jormagund

I haven't been very good at keeping up my own blog OR commenting lately. I guess I go through phases. Oh well.

I got the iPhone this week. I resisted this temptation for two years, but finally gave in. Incidentally, if anyone wants to take over a Verizon contract with one year left on it... let me know. I wont hold my breath though. Thus far my only real disappointment with the Apple telephone is the fact that voice dialing isn't an included feature. WTF? Every other phone I've owned was capable of this. Sure you can pay a monthly fee for the official service but that's just downright ridiculous. I still have much to discover in regards to the available apps... I don't have much yet aside from Pandora and a solitaire game. I transferred over some BSG episodes. I'll probably pick and choose some music to sync when I get around to it. Anyhow, if anyone wants my new number just let me know.

I bought snow tires this year for the first time ever. I figured as much as my new car is costing me for the next five years, it would probably be a sound investment in safety. When all was said and done (alignment, balancing, etc) I'd spent $700. But with the extraordinary amount of snow and ice we've had already this winter, I feel as if they've paid off. I was really quite astounded at the difference the first time I drove in slippery weather. Much, much more grip than so-called all-season sneakers. Since I'm frequently driving into work during pre-dawn hours I find many roads barely treated... and these have been a lifesaver.

Work has been going well, which says a lot considering the dismal state of the economy and 10% unemployment in Rhode Island. In fact, I've been promoted. I'm now the lead driver at my facility. That came with a minor ($1) raise, and lots of new responsibilities. But everything expected of me is right up my alley. My ascension ruffled a few feathers, however. Of the six full time drivers currently employed at my location, four of them have more longevity than I do. That isn't to say more experience, or technical or personal skills... but they've been employed there longer. Some people think that is enough, I guess. But fortunately for me my boss (also a former Marine) recognizes performance and potential. So whatever... I am not there to make friends, but to do a job well. Some time in the next few months will be the annual review cycle as well, which (assuming mine is praiseworthy) will finally bump my salary up over the $20/hour threshold. When I applied for this job I asked for $22 and after some contemplation agreed to accept $18. So in the six months I've been here I've already edged that up to $19.75. I'm hoping my review will add another dollar or two.

That reminds me, I need to increase my 401k withholding percentage while everything is in the shitter. Stocks are on sale. With a long-term outlook, now is an excellent buying opportunity.

Had dinner last night at the North End Cafe. Spent a hundred bucks, which included a bottle of wine, two entrees and two appetizers (one soup, one salad), plus the tip. But it was quite nice and I felt it wasn't unreasonable. I don't usually drop that kind of scratch going out to dinner, but now and then it's okay. You can go there and sample the cuisine for a lot less money as well. They even make pizzas.

I got a ticket in Pawtucket a couple of weeks ago for a stop sign. In my car... not while working. I did something of a "Rhode Island Roll". Meaning my wheels never fully stopped moving. Bah. I'm guilty, but you MIGHT think that the US Marine Veteran plates on my car and the fact that I've got a clean driving record MIGHT have warranted letting me off with a warning. No such luck, the bastard. So I'll be in court in a couple weeks utilizing the good driving clause to request a dismissal. It still annoys me, however. So it'll go away but will still cost me the fine, and means I can't utilize that clause again for three years. You might think that cops would be at least slightly more understanding as to how important a driving record is to someone with a CDL. But I guess I am naive to expect that. I'm sure they don't give a fuck. And with all of the state funding cutbacks, towns are scrambling for revenue. That means handing out tickets. In poor economic times, the number of citations increases significantly. True fact. And I'm a customer.

This morning I'm having coffee in my bathrobe and listening to my Latin Guitar station. My maternal grandfather was a musician (among other things)... a guitarist specifically. It's a shame that it was only after he passed that I truly began to appreciate this genre.

I'm not sure how to handle random SGs requesting my friendship. I tend to doubt that these are people actually reading my blog. Which is usually how I determine whether or not someone oughta be a friend. It seems reasonable to me to expect that if you befriend someone on a social networking website that you put forth at least minimal effort in either getting to know them or at least keeping up with them. But alas, the generation younger than mine seems to have a different take on it. The collection of hundreds or thousands of so-called friends seems to be considered perfectly ordinary. I just don't get it. It kinda feels like attention whoring. To be honest, I don't need the ego stroking. There are exceptions, and I'm lucky to know a few. Such as Sophie. I also used to carry on conversations with Eli, Hope, and Kiora. Even exchanged some postcards. Alas, they no longer participate here. I suppose the SGs have a perspective different from my own... where "this thing called SG" may run its due course in their lives. Even some members seem to get their fill over time and move on, I suppose. I just haven't found it within me to jump on board with the Facebooks and MySpaces out there. This site is cheap enough, and a decent enough place to occasionally dump my thoughts out into the vast interwebz. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I never lose interest in the art. Because you (women) are, in fact, extraordinarily beautiful and creative.

Thanks for reading.