I don't like winter. I like it even less when there's no coffee in the morning.
82 thoughts on “January 14, 2014: Grumble, Winter, Grumble”
I understand that we got a lot of snow back home. I'll be coming home tomorrow night. It would be cool if someone shoveled for me. Heh.
Not a ton here in Mankato, but it was that icy stuff that is a pain to scrape off, and makes the roads more treacherous.
woke up about 4am because everything was rattling because of the wind.
NWS Twin Cities @NWSTwinCities
455am - 61mph gust measured at #StJames MN this morning #mnwx
not too far from me
We're getting lots of wind here, but at least it's warm. Typical Santa Ana winds except they're usually late fall and maybe in December. It's definitely keeping us dry in January, which is supposed to be our big rain month along with February.
I saw a story on the news about how dry California has been. I didnt know how bad its been.
It deems like a double edged sword. Its dry so there are a lot of fires, but when the much needed rains finally fall, all the mudslides happen.
It is going to be really, really bad if we don't get some rain soon.
Sacramento city council voted to implement "mandatory" water usage cuts of 20 pct on residential users tonight. Wow.
The Sierra snow pack is really bleak right now. Squaw Valley, for instance, has a base depth of about 20" right now, and last year--which was below average if I recall, they were at 30" or so for the second-half of January. (They were actually up to 60+ inches in the first half of January last year, but December '11 was pretty wet. Looks like they lost a lot of snowpack mid-January last year.)
boat slips at Folsom Lake Reservoir:
This afternoon I'm interviewing for a job for the first time in nearly twelve years. My qualifications are a stretch, and I'd have to do a good deal of learning on the job, so I'm not holding my breath. I'm also a little apprehensive about taking a job with the state government, having lived through recent developments here. I guess I'll only have to worry about that if I'm offered the job.
I take it the resume process thing worked out then? Best of luck.
I guess I'll only have to worry about that if I'm offered the job.
Correct. First get the offer and then worry about the other stuff.
Qualifications are something I can't help you with, but when in the interviewing process, make sure that you project some self-confidence and friendliness. When I interview people, I look for that. Does the person seem self-confident? Are they friendly? I know that being interviewed is stressful. If you can project that you are at ease and excited about the opportunity, that's a big plus.
If Wisconsin's civil service interview process is like California's, there would be an interview panel reading a series of pre-set questions, with considerable limitation on follow-ups.
We are required (read: "expected") to score each answer on the set list. It's a crappy process for evaluating candidates. But the better candidates come in prepared to sell themselves.
As is ALWAYS the case with interviews (and exam questions for that matter), if you don't know how to answer a particular question, re-state it in a way that you feel you can answer. Don't bloviate, but brevity is not particularly valued. You gotta hit the magic words for HR folks to give you a decent score. They don't usually care how many words it takes for you to hit them. The substantive people in the room, on the other hand, are making qualitative assessments (or should be). Hence the need for balance.
I'm always looking for "best-available athlete" when I interview candidates. I want to see some evidence of capacity for growth and intellectual curiosity. YMMV.
Heading into the interview in about twenty minutes. Reading this comment has been exceptionally helpful. Thanks, Doc.
Knock 'em dead.
also, you have a ton of real-world experience. You can talk about teamwork, about working under high levels of stress and deadlines, and, surely, about dealing with difficult co-workers or supervisors. You can talk about problem-solving. These are all important skills.
Today was the day I realized Arizona has thinned my skin. I went out to take the girls to school, and it was about 35-40 degrees. I thought, "I'm about done with this crap."
Oy.
Be sure to remember this day when summer comes.
Yeah, that's still worse.
Wait till it's 55 degrees and you're thinking that. If the highs for the day don't get much into the 60s, especially if it's mostly cloudy, we're in full-on winter mode.
The WGOM Cribbage Tournament
I'll probably CoC this tomorrow and start the tournament late this week, but if you're interested, I'll get you on the list now. Respond here or email me. Those who join earliest will get deference for the byes into the second round, if necessary.
I'll get everyone the link for the site when it's time to start playing. It's on you to get a game in sometime in the week provided per round, and I suppose I'll have to kill off both participants if it doesn't so this thing doesn't last the rest of our lives. There's a very quick signup process once you're in the site, so that's painless.
Once a bunch of people have signed up for this, I'll make a dedicated post for the list.
Woo.
I will hopefully be able to do this.
I'm in.
I'm in, too.
Yes! I'm in.
Single game? Best of three?
At worst I would like it so you need to lose twice to be out. If you need help creating that kind of bracket, let me know.
As in, a double-elimination bracket where you have to lose to different people twice? That's not a bad idea but would complicate things for scheduling. Two out of three against the same opponent is easy enough. If there's an outcry for the former, I'll set it up.
