Career Builder

It's been a busy week of looking for a job. I met yesterday with a headhunter who was exceptionally nice. She's very hopeful and thinks she has some leads already. Also, I found out exactly how "old school" I am.

You see, the last time I updated my resume and looked for a job, the standard was that your resume shouldn't be over one page in length. Seems that has completely changed. She was mystified after speaking to me as to why I hadn't included all the information I gave her in my resume. I explained that I only had so much room in order to keep it under one page. She laughed and told me no one does that anymore. *sigh* Showing my age there.

She's going to help me extend it. Not that this should be too hard. It was difficult just to keep it to one page, so making it longer is easier.

I've been contacted by a few people. Mostly sales positions for insurance agencies. Not my bag. Sorry, but I couldn't sell air in a bottle to my mother. I've also been contacted by the Navy. Seems they think I would make a good Intel officer. Sounds all peachy, but I'm not up for leaving my family for months at a shot yet. If I don't find something soon, though, that may start to look more attractive.

A Week of Unemployeement

Well, the first week has passed. It's time for me to get busy.

Not that I've been resting on my laurels, as it were, but I've not done that much in job looking yet. Mostly, I've been trying to get my mind around the situation. To do so, I've cleaned like there's no tomorrow. My garage/workshop is actually a usable space for the first time since we moved into this house. You can eat off the floor in there. Also, I've been earning my keep by helping the wife around the house. I just finished laying some trim around the floorboards in my living room and hallway as well. So, I've not been idle, just trying to stay busy.

I did find out through friends at my old business that the decision wasn't "personal". I thought that I had been let go because of performance issues. Turns out that the case was purely one of money. To me, that's a huge release. You know how it is. You spend hours trying to figure out what you did wrong, or didn't do enough of, or one of many other various "what if" scenarios. Apparently, nothing I did or did not do would have mattered. I was expendable because I had been there so long (almost 10 years) and was near the top of my pay scale. It was either promote me or get rid of me. And in an effort to save money, they decided for the latter. OK, I can accept that. I don't like it, but I get it.

So I've spent the day plastering the internet with my resume. I've sent it to three head-hunting agencies, and three companies with open positions. Also, I've got some other leads via friends and family that might pan out. Cross your fingers.

Well, That's That

So much for my problems with the iPhone. Seems they didn't want to keep me around to use the thing.

Like so many other Americans, I just got laid off.

Corporate mismanagement? Malfeasance? Perhaps, perhaps not. What matters is, I'm now a statistic.

*sigh*

All I Wanted Was Some AC/DC

Apparently I'm just not staying in touch enough for my boss. So what did he do? He got me an iPhone.

Now I've resisted getting one of these things because...

1. It's trendy. I'm not a trendy person.
   
2. It's pricey. I didn't have a PDA phone because I couldn't see spending that much money on a phone and the plan. And...
3. It's Apple. I've dealt with tons of Apple products over the years, and frankly, I think all you Mac people are nuts. Yeah, PCs have tons of problems, but at least they usually give an error code that I can decipher, instead of "An unusual error has occurred, but we have no idea what it was, so have a nice day!"

Now that I've got one, I have to admit...It's pretty freakin' awesome. THIS is what a phone should be. Damn, but in 3 days it has become indispensable. I use this thing for everything. Hell, I don't even open the email client on my laptop unless I need to send something from it.

So, did my boss' nefarious plan to keep me connected to him work? Yeah, I'm connected constantly now. As Forrest would say, "We were like peas and carrots."

Oh, and the AC/DC thing? That's because of iTunes. Yeah, when you get an iPhone, you must sign up for iTunes. Stupid, but I get it. So I'm searching iTunes for some songs earlier, specifically looking for a new ringtone. The ringtone on my old phone was "Back in Black" (except when my wife called, then it was the Imperial March from Star Wars, and let me tell ya fellas, the little woman was not amused when I answered "Yes, my master", especially in the middle of a meeting). So, thinking I could just go download AC/DC's Back in Black to this phone from iTunes' store, I set out to make it so.

No such luck. It seems Apple does not sell AC/DC.

