Doomed!

Bah! My fantasy football team was doing so well. Actually, I'm doing much better than I expected - I'm currently in 1st place with an unblemished 7-0 record and the third highest scoring total in the league (out of 16 teams).

This week, however, I take on a girl who's team sits at 15th place and has a record of 1-6. I've scored more points than her every week of the season but, coming into this week, I have 4 starters on byes, including my starting quarterback Garcia), my starting wide receiver (Holt), my starting tight end (Shea), and a flex running back (Pittman). I can see the loss coming already, and I don't like it.

Gah. I wouldn't feel so bad if I lost to someone that actually had a good team. :-/

An Interesting Tidbit

I spotted this in a sports column...just thought I'd share the useless knowledge I tend to accrue:

"It's rare that a game pitting a 2-4 team against a 3-4 team receives so much attention, but this week's Green Bay-Washington matchup has a lot on the line. The future of our country, for one.

In an odd quirk, the Redskins' final home game before a presidential election has predicted the winner for Washington's top job ever since the team moved to Washington. If the Skins win, the incumbent party wins the election. If Washington loses, so does the party in the White House. Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards isn't just trying to woo Wisconsin voters when he says he is rooting for the Packers.

We're not sure whether a Boston World Series victory has any effect on presidential elections. Didn't the British still run this country the last time the Sox won?"

Who's Running the County, Anyway?

With all the political campaigning being done right now by Bush and Kerry, is there anything actually being done in Washington? Have the two of them basically "taken vacation" from their normal jobs so they can travel the showdown states each day?

Reducing the Need for Human Interaction

You know, blogs are curious things. I can wander on out to Blogger.com whenever I feel the need and babble for a while about whatever I want and anyone out there can read it...whenever they want. Granted, I doubt many people bother to read this, particular blog, but I know some folks do. But, as a subtitle for Nick Lucht's blog, it reads "Reducing the need for actual human contact since 2004."

Funny line, really.

So, is that what a blog does? Does it reduce the need for human contact? Is that a good thing? I'll tell you what my experience is. It does...and it doesn't. Certainly, I now know more about what's going on in Nick's and Nate's lives than I have for years. The fact that I live in Rochester, Nick is in Madison/Chicago, and Nate is back home in Bear Creek certainly makes it difficult to "drop by" for a beer. So, in large part, I had lost contact with those guys ever since we left school. Now, however, thanks to these "blog thingys," I can keep up on what's been going on in their lives. I know that Nick is moving to Chicago and had a rough car accident and I know that Nate is getting checked out by some chick at the clinic (sure, it wasn't Andrea, but it's a start).

I seldom speak with Nick (although it's nice when we run into each other back at Nate's place once in a while), but I've just about always kept in touch with Nate. I've found that, now that we read each other's blogs, there's much less of the "what you been up to?" talk that would normally start each conversation. There's no need for it now because we simply know. I might open a conversation with "Any word on a start date for your new job?" because I read in his blog that he had the interview (twice) and was offered the position. Likewise, when I call home (especially to my sister, who seems to check my blog way too often), everyone knows what's going on in my life. So, with that in mind, I can catch up more easily on what's going on with my nephew and Dean's new job and whatever else is going on back home.

Funny things, blogs. They may reduce the need for human interaction to keep in touch, but they seem to facilitate keeping in touch at the same time. Funny.

Anyway, enough of my introspective garbage. It's been a while since I've updated my blog so I suppose I owe all of you an update on current news.

Last Friday, I picked up Lizzy at the airport. Her flights were all messed up due to rain and delays and what have you, but she eventually made it home - and she had her luggage this time. :)

The weekend was nice - we ran a few errands on Saturday (including getting a handful of our Ireland picture developed) and, otherwise, hung around the house. We watched the Badgers win another game and were rather disappointed to see Michigan beat Purdue. I guess you can only ask for so much. :)

Sunday, Lizzy was off to Wisconsin to visit her friend, Angie. That made me a bachelor again (for the day, anyway). It was a good thing it was Sunday. I spent my time watching the Packers and fretting over my fantasy football team.

