The brainstorms of life from 30,000 feet

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Gesticulate

Gesticulate: To make or use gestures, esp. in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech. -- Dictionary.com

So why aren't our arms called Gesticles?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Daily Domestic Dispute

I know it has been a while, but I have been barely keeping my head above water with my new client. They are the perfect example of a function of dysfunction.

I have to comment on one of my colleagues working on another project that we have at this client. Everyday, and I mean that literally, he gets into an argument with his wife. Now I understand that people argue. Heck even the Travel Size One and I have an occasional spat. That is healthy! The airing of grievances. Work through your differences, but this is different. It is like two kids poking at each other, "Well you did this..." or "You and your mother are driving them crazy that why he's mad" or "That's just one more thing for me to deal with, FINE! FINE!". It reminds me of a pair of adolescent siblings squabbling over who gets to sit at the grown up's table. These are adults who have kids and have been married for quite sometime. It's really not the arguing that bothers me. It is the fact that he has them over the phone in his cube across from me. SOOOO AWKWARD!

I have actually asked my subordinates to step outside and handle personal calls of this nature (Well not arguing like this. This is a whole nother level). Would it be appropriate to do that to someone above me? You'd think he'd know better.

Rack'em,
The Traveler

They just started up for the morning rant... no I am not kidding. BRUTAL!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Hahahaha, You gain weight?

I am infamous for sitting down in chairs at work and catching my pant pockets on the arm of the chair. I recently did so with a pair of my favorite Brooks Brothers Flat Front Gabardine slacks. I was a little upset to say the least. Luckily for me it only got the seams a little and should be an easy fix. I like to take things of this nature to a little asian lady near where I live as she does and excellent job and has actually fixed a suit where I had some moth damage (not an easy fix).

So I take it in yesterday and she is playing the local classical station at the same level someone would be playing the local classic rock station leaving my ears ringing like Christmas bells. I show her the issue and she looks at me, laughs, and asks "You gain weight?" To which I respond with the actual reason for my visit. I don't think she believed me but it made me realize that I need to lose 10 pounds.

Rack'em,

The Traveler

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

They Got Stuff in Japanese!

Well, It has been a while since I last updated all three of you who read, but I am happy to say that my "In town" assignment came through. I am literally 15 minutes from my house and it doesn't require going through airport security to go to work.

I am going over some of the previous documentation that they have on their web portal site and it just hit me. WOW! They have docs that are in Japanese! Granted this is a Japanese company so its not like a bunch of hillbillies with Rosetta Stone and nothing better to do so that makes sense. It just surprised me when I went through and found it. It also makes me think of the King of the Hill (which the Travel Size One and I often get a laugh out of) where Hank and the gang meet Kahn for the first time. Here's how it goes:

HANK: So, are you Chinese or Japanese?
KAHN: I live in California last twenty years, but first come from Laos.
HANK: Huh?
KAHN: Laos. We Laotian.
BILL: The ocean? What ocean?
KAHN: We are Laotian. From Laos, stupid! It's a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It's between Vietnam and Thailand, okay? Population 4.7 million.
HANK: So, are you Chinese or Japanese?

Rack'em,
The Traveler

P.S. I sure do love Chinese food. ;)

Monday, July 28, 2008

The beatings will continue...

...Until morale improves. I saw a kid in the airport wearing a T-shirt with this on the back this morning. I love it! I need one or several!

Monday, July 21, 2008

I GOT ONE!!!!

On Friday of last week, I was asked to come to a new client (not to our company, but for me) for a Project Management meeting. The beauty of this is that it is in the SAME TOWN AS I LIVE IN!!!! Woo hoo (WAMU?)! So after 4 years with this company, I can finally say that I am going t0 be on a client in the same city I live in. I truly hope everything goes through as it is literally 15 minutes from my house and would require me to be in town for 2 months and possibly beyond.

Rack'em,
The Traveler

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Quote of the Day...

So I woke up this morning and asked the Travel Size One if she minded me turning on the T.V. Her response was as long as it is not sports. To which I replied with a vague response promising to turn it to NBC. Little did she know that Wimbledon was on. I am not typically a tennis fan, but it's the men's finals and Federer was playing Nadal. For those of you who don't know Nadal and Federer are known for their tennis prowess, and they are also know for their white head bands. We are watching them warm up and the Travel Size One says, "Why do they look like they are going to fight the Kobra Kai?" Priceless!

Rack'em,
The Traveler