Another item for the "Reasons To Hate My Job" list:
(?) Email like this:
To: Tom, our hero
From: Another Stupid Coworker
Is there any updates regarding the below?
A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for having this jobs. Subject/verb agreement are not one.
GAH.
-t
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Nerd Alert!
To: tom@work
From: Sam@home
Is it wrong that I just entered a sweepstakes to go to the premiere of the new Star Trek movie? And if so, is it more wrong that I referred you and 4 of my other friends to enter so that I would get an extra 5 entries into the contest?
woot star trek!
~Sam
What's the Klingon for "nerd?" Oh, nevermind, I'll just ask Sam...
-t
From: Sam@home
Is it wrong that I just entered a sweepstakes to go to the premiere of the new Star Trek movie? And if so, is it more wrong that I referred you and 4 of my other friends to enter so that I would get an extra 5 entries into the contest?
woot star trek!
~Sam
What's the Klingon for "nerd?" Oh, nevermind, I'll just ask Sam...
-t
References
Still trying to narrow down the list of DJs for the big event. I went to craigslist to find someone local (and cheap). Here is one of the exchanges:
To: djmikey@djing.com
Subject: RE: Availability for 8/15/2009
Mike,
I hope you're still available for the 15th. I'm still trying to decide between a couple different DJs. Can you provide any references or testimonials from some of your clients?
Thanks,
Tom
To: tom@work
Subject: RE: Availability for 8/15/2009
hi tom.
here are a few comments people have made.
Mike did a fabulous job at our wedding reception! We got many compliments on him and will definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a DJ. Thank you so much!
Sheri-ann
Ipswich, MA
Michael was amazing! The dance floor was packed all night and we got so many compliments on the music and how fun the wedding was. Michael was certainly the major player in creating the amazing atmosphere that night and for that we are truly thankful!
Natalie
Mendon, MA
hope these are what you are looking for.
call anytime
michael
And, not for nothing, but I'm pretty sure Mendon, MA is a made-up town name.
-t
To: djmikey@djing.com
Subject: RE: Availability for 8/15/2009
Mike,
I hope you're still available for the 15th. I'm still trying to decide between a couple different DJs. Can you provide any references or testimonials from some of your clients?
Thanks,
Tom
To: tom@work
Subject: RE: Availability for 8/15/2009
hi tom.
here are a few comments people have made.
Mike did a fabulous job at our wedding reception! We got many compliments on him and will definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a DJ. Thank you so much!
Sheri-ann
Ipswich, MA
Michael was amazing! The dance floor was packed all night and we got so many compliments on the music and how fun the wedding was. Michael was certainly the major player in creating the amazing atmosphere that night and for that we are truly thankful!
Natalie
Mendon, MA
hope these are what you are looking for.
call anytime
michael
And, not for nothing, but I'm pretty sure Mendon, MA is a made-up town name.
-t
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Reading
John's response to an entirely ordinary email:
Sent via BlackBerry fromT-Mobile A BAR.
-t
Driuuuuuuuunbk can't readf thid omg
Sent via BlackBerry from
-t
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
I, For One, Welcome Our New Google Overlords
Two points to make regarding Google
(1) YouTube is now the second largest search engine in the world, surpassing Yahoo (finally, man, the only thing Yahoo seems to have left is sports (which is still top notch!)).
and
(2) Google just updated their iGoogle hompeage, including the gmail widget so that now I HAVE FULL ACCESS TO GMAIL FROM WITHIN THE GOOGLE HOMEPAGE!
Which is totally wicked.
Previously, google (helpfully) displayed the number of unread messages in the inbox and displayed the senders and subject line of the most recent 10 emails received.
NOW I HAVE FULL ACCESS!
Which is great, since gmail.com itself is still blocked at work.
I am going to enjoy this until the IT department figures out a way to block it.
Way to go Google.
-t
(1) YouTube is now the second largest search engine in the world, surpassing Yahoo (finally, man, the only thing Yahoo seems to have left is sports (which is still top notch!)).
and
(2) Google just updated their iGoogle hompeage, including the gmail widget so that now I HAVE FULL ACCESS TO GMAIL FROM WITHIN THE GOOGLE HOMEPAGE!
Which is totally wicked.
Previously, google (helpfully) displayed the number of unread messages in the inbox and displayed the senders and subject line of the most recent 10 emails received.
