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September 30, 2003
polka-dots
Yesterday I got out of the house to see a few exhibits at my favorite museum in DC, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Asian Art. I was hoping for a bit more from the Perspectives: Yayoi Kusama exhibition, but all they had was a coating of the ground floor in red polka-dots and one interesting mirror and light piece. But that was it, so I was disappointed.
The neat thing about the Sackler museum is that it goes down four floors, so I went all the way to the bottom floor to see the other exhibit I hadn't seen before, of 8 incredible contemporary porcelean bowls. Reading the descriptions of the techniques involved in their creation, I was bowled over by the artists' work. HAR HAR DE HARR HARRR!
Afterwards, I tried to lay out in the sun on the mall, but it was too chilly! Autumn is here for sure. Went to work out, then prepared to go out to the Brickskellar for a really nice date. I'll say no more, other than this one was definitely a fresh, crisp Washington state apple. Well, he was a fresh apple from Ohio anyway.
This morning I met with my career consultant to look at a new resume I have going, and to analyze my current targets for application. She was delighted with the design comps I had made for her website as well. Workout then a long interview with a downtown creative temp agency. I took my very first HTML exam, the results of which surprised me. In a nutshell, if I hadn't worked with particular elements, tags or concepts, I had no idea what they were on the test, but that's me - I'm an experiential learner. I did well however. Off to rugby now.
Posted by jimbo at 6:23 PM | Comments (1)
September 29, 2003
bobbing for apples
Yesterday was a good day considering all the self-poured cocktails I had Saturday night at a party I went to with my friend Shane. I managed to wake up with no hangover, went to the gym, and wandered around the DuPont Circle area and had some dinner. When I got home I spent the rest of the evening until about Midnight working on some design comps for my career counselor, and sprucing up some resumes to be sent out today.
Saturday night's party was interesting...only in DC would you find yourself at a party openly celebrating the promotion of an Air Force officer who lives with a congressman. I myself would keep it on the down low if I was enlisted, but I've found many guys here who work at the Pentagon are fairly open about what they do, regardless of potential job loss. At work they simply keep it to themselves and don't push any agendas. You'd be surprised at how many queens work at the Pentagon, and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is just plain silly when I see the reality of what's really there.
Shane is a good guy...before the party I was noticing that his circles of friends are remarkably diverse. He's a pretty butch guy, and I've noticed that those types tend to hang out with other Caucasian, 'naturally masculine' guys into sports as well. But Shane was in a relationship with a Latino, is good friends with an unathletic Jew, a drag queen, African Americans and geeks like me. When I asked him about it, he iterated that he chooses to hang out with 'good people', and that's what qualifies as his friends. I think that's just great.
Now that the cool fall days are upon us, I was thinking about bobbing for apples. Relationships are like bobbing for apples in a dark room. For all you know, the tub is filled with sewer water and balls of dung. If the water is fresh and the apples are pure, you still have no guarantee that you'll get an apple. The apple might have a bruise or a worm in it, but you can still eat it. Most of the time all you get is an invigorating dunk in the cold water, but sometimes you get a crisp and tasty Gala apple straight from Washington state.
Posted by jimbo at 11:27 AM | Comments (7)
September 28, 2003
Morgoth is now my Friend
OMG...MORGOTH is willing to be my Friendster! Like the Daddy of Sauron, Master of all Evil! Here's what he e-mailed to me:
Jimbo: "If I go dig up one of the lost Silmarils, will you be my Friendster?"
Morgoth: "I'll go one further: you can be my friend now but if you fail in your quest I'll just torture you later."
Jimbo: "YAAAAY!"
And I now introduce to you (on the right sidebar) hot retired MLB player of the week!
Posted by jimbo at 12:10 AM | Comments (1)
September 27, 2003
duplex is a shitty film
I wanted to see Rundown tonight, or maybe even Cabin Fever. But I also didn't feel like debating, and hadn't seen Shane in a while, so agreed to go see Duplex at his suggestion.
Don't. Just don't. Don't go there at all, not even on DVD or HBO. It's been a long time since I've felt like jetting out of a theatre, or had my Inner Child say to me in my head, "I wanna go home!" A waste of Drew Barrymore, predictable in every scene. I knew The Money Pit was bad, why couldn't I predict that Duplex would be too? The only person laughing in the theatre was a 12 year-old girl sitting behind us. The experience exhausted me and now I'm going to bed. Remind me next time to stick with kung-fu and lasers and zombies and magic and starships and comic book heroes.
