tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64567553899817508662024-03-14T00:49:43.319-04:00As Vinny C's ItAdulting Unenthusiastically.Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-17588310752009423212023-11-17T11:50:00.000-04:002023-11-17T11:50:30.239-04:00I Need To Get A Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVFVBiA6OCF9y0i7Sf8jKJJHIAZ_GVMhjd1E-mdJPuVYSGnRx9uj2N0Blj1xWE8Q8g_1gBGeWRapWpODtHrB2Xl1HNex7SV04mrLH2VtUUVz1UNOvGMSBiTghoO4aMDaD6asJvkZoqUf9hwuSfA01sdfRTP0w79wM0O5dYx8mhnD2ncxufwEtagdP7V4/s350/Deep%20Thoughts%20Blog%20Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVFVBiA6OCF9y0i7Sf8jKJJHIAZ_GVMhjd1E-mdJPuVYSGnRx9uj2N0Blj1xWE8Q8g_1gBGeWRapWpODtHrB2Xl1HNex7SV04mrLH2VtUUVz1UNOvGMSBiTghoO4aMDaD6asJvkZoqUf9hwuSfA01sdfRTP0w79wM0O5dYx8mhnD2ncxufwEtagdP7V4/s320/Deep%20Thoughts%20Blog%20Notice.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2023/09/thanks-for-offer-but-ill-pass-on-life.html" target="_blank">Previously</a>, those of you who were here may remember how I mentioned that I wanted to restart my blog. While those words were said with utmost sincerity, I could help but feel a fair amount of apprehension in typing them.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing anymore or that blogging out my thoughts and experiences has stopped being a being a way for me to sort things out in my head. Even spending hours on end drawing up stick-people cartoons <i>(though I can't promise a return to that anytime soon)</i> and just being silly, in general, could bring a smile to my face <i>(and, hopefully, some of you, as well)</i>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My hesitation comes from the fact that my life, as it is now, has become overwhelmingly uneventful. In the past, I wrote about my crappy jobs, funny situations and people related those jobs <i>(crappy and otherwise)</i>, my adventures in studying after work, awkward interactions and, most prominently, things related to my marriage. Only, now, none of those things are really a thing anymore.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I said a long time ago, I’d stop complaining about work on my blog so that ended. I finished school and got my degree just a few months before the world went on that pandemic timeout. Then, of course, the marriage thing is <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2021/04/new-beginnings.html" target="_blank">over and done</a> with as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Life, for me, has become an endlessly repeating cycle of go to work, hit the gym, go home, kill time, prepare for the next day, go to sleep, weekends <i>(YAY!)</i>, lather, rinse and repeat.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And that’s it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This wasn’t the plan, naturally. After becoming a singular C, I entertained the idea of picking up new hobbies, getting out more and doing a lot more. Unfortunately, when the salary you earn is just enough to survive to the next one, adventuring tends to get put on hold. And, while having a bachelor’s degree makes for a nice achievement unlock, it doesn’t do much when either: a. nobody’s hiring or b. even entry-level positions in your chosen field have <i>an age of twenty-five with thirty-year’s experience, two masters and letters of recommendation from the Pope and the President</i> requirement.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I may have exaggerated that part a tiny bit.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Just a little.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have gotten more serious about my fitness so I guess I could post about my “weight-loss journey” but unless it involves joining a band of heroic misfits and travelling to some distant land to slay some ultimate evil… <i>something</i>, I’m really not any type of “journey” blogger. I’ll say this much on that: losing fat, gaining muscle, going great. That’s pretty much all I can say about it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Clearly, I need to change things up. Not having money to do stuff is a drag, for sure, but I’m pretty sure I’m just letting become an excuse to hide away in my cave and just exist, instead of <b>live</b>. Not only for having material for blogging’s sake but for the sake of opening the door to making this existence of mine matter in some way, I should probably do as the kids say nowadays and go touch some grass.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That’s why I’ve decided I’m going to end off this year with some intense brainstorming on things I can be doing with my life <i>(definitely not procrastinating)</i>. I could try finding those new hobbies, rediscovering some old ones I may have cast aside unintentionally, going out, seeing things and doing things. Even if they’re not huge steps at first, I think just getting out there can be enough to open some doors to bigger things, right?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Of course, I'm not totally ruling out the possibility that there actually <i>is</i> a heroic band of misfits on their way to save the world with an opening for a witty writer to chronicle our adventures <i>(and can probably hold his own a fight or two)</i>. If you're out there, feel free to give me a shout. I’m always down.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, yeah, all this is to say is that, starting next year, I’m going to give this "getting a life" thing a try. I mean it! I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions and since it’s only mid-November anyway, I’m of the opinion this doesn’t count as one. Anyone who wants to hold me accountable to my words is free to do so since I’m publishing this for all to see.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the plus side, though, this is actually a second post that I’ve posted here within the same year, so that’s something, I guess.</p>Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-31948483505686514342023-09-03T16:22:00.002-04:002023-09-03T16:22:45.162-04:00Thanks For The Offer But I'll Pass On The Life Lesson Today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX93aO67TZzJUa1cEEvVH0j9bOIfu0u7qR77d9cVSOEa4-Wh0O68aXGIzjvjXhNZbBgA4fliqeplbvXrs0IEtNh_wZFQ90rZ2f_yW3f6K7el3murCRz5lQDjUsSHK-a9Ywew00a-f3JJ2lhTAsRhLMmn1HJsGYchXt9KkZBugJKtQYkCFsRQ6a15q-ZU/s350/Rant%20Notice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX93aO67TZzJUa1cEEvVH0j9bOIfu0u7qR77d9cVSOEa4-Wh0O68aXGIzjvjXhNZbBgA4fliqeplbvXrs0IEtNh_wZFQ90rZ2f_yW3f6K7el3murCRz5lQDjUsSHK-a9Ywew00a-f3JJ2lhTAsRhLMmn1HJsGYchXt9KkZBugJKtQYkCFsRQ6a15q-ZU/w400-h400/Rant%20Notice.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Life is full of teachable moments. I know this because there seems to be a never-ending stream of people who will try to turn everything you say or do that conveys even the slightest lack of complete positivity into a lesson on how you could be doing better if only you would <i>(*insert way of being told how to live life here*)</i>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If that came across like I'm not particularly fond of receiving unsolicited advice, then I guess it means I was able to successfully relay my feelings on the topic. As much as it may rob someone of the opportunity to <strike>display their intellectual & emotional superiority</strike> help, I sometimes, would like to not walk around with a fake smile, pretending like everything's peachy for fear that someone I know <i>(or even don't know)</i> will see my less than perfect facade as an opportunity to jump in & tell me what I'm doing wrong & how I can fix it. It's tiring, always having to put up the "everything's okay" front & worrying about even the slightest thing you do or say can be an excuse for the random person nearby to step in.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What really made me aware of that <i>under-the-microscope</i> feeling was something that happened several years ago...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was waiting for a taxi to get back to work from a lunchtime errand. It was a beautiful, sunny day & I was admiring the sharp colours of the blue sky & white clouds. Sometimes I do things like that. I observe trees, clouds & other things. It's weird, I know, but I enjoy it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I digress <i>(I just realised how long it's been since I've typed that)</i>. I saw a taxi coming towards me, I stopped it & got in in the back. As it was the only passenger, I scooted in behind the driver to allow for any other potential passengers he would pick up along the way. No more than ten seconds after the car pulled off, the driver started.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"So, I couldn't help but notice that you were staring up to the heavens just now."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That's when I noticed the rosary hanging from the rearview as well as the old-school <i>(I mean, really, <b>really</b> old-school)</i> gospel coming from the radio. I honestly don't know if my sigh was audible or not but I'm pretty sure he didn't see my eyes roll <i>(I hope)</i>. How was I going to get out if this impending conversation that I didn't want to have? "Me like pretty clouds!" was a way to go, I guess...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"Don't worry about it. It's just a thing I do." was all that I said, though.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Fortunately, we were interrupted by another passenger flagging him down & the conversation ended before it began. I still think about that passenger sometimes. I hope she's doing well in life.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was minor but, for a while after that, I was left feeling like I had to be on constant guard as to how I carried myself in public, down to the most minute detail, so as to not leave an open invitation for unsolicited suggestions & life-coaching.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">None of this is to say, mind you, that I already have everything figured out or I even <b>can</b> figure everything out on my own. Like everyone else, sometimes <i>(often)</i> I do need help & advice as I navigate through life. That being said, I don't need everyone jumping in & trying at every chance to take the wheel either.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sorry if all that came off a bit whiny... I did file this under "rant" after all, so you were warned.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Truth is, since my <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2021/04/new-beginnings.html" target="_blank">divorce</a>, I've been thinking about firing-up the old blog again. I got my own place, my own internet & even my own computer... but I was hesitant. When I first started writing here, I was <i>(was?)</i> a complete noob. I thought I could keep this space private from people I interacted with IRL so I could say anything I felt without judgement. That, however, didn't end up being the case. Family came to know about it, coworkers & friends found their way here. I did a piss-poor job of keeping this blog away from my non-virtual life. Maybe... subconsciously... that was intentional. Who knows?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, but not very often, a few of these people would even come up to me after I posted something that got too deep to tell me what they thought & how they thought I should handle things. A few even tried to not let on that they read my thoughts here & it was somehow a complete coincidence that this advice was forthcoming.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, after some soul-searching & figuring out of things <i>(On my own too! Would you look at that!)</i> I've decided I'm not letting those thoughts hamper me from doing things the way I feel I need to do them. Regardless of who has anything to say, this is still <i>my</i> space, after all. Does that mean I'm going to start posting every day/week/month again? Huh! I dunno! We'll see where things go from here.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">All this being said, to anyone who knows me ,on or off the internet & somehow <i>still</i> manage come back here to stumble upon this post, let me just say thanks... but I'm alright. The majority of the stuff I write here is peppered with a healthy serving of hyperbole anyway so I'm not as lost & in need as I may appear on "paper". Let <i>me</i> be the one to come to you seeking assistance. It'll feel more special that way, I promise.</p>Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-49279016762150284282021-04-27T11:57:00.005-04:002021-04-27T13:30:42.946-04:00New Beginnings.<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I mentioned a while back about a <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2020/04/as-we-go-through-life-were-constantly.html" target="_blank">big change</a> that was coming in my life that was not only life-altering but also adding to my feelings of being overwhelmed and stuck-in-place. Well, I won't bury the lede anymore. The thing is... I'm getting divorced.</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Yeah...</p><p style="text-align: left;">After almost 25 years of being a "we" we're each going back to being first-person singular, at least when it comes to each other. I won't go into too much detail about how it went down, other than saying it wasn't any one, big thing that caused it. It was just the culmination of a lot of little things <i>(and maybe a few medium-sized ones)</i> being experienced by both sides that reached the point where it finally couldn't be ignored anymore and almost two years ago, Mrs C <i>(or, as it stands the Soon-to-be-Ex-Mrs C)</i> decided she had had enough and I had to fact the grim reality that I couldn't find a reason to disagree.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Why two years? Well, here, in Trinidad & Tobago, you don't just decide you don't want to be married anymore, run down to your nearest divorce attorney, sign some papers and - BAM - your marriage has ended <i>(I'm assuming it works like that in some parts of the world but I could be wrong)</i>. Here, the law requires a two-year wait between deciding you want a divorce and actually being able to file for it so the nice lawyer lady still has to wait another two months to take the paperwork to the courts. Another few months after that <i>(they still give you time to change your mind)</i> it becomes official... and then I guess I can remove that awkward "soon-to-be" prefix.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Even after almost two years our minds are made up. Still, knowing for so long that it's coming, this isn't easy to talk about. I only just started telling some people about it at the beginning of this year, after we went to the lawyer to start preparing the process.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">If anyone remembers, the <i>soon-to-be</i> was a source of a lot of my posts. We haven't talked about it but I took the decision to remove those posts - the ones where she had most of the focus, anyway - and after this post I more-than-likely won't be telling any stories about our interactions anytime in the foreseeable future <i>(definitely not without her okay, anyway)</i>.We're amicable, for the most part, but I'm not taking any chances.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I titled this post "New Beginnings" because while the divorce signifies the a very sad end of a quarter-century history, it also signifies a new start for the both of us and maybe a chance to find the futures we couldn't find with each other. That's what I'm choosing to focus on instead of what-could-have-been.<br /></p>Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-50150081577219363902020-09-30T21:50:00.001-04:002020-09-30T21:50:20.166-04:00Stuck.<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ever since I lost my job at the bank over ten years ago <i>(yes, I'm still talking about this!)</i> it feels like I've been stuck in the same place. Not physically, of course, I've changed addresses about as often as I've changed jobs in the last decade <i>(which is a lot)</i>. Mentally... emotionally... that's something different.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">As
we go through life we're constantly being told we have to reach some
point where we're meant to change. We're supposed to "evolve" into the
us we're supposed to be at that point in our lives. Lately, though, an
