John Burkholder

As I begin the change in my career path to something more suitable for my personality, I have to wonder how many other people made career changes that were fundamental in the development or booms of American and International cultures. There are well known examples such as Albert Einstein going from a patent clerk to physicist or Gene Simmons from KISS moving from a Spanish Harlem school teacher to rock God, but what about the failures of change? Mariah Carey, I suppose would qualify under that with her movie debut, but that is still in the same entertainment vein and I don't know that counts. Well, there are some (of which I hope I do not follow suit). Let's take for instance Ross Perot. Ross Perot was an IBM salesperson who decided that after IBM was not listening to his ideas, created EDS. EDS did extremely well and Ross was a bizillionaire. So, in 1992, he ran for President of the United States. With very little political background, and a boat load of money, he made the bi

Today I have managed to sit down and relax with a couple of movies. I used to watch movies all the time but I have been preoccupied with blogging and World of Warcraft over the past year plus. Well, since I have reduced blogging down tremendously and quit World of Warcraft completely, I have found the time to rediscover an old love. I tend to watch all types of movies. There are some I love and some I hate. But today, I have managed to get into not one but two Indian movies. This is India Indian, not Native American Indian. The first movie, called " The Journey ", was about an Indian school headmaster who moves in with his son in Pittsburgh. You are privvy to the family interaction and the cultural boundaries Americans do not see. I actually liked this movie even though IMDB readers only give it 5.7 stars. The ending could have used more work. The second Indian movie was apparently a blockbuster in India named " Lagaan ". Now this movie had better ratings and accord

Tonight I have been contemplating how exactly to get from point A (my current career) to point B (the career I would like). A few things have happened over the last few days. The Wicked Witch resigned...YAAAAA! My boss got the flu which I hope and pray I will not acquire. I am seriously thinking of just shutting down my Xanga account or at least not using it. The wicked witch resigning was actually a very pleasant surprise. I knew she had been looking around, but never figured she actually had a lead. She claims she is moving on to another company, but I am positive it was a forced resignation. The project under her control have ALL failed miserably. The main project is actually a year and a half behind. She really wasn't a good fit for the position anyhow...we have had a 54% roll-over rate and nobody even said a word. Upper management figured as long as the project is finished, who cares about roll-over. The problem with that thought process is the 54% were the people who actually

I am sure PeppyAnnie will catch everyone up on her trip soon. Read her blog. So I often just have to take some time to figure out what is bothering me and what to do about it. Here is what I have come up with: I am tired of my current career after doing it for 21 years. I like Information Technology as a tool, and I used to like it as a career. There is too much pressure and I am on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 1/4 days a year. I can't REALLY take a vacation because, for some reason, nobody can manage to put all of the pieces together to fix the issue. People are more into the blame game, rather than fixing it. I am at the right age for a change. I am not too old yet, and I have a good idea as to how businesses as a whole run. No, this is NOT a middle-aged reflection on life and a need to go buy a Mazda Miata to make up for the things I have missed out on. This is an "I'm tired" and I need something that is not constantly on. I like providing experiences.

I am starting to come out of my funk. This can be attributed to the fact that today was my last day of work for the week and that Monday is a holiday, this is true. It could be attributed to the Queen getting her beloved Eddie Izzard DVD and laptop power supply. More than likely, it could be the fact that the entire household anxiously awaits the arrival of PeppyAnnie from Kentucky. Woohooo! The entire Warrior/SuchandSuch household is brimming with the anticipation of taking her to see the Bean. You know, the item Chicago is know for, the giant stainless steel bean at Millennium Park. We had a ticket to Wicked for her, but that fell through. I love doing this. I love taking people to somewhere they have never been and watch their faces as they discover a place that has only been dreamed. For me, PeppyAnnie will be in Chicago tomorrow night to watch a dream. Granted it may have to change to the Blue Man Group instead of Wicked…or we may end up buying seats at face value, but it will be

Have you ever had one of those jobs where everyone wants to be in charge, but nobody wants to take responsibility? ARGH! Where is my DUCT TAPE!