NOW I HAVE FULL ACCESS!
Which is great, since gmail.com itself is still blocked at work.
I am going to enjoy this until the IT department figures out a way to block it.
Way to go Google.
-t
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Inventor Of Carbon-Copies Should Be Punished
Here's a snippy email thread that bounced back and forth today between our new settlements group and the international Vienna team. I am, as usual, caught in the crossfire. Instead of pasting in all the email subjects, headers, signatures, etc, I'm going to parse it for you as a bitchy conversation between coworkers:
Matt: Hi, going forward, can you please email myself and Susan anytime the books are opened so we can avoid booking entries to a prior accounting period? Thanks.
Vance (Vienna): I don't really understand your request. Opening the accounting period is Tom's responsibility, we don't open or close. Can you clarify?
Matt: Vance, this was directed at both you and Tom. If you request the books be opened I just wanted to make sure Susan and I were also on the email so we are aware of it.
Vance: In that case isn't it possible to put your email addresses on the master mailing list?
Matt: No, I don't want to get all of the email concerning every fund in the bank. We only need a heads up if these two funds are being opened.
Vance: And what about setting up a rule in that mailbox to forward all the emails to you in which the subject references these funds, or any coming from my Vienna team? I would like to avoid cc-ing one hundred people in every email. It is so easy to forget someone...
Matt: Fine. I will just have the trades team notify us. Tom, can you please make sure to let us know if the books are opened? Thanks.
Vance: Thanks for that.
Matt: Hi, going forward, can you please email myself and Susan anytime the books are opened so we can avoid booking entries to a prior accounting period? Thanks.
Vance (Vienna): I don't really understand your request. Opening the accounting period is Tom's responsibility, we don't open or close. Can you clarify?
Matt: Vance, this was directed at both you and Tom. If you request the books be opened I just wanted to make sure Susan and I were also on the email so we are aware of it.
Vance: In that case isn't it possible to put your email addresses on the master mailing list?
Matt: No, I don't want to get all of the email concerning every fund in the bank. We only need a heads up if these two funds are being opened.
Vance: And what about setting up a rule in that mailbox to forward all the emails to you in which the subject references these funds, or any coming from my Vienna team? I would like to avoid cc-ing one hundred people in every email. It is so easy to forget someone...
Matt: Fine. I will just have the trades team notify us. Tom, can you please make sure to let us know if the books are opened? Thanks.
Vance: Thanks for that.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
You Can't Spell Courtesy Without Curt
I was quietly asked to step into the conference room this morning to meet with my supervisor.
One glance at the troubled look on his face and I guessed immediately that the discussion might center around a sarcastic reply I'd sent in response to an email from one of the girls on the tax team.
The original email went something like "The client wants us to check on this, please check on this and get back to me," and the email was, as per the custom here, cc-ed to basically everyone, including her supervisor, my supervisor, and the head of the division.
In a joking and sarcastic manner, which I truly believed was in character with the working relationship I have with this particular member of the tax team, and not in any way mean-spirited, but one-hundred percent in jest, I replied to her email with "Actually, as this is a tax request, and tax is your job, please do your job."
Which, as I said, I believed to be well within the established framework of office joking and good-natured ribbing that I had established with the tax team.
I did, please note, NOT reply-to-all and cc the whole freaking company, which is a crucial point that this member of the tax team overlooked.
Because she assumed that I had copied everyone on the email in my response, basically critcizing her professionalism, work-ethic, and ability, she responded to my response, cc-ing everyone with a curt response which included a cut-and-pasted excerpt of my job description as it pertains to client tax requests.
So, as I was called into the conference room I had an inkling of where this conversation was headed.
"Tom," my supervisor began, "I wanted to talk to you because, well, someone...higher up...pulled me aside and mentioned that someone on the tax team had become a little, upset, about something... Do you know what I'm talking about?"
You mean the email I sent to the tax team. I was actually planning on walking down there later today and talking to her about that. I don't think she realized my response was direct to her, not to the whole company.
"Right, yeah, well. I think, it, well, it would probably be good to realize that, if you think you sound a certain way in an email, that maybe some people might not take it the way you mean it, and that can be... less than constructive to building bridges between teams...and for your own business relationships. Do you know what I mean?"
You want me to be nicer. Got it. Is it just the email, or has this come up before?
