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October 31, 2003
no tricks, some treats
Dang, it's been 8 years now, but I finally found this really sappy love duet featuring some chick and UB-40's Ali Campbell. I saw it on European MTV when I was in Peace Corps, and have been looking for it ever since. It's called 'That Look In Your Eyes'...was it ever released here in the States?
It's that look in your eyes, that says you love me
And all the silly things that you do
Those feelings that I get from the stars above me
Tells me you're for me...and I'm the one for you.
While I have little to be sappy about these days, I'm still quite the sapster when I want to be. Ooodjieboodjieboo, schnuckle-poogums. I really need to get some too...perhaps it's related to me needing to go out dancing. I shall review the schedules of my fav hunky DJs and see what can be done about this predicament. I need to shake it hard and fast.
I think I'll find another way...there's so much more to know...a time to work, a time to play...it's not my time to go..
Yesterday 4:30 p.m. arrived without me noticing its approach. That's a really good thing, and I don't recall that happening at a workplace in over two years. I was keeping myself busy towards the end of the day fixing little bugs in the website I now manage. What a mess...I can't wait to clean this room, arrange the shelves and make everything pretty like an HTML version of the Fab 5. But for now, I'm just going to fix the glaring mistakes, survey the climate in this workplace, and get to know the content better.
No tricks but plenty of treats at the Lantern last night with Keith. Drank plenty of beer and then went to the Eagle for one more before going home.
My blog mama (and jimbo.info hostess) Kiri is comin' in tonight. We shall go out, but I'm hoping to get a nap in beforehand lest I get grumpy in the big crowds.
Posted by jimbo at 9:34 AM
October 30, 2003
a-list demons
So like yesterday I take the shuttle and Metro home with Tard and Chrisafer, and then come into work today with Tard, and then went on a tour with 'Fer again today to visit the printing headquarters for the university. After the tour of the printing plant, we stopped by this secondhand/liqudiation store frequented my many a college students. Suddenly (after helping me find an XXL strapless skin tone bra), Chrisafer appears with a sweatshirt from my alma mater! I snatched that thing up right quick. Chrisafer's powers of shopping almost rival Don's.
I am continually reminded why I was so horny in college. It's just hot hot hot everywhere, and they ain't even trying. They just get up out of bed, put on a ballcap and some clothes, and appear on campus all hot like that. I was saying to 'Fer that we probably overdosed on testosterone and pheremones on Saturday being in an enclosed, poorly ventilated space with a Marine rugby team, and we've been paying for it ever since. Add to it that it's been a while since I've gotten any, so I'm about to go on a rampage across campus. Prepare the tranq-darts...there's a wild jimbo on the loose! Tonight: shirtless men drink free at the Lantern for sure. There really is no alternative.
HILARIOUS episode of Angel last night...their crew has taken over an evil law firm, and it's time for the office Halloween party, which for this workplace is the equivalent to the Christmas parties for everyone else. Lorne, their PR demon was all aflutter about inviting the 'A-List' of the demonic underworld.
It seems like Friendster is slowly dying. I'm guessing it's a bad case of overloaded server. They never expected it to get so big, and now it's almost impossible to call up a profile in less than a minute. Oh well, I'm overconnected anyway. While I was on it just for fun at first, I did manage to meet someone thru it for a date or two, but that seems to have fizzled out as Friendster has.
Posted by jimbo at 1:20 PM | Comments (1)
October 29, 2003
soggy wigs
Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed it so much yesterday, because by the end of the evening I was a basket case. While work wasn't hectic in the least, getting home in time to get to dinner in time to line up to watch the drag race in time was draining. Then it was raining on our parade, but I did manage to take a few pictures. Someone told all the breeders in a 100-mile radius about the drag race too, and they don't know how to move their umbrellas out of eyeball level in crowded conditions either. While I had a lovely dinner with Gurl and Glenn & Co., I was ready to leave (and did) well before the race started to retreat to my warm bed. I'll take it easy the rest of the week...I got a lot on my stressy plate this week.
