Keeping Busy

R.a.n.t. of week 10/03/04

A couple months back I wrote about running out of time. Essentially the r.a.n.t. revealed I squandered a lot of time running away from my priorities.Now things are a little different for me. Now that I've cut a lot of TV viewing and video game playing, I'm finding I have a lot of extra time. Outside of my regular 8:00 - 5:00 job, I've also been keeping busy during the week with writing on Monday and Tuesday's, spending special time with the boys on Wednesday's and meetings on Thursday's. The Wednesday nights with the boys I've been trying to do something different or new with my boys. I'm tired of them thinking video games are the only thing to do. Back in my day, we didn't even have video game systems. And we liked it that way! Errrr......

Sorry, don't know where that came from. Continuing on...

The weekends are different and changes depending if I have my children or not. On the weekends I have them, we mostly relax on Friday's and try to do something different during the weekend. When it's just me, I concentrate a lot on my writing. Additionally, I've been trying to be more proactive when it comes to keeping the house spic and span, going to the gym or working on my photography. I think I do so much now, I may need to cut back on my personal projects. But what would I ever want to cut back on? My photography? Working out at the gym? Writing? LOL, RIGHT! Like that will ever happen!
Reprinted 01/16/13






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
To Much To Do
One thing that has been driving me crazy lately is the number of things that I’d like to get done. There are so many different things to do around the house that I’d like to get to, but I end up just sitting down and forgetting about them. No, it’s not exactly that I’m sitting down and playing and just doing nothing, it’s that my schedule has been so full lately. Monday – Friday I work all week, then Monday I study with my kids and I have meetings on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Wednesday I’ve been trying to get out and do things with the kids. I’ve gotten tired of them thinking that video games are the only thing to do when you are home. So, that does leave me with the weekend. However, I have been pretty busy the past couple of weekends with trying to go visit my sister and other friends. I guess my biggest obstacle is trying to do other stuff. I know that the few times I’ve really had time to do some work I opted out being so tired. Man I really wish I could just bottle up the extra energy my kids have and then use that to help me get motivated to do other stuff around here. I suppose when I say stuff to do, I want you to realize that I’m not talking about just simple household chores. I usually try to get them done as well. I’m talking mainly about chores. Messy tables, messy desk, to much clutter here or there, cluttered holding spot in the basement, that sort of things. I try to get dishes done and clean up as much as possible. Okay, perhaps I should do something this morning before work. Oh great! I just looked at the time, I used the free time I had to write this, I need to get going, maybe later.

Weight Wait

R.a.n.t. of week 09/26/04

This week I've got a rant probably everyone can relate to: Weight Loss. Exactly what is the hardest part of weight loss? I've found, it's the wait. If you've ever tried to lose any amount of weight, you know exactly what I mean. For me, I woke up one day and realized I had to lose weight. Not exactly sure how this ever escaped my notice, but I was suddenly VERY aware of my problem. As I was also aware no one would EVER be interested in me in my present condition (another r.a.n.t. for another time), I was determined to lose as much weight as I could. The difficulty? Was it cutting down on my portion sizes? No. Cutting out greasy foods like French Fries? Nope. Drinking water over soda? Very doable; and I enjoy water. How about exercising and keeping active – slightly harder, but I am working on it. Waiting for the pounds to melt off? Extremely hard! There is nothing harder than to wait for results that can take days or even weeks. How about waiting for someone else to take notice? Just as hard. I think a lyric from the song "The Waiting", best describes how I feel..
♫The waiting is the hardest part♪.
I realize Tom Petty was not singing about weight control, but the point is well taken.
Reprinted 12/20/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
Perhaps a rant for the week that everyone can relate to. Never before have two words in the English language been so related, and yet not related at the same time. What I mean is the wait, to lose weight. Anyone that has tried to lose weight knows what I mean. Sometimes it just seems that you wake up one day and notice you need to loose a few pounds. Suddenly you are working as hard as you possibly can to lose the weight, but it seems to take forever. Even if you find a diet that works for you, the hardest part is the wait. Cutting down on my portion size I can handle; cutting out greasy food like French Fries is not that hard; drinking water over soda – doable; exercising and keeping active – slightly harder, but working on it. Waiting for the pounds to actually come off? Being able to chart how well you are actually doing on a day-to-day basis? Extremely hard! Even though the past couple of weeks I’ve noticed a loss of 30-40 pounds, it’s still hard to wait and see how you will look when you’re finally done. I recall that song, “The Waiting”; ‘The waiting is the hardest part, You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, The waiting is the hardest part.’ Somehow I doubt he was singing about weight control, but the point is well taken.