Pools first? then into a bracket?
That was my initial thought, if scheduling doesn't completely hammer us. We'd have to keep track of scores for tiebreak purposes, if we did it that way.
I would think it would almost have to be best of three, right?
If we don't do pool play, then yes, I think so.
Captains for the round-robin?
Meant mostly as a joke, as we'd need three people to play 3 games in a row against each other.
I'm quite fond of it, though.
Three players play three games. For each game, there's one fixed dealer, and the other two are teamed.
Dealer gets six cards, adds the two discards from the others, and splits all eight cards into crib and hand.
The two others get to set up and play off each other in the counting stage though.
Cumulative points ahead less behind wins.
I would play in this.
Heck, my wife might play too if that's allowed (and she agrees to do it).
What say you, WGOM? Allowable, or a slippery slope...? What's next, dogs?
I don't have any dogs, if that helps.
Only if she gets to play DG, and gets a double-skunk-line advantage.
Well, never mind. She demurred. Or at least said no thanks.
Me too - but am unfamiliar with online cribbage. Please send links/help/sharepointe site.
You gotta make those fellers pay a quarter that cut the deck, just sayin.
I thought it was worth 2 points.
I'm in.
I'd love to do this, but since I'm traveling this week I don't think I can logistically participate.
How much and for how long? I'd probably start in a few days and allow a week for games to happen (or perhaps longer for the initial ones, if we do a pool system).
I could probably do it in that scenario. I come back on Saturday, so I'll be around next week.
put me in coach
would love to participate. But won't be around this weekend. Driving to Oregon with my parents. Hoping I don't die of dysentery.
I'll get both you and cheaps down as possibles. When I have an idea of the timing - I want to be generous with the rounds - I'll talk to you two again.
CJ Boggle and WGOM cribbage?
Sounds good.
I would play depending upon when we're playing. Any specifics?
The idea is that once I announce the bracket, you have a week to get a game together with your opponent. Our schedules are all wildly different, so I want to give Citizens a while to get these games done, if necessary.
Then count me in.
Sign me up. Might have to play from Hawaii at some point, but we'll see...
If there's anything better to do in Hawaii, I'd sure like to hear about it.
*so much to say; can't say anything*
Online cribbage is something that exists and I'm only finding out today. My mind is blown.
Huh? Online everything is something that exists these days.
So Neutral Milk Hotel begun their tour last night in upstate New York. The tour brings them to First Avenue February 10 and 11.
Haven't seen a review but a posted setlist shows that they played In the Aerplane over the Sea in it's entirity and in order (but not consecitively), but with some songs from Avery thrown in every so often.
I am really looking forward to this show (I'm going 2/10) and will be interested in seeing the reviews up to that point.
Jeff Mangum solo in Buffalo was the highlight of my year there.
I'm getting tentatively excited for the 2/11 show we have tickets to, mostly worried about winter being winter and ruining our plans. Fingers crossed, though.
tickets went on sale just a little bit before i discovered, yes, tAOtS is indeed one of the best albums ever made. current chicago stubhub price is $115.
TAOTS for like $4 at the used CD store was one of my greatest coups.
I just checked Stub Hub for Mpls. No tix available for 2/10. Only 5 for 2/11 starting at $218.00. Hmm maybe I should sell my ticket and make a killing. Nope.
I will have to be content with seeing them in '98 at a less than full 400 Bar show. (Awesome, btw.) I think the reason it wasn't a full house was the only people spinning that record back when it first came out was Radio K.
I read somewhere that when it first came out, tAOtS sold like 5,000 copies in the first year. Now it's up over 300,000. Granted it's been 15 years, but this all through word of mouth. No marketing, Rolling Stone cover, key song on angsty teen drama, etc.
JazzFest lineup announced. I think I may take a year off.
Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Phish and Christina Aguilera are among the headliners of this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Jazz Fest may also turn into a bit of a twerk fest with "Blurred Lines" singer Robin Thicke also on the lineup.
pass.
When I think jazz I definitely think of Phish, Xtina, and Robin Thicke.
I'm sure they are the "Heritage" part of the program.
Heh.
I was going through the ballots for the Ballon d'Or*. Clint Dempsey voted as USA Captain, and of course Herr Klinsy as coach. Dempsey's ballot was a fairly predictable C.Ronaldo-Messi-Zlatan while Jurgen voted Ribery-Bale-Falcao.
I'm watching Wisconsin-Indiana. College basketball badly needs the 24 second shot clock.
I also reminded that I hate the college game because of lack of basketball IQ when an Indiana dude went baseline but didn't try to score against a team trying to foul.