"It's just that your manner... Look, I know it can be frustrating - believe me I know - there are sometimes, like with the international team in Vienna, they can be a little demanding, they call all the time, there are sometimes where I just want to fire off an email and really let 'em have it, you know? But - but, you have to take a deep breath, and be a little more... Maybe don't think about correcting them, even when it's clearly their fault, but instead, trying to accomodate and respond with something that will be better for building a connection with them.
"I understand your manner can be a little...curt, at times. The way you work, technically you're very strong. You know the software, you've gotten to know the funds and the glitches that can come up, and how to deal with them, or prevent them, which is great. But, your, building relationships...maybe can use a little work. Sometimes, like, maybe with the people you train, your manner might seem a little....rude. And I know you just want to get the job done, but like I said, the way you behave might not be taken the same way by the other person. Ok? That was all I wanted to mention."
So.
Be nicer. I have decided to embrace this idea of niceness, and in that vein, I have updated my email auto-signature from "Thanks-comma" to read instead, "Thanks-exclamation-point" and that should make the difference.
Thanks!
Tom
One glance at the troubled look on his face and I guessed immediately that the discussion might center around a sarcastic reply I'd sent in response to an email from one of the girls on the tax team.
The original email went something like "The client wants us to check on this, please check on this and get back to me," and the email was, as per the custom here, cc-ed to basically everyone, including her supervisor, my supervisor, and the head of the division.
In a joking and sarcastic manner, which I truly believed was in character with the working relationship I have with this particular member of the tax team, and not in any way mean-spirited, but one-hundred percent in jest, I replied to her email with "Actually, as this is a tax request, and tax is your job, please do your job."
Which, as I said, I believed to be well within the established framework of office joking and good-natured ribbing that I had established with the tax team.
I did, please note, NOT reply-to-all and cc the whole freaking company, which is a crucial point that this member of the tax team overlooked.
Because she assumed that I had copied everyone on the email in my response, basically critcizing her professionalism, work-ethic, and ability, she responded to my response, cc-ing everyone with a curt response which included a cut-and-pasted excerpt of my job description as it pertains to client tax requests.
So, as I was called into the conference room I had an inkling of where this conversation was headed.
"Tom," my supervisor began, "I wanted to talk to you because, well, someone...higher up...pulled me aside and mentioned that someone on the tax team had become a little, upset, about something... Do you know what I'm talking about?"
You mean the email I sent to the tax team. I was actually planning on walking down there later today and talking to her about that. I don't think she realized my response was direct to her, not to the whole company.
"Right, yeah, well. I think, it, well, it would probably be good to realize that, if you think you sound a certain way in an email, that maybe some people might not take it the way you mean it, and that can be... less than constructive to building bridges between teams...and for your own business relationships. Do you know what I mean?"
You want me to be nicer. Got it. Is it just the email, or has this come up before?
"It's just that your manner... Look, I know it can be frustrating - believe me I know - there are sometimes, like with the international team in Vienna, they can be a little demanding, they call all the time, there are sometimes where I just want to fire off an email and really let 'em have it, you know? But - but, you have to take a deep breath, and be a little more... Maybe don't think about correcting them, even when it's clearly their fault, but instead, trying to accomodate and respond with something that will be better for building a connection with them.
"I understand your manner can be a little...curt, at times. The way you work, technically you're very strong. You know the software, you've gotten to know the funds and the glitches that can come up, and how to deal with them, or prevent them, which is great. But, your, building relationships...maybe can use a little work. Sometimes, like, maybe with the people you train, your manner might seem a little....rude. And I know you just want to get the job done, but like I said, the way you behave might not be taken the same way by the other person. Ok? That was all I wanted to mention."
So.
Be nicer. I have decided to embrace this idea of niceness, and in that vein, I have updated my email auto-signature from "Thanks-comma" to read instead, "Thanks-exclamation-point" and that should make the difference.
Thanks!
Tom
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Hey Is For Horses
Email thread!
To: Mike@supervisor
From: Buddy
cc: Tom
Subject: Hey
Hey,
I have a control alert on one of my portfolios. Could you check this out when you get a minute. Thanks
Mike's reply:
To: Buddy
From: Mike@supervisor
cc: Tom
Subject: Hey
This is all set now.
Also- I'm more likely to notice and respond to e-mails that don't have subject "Hey" FYI.
