catesta

Same old versions, just more sun tans and shorts.

Shit, I'm a day behind. Good luck with the new job!

Happy Birthday, Lon.

Arizona has actually taken the hardest hits in the business. That's where all these guys are going to have to be let go. NY is maintaining and we've seen a lot of contract activity in Nevada and the pacific northwest, mostly federal money. In the past Arizona was always the anchor and never had a year showing zero growth. 2009 will be the first year to not only show no growth, but will go backwards for us. This is why I've had to spend so much time in Phoenix when I'd rather be playing bocce in Queens. I'm on a plane out of here on Friday back to NY for a quick check on things, then back west in time to submit the four bids that hit the desk this afternoon and due in a couple of weeks. I like to see that and am optimistic but some people are being stupid with the numbers. They panic or are inexperienced and bid shit way too low. Good luck to you, Paul, choose wisely.

There are many times to be a prick, but this ain't it. Layoffs are a bad deal for all involved. If I've got to let people go, that means I just took a hit and had no other option. Yeah sure, I'm still in business and will survive but I'd rather have the fat payroll and the revenue generated as a result of it than less people with trucks and equipment parked even though it can turn into a positive on the bottom line. Plus as in my case, I'm losing some quality people that will more than likely have to leave the area in search of work and I hate to see that.

Son of a bitch, just got word that my largest single customer (state agency) had a large chunk of money pulled from their budget. This means I have to layoff 24 of the 80 employees dedicated to these contacts this Friday. We've been experiencing contract cutbacks month after month since last year, but still have been doing pretty well in finding replacement business, although we've had to travel farther and farther to get it. Still, for the most part, aside from a few cuts here and there I've not had to do much in the way of staff reductions and have been able to absord the extra costs. This one stings like a motherfucker though and there is no way I can keep that many extra. Hopefully it does not last as long as I fear it might or I get lucky and land a new contract or two. Overall a great bunch of people that have been with me a while, so it hurts. Bad day.

Yeah, I hear you. I always thought he would return, but he stuck to his guns and stayed gone.

What about that Mohawk, American Airlines thing?

I saw it this morning. The woman next to me almost did a side swipe number on myself and the car in front and then proceeded to run the red light.

Thank you, WGN.

Man fends off attack by renegade polar bears disguised as grizzly bears using nothing but a trombone and a smoker lid. Story at 11.

I don't blame you. Post a picture of FFA in a bikini or don't post one at all.

The first season is rough, but stick with it, it gets better. Hopefully they don't go off the deep end. I didn't start watching the show until the second season and then went back and started from the beginning. I'm hooked but so far I've been a little disappointed this season. Although it appears to be moving along a little better after lastnight.

A polar bear that ate a person would hardly be considered a renegade in the polar bear community.

Cedar should be designated as a US national asset. So professional - and the playing so swinging ! Yeah, he can play.

What else is new?

You got that right. Besides, I have no doubt Vick will soon be starring in his own stupid fucking reality show, so he'll be fine without football.

Oh shit, If I knew you were going to drop back by I would have said happy birthday. And what is this antique sword business all about? You give up on the BMW, or do you still have it? Sold the beamer. Had to do it, to help put the down-payment on a new office building. Miss that car still, but what are you gonna do.. A Chinese man bought it, for import into mainland China. Apparently the older high end European and American models are hot in China these days. Some Chinese capitalist is living the yuppie dream in my blood-red M6. Re:swords. I've been a collector for some time now, but it's not the kind of hobby one shares with his jazz buddies. It's time to come out, though. I am a conservative gun owner /shooter and a sword collector. So there you have it..! Sorry you had to sell the ride, but it sounds like the reason was justified. I've heard about and witnessed that business about classics going to China. A few months back I put a call into a dealer in Florida after seeing a first day run ad on mint 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce and dude told me it was already being prepared for shipment.

In New York state it is a penatly/fine up to $100 plus a $60 surcharge. I don't think many other states have cell phone laws.

Yeah. Except for, like, pot, because it, you know, relaxes me... Of course.

Oh shit, If I knew you were going to drop back by I would have said happy birthday. And what is this antique sword business all about? You give up on the BMW, or do you still have it?

You know, there was a time when I was adamantly against limiting people from talking on cell phones while driving, but in the last five years or so I've done a complete reversal. The problem today is I see more and more people texting while driving and that is seriously dangerous. It's bad enough getting stuck behind them at a top light and having to lay on the horn to get them to move, but I have had some close calls with people that have had their head down texting or on the cell phone not paying attention while in motion. I've heard people argue against "hands free only" by saying their very experienced driving while talking and that it doesn't distract them but to me that's like the dickhead that says he drives better drunk. I log a shitload of miles yearly and have been using mobile phones since the days when mobile phones actually had rotary dialers or had to be connected by operators (no bullshit) and I can still easily be distracted. Texting while driving should be completely illegal, and hands free only is the only way to go for calls.

Sounds like a nice trip. Thanks for bringing up Sagrantino! I was given a 2004 Antonelli Sagrantino di Montefalco earlier this year. I think I may open it tonight.