On Sunday I had a brief opportunity to wet a line in a Steuben County, New York stream. Catching this beautiful wild Brown Trout (Salmo trutta var. fario) was the reward after about a half an hour of fishing.
29 August 2007
A quick wetting of the line...
On Sunday I had a brief opportunity to wet a line in a Steuben County, New York stream. Catching this beautiful wild Brown Trout (Salmo trutta var. fario) was the reward after about a half an hour of fishing.
23 August 2007
Pessimism
A lot of my recent posts have been rather pessimistic. Basically, they've been a reflection of the frustration I've been experiencing at work. I'm sure that many of those who read this blog (if anyone does, in fact, read this blog) have been lamenting my journal-entry-like postings. Know that their days are numbered. As I begin to settle down into my new surroundings, the enthusiastic, playful, and mischevious me will come storming back. Until then, thanks for hanging on.
Finally Leaving
Tomorrow will be my last day at my current job. I will be moving on to a new job that I am extremely excited about.
For the past 14.5 months I have been employed at a public sector non-profit organization. During that time I have worked in a 10' x 6' cubicle in (what amounts to) a secretarial position. I wasn't hired as a secretary, but it quickly became apparent that I was simply going to be assigned the stuff that other people didn't want to do. Consequently, I have had no direction in which I could focus my energies.
Despite the fact that I have been working for an "educational organization," the institution that I have been working for has demanded unconditional support for its policies. Unfortunately, the underlying goal of those policies is to bring "modern economic development" to Yates County, New York. By "modern economic development" I mean franchise-based sprawl ("a Starbucks on every corner" etc.). To me, the most cherished aspect of the area in which I live is its rural character. That rural character, and the land-rich/money-poor people who make up that rural character, will be destroyed by modern economic development. In short, I was working for an organization that was dedicated to destroying what I hold most dear.
You might ask why I didn't leave sooner. The reason? Student loans. I finished my Master's degree in June, and it left me with many thousands of dollars of debt. I could not have continued to support my family unless I had another job to go to.
Now I have found that job, and I can not wait to start. I will look back at the past year with fondness for my fellow co-workers, but with frustration and mistrust toward the organization that is spending my tax dollars in an attempt to destroy my lifestyle. I believe that I know more about government after working here, but it's information that I almost wish I'd never learned.
"Everyone benefits from tourism and development (but the locals)."
For the past 14.5 months I have been employed at a public sector non-profit organization. During that time I have worked in a 10' x 6' cubicle in (what amounts to) a secretarial position. I wasn't hired as a secretary, but it quickly became apparent that I was simply going to be assigned the stuff that other people didn't want to do. Consequently, I have had no direction in which I could focus my energies.
Despite the fact that I have been working for an "educational organization," the institution that I have been working for has demanded unconditional support for its policies. Unfortunately, the underlying goal of those policies is to bring "modern economic development" to Yates County, New York. By "modern economic development" I mean franchise-based sprawl ("a Starbucks on every corner" etc.). To me, the most cherished aspect of the area in which I live is its rural character. That rural character, and the land-rich/money-poor people who make up that rural character, will be destroyed by modern economic development. In short, I was working for an organization that was dedicated to destroying what I hold most dear.
You might ask why I didn't leave sooner. The reason? Student loans. I finished my Master's degree in June, and it left me with many thousands of dollars of debt. I could not have continued to support my family unless I had another job to go to.
Now I have found that job, and I can not wait to start. I will look back at the past year with fondness for my fellow co-workers, but with frustration and mistrust toward the organization that is spending my tax dollars in an attempt to destroy my lifestyle. I believe that I know more about government after working here, but it's information that I almost wish I'd never learned.
"Everyone benefits from tourism and development (but the locals)."
16 August 2007
Deutsch
Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch. Mein großvater ist von einer deutschen familie; meine großen Großeltern sprachen nur deutsches. Sie wohnten in Texas.
I speak a little German. My grandfather is from a German family; my great-grandparents spoke only German. They lived in Texas.
Dieses ist wirklich wundervoll. Texas German Dialect Project.
I speak a little German. My grandfather is from a German family; my great-grandparents spoke only German. They lived in Texas.
Dieses ist wirklich wundervoll. Texas German Dialect Project.
13 August 2007
Watkins Glen
Yesterday I attended the Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International. It was the best sporting event I have ever attended.
I took a number of pictures of the action, and a few of them turned out pretty well...
#01 - Mark Martin
#7 - Robby Gordon
#12 - Ryan Newman
#21 - Boris Said
#99 - Carl Edwards
The Goodyear Blimp (I didn't think to take a picture when it was close!)
My view from the Green Grandstand:
After the race, I made it home in 22 minutes. To say I was lucky would be an understatement; some folks waited two hours in the parking lot!
In all, it was an excellent day. (despite Gordon spinning out of the lead with three laps to go!)
I took a number of pictures of the action, and a few of them turned out pretty well...
#01 - Mark Martin
#7 - Robby Gordon
#12 - Ryan Newman
#21 - Boris Said
#24 - Jeff Gordon (my favorite driver)
#99 - Carl Edwards
The Goodyear Blimp (I didn't think to take a picture when it was close!)
My view from the Green Grandstand:
After the race, I made it home in 22 minutes. To say I was lucky would be an understatement; some folks waited two hours in the parking lot!
In all, it was an excellent day. (despite Gordon spinning out of the lead with three laps to go!)
07 August 2007
London Calling
"The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and I live by the river"
At certain times, I find comfort in music. Today is one of those days.
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and I live by the river"
At certain times, I find comfort in music. Today is one of those days.
06 August 2007
Mini Mountain Lion
Looking through the files on my computer, I came across this picture of our cat. He has many nicknames, and this photograph brings to mind one of my favorites: "Mini Mountain Lion."
Why I love August
Four of the past six days have been above 30º Celsius. Three of those have been above 32º Celsius (90º Fahrenheit). Desipte the fact that it has been bloody hot, August isn't half bad. Why? Because the nights are wonderful! In the middle of July, a 30º day will often mean a hot and sticky night. That happens occasionally in August, but it's not the norm. Instead, hot days are followed by pleasant evenings and cool nights...
Other reasons why I love August:
Some trees begin to show their fall foliage (the cottonwoods are really early this year)
The days themselves, though still warm, get cooler
Autumn is just around the corner
It's a good time to be in Upstate New York.
Other reasons why I love August:
Some trees begin to show their fall foliage (the cottonwoods are really early this year)
The days themselves, though still warm, get cooler
Autumn is just around the corner
It's a good time to be in Upstate New York.
01 August 2007
A.D. 2007 August 01
July sure went by quick. Not that I'm a father, will it be like that from now on?
...I'm still counting down to when the days start getting cooler - only one week left.
...Did I mention that hunters in Yates County, New York will be permitted to use rifles during the upcoming big game hunting season? It will be the first time since I-don't-know-when. I grew up hunting with bolt-action rifles in Georgia, and I am looking forward to setting aside the old shotgun.
...I'm still counting down to when the days start getting cooler - only one week left.
...Did I mention that hunters in Yates County, New York will be permitted to use rifles during the upcoming big game hunting season? It will be the first time since I-don't-know-when. I grew up hunting with bolt-action rifles in Georgia, and I am looking forward to setting aside the old shotgun.
ESPNsoccernet Premier Fantasy
ESPN's "soccernet" is offering a fantasy league for the upcoming season of the F.A. Premier League. I rarely participate in fantasy sports, but my buddy dragged me in to this one. If you're a soccer fan, give it a try.
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