My Addled Brain

The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.

Mark Twain

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and support this week. Tuesday really had me in the dumper, and I can’t say enough what a huge help it has been. No luck yet on the job front, but I’m thinking about trying out some things while I make up my mind on the direction of my life. Stay tuned…there might even be a new website in it somewhere…

I am not the thickest skinned individual. Some events in my life should not cause me the pain that they do. Remembering past embarrasing incidents should not make me cringe with agony. Making mistakes should not be a reason to beat myself up. And the actions of others, no matter how callous, should not make me think to myself “why me”? It is this thought that haunts me right now, as I deal with my arrival at the office this morning to find everything being moved out, computers gone, books boxed, files packed, and a request to drive to the new office to make sure the network works properly. I said my goodbyes to everyone as I worked my way out, then stopped by to see Kerry.

Our CEO, who thought (along with the rest of us) that this move would take place at the end of the month, almost looked like he had been shot. Obviously, he didn’t expect this either. He came in with one purpose - to bring us new business and new profits. He had the plan, he had the motivation, and he had everyone’s approval. I can’t say where it went wrong - as the low man on the totem pole, I was the last to know anything there. I said goodbye, and shook his hand, and he told me, “You’re a heck of a guy.”

All I could say in response is, “You are too, Kerry…I only wish…”

I couldn’t complete the thought, but he nodded at me, mourning over the loss of something neither of us could name, but knew could never be replaced.

The entire drive, my stomach gnawed at me from the inside…as the sudden reality of my situation sank in. The immediate certainly of my life seems to have disappeared, and has been replaced with doubt, confusion, and uncertainty. It’s fun to feel bulletproof. It’s nearly horrifying to find out you’re not.

It’s not that I don’t understand the situation, and why things have turned out the way they have, and that it’s not my fault. But that doesn’t help my stomach any.

There wasn’t much to do at the new office, turned out to be an old glass and graphics shop - small front office with a large garage area behind it. Getting things set up was fairly easy, except for BrightWarner (or whatever they’re calling themselves these days) screwing up our IPs - but that got straightned out in short order. I went to lunch with Joe one last time, but I didn’t feel like eating much. We came back to the shop, I made a quick fix on a data entry page that was giving us some sudden trouble, and said our goodbyes.

Joe’s been my mentor ever since I was that snot nosed punk who wandered into the old Tampa office, looking for work, and not going away until I got it. Hell, it only took me two months to get my first paycheck. In the meantime, I worked in the back, building computers and taking them back again, with Joe showing me exactly how to mount the motherboard in the case, which way the memory went in, and how to automate a Windows install. He brought me back to Tampa when he saw I was stuck in a dead end that lead nowhere in Atlanta, and gave me the time and instruction to learn how to program and design web sites.

I owe a lot to that crusty old coot.

I drove home after a quick stop in Brooksville to set up some software for our accountants (who used to be our accountants before we started up this grand project nearly a year ago to get Groupware going again), and drove home, heavy of heart.

Some people say change is good, and that this change is exactly what I needed. I will admit, I felt stagnant where I was in my life, and needed a change to get past it. So why, now that this change has occurred, do I feel more stuck than I did before?

Hate to start the page on a down note, but our condolences are extended to the Madre on the loss of her cat Piper. She was a cute lil thing.

I’m sure everyone knows about our good friend Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Minister of Information, and purveyor of all that is good and true in the world. Was there any human more out of touch with events going on within his own country than this guy? Well, Something Awful, a fine purveyor of Internet madness, has offered us a nugget of joy for us to remember M.S.S by, as he Tells It Like It Is.

This is the most amazing car commercial I have ever seen. Rube Goldberg, eat your heart out. (High bandwith - you have been warned.)

Just got home from from the big Easter celebration with Shoddy Loddy and the family - as usual, having too much food for safe human consumption never stopped us from trying, and the little ones had a fun romp collecting eggs full of change, because they’ve had enough sugar, dammit! It was definitely different having the party in the new, smaller, but ever so Stately Cuffe Manor, but it was certainly not bad by any stretch of the imagination. I think they’re gonna do just fine down here.

Finally, for those of you with a penchant for haunting message boards, but can never find the right image to accompany your snappy comeback - have no fear, because Forum Flames is here! That’s right, an online collection of the wittiest “STFU Noob!” pics anywhere, for your personal use and enjoyment. Happy Easter, everyone.

This update brought to you by the Brat, who reminds you that she is now Mono free, and available for your next social gathering.

It was bound to happen. Hot or Not and it’s ilk have spawned a most horrifying progeny. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please Rate My Mullet?

Still semi-jobless. I say semi, because I have a more or less sure thing waiting for me if all else fails…I just don’t really WANT to do that sure thing for a living. So I’m still weighing my options, and have until the end of the month before I’m out on the streets for good. I’ve got enough to last me for a short while…but if I don’t have to burn that, I’ll be pretty happy. And then, there’s that sick, sad part of me that thinks about going back to school. That part should be beaten soundly.

Finally, some words of wisdom.

My dad once told me: “Ya see son, a good woman is like a deep fried chimpanzee.”

Dad rarely bothered to explain his metaphors to me.

Well, I suppose the good times couldn’t last forever.

I got my walking papers from my job after six years of doing just about everything under the sun there. It’s still settling in, so I’m not terribly distraught or anything…just this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, which I’m not terribly fond of for some reason. So the resume is getting dusted off and cleaned up for use, and I’ll be on the hunt starting next week, even though I still have a position until the end of the month.

Downsizing is a dirty word. I guess I thought I was impervious to harm where I was…but nothing lasts forever.

Anyone need a web designer, fluent in ASP, PHP, VB, HTML, and a bunch of other web programming acronyms that I can’t think of right now? I make a mean chicken parmesian too!

The following should not be visited by people at work, young children, or my mom, because I’m her perfect little boy.

Y’all know my prediliction for all things Kylie. Well…damn. Why can’t they put commercials like that on TV in the US?

You know, that French dude Jacques Chirac is a pretty stand-up guy. He sticks to his convictions, and thinks things through when presented with good arguments that may refute his claims. Not to mention that he’s always thoughtful when it comes to his place in the world, and never oversteps his bounds. And those French guys are pretty thoughtful people in their own right. The don’t forget who they owe, and for what, that’s for sure.

Seriously people. I recently saw Armageddon again, and all I could think to myself is “well, at least they waited until it hit Paris”. I am by no means a bloodthirsty individual, and have been content to let others say the things I feel, but claiming that you’re overjoyed to learn that something you wanted no part of has, in fact, happened…well, in the words of Joseph Welch (who was speaking to a completely different type of spineless weasel): “Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

I don’t care what side of the war you fall on. That’s patently awful.

So Syracuse DID win - well, I suppose someone could blame me for it. After all, I pull the strings of the NCAA.

* Bevare…take care…bevare…take care…pull the strings! Pull the strings! *

You’ll have to forgive Robby. He watched Ed Wood the other night, and has been in Bela Lugosi mode ever since. He even painted fangs on his helm where his mouth would be. If he had one, that is.

* Lugosi was a master! He inspired terror, and fear, and commanded women! I am learning these traits by becoming Bela - and as a result, I shall rule this pitiful planet! *

Erm…yeah. Maybe in his day. I sincerely doubt, however, he’s got the same effect on people today…what are you doing? What’s with the wierd hand gesture? Are you having a seizure or something?

* Come to me…you are under my power…you must do vhat I say…you will pick up the phone, and hire Jesse James to make me a vehicle powerful enough to inspire fear and eliminate all my enemies! It should have lasers, and a flamethrower, and a giant hammer that springs out of the top and crushes those who oppose me! Oh, and it should be built from a Dodge Neon - those get great gas mileage.*

How about I just pick up a Cobra Hiss IV Tank for you? It comes with a Neo-Viper figure…

* Ooooooooo! Does it make noises? *

You bet, little buddy.

Boy, nothing like a good NCAA rules violation to blow up the comment system, eh? If I knew that’s all it took to get you guys going here, I would have started talking about this stuff ages ago. Damn shame I don’t really pay that much attention to sports other than NCAA football and the Bucs, or else I’d be able to sustain an angry fanbase all year around. Hmm…I wonder what I can stir up with the following comment:

Syracuse will kick KU’s ass tonight in the tourney.

Ok, so that’s only gonna get Erky riled up. Forget I said it. It’s not like Syracuse has a chance in hell against KU tonight anyway.

And things being to slowly return to normal in Week 3 of Emilyland. The Madre has returned to Hotlanta, and today, MCG shall return to work. Whether he likes it or not. Trust me, he doesn’t. But things keep moving forward despite what we want, don’t they?

Finally, a local story of rednecks in love that will warm your heart. Much more romantic than a drive in window, don’t you think?

Lawdy lawdy but I feel like ass. I seem to have contracted some terrible disease - no, it’s not SARS, I’d be dead right now if it were - just the usual runny/stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat deal that has made Ny-quil my best friend these days. So I’m not ignoring the wonderful pedophilia thread you kids have started, I’m just sleeping through it.

Scraped up enough energy to have a tasty mexican dinner with the Madre last night. She’s doing well, and is sad her time here is nearly over. Soon, she will leave her grandchild and return to Hotlanta, leaving her grandbaby in the clutches of her evil parents. I think she’ll be just fine - we Glissons are a tough lot when confronted by the forces of darkness.

Madre also told me that MCG got his real indoctrination to the world of diaper changing the other night - apparently Emily had an…event…on the changing table. I wasn’t there, but it sounded rather bad. The fact that he dealt with what happened all by himself just shows what a class act daddy he is.

Other things are in the works as well. Lives changing, things being discovered, chances being taken.

More on all that when it becomes a bit more appropriate.

Hey kids! Remember that project I was telling you about? The one that I spent two months on, perfecting and making the best it could be? The one that I was feeling monstrous pressure to complete? The one that made me miserable for so long?

Well, they’ve put the rollout on hold. Indefinitely.

I can’t describe just how upset I am right now about this. They might as well have crumpled it up and thrown it in the garbage can. “Hey Brett, great work on that project! Looks fantastic! We’re not gonna use it! Back to whatever it is you do now.”

Bah.

Add in this lovely sore throat and occasional cough I have and you can call me cranky. Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get outta bed.

Oh well, at least I can be entertained by friend, restauranteur, and special effects expert Andy, who’s apparently taking on Industrial Light and Magic with his latest video masterpiece. How does he do it? I say its all done with mirrors and a complicated series of pulleys and levers - but you be the judge.