Still something after all these years
Posted: May 29, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized Comments OffWhen you’re looking for a job or have a project idea that you want management to consider, the professionals tell you to develop what’s sometimes called a bus-stop statement or elevator pitch. The scenario is that you have 30 seconds to tell your story – what you’re going to do or what you did, why it’s important, and how you’re going to do or how you did it. Without being frantic, you can speak about 150 words in 30 seconds. (Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is 186 or 268 words, depending on what your definition of a word is.)
Lately, through high school and college reunions, Facebook, and chance encounters, I’ve had the chance to re-establish contact with friends from long ago. What do I tell them of my life?
In its shortest form: “It’s better than I expected, for which I am deeply grateful.”
The next level up sounds like an obituary – married with two children, seven grandchildren, parents were …, graduated from … and …, was a member of ΦΒΚ, worked at …, also did …, and so on.
After that, the stories aren’t so easily told or controlled. Why was I such a jerk back then and why am I not (or think I’m not) like that now? How come my first job after college was as a Kelly Girl office temp? And why did I have to leave work nearly three years ago? And, oh, by the way, how’s the family?
Of course, everyone has their own set of stories. You tell your story, listen to someone else do the same, and you find that everyone, I think, is surprised by life. Even if they had plans, good plans that came true, they’ll still encounter a set of reverse-threaded lug nuts. (Chrysler products in the 60s had reverse-threaded lug nuts on the driver’s side; the theory was that the nuts, would tighten themselves as the wheels turns. It was almost a good idea.)
Then, again, we should never forget the possibility that there are some who are just better than us.
When asked “How’s it going?” one friend would reply simply, “Yeah.” Most people never noticed.
Crime in suburbia
Posted: May 29, 2009 Filed under: crime in suburbia Comments OffFrom The Landmark (subscription required):
Holden
Monday, May 18
2:16 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on Tamarack Circle with some damage; vehicle malfunctioning
8:00 a.m. Main St. damaged by tracks of loader; MassHighway notified
1:44 p.m. Car broken into at Rail Trail, purse and diaper bag taken
2:17 p.m. Resident reports neighbor dumping brush and cut trees on his property; boundary line problem
Tuesday, May 19
2:23 p.m. Party who is not police officer directing traffic on Main St.
3:23 p.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.
5:35 p.m. Caller reports workers at construction site urinating in sight of school bus
6:03 p.m. Report of solicitors on Sycamore Dr.; solicitors advised of rules
9:31 p.m. Business signboard causing blind spot for vehicles entering roadway
10:09 p.m. Suspicious man walking down Fisher Rd. with black duffle bag
Wednesday, May 20
12:51 a.m. Loud music reported on Dorothy Ave.
12:45 p.m. Caller complaining about traffic on her street due to detail
2:20 p.m. Item blocking vision at intersection of Sherwood Hill and Main St.
3:11 p.m. Cement mixer pulled down wire on Arizona Ave.
10:20 p.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.
Thursday, May 21
8:49 a.m. Business owner asking to run license plates in parking lot; advised of policy
11:19 a.m. Complaint about tree work on Mountview Drive
1:20 p.m. Report of person leaving high school angry
4:20 p.m. Truck removing water from stream on Princeton Lane reported; no contact
4:22 p.m. Trash removed from roadway on Main St.
9:05 p.m. Wood chipper and chainsaw being operated on Greenwood Parkway; trucks shutting down
9:21 p.m. Party at residence on Sterling Rd.
Friday, May 22
10:19 a.m. Vehicle observed with suspicious persons inside
8:24 p.m. Large amount of water in road on Salisbury St., may be leak
Saturday, May 23
6:28 a.m. Two parties asking to speak with officer at PD on Main St.
2:13 p.m. Caller regarding having vehicle towed from private residence
3:50 p.m. Person in towed vehicle at auto repair lot
4:47 p.m. Mixed breed dog found on Mountview Dr.
