I’ve never been overly fond of the beast known as the office Christmas party. (Or Holiday party, if you prefer). Most of the time it seems to be nothing more than an excuse to force employees to rub shoulders yet again, pretending they actually like each other over a cup of eggnog pretentiousness. At least, that’s always been my experience with them. In past years, I’ve been to parties at the CEO’s house (previous employers), where it seemed like nothing more than a way for the bigwigs to show off just how much more they had – bigger houses, pools, servants, a chance to lambada with the newest blond trophy girlfriend – then the rest of us peons. Do I sound bitter? Maybe. I have to admit that in my younger, leaner years, being told that instead of paying out holiday bonuses, the amount was going to go towards the… Read more

So, in light of the fact that apparently I’m not actually *allowed* to have an account on the DG forum, (at least, it’s been two days and my account is still pending), I did a little digging in my Woopra and thought it might be kinda fun to show people just how fast this stuff is found. I made my original post at 10:53 AM on December 8th. (EST) At 12:18 PM, Vistor #947 (79.216.190.168) found the post via a search on blogsearch.google.de (“david garrett”) At 12:21 it was posted on the DG forum by the forum moderator At 12:24 I got a visit from Milwaukee via yahoo mail. (68.249.1.105) At 12:35 I got a visit from Iran direct from the forum link (91.98.217.202) – *waves* You’ve been by several times, my friend. 🙂 At 3:13 I got a visit from Trenton via aol webmail (24.0.57.71) *waves* You’ve come by… Read more

Today, one of my coworkers just up and left. He wasn’t part of my team, and I barely knew him. (Hell, I only met the guy like three weeks ago when we changed offices, but he sat in the cube next to me.) Today, however, he dropped a bombshell on his managers and his workgroup, by announcing today was his last day. He basically turned in his laptop and said goodbye, shook hands with his bewildered team and that was it. I asked him where he was heading and he gave me this sort of sheepish smile and said he had a one-way ticket to Prague. He was leaving on Monday. Never been to Europe. Thought he had a couch to crash on when he got there. Thought he had a teaching job waiting for him (teaching English). Had COBRA for health care. (Though who knows if it would work… Read more

When the sisters rose, arm-in-arm, through the water in this way, their youngest sister would stand quite alone, looking after them, ready to cry, only that the mermaids have no tears, and therefore they suffer more. “Oh, were I but fifteen years old,” said she: “I know that I shall love the world up there, and all the people who live in it.” At last she reached her fifteenth year. “Well, now, you are grown up,” said the old dowager, her grandmother; “so you must let me adorn you like your other sisters;” and she placed a wreath of white lilies in her hair, and every flower leaf was half a pearl. Then the old lady ordered eight great oysters to attach themselves to the tail of the princess to show her high rank. “But they hurt me so,” said the little mermaid. “Pride must suffer pain,” replied the old… Read more