A sad day is this day......

Actor Chris Penn, probably best known for being Sean Penn's brother has died from unknown reasons. When I say probably best know for being Sean's brother, I say that to anybody in the world who has never seen his role as Nice Guy Eddie Cabot in "Reservoir Dogs" which is in my humble opinion his best role ever. With quotes like "Okay, first things fuckin' last!" he was the most likable bad boy ever. Heck, even Mr. Blonde liked him and we all loved Mr. Blonde. I'll be the first to admit when I first saw him in Footloose that I didn't think Willard would go very far but I was very wrong. I will miss Chris as he was one of the truly great Actors of our time. If you don't believe me, check out some of his roles when you get a chance. Here are a few of my favorites.

Starsky & Hutch
Murder by Numbers
Corky Romano
Rush Hour
Mulholland Falls
Reservoir Dogs
Mobster
At Close Range
Pale Rider
Footloose
All the Right Moves

Good day Sir.......

Is There Still Racism in IT Hiring Practices?

Slashdot asks an important question

Is There Still Racism in IT Hiring Practices?

I know that the world has come along way, but you have to admit that there is still a ways to go. I have seen the racism on both ends in the IT world and quite recently as well. I am a white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional. I have been on the board when prospective candidates come to interview for more that one company mind you. The way these boards usually work is to have either a manager or supervisor from several different aspects of the company such ass HR, server support, front end support, sometimes sales, you get the point. The purpose is to see several things like the knowledge of the candidate, how they handle pressure and what type of problem solving skills and people skills they have. I have seen very qualified candidates turned down in lieu of lesser qualified candidates and when you look back the only thing that sticks out in skin color. I heard a conversation once were management would actually discuss ways to decline candidates that would not appear to be racial. On the flip side, even though I am a white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional, I am also a Gay white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional and have been on the receiving end of this myself. I have been called back for several follow up interviews and while discussing salary and start dates, I would ask if they offered domestic benefits and would not ever be called back with a hire date or an explanation. Come on, your talking salary and hire dates and then you drop off the map. I must admit that I am quite lucky as I have learned not to ask such things until after I am hired or get a package and read all the fine print. I know that this might be viewed as cowardly or devious but a person has gotta eat. I can see how someone how is of a different race is not so lucky. I will admit that the IT Industry as a whole is much better that say oilfield or construction work. I do find that in the IT and for that much the "White Collar" world, there is a tendency to be much more coy in the discrimination. All I know is that it is 2006 and we need to wake up really fast.

Peace

Have a question for everybody's favorite Supreme Court nominee?

Weather you agree or disagree with the politics behind this site or not, the idea that our elected officials are asking the public for assistance in governing our country. As an over 18 citizen of this great land I sincerely hope that this is a trend that will continue on both sides of the Isle. Could you imagine a day when not just get questions from pre selected people in a town hall style debate but really awesome questions from people across the land on message boards. Please encourage all your elected officials to at the very least set up blogs so they could get feedback in both directions that would at the very least keep some of the more out of touch politicians a bit more grounded to what is going on in there districts.

peace

Battlestar Galactica

The second season of BSG resumes tonight. When we last say our favorite space ship times were dreadful. Galactica was sending a bunch of Marines over to Pegasus to "get my men" as Adama states and Starbuck is off on a secret recon mission that only Lee knows about. Oh also Lee is on the way to do the same on a much more dangerous mission due to the Admiral being a dunce. Oh yeah, Helo and the Chief are about to be executed and Galactica and Pegasus have the alert fighters on a collision coarse. Hey thanks for leaving us hanging for 3 months!!!! BTW, did anyone notice that the Pegasus crew are a bunch of dicks? Maybe it was just me. Praise to SciFi Channel for giving us geeks something to talk about.

SciFi at 9:00 PM CST

late

Rocketboom

A friend of mine Rusty Surette pointed out in his blog this vlog called Rocketboom with host Amanda Congdon and I have been hooked ever since. This gal is cool, she always has interesting stuff on there and she presents in an intriguing way that is both informational and funny. Give it a chance and you will find it quite cool.

peace

My top 10 of 2005!!!!

Well everybody else is doint it so I guess I have to....

10. John L. left us, sad times

9. A new boss!!!!!!!!!!!! We love him so much.

8. Joel wouldn't take a doughnut

7. Wesley is not working here any more....... Good Times.

6. Caleb plays with a knife, do I really need to explain?

5. Brandon comming out as a trodgeladyke (troglodyte). Its called MSN 7.5 and you can send winks.

4. Duane not "going duane" and killing everybody. Caleb is still # 1 on the list.

3. Everybody's job is safe for 6 months and that includes contractors

2. The help "tables" are still here and we are still at them....... WOW

1. 3rd shift are now all officially Rock Stars, and yes that includes Terry.

Happy New Year, may it be as exciting as the last.