overwhelming feeling of stagnancy is leaving me feeling unsettled <i>(ironic much?)</i>.</div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not like I haven't tried to move forward... at first. I thought I would just bounce back, find a new job <i>(that paid just as well)</i> and keep things moving after it all happened. Naturally, that wasn't the case. Instead, it felt like-it feels like every time I try to get back up off of the ground since then a new wave of shitty situations would just knock me back down and every time it did it was harder to get back up again. Little-by-little, before I knew it, I guess just stopped trying to get back up altogether.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Naturally, I've been stuck financially too. I haven't been able to clear off the debts I've amassed during those banker years when I could <i>(barely)</i> afford to maintain them in the first place. It doesn't help that new debts keep popping up that always take priority over the old ones. It also doesn't help that my salary's gotten nowhere near what I used to make despite being steadily employed for the past seven of those ten-plus years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know, I know! Life happens. <i>Shame on you, Vinny!</i> We all go
through the same crap and we're all expected to pick ourselves up, dust
ourselves off and keep on fighting. But when is it too much? Who decides
that we haven't reached our limit yet?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, with another big change set to happen next year* - a life-altering one, in fact - I'm feeling the weight of this <i>(self-imposed?)</i> stagnancy. I know I have to hit the marks I haven't even tried aiming at while I waited - in vain - for things to settle down.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not gonna lie, it's making me feel a not-so-slight pang of desperation. Ironically, though, I think that desperation is what I need right now. I hate that it even took feeling desperate like this to wake me up. If you're not a super-self-motivated-hustler-go-getter nowadays you're pretty much failing at life, aren't you? Where's that ambition, Vinny? Where's your fire?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In all honesty, I think I'm ready to find it. <br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(*Sorry but this big, life-altering change is not something I want to disclose right now. I will... in time. All I'll say is it's <u>not</u> good news.)</i></span><br /></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-57900600152518439172019-07-25T21:08:00.000-04:002019-07-25T21:08:08.593-04:00I'll Procrastinate Later.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbwTAFCKClR3tWVopdOJlj64iw9cN36de3qtB73jQ23Ol2dYOvKgd0GyGQSSSRLJrfOtxjwMx5kXuLTKkY74FP44Gxb0B3mK_JNbwTy-BdTkL160ohwis1mm9hxRQSfVcvgpYVv1iuY0/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbwTAFCKClR3tWVopdOJlj64iw9cN36de3qtB73jQ23Ol2dYOvKgd0GyGQSSSRLJrfOtxjwMx5kXuLTKkY74FP44Gxb0B3mK_JNbwTy-BdTkL160ohwis1mm9hxRQSfVcvgpYVv1iuY0/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
In the fourteen-or-so months <i>(YIKES!)</i> since I last posted, things have happened <i>(as they are wont to do)</i>. Things I meant to sit down and write about but lacked the focus needed to apply myself to the task. Incidentally, "lacks the focus needed to apply himself" was a regular note my teachers left in my report cards back in the day.<br />
<br />
Some things, you never outgrow.<br />
<br />
Sure, I can make a lot of excuses as to why I didn't have time to blog. Tons of them! I could talk about how hard things got with my slow crawl to a Mass Communications degree and how not getting enough sleep didn't really seem like a problem in my thirties but my forties don't like it so much <i>(I'd just turned forty when I last posted and hadn't truly started to feel the effects)</i>. At the end of the day, though, I just kept putting it all off.<br />
<br />
That doesn't discredit the other things that have happened, however.<br />
<br />
For one thing, school is tough on a working adult! A lot of you can attest to this. I reached the point where I suffered clear sings of burnout and developed a acute aversion to sitting down to do my assignments. Too bad you don't get to just throw your hands up and quit and still call yourself a proper adult. I totally would have done that, believe me.<br />
<br />
So there was that... but the main thing that was giving me an excuse to put off writing was the flood.<br />
<br />
Yup! Flood.<br />
<br />
And I'm not talking about a <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-they-fail-to-teach-us.html">flooded bathroom</a> again. I mean a real, honest-to-goodness, house-under-water deluge.<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Coming down to the end of last October - four days after our fifteenth wedding anniversary - Mrs C and I lost pretty much all our material possessions to a massive flood. Nearly everything we had accumulated over those fifteen years was gone after two days of freakishly heavy rain that left our community </span><i style="text-align: justify;">(as well as many other parts of our tropical paradise)</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> under water for nearly two more days.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our house the water got as high as five feet while others in other parts of our community saw as much as ten feet. I can't say we were the lucky ones, though. Be it five feet or ten, if you live in a flat everything you own is toast. Soggy, muddy toast.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRia0G5fICGEfQEHXLrw5j5fFRKFKfeS56faGz5lnqv2pMAnFpBfLFgn6cJYbb0LqX1UKqtlBvnJ9k0IbXM4p3lySuOs1hYKdcESs0CCMdRBnjV2mh9UbAjN2I5RzugDWic0VCY3Q_DY/s1600/20181021_112658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRia0G5fICGEfQEHXLrw5j5fFRKFKfeS56faGz5lnqv2pMAnFpBfLFgn6cJYbb0LqX1UKqtlBvnJ9k0IbXM4p3lySuOs1hYKdcESs0CCMdRBnjV2mh9UbAjN2I5RzugDWic0VCY3Q_DY/s400/20181021_112658.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlgRz_Vmrg8kPmqqkhLLBnhl-rFnxn6pD2_BYtXVAEaauBT-VWpwFJsOIUnKv94fuiWEnjtvfPSHR4PK8CYNPvg3V-6f-jVfqoB_nGB9A4Cu9GFT-9Guyt9iiHYOmkkktH_ODXHoipHw/s1600/20181021_112729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlgRz_Vmrg8kPmqqkhLLBnhl-rFnxn6pD2_BYtXVAEaauBT-VWpwFJsOIUnKv94fuiWEnjtvfPSHR4PK8CYNPvg3V-6f-jVfqoB_nGB9A4Cu9GFT-9Guyt9iiHYOmkkktH_ODXHoipHw/s400/20181021_112729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-sxwtqVHAr-AMqtg0ZBAhMfY25cB6QwROVFqqZDtDx1ctC-jeiR9pqlkeZeivqpJ67puiB5HYk8d6UgyU4Ros9Bh7oPZGNM7Beu_sGgVLQHNYIBGhtGwdjrlMqucHIhozbTZxZBNwnk/s1600/20181021_123814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-sxwtqVHAr-AMqtg0ZBAhMfY25cB6QwROVFqqZDtDx1ctC-jeiR9pqlkeZeivqpJ67puiB5HYk8d6UgyU4Ros9Bh7oPZGNM7Beu_sGgVLQHNYIBGhtGwdjrlMqucHIhozbTZxZBNwnk/s400/20181021_123814.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alas, poor Adella! I hardly knew ye!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mrs C and I weren't home, fortunately. The rain caused a traffic nightmare in most of the country and, as a result, we were stranded in the capital where we both work. Kawaii - you remember <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2015/07/its-good-thing-dogs-dont-get-embarassed.html">Kawaii</a>, right? - was the only one home and she was able to swim to safety and wait out the flood on top someone's pickup. The little so-and-so actually came right back to our street the same day all the the water had finally receded and met up with us when we were finally<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
able to get back in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
After several months and thousands of dollars, however, we were able to finally get back to some semblance of the life we had <i>(though we still haven't replaced the TV and dinner table)</i>.<br />
<br />
In some good news, I have finished with school <i>(without having to throw my hands up and quit)</i>. By November I'll graduate and have my very own bachelor's degree! Not so comforting is the fact that, nowadays, everybody and his brother have degrees so to even consider myself marketable I'll have to jack back in and go for my master's.<br />
<br />
Later.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-50233197481990965572018-05-11T21:34:00.000-04:002018-05-12T14:17:06.533-04:00Let's Just Stop & Think About This!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDDcnTtX4j7L6prTGVQk4NOIwMPGMdtTN-WhHuazdJw4kbYgJYEwCTI6lAHmxffM5Ulb-bT7yAcA3ezQL1zGku2GeJmnCx-WwmwMag1VMFaJwDiJ4X56ym8WPzp4BL0mPU3cr0qmH85c/s1600/Deep+Thoughts+Blog+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDDcnTtX4j7L6prTGVQk4NOIwMPGMdtTN-WhHuazdJw4kbYgJYEwCTI6lAHmxffM5Ulb-bT7yAcA3ezQL1zGku2GeJmnCx-WwmwMag1VMFaJwDiJ4X56ym8WPzp4BL0mPU3cr0qmH85c/s320/Deep+Thoughts+Blog+Notice.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not sure when or how but I've become... an over-thinker.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The level of worry I invest into every little decision is astounding. Whenever I have a choice to make, nowadays, it feels like I can't move without weighing <b>ALL</b> the options and choosing only the best possible one. Even when I do decide I still don't make a move because I get hung up second-guessing that decision until the last minute.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is proving especially troublesome where my schoolwork is concerned. Right now I have three courses left until I graduate and they're all filled with "choose your own topic" or "you decide on the angle of approach" <i>(or both)</i> types of assignments. It's safe to say I'm a little stressed right now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLXQhsdW8vX39QDADDXP7Vf0UkUGS6cOy-k99OLP6koyraqZWtRck7ZyFBE0DoYInWj-Ermmp4kxcDdrDTNrvdJZY8WxEfzUVdvIvzfd5mfB9s-SdoeecCxyuZfLsr0Fd8wzOZqjoedU/s1600/Which+Way.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="626" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLXQhsdW8vX39QDADDXP7Vf0UkUGS6cOy-k99OLP6koyraqZWtRck7ZyFBE0DoYInWj-Ermmp4kxcDdrDTNrvdJZY8WxEfzUVdvIvzfd5mfB9s-SdoeecCxyuZfLsr0Fd8wzOZqjoedU/s400/Which+Way.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In fact, I'm not proud to admit that I'm writing this post instead of doing one of those assignments because I just don't want to face it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How did this happen? I mean, I guess there were always signs of this being a problem <a href="https://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2011/01/whole-lot-of-rambling-doubt-you-were.html">in the past</a> but always did a good job keeping it in check.... I think... While, I've always been a planner and hella methodical when it mattered, at other times I considered myself an easy-going kind of guy. The kind who'd just go with the flow and make decisions on the fly. It's not to say I used to be reckless or anything. Quite the opposite. Now, though, it's like I traded all that for paralyzing indecision and self-doubt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not fun..</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'll stop boring you any further this right here. As much as I'd like to delve deeper into this, I don't have the time right now. That aforementioned assignment isn't going to write itself after all.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-61669776519504824902017-07-28T08:03:00.001-04:002017-07-28T11:04:40.578-04:00Player Ready?<p dir="ltr"><b>MISSION:</b> Friday<br>
<b>MISSION TYPE:</b> Survival<br>
<b>OBJECTIVE:</b> Withstand workday assault<br>
<b>DIFFICULTY LEVEL:</b> High! - Player begins mission with reduced Stamina and Morale.<br>
<b>DURATION:</b> 8 hours<br>
<b>MISSION REWARDS:</b> <i>[WEEKEND]</i> - Includes “End-of-Workday” Mission Rewards: <i>[Rest]</i> and <i>[Relaxation]</i>.<br>
<i>[WEEKEND]</i> grants player bonus points to <i>[Rest]</i> and <i>[Relaxation]</i>.<br>
<i>[Weekend]</i> also grants player increased chance of earning high-level rewards: <i>[Alcohol]</i> and <i>[Doing Something Fun]</i>.<br>
<i>[Weekend]</i> also grants player the chance to receive Rare-Classed loot: <i>[Sleep]</i>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Begin?<br><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiPT_8jtlpVp9QBO7y0K9eD8WItmAr3YZoSqczO8_rB3VoMQoMUY9wilEKmJC8aQbz139Qoz10AwXI7BMl9gIFN23scbDHTUVpq8zbNDeuAnJkvi6rlR6po8gDOmdCyNxgfD14xNucO8/s1600/Mission+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiPT_8jtlpVp9QBO7y0K9eD8WItmAr3YZoSqczO8_rB3VoMQoMUY9wilEKmJC8aQbz139Qoz10AwXI7BMl9gIFN23scbDHTUVpq8zbNDeuAnJkvi6rlR6po8gDOmdCyNxgfD14xNucO8/s640/Mission+Start.jpg"> </a> </div>Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-44654604409230156452016-11-04T15:35:00.001-04:002016-11-04T15:35:46.160-04:00Snowball 3 - Moving Man.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtINNimloDnpTK9hds94ZM8d4_fwD7j8Wm7egv4M2ZFHIHrMTtifMC2uVwYXQ27Lido0Qemubtieq0GzcmB9yff_e72_9Ak8hqn4dULUdj2GLbnsMwhhLuDiN7je20rT0MpMhYE21598/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtINNimloDnpTK9hds94ZM8d4_fwD7j8Wm7egv4M2ZFHIHrMTtifMC2uVwYXQ27Lido0Qemubtieq0GzcmB9yff_e72_9Ak8hqn4dULUdj2GLbnsMwhhLuDiN7je20rT0MpMhYE21598/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During my <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2016/10/i-confess.html">confession</a> the other day mentioned getting my contract at work renewed. This means, barring any monumental screw-ups on my part <i>(or an apocalypse or something)</i>, I'll be steadily employed for at least another three years. I'm happy for this, of course, especially since my country's economy's driven by our oil and natural gas reserves and the plummet in oil prices last year has forced a lot of belt tightening and even some downsizing here and there. So, no complaining from me. Besides, I mentioned what happens when I <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-cant.html">complain</a>. The last thing I want is to end up getting transferred to <i>another</i> division.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So why am I not only sitting at a new desk, once again, but also in a new building..?<br />
<br />
It all started when I got the call from HR to inform me that all the "i"s were dotted and "t"s were crossed and I was officially reemployed.<br />
<br />
<b>HR:</b> How soon can you start?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Is Monday okay? <i>(It was already Tuesday afternoon so I figured I'd give myself three more days of freedom.)</i><br />
<b>HR:</b> No problem... By the way, you should know there are seating issues to sort out.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hmm?<br />
<b>HR:</b> Yeah, the new Executive <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> brought some new staff in with her. You know we have a new boss right?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Yeah, I heard <i>(Even if I hadn't it wouldn't surprise me. We've changed <b>five</b> Executives (*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*) in the three years I've been there)</i>.<br />
<b>HR:</b> Anyway, we're short a desk in that unit now so you'll be another department until we sort out the logistics.<br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>(Probably would have been nice if they had figured that out before)</i> Okay...<br />
<b>HR:</b> Don't worry, it's just for a week.<br />
<br />
All things aside, I wasn't going to complain. The main thing was I was not returning to the ranks of unemployed and for that alone, I was grateful. I refused to sweat the small stuff.<br />
<br />
That week finished quickly and before I knew it I was once again fastening my polyester shackle around my neck. The shiny, purple one!<br />
<br />
My temporary place of abode was a department I knew a little about but never had much to do with. One thing I did know was that they deal with major projects and had <b>a lot</b> of work. The Director introduced me to the team and let them know I'd be squatting on their land for a few days. I was given some busy work and mostly left to my one devices.<br />
<br />
One week later, I went back up to the executive floor. As luck would have it, one of the new people brought on by the Executive <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> had to go off on maternity leave so a desk was made temporarily available. The plan was to rearrange the floor space and add an extra cubicle <i>(just for lil' ol' me)</i> so by the time she got back, there'd be no more seating issues.<br />
<br />
