Circular Reasoning

Friday

Poe — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 12:04:02 -0700

I always assumed (yes I know....ass out of you and me) that it was a universal concept that if you had to work on Fridays, it was to be noticeably smoother and less stressful day then the rest of the week. Apparently the bulk of the people I work with did not get the memo. I am not saying that it should be a kick your foot up and not do a damn thing kind of day, but one should not be able to compare Friday to Monday.

Maybe that's it....people think its Monday!

WAKE UP YOU TARDS!!

ITS FRIDAY!!

Stupid Collar

Poe — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:29:56 -0700

I think this would have to be a voluntary thing, with the ability to remove it when you have had enough.

The "Stupid Collar" would be a collar worn around the neck (obviously). This would be a special collar though....it would have little electrodes that would be flush with your skin that would emit an appropriate level of electricity every time you do something stupid. There would have to be some sort of range program involved that could discern between say J walking and going 20 mph on the on ramp to a freeway, but other then that I think there is technology out today that could accomplish this little toy of mine.

Again I must say this should be a voluntary thing......otherwise, when all the really stupid peoples heads exploded, their families could sue.

WWWDW

Poe — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:53:02 -0700

What Would We Do Wednesdays

Today's question comes from Mr. Fabulous: Is it okay to keep secrets from your spouse?

This is a very good question, on the surface it has a very easy answer... No - But that would depend on the individual's definition of "secret."

Is a surprise a secret? I'm not talking about "Surprise!!! I have another family in Texas!!" I'm talking about a surprise birthday party or a surprise date night. Those are more fun if kept secret until the time, but I think that is the heart of the matter. I think there is nothing wrong with keeping a secret, IF there is a predetermined time and place that the secret will be revealed to and enjoyed by the person who didn't know.

The bottom line: Openness and honesty are the best policies.

Find out what Sparks thought of the question!

Need advice? Have a question? What would we do? Send a comment or email and ask! Maybe you'll be featured next Wednesday!

SK8 or DIE

Poe — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:40:57 -0700

OK....brief history, I have owned every system since the Comidor 64 with the exception of the Jaguar and Game Cube. I have played/wasted many many hours on BEBEBEBE BEEPS. I am now on Gamefly, its Netflicks for games and its awesome.....except people treat games worse then DVDs and most people don't treat DVDs great even when its theirs much less a rental, but I digress.

I got Tony Hawks American Wastland. I am not sure what a "mid-life crisis" is but if its a 30 year old kid wanting to go out and get a skateboard to see what he can still do then this game has officially through me over that particular cliff. The game-play is crisp, fluid and easy to master without being stupid. I used to skate when I was in Junior High and this game has brought back some very cool memories.

So anybody who had a ramp or 1/4 pipe in their backyard as a kid should check this one out.

Plus........Boingo is on the sound track!

Us VS. Them

Poe — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:06:31 -0700

I work for an Architectural Metals company, and we have 3 locations. One in Georgia, one in Arizona and mine here in California. I am the only "CADD guy" at this location. This is an interesting situation in and of itself because my direct supervisor is in Georgia.....so he is not only in a different state, but a different time-zone.

This can create issues in many different areas, many that do not directly affect me. When I was first hired, I spent my first week in Georgia training. Over and over they expressed to me the "Us vs. Them" mentality and their desire for me not to get caught up in it. I think I have achieved this, but it is not the two way street it should be.

First, I was running Auto CADD 200i while Georgia was on 2004. Without going in to much detail, in autocadd, you can open drawings created in a version older than yours, but not newer. So I would get drawings from clients, 2004 or higher, have to send them to Georgia so they could save down, then have them send them back for me to be able to open them. Our controller ( read acting C.F.O.) decided this was bullshit, which it was, and got me 2006. It never reached my excited, eager little hands. Why you might ask? ...because when Georgia got wind of this, it was re-routed to them, and one of the 2004's were sent to me instead.

Not happy, but neither was C.F.O. guy. It was around this time he got us on a subscription so we received the lattest version when it came out... ALL of us. But this is not an us vs. them thing. My ass!

