Z.Monkey’s Blog

Hey all, heard about this game on NPR.  It is a game about redistricting voting districts.  I’ve not played it yet, as I don’t want to start that type of behavior at work.  If you give a shot let me know how it is.

If you are interested in playing with something cool.  Check out the Photosynth demo.  You need to view it in IE, but it is worth it.  I recommend checking out the “Gyeongbokgung, South Korea” collection.  I’ve been there!

This last week was slightly eventful. I went back to work, leaving the Scientist home with someone who does not know how to talk. At least she is cute. Last weekend I somehow got myself out of the house a ran the Redhook 5K. Jeff did not come because he was tired.

On Thursday, three eventful things happened. First off (around 6:45am), delivery guys showed up to delivery our new washer and dryer. They take up less room, use less energy and make our clothing feel nicer. At 9:30 was Addie’s first doctor’s visit. She is in perfect health and weighed in at 8 lbs 4 ounces. The third eventful thing was me developing some crappy stomach bug, which kept me out of work (for most of the Thursday… thanks Jeff). I have since given this illness to Addie who has been gasy and cranky, and given us little sleep.

Finally, baby feet are very small (mine are size 9).

P.S. Jeff, I hope you end up getting a job around so that I get another shot of dragging you out to the Redhook Race.
P.P.S. Addie says, “Hrrrr…mphth.”

As all of you probably know I am now changing diapers. Addie is now 13 days old and I’ve already forgotten what life was like without her. I haven’t written anything in a while because I have felt a lot of conflicting emotions. Not about being a dad, I’m quite alright with that, but about my new job which I start in 2 weeks. I’ve told some people about it but not many. It just seems anti-climatic. You know,

Me: “Here. Meet our baby. Her name is Addison. And I just got a new job.”

Them: “Ahh… she’s so cute.”

Me: “Yes she is.”

Anyway, I feel guilty about leaving my current job, as I’ve worked there (in one position or another) for more than a quarter of my life. That’s a scary thought. I’ve also never had any other “professional” job, so I’m not completely confident in succeeding at my new position. It can’t be that hard, right? So basically, I’m feeling excited, worried, confident, guilty, and extremely relieved.

As for what I’ll be doing at the new job… I’m not entirely sure. I was given a very thorough job description which looks like I could end up doing anything or everything related to (1) the university Help Desk for 25% of my time, and (2) system accounts management for 75% of my time. The organization seems much more structured and relaxed, which after the “do whatever the fuck you want” and “do more with less” mentality of my current job, is very welcome. We’ll see.

P.S. If there are grammar snafus, please blame Addison who is squirming away on my lap.

P.P.S. Professional is in quotes, because work feels more like a circus than an office. And after seeing how many “adults” work together, I’m starting to believe that professional is a label (or compliment) you can give to a person and not a profession.

D14 sent this to me.  It is probably one of a million ways to compare how much the war in Iraq has cost us.  I think the one problem is that this is a supplemental bill.  There is normal everyday military money going into the war.  Nor does this cover the lose of life or the long term medical bills for the 20-odd percent of our troops who are coming home injured. Though the pentagon has found ways to save money on the war.  Way to go guys.  Real bang-up job you’re doing.

A lot of things may be about to happen in our lives but, right now, there is just a lot of waiting. Here is what has not happened:

1. We have not had a baby.
2. I have not gotten a new job.

Both of these things will be really cool when they happen, but in both cases (more so in the first) I am waiting on someone else! Silly babies. Silly me not applying for more jobs! I just had an interview, which I think went well and which I am interested in taking, but I’m trying to keep myself from getting too excited. It’s probably not going to happen.

In the last post I mentioned a beer tasting extravaganza. I’m thinking that the beginning of June will be the best time, as it will give the Scientist and the baby a chance to recover. I’ll try to keep everyone informed.

Also, feel free to notice that Dan has a new blog. Apparently, he needs to keep making new ones.

So I took a test today.  And I learned the following:

Now, this raises a few questions in my brain: (1) do I really want to know this? (2) what if I am unable to answer these questions truthfully? (3) Will the R’s have succeeded in their scheme to destroy social security? (4) Will I be able to live above the poverty line once I retire? (5) Am I only interested in this because we are about to have a kid?
Hopefully, the money we are putting away now will allow us to retire comfortably in 45 years or so.  We did just open up an ING Direct Orange Savings account, the 4.5% interest rate they offer is a little better than the 0.2% our bank offers.  Heck that’s even better than the inflation rate (~3%)!

P.S.  Less than a month to go on the baby front.  I expect our blogs will become like Xumbi’s shortly, so if you don’t like babies… too bad.  Speaking of Xumbi, there should be a beer tasting thing again soon… maybe a “babies and beer” party?

Check out what google just bought:

http://tools.google.com/gapminder/

P.S. Anyone hungry for fried food?

It seems that the US Attorney thing is all over the news now a days, but I just read through a blog article that outlines our NH Attorney record. This is mostly focused on the Phone Jamming scandal from back in ‘04 and it is an interesting read. I’m sure the source is biased but do you think there is something here? I am still to ignorant of NH politics… maybe it is time to start reading a local newspaper (blah!). Is there actually a good NH newspaper? The NH Gazette, while entertaining, just isn’t enough.

Also, anyone else get annoyed by the daylight savings time change? I’m personally think it is a waste of time and money to switch our clocks twice a year. How many man hours are wasted by exhausted employees every spring (i.e. like me right now)? Does it actually save any energy at all? How much money does the change over cost us in software updates, missed flights, missed calls and customer complaints? I assume that Bushie didn’t do any research before this was forced on us (knowing his view on science), so what was the decision based on? I think it was just a way to make Bush appear to be environmental while doing absolutely nothing. It is frustrating.

If you are bored watch a couple of videos of us playing hockey.  I have yellow socks.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YozOf2-r6Gg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-Q6YB9EbM