTC. I guess I'm gonna have to watch it if I wanna see the third one too. I'm kinda hoping they stop with the third one though. Stop while you're ahead.

:D

For Spiderman 3 we really didn't see any good previews. We missed the first movie trailer. Let me see if I can remember the other ones: Rush Hour 3 (I'll probably just go see it cause Chris is freaking hilarious), The new Bourne movie (haven't seen the other two, but this one looks kinda good) and something else that I know my kid is not gonna see. LOL

For Shreak the Third we saw Surf's Up (The more I see trailers, the more interested I become), Nancy Drew (I love Nancy Drew), Evan Almighty (Not sure about this one) and Hairspray (This one is worth it just to see Christopher Walken period and John Travolta in drag).

April and I were part of a group from St. Louis Children's Hospital that took part in the annual Annie Malone May Day Parade today in Downtown St. Louis:

I love classical music, but it's one of the musical genres I'm least familiar with. I got some exposure as a kid, but not as much as I should have, IMO. And I knew that yesterday (Friday) was going to be a long day...and given the shitheads that I'd have to deal with, I'd need something to keep me mellow.

So, I decided to listen to nothing but classical music all day...my radio dial did not leave Classic99. I left the house at 9:30 yesterday morning and got home just after midnight.

And while there were definitely times when I wanted to change the station, I didn't. And I actually enjoyed everything I listened to...and stayed mellow most of the day. Though I was sad that I missed one of my favorite classical pieces of all time--Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" (which was played while I was not in the car during the 5:00 hour).

I don't think I have Classic99 in my presets...I'll have to make sure to add it. Incidentally, the last time I listened to Classic99 on a regular was when I was a kid...I listened to it to help me fall asleep when I was in 5th grade.

Good stuff though...and we gotta make sure that the current youngins learn about the great composers.

For whatever reason, I let myself get suckered into working an open-to-close shift today. I got out of them two months ago, and haven't worked one since.

It's a long and convoluted story, but the bottom line is that the owners of our shop are retarded and didn't plan properly for when one of the supervisors went out on maternity leave four weeks ago. I was asked to cover the closing shift tonight, and like a dumbass, I said I would.

Oh well...at least I have the entire weekend off, though April's keeping me plenty busy with crap. ;)

For the first time in what seems like forever, I went swimming today.

I actually went swimming in Lake Wappapello 2 summers ago, but today I swam in an actual pool--at the Y. Jesus...I haven't been in a regular pool in like 15 years, I think.

And I quickly learned that I am rather out of shape. I barely did 1 1/2 laps. That's okay though...I'll build up my strength. I spent most of my time (about a half-hour) walking and doing gentle laps in the shallow area, along with some arm-strengthening exercises.

I'm a bit tired now, but I feel good...like I accomplished something today. Can't wait to get back...after I'm not so tired.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Another in a rash of school threats moved officials to impose stiff security rules today at McCluer High School in Florissant.

And in the Parkway School District, officials are taking steps to reassure parents of students at Parkway North, where rumors of violence are buzzing back and forth.

...

On Tuesday, bomb threats closed Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton and Francis Howell North High School in St. Peters. A similar scare on Monday closed Mascoutah High School.

Threats of violence have also led to tighter security at Triad High School in Troy, Ill., and Holt High School in Wentzville.

I'm curious to see what happens tomorrow.

So I guess the world knows by now that Jerry Falwell died.

I dunno...I want to believe that deep down, he truly believed that he was doing the Lord's work. But he just came out of his face with some wacky shit in recent years. I used to enjoy watching him and Al Sharpton debate on Hardball on Friday nights a few years back...you can imagine how interesting those were.

I think we all believe that God/Allah/goddesses/etc. are on our side...and some of us will be unpleasantly surprised when we get to the Pearly Gates.

80% of Chrysler has been sold to private equity firm Cerberus.

This could be a good thing. I think Chrysler got hosed in the merger with Daimler-Benz. And some of the products Chrysler is churning out have potential.

I don't think any of The Big Three are in true danger. Worst-case scenario is that the government will keep Ford afloat if it falls any further. GM looks like they're back on track, and the Chrysler deal could save them.

The bottom line is that The Big Three need to make more appealing, yet dependable cars...it's that simple. Oh...and make sure you blare it out to the world. Chevy might be onto something...its entire current lineup is solid, from the South Korean-based Aveo up to the Silverado. And the 2008 Malibu could give the Camry and Accord real runs for their money.

We'll see...at this point, I'm thinking a Subaru.

