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Stuph
The New Prisoner Series is Around the Corner...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Friday, 13 November 2009 07:00
- Written by Ken Patterson
- Hits: 1121
...and preparations are being made for people to come over for a Prisoner Premiere Party (though it could very well be a wake...) One of the Prisoner Premier Party-goers sent me this link to a fitting cartoon at this time.
Still on the Dole, School's Over, and the '80s Have Died...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Thursday, 06 August 2009 22:13
- Written by Ken Patterson
- Hits: 1357
Today was the last day of my introduction to C++ programming class at Foothill College. This was something that I hope would help me on my quest for employment. Of course starting this class threw a wrench in my unemployment benefits, as they want to interview you to make sure you're still willing to go to work when the call comes. Of course I'm still willing to go to work, it's just that I know I'm lacking in many areas that might help me secure a new job. That, and the fact that after five months I was getting a bit stir crazy and a bit bored. Having somewhere to go everyday, at a time designated by someone else (whether a job or school) helps you get through the day. Well that's now over, and it's back to being bored out of my skull.
I have some video editing that I need to work on for use at the beginning of October, which will take some of my mind off the lack of employment - as well as putting in for the odd job, here and there. In fact, the job hunt went on a bit of a slow down while I was taking my class, but I still put in for a couple more positions during those six weeks - with a very promising one in the mix. Even though it's a promising prospect, I'm not going to count on it - well, one shouldn't count on it. I should be composing a cover letter for another position that I may be qualified for at the "fruit company," but I'm just wanting to relax a bit. I have a lot of television to catch up on - since I wasn't watching much during my six-week course work, as I wanted to be able to concentrate on the computer programming and not the video programming.
But the bomb-shell for today has to be the fact that the decade known as the '80s if now officially dead. It died when John Hughes succumbed to a heart attack, in New York, at 59. When I think of John Hughes, I think of a prolific writer-director - but that's only half true. Hughes only directed eight films - and one of them was in the '90s, so knock that down to seven films. But those films spoke for the decade, they made stars out of the "Brat Pack" and he made a star out of Chicago and it's suburbs. And when you look at his CV, which is what you do when someone passes on, he has a pretty hefty list of writing credits. He started out as a writer with the National Lampoon magazine, and - though he wasn't involved with Animal House - he did write for the spin-off television series Delta House (which I watched before seeing it's predecessor...) and pretty much all of Lampoon's big movie output in the '80s. He, of course, wrote all the movies that he directed - 16 Candles, Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller Day Off, Planes Trains & Automobiles, She's Having a Baby and Uncle Buck - and, well, Curly Sue but that was in the '90s. In fact, Hughes' output in the '90s - while doing "boffo B.O." - were not quite the same. He was responsible for the Home Alone and Beethoven series'; remakes of Miracle on 34th Street, 101 Dalmatians and Flubber. He went from films about an life to, well, just films. Soulless, meaningless, films. I suppose that's why he started to work under the psudonymn Edmond Dantès.
I think that John Hughes will be fondly remembered, but for me it will soley be his work in the '80s.
A Full Quarter Gone By...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Tuesday, 05 May 2009 05:59
- Hits: 324
On this Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you...) I realize that I have now been unemployed for a full quarter of the year - 13 whole weeks. I've had some highs recently (a face to face interview) and some lows (a temp agency had no interest in seeing me, but instead wanted me to operate wholly on line) plus the "cabin fever" has hit a little bit.
I really think that I'll start to panic in another 13 weeks; but until then it's hitting the bricks, leveraging my contacts, and getting noticed.
Life from the Dole...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Thursday, 09 April 2009 20:19
- Hits: 328
Two months on, and still nowhere. It's early days yet, and with the first month having been a sort of vacation we're not worrying yet. Learning that you need to know people - or at least know people who know people. So if you know me, and you know other people who can potentially help me in getting me reemployed, please drop by LinkedIn and add me to your network.
I've been in broadcasting/entertainment for over two decades, but I am looking at moving over to the computer industry - as the two industries have merged in recent years. I'm also looking to stay in the Silicon Valley, but seeing as many (if not most) of the big tech companies are here that shouldn't be an issue.
Thank you for your time.
Vacation is Over???
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Sunday, 01 March 2009 22:53
- Hits: 350
John Mortimer Dies, What a Year...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Friday, 16 January 2009 16:37
- Hits: 297
If this continues, my web site is going to be nothing but obituaries.
I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Thursday, 15 January 2009 22:38
- Hits: 443
It was weird.
McGoohan Obituary [BBC]
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Thursday, 15 January 2009 01:10
- Hits: 251
Number 6 Has Escaped...
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 19:55
- Hits: 247
From the Village known as life.
1928-2009
The KTVU Obit of Wilkins
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- Category: Stuph
- Published on Friday, 09 January 2009 07:20
- Hits: 251