Some afternoon silliness

This has to be one of the silliest things I've come across lately: Fall Out Boy Trail. Yes, it's a knock-off of Oregon Trail (with some 8-bit Guitar Hero tossed in for good measure) written to promote Fall Out Boy's new tour. For all that, it's surprisingly well-made and amusingly tongue-in-cheek. I don't think I've had this much fun playing a browser-based game since I got tired of Kingdom of Loathing. If you ever spent hours playing the old Oregon Trail game on the Apple II, you should seriously check this one out.

Some afternoon silliness

This has to be one of the silliest things I've come across lately: Fall Out Boy Trail. Yes, it's a knock-off of Oregon Trail (with some 8-bit Guitar Hero tossed in for good measure) written to promote Fall Out Boy's new tour. For all that, it's surprisingly well-made and amusingly tongue-in-cheek. I don't think I've had this much fun playing a browser-based game since I got tired of Kingdom of Loathing. If you ever spent hours playing the old Oregon Trail game on the Apple II, you should seriously check this one out.

I love bureaucracies. I really do.

So, as the city government is (surprise, surprise) facing a projected budget shortfall over the next few years, Those On High have been implementing various cost-saving measures - some useful, some less so. One of the more-symbolic-than-practical policies has been slowing down things like new hires and promotions; we're not freezing them altogether, but we are adding yet another layer of paperwork so we can be Absolutely Certain That Such Actions Are Justified, Given the Budgetary Situation. In practice, all it does is delay things a bit and create more headaches for the administrative and HR staff, but hey, whatever, it's what we're paid to do.

It does, however, often lead to conversations like this:

HR: Okay, I've got this person's paperwork all set, but I actually need a supplemental form so I know the Manager's Office has approved it.

Me: You mean the Supplemental Request to Fill Vacant Position? But we're not hiring someone new, just promoting them.

HR: Actually, no, it's a different form. The Manager's Office wants to approve all promotions and raises as well as new hires.

Me: Okay, tell me where to find the new form and I'll fill it out for you.

HR: Oh, it doesn't exist yet. We have a rough draft but it's waiting for approval.

...

...

...

Oh, humanity. How I love you.

I love bureaucracies. I really do.

So, as the city government is (surprise, surprise) facing a projected budget shortfall over the next few years, Those On High have been implementing various cost-saving measures - some useful, some less so. One of the more-symbolic-than-practical policies has been slowing down things like new hires and promotions; we're not freezing them altogether, but we are adding yet another layer of paperwork so we can be Absolutely Certain That Such Actions Are Justified, Given the Budgetary Situation. In practice, all it does is delay things a bit and create more headaches for the administrative and HR staff, but hey, whatever, it's what we're paid to do.

It does, however, often lead to conversations like this:

HR: Okay, I've got this person's paperwork all set, but I actually need a supplemental form so I know the Manager's Office has approved it.

Me: You mean the Supplemental Request to Fill Vacant Position? But we're not hiring someone new, just promoting them.

HR: Actually, no, it's a different form. The Manager's Office wants to approve all promotions and raises as well as new hires.

Me: Okay, tell me where to find the new form and I'll fill it out for you.

HR: Oh, it doesn't exist yet. We have a rough draft but it's waiting for approval.

...

...

...

Oh, humanity. How I love you.