IT had put my PC in storage while I was away so I spent that morning arranging for them to bring it back up to my old desk <i>(after I had them remove the interloper who was there out, that is)</i>. True the desk was only temporarily being returned to me but it was mine until the new cube was built. MINE! Soon the computer was set up and IT went on their merry way. I sat down, adjusted my chair back to its original settings, put the all my stuff back where I'd left them, hung my reflective safety vest on the chair-back <i>(did I ever mention I'm also a safety warden?)</i>, sat down, booted up and prepared to get back to work...<br />
<br />
Then the phone rang.<br />
<br />
<b>HR </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">(different person):</i> Hi, Vinny.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hey! 'Sup?<br />
<b>HR2:</b> Um... What are you doing now?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Nothing. IT just set me up so I'm about to start.<br />
<b>HR2:</b> Oh, okay. Here's the thing... We need you to go across to another division and fill in for a few days.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Huh?<br />
<b>HR2:</b> Just for two days. That's it! There's another drone going on training and they need someone to man the desk.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Well, I guess that's okay but what about my supervisor?<br />
<b>HR2:</b> We'll call her and let her know. Can you leave now?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Now? As in <i>now</i> now?<br />
<b>HR2:</b> Yeah... Her training started this morning.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hmm...<br />
<b>HR2:</b> Sorry...<br />
<br />
I didn't make a big deal out of it since it was just for two days. The other division was one I'd never been to. It was in another building just down the street and was a result of another Ministry being merged with ours after the Prime Minister did some portfolio reshuffling. I got there and reported to the HR Manager. She said I had to talk to the Director but she was out until after lunch. The HR Manager then suggested that, since it was only 11 am, I could go have lunch myself an extra long until the Director returned. Hey, if the HR Manager cleared it, I'm not going to argue.<br />
<br />
I got back at 1 pm. The Director's office was still locked. I went over to the HR Manager again. That's when she broke the news.<br />
<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> Sooo... as it turns out, the training the person you're supposed to replace is only a half day long each day. She's already back.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Oh... Okay...<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> Yeah, it doesn't really make sense for anyone to come and hold on for only half a day so I guess you can go back.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Huh...<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> I honestly didn't know-<br />
<br />
At the same time a young lady, who, as it turned out, was the one I was supposed to fill in for came bolting in. She told the HR Manager to wait and not to let me leave yet. They quietly discussed something then the HR Manager looked up at me.<br />
<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> Well, it looks like you may have to stay after all. I didn't realize she was supposed to start her three month rotation to another division uptown. I guess, so you'll be assigned here until she gets back.<br />
<br />
<i>(Did she say <b>three months</b>?)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Me</b>: Um... I was only told it was supposed for two days. I'm pretty sure head office might want to say in something like this, since I'm from there.<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> You're right... Hold on. Let me make a call and find out what they want to do.<br />
<br />
After a few minutes...<br />
<br />
<b>HRMg:</b> Well, I spoke to the HR Director, who spoke to the Executive's <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> senior minion and he confirmed it. You're staying. Why don't you go with the young lady here so she can hand over? After you meet with the Director we'll set you up on the system and issue you a keycard.<br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>*blinks*</i> Huh..?</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-14334907934463170852016-03-08T10:52:00.000-04:002016-03-08T15:53:03.683-04:00When You...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That moment...</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsR5hjmM9BuKTagE_XNGZtw9hJrzSSFUtUeYt_x4yzR6A2O9AEXPI-vf5Ham-OIO1nZinrSstKDKnvwFbtawdJe2wXtV0FePY-6atCWFJ-TWoyEbZd_2XkshAasnYHKKqyZk6gPS3DRg/s1600/When+You+00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsR5hjmM9BuKTagE_XNGZtw9hJrzSSFUtUeYt_x4yzR6A2O9AEXPI-vf5Ham-OIO1nZinrSstKDKnvwFbtawdJe2wXtV0FePY-6atCWFJ-TWoyEbZd_2XkshAasnYHKKqyZk6gPS3DRg/s1600/When+You+00.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And then... not much later...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwzzfU6k6T1Sn8pbR_GFOgJlKbvbRu0suBZNXZJy6zoEsCNcNCVZubCaYzLx16vtNbynYnCD2h6X6RmOwfEUKcuxsnSDlpvDwi7MtagATnaIPJAPlj7tP61oVGyEHgmaTEg8nLLhVY1k/s1600/When+You+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwzzfU6k6T1Sn8pbR_GFOgJlKbvbRu0suBZNXZJy6zoEsCNcNCVZubCaYzLx16vtNbynYnCD2h6X6RmOwfEUKcuxsnSDlpvDwi7MtagATnaIPJAPlj7tP61oVGyEHgmaTEg8nLLhVY1k/s1600/When+You+01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-5293297267840112662016-03-04T12:27:00.000-04:002016-03-04T14:24:55.263-04:00Smells Like Monkeys In Here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIvBlD0kRIpfBHO9G9DcX_jDKTnpBHveumx832JVaUpzeoo_GteOSCcNUCe9p7MeP6z4QpgoTQiPSexdPOoUyNutqnP1r3zBg_fj8YSVwNF-EhOZyVAW2VSsA8TUqq4opoKouynZOBCk/s1600/Deep+Thoughts+Blog+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIvBlD0kRIpfBHO9G9DcX_jDKTnpBHveumx832JVaUpzeoo_GteOSCcNUCe9p7MeP6z4QpgoTQiPSexdPOoUyNutqnP1r3zBg_fj8YSVwNF-EhOZyVAW2VSsA8TUqq4opoKouynZOBCk/s1600/Deep+Thoughts+Blog+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I mentioned <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2016/02/conversation-with-mrs-c-my-hot-body.html">the other day</a>, I was sick. I'm mostly better now <i>(not factoring-in the residual mucus.. Sorry)</i>. I also mentioned something about hipster monkeys in that post too <i>(I don't know... I think my brain was overheating or something)</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rmOvWYepSk-FHucwxnmdKDIN5LIWC-Va1pbOvr03ALH9_7iPNb-r0tUCWR8dFXXkslRWTE54W4Wc59W189A_Mw-YRj3hC1lRmN0gFgPtc8kBnF1h5N8jRTMxTUxR1XNmC5TN5qHMjtw/s1600/Hipster+Monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rmOvWYepSk-FHucwxnmdKDIN5LIWC-Va1pbOvr03ALH9_7iPNb-r0tUCWR8dFXXkslRWTE54W4Wc59W189A_Mw-YRj3hC1lRmN0gFgPtc8kBnF1h5N8jRTMxTUxR1XNmC5TN5qHMjtw/s400/Hipster+Monkey.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
No, wait! There was a point to the monkeys! The monkeys had meaning. They were a symbol to represent my writing <i>(I submit my entire blogging history as "Exhibit A")</i> or, at least, my return to writing. See? Makes more sense now, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Know what? Forget the monkeys! You can't expect to understand what's going on when there are monkeys in the room. That just never works out. What I mean by all this is, I think getting sick made me figure out why I haven't felt motivated to write these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know when people say "life happened" and I couldn't keep up with this or that anymore? That's exactly right! And it's not always because you're so busy. That can happen but that wasn't the case for me. For me, I got stuck in a rut. Between bills, night school, boring office job, etc. I subconsciously began to wall myself off so as not to feel overwhelmed by what felt like the sheer meaningless in my existence. The problem with that was I made myself literally numb to everything going on around me. It's really hard to be creative when you go about your everyday routine just letting everything bounce off you and letting nothing stick. Know what I mean?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now that I realized that, I think I can keep myself from falling into that trap again. Or not. I get distracted easily.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking of distracted, I got my sense of smell back!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>(Yeah, complete and abrupt change of topic. No warning. No clever segueing. Nothing! Blame the monkeys.)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the cold helped me regain my sense of blogginess <i>(I think)</i>, I lost my sense of smell. That was new. I've never had anything like that happen over a cold - or any other reason - before. At first, I was a little worried that it was going to be permanent <i>(and possibly the lamest superhero origin story ever)</i> but Dr. Google assured me it would be alright. Actually, it seemed this wasn't not all that uncommon when you got a cold so I just had to wait it out. Sure, everything I ate tasted bland without a functioning olfactory sense but, on the plus side, I kind of liked being able to walk through the city and not be suddenly have my nose bombarded with scent human waste <i>(sorry again) </i>- usually strategically scattered throughout the city by members of our homeless community.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That being said, I am now of the opinion that the tongue is woefully undeserving of its position as the representative of taste. All that guy can basically do is tell what's sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Without your olfactory sense, you might as well just give up on <strike>life</strike> enjoying your food.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At first, my sense of smell came back in bits and pieces. The first time I noticed anything had a scent was one day, when I was returning from lunch about two days into it. A coworker was waiting to get on the elevator and the scent of her coffee hit my olfactory senses hard. The best way I can describe it was like being colorblind and suddenly seeing a woman in a red dress move across the room. And the fact that it was coffee that ended up being the first thing I could smell in two days turned that woman in a red dress into a curvy bikini model in a skimpy, red two-piece.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LSEKglYhdQ24opYXw1aGN7CFltSDV8el1x-WX1lZ3yWgdttJnHwpzNLMRfr5nK7az57jKz_ssNhulVBNLmO84uLt4llLlZ-0R36XVNdXSkIvXK_Ho4YDFtAoGvdw9OAx3JyKQmgq2sA/s1600/Anri+Sugihara+In+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LSEKglYhdQ24opYXw1aGN7CFltSDV8el1x-WX1lZ3yWgdttJnHwpzNLMRfr5nK7az57jKz_ssNhulVBNLmO84uLt4llLlZ-0R36XVNdXSkIvXK_Ho4YDFtAoGvdw9OAx3JyKQmgq2sA/s400/Anri+Sugihara+In+Red.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course I meant a Japanese bikini model!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I <i>really</i> love coffee.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After that, it was gone again until something else got through. Fortunately, none of it was poop. After about five or six days, I'm happy to report that things are back to normal and coffee tastes great once again.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-72007046621220105842015-12-08T20:06:00.001-04:002015-12-09T09:17:19.827-04:00On The Outside, Looking In.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" /></a></div>
Remember back when I posted about how things always seem to change when I complain about my situation and they didn't usually change for the better? Well... it happened again. The complaining and things changing part, anyway. Surprisingly enough, things are actually a lot better now.<br />
<br />
Halfway through September, I was transferred again and, no, it wasn't back to my original desk. I've been moved to a completely new desk in yet another division altogether. And, yes, this came as a result of me complaining. Not to myself or into the vast open spaces of the internet but to what appears to be a more effective audience: HR.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah. Now, I'm normally the kind of guy who tries to make the best of things. You know the type: the guy who quietly sits and mutters to himself instead of proactively initiating change until one day he finally reaches his breaking point and thoughts of property damage start playing around inside his head.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2pljEQ5JPvM9dVBl0q8f2Lrxm2FF9F6nQ99pULlpUF_rm04bidXRtrKfArlP3VuJ15c4lHVPM36iCx8_HIugkEfi2d357g6CrbZTFOMEg3F6LlhZERoJnswG_YTB04oXEubW-vUWmL4/s1600/Milton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2pljEQ5JPvM9dVBl0q8f2Lrxm2FF9F6nQ99pULlpUF_rm04bidXRtrKfArlP3VuJ15c4lHVPM36iCx8_HIugkEfi2d357g6CrbZTFOMEg3F6LlhZERoJnswG_YTB04oXEubW-vUWmL4/s400/Milton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S-stapler...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Yeah, <i>that</i> guy. Or, at least, I thought I was. When things actually got to the point with my supervisor where I couldn't take it anymore I ended up going to HR and lodging a complaint. I even surprised myself. One thing led to another and here I am, working on the executive offices. <b>Please note: my job title and salary remain the same level </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">(the bottom)</i>. I'm just doing the job I was hired to do in a different setting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I guess this is the point where I go into the ups and downs I had with the supervisor in question and talk about how things at my new station are working out. But... no. That's enough of that. Instead, let's talk about the time I locked myself outside my office... and, by extension, the entire building... on the top floor. That's way more interesting, right?<br />
<br />
AHEM! The government office that employs me takes up the top three floors of a seven-story building. The executive floors are, of course, on the top floor of those three floors. On each floor there are two emergency exits and each of those exits also grants staff access to the balconies where staff is free to go to think, focus on a difficult task/assignment, view a passing parade in the streets below, have a private conversation or weep mournfully as they contemplate the meaninglessness to their existence <i>(it's cathartic)</i>. As such there are no alarms to go off when these doors are opened.<br />
<br />
Most of the time, though, people just go outside whenever the air-conditioning starts acting up. On rare occasions a unit will break down but, more often than not, they work <i>too</i> well and it gets super-cold in the office. Not many of us are built to take it but I don't mind. I just throw on my jacket and I'm good so, with only a few exceptions, I pretty much ignore those balcony entrances, even though I'm now seated right in front of one of them <i>(naturally, this means, if shit goes down, I'm the guaranteed to be one of the first ones out)</i>.<br />
<br />
That was until yesterday...<br />
<br />
It had been raining all week. The air was colder than usual and even I was feeling the chill in the air. Then, from the window behind me, I happened to notice the sun had finally decided to check in on us. The sky was so bright I just <i>knew</i> it would be nice and warm outside already. I imagined the feeling of the warm sunlight on my skin and I could feel myself being pulled to the outside. That's when I decided to just go out and thaw off for a bit.<br />
<br />
Now, as I said earlier, I hardly availed myself of the privilege before but the few times I did, I got in and out with no problems. However, what I didn't know was that, unlike the other balcony entrances, the door behind my desk does not open from the outside. So when a gust of wind eagerly finished closing the door for me I barely paid it any mind. I soaked in some sun, looked around a little at the nearby streets and buildings and headed back for the inside. Only... When I got the the door... Yeah...<br />
<br />
"Of course..." was my first thought because, obviously if anyone's going to get themselves locked out it's me.<br />
<br />
This was when I looked around and realized the balconies aren't connected around the corners and there was a seven-floor-deep gap between me and the only other entrance on the floor. Outstanding! My next thought was to discretely call one of my coworkers on their cells so they could come over and let me back in. This was unfortunately hampered by the fact that I had earlier put my phone to charge and it was at that moment sitting on my desk, evilly smirking at me <i>(IT SMIRKED! I SAW IT!)</i> through the locked window.<br />
