It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

And so we say goodbye to yet another month this year. It's been an interesting day. I spent a good portion of it at the DMV getting my driver's license renewed. It was a really, really, really long line before I even got to the entrance of the building. After that, you wait in a couple more lines and suffer through eye exams and written exams and the photographer that always catches you with your eyes shut. I'm glad that ordeal is over. Maybe next time I'll plan a trip to one of those remote offices in Lancaster or Kettleman City. Anyhow, after I finished my work -- it's amazing how that work stuff just gets in the way, isn't it? -- I ran a few more errands. I got back to the house after the Halloween rush, and noticed that it was a dark and stormy night. The fires continue, but at least the rain is helping a bit. It's been a long week. I could use some sleep. See ya.

Blue Skies . . .

. . . smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see. Yes, we finally got some rain today. The combination of rain and wind has caused some of the smoke and ash to clear away from my area of the world, but surrounding areas are still ablaze. The smoke and ash are on their way to the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas. Ironically, I'm headed over to Phoenix next week, so I'll get another dose of the remnants of Firestorm 2003. Until then, we had a brief view of the blue skies, as the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas experienced a few clear hours. I went shopping today, and bought another one of those high-priced items that I collect. Who could ask for anything more? I'm hungry. I need a sandwich. I'm going back to dining on ashes once again. See ya.

Firestorm

I've been home for almost 24 hours now, and it's been an interesting experience. As you know, we're experiencing a few minor issues here in Southern California. Most notably, WE'RE ON FIRE!!!!!!! As I was returning from San Diego the other night, I drove through the fire and brimstone. This gives new meaning to my adventures through the various rings of hell, from that other blog of mine. Yes, it's been a dark night over Southern California. Over 1000 homes have been destroyed, and many lives lost. The smoke and ash continue to thicken outside, and not only can you see the air, but you can actually feel it. Ironically, I'm home for the next few days to enjoy the disaster. Hey, life's a journey, but there's a bumpy ride ahead. See ya.

Reclaiming The Lost Hour

I just finished writing yet another masterpiece about reclaiming the lost hour. Daylight Savings Time is a strange thing. If you haven't already heard, I'm starting to get a little older, and staying awake all night is becoming one of those problem areas for me lately. With an extra hour, I don't think I'll make it much farther. I think I've seen every infomercial on late night TV. I just watched some sort of cleaning solution infomercial, and found it mildly entertaining. But not as entertaining as the one for the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie or the George Foreman Grill. Hmmmm. I think I need to get a life. Now, I'm going to enjoy that missing hour by going to bed. Time for me to blend into the darkness of the night, once again. *Fade to black* See ya.

The Chameleon Principle

Anyone who works remotely can appreciate the special underground network of communication that gets created by necessity. When you work for a dysfunctional company, you need a way to find out what's going on. Sometimes, the underground network is a lot more accurate than any visit to an office. This is the only way you can find out who got fired, who is still employed, and who got transferred. It's hard to keep up without a scorecard. In order to keep the underground going, you need to know The Chameleon Principle. The most important part of it all is the ability to blend into the darkness of the night, along with the rest of the underground network. Wow, I'm beginning to sound like Batman. Hey, heroes aren't hard to find. Sometimes they're right in front of you. See ya.

There's A Future In The Past

I just read that station wagons are coming back, and there's calling it a blast from the past. It's funny, though. I never thought they went out of style to begin with. After all, I drove my station wagon for 13 years before I bought my new one last year. Of course, the manufacturer did stop making station wagons for an 8 year period before starting production once again. I like to think that I'm timeless, but deep down, I know that I tend to gravitate toward the past. After all, in the past, the rent is cheaper. Ha! I've been called a relic in my own time, but I still think there's a future in the past. Maybe my next job should be a museum curator or an antique dealer. See ya.

Destiny's Choice

If you were so inclined, you entered this page by finding my URL through blogger at destinyschoice.blogspot.com. At the time I created this blog, there was really no hidden meaning to the title. It kind of sounds like some sort of romance novel, doesn't it? It had occurred to me that we all read or sometimes write about those things that are missing from our lives, so maybe the title came from some sort of unconscious level. In the last few posts, I've been really down about work, and rightly so. But I'm taking a breather from that for a moment to write about all of those things that have been missing lately. I, as many others, have been too caught up in daily life lately. I just saw the bulk of my friends this weekend. I realize that we all have busy lives, and in order to enjoy each other's company, we all had to make the time. It really isn't destiny's choice for anyone to become engulfed within their own little world. The choice is yours. So, until next time. Get a life! See ya.