In other news, while I was at my first and only meeting of the day, Tard did come haunt my office, but I was not there. I want to see a 'Where's Jimbo' short children's story soon...
Posted by jimbo at 9:13 AM | Comments (4)
October 28, 2003
where is tard?
Where is The Tard? They say he is here on campus.
I go to the Math building. Here there is no Tard.
I go to the Physics Building. No Tard here either.
I go to the Muppet sculpture. I can't see The Tard.
I go to the cruisey area in the library basement. I ask, "Have you seen The Tard?"
"There is no Tard here," they cruzadistas say.
I go to the fitness center group showers. "Have you seen my Tard?"
"We don't know no Tard," the hung jocks say.
I cannot find Tard.
Posted by jimbo at 11:51 AM | Comments (1)
October 27, 2003
please step away from the drag queens
My first day went well, but I'm tired as hell. There's going to be an adjustment period with my sleep patterns as mentioned before. However, the difference between a university job and a contracting job is palpable. No tension, and the attitude at the workplace is relaxed. It didn't hurt that we had a Halloween party on my first day either. I took the opportunity to hobnob with my coworkers, who are very eager to chat for long periods of time, even throughout the workday.
So I have my own office, a nice robust computer, but lots of readying to do to get the job done. I'm too pooped to write much more, but in short it's been a good start.
Tomorrow evening I'll be helping my buddy Seamus with the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. No drag this time...just too much going on right now. I'll be doing race marshalling though, which should be just as fun. Obey me, and please step away from the drag queens!
Posted by jimbo at 8:00 PM | Comments (2)
October 26, 2003
sore feet
Yesterday was a lovely day for a match, but we didn't play as well as we could have. I think we scored several tries against the Quantico Marines the last time we played them, but came up nil this time. On the brighter side, many on their team did come to our social afterwards, and everyone seemed to have a good time. And even though their captain was wearing a busted rugby ball on his head at the social, we'll forgive him since he was wearing a kilt and fuzzy boots. Don, Chrisafer and Gurl showed up to cheer, although I'm not sure which side they were cheering for.
>; )
After that it was off to Fitz' annual pumkin carving party. Hairy Godmother was a hit, but I gotta work on finding a better skin-tone strapless bra for the next party. After being in cleats most of the day, and then in heels for the evening, my feet were tuckered out. My pity goes out to anyone who wears heels on a regular basis.
This morning I got up to watch the Marine Corps Marathon, hoping to catch Ohio Apple run by in the throng. I didn't manage to see him, as I arrived a bit late and didn't catch the front pack of runners. Or perhaps he was in the dizzying amount of people who went by. However, I did see and cheer on an old Peace Corps buddy of mine, and a teammate from the Renegurls as well. Since it was a muggy 70 degrees out, there was plenty to see otherwise.
It's a good thing daylight savings time happened today too...to date my sleep schedule has been warped. I go to bed around 2am after reading and being online, and tend to wake up at 10am. Tomorrow will be a cruel 6am!
Posted by jimbo at 1:54 PM | Comments (2)
October 24, 2003
stop, go, here, there, near, far
I'm probably a bit hungover today, which is already adding to my usually cranky Friday mood. Mondays are hectic no matter what you're doing, and I think most folks are burnt out on Fridays. Practice last night was cold as hell, and I couldn't seem to be on the right side of the field at any given moment in the coaches' eyes. Bark, bark, bark, geet your heed outta yer ass. I play soo well under negative scrutiny. Oh well, I've mentioned before that I'm losing enthusiasm for rugby, and perhaps it's time to move on anyway. Come spring I'll likely be on my way with graduate-level coursework, so something has to go regardless.
After practice some of the team went out to Titan for our Thursday beer, then I went to the Lantern to meet up with Keith. Of course there were plenty of old, and possibly new friends there, and the cheap beer helped lubricate my socializations. Afterwards we went to the Eagle, but it was well on its way to being over, so we left.