Posted by jimbo at 1:34 AM
September 26, 2003
bees in my head
Bees in my head. BEES IN MY HEAD! Too much going on. This week accelerated faster than I expected, especially today. My contact in the Senate called me first thing this morning, suggesting I spruce up my resume to meet their needs, to which I gladly complied. Then Peace Corps called me about a job I applied for a month or so ago, for an education-related web job for their World Wise Schools social studies program to link students in the US with overseas volunteers. Usually government organizations take a long time to get back to you, so this was a big surprise. Interview on the 6th. Then my career counselor called for an appointment on Monday, so I'd like to get her some website demos by then in return. Much to do today for sure.
However, that scraps my plan to go backpacking out in West Virginia early next week, but it's a small price to pay. The leaves change up in the Monongahela National Forest around October 3rd, but I'll have to miss it...or maybe a shorter trip? My raincoat died this week, so I'd have to get a new one before then.
Yesterday I met up with my gurl Seamus, who was back in town from work. He treated me to mid-day cocktails and steak at Annie's, followed by a well-buzzed walk about DuPont Circle and its environs. Craving sweets, we stopped for ice cream. Moderation is the key with me and true dairy products, which I forgot in my inebriated state. Thus the Cape Cods, beef and ice cream took quite a while to get through my system over the course of the afternoon. However, I was able to go out to Remington's later to meet up with Keith and his squeeze Andre for a beer later on after a good bowel movement.
Tomorrow is a morning rugby scrimmage, weather depending.
Posted by jimbo at 1:55 PM | Comments (1)
September 24, 2003
fearing turtles
This morning's interview went well, and I learned that the job didn't have as much marketing and publications work as shown in the job description. More like 50% web work, which is cool. I was a little late to the interview due to a car accident which backed up traffic out to the beltway, and the resultant oil spill cleanup (not mine). Turns out there was a much quicker way to get there, right from the street behind my house. Should I get another interview there, the return trip should be much faster. Chrisafer assures me that the staff is accustomed to traffic snarl delays, however.
After the interview, Chrisafer and I went to lunch and then I got a tour of the campus. Now I see why he's always squawking about the scenery on campus. It would be most distracting in the spring, summer and fall months.
Posted by jimbo at 3:57 PM | Comments (6)
September 23, 2003
is it worth it? lemme work it...
I probably shouldn't have gone to rugby practice tonight, as my mind was on tomorrow's interview most of the time. But I learned about the interview late in the afternoon, and my momentum was going so I didn't think to stop, or stop to think. Practice was held at the shitty alternate field again, and while slogging through the murk my mind is also on how not to ram my head into random pieces of concrete or on teammates' heads. So I left early and rode home on my bike in a fluster, running over crackwhores in the process, spraying the caked algal mud off me at the outside faucet and taking a long shower before trimming the beard and getting the maps and suit and portfolio ready.
It's for a job at the University of Maryland, one that Chrisafer found for me. It's all about contacts in this town, no matter how hard you search through the employment ads and websites. Again, the majority of leads that develop into interviews seem to come from helpful people like YOU!
And I do know how to work it...I often wish I could work men like I can work contacts (Regardless of what many think, I've been in quite a dry spell in terms of true romance). In the past week I've gotten leads or contacts at the gym, Friendster, Yahoo Messenger and even tonight at practice for a job or two at HRC. At least I know where some of my strengths lie.
So hopefully I can get to bed at a decent hour tonight in order to be perky tomorrow. I got up at 9:30 this morning, which was frightfully early for the unemployed jimbo. Lately I've been turning noctournal, going to bed around 2am and getting up somewhere between 10 and Noon. That's gotta stop, as I can get a lot of work done in those wasted hours. I keep telling Gurl I'm gonna meet her for early workouts at 8am, but excuses pile up at wake-up hour and I hit the snooze button again and again.
