Elevators...are they that difficult?

I have always thought that elevators were pretty easy to operate, but going up and down in the elevator in the building this morning I realized that it wasn't all that easy to everyone. I'm on the 32nd floor of a 36-floor building. Except for my office (which has floors 32-36), every floor is a separate buisiness. Thus, if you're on a lower floor and somone is in the elevator going down, they are likely headed to the first floor...which means that the "1" button is already pushed. Inevetably though, every single subsequent person that gets in the elevator insists on pushing the "1" button. WHY? If it's already lit up, you know that's where it is headed and it doesn't need your approval. Simple concept: if the floor you are going to is already lit up in the bank of buttons that correspond to floors of the building, then you don't have to re-press the button. Pushing the button after it's already been depressed does not make the elevator go any faster, and it's not like the elevator forgot that someone wanted to go to that floor already.

So, for the sake of my sanity, if you ever get in an elevator with me and you're going to a floor whose button has already been pushed, PLEASE AVOID PUSHING THE BUTTON AGAIN. Simple to me, sure...but sometimes it seems like I'm taking the "slow elevator."

Lists, lists, lists

This will be a list that will continuously be updated...

List of things I want to do before I die:
1. Visit all 7 continents.
2. Skydive.
3. See my (future, if any) kids graduate from college.
4. Become an engineer again.
5. Live someplace warm (like southern Cali) for more than a year.
6. Visit all 50 states (and a visit requires at least 24 consecutive hours).
7. Learn to play "Fur Elise" on the piano.

Trying to impress...

Alright, I just realized that Valentine's Day is coming up quickly (for those that may have also forgot). This is the first time in quite a long time that I've ever had a second thought about V-day because now I have a wonderful girlfriend. I've been racking my brain trying to think of something nice, but not too valentine-y because I like to keep things simple. I know it's the time for roses, but I think that's a bit too cliche or overused, so I stumbled on an even better idea (to me)! Keeping with the theme of red, I have decided to do this: Maine Lobster and Clambakes...that's right, I'm going to try and cook her a wonderful seafood dinner. I know she loves seafood, and instead of going to some fancy seafood restaurant, I figured I'd (attempt) to show her my skills in the kitchen. The rub is that I've never made lobster, or any seafood for that matter...but I took a look at this website and it set out pretty simple instructions. I'm hoping that this will not be too cliche or over the top. Anyway, this is my one great idea for the week, so I wanted to pass it along in case anyone else is searching for an idea.

Cheers,
Rocco

Something wicked this way comes...

and it's not ME!

Actually, I went and saw the great musical WICKED last night. It was fun and entertaining. Good laughs and the occasional bad joke/reference to the movie. The only thing that disappointed me was that I think that Elphaba probably had a great voice, but the key in which the songs she sang were too low to the point that it seemed she was half-talking/half-singing. They had to mike her up because (in my opinion) she couldn't get enough force behind the singing to carry to the top. At one point, she was singing a duet with Fiyero where I think her part was actually lower than his...

Other than that, it was a great musical, great costumes, and lots of fun! I'd highly recommend it, and even for the kids out there it should be fun.

Cheers,
Rocco (the "Entertainment Consultant")