Don't use brake cleaner to clean the oil tanks in the pit unless you've got a respirator on.

So last Saturday, the manager at the shop here in town was on the phone with the boss and got the schedule from him. When he got off the phone, he told me that I would have Wednesday off and that I was supposed to work at the other shop Thursday.

So I worked last evening such that I would be in bed at a half-way reasonable time so that I wouldn't be all sleep-deprived when I woke up at 7:15 this morning.

I got up, got dressed and brushed my teeth, and headed for the door. I made the 30 minute drive north to the other shop, just like I thought I was supposed to. Once I got there, the boss was just pulling in behind me. He pulled up next to me and said, "What are you doing here?" Puzzled, I looked at him and said, "Joe said I was supposed to be up here today." The boss got a weird look on his face and said, "I was supposed to fax the schedule down there and I didn't.. You aren't supposed to be here until 1:00"

So I ended up coming back home. I'm not too upset about having to drive all the way up there and all the way back, but I am upset about the total lack of communication. It's like people don't know how to relay a complete message, or how to use the fax machine sitting there on the desk, or... You get the idea.

Stage 1: Work and weather relations. So today, it got up around 100°F. Temperatures this high aren't really that bad...as long as the humidity is low. The humidity was probably right up around 100% all day. If you looked out the window at the haze, your clothes would get soaked with it.

Every place I've worked before has made accomidations for the high heat. Don't get me wrong, I love my current employers, but they don't really do ANYTHING for us, other than provide cold water and fans. What would be really nice is if they would let us close the shop early so we can go home and cool down. Or better yet, get a small air conditioner and let us cut a hole in the side of the building, just for it. Instead, we work just the same hours, with just the same amount of customers, and are expected to do just the same amount of "busy work" around the shop. Meh.

Stage 2: People What part of "STOP here and wait for attendant" do people not understand? Does that mean "try to drive the car in the bay by yourself"? Does it mean "we don't give a crap what you do"? HECK NO! It means "STOP HERE!"

Also, just because someone didn't see me check their tire pressures doesn't mean I didn't. Bugger off. You're not getting charged any more either way.

Stage 3: The local community OH MY GOSH! You can't wait 5 FREAKING seconds for me to go to the stop sign, stop, and continue on so you can turn! You HAVE TO go 90mph in a 25mph to get around me.

Hey Mr. Police Officer! See that black Civic that just blew past you? Yeah... Go pull them over and write them a ticket. Yes, that's what you're getting paid for. Put the doughnut down and go give them their proper citation.

Stage 4: The internet Why is it so hard to (illegally) download music anymore?

Why is DSL so friggin' expensive for me?

Storms hit southern England last night and are set to hit mt later today or tomorrow. Take a look at these pictures....awesome!

Link.

I went back to this company for a second interview today in order to meet people in the team and get a better understanding of them as a professional entity.

After looking at what some people were doing and asking some questions I was told that I got the job and I start on Monday!

Im chuffed to bits!

When I first got my truck, it would be a rare occasion when I would go over $20 to fill my tank.

So today I was working at the shop in Rensseltucky again. My co-worker was less than motivated to work, so I was left to deal with customers, figure out the software for the cash register, etc.

Around 2:30, this old coot came in with his '99 Lincoln Continental. He wanted to know how much it would be for us to change his oil if he brought his own oil but bought an oil filter from us. When the guy I was on shift with told him that it would be $18.50, the old guy started complaining about it being a whole $3 more than it was the last time he was in, which was last year before the current owner took over.

So anyhow, we ended up changing his oil, and in the middle of it, he said "I think I'll have you put some new wipers on, too." So, the other guy and I told him what it would probably cost, and the guy was like "Okay, that's fine..."

After we got all done and I read the amount due to him, I thought he was going to have a heart attack! He couldn't understand that $18 + (2 x $13)+ 6% tax was going to be $47! Yes, we get $12.99 for the wiper blades, because they're a lot higher quality than what Wal-Mart sells.

As the old fart rolled out of the shop after coughing up the $47, he said "I'll never be back here again. This was terrible service!"