I don't know if this is some sort of plot, or if AC/DC is boycotting Apple, or if Steve Jobs doesn't like AC/DC, or what, but I am very annoyed. Honestly, I don't want some new age pop rendition of Back in Black on my phone, or Hayseed Dixie's version (though I do like them). I want the original. I want AC/DC. Stupid iTunes.

I know I've got the CD around here someplace, now I just have to quit being lazy and actually find it. *sigh*

Ah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

I'm still laughing.

Barack Obama fighting game.

Takes a while to load, so be patient.

Best Store Front Ever

Via Flickr.

It's a Webcam World

PCWorld has a nice article with links to the 20 Wildest Webcams.

I don't know about "wildest", but some are pretty damn fun. Damn you, bubblecam. I now have something else that's a complete waste of time (but too much fun to not play with).

Windows 7 Tips

TechRadar has a nice article on 50 Windows 7 Tips.

Believe me, you're going to want to look at it. Windows 7 isn't just Vista SP2.

And all us Vista users might be in for a free upgrade to 7. Sweet!

See? It's Not Just Me

Therapists Say Kinky Sex is on the Rise

Kinky sex: Not just for desperate housewives anymore!

AK Stuff

AskMen.com has 5 Things You Didn't Know: AK-47.

It should be "5 Things You Probably Didn't Know". We're not all illiterate liberals.

Net Neutrality in the Stimulus Bill

According to The Register, Senator Diane Feinstein's attempting to put language into the stimulus bill that would kill net neutrality. The amendment that her provision was attached to was withdrawn, but lobbyists tell Public Knowledge that Feinstein hopes to put it back into the bill during the closed-door conference committee that reconciles the House and Senate versions."

I'm sure you guys remember Feinstein. She's the same devil that came up with the whole Assault Weapons Ban legislation.

I'm beginning to think anything she's involved with is generally a bad idea.

Everything's Better With Zombies

SpoutBlog has a list of 10 Classic Films that would be better with zombies. While I agree with the premise, I don't necessarily agree with the list, so I decided to do my own, and I'm not just sticking to the classics.

10. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. What could be better than Kirk and Khan going Mano-a-Mano? Doing it while dealing with mindless zombies out to eat their brains.

9. Casablanca. A classic romance ripped apart by the realities of war...and zombies!

8. Titanic. Yep, the ship still sinks after hitting an iceberg, but this time, the iceberg is infested with zombies. No survivors, baby!

7. The Wizard of Oz. Dorthy & company streak across Oz to find the Wiz, get home, kill the witch, and bust some zombie ass, not necessarily in that order. Let's face it, Dorthy has a terrific anti-zombie squad. Hell, one of them doesn't even have brains.

6. Any John Wayne movie. Yeah, I could name one, but any John Wayne movie would be good. Can you imagine Stagecoach with zombies? How 'bout The Alamo? Yeah, I can too.

5. Star Wars. Space opera meets zombie flick. Instant classic ensues. At least this time, Obi Wan will get to win after Darth cuts him down. Wonder how resistant that helmet is to zombie teeth?

4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Same movie, except at the end, zombies come pouring out of that spaceship. Yeah, then it would at least be worth sitting through.

3. The Godfather. What could be better than a mobster movie? One with zombies, that's what.

2. West Side Story. Oh, the songs we could write for this one! No more sissy dancing in the streets. Oh no! Running in terror while trying to stay in key. Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about.

1. It's a Wonderful Life. I gotta agree with SpoutBlog on this one. Zombie George? Where do I sign up?

That Would Be Made of Awesome

Neil Patrick Harris is rumored to be up for the role of the Flash.

Well, Duh

Boys videotape girls locker room.

You know, even 10 years ago this wouldn't have been a news story. It would've just been "boys being boys". Now all these kids will end up getting charged with kiddy porn and will be branded sex offenders for life.

It's not like these boys were older than the girls. Give 'em some community service and move on.

Facebook is Sucking the Life Out of Me

Damn you, Spencer.

Let me start by saying I've had a Facebook account since the middle of 2007. I have NEVER even set foot on the site since setting up the account. I didn't care.