<br />
"Naturally!" I sighed.<br />
<br />
At this point I was left with three options:<br />
<ol>
<li>Climb up the roof-access ladder and get to either the other balcony entrance or the door to the main stairwell.</li>
<li>Go across to the emergency stairwell, make my way down to the floor just below and get in from an entrance there.</li>
<li>Knock until someone heard me and came to my rescue.</li>
</ol>
Each option, however, comes with it's own set of problems. Like I said, it was windy. Climbing up to the roof and walking across seemed risky, especially since the entire center of the building is hollow all the way to the ground floor and all that covered that section was a huge glass dome so yeah... No! I considered the emergency stairwell option for a quite a bit but I wasn't sure if opening those doors triggered any alarms or if any other doors opened from the inside besides the one on the ground floor. Common sense told me I should be fine. The fear of sending the building into a panic if I trip off an emergency alarm told me back off that idea a bit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGQdq6t-OJx5PqDiYdSu_Z_AonQxKd4x2KgpEr54X1JgNIMDKpqDfy0FQTA9OYpn9iQGIDMreDCaq1IHuqb8Ol1NCGE0IflN3TipikkW3JelaQHKdgGbBPrHwqnkWx0OaxuRAFQoCook/s1600/Push+Bar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGQdq6t-OJx5PqDiYdSu_Z_AonQxKd4x2KgpEr54X1JgNIMDKpqDfy0FQTA9OYpn9iQGIDMreDCaq1IHuqb8Ol1NCGE0IflN3TipikkW3JelaQHKdgGbBPrHwqnkWx0OaxuRAFQoCook/s400/Push+Bar.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? Some of them <i>do</i> trigger alarms. I wasn't letting the lack of a label lull me into a false sense security.<br />
<a href="http://doorbarsleda.blogspot.com/2015/04/emergency-door-bar.html">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I was considering trying to get to the floor below, it also occurred to me that there was an Option 4: Since the building had a sort of Mayan pyramid thing going on, I could just ignore the stairs and jump down to the balcony below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxUGsdAsgdneyyrs_BNhgsiZhYKmvTyd2XWny2rdaJNIvIH88E9tjlmrs1SciJJ6jI7uvhoOy_raCPoEGRyMS-Tz1INfI85vQcCwEI1hDWk9d79g_UANHanxXU_r0yH1rWx8LXjQqb6o/s1600/Chichen_Itza_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxUGsdAsgdneyyrs_BNhgsiZhYKmvTyd2XWny2rdaJNIvIH88E9tjlmrs1SciJJ6jI7uvhoOy_raCPoEGRyMS-Tz1INfI85vQcCwEI1hDWk9d79g_UANHanxXU_r0yH1rWx8LXjQqb6o/s400/Chichen_Itza_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I decided against it.<br />
<br />
This left me with knocking and calling at the offending door until someone came to my rescue. While this may seem like the most viable solution to sum, to me it was the least desirable option. My new supervisor, who happens to be the one who sits closest to me was on lunch at the time so this meant I had to really make myself heard. Not only did I leave myself open to ridicule from whoever came to let me back in but I ran the risk of attracting the attention of the executive staff since their offices were all around my area. Being on the floor only a few months, I felt that somehow this wouldn't help me make a good impression.<br />
<br />
Still, of all the available options this was the only one that could count as "sane" so I figured I'd play it safe. So I knocked... and waited... and knocked again... and waited some more. Then I realized there was no one within earshot. I looked at the emergency stairwell door again. I began to wonder if they'd fired me if I set off the fire alarm and sent hundreds of people scampering.<br />
<br />
I knocked again, slightly louder. Nothing.<br />
<br />
I decided to enjoy the view for a bit more until someone noticed I was missing. I figured, worst-case scenario, I had at least half an hour until my supervisor got back from her lunch break. Roughly ten seconds later I was back at the door, knocking and trying <i>(and failing)</i> to not look overly pathetic. I realized if someone did pass by, I'd only look like I was getting some fresh air rather than trapped outside. This time, though, my efforts paid off and a few minutes later I heard a 'click' as the knob turned and the door opened.<br />
<br />
"What's the password?" It was the personal assistant to the third-highest ranking guy there. She was just returning to her desk and heard me knocking.<br />
<br />
"Thanks," I smiled and started to pull the door open.<br />
<br />
She held firm on her end, "Noooooo. That's not the password." She smiled back with a sing-songy reply.<br />
<br />
I joked it off and made a few guesses <i>(all of the wrong)</i> but she insisted on making me squirm for a minute before letting me pass. FYI: It was "open sesame", apparently. Go figure.<br />
<br />
"You now this door doesn't open from the outside, right?" she said as I walked in, "We normally block it open when we go outside."<br />
<br />
"No... No I did not."<br />
<br />
All-in-all I endured only minimal embarrassment and, as a bonus, the rain held up the entire time. That counts as a good a day, in my book.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-91767224226195313562015-08-23T22:12:00.000-04:002016-10-21T15:30:16.669-04:00Bend It Like Vinny.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been a delinquent blogger lately. I blame this mostly on work. I'll admit, I haven't been handling the recent <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-cant.html" target="_blank">changes</a> well and as the realization that I'm now a permanent fixture in this division set in, I guess it started to get to me a little... Okay, more than <i>a little</i>. In the end, however, it's just something I have to deal with and, if that doesn't work, I can always apply for a transfer to another division. However, since I'm not too eager to take a spin on <i>that</i> roulette wheel, I've been trying to make the best of things as they stand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what have I been up to? Glad you asked. There have actually been a lot of stuff going on that I should have dedicated entire posts to but due to <strike>lack of motivation</strike> my busy schedule they all just sat in the dark corner of that one shelf in my brain where post ideas go until they reach their expiry date and have to be thrown out or get thrown together into one <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/10/word-vomit.html" target="_blank">update stew</a> in the hope that something palatable can be cooked up. Surprisingly enough, sometimes, in picking through those post ideas, I find one or two may actually have enough "meat" for consumption on their own or, as in this case, has a longer expiry date than others.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I think I've sufficiently picked <i>that</i> metaphor clean...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, let's get to the reason I gathered you all here. You see, a few weeks ago, it finally happened. It was finally suggested to me that I should <b>work in porn</b> <i>(cue the random search results linking this blog to sexual deviance... again)</i>. It wasn't suggested because of my dazzling good looks or rock-hard abs, mind you. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty but my abs <i>(as well as most of the rest of me)</i> are safely insulated under a generous coating of fat. For their own protection.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
How the remark came about was as a result of my freakish flexibility. If I mentioned it before, I don't remember, but I can do all kinds of stuff like front and side splits, touching my palms together behind my back and things like "the bridge" with no trouble at all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28nsUyMPoryRVr1FGUkXGXnbi8_jROXS0RyV2kwyiiKg0igJoXhQ_LiuY6zXiXNdK2GOxX9EHSGyBDKVJei6elJ4exqHxZK-9dGQPxM4E5vWFwfK6Ryl2y00X2ZvaxNBrDXg6gFhs_70/s1600/Stretching_1200830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28nsUyMPoryRVr1FGUkXGXnbi8_jROXS0RyV2kwyiiKg0igJoXhQ_LiuY6zXiXNdK2GOxX9EHSGyBDKVJei6elJ4exqHxZK-9dGQPxM4E5vWFwfK6Ryl2y00X2ZvaxNBrDXg6gFhs_70/s400/Stretching_1200830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this. Only imagine, instead of a small child, a moderately overweight male in his late thirties... or not. Probably better if you don't.<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_(exercise)" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Combine this with my Thai-boxing and what you have is a short, fat guy who can kick guys much taller than himself in the head with little to no effort. Unless the other guys more than six feet tall. Then, I might need a running start.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, the other day I was <strike>showing off</strike> stretching <i>(yes, I still have to stretch)</i> and, when I do this, three things normally happen:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li>Most, if not all present will end up stopping what they're doing to watch <i>(in horror)</i>.</li>
<li>This is followed by a few of them collectively shuddering as they imaging the pain involved in a normal human body bending the way I do.</li>
<li>Since we make fun of each other as much as we work out, someone always has something snarky to say and that'll usually draw my attention to the eyes that are on me.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<ol>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The time in question, I was told I was wasting my "God-given talents" by not working in the adult entertainment industry and that there should have at least been a <b>"Fifty Shades of Vinny"</b> out by now <i>(actually, the </i><i>title of this </i><i>post could work too)</i>. So, if nothing else, at least I've got that going for me.<br />
<br />
Now, this is the place where I said you'd have to be a <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/06/so-it-turns-out-i-might-be-masochist.html" target="_blank">masochist</a> to train. Added to that the fact that my nickname there is "Hentai" <i>(Japanese for perverted)</i>. I'm not sure how I got that particular nickname. Maybe I shouldn't have explained to them the meaning of the phrase, "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_punch" target="_blank">donkey punch</a>"... so I guess a suggestion like this isn't totally outside the realm of possibility.<br />
<br />
On a side note, since I am working out anyway, I decided to give weight loss a try <i>(just to make it challenging)</i>. I've lost a few pounds. Nothing to make a big deal about and certainly nothing to religiously keep you updated on either.<br />
<br />
You're welcome.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, I've been apprehensive about losing weight. I have two working theories right now that against my losing weight:<br />
<ol>
<li>Ever notice how people who have lost weight look like their heads got bigger? I know it's just that the rest of your body gets smaller while the head didn't have a lot in the way of fat storage to begin with but I don't want to look like my head got bigger.</li>
<li>If I'm <i>this</i> awesome when I'm overweight, then losing weight will release my true power and trigger a series of events that end up with me saving the world. That sounds like a lot of work, if you ask me.</li>
</ol>
All that aside, losing weight seems to be an unwanted side effect of consistent gym attendance and participation so I may have a pornstar physique someday soon after all. Maybe it's not too late to consider possible career options.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-46781642506030871782015-06-12T09:49:00.000-04:002015-08-11T09:26:15.294-04:00Social Interaction - Leave It To Me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the my biggest <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2013/08/trust-issues.html" target="_blank">issues when it comes to trusting people</a> is I have this irrational fear that people are going to let me down. This fear is further compounded by the fact that people so often <b>do</b> let me down. Maybe it's not so irrational after all. Often, I am placed in situations where I have to get information or instructions or even training from someone else or, at other times, I have to wait on others to <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/01/snowball.html" target="_blank">do something and do it properly</a> before that something is passed to me so I can do my part. I take it for granted that the other person/people has at least some idea of what they're doing. I know I don't. <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/search/label/I%20have%20no%20idea%20what%20I%27m%20doing" target="_blank">I've said that</a> more than enough times. So I depend on them to help me get/stay on the right track.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, more often than not, it's soon made painfully clear to me that they don't have it all together either. Often I wonder, if I don't know what I'm doing and they don't know what they're doing, then who does?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbuUNvAv3HZHpMePMmmHYJoqsHaRwkWkjM_xujbkFyEze-zCHfIVhmdU6C6iuOfCr_qWC6p5VURI1E3CoypvS0_d8Re2LQTF7vpMR6DjN77UZ3IHzaogXw2gk-ZYMCnpPKHPDsew6sOE/s1600/Incompetence+Everywhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbuUNvAv3HZHpMePMmmHYJoqsHaRwkWkjM_xujbkFyEze-zCHfIVhmdU6C6iuOfCr_qWC6p5VURI1E3CoypvS0_d8Re2LQTF7vpMR6DjN77UZ3IHzaogXw2gk-ZYMCnpPKHPDsew6sOE/s400/Incompetence+Everywhere.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Who is hording all the information about how things get done and leaving the rest of us to grope around in the dark... looking for someone to whom we can comfortably delegate the responsibility and expect results?<br />
<br />
But I digress. I can remember about six years ago when I was in banking and a newly appointed loans officer. The natural process was for me to sit-in with a senior officer and observe how he did things. Unfortunately, my <i>senpai</i> - as we anime nerds like to say - was so accustomed to "bending" the banks rules on lending policy that he forgot most of the actual rules and taught me all the stuff I shouldn't be doing. Luckily, I figured out what was what before too much damage was done.<br />
<br />
This sort of thing happened in jobs I had before the bank and continued throughout every job that followed, including my current job with the government. After it became clear that my temporary transfer to another division turned out to be less temporary than they would have had me believe, I had to go sit with the person I was replacing so she could explain what I would be expected to do. She did a good enough job and seemed to know what she was doing <i>(Finally!)</i> but I soon learned that even she, who became accustomed to doing her own thing, wasn't getting it all right either. This resulted in me making a lot of mistakes and a lot of frustration on the part of the other sections with which I had to interact. In order to do things the way it suited them, I'd have to go to all these different sections, find out what they wanted and essentially relearn a lot of what she taught me.<br />
<br />
I want to trust people. I do. Honest! If for no other reason than the fact that I want us all to be able to work together to get the job <i>(whatever "job" it may be)</i> done. Okay, that's a lie. I guess I don't really need to trust them. What I really want, above all else, is to not get blamed when things get screwed up. Shit has a nasty way of hitting the fan while it's being it passed to me <i>(How's that for a mental image?)</i>. It doesn't matter who or how many other people screwed it up before, I always end up being the one left holding the bag... of shit.<br />
<br />
I don't know why...<br />
<br />
So, in an effort to minimize the damage to myself, I often feel obligated to try and handle everything myself. I do this because, obviously, no one but me can get things right. You see, when I was just a lower-case C <i>(or "Mini-Vinny", if you will)</i>, I heard one or two villains in some of those Saturday morning cartoons exclaim, "If you want something done right, do it yourself!" and then proceed to take control of the situation and come within an inch of winning before failing only slightly less miserably than their pathetic minions who forced them to take things over in the first place.<br />
<br />
