Here's a hint to conquering those tasks that loom too large to complete or even approach. I read about this yesterday on Lifehacker, and it rang so true that I have been thinking about how to implement it ever since. See, I always like to have one big task of doom looming over my head. I'm just not happy otherwise. Sick, I know, but that's how it works. Thing is, I'm always working. I don't laze away the days. I paint, I landscape, I clean the house. All instead of doing what I need to do: find a job.
In light of this, I'm trying to work on making other things of more priority. Like this: I should sell my car. I don't have insurance on it, and thus do not drive it. I haven't driven it in months, and could use the $1,000 I can get on it. So, needing to wash it...I put it off until today. I love that car though and know I cannot get another of the same quality for $1,000. So, in order to motivate myself to get crackin on gettin a job, I'm not allowed to sell the car until I have at least 10 resumes out there in the world. I could have wasted the rest of today researching how to sell my car most efficiently, instead...
I've revamped what I need to and now just have to tailor for each position. I could send out the first one tomorrow.
Here's the article:
Structured Procrastination: "All procrastinators put off things they have to do. Structured procrastination is the art of making this bad trait work for you. The key idea is that procrastinating does not mean doing absolutely nothing. Procrastinators seldom do absolutely nothing; they do marginally useful things, like gardening or sharpening pencils or making a diagram of how they will reorganize their files when they get around to it. Why does the procrastinator do these things? Because they are a way of not doing something more important. If all the procrastinator had left to do was to sharpen some pencils, no force on earth could get him do it. However, the procrastinator can be motivated to do difficult, timely and important tasks, as long as these tasks are a way of not doing something more important."
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
odds and ends
As you see, I'm making hiking number one priority of the summer. I want to see it all and get out there every chance that I can. And get in shape.
So, I'm gonna keep a record of my hikes. Sadly, we didn't bring the camera, or the water purification stuff, or puppa's harness or other things we needed. It was the trial hike to iron out the kinks. Next time will again have mistakes, then we'll have it all ironed out. My motivation is to climb Mt. Adams this year. I know that it isn't that tough a climb (likely only two days of backpacking), but I'm not climbing anything that requires an oxygen mask or has frostbite as a potential side effect.
If you have time, watch "Match Point", Woody Allen's latest. It was one of the best movies I've seen in hella long time. Also, watch or rewatch "King Kong." Fabulous flicks. "Brokeback Mountain" was quite good, makes me feel hopeful for the world and optimistic for the kids out there that may feel less strange by having watched it.
Read "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, and "Bizarro" comics (at least the one with the Matt Groening cover). Also read "The Riddle of the Traveling Skull" by Harry Stephen Keller, out in a lovely McSweeney's binding. Pretty book and a great mystery/detective novel. You'll never guess whodunnit.
Health update: I feel much better (I did go for a hike yesterday). I'm coursing through some antibiotics (Cipro) and I think that really is doing the trick. I still have a rather efficient digestive system, but the fever and chills and aches and pains and lethargy are all gone. Yeay. Still here are likely a ton of medical bills. Crapola.
New goal: trying to eliminate high fructose corn syrup. You could say that, and hiking is my new diet fad.
Lots of other bills too, so on to my second priority of the moment, findin' a job.
So, I'm gonna keep a record of my hikes. Sadly, we didn't bring the camera, or the water purification stuff, or puppa's harness or other things we needed. It was the trial hike to iron out the kinks. Next time will again have mistakes, then we'll have it all ironed out. My motivation is to climb Mt. Adams this year. I know that it isn't that tough a climb (likely only two days of backpacking), but I'm not climbing anything that requires an oxygen mask or has frostbite as a potential side effect.
If you have time, watch "Match Point", Woody Allen's latest. It was one of the best movies I've seen in hella long time. Also, watch or rewatch "King Kong." Fabulous flicks. "Brokeback Mountain" was quite good, makes me feel hopeful for the world and optimistic for the kids out there that may feel less strange by having watched it.