Have you ever seen the movie “Runaway Bride”? In the movie, Richard Gere is in a bar waiting for his inspiration to show up so he can write his article. The article happens to be about this woman who would leave men at the altar. It ends up getting him fired because all of the “facts” were not right. Well, this blog is NOT about the love story or find out whoever you are within. This is about waiting for inspiration. I am Richard Gere today sitting on the train with my laptop open waiting for something to strike me like a…lightning bolt (read last blog). On a side note, the barbershop quartet in the movie was from my barbershop choir. How cool is that? Well, I guess it is cool if you don’t think barbershop singing is not dorky or lame…OK, moving on. Sometimes there are days that are really uneventful. Take today, my train ride to work was riddled with the talk of Grey’s Anatomy (wasn’t that a great episode) and how everyone managed to really get smashed on the train last Friday night.

Yesterday I admitted I was very edgy. I sometimes wonder what facilitated all of these problems with my nerves. Could it be a genetic defect? Will I be walking down the street one day and start slapping myself across the face? Could it be a possession? Can I be possessed by my departed father? Is this his way of getting back at me for not eating those tomatoes he was forcing upon me in my youth? I still don’t eat tomatoes (at least not raw). Maybe I am being possessed by my departed brother or first wife. I sometimes think that it would be easier to explain why I feel like I need to slap someone up against the side of the head with duct tape by blaming it on someone else. But I am sure it is not someone else. I think it may be because of the President. Hey, everyone else blames it on the President, why can’t I? I should sue. The cross-examination: My Wonderful Attorney: Mr. President, is it true you have caused grievous harm against N8ivWarrior and his family by making him do things li

Today has been one of those roller coaster days where I cannot manage to stay comfortable in my own skin. It may be time for a cleansing. What brought this on? Well, I haven’t felt quite like my old self since I took the very brief respite from Xanga. The Queen and I have both been a bit off center and off cycle. So much to the point when she asked me if she was getting on my nerves, I had to tell her yes. How could it be? How could I get irritated with my soul mate? It is me. I know it is. There are apparently things that are in my head that need to be straightened out and my spirit guide and dreams aren’t guiding me at this moment. I know it has to do a lot with work and impending home issues. I know the stress of it all has contributed. But normally, I cope with it in some sort of way. The day overall has gone well. We went out for a very good breakfast this morning and proceeded to stuff myself. After, we went to pick up paint and other supplies so the Queen can paint the stairwell

This morning I decided to take a different train to work. The train I normally take arrives at a different station and I would have to walk an extra 1/2 mile. Where am I going with this? While I was on the train, I was gazing out the window and I noticed a Volkswagen beetle in a yard. My first instinct was to punch the person next to me and call "slug bug (or punch buggy) gray 10 points." I imagine the stranger sitting next to me as I write this might look at me and possibly charge me with assault. I refrained. The orange jump suit does not work well with my complexion. I have to admit though, if the Queen was sitting here, I would have let it go. It would be a case of me or her. I know for a fact that if she would have seen it, my arm would still be pulsing with pain. You all may be wondering what the points are about. Well, I like to take road trips (this has been stated many times in previous blogs). When we take them, we came up with road games. My Mom used to have me pla

Aging weighs heavily on my mind because this year, I will turn 40. I (like many other men) take time to reflect on my goals and aspirations from when I graduated high school. Therefore, it is time to review the list to determine my progress: Buy a new Pontiac Fiero Earn a million dollars by age 40 Well, this one does not look very promising. Of course I didn’t clarify if that was every dollar I have ever made, so in the 25 years I have been working, I think this one counts. Ride in a limo by age 35 . Actually, on my 35th birthday, my wonderful wife and kids took me to Morton’s in a limo. Get married without kids . Well, I guess THAT didn’t work out as planned. Travel to all 50 states and 20 countries . 49 states and 2 countries completed. I guess I better hit Hawaii and do some overseas traveling. Invent something useful . LMAO…I seriously doubt I will actually accomplish this. Own my own house . YEAH! Check! Well, the bank owns it. Gain 25 pounds . OK, let me explain. When I graduate

I am having a really crabby, grumpy, bitchy, naggy, aggresive, frustrated, disconcerted, disillusioned, disoriented, beat up, cut up, disheartening, ornery, miserable day. I think I should avoid writing today. I mean I should avoid writing anymore than that. I mean that. I am going to stop...now.

