Annoying people....

If you've spent time with me, then you know that I'm not a particularly judgmental person. I've been told that I am very open minded and willing to listen to or look for the best in just about everyone.

I had to throw that out the window today. Not permanently, just for today.

You might be asking: What happened today? The answer: I had class today.

For those who don't know, I've been taking computer web design classes which are fairly complicated and very monotonous. A lot of it is learning computer programming code and language...and let me tell you, if you think learning Spanish or French is tough...

((My brain after class//Courtesy: My Mac))

So anyway, today was Web Design/HTML/XHTML and CSS, Level 2 class. One day...8 hours. Not fun...but interesting. Most of the classes have had 5...maybe 6 people in them. Today, we had 10.

I knew we were in trouble, when class member number 10 walked in. Okay, made his entrance.

Picture this guy if you can: 40 or so years old...maybe 5-10 or even 6-feet tall, about 40 pounds overweight. He's wearing a yellow t-shirt that says "Security". Not a big deal unto itself. The issue came when you looked at the head. He had...god's honest truth...a full-fledged, out of date, lead singer of the Clash...or Mr. T...mohawk.

Again, I don't judge, but it was a giveaway. No sooner did the guy sit down, then he started asking questions. About everything. And talking about what he did in his other classes and his website.

The problem came in when the guy teaching the class, kept talking to him. He would talk and just go off on tangents. Complete...out in left field tangents. It doesn't bother me when people ask legitimate questions. Questions that they can't answer. It bugs the crap out of me when people hijack rooms and don't shut-up.

I'm hoping I don't have Mr. Mohawk in any other classes. It's hard enough staying focused on the complicated task at hand. It's really...really annoying when you get completely distracted by someone who thinks that nobody else is in the room...or trying to learn something.

There...I feel better now...I got to vent.

The only fitting video I could find is the trailer to Despicable Me...which by the way is a pretty funny movie: Thanks YouTube

Restlessnessnessness.....

This is just kind of a random thought that I was wondering about. Ever since I started working again, my days at work go really fast and my days off go really slow. Why is this? It certainly didn't feel that way before I was unemployed.

Maybe I'm just restless. Maybe it is the excitement and newness of working again. Or maybe it is just that I am not spending all of my time when I'm not at work....looking for work. More than likely that is what it is.

((Extreme Close Up of Me//Courtesy: TLB))

The funny thing is I jumped right back into a routine. I started working right before we left to go on a short vacation. When I came back I had to work the next morning and then had 4 days of class once I finished my weekend. That got things moving at more of a normal speed.

Now I sit here anxious to do something on the days off. Granted, I did get some things accomplished today, but it has reeeaaaallly dragged out.

Sure, I posted a couple of stories to the OnlineSportsGuys website, I went to the bank, ran 3 miles, got the people who own the house we are renting to replace our broken microwave and arranged to go take a test. And I still have part of the day left. But Michelle will be home soon, we can have a beer or two, sit down to dinner and watch some TV tonight.

You know, as I write this, I'm beginning to think that it sounds like I am complaining, I am not. I do relish having time off and I am fully aware that I should be careful what I ask for.

This week will be better than last. I have a class tomorrow at the Computer school. Wednesday I have to go to the station and take my writing test (apparently I have to do this so they can promote me to full-time next week).

Before I know it, Friday will be here and I'll go back to work for three days. Next week I have 3 days worth of classes.

I'm about to go back to being a full-time employee. I'm going to have to drop a few of my classes, but not all of them. My time, even though it sounds like I'm complaining I have too much of it, will soon be gone. I relish the thought. I relish the challenge and I'm looking forward to doing much, much more than spending most of my day at the house...sitting in front of the computer.
(yes, I know i won't be able to post as much/that has slowed anyway)

Enjoy your STYX fix: Thanks Vevo and The You Tube

Back to School....

I always wondered what it would be like to go back to school.

I was never a great student. Sure, I did pretty well when the spirit moved me...or if I was challenged. But more often than not I cruised by, did well enough to move along...but that was about it.

By now, you are probably tired of reading about me returning to work. I won't go into it, but I will say that part of my plan involves going back to school. No, not to get my masters. Quite honestly in the Journalism field...or more specifically the video world, a Masters Degree doesn't mean anything except that you are probably in debt.

((Computer picture//Courtesy: Clipartguide.com))

No, I am taking courses that would help me in what I do. Or at least something related to what I do. I am trying to get my Web Design certification. Partially because I just think that it would be good stuff to learn and partially because if I am decent at it, I stand a chance of making some money along with redesigning both this site and my production companies sites.

It isn't costing me a fortune and I'm not going to be in debt by taking the classes. Heck, I got a package deal at the Computer School that I'm attending.

The schedule is simple...sort of. I'm taking 17 one or two day courses at 8 hours per day. If you are thinking that is a lot you are right, it is. I'm doing this because the school offered a package deal that allows me to take as many courses as I can for 6 months at a set rate.

The 1st class was this week. Photoshop 1. You might be asking "You are paying for that?". Yeah, I am. I am because it showed me things that I would never know trying to learn the program on my own.

The classes are good. The 8 hours fly by. Rather than just listening to 8 hours of lecture, we are in front of a computer actually working with the software doing training exercises. Really, that is the best way to learn.

I think the last actual class that I took in College was in the fall of 1987. That's a long time ago. A lot of things have changed. Never mind the fact that I'm older, most of the things I want to learn didn't exist. That is what makes it fun though. That is what makes it a challenge. That is what makes this a worthwhile adventure; the chance to learn and the chance to apply what I've learned. It doesn't get much better than that.

In the spirit, enjoy a clip from the 80's classic Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School. Thanks You Tube: