I'm going to have a hard time properly masking the true identity of this individual but I'm pretty much being forced to rant about him because he's pissing me off. Everyday, this guy (I won't say "at work" but you get the idea) gets on the phone, on speaker, and basically screams at the top of his lungs at people. He's not mad at all; he's just weird.
And he'll do things like "hey John, you on the call? John? JOHN?!?!?" and then you'll hear John respond "Yeah, I'm here...." just waiting for this guy to stop yelling. Here are a few reasons why this annoys the piss out of me:
1) I have NOTHING to do with what this person does all day, either on the phone or off.
2) I want NOTHING to do with what they do, yet I overhear these calls everyday, so I could at any point in time, jump on this project like I was part of it since day one. (I even here about cost implications, etc. which just shouldn't be broadcast around an office.... or where ever it is I'm talking about).
3) I can't function on what I need to do. I'm in media research. I don't spend the entire day on the phone. I spend most of my day looking at numbers and interpreting them for people who can't be bothered looking at numbers. So this phone call going on in the background just screws up my flow, so to speak.
I'm not saying this person is a bad person; I'd surely hope he's not as he sits 15 feet from me. But I could do without the personal/private and/or business phone calls going on.... SEE, RIGHT THERE, the noise from the call just completely made me lose my train of thought....
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Well, there ya go...
My attempt to post on this thing regularly has clearly failed. Last week, my site meter report told me that 8 people had visited this page in a week. "Well, there ya go...", everyone lost interest. Whatever, your loss.... because I'm posting now, and you're probably going to miss out on it... sucker.
What's going on lately? Oh, right, Halloween. I'm not bitter about this "holiday" at all. Don't get me wrong: I love an excuse to be someone you're not as much as the next guy. Maybe I lost that creative spirit somewhere along the way. Maybe it's a holiday for children, and not 24 year old guys. I remember as a kid, I was a vampire a lot.... I wore this Frankenstein mask a few years in a row too (didn't fit me the last year; had to pull it over my over-sized head). The last few years of college, I "dressed up" as a "preppy" white guy.... The joke there was that I guess I always dressed like that.... Yeah, it got a few chuckles, that was about it.
So this year, I'm doing the same thing as last year: nothing. Given that I live in Battery Park City, where there are more strollers than people who can actually walk on their own, there was a sign-up sheet in my building for "trick-or-treat friendly" apartments. You better believe neither one of my roommates signed us up for that duty. I gladly joined them in the ranks of "trick-or-treat UN-friendly" people. I'm not some guy who hates kids. I think little kids are great.... for other people. They smile and do "cute" things all the time, and that's great, and hell, sometimes I even smile watching these displays. But the thing about little kids is that right after they smile or laugh or do something cool, they SCREAM AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS on a crowded subway when I left my iPod at home and can't drown the little bastard out. Not related to Halloween at all.... oh well.
Anyway, for everyone going out this year for Halloween, I hope you enjoy yourselves. I've heard that ending up in the East Village, alone, and pissed is not the way to go..... (It's really amazing how my brain only functions in 2-hour time frames...) So if you avoid the pit of the East Village, manage to surround yourself with a friend or two (hell, just walk close to someone on the sidewalk), and are not really freaking mad about something, you too shall have a good time.... Or so it's been said.
What's going on lately? Oh, right, Halloween. I'm not bitter about this "holiday" at all. Don't get me wrong: I love an excuse to be someone you're not as much as the next guy. Maybe I lost that creative spirit somewhere along the way. Maybe it's a holiday for children, and not 24 year old guys. I remember as a kid, I was a vampire a lot.... I wore this Frankenstein mask a few years in a row too (didn't fit me the last year; had to pull it over my over-sized head). The last few years of college, I "dressed up" as a "preppy" white guy.... The joke there was that I guess I always dressed like that.... Yeah, it got a few chuckles, that was about it.
So this year, I'm doing the same thing as last year: nothing. Given that I live in Battery Park City, where there are more strollers than people who can actually walk on their own, there was a sign-up sheet in my building for "trick-or-treat friendly" apartments. You better believe neither one of my roommates signed us up for that duty. I gladly joined them in the ranks of "trick-or-treat UN-friendly" people. I'm not some guy who hates kids. I think little kids are great.... for other people. They smile and do "cute" things all the time, and that's great, and hell, sometimes I even smile watching these displays. But the thing about little kids is that right after they smile or laugh or do something cool, they SCREAM AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS on a crowded subway when I left my iPod at home and can't drown the little bastard out. Not related to Halloween at all.... oh well.