At what point does the brain decide that the time to go is right then? For me, this is one of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had. I was visiting the Smithsonian Air and space museum in Washington, DC and we had made the mistake (my mistake) of having Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. The reason it is such a disastrous mistake is (as I found out later) I am allergic to the K-F-C. So, here I am walking around the museum and I realize that I need to head to the facilities. Normally, I can hold back and continue on for a good hour. But this was the allergy buildup. A sudden sharp pain striking my abdomen, the gas buildup in the intestines, I know this was turning ugly in a hurry. But I am a guy and I can keep my cool. I explain to the wife that I will return shortly and begin my quest. I walk to the IMAX theater close by and ask for directions to the restroom. I can feel the sweat start to break on my forehead and my knees start to weaken. After she explains to me that the rest

Rock-a-bye-baby On the treetop When the wind blows, The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall And down will come baby Cradle and all OK, so how messed up is that? Who would stick their baby in a treetop? Why would they talk about baby’s plummeting to the ground? What is wrong with all of us that we would freely sing this nursery rhyme? Where did it come from? Well, the author of this lullaby was reportedly a pilgrim who sailed on the Mayflower. The Wampanoag Indians, who befriended (wow, they died to regret that) the colonists, carried their infants in cradleboards on their backs. In temperate weather, they suspended the cradles from tree limbs so that passing breezes could rock the babies while their mothers tended the maize and beans. At least this is what is believed to be the history behind it. What if the song was made up by the Salem witches and was really a curse on the town that they sang while being burned at the stake? How do they know? Take for instan

I am not feeling terribly funny today. For months now I have been able to devise new methods and ideas to make life better with duct tape and explain it to the readers. But today, I feel as if I cut off an arm because it kept hitting me in the face. I have been asked by several people to return to Xanga. I have thoguht about this very carefully and have decided to fight the fight. Thank you all for your support. Since I found out about all of the issues, I feel as though I have been contributing to the affair. I feel like I have to take a shower. You know, that moment whe you wake up the day after and realize you don't know where you are and have to eat your arm off so you do not wake the other person.Work is also weighing heavily on my mind. The thought of having to return is a bit bothersome. I actually like my job, but I hate the politics. People are jumping ship left and right in an attempt to keep from being on the ship when we finally fall below the freezing cold water. I jus

As I was browsing through Blogspot (which I am really enjoying the content), I discovered Dog of Electric Faith . So, I have to go round up all of my CDs to send to this company so I can get my FREE iPOD. That's right! Free! I have been trying to figure out a way to buy one of those. But if trading is an option, I am ALL IN! I know, I have a lot of posts today, but it is like a adult in an electronics store...I mean a kid in a candy store.

I began paging through Blogspot and came upon this... Christi Thomas . Christi is an eight year old girl from Ohio who has Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the nervous system striking about 600 children in the U.S. per year. There are no genetic or environmental causes; it appears to strike at random. Seventeen years ago this was 100% fatal. Christi’s cancer spread beyond the tumor around her heart and along her spine and was 98-99% packed in her bone marrow. Upon diagnosis on September 11, 2002, she was given a 35% chance of surviving five years and a much lower chance of surviving 10-20 years. Christi is a fighter and I will think of her and her family. I have also added her link to my site. By the way, I have yet to stumble into a teenagers site. I wonder how many are here. Lots of international sites.

Yesterday, I decided on moving my blog to Blogger. I personally think it is a bit more complicated, but it is clean and neat with a few more and a few less features than Xanga. The dashboard provides me with a quick view of all of my blogs in a list and adds more functionality in the comments sections. But you have to have an idea as to how this all works. There is not a simple path and sometimes the features make posting an ordinary entry a bit more complicated. The Xanga dashboard provided me a view to see when each of my blogs received a comment. What I do like, is that you can change the entire look of the page through the HTML interface in the template section. Xanga limited you on how much you can alter the system without having to step into premium. Blogger gives you that capability out of the box and I have yet to find a fee for service requirement. Additionally, I found the flag capability quite refreshing. The readers determine if the topic is objectionable and click the flag

I have made an executive decision in my life today. MomofJenMatt is right about a very sensitive issue and I have been running it through my mind for most of the night. I am strongly against the support of child pornography and to be honest, Xanga could be considered as contributing to the distribution of child pornography. Therefore, this is my last post with Xanga. I am moving to http://www.blogger.com/ . Blogger.com is tied to/owned by Google. It is a little more complicated to use, but I figure I will get used to it. This is my new blog site: http://n8ivwarrior.blogspot.com/ I welcome you to join me, although anyone can read and comment on my blog. You do not need to be a member. I hereby resign the Viewer's Choice to LarsThunder. Thank you for viewing and good luck to you all.