Tonight I'm going to see a film from the Reel Affirmations G/L/Bi/Whatever film festival with Formerly Dreamy Ron. Put one hand out a la the Supremes saying 'Stop!' and then beckon with the other hand at the same time, and that's how it's been with him to date. Add to it that he prefers to date men in other cities, or even on other coasts, and it should give you a good idea of how promising our relationship has been to date. Homey don't play dat, and I'm nobody's sloppy seconds. So, I'm getting ready to make sure he understands my definition of our relationship, which is that we are going to be friends and nothing more from this point on.
Posted by jimbo at 12:56 PM | Comments (6)
October 23, 2003
last home game
Hey y'all...our last home match of the season will be at 1pm this Saturday at Colmar Manor Park in MD. Directions to the pitch can be found here. We'll be playing the Marines from Quanico base, and it's always an interesting match. Last year we scored many tries against them, and it's fun to watch them squirm when the queers score a point or two.
I'll be starting my new job on Monday!
Posted by jimbo at 12:08 PM
October 22, 2003
drunk dialing is fun
Armed with her cell phone and her blessings and girly cocktails, we drunk dialed Mark and Adam tonight from my car after a night on the town. Since there isn't much do to on a Wednesday night in DC, about the only thing to do aside from going to bed on a Wednesday night is drunk dialing other bloggers. I gotta get more blogger numbers on my cell phone is all I can say.
Posted by jimbo at 10:26 PM | Comments (2)
October 21, 2003
i took the offer
Last night I had another 'thick' dream, chock full of hard symbols and plenty of room for interpretation. Not like one of his dreams, mind you, which I wish I had with more frequency. Anyhoo, I had a dream I was at the playground of my old elementary school, and I heard barred owls hooting in the night. I hooted back and called them in, an entire family of them. They landed on my arms and on my shoulders, and we just sort of stared at each other. Some of them were recently fledged, while some were grown up. Symbol analysis points to 'disappointment', but maybe this time the dream was off, or was interpreting my feelings about something other than career.
At long last I got the call from the University of Maryland today, and decided to take the offer working as a marketing/publications/web dude in a department of their school of engineering. I will be maintaining their departmental Web site, publishing monthly newsletters, reporting the goings-on in the department, and making annual reports. I'll be just a building away from Chrisafer, and should be able to rub elbows with The 'Tard with some frequency too. The pay wasn't what I had hoped, but it's the norm for university and pr work. With free tuition and possibly more leave time than I could use, it ended up to be an equitable deal. Don't know when I will start just yet...possibly next week, so I'll be sure to take advantage of my time off. The long-term goal for this job is to stick with it, do a good job, and get a cheap Master's degree (more obsessing about that at some other time) while building up three years of good pr, publications and writing work under my belt.
So how do I feel about this? Well, this was the target job I wanted to ultimately get into when I lost my last significant web job two years ago. I knew I wouldn't be doing purely Web work for long, as I didn't feel like I had the aptitude for getting more technical in the Web field. Plus, public affairs work suits me better, as I'm good with people and I like to write about people too. On the other hand, this won't be meeting my goals of paying off the debt I accrued while un- or underemployed as soon as I'd like. I was so close to being debt-free, then fell deep back into it again. I guess it'll just take a bit longer for that, but this job should launch me to a higher pay scale if/when I get the advanced degree, which everyone with means here in DC seems to have.
I'm happy to have handled this short period of joblessness much better than I did a year ago. No freaking out, no anxiety, and best of all no antidepressant medications. It helped that I knew what was in store, and I also didn't have the added anger/adjustment of having gotten out of a relationship either. This time I just took it easy, identified my targets and did what I needed to do. This environment looks promising as well, being an energetic, youth- and service-oriented workplace.
And thanks again to everyone who sent me leads, job announcements, emotional support and buying dinners in the past two years...I really do appreciate it.
In other good news, the DC Wig Delivery Service will be dropping off a blonde wig this evening...so I'm set for Halloween. Thanks Joe!
Posted by jimbo at 5:39 PM | Comments (10)
October 20, 2003
wait, wait, wait
Still waiting...they're still deciding. I am going crazy. Adding to the stress is an offer for a temp assignment, 2-3 week web project up in Bethesda. It doesn't pay any more than unemployment does, so I think I'm going to turn it down and choose to wait, wait, wait some more. I'm going to work out soon, and I think it'll be a very good workout.