A week ago, a buddy of mine said he met up with some old friends via Facebook, and that I really should look up some people that way. OK, I'll give it a go. What the heck.

Now, it seems every time I turn around, my e-mail is full and someone is dying to talk to me via my Wall. Wow, who knew social networking could be so much work?

Call Your Damned Congressman!

I figure the world has enough serious news information. I like to keep things light and entertaining. I don't ordinarily blog serious stuff, but sweet jumpin' Jesus, we need to get the word around on this BS!

"Under HR 45, if you can't pass a complex test written by the U.S. Attorney General (described in detail below), pay the tax, give up fingerprints and a biometric-capable photo of yourself (that can be turned into a digital facial-recognition number and used as a de facto national ID), every gun you own will become contraband and subject to confiscation, while you stand trial before imprisonment."

Read It News has the full story.

Real-Life Spongebob

My kids love Spongebob Squarepants, and to tell the truth, I do to. Sadly, I was not introduced to Spongebob by my children in the first place. My co-workers introduced me. I had no clue about it until they were talking about it. Funny how that works, isn't it?

One of the constants of the Spongebob universe is that poor ol' Spongebob can't get his driver's license. He keeps failing the test.

It makes me feel sorry for this lady, who like Spongebob, keeps failing the test and going back for more.

Nerd Rage

Man Robs Convenience Stores With Klingon "Batleth".

You there, have you ever kissed a girl?

TEMA Snowman

Here's the pic of our snowman. :-)

Snow Day

Well, school, work, life in general has been canceled for the rest of the day here in Knoxville. We've got slush on the roads and about 2 inches of snow in the yard. It's good, wet snow too, so perfect for making a snowman. I'll try to post pictures later. :-)

I've been thinking of getting my concealed carry permit lately. I think of this from time-to-time, most of the time convincing myself that I have no need of it, but lately I think I don't care and I just want it. So, my question is what do I want to carry? The only guns I have any more are antiques and shouldn't be carried for fear of damage (shot is fine, if proper care is taken).

I'm really a large caliber person, so I prefer something .40 or above, but I really don't want to carry a bulky weapon all the time either. I've always been a fan of the looks of the Walther PPK, but I never liked its action. Luckily I have hands small enough to avoid being eaten by the infamous PPK, but its extreme muzzle climb has always annoyed me.

I've considered a revolver, but it's a bit bulky to keep in the small of your back, especially in the calibers I like. The last revolver I owned was a S&W .41 Mag with a 2" barrel and round grip (Lew Horton special). I loved it, but it was sorta useless. It was just a very expensive noisemaker 'cause it was WAY too big to be a useful carry pistol (same frame as .44 Mag, just more metal), and with that 2" barrel, was about useless over 10 yards. I just couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Likely, it was the owner's fault, not the pistol, but I could always shoot well with others, so I blamed it.

On a revolver, I really like a minimum of a 4" barrel for shooting, and one of the reasons I want a new pistol is for target practice. I'm giving up smoking, so I need an expensive hobby to take its place. ;-) For instance, on a Colt Peacemaker, I prefer either the 4 3/4" or 5 1/2 barrels. I'm good with the 7" but I don't like carrying that monster in my belt. For me, that's a scabbard pistol. And like I said, I really am not fond of anything much below .40, so that leaves out most small frame revolvers. I do like a .357 Mag, but not as much something with larger lead.

OK, so my ideal weapon is the size, shape, and width (very important) of a Walther PPK, comes in .45 Long Colt or .44 Magnum (Yeah, I'll step down to one of those new fangled, modern rounds, but only for convenience's sake. It's dueced hard to find .45LC at Wal-Mart.) Oh, and no Glocks. I just don't want a mini-Glock. Full sized would be OK, but I'm not carrying one. I don't care if it kicks like a mule, as long as the muzzle climb isn't like shooting a .50 Desert Eagle. Sights don't matter to me, iron or adjustable is just fine. Double action is preferable, but I'm good with single, too (being a long time single action army fan, it's fine). I can get used to anything. Qualified applicants apply within.