Westburo Baptist Church took it upon themselves to protest in my home town a few days ago. Their target: the newly elected transgendered mayor. I could not go to counter-protest because of work and I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. As friends pointed out, if you bring more attention to them you are enabling them in a way.
Today I'm glad to hear that Silverton rallied behind Stu. It's a small rural community of less than 10,000 ( < 8,000 when I moved there in 5th grade). Being full of farmers and traditional families, it makes me proud beyond belief to see my home town rallying behind one of it's members rather than chaining themselves to antiquated beliefs. There were more supporters of Stu then their were Westburo protesters.
I can be comfortable with who I am in the town I spent the significant portion of growing up in. You can't imagine how good that feels.
UPDATE: Per an email from my parents last night, I found out my grandparents were at the counter-protest. They're in the background of this picture here.
Piraten!
24 11 08 - 15:23. Category:
I spent the weekend with David at Orycon, Oregon's SF convention. It was pretty good, there were good panels and bad. Being the impulse shopper that I am I picked up Zombie Fluxx and Pirates of the Cursed Seas.
It's my first table-top card game, but the awesome thing about this one is you make the little ships! They're made out of the same thing as a credit card, so they're durable, and you get to move them around the table, battle, collect treasure, and have fun. If you lose a mast you have to physically take it off.
David and I both picked up a starter pack, so we have a decent armada already. I've never played table-tops before, because I considered them a money sink hole and a plateau of nerdom I didn't want to approach. But it was reasonably priced and appealed to my inner Lego child so I caved. Gonna get a game going on the dining room table tonight, should be fun!
Quickies
21 11 08 - 10:05. Category:
Monday: The train driver threw me the piece sign as he pulled away from the station as I got off at work. =)
I've gotten a lot of reading in this week. I lose at least an hour a day, probably more, sitting and waiting on reports to generate. This is just annoying for now, but it will be terrible during tax season.
After explaining the same thing to the same person three days in a row you start to get frustrated. But the company trained them back in August for something they are trying to do now, so it's not entirely their fault.
Why is it when you hole punch one thing the little paper dots end up all over your desk?
Only in Oregon: they're washing our building's windows today (Thursday), in the rain.
Creepy people are even more creepy in elevators. They don't stop looking at you and you have nowhere else to go or to really look. So I pulled out my phone.
What's that flash off to the left? Oh, it's a police van taking pictures of people speeding through the school zone that morning. I was going no faster than the rest of the commuter traffic (over 20, 30-ish). One can only hope I don't get the ticket, since I was in the middle of the car train so it'd be hard to a) catch just me on radar and b) get a good shot. Yes yes, I shouldn't have been speeding I know, but it was still way early (7:10ish) and I left for work late. I'm sorry.
I lol'd, like for realz
20 11 08 - 14:01. Category:
So any time I try to post a comment to my own blog it tells me "spam is not appreciated."
Anyone else having this problem?
Hey four eyes!
19 11 08 - 15:29. Category:
I may be permanently switching over to glasses. It's not a bad thing, I love the glasses I have now. I was actually able to put money in them and not just buy what insurance could afford. I like wearing glasses, but I also like not wearing glasses and having normal sized eyes (my prescription makes them look small). And being able to wear sunglasses.
Following a string of headaches at work and generally strained feeling eyes, I went in for an eye appointment last Saturday to up my prescription. The demo contacts they gave me are really light which I like, but the prescription is the same. With as bad as my eyes are, contacts don't offer the incremental vision correction I need. Once the level of correction reaches a high point they stop manufacturing them in small prescription increments, just too large of ones. So I'm left with either underpowered contacts with the negative results, or overpowered contacts that could do the same and cause my vision to degenerate even more.
Second day on the job, the new contacts still leave me feeling like everything is not quite sharp enough, and I once again have a headache from spending hours looking at the computer (irony!) and the size six font of these trial balance reports.
