More random history trivia (answers whitefonted):

In what war was the first attempted submarine attack?

A: The American Revolutionary War

In what war was the first successful submarine attack?

A: The American Civil War

Got those two right!!

I knew those two, as well!

Sounds like I'll have something to watch tonight other than Dollhouse:

As promised, President Obama appeared this afternoon at the House Republican caucus' retreat in Baltimore, delivering a short speech, followed by some fascinating Q&A. If you missed it -- the appearance was aired live on C-SPAN -- you'll really want to watch it when the video is posted online. It was simply fascinating...

I'm reasonably certain I've never seen anything like it. GOP House members were fairly respectful of the president, but pressed him on a variety of policy matters. The president didn't just respond effectively, he delivered a rather powerful, masterful performance...

Note, however, that this wasn't just about political theater -- it was an important back-and-forth between the president and his most forceful political detractors. They were bringing up routine far-right talking points that, most of the time, simply get repeated in the media unanswered. But in Baltimore, the president didn't just respond to the nonsense, he effectively debunked it.

Republicans thought they were throwing their toughest pitches, and Obama -- with no notes, no teleprompter, and no foreknowledge -- just kept knocking 'em out of the park.

It's easy to forget sometimes just how knowledgeable and thoughtful Obama can be on matters of substance. I don't imagine the House Republican caucus will forget anytime soon -- if the president is going to use their invitation to score big victories, he probably won't be invited back next year.

Nevertheless, the White House should schedule more of these. A lot more of these.

What is wrong with me!?! I have 2 blog posts to write (and not boring ones either!) but I am avoiding doing them by combing through the QA site to check the next release.

Brain does not feel like being creative and instead wants to do nitpicky stuff. OH NOES! Someone has replaced my brain.

I need to ask Boss if I can work from home this afternoon. Head is not responding to sumatriptan. Technically it's not allowed for consultants, but maybe I can get dispensation. I'd like to try again after a nap. Otherwise I just bail and no work gets done and I go unpaid.

I woke up with a bad sinus headache and am staying home.

1975 Artists' Soapbox Derby

Gopod bless Mayor Mike Haeg for uploading this incredible video of a 1975 artists' soapbox derby in San Francisco.

Wackiness! In San Francisco!

Sorry to hear that, ita, and I hope they let you.

I hate the special rules for contractors. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing my job with a handicap. We don't get onboarded, we don't have full access to systems, can't WFH, hell, I don't have some calendar privileges.

1) People who were to send me layered files so my team can create a graphic for them, sent everything in black and white. It is due Monday for placement next Tuesday.

2) The release hasn't been deployed in QA yet, so I'm back to having to write the 2 blog posts.

3) Please post more!

Boss has just said it's okay! Oh, god I'm outie, as my sister would say.

Yeah, people who are full time here get pretty liberal work from home policy. I think Boss is relaxing on what he'll let us consultants do--it's a matter of trust.

Biggest handicap we have is that as contractors we don't have admin access to our PCs, so we can't install random new apps. Not even quicktime, for crying out loud. Yet, Opera and Firefox. But it really got in the way of getting my laptop work-ready.