Thanks,
Mike
-t
To: Mike@supervisor
From: Buddy
cc: Tom
Subject: Hey
Hey,
I have a control alert on one of my portfolios. Could you check this out when you get a minute. Thanks
Mike's reply:
To: Buddy
From: Mike@supervisor
cc: Tom
Subject: Hey
This is all set now.
Also- I'm more likely to notice and respond to e-mails that don't have subject "Hey" FYI.
Thanks,
Mike
-t
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Words Added To My Custom Dictionary -or- Why I Hate Lotus Notes
LotusNotes blows. Seriously. A lot.
A list of words added to my email spellcheck dictionary:
- 38pitches (Curt Schilling's blog)
- 3PM
- 401K
- 5PM
- 6pm
- Adina (does this surprise anyone else?)
- apts
- Attaboy
- Bioshock (2007 game of the year!)
- blog
- blogging
- bookmarked
- btw
- craigslist
- Daisuke (ok, it's Japanese)
- Donny (really?)
- download ("download" isn't in the standard dictionary?)
- drat (my favorite four-letter word!)
- dvds
- Erin (this is ridiculous - suggested correction? "Ermine")
- ESPN
- Fermat (Einstein is in the standard dictionary)
- Fermat's
- fyi
- gmail
- gotta
- hiya
- Hurley (from Lost)
- hyperlink (hey, email dictionary, it's the Internet Age)
- hyperlinks (cripes)
- Ichiro
- Jackie
- Joey
- Matsuzaka
- Matsuzaka's (separate entries for proper nouns and their possessives?)
- max (wow. I'm almost certain "max" is a real word, like, everywhere)
- MBTA
- munchkins
- nor'easter
- Ok (I hate capitalizing both 'o' and 'k')
- ok (obv.)
- online (alright, screw you, dictionary)
- ONYE
- Ortiz
- Philly
- Pinkerton
- punkface (this is one of the few I find understandable)
- RBIs
- rebook
- rebooked
- rebooks (probably the word used most often in my emails)
- RSS
- screengrab (maybe not a real word)
- screenshot (come on. def. a real word)
- Sox
- TD ("trade date" - MSOutlook spellcheck opts out of words in all caps)
- timesheet
- Timmy (honestly?)
- tpb
- tv (but "TV" is ok. ridiculous)
- txt
- Verizon
- workflow
- Yep
Any surprises in your custom dictionary?
-t
9
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Rate My Manager (with LeadBack!)
Last week:
Well, I will take it as a compliment! I am heartened that my opinion matters!
As you'd expect, the survey is twenty-five or so vanilla questions similar to "Please rate your level of agreement 'My manager is an outgoing person who encourages open dialogue within our group, but sometimes can take it too far and become a distraction' Agree Strongly; Agree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree"
I try to be as accurate as I can. Pull no punches, air no grievances, objective above all. I'm one of the few selected, right?
Today:
Oh.
Should I also disregard the compliment?
-t
From:admin@leadback
Hello,
Tom, your supervisor is a participant in the Beacons of Leadership program.
A key part of the process is to provide feedback on personal leadership styles. We will use a 360-degree multi-rater survey called LeadBack®. The results from this feedback will help establish developmental goals.
You, Tom, have been chosen to give feedback. Please take it as a compliment. This is an excellent opportunity for you to contribute to the ongoing development of your colleague. You are one of a larger group of colleagues invited to participate.
This survey will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please note, except for your supervisor's manager, all survey responses are confidential and anonymous.
Regards,
LeadBack Admin
Well, I will take it as a compliment! I am heartened that my opinion matters!
As you'd expect, the survey is twenty-five or so vanilla questions similar to "Please rate your level of agreement 'My manager is an outgoing person who encourages open dialogue within our group, but sometimes can take it too far and become a distraction' Agree Strongly; Agree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree"
I try to be as accurate as I can. Pull no punches, air no grievances, objective above all. I'm one of the few selected, right?
Today:
From:director@beacons
Hello,
You recently received information requesting your participation in a LeadBack survey as part of the Beacons of Leadership Program for your supervisor.
This request was sent to you all in error, please disregard any emails and any survey information that you may have received from the LeadBack administrator or myself.
Regards,
Beacons Director
Oh.
Should I also disregard the compliment?
-t
12
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"Play (Chemically Enhanced) Ball!"
Work softball is back!
We've just completed our first email thread of the season discussing potential new names for our squad.
