Got an extra set of tasks to do at work today... same sort of stuff that only people in Senior positions got.
Things like "root cause analysis" or "what parts does this machine have" fun, fun for sure...

Any more pay? nah
Any position increase? nah

More work / same pay / pat on the back

And now I know why it's called LEAN manufacturing

So, "the Cheap Suits" (Chris, Dave, Erik um and the other one) were listed in "Canadian Music Weekly" (Industry Mag) as a "band to see".

C'mon "the Sentence".. get there too...

As can be found out by reading the comments on the Union post, I got my magazine back.

During my "struggle" I noticed that many of the employees are so afraid!

When they perceive someone as rocking the boat they will say, "C'mon man, I've got a mortgage..." It will be said with a smile but said all the same. I guess it's a common thought that "if things aren't exactly in the gutter, DO NOTHING. Hopefully the company will decide to change something out of the goodness of their heart. If you, however, rock 'em... things could get worse."

...sigh...

For instance:

me: Hey guys.. did anyone ever try and get a union in he..
them: Shhh!!!! I heard they fire you for saying that....
them: What are you thinking? You're just gonna make things worse...

WTF? I'm just asking. I don't think a union is always the answer... I don't think they are way better than corporations all the time... but they aren't EVIL.

The other thing I noticed was the amount of people who would rather suppress their own values than stand up for them. If they feel that to stand up for their values they could have to confront someone "above" them that is. When my MGR took my property and told me I could not have it back, and asked me "Why would you want to read this?" I felt it was meant to get me to just let it go...
When I told some people at work, (and when they told others...) a common reaction was: "It sucks that they would do that.. I feel for ya.. but why not just let it go. It's ok. It'll never go away anyway..." They would rather, and at times HAVE, not stand up for their rights because it might make some trouble for themselves...

FUCK... huh?

All your base are belong to us!

Tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow, I need balls.

Last week (Thursday, March 4th, my birthday) the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) was at my work place passing out magazines. These magazines had different articles inside of them about various labour movements in all areas of Canadian business. (This company I work with is NOT unionized and tries hard to stay away from becoming one) One of the industries mentioned was Telecommunications, of which my work is a part. I read part of this magazine that night, about my company and other related ones.
eg/ About Nortel outsourcing to one of our competitors etc.

When I brought the magazine to work the next day the magazine was confiscated. IN CANADA!
Various people were talking about them having been here the night before. I showed the magazine to a socialist coworker who thought it was marvelous. Another pro-union coworker decided it would make a fine joke to drop it on our friendly but easily frazzled team leader. (Not management) He, as predicted, thought it remarkably funny and decided to "stir the pot" by handing it to management. To their credit, my manager
started to read it. Actually opened it up in front of some of us and read through it. My manager (Mgr) asked for permission to hold on to it and show it to others. I gave permission and stated that I found it an interesting read. By lunchtime it was still on my Mgr's desk so I asked if I could have it back yet. My Mgr replied "Why would you want to read this?"

I know I did not have to answer that.

But.. I replied that I find it interesting to keep up with what is going on in Canada and in industry and that I wanted to keep reading it. My Mgr replied only by saying that I could take photocopies of interesting parts of the magazine. My reply was that it was my personal property. I had no problem with HR taking photocopies for themselves but that I wanted it back.

I left Friday night around 4pm (3 hrs early) for a birthday party. I sent an email requesting it be returned to me when I started my next shift. (Wednesday, 7am) Tomorrow.

I am ... ready?

Gave up blogging for awhile.

Moving, fogging and work concerns have kept me silent...

I have been participating in an off-line debate about a post on Voice.
We were talking about age, function and commercialism as it relates to "Mad Dog and Billie" two radio personalities. Follow the above link for the post itself. I helped the author set up comments on their page so only one person has posted so far... but if you have thoughts.. please.. be prolific.

My internet was down for almost 5 days. *ugh*

As you can see (comments) I am a highly sought after roommate.
With my collection of papers, dishes and clothing I decorate surfaces like a disgruntled walrus.
OK I'm not THAT dirty.

Neil Gaiman: American Gods < currently devouring

He is such an impressive story teller. There is no way you cannot believe his
stories. (suspension at least) That the worship one gives to an object literally
creates it as a god. TV, Internet, Odin, Horus, ifrit's... et al.