I think I hear this joke at least once a day or every other day...and I'm tired of hearing it. It usually involves someone who didn't order pizza asking me if I'll give them pizza for free.

Look, it's fucking old. It was funny the first 39,000 times, but it makes me cringe now. So quit fucking asking me if I'll give you free food...nobody gets free food from me, and rarely do people get free food from us at all. So shut the fuck up and leave me alone already. :)

After 13 days and almost 66 hours, I finally have a day off.

Not that the days were all that pressing, mind you...I only work 1-3 hours a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But it's nice not to have to put on my work shirt and go to the shops.

Unfortunately, my day started at 7:30 this morning with a terrible leg cramp. Dinner made me sick last night, and I apparently didn't get enough fluid or vitamins to make up for what I threw up. I get them occasionally, and wow...do they suck!

We got a lot done today...the biggest one being joining the YMCA. We live about 6 blocks from the local branch...which also happens to be the branch that April worked at for 4 years as the membership director. She left 2 years ago, and a lot of her peeps are still there, which is nice.

My main reasons for joining were that I can walk on the indoor track and that I can swim, which I love to do, but haven't done in 2 years. Plus I can do hand weights and the treadmill. And I don't like wasting money, so I'm hoping to go up there for at least a short time every day.

Now if you'll excuse me, we're going for a delicious Thai meal shortly...

Wolf's in charge today.

It's Nurses' Week.

Most years the hospital gives something to only nursing staff ... penlight, fancy pen, belly pack, some kind of doodad to commemmorate Nurses' (retitled "Nursing" to be more inclusive) Week.

This year, with an eye toward egalitarian togetherness, they made yesterday a general "Employee Appreciation Day."

This said a lot about how they feel about the employees.

Day shift staff were treated to a fabulous catered repast of hotdogs, hamburgers, and barbecued chicken, served in a tent by friendly and helpful staff from the catering company. A good time was had by all, and everyone received a tee-shirt proclaiming "Working together to make a difference."

There's a difference involved, but I don't think that it involves working together, or even acknowledging that we do.

One of the folks from Human Resources called in from home to remind my department that "there is food back in nursing for you."

Oh yeah. Food. Right.

ONE tray of cold cuts, a container of pickles, and a small tub of potato salad.

For 50 people.

This is the average sized tray of cold cuts, mind you, not the big one.

There are two vegetarians in my department. They had a really great time. At least I was able to regard the slices of rolled-up ham as an appetizer.

We ordered our own dinner. The free dinner for employee appreciation day cost me $13, if you include my Root Beer Water Ice.

Two hours after we ordered our own pizza, someone must have complained to a nursing supervisor, and a half-dozen pizzas showed up, along with a promise that sandwich trays would be coming for the midnight shift. They never showed up.

And I never got my tee shirt, either.

From today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch: No more mud will be flung. No longer will goo-covered kids slip, slide and wallow around Jefferson Barracks Park.

A St. Louis tradition for more than two decades, Mighty Mud Mania, is at an end.

Park officials decided to end the summer mud-fest after hundreds of children came down with rashes following the two-day event last year.

April's mom and sister worked it last year...April's mom works for the St. Louis County Department of Health.

That's a shame...but when you have a bunch of kids from all over doing God knows what in the mud, understandable. A similar situation occurred in a public pool here in the City several years ago.

December 2006:



Now:



The new shower curtain:



The pink carpets were cool, but they showed dirt too easily, so we switched to teal. Chris gave us the Hello Kitty shower curtain as a housewarming gift back in December. We like the flower curtain, but I damaged it a couple of weeks ago. We're going to either fix it or use it in some artistic way.

The bathroom still kicks ass.

Wolf's in charge today

I would like to announce that medical care is getting better and better ... at least in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

I present for your inspection, the latest in medical technology!



Thanks to the fine folks at Lunaticks EMS and Fire Emporium, I am now the proud owner of an official Hello Kitty Sphygmomanometer. Unlike a lot of character merchandise, this is some seriously high quality stuff.

Later tonight, I will begin my thesis...the last piece of my Masters degree.

It's not your standard thesis. Because the program is accelerated, so is the Capstone project: 6 weeks, a minimum of 15 pages with 10 sources and a 30-minute solo presentation. Each week, I'll meet with my instructor to ensure that I'm on the right track.

Tonight, I'll start fleshing everything out. I'm going to develop an improvement plan for the pizza shops: increase efficiency, improve productivity, etc.

