Business | Piss and Moan

I have a proposal

Posted on February 1, 2019 by backuphill

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No, not that kind of proposal.

I know there will be some blow-back on this, but I would like to propose a new weekly work schedule. And while I understand there will be some resistance to this, I also know I will get a ton of support. If that support turns into millions of dollars in donations, well then I will run for president and make it happen.

Wanna hear it? I thought so.

I propose that we have Fridays every three days. None of this wait till the end of the week thing or working for the weekend. We should just adjust the schedule so that every three days is a Friday. Work one day, then a weekend. Work one day, then a weekend. Work one day, then a weekend. Understand? Yeah, I think you do. I can feel your support for this proposal growing by the second.

So, if you would like this to happen, donate money to me and I’ll kick off my presidential campaign as soon as I hit $10 million. That math is easy…I need 1 million people to donate $10 each or 2 million people to donate $5 each. See how easy that is?

OK, if you are with me, donate now!

people holding assorted coloured balloons

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Enough already!

Posted on January 29, 2019 by backuphill

There is a disturbing trend going around social media these days and it bothers the heck outta me. I just don’t have all the time in the world for you, nor you me, so let’s keep it to one or two, not the whole story.

Social media has gotten this idea that people want to see a “story” about other people’s lives. Like I have none of my own, so I should see every aspect of someone else’s. So, Facebook and Instagram (yes, they are the same company) have instituted this “story” aspect where people can post multiple photos/videos that are chained together to tell a story. I hadn’t really payed much attention to these “stories” until just before the end of the year and then the end of the year came and I wish I hadn’t started in the first place.

You see, the stories have turned into a place for people to dump all their stupid photos. Instead of just spamming their account with endless photos that people wouldn’t normally see, now they post them all in stories and force everyone to look at them (or at the very least, tap through them). One person I follow posted (guess-timating) 70 photos to sum up their year. I don’t need that kind of crap. I don’t have that kind of time. I don’t have that much interest.

What’s worse, is businesses are using to sell their freaking products and I am just as stuck watching the commercial on this platform as I am on tv, only here I can at least “fast-forward” to some degree. Ugh, I don’t like it.

Social media was supposed to be a WINDOW into your life (no matter how fake it was), not your whole life! Oh, and commercial free too! Let’s get a grip here. If you are going to use “stories”, let’s keep it to one or two, three max. Don’t overwhelm people with your life.

I mean, really, we don’t care that much.

Slow fast food

Posted on January 24, 2019 by backuphill

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I know we have gotten rather spoiled these days in society and the modern comforts we often take for granted only seem to make us appreciate less and less. There is no lack of gratefulness these days.

BUT, I gotta tell ya, there is nothing more frustrating than slow “fast” food.

Time is short. You have a schedule to keep. You’re a mover and a shaker and you gotta get stuff done. People to see, places to be.

So you stop at a “fast” food restaurant thinking you can get in and out in less the 7 minutes and you can still maintain your fast paced agenda.

Screeching halt. 13 minutes later. 22 minutes later. Doesn’t matter how long really, as long as it isn’t “fast” it gets frustrating fast. You can feel your anxiety rising and you start “chomping at the bit”.

As an example just this morning even, I was running a little behind and there was no coffee ready at home. I stopped at a place where the golden arches beckon (don’t judge the coffee, it is passable) in hopes that I could get in and out quickly. Seven minutes from ordering, I am still waiting…for coffee. This, waiting at a place where the literally push a button after the put the cup under the spigot because the coffee is made in one of those dispenser things. That is not fast.

So, fast food. Not.

Anyone else frustrated in/with places like this?

Does anyone ever win?

Posted on January 18, 2019 by backuphill

Pay no attention to the item itself, but the fact that there is supposedly going to be a “winner” of the giveaway.

Does anyone ever win these things? And, if so, how do we know?

Have you seen these things on Amazon? Have you tried to win? Have you won?

My guess is that there is never a winner. You are just getting to opportunity to click on a bouncing box and that qualifies you for a “discount” because you didn’t win. I’ve been clicking on these things for a while, when I see them, and so far have never won anything.

I’ll bet no one ever wins anything. It’s gotta be a scam. I mean really, is my luck that bad? I would like to think that I have some luck, hopefully not none. I just don’t think there are any winners out there…

Comment if you have ever been so luck to win one of these Amazon things, or if you have ever been lucky to win anything in your life.

Leave me some air!

Posted on January 17, 2019 by backuphill

man and woman talking to each other while sitting on chair

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We all know one. We all probably work with one. You know the one…

You know, the one person in your life (hopefully you only have one) from your extended family or a co-worker that talks a mile a minute and won’t let anyone get a single word in? You know, the person who talks so fast they literally suck the air out of the room so no one else has a chance to contribute to the conversation, which usually ends up being one sided?

Ah, you do have one. You are thinking of them now, and it irritates you even now just thinking about it…

This one is for you today. This one is for you to at least have the chance to get three words in. You don’t have to explain. You don’t have to name names (unless it will make you feel better). All you have to do is leave a comment with their relationship to you. Examples = Brother in law; lady in the cubicle next to me; the boss; my last date; etc.

Go ahead. You’ll feel better. This air is just for you….inhale, exhale….breathe….and release…

Only one thing on my mind

Posted on January 16, 2019 by backuphill

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I know you have heard about it in the news and I am sure everyone somewhere has an opinion about it. Well, as it so happens, so do I and I am gonna tell you about it. Only my opinion is probably not what you think it will be.

