You know those “state” quarters? The US Mint began distributing them on this date back in 1999. I don’t know what astounds me more – that these things have been around for 15 years, or that 1999 was 15 years ago already. Seems like just yesterday everybody was terrified that airplanes would start dropping out of the sky, the power grid would collapse, and that anything with a computer chip in it would stop working (I mean, apart from the power grid collapsing). Ah, those were great times to be an old retired Cobol programmer. Sadly, I only took about three classes worth of Cobol and decided it sucked, so I quit. Another in a long line of poor choices on my part (I went from a computer programming major in community college – having already dropped out of two four-year schools back in 1983 or so – the exciting world of showbiz. Movie theatre usher to assistant manager to projectionist). At least I managed to earn a few credit to eventually apply to my eventual IMT degree, even if it took 27 years or so.

As you may have heard, it’s been a kinda cold and snowy in certain parts of the country (mainly the Midwest – I feel bad for you people), and a “Polar Vortex” is supposed to make things even worse. We didn’t get much snow here (something like 10 inches I guess), but the past couple of days have been pretty chilly. I think we made it up to about three degrees yesterday. The snow we got was very fine stuff, and while it wasn’t heavy, it was constant. Salt doesn’t work when it’s that cold out, so it was like driving on very tiny glass beads. In other words, quite slippery. Things are supposed to warm up a bit today and even more tomorrow before getting cold again next week.

Next week, bleh. Not looking forward to returning to the office next Wednesday. Not only is it a late day for me, but I have to go to the return of our stupid meetings. The überboss (though not the überest boss) has been a real prick lately (largely because I don’t think he actually does anything, and occasionally feels the need to assert the authority of his position. Or something), so this should be a very uncomfortable meeting. There are only 5 people in my group, so it’s pretty hard to hide. I just hope I can manage to maintain my outward veil of apathetic disdain, because I’ve not been particularly pleased with my situation lately, and I’m getting old enough where it’s hard to put up with bullshit. But I need a job and two more years before I get tenure, so I really need to keep my mouth shut.

You might have heard that Bill Nye is going down to the Creationist Museum in Kentucky to debate its founder (some guy named “Ham”) about Creation “Theory” vs. Evolution. I’m not really sure what that’s going to accomplish. Bill can bring out as many scientific facts as he wants, and all the Ham needs to say is “‘cuz God says so.” You’re never gonna win a debate with a true believer. And I don’t think this “debate” is gonna change any minds on either side of this “controversy”. The jeezus people aren’t gonna be swayed, and rational-thinking people will probably have something better to do (like, maybe, read a book that isn’t the bible). But they’re charging $25 a head for this show, so I guess that’ll pay for the new Jesus riding a Carnotaurus exhibit.

Well it’s only about three degrees out there now (proving both evolution and global climate change are myths), but it’s supposed to get all the way up to 27 this afternoon. I’m not sure if that means I’ll venture out of the house or not. After all, the ACC era for SU Basketball begins at 2:00, so I pretty much have to watch it.