Read "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, and "Bizarro" comics (at least the one with the Matt Groening cover). Also read "The Riddle of the Traveling Skull" by Harry Stephen Keller, out in a lovely McSweeney's binding. Pretty book and a great mystery/detective novel. You'll never guess whodunnit.
Health update: I feel much better (I did go for a hike yesterday). I'm coursing through some antibiotics (Cipro) and I think that really is doing the trick. I still have a rather efficient digestive system, but the fever and chills and aches and pains and lethargy are all gone. Yeay. Still here are likely a ton of medical bills. Crapola.
New goal: trying to eliminate high fructose corn syrup. You could say that, and hiking is my new diet fad.
Lots of other bills too, so on to my second priority of the moment, findin' a job.
Angel's Rest Trail
Hike number one of the season was a resounding success.
Distance to Angel's rest: 2.8 miles, one-way, total is 4.5 miles to Angel's rest and back, book says schedule 5 hours. It is a moderately tough hike.
Total distance hiked: 6.5 miles in 3.5 hours
Elevation gain: at least 1,600 ft.
Less than a minute off of 1-84, exit 28, about 30 minutes outside Portland (in the Gorge). Parking lot, clearly labeled trailhead. Nice map at the trailhead. Take your digital camera and photograph it for later reference, though the trail is clearly marked, some of the signs blend in with the trees.
Deep forests, and open vistas of the Columbia Gorge. Many dogs off leash. Too many people (and dogs) until after Angel's rest. Amazing view at Angel's rest, but for better air, no traffic noise and no people (there were still cobwebs on the trail) you must continue on the Devil's rest trail. The trail seemed to be endless, hike all day if you wish. Strenuous hike, sweaty and smelly (too many people poopin' in the bushes, me thinks). Not as tough as jogging, but a great workout for the calves and ass muscles. My hips are sore today. Bring tons of water, or at least some water purification ability. Falls and spring water accessible and clear.
Angel's rest is a large area on a rock jutty overlooking the Gorge in three directions. Scramble around to find a quiet spot to wonder about how this valley was formed.
Recommended to be started in the AM, to reach the no-man's land by the time everyone is arriving at the trailhead, hike all day and return when the crowds have thinned out. Otherwise, if you are like me, go around 3:00, skip the vistas, hike until you are tuckered and rest on the way down at the pretty spots as you'll have them mostly to yourself.
Distance to Angel's rest: 2.8 miles, one-way, total is 4.5 miles to Angel's rest and back, book says schedule 5 hours. It is a moderately tough hike.
Total distance hiked: 6.5 miles in 3.5 hours
Elevation gain: at least 1,600 ft.
Less than a minute off of 1-84, exit 28, about 30 minutes outside Portland (in the Gorge). Parking lot, clearly labeled trailhead. Nice map at the trailhead. Take your digital camera and photograph it for later reference, though the trail is clearly marked, some of the signs blend in with the trees.
Deep forests, and open vistas of the Columbia Gorge. Many dogs off leash. Too many people (and dogs) until after Angel's rest. Amazing view at Angel's rest, but for better air, no traffic noise and no people (there were still cobwebs on the trail) you must continue on the Devil's rest trail. The trail seemed to be endless, hike all day if you wish. Strenuous hike, sweaty and smelly (too many people poopin' in the bushes, me thinks). Not as tough as jogging, but a great workout for the calves and ass muscles. My hips are sore today. Bring tons of water, or at least some water purification ability. Falls and spring water accessible and clear.
Angel's rest is a large area on a rock jutty overlooking the Gorge in three directions. Scramble around to find a quiet spot to wonder about how this valley was formed.
Recommended to be started in the AM, to reach the no-man's land by the time everyone is arriving at the trailhead, hike all day and return when the crowds have thinned out. Otherwise, if you are like me, go around 3:00, skip the vistas, hike until you are tuckered and rest on the way down at the pretty spots as you'll have them mostly to yourself.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
DVD/PC Game Lot
This is not a video game phase. It's a wanna be gamer phase, even more loserly. Then he/she has the audacity to ask $7.