Those words seemed to have had a profound impact. Right up until the point where the "hero" made his obligatory Hail Mary move that saved the day, it looked like things were going to go in the bad guy's favor. Didn't it? So, somewhere along the way I figured, without some meddler <i>(in tights)</i> around to throw a monkey-wrench in the works, I could totally get things handled... as long as I didn't give the idiots around me a chance to screw it up.<br />
<br />
So, just so we're all clear, in my reality, I'm the evil mastermind and everyone else I have to work with, my inept minions. Got it? Good!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v_gF5DnvWPomOUwOzhPYp8yqi8sZr7dYYMkjJWeMkg8iMUZ_gW-X7oyNu3_5leJQw5X1VY75oPu7bxqeTkwUpYwjg5Asua8PSXtak4aubRxymZC6ZMLfQ_4steOTT0DnkVluWtmG21g/s1600/Minions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v_gF5DnvWPomOUwOzhPYp8yqi8sZr7dYYMkjJWeMkg8iMUZ_gW-X7oyNu3_5leJQw5X1VY75oPu7bxqeTkwUpYwjg5Asua8PSXtak4aubRxymZC6ZMLfQ_4steOTT0DnkVluWtmG21g/s320/Minions.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
Now if only I could get the rest of them to realize that and get out of my way.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-23711534249541204652015-04-20T12:18:00.000-04:002015-05-12T10:20:37.498-04:00I Have No Idea What I'm Doing - Can't Complain.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know how sometimes there's a thing and you complain about the thing and then the thing changes to the opposite type of thing but you like that new thing even less so you think to yourself, "Holy crap, I shoulda stayed quiet about the thing because the opposite thing is way worse than the first thing!" and then you start to believe you have some kind of freaky superpower <i>(or karma really hates you)</i> because you realize every time you complain about things, the opposite things happen but the new things are not the way you pictured them in your head and things seemed better the way they were before but it's too late now and you're stuck with the new things and even if you used your new-found abilities to make things go back to what they were before, the old things aren't the same old things but new-old things... or old-new things <i>(it's hard to tell sometimes)</i> that suck in a totally different way?<br />
<br />
<i>(Okay, now breathe! Trust me, the rest of the post is nowhere near as annoying as the opening.)</i><br />
<br />
That is <i>so</i> me! When I first started to work for the government <i>(doesn't it sound really covert and cool when I say it like that?)</i>, I <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2013/10/conversations-with-mrs-c-passing-time.html" target="_blank">posted</a> about the time I complained <i>(without really complaining)</i> to Mrs C about being left for days with nothing to do while they sorted out things like where I'd sit and which department in the division to assign me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then things changed and, soon after that, the details were sorted out and work came my way, which was to be expected, I guess. However, I soon realized I was being loaded up with a bunch of complicated responsibilities which technically weren't in my initial job description and I <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing.html" target="_blank">pseudo-complained</a> again in a post about feeling like I was almost in over my head. Eventually, though, I realized I was getting the hang of it all and was kind of enjoying it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was too late though. I had already put the complaint out into the universe and karma diligently rushed in to address the situation. As a result, things changed again and that was when I was pulled from all of those projects and reassigned to help write a white paper. By extension, I was also pulled from my desk and the very building in which I worked and exiled to the Central Office to work in near-isolation along with the other three members of the team assigned to that task. I... um... <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-2-now-with.html" target="_blank">shared my thoughts</a> on that in another post and, in less than four months we were recalled and the project went dormant.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Now I was almost left idle <i>(again)</i>, only in a different division... for three months. By this time I was really starting to miss my old desk and my old work and <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-return.html" target="_blank">made mention</a> <i>(I know, right? You'd think I'd learn my lesson by now right?)</i> that I missed my old desk and my old work and I wanted to go back. Naturally, things changed again but not in the way I wanted. They didn't move me back but finally decided to give me something to do. A lot of something! I had something <i>(work)</i> coming out of my ears!<br />
<br />
I eventually started to notice the trend <i>(took me eight whole months because I'm so quick on the uptake) </i>and decided not to complain, especially since I was basically just riding out the last month-or-so of my contract. Plus, by then I already knew it was being renewed so I at least knew I wasn't out of a job and, as an added bonus, I'd be handing over all my work to someone else. At the very least, I was hoping the people in charge would realize they were beating a dead horse with this whole white paper thing since no one seemed interested anymore and I'd finally get to go back to where I belonged.<br />
<br />
Nope! I returned only to learn that no one had even considered what I'd be doing when I got back so I was dropped on my old-new desk with, once again, nothing to do. But, guess what... I complained again. This time to my wife. Yeah. I think It was that month-long vacation that made me forget.<br />
<br />
That and I iz dumb.<br />
<br />
Sure enough, things changed again. The coworker I handed over all my work to was recently poached by another division, leaving me to not only take back all the things they shoveled onto me before my first contract ended but to take over her work as well. As I mentioned in one of my earlier complaints, I was moved to a division that deals with things that weren't in my knowledge-base or skill-set... or portfolio or any other corporately douchy buzzword way of saying I didn't know jack squat about the work they do here. And now it looks like this is going to be my permanent abode.<br />
<br />
The funny thing is not one of these times did I complain to my bosses or even a single coworker. I mentioned a few of my grievances here on the blogosphere, or on some social networking site or the other and even to Mrs C, but never in work. Which is why I think karma has way too much time on her hands.<br />
<br />
Either that or my bosses have been keeping up with my blog. Is that a scary thought or what?<br />
<br />
But I'm NOT complaining, though. Mostly because I don't want to imagine any scenario where I look back on <i>now</i> and it feels like this is the good old days. </div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-959859249231845722015-03-19T16:10:00.001-04:002019-10-23T11:20:27.491-04:00Snowball 2 - And So We Meet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are entering another dimension, a dimension not only of projects and flowcharts but of </span>deliverables<span style="font-family: inherit;">. A journey into a land of micromanagement. Next stop, the Corporate Zone!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxVzWFpZhGZvff2UV_Gmh2pILxbPxnKDVJkPIW4fhDDpmar-ngVwmvbCOijBD5p7edOnlKrB92K86Uz_Zgcv69393ACqjoAoVylO1lcAhbF7w1ywd5zFtFKp8uXCy5LA_t-oUI12vBbQ/s1600/The+Corp+Zone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxVzWFpZhGZvff2UV_Gmh2pILxbPxnKDVJkPIW4fhDDpmar-ngVwmvbCOijBD5p7edOnlKrB92K86Uz_Zgcv69393ACqjoAoVylO1lcAhbF7w1ywd5zFtFKp8uXCy5LA_t-oUI12vBbQ/s1600/The+Corp+Zone.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">(Dramatic music)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Submitted for your approval: Vinny C - A typical <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/01/snowball.html" target="_blank">government office employee</a> who does his best to survive the tedious</span> day-to-day<span style="font-family: inherit;"> grind. Vinny is about to learn that no good gesture goes unpunished as he take a wrong turn into the cubicle of...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Corporate Zone!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>(Dramatic music repeats)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Vinny</b><i> (*walking into Coworker 1's cubicle*)</i><b>:</b> Hey, Coworker 2 <i>(who happened to be just hanging out with Coworker 1)</i>, I just came from the admin's desk so I picked you up some cold pills since you said you weren't feeling too hot.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Coworker 2:</b> Thanks V! You're a lifesaver.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Coworker 1:</b> Oh, Vinny, while you're here, did you get a chance to review the the meeting notes <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/01/snowball.html" target="_blank">The Executive</a> <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> emailed?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Vinny:</b> No, not yet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Coworker 1:</b> Okay. How about we sit and go over them now?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Vinny:</b> Actually, I was just about to go... Sure. No problem</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>That is the start of meeting# 1.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Half an hour later...</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Vinny:</b> Hmm... There isn't really anything here that's different here than the notes we took.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Coworker 1:</b> True... Anyway, let's go over to the Director's office so he can update the new data.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Hmm... Good! The Executive <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> is in a hurry for our part of the financial plan. I'll update this. While you're both here, let's take a minute to discuss how the new financial workup affects the division.<br />
<br />
Thus begins meeting# 2...<br />
<br />
<b>Coworker 1:</b> Boring financial plan talk.<br />
<b>Director:</b> Boring financial plan talk.<br />
<b>Vinny:</b> <i>*Pretends to understand what's being said and take notes. Actually doodling*</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HhMhuoyVH-3llHfwdT0y2tE3-hPkFYVw22DuZ1sZjJiZfhMaSqYZvB-nh5e2vQrr0RFiAexGwrwPXVx-YNFbqco0cWg1W7qtl0rButGUTFJW7v0qlDcIvQamcjCOfZpbZ0Au143w95c/s1600/Vinny's%2BDoodle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HhMhuoyVH-3llHfwdT0y2tE3-hPkFYVw22DuZ1sZjJiZfhMaSqYZvB-nh5e2vQrr0RFiAexGwrwPXVx-YNFbqco0cWg1W7qtl0rButGUTFJW7v0qlDcIvQamcjCOfZpbZ0Au143w95c/s1600/Vinny's%2BDoodle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>About thirty-five minutes into it, the Head of Accounts (HoA) walks in...</i><br />
<br />
<b>HoA:</b> Hi, Director, are you ready for our meeting?<br />
<b>Director:</b> Oh, I almost completely forgot about it.We were just going over the division's financial plan for the next fiscal.<br />
<b>HoA:</b> That's no problem. Our meeting's related. In fact, why don't you both <i>(*turns to Vinny & Coworker 1)</i> stick around. I'm sure this information could be useful to you too (meeting# 3 is set).<br />
<b>Coworker 1:</b> Sure thing.<br />
<b>Vinny:</b> Wait, what?<br />
<br />
<i><b style="text-decoration: underline;">One hour and twenty minutes</b><b><u> later.</u></b></i><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>Director:</b> Well, Vinny, looks like you got your work cut out for you. Lucky thing you were here. Remember, the Executive <i>(*lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, building shakes slightly*)</i> wants this done "pronto" so let's set a deadline of noon the day after. K?<br />
<b>HoA:</b> Remember to shoot me an email in the morning too, Vin so I can grant you site access.<br />
<b>Coworker 1:</b> Vinny, I know it's well past quitting time for you for today but let's just go back to my cube for a quick <i>(meeting# 4)</i> review of what we need to do.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
<b>Vinny:</b> ...huh..?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<br />
Vinny C. A man who has found himself stuck in an endless black hole of back-to-back meetings where responsibilities and assignments he could never dream to comprehend are forever stacked one on top of the other on his plate. This meal Vinny will have to consume in...<br />
<br />
The Corporate Zone! <i>(Dramatic music swells and ends)</i></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-12382661854726893962015-03-06T16:47:00.000-04:002015-10-07T20:10:38.414-04:00Carnival Weekend Burn.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Carnival here in T&T recently happened. It was on February 16th and 17th to be exact. Like most years, I ignored it. Except for <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-survived-carnival-2012-and-all-i-got.html" target="_blank">that one year</a> while working at The Paper, I have had no reason to go out on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. I'm lucky I'm not one of those who look forward to this every year because, this year, would have totally sucked for me since I was forced to spend the entire long weekend laid up with a second-degree burn injury.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually, yeah, that still pretty much sucked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It all started the Friday before the long weekend, or <i>"Fantastic Friday"</i> as it's come to be known. Mrs C and I were getting ready for work and, as I do every year, I was looking forward to getting a long weekend of rest and relaxation while most everyone else would parading through the streets in feathers and sequined bikinis. As an added bonus, because most people couldn't wait to get the partying, a lot of workplaces - my own included - were shutting it down early that day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were tired. We had not been getting to bed as early as we should have for the past few days and, as a result of that, Mrs C lost control of a pot of boiling-hot and spilled some of it on me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know! Ouch doesn't even come close.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not to brag but I'm normally the "just walk it off" kind of guy when it comes to pain. I owe that to the years of training I received at <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/06/so-it-turns-out-i-might-be-masochist.html" target="_blank">Masochists' Gym</a>. But this one hurt. I knew it was bad because it was the type of pain I couldn't ignore. Still I handled it pretty well...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNq1A91-50KIISHLOO5fho3-6Cyfo6ryVpDyvik0bbsIH9QLvfqwB-yUc0XlaT_0voiszaVo-4_HeASmXfIbKgWfjvLJ8y3vZfjSvldm_dazo1_dqhD5P97D1C8XR6Ry2WC5dcj6aA50/s1600/Burned.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNq1A91-50KIISHLOO5fho3-6Cyfo6ryVpDyvik0bbsIH9QLvfqwB-yUc0XlaT_0voiszaVo-4_HeASmXfIbKgWfjvLJ8y3vZfjSvldm_dazo1_dqhD5P97D1C8XR6Ry2WC5dcj6aA50/s1600/Burned.png" height="327" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBidp8vs77FVLbVB1Q1IMujFoYfqsUHEnQNXyjzn3VgRW2AjHPvh-FMVxd2-l3aJOaRpNugA4CJWWMOuNyX3N9K1CcAsDEVRwqjHRUHLkmGbEpAstvZyyBhF3Gue75hhX3OEZJmXMq3-w/s1600/Burned02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBidp8vs77FVLbVB1Q1IMujFoYfqsUHEnQNXyjzn3VgRW2AjHPvh-FMVxd2-l3aJOaRpNugA4CJWWMOuNyX3N9K1CcAsDEVRwqjHRUHLkmGbEpAstvZyyBhF3Gue75hhX3OEZJmXMq3-w/s1600/Burned02.png" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You should have seen me! I knew it was bad and I still handled it like a boss. I went into the bedroom to check it out in the mirror. The hot water went right through the fabric of what I was wearing and burned what looked like about two inches of skin off <i>(I found out later it was closer to six inches when the rest of the damage started to show)</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry if that's too TMI.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Did I cry? No! Did I panic? Nuh-uh! Instead <i>I</i> was the one who stopped and consoled Mrs C, who started crying after she realized what she'd done. Dammit, I even finished getting dressed and went off to work after applying some basic first aid. ON MYSELF! I was <i>so cool</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was only one thing... ONE THING that took away from my absolute awesomeness in this story. You see, what actually happened was that Mrs C had, in fact spilled the boiling-hot water... on my ass.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Only <i>you</i> could find a joke in all this." Mrs C said when I mentioned her failure to choose a more convenient location to injure me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's funny how it's not as much fun to lie around and do next to nothing on a long weekend when you're actually forced to do it. I spent the entire four-day weekend lying on my stomach and the first half of that time I had to be <i>(literally) </i>butt-naked until the-um-wound was healed properly. If I could have done that without the benefit of getting burned that might have probably been my idea of a perfect weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On a side note, while I'm not one of those guys who believes that women are <strike>evil</strike> mean and secretly reveling in the pain and suffering of their male oppressors, I could not help but notice the marked increase of Mrs C's uncontrollable urge to slap me on the behind during my recovery. Maybe someone could explain that one for me.</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-21474815173427977122015-02-10T12:04:00.000-04:002015-05-12T10:26:01.546-04:00Social Interaction - Do We Need To Talk?<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8golTLsib6OJRXaX_7IWSKh_kS0HOynthbkBEfRmaOvMSHoysyTIw4LvgVL4zS844OrszZ7ujs06t-yh17NblBpIRUBKhn_zOpHaQJ-pVHvSID3AJ_bOUWqQVHl15QLPCr7FPXpYBo/s1600/Okay+Funny+Story+Notice.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>One day, while