Indecisive

R.a.n.t. of week 09/19/04

Life is filled with many choices. My morning usually starts with, 'Do I get out of bed or hit the snooze alarm'? Most decisions in life are easy to make; 'Do I take my glasses off before falling asleep'? - Easy, the answer is yes. But every so often, we are presented with a few choices more difficult. 'Where should we go for dinner?', 'What sort of graduation present should we get?', 'Should I pay rent or fix my car?' It's easy enough to be indecisive on your own, but when you have someone else helping you to be indecisive, it's no fun. Take my ex-wife.... please. Back when I was married, I'd do my best to be decisive. So I'd make a decision when suddenly she threw out a case for the other alternative. Trying to put my psychology classes to use, I assumed she was more in favour of the other option. So, I'd deftly alter my decision to fit her need. Then suddenly there would be a counter point made for my original decision. At this point I was now totally confused and unable to make a decision. To which I'd always get the standard reply, "Why can't you ever just make up your mind?". That always frustrated me so much I wanted to either scream or throw something. I never could decide which I wanted to do.
Reprinted 12/13/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
One of the things that I’m really having a hard time with lately is being indecisive. Two options are presented to you and you don’t know which one to take. Or you have a situation going on and you have no idea how to handle it. It seems to get worse the more serious the situation is. And the answer is never just something quick or cut and dry, it usually involved many various factors, each having a degree of negativity to it. But, instead of just getting full blown into my own personal problems there is another aspect of being indecisive that drives me nuts as well. It’s when someone offers you a choice and you make your choice. Then suddenly they make a claim for the other option. “But if you do this, then we can do that.” So, being the true diplomat and a semi-psychologist you realize they would rather do the second option, so you change your mind. Not wanting it to end so easily another option is then presented or a claim for the first option is given as well. “If we do this though, we can have that.” So you try to read them and make a switch once again. “Well, which do you want? A or B?” Of course now you are confused and have to honestly answer that you have no idea what you want to do. “You are so indecisive, why can’t you just make up your mind?” You can just start to feel your brain melt when you remember that originally you did make a decision. I don’t know, maybe I’m just reading to much into this, either that or I’m just not getting it. I’m not sure which is correct.

Striving After the Wind

R.a.n.t. of week 09/12/04

Ever have one of those days where nothing is going right? As the day goes on, the stress continues to build? Problems with health, home, family and job continue to mount? Suddenly the stress is so great you feel you are on the edge of a nervous break down? Now imagine you are not dealing with this stress, but someone you know and love is. How do you comfort them? Even if you have dealt with the exact same thing in the past, you feel like an idiot telling them, "I know how you feel". So it makes matters even worse when you don't have any idea how they feel. How do you console someone then? Many times, I'm at a loss for words. I never know what to say, and anything I wish to say feels like it's an insensitive platitude. My ex-wife was the hardest person to console. Any time she felt stressed or depressed, there was never anything I could say or do that would be right. Her responses were "Whatever", "How would you know," or "Yea, Right". I felt I was always sincere, and I still believe I was trying as hard as I could to be sincere. Not being appreciated and even accused for trying to care made me feel a little like I was striving after the wind. To some degree, it reminded me of this poem:

I saw a man pursuing the horizon;
Round and round they sped.
I was disturbed at this;
I accosted the man.
"It is futile," I said,
"You can never -"

"You lie," he cried,
And ran on."

- Stephen Crane

Unfortunately, the more I was attacked for trying to be caring, made me care less. Each jab or accusation thrown my way made me less and less sincere, In time I became jaded. It was then I began to hate myself more and more. I was supposed to be the comforter, I was supposed to be the moral support, the backbone, the pillar. I was becoming nothing. I hated what I had become. You might think I blamed my ex-wife, but I didn't. I realized I only had myself to blame. It wasn't my wife I hated, I hated what I became, because of my wife.
Reprinted 11/29/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
Ever get to that point in your life where you start to feel like everything you do is for nothing? Every attempt to entertain, enlighten, help or satisfy someone feels like a feeble attempt? Or worse, seems to make matters worse? No matter how hard you try, you fail? There have been many times that I’ve felt just like that. There has been a time in my life when I just wanted to give up. I can proudly say that I don’t have those feelings anymore. I’ve learned that sometimes you can’t please everyone, sometimes when you work at something; you have to work at it for yourself. Take my website for example. I’m not saying I feel it’s not entertaining anyone, I just think that even if no one visited it, or cared about what happened to it, I know that I would care. Every day I update a photo or update a new page, I try to work on it so that I will be proud of it, regardless if anyone happens to check it for the day. To some degree, I remind myself of the man in the poem by Stephen Crane: "I saw a man pursuing the horizon; Round and round they sped. I was disturbed at this; I accosted the man. "It is futile," I said, "You can never -" "You lie," he cried, And ran on." I’ve taken on that attitude to some degree. Don’t tell me what I’m doing is futile. If I felt it was futile I wouldn’t do it. Try taking that attitude next time someone tries to knock you down a level or two.