So instead I worked out with Mitzhi Jean McWhoragain the other evening for her maiden tour of the Kalorama Washington Sports Club. In addition to showing her thirty different ways to work those biceps, I gave her a few tips on what not to do at the gym...all of which I've actually seen happening at one gym or another (of course not by Mitzhi Darling):
Posted by jimbo at 10:47 PM | Comments (5)
September 21, 2003
arctic wildlife, hot rugby match
After the hurricane, I was really hoping that dreams really do come true...or that I'd at least get some, so Friday night Mitzhi McHoragain and I went out for a few cocktails.
After a short review of what bars might be hopping in DC on a Friday night before grampaw jimbo's designated bedtime, we were left with Windows and JR's. I remembered that there were sometimes furry male specimens found at Windows on a Friday night, and it was right across the street from Mitzhi's, so we decided to give it a try. Furry they were, but gregarious they were not, as they were all in twos, looking for other twos and oftentimes lifting another's shirt for a good belly rub. Their circles were so tight-knit, I was reminded of the arctic muskoxen's defensive circling technique for survival. I guessed they sensed wolves were about. I needed a girly drink, but a shirley temple just wouldn't do, so I settled for a strong cosmo.
Then we gave JR's a try, which was nicely air-conditioned and remarkably spacious. However, there were few furry mammals in attendance...mostly amphibious and reptillian creatures climbing the walls with their sticky-pad fingers.
The next day was a rugby tournament waaay up Rhode Island Avenue into Maryland. I discovered that pretty much everything North of my 'hood has no power yet. Many of my friends are staying elsewhere due to the same problem.
The day was getting really damn hot for September, so I didn't mind at all that I wasn't slated to start. However, the shitty hot weather with 100% humidity and no wind, and a great number of injuries on the team pretty much promised that I would eventually play. I began sweating as soon as I put on my jersey, without even having warmed up yet. Most of the team played like the match was held in a sauna, and I don't blame them. Of course we got revved up by the second half, but no tries were scored. I got a good run in the thick mud, and a few good tackles, which earned me a rare and appreciated compliment from the coach. By the end of the match our team managed to score one major gash to the head, a minor concussion and a case of heat exhaustion, all requiring ambulance visits. After the match I was easily able to ignore offers of beer and greasy foods, relishing delightful ice water. I must have drank a gallon, and didn't pee until many hours later. Too damn hot for a match if you ask me.
I played far worse with the D&D gang later that evening, and didn't get to kill any of the hapless, greedy characters. I think I'm becoming a softie. They're starting to get so powerful I can't find anything to give them a real challenge, so I think it's time to start over at low levels again. Back to the Forgotten Realms, or my own world?
Later on My'ra lagged behind and we went out to Blowoff for a few, but I forgot to call Mitzhi! Sorry gurl. I was pretty dried out and tired by the end of the evening, so we left after a few beers.
Posted by jimbo at 1:48 PM | Comments (4)
September 19, 2003
underworld
The sky was moving fast, the wind blowing, rain spattering my window...something needed to get done. AOL, Yahoo Messenger, ICUII, bigmuscle.com and bigmusclebears.com all came up nada for nookie. I want my money back! I had to settle with a few nice chats and only one invite from a tired, tina'd and sketchy PnP couple out in what they called 'Arlington', actually more like Reston. Sorry tweaky twinkers...make yourselves a balanced meal and call it a night. I ain't that desperate.
Today me and some of the geek posse who didn't have to go to school today due to the hurricane went to see the vampire vs. werewolf film Underworld. It was a pretty good storyline, full of multi-layered intrigues and fun fight scenes. The vampires have done away with the usual biting and slashing in lieu of ample firearms and ninja stars. The werewolves, being less refined, stick with brute force most of the time, but lack the inherent vampire fashion sense, endless bloody mary cocktails and prime real estate. I won't tell you who wins, but the main werewolf character played by Scott Speed was pretty hot, as were a few others in the pack. I side with the werewolves of course.
While a lot of people in the area have no power or poor water service, we seem to be OK here in da 'hood. I attribute that to the lack of large trees to blow over, which had long ago been harvested for crackhouse homesteads. Sadly, the airports were closed and Kiri couldn't make it down for the weekend.
Something needs to get done...I think I'm going out to the Eagle tonight.
Posted by jimbo at 5:26 PM | Comments (2)
September 18, 2003
isabella is hot
This hurricane is making me horny, but no one wants to leave their homes.
