Good Times, Good Times

Finished the contract on Friday evening. Overall, it went pretty well. From when the UO was claiming that they were completely out of money and we'd have to accept the offers they had already put on the table, we got them to put another $470K per year on the table. We didn't eliminate fees, but we took another chunk out of them. You can check the particulars here.

For my part, I got here in 1999 and started being involved with the union in 2000. As part of various teams of kick-ass people, I've helped to do this in my time here:

• The minimum wage has gone up 30%
• The health care plan has gone from costing $1.5M to $5M+ and GTFs have not seen a cost increase since 2000. In fact, the cost to add children will go down by $100 next fall.
• The deductible has gone from $200 to $100 per year. We've added a bunch of benefits, including the much-needed adult circumcision.
• Fees have gone from being uncapped at $267.50 to being capped at $150. We just got the matriculation fee waived for GTFs as well.
  
• We just secured vacation for our research GTFs who have professors who sometimes forget that there are things called holidays.
• We'll be making a presentation to the Department Heads at the annual Provost's Retreat.
• Non-discrimination language for transgendered GTFs.
  
• Much, much more I am forgetting.
• Oh yeah, membership has gone from 54% to 77%.
  

Celebrated my birthday Saturday night. A crew of my friends gathered at Lucky Noodle and went "around the world" on the appetizers. Going "around the world" means ordering all the appetizers on the menu. I invented it. You have to twirl your fingure when you say "around the world." It is very silly. It was also great fun. Fourteen dishes brought out a few at a time to be passed around and shared and commented on. I really enjoyed it. I recommend.

Bought a Wii last week. Been Wiiing it up.

Won a trivia contest at a local bar on Friday night with a fine team. Drank too many Jack and Cokes. Played Wii when I got home.

Talked with the new field rep from AFT-OR earlier. She's stoked on our contract. Gave me a little bit of the Piano Man treatment and encouraged me to look at a Nat Rep job.

I turn 36 years-old tomorrow. My life is awesome. I love my wife dearly and I am reasonably sure she loves me. We have this super awesome daughter who I don't appreciate enough, but will start. I quit smoking four years ago, I lost 30 pounds this year.

Sweet Jesus, how did I get here and how can I make sure I never leave?

Avuncular Happenings

In yesterday's Board meeting, I referenced Peter Gabriel's song "Biko." No one had any idea what I was talking about. Although, to be fair, I'm pretty sure not many were listening to me.

The Extra 'B' Is for 'Bygone'

There was a time, not long ago, when a working knowledge of the Simpsons was a prerequisite to fitting in around the GTFF office. By "working," I, of course, mean "encyclopedic." It was the bridge that spanned all. From Paul to Dave to Ash to Goff to Lindgren. We may not have agreed on everything much, but we could all appreciate a nice Simpsons reference. Not to say that you weren't valued if you didn't speak Simpsons or you were thought any less of, it was just that entire conversations could, and did, consist entirely of Simpsons references.

Inevitably, we come to the part of the post where I inform you that times have, sadly, changed.

During yesterday's Board meeting, we were discussing the upcoming brown bag lunch series and it was suggested that it could be a "BYOBB" series. I, of course, was sitting there waiting for someone to point out that this particular gag had already been used. No one did. When I pointed it out, the room reacted with what can only be described as pity. Pity for an old man who remembers an old show.

This Is Your Future

In my role as "uncle," I often have to be the one to break new ground for my friends in experiencing "grown-up"-type things. For instance, I'm (okay, we're) in the process of remodeling the kitchen. I am now a font of information on cabinets, hardware, counter-tops, etc.

Another area I have experience is in watching bad "family" movies. These movies are "family" only in the sense that kids enjoy them and parents love their kids. For those of you who do not have kids or have wee youngins, you probably believe that you will never take your kids to these movies. You think that you will only see the most intellectual of children's fare. Pixar for eye candy, but otherwise... Maybe even see "regular" movies that your kids will be able to enjoy on a more "basic" level, while you get all the nuances. They might not "get" The Queen, but who couldn't enjoy Mirren's performance?

I laugh. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ∞!

The Bellman took a swipe at Underdog, deeming it "unfortunate." Watch that trailer, then watch this. Make it through the little ad they run.

If you have kids, you will see Firehouse Dog, or something very much like it. Trust uncle. This is your future.