9:00 p.m. Loud party heard in the woods by Rail Trail
10:47 p.m. Report of loud music and kids yelling on Timber Lane
Sunday, May 24
12:10 a.m. Elderly male attempting to flag down traffic on Main St.; needs ride to Worcester
2:03 p.m. Group of small children playing in street on Quinapoxet for some time
5:19 p.m. Caller concerned about youths hanging around Main St. business parking area; youths dispersed
6:15 p.m. Resident concerned about four-wheelers being operated by youths, also concerned about lawns being destroyed and exhaust smell in Bascom Parkway area; no contact
8:31 p.m. Loud band playing on Armington Lane; parties spoken with
10:24 p.m. Firecrackers reported on Bascom Parkway, also kids running around
10:52 p.m. 911 Caller reports older male scared kids behind Davis Hill School; another witness reports seeing male come out of woods behind Davis Hill
Paxton
Monday, May 18
3:11 p.m. Low wire snagged on small school bus, Streeter Rd.
8:02 p.m. Caller advising wild turkey just flew through screen into house, Pleasant St.
Tuesday, May 19
7:54 p.m. Caller reporting green water at residence, Brigham Rd. Hydrant flushing on street.
10:21 p.m. Water Department employee reporting that resident yelled at him to stop flushing the hydrant or he would turn hydrant off himself.
Wednesday, May 20
5:15 p.m. Caller advising that “Ninja”-style motorcycle passed him at about 100 mph. on Rte. 56 near Rutland line.
Thursday, May 21
12:44 p.m. Wire down on Richards Ave. near Emerald Ave.
3:26 p.m. Caller reporting he just hit a wild turkey near the Spencer line.
5:28 p.m. Barking Chihuahua on Merry Lane. Owner brought dog inside.
6:25 p.m. Tractor trailer unit took down power line, West St. Wire is live, power shut down on road.
Friday, May 22
7:43 p.m. Motorcycle operator tried to do a “wheelie” and fell off, Pleasant St. past Brooks Rd. Arrest: – unlicensed operation of motor vehicle, reckless operation of motor vehicle.
Sunday, May 24
7:25 a.m. Caller reporting loud noise from a party in the area, Forestdale Rd. No contact with individuals in area, no noise apparent.
11:03 p.m. Audible alarm from school auditorium. Building checked, everything in order.
Princeton
Monday, May 18
6:40 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Rte. 140 S
4:57 p.m. Request for light department, Gleason Rd.
5:37 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Sterling Rd.
Tuesday, May 19
7:02 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140/Hobbs Rd.
7:25 a.m. Traffic control duty, Rte. 140 N
10:49 a.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.
6:14 p.m. Request for light department, Redwood Dr.
7:23 p.m. Public service, Rte. 140 N
7:40 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
Wednesday, May 20
12:42 a.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.
6:42 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Calamint Hill Rd. N
8:35 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
Thursday, May 21
9:51 a.m. Public service, Beaman Rd.
8:33 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Sterling Rd.
11:17 p.m. Suspicious incident, Sterling Rd.
Saturday, May 23
8:39 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, E. Princeton Rd.
8:51 a.m. Public service, Rte. 140 N
9:32 a.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
3:22 p.m. Assist fire department, Ball Hill Rd.
Sunday, May 24
10:54 a.m. Assist other PD, Osgood Rd.
12:21 p.m. Assist fire department, Mountain Rd.
3:41 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Worcester Rd./Sharon Dr.
3:41 p.m. Request for highway dept., Worcester Rd.
Rutland
Tuesday, May 19
8:52 a.m. Person upset about ongoing dog issues in neighborhood, Jamie Ann Dr.
10:24 a.m. Young man sleeping beside slide at Memorial Field playground
4:05 p.m. Bus driver requesting help to get cars off access road so he can get through, Naguag/Central Tree
Wednesday, May 20
12:38 p.m. Motor vehicle all over Rte. 68 in Hubbardston, headed towards Rutland
Thursday, May 21
12:25 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, Edson Ave., car versus pole
6:28 a.m. Caller reporting broken utility pole, Edson Ave.
8:39 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about neighbor issue, Main St.
1:32 p.m. Verizon requesting officer for large cable down, Maple/Emerald Rds.
5:38 p.m. Complaint about dirt bike in area, Meadowbrook Cir.
Friday, May 22
12:43 a.m. Cattle in road, Pommogussett Rd.
9:15 a.m. Multiple complaints about speeding motorcycles, Pleasantdale Rd.
9:59 a.m. Low wires, school bus can’t get through, Prescott St./Orchard Hill Dr.
4:36 p.m. Tree branch down blocking road, Hillside Rd.
7:05 p.m. Cow on Pommogussett Rd.
10:59 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Marjorie Ln.
Saturday, May 23
8:03 a.m. Loose cows, Pommogussett Rd.