I propsed "The Bearded Wonders" for us, especially funny because no one on the team wears a beard (though, in my case, it's certainly not for lack of trying). Others included "Team Great!" (exclamation point included), "Strange Brew" (the favorite, and "Pedroia's Ping Pong Posse" (too long).
My suggestsion came in third in the voting, but it was a close race (McCain-Huckabee close). Luckily, this year, our team name won't feature any puns on performance enhancing drugs (BALCO Lab Rats, The Linseed Oilers, Mo'PEDS).
Up next, deciding on a uniform color. We wore blue last year (our rallying cry was "Go blue team!") but this year I'm pulling for red.
Because it will look totally great with my beard.
-t
We've just completed our first email thread of the season discussing potential new names for our squad.
I propsed "The Bearded Wonders" for us, especially funny because no one on the team wears a beard (though, in my case, it's certainly not for lack of trying). Others included "Team Great!" (exclamation point included), "Strange Brew" (the favorite, and "Pedroia's Ping Pong Posse" (too long).
My suggestsion came in third in the voting, but it was a close race (McCain-Huckabee close). Luckily, this year, our team name won't feature any puns on performance enhancing drugs (BALCO Lab Rats, The Linseed Oilers, Mo'PEDS).
Up next, deciding on a uniform color. We wore blue last year (our rallying cry was "Go blue team!") but this year I'm pulling for red.
Because it will look totally great with my beard.
-t
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Emergency Communique
To: Tom@work
From: Samantha@home
Subject: Emergency Alert
A firetruck with lights and sirens just drove by my house at the exact moment the television did a test of the Emergency Alert System.
All the sirens at once. Just a little terrifying. :-p
~Sam
From: Samantha@home
Subject: Emergency Alert
A firetruck with lights and sirens just drove by my house at the exact moment the television did a test of the Emergency Alert System.
All the sirens at once. Just a little terrifying. :-p
~Sam
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Allegedly, the list of players named in the Mitchell Report on Steroid/HGH in MLB
I don't have any problem publishing this list. It was forwarded to me, through email, by a guy "who knows a guy, who knows a guy" in MLB. Or something.
Probably not a big deal, as I doubt I'm going to get significant traffic between the time I post this and the release of the actual report by Senator George Mitchell.
I forwarded it to Samantha and to my dad, because I figured they'd be interested.
Anyway, here's the list:
"Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafaeil Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsoworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi,
Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker
Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez,Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, IJason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood."
And for you confused readers, here is Samantha's response:
"I don't understand. what is it? some alphabetical list of baseball players?"
Turns out, an alphabetical list of players is exactly what my dad suggested:
"NO ASTERISKS NEEDED, EVERYONE WAS ON THE JUICE!"
-t
Probably not a big deal, as I doubt I'm going to get significant traffic between the time I post this and the release of the actual report by Senator George Mitchell.
I forwarded it to Samantha and to my dad, because I figured they'd be interested.
Anyway, here's the list:
"Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafaeil Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsoworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi,
Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker
Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez,Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, IJason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood."
And for you confused readers, here is Samantha's response:
"I don't understand. what is it? some alphabetical list of baseball players?"
Turns out, an alphabetical list of players is exactly what my dad suggested:
"NO ASTERISKS NEEDED, EVERYONE WAS ON THE JUICE!"
-t
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
gAIMing
Hey! Gmail users! Google is finally going to start talking to AIM! No more only chatting with the four other people you know on googlechat, you can sign into AIM from gmail and get your whole buddy list!
I feel like I'm in an AT&T commercial from the eighties. Reach out and touch someone.
Well, I would if I could access gmail at work.
-t
I feel like I'm in an AT&T commercial from the eighties. Reach out and touch someone.
Well, I would if I could access gmail at work.
-t
Monday, November 26, 2007
Update: Call to arms and Keyboards
I'm updating a post from last year, because it's still important! (updates in red)
Folks, I need your help.
In 1990 TNT produced a made-for-tv movie of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the greatest adaptation ever. Ever.*
Plus! It stars Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins (and you know how good he is) and Charlton Heston as Long John Silver, and folks, I am not kidding you when I say that this was the role he was meant to play.
Better than Moses, better than Ben Hur, better than NRA president. Charlton Heston is Long John Silver, Long John Silver is Charlton Heston, Heston Silver John is Long Charles. - you get what I'm saying?