On one hand, I only need a C on this...I don't want to drive myself crazy with it. But on the other hand, I always work at least semi-hard on things...otherwise, I feel like I'm letting myself down. I like the subject matter and have some great ideas, so I should be able to plow through this fairly quickly and do well. Ideally, I'd like to be done in 2 weeks, but 3 would be alright. I want to be one of the first presenters in 4 weeks.

As to my future beyond school...well, April and I are getting married in October. At least that's certain. :)

(BTW, Happy Birthday Mom and Chris!)

As usual, I worked my regular Sunday shift at the store in Southwest City, near our apartment. Around 4pm, one of the addresses I was going to caught my eye. I then looked at the name...

It was the other party from my car wreck in February...the Lesbianmobile killer.

I pulled up in front of her house, and saw the killer car...still damaged from the accident. Our insurance company has been waiting for her to get an estimate for her car for 3 months now. I didn't know if she'd recognize me or not. I barely spoke to her at the time of the accident, I had a different car, it was cold out and I had hair.

And I don't know if she did know who I was. Some customers like to grab their food and get back inside right away...she was one of them. We looked each other in the eye for a minute, then walked away.

And I got a $3 tip...ha!

April is in charge today

Syc's delivering pizzas tonight so I'm filling in. Thought you might enjoy a random WTF moment.

My mother is a public health nurse. She mainly visits new (mostly teen) mothers in their homes right before/right after they deliver...well baby exams etc. It's pretty uneventful, the most interesting part of her job being the age of the moms. I think her youngest so far has been 12. The "usuals" are between 16-18, second or third baby. Gotta love it.

Anyway, as part of her job she has monthly in-services she must attend. Sometimes they are on immunizations, sometimes car seats etc. This month's was the best by far. It was on Axillary intercourse - WTF?!!
:shock:

I didn't believe this existed, so I looked it up on Wikipedia:

"Axillary intercourse (slang: bagpiping, in reference to the underarm manner in which bagpipes are played; "directing traffic", or "pit-wank", a variant on the more traditional "tit-wank") is a sexual variant where the penis is inserted in the other person's armpit. Contact between the hairs in the armpit and on the penis are an erotic stimulant for some adherents to this practice.

Axillary intercourse is part of the broader category of outercourse. It is one form of safe sex since the genitals are greatly separated, allowing little to no exchange of bodily fluids.

Obvious complications include axillary hair (armpit hair). Axillary hair can help minimize friction, but can cause major discomfort in the armpit due to pulling and tearing of hair out of the follicle."

I mean seriously...are people frickin' retarded?! Who the hell does shit like this?! And if the public health department is having meetings about it, you know it's been around a while :oops:

Apparently it's on the rise amongst middle school kids in the suburbs.
I think I just tasted bile. :(

Good night.

Guess there's no chance I can safely bail out of this wedding now. ;)

Go here (it's a PDF file), scroll down to page 6, look under the "alumni classnotes" for the 1990s (the first column of notes) and you will see why.

Monken, you and Ann also have mentions...you go with your bad selves!

I enjoy reading Matt Frei's articles on the BBC website...he's their Washington correspondent. This is what I get from them: Yes, the US certainly sucks in some aspects, but it's not that bad. It's like he's trying to chill out European xenophobes...I think we need a similar person here for dealing with Europe (and France in particular).

This is his latest article...Land of Ideas. Good stuff!

Day 4 of the 13-day grind...I'm pooped. Tomorrow is a double...fortunately, it's a split shift, so I'll have a few hours between shifts.

Why did I volunteer to pick up these shifts? Oh yeah...because I'm a money whore.

Good night!

3: Number of DVDs I bought yesterday. I don't buy DVDs and actual CDs often these days, so I splurged a little bit in April.

5: Number of CDs I've actually gone out and purchased in the past month. I don't own a MasterCard so I can't buy them cheap from the Russians at this time (their payment service in Moldova only takes MC).

13: The number of days I'm working in a row...my next full day off is Saturday the 12th. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

14: The cost of my delicious breakfast at IHOP this morning (with tip).

37.5: The number of hours I technically work each week...I picked up two short day shifts starting this week, so I'm up from 31.5.

44: The number of days until I finish my Masters.

45: The number of hours I'm working this week. I picked up two extra night shifts and worked a short shift yesterday.

92: The number of days until I officially have my Masters degree...it will be posted on August 1st.

172: Number of days until the Sycamore wedding extravaganza.

228: Number of days until I walk for my graduation (Fontbonne is fucking retarded)