Saqqara's journal

I've noticed an over-whelming amount of idiots attending my college. Since I work at the front desk, unfortunately, I am some times forced to deal with their idiocy. If I weren't the patient *cough**choke* person I am, I don't think I could be civil to most of them. Most of the incompetents seem not to be aware of their incompetence, and blunder along, unaware that their stupidity makes more intelligent people cringe when they see them coming.

As an example:
Idiot: "Can you transfer me to room 306?"
Me: "Well, my list is done by last name, do you know her name?"
Idiot: "Her first name is Angela, does that help?"
Me: "No, the list is done according to last names."
Idiot: "Oh. Well her phone number is 3932 can you connect me?"

What the fuck. If you know her number, why not just call her, instead of me? How do these people make it in life? How are they passing school? Why is it they have not ended up killing themselves in some blatantly stupid way? I fail to see how people like this survive in the world. I suppose they are either rich like Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson, or they are so stupid, they think themselves smart. I have no idea, but if the government would just remove those safety labels, intelligent folks would be so much better off....

A friend asked me yesterday after having known me for about 2 and a half years online, what my name meant. After I explained it to him, he then asked me how to pronounce it. After I did, I got to thinking about how many people have seen my name in a forum, in a game, and though, Saq-uh-what?

I've used this online name for about 3 and a half years now, after the novelty of my email address wore off, and I decided I needed something a little more... non-childish. (I've had the email ever since I was in the 9th grade, so it's pretty childish indeed, I just can't bring myself to change it.)

Since I run an ancient history website, I decided I needed a name that dealt with history, but wasn't one of the over used candidates for names you see all over the place, such as Anubis, Osiris, Zeus, Centurion, that type of thing. I decided that my name would come from Egypt, since back then, that was the main focus of my site, and perhaps my favorite civilization. (Greece contests highly for that spot now.)

After I narrowed it down to Egypt, I thought of all kinds of different names. Ranks from the Egyptian army, lesser known gods/goddesses, prominant people in Egypt--people who were rarely recognized. I was pondering a female variation of Imhotep, when I decided on Saqqara. Why the sudden switch? It's simple.

The female variation of Imhotep looked and sounded horrible, it was similar to adding an 'a' to something in spanish you want to make female in a joking manner. Saqqara is the place where Imhotep built the stepped pyramid for Djoser. It was one of the very first pyramids built in Egypt, and possibly one of the best preserved aside from those at Giza. Why not Giza you asked? Because everyone knows there are pyramids there, and it sounds a little like gizzard when you say it. Saqqara is just plain better.

As for pronouncing it, there are several different ways because everyone interprets it differently, but I generally accept that it is pronounced Sack-car-uh. Now, say that really fast and you'll have it down just right. Although for those folks who know me, they generally just call me Saq (Sack) and everyone knows I am the all-knowing Sack! Isn't that right Vic?

For you smart alecks out there, why didn't I spell it Sakkara like it is apt to be in some places? Because that spelling sucks! 2 Q's together without a u following breaks the English rule, so that makes the name kick even more ass. Besides, I consider it heresy to use k's where q's could be used. Q's kick K's ass anyday!

This post was edited by Saqqara on Oct 17, 2004.

If you guys are familiar with Terry Goodkind, a set of wizard's rules accompanies his books, which help to explain life. If you aren't, here's the whole first rule.

"People Are Stupid. People can be made to believe any lie, either because they want it to be true or because they fear that it is."

After reading a reply to my Bush Game thread, this has never rang more true. I'm probably getting myself into trouble with this, but I feel it needs to be said. I'm not forcing my "political beliefs" on anyone, I'm merely stating facts.

The Bush Administration has lied constantly to the US public not only about the war on terror, but about general improvement in Iraq. If they'll lie about this, what else won't they lie about?

When Bush assumed his position as Commander in Chief, he "inherited" the largest budget surplus in US history. Since his time in office, the US has the worst budget deficit since the Great Depression. Almost 3 million jobs have been lost while Bush has had his reign.

Since the invasion into Iraq, Bush and his administration offered Halliburton no-bid contracts to the oil industry in Iraq. These contracts convinently came after Halliburton paid Dick Cheney 2 million bucks.