This week, I've been settling into my job a bit more. It's been slow going, but I suppose that's only to be expected. It wasn't until yesterday that I actually got the correct rights to access the files I need for the project I'm supposed to be working on. Besides that, I've been working on teaching a couple of the girls on my team about Java and web applications. That's been going pretty well - I've actually learned alot, myself, in the process.

This weekend, Liz and I are planning on making the journey back home to Clintonville. It's been months since we've been home (I believe the last time was in July, for Gavin's birthday party) and Liz and I have been anxious to see everyone again. We've still got everyone's birthday presents from August that we need to get home. So, if you're going to be around this weekend, we'd love to get together with all of you.

So, I suppose that's about all for me. I'll ty to keep my blog updates a bit more frequent (and shorter). Take care, everyone.

Peace,
Corey

The New Expert

Hey folks. I hope everyone is having a good day (including Nick, who's been having a rough go of it lately).

My week just keeps plodding forward at the clinic. I had my first full day in the office today after two and a half days of orientation. It just so happens that the people I've been working with in the short time I have been in the office were both out of the office today so there was essentially no one left (except for the two receptionists) that knew who I was or what I do.

Well, yesterday, I got my first assignment so it's not like I had nothing to work on. Apparently, I am now the Java expert in the office. Based on that, I've been asked to train some of the other folks on the team (and now it sounds like I might be training some folks from some other teams) in Java. It's kinda odd to be the new guy on the block and be expected to be the "expert" in something.

Anyway, I spent most of my day today reading a book about servlets and JSPs - trying to review some of the stuff I learned when I was with Schneider. I just hope I remember enough to be able to teach these folks what it is they want to know.

Lizzy is still stuck down in Texas and is thoroughly frustrated. She's been down there all week and has had almost nothing to do. She's really just there because IBM wants "someone" to be there. They don't have anything to do, but they just want to have someone there. So, apparently, Liz is the victim of the week. It just stinks because she'd much rather be home and now she's down there doing nothing and getting behind on the work she has to do here in Rochester. She'll be home tomorrow, anyway. That'll be nice.

I did find a couple good links online that you should all check out if you have time. They're just plain funny.

A discussion of quantum physics -- It's quite possible that no one will find this article as funny as I did, but I thought I'd put it out here, anyway. A word of warning for any animal/cat lovers - proceed with caution. Enjoy.

An instructional video regarding 2004 voting procedures

Well, that's all for me. Take care, folks.

New Beginnings

As most of you know, I started my new job with Mayo Clinic today. It was a rather boring day, but I made it through. The day started off at 5:30 this morning when I took Liz to the airport to fly to Texas...again. By 8, I was starting my orientation at Mayo. The day was long and boring and I had a horrible headache. I still have another day and a half of orientation before I can really get into my job. Nonetheless, things are looking good over there.

I won't go into it in great detail as it's getting late and I'm tired. You've probably noticed that my blog looks quite different. With a little prodding from my wonderful wife, I have rebuilt my website. It's not quite complete yet, but I've got the foundation built so feel free to poke around a bit and let me know if you have any comments or find anything that's broken.

So, I know this is a short post but, like I said, I need to head to bed. Hopefully, I'll update you all again very soon.

Take care,
Corey

My Last Day

Well, it's my last day here at Relion. It's hard to even believe right now. I've been so busy trying to get stuff done, I haven't really even thought about starting a new job next week. I'll certainly have some work ahead of me this weekend because I need to go through the benefits packages and what-not before Monday. I'm sure, by Monday, I'll be more excited about starting at Mayo but, for right now, I'm just too busy wrapping things up at Relion.