I could get contacts that would compensate for my stigmatism and improve my vision that way, but they are a) expensive and b) a pain in the ass. They have to balance right, and if they spin (a.k.a if you blink too forcefully) your vision goes all out of whack.
At least I won't have to worry about the sunglasses I keep on losing/breaking. And I was almost out of contact solution anyways.
Performance Eval
18 11 08 - 17:56. Category:
Entry deleted due to company policy.
Percentages
17 11 08 - 14:00. Category:
David stumbled me the other day a blog post by someone about California's Proposition 8. The person described an encounter they had with a bigoted individual, one of their arguments being that homosexuals are only 1% of the population or something (yes I know this % isn't true and I'm sorry I don't have a link).
The person countered to the lady by asking at what percentage is it alright to inhibit the civil rights of individuals? They pointed out that the express purpose of the Constitution is to protect the rights of ALL individuals. This person was absolutely correct.
People say that the good thing to come out of Prop 8 is that people are up in arms, the country is getting angry and tired of dealing with bigots and letting them control politics. California is a big state that brings about big change. But if any percentage matters, and every individual matters, why is the country only reacting now? Twenty-six or so states have passed legislation restricting the civil rights of gay people. Oregon included. Arkansas has moved to not only remove marriage from the rights of homosexuals but adoption as well. This is sick and wrong, we're letting them take more rights away than the one that is already common-place to revoke. If we let them take more, they will. How riotous is the challenge in Arkansas right now?
If every percentage is worth fighting for, and every individual deserves their rights, why has a movement of the magnitude that is growing now not been seen before, when the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, tenth, and twenty-sixth states passed anti-homosexual legislation?
In my eyes, it weakens the argument that every percentage is worthy of rights and thus our percentage when my own state, Oregon, was not challenged to the magnitude that California is now. Twenty-six other states. We let this happen in twenty-six other states. Over half our country has legislation against gays and lesbians, but because those states do not house the gay headquarters and do not have the shear size to shape national policy, the movements to protect our civil rights has not made impact in the greater percentage of our country. I feel as if I am being told my rights are not worth as much simply because of where I live. That my rights are not worth protecting because in Oregon like the other 24 it won't make an impact either way. The best I've ever seen mentioned of Oregon is that because of liberal Portland, in 2004 they hoped it wouldn't past. Hope is good, action is better.
There is a good chance that it is just the news media, finally choosing to highlight the struggle going on because it is going on in California. But maybe that just means we didn't try hard enough before. I know I haven't tried beyond casting my ballot and putting up a sign. And I did right the Oregon legislators. I have a life outside being gay, and I've lived it. I've tried to bring about change by letting individuals learn who I am regardless of my orientation. Then, when they learn I am gay, perhaps they can see the types of people we are.
Four years ago when Oregon enacted Measure 36 the anti-gay marriage legislation across the country was major news, it was one of the topics to watch. This year it was hardly a line item because it had become the popular legislation of the states, without a loud enough outcry. I am thrilled that we are taking action now, and there is change in the future. But to everyone in California devastated because this is happening to you, think of the thousands of individuals you call brothers and sisters that this has already happened to and they have lived with for years. Now is the time to fight, and to take back what should never have been taken away from anyone in any state. We have a lot to make up for, and I for one believe we should feel ashamed for letting it get this far.
What if... I forgot.
17 11 08 - 10:20. Category:
Have you ever thought about your memory capacity? I have, and I'm worried. Consider this: your brain is physical space. There is a limited amount of space that your brain occupies. While no one knows exactly how our memory functions, I can't imagine how you could refute the fact that it is stored in a physical matter. If it's physical then it is has a limited capacity.
What if we hit that capacity?
Obviously this hasn't happened, but what if? If our brains only have a given amount of storage space how do we manage it? I fear (irrationally and not all together truthfully) that by the time I am an old man, there won't be any space left. The greatest achievement of mankind could occur in my later lifetime but I might not remember it because I still remember getting the two half-hour lunch detentions in high school the one time I skipped class even though the class I skipped was only a half hour, not a full hour (can you see the injustice here?). Although this raises the question of whether or not memory is based on emotion. Just a quick reflection suggests to myself at least that the instances of heightened emotion are easily remembered.
