so...hot...

This is our thermostat INSIDE our office. We have both A/Cs going full-blast, fans pointed at all of us, and are wearing full-body icepacks.

*weep*

The photo is a little blurry because my phone was melting in my hand as I took it.

Gerhard Richter - the latest

The latest additions to Gerhard Richter's site are now live. They've been a long time coming, but we think it's turned out pretty cool. The site now offers interactive exhibition tours from past shows of Richter's work. And if you haven't seen John's completely kickass timeline, yougonow.

There's currently only a couple of exhibitions populated with art, but hopefully there will be more added in the near future. It's another great way to explore the incredible breadth and depth of Richter's work.

Who is Gerhard Richter?

Get back to work, slacker.

Employees waste 551,000 work years reading blogs in 2005.

(Thanks again, Julie. You readin' blogs or something?)

No homes, no businesses, and now, no pay.

Today, in yet another swift kick to the nards of the poorest of the population affected by the Katrina-FEMA disaster, Dubya has suspended the Davis-Bacon Act, which regulates wages paid to workers while working under Federal contracts. Like what, you ask? Say, for example, natural disaster clean-up and re-construction projects. I hear those are going to be fairly popular soon.

Reuters: Bush has issued an executive order allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage. In a notice to Congress, Bush said the hurricane had caused "a national emergency" that permits him to act under the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act.

The prevailing wage in the New Orleans area is currently $9.00 an hour. Based on 40 hour work weeks, 50 weeks a year, that's $18,000 before taxes.

So you're finally able to get out of Texas or wherever else you were displaced, and want to move back to what used to be your hometown. Maybe you can swing a hammer or labor manually or just want to help in the rebuilding process. Well, thanks to President Asshole, you're probably gonna get totally screwed on what someone is willing to pay you to do that job. At the very least, this action provides the environment in which that is far more likely to happen.

This unfortunately reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from the movie Real Genius:
Dr. Hathaway: "What are you looking at? You're laborers; you should be laboring. That's what you get for not having an education."

Davis-Bacon Act

(I know this will come as a surprise to no one, but The Heritage Foundation called this a "Bold Action" by the President. The man hasn't had "Bold Action" since wrestling naked at Skull & Bones.)

Winster in WorldCom/Bernie Ebbers Mile High Club Shocker!

From page six:

July 14, 2005 -- WINNIE Dunbar, a CNN business news producer based in New York, missed the hurricane that never arrived in Memphis — but she ended up in the right seat on her Northeast flight back. Dunbar, who was returning to cover the sentencing of WorldCom fraudster Bernie Ebbers, found herself sitting next to him and his wife in coach. "I'm going to New York for the same reason you are," Dunbar told the former billionaire, who was tight-lipped except to say he found his trial "completely bizarre." Ebbers kept an unlit cigar clenched in his teeth the whole flight, even while asleep, except when he was eating candy and potato chips. After his petite spouse collected their luggage, they waited on the taxi line, chauffeur-driven limousines a distant memory. Ebbers got 25 years yesterday.

See also: Ebbers speaks out ahead of sentencing

Costco vs. Wal-Mart

Hmmm, imagine that. Pay someone a livable wage, treat them with respect and the cost of running your business goes down.

There's lots of business-y stats and numbers in this article, but this one in particular jumped out at me. Wal-Mart's employee turnover rate is 50%. That is totally messed up. What's even crazier is the industry average is 65%. Costco's is 21%.

Other Costco goodness? They don't advertise, and their execs don't take home "fuck you, lowly employee" salaries. The fact that Wal-Mart has a morning "Corporate Cheer" pretty much locks them into the Evil column.

(via kottke)

CB2.com is Macromedia's Site of the Day

A couple months ago, Element helped Carlos, Jamie and Co. over at Crate and Barrel with their new site CB2.com. Today, it's featured at Macromedia. How cool is that?

Dream Job?

Girls Gone Wild is looking for a Director of Production for its Santa Monica, CA headquarters. We’re looking for a hands-on, take-charge leader who has at least 6-8 years of experience in all facets of TV production, from development to field production to post. Reality programming and/or advertising & promo background (writer/producer) is a must. Must have strong organizational and supervisory skills, work well under pressure, and be familiar with both business and production aspects of the industry.

Responsibilities include:
- Supervising production manager and production coordinator in planning and shooting activities of DV-CAM and beta crews worldwide.
- Oversee all facets (creative and technical) of post-production, including supervising editorial staff (in-house and outside post facilities) in creation of programming and long and short-form advertising.
- Must have management experience overseeing workflow with Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, video graphics, liner and non-linier online, post audio, DVD authoring, etc.

Please e-mail resume and salary history to production@girlsgonewild.com - subject line: HR-PRODUCTION.

Too funny for words!!

Waitress says Hooters restaurant promised her a Toyota, gave her a toy Yoda...

via johanna

How Rich Are You?

I'm loaded. It's official. I'm the 53,957,565 richest person on earth.

I am in the top 0.899% richest people in the world.

There are 5,946,042,435 people poorer than me.

yay!

Do You Like Your Job? (Depends)

Supermarket cashiers in Argentina are being forced to wear diapers to keep them from taking toilet breaks at work, a union says.

No Boys Allowed!

Brian Cho is working on a reality show here in town entitled, "Starting Over". Starting Over is shot in a Victorian house in Chicago and the art department is looking for work to be displayed in the house. Looking specifically for local female artists who are interested in having their artwork displayed in the show for 9 months or so.

Brian wants to look at some sample slides, and the artwork should be some what traditional. The show is like Oprah! meets "Real World." They are looking for "Non-controversial" pieces; sort of like the NEA these days. Remember, artwork by females only.

