Light The Night at Progressive Field

The Tribe decided to light the night with fireworks on the field and in the air. Fausto landed a couple punches, even, but this is a different topic.

I am raising money with my friends at work for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a participant in their Light The Night Walk September 27 at Progressive Field. We are inspired by our colleague Kurt who exhibited amazing fortitude, an incredibly positive attitude and a crazy work ethic this year. (He has a t-shirt that says "I made cancer my bitch" to prove it!)

Donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.

If you feel inclined to help, please use the link below to donate online.

http://www.active.com/donate/ltnClevel/2486_MattKeough

If you'd like to learn more about the Light The Night Walk, please visit http://www.lightthenight.org

American Idol - Geez kid, It ain't the end.

I watch American Idol with the lovely Joyce K. I make no excuses. Not up to my usual highbrow standards, but there you have it. I am a complex man.

Watching tonight a thought struck me. I am never really going to be moved by the "drama" of Simon, Randy and that crazy chick walking in the room to tell the contestants their fate. If you have not seen the show, here is what happens. At the start of every season, they assemble a crowd out in Hollywood of performers. They have them audition individually and in groups. They then partition them into three hotel meeting rooms. Two groups advance. The third weep and wail at the horrible fate that they are freshly minted former contestants on this season's American Idol.

Watching tonight, I had a flashback of sorts. I have been through several rounds of lay-offs. (Part of the fun of formerly being employed in the manufacturing sector in Ohio.) One of these events was organized in almost the exact same manner as this American Idol elimination round. The employees were segregated into several groups, then led to different rooms in the plant. As you were walking to your assigned room, you are compelled to look at the man or woman to your left and right. You wonder. Let us all be honest. We all have put in a day's work that was not exemplary. So there are always a couple of people in each group that you can look at and say "Well, if it was MY decision....he would be gone. Wait...he is in MY group."

So it is like those kids on American Idol. Looking around the room. However, the stakes for the people in the lay-off situation are much higher. So forgive me if the weeping nineteen year old hoochie mommas do not give me a lump in my throat.

American Idol ,
work

Good Product - GREAT Name! HKVAC-2000

I had a conversation at work today about blogs and blogging. I admitted that I have this humble site, but did not name it. My colleagues asked me "What do you post about?" I wanted to avoid talking politics , so I jokingly said "About the cool vacuum hair clipper my wife uses. Stuff like that."

Then I realized that the clipper in question really is a neat little device. Remington makes it. The clipper has a vacuum integral to its design, so most of the clippings are somewhat contained. Here is the kicker, though. I never knew the name of the device until I decided I was really going to make a post about it. The thing is called the HKVAC-2000. Doesn't it sound like Binford Tools should make the thing? Also evokes MST3K.

So there. An official product endorsement. And just to be transparent, this is not some Pay Per Post deal. I have not received any compensation for this review. However, if the good folks at Remington discover how thick my hair is I could be to Remington what Jared is to Subway.

By the way, if any of my colleagues got all curious and snooped around enough to find this post, leave a comment. First one to do so gets lunch at the local Mexican joint.

Day three and day one.

Well folks, this is my third day on Blogger and so far I am pleased with ease of use and such. Expect this solo act to be a duet, trio or quartet soon.

This was also my first day on the new job. Observations:

1. I know where the water cooler is.
2. I know the (first) names of the majority of the people in my department. It is a small department, mind you.
3. Tomorrow I will ask where the men's room is. That is one of those things I would really feel strange asking for the first time in week two.
4. My boss uses Blogger, too.
5. It was particularly good to see the smiling faces of the wife and my boys at the end of the day.

Two Days, Two Posts. I'm batting 1.000

I don't claim to be profound or prolific, just consistent. You might know that tomorrow is "Back To Work Day". I'm starting a new job Monday. This is the first time I've started a new job in more than ten years. (Discounting my usher gig for the Captains, but that first day was also the third day of being a first-time dad so let's just say starting a new part time job wasn't my only worry at the time). Since there is an autumn chill in the air, it feels like back to school. I even bought new shoes. I'm wondering how long it will take before I settle into a routine. I'm not one who really fears change. But I like consistency. Knowing what to expect. Not having to give any thought to "Where is that water cooler?" or "What is that guy's name?". Share your do's and don'ts for starting a new job in the comments.