910 Of Them

Well, I've put 910 posts out there now. How many of them have you read? That's a lot of words when I rarely have anything to say. You are correct in that I will say something, even if only I am listening.

I was either going to write about telecommuting or Steven Tyler today. As you can see, telecommuting won.

Why didn't I use the Royal Wedding as fodder? I considered it, but was not sure where I could take it. Did you get up and watch it? It was at 2am here, and no, I didn't. I didn't want to interrupt my sleep. Now, I would not mind watching the final Shuttle launch this afternoon. The last one. Kind of historic. However, I don't want to interrupt my post-lunch sleep, so I won't watch this, either.

The weekend? Well, we are meeting the kids and grandkids for dinner tonight. Kathie, Kyle and Lyndsay all have responsibilities at church this Sunday, so I'll be in the service alone. The Chorale has a concert Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, no big plans. I wouldn't mind catching a matinee-priced movie. I see that Source Code, Limitless, and Lincoln Lawyer all have a pre-12pm showing. Maybe we'll do that Saturday.

You may be wondering if I finished the presentations that were due by today. OK, even if you were not wondering, the answer is..not yet. I carried them home last night, but decided to study the CAPM material rather than work on slides. I should have them done today. If not, I guess I know what I'll be doing Saturday afternoon.

Speaking of interrupting your sleep, I will stop doing so now. You can either catch a few more zzz's or get started on your Friday responsibilities. I'll have more to say on Monday, or possibly I'll have nothing to say but say it anyway. See you then.

Going for Baroque

Sure, I'll use anything for a title, even a really bad pun. After all, it relates to today's Clarity of Vision cartoon.

Kathie went to see a friend's new baby last night. Yes, I know what you are thinking. She chose a baby over Survivor and pizza night at the folks? Yep, she did. It is a little thing at just over 5 lbs. His name is Dylan (I am guessing at the spelling). Alison went, too, but she had already seen Dylan earlier in the week.

Yesterday, one of the team managers dropped off a container of Chocolate Cashews at my desk and appointed me the keeper and dispenser of the candy. Kinda weird, huh? Well, it's true he is not here everyday. Still... So, I tried them. Yeah, I see why he dropped them off and told me I could share or keep them for myself. He didn't like them, and I don't much, either. Of course I'll be sharing them. They are a Crunch Time brand, so pass them by of you see them at a store.

The training material is coming along, and I think I have a good outline of what should be presented. So, starting today, I will capture screenshots, write the presentation points, and animate the Powerpoint slides.

OK, I need to generate the data for the Thursday morning 8:30 meeting that I lead. If you want to dial in, let me know. I don't, but then, I do not have a choice on the matter.

I do expect to be here at the same time again tomorrow, so you are welcome to swing by. It's always a pleasure to share with you, and let's do it again tomorrow.

A Full 40 Hours

That's right. We've got to work a full 40 hours this week. The week following a shortened workweek always seems longer, doesn't it?

We sight-read a couple of new songs last night at East Valley Chorale practice. That is always fun. And, Bruce told us that he has hired a new accompanist. I will miss the skill of the interim pianist, but I am sure the new person will learn quickly and soon become part of the Chorale family.

Only one meeting today. That is good timing, because I have to focus on finishing the training materials by tomorrow so I can begin the review cycles on Friday.

I just got a message that my work email box is almost full. I need to go in an clean it up right after we finish here. OK, fine. You caught me. I left for a few minutes trying to see how to find the size of my Outlook mailbox on a Mac. You cannot really do it. So, I'll have to launch the Windows version in an emulator to see how I am doing. Enough about that, though.

Kathie still has a toothache. The problem is that our dentist doesn't open until 7am and closes by 4pm, so it is tough for a teacher to schedule a visit. Kathie usually schedules cleanings during Christmas break and summer. An unplanned toothache is a pain to handle, in many ways.

I should reach the 500 cartoon mark two weeks from today. Some have suggested that I republish some of the early ones since a large number of my readers joined since I started on March 19, 2009. Maybe. We'll see. That could be a little boring for some of you who have been loyal followers for the past two years.

One benefit to arriving at the crack of dawn is that I can capture a covered parking spot during the warmer summer months. Today is the first day I took advantage of this opportunity. It will only reach 90F today, but should be at 97F tomorrow. However, if I have to drive to another building for a meeting, I know my spot will be taken before I return.

Well, I am anxious to get to my mailbox cleanup so that my ability to send and receive messages will not be impacted. It is Spring, so you could do a bit of Spring cleaning yourself. Wear a dust mask and let's visit more tomorrow.

Overlooking My Established Colors

Whew! That was close. I just finished writing today's Clarity of Vision cartoon. because my usual characters are not both in the first two panels, I almost had them making comments not in keeping with their usual demeanors. Luckily, as I reviewed the CoV while adding it to the blog, I noticed the inconsistency. Here is where I ended up.
I know the CAPM test is some months away, but it seems like I'll never be able to learn all that stuff. There are so many mnemonics to learn under nine knowledge areas. And I am three weeks away from the chapter I need to teach. Yesterday's teacher had a lot of clever animated graphics, and a fun learning exercise. I don't like it. I don't know if I can be so creative.