Our truck has been acting up lately. A couple weeks ago, I took Liz to the airport and I noticed a little bit of a shimmy in the steering wheel when I was turning a corner. I took note of it, but didn't think much of it. But, when I had almost made it home, the truck started to shake so badly that I thought the wheels were going to fall off and I'd burst into flame (not sure why I'd burst into flame, but I thought it would happen, for sure). Well, as I normally drive my Mustang in the Summer, I didn't drive the truck for about a week following that. Well, Liz and I took it for a drive and it did it again - probably even a little worse this time. It's weird, though, the truck will start shaking very badly, but it starts and stops rather suddenly. Of course, now that I've taken it in to the shop to get looked at, the tech can't reproduce the problem. Figures, huh? I'm not pleased.

Next week, I'll be all alone again as Liz found out she'll be headed back to Austin again. I'm hoping this is the last time she'll have to go in quite a while. She's kinda bummed that she won't be around when I start my new job, but it might be just as well. I have a feeling that, besides working at Mayo, I'll be spending some time with the guys here at Relion to help them with some current projects. So, I might not be home much next week. We'll see, I guess.

That reminds me, the guys at Relion are looking to hire someone (who'd have guessed) so, if you know someone looking for some IT work, let me know. I have some good contacts here. :)

Well, I suppose that's about all for me. I'll just coast out my last day at Relion and head toward the weekend. Take care, everyone.

Corey

Anyone Need a Laugh?

If you do, you really need to read this post from Nate's blog. Only Tron can make eating chicken and dinner hi-jinks so much fun.

By the way, I saw a van driving around town today...it had a Mayo Clinic Employee sticker on the back...right next to the bumper sticker that read, in large, block letters: "At Least I Can Still Smoke In My Car!" Irony, anyone?

Gosh I Love Da Packers!

You know, I'd give my left kidney for dem der Packers, but golly gee, Bob, their defense looks downright ugly. Unfortunately, due to the mire and muck that has become our defense (let's all hear a big hooray for Hawthorne as a starting corner), there have been a couple bright spots that have been mostly unnoticed.

First of all, Favre has looked better this season than I think he has for a long time (last night's 3 interceptions aside). He's already thrown for 1200 yards and 9 touchdowns - that puts him on pace for almost 4000 yards passing and 29 touchdowns - not a bad season, at all. Of course, it's easy for a quartback to rack up gaudy numbers when your defense gives up so many points that you have to throw all game long.

Secondly, Javon Walker is really having the breakout season that everyone wanted him to have. A third year receiver, it was "put up or shut up" time for Walker, in my opinion. He's shown potential over the last couple years, but never cracked into the starting lineup. Well, this year, with his NFC leading 535 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns (which puts him behind only Owens and Moss for scores by a receiver), Walker has not only put Ferguson squarely on the bench, but he's easily stolen the spotlight from Donald Driver as the Packers number 1 receiver. At 26 years years old (he'll turn 26 on Thursday), if this kid keeps this up, he's going to be a star for a long time.

Now, if we could just do something about that defense...

Packers aside, I stopped off at the florist this morning to send some roses to my wife - it's our second anniversary today. Hopefully, she won't read my blog this morning and the flowers will still be a surprise when they get there. If not, act surprised, honey. ;) I think we're going to keep it pretty low-key this year. We'll probably go out for dinner tonight, but that's about it. She's been gone so much that it'll be nice just to be together again.

I don't know if Nate put it in his blog or not yet, but he was offered an internship in Appleton the other day. He interviewed last Thursday and they offered the position to him a few days later. So, even though he'll still be doing a little work on the farm, it looks like Nate's going to become a city boy. Now, if he'd just ask out the HR chick that he likes so much out there. :P

I talked to my mom the other day. She's off to the great wild west to do some hunting tomorrow (apparently, there just isn't enough stuff to kill in Wisconsin). As of the other night, she still hadn't gotten a deer because she has to shoot a doe first and she's only had shots at bucks so far. Must be tough to be so good that you only see the deer you want to shoot. :) Well, good luck to you out west, Mom.