Secret Origins of the Blog

R.a.n.t. of week 09/05/04

Why I began my blog.
Ever have something important, interesting or exciting to share but can't find anyone to talk to? This has happened to me so many times it's not funny. Try as I might, no one is available. I'll usually leave a number of voice messages or emails and then have to play the waiting game. No, I'm not ranting about people not replying this time, (I already did that one HERE), just the lack of finding anyone to talk to. The crickets chirping is annoying because in my delusional mind I worry where they might be. Are they sick, injured or being held hostage? So what is a guy to do? I have something important, interesting or exciting to tell people, but no one to talk to. Who's going to listen to me rant? Oh wait! That's it. I'll write a blog post about it. I can share it on-line and EVERYONE can listen to me rant.
Reprinted 11/27/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
No One To Talk To
Before I begin my rant I just wanted to say thank you all for the week off from rant. I felt kind of fooling to post a rant on Wednesday when Monday is when I am supposed to post it, and since I was on vacation I decided to take vacation from rant. So no, I have not forgotten or given up on ranting. How could I? It's too much fun. I hate when I get into my moods when I need someone to talk to, and no one is available. Either they are off doing something of their own, taking care of their kids and family or just not online. Granted, I probably spend to much time online, but I enjoy chatting on the phone as well. Still, when I have a problem and all of my friends are doing other stuff it drives me crazy. Sometimes I end up just giving up and try to give a day or so to see if they respond to me emails phone messages or yahoo chats, when they don’t I get depressed and somewhat paranoid. I don’t know, it’s just the way I am. And I hate the feeling that I’m bugging or bothering someone. I keep saying in my head, “If they wanted to or were able to talk to me, they would have called or left me a message.” I guess that’s enough for now, I’m gonna check my email for the second time this morning.

Cinema Talkers

R.a.n.t. of week 08/22/04

Let me preface this with a 100% assurance that I don't really hate you. That said, STOP IT! I really hate you. Well, more to the point, when you talk to me and I'm trying to listen to something. The caption above says cinema talkers, but it can also apply to talking whenever you are trying to hear something. I know this is probably one of the most petty things to rant about, but it's still something that annoys me so I'm going to rant away.

What's even more irritating than the cinema talkers, is trying to think of a valid reason to tell someone, "Hush, you are not as important as what I'm watching on TV", because it's NOT TRUE. So what's the point? If I'm paying 12 quid to see a feature film, you can bet I'm going to give it my full attention. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to talk. But I love to talk in the morning over a cup of java, or in the evening with a pint of beer.

Seriously, I have a hard enough time paying attention when I'm talking to someone without distractions, add in one or two and you may as well be talking to me while I'm sleeping, I may retain just as much information. So if we are watching TV, pause it if you have something profound to say. At the theatre; can it wait till after the show? Don't worry, you can still ask me to pass the popcorn.
Reprinted 11/23/12




*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
Movie Talkers
I’m not really sure why, but something that really irritates me is when I’m trying to watch something and the person you are with just wants to talk to you. It doesn’t have to be a movie either; it could be something on TV or in the theatre. I’m trying to pay attention to what is going on and sure enough the person that wants to talk to you does so as something important is being said. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I don’t like the people that do that; it just irritates me when they do that. And how do you kindly tell someone, ‘hush I’m watching something that is more important than you.’ You can’t, because what you are watching is NOT more important, it’s just that you’d like to listen to what is being said. I’m a person that loves to talk, and talk I do once I get going. But when I do talk, I like to do so over coffee, with the TV off, not in the theatre. Otherwise I have a hard time catching what is going on, and if you know me even a little, you know I have a hard enough time paying attention when someone is talking to me without distractions. My opinion? Talk on the way home after the movie or during commercials. If watching a DVD pause it if you need to discuss what is going on, or if the last scene reminded you of your Aunt Gertrude and the time she tripped on a child toy lying on the floor. Trust me, your friends watching with you will appreciate it.

Being Swindled

$10.00 TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS POST!
* Details at the bottom of this rewritten article.
R.a.n.t. of week 08/15/04

One thing that gets my goat more than anything is getting swindled, or feeling swindled. I've brought along a few examples today. The first case deals with a website hosting an online journal. My friend Ray turned me onto this because he knows how much I enjoy writing, and journalling. I started my first journal at age 14 and was dedicated to it for almost 10 years. Once the internet became more viable, I slowly switched to blogging. The web site I mentioned before was sort of a hybrid, part blog, part journal. I liked the site so much, that when it was being converted to a 'free with commercial' site, I was given the option of paying a small sum to have the ads removed. The price was five dollars, something which didn't break my bank, so I happily forked over the dough. Two weeks later the site disappeared, along with my money. It seemed to me there was no intention of keeping the site up and operational. Could it be someone just wanted to pocket a bit of cash before they hit the road? Maybe I'm just naive.