Lots of rain and bad weather across the country, and lots of heat and clear skies building up here. Luckily, it will only reach 90F today. I guess I should enjoy this while I can. They said that, when the MLB All-Star game is here in July, the average temp is 107F.

Just two meetings today. That's good, because they need me to finish two training decks by Friday, and neither has been started yet.

So, I reckon I'll mosey over to the ole workbench, do a little cipherin', and whittle me out some stuff for book learnin'. Y'all can sit a spell, if you like, or high-tail it outta here to do yer own stuff. See ya tomorrow, Good Lord willin' and the crick don't rise.

Day After Easter, 2011

Today by the numbers. I see that this is post #905. It is Clarity of Vision #488. I have been creating cartoons for over 750 days. I have been married for over 12,000 days. I have been blogging for over 2,000 days. I've been in this job for over 900 days. I have been writing today's post for over 8 minutes. So, let's get on with it, right?

We attended the earlier Traditional service at church yesterday. So, we sang 3 hymns and only one chorus. It was fun to sing the songs I remember from my youth..songs we only sing at Easter such as "Up From the Grave He Arose" and others. And, in a twist we don't get from our usual Contemporary service, the special music was a man singing "Holy City" as a solo. The sermon was good, too. It was a good church day.

Being Easter, many people also participated in Easter egg hunts and baskets and candy. We didn't, but it did make me think about it enough to get a Clarity of Vision cartoon out of it.

Want more numbers? It's a 4 meeting day. I have until 12 before they start, so I'd better get ready for them this morning. 2 of them require some preparatory action from me and 2 do not. 3 of them are in-person meetings and 1 is a conference call. 1 of them is in preparation for the CAPM certification and 3 are work-related.

We played the Clue card game yesterday after Easter lunch. That's a good, quick, easy-to-learn game. Then, Kathie and I played Quiddler (picked up at Goodwill for $1). I think that will be fun with the family, and up to 8 can play.

OK, I've done enough with numbers for today. And I've shared enough to keep you going until tomorrow. Have a good Monday and check back in the morning.

It IS Good Friday

Easter - a time recognized as a fresh start, new beginnings, Spring cleaning, a bunny delivering eggs, delicious Cadbury eggs. For many of us, though, it is a time of celebration. A reaffirmation of faith. A Praise for Christ's resurrection, upon which our salvation depends. Praise God!

Some, though, do not believe. For them, it is a mid-Spring day off and just another Sunday. Speaking of day's off...

No real plans. I know we are watching Molly for KLIK. I think we are meeting for dinner tonight.

Dad gum it. I forgot my leftover chicken wings for lunch. I just remembered. No, that doesn't mean I am already hungry. I just noticed the I only have fruit in my lunchbox and not the meal. I guess I could have oatmeal again. Maybe the wings can be my meal tomorrow night.

What else? Oh, hey, I started cleaning up my desk a bit. Maybe the Spring cleaning bug has bitten me? I was looking for a particular document yesterday and thought it might be on my desk. Nope. Still, I started throwing away some old stuff and straightening a little.

The folks saw Rio in 3D this week. They said it was much more for kids than adults. You know how some animated movies cater to both, such as Rango and Gnomeo and Juliet, with dialog that contains cultural or literary references? This one...not so much.

Fine. Let's get going and see if we can finish early. Have a great Easter weekend. I'll see you here early next week.

Boston Rob is Large and In Charge

It looks as if Dad will have to stop watching Survivor in a few weeks. I don't see anyone defying Boston Rob, so I expect him to keep going. He does make for some good TV. Now, Phil also makes good TV, but he drives me crazy. Or maybe he's just crazy.

So, I ran 26.2 last night trying to catch up with Justin and Lindsay. I started off easy so I can get my stamina up. Instead of 26.2 miles like they do, I ran 26.2 inches. By the end of the week, I am hoping to reach 26.2 feet. Yep, I'll get there.

Did you know where I was going in the last paragraph before you read the final sentences? If so, you are ready for today's Clarity of Vision.

We are keeping Molly this weekend. Now, Morris barks a lot anyway, but when Molly visits, he has to exhibit his dominance in his house. So, he barks, and then she barks, etc. You get the picture. Then she also likes to bark at the cat to get him to play with her. Not much luck on that one yet.

It sounds as if Apple has some upcoming product announcements in May. I guess I will wait more time before getting a computer. I don't necessarily mean I want a new model, but that often means the older models are discounted a bit.

I like Breaking In, the new Christian Slater TV program. Have you tried it?

I have to meet with my boss today about a Personal Development Plan for the next year. Ohhh, now I have to decide what to do with my life. I am certainly going to include the certification program I am in right now, CAPM.

So, who's got an Easter sunrise service this year? We don't, although we are thinking to attend the earlier Traditional service so that we can sing the Easter hymns. Somehow, that puts us in a more eastery, worshipful spirit.

Well, I need to go render to Caesar that which is Caesar's. Check back in 24 hours to see if the psychic reappeared or I went another way. Right now, even I don't know.