Good god, take your time you dudes who will be going pro in something other than sports.
I understand that we got a lot of snow back home. I'll be coming home tomorrow night. It would be cool if someone shoveled for me. Heh.
Not a ton here in Mankato, but it was that icy stuff that is a pain to scrape off, and makes the roads more treacherous.
woke up about 4am because everything was rattling because of the wind.
not too far from me
We're getting lots of wind here, but at least it's warm. Typical Santa Ana winds except they're usually late fall and maybe in December. It's definitely keeping us dry in January, which is supposed to be our big rain month along with February.
I saw a story on the news about how dry California has been. I didnt know how bad its been.
It deems like a double edged sword. Its dry so there are a lot of fires, but when the much needed rains finally fall, all the mudslides happen.
It is going to be really, really bad if we don't get some rain soon.
Sacramento city council voted to implement "mandatory" water usage cuts of 20 pct on residential users tonight. Wow.
The Sierra snow pack is really bleak right now. Squaw Valley, for instance, has a base depth of about 20" right now, and last year--which was below average if I recall, they were at 30" or so for the second-half of January. (They were actually up to 60+ inches in the first half of January last year, but December '11 was pretty wet. Looks like they lost a lot of snowpack mid-January last year.)
boat slips at Folsom Lake Reservoir:
This afternoon I'm interviewing for a job for the first time in nearly twelve years. My qualifications are a stretch, and I'd have to do a good deal of learning on the job, so I'm not holding my breath. I'm also a little apprehensive about taking a job with the state government, having lived through recent developments here. I guess I'll only have to worry about that if I'm offered the job.
I take it the resume process thing worked out then? Best of luck.
I guess I'll only have to worry about that if I'm offered the job.
Correct. First get the offer and then worry about the other stuff.
Qualifications are something I can't help you with, but when in the interviewing process, make sure that you project some self-confidence and friendliness. When I interview people, I look for that. Does the person seem self-confident? Are they friendly? I know that being interviewed is stressful. If you can project that you are at ease and excited about the opportunity, that's a big plus.
If Wisconsin's civil service interview process is like California's, there would be an interview panel reading a series of pre-set questions, with considerable limitation on follow-ups.
We are required (read: "expected") to score each answer on the set list. It's a crappy process for evaluating candidates. But the better candidates come in prepared to sell themselves.
As is ALWAYS the case with interviews (and exam questions for that matter), if you don't know how to answer a particular question, re-state it in a way that you feel you can answer. Don't bloviate, but brevity is not particularly valued. You gotta hit the magic words for HR folks to give you a decent score. They don't usually care how many words it takes for you to hit them. The substantive people in the room, on the other hand, are making qualitative assessments (or should be). Hence the need for balance.
I'm always looking for "best-available athlete" when I interview candidates. I want to see some evidence of capacity for growth and intellectual curiosity. YMMV.
Heading into the interview in about twenty minutes. Reading this comment has been exceptionally helpful. Thanks, Doc.
Knock 'em dead.
also, you have a ton of real-world experience. You can talk about teamwork, about working under high levels of stress and deadlines, and, surely, about dealing with difficult co-workers or supervisors. You can talk about problem-solving. These are all important skills.
Today was the day I realized Arizona has thinned my skin. I went out to take the girls to school, and it was about 35-40 degrees. I thought, "I'm about done with this crap."
Oy.
Be sure to remember this day when summer comes.
Yeah, that's still worse.
Wait till it's 55 degrees and you're thinking that. If the highs for the day don't get much into the 60s, especially if it's mostly cloudy, we're in full-on winter mode.
The WGOM Cribbage Tournament
I'll probably CoC this tomorrow and start the tournament late this week, but if you're interested, I'll get you on the list now. Respond here or email me. Those who join earliest will get deference for the byes into the second round, if necessary.
I'll get everyone the link for the site when it's time to start playing. It's on you to get a game in sometime in the week provided per round, and I suppose I'll have to kill off both participants if it doesn't so this thing doesn't last the rest of our lives. There's a very quick signup process once you're in the site, so that's painless.
Once a bunch of people have signed up for this, I'll make a dedicated post for the list.
Woo.
I will hopefully be able to do this.
I'm in.
I'm in, too.
Yes! I'm in.
Single game? Best of three?
At worst I would like it so you need to lose twice to be out. If you need help creating that kind of bracket, let me know.
As in, a double-elimination bracket where you have to lose to different people twice? That's not a bad idea but would complicate things for scheduling. Two out of three against the same opponent is easy enough. If there's an outcry for the former, I'll set it up.
Pools first? then into a bracket?
