Workplace+Porn="bye bye"

I was in a meeting with my boss and a co-worker the other day, when female co-worker from the Finance department knocked on the door. She was upset because there was computer in department with, as she reported it, "half-naked women on it."

I was sent over to investigate. Sure enoungh, I found a rotating-image screensaver featuring what I would characterize as "soft-porn." True, there were "half-naked women" but what I saw were just backs and butts.

My initial impulse was to find the person and warn him that he was in violation of a couple of company policies, and de-install the screensaver, but I was overridden by my boss. Instead, the matter was referred to HR.

It turned out that the screensaver had been installed by a temporary employee that hadn't been working at the company for more than a week or two. In addition to the screensaver, a prominent desktop image of the same type had been installed as well. It turned out that the female employee that first reported the incident, was not the first person to either see the pictures or to report them. Another female employee that works in the same area was the first to notice the images (and take exception to them), and in fact she had already reported the matter to the HR department.

I found out the next day that the temp was summarily "let go."

So, lessons? Porn, in any form, is becoming less and less acceptable in workplace environments. Indeed, any behavior that can be considered offensive to others is being slowly and steadily curtailed by policy. For instance, starting at the beginning of next year, smoking will not be allowed on any of my employer's U.S. properties. So in such an atmosphere, what type of person considers it ok to install prurient images on a company computer? Evidentally, one who is not destined to remain employed for long.

Once again by popular demand, our new Entertainment Center! We have always had our TV and associated components tucked in the corner of the living room. The problem has always been that square stands waste a lot of room since they have to be placed diagonally. Enter the Computer Desk we picked up from Big Lots last Thursday. It didn't take too much imagination to see that this would make the perfect home for our TV, etc. And best of all, it's European wood and metal styling only set us back $79!

In order from top to bottom 1) Satellite Receiver DVR #1, 2) Cordless Phone and Satellite Receiver DVR #2, 3) 32" wide-screen TV and Channel Modulator (behind TV), 4) DVD Recorder (in the keyboard drawer), 5) Receiver/Amplifier, 6) CD Player/Jukebox, and 7) our puppy dog Lindsey! I've placed a clip-on light behind the unit so it shines on the back wall to reduce the contrast of the TV picture and make for more pleasant viewing. Wire management has always been problematic, but I have some ideas of using some 2" ABS tubing to create a cableway that will hide most (if not all) of the usual unpleasantness.

I have to apologize for the quality of the picture, it turns out the our living room (at least a night) is a bit dark. I took off the lamp shades, but more light would definitely improve things. Oh, and if you haven't guessed, we're currently watching Veronica Mars.

Snow for Velma

"Here ya go, Velma." By popular request, here is a picture looking up our snow covered walkway. Sad to say, it is from last year as we haven't had any real percipitation (much less snow) in about a month.

In other news, we're pretty much set for Christmas. All of the presents are have been obtained, and most of them are even wrapped! HB gave me a list of things she wanted done by the big day (Saturday), and I'm down to only two. Sunday I fixed the front deck planter boxes, and last night installed replacement counter lighting in the kitchen. Today we went to the transfer station (read "dump") and dropped off our refuse, and donated the old TV stand to the thrift store.

Homemade tamales will be on the menu Saturday in lieu of ham (no complaints here).

Christmas 2005: Bring it on!!! 

Heaven

I just finished watching Barbara Walter's special about Heaven.

It would appear that there are those who have significant and specific beliefs about spiritual matters, and those that don't as much. Where do these beliefs come from? Most people receive their (initial) beliefs from their parents; in some cases today, these beliefs are evidenced by their lack. This suggests my first question: "If I was born to people with different beliefs than my parents, would I believe differently?" I think so. This leads to my second question: "Are some beliefs better than others?" Again, I think so.

It seems to me that some beliefs work better. They encourage and promote health and happiness for the individual believer, was well as others (whether they believe similarly or not). Other beliefs don't do this as well, and some can be considered positively detrimental to both the believer and to others.

I like the idea of some type of life after death. There are some forms and aspects of this belief that appear to promote present good lives, ones that are good for both the believer and others. But I am not convinced to the point of denying the possibility of any other contridictory beliefs.

What do you believe? How do you feel about others that believe differently than you?

On the Agenda

So, here are some things I've been thinking about blogging about. Write me if you find one or more of them interesting, drop me a comment and I'll move it to the top of my "to write about" list:

1. The President authorizing spying on US Citizens
2. Fall Quarter is over. Can you say, "A-ay?"
3. Bob Loblaw's Law Blog
4. Our new entertainment center ($79!)
   
5. "The Triangle" on the Sci-Fi Channel
6. My Internet-Attachable Thermometer Project
7. Family Christmas 2005
8. Addictive Tendencies
9. The Temp Whacked at Work for Installing the Porn Screen Saver (!?!)

In other news, I've been following a few blogs with interest. Check out Livi's Lava Lounge,, and Velma in her [Pie in the Sky] Lounge.