having lunch in a crowded food court in a shopping </i></span></span><i>mall </i><i style="font-family: inherit;">close to where I work:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Some Guy <i>(SG)</i>:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Anyone sitting here?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Me <i>(Me)</i>:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Nope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You mind?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No problem. Go ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Thanks... I’m not bothering you, am I?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Nah, It’s cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I go back to eating while I check some messages on my phone. After a few seconds...</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Short week this week, huh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(NOTE: There were two holidays during that week.)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Uh? Um... yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Yeah... I think they sold me stale peanuts downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i>(*Thinking*: Who comes to a food court to eat peanuts?)</i> Hm<span style="font-family: inherit;">m...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> *Continues eating suspect peanuts.*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> *Continues stating at phone.*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SG:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> ... It’s hot...<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did he take my confirmation that he wasn't
bothering as a challenge?!</span></span></i></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-81737479959852242392015-01-20T13:17:00.000-04:002016-03-08T16:04:20.789-04:00We Own A House... Now What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Twenty days in and this is only my first post for the new year. Good thing I didn't go and make a resolution about blogging more consistently for 2015... heh... heh... <i>(*scratches "blog more consistently" off New Year's resolution list*)</i>. In my defense, it's mostly because we don't have internet set up at the new place yet. That and we're now so far away from civilization even our data coverage is close to non-existent most of the day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, yes, as you may have picked up, we have moved and have now officially joined the ranks of "homeowners". Now we just have to clear off that mortgage over the next thirty years or so and it's all ours. Just in time for the kids to kick us out into a retirement home and start fighting over it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can't wait.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As cool as it is to finally become a homeowner, in the end you still have to go through the whole process of moving and that's always fun. Isn't it? </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">(NOTE: By "fun" I actually mean <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2011/07/moving-sucks.html" target="_blank">a huge barrel of suck</a>... You probably already knew that.)</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> You have your packing, heavy lifting, unpacking, exhaustion, aches, pains and stuff that gets broken. Yeah... fuuuuunn! </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">(See earlier note.)</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We did that over the Christmas weekend which means we were too busy doing all that stuff I mentioned earlier and too broke to really celebrate Christmas <i>(alcohol was consumed, though)</i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the dust settled and we finally got some sleep <i>(about a week after we moved in)</i>, we then had time to sit and take it all in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Homeowners...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Us!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The novelty wears off soon enough though. Right around the time when you realize the last ounce of dependency </span>you had <span style="font-family: inherit;">on others is gone. Before, if you lived with your parents or, as in our case, you were a renter, you knew there would be certain things beyond your control. Leaky roof? call the landlord! Faulty plumbing? Get that landlord on the phone! Pest infestation? Better get the landlord to call in an <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2012/09/me-vs-nature-part-iii-bugman-cometh.html" target="_blank">exterminator</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we're on our own, when it comes to taking care of our house and all of its needs. If you stop to think about it too long it can be a little daunting. Needless to say, I'm trying not to think about it too much <i>(seems like a viable strategy...)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of which, that leaking <i>(READ AS: "gushing")</i> shower faucet issue I mentioned <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/12/vinnys-step-by-step-introduction-to.html" target="_blank">the last time</a>, yeah, we're trying to sort that out. Surprisingly, the agency responsible for the houses is actually saying they'll arrange to have the contractors come in and sort it out. Now we just have to see how long <i>that</i> takes to happen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In other news: Kawaii's adjusting well after the move. She did get really sick the first night and we were more than a little worried but she eventually pulled through and, a few days later, she was back to her old self <i>(cue the obligatory cute puppy pic)</i>.</span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgj_txx93EeeSz7nomuUTqOWGc8tMMRErzM2VrmPGLrx8bJngGN7Gp0LShPL9LE_E3QfDi5pdudNILOmczeBpQxehNTn1ZRdqOwfyLeWQeCmgu8Zvm6lUG_-PpRmCOcArlZlWZupDym8/s1600/So+Kawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgj_txx93EeeSz7nomuUTqOWGc8tMMRErzM2VrmPGLrx8bJngGN7Gp0LShPL9LE_E3QfDi5pdudNILOmczeBpQxehNTn1ZRdqOwfyLeWQeCmgu8Zvm6lUG_-PpRmCOcArlZlWZupDym8/s1600/So+Kawaii.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I know you trimmed around my eyes like half an hour ago but... it grew back."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike at the old place, where she spent all her time indoors due to our former neighbors', not-so-friendly <i>(or clean)</i> dogs that already occupied the yard, here she gets to go out every day <i>(on a leash until we put a fence up)</i>. I've even started taking her for walks around the block <i>(I feel so suburban now you would not believe)</i>, which she loves.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She's also taken an interest in the of local wildlife <i>(READ AS: "bugs")</i> which our new area has in </span>copious amounts. And, since they often find their way inside the house, she has plenty of opportunities to examine them... after she chases them down, swats them to death with her paws and - of they're big enough - tears to shreds with her teeth.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv6Im7JuI8zyF80-F9aahmyKlZB6vSXHKcSQKQpONIlU54Mb-1PPDBbvRIfxDc5USwWZT6uAcnjWheVsGAw0e13Ede45JFdJ5mrqMghCDtlD_BhwxG1p1NGQtqZCaHxYpAzuKPkaAuBM/s1600/Kawaii+Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv6Im7JuI8zyF80-F9aahmyKlZB6vSXHKcSQKQpONIlU54Mb-1PPDBbvRIfxDc5USwWZT6uAcnjWheVsGAw0e13Ede45JFdJ5mrqMghCDtlD_BhwxG1p1NGQtqZCaHxYpAzuKPkaAuBM/s1600/Kawaii+Profile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait! Is that a cricket?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She's a curious girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking of wildlife, we also have birds in the area. Lots of birds. Birds that are mostly quiet in the day but then there are these others that let out loud, eerie "squawks" throughout the night. We don't go outside much at night. As luck would have it, among the various species we also have my arch nemeses, <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2013/03/me-vs-nature-part-iv-revenge-of-grackle.html" target="_blank">Grackles</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvPs27sXqVw-B13WH-qRfztnZPxUtsgJRKp1QSXPzeDe6vzvUh9RZbu2yEDEl8qdkTGIAYJUTFx_YhcsGfCqii2Mi6ZPX5x8am81NgW7z3CrBxEMJk2U1yUrYqJX9wv9Co4vgG4fH4xw/s1600/G-g-g-g-grackles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvPs27sXqVw-B13WH-qRfztnZPxUtsgJRKp1QSXPzeDe6vzvUh9RZbu2yEDEl8qdkTGIAYJUTFx_YhcsGfCqii2Mi6ZPX5x8am81NgW7z3CrBxEMJk2U1yUrYqJX9wv9Co4vgG4fH4xw/s1600/G-g-g-g-grackles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at 'em! Just strutting around my backyard like they own the place... Send help.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At some point I really started to wonder if someone was just f*cking with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, their mating season is still a few months away so they don't have a reason to start attacking people yet. So there's that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the plus side, at the outer end the street leading into the community there are horses.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddQt1XLlw3O4ixp0I6Z0361EN_5eD1WzE6YIMROSNuwd32UnNcElz_QMkd45pieNJqv0IpxMPzNMRwuEWs-5Me4F-McadgfRR4oFW_Z5qjhqZ_pEtjbrA6Jl3Bmc3HkJuCREn2-sRLP4/s1600/Horseys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddQt1XLlw3O4ixp0I6Z0361EN_5eD1WzE6YIMROSNuwd32UnNcElz_QMkd45pieNJqv0IpxMPzNMRwuEWs-5Me4F-McadgfRR4oFW_Z5qjhqZ_pEtjbrA6Jl3Bmc3HkJuCREn2-sRLP4/s1600/Horseys.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Those are cool.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the biggest adjustments, though, is that this an entirely new community. We were among the first two hundred plus people to get keys and everyone's new here and only moved in weeks apart from each other. That means none of us got treated to one of those scenes you see in the movies where the local community group forms a welcoming committee to bring you baked goods to mask their real objective of scoping out your stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I want a blueberry muffin, dammit!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead, we all just get to watch silently as we observe another moving truck roll up the street and hope the whoever-it-is isn't planning on starting a meth lab in his/her kitchen or blasting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancehall" target="_blank">Jamaican Dancehall</a> music every night until 3AM <i>(it's popular here)</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwW81UhyphenhyphennhjF2H66Bcikka3pi5cFBALuxC7lXTTi9IdINcesDk3NwuDeINL3FhdsVfnZL9aLb6MHQsKTOWu1Bl4T9kZ90XNaJoi-FpmbCA5pgC5hWQM0zaNG0nb_75XGMRLnJFzm85M/s1600/New+Neighbours00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwW81UhyphenhyphennhjF2H66Bcikka3pi5cFBALuxC7lXTTi9IdINcesDk3NwuDeINL3FhdsVfnZL9aLb6MHQsKTOWu1Bl4T9kZ90XNaJoi-FpmbCA5pgC5hWQM0zaNG0nb_75XGMRLnJFzm85M/s1600/New+Neighbours00.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3WnK8SuLYJcj8GCjgQ6ZthYLJmtOrBCF_uPHDKDLT-fW4ZAl5P4zIBLmQTeD77KuDaz6yi52dxKb_tUuUt5_IY0xYMQAsSfsnkBd3tBxfDzMP7KVvStPOJQUWzbHZt9IA4KNy7SIn0g/s1600/New+Neighbours01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3WnK8SuLYJcj8GCjgQ6ZthYLJmtOrBCF_uPHDKDLT-fW4ZAl5P4zIBLmQTeD77KuDaz6yi52dxKb_tUuUt5_IY0xYMQAsSfsnkBd3tBxfDzMP7KVvStPOJQUWzbHZt9IA4KNy7SIn0g/s1600/New+Neighbours01.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPku6NHIdHwF40FlQPnLb-PMLh2Ual4fUpIv8EF11jCDL-jY_-zi2EFopNPgpD4nHrXio1DzA8v78a815TRfzvwYKDhrEsXljsHlDCOfDxJZjDbE6FRXitc2U3zYGdjZuCSB1jvA0SliM/s1600/New+Neighbours02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPku6NHIdHwF40FlQPnLb-PMLh2Ual4fUpIv8EF11jCDL-jY_-zi2EFopNPgpD4nHrXio1DzA8v78a815TRfzvwYKDhrEsXljsHlDCOfDxJZjDbE6FRXitc2U3zYGdjZuCSB1jvA0SliM/s1600/New+Neighbours02.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2ycGT9zNxDo0bbv3-YlQjcPy82DfqHlC12pbJg2i9Dr_GiQT_KXDE9EuKF_WOApSQ-gjHCTlt8bJ1KLF8xKA55IJqvtOycPRol-jkqSKnxcrrb1cVIBgl5flQxsCzyE-_NH_yhphQ4w/s1600/New+Neighbours03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2ycGT9zNxDo0bbv3-YlQjcPy82DfqHlC12pbJg2i9Dr_GiQT_KXDE9EuKF_WOApSQ-gjHCTlt8bJ1KLF8xKA55IJqvtOycPRol-jkqSKnxcrrb1cVIBgl5flQxsCzyE-_NH_yhphQ4w/s1600/New+Neighbours03.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmxwEUVRMg35XZhWB7O_uVQl4ND47Hym1uQIJ5fcqR5YER3QkEGpd15C1uxKStJbz5PSNTugzbBdAgkusPdTufiaiN-OkbnxLSq6kSDl2CUqUyz8lHRLdi-NuWelp9SfX-Lxxen4YT3E/s1600/New+Neighbours04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmxwEUVRMg35XZhWB7O_uVQl4ND47Hym1uQIJ5fcqR5YER3QkEGpd15C1uxKStJbz5PSNTugzbBdAgkusPdTufiaiN-OkbnxLSq6kSDl2CUqUyz8lHRLdi-NuWelp9SfX-Lxxen4YT3E/s1600/New+Neighbours04.png" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The adventure begins.</span>Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-87866133284059226742014-12-24T11:43:00.003-04:002015-10-07T20:10:38.610-04:00Vinny's Step-By-Step Introduction To Home Ownership.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mrs C and I
will be moving into our new home during the Christmas weekend. We collected the
keys two Fridays ago. As with most things nowadays, the entire process was highly
publicized as the government wanted to make sure we and the greater public knew
of their generosity <i>(especially with next
year being an election year)</i>. Step-by-step, we're being introduced to the
subtle intricacies involved with becoming homeowners. Here's the process so far:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Attend “key
giving ceremony” held at the new community site. Endure speeches, singing entertainers
and shameless political plugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Four and a
half hours later, finally collect keys.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- W</span>ait for obligatory
photo op <i>(which we thankfully managed to avoid)</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Receive instructions
about having up to one month to be fully moved in and, in the meantime, you can
basically come and go as you please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Go check
out the new digs and wonder how the place went from clean and completely
undamaged during the walkthrough to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span lang="EN-US">having a portion
of the wall which needs to be repainted after a window was replaced (the old </span>window
frame was left lying the front yard for an added touch)</li>
<li>having a broken
hinge on the window in the back bedroom</li>
<li>having a
moss-caked kitchen sink</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- </span>At this
point make a note of issues to add to the form you received with your package to
list any defects you may find within the first three months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">(</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US">It should be noted that, b</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US">ased on feedback from other owners of government-provided housing, following the submitting