That was my initial thought, if scheduling doesn't completely hammer us. We'd have to keep track of scores for tiebreak purposes, if we did it that way.
I would think it would almost have to be best of three, right?
If we don't do pool play, then yes, I think so.
Captains for the round-robin?
Meant mostly as a joke, as we'd need three people to play 3 games in a row against each other.
I'm quite fond of it, though.
Three players play three games. For each game, there's one fixed dealer, and the other two are teamed.
Dealer gets six cards, adds the two discards from the others, and splits all eight cards into crib and hand.
The two others get to set up and play off each other in the counting stage though.
Cumulative points ahead less behind wins.
I would play in this.
Heck, my wife might play too if that's allowed (and she agrees to do it).
What say you, WGOM? Allowable, or a slippery slope...? What's next, dogs?
I don't have any dogs, if that helps.
Only if she gets to play DG, and gets a double-skunk-line advantage.
Well, never mind. She demurred. Or at least said no thanks.
Me too - but am unfamiliar with online cribbage. Please send links/help/sharepointe site.
https://my.ecribbage.com/login
I like to count to fifteen. Put me in coach.
You gotta make those fellers pay a quarter that cut the deck, just sayin.
I thought it was worth 2 points.
I'm in.
I'd love to do this, but since I'm traveling this week I don't think I can logistically participate.
How much and for how long? I'd probably start in a few days and allow a week for games to happen (or perhaps longer for the initial ones, if we do a pool system).
I could probably do it in that scenario. I come back on Saturday, so I'll be around next week.
put me in coach
would love to participate. But won't be around this weekend. Driving to Oregon with my parents. Hoping I don't die of dysentery.
I'll get both you and cheaps down as possibles. When I have an idea of the timing - I want to be generous with the rounds - I'll talk to you two again.
CJ Boggle and WGOM cribbage?
Sounds good.
I would play depending upon when we're playing. Any specifics?
The idea is that once I announce the bracket, you have a week to get a game together with your opponent. Our schedules are all wildly different, so I want to give Citizens a while to get these games done, if necessary.
Then count me in.
Sign me up. Might have to play from Hawaii at some point, but we'll see...
If there's anything better to do in Hawaii, I'd sure like to hear about it.
*so much to say; can't say anything*
Online cribbage is something that exists and I'm only finding out today. My mind is blown.
Huh? Online everything is something that exists these days.
Woo?
I thought there was news about the rug-peer.
for Rhu-Ru and other sky watchers:
what's an app?
So Neutral Milk Hotel begun their tour last night in upstate New York. The tour brings them to First Avenue February 10 and 11.
Haven't seen a review but a posted setlist shows that they played In the Aerplane over the Sea in it's entirity and in order (but not consecitively), but with some songs from Avery thrown in every so often.
I am really looking forward to this show (I'm going 2/10) and will be interested in seeing the reviews up to that point.
Jeff Mangum solo in Buffalo was the highlight of my year there.
I'm getting tentatively excited for the 2/11 show we have tickets to, mostly worried about winter being winter and ruining our plans. Fingers crossed, though.
tickets went on sale just a little bit before i discovered, yes, tAOtS is indeed one of the best albums ever made. current chicago stubhub price is $115.
TAOTS for like $4 at the used CD store was one of my greatest coups.
I just checked Stub Hub for Mpls. No tix available for 2/10. Only 5 for 2/11 starting at $218.00. Hmm maybe I should sell my ticket and make a killing. Nope.
I will have to be content with seeing them in '98 at a less than full 400 Bar show. (Awesome, btw.) I think the reason it wasn't a full house was the only people spinning that record back when it first came out was Radio K.
I read somewhere that when it first came out, tAOtS sold like 5,000 copies in the first year. Now it's up over 300,000. Granted it's been 15 years, but this all through word of mouth. No marketing, Rolling Stone cover, key song on angsty teen drama, etc.
JazzFest lineup announced. I think I may take a year off.
pass.
When I think jazz I definitely think of Phish, Xtina, and Robin Thicke.
I'm sure they are the "Heritage" part of the program.
Heh.
I was going through the ballots for the Ballon d'Or*. Clint Dempsey voted as USA Captain, and of course Herr Klinsy as coach. Dempsey's ballot was a fairly predictable C.Ronaldo-Messi-Zlatan while Jurgen voted Ribery-Bale-Falcao.
*Ballon d'Or? What's that?
those old maids can be deadly.
I'm watching Wisconsin-Indiana. College basketball badly needs the 24 second shot clock.
I also reminded that I hate the college game because of lack of basketball IQ when an Indiana dude went baseline but didn't try to score against a team trying to foul.
Good god, take your time you dudes who will be going pro in something other than sports.
at least shorten the shot clock to 30