And I'm totally high from seam-sealing the rain fly on my tent. Two applications of this clear goo to the tent seams that makes the entire house smell like poppers.
Posted by jimbo at 3:46 PM | Comments (2)
October 19, 2003
call me on my cell
Last night the Renegurls had another beer bar fundraiser at the Eagle, so I showed up to hobnob with the team and see what was out there. The Eagle can be very hit and miss sometimes, but Saturday night was a variety pack of all types of men. I couldn't help but notice one guy who was in the corner near the beer bar, manically tapping instant messages to a friend via his cell phone. The glow of his cell illuminated his face in an eerie blue light, emphasizing the gleeful look on his face as he ignored every other human in the darkened bar. I thought it was kind of sad...I made the effort to get away from home and computer to get out and talk to people, and here was this guy who couldn't keep the digital at home. What's the point in going out if you're going to isolate yourself in a shell of virtual socialization?
Having gotten my own cell phone last week with limited minutes, I'm sure to be frugal with my conversations, and I don't have a lot of bells and whistles on it either. I finally broke down and got one after being frustrated with nearly everyone else's ability or desire to make hard plans. When you have a cell phone, you can always call at the last minute for directions on location. Even with the rugby team, when we have a change in field locations that had been announced earlier in the week, there's always someone who hadn't printed out the directions or maps who calls someone else in a panic at the last minute for directions.
Don't get me wrong, I think I live in an amazing time where I've seen technological advances first seen in the original Star Trek series. Cell phones are no different than Captain Kirk's communicators. Evironmental engineers now have devices not dissimilar from the standard Federation Tricorder. Instant messaging, digital music and of course the Internet still continue to amaze me. But with the advent of these advances, new social protocols are in order, from habits as simple as avoiding cell phone calls while driving to making plans ahead of time, and keeping the cell at home when you're at the gym or going out.
Posted by jimbo at 12:38 PM | Comments (3)
October 18, 2003
i can't find my wig
On the way to this morning's rugby match, co-captain and navigatrix Uhura Daily mentioned that she needed a wig for a costume she was wearing tonight. So we stopped at my house and I made I quick search which came up sans wig. I CAN'T FIND MY WIG!!! I think I loaned it to someone last year. So maybe blonde wigs are like warm fuzzies, and if you give enough of them out, some day people will return the favor. Anyone have a blonde wig? I need it for my costume.
Today's match was the big rematch against a team we beat last year. I knew they'd be hungry, and they won. It was probably the most kicking back and forth, ping-pong style, that I've ever seen in a rugby match. I played the last 15 minutes or so, but most of the action was on the other end of the field. During warm-up my thumb nail got completely bent back at about a 90-degree angle from my thumb. But because I take my vitamins, it didn't break or rip, and I was able to bend it back. It seems to be none the worse for wear.
Posted by jimbo at 9:55 PM | Comments (1)
October 17, 2003
warp core meltdown
While I've been feeling pretty good most of the time, practice last night was rather telling. Warp core was working only at 75% efficiency, and I was totally exhausted after practice. Turns out the bug I had is shared by many, and there's a nasty head flu going around too. I hope I'm all the way back by tomorrow's match. I think some massive hydration is in order throughout the day.
Today I had an uninspired shoulder workout, followed by a massive laundering of clothes from the week. D&D on Sunday.
Posted by jimbo at 12:10 PM
October 16, 2003
salary judo
This morning I went to jury duty, but was not called to serve on a jury at this point. I also argued to delay my service, as the ball seems to be rolling for this job at the University of Maryland and I didn't want to be caught in an 18-week long trial after accepting a job. UMD called three of my references yesterday, and I was called by their HR person today to start salary discussions. It all points to a good thing, and the only thing I'm worried about at this point is that I shot too high with my salary request. However, I added a caveat that my former salary history was in the private sector, and that I was aware that university salaries are a bit lower.
Posted by jimbo at 3:37 PM | Comments (3)
closer...