Well, wasn’t Viewer’s Choice fun? Fortunately for me, I will only do that the first of each month. I have been thinking which QueenSuchandSuch claims is very dangerous and often has to pull out the fire extinguisher to reduce the flame and smoke damage. What I have realized is that I have found many Xanga virtual friends. When the Queen and I were both in Yahoo!, we would attend “chat” parties. They were monthly and often held in the Crystal City Bar and Grill. So, my question to you is this, what would everyone think of having a Xanga weekend of frivolous frolicking and fun filled friendships? Since this is the first one ever, I was thinking about once a year. If it has a huge demand, I suppose we could increase the occurrences, but let’s not get carried away. So, my first suggestion for the location is Chicago. My first reasoning for Chicago is, I don’t have to travel (selfish I know). But there is some logic behind it. Chicago during the summer is absolutely the best city in the wor

I often drive. Fact is, I love to pile the entire family into the car and “explore” the most unique areas of the United States. I have blogged about this several times. But there are several things that make me nervous when it comes to entering the road with other drivers on it. Cell phones are just the tip of the engine block. I am not a proponent of making a law to restrict the use of non-hands-free cell phones. I believe there are already enough laws we have a hard time enforcing, especially since there are often laws already on the books. Take for instance Washington, DC. On July 1, 2004, DC made a Distracted Driving Safety Act making it illegal for motorists to use a mobile phone or other electronic device while driving in the District of Columbia, unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory. Other urban areas such as Chicago are following suit with this new law. This already brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Why stop there? People are

On January 24, DoWhaChaDo89 retired from his blog (tear) and willed me his Viewer’s Choice. This is terrifying new experience for me and I am a little bit afraid of what awaits me as I have been warned. So here are the rules that have been copied from DoWhaChaDo89’s previous blog. Here is how the game is played. It is a lot like the 5 questions thing but faster and more fun. You ask a question in the comments I update this post with the answer. (I add the last one answered to the top so you don't have to scroll through each update.) I take any liberty in answering the questions the way I want to but I have to answer every question. So you can throw silly or deep questions at me. So let's see what you all can come up with! [One more request... if you like the game but don't have any questions then give me a bump in the comments for some props!] So, I do not want to change the rules a whole lot but I am going to make just one. I am removing the last line. If you want to read

There is a minor problem with aging and alcohol. You drink and you drink and you are all lubed up and you begin to tire much faster than when drinking was a sport. Let me roll back a little. In yesterdays blog I mentioned the group meeting I am attending and the terrible way a bunch of middle aged men all want to go skateboarding. I may have left that part out. Anyway, men as a rule lose all logic when it comes to alcohol and the male bonding ceremony. This is another reason why there are fewer men in the world than women. I digress. So there was a vendor dinner last night…no we did not eat the vendor. A vendor dinner is when the companies at the meeting take everyone somewhere to eat which is often accompanied by the illustrious “song book.” Well, of course there were a few new people and the standard initiation into the “club” is to sing out of the book. So a coworker from my office was a virgin to the group (who was not pointed out by me at all…nope) and he was welcomed with a heart

So yesterday morning QueenSuchandSuch drove me to the airport to catch my flight to sunny Tampa, Florida. After a flying ordeal, I landed safely, french kissed the ground and made my way to the Hertz rental car place. I don't usually rent cars but the costs for the car versus the cost of the cab ride was about the same...and I am not much for cab rides. So, I rented the car with navigation of course. When I finally arrive at the hotel the meeting is being held in, I thought the swimming pool was sure hopping on a Sunday when it is only 70 degrees out. Well, this is because the bands were line up have concerts while the Hawaiian Tropic bikini contest was taking place. Of course, I find all of this out much later at the governors dinner, so it is moot. I checked into the hotel, dropped off my luggage and started walking around the hotel. To my surprise, the hotel is ON the beach. There standing on the edge of the beach stood mecca. A tiki bar. A bar with music playing, surrounded by