This reminds me how naive I was in grade school. I had this good friend who loved to make 'deals' with me. I recall one deal vividly. He wanted to trade a Star Wars figure I told him I owned for.... well I don't recall what he had in trade but it must have been something awesome. I rarely got Star Wars toys as a kid and treated them like gold. The next day, he would forget to bring his item, but he would persuade me to still trade with him. For a one day delay, he would bring me something better. All I had to do to prove my trust was buy him a candy bar at lunch time, which I happily agreed to. I don't recall he EVER remembered to bring the item I traded for. WAIT, could this be why he said I was his BEST friend? I'm starting to doubt that old friendship.

So gradually, I've learned from these two examples. They have taught me how to recognize a swindle. That's why I will no longer be sending money to Nigeria via Western Union to help Barrister Mustapha Braithwait. I really don't care how many of your goats have leprosy. And you don't need my help to transfer money to America. And I won't be paying to process my lottery winnings. I didn't enter! Please stop sending me these emails.
*To collect your money for reading this, please send a self addressed stamped envelope, along with a $100.00 processing fee to my attention.
Also, I'm collecting donations to help my dead dog who's dying of scurvy.
Reprinted 11/15/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
Something happened just recently that really gets my goat. As most of those very close to me know, I love to keep a journal. My friend Ray introduced me to a site that hosts a journal online so of course I went there. It was free of charge and they did a great job hosting entries I’d put there. Then about a month ago a notice was issued they were going to start putting commercials on the site. The way around that was to pay for a year fee, the going price was five dollars. Not really a heck of a lot, and I loved the site so I forked over the cash. Then suddenly the site stopped showing up. It’s been almost a month now and it’s still not up. So the indication is that someone took the money and ran. But to be honest, I’m not so sure that is the case. For all I knew it got to much for them to handle and they couldn’t do it even with the new-found money. But there have been other times I’ve been taken for a ride. Back in school there was a kid that I use to do ‘deals’ with. I’d trade him a Star Wars figure I had at home for something better he had at home. I’d bring my item in and he would ‘forget’ to bring in his. To make it up he’d bring me something better than what he was going to bring if I gave him a candy bar I had, or something like that. It went on for a few months. Yes, I was stupid back then, but I was also naive and very trusting. Needless to say, that simple training in being swindled has taught me much and I know how to recognize a swindle now. So no Mr. Kieve Mackalackadingdong I’m not going to help you transfer money to America by paying your processing fee. No Ian Jinglejangle, top clearing house representative for London Bank, I’m not paying the processing fee to receive the money I won in your lottery I didn’t enter. Do you got that? So stop sending me the emails!!!!

Running Out Of Time

R.a.n.t. of week 08/08/04

Confession time! I've been putting this entry off for awhile. Not because I'm getting tired of writing, but because I keep running out of time. No, not that I NEVER have time. There have been instances when I have a few free moments but squander them on TV or some other worthless past-time. Then when it's too late, I suddenly remember. The most annoying thing in the world is running around like a chicken with its head cut off, doing chores. Then you suddenly have a quiet moment and forget (at least I do) the project you've been wanting to work on. The past few weeks I was working on a special project of helping design a web page for a friend. This past weekend was supposed to be the time I set aside to finally dig in and get started on it. Of course things came up, I got busy, the chicken crossed the road, and I forgot about the project. Looks like I've got my plans set for this weekend. Seriously, one of these days, I need to get a personal organizer. Oh wait! That's right, I do have one. Now if I can only find the time to read the instructions and figure out how to operate it. I think I'll set aside this weekend for that.
Reprinted 11/14/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.

I know I"m late in getting this rant out, part of the reason is I just ran out of time and the other reason is I forgot when I had the time. Don't you hate when there is something important to do but you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off, and then when you get a moment to sit and relax you totally forget about the important thing you are supposed to be doing. I'm also supposed to be updating a website for someone at work and because of the busy weekend I have not found time to do that either. I really need to get an organizer. Oh wait, I have one, I just need to find the time to use it. Maybe when I get a free moment next.

I Dropped the Ball Again.

R.a.n.t. of week 08/01/04

The past few weeks I’ve reverted back to my youth. No, not because I once again have more energy, vitality or a positive outlook on life. I'm talking about that awkward time of youth when you are constantly tripping over your own feet. Additionally, I can't seem to hold onto anything. The other day I reached over to pick up something from the floor, dropped it, tried to re-grab it, only to miss-grab it and watch it spin wildly back to the floor. I then felt like a goof and moron for a few minutes. But the feeling didn't go away, it's just intensified because for the rest of the day I continued to have the ‘dropsies’. Sure, it provided entertainment for everyone else, but feeling klutzy is never hilarious for the klutz. I'm sure sooner or later I could win a million dollars from one of those TV shows if someone were to follow me all day with a video camera. Could this be the reason everyone generally laughs at me and not with me?