Even the crackwhores on the corner have run for cover.
The gym was open today, and I managed to get a good leg workout. I think the storm is making other people horny too, as all the gay boys were remarkably friendly today.
Posted by jimbo at 6:01 PM | Comments (2)
hurricane isabel
There's a bit of a panic situation in DC (suprise!) due to the hurricane, but I'm doubting we'll get more than high winds and a lot of rain. Metrorail closed, which prompted the Federal government to close and some other orgs as well...even Gurl gets off from work today at GW! I'm guessing rugby will be cancelled tonight as well. I'm hoping the gym is open at least!
Last week on the discount rack I found the soundtrack to the film Dangerous Minds, most famous for the 1995 hit 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio. It was funny going to a disco in Kazakstan and watching the local Russians and Kazaks frontin' and maxin' to the tune. However, it features one song called 'It's Alright' by the now defunct group Sista, written by none other than Missy Elliott. Her style was distinct even back then. It also features one of the last dying gasps from Wendy and Lisa, formerly of Prince's Revolution, a morose tune called 'This Is The Life'.
Posted by jimbo at 12:48 PM | Comments (2)
September 17, 2003
livin' on the dole
The reality of my current situation finally set in on Tuesday when I visited the DC Dept. of 'Employment' Services for my unemployment compensation. While they aren't as bad as the City Paper depicts them, they deliver their services in the typical DC style. I realized that it no longer bothers me, however. Last year I got my checks on time without problem, and they were generally helpful.
Needless to say, I was noticeably distracted at rugby practice last night. My mind was definitely elsewhere. I'm going to continue my COBRA through October, which will allow me to play until the end of the season. However, at $397.28 a month, I'll probably just play it safe for the rest of the year. Last year's attempt at short term health insurance was a crock of shit, costing me more than the actual cost of their 'coverage'. With the amount of injuries going on, it looks like I'll have a busy season playing, as a lot of guys have some pretty bad injuries.
From Stebbins: WOOOOOF! Finally, the normally twink-dominated 'Coverboy Confidential' of DC's weekly bar rag Metro Weekly features not just chest hair, but facial hair! Mine.
Speaking of twinks, my roomate cut his long hair and looks like 10 years younger. Tonight he has a makeover debut at a party. Go gurl!
Today I saw my career counselor for a couple of hours, and got a lot of ideas, leads and a review of my resume. I'll be building her website as an exchange, which works out nicely. I definitely couldn't afford paying out of pocket for one at the moment. No current leads resulting from the past month of job searching from the office, but sometimes things take a while. It's nice to see that temp agencies are branching out into more technical and creative placement as well.
Posted by jimbo at 5:27 PM | Comments (4)
September 15, 2003
reign of rain
I didn't sleep well last night as it never really cooled off due to the sticky humidity. Tonight if the weather remains close and windless, the AC is going on. Have you seen the pictures of the bigass hurricane coming our way? It's HUGE! Even if the eye doesn't hit us directly, there will definitely be days of nonstop rain. Hopefully, it won't stop Kiri from coming down from NYC. She may come watch Saturday's match, and then play with us and da geek gang later on that night. Kiri's one of the First Geeks, having found out about us through some Gaylaxians listserv e-mail. Gaylaxians...now that's worthy of another blog entry some day.
Last day of work today - clear out gurlfriend's names from the cell phone, remove Kazaa and CivIII from My Precious Laptop, clean up old files off desk. No tangible leads as of yet, but I did learn that one of my teammates works for Army staffing. I'm also considering getting incorporated as it make make options open in the future.
Here's a handy little chart of the rugby field positions. I played #11/#14 all weekend. Last year I played #15 quite a lot. Back in da day I played #12 and #13 sometimes, but loved playing #9 the most. Once I was #7, with my head up some fat guys ass and my arm curled around his leg. Mmmm...
Someone must have passed on my bitchings about good auto ridership, as my passengers this weekend to and from Penn State were like angelic little garden gnomes. They picked up their own trash, helped out with gas and even helped with directions. I was still cranky after five hours of driving, however.
Yee-haw! There's gonna be a new Batman movie coming out, this time with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne. I just found out that he was the little kid in Empire of the Sun, but of course you know I preferred him in Reign of Fire.