All of the performances floored me, this is the production I think of whenever anyone mentions the story. It is absolutely unthinkable that this movie has not been released on dvd.So, I need your help. Go here. Click on the "vote" button on the right-hand sidebar. They ask for an email, but there's no confirmation, so if you're not busy, vote lots of times with made up email addresses!
It's up to #3 in the rankings! We can push that over the top! #1! #1!
Let's make this happen people!
-t
* the notable exception being Muppet Treasure Island. I maintain the TNT version "best ever," but readily concede that the Muppet version is undoubtedly the best adaptation with music, the best adaptation not starring Charlton Heston and Christian Bale, and the best adaptation with Muppets. (jump back)
Folks, I need your help.
In 1990 TNT produced a made-for-tv movie of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the greatest adaptation ever. Ever.*
Plus! It stars Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins (and you know how good he is) and Charlton Heston as Long John Silver, and folks, I am not kidding you when I say that this was the role he was meant to play.
Better than Moses, better than Ben Hur, better than NRA president. Charlton Heston is Long John Silver, Long John Silver is Charlton Heston, Heston Silver John is Long Charles. - you get what I'm saying?
All of the performances floored me, this is the production I think of whenever anyone mentions the story. It is absolutely unthinkable that this movie has not been released on dvd.So, I need your help. Go here. Click on the "vote" button on the right-hand sidebar. They ask for an email, but there's no confirmation, so if you're not busy, vote lots of times with made up email addresses!
It's up to #3 in the rankings! We can push that over the top! #1! #1!
Let's make this happen people!
-t
* the notable exception being Muppet Treasure Island. I maintain the TNT version "best ever," but readily concede that the Muppet version is undoubtedly the best adaptation with music, the best adaptation not starring Charlton Heston and Christian Bale, and the best adaptation with Muppets. (jump back)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Nightmare on Stupid Street 2?
This isn't so much a return in the sense that a particular person is coming back after having been absent, so much as it is a return in the slasher/horror tradition; in Scream 2, Scream 3, etc the killer returns, but it's not really the killer, because the real killer died in the previous movie, it's an honorary. They inherit the mask, the knife, what have you, and they assume the mantle.
It turns out we've got a contender. Nothing definitive, I don't want to get anyone too excited, but he doesn't seem overly bright, is all I'm saying.
Please read the email exchange below, and let me know what you think:
Updated cxl/rbks
Hi Simon
I found two trades booked with an incorrect price, I have cancelled and rebooked them. Can you please settle the trades to clear your cash breaks?
Thank you,
Tom
RE:Updated cxl/rbks
Hi Tom,
Will do. If I have any questions I'll be sure to let you know once I am completing this.
Thank you,
Simon
He's still got some work to do, no doubt, but he's heading in the right direction. Also, I'm not as worked up about this as some of you might anticipate, because Simon isn't in my group (limiting my contact with him) and I am not responsible for the quality of his work (limiting my frustration), so I can enjoy the stupidity from a distance.
-t
It turns out we've got a contender. Nothing definitive, I don't want to get anyone too excited, but he doesn't seem overly bright, is all I'm saying.
Please read the email exchange below, and let me know what you think:
Updated cxl/rbks
Hi Simon
I found two trades booked with an incorrect price, I have cancelled and rebooked them. Can you please settle the trades to clear your cash breaks?
Thank you,
Tom
RE:Updated cxl/rbks
Hi Tom,
Will do. If I have any questions I'll be sure to let you know once I am completing this.
Thank you,
Simon
He's still got some work to do, no doubt, but he's heading in the right direction. Also, I'm not as worked up about this as some of you might anticipate, because Simon isn't in my group (limiting my contact with him) and I am not responsible for the quality of his work (limiting my frustration), so I can enjoy the stupidity from a distance.
-t
Thursday, October 18, 2007
How I leanred to Internet!!
I love these guys. This is totally my favorite youtube video.
I hope somebody makes t-shirts.
Fax us your email address!
-t
I hope somebody makes t-shirts.
Fax us your email address!
-t
Monday, May 21, 2007
Email Exchange: Company Softball Edition
This post is dedicated to Felecia, who can't get enough softball posts.
