First day of class and the women of HR; a quote, CBS fakes, and money mgmt

Little difficulty finding the office this morning, though that Buick Century is built for cruising, not acceleration; I was greeted by the gorgeous blonde receptionist, handled a bit of paperwork with HR, got my loaner laptop, found my class. Six students including me, ranging from new to the field (me) to a German ADIC employee on his way to being a trainer, to an end-user for a company with no local ADIC support. Lot of lecture, fair amount of participation, couple bits of hands-on lab with the equipment. Lunch time, the instructor drew a map to various eateries within a few miles; I found an Asian restaurant, waved to the instructor who was already there, and sat by myself as I ordered.. and then five of the women from HR (including the receptionist) came in, invited me to join them at their table, and I did so. No complaints here--they're all friendly, attractive women. :D

And now it's evening, Rachel (long-time friend who happens to live here) emailed me back and is busy until later this week; maybe I'll call Sarah (cousin) or Chris (extended cousin) to see if they're free this evening. (Wandering Denver by car, solo, just doesn't appeal to me.)

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"Do not believe -- and I am dead serious when I say this -- do not assume that order and stability are always good, in a society or in a universe. The old, the ossified, must always give way to new life and the birth of new things. Before the new things can be born the old must perish. This is a dangerous realization, because it tells us that we must eventually part with much of what is familiar to us. And that hurts. But that is part of the script of life. Unless we can psychologically accommodate change, we ourselves begin to die, inwardly. What I am saying is that objects, customs, habits, and ways of life must perish so that the authentic human being can live. And it is the authentic human being who matters most, the viable, elastic organism which can bounce back, absorb, and deal with the new."

-- Philip K. Dick

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From notjaffo: CBS news used forged documents to slander the president, two months before a national election. The source was a well-known Democratic crank with a grudge against Bush, a source so biased and erratic that no one in their right mind could call him credible.

Via visgoth: "Jean Chatzky’s Bottom Line
This week: Why it’s wise to pay bills immediately
When you pay your bills is a defining characteristic as far as personal finances are concerned.
You'd think that people who pay their bills at the end of the month would be more organized, because they know enough about their cash flow to write all their checks in a single sitting. But that's not the case at all. People who pay their bills as they come in — rather than waiting until the end of the month — are much more in control of their financial situation." Take a look:

Late-week social plans! And Mr. Barrett speaks his piece.

I've just rocked the rendezvous-planning, I have. First, called Rachel (friend, Denver), chatted a while, arranged dinner/drinks Thursday. Then, called Sarah (cousin, Denver), chatted a long while, and tentatively arranged dinner/entertainment for Wednesday, pending results of my next call. Third, called Chris (extended cousin, Denver, plus daughter Julia), chatted a while, tentatively planned dinner/etc. Friday night. Called Sarah back, tentatively set plans to have me, Chris, and Julia meet at Sarah's Friday evening, then walk into downtown Denver for stuff. I love it when stuff works out so neatly. :D (I also love it that most of my extended family likes each other and gets along really well. :)

Now, I shall go seek dinner, but this time I'll ask the concierge for non-Wendy's suggestions. :) (And perhaps I'll work on figuring out what to do Tuesday and Wednesday nights.)

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Via kitiara: Ronnie Barrett, of Barrett Rifles, writes to Chief Bratton of the LAPD regarding his department's gross use of misinformation in a public campaign against his class of rifles, and the LAPD rifle sent for repair.

I call it "efficiency," not "laziness." ;)

I start to walk across the hotel to the lobby--I'm on the far side--to talk to the concierge, and realize I'll just have to come back for the car anyway, so I head out to the car and drive up to the lobby. The concierge mentions that I can order from Bennigan's, $3 delivery fee, billed to the room, and hands me a menu. I ponder this, take the menu, make my selections, and call to order. I then walk outside and drive back to my end of the building. :D

(Riley's Ribeye, mashed 'taters, cinnamon applies, IBC, and White Chocolate Chillout for dessert. Mmm!)

Besides, who wants to eat alone at a sit-down restaurant?