The · man · with · the · sudo

So I spotted and perused this Tribune article about Reader's Picks: Overrated destinations of the world

First thought: This is why the Tribune is bankrupt. It has entire photo essay articles with less rigorous research than a message board poll on professional wrestling fan site. One of the items argues how Los Angeles is the greatest place in the world, for god's sake.

Second thought: Reading the explanatory text of many of these entries, I considered that perhaps this story was originally titled: Reader Submissions for Chicago Tribune Annual "Best Example Of Ugly American Stereotype" contest.

I got my official offer letter today for full-time employment starting on Monday. The actual offered salary was increased again without my requesting it. I also moved into my new cubicular digs.

( Alternate title: Movin on up, to the east side...LITERALLY! [New cubicle is on east side of building.] )

When last we left our subject, an unexpected offer was tendered.

( Previously, on Lost... )

The boss came up to me today and said he needed to "chat" with me in private real quick. This sort of thing always makes me nervous, and my mind immediately turned to a minor non-event this weekend that wasn't really my fault but maybe someone decided to make an example and now I'm going to be escorted out.

( WILL our hero be escorted out??? )

Professor, trying to explain the concept of syntax errors, pointing at this sample code: count = count + 1;

"Now, suppose you made a typo in the word 'count', that would be a syntax error. Say you accidentally left off a letter, like the 'o'...well, now the computer doesn't know what that word means..."

I proceed to do an actual jaw drop, glancing furtively around me at the several woman in my immediate vicinity, none of whom seem to have done the metaphorical math. Professor just continues on unawares. Lawsuit apparently averted.

I had a doctor's appointment today, basically a check-up from the unpleasantness earlier in the year to make sure things were still okay, which they seem to be.

However, near the end of the appointment, she indicated that I probably wouldn't need to see her again until next year for my annual physical, which she schedules for April, one month after my 40th birthday, an age which she notes pointedly. Some of you know what this means.

Happy birthday to me.

I stumbled across a document today from September of 1996 where I mentioned my then-current weight of 291 pounds. Needless to say, in the intervening years that number went significantly higher. However, I am currently about 10 pounds below that number. This means that I am in all likelihood the skinniest that my good wife has ever known me.

Courtesy of the book Hobo by Eddie Joe Cotton.

Ghost Story

A story or long tale of woe to gain sympathy; a begging yarn. Like fashions, those ghost stories in vogue and "just the thing" this year are soon out of date and must be altered to meet changed conditions, and it is a matter of pride with every tramp to have a good string of stories at his command.

Courtesy of the book Hobo by Eddie Joe Cotton.

Grabbing Scenery

Looking from a boxcar or other place of concealment on a train, a procedure that, marking the inexperienced tramp, is frowned upon by the older, wiser ones, since it is likely to lead to detection and consequent "ditching" by the trainmen.