The Players:
Ted: our starting pitcher. Nice guy, generally counted on to come up with the bright ideas (bringing a fully-stocked cooler, bringing a grill for mid-inning barbecue)
Harry: a grizzled old veteran, our captain
Amy, Bonnie, Cara, Steve: teammates
Adam: the jackass who ran into me at second base last game
oh, and me, Tom
Team,
Since not everyone on the team knows eachother that well, it may be a good idea to go out sometime. I was thinking that since we could use some practice as well, we could go to Good Times Emporium in Somerville (http://www.goodtimeemporium.com/). There is a bar, batting cages, pool tables and other stuff. Let me know what you think.
-Ted
Ted,
are we talking drinking practice or batting practice?
either way - I'm in as long as its a day when I can make it
-Amy
mmmm that's tough- i don't drink and the bar scene makes me uncomfortable.......
-Cara
If I've got nothing else planned, I'll be in. Does this place offer a senior discount, if I show them my AARP card?
-Harry
well Cara maybe some drinks would bring out your 2b skills....
i'll go!!!
-Bonnie
Great idea, let's try to plan this in advance in order to accomodate all schedules in mind. A Saturday at the cages followed by ice cold pints of quality European beers would make for a nice day. Remember, life is too short to drink cheap beer.
Cheers,
-Adam
Adam - European beers are supposed to be served room temperature. Not "icy cold."
-Tom
Actually it depends if its a lager, ale...etc. But having visited a true Berlin beer festival in Germany I would have to agree with that statement on some level.
-Adam
well it was nice playing with you all, looks like I am off the team - I prefer watery, tasteless, light, American beer! mmmmm USA! USA!
wait a minute wasn't it some "chilled piss in a can" that we all consumed the other night at the game?
-Bonnie
i agree with bonnie... i prefer watery, tasteless, light, american beer! and yes, we all consumed it over the past two games!
go bud light!
-cara
guys, how are we going to learn to play like a team, if we can't act like a team when interoffice emailing?????
-Amy
I support American beer - have some pride. [usaflag.gif]!
-Steve
He's a tool.
"Icy cold pints" indeed.
-t
The Players:
Ted: our starting pitcher. Nice guy, generally counted on to come up with the bright ideas (bringing a fully-stocked cooler, bringing a grill for mid-inning barbecue)
Harry: a grizzled old veteran, our captain
Amy, Bonnie, Cara, Steve: teammates
Adam: the jackass who ran into me at second base last game
oh, and me, Tom
Team,
Since not everyone on the team knows eachother that well, it may be a good idea to go out sometime. I was thinking that since we could use some practice as well, we could go to Good Times Emporium in Somerville (http://www.goodtimeemporium.com/). There is a bar, batting cages, pool tables and other stuff. Let me know what you think.
-Ted
Ted,
are we talking drinking practice or batting practice?
either way - I'm in as long as its a day when I can make it
-Amy
mmmm that's tough- i don't drink and the bar scene makes me uncomfortable.......
-Cara
If I've got nothing else planned, I'll be in. Does this place offer a senior discount, if I show them my AARP card?
-Harry
well Cara maybe some drinks would bring out your 2b skills....
i'll go!!!
-Bonnie
Great idea, let's try to plan this in advance in order to accomodate all schedules in mind. A Saturday at the cages followed by ice cold pints of quality European beers would make for a nice day. Remember, life is too short to drink cheap beer.
Cheers,
-Adam
Adam - European beers are supposed to be served room temperature. Not "icy cold."
-Tom
Actually it depends if its a lager, ale...etc. But having visited a true Berlin beer festival in Germany I would have to agree with that statement on some level.
-Adam
well it was nice playing with you all, looks like I am off the team - I prefer watery, tasteless, light, American beer! mmmmm USA! USA!
wait a minute wasn't it some "chilled piss in a can" that we all consumed the other night at the game?
-Bonnie
i agree with bonnie... i prefer watery, tasteless, light, american beer! and yes, we all consumed it over the past two games!
go bud light!
-cara
guys, how are we going to learn to play like a team, if we can't act like a team when interoffice emailing?????
-Amy
I support American beer - have some pride. [usaflag.gif]!
-Steve
He's a tool.
"Icy cold pints" indeed.
-t
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Interview
Eileen from Divine Comedy of Errors asked me a few questions:
1. If you were in charge of the Red Sox and had unlimited funds to sign one player, who would you choose? Assume all current MLB players are available.