Jaded

I know change is supposed to be important and beneficial, but when good and honest people are lost in the process, I think change can be a bad thing. If I wasn't jaded before this, I sure am now. In these changing times, I think it's necessary for some other things to change as well. The job search still continues, and I am thinking of doing something a little different. Too often have we created an identity of self with our jobs. I have gotten to the point of separation, as I feel, for the first time, that my job and I are separate entities. To some degree, identity with your job isn't always a bad thing. The more passionate and enthusiastic you are about what you do adds to your performance in your job. I'm not playing that game any more. There are now more important things in life that require my attention. I'm after some new challenges. The stange ride through the job market continues, as I also get back to basics. There's a lot more to tell, but I'll save that for my next editorial. As I said earlier, "Another day, another segue!" See ya.

Crossroads, Part 2

I'm finally home, after racing with my luggage back to Los Angeles. See that other blog of mine for more details about that. I've made one of those life-changing decisions this week, if you haven't already guessed by reading the last post. I'm leaving my current job at the earliest opportunity possible. It's been one of those decisions that I have been struggling with for a long time. After an irritating message from someone, I decided that it was time for me to make a change. That was just the topper, though. There have been so many things that I have had a problem with in this job, and it really isn't the same job as when I started. I think the only way to affect some change is for me to completely be removed from the job. Maybe that's what makes (or will make) the difference. In any event, wish me luck. It's going to be an interesting ride for the next few weeks. The job search continues. See ya.

Crossroads

I've been in Philadelphia most of the week, which is unusual, since I am regularly out for a day at a time in various locations. After an irritating occurrence, I've been reflecting on the last several years. I just realized that this part of my career is over. It's been over for a long time now, but I'm still here, and I just hadn't recognized that it's been time to move on for quite a while. No, the travel hasn't been enough. It hasn't filled up all of the empty spaces in my life. I'm just getting the feeling that I'm not making a difference any more. I guess that's what the ironic foreshadowing was all about a few weeks ago. It's ironic that I don't mind the travel, the really bad treatment, excessive work hours, or many of the other things that really suck about my current job. I just need to make a difference somewhere again. Let the job search begin. See ya.

Let Freedom Ring Again

I just happened to be in Philadelphia for yet another great moment in history. Today, the Liberty Bell was moved for the first time since 1976. I'm sort of sequestered in a hotel right next to Independence Mall, where the bell has been in a pavillion for the last 27 years. Many precautions, including sensors on the bell's crack, were taken for this historic event. Although they were moving it less than 1000 feet, it was one of those monumental tasks, since the bell weighs over a ton. Hey, at least I was nearby. More than I can usually say for a lot of those historical moments. All patriots, please rise, and let freedom ring! See ya.

The Five Year Itch

Five years ago, I started playing Final Fantasy VII. Tonight, I finally finished the game. I invited my friend Jon to join me in this historic venture. Well, I finished it all right, but it caused more questions than answers. In the five years it has taken me to resolve this game, there have been many unanswered questions, but never as many questions as I have now. I'm not going to give away the ending of the game, but, suffice it to say, it does make you contemplate existence. It's finally over, and I am filled with more questions than answers, but at least it brings some closure to a really long day. I feel like Bill Murray at the end of Groundhog Day. Maybe it's time to start Final Fantasy VIII. Or maybe I should stop playing games and start working on other things that are more important. To quote Opus the penguin, "Another day, another segue." See ya.

Suddenly, Fifteen Years Later

As I've mentioned a few times before, I'm not eighteen, and haven't been eighteen for fifteen years or so. It's been most apparent this week. I just did the California to Florida to Michigan to Springfield to California run. D'oh. No, I'm not giving up. I'm just exhausted, that's all. I think I've been working for so long and so consistently that I sometimes forget that I'm not indestructible. It's starting to get cold again. I just noticed that it was near freezing temperatures in Detroit. Of course it should have been. After all, it was late September. I mean, what was I thinking? No jacket, no long-sleeved shirts for what little leisure time we have after work. Time seems to be passing at a different rate these days. I guess that just goes with the territory. For now, I have my retirement plan in motion. It also involves the retirement of my new sidekick, Demo Duck. Don't ask. Anyhow, here's to the next fifteen years. See ya.