Laugh all you want, and while you can. I’ve found a way to cure this condition 100%. I'm willing to share it with everyone if you agree to stop laughing at me, and start laughing with me. All one needs to do is l;daasdjf;adsal;sd……………… Dang it! I just spilled coffee on my keyboard. I need to clean this up. I’ll get back to you.
Reprinted 11/02/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
 For some odd reason, the past few weeks I’ve gone back to a state of clumsiness. There is no feeling in the world quite like it. You reach over to pick something up, drop it, try to regrab it, and it just misses your touch spinning out of control as it hits the floor. You feel like a total goof and moron for a few minutes afterwards though. However, that feeling can only be intensified when you have the ‘dropsies’ all day long. Sure, you provide entertainment for everyone else around you, but the simple fact is, feeling klutzy is not funny for the klutz. As I mentioned I seem to have picked this up lately, and I always go through the routine of trying to catch something once I drop it. If others watched me with a video camera in slow motion they’d probably laugh their head off, (perhaps I would too). But I’ve found a way that cures this condition and take it away, 100 percent curable. See all you have to do is……………… Dang it! I just spilled coffee on my keyboard. I’ll get back to you.

Will work for..... WORK?

R.a.n.t. of week 07/25/04

One thing worse than going to work, is having no work once you get there. Keeping busy is the surest way to make the clock speed along. It's like the tea kettle conundrum. If you're making tea and wait by the kettle for it to start whistling, it's never going to happen. But the second you step away to blow your nose, the kettle immediately screams for your attention. The real ironic bit is I work for two small companies as the office manager. Despite being small companies, I generally keep busy with all the office work handed to me; A/P, A/R, collections, payroll, billing, H.R. and I.T. With all those responsibilities, you'd think I'm consistently inundated with enough work for an army of clone troopers.

As an FYI, during slow times I DO walk around asking others if they need help. Turns out, everyone else are so busy they don’t usually have time to find me something to do. Granted, having nothing to do isn't always the norm. It's always feast or famine around here. Then there is the additional worry, (outside of time grinding to a halt), if I don’t look busy, I look expendable. I don't want to be expendable, because one thing worse than having no work while at work, is have no work to go to in the first place.
Reprinted 10/26/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
The rant for this week is really interesting. There have been various times at my present job where I’m walking around looking for work to do. You would think being the office manager of two companies where I do A/P, A/R, collections, payroll, billing, HR, IT, and many other things, that I would be inundated with a plethora of work. It’s not like I don’t try to find work either. Sometimes I walk around and ask others for work. Everyone else is so busy that they don’t always have time to give me work. Mind you, this is not the norm. Feast or famine, lots of times I AM deluged with work. But I always manage to get it under control. And no I don’t file it all in the circular bin I take care of it all. So why would this be a rant you ask? Yes, I know some people would love a job where you have nothing to do. But you have to remember, if you don’t look busy at work, you look expendable. Also trying to look busy an entire day where you have nothing to do can get very boring and make for a very slow day. Sigh, what’s a guy to do? Anyway, I just ate up a few minutes of time; I suppose I should get back to looking for some work to do. I have to look busy you know.

Okay, tell him I said...

R.a.n.t. of week 07/18/04

If there is anything I hate more than no replies to a blog article, it's having to be a go-between. I'll be on the phone and one person asks me to tell the other person something. A prime example of this happened almost every week when I was married. I would be on the phone with someone and my wife would ask me to tell the other person something. To which the other person, obviously, would reply something back. I'd have to relay this to my wife who then had another thing to add. Suddenly, they are having a conversation and playing verbal tennis.

I find this mode of communication difficult to grasp. If a person has something important to say, why not say it who they need to themselves? I understand there may be times this is not possible, like when someone has to translate for another, but to constantly use someone else as a go-between does not make a lot of sense. And my wife did this ALL the time. And what's the biggest reason I hate this? I’m the worst person to translate a message. At times this same thing happens at work. I'm talking to a customer and my boss tells me to tell them something, as he then walks away. As you may have guessed, the customer relays something back. I forget immediately who is calling if I don't write it down, so now I'm forced to talk on the phone and take notes at the same time. Plus I can pat my head and rub my tubby at the same time. So this week, try if you can, not to use a third party to relate your messages (but feel free to have as many parties as you want, just invite me). Instead, relay your messages to the other person yourself. And while you are at it, tell them I say hi.
Reprinted 10/25/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
One of the things I really hate, is to be the go-between. You know what I’m talking about, one person will tell you to tell the other person what they want to tell them. I find it hard to understand this mode of communication. If you have something vital to tell someone else, doesn’t it make sense to tell him or her yourself? I understand there may be times this is not possible, like when someone has to translate for you, or the third party is not available, but to constantly use someone else as a go-between does not make a lot of sense to me. What is the biggest reason I hate this? I’m the worst person to translate a message, so why would anyone else want to rely on me? Half the time I forget who is calling at work, even if I just asked them who was calling. Something happens from the time I ask who’s calling and the time I ask what they want that I forget who it is calling. So for this week, strive not to use a third person to relate your messages, tell them yourself, and you can tell them I said you should.