Since then, I have gotten more RAM, a new printer, a new chair and when our IT person heard it took my computer 15 min. to get to where I could open any programs.... a new computer. The subject of software was brought up and I suggested a 3-D program. SUGGESTED. You would think I was asking for a company car! In the hours that followed; my boss, the VP of design (his boss) and D. (not related to our department) had talked to our new C.F.O. all saying NO NO NO NO! Why? Not because it would not be beneficial to everything I do, but because I would have it and not them.

But its NOT an us. vs. them thing........MY ASS!

WWWDW

Poe — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:20:59 -0700

What Would We Do Wednesdays

Today's question comes from Margie at ThirdMom...

"The situation:

Couple XYZ have two cars:

Old van that runs fine, is also pretty good on gas, has well over 100K miles, but is needed from time to time for Spouse A's hobbies
SUV that's not too big and pretty good on gas but approaching 100K miles – Spouse B loves this car

The challenge:

Son is now driving and will need a car to get to and from school next year.

In your opinions, what's the best way to meet the new car need without totally busting the budget? What should we sell, what should we keep, what should we buy?"

Interesting, a little glimpse into my/our future. I have seen the parents who buy their kids the new 2000 whatever cars and it drives me up the wall! I am of the opinion that if I am paying……my car will be better than theirs.

Than said, this is what I would propose in the afore mentioned situation. The SUV should stay with spouse B. The van can either given to youth, or be soled and a used little compact bought for the young man. The only issue with the first option is what I would have done with a van in high school. With this running through my head, I would lean toward the latter suggestion.

This leaves us with spouse A without a ride. The hobbies would obviously affect the kind of vehicle needed, but the main jest is spouse B gets a “new” car. I would suggest one of those “previously owned” things, something that will provide a good warranty and maintains.

For the record……..I am spouse B.

Go see what my wife had to say about it...

WWWDW

Poe — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

What Would We Do Wednesdays

ButtonWillow Asks:

"When you have one of those days where your spouse is making you crazy, do you ignore it and just get on with life, or take some sort of action specifically targeted at your marriage?"

First off, we must define “crazy”. My beautiful, sweet slightly insane wife does things on a regular basis that “irritate” or “bug” me, but do they drive me crazy? No. I love my wife because of her quirks, not despite them.

We, I think, have a very blessed relationship in that we almost never fight, or even argue. It sounds unbelievable I know, but it’s true. The few times we have, were mostly either my trying to annoy her, usually by purposely taking an opposite position on a particular subject I know she feels strongly about, or my being stupid.

The best advice I have ever heard, for married people, is to never go to sleep angry. It works.

Now, if a situation arose……where we were fighting or she was doing something that was driving me up the wall……………….usually, I just point out where she is wrong or offer an alternative to the annoying behavior, then leave it to her to correct what needs to be corrected. In those rare cases that I am wrong……yes it happens, I apologize and do my darndest to do what I need to do to ensure that I do not make the same mistake again.

I must admit something though, if I get particularly up set or frustrated with a particular situation, I clam up. Not a word. I know I have a sharp tongue and, when angry, the little filter between my brain and my mouth gets thinner and thinner. It is better, for me at least, to let thing run unchecked to better understand why I am reacting or feeling the way I am and the safest place to do that is in my head. After this mental assault runs it’s course, I usually can articulate what is bothering me in a way that my wife can respond to, if not completely understand.

So, I guess…….the answer to your question is both, but never in a destructive or sabatoging manner.

What did Sparks have to say about it?

He said.....She said

Poe — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 15:29:49 -0700

Starting soon, there will be a new section on this page and my wife's page, www.sparksandbutterflies.com, that will include both our respective opinions on subjects, books, movies.....whatever you as our readers can come-up with. Keep your eyes peeled and feel free to send in your ideas!

Bitch Thearpy

Poe — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:59:57 -0700

Sounds extremely degrading doesn't it........well its not that kind of "bitch". I am referring to when it is used as an explicative or exclamation point. I know it is a bit confusing, just go with me for a sec.

