HappyHappyDonut

From this week's I, Cringely :

The typical Japanese executive will apologize for anything EXCEPT what he has actually done wrong. The weather, lunch, your hotel room are all fair game, but if he's missing a deadline, all you'll get is stony silence. This extends to whole companies.

learning how to use the new "ectoize' function from my blogging application ...

neat.

Within the span of one week, I turned down a sure-thing job in California (cuz I can't relocate for now), and messed up on a job interview here in Montreal. Oh well, there is still that job with the company that's under investigation by the SEC. All is not lost!

While working on my computer and surfing the net, watching cheesy action movie in the background. Yep. Snake-eater 2 featuring Lorenzo Lamas and the guy who played the gay frat boy in Revenge of the Nerds. Filmed in Montreal if my eyes are right. Ugh.

This being Valentine's day, I wore red. Yep, I wore my red Arsenal soccer jersey in the name of love.

I used the word 'Commie' for the first time in ages today.

Writing a short report on Engels for 'no discernible reason*'.

And what about the word 'Pinko'. Now that was a word you could love.

Those were simpler times, weren't they ?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

*= those of who follow this column regularly know that that is a code word. :)

After having seen it here and there for a little while now, I finally went to the trouble of learning waht manichean meant. And I quote from Wikipedia: "The term Manichaeistic is often used to describe any religion with a similar concept of struggle between good and evil."

Good stuff. Now I just have to work on the term hermeneutic. :)

Second, or is it third, week of unemployment.

Have taken to wearing a suit and hanging out at the mall.

Still haven't told HCW I lost my job.

Ok, not true. But it was plausible like in the movie.

Really though, I have been getting to bed quite late recently.

1AM last night. 2:30AM the night before. 3AM the night before that. All in the name of completing my 3000 piece puzzle quickly so that I can free up the dining room table for HCW.

Had a job interview last Friday. Had an impromptu job interview (screening) yesterday. Resulting in a just announced full job interview tomorrow morning at 9AM.

This wasn't supposed to be this way.

I was looking forward to maintaining my pauper lifestyle for the next 6 months. Shit!

Just snuck downstairs and cracked open a fresh bag of jujubes.

Not even had breakfast yet, of course. ;-)

On tap for today:
- work on another 3000 piece puzzle that I started last night.
- Apply for jobs
- Continue reading about European history in the 19th and 20th centuries for no discernible reason. Today's serving, the aftermath of WWI.

As for yesterday, made steak for the first time solo! And it was amazing!

This old dog is learning new tricks. :)

Finished watching Lone Wolf McQuade, another priceless Chuck Norris flick courtesy of the fine folks at Showcase Action.

Recognized Barbara Carrera as the one who played Fatima in Never Say Never Again, the independent-ish James Bond flick also from 1983.

Weird movie. David Carradine of Kung Fu and Kill Bill fame is the bad guy.

Movie has a Enio Morricone-like soundtrack. Sort of like an American spaghetti wastern/action movie.

Settled into it after a good afternoon or so of snowboarding with HCW.

Gotta have a shower.

Smell like a hockey bag. :-/

Off to town. Final lunch with my former colleagues. At least there is enough money in the till to pay for that. Oh, and my severance and final commissions. Phew.

Off to university after that. Get y status changed. Again.

Working on my resume, cleaning up some redundancies... and some grammatical errors ! Aarrgghh!!!

Have about a half-dozen places to apply to, so not worried about opportunities.

Forcing me to see myself in a new light and to think more of my accomplishments. Feedback from mew mentor on Tuesday was instrumental in that regard.

Went skating twice yesterday. 2nd time, last night, I was able to do parallel stops, even throwing up a modicum of 'snow' at HCW when I stopped... hehe.

Made supper for HCW last night. Pork chops with a nice sauce over top. Cut an onion, dumped in various spices, improving with mustard powder where we short of one ingredient, mixed in with chile sauce, some ketchup (since low on chili sauce) and water. Mixed and dumped on pork chops in casserole, then into oven at 350 degrees for an hour, turning once.

Also made mashed potatoes.

Yep, first real non-BBQ, non-grilled cheese sandwiches, non-frozen pizza supper ever made for my wife!

I did it. Maybe a little too well.

She says she is looking forward to the next one.

Oops. :-/

(* = Quote from the original Austin Powers movie)

Pretty much pissed away the whole day now.

Just finished watching Hellboy. Great effects. Liked the story. Knew of the comic book, but never read it. Oh, how I am old.

Ate a lot of jujubes and now my stomach is upset. Chased them with a litre of Diet Pepsi and some potato chips.

Yes, I know the doctor told me bad cholesterol was high yesterday, and that I should be careful. I'll do that tomorrow, when I go in for a farewell lunch at the office. Yep, Indian, with the place that serves great Nan bread.

Thought last week as the final farewell when I had smoked meat sandwiches. Guess they can't get enough of me.

Met my mentor last night at the Jeune Chambre. I gotta say, I lucked out. I think I am going to learn a lot from this chap. Had some good feedback already on the way I sell myself. Says I am selling myself short. Food for thought.

Ok, off to have a quick shower, and then go skating for a bit.

Cue the Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five!

Just finished watching Ben Hur. Missed the first 20-odd minutes, which ain't much considering that it lasts for over 3 hours and forty minutes.

Things going through my mind as I watched Charlton Heston on the big screen:

- Romanes Eunt Domus!!!
- Why are Chuck's eyes so blue ? From eating Soylent Green, I bet!
- Thanks to guys like Chuck, guns are free to be bought anywhere, including Walmart!