Discuss, Poll #50, Movie Seats.

So, not too long ago, I went to the movie theater to check out something new from Hollywood. The movie start was listed as 7:30PM. Not 7PM or 7:45, mind you, but 7:30PM. I think most people can plan around this... drive time, tickets, snacks, seating, previews, etc.

As we can all probably guess, I like to arrive well in advance, perhaps even too advanced. But, I do none-the-less. I arrived, parked, purchased a ticket, and sat down right around 7PM. I got a great seat about 4 rows up, right in the middle. I was happy and relaxed for the start of my movie show.

Well, who doesn't come in about 10 minutes later (7:10PM) and choose to sit literally next to me on my left - an old, large, white guy. He had buffer seats to give. But no, bangs my elbow right away. Fine. I jumped one seat over to have that one seat buffer on each side. Someone was already one seat to my right. Sounds good. It's now 7:20PM and I'm literally sitting pretty.

Previews begin and the lights go to "half house" (?). Then it really begins. A large, white woman (maybe everyone seems large to me or everyone is large but me?) comes to the aisle in the row in front of me and asks at least two groups to move one over so she can have two seats next to each other. THEN, she asks a guy in my row if anyone's next to him. He says no (why don't people fib when asked this?) and then she asks him to ask me if I'm using it. Of course, I've heard her entire entrance into the theater and I know what's next. Unhappily, I just jump one seat to my left (next to the old white dude) and then have any buffer taken up on my right.

Great. The movie's about to start and I'm stuck in the middle of the row for the duration. The late, large, lazy lady in front of me has a great seat and didn't even break a sweat (though the stairs were numerous).

I guess it's not a big deal, but I would have liked to stay in my seat with buffer. I feel if you arrive late, don't bother others to get your favorite spot, it's not fair. Anyone else care to chime in? Call me a jag if you must.

Results, Poll #49, NYE.

So, how was everyone's NYE? And New Year's Day? You know, how you act on New Year's Day is how you'll be for the rest of the year. Too late for some, huh?

> 0 people chose 'yeah, i planned in advance for big $' - uuh, recession? or are we just getting wiser as we age?
> 3 people (27%) chose 'maybe, something i was invited to' - did you take them up on the offer? i chose not to, maybe next year.
> 6 people (54%) chose 'a nice night at home ringing in the new year' - again, perhaps reflective of a slowing economy, t/c reader's general smarts, or some kind of combination? this is basically what i did. Easy, peasy, Japanesey (can I say that still?).
> 1 people (9%) chose 'nah, nothing really so far (hoping)' - did it work out? hope you had fun.
> 1 people (9%) chose 'i'm totally getting wasted' - there we go!!! in hindsight, this is probably what i should have made happen at the very least... maybe next year.

11 voters this time... clearly people were taking a break for the holidays. And I would have had things up sooner, but I'm borrowing internet here at home and the wireless isn't always so hot. It's what I get for free.

Happy New Year!

Here are some quotes to think about as you begin the new year.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of a year.

Benjamin Franklin
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.

T. S. Eliot
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

F. M. Knowles, A Cheerful Year Book
He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.

Aisha Elderwyn
Every new year people make resolutions to change aspects of themselves they believe are negative. A majority of people revert back to how they were before and feel like failures. This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.

Results, Poll #49, Home Home.

So, who goes home for the holidays? Let's find out:

> 1 person (9%) chose 'yes, got to or i'll be disowned' - really? or are you just too scared to find out what'll happen if you don't go home?
> 7 people (63%) chose 'yep, i just always do' - i think we all would have guessed this was the majority answer, as it should be.
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nope, not this year' - it was a first for me, going home didn't seem to work out. i basically had 5 days off, with almost nothing to do and no one to see. it was different, but i have to say, not a bad different. a topical island and fruity drink would have made it very enjoyable.
> 0 people (0%) chose 'no, i usually don't' - i guess all of us have good relationships with our still alive parents. but, not the entirety of the t.c readership voted on this poll. hmmmm.

So there you have it. How we like to spend our holiday.
New poll has been up for sometime.

Quality with a capital 'Q', Part II.

I thought I would show off my new work-home. There's only a few, so you can't get the full impact of the place, but it's a good taste. If you're ever in the area, I can host visitors, depending on the day of the week, time of year, etc.

This is known as the "Hub". Not only is it a bike term, but it also accurately describes this area of the newer 2nd floor office. It has most things one might need during the day. Shown is the coffee, tea, latte bar, which also has our recycling area, small sink, and small fridge. I've already attended an after-hours beverage meeting here, hosted by a vendor. Not shown are some other areas like printer/fax area and some relaxed open meeting areas.


This is taken from the same spot as the first picture, but just to the left a bit. You can see more of the relaxed meeting areas (most of the IKEA couches are actually from SRAM). But, you can also see the use of natural light. It fills much of this (my) 2nd floor office space. It not only makes people feel better (during the loooong winter), but cuts down on lighting/energy costs too.


Finally, I would be remiss if I did not show the biggest and most lucrative part of the place, the warehouse floor. Again, this is taken from my 2nd floor office area, looking right down onto the 35ft tall shelving units. The forklifts are "guided by wire" down these long pathways, to ensure the forklift is striaght and can rise up true enough not to bang into anything (which would be bad).

HO HO HO!!!

I hope it's a white Christmas for all of you that want one... I get one no matter what. Maybe this is the year for my Red Rider BB Gun? Anyone get some coal? (No, surely not a t.c reader...)

Results, Poll #48, Pine.

Seems like a very mixed bag of results this week, but I suspect it maybe due to my shotgun approach on the writing of the responses. Ah well...

> 2 people (15%) 'yep, we had the christmas tree up for weeks' - sounds nice and cozy. make some warm nuts on the fire. "would you like my warm nuts?!"
> 4 people (30%) 'yeah, i put up a little tree for myself' - well, you did what you could, good effort. Santa will be pleased.
> 1 person (7%) 'yes, but all about kwanza' - a very multi-cultural holiday.
> 0 people (0%) 'sure, the dradle and menorah are out big time' - no mazaltoff for you then!
> 3 people (23%) 'not a holiday display, only the festivus pole' - alright smart-alecs - would one of you please photograph said pole and send me the pic? i'll not only post it but think of something extra for you too.
> 3 people (23%) 'nah, it's just lil ole me' - i hear ya, why bother? it's better to see "the real deal" at someone else's house.

13 votes up this week, new poll up NOW!
Thanks to all of your for reading in 2008. I hope the trend continues and grows in 2009.