There are two steps to my "Bitch Therapy". The first stage is done completely in your head. Simply end every sentence you speak with bitch. Here are a few examples, remember bitch is said in your head.

1. Can you get me another cup of coffee........BITCH.

2. Would you check if we have this type of material in stock.....BITCH.

3. Whats for dinner.......BITCH.

It might make you feel uncomfortable, but it is a release for tension, anger and frustration without physical hurting anyone or git ting fired, and it works.

Now, the second phase is a little more liberating, but rarely ever achieved. You guess it.....verbally ending everything with BITCH. This is not recommend this for the average bear, as it most likely will lead fights, tears, divorce or you getting fired. But among friends........you might be able to get away with it.

"Good Job"

Poe — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:18:39 -0700

It is amazing how far a little "ata boy" goes. Recognition is such an easy thing to provide, but it seems that the higher up the food chain you go the harder it is to give. People above me wonder how I can get the guys in the warehouse to do things for me when they already told them that either it couldn't be done until tomorrow or not at all. Its nothing special, I just have their respect because they know I will show appreciation for everything they do.

Its amazing how far a little "ata boy" goes.

Freedom

Poe — Wed, 31 May 2006 09:22:04 -0700

How can people, mainly the bulk of the media, be so blind to something that puts food on their family's table, lets them drive nice cars.....and that delivers on to them a level of fame (or notorious depending on who you talk to) equal to a movie star?

I understand when someone says they are against war, only a complete moron would say they look forward to or enjoy the death and destruction that war is. How can anyone truly say they support the war in Iraq then? Not with an us or them mentality, but with the understanding that with the freedom the we as Americans enjoy there comes certain obligations. One of which is the responsibility to stand between those who seek the same freedom for themselves and for their children, and those who seek to turn or keep those people scared and as powerless as possible.

Freedom is not a right.

Freedom is not free.

The freedom we have to disagree; protest, vote, go to school or not to go to school, pray to who we want or not to pray at all, was earned and defended against those who would destroy those freedoms. Those men and women fighting and dieing, do so to ensure that you and I will not ever have to live under those conditions.

If there was a United States of America when we fought for our independence, you bet your ass they would have been the first ones to jump to our aid. "War is not the answer".....tell that to Washington, Jefferson and Adams!

Stupidity v.s. Ignorance

Poe — Fri, 26 May 2006 14:36:59 -0700

Once again I am confronted by a stupid person claiming to be ignorant. If you possess knowledge about a specific subject, and decide to do, say or instruct someone to do something that flys right in the face of that knowledge or understanding......that's stupid. Not have knowledge or understanding, is ignorant.

Contrary to popular belief, I do not know everything. I am comfortable with that fact and don't try to contribute or validate that filthy rumor, (no matter how tempting) and therefore have no problem admitting ignorance. I am not, however, stupid. If I am unsure of something, or do not understand a course of action......I ASK QUESTIONS!

Stupid people irritate me almost to the point of violence, and there is nothing wrong with small, controlled displays of violence. I find them therapeutic.

Thanks baby!

Poe — Fri, 26 May 2006 12:03:08 -0700

First off, I just want to say, MY WIFE ROCKS! My little butterfly is the one responsible for providing me an outlet for, not to mention exposing the world to, my own slightly insane view of EVERYTHING. From my unhealthy addiction to video games, Oblivion for the 360 is my current affliction, to what I think of Tom-Kat (eewwww).

This is my first attempt at anything like this so I am not sure where it will end up, but I must admit I am kinda excited. And just for the record....I cant spell my way out of a wet paper bag and any puncuation other then a period, comma or exclamation point just confuse me. THANK GOD FOR SPELL CHECK, and any errors I lay directly at its feet.

Test....

Poe — Fri, 26 May 2006 08:46:06 -0700

Testing if my wife did this right.

Set up

Poe — Thu, 25 May 2006 11:17:04 -0700

This is Michele - Poe's adoring, sexy, and highly intelligent wife. He asked me to set all this up for him. And this is his first test post. Updating soon...