…. or maybe not.
So I (on the company dime) bought $351 worth of tickets for the Panthers vs Rangers game for some business associates who were coming into to see us. I had tried to get seats in our section, but I couldn’t, so I bought these and sold mine to Johnny B. I figured it would be really rude to let them sit by themselves. Besides me and said visitors had a side bet on the Panthers vs Rangers performance and I lost. So it was the game and dinner. Today a senior executive at said company called me and said they laid off a bunch of people. On the list are the people who were coming to the game. So, unless they come anyway (I hope they do as they’ve already got tickets, etc), I’m going to be sitting by myself — or I’ll have to invite a few friends if I have any left, to come sit in the expensive seats with me. (The names of said people are left off as I do not wish to embarrass them.)
I am having fun talking with some online people as of late. There’s some interesting people out there who do not appear to be axe-murdering psychos. I’m not planning on actually meeting them or even calling them. But it’s been years since I’ve made any contact with online people outside my hockey boards. It’s a very diverse world and sometimes I forget how diverse.
A special shout-out to JohnnyB and Liz who went skating with us for the first time ever. If you’ve not met them, you’d like them. They are very cool people. I like them because they aren’t normal. Normal people are boring. (This is a compliment: I swear.) None of my friends are normal. What good is normal? I’m not normal and don’t want to hang around with people who are. No wonder my friend count is so low. As if I care.
Josh (remember him from a long-ago blog entry?) has been commenting a bit lately on my Facebook page. That pleases me to no end. He’s one of the few I really miss.
My mom is still way off base about her surprise birthday present. Though she has managed to rule out any place with a beach — I hate the beach so much she knows I’d never go. Oh, and she’s ruled out Botswana too. Probably a good move since we’re only going for the weekend. We’re leaving Thursday night and will be home in time for dinner Sunday. That was her big hint — and it will be her downfall (HI MOM!). She keeps bugging me about the weather, but I won’t tell her anything. A number between zero and 100 is about all I’m willing to venture. Torturing your family is important. Never forget that.
Progressive (the donkey-ball sucking assholes that they are) sent me a very, very insulting settlement offer: not even enough to cover my out-of-pocket medical expenses. Apparently, they want me to sue them. They are getting their wish. I sent them an email telling them I was insulted and hinting there was a zero missing at the end of their offer. I don’t suspect I’ll hear back, and I’ve now selected the attorney I plan to use. I think they’re actually reading this blog so I shan’t say who, though I will say I was very careful to select a good attorney. I’m surprised at how utterly stupid they are and how stupid they must think I am.
In other surprises, I got a special package in on Friday to make a certain someone very happy (or so I hope). It’s cleared customs and now I just gotta’ work out the details on getting it delivered to the intended recipient.
I renewed my Panther season tickets today, buying in to another year of frustration. And I always encourage all hockey fans to visit our Panther Hockey Message Boards. Still, I really enjoy sitting with our regular gang: David, Kathy, William, Evan, Karen and their assorted guests. So another year of vying for last place is now paid for.
I’m glad the Steelers won the Super Bowl but what a boring 3 quarters leading up to an amazing 4th quarter. I didn’t have a Super Bowl party this year and I’m glad.
I’m presenting the legendary MediaWhore (my friend Murphy) a special gift at the game Thursday and I am mightily pleased. The gift was free — the frame job was nearly $100. It’s offensive what it costs for framing nowadays. But sometimes you gotta’ suck it up and do it.
For those who answered my emails about the XP Discs, thanks so much. I’ve received assistance and nobody else has to come to the rescue. I would like to point out another reason Microsoft Sucks: So we own a few PCs at work (ew) and thus own a valid XP license for those machines. The folder with those original discs has vanished — which isn’t Microsoft’s fault. So, I call Microsoft to order a replacement disc. Their answer is you have to get it from the computer manufacturer (the serial number is keyed to an OEM apparently). So I call the computer manufacturer (all 3 of them) and they all tell me I can only get the “recovery disc” which is as worthless as tits on a bull. We just need to re-install some corrupted files. They all tell me to call Microsoft. I call Microshaft back who politely offers to SELL me a new copy of XP as a favor even though it’s discontinued. So I decided I’d ask someone to burn me a copy and someone offered to do so. I don’t pirate. I buy all my software. But companies like Microsoft show why people steal software — you can’t do the right thing even if you try. So I’m going to use the copy of XP with my legal serial number to re-install a damaged directory and not risk screwing the rest of the system with a total re-install.