of said defects report, one should proceed to initiate repairs one’s self since
the providers of your new home may never actually send someone to repair whatever
is broken.)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Return some
days later to move some of your stuff in and put curtains up to realize half the
house has been flooded after the shower faucet came partially out of the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Turn off
water main to house, spend several hours mopping up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Finally hang curtains and move
stuff in as initially planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Add broken
shower to the defects form for the sake of formality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Start
looking up plumbers since you’ll have to fix this problem yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Almost faint from
shock as you receive a call informing the work crew will be in the area to
assess what repairs need to be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Take time
off from work, go back to house and meet with contractors, show them everything that’s
broken, exchange numbers and agree to be back again the following day to see
what can be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Take a
second day off, go back to house again, wait, wait, call contractor, find out they are not
going to show because it’s two days before Christmas and the boss can’t
convince the workmen to show up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">- Be told they'll they will come back to get started after New Year's... Sometime after New Year's.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is where the list ends for now. Until the shower issue is sorted out, we will have to keep the water main turned off when we're not using the water. So far, owning a home is turning out to be more of an "adventure" than I anticipated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-91178945981162401722014-12-03T21:24:00.000-04:002014-12-07T06:09:02.594-04:00A Little 'O This & A Little 'O That.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would seem, for all intents and purposes, I'm back. I passed on my sport assignment to my lecturer and, until he provides me with feedback, I'm a free man again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During my time away, there have been a few things that have been going on. Nothing too major. Just the usual <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2011/01/ice-packs-anyone.html" target="_blank">crazy stuff</a> </span></span>to which <span style="font-family: inherit;">I normally end up baring witness.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Two, in particular, stood out and, instead of trying to figure out how to stretch each of them into individual posts, I decided smush them all together and hopefully come up with something worth our time together.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ahem! I shall begin...</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">********</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The newest
addition to the C Household, our puppy, <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-cs-just-got-kawaii.html" target="_blank">Kawaii</a>, is a growing girl. She recently got
the hang of jumping onto and off of the living room furniture all on her own <i>(“yaaaay” he said with no real excitement whatsoever)</i>. I was
there for her first successful jump. She was so excited, she had to jump off
and on again four or five times to make sure it wasn't a fluke.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now she’s
got her sights trained on our bed. Of course, she’s not allowed on the
bed and, added to that, it’s a bit higher than the living room couch. But she’s
determined. The other day she figured she’d have better luck if she took a
running start <i>(EDITOR'S NOTE: she’s a little too
smart for her own good)</i>. She had the
right idea but because of the limited space in the bedroom, she had to run in
from another room at a parallel angle to the bed.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWrmoeTXcRYbq0ziJDzB3_TZ1PhH20VhrENzjhTIX-Lod63ylHbtJQuAc2iJYwBEwaYhHrIrBQUPfWOslBJl0WL6scrm_188POYdGpRw7GfbzD_jtDjUXtyV3Ixye_61scriWt79r6eo/s1600/Kawaii's%2BRun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWrmoeTXcRYbq0ziJDzB3_TZ1PhH20VhrENzjhTIX-Lod63ylHbtJQuAc2iJYwBEwaYhHrIrBQUPfWOslBJl0WL6scrm_188POYdGpRw7GfbzD_jtDjUXtyV3Ixye_61scriWt79r6eo/s1600/Kawaii's%2BRun.png" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, essentially
she was trying to pull off one of those high jumps you often see done in track and field
events.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpI7TQ13QaZDV68GqfRo1sm-NESCfPTM3c9yovXpNPd6Rcy_2ek45d3FUKATxG52lu1AMGdC3EVyv51GWSI83dCBcyNcIis8ciRVUT7A9nQxiiyb7X3LZcv0c6K5vLG_4i5gQO2oA3RU/s1600/High-Jump-51571.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpI7TQ13QaZDV68GqfRo1sm-NESCfPTM3c9yovXpNPd6Rcy_2ek45d3FUKATxG52lu1AMGdC3EVyv51GWSI83dCBcyNcIis8ciRVUT7A9nQxiiyb7X3LZcv0c6K5vLG_4i5gQO2oA3RU/s1600/High-Jump-51571.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gifmania.us/Animated-Gifs-Sports/Free-Animations-Jumping/Images-High-Jump/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, despite her planning and effort, it was obvious that she lacked n</span></span>atural grace and skill necessary to perform such a feat and s<span style="font-family: inherit;">he completely fell short of her goal.
Both height and direction were a bit off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was there
for that one too, just lying in bed, minding my own business when I heard feet thumping on the wooden
floors as she came running up. Then, I saw the brown blur that was the top of her head. Our gaze met for a moment as she passed by and then... she was gone. Soon after came the sound of her sliding on said
floor and crashing into the wardrobe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was as a result of that one act that I knew she was indeed a worthy member of this family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">********</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">You know
those moments when you </span>question whether mankind is really worth saving?
I had <s>another</s> one of those recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was
morning. An average day, like any other. I was walking through the city, on my
way to work. My headphones were on, the music just loud enough to drown out the
world around me. That was normal. I was late but this was also normal. Indeed, it was
just an average day, just like any other day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's when
I happened to notice the guy in front of me had his boxers sticking out of his
sagging jeans. Not that this is anything new. You know how I feel about <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-modern-life-of-trend.html" target="_blank">trends</a>
but this one in particular has been going strong for decades. Personally, I
think it's stupid but my complaining about it won’t change it. Instead, I try
not to pay attention to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I probably
would have dismissed him too except I happened to notice he wasn't just letting
his boxers stick out of his jeans. His boxers were actually sticking out of <i>another</i> pair of boxers that were
sticking out of his jeans. I could tell! <b>They were different
colors!</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0G1rtWALVPCWXKxOathdB_FKm_uaF46Q9LQXgzV4VzL1G38zIp8xwnqc0bXSpJrVp1hPkOqYmhUW9B4saSifl70pVx_EH-DBCY1t3YViTbqWqTY6llr629hga9IYfIz8-s3HJkJy1ZY/s1600/Boxer-Boxer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0G1rtWALVPCWXKxOathdB_FKm_uaF46Q9LQXgzV4VzL1G38zIp8xwnqc0bXSpJrVp1hPkOqYmhUW9B4saSifl70pVx_EH-DBCY1t3YViTbqWqTY6llr629hga9IYfIz8-s3HJkJy1ZY/s1600/Boxer-Boxer.png" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Is this the new "thing"? Is this what all the kids are doing now? I can't keep up anymore.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_1848753764"></span><span id="goog_1848753765"></span>The icing
on this double-boxer cake was that this guy was actually making an effort to
show it off – as evident by him having tucked the back of his t-shirt into the
upper boxer. Also, he was strutting. He was actually proud!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I briefly considered
turning around and going home because, at that point, I had had enough of
<a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-sign-of-times.html" target="_blank">outside</a> for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">********</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To end
things off, here are some blog posts I considered writing but decided against
it when I realized the titles were only mildly more interesting than the actual
posts themselves:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Of Mouse & Man</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> - One man’s harrowing battle to blog and surf
the internet while being hampered by a defective peripheral device.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">My Application Letter to The X-Men</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> - After getting caught in the rain
four times in five days with not so much as a sniffle, I become convinced that
I possess some sort of superhuman power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">My Application Letter to The Avengers</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> - In case the X-Men aren’t hiring
right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">The
Great Flood of 2014</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> - The
time when Mrs C broke a pipe in the bathroom and all the hardware stores were
closed for the evening.</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>A Little 'O This & A Little 'O That</b> - Where I regale you with- Oh, wait, I wrote that one...</span></span></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-43650220558918871442014-11-06T15:04:00.000-04:002014-11-07T07:22:08.761-04:00In Case You Were Wondering...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I<span style="font-family: inherit;">'m not dead. <span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">I haven't been abducted by aliens,
kidnapped by ninjas, or sucked into a parallel universe, or anything like that.</span>
I'm not suffering from a case of writer's block either <i>(most surprising of all)</i>. Nope. This blog is still alive and well.
Well... as alive and well as blogs that don’t get posted to regularly go, I
guess.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of you will have noticed a sudden
lack of commenting from me as well. Okay, most of you probably wouldn’t have
noticed but either way. I’ve been MIA. Sure I took a day and looked some of you
up but that was basically a fluke. Not that I don’t want to come hang out with
you all. I do. I’ve just had stuff going on.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...And things...</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTrZLY4o6wCqhCmXOI4G9R_WOg6ql571Pwcd5yqHok1tf_GX5_vJvTgrComU3pZT5pJ_v7eBisVV-yh5zyeSPXHI8IjCsqH1et-2Jh_viMSnyezpGyO0kWvlXb9qkKrO-owg07zCGeAE/s1600/Ty+Vs+Rick.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTrZLY4o6wCqhCmXOI4G9R_WOg6ql571Pwcd5yqHok1tf_GX5_vJvTgrComU3pZT5pJ_v7eBisVV-yh5zyeSPXHI8IjCsqH1et-2Jh_viMSnyezpGyO0kWvlXb9qkKrO-owg07zCGeAE/s1600/Ty+Vs+Rick.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">"ENOUGH WITH THE "STUFF 'N THANGS" ALREADY!!!"</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason I've been away from the old
blog here - and basically the internet in general - is because I’m stuck trying
to figure out a tough assignment for my current class and I’m devoting all of my focus towards it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simple as that. Actually, sort of
anticlimactic, to be honest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to write an interview piece which
involves getting perspectives from various experts in the field of... sports...
Soccer <i>(or football, as we know it here)</i>,
to be specific.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know next to nothing about sports. If I've
never mentioned it before, I’m not a “sports” kind of guy. I don’t have to a
favorite team. I don’t have a favorite event. Well... maybe I'll watch a women's beach volleyball game or two but I have... reasons.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9IX38-70C_Qm1eCzdZwPbBXEifobwyPG0JiaiuYDSZP7PHqw5zC_gyfUr8SnTjM-6oT8yhk_jdYgnEjtypcLJcP4XJD1lypaW9XEAzXcXCvRIBB7n0iIrYaqNhZSG0zoQxwNeUe7AVs/s1600/Beach+Volleyball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9IX38-70C_Qm1eCzdZwPbBXEifobwyPG0JiaiuYDSZP7PHqw5zC_gyfUr8SnTjM-6oT8yhk_jdYgnEjtypcLJcP4XJD1lypaW9XEAzXcXCvRIBB7n0iIrYaqNhZSG0zoQxwNeUe7AVs/s1600/Beach+Volleyball.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know barely enough to fake my
way through a conversation about any type of sport so I usually just try to
avoid interaction with sporting <i>aficionados</i>
altogether. This means I have to do a lot of research on the game just to
figure out what I’m supposed to ask.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then again I generally try to avoid interaction
with most types of people so I guess no one would really notice anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, basically, until I get this assignment
over and done with, I expect I’m going to be AWOL for a bit longer. Until then, you guys
just keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll catch up as soon as I’m done.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-4280480996124365072014-10-17T06:30:00.000-04:002014-10-17T06:30:00.930-04:00If We Were Friends.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iEnYjgZToTNKFukU8nSoMLZQgxuCxP58PV4yNw9AwlNXge4crXgITBys-HpIJ3xD6GWv7ihk_vRp4kydN4-woG5_11UpYwiDlHH-eY_foGFyWWYM52iyOn775b6zgotF6VQqg912xvc/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iEnYjgZToTNKFukU8nSoMLZQgxuCxP58PV4yNw9AwlNXge4crXgITBys-HpIJ3xD6GWv7ihk_vRp4kydN4-woG5_11UpYwiDlHH-eY_foGFyWWYM52iyOn775b6zgotF6VQqg912xvc/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends01.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPFUqpR1XTKtCuqJRyGCLJyg1xjob5LaNyUJRVXznVsJw_UxdCwSguB1qA7u_3dpxXRDBk46kPPK2MEj4NnJz5X6UJH6vzYUeXIvxuikmG_M4eExaZW3GlgszYa5FiUDrSYyIVr8nJFg/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPFUqpR1XTKtCuqJRyGCLJyg1xjob5LaNyUJRVXznVsJw_UxdCwSguB1qA7u_3dpxXRDBk46kPPK2MEj4NnJz5X6UJH6vzYUeXIvxuikmG_M4eExaZW3GlgszYa5FiUDrSYyIVr8nJFg/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends02.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRpY3S_TilYKrc9uXNcvKFADwFi8ckcm1ivCsjJglUkmYphSq5ESY3U09xS_JvPzDSn9Iy7nA_WoXXIM5tpJ-inRGOQK24dGEllIg2eVO-pjnm993guSviv5G5JmZIbZ1DIOT_ObsDto/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRpY3S_TilYKrc9uXNcvKFADwFi8ckcm1ivCsjJglUkmYphSq5ESY3U09xS_JvPzDSn9Iy7nA_WoXXIM5tpJ-inRGOQK24dGEllIg2eVO-pjnm993guSviv5G5JmZIbZ1DIOT_ObsDto/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends03.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WeWIbq8vdAUCrBwMiMkjdpulkRp-RqDB6o-PXIUlXTe6lgVhKQy4WjslZ3hsW5K6yuXn9sBPOS67lh_Kfvb12YNhxKUlJJNBcDCFzKB2CblT-cWl_iq_mz8-UP_XNM9LAjJpHhCkZyo/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WeWIbq8vdAUCrBwMiMkjdpulkRp-RqDB6o-PXIUlXTe6lgVhKQy4WjslZ3hsW5K6yuXn9sBPOS67lh_Kfvb12YNhxKUlJJNBcDCFzKB2CblT-cWl_iq_mz8-UP_XNM9LAjJpHhCkZyo/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends04.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCYdWjjkcWUbdgKSGnDlhpgqls_Xze0oVobRFKXz2DhUuKbL8elZWZuuA9mlkdAMhT7QQkXjZW_yHLFdtkLQx0NbdxXGMm3LCLudr54nIGQh-3KTWME1tke-mFG21sZ-M1_NBa5at9uE/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCYdWjjkcWUbdgKSGnDlhpgqls_Xze0oVobRFKXz2DhUuKbL8elZWZuuA9mlkdAMhT7QQkXjZW_yHLFdtkLQx0NbdxXGMm3LCLudr54nIGQh-3KTWME1tke-mFG21sZ-M1_NBa5at9uE/s1600/If+We+Were+Friends05.png" /></a></div>
<br />Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-71592432916740103842014-10-15T12:56:00.001-04:002014-10-16T12:13:18.916-04:00Word Vomit.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been
trying to figure out why I've been avoiding writing lately. It isn't that I
don't have anything to say, or that I've lost interest, or anything like that.
