Slightly Off KIlter

Normal is overrated

  • Telecommuting

    The typical workplace cubicle environment is not conducive to productive work. There are too many people, for one thing. They walk past (frequently talking to other people or shouting into cell phones); they stop to talk (to you and to your cubicle neighbors). Telephones ring, impromptu meetings take place in the hallway, fluorescent lights flicker,… Continue reading

  • Treasures 2004_38

    "Life … is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?" — Margot Fonteyn Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few… Continue reading

  • Working Here, Working There

    I worked from home on Tuesday. I got a lot done. I put in nine and a half hours without noticing. I didn't feel the need to "get up, get out, and get away". It was quiet. There were no distractions. I got work done. I was productive. I felt relaxed. It was wonderful. I… Continue reading

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  • The Person to Whom I Report

    I think the workplace needs a new word. What’s a good, honest, descriptive word for the person to whom I report on the job? I tend to use “manager” but I don’t need “managing”. I won’t use “supervisor”, “boss”, or gods forfend, “superior”. I’ve used “client” (even when I’m not on contract) but sometimes, the… Continue reading

  • We Didn’t Buy It For Its Looks

    Although, to be honest, it draws the eye. 🙂 Yesterday as I walked out of the grocery store to my car, I was behind another shopper. As he passed behind our Scion XB (about 10 feet in front of me) he turned slightly, looked at it, and pronounced "That sure is an ugly car". I… Continue reading

  • Weekly Wrap-up (Sept 6 – Sept 12)

    Monday was Labor Day. To celebrate Labor, we don't work 🙂 I discovered (from reading "For Better or For Worse", one of my favorite comic strips) that it was also Labor Day in Canada. Earlier in the day, my Mom had suggested that we drive north to Petaluma to a barbeque restaurant we all like,… Continue reading

  • (Inter)national Chocolate Day

    September 13 is International Chocolate Day. September 18th is National Chocolate Day. Celebrate with the chocolate of your choice… I prefer a nice smooth semi-sweet. If you like a hint of coffee with your chocolate, try a bit of a Seattle Chocolates Pike Place Espresso Truffle bar – yummmmmmmmmmm. Continue reading

  • Cooking for Engineers

    I recently discovered a new site (thanks to slashdot, via Rich) called Cooking for Engineers. The site owner, Michael Chu, describes the site thusly: The recipes that are listed as "Recipe File" are the recipes that I use when I want to make a particular dish. "Recipe Test" are recipes that have been recommended to… Continue reading

  • The Return of Stuart Katt!

    I'm a big fan of Stuart Katt, a large, stripey, lino-block art feline I discovered many years ago. I have several t-shirts, a tote bag, and a set of greeting cards featuring the irrepressible and irresistible tabby. Some of my favorites in the series are "Cat Wants In / Cat Wants Out" (a double-print t-shirt),… Continue reading

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  • Treasures 2004_37

    "Life … is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?" — Margot Fonteyn Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few… Continue reading