DVD/PC Game Lot: "I passed through the video game stage of life about 4 years ago. The first one is 'Who wants to be Millionaire' and the other game is NFL Fever 2000"
DVD/PC Game Lot: "I passed through the video game stage of life about 4 years ago. The first one is 'Who wants to be Millionaire' and the other game is NFL Fever 2000"
Funny Craig's listings
Beach Towel/Drinking Glasses: "The mug is from the Carnival Cruise Ship-The Paradise-the first cruise ship that was all non-smoking at that time. "
ohhhh, that is an AMAZING collectors item.
ohhhh, that is an AMAZING collectors item.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Mexico - a photoset on Flickr
Mexico
Also, check out my new way around not having the ability to make subsets: North America. Just roll your mouse over the map...all the places we've been. I'm working on the labels for the Mexico set, so be patient and I won't have to blog properly about the trip.
Also, check out my new way around not having the ability to make subsets: North America. Just roll your mouse over the map...all the places we've been. I'm working on the labels for the Mexico set, so be patient and I won't have to blog properly about the trip.
I hate Kaiser
Horrible experience at Kaiser yesterday. It entailed this: three symptoms described to the triage nurse. Two hours later, a "Dr." visit, who told me my pee was normal and that they wanted to run other tests. She also felt my belly, but didn't allow me to describe my symptoms fully. Then three hours of extreme pain and sweating and extreme cold later, I was abruptly told I was discharged. I didn't have to wait for the lab results. Huh? So I started balling because I was by then in such a state of pain and suffering that I couldn't even yell, "then why the hell have I been rotting here for three hours with no one even checking on me?"
Really lame. I'm still in a LOT of pain, told to take in fluids and tylenol. Well, when my liver fails because of the massive amounts of tylenol I've been taking, that'll show them. I'm not even convinced they'll call back with the results. So, I guess I'll call them later today and tell them the rest of the story that they wouldn't listen to yesterday. I am not going back there, however, ever. I suggest you do not either, unless you cannot help it.
Worse yet, I do not know what is wrong with me. And today means I've had a low-grade fever and aches, chills and pain for an entire week.
Further insult, they tested for mono. But I found out today that no one has ever had mono twice. I definitely had mono back in 1998. Had they been thorough, I would have been saved the expense of that test.
Even better, I have a migraine that has not left my head for two days. So now I'm taking overdoses of ibuprofen AND tylenol. WHAM-BAM! Sorry liver.
And all I really want to do is get my job apps out the door. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Really lame. I'm still in a LOT of pain, told to take in fluids and tylenol. Well, when my liver fails because of the massive amounts of tylenol I've been taking, that'll show them. I'm not even convinced they'll call back with the results. So, I guess I'll call them later today and tell them the rest of the story that they wouldn't listen to yesterday. I am not going back there, however, ever. I suggest you do not either, unless you cannot help it.
Worse yet, I do not know what is wrong with me. And today means I've had a low-grade fever and aches, chills and pain for an entire week.
Further insult, they tested for mono. But I found out today that no one has ever had mono twice. I definitely had mono back in 1998. Had they been thorough, I would have been saved the expense of that test.
Even better, I have a migraine that has not left my head for two days. So now I'm taking overdoses of ibuprofen AND tylenol. WHAM-BAM! Sorry liver.
And all I really want to do is get my job apps out the door. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Another handy search engine
A while ago I posted about a search engine that you could use to search local sales. I've never used it because it kinda sucked. I've not tried it recently, but this morning I did find something very helpful. Better than DexOnline, which didn't help me find where I could buy a refrigerator. Here it is...nice interface too.
Yokel results for refrigerator near Portland, OR
Thanks to Lifehacker.
Yokel results for refrigerator near Portland, OR
Thanks to Lifehacker.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
still a bit ill
seems that is often the title of posts....Still Sick. Lame.
So, last night I decide to go to the emergency room to get some tests done to determine whether I do have a kidney infection. 4 hours later, I was none the wiser....