I don't get it... The guy came to us in the first place because he's LAZY, as do all the other people, and yet he still had the balls to complain about the price, even with top-notch service and products!

Oh yeah, the unmotivated co-worker... Ugh...

We have a cleaning list that we're supposed to do every day, around the shop. There were probably close to 40 things to do on that list. I think his initials were on 4 of the things, and 3 of them I know he didn't even do.

Also, we were supposed to paint the rails arond the pit, and the steps on the one bay... He painted half of the rails and not even a quarter of the steps, and I had to finish it.

Yes, that's right... I did all the frickin' work today.

What did he do? He worked the pit (drop and replace the old oil filter, drain the old oil, grease the fittings if they're greasable) and operated the cash register a few times. Woohoo.

What did I do? Hmm.. Let's see here...

• Watered all the plants outside
• Washed the windows on bay #1
• Cleaned all the trash cans
• Stocked the oil
• Wiped off the counter and chairs
• Cleaned the bathroom
• Painted half of the rails
• Painted the steps

And I did all of this, 27 times over:

• Checked tire pressures
• Checked the air filters
• Checked all the fluids and topped them off if they needed it
• Washed the windshield
• Filled the new oil
• Closed out the tickets and handled the money

So yeah, I'm not too happy with that guy...

And, when I got home, I had to deal with the gateway server being messed up, an incorrect CPU cooler being sent, and my dog kicking into my sore toe.

Last time I was in Wildebeestville, I kicked into a transmission/engine assembly in an attempt to dislodge one from the other. In doing so, I split the corner off the left side of the nail on my big toe on my left foot. Now, almost 3 weeks later, it has become really infected, and hurts bad enough that I am having a hard time walking.

I've spent about 10 minutes each night this week, draining and washing it with anti-bacterial soap, but during the day when my feet are couped up in the shoes during 95°F weather, there's really no chance that any bacteria or whatever will disappear.

Last night, I sent Dad to Wal-Mart to get me some hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Again, I drained the infection, but soaked it in peroxide for about 5 minutes, then rinsed with the alcohol. I did this about 3 times when I got out of the shower, and again before bed.

Today, when I went to work, I could hardly walk because it was so sore. My guess is that the stuff was working overnight and that things are starting to heal. After an 8 hour day of being on my feet non-stop, I got home and pulled my shoe and sock of first thing. It had started looking really nasty again, so I decided to soak it for an hour in Epsom salt water, then do the whole peroxide and alcohol rinse again, then put some antibiotic ointment on it.

For the rest of the day, I sat here at the computer with my foot propped up under the desk.

Just now, I went and took a shower, then did the rinse and ointment again.

Things are still pretty sore, and walking is just as difficult. All in all, though, the infection appears to be clearing up. I plan on sleeping with no blanket tonight, and not going anywhere tomorrow, so I can let this thing air out and stay clean.

I just hope I don't have to go spend $140 on a doctor visit to find out that I have an infected toenail. rolls eyes

[10:52:24] [teddy] jmoschetti45, this is your official last warning. if you describe something that has caused, or could cause bodily injury to, or others, you will be banned. [10:52:39] [jmoschetti45] ... [10:52:57] [jmoschetti45] how long? [10:53:15] [teddy] for [10:53:16] [teddy] ev [10:53:17] [teddy] er [10:53:30] --- jmoschetti45 (jmoschetti@jmoschetti45.at.preempted.net) has left #neworder (fsck that lol)

Funnel Cloud Images!

This was a pretty hot storm when it rolled through today. It had all the tell-tale signs of tornadic potential. I was quite happy to get these, even though they're not the best quality. Enjoy! :)

Faceoff over civil rights and immigration legalities (The Union Leader - NH)

In the above linked article, the New Ipswitch Chief of Police said, "If you're going to come here, then come here legally. I'll welcome you with open arms."

I agree 975% with that man's stance on immigration. This country is being flooded with illegal immigrants, and nobody is doing a DAMNED thing about them. Why? Check out the response to the officer's statement:

The [protest] letter, read to Chamberlain by Rep. Hector M. Velez, D-Manchester, chastised officials for "unjust unconstitutional denials of human rights."

The group also accused police departments of setting the stage for racial profiling through their actions.

So, enforcing our laws is unjust? Nice. Why don't I go steal every bit of money from the bank two towns over? Would arresting me on those charges be considered "unjust"? For my sake, I would sure hope so.

What about rape? Should that guy that raped that chick (pick any news story here) be let off the hook because any applicible charges would be "unjust"? Most of the time, the rotten scum should be sentenced to life in prison, no parole, and should be beaten to within an inch of his life so he will beg for death.

So how is immigration any different? How is it unjust for someone to come into our country without going through the proper immigration laws, and for them to be rejected by a small town in New England? How is it any different for that same rejection to take place in a city flooded with immigrants (both legal and illegal), such as Chicago, or Dallas?

"But alas! Even immigrants have rights!"

Yes, including the right to fair and just trial. Bring it on.

"Illegal immigration is okay if the immigrant is making a better life for his family in some crap hole country."

W - R - O - N - G The law is the law, and if you can't go through the process of proper immigration, you don't need it that bad. Besides, the grass is always greener on the other side of the border.

I fully expect this post to stir up some people's emotions, which is a good thing. I just ask that if you feel the need to comment, you be reasonable and remember... "Even flaming internet Nazis have rights."

National Weather Services Duties Act of 2005 (Introduced in Senate)

THIS CAN NOT PASS!!

I have just e-mailed my senators with the text quoted below. Read the bill, read my text, and e-mail your senators!

Not sure who your senator is? CLICK HERE to search and find contact information.

Senator: I am certain you're aware of propsed bill S.786, "A bill to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service, and for other purposes." I am writing you to express my disgust of this proposed bill and what it would cause, in hopes to sway your opinion if it is otherwise. From what I have gathered from the text of this bill, the public existance of NOAA, the National Weather Service, and the Storm Prediction Center would be abolished. Living on the edge of "Tornado Alley", in an area affected by the heavy lake-effect snows, and just on the edge of the Iriquois river, the residents of this area depend highly on the services provided by NOAA and its sub-parties. Hundreds of times a year, we are issued advisories, watches, and warnings of this weather. As an amateur storm spotter, I know what role the public has in the issuance of these watches and warnings. Those of us who are trained in storm spotting rely heavily on the forecast products available from NOAA, the NWS, and the SPC. Why from these providers? Because 1) We are paying for these services with our tax dollars, 2) On average, we can't afford a paid subscription to the other services, and 3) Because they are the most accurate products available. The day these products are no longer available to us, the storm spotters, the general public, is the day the reports that save lives are degraded, generalized, and cut off all together. The biggest point I have to make here is that the quality of public weather awareness and safety will basically disappear if S.786 is passed. THIS CAN NOT HAPPEN! Please, Senator, voice your opposition to this bill and stop it from being passed!

Pfft.. Bill Gates needs to keel up in a corner and die.

A bit harsh? Not really.

Sometime here recently, Microsoft has started this "Get the Facts" campaign, slamming Linux as much as possible. What is their #1 claim? "Lower cost of ownership."

Think about it... The higher cost, if it really exists, is worth it. Linux is more reliable, robust, and secure, if you have a good administrator. Sure, that last part is where the money is, but like I said, it's worth it.

Only once have I tried to remotely administer a Windows server, and it was enough to make me never want to do it again.

Granted, I have pretty much no experience with Windows servers, only Linux, but I am still very entitled to my opinion that this campaign sucks!

I put in an application at the local oil change place for a part-time job, just until I get an IT related job.

The owner of the business called me last night and left a voice mail, which I didn't get until pretty late, wanting me to call him. This morning, Mom called and said he told her to have me call after 1:00 today.

While Dad and I were out spending money to satisfy my caffeine "need", I left my phone here at home for a change. When I got back, I saw that I had another voice mail. It was the oil change place owner's wife.

"Hi, Ed, this is {her name here}..."

I don't know if she was actually calling me, or if she was calling this Ed guy, or if Denny just put her up to it. I'll be returning the call after 1:00, though.

Open this in Internet Explorer

See the missing text? See how it only shows the image in each cell of the list? That's because it doesn't render properly.