- I'll point you to my earlier post, Another Impossible Dream?. I'd sign Alex Rodriguez with absolutely no hesitation to a six year deal, minimum. and move him back to shortstop. I'd trade Lugo for a power-hitting first baseman (Helton? Might need a third team on the deal, the Rockies need pitching more than a shortstop - I'd probably platoon Helton with Youk for half the season, reevaluate after the All Star break, then use Helton or Lowell as trade bait to deal with needs).
If not A-Rod, I'd sign Johan Santana for another ten years. Beckett, Santana, and Matsuzaka would mean fifty-four to sixty wins a season for plenty of years.
2. If you switched careers, what would your new job be? (stay with the realm of plausibility for this one)
-Teacher, I like to teach, and I'm super good at messing with their young impressionable minds.
I'm not a teacher because I need money to buy a house and, you know, food.
3. Who was the best teacher you ever had?
-Brother Fred Eid, high school, freshman, junior, and senior year. He taught math, art, and moderated the newspaper and photography club. His presentation on limits is the reason I majored in math. He moved like a hummingbird, never wasted one moment, moving from the classroom to the news room to the studio to the athletic field and back. He probably didn't sleep. He was a gifted artist and educator, and if I had half of his energy you'd all think I was a coke fiend.
4. If you had to live in a foreign country for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
-Ireland - I hear the Guiness tastes better there. -or-
Japan - super technologically advanced, volcanoes, earthquakes, giant mutated lizards - yeah, I could totally handle living in Japan.
5. Do you have any unusual pet peeves?
-Not that I'm aware of. I hate stupid people, and Yankee fans, but I don't think that's unusual.
Ah. Driviers making poorly, or incorretly executed left-hand turns. Drives me crazy. Enter the intesection, then proceed with your turn, don't cut off oncoming traffic trying to get over! GAH!
Turning Left
When making any left turn, you must first yield
the right-of-way to any...
• Oncoming vehicle
• Vehicle already in the intersection
• Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your
intended path of travel
from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Rules of the Road chapter 4
Ok, that's it, want to play along? Rules of the game:
1. Send an email saying, “Interview me”, or words to that effect.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions of my choosing.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You have to include this explanation, and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions...
1. If you were in charge of the Red Sox and had unlimited funds to sign one player, who would you choose? Assume all current MLB players are available.
- I'll point you to my earlier post, Another Impossible Dream?. I'd sign Alex Rodriguez with absolutely no hesitation to a six year deal, minimum. and move him back to shortstop. I'd trade Lugo for a power-hitting first baseman (Helton? Might need a third team on the deal, the Rockies need pitching more than a shortstop - I'd probably platoon Helton with Youk for half the season, reevaluate after the All Star break, then use Helton or Lowell as trade bait to deal with needs).
If not A-Rod, I'd sign Johan Santana for another ten years. Beckett, Santana, and Matsuzaka would mean fifty-four to sixty wins a season for plenty of years.
2. If you switched careers, what would your new job be? (stay with the realm of plausibility for this one)
-Teacher, I like to teach, and I'm super good at messing with their young impressionable minds.
I'm not a teacher because I need money to buy a house and, you know, food.
3. Who was the best teacher you ever had?
-Brother Fred Eid, high school, freshman, junior, and senior year. He taught math, art, and moderated the newspaper and photography club. His presentation on limits is the reason I majored in math. He moved like a hummingbird, never wasted one moment, moving from the classroom to the news room to the studio to the athletic field and back. He probably didn't sleep. He was a gifted artist and educator, and if I had half of his energy you'd all think I was a coke fiend.
4. If you had to live in a foreign country for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
-Ireland - I hear the Guiness tastes better there. -or-
Japan - super technologically advanced, volcanoes, earthquakes, giant mutated lizards - yeah, I could totally handle living in Japan.
5. Do you have any unusual pet peeves?
-Not that I'm aware of. I hate stupid people, and Yankee fans, but I don't think that's unusual.
Ah. Driviers making poorly, or incorretly executed left-hand turns. Drives me crazy. Enter the intesection, then proceed with your turn, don't cut off oncoming traffic trying to get over! GAH!
Turning Left
When making any left turn, you must first yield
the right-of-way to any...
• Oncoming vehicle
• Vehicle already in the intersection
• Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your
intended path of travel
from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Rules of the Road chapter 4
Ok, that's it, want to play along? Rules of the game:
1. Send an email saying, “Interview me”, or words to that effect.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions of my choosing.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You have to include this explanation, and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions...
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