Seemed a large group of traumas had been flown into Emmanuel Hospital. My biggest gripe is that the receptionist didn't just say from the get-go, "It's gonna be a LONG time, before you get in dearie." I would have left then, because if they know it is gonna be a long time, over and above the eternity that it usually takes in the ER, then I would have known. Instead, they encouraged me to sit tight and I'd be seen shortly.
Well, I was able to read the entire new Backpacker magazine twice, and I now know that for tent repairs, one should not use Duct tape, rather use masking tape, paper and some substance that binds it all together, then when dry, remove the masking tape. I think I'll still use Duct Tape.
In the meantime, there were all kinds of characters in the ER. One man, a Jehovah's Witness, thought it his duty to witness very loudly, and give legal advice to one girl, who was also unbalanced. I tried all I could not to make eye contact with anyone. Especially the Boston-accented idiot who locked his keys in his running car outside the entrance of the hospital, so lovely fumes kept wafting in. His wife was giving birth to his third and her fourth child. He was very loud on his cell phone.
There was dried blood on my chair.
My first trip to the bathroom was cut short when I had to notify housekeeping that someone had completely missed the toilet and pissed all over the one bathroom's floor.
The one nice person I met was desperately needing someone to talk to because her 31 year old son had been admitted having had a heart attack. His father had almost died of one at age 19. Well, ends up that she works at the "World Famous" Kenton Club, about a mile from my house, that come to find out it was the bar in which the gang hung during the movie "Kansas City Rollers." I was duly impressed, having recently seen the flick. Now I'm invited to visit her when she works, for a meal. I might just do that, one of the few times I may actually do what I say I will to a complete stranger.
She was nice, but I had to leave her to her own devices because a soccer clad man had just arrived in the ER. He was holding a bloody towel to his head. There was another fellow there that had been waiting since 5:00 (it was now 10:00), and a Russian woman that had been slumped in her chair since I arrived. So, feeling like I was in a movie where there is a planetary emergency and there are some annoying people in the ER with an ingrown toenail, I left.
I'm not sure if I'll go back today. I feel shitty still, but no real fever. So, unless the infection has spread to other areas, I think I might be ok. I'll let you know.
Other news: $300+ to joing the Bar association (mandatory) and another $1,000 to get malpractice insurance. BUMMER. I need a job.
And on that note, I'll sign off for today. I'm revamping my resume and have some job leads for which I have to draft cover letters.
hmmm, temp's at 100 again, perhaps it is time to work on the resume at the hospital. Wish me well.
So, last night I decide to go to the emergency room to get some tests done to determine whether I do have a kidney infection. 4 hours later, I was none the wiser....
Seemed a large group of traumas had been flown into Emmanuel Hospital. My biggest gripe is that the receptionist didn't just say from the get-go, "It's gonna be a LONG time, before you get in dearie." I would have left then, because if they know it is gonna be a long time, over and above the eternity that it usually takes in the ER, then I would have known. Instead, they encouraged me to sit tight and I'd be seen shortly.
Well, I was able to read the entire new Backpacker magazine twice, and I now know that for tent repairs, one should not use Duct tape, rather use masking tape, paper and some substance that binds it all together, then when dry, remove the masking tape. I think I'll still use Duct Tape.
In the meantime, there were all kinds of characters in the ER. One man, a Jehovah's Witness, thought it his duty to witness very loudly, and give legal advice to one girl, who was also unbalanced. I tried all I could not to make eye contact with anyone. Especially the Boston-accented idiot who locked his keys in his running car outside the entrance of the hospital, so lovely fumes kept wafting in. His wife was giving birth to his third and her fourth child. He was very loud on his cell phone.
There was dried blood on my chair.
My first trip to the bathroom was cut short when I had to notify housekeeping that someone had completely missed the toilet and pissed all over the one bathroom's floor.