So like I get up in the morning due to a telemarketer calling since we like aren't on the 'do not call' list and all Rick and I get is 'consolidate your credit' fucking kinda calls is this a sign but that's OK cuz I needed to get my ass outta bed and remarkably it's easy even though I was watching Panic Room until 4am cuz I had total insomnia cuz I think I'm all wound up about this interview and shit so I eat my big breakfast and my ass doesn't blow which is nice and then I get online and apply to this Coast Guard web job and they're like totally using this stupid application when they could just use the OPM website but no they have to be different so I spend like 2 hours punching in my info just to send it to some mwuh-huh GS-6 or something who can't even read so then I get ready to meet some folks at World Bank for a possible web job that I'm not all that fired up for but damn I'd get a good rate if I did it so then I go get a paperback because I have jury duty tomorrow and will probably be sitting on my ass all day not doing shit then I work out and Chris was there I 
Chris and this other hot blonde guy so maybe my libido's coming back which is a good sign and afterwards I go get a cell phone like call me gurl and then Ghuirelle calls and says Oh Mah Gawd UMD called my references like all three of them and this is such a good sign and damn so I go home to watch Enterprise an chill out and eat and then I'm gonna watch Matrix Reloaded or whatever in a few minutes right after I finish this post.
Posted by jimbo at 10:44 AM | Comments (1)
October 15, 2003
lose 5 pounds now...ask me how!
I'm not sure if I should be elated or worried that the end of the world is near...there were these two obviously straight guys intensely analyzing one another at the gym, then one began to offer bouffant advice to the other, and began actually 'dzuzzing' the others' hair. I couldn't believe it. But they did have nice hair. You go boys.
Then there was this uber-handsome/hot gay couple who I've seen at a few parties here and there. Like really stunningly handsome, and they don't push the agenda about it they are so hot. Like I avert my eyes in their presence hot, and would titter like a little girl if either of them talked to me hot. Yes, I have those days too.
Look...the scale at the gym says 160! Lose 5 pounds now...ask me how! This weekend's oral and rectal explosions really had an effect. That was the worst I've ever been since my time in Peace Corps, when I was like that pretty much every day. Gawd I must have been down to 150 when I got back from Kazakstan. I never could get used to that water. But right now I really need whatever weight I can keep - pudge or otherwise until rugby season is over.
How badly do your geeky hobbies humiliate you and affect your sex life? A sent me this link about the top 10 geeky hobbies that can really get in the way. However, I've been an enthusaist of 6 of the 10 on that list and seem to be doing fine in the nookie department. Does this list not apply to gay geeks? Yes, long ago I played a White Hand Orc in a Live Action Role Playing (LARP) game at Govenor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin. Geek me baby, like you've never geeked before. Oh, geek it to me, till I just can't take no more...
Posted by jimbo at 9:51 AM | Comments (5)
October 14, 2003
giant turtle breaches campus wall
Tuckered out from today's interview, which lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was with the chair of the department at the University of Maryland. He did the talking about 95% of the time, but I managed to get some relevant gems about myself in where appropriate. I'm hoping he was sharing his vision of the position to give me a good idea of how it's going to be for ME, but we'll see within a week or so. Afterwards I had a snack with Chrisafer's significant other Bubbles. Why don't we call them 'Squirt and Bubbles' today, shall we?
At the entrance to the university was a breach in the brick wall surrounding the campus which had been made by a truck accident a few weeks before. They had concealed the breach with an amusing banner depicting the same wall, but with a giant, Godzilla-sized turtle breaking through the breach. An excellent use of PR and humour instead of a boring 'Under Construction' sign. And any university featuring a statue of Kermit and Jim Henson is OK in my book.
I called up Peace Corps about the job I was lusting over and interviewed for a while back, and they assured me the decision had been made and that I would be informed by mail within a week. That didn't sound promising. So ends the interviews which were the fruits of my labor during the month and a half of job searching I had at the end of my last job. Eeek!
Posted by jimbo at 7:11 PM | Comments (1)
scary SPAM
Well, it looks like I did my 20s and 30s right. Do they have a checklist for things to do before you're 40?