Anyway, for everyone going out this year for Halloween, I hope you enjoy yourselves. I've heard that ending up in the East Village, alone, and pissed is not the way to go..... (It's really amazing how my brain only functions in 2-hour time frames...) So if you avoid the pit of the East Village, manage to surround yourself with a friend or two (hell, just walk close to someone on the sidewalk), and are not really freaking mad about something, you too shall have a good time.... Or so it's been said.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Google Acquires YouTube; Noonan's still middle-class
I'm in a suit today. No, not a lawsuit, though that might be more exciting than wearing this tie all day. I'm headed to a meeting downtown, at the new Google office building, and I specify "building" as I won't actually be meeting in the Google office. But I plan to stop by and eat their food.
I think they could probably spare it at this point given the monumental deal that went through yesterday, where Google formally acquired YouTube. I believe the total price came out to be $1.65 billion. Wrapping my mind around this figure gives me a bit of a headache. I don't know much about M&A deals, but my thoughts would lead me to believe a company would have to show some type of profit before being acquired, letting the potential acquire-er know that there's money to be made. These days, it seems like any start-up who gets enough PR buzz around them shows potential. Admittedly, there is great potential for Google to monetize YouTube with pre-roll video ads, where a 15-30 second ad would run prior to the video. So I wouldn't say that the deal is a bust by any means.
So I think if Google can afford YouTube at $1.65 billion, then I'm sure they won't miss a) any food I happen to grab 0n my way out or b) one of those neat scooters they have to transport themselves down the long halls in this new office.
I think they could probably spare it at this point given the monumental deal that went through yesterday, where Google formally acquired YouTube. I believe the total price came out to be $1.65 billion. Wrapping my mind around this figure gives me a bit of a headache. I don't know much about M&A deals, but my thoughts would lead me to believe a company would have to show some type of profit before being acquired, letting the potential acquire-er know that there's money to be made. These days, it seems like any start-up who gets enough PR buzz around them shows potential. Admittedly, there is great potential for Google to monetize YouTube with pre-roll video ads, where a 15-30 second ad would run prior to the video. So I wouldn't say that the deal is a bust by any means.
So I think if Google can afford YouTube at $1.65 billion, then I'm sure they won't miss a) any food I happen to grab 0n my way out or b) one of those neat scooters they have to transport themselves down the long halls in this new office.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Lazy Fridays
Keeping with my theme of writing about nothing, I decided to post about my Friday night routine. I thought this was purely a Brooklyn thing, but the routine stuck with me during my move to Manhattan. Here goes:
1) Get off train and walk to pizza place.
2) Get two slices to go.
3) Head to the elevator in my building thinking "I'm looking forward to staying in tonight."
4) Watch several saved shows on my DVR that I missed during the week (Cable is a virtue.)
5) Head to my bed for a "nap."
6) Wake up around 10:30 thinking "crap, I can't go to bed yet."
7) Feel bad about staying in on a Friday.
8) Wake up entirely too early on Saturday morning and do something like "Go to the gym" or "Get an early start to the day". (NOT a Saturday thing to do)
So you can see how tomorrow will go already. Great day at work. Oh, and I'm getting a Blackberry for work so I can be in touch ALL THE TIME. Surprisingly, I asked for the thing, not to be "cool" because those aren't cool anymore. I have this problem where I like my job and I want to be available for trouble-shooting, research requests, etc. I'm looking forward to my new connectivity. Who knows, maybe blogger will roll-out a Blackberry version.
1) Get off train and walk to pizza place.
2) Get two slices to go.
3) Head to the elevator in my building thinking "I'm looking forward to staying in tonight."
4) Watch several saved shows on my DVR that I missed during the week (Cable is a virtue.)
5) Head to my bed for a "nap."
6) Wake up around 10:30 thinking "crap, I can't go to bed yet."
7) Feel bad about staying in on a Friday.
8) Wake up entirely too early on Saturday morning and do something like "Go to the gym" or "Get an early start to the day". (NOT a Saturday thing to do)
So you can see how tomorrow will go already. Great day at work. Oh, and I'm getting a Blackberry for work so I can be in touch ALL THE TIME. Surprisingly, I asked for the thing, not to be "cool" because those aren't cool anymore. I have this problem where I like my job and I want to be available for trouble-shooting, research requests, etc. I'm looking forward to my new connectivity. Who knows, maybe blogger will roll-out a Blackberry version.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Actually Using the NYSC Membership
Today marks a turning point, which I may or may not have blogged about in the past, where I get up early and go to the gym. I spend probably more than I'd like to admit on a gym membership every month and by the end of the month, I can count on two hands how many times I actually went to the gym. Clearly, it looks like a waste of time.
