My Archives: September 2002
Thursday, September 26, 2002
Here's two examples of the crap pilots have to put up with in the world of post 9/11-hysteria.
First of all, they added additional restrictions for 9/11/02 and the two days following and didn't tell anyone. Then they extended the prohibited area around Bush's ranch, closing or severely limiting the use of over 3800 square miles of airspace, 14 public use airports, and 22 private fields. AOPA Story
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
I had my first work-related nightmare in a while. I dreamed that the new company bought us and we were in a cafeteria meeting our new co-workers. The company had its own boy band and we got in big trouble for laughing at them.
In an unrelated story, Jesse Jackson is calling for a hit movie to be censored. I thought these liberal types were anti-censorship. CNN Story.
Sunday, September 22, 2002
OK, I'm not making this up:
Mr. Pibb was launched in Texas and quickly expanded through much of the U.S. Mr. Pibb appeals to 12-to-15 year olds who are just gaining independence from home and looking for things to call their own. Mr. Pibb enables them to have an uninhibited, fun and unconventional attitude because it has the sweet, refreshing bold taste they need to express their independence.
In 2001, Pibb Xtra was introduced in Houston and Dallas with an intense flavor kick -- a bolder version of the original taste. Its bold taste and graphics appeal to young adults who are looking to get the most out of life and the most out of their soft drink. Based on its tremendous success in Texas, Pibb Xtra will replace Mr Pibb across the U.S. in 2002. Coca-cola site
Wow, so why does a 28 year old, who according to the Coca Cola company expressed my independence some 16 years ago drink this? Am I still getting the most out of life by drinking it? I guess it's because of my uninhibited, fun, and unconventional attitude brought on by its refreshing bold taste.
For even more laughs, click on some of the other brands. The explaination of Dasani water is my favorite. It's just freekin' water!!!
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Here's a strange variety of "Campaign Finance Reform". The Libertarian party is selling pin-up calendars of their female candidates. WRAL Story
Monday, September 16, 2002
I asked my good friend Dr. Mellow to answer two questions that have plagued me for quite some time:
1) Why did Johnny win the fiddlin' contest when the Devil's song was so much better?
2) Wouldn't a fiddle of gold be really heavy and sound like crap?
His responses are quite hillarious.
Sunday, September 15, 2002
Heather and I just got back from the CATT Reunion. As usual, it was a lot of fun. We got to see people we hadn't seen much of in quite a long time. It's always fun to see how people have changed and how they haven't.
Somehow, when I'm around college/high school friends for an extended period of time, I get strange feelings. I guess I never thought about just how different my life was in those days. For starters, we were all living in an institution. Plus, there were a lot more possibilities back then. In no way do I regret the path I've chosen, but my curiosity still has me wondering what would have happen if I'd made some different choices. My fellow CATT members have lots of different types of jobs (not all of them are programmers, BTW), live all over the world, and choose to do different things with their time.
Here's some more strange observations: I was in college for 3 years. Only 2 of those were in CATT. I've been out of school for 6 years: twice as long as I was in college. I've been married longer than I was in college as well. I've had my current job for 2.5 years: longer than my tenure in CATT.
What's the importance of all of this? In a relatively short time I made a lot of the decisions that have determined the path for the rest of my life. In just 3 short years, I chose my career, completed the training to get there, made a large number of friends some of whom I see daily, and even found the woman who would become my wife. In the 6+ years since then, I've had to make very few decisions of that scale.
Saturday, September 14, 2002
This has got to be one of the strangest ads I've ever seen. What exactly is a "Hyperactive Cyber T. Rex"? Is there anything I can install on my machine to keep such a creature away from it?
Marketing weenies at their prime. I'm sure they debated for days about how a "Hyperactive T. Rex" encourages brand loyalty. *groan*
Click here to view ad (separate window)
Friday, September 13, 2002
If you haven't done so already, I suggest you read President Bush's speech to the UN regarding Iraq.
Bonus points will be awarded for spotting CNN's spelling error.
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
I've got to do this! Space Camp for adults!!!!