Really, I was wishing you'd gone away

Sorry- Probably more than 140 characters here.

Shall we talk about TV for a moment? For years, "The Girls Next Door" has been the most annoying half hour on TV. I'm not sure who watches it. It's not guys - we don't mind being teased a bit, but we certainly aren't going to come back week, after week, after week to be teased by some kinda hot but not hot enough to be in the magazine and certainly annoying and whiney and giggly chicks that pretend to be all lovee-dovey with a viagra takin' octogenarian. So who watched this shit? Ladies? Nope- I know you'll are smarter than that.

Anyway, it was a glorious day when the show ended. But now while surfing the net this morning I stumbled across this.

Seriously, yes- I do want you to go away. How did you get engaged when you were dating Hef all these years? Was it all a lie for TV? Say it ain't so. And are you and Holly still hanging together? Thank the maker! Oh, wait, I get to see your workout playlist? Fantastic! I'm stoked! And you get your own reality show? You just realized it's St. Patty's day, and your implants are Irish?

It's good to know that you don't need to be smart, or educated or even pretty to be a star and have america love you.

There's hope for me yet.

Gin Hahn,
T

Happy Pretend to be Irish day

Here's a few ramblings that are spinning in my cobwebs. More than 140 characters, so it's going to show up here. If you dare to read, you'll most likely suspect that I'm in need of some medication as my thought pattern may appear a bit hyperactive - in reality, while I may need medication, I'm just writing in between things and not going to go back and proof read. So deal with it, or don't. Remember this is about me, not you. I started writing this more than a week ago when I was crazy busy with work. Its slowing a bit for a few days. Time to catch my breath.

Last week Two weeks ago, we ventured down to Palm Springs. There is something about that town that boggles me. I can't put my finger on it. Something about how the old money and the gay community collide, or don't collide. And how all these young straight people hit the town looking to hook up and don't realize that there won't be any others of their same persuasion available. Its just an odd place. But I do love the weather. Also - don't get how a town that is a "destination" shuts down at 8pm on weeknights.

NCAA Tourney time. This weekend was all hoops all the time, as we watched all the conference tourneys in preparation for filling out our brackets. MyICE and I are headed to PDX this week to watch the first two rounds in person. We didn't imagine when we threw our names in the ticket lottery a year ago that we would get to see our hometown heros. We are buzzing.

And struggling to make it to the finish line. We won't head down their until about 8pm Wednesday. And then we have 4 games on Thursday. Thats a lot of sitting around. Something I excel at.

Writing a business plan for a Vodka company. We'll need a few thousand bucks to get us started. If you are interested in investing, let me know.

I've been listening a lot to the new U2 record. I dig it. Not bad for some old farts from Ireland.

I've had a subscription to Rolling Stone for years. I finally stopped it last year when I hadn't read any of them for months. Now I've bought the last 3 issues. What's up with that? I like the new format, and the writing is good again and the stories are relevant.

No more Seattle-PI. I'm bothered by this, not just the PI, but the Rocky Mountain News, the TNT, and all the others that are going by the wayside. Where will all the journalists go? Online newspapers aren't the answer. People aren't paying for them and ad's aren't really working out as a model either. Without good old fashioned newspaper reporters we wouldn't have known about Watergate, WMD's (or lack there of) and I'm certain a ton of other stories that are escaping my mind at the moment. It is a sad day.

The economy sucks. Just thought I'd mention it. I have my resume ready. If only someone was hiring locally in my field.

At the moment I'm listening to a Springsteen bootleg from the 1999-2000 tour. Its good. The E Street Band is really good live.

Speaking of what I'm listening to. I set up a script that sends what I'm listening to to a twitter feed. Over a hundred people have subscribed to it. I can't understand why. But I guess that was part of the social experiment.

Starbucks has discontinued Energy. Nice, they hook me and then the ditch it. Now that I'm addicted I'll have to find another source to get all hopped up on.

Prince is putting out 3 records this year. Springsteen, U2 and Prince. Feels like 1988 all over again. Maybe I'll grow my hair out and wear my jeans too short and tight again. Most likely no one wants to see that.

I think we're narrowing down the wedding date and location.

Oh and my birthday is coming up. If you were inclined to send a gift, I'd love a gift certificate to the Inn at Langley.

That's it for now.
Gin Hahn,
T

Corporate America

Okay - so here's how a meeting went today.

Well, actually, here is basically a direct quote of about 10 mins of the meeting... Abbott and Costello live.

Me --"I think I understand, but let me say it back to you so that we know we're all on the same page here.