Posted by jimbo at 10:57 AM | Comments (5)
September 14, 2003
rugby weekend
A busy, busy end of the week. Thursday night I went out with Keith to the Lantern, and later on we were joined by Bubba. I had to make it a short night, as I had an interview the next day.
The interview was probably one of the toughest I've ever had, as it was in a university career center with a woman who specialized in job interviews and development. I felt like I was under a Vulcan mind probe most of the time, as her questions were exacting and difficult. I did fairly well I think, and the screening process is still ongoing, so we shall see.
Met up with Bubba and his host that night at Cobalt, but wasn't in the mood to dance much and there was a long drive ahead the next morning. Sure enough, me and those in my car were just in time for the match. I was suprised I was still slated to start, and I got to play the whole match. We didn't do as well as we could have, but it was fun as the pitch at Penn State was really nice and it was raining, which makes for a fun match.
On the drive back we got lost going in the wrong direction on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making the arrival time back into the District past Midnight. I didn't get as much sleep as I needed, and I was sore as hell for today's match near National Airport. I got to play a good portion of the match, which was more social in nature and was also fun.
Later on I had a big, well-deserved steak dinner with Gurl, and then some grocery shopping. I'm thoroughly beat today, and will be going to bed early for sure.
Posted by jimbo at 8:17 PM
September 10, 2003
the bubba has landed
Went out to the 'burbs last night to visit Bubba who's in town for work. Might have the chance to treat him to the shirtless drink special at the Lantern tomorrow. Sure wish he lived closer! It was good to see him though. Bubba has a big arm-sized condom for his cast when he needs to shower, by the way.
I cut short rugby practice last night in order to get out to see Bubba at a reasonable hour, but also to give my knee a break. It only starts hurting after I'm running on it for a while, and started complaining last night too. I know it twisted a few weeks ago when I wiped out on my bike. It's one reason I wasn't too broken up about not playing last weekend either, as it appreciated the rest. Doesn't require any therapy that I can think of, just some caution and respite when working out so far. But I'm not gonna be one of those players who continues to play on a bum limb for machismo purposes, only to eventually cut short his future with the sport. Take a break today to play another day, I always say. Plus, I want to be able to run and bike when I'm an old queen too.
I took today off and got a new pair of much-needed rugby cleats. Aaaah, they feel comfy already, but not without the requisite breaking in I'm sure. Next on the agenda is a new pair of running shoes. It was a lovely day today too, and pigged out at a nice lunch later on with Keith.
Then I got my hair did, but Tina, bless yer lovely soul, could not help but hack my hair to the scalp even though i told her I was trying to grow it out. Sure, it looks nice, but I wanna try growin' it out! I'll be all fly for this kinda sorta interview I have on Friday, which I'm also taking off work for too.
It looks like our match this Saturday is later in the afternoon, so I won't have to stay overnight Friday (or drive Friday night) up at Penn State. As long as I get some good warm-up time and stretching after the long drive on Saturday morning, I should play well. They're a good team, so I gotta galvanize my thoughts for the match well in advance. There may be a Mark Bingham memorial match on Sunday, organized by the local clubs. That'll be my thang and statement regarding tomorrow's anniversary for now...remember the good people and keep playing rugby.
What a fast and funny year this year. Super-snowstorms, wet spring, rainy summer, and finally a fabulous fall. There's a welcome chill in the air this evening that portents the arrival of fall. Another DC summer gone by far too fast.
Thanks to everyone for the remedy on cleaning out stanky sink disposal unit. You guys should get together to make a 'Queer Eye' type website for fabulous homemaking tips for those of us who weren't paying attention in home economics class.
Posted by jimbo at 10:49 PM | Comments (1)
September 9, 2003
simmer down or I'm stopping this car
People stop being bitchy and stop fighting on your blogs. Use this tool for good, not evil. Now go to bed so you get your sleep so you can be cheery tomorrow.
Love,
Mom
Sex doesn't hurt either. Last night I got an extensive lecture and demonstration on XML and XHTML after a romp on the sheets. Geeks are sexy.
Yesterday I was informed at work I have 8 days of vacation leave available. This is a historic event in Jimbo time. Never before have I accumulated so much vacation leave. I almost always use it up for short weekends and 'jimbo days'. I laughed at the kid at school with perfect attendance. Part of the reason I didn't use it up was because we couldn't use it the first 6 months, and part of it was that there simply was no opportunity to use it...I was actually too busy. It's too bad my last day is Monday, however. I do get the vacation days back in $$$ though. Still a little nervous about whether or not I get unemployment. My sweet dark Irish coworker assures me I'll get a job soon. It's amazing how others have faith in you when oftentimes you don't. From what I read lately, I'm on the right track in looking for jack-of-all trades work. Things are bleak, but only half as bleak as last year. I have seen a rise in openings for web project management, user interface design, and multi-discipline work around DC.
Yesterday I got my teeth cleaned while I still have insurance to cover the service. Smiles, smiles everyone! He really got down there under the gums, and I bled all over the place.
I'm going out to the 'burbs tomorrow to see Bubba, who's in town for business.
Seal will be on the Today show this Friday morning. I've been a fan for years, ever since the huge promotion machine that you couln't ignore if you were in Europe in 1990. The black and white imagery for his debut album was everywhere. It was a great album, and I still listen to it today. I saw him in concert in 1995 when I was living in Portland. He came off as a bit arrogant, but the music was tight, and his opening act Des'ree was very endearing.
Can anyone tell me how to clean out a stanky sink garbage disposal ('In-Sink-Erator')? It doesn't seem to have a grease trap, and just reeks like rancid grease. I tried the ice cubes trick to no avail.
Posted by jimbo at 10:38 AM | Comments (8)
September 7, 2003
cruelty to denim
Yesterday's match was a little disappointing, no only because we lost, but PAC-"C" decided to include some of their A-side superleague players in the match against us. I guess they weren't comfortable with the near-loss they suffered in the spring. So much for being good sports. Makes me want to beat them so much more next time...hopefully against a C side this time.
I went to the rodeo dance that evening, a little tired from the earlier rugby social as there was so much beer to go around with the absence of the visiting team. Again, how rude!
Anyhow, the dance was full of cowgurls in boots and oftentimes too-tight jeans. Forget cruelty to animals...howabout cruelty to denim! I heard the fibers of the Wranglers and Levis aching and groaning against the strain.
Today is a birthday tardy for the 'Tard. Eminence has never seen such equations.
Also managed to do some major dusting, slaying of hordes of dust bunnies, and some weeding in the front yard.
Posted by jimbo at 1:28 PM | Comments (1)
September 5, 2003
jimbo sells out
I only ask that for posting the banner ad for the upcoming Elvis vs Mummy flick Bubba Ho-Tep, that the film actually screens in DC. You can view the other banner ad for this film at Fitz' site.
Posted by jimbo at 4:01 PM | Comments (3)
swamp stench
Damn, I still smell like swamp gas today (and I did shower last night). Actually, it's the smell of algae, but that's like differentiating between birds and bats, so I digress.
Last night was a good practice, despite the mud and the concrete hazards. Of course, lighting conditions and the unsafe environment may have led to a bad injury to one beloved straight teammate, but what do you do? We must practice. Other teams are having a harder time of it, I hear.
Here's a gallery of pics from the rugby tournament out near Rehomo a few weeks ago. The one of our coach waving his arms is him doing the haka dance.
There's like a half dozen people I know coming into town this weekend for the rodeo and whatnot. Of course, no one's willing to make plans these days, so I will, and to hell with the rest of y'all. I will do my own thing, and you can join me if you want. You know how I feel about visitors: communicate early, schedule, follow through. It's that simple.
Scoured the various DC job websites this week...it was quiet at work but I only found about two jobs I applied for. My resume's up on USAJOBS, Monster, Hotjobs, craigslist, and all that. It's out there. However, I'm not doing a mass-application to any old job. I'm being picky this time. I have to, as I can't lie very well to myself it seems about a job I don't like. I have to like the job, period. But anyway, if you hear of anything, more eyes help me out a lot, and most jobs I get interviews for are through contacts.
Oooh...just downloaded Alicia Keys singing Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore". Shivers ran down my spine. And apparently there's a version of this song featuring Justin Timberlake? I'd spooge in my pants if I heard that.