Mail slides to:
3540 N. Southport Avenue #258
Chicago, IL 60657

Any questions, e-mail Brian Cho at echo7@concentric.net

via Catherine Lams

Out of work? Like to kill people?

In case you missed it, the CIA is trolling for fresh blood.
Yes, the US Central Intelligence Agency -- that fun-loving, drug-dealing, government-subverting dinosaur of a bureaucracy -- is running ads for new recruits.
The ad, in the employment section of the Wall Street Journal (September 7, 1999), features a photo of a smug-looking thirty-something woman with her chin in hand, and the preposterous headline -- "Do you have what it takes? Integrity.Intellect. Common Sense. Patriotism. Courage."
Sadly there was no mention of the applicant's ability to actively participate in, or at least look the other way, when confronted with state-sanctioned terrorism,like illegal drug smuggling or money laundering.
Sponsored by the CIA Directorate of Operations, Clandestine Service, the ad says you can't be older than 35 to enter the trainee program. In other words, the ad copy is aimed directly at people who may be unaware of the Agency's bloody and treacherous history.

Virtualstapler.com

Too few are the days when I come across a little gem like this site. It's both completely useless and completely fabulous at the same time! It features a gallery of staplers, stapler haiku, a chronicling of the stapler scenes in Office Space, and best of all, three virtual staplers that you can bang away on to your heart's content. Be sure to check out the letters section!

Um.... yeah.

I can always count on Liz for the most tasteless links on the Web!

via liz

I love my job.

And no, I'm not making this up.

Be a dear

and go buy a book, won't you?

Feeling Sad?

Prepare to feel worthless...
Things Other People Accomplished When They Were Your Age

Best compliment - ever.

Pazen, you are doing good. And you don't have a big butt!

-- K-Luv

Anderson go Home!

The influx of recently fired Anderson clones at Deloitte & Touche is not a hit. "It's like a takeover by Andersen people," one New York Deloitte partner said.
Sound familiar ex-iXLers? I hear everyone from Anderson is a "rockstar."
(registration required)

Internet Professionals...

Looking to redesign yoru website? These guys are pretty professional....be sure to check out their client list.

via spacegirl

Offered without comment

The Web Price Index Rate Card

Hmmmm....

via Hari

FAA to do background checks on 750,000 employees

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to check the backgrounds of every employee who has access to secured areas of airports, Administrator Jane Garvey said Wednesday.

Garvey told a National Press Club luncheon that she hoped to have the checks completed within nine months. Around 750,000 employees will be checked.

It's a good thing they are taking swift action! Holy hell, don't they realize nine months is plenty of time for possible insider terrorists to strike in some fashion? Maybe they should implement the Rapid Speed Process and get through the checks before the end of the world. Gosh!

via Washington Post

THE NORTEL CLOWN

This is so incredibly classic. I wish I could buy him a drink. Ignore the War & Peace-length message stream (unless you're bored). Just go look at the pictures.

So long, Johnny.

They may be able to shit-can you at work, but you'll always be welcome at House 8.

Scott Adams and IDEO design the ultimate cube

Hah! John, they've created the ultimate option for you!

...we've got the guest chair that folds down from the wall, Murphy-style. Two advantages: One, they can't borrow it and never bring it back -- huge problem. And two, it activates a timer that after some preset time will make the phone ring so you can take that important call, excuse yourself, send your guest away.

via Dan Says...

I am very tired.

But I have 4 words for anyone that cares to read them:

"Crushed Ice On Demand"

Here's 4 more:

"Automatic Garage Door Opener"

And just 1 final word:

"Mortgage"

Karen on used furniture shopping

aka, "How you can tell when you've been exposed to too many consultant rays."

Karen: "You have a couch? I am in need of a Living Room Solution."

Greg: "I may have the scalable Living Room Set Offering^SM that will fit your needs, both today, and in the future, as your Living Room needs grow."

Fighting and Filing Tech-neeks

I especially enjoy the "filing" sections on the right-hand side of this site. Go get 'em!

via My friend Jane

Well, I'll be! John said something funny!

Gorgo: Pleasure working with you.

John: Yes, and remember, if i expressed my opinion too strongly, it's only because I don't respect yours.

Karen gets a new computer

Karen: So, is there any reason why I can't take this laptop into meetings and just hook it up like all these other self-important fucks?

Lazy Sods

The British are petitioning for "Let's Get Pished!" Fridays. Go on, son!

via frownland

Stuck in a dead end job? Uncle Darth wants YOU

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Tracking down Correlian freighters, Removing bodies of incompetent Imperial officers "let go" by Lord Vader, Screening phone calls from telemarketers (Lord Vader HATES telemarketers) and scratching DarthÕs head on the rare occasions when he takes off his helmet.

via my brother for helping me with my job hunt.

Everyone's replaceable!

That's right, ladies and gents of the internet consultancies out there--you are all replaceable. The head honcho, Bob Michelson, of iXL steps down today and provides us all with the friendly reminder that we are all replaceable. Brilliant, I say. Just f-ing brilliant. He couldn't of said it better. So long!!!!

Herd-thinning slow down

Dot-bombs exploding with less frequency. hooray

Pazen's last day

That no talent ass clown is movin' on to go raise his daughter and raise some hell. We're going to miss him 'round these parts. Who else is going to spread the gossip and make fun of management? Oh, wait...we all do that.

The flipside is he's now got plenty of time to contribute to House 8. No excuses now, Jeff. I'll even add a Sarah Jane category.

(Woo hoo! I got the duck!)