Sunday, May 29, 2005

Directly from the Cube


Steve, this entry is for you. You wanted to know what it looks like "on the job" here. So, here I am. I am real happy to be at work, as you can see from my forced smile. So - can you tell it's California?

As you can see, my workplace is the standard U.S. office cubicle. This is the 2nd job I've had where I worked in "cubes". In Germany, where I worked at a couple of places, cubes are apparently not in fashion. However, my experience is that it really makes little difference whether you're sharing an office with colleages or separated by the noise and sight-reducing cubicle walls. And, even though cube walls separate us, I don't think anyone gets lonely. They just listen in on their neighbors!

My employer, Kaiser Permanente, has its own clinics and provides its own insurance, thereby making us an example of what some politicians call "managed" health care. KP is proud of this fact and advertise themselves as "America's leading integrated health care organization". I don't know if that's true or not. But they do seem to be doing pretty well these days. I mean, they hired me all the way from Wisconsin!

My job, in case anyone wants to know, consists of using databases to help KP figure out how much money we're spending on patients that go for medical treatment "outside the system". In reality, I help others figure it out, by providing them with reports with titles like "Q1 Reconciliation for Mt. Diablo Hospital System" or "Executive Summary - Annual Referrals 2004". Hey, I'm turning into Herbert Kornfeld from Accountz-Reeceevable!

Thursday, May 26, 2005

The bridge you won't be able to jump (or see) from



The City of San Francisco has determined that bridges are hazardous to your health. That's right. Hazardous. Never mind the obvious health benefits of walking or biking over one of the most beautiful bays on earth at about 200 feet above the water, under the maroon painted trestles, staring out at the ocean. OK, if you're biking you also need to check for oncoming traffic, which is frequent! But anyways, the rumor is true: the City is indeed planning to build a suicice barrier (see Ordinance Number 050362) to keep YOU - the public - from enjoying one of the world's greatest views! Why? Because of misplaced public guilt over some suicidal people who want to use the bridge to "make their mark"! Or perhaps they are doing a big CYBCOL? (Covering Your Butts in Case Of Lawsuit) So why not just LOCK the gate at night? And post a sign -

"Jumping from 200 feet above water has been determined to lead to CERTAIN DEATH. The City of San Francisco and State of California bears no responsibility!"

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

My house



This is my house on Harrison Street. My home base. As you can see, it's an old Victorian. When I moved in in the beginning of March, I thought I was getting such a great deal! Turns out it's a very average price to pay.... $995 for a 1BR (I live in the bottom level, have my own entrance in the back). And NO GARAGE. That's a problem, for in Oakland they do street sweeping once a month (well, they claim they do, at least). Whether or not the street actually gets swept, a parking checker comes EVERY month, 2nd Wednesday or Thursday, 9 a.m. SHARP (posted times are 9-12 for sweeping), depending which side of the street you're on, to ISSUE TICKETS. They caught me once - it was 48 bucks. Boy was I ticked. Thought about not paying and seeing if Oakland catches up with my temp. Wisconsin plates. But then thought better of it. They'll probably be back again the NEXT MONTH and see my car then...