I decided last night to get more serious about the gym, losing weight, feeling better about myself, etc. So this morning I got up at 5:45 and headed over to the Battery Park City NYSC. This outpost usually isn't too crowded. It's not, however, the typical NYSC, crawling with young professionals just trying to squeeze in 30 minutes of cardio before a 12 hour work day. The BPC location is usually filled with middle-aged folks trying to get in shape or the occasional "I live in Jersey and commute in early to get my workout done before work" person. I did my 25 minutes on the elliptical and then some "vertical presses", "overhead presses" and this other thing that supposedly works your back. I have to say, I'm feeling the burn. Let's hope I can make this a pretty regular routine.
The only aspect that I don't enjoy about the BPC NYSC (acronyms are great) is the commuting individual who treats the gym as his/her own home gym. There's a pretty set standard at the New York Sports Club concerning the amount of time you're permitted on a cardio device (treadmill, elliptical, etc.) when others are waiting. These select few feel it is there duty to make someone wait longer than the posted 30 minute courtesy time on the device. I'm not sure why it is that only the commuters don't really understand the concept, but needless to say, it's getting annoying. I had to wait about 10 minutes today for an elliptical as they were full when I arrived. The one person who should have been done long before the others was easily a commuter as he had his gym bag next to him on the ground (stuffed full with some suit more than likely). Most normal people go to the gym first, then return home to shower, then head to work. (Okay, maybe that's not fair, but I think that's what you should do.) So after shooting a few looks like "Hey man, someone's waiting", the woman next to him finally looked over at me, smiled, and said "Don't worry, I'm almost done." Once she left, I got started and didn't hesitate to turn my head 90 degrees to the left to make sure commuter-jackass was aware of my presence. My look conveyed something along the lines of "Yeah, I'm the guy who was waiting, jerk."
Although I seem to have had a hard time at first, I look forward to maintaining this routine, regardless of the other "users" who might arrive early and throw their weight around (pun intended).
I decided last night to get more serious about the gym, losing weight, feeling better about myself, etc. So this morning I got up at 5:45 and headed over to the Battery Park City NYSC. This outpost usually isn't too crowded. It's not, however, the typical NYSC, crawling with young professionals just trying to squeeze in 30 minutes of cardio before a 12 hour work day. The BPC location is usually filled with middle-aged folks trying to get in shape or the occasional "I live in Jersey and commute in early to get my workout done before work" person. I did my 25 minutes on the elliptical and then some "vertical presses", "overhead presses" and this other thing that supposedly works your back. I have to say, I'm feeling the burn. Let's hope I can make this a pretty regular routine.
The only aspect that I don't enjoy about the BPC NYSC (acronyms are great) is the commuting individual who treats the gym as his/her own home gym. There's a pretty set standard at the New York Sports Club concerning the amount of time you're permitted on a cardio device (treadmill, elliptical, etc.) when others are waiting. These select few feel it is there duty to make someone wait longer than the posted 30 minute courtesy time on the device. I'm not sure why it is that only the commuters don't really understand the concept, but needless to say, it's getting annoying. I had to wait about 10 minutes today for an elliptical as they were full when I arrived. The one person who should have been done long before the others was easily a commuter as he had his gym bag next to him on the ground (stuffed full with some suit more than likely). Most normal people go to the gym first, then return home to shower, then head to work. (Okay, maybe that's not fair, but I think that's what you should do.) So after shooting a few looks like "Hey man, someone's waiting", the woman next to him finally looked over at me, smiled, and said "Don't worry, I'm almost done." Once she left, I got started and didn't hesitate to turn my head 90 degrees to the left to make sure commuter-jackass was aware of my presence. My look conveyed something along the lines of "Yeah, I'm the guy who was waiting, jerk."
Although I seem to have had a hard time at first, I look forward to maintaining this routine, regardless of the other "users" who might arrive early and throw their weight around (pun intended).
Monday, October 02, 2006
Yom Kippur
This holiday, as I understand from my Jewish friends and co-workers, allows one to atone for their sins. We Christians are pretty familiar with sins, regrets, and for those Catholics out there, repenting for your sins. However, I think our Jewish friends have a better idea going on.