Sunday, May 24
9:37 a.m. Car egged during night, Cameron Dr.
11:18 a.m. Dog broke his line and is loose, Laurelwood Rd.
11:23 a.m. Citizen complaint about storm drain being potential safety issue, Juniper/Blueberry Lns.
9:18 p.m. Report of shots fired, Central Tree Rd.
10:52 p.m. Welfare check, female parked next to Dumpsters for several hours, Maple Ave
Sterling
Monday, May 18
9:16 a.m. Officer wanted, Redstone Pl. Caller reports finding roaches on property
1:56 p.m. Coyote in backyard, Albright Rd.
10:01 p.m. Vandalism, found fireworks in mail box, Squareshire Rd.
Tuesday, May 19
9:06 a.m. Suspicious activity, motor vehicle parked at substation, Chocksett Rd.
9:56 a.m. Assist DPW line painting in center of town, Main St.
1:13 p.m. Assist DPW line painting in center of town, Main St.
4:26 p.m. Report of fireworks in mailbox, Squareshire Rd.
5:26 p.m. Vehicles parking on grass, Redemption Rock Trl
Wednesday, May 20
7:51 p.m. Officer wanted, Leominster Rd.
Thursday, May 21
4:10 p.m. Assist citizen, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
6:25 p.m. Large group of youths near fire station, Main St. Officer asked to disperse group
6:58 p.m. Large tree limb fell in Jewett Rd.
7:38 p.m. Dog running loose in roadway trailing leash, Redemption Rock Trl.
Friday, May 22
10:43 a.m. Escort, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
12:20 p.m. Dog chased wild animal into car, Patriots Way.
4:09 p.m. Assist with infant car seat adjustment, Leominster Rd.
Saturday, May 23
2:36 p.m. Caller reports ground hog inside vehicle, Patriots Way
Sunday, May 24
1:26 a.m. Vehicle was struck with a spoon, Wilder/ Beaman Rds.
9:55 a.m. Loose Husky near four corners, Redemption Rock Trl.
10:18 a.m. Report of possibly mistreated dog, Justice Hill Rd.
4:57 p.m. Report that youths have built skateboarding ramp and are in roadway, Redstone Hill Rd.
5:36 p.m. Request to speak with officer about previous incident, Main St.
Sometimes, you just got to get the crayons
Posted: May 27, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized Comments Off
This afternoon was filled with delightful music as Tess and Krista had their piano lessons at our house. In the meantime, Cassie and I colored Barbie’s hair blue.
The rain falls on the just and the unjust, leaving us alone
Posted: May 27, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized Comments Off
via Wundermap
I will what to my clients?
Posted: May 26, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment »This clipping came from the introductory documentation to a fairly popular piece of open source software:
(My guess is that the ever-helpful spell-checker turned what started out as beable into beadle.)
Anyway, these folks are not alone.
Crime in suburbia
Posted: May 22, 2009 Filed under: crime in suburbia Comments OffFrom The Landmark (subscription required):
Holden
Monday, May 11
8:23 a.m. Power interruption at police department; operating on generator; blown transformer
7:42 p.m. Four to five teens on beach at Eagle Lake having a fire; extinguished
8:35 p.m. Resident requesting police check residence due to problems with contractor
Tuesday, May 12
3:22 a.m. No clerk evident at Honey Farms; clerk located
4:53 a.m. Pickup truck driving on wrong side of street
10:33 a.m. Question about tenant/landlord issues
3:51 p.m. Warning issued to utility vehicle working without a detail
7:19 p.m. Assist citizen with property to be destroyed
10:30 p.m. Suspicious incident, Wendover Rd.
Wednesday, May 13
8:55 a.m. Flashing yellow lights at house, Yorktown Terr.
9:28 a.m. Paving crew blocking lane of Union St.
8:25 p.m. Report of lots of noise at neighbor’s residence, Main St.; OK, just a power washer
Friday, May 15
4:05 p.m. Report of party riding motorized bike on sidewalk, Boulder Hill/Mason Rd. area
7:16 p.m. Individual riding motorized bike on sidewalk, Boulder Hill Rd.
8:05 p.m. Kids on skateboards at Friendly’s
9:09 p.m. Party lost debris from motor vehicle and is not picking it up, Main St.
9:18 p.m. Check requested on house party, Sycamore Dr.