OK, this is scary. Some bloggers are starting to recieve SPAM in their comments sections. Not that SPAM isn't all that unlike the overwritten verbose wordy quasi-intellectual bullshit that everyone learned in college and knows anyway and should keep on their own blog but put in my blog comments lately type of comments. Let's keep it vapid, folks.
Posted by jimbo at 6:25 PM | Comments (4)
October 13, 2003
bi-curious vampires
'Tis the season for spooky reading, and I'm currently slogging through the latest paperback from Anne Rice, Blackwood Farm. It's another novel involving her supernatural pantheon, this time about the struggles of a soon-to-be vampire and his sympathetic ghost. Blood and Gold was much better, I'll have to say, especially if you like history from a different point of view.
However, I'm kind of annoyed that it seems like almost all her witch, vampire, mummy and ghost characters are either bisexual or gay. Now come on, there have got to be some straight vampires out there, right? Seems like Madame Rice has gotten all PFLAG lately with her son being queer. Or is she trying to say that alternative sexuality is another one of the corporate benefits of entry into undeath? Although it seems the Kinsey scale swings strongly to the queer side of things for those touched by the Twilight Zone, you won't be seeing me go goth anytime soon.
Anyhow, the novel kind of goes on and on, and is of interest only to those very familiar with most of her past novels, as it references so many of them even I have a hard time keeping up with the Mayfairs.
Posted by jimbo at 8:14 PM | Comments (6)
October 12, 2003
nukes, sox, coffee with cream
"Well, it looks like Congress had better do something, and maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom to shake things up.''
- Pat Robertson, 10/12/03
Well gee thanks, Pat. That's a really nice thing to say, as all people who work and live in Foggy Bottom are probably just as evil as those that work at the State Department. Crimeny, what a fucking nutbag. You drop one nuke on DC and I'm comin' to get you.
Crazy weekend for me, but I'm glad to be back home in DC. Let's just say that it's just as interesting to discover my boundaries as it is to explore the limits of them. I made the best of it though and ended up in Boston during the weekend of a Red Sox game. They are just as nutty about the Sox as Packers fans are in Wisconsin. While I'm rooting for the Cubs as is my genetic responsibility, I was all for the Sox to win as I'll always be on the side of the accursed. Both J-Lo and Roger Clemens were on their best behavior during the game, athough the same could not be said of certain rowdy groundskeepers at Fenway Park.
A most gallant member of the Boston Ironsides rugby club came to my rescue in my time of need, and was an excellent hostess as we watched the rugby world cup prelims and the Sox game at his place. I got really pukey poopy sick Friday night so I wasn't able to explore the town for the weekend, but it was good just chill out in another city. Interesting to note: New Englanders deliver your coffee with cream and sugar unless you specifically request otherwise. Boston boys are generally a hot bunch as well, although some of them are a bit too blue collar for me. You read it here first, kids: I said too blue collar.
Posted by jimbo at 2:38 PM | Comments (3)
October 9, 2003
2nd umd interview
Good news! I'm invited back to the University of Maryland for another round of interviews for a publications/web position in their Engineering department! It'll be a hectic day on Tuesday, as I'll have been out of town all weekend, but thankfully the interview is at 2 in the afternoon, allowing me to pick up my fly interview clothes from the cleaners. Y'all have a good weekend.
Posted by jimbo at 1:23 PM | Comments (2)
October 8, 2003
don't call her a 'bear'
"I vant to see zee bearz."
I knew German-to-English translation always sounded a bit harsh and abrasive, so I wasn't put off by the German tourists' abrupt request at the visitor center desk I was manning. However, there was no nearby location where tourists could get within veiwing distance of a bear in Homer, Alaska. I advised her that she could take the weekend ferry to Kodiak Island, where there was a possibility she could see the brown bears at the city dump. Like most tourists, she was surprised to find that polar and brown bears were not wandering around everywhere as they should be.