Can I Have a Snack?

R.a.n.t. of week 07/11/04

It’s a question my children ask me. But why am I ranting about this? Because it's something they ask quite frequently, and at the worst times. We will just walk in the front door and the first question is, "Can I have a snack?" Right before bedtime, “Can we have a snack?” Even when they see me making dinner, "Can I/we have a snack?" I have grown to hate the word, especially on the weekends. Every hour, "Can I have a snack, can we have a Snack. SNACK, SNACK, SNACK. Just say the word a few times out loud, you'll learn to hate the word too. Though maybe I'm being too harsh. Could it perhaps be they are not familiar with what the word really means? If so, I'll provide a definition:

snack [snak] noun
1. a small portion of food or drink, especially one eaten between regular meals.

See that? What really is a snack but something you eat between meals? Not just before. When you do that, it's something else.

ap·pe·tiz·er [ap-i-tahy-zer] noun
1. a small portion of food served before or at the beginning of a meal to stimulate the desire to eat.

So why are my kids confused in this regard? Maybe it’s because they hate what I prepare for them, or they don’t want to eat a big dinner, or they just want junk food as often as they can. Whatever the reason, I’m getting sick and tired of the ‘S’ word. Okay, done ranting. Wow, I've really worked up an appetite, off to have an appetizer, I mean snack.
Reprinted 10/18/12





 *PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
 I’m not exactly sure why I feel the need to rant about this, but it’s a question my children ask me quite frequently. We’ll just get home and right away they’ll want a snack, “Can we have a snack?” I’ll be making dinner and they’ll want a snack, “Can I have a snack?” Even when they see me making the dinner they’ll ask again. What really is a snack but something you eat between meals? Not just before. When you eat something just before you eat, it’s called an appetizer, “Can you give us an appetizer?” Seriously though, I have grown to hate the word snack. The weekends are murder on me. Every hour they’ll want a snack. “Can I have a snack, Snack, SnAcK, SNACK!!!” Yes, I’m sure many will neither understand this rant of mine, nor agree with me, but it’s my rage and I’m going with it; it’s what makes me, me. I wish I knew why it gets on my nerves like it does, but I’m not really sure. Maybe it’s because they refuse to eat what I prepare for them, or they don’t want to eat a big dinner, or they just want junk food as often as they can get it. Whatever the reason, I’m getting sick and tired of that ‘S’ word. I guess that’s all for now, I’m off to have an appetizer.

Getting Irate!

R.a.n.t. of week 07/04/04

One thing that really gets my goat is when people get bent out of shape for small and trivial things. I experienced this, this weekend with two of my sisters. I’m not going to side with either one of them because the squabble is beside the point. It was something, I thought, simple and silly. Why do people allow little things to get out of control? And then the next level takes place when one wants to resolve the situation amicably, and the other does not. People wonder why I tend to allow myself to be wronged. Mostly it's because I'd rather not cause a rift in the family and/or friendship for something inane. I believe people are generally good, but allow pride to get in the way once a situation "gets away from them". Realistically, who wants to admit they are wrrrrr wrwrwr, the "W" word? That’s why I try to give the benefit of the doubt. If wronged, I try to chalk it up to them having a bad day, or maybe they misunderstood something I said, (and that’s not very unusual). In the end, my sisters were able to resolve their problem the old fashioned way, agreeing to disagree, so I’m proud of them both. With luck, there'll be no residual animosity from this, I hate when someone holds a grudge. Hmmmmm I got my rant idea for next week.
Reprinted 10/23/12





*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
One of the things that can really get my goat is when people get all bent out of shape for small or silly things. One example came this weekend with two of my sisters. I’m not using this space to side with either one of them because the problem was just between the two of them, but sometimes I think people allow little things to get out of control. I’m not saying I’m a push-over myself, but I hate to see people get upset, especially when one wants to resolve the situation amicably. I think in most cases I’d rather be wronged than to cause a rift in the family and/or friendship. I know most people cannot understand that, but people generally are good people and allow their pride to get in the way once a situation gets away from them. Maybe that’s why I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes when I get wronged, I just chalk it off to them having a bad day, or maybe they just misunderstood something I said, (and that’s not very unusual). As far as my sisters are concerned, they seemed to resolve it so I’m proud of both of them. I just hope there is no residual from it, I hate when someone holds a grudge, hmmmmm I got my rant idea for next week.