You'd like me to validate the number you have on your spreadsheet and tell you if it includes handling and freight, but I can't have a copy of the spreadsheet, and you aren't certain where that number came from or what goes into that number, only that it came from your finance team and have been assured that it is correct."

Reply - "Yep - thats what we're looking for"

Me- "So what am I supposed to be telling you? I don't quite understand which cost this is for, which campaign are we talking about?"

Reply - "Well this is just for planning and budgets, we're looking ahead."

Me - "Oh, okay. If you can tell me what the plan is for, I can tell you what my numbers should be."

Reply -"That's not in our spreadsheet, we just want you to tell us if the numbers are right."

Me - "Sure, what numbers?"

Reply - "The one in the spreadsheet" (At this point, the two other people in the room with me on the call are almost on the floor laughing.)

Me - "Can you share the spreadsheet with me? Maybe I can try to back out the numbers."

Reply - "Sorry, I've been asked not to share this spreadsheet with anyone, its highly confidential."

Me - "Okay- well, I'm not really sure I can be much help. I can tell you how I would arrive at some numbers, but without any tactics I can't really give you a number."

Reply - "Oh, no I understand that, I just need you to tell me that the number I have is correct."

Me - "Okay, what's the number?

Reply - "I've been asked not to share it."

Me - "Okay, well, what are you trying to do?"

Reply - "Verify if the number is accur.....

At this point one of my teammates stops laughing long enough to hijack the conversation.

Gin Hahn,
T

Life, in 140 Characters or less....

I'm thinking that Twitter may be just right for me.

I have lots to say, but its usually pretty random, and often not very well thought out - but if I don't say these stupid things, or write them down, they gut stuck in my head and rattle around in there for days until I do something with them.

And while I love the time we spend together here- I almost always feel responsible to stretch it out a bit. Which I'll continue to do, just not as often. And all of those little nagging bits, I'll Tweet those.

In fact, when I post here, I'll probably Tweet there so you know its out there.

But like all things me - take it or leave it, it makes no difference to me. Like I've said many, many times... This is for me, not you. Its my time machine. My digital time capsule. I can check in on it down the road and see how I was feeling, what I was going thru on a given day. What entertained me. Who pissed me off.

Because I know that my memory is short - and I'll forget.

So peace for now - we'll chat again soon.

And follow my short bursts of random thoughts. At your discretion.

Gin Hahn,
T

Just when you get comfortable....

Its that time of year again and the rhetoric is amping up.

What dear T are you referring to you might ask...

Spring Training? (Hope springs eternal, but not in Seattle)

New Springsteen record?

Fergie and Josh got married?

Nope, gentle readers, now is the time of year where my ex and I argue about money.

The amount her highness gets is really a pretty simple equation. And this year even simpler than most because I can't get a raise, so really it should be exactly the same as last year... but really the only thing that will be the same is that she's gonna act all entitled, disagree about how to get to her % and somehow assume that just because I'm making the same or less as last year, she should somehow be getting more. And while the discussion can generally start after my last paycheck in February - this year she's already started. For the record, last year it didn't get settled until almost May.

What does this mean? Well, it means that for the next two months I'm going to be in this constant vortex of bitchy negativity. I'll be a pain to be around. Coping in ways that aren't great for my health. And always a bit distracted. And often afraid to check my email, knowing that the latest round of character assassinations are just around the corner.

I know its coming. I can see it. I hope that this year I can do a better job of not getting sucked in. Unfortunately, when I stay above the fray, she plays dirty and gets our kids involved.

The other day someone said something to the effect of "I wish she'd never entered our lives." I have two great kids that I wouldn't have otherwise so I would never say that, and I always stop others and remind them of that fact. But that aside, times like this, I have to agree with a good friends assessment. She is a "#$N@"!

For the record, today I found another $7000 dollars that I've overpaid her over the years. Combine that with previous findings and its getting close to more than my salary for a year.

No wonder I'm not rich. I only have to pay her for 17 months more. Of course I fully expect she'll try to take me to court around then to extend it. How else will she live?

Vodka Hahn,
T

Bookmark This!

Free time has been at a real premium lately. Just keeping up with the daily news has been a struggle, especially because there is just so darn much of it. Anyway, I'm considering making this site my startup page. It has a quick glance at all you need to know about the nations news on a daily basis.

Keep up to date. Yes we can!

Gin Hahn,
T

New Year, New links

I'm not very thoughtful today.

I'll start by passing a few links that I've enjoyed.

Jay-Z + Radiohead = Jaydiohead. Sweet! (Thanks JB)

Miss the old days? This site will bring you back to the christmas of my youth - if you don't like the first show to come up, get up and change the channel.