With reports of bear and tiger maulings in the news, no doubt the Today Show is going to announce a rash of animal attacks as the next 'it' threat to our everyday lives. In reality, they happen all the time, just not normally to famous folk that have already mauled their own face with plastic surgery far worse than an animal could.
Speaking of maulings, there's gonna be one in Ohio if Jocko keeps the scruff goin' on! Even while obscured by characters and pixels, jimbo senses some hot scruffaliciousness goin' on there. GRRRR!
This weekend during our D&D session, the geek posse was discussing the silliness of labeling those involved with the "Bear Community". If you're fat with facial hair, you're a 'Bear'. If you're smaller, you're a 'cub'. If you're skinny and hairy with a beard, you're a 'Wolf', and if you just have a mustache, you're an 'otter'. Despite all the protestations that this subculture is "masculine and down-to-Earth," I've found it to be not so dissimilar to the circuit scene - they're just larger, hairier and in truck driver drag, but are still just as insular and some take just as many drugs. Not that the latter trait is all that bad in moderation, but the fact that they say it's a manly cultural reaction to the body-worshipping cult of the circuit queens while still embracing many of their reviled habits strikes me as a bit hypocritical. I just try to keep it real, scruffy and furry, but please don't name me after a furry mammal. Try to be sensitive to others before calling them a bear too...some people tend to get real upset.
>; )
We thought up some new small mammal names just in case the Bear Community needs further subculturalization:
- Hedgehog: if you have a hairy back and just shaved it so the stubble is starting to grow out.
- Possum: if you've ever been hit by a car and carry a handbag.
- Woodchuck: if you only have hairy legs and ass.
- Squirrel: if you're hyper and on the Atkins diet.
- Rat: you eat at McDonald's and live in DC.
- Beaver: term already taken.
Posted by jimbo at 12:10 PM | Comments (9)
October 7, 2003
frankensite
'whew!' The October Interview Massacre is over...three interviews in two days. That's a good thing though. This morning was an informational interview at the Senate IT department, conveniently located close to home. No openings there as of yet, but they like me, they really do, and I wait in the wings. A much better vibe in that office as opposed to the nearby House of Senators, the Hart Office Building. When I walked through there in my jeans and rugby jersey last week amongst the self-important suits and pressed shirts, and old Indigo Girls lyric came to mind:
"I do not feel the romance, I will not catch the spark."
Cuz it's all about the vibe, how I feel, and what the Little Voice inside my chest says right off the bat. Ignored far too long, Little Voice is getting listened to a lot more these days. He's usually right, but ignored too often in the past. For now, I will listen to Little Voice in lieu of a weekly paycheck. Better to hold off than to get myself mired in another unhappy situation.
Later I had lunch with and old friend who works at APA. I had a temp job there last year, and many of my old coworkers were deligted to see me. One sagacious lawyer there asked me if I was more clear on the statment that came from her while I was working at APA, "Are you more of a tech guy with environmental interests, or an environmental guy with tech skills." I could tell her with authority that I was the latter in this case. I'll listen to her too.
Then I had a good interview with a local tech talent agency. By then all my statements and experiences flowed from my glib tounge, only the important and glamourous G-rated work-related parts of course.
Several times this week during interviews the issue of information architecture came up. Time and again the biggest problem with Web site design is poor organization of information, a lack of intuitive design that aids the visitor in finding what they need. Florida and California ballot designers take note. When I was in the process of redesigning National and Dulles airports websites, the IT administrator wanted to grab some crayolas and join the fray with me and the graphics designer. During one meeting he proceeded to take printed comps of two designs done by the web team, cut them into component pieces, then tape them together into one monstrosity I called 'Frankensite'. Frankensite was thankfully put to a merciful death due to some deft political maneuverings, but no doubt this is what happens far too many times in Web page and ballot design. Perhaps he could have designed the California ballots with a subtle watermark of Arnold's pecs in the background?
Posted by jimbo at 5:02 PM
October 6, 2003
homework?
