catesta

I second the Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my friends here at the "Big O". I settled plans lastnight to have fellow board member Dmitry Z. and his wife join my girlfriend and I for dinner (I'm cooking) on Christmas Eve.

Bravo! A real nice sound for sure.

I guess that's not completely accurate. On Friday I go to St. Johns Cemetery to pay my respects and place holiday flowers for family.

I would like to say yes, but have to say no. I have one thing to pick up tomorrow up in Westchester and that's it.

Thank you, Maren. That helps a bunch. Since you've met the requesting party I will pass the message on to her and give you credit just as if you had bought the "big salad".

A friend of mine is interviewing for a job with a major insurance company. She has asked some advice from me about how she might want to prepare, but I honsetly have to say I don't really understand the job. Here is the job description she emailed me.... We are currently seeking a Project Manager with strong ability to partner with, Real-Estate, Fulfillment and Records Management business units to strategically drive the overall IT portfolio and key business initiatives. Principal Responsibilities: - planning, negotiation, development, installation, testing, and maintenance of high-quality, effective technology applications. - Primary project liason between multiple partners and clients to include Business, Operations, IT and vendors. - Interacting with business partners, vendors and technical staff to determine requirements to evaluate, design, develop and implement applications solutions. - Management of customer requirements and requests throughout an entire project lifecycle. - - follow the project management methodology Provide operational support for maintenance activity, vendor management activity and regulatory compliance. Required Competencies: - strong planning, coordination, people management, communication skills. -Knowledge of Document Management, Fulfillment processing, Real Estate management and Auditing is a plus. - Must possess excellent organization, presentation, and communication skills. - Vendor Management experience for the hosted applications. - Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Visio, Project, PowerPoint - Analysis and Decision Making: Utilize analytical skills and sound judgment to evaluate - Problems and opportunities in an organized, logical manner. - Performance Management and development planning . - Customer Focus: Develop and maintain effective partnerships, solicit feedback with key individuals and customer contacts in order to understand and anticipate their needs, the business environment, other challenges and opportunities. - Project Management: Effectively plan, organize, and execute projects of varying complexity, delivering them within specified timeframes and budgets, utilizing the accepted project management methodology and supportive tools, such as: (MS Project, MS Office Suite). Actively involve customers in project activities to ensure business objectives are being met. -Budget experience : Project forecasting, Budgeting, and Varianace analysis Now the budget and business management stuff I can deal with. The IT thing however is another matter... So what job does this sound like?

I'm sorry for flipping off the dumb bastard that cut me off trying to make a left turn from the right lane to make the mall entrance. No I'm not!

BTW clem, I may be getting closer to you this summer. I'm looking at some stuff around Bensonhurst/Dyker Heights/Gravesend. Most definitely for business, and I may even move that way. Otherwise I'll be more in the Maspeth/Middle Village area.

You see, I was going to say "Fuck" the TWU, but instead toned it down to "screw". I should have kept it real. Clem, buddy I hear ya, and I'm not saying the MTA is the good guy in all this. But, I am saying the TWU did not have to strike. It's waaaay to costly to local business and people just trying to get around. They don't even have the support of the mother union. This could very well bankrupt local 100 when it's all said and done. How smart is that? Who the hell is going to cover the wages striking workers are losing? I think Toussaint is in way over his head.

Check 1010wins. Thanks for the suggestion. From what I can tell, the BQE has no traffic restrictions like four to a car from the Bridge past the airport, so that's good. That's only in Manhattan. AFAIK. Yep. It's only Manhattan and only until 11:00 AM.

Check 1010wins. Or if you have XM or Sirius, both have traffic alerts.

I wouild tell your dad to plan on leaving earlier than normal. Whitestone Br. should be fine going in that direction. One is always smart to stay off of the BQE.

Good luck. Just out of curiosity, is the rate going up?

Take this advice if you can. I was at JFK yesterday morning and again this morning. At 5:00 AM the place was slammed with traffic (way more than normal). LGA is not going to be much better. Under the current circumstances, 3:00 AM is not early enough for a 5:30 AM flight. The TWU can go screw themselves.

Tell me about it. The night I proposed to my wife was a night filled with Sambuca and Grappa. It's no wonder I am minus the wife now.

Image courtesy of hardbopjazz. (it's his avatar)

How about regular, lite, or fat free?

Well, they *are* non-jazz albums... Good point.

It's not cheap, but may be one of the best. Castello Banfi Some others to consider... Candolini Inga (very mild) Giori

Shit, now I've seen everything. Of course Troy and Dmitry are correct. Still, I do indulge in the Italian Vodka from time to time. These days I just mainly give away as gifts to the kind folks that care for my chihuahua.

That's all your feygeleh vodka bottle is good for - beating up on some poor sap in a parking lot. Stick to Stoli, leave all these phony vodkas to the Hamptons crowd. Welcome back.

Oh, how original. Looks like Creamcheese is a troll.

Somebody hold this guy while I start delivering a beating.

Uh oh, now you're getting into one of my other petty causes. Where is that Vodka made. (Peter, you may want to look away) It's all about the semolina!

I guess you forgot I accept charitable donations? Seriously, good for you, and good for the people.