Get Back To Me

R.a.n.t. of week 06/27/04

Are friends really friends if they never call you back? No, that's not really a 'deal breaker' for me, but the point is valid. One of my biggest irritants is calling or emailing a friend and never receiving a response. I understand life is hectic, but I always try to make room for is my friends. When I receive a call or email, true I don't run down everyone in my path to get to a computer or phone, but  I do try to respond as soon as I can. Maybe that's why I'm so irritated when my friends don’t. Sometimes it feels like I'm not important enough to get back to. Oh sure, one or two usually get back to me, but some never do. True, we get along great once we are together, but an offline internet message or voice-mail would really hit the spot, and let me know you still care. Particular when I’m feeling down. I know some people aren't as comfortable as I am on the computer, and who really likes leaving phone messages? But a response is something everyone enjoys. I just wish my friends realized this as much as I have.
Reprinted 10/15/12

*Note: I recently revamped this topic, using just an example for the entire rant. You can find the updated r.a.n.t. article HERE





 *PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
Are friends, friends, if they don’t call you back? One of the biggest things that irritates me is calling or emailing a friend and never receiving a response. Now I can understand life is hectic and we all have many things to do, but the one thing I always try to make room for is my friends. Once I receive a call or email I try to respond to it as soon as I possibly can. Maybe that is the reason I find it so irritating when my friends don’t. There have been some weeks where I’ll try to at least call or email everyone I know. One or two people will get back to me, but the rest never do. Oh sure, we get along great once we meet each other in person, but sometimes an offline internet message or a message left on my answering machine would really hit the spot. This would in particular be the case when I’m feeling down. Yea, I know some people do not like to type on the computer as much as I do, and some people do not like to leave phone messages, but I for one love it and sometimes wish that those who are my friends loved it as much as I.

Suffering Loss

R.a.n.t. of week 06/20/04

That feeling you get when you suddenly realize you've misplaced something. It happened to me this weekend as I was in the park having fun with family and friends. As it was time to head out and I suddenly realized my keys were not in my pocket. The result? I spent the first 45 minutes looking in obvious place they could be; park benches where we were sitting or the path from the car to the group site. I then spent the next 30 minutes looking in the least obvious places; the sand by the playground, rooting through the garbage and climbing trees in case a squirrel carried them up were a few locations. Let me tell you, going through a garbage bin after a party for kids is no treat! My buddy Dan helps by lending me a flash-light that doesn't work and critiquing the mess I made with the garbage. I soon realized the chance of finding my lost keys in the dark were minimal. I decided to head home and look in the morning, fortunately I had a spare key. As you might guess, the next day I find them quickly and close to the ball field. Yes, the ball field, a place I spent a total of two minutes. If that.
Reprinted 10/13/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.
This weekend something happened that just really irritates me. I'm at the park with my kids; we're having fun with family and friends. Then as it's time to head out and I suddenly realize that my keys are not in my pocket where they are supposed to be. The result? I spend the next hour looking around the park benches where we were sitting, looking in the sand by the playground, rooting through the garbage on the chance they might have somehow slipped into the garbage somehow. Let me tell you, going through the park garbage bin after a party for kids is no treat! My buddy Dan offers help in the form of a flashlight that does not work and critiquing the mess I made with the garbage. I soon realized the chance of finding my lost keys in the dark were minimal. So what are the options but to wait for the morning light? As it turns out, I find them in the morning fairly quickly and close to the ball field, a place I might have spent a total of two minutes, if that, around. I'm ranting about this today because it's something that seems fairly common to me. I walk in the house and put my keys down, usually when I'm running late for work is when I don't find them right away. Typically I set them by my computer, but when I don't think about it, or have an armload of stuff I'm bringing into the house, I end up misplacing them. Same thing goes for everything else important that's needed fairly quickly; phone numbers, keys, money, and credit cards. It seems at one time or another they all disappear to the same place that my socks keep disappearing to.

Inconsiderate Drivers

R.a.n.t. of week 06/13/04

As per most mornings, today I was driving to work via the free-way. Considering it's rush hour there are several long lines. Two for individual drivers and one carpool lane. Granted, the lines for the solo drivers are considerably longer than the carpool lines, but isn't that the point? Most drivers are like me, waiting reluctantly, but patiently. But having to wait in line is not my rant for the week. What annoys me are the individuals who shoot up the carpool lane, just because it's shorter. I wait my turn as does everyone else. But these jokers either have never heard of the carpool lane, are ignorant and don't know how to read, or are just plain rude. Obviously these people feel they are more important than the rest of us. They are also closely related to the ones who refuse to allow you to merge when you need to. Try as you might, they speed up, as if getting in front of them will delay their travel time an hour or so. Additionally, they are distant cousins of the ones who zip around everyone on the city streets, just to get in front of you, THEN suddenly stomp on their brakes to make a turn. If it's not that, they zip around, just to make it to the next red light. Especially in the morning is this idiotic. Where are they going in such a rush? TO WORK! I'm never in a hurry to get to work. But I also know saving an additional .2 seconds hardly makes much of a difference.
Reprinted 10/12/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found R.a.n.t. articles posted to an older website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run, but have decided to edit the articles. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the unedited versions as well. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.