I cannot understand how people who know these facts continue to spout the nonsense such as was spouted in a reply to the Bush Game thread. It seems to me people would let common sense rule their thoughts and do the right thing for the country.

Perhaps people don't understand these facts, but only see the world as Mr. Bush and his puppet pals have painted it. Boy don't you just love how people voluntarily wear those rose-colored glasses? Hopefully it makes you think. If it doesn't, consider yourself victim of the Wizard's First Rule.

Today I was called 3 times to go into work. 3 times. Where do I work you ask? I hold down a simple job as a desk receptionist in the local dorm I live in. Sure, it's a do nothing job, and I do mean do nothing (I mostly draw and read while I'm down there).

However, due to the nature of the dorm, the desk has to be manned-- or in this case, wo-manned, as the dorm is women only-- 24 hours a day. If someone doesn't show up, it is our responsibility to fill the gap. Being the person I am, if someone can't make it, or of someone doesn't show up, I'll usually say sure, I'll fill the spot.

Today however, wore my patience super thin. I was off today, and 3 seperate times, I was called and asked to come to work because my co-workers didn't show up. I went 2 of the times, but the 3rd time I said no. I feel like my kindness is being taken advantage of, even though I enjoy the extra money that pays for my college debt. I have a mind to scream at the next person who calls me because a worker didn't come in. These people need to take lessons from Donald Trump, start firing asses, then we'll see who comes to work and who doesn't.

I wrote this last semester in Freshman English I for an assignment we had on remembering.

Sitting in a classroom after lunch waiting for the teacher to arrive, you'd never expect a life altering event to occur. It's the last thing on your mind, but it happens. It happened to me. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said December 7, 1941 was a day that would live in infamy. March 1, 2000 is my day in infamy.

The day started like any normal day at Humphrey High. We all went to class, passed notes, stood in the hallway and talked, and even enjoyed a friendly game of softball in P.E. Lunch was when the day turned from normal to a freakish nightmare.

While waiting for our English teacher to appear after lunch, a girl came in and told us she thought she heard some of the teachers talking about a train accident. We dismissed the news and resumed chatting amongst ourselves. Twenty minutes into the period, Mrs. Dardenne still had not showed up to teach us about comma splices. The class began to get worried. Shortly after, Mrs. Gower came into the room with a solemn lok on her face. She announced the news in a voice that was barely more than a whisper. Four of our schoolmates had been involved in a train accident. There were confirmed casualties. The class sat in stunned horrified silence.

Mrs. Gower herded us like deft cattle down to the gym. There were students already there, gathered into a loose circle. We joined them. Some were crying, holding each other for support. Some were being comforted by teachers. Most were like me, sitting with tears running down their cheeks, whispering along in a barely audible voice to Mrs. Holbert singing "Amazing Grace." Before Mrs. Holbert could finish, Mr. Smith, the principal came in, whispering he had news. The gym fell silent as a shadow. There were no survivors. The wail that rose up grew louder, like a surge of a tidal wave as students and faculty alike grieved for the four students lost. The silence was shattered. So were our lives. Some where in the deep wave of screaming and crying, Mr. Henley announced there would be no more school that week. None of us planned on returning.

The accident happened on a Wednesday. The four funerals were set for Saturday and Sunday. I don't know which was worse, having to hear that four of my friends were killed, or having to attend their funerals. I was all cried out. I sat numbly listening to the preacher speak, and then the choir sing. I don't remember anything that was said, or any of the songs that were sang. I was too numb.

School resumed that Monday. Hardly anyone was there. The National Guard erected an open-sided tent for students to place flowers and such. The art teacher made a beautiful wooden plaque which read, "Once In Our Lives, Forever In Our Hearts." Trauma counselors were present, but nothing any of them could tell us would make us feel any better.

Eventually, we got over the trauma of losing close friends, but never their absence. There is a special space in my heart where they belong. That will never be gone. There was an empty chair at graduation, where Brady Alan Frizzell would have sat. I still think he did.

The art teacher said it best with her statement. To this day, and on into the future, I will never forget any of those four. Though I knew and enjoyed their presence in life, they will always remain forever in my heart.