Saturday, May 16
2:33 p.m. Two skateboarders removed from Holden Heating property
5:08 p.m. Unknown vehicle on front lawn, Princeton St.
10:05 p.m. Band playing in area of Armington Lane
Sunday, May 17
12:13 a.m. 911 caller for help turning off TV; problem with cable company
7:11 p.m. Report of youths smoking weed in Main St. parking lot
11:08 a.m. Dorothy Ave. resident reporting loud music
Paxton
Monday, May 11
8:38 a.m. Caller would like assistance in getting duck out of her fireplace, behind the glass doors. Duck successfully removed.
Tuesday, May 12
3:14 p.m. Paxton Market reports customer tried to buy beer but would not produce license; concerned he may be unlicensed driver
11:23 p.m. Dog barking for 1 1/2; hours on or near Light Dept. property; officer observed wildlife in area may be causing barking
Wednesday, May 13
2:09 a.m. Suspicious autos behind Paxton CenterSchool; parties spoken to and on their way.
Thursday, May 14
1: 10 p.m. Mother duck and eight ducklings attempting to cross road at Pleasant/Camp Sts.
2:40 p.m. Party in station advising his car ran out of gas, West St.
Friday, May 15
12:51 p.m. Landscapers taking up travel lane on bad corner, Holden Rd.; landscapers will move truck
10:35 p.m. Rutland PD requesting officer to assist in preserving the peace
Saturday, May 16
11:41 p.m. Party in lobby for scavenger hunt; requested picture and autograph
Princeton
Monday, May 11
9:44 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fitchburg Rd.
10:49 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Old Colony Rd.
Tuesday, May 12
8:10 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.
Wednesday, May 13
8:38 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
5:13 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Mountain Rd.
Friday, May 15
7:00 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
4:51 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Beaman Rd.
4:55 p.m. Assist other PD, Mountain Rd.
Sunday, May 17
7:42 a.m. Tree limb in roadway, E. Princeton Rd.
4:44 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Leominster Rd.
4:45 p.m. Property found, Leominster Rd.
10:35 p.m. Officer investigation, Beaman Rd.
Rutland
Monday, May 11
9:40 a.m. Report of truck dumping construction material in Dumpster, Maple Ave.
5:10 p.m. Argument between neighbors, Philips Ave.
5:28 p.m. Fraud, John Robert Dr.
6:08 p.m. Report of four teenagers with guns, Oakridge Dr.
6:20 p.m. Suspicious persons, Inwood Rd.
Tuesday, May 12
8:05 a.m. Flag stolen, Main St.
1:25 p.m. Person at station to see officer, Main St.
6:10 p.m. Person concerned about people driving around asking about her vehicle, Maple Ave.
9:15 p.m. Complaint about numerous calls from people claiming to be from Direct TV, Rolling Ridge Rd.
Wednesday, May 13
10:23 a.m. Caller reports fox family living under her gazebo, Brooke Haven Rd.
7:10 p.m. Person yelling and swearing at neighbor working in the yard, Birchwood Rd.
Thursday, May 14
9:32 a.m. Caller claims the people she lives with are mean to her, Kenwood Dr.
2:52 p.m. Caller thinks her neighbor is burning trash in a wood boiler, Bigelow Rd.
6:01 p.m. Person locked out of home, Charnock Cir.
Saturday, May 16
11:09 a.m. Caller asking whether to file a report about incident, Main St.
Sunday, May 17
2:08 p.m. Report of three youths smoking pot at restaurant, Main St.
3:10 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer regarding incident witnessed Friday, Main St.
5:51 p.m. Complaint about two males picking through Dumpsters, Maple Ave.
6:05 p.m. General police, Main St.
Sterling
Monday, May 11
2:25 p.m. Birds in library attic, caught two, requesting assistance, Meeting House Hill Rd.
5:31 p.m. Male going door-to-door trying to sell magazines, Maple St.
5:38 p.m. Officer wanted, men fishing on property and won’t leave when asked
5:42 p.m. Several youths skateboarding in Newell Hill Rd.
7;19 p.m. Check parking lot, Boutelle Rd.
Tuesday, May 12
9:34 a.m. Officer wanted, Princeton Rd.
12:47 p.m. Caller asking about regulations concerning hedgehogs, Leominster Rd.
4:33 p.m. Request regarding trap large enough for potentially rabid raccoon, Leominster Rd.