That's about it for me, I suppose. I'll catch y'all later.

Corey

Ireland and Back Again

Hey folks,

Sorry it's been so long since I posted last. I have no excuse, really. Fortunately, I come bearing gifts (or at least pictures of Ireland), so I'm hoping you'll forgive me.

I'm gearing up for my new job at Mayo now. I start on the 18th so I have one more week with Relion. So, of course, I'm trying to get as much done at Relion as I can before I leave. I told the guys I'd help them out on the side after I start at Mayo and I think they're really counting on that - maybe a little more than I'm comfortable with. We'll see how it goes and play it by ear. Fortunately, I know the guys and they've always been very understanding about things.

Nate had an interview with a company yesterday for an internship. It was actually his second interview and his second missed chance to ask some hot HR rep out on a date but you can read the whole sordid tale here. (It looks like he's been too busy playing video games to post about it, but I'm sure it'll be coming soon.) He said the interview went well and that he really liked the folks that interviewed so, hopefully, everything will come out well.

This weekend, Liz's folks are coming up to visit us. They'll be getting in late tonight and, tomorrow, we're off to Mankato to visit Sarah. Tomorrow night, I imagine they'll be back in Rochester and will be taking off some time on Sunday. So, anyway, that's what we have planned for the weekend.

So, I suppose that's about it for me. If you want to get a recap of our trip to Ireland, you can check it out at http://www.naterohan.com/ireland. Nate has been kind enough to provide me some space to put the pictures on the Internet - my little website doesn't have enough room for them all. Thanks, again, for that, Nate.

Hopefully, the pictures were all uploaded properly and everything links like it should. If you have any problems, let me know.

Take care, everyone.

Peace! I'm out!

Corey

And Here's Your Next Flaming Hoop...

So I had to go in for my physical today at Mayo Clinic. They want so much done before you can start working there that it's almost unbelievable. Certainly, I would expect a drug screen from a company before starting employment, but a full physical including immunization records and a TB skin test? It's not like I'm working in the ER - I'm still going to be a programmer, sitting in my cube punching little keys on a keyboard and absorbing unhealthy amount of halogen lighting moitor radiation.

Anyway, that aside, it's been a pretty calm day. Rainy outside, yes, but calm, nonetheless. Work has been light and we started celebrating beer-thirty around 3 this afternoon (that'll be a ritual I'll miss at Mayo). Talking with one of the guys I work for today, they certainly want me to stay on with them after I start with Mayo. In fact, he said today that he's just going to keep me on payroll, but he'll pay me on an hourly basis, rather than on salary. I'm glad I can keep working with the guys, but I hope this doesn't turn into a situation where I'm working two full-time jobs. Fortunately, I know the guys at Relion and they'd never ask more of me than I could (and would) give them. They're great guys - that's certainly the reason I've hung around as long as I have.

On a political note, I watched the debates last night. Overall, I was impressed by Kerry and put-off by Bush's arrogance and vagueness. Of course I was - that's what I've thought for a long time. Perhaps I've become jaded and only see the side of the story that I want to see, but, if Bush gets re-elected, I might move to Canada. Most of the analysts said that Kerry closed the gap in the race (which is good because his campaign seemed to have stagnated as of late) but didn't do enough to take over just yet. Personally, I'd agree entirely. I think Kerry looked polished and confident (easy for a world-class Yale debate team member) while Bush looked bored, sometimes uneasy, and, at least twice, rattled for something to say.

Anyway, enough babbling about politics and flaming hoops. My wife comes home tonight! Huzzah! And, this time, I think she's actually going to stay home for a while (at least I hope she does).

Take care, everybody.

Corey

P.S.
With respect to my fellow JavaRanch moderator, Phil, passing away, I read a nice quote posted on the JavaRanch boards.

"Always say goodbye like it's your last time."

Take care - I hope to see you all soon.