Not much has changed then...

Charl still bitches, I once again haven't updated in at least 6 months. At least my micro-blogging over at http://twitter.com/jacogr is reasonably up-to-date - odds are around 1.05 that it won't last. (Easy to price up this market based on my previous performances...)

I need to do this

So Charl has been bitching on and off for the last year that I need to update my blog. I suppose that in the previous 2 years before that he was also complaning about the same thing - until I made the (July 18 2007, last post) current half-hearted attempt to start again... Which obviously didn't last long.

Ok, so I'll try. I do actually have things I can update people on. I suppose. Heck, I have been willingly unemployed, did some stuff to keep my mind occupied, did more stuff to earn some money (on my terms) and by a freak of nature found something worth doing as a "job" - just as I got tired of doing only about 4hrs work a day.

So...

Still alive

... just haven't had any sort of ramblings lately. Been enjoying my unemployment, too much I think.

29 June - A day of camping out

I'm glad it is the 29th. Not just because it is my last day of formal employment, but also since today (hopefully) the Apple iPhone pre-hype will be over. I really like Apple. Yes, I'll probably buy an iPhone when they finally arrive over here. But I've had enough of all the hype in the on-line technology publications and all types of media outlets - what is good, what is bad, pricing plans, etc. etc. etc.

So today I'm just glad that it is finally being launched - I suspect that over the next couple of days there will still be (too much) media reports on the thing and then things will start to quiet down. Hype is one thing, but the way the online publications have treated this one has become just too much for me. Here is to some peace and quiet. (Hopefully...)

Almost there

My 2nd-last day of actually being fully employed before I'm taking a break. Joining the lines of the willfully unemployed as one of my co-workers would like to put it. As I walked in this morning, I thought of a couple of groups of people I would miss when I leave:

The co-workers: It is always a challenge when you leave something where you've been for some time. You get attached to the people, more so than the actual job. Since I don't have a new position lined-up, I'm not anxious about all the new faces, but it is always kind of sad leaving familiar faces behind. You always promise to keep in touch, but never do.

The cafeteria staff: I walk into the building in the morning towards the cafeteria. The staff sees me and without a word being exchanged they take a Coke from the fridge. I just pay. No waiting in line.

The cleaning staff: Ever efficient. Like cleaning out my drawers - there is really no need for me to find that half a box of cigarettes or loose change for the vending machine when I come into work the next day. Like the bin and the desk, everything needs to be cleaned. Which other group of people take their jobs as seriously?

Spit... swallow...

Well, this little news article made my morning. Autobahn + truck + apple + false teeth = crash. The truck driver was eating his apple, choked on it, coughed to get the piece loose and as a result swallowed his false teeth. Needless to say he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another car.

Some countries have banned eating, drinking and smoking while driving, I suppose this is an example of why it is not such a bad idea.

More stuff to keep me occupied

Just when I thought I may not have enough to do while I'm stuck at home, I ran across these two sites:

31 Shoelacing methods: Well, figuring out a new way to tie my shoes should keep me busy for at least 15 minutes over a 31 day period. The fact that July (the first month of unemployment) has 31 days is just purely a coincidence.

Top 20 Magic Trick Video Tutorials: I considered myself an amateur magician while I was around 10. It is really not like I can actually remember any tricks, but these little videos may just see me on the road to stardom in a short period of time. Not quite 31, but 20 (learning one a day) should keep me busy for the better part of a month.

Things are looking up indeed :)