Since middle school I have had somewhere between 100 and 120 numbers of Pi memorized, now what if retaining this little gem means that down the road I'm not going to remember a more important number? Hell, I already would have a hard time telling you David's cell phone number. But I blame my own cell phone for that one.
Think about it. Our brain is physical space, which means it inherently has a limit. What happens if we hit that limit? Can we hit that limit? Think about all the stuff you remember from forever ago and then think of all the stuff you might have forgotten.
Quickies
14 11 08 - 10:50. Category:
YES! People I found the holy grail! And by holy grail I mean the red mechanical pencil led in the supply cabinet! I *hate* using the old-school pencils while preparing work by hand (preparer work is all in red pencil, review in blue). Now I just need to bring in one of my trusted mechanical pencils...
Omg, get your own damn files. "Please for all conversions that you have done on projects with me as 'assigned to' person, bring into my cube." From one of the reviewers for our software changeover. Us converters (staff) file them once their done in the client folder, in the file room. Easy to find and access for reviewers. It's part of the delineated procedure. But apparently it's too much work for one particular senior to leave her cube and get them herself.
Stumbled across this article on Hollywood badasses. While I wouldn't miss Sylvester Stallone or Mel Gibson, the thought of Sean Connery and Harrison Ford disappearing is really saddening. To a lesser extent the others too.
In the center of every sweet tarts candy it says "bite me." This makes me happy. :)
12 of 12, November
13 11 08 - 00:02. Category:
12 of 12 is the project started by Chad Darnell. The idea is to take 12 pictures of your day on the 12th of the month. Sorry, but all I really did was work today:
06:16:05 - Getting ready for my day.
06:56:36 - Waiting for the train to take me to work, huddling from the rain.
07:27:47 - Just getting downtown. I didn't take any shots of my commute back, but it's already depressingly dark at 16:30.
09:49:08 - Working, and some more working, and some more working.
11:02:55 - Or am I?
12:03:09 - I didn't think to take a picture of my reg lunch sandwich (BLT) before this was all that was left.
03:14:25 - I really got tired of working for the day. So I busted out the retro iPod and took a highlighter to my water cup.
03:15:19 - Boxer, the university mascot in squishy form. Him and my devil ducky guard my desk, and he incubates my change.
04:27:21 - Time to go home! Oh wait, the Blue Line isn't coming for 12 minutes? I jumped on a Red, which doesn't get me all the way home. So I had David pick me up at the end of the Red Line.
05:17:17 - Driving the last bit home.
07:52:21 - Spent the night doing my usual, raiding!
09:12:03 - Calling home. To let them know about this.
*nerdgasm*
11 11 08 - 13:24. Category:
INCOMING SOON!
I've got a half day off Thursday so I can pick it up and head home to play. I'll also be unavailable for the weekend. Sorry ladies.
Steel Train
09 11 08 - 17:02. Category:
Went last minute to these guys' concert last night. I'm definitely a fan now. They put on a good show, they're pretty damn fun and adorable. I've also discovered I have a thing for rhythm guitarists. All-American Rejects, American Hi-Fi, Steel Train, and Forgive Durden. Gladly take their rhythm guitarists.
The lead singer is pretty crazy I think. He was freakin' out pretty hard core some times, but it was awesome. They're better in person imo. Normally I think concerts are little too loud, but these guys where even better with the music a little more heavy. You should check out their website and their Myspace.
Quickies
07 11 08 - 15:28. Category:
Apparently Thursday is pastel day. There are at least five guys in all office all wearing light colored shirts. Personally I'm wearing a light green. Someone should do a study on the way people select what to wear, and look for some theme that results in people choosing similar clothes for the same part of the week
One of my favorite partners has taken to calling me "rookie." Yes, I do already respond to it. But every time he says it, in my head I correct him and say "n00b."