Posted by jimbo at 10:48 AM | Comments (7)
eau du swampe
Tonight we had to go to an alternate pitch for practice, as we have a vital match this Saturday against PAC C. DC Park and Rec doesn't let us use our usual pitch when it rains, so we had to settle for Meridian Hill park, which is lined with nasty manhole covers and random concrete blocks. The drainage isn't too good there either, as there was standing water in which grew healthy mats of green algae. We all got covered with slime, so I simply hosed myself off outside when I got home. I showered too, but the gamey smell hasn't gone away. Anyhow, come watch us at Colmar Manor park at 12:30pm on Saturday, just over the DC border into Maryland.
Posted by jimbo at 12:27 AM
September 4, 2003
thank you britney
YAAAAY! We're getting off work a bit early thanks to the chaos soon to occur on the Mall for the NFL Kickoff featuring Britney. Thank you Britney! ' mwa ' !
Posted by jimbo at 3:54 PM | Comments (1)
d&d geek quiz
Find out What D&D Character Are You?
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Ranger Druid
Alignment:
Neutral Good characters believe in the power of good above all else. They will work to make the world a better place, and will do whatever is necessary to bring that about, whether it goes for or against whatever is considered 'normal'.
Deity:
Mielikki is the Neutral Good goddess of the forest and autumn. She is also known as the Lady of the Forest, and is the Patron of Rangers. Her followers are devoted to nature, and believe in the positive and outreaching elements of it. They use light armor, and a variety of weapons suitable for hunting, which they are quite skilled at. Mielikki's symbol is a unicorn head.
Posted by jimbo at 2:49 AM | Comments (8)
September 3, 2003
flip-flop-flip-flop
Will the woman with the noisy flip-flops please stop pacing furiously outside my office door. Thank you.
My hostess with the mostest back at Cape Hatteras is a career counselor. Career counselors are usually expensive, but she also needs a website. Fair trade? She's already given me some homework, and I've already given her some suggestions for her website. So I'm working on a list of my Gifts, Passions, and Values. "You're paid to use your gifts on things you're passionate about, in an environment that fits your values." For those of you who know me well, feel free to pipe in some of your perceptions about my statements.
GIFTS
- connector ("Jimbo makes the people come together")
- graphics / desktop publishing / web work
- creativity / writing - I love (creative) writing and am told I write well
- information organization - I make great travel planning packages for work trips
- facilitation / planning - must...control...situation
- communication / speaking - no fear of public contact, but can be drained by it
- leader (president of college organizations, always organizing trips and similar events)
PASSIONS
- environment / natural world / wildlife
- making / creating things
- good, informative, concise websites
- rugby
- outdoors / backpacking
- sci-fi / fantasy
- urban decay / rising crime rate
VALUES
- equal pay for equal work - seniority should not be the biggest determinant for salaries...production should
- my work can be accomplished in a 40-hour work week, within 8 hours each day (or less)
- when necessary (and only then) one must work late on occasion
- food and sleep should not be sacrificed for work
- my home/social/active life is just as, if not more, important than my work life
- coworkers are just that...all should be equal in the workplace, and function as a unit or a team. hierarchy is bullshit.
- while professionalism is important, workplace stoicism is silly...your work persona should not deviate much from your normal persona
- flexible work schedules
- casual attire at work
- educated, bright coworkers
- making money hand over fist
- the ability tell other people how things should be done
- no outrageous commute (downtown DC or Metrorail accessible)
- regular routine so I know whats coming
- variety / diversity of tasks
Posted by jimbo at 10:29 AM | Comments (3)
September 1, 2003
cape hatteras
The drive down to Cape Hatteras was a little longer than expected, made longer by a side trip to the Great Dismal Swamp. Gurl and I would have been consumed by hornet-sized mosquitoes had it not have been for the good graces of a granola couple who loaned us their bug spray. We managed to see some skinks, cypress trees and lots of butterflies.
We made it to the beachouse, which had a lovely view of the Atlantic, where we were able to spot dolphins and lots of shorebirds, including willets, pelicans and sandpipers. Our lovely hostess Melissa let me use her surfboard, but the waves didn't allow for too much practice. While out in the surf I got real close to a pelican and even a jellyfish. I stayed clear of the stingers of course. It was a wonderful, but short, way to wind down the summer.
Posted by jimbo at 9:40 PM | Comments (4)