Wednesday, May 13
9:46 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle traveling up and down Colby Rd.
2:46 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer regarding problem with dog, Sandy Ridge Rd.
2:56 p.m. Request to speak with officer regarding larceny of apple trees, Kendall Hill Rd.
10:21 p.m. Youths dropped off pink flamingo lawn ornaments on property, Riverview Rd.
Thursday, May 14
5:45 p.m. Question about solicitors asking people to sign petition, Princeton Rd.
7:10 p.m. Inquiry about possible missing boy; found playing army in the woods, Rowley Hill/Wilder Rds.
Friday, May 15
12:58 p.m. Reports of dog barking incessantly, Chace Hill Rd. Dog caught and found to have a turtle in its mouth, appears to be in rough condition. Owner found
3:35 p.m. School personnel wants to speak with officer about company that owns livery vehicle, Boutelle Rd.
5:59 p.m. Ongoing problem with neighbor’s dog, Tanglewood Rd.
Saturday, May 16
9:36 a.m. Caller found small Bichon dog on Meetinghouse Hill Rd. Owner found
4:13 p.m. Suspicious blue pickup truck parked in lot, Worcester Rd.
10:12 p.m. Caller reporting male in black clothing and barefoot, walking in middle of Redemption Rock Trl.
Sunday, May 17
12:33 a.m. Complaint about loud party at residence, Princeton Rd.
2:50 a.m. Unoccupied vehicle in back lot, Leominster Rd.
9:35 p.m. Fireworks, Lakeshore Dr.
No Doctor? Call ambulance. Keep warm.
Posted: May 21, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment »A friend of the family, noting that one of her children had recently received a Ph. D. in one of the social sciences, said, “He’s a doctor, but not the kind that can help you.”
BTW, the title is a line from the Monty Python Me, Doctor sketch.
Use and misuse of cellphones
Posted: May 21, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized Comments OffWe’re hearing a lot on the news about cellphones these days, mostly the trouble that texting can cause. Our Great and General Court is considering legislation that would levy a $250 fine for texting while driving. State Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) noted that you can’t really legislate stupidity out of existence, but you can make it more expensive.
Not only is it dangerous to use the keyboard on your cellphone while driving, it can also be risky to the phone itself. You’ve got your Tropicana Orange Coolatta® in one hand, your Egg White Turkey Sausage Flatbread Sandwich in another, your knees firmly at 8 and 4 on the steering wheel, when you remember that you need to call your kid’s day center to say that you’re running late. Spoosh. Everything winds up in your lap, soaking your phone and voiding your phone’s warranty.[1]
Fortunately, there are ways that you may be able to salvage your phone. This article, Lifehacker – Use Cat Litter to Save Your Doused Cellphone, describes how to use cat litter to absorb liquid from your cellphone. There are no assurances regarding the Mechanically Separated Turkey or Dough Conditioners (Calcium Sulfate, Guar Gum, Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides, L-Cysteine, Calcium Peroxide, Enzymes) found in that sandwich, but, well, good luck.
Of course, you might just decide to throw that phone away. There’s a contest for that in Finland in August. If you win, you get a new phone.
[1]“G. Defects or damage due to spills of or immersion in food or liquid;” from Return Policy – Verizon Wireless (PDF)
Dept. of vacation
Posted: May 21, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized Comments OffThe temperature is forecast be in the high 80s (32km2 in metric) today, giving lots of people a chance to think about summer vacation. Of course, if you’ve been recently laid off, then you’re most likely thinking about how not to have the summer off.
If you work at Netflix (in an office, not at a distribution center), as long as you get your work done, you can take as much vacation as you want.
For example, our vacation policy for salaried employees is “take some”. There is no limit on vacation because all we care about is what you accomplish – not how. Similarly, our travel expense policy is “travel as you would on your own nickel.” That’s it. No soul-sapping policy manuals for us. In our first five years as public company, growing from $100m to over $1 billion in revenue, our commitment to freedom and responsibility has only grown. – from the Netflix jobs page.
“We want our employees to have great freedom – freedom to be brilliant or freedom to make mistakes,” said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
It’s long been known that Americans have far less paid vacation times than other industrialized countries.
And, because each company sets its own vacation policy, you get things such as this: The Strangest Vacation Policy I’ve Ever Seen.
Meanwhile, me? This:
