mjm wired ;)  

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, because I sure did. I don't have much to report other than that is was a very relaxed holiday and the time off was very much needed. I spent some quality time with the family: laughing, eating, arguing and the usual. Wouldn't have it any other way. The gift giving part was okay. The kiddies couldn't keep up with the presents, but thankfully no Santa outfit this year. So the year concludes tomorrow, but I'll give my rants [...]

Hey, I updated my pictures again. If you know your party's extension you may dial it at anytime. I gave out the login to everyone I know, if I forgot you, please let me know. Send me an email or just send a message through this site. I got a few summer pics, courtesy of Miranda's Chicago. And now thanks to modern technology too many digital pictures of thanksgiving. I don't mind comments, well enjoy! :-D mjm wired :: Pictures [...]

When I walk into work this morning there is a note outside of my section of cubicles. It reads something like this: "The heat was cancelled for this section, please feel free to relocate to other parts of the building." I thought it was a joke but sure enough my desk, computer and everything else seems like it was left out to cool. So I sit and try to work with my hat, scarf and gloves on. Don't you just love working for a [...]

So I went to my jury selection today and I can summarize it into one phrase: "Hurry Up and Wait". Got there on time, but they didn't open the door for a while. Then we herded into the room and checked in and just sat. And sat. I think I looked out the window. And sat. Finally they told us there were 10 cases on the docket and the judges were determining which will require jurors. After that message I sat some more. I [...]

At the end of the day a Palestinian, Gujurati, Russian and I were talking about how stupid and often talentless rap is. And then Eminem came up, and there was a split reaction in regards to his lyrics. I guess we all ageed that his constant rehashing of his "tough childhood" and "hard life" has become so old - boring really. We get it already. But then someone mentioned that in his Mockinbird lyrics off of his latest album mentions they saved a jar [...]

On December 9, 1854, Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England. Although the poem was written to memorialize the events in the Battle of Balaclava (October 25, 1854), the words still carry a great deal of power today, 150 years later. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. 'Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!' he said: Into the valley of Death Rode [...]

Okay, I thought I was tired before this holiday. Lots of reflections: When you have a crazy rambunctious 9 yr old, bring lots of rope and duct tape. If someone asks "beer bottle or beer mug?", pick the former. If you feel like you got a cold coming on, don't hug babies who will sneeze and drool all over you. Don't try to take self pictures with digital cameras. If you're half mexican and half indian, and you can neither speak "mexican" nor "indian", [...]

I just watched the video for Band-Aid 20, which was the 20 yr anniversary of the original Band-Aid done for hunger relief in Africa in 1984. And I must say, not as good as the original. More modern and has some younger faces, but I doubt as successful as the first one. The little rap segment in their seems very much out of place and the singing styles don't fit too well. And the Bono lyric, that we was so insistent about, isn't anything [...]