If I were a furloughed federal employee, I would be doing what every single working sap in the world wishes they could be doing if they didn’t have to go to work every day…

HOLDING DOWN THE COUCH.

That’s right. I would make for damn sure that couch didn’t go anywhere. It ain’t leaving the room (unless I get evicted) and it ain’t getting occupado’d by someone else’s butt. It is all mine. All mine! I tell you, these workers have the unique opportunity to hold down a couch (or recliner, their choice) for extended periods of time and yet some of them are complaining about it. What gives? You better make the most of it while the sitting is good because pretty soon you are gonna have to get your hustle back on.

Most of us don’t like our jobs that much to be happy about having to work and most of us would rather do something that isn’t productive or taxing. Holding down the couch is perfect in my book.

Sure, it’s an unpaid vacation. Sure, it might make paying bills tough. Sure, food might become a luxury rather than a necessity…but I’ll bet you won’t find those workers cutting other things out of their budgets, like cell phones, Netflix, cable, etc. etc. etc.

So, what’s all the complaining about? At least you have a couch, right?

Red for Ed

Posted on January 15, 2019 by backuphill

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Yeah, I am going there.

It’s about time people listen up and if it takes a strike, then so be it. What I am tired of is that people don’t listen until it takes a strike, then people pay attention.

One reason I am not a teacher any longer is because of the lack of pay, lack of respect, lack of resources, lack of support, lack of (you name it). The thing is, I worked in a school that was pretty good. We had, for the most part, community support and better than average funding. But, it still got to be too much. I was burned out. I didn’t realize it until I found freedom in another aspect of education, but I realized it.

There are a lot of teachers out there, some with more experience than me and lots with less, that have terrible working conditions and barely make from month to month. But, the one thing they do over and over is give there very best for the kids in their classrooms and it is sad that it goes unappreciated and disrespected.

Those kids, people say, are the future. At least that is what they say. However, those same people then tear down teachers, the work they do, and their efforts to do the most with the least amount of resources possible. Teachers aren’t just saints, they are freaking super heroes and it is ridiculous that it has to get to this.

How about we invest in the MOST important resource we have, our kids. That doesn’t mean more testing. That means more funding for buildings, teachers, curriculum, teacher benefits, continuing education, etc etc etc. If you want quality teachers in the classroom, you have to act like it. Silicon Valley (or at least it used to, but tech companies in general) attract the best talent because they invest in it and pay them well. How does that not translate into our kids as our most valuable asset? It just doesn’t make sense.

It just doesn’t.

I stand with the teachers in California ( #LAUSD ) that are striking. They deserve better. The students they teach deserve better. We all deserve a better future and depriving schools and teachers of that doesn’t make things better, rather just the opposite.

Stand with teachers and wear Red for Ed ( #RedForEd ).

abc books chalk chalkboard

A little off the top

Posted on January 10, 2019 by backuphill

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

– Benjamin Franklin

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I am not dying (well, not in the immediate sense of “not”) so you can probably decipher where this post is going…

Here in Washington we now have the pleasure of spending the next year paying into the “WA Family & Medical Leave” super fund. Mind you, we are just paying into it and no one can use the “benefit” for a whole year until the fund is built by every working stiff in the state. It is required by law. There is no way around it. Another new tax to take money out of my pocket so it can be given to someone else.

It is a new state “benefit” that I likely will never see or use. So I am not sure how it is a “benefit” to me. If it doesn’t benefit all, then is it really a benefit? If it COSTS me something, then it isn’t a benefit is it?

So, starting this month there will be a little more off the top of the pay check to pay into this fund. I am really not excited about it. Once again, the government is taking from me so that it can “protect” me. I don’t think I like this kind of protection.

Music and explicit lyrics

Posted on January 8, 2019 by backuphill

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What is the deal with music and explicit lyrics these days? It seems as though, as a listener, it is becoming harder and harder to avoid. If you look at the top 50 on iTunes and on Amazon (“Best of What’s New to Prime”), at least 30% of the music has the [Explicit] tag with the title. So what gives?

Why does an artist feel the need to express themselves this way? Yes, I know about the whole Freedom of Speech thing, but that isn’t really the issue. The issue is the fact that the explicit lyrics aren’t necessary. It doesn’t improve the song. It doesn’t make the message of the song more meaningful. Music sold without the inclusion of such language in the past and music did well without it.

Perhaps it is just a genre thing? Maybe. I looked at the “50 Great Modern Country Songs” on Amazon music and there was only ONE with explicit language in it. Interesting.

All I know is that it is irritating to me. It perhaps should be irritating to you as well.

Dress code angst

Posted on January 7, 2019 by backuphill

models posing an and woman standing next to each other looking upward

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Working in an office isn’t so bad, some of the time. However, there are still some things that just don’t make sense and are rather irritating.

One such illogical irritation is the dress code.

I work in software support and thus I spend about 90% of my time working with clients behind the scenes, meaning I am unseen. I answer calls, test software, create training materials, and suggest areas for improvement so that teacher’s lives can be made just a little bit easier instead of having to struggle with software. Anyway, most of my interaction is not directly in the physical presence of the client.

However, I am forced to dress as though I work with clients directly. I have to participate in “business dress,” even though I am unseen and work in a cube all day. Casual dress is only allowed on Fridays. This doesn’t make sense to me.

Anyone else have do deal with this situation? Does it irritate you like it does me?

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