The one nice person I met was desperately needing someone to talk to because her 31 year old son had been admitted having had a heart attack. His father had almost died of one at age 19. Well, ends up that she works at the "World Famous" Kenton Club, about a mile from my house, that come to find out it was the bar in which the gang hung during the movie "Kansas City Rollers." I was duly impressed, having recently seen the flick. Now I'm invited to visit her when she works, for a meal. I might just do that, one of the few times I may actually do what I say I will to a complete stranger.
She was nice, but I had to leave her to her own devices because a soccer clad man had just arrived in the ER. He was holding a bloody towel to his head. There was another fellow there that had been waiting since 5:00 (it was now 10:00), and a Russian woman that had been slumped in her chair since I arrived. So, feeling like I was in a movie where there is a planetary emergency and there are some annoying people in the ER with an ingrown toenail, I left.
I'm not sure if I'll go back today. I feel shitty still, but no real fever. So, unless the infection has spread to other areas, I think I might be ok. I'll let you know.
Other news: $300+ to joing the Bar association (mandatory) and another $1,000 to get malpractice insurance. BUMMER. I need a job.
And on that note, I'll sign off for today. I'm revamping my resume and have some job leads for which I have to draft cover letters.
hmmm, temp's at 100 again, perhaps it is time to work on the resume at the hospital. Wish me well.
body fat percentages for a JAG
I am looking for a job. I veered off target and ended up on the JAG website, which interestingly enough, has an elaborate procedure to determine body fat percentages. I can't wait until the roommate gets home to determine mine.
BCA.pdf (application/pdf Object)
First measurement rule for measuring "hips":
"Measurement shall be taken overlightweight loose-fitting gym shorts or pants. Tight-fitting
rubberized foundation garments or exercise belts shall not beworn at least 30 minutes before measuring. Control-top pantyhose, spandex tights, and other "shaping" garments shall not be
worn during measuring."
BCA.pdf (application/pdf Object)
First measurement rule for measuring "hips":
"Measurement shall be taken overlightweight loose-fitting gym shorts or pants. Tight-fitting
rubberized foundation garments or exercise belts shall not beworn at least 30 minutes before measuring. Control-top pantyhose, spandex tights, and other "shaping" garments shall not be
worn during measuring."
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Fun @ Porkrind.com
Fun @ Porkrind.com
You can find the real and weird fun of this website by scrolling down the page. Don't look if easily offended. Do look if you like ladies and porkrinds. At first, creepy, then not so much.
You can find the real and weird fun of this website by scrolling down the page. Don't look if easily offended. Do look if you like ladies and porkrinds. At first, creepy, then not so much.
Monday, May 22, 2006
My trip to Mexico and NYC
Was wonderful. I'm working on the write up, because I want it to be somewhat interesting. I also have 300+ photos to upload.
Give me some time, because I'm also pretty ill from the trip. First at the very end of the Mexico leg of the trip, I got that Mexican revenge. Then at the end of the NYC trip, I believe I developed a kidney infection, mostly because I hung out with brutes that wouldn't acknowledge my need to pee frequently, compounded by the lack of restrooms in NYC. I got back on Saturday night, rather late, and was hung over all day Sunday, besides battling a fever. I slept from 6:00 last night to 1:00 today. I'm getting better, but am exhausted. I also have a billion things to do.
But the trip was delightful.
Give me some time, because I'm also pretty ill from the trip. First at the very end of the Mexico leg of the trip, I got that Mexican revenge. Then at the end of the NYC trip, I believe I developed a kidney infection, mostly because I hung out with brutes that wouldn't acknowledge my need to pee frequently, compounded by the lack of restrooms in NYC. I got back on Saturday night, rather late, and was hung over all day Sunday, besides battling a fever. I slept from 6:00 last night to 1:00 today. I'm getting better, but am exhausted. I also have a billion things to do.
But the trip was delightful.
Ear plugs to deafen your flight
On a recent flight, I was continuously annoyed by two women sitting behind me that did not take a breath for over 2.5 hours. They not only talked continuously, but they talked so loudly that I could not drown them out with my iPod on its loudest setting. They also coughed without covering their mouths. I hated them and did every thing I could to make their flight less enjoyable.