New Post? You Betcha

No, I do not know why I used a Sarah Palin quote to title today's post. I think maybe because I said something like that to the guard as we chatted on my way in. Anyway, I try not to repeat any blog titles, and I am up around 900 posts now. Sure, you are thinking, "What does he have to say that took 900 posts over 6 years?" I wonder that myself. And yet, here we both are. Don't deny it. You wouldn't even know this information if you weren't checking in occasionally.

Good Chorale practice last night. We sight-read a couple of songs and that is always fun. I sat by a friend and we cut up the whole night. We had an accompanist try out and she was pretty good. Ours moved to VA and that is just too far a commute.

Wait a minute. I just heard startup noises from a nearby cubicle. She is 15 minutes early. OK, she said traffic was very light and she was pedal to the metal listening to her tunes.

Speaking of tunes....

The AZ Governor just vetoed a state bill requiring that all Presidential candidates must show their birth certificates to be on the AZ ballot. She said it was poorly written. No Birther Bill. I guess the USA won't have AZ to pick on anymore.

Well, since I am not getting any ideas on topics, I will close up early today. Don't you hate it when you go to a local business and they've closed early for some reason? Maybe no customers, or the owner had an early engagement or something. Anyway, I am closing shop early. You go home and think about whose music you would have used in today's CoV to make some funny titles that show why the couple might or might not make it. See you soon.

Not a Man of Steel

Did Superman ever need a haircut? If so, what would cut his hair...or was it not impervious? Maybe they had to get some Kryptonite and hold it near him and cut while we was weakened? Why am I talking about this? Two things. First, a friend is going through radiation treatments for cancer and his wife said the steel pins used to guide the treatments make him a man of steel. Second, I got a haircut. Those two things together are enough to set my mind to wandering. Yeah, I know. Does it take two things to make my mind wander? Does it even take one?

OK, speaking of haircut.

Hopefully, Dad is recovered enough to return to Chorale practice tonight. I'll check this afternoon to see if I need to pick up Mom tonight.

I am still feeling "not right," whatever that means. A little achy all over, especially my legs and lower back. A little stopped up. Not enough, though, to stay home. Don't you hate that? I'd rather get all the way sick than this.

The day looks pretty good. I only have two meetings scheduled. I do have some charts I need to generate and some documentation I need to finish, so it's not like I don't have things to do.

I just got through researching Rolling Stones songs for an upcoming CoV. Did you realize that they have more song titles starting with 'S' than any other letter? No, I understand. I don't really care, either. Just giving you some trivia. After all, It's Only Rock and Roll, But I Like It.

However, did y'all see that movie with Denzel Washington where they used the song "Time Is On My Side"? It was good. I don't remember the name of the movie, but it should be easy to find.

OK, enough movie and music trivia. Let's get on with today's real tasks. I've still got to finish preparation for the 8:30am meeting, and that's not a trivial matter. I am ending today's post now. OK, I'm not really finished until NOW.

Music, Merriment, Marriage and Meetings

Let's start with merriment. We did indeed have Game Night on Friday. We started off with a few rounds of Skip Bo. Lyndsay taught us that it is much more fun when you play as teams. We then moved into Clue, the Card Game. The challenge in the first round was how to decide who did it using what weapon and in what room...because Kathie was giving false clues. She did better in subsequent rounds. We ended the evening with a few songs in InReverse on Kyle's iPad. No, I do not remember which songs anyone sung. None as crazy as Lyndsay's Tiki Room last time.

I have to start doing a little studying each night for the CAPM certification. It is not effective trying to cram it in during the weekend.

I mentioned music in today's title. We had a Chorale concert in Casa Grande yesterday. The crowd was large and very supportive. That seems like a nice Southern Baptist church. Too bad it is so far away and in the opposite direction from the GRANDS.

I also mentioned marriage in the post title. Kathie went to a wedding of a friend from work. She said it was fine, but it did remind her of how much more she liked ours. Certainly, there was less alcohol at ours. However, we did not have a reception meal at ours. And attendees did not need to wear cocktail dresses, and neither did the girls. Ha ha.

I'm feeling pretty lethargic and achy (is that how you spell it?). I hope I did not get something from Mom and Dad. I slept horribly, but attributed it to the covers being too warm. And Mondays are a terrible day to stay home.

Plus, if I stay home, I do not have access to the tool I use to create Clarity of Vision. I couldn't do that to you. Here's what I did today.Good drawing skills, right?

Finally, I had meetings as part of the title. One of my meetings got cancelled, so I only have 3-1/2 hours of meetings today. One of them is the study group for the CAPM exam. Uh oh. I am not ready. So far, I think I may be the lowest pupil in the class. Yes, I did start the course 1-2 weeks after the others, but it has now been two weeks. I should be caught up. Hopefully, I will be by next week.

Whoo hoo. The tax refund is in. Now to decide which computer I want. Then, I will use the rest to knock out some of the credit card debt.

What is going on? My legs feel sore. My backside. A slight headache. I don't like it. I had best get a whole lot done in case I don't make it through the day. Y'all stay away from me...just in case. Hopefully, I'll be 100% tomorrow.