Atonement comes right after the start of the Jewish New Year. And, from what I understand, it only comes once a year. This is great. Most Catholics are required to confess their sins on a regular basis. Being Lutheran, I've never actually had to confess, but I've thought about going, just to clear my head for all the "sins" I commit. My Catholic friends advise me that confession is no spring break. So this brings me back to the Jewish idea of atoning once a year. It's fantastic. Imagine going out 364 days a year and living it up, knowing that it's only going to cost you one day out of the year to make up for it.
Of course the last time I set foot in a house of worship (outside of a funeral or wedding) was about 5 years ago when my mom decided we needed to go to church on Christmas. While the rafters did not, in fact, catch fire causing the building to collapse, I felt like a big faker. I'm sure anyone who attends church regularly doesn't like my kind at all. So I doubt I'd be welcome at temple on the day of atonement.
Atonement comes right after the start of the Jewish New Year. And, from what I understand, it only comes once a year. This is great. Most Catholics are required to confess their sins on a regular basis. Being Lutheran, I've never actually had to confess, but I've thought about going, just to clear my head for all the "sins" I commit. My Catholic friends advise me that confession is no spring break. So this brings me back to the Jewish idea of atoning once a year. It's fantastic. Imagine going out 364 days a year and living it up, knowing that it's only going to cost you one day out of the year to make up for it.
Of course the last time I set foot in a house of worship (outside of a funeral or wedding) was about 5 years ago when my mom decided we needed to go to church on Christmas. While the rafters did not, in fact, catch fire causing the building to collapse, I felt like a big faker. I'm sure anyone who attends church regularly doesn't like my kind at all. So I doubt I'd be welcome at temple on the day of atonement.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
A renewed sense of creativity
Maybe the title of this post is a bit over the edge, but I'm really trying to stay true to writing a post to my blog, at least daily. I'm not sure what type of value I'll be adding for my readers, but writing in this thing allows me to vent my anger, which as any of you who know me know, I have a lot of. (Try and diagram that sentence, bitch.)
This weekend was pretty low-key for me. I spent the entire week prior to the weekend out everynight at a work function as my boss was in town. Monday - margaritas; Tuesday - happy hour with my old job; Wednesday - out with a vendor; Thursday - out with the boss and the marketing team; Friday - out for Audrey's birthday and Jess' friends party. So Saturday, I got some pizza at Lombardi's. Today I watched football, did laundry, fell asleep at weird times during the day, and now writing in my blog. I also trekked uptown to Blondie's for some wings to watch with football. Too far of a trek. Next time, I'll have to find somewhere to deliver wings.
One of the best parts of this week came Thursday morning. I assumed I'd be sober enough to get in the shower and get to work. I was right. But when I got home Thursday night, I realized that there was a strange phone number scrawled on a post-it note on my desk. I assumed it came from my suit pocket from Wednesday night. I've yet to get up the nerve and call because I really don't remember who it could be. Many of my exploits recently have featured a high level of beer and on Wednesday, a few Jager shots. So I'm not too sure of the caliber of phone number I'd be able to pick up in that state (not that I do this sort of thing ever anyway).
Perhaps if you post comments saying whether or not I should call this number, I'll tally the votes and decide based on that.
This weekend was pretty low-key for me. I spent the entire week prior to the weekend out everynight at a work function as my boss was in town. Monday - margaritas; Tuesday - happy hour with my old job; Wednesday - out with a vendor; Thursday - out with the boss and the marketing team; Friday - out for Audrey's birthday and Jess' friends party. So Saturday, I got some pizza at Lombardi's. Today I watched football, did laundry, fell asleep at weird times during the day, and now writing in my blog. I also trekked uptown to Blondie's for some wings to watch with football. Too far of a trek. Next time, I'll have to find somewhere to deliver wings.
One of the best parts of this week came Thursday morning. I assumed I'd be sober enough to get in the shower and get to work. I was right. But when I got home Thursday night, I realized that there was a strange phone number scrawled on a post-it note on my desk. I assumed it came from my suit pocket from Wednesday night. I've yet to get up the nerve and call because I really don't remember who it could be. Many of my exploits recently have featured a high level of beer and on Wednesday, a few Jager shots. So I'm not too sure of the caliber of phone number I'd be able to pick up in that state (not that I do this sort of thing ever anyway).
Perhaps if you post comments saying whether or not I should call this number, I'll tally the votes and decide based on that.
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