Free Shit Friday, plus my Shit List

Friday, November 4, 2011
Today's Free Shit Friday offering is a 1st Edition (library) of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's book Gideon's Sword.

Introducing Gideon Crew: trickster, prodigy, master thief.

At twelve, Gideon Crew witnessed his father, a world-class mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down. At twenty-four, summoned to his dying mother's bedside, Gideon learned the truth: his father was framed and deliberately slaughtered. With her last breath, she begged her son to avenge him.

Now, with a new purpose in his life, Gideon crafts a one-time mission of vengeance, aimed at the perpetrator of his father's destruction. His plan is meticulous, spectacular, and successful.

But from the shadows, someone is watching. A very powerful someone, who is impressed by Gideon's special skills. Someone who has need of just such a renegade. For Gideon, this operation may be only the beginning . . .
I do loves me some Preston & Childs. This book is a satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to getting to know Gideon better.

Da rules.

_______________________

In other news, I'm in a craptacularly foul humor today. Here are the people currently on my shit list:
  1. U.S. Airways. Pretty much always, every time I fly with them. I swear U.S. Airways is run by a Cargo Cult rather than by an honest-to-goodness corporation with people in charge who actually have experience in, you know, aviation. Why my company likes us to use them is beyond me. Oh, yeah - cheap fairs...that never arrive on time, never have enough room for carry-on luggage and come with extra helpings of rude associates! That's right. Hmph.
  2. The dude who comes on an airplane and then insists on using his smart phone, even after the doors are closed, even after he's told repeatedly and personally by the flight attendant to turn it off, ALL THE WAY OFF, all the while denying to the flight attendant that it's actually on. To quote the awesome George Takei, "You sir, are a douchebag." Not to mention a liar, liar, pants on fire. Yes, yes, I know the RF signal from handheld devices is negligible, and that the possibility of interference with avionics is miniscule. But you know what? It's the flight attendants' job to make sure everyone complies with FAA regulations, and you're making her job harder. Also? You're not that important, and you're not a unique snowflake to whom the rules don't apply. No. No, you're not.
  3. People who have access to my professional calendar and yet still insist on scheduling meetings where my attendance is critical during time frames where I'm already committed to something else. Why this is so effing annoying is left as an exercise for the class.
  4. People who insist on bringing their big ass roller bags on airplanes as "carry on" luggage. If your bag will not fit in the overhead compartment wheels out, it's too big to "carry on." Quit being a selfish SOB and check the damn thing so that those of us who actually know how to pack without checking luggage may do so. Jerk.
  5. Disorganized asshats whose lack of organizational skills throw me under the bus of disorganization. Don't look at me like that. You know who you are, and you know it's true.
  6. My shoulder is pissing me off. It's been hurting for weeks, and nothing I do makes it feel any better. I suspect that age and abuse is catching up with me, and I will eventually have to go to an ortho guy to see what the hell is going on in there.
Have a nice weekend, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.

8 comments:

Warner said...

Two items.

First while I totally agree with you on the smart phone, it isn't the RF interfering with avionics during take off, it is the RF interfering with multiple cell phone towers. This was discussed in Electronics back in the 70s when the system was still under discussion.

On the shoulder, try and find an ortho person who won't have hysterics if you suggest physical therapy instead of surgery. A good one will suggest it themselves, a greedy one won't. Found good ones on both the knee and the shoulder.

Juan Federico said...

Damn my worthless typing skills!!! reposting:

A couple of things

Put me down for the book!

second, my right shoulder is paining me to no end. After paying attention to what I was doing, I found that I spent too many hours driving with one hand. Since I have been balancing my driving by using both hands and a more comfortable driving position I am feeling a little better. So this weekend I hope to not drive at all... So I agree with that Warner fella. Also,I hope you feel better. :)

Janiece said...

Warner, since I'm a member of an HMO, they'd much rather do non-invasive, preventative health things than go straight to surgery. Which suits me just fine.

Juan, since I rarely leave my house, I don't think that's it. I'm trying everything I can think of, but it might be time for some assistance.

Thordr said...

First, that sounds like an interesting read, please dont put me in for the prize though, share the love, I'll find it at the library. Second.
I hate US Airways with the burning heat of a thousand suns, I would rather drag my ass across the country through broken glass and lemon juice to get where I need to go than ever fly with those fucks again. They are the only airline I have ever flown on that made me feel as if I was a burden to them. I cancelled my US airways world card, spent out my miles, and have had zero to do with them for over four years now. excuse me now, I'm going to go find some blood pressure medicine and scotch.

Anne C. said...

I believe my worst flying experience was with US Airways and it was the last one with them. It was about 15 years ago, so they have apparently always been this bad. That is both depressing (they haven't gone out of business YET?) and reassuring (at least it's not just me).

Janiece said...

Thordr, believe me, I tried every permutation I could think of to get out of flying with those fuckers. But they kept coming in lowest cost again and again on my company's travel web site, and exceptions are not typically approved because the venders are "fuckers."

Warner said...

US Air, or one of the companies that formed it, used to be known as Agony Airline (Allegheny Air). I never flew them, but my wife flew them to/from college.

Beatrice Desper said...

US Scareways Suck(s?)
Yes, yes on the carry-ons.