Original R.a.n.t.

So I'm driving to work today by way of the free-way. In order to get on the free-way you have to get in line. There are three lines you have to get into, two for those who are alone in the car, and a third for carpool. A carpool consisting of two or more. The lines for the solo drivers are considerably longer than the line for the carpool. Most of the drivers in the morning are like me, we get in line and wait our turn. At the beginning of each line is a stop light that only allows one person at a time. You think that would upset me? Of course not, I'm considerate and I understand the need for them. What I don't get is how some people think they are allowed to shoot up the carpool lane when no one is in it. I wait my turn, as does everyone else. But these jokers either have never heard of the carpool lane, are ignorant and don't know how to read, or are just plain rude. I fail to see how someone that might use these lanes don't know what the carpool lane is for. It's to encourage people to carpool. So these people feel their time is more important than those of us that abide by the rules. Why does it upset me so? Just because I know they don't care. They are most likely the same people that will refuse to allow you to merge when you need to. Have you ever been in one lane and you want to get in the next lane and instead of slowing down and allowing you to merge they speed up as if you getting in front of them will delay them an hour or so. And what's with people that zip around you on the city street just to get in front of you and then suddenly stomp on their brakes to make a turn. Or the one I love is when they zip around you just to make it to the next red light. Some people are so inconsiderate when they drive. Why? Especially in the morning. Where are they typically going? TO WORK! I'm never in a hurry to get to work. And I know being late an additional .2 seconds will not make matters worse.

First R.a.n.t. - Getting Started

R.a.n.t. of week 06/06/04

Okay, let's get started because I need to rant about something and I don't care if you agree with me or not. Yea, I sound like a grump and a grouch, but that's the point. Sometimes I need to rant about what's bugging me. I recently realized I'm prone to talking to myself in the car when something is bugging me. This is true especially when people do not let you merge, (a rant for consideration). So I've decided to start a weekly rant page, voicing (or typing), that which bothers me most. But as I start, I wonder if it's another project that'll fall by the wayside. I have this bad habit of having a great idea, but never doing anything about it. Take my stories for example, PLEASE! No seriously, I have never attempted to get published. Same for my poems. Why? Why do I have a hard time getting something started? Obviously, the most intimidating aspect of any project is getting the ball rolling. Unless of course you decide to be a good bowler, then the most intimidating aspect is admitting you want to own your own bowling ball and carrying bag. I decided to do this Rant page a couple weeks ago, but this is the first time I'm doing it. Why? Most often I feel like George McFly, "What if they don't like it, what if they say you're no good? I'm just not sure I can take that kind of rejection." Well, I've started this, time to see if anyone thinks my writing is no good. Feel free to let me know what you think. I believe I can take that kind of rejection.
Reprinted 10/11/12






*PLEASE NOTE - I recently found old R.a.n.t. articles posted to a website I once owned. I've decided to reprint them in my current run. However, ironically enough, I'm not to fond of the writing so I've decided to edit the articles and repost them. For comparisons sake, I've decided to run the edited version as well as the original. In a way, it's kind of fun to see how my writing has changed in eight years.

Original R.a.n.t.
Okay, let's just get right into it. First of all let me say that I'm not sure if this will be a continual thing. I'll probaly only keep it around with enough participation. If no one wants to share their thoughts and comments, then why should I keep posting this? Yea, I sound like a grump and a grouch here, but that's the point. Sometimes I just need to rant about what is bugging me. I find myself talking to myself in the car, usually when something is really bugging me. Especially when people do not let yo merge into their lane, (that's a rant for possibly next consideration.) So the long and the short of this rant is how much I hate having a great idea, but take so long to get the idea up and moving. Take my stories for example, (please) haha. No seriously, I have never even attempted to have them published. Same goes for my poems. Why? Why do I have a hard time getting started in something? I think the biggest reason is what I'm ranting about, getting started. The most intimidating aspect of anything is getting the ball rolling. I decided I wanted to do this Rant page a couple weeks ago, but this is the first time I'm getting it up. One thing I do find interesting after getting started, is watching what you started change over time. I designed my Legion website for a yahoo group that I had started. I had trouble finding a decent group where I could role-play my favorite Legion hero so I started one. In the process of four years, I've noticed it grow and expand; so much so that I ended up having no time for the game because I was spending an hour or more on the site every day GM'ing threads. But I'm proud that I started that. Why can't I think more about that when I want to get started on something else? Simply because a lot of times I feel like George McFly, "What if they don't like it, what if they say you're no good? I'm just not sure I can take that kind of rejection." Well, I've started this out now, let's see where it takes us.