I still want to write and I have tons of stuff going on. There’s the new house, the new puppy, stuff at work, etc. Tons of stuff! It’s just,
every time I think about dropping a few lines <i>(HOLLA!!!)</i> I just... can't. I've started composing posts in my head
more than a few times and, as soon as I sit down to write... <i>nothing</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like I
said, I got stuff going on.. and thangs... s-stuff 'n thangs.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuSA6hjgVdA3gM4AM9QsmvUzR0itGO7F-sFHYrUeJQL4XHmEhrtSt5tcamNE9Us9KyxLo5nHrEhEWcr9bO1JxZQYuSfWS41VhdKo9c3yM_6FvN6H9H-UIsM_5rXnq5XeHRF4eHkz94_E/s1600/Stuff+&+Things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuSA6hjgVdA3gM4AM9QsmvUzR0itGO7F-sFHYrUeJQL4XHmEhrtSt5tcamNE9Us9KyxLo5nHrEhEWcr9bO1JxZQYuSfWS41VhdKo9c3yM_6FvN6H9H-UIsM_5rXnq5XeHRF4eHkz94_E/s1600/Stuff+&+Things.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why is it that, as bloggers who basically
chronicle even the smallest and most inane <i>(okay, maybe I'm just referring to myself with that one)</i> aspects of our lives, the
things that should provide us with excellent material for our posts end up
actually keeping us from posting. I'm talking about all the really big things. We always talk about life getting in the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of the day, though, these big things aren't as blog-worthy as you'd think. Take my stuff... and things... for example:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">NEW HOME:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You'd
think becoming a homeowner for the first time would be a big enough of a deal
that you'd get tons of blog fodder from the experience. Right? But, after you
say, “Hey, guys, I'm buying a house,” there really isn't much more you can add
to the story and still keep it interesting:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- got
approved for house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- went and
saw the house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- signed
all the legal documents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- frantically
trying to scrape up the down payment because they called us earlier than
expected to do the closing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's it. Sure,
it's mostly good news but BOR-ING!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">MARRIAGE:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> All good! Mrs C and I had our eleventh wedding anniversary
on Sunday. We didn't make a big deal about it <i>(we had pizza and wine as our celebratory meal - 'cause that's how we roll)</i> so there isn't
really much to tell there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">WORK:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> I started my new contract three weeks ago and
will be gainfully employed for another two years <i>(YAY!)</i>...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">They left me at the same desk they put me on while I was
on loan to help with the - now stalled -<a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-return.html">White Paper project</a>. Essentially, no one
bothered to think about moving be back to my old desk or to <i>anywhere else</i> where
I could be more productive so I'm just sitting around most days trying to keep myself busy <i>(BOO!)</i> It
seems like a big deal on the surface but what else is there for me to say about
that situation that would be worth mentioning <i>(and not just end up becoming a swear-laden rant)</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SCHOOL:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> At the end of this semester, I'll have my
Associate's degree and be at the halfway point to earning my Bachelor's degree.
Sure it's more like two-thirds the way since it took me twice as long as it should have to get this far when I changed majors. But I
made it. It's great... <i>huge</i>, actually, but I'm particularly inclined to do a practice valedictorian
speech <i>(I'm not giving any at school
either, thankfully)</i> about it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">PUPPY:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Still there, still cute, eats her poop, thinks shoes are chew toys.
Nothing new to report.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhIajmvWxA6rqrWAKVmTeTKD-kUoHdlbkugv5gWVpFwK-79t9cV8B6HkY4bvXLvkiTiykV0LAK6xprdAPEJ3o58R-NTpFN1lieeQIbcQMCXsSsghvQLTXkaPwNcarDlt_kEptC8sxr1w/s1600/Kawaii+Look.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhIajmvWxA6rqrWAKVmTeTKD-kUoHdlbkugv5gWVpFwK-79t9cV8B6HkY4bvXLvkiTiykV0LAK6xprdAPEJ3o58R-NTpFN1lieeQIbcQMCXsSsghvQLTXkaPwNcarDlt_kEptC8sxr1w/s1600/Kawaii+Look.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I think my cuteness deserves a little more mentioning than that."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The more I
think about it, the more I realize it really is the little things that matter.
I think I've been stressing so much about writing about each of these big
things and giving them their proper place of importance with grand, well worded
posts, filled with humor and excitement that I forgot that inane is what I do
best. Maybe now that I've listed all these and got them out of the way I'll be
able to get back to business as usual.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll see.</span></span></div>
</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-80255913175330251752014-08-14T10:53:00.000-04:002014-08-14T11:14:33.212-04:00And That's What I Did During My One-Month Vacation.<div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginMdY0ulwYN9mCz65FqncQ77Psa6ezy-dbCSHOcTDRG_G5IkM7kxYbht4u2Tq1qES0qWLhw3UEbhTpOPkJOB2Rrw1gzGq40d-Nb3PSCYE3zxLpnCAvvWi4DnBLpxZ_pdajyR715Tf3Aw/s1600/Housekeeping+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, it has been a month since I last posted. No, I'm not going to explain myself. Actually, my plan was to just keep posting like nothing happened but, since I'm not a total douche I've decided to just give you guys some updates of what's been going on in my life in the past month.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">See? So <i>not</i> a total douche.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First off, remember the special assignment I told you I was put on at work? And then I said that due to circumstances mentioned <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-return.html">here</a> they moved us back to the main office and the project was taking a while to get going again? Well... almost four months later... nothing has changed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not. a. damn. thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually, that's not totally true. What little work I had to finish up on the section of the paper I was working on when we moved was done and submitted back in May. Since then, nothing. I mean, literally no more work has been done on the white paper by any of the other team members. One of them even quit before even submitting anything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's not the best part, though. As I mentioned, I was loaned out to another division for the assignment. That means that everyone else on the team was free to go back to their original duties from before the project. I, on the other hand, have been basically abandoned in a new division with almost nothing to do for the last three months. For a lazy slacker this would be paradise. Unfortunately, I'm not a lazy slacker. This is almost like my old job at TinyCo. The only difference is, here, I'm surrounded by people who all have stuff to do and I can't just say, "screw it all!" and take a nap at my desk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's s all the sucky news I'm going to share today. On to happier things.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second on the list: I go on vacation in less than two weeks. It'll be a month long and my first paid vacation in four years. My previous vacations during those years were without pay as they weren't so much "vacations" and were more "unemployment". So, yeah, I've actually been continuously employed long enough to qualify for vacation. I've already got my entire vacation itinerary planned too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHHCfcOpj96uGi8WvYEkxxGAv5_Vmb7h75_5KaknrKYuQdyttK4B5SyzG1boqolf8WPDPbdY_xTLFO9qbrmWVJvUMgD_zFuDb_RqPaZwrOTz9WBBrVAPLS2P70380dPcrXJvcbyPzrq8/s1600/WataMote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHHCfcOpj96uGi8WvYEkxxGAv5_Vmb7h75_5KaknrKYuQdyttK4B5SyzG1boqolf8WPDPbdY_xTLFO9qbrmWVJvUMgD_zFuDb_RqPaZwrOTz9WBBrVAPLS2P70380dPcrXJvcbyPzrq8/s1600/WataMote.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, this also means my one year contract with the government is up but that brings me to update number three:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They gave me <b>two more years</b>! Remember all that stuff I wrote about them saying I was <a href="http://asvinnycsit.blogspot.com/2014/07/oh-so-youre-vinny-c.html">efficient</a>? Well, it turns out they weren't just blowing smoke up my ass. They're so impressed with my performance they decided to approve a new two-year contract for me without me having to go through the usual process of reapplying for the position.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure where exactly they plan to put me when I get back but this could be my chance to get out of this stalled project for good. Win-win, I say.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fourth and final update it's the big one. Mrs C and I will soon become homeowners.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, you read right. We're getting our own house. To properly tell the story, I'll take you back a bit...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">About six years ago we applied to the government for a flat in one of their housing schemes. They build low-to-medium income homes all over the country and the terms are much easier to manage than going through real estate agencies and the bank. We went through the entire application process and were sure we qualified. Then I lost my job at the bank and we basically put the whole thing on the back burner.</span> After that, an election came, the government changed and our application was apparently lost in the void.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't lie, Mrs C deserves a lot of credit for this. While I was trying to get back on my feet, my wife never gave up and she would check up on it every so often. Her last resort was to get our representative for the area to write them and that was when our old application finally turned up. Of course, we head to reapply after so much time had passed. Then, last week, I got the call that we were allocated a unit in a new development in the east.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">SWEET!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll have to leave the town we've called home for most of our married lives <i>(which was conveniently close to the capital too)</i>, and move all the way to practically the other side of the island where we'll have to battle insane rush hour traffic to-and-from work. But we won't be renters anymore so it'll be worth it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So that is basically what I've been up to in the past month. See? Nothing special really.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456755389981750866.post-85217539985251779222014-07-15T12:09:00.002-04:002014-07-15T13:29:22.747-04:00Also In The News... The Case Of The Twice-Sold Baby.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R3RJSr3Ij5LVr5r4iXu16TteT4ry5lhTcN6_LrSXjMN8SuASAzgXCSPUR2QFAiK6g_nAxAz6dh76gTnvHDv6Ma5M5y9dhGw1XPD2kDNHKD721ucL97ocZtnE-zdciCcpG0P6hqw8gY4/s1600/Crazy+But+True+Notice.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s been a
while since I posted something from the headlines. However, I recently came
across a story that filled me with an overwhelming feeling of <i>“WTF?”</i> and I thought I’d share it with
you all. If you had any faith left in humanity be prepared to lose it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Our tale - which I read <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/07/11/chinese-game-addict-sells-his-son-twice-to-traffickers-to-fund-his-gaming-expenses/">here</a></i> - comes from China, where a couple in the</span> Guangdong Province has been
arrested for selling their young son... TWICE!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In jail are 20-year-old sperm donor, A-hui and his
girlfriend the 19-year-old “mother”, A-mei.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPx-LsQMzRf9bzTb0cO9IBuTdWtiGTQZTrRiVbZI_VVghgeTQ_phiyKupBzsFINh3GaYS9U_Yek8ANhwleU-XWVWMzY71ineGwn53eIwjH6bh5iD4P-rXCBTIlbUGHMCPMgNLG5LbjA/s1600/A-hui+&+A-mei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPx-LsQMzRf9bzTb0cO9IBuTdWtiGTQZTrRiVbZI_VVghgeTQ_phiyKupBzsFINh3GaYS9U_Yek8ANhwleU-XWVWMzY71ineGwn53eIwjH6bh5iD4P-rXCBTIlbUGHMCPMgNLG5LbjA/s1600/A-hui+&+A-mei.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After these parents-of-the-year
contenders got off the hook in January for selling their 4-day-old son, they
turned right around and did it again last month. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Their excuse the first time was that they were neither
married nor ready for the responsibilities of parenthood. They decided to sell the
child to a trafficker for 20,000 Chinese Yuan (about US$3,225). This would have
been the end of the matter, as far as they were concerned, were it not for the
child’s grandfather, on the father’s side. When he found out what they had
done, he found the trafficker and bought the child back, having to pay the
marked-up price of 30,000 Yuan (US$4,836).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, grandpa made the questionable decision of
returning the boy to the custody of his parents and they all kept the incident
between themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Still, it seemed like things were going okay for a while
after that incident. In May, A-hui and A-mei moved to another city, A-hui got a
job in a restaurant <span lang="EN-US">while
A-mei stayed home and took care of baby. A-hui’s income was modest, to say the
least (he only brought in </span>3,000 Yuan (US$484) a month from his
job) but they appeared to be managing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Until daddy’s little obsession reared its ugly head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Before I go any further let me confess, I play video games.
I LOVE video games. I’d dedicate at least one-third of my waking hours playing video
games if I could <i>(the other two-thirds would
be evenly distributed between watching Japanese anime and blogging, FYI)</i>. That
being said, I've also spent money <i>on,</i>
as well as, <i>in</i> video games. Still, I
know where to draw the line. There are some, however, who do not. <span lang="EN-US">Once upon a time when I wrote on
Sprocket, I shared a story about a promising young Japanese police officer who tried
<i>(and failed)</i> to blackmail a woman to fund
his gaming addiction. </span>A-hui takes things a step further, though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Instead of
feeding his new family, A-hui spent his modest paycheck in internet cafes where
he played online games well into the night, as he used up the family’s only
source of income to level up his in-game weapons and armor. Then, in June, when it
became clear his salary alone wasn't going to cut it, the couple made the
decision to get in touch with the traffickers they sold the child to before so
they could put him up for sale the second time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Yeah...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">This time
around they only got </span>16,000 Yuan (US$2,580) for their son. Whether this
was because the traffickers knew they were desperate or because they factored
in the diminishing value on return babies is unknown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Again, grandpa found out. This time, however, he was fed up
and decided to put the matter into the hands of the police. Both “parents” were
arrested and now police are trying to track the baby down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">During her
incarceration, A-mei said her <i>baby daddy</i>
blatantly declared to her that he did not care what happened to the child. Even
when she went so far as to threaten to beat the child up, he remained totally
unconcerned and said she could do whatever she wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Yeah, isn't he a piece of... work!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">My only hope is that the
police are able to find the child and, at the end of all this, he ends up in a
good home with parents who place much value on him that the cost of virtual gaming
gear. Well... that and for someone to sell A-hui on the black market.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">They probably won't get much, though.</span></div>
Vinny Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807312191102871918noreply@blogger.com16