(no subject)

The weather in the Sacramento area is lousy today! Lots of rain and high winds (20-40mph). It made the drive to work simply precious.

In the news:
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/02/25/jobs_economy/index.html

Why is this man smiling?
There are few new jobs -- and even fewer new good jobs. But the economy is growing, and if history holds, George W. Bush will be reelected easily.
…
In the mid-1970s, after poring over economic data, Fair developed a mathematical equation that factors in economic growth rates, inflation and an incumbent's general record on economic matters to arrive at an estimate of the popular vote on Election Day. His model rests on a simple truth -- the prevailing economic conditions of an election year provide an excellent guide to voters' behavior in November -- and it is stunningly accurate. Fair's equation predicts the popular vote to within 2 or 3 percentage points for almost every presidential election since 1920. He forecast the toss-up in 2000, the reelections of Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush's victory in 1988, and Jimmy Carter's loss in 1980. And based on the current health of the U.S. economy, Fair predicts an easy win for George W. Bush in November.
This article goes on to give some sage advice that the Democrats best not rest their entire platform on the unemployment rate.

Humor in the workplace

I cannot recall if I mentioned that my Boss' Boss' Boss, our Veep of Desktop Support, is a leap year baby. We'll name him Scooter, for the sake of convenience. Due to the leap year thang, Scooter is going to be 12 years old this Sunday. All his various reports are sending humorous gifts/toys, cards, etc.

My manager asked me to come up with something creative. She bought a dart board (magnetic kind) as a toy, and I turned it into the "Regional Office Delegation/Activity Decision Board".

I found photos of all the management in our organizational tree, and put their pictures on alternating zones on the dart board. Then for activities, we have:

-Go Fishing (he's an avid fisher)
-Injure self in silly stunt (because he injures himself in silly stunts, as Texans are wont to do)
-Have leap year moved to April 15th
-Host Desktop Krazy Dollar Days! Monthly fees only one buck! (he determines the monthly charges for the products we provide to our customers. Currently, the fees are $400 per month per workstation.)
-Reorganize Operation!! (Christ, our division has been through way too many reorgs. In fact, we just went through one.)
-Go Again
-Wild Card

Well, at least those of us giving the gift enjoy it. :-)