John Williams Tribute, etc.
07 11 08 - 08:03. Category:
Another had to share:
And here's another good one to watch from Michael over at What Some Would Call Lies.
And here's one about the new mayor of my little home town. The story has made it's way to MSNBC. It's also in the video section of their politics page.
The root cause
06 11 08 - 17:35. Category:
Have you ever thought to yourself "this is what will eventually drive me crazy"? I do, and somewhat frequently. It's kind of like the "something will kill me, might as well be X" statement, only a little better.
They're the moments of mundane suffering that you can do nothing about and that repeat themselves to the point that your brain wants to fold in on itself and whimper. I'm going to go batty someday, the cause is still up for vote. I've decided to keep a list, starting with my most recent two:
Being stuck in an elevator with people who take it one floor. Do you really need to ride the elevator up to floor two in the morning? Or from floor three to floor two when I leave at 4:30?
Working with old people at computers. And by old I mean anyone over 35. Arguably the 35-50 demographic can work with them reasonably well, but they can't work at the speed someone anywhere from 13-25 can. Just like I can text reasonably well, but even I don't have the finger-flying ability of this decades teenagers.
Win some, lose some
05 11 08 - 13:57. Category:
"California joins Arizona and Florida, where voters also approved amendments banning gay marriage. Gay-rights forces also suffered a loss in Arkansas, where voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target." (source)
States now banning gay marriage: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
States where same sex marriage is legal: California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
States with equal-rights unions: California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont.
States with limited-rights unions or recognition of other states: District of Columbia, Hawaii, Main, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. (source)
And it's not enough for Arkansas to just revoke the privileged for homosexual couples to marry, they have to make sure they can't have children either. Thank god for Barack Obama, he's proof that our country can look forward when so many states have gone backward.
But hey, at least Washington passed assisted suicide, Colorado rejected "life at conception" legislation, South Dakota rejected banning abortions except for rape/incest/health concerns, California rejected a law requiring doctors notify parents for abortions performed for teens, Michigan approved medical marijuana, and Mass. made having an ounce or less of pot a fine rather than a felony.
Sorry everyone, I'm upset today. The news today is a serious killjoy after last night. I'll end this with a nice, blissful, defiant moment of happiness in St. Peter's Square.
I hope you voted.
04 11 08 - 19:58. Category:
America is gonna show the world its O face.
Sticky Note
03 11 08 - 09:55. Category:
Here's a few tidbits from a sticky note I kept at work while my blog was down:
I've never been a huge fan of my full name, it doesn't flow well. But I realized the awesomeness of my initials: DRF. I can hold shift, type my initials, while maintaining my left hand on the 10-key. I was having to initial and date a client listing the other day, it made it go so fast. Didn't have to move my hand around at all as I went through the list.
I got my first ever flu shot. Arm was sore for a couple days, but I survived.
We ran out of the regular, "rich chocolate," hot chocolate at work. All that was left was sugar free. I don't drink coffee, me only having sugar free hot chocolate for the week was like only offering decaff.
There's also a note on memory capacity, but that's an entry unto itself.
Lastly, I was assigned a 401(k) audit on Friday, woo!
I spent the weekend with David at 
I may be permanently switching over to glasses. It's not a bad thing, I love the glasses I have now. I was actually able to put money in them and not just buy what insurance could afford. I like wearing glasses, but I also like not wearing glasses and having normal sized eyes (my prescription makes them look small). And being able to wear sunglasses.
Have you ever thought about your memory capacity? I have, and I'm worried. Consider this: your brain is physical space. There is a limited amount of space that your brain occupies. While no one knows exactly how our memory functions, I can't imagine how you could refute the fact that it is stored in a physical matter. If it's physical then it is has a limited capacity.
Have you ever thought to yourself "this is what will eventually drive me crazy"? I do, and somewhat frequently. It's kind of like the "something will kill me, might as well be X" statement, only a little better. 
