Can I Do It?

I've decided I'd like to try to quit something. I have a few standard "socially acceptable" addictions such as video games, coffee, soda, fast food, etc. Nothing that detrimental but I feel that if you look close enough, there's a monkey on everyone's back. So, I've decided to try to quit drinking soft drinks.

Whether you call it soda, pop, or cola, there's no denying that the delicious bubbly elixir is not healthy. Maybe I can lose a couple pounds by cutting out all that sugar. I had switched to diet soda before I decided to quit altogether but I actually feel like the diet soda is making me gain weight. Weird.

I started yesterday and I almost slipped at lunch. I realized what I was doing only after I put fifty cents in the machine. Since the machine wouldn't give me my money back I bought a Coke and gave it to one of the other developers.

To be perfectly honest, I'm a little nervous about drinking water-cooler water instead of soda. At my last job, I'd catch a cold every time I drank from the water cooler. Without fail, I took a sip, and two days later the sore throat started. A water cooler is probably a great breeding ground for germs.

To be even more perfectly honest, I'm really really really going to miss Rum and Cokes. Oh well, let's see if I can do it.

Omfg, Recruiters!

I took my resume off monster when I landed this job because I am very happy where I am. Also, because I got a huge torrent of emails and phone calls from head hunters and I needed to thin out the herd a bit. I left my resume on my vanity domain because I'm a web developer and that's my "online portfolio" of sorts and freelance work abounds. Today a recruiter called me on my work line; totally catching me by surprise. The number isn't listed anywhere and I have never given it out to anyone except business contacts. I suppose he looked at my vanity domain, saw the current company I work for, and then called the front desk asking for my extension. On the one hand, it's flattering that someone would go to such lengths to seek me out. On the other hand, I don't appreciate calls at my current place of business for things like this. On the completely superfluous and euphemism-breaking third hand, I am very happy where I am and don't have any plans to leave.

A Quiet Tuesday Morning

I couldn't get my xm online radio working this morning. I think this screenshot had something to do with it.

Oh, the department of sanitation came back again last night with a street sweeper but I was far too tired to give a shit about the barking. The fire hydrant is still not fixed.

More Sunday Night Sleep Deprivation

Saturday afternoon, I noticed that the fire hydrant down the block has been leaking steadily. It looked like someone stole the cap. Being the responsible homeowner that I am (HAH!), I called NYC's 311 and reported the problem. I told them that the hydrant had a small leak but it wasn't that bad. They then told me it'll be a few days. It did't directly effect me so I didn't really care how long it took, nor was it my water bill to pay.

The fire department showed up a few hours later and installed a new cap that looked like it didn't fit properly. It wasn't leaking on that side anymore, so they left. The woman who lived in front of the hydrant must have called them because she was at the window thanking them profusely for coming so quickly.

As I was leaving the house later that day, I noticed the other cap on the hydrant was on the ground and water was more freely running. I suppose the lady called 311 again and made a complaint that the road was icing over because AT 2:30AM MONDAY MORNING, the Department of Sanitation sent a very loud sand truck that decided to idle in the street whilst bullshitting with a sanitation official car. After their lengthy and loud screaming match, the sand truck started dispensing his load all over the street (no where near where the water actually was, mind you).

As we all know, slamming car doors, reverse alarms, people talking, leaves falling off trees, wind, and someone whispering six blocks away are all mortal offenses against the Kelpie of the house. The barking that ensued woke up everyone in my house and, I'm assuming, my immediate neighbor's.

Thank you Department of Sanitation. Why do I even bother trying to sleep on Sunday nights?