Well, that was interesting. I just got my first homework assignment from an interview - I was given a printed page to code in HTML using an office computer at the Peace Corps headquarters. To make things more interesting, their computer wouldn't let us log on, so I had to take my homework assignment home to code. I'm hoping this will allow me to show them what a crafty coder I can be, estimating the font sizes and finding images from their site and cropping them on my own. I did well during the interview, although they ran out of time and weren't able to view my portfolio. I'm hoping I was persuasive enough in person. "When can you start?" is a good question to hear, so my fingers are crossed.
Posted by jimbo at 7:26 PM | Comments (3)
fruitful monday
This afternoon is an interview for the Peace Corps job I'm quite interested in, and I may learn today wether or not I'll go to the next step of the UMD interview process too. I also got a notice that NPR recieved my resume, which is a good sign as well. It's been a good Monday so far! So I'm off to workout to burn off the bees in my head, so I'm clear and concise for the interview.
Turns out that multiple flights to Montana/LaCrosse/DC won't be that expensive to pull off. I could conceivably do the whole west/midwest trip in a week. Gotta call my friend in Montana back to confirm the dates, as I think I was quite addled when she called, having been kicked in the head before that from rugby and getting ready for dinner with Ohio apple, both of which having the same effect on my braincase, but in different ways of course.
Posted by jimbo at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)
October 5, 2003
bruises and apples
Friday night I managed to score free Washington Capitols tickets with a friend, and it was pretty fun. The last hockey game I'd seen was back in college to watch the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Pointers play. (Interesting note: my alma mater now has a women's hockey team! That's just great.) As this was a pre-season game, there were lots of fights, which was fun to watch. However, I question the efficacy of such fights with so much body armor. I think most of it was for blowing off steam and to increase ticket sales. In rugby there are far fewer fights, as players get to work that steam off in the course of the match, and I think ruggers feel they get enough injuries without openly fighting without body armor.
On Saturday the team went out to play our westermost opponents in Winchester, VA. Again, we started out slow and gained effectiveness after it was too late for a win. Anyone know a good voodoo priest to help us out with this first half malaise issue? After four years of seeing this behavior with my team, I have no idea how to get us riled up in the first half, and neither does our coach. I managed to get some bruises without even playing during our warm-up, getting stomped on the back and then landed on by a teammate in the chest. Next time I won't try to tackle a guy twice my size by pulling them on top of me. Chest...hurts...today. I got to play in the last ten minutes of the match, getting in a few good tackles.
Later that evening I went out with the good Ohio apple to Utopia, a restraunt nearby on U Street. It was a funky place with candles and groovy nooks for the hipsters, with food and service as delightful as the company.
I got a call from a friend from Montana who tells me she's getting married in November. The original plan was for a summer wedding, and it's a bit impromtu at this time. I'm more likely to come for a fall wedding, but had already planned to go home to Wisconsin to visit the family since I have lots of free time on my hands. I'm thinking of piggypacking the trips, as Montana is a beautiful place. Drive? Fly? Drive and fly in various legs? I gotta think about this for a moment. It will be a relaxing trip without having to take time off from any jobs, but that also means time away from job hunting, which would be difficult on the road.
Posted by jimbo at 2:39 PM | Comments (4)
October 2, 2003
party animals
Someone needs to tattoo the phrase "I HATE NUDIE BARS" backwards on my forehead, as I seem to keep forgetting that fact. Even with a beefasaurus swingin' it on the bar, I get bored within minutes. Something about leaving things to the imagination being better, I think. While the company of Mitzhi and her hometown gurlfriend were delightful last night, I was longing for a good book before the long evening was through.
Tonight was a little more fun, a fundraiser at the National Zoo for the Friends of the National Zoo nonprofit organization. A friend of mine was DJing, his style making him known as 'Happy Harris'. They brought out a constrictor snake, an armadillo, a cute hedgehog and a millipede. Jimbo knew as much animal trivia as the handlers did, I must add. All the creatures they brought out for petting either had noxious venom, armor or spines. Perhaps they were afraid the patrons didn't like the catering?
This Saturday is a rugby match waaay out in Winchester, Virginia. Then D&D with the geek posse on Sunday.
Posted by jimbo at 11:04 PM | Comments (3)