WTF?

2002-01-16T15:14:00.000-06:00

It must be a front. I can not comprehend how this could be a profitable business. The other day I walked past a store that was totally dedicated to the sale of honey baked hams. 2,000 square feet of prime retail space dedicated to the sale of ham. I can understand around the holidays, but how does this place stay in business in July? The last thing I want in the heat of summer is a huge hot honey baked ham. I decided to investigate.

The first thing google returned was some legal document from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. It involved the ham company and the USDA. From this document I learned that all the hams arrive at the retail locations fully cooked. This document also confirmed that Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are their busiest times of year. Evidently the company got into some kind of legal trouble when they opened some shopping mall kiosks. (Note to self; Don’t buy ham at the mall.)

Next I found their website. There was no company information to be found, just a store locator and the ability to order ham. A closer inspection of my search results revealed there’s not just one, but many companies in the ham game.

At first I was confused that “The Honey Baked Ham Company” and “Honey Baked Ham Company” were two different companies. Then it dawned on me that I don’t really know which ham shop I’m investigating. This is going to take more time than I have now and will require another “drive by” of the store that started all this. I’ll swing by on the way home tonight.

2002-01-16T14:06:00.000-06:00

Happy days! Waking up well rested is one of life’s great pleasures. Was out cold within moments of arriving home yesterday after 27 hours in the office. Woke up around 5, enjoyed pizza with the wife and kids, then promptly went back to bed around 9. Stayed up just long enough to watch Nigella Lawson’s show. Started watching Jamie Oliver but dozed off as he was riding into town in some musician’s convertible Rolls. This guy had a fabulous English garden, but as I was only quasi conscience at this point, I failed to understand the connection between Brit pop and gardening. I’ll be he has a gardener.

2002-01-15T08:22:00.000-06:00

Back in business! Quick visits to key customers, then home to bed and 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep...

2002-01-15T05:42:00.000-06:00

Still a no go on the server. However I did find coffee. It is hot and will keep me awake. Maybe it will make me less grumpy when people tell me “good morning”. Over the last hour I pondered mankind’s increasing dependency on technology. First I think this is bad. Then I remember this keeps me employed.

2002-01-15T04:08:00.000-06:00

The office opens in less than 4 hours. The server is not fixed. I am very sleepy. I hate computers right now, they are highly over rated.

2002-01-15T03:33:00.000-06:00

Talked to what’s-his-name on the phone, same old crap. I think I could retype everything faster than this tape restore. Drank a diet Pepsi. Enjoyed the caffeine, citric acid and natural flavors. Not too sure about the potassium benzoate and aspartame though. Opted not visit the web site advertised on the can. Checked the bottom of the can to ensure I was drinking by proper date to experience best taste. Mar 18 02. Looks like I’m OK. I’d really like to go home and sleep now.

2002-01-15T02:55:00.000-06:00

Corrective lens problem resolved. New dilemma. I need to pick up the phone and talk to person at the other end. Problem is I can’t remember their name even though I’ve been talking to them on and off for the last 7 hours. “Hey you” just seem so insincere given our relationship. Checked earlier posts to see if I mentioned anyone by name. No luck.

I’m so tired now I’m starting to amuse myself. This is a bad sign. Tried doing the math and I’ve been awake now for either 24 hours or 24 days. Can’t do it in my head, looking for paper and pen.

2002-01-15T02:01:00.000-06:00

The system restore finally completed. Now we must suffer through restoring the hisorical data which could take 40 minutes to 4 hours, it just depends. Upon what no one seems to know. Not sure anyone really knows whats going on, but then again does anyone ever?

Talked with some guy in Denver who sounds way too awake and coherent. Must be a regular night guy. Wonder if he is used to working with a bunch of puch drunk, sleep deprived day guys. I'm going to call him at home tomorrow in the daytime. Wake his ass up. Disrupt his sleep cycle. See how sprightly Mr. Denver is then. Maybe I'll just sleep.

Having a contact problem. Don't think I'm supposed to leave them in this long. More later...

2002-01-15T01:44:00.000-06:00

Christ on toast! I'm stuck at the office and its almost 2:00 AM! I am waiting for the Sun tech to finshish ANOTHER tape restore. I now officially hate UNIX and all its deviant offspring. Started reading blogs to pass the time and was inspired. Must...do... something...creative...before...its...too late!