Reaction to Random Catalysts

As I rode to work today through snow-slushy conditions, I thought of how people's response to snow is wide-ranging, particularly if one breaks it down by regions. In the South, if there is a dusting of snow, it effectively shuts everything down. My brother used to live and work in Alabama, and while... Sign in to see full entry.

Last week a maintenance man at my job quipped to me about who am rooting for in the boat race. I told him that I was not much of a boat racing fan. He then had to remind me that he was referring to the graphics on our efficiency computer screens. On each of our production lines, efficiency is... Sign in to see full entry.

Central Maintenance called set up an appointment date for the repair of my washer. In the meantime, I have to wash my clothes at the laundromat. Since I had to go to the laundromat anyway, I decided also to wash my bulky blankets in the large capacity washers. I loaded my laundry but soon discovered... Sign in to see full entry.

One of my fellow workers told me he bugs management. Some supervisors don't know what to do with him, because he does not put on air of acting with urgency; rather, he finishes his tasks in an efficient manner, and with an "aw-shucks" attitude, to boot. This guy told me of a former worker who was... Sign in to see full entry.

Last week when my washer malfunctioned, I immediately called the "central maintenance service" (courtesy of the apartment complex ). I received an automated voice and prompt, so I left my message. I called again today, because there was no response from the call last week--even though the message... Sign in to see full entry.

There must be something about twelve-hour shifts that leads workers to sleep in from time to time. On the previous work cycle, I overslept on the third morning. This time my fellow rider overslept. I waited ten minutes as I warmed up my car before calling him. He was just rousing out of bed, so he... Sign in to see full entry.

Common where I live are people with Sturgis tee shirts, but I do not live anywhere near Sturgis--not at the moment. A temporary worker at my work site had such a Sturgis tee shirt. I brought the matter up to him, because I grew up in the same region as Sturgis, namely the Black Hills of South... Sign in to see full entry.

Maybe this third time I will get it right. Last night I thought I had posted to this blog--but it did not post. This morning I noticed the mistake and tried to post again, but I posted it to my fiction blog. So here at last is what I had intended to post on this blog: You Can't Win Them All I don't... Sign in to see full entry.

Almost without fail, I have no need of putting on my tire chains--until I park in a snowy parking lot. I went cross country skiing today, and when I came back to my car it would not budge from its position. It spun in place. The only thing I could do was drag out the tire chains and put them on.... Sign in to see full entry.

It is wholly incorrect to say 'calzone' like you would say 'red zone.' Rather, rhyme it with 'Nelson,' but with the accent on the second syllable and with a long 'o.' Also, enunciate the 's' (where the 'z' is) almost to the point of a hiss. I don't know, maybe you Italians need to correct me. I hope... Sign in to see full entry.