Another flight found us sitting next to the engine (with no view at all). It was so loud that in order to not scream in pain, we had to insert earplugs.
We cannot afford noise cancelling headphones....so perhaps here is the solution:
In-ear headphones modded with swimming earplugs. Seems easy and clever as hell.
Another flight found us sitting next to the engine (with no view at all). It was so loud that in order to not scream in pain, we had to insert earplugs.
We cannot afford noise cancelling headphones....so perhaps here is the solution:
In-ear headphones modded with swimming earplugs. Seems easy and clever as hell.
Update on eye infections
"When Bausch & Lomb recalled a contact lens cleaner from markets worldwide May 15, the company explained that it had finally, after months of sleuthing, found a link between the product and a potentially blinding eye infection.
But to the health authorities in Singapore, that seemed tardy at best. Three months earlier, they had established a strong statistical connection between the cleaner, ReNu With MoistureLoc, and Fusarium eye fungus infections."
Thanks to IHT
F you B&L.
But to the health authorities in Singapore, that seemed tardy at best. Three months earlier, they had established a strong statistical connection between the cleaner, ReNu With MoistureLoc, and Fusarium eye fungus infections."
Thanks to IHT
F you B&L.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
call me 06057
Because that is my new bar number.
They threw me a bone, though whether or not I'll get to keep it will depend on some creative financial rearranging.
I just wrote a huge entry, when Jack decided to destroy it by pushing some key on my keyboard. Arrrrgh. Tonight really is sucking hard. I'm trying to get a new resume together, one that I think will work better, along with a new cover letter approach. I leave in two days, which is a good thing, but I have a shitload of things to do and no one seems to be helping me.
I've not been eating because I'd like to lose some weight. I know, I'm not doing it right, but I've been blessed in my life and have never had to diet. So, give me some time to figure it out. Anyway, not eating makes everything suck so much harder.
Did I mention that I met a million new people this past weekend? Seemed that all the new people were measuring each other by how well-traveled they were. I kept quiet, letting all feel superior. I'll let it leak some other time that I've been around the block and then they can eat their smugness.
I am amazingly crabby. I think I'll have some tequilla and go to bed. I need to build up my tolerance for the stuff anyway.
They threw me a bone, though whether or not I'll get to keep it will depend on some creative financial rearranging.
I just wrote a huge entry, when Jack decided to destroy it by pushing some key on my keyboard. Arrrrgh. Tonight really is sucking hard. I'm trying to get a new resume together, one that I think will work better, along with a new cover letter approach. I leave in two days, which is a good thing, but I have a shitload of things to do and no one seems to be helping me.
I've not been eating because I'd like to lose some weight. I know, I'm not doing it right, but I've been blessed in my life and have never had to diet. So, give me some time to figure it out. Anyway, not eating makes everything suck so much harder.
Did I mention that I met a million new people this past weekend? Seemed that all the new people were measuring each other by how well-traveled they were. I kept quiet, letting all feel superior. I'll let it leak some other time that I've been around the block and then they can eat their smugness.
I am amazingly crabby. I think I'll have some tequilla and go to bed. I need to build up my tolerance for the stuff anyway.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Kentucky woman
I was listening to Neil Diamond today, and became rather sad when I heard him sing "Kentucky Woman." The reason is because a good friend and fellow esquire moved there today. Because of her I enjoyed my first lap dance on Saturday. I miss her very much already.
Aubrey Baldwin is a wonderful asset to the world, a beautiful woman and a cherished friend that I will always remember. I cannot wait until the day I can enjoy a tall iced tea on her porch, swatting flies and listening to her drawl soothe my soul.
Here's an irish toast to ya'll.
Aubrey Baldwin is a wonderful asset to the world, a beautiful woman and a cherished friend that I will always remember. I cannot wait until the day I can enjoy a tall iced tea on her porch, swatting flies and listening to her drawl soothe my soul.
Here's an irish toast to ya'll.
91°F
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