Artie Lange is in rehab, again. That's a bummer. Again.

Facial recognition is coming to iPhoto - as well as geocoding of your photos. Cool or Big Brother? I think a little of both.

I gave these people $10 when they came to the door - I thought it was fishy, but the lady was walking around in the snow - I guess she needed the money more than I did. Some say I give my money away too freely. Resolution for 2009 - give less money away. 2010 is a lock for less financial giveaways. Countdown to freedom is now 539 days...

I'm starting to plan some spring rides. This site is a great reference - he even points out the best burger places along the way.

Peace to all in the new year-
Gin Hahn,
T

Its the end of the year as we know it...

And I feel fine!

Random thoughts for the short week.

The End. A cool Flikr photo pool of still shots of movie endings.

Thirsty? This page suggest 15 totally drinkable wines that go well with anything. And, most importantly, are affordable. Perfect for bringing to that New Years Eve party.

Ben Gibbard is marrying the chick from Elf. No link, but just thought I'd mention it. I like his tunes. And she has a cool voice too. (Okay- I lied, heres a link for him, and her.)

I'm going to place those photos of the president elect coming out of the water all Halle Berry style on the beach in Hawaii all around my home and office- I figure if he can find some time to hit the gym, maybe I can too. Or maybe its the cigarettes that keep him trim.

Yes, I do think Goliath National Bank is modeled after a real bank. have I ever told you the story of how I used to work with the guy who said Barney was modeled after him? I didn't really believe him before, but I do more now.

Most of embarrassing wast of time for me in '08? It was the 15 min we spent watching A Cappella groups on you tube the other night. Like this. If you choose to follow the link, opt for some of the male groups. Their voices are less annoying.

Which then somehow reminded me of this performance, INXS choose the right guy for their band - that JD dude was a tool and they play tooley music, but this other kid should've been a star.

Probably more to say, I'll be back another day.
Gin Hahn,
T

Links o' the week

Here they come, a few things that were interesting this week.

Time to Short Sell JPMC?

I'm upset - the store won't personalize my 3 year old's birthday cake.

Guy, you're kind of a hero to me. For $92 million, I'd even consider five years with that batshit crazy chick.

My favorite christmas tune of '08.

I was thinking of finding a way to modify my motorcycle - this seems to be a big trend in the bay area. I think my neighbors would LOVE it.

This story can't really be real. So I love that a "credible" news organization ran with it... Or maybe it is real. I suppose I'd watch an episode.

Enjoy-
Gin Hahn,
T

Setting the bar....

Okay guys, listen up.

I know the holidays are coming, and you might be panicking about what to get that special someone in your life. But don't over-panic and fuck it up for the rest of us. Or even yourself.

Sure it would be romantic to propose under the christmas tree, or buy her that stunning 3 diamond necklace, or that amazing surprise vacation to some romantic destination.

But don't do it. And here's why.

1. You'll never be able to top it. From now until the end of eternity, you'll always be trying to top Christmas '08. (This goes for Valentines Day and New Years Eve as well) And if you plan on spending a lifetime together, well...
2. I'll never be able to top it, well that's not entirely true. First off, I'm not worried about topping it, MyICE takes me as I am - bad grammar and all. But still once its out there, its out there, and these are tough times. If you go and give her an Acura, then that catholic guilt'll kick in and next thing you know I'm at the Acura dealer too.
3. You're friends'll never forgive you. 5 karat ring, push gift, Fuck You Man, its a recession.
4. Because its not that sentimental. Unless your first date was on Christmas or Valentines Day then those days don't hold any extra value to you, yet. Especially if you've never shared one together.
5. Plan this shit out. -- Look if you're a guy, gift giving is hard, dare I say impossible. We all know you aren't thoughtful - that's our little secret. Every year, you have 3 or 4 big days you have to buy a gift and be thoughtful for. Don't make that all fall in the same month. As it is, Christmas and New Years are a challenge, what happens if she has a birthday in January - you are hosed. - The best possible scenario is to be on some type of quarterly plan. - Valentines is in the first quarter, Christmas is in the last, when is her birthday? Figure that out and propose and put an anniversary in the opposite quarter. If you stick yourself with two in one month, you are guaranteed to disappoint the love of your life at least once a year. Guaranteeed!
6. Because you have enough game to get laid on special occasions as it is. You don't need to cheapen it by buying her love.

Okay- you've been warned - please don't make me say I told you so.

And ladies- if your man follows this plan, I guarantee you'll be much, much happier in the long run.

Gin Hahn,
T

PS- I wrote this with no one particular in mind, but if you think I might be writing about you, then you better follow my advice. Its for your own good. Stop the madness.