2005-01-24

The Atheist

A college professor, an avowed Atheist, was teaching his class. He shocked several of his students when he flatly stated that there is no God; that the expression, "One Nation Under God", was unconstitutional, and further, he was going to prove there is no God.

Addressing the ceiling he shouted: "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!"

The lecture room fell silent.. You could have heard a pin fall. Ten minutes went by.

Again he taunted God, saying, "Here I am, God. I'm still waiting."

His countdown got down to the last couple of minutes when a Marine just released from active duty and newly registered in the class walked up to the professor, hit him full force in the face, and sent him ass over teacups from his lofty platform. The professor was out cold!

At first the students were shocked and babbled in confusion.

The young Marine took a seat in the front row and sat silent. The class fell silent...waiting.

Eventually, the professor came to, shaken. He looked at the young Marine in the front row. When he regained his senses and could speak he yelled, "What's the matter with you? Why did you do that?"

"God was busy. He sent me."

God Bless America!

2005-01-21

Welcome Andrew James Behre

This morning at 3:08am AJ was born to my wife's sister Mary and her husband Chris. I know he was 6 lbs but not much else. It was a long and difficult pregnancy for Mary, the last 3 months or so spent on complete bedrest while having to take care of a toddler (Nicholas). So we're all very pleased and relieved that the birth itself went without a hitch and both mother and baby are doing fine. Many congrats to the Behre's!



2005-01-18

Gastronomy for Geeks

Gastronomy for Geeks: The O'Reilly Community Cookbook

Pizza, Twinkies, and Jolt are geek haute cuisine for a stereotypical few. Many of you know the difference between au jus and baba ghanoush, and that Thai shish kabob isn't called saut�. So, you Geek Gourmets, come share your favorite recipes, or see what your peers are cooking by browsing the categories to the right.

2005-01-05

Keeping your computer safe

While reading a forum entry over at BroadbandReports, I saw a couple of good links to FAQ entries on the site. They're a good read even for experienced users, for no other reason than to justify your precautions already in place.

How to Secure (and Keep Secure) My (New) Computer(s): A Layered Approach
How do I prevent Browser Hijacks and Spyware?

2005-01-04

Pain, oh the pain.

Ya, dramatic much?

Last Friday I finally had my oral surgery. 4 extractions, and pretty much every tooth (save one) had work done. I think 2 of them had 4 or more surfaces done. I have a temporary bridge in now (called a flipper, still waiting for my gills) which is like wearing a retainer again. Except now I can smile again without feeling embarrassed by my rotting teeth.

Well, I would smile if my jaw didn't hurt so much from having my jaw open for FIVE FREAKING HOURS. Ouch. But I'm glad it was done, just in time for interviews. (See previous post.)

One thing depresses me. I can no longer whistle with the flipper in. Meh.

And so it begins...

Happy New Year. I got my 60 days notice yesterday. Meh.

I knew it was coming of course. Even so, no amount of preparation can ready you for the cold reality of looming unemployment.

OK, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. I've got 60 days to find a new job, which was about the time frame I was expecting (March 4th is my last day). And severance after that to last me three months. So no real pressure yet. I'm just sorry to see a good job go.

After being canned (well, laid off) from my previous place of employment, I ceased to identify myself with my employer. Meaning, my life is not my job or career. It was a hard lesson to learn, but I'm glad I did when I did. The transition was relatively painless three and a half years ago, I was unemployed only a brief period of time, and it prepared me for this time. I know of others who have not had that experience and have had it thrust upon them the hard way, after working for the same employer (throughout many changes in company name and ownership, of course) for near 13 years it's tough to adjust to unemployment. I no longer have any illusions of working for any company that long. Perhaps the government, but not private industry. We IT workers are too disposable, and all industries (not just utilities) are too unstable.

So today I'm dropping off my resume and application downtown for a possible gig at the Dept. of VA, job location right in Martinsburg. That would be a sweet deal, so here's hoping for any and all mojo available out in this little web space... Which I could ask my readership for, if I actually had one...