Welcome to another edition of Zach’s Blog, a collection of random thoughts, stories, opinions, and whatever else comes from Zach’s brain and fingertips. These blogs range from hot fire takes that are purely satire, to insightful thoughts. It’s your job to determine which is what. With that, enjoy the blog…
Zach’s applicable quote for the weekend
“Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy”
– Ben Franklin
–Not really what he said, but still a great quote.
–Zachary Gray
Going up to Branch & Blade Brewery Co. this evening. Great ole place with handsome beers and delicious beards.
Hi you. Yes, you reader. I’m back. Again. Yes, another reintroduction. It’s like the boss of your boss’s boss who doesn’t remember your name, so you say “how’s it going” in passing. That’s how I’ve been keeping up with this blog. Now that football season is over and I have some me time at this very moment, let’s do some catching up.
Just a warning: this blog is going to come off more as a diary rather than an actual blog. So, apologies for the useless banter that’ll be taking place. I do finish with a short blog-like piece at the end of this, so enjoy… Continue reading →
UPDATE: Since I’ve written this blog, I’ve received countless emails from others who have been in similar situations with PicRights. So to help save you the time, here’s a quick summary of my experience and what you should do:
PicRights acts like they are representing photographers, but they aren’t. They’re trying to make money off of you and then “credit” the photographer after.
If you receive an email from PicRights for a photo on your personal blog or site, just delete the photo and ignore the email. They will not sue you for a few hundred dollars; legal fees cost more.
If you have a business site, I am not a lawyer nor have legal experience, but you should be good to do the same as above. Just ensure the photos you’re using on your site going forward are “free use,” meaning anyone has rights to use them.
After my silly email exchanges back and forth with PicRights, they basically tried negotiating the price down, which that in itself told me it was basically a scam. I haven’t received any additional emails since.
I had a person tell me they received a letter in the mail from PicRights. Just treat it the same.
If you feel like reading my whole experience, feel free to read on. Otherwise, I hope this helps!
A couple weeks ago, I got a strange email with the subject line “Unlicensed Use of Agence France-Presse Imagery – Reference Number: 6519-4278-2604” and didn’t think anything of it. Few days later, I checked back on it to find I was being sued. Well, sued might be a little strong. Basically, I had used a picture of Nick Foles in my post-Super Bowl blog that was apparently from Getty or whatever source. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cool Traffic: Nope Breakfast: Almond joy coffee with coconut creamer, three blueberry scones Zach arrival time: When I woke up
Monday Mourning Metaphor
and
First thing’s first: Hi
Been almost three weeks since I last had a blog. It’s tough to keep up with the stupid stories of the world, my personal happenings, and hot takes when I get paid to create and push other content.
So we have a decision to make: either continue this as the GMIM, or simply write smaller blogs whenever I find something interesting. Personally, I like the once a week blog. Gives my 5 or 6 readers something to look forward to when the week starts. Plus, I like the irony in having a blog named after Mondays and how hard it is to get motivated, and yet the blog gets published a day or two after.
So I guess I don’t have a decision? Just be better I suppose and get this shit published sooner. Anywho, back to business… Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: On the cooler side Traffic: Meh, didn’t want to throw myself in traffic, so that’s nice Breakfast: Turkey sausage sandy on an english, cosmic coolatta (review to come) Zach arrival time: 9:26 a.m. EST
Monday Mourning Metaphor
It’s here: my Cosmic Coolatta review
It took a couple of weeks, but it’s finally here: my cosmic coolatta review.
I only purchased this in response to Starbucks being a bunch of a-holes. I’m not one for sweets. I barely eat chocolate and rarely eat candy (yet I’m still thicc as hell). So I decided to use up the funds in my Dunkin card and purchase one of these things. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Absolutely perfect Traffic: N/A (took the choo choo) Breakfast: Half a crumb muffin and a MilkyWay flavored iced coffee Zach arrival time: 9:30-ish
Monday Mourning Metaphor
First and foremost: I didn’t get a Cosmic Coolatta
Celebrating your birthday when you’re no longer a child
If you’re an absolute chump and don’t read my blog, you wouldn’t know that yesterday was my birthday. But I’m sort of under the impression that no one knew since no one donated to my personal Venmo yesterday (still open to “donation” at @zacharyadamgray). Nonetheless, Venmo remains available to anyone happy to give me late birthday donations.
Anywho, I had a little get-together yesterday with some family. Little grilling and booze, yard games, the works. Nice time. Here’s the thing though: every year I think of doing some sort of party, but it ends up being more work than I remember it requiring.
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: On the cooler side Traffic: I didn’t scream at anyone, so that was good Breakfast: Glazed stick and small black coffee Zach arrival time: Not late, I think
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Dunkin Donuts debuts Cosmic Coolatta, attempt to win my heart over
[Source] – Dunkin’ Donuts is launching a galaxy-inspired menu today full of two new Coolattas blended to look like nebulas and a donut covered in multi-colored popping candy that sounds truly out of this world.
Underneath, the Comet Candy Donut is a plain yeast donut with white icing but on top you’ll find an explosion of blue, purple and pink popping candy that taste like cotton candy.
In addition to the comet candy donut, there’s not just one, but two (!!!) different Cosmic Coolattas being released today. Each are a blend of two different flavors swirled together to create a nebula-like effect.
The Cosmic Cotton Candy Coolatta is a brand-new cotton candy flavored Coolatta topped off with Blue Raspberry, while the Cosmic Pineapple Coolatta is a blend of a new pineapple flavor with blue raspberry.
As a bonus, all small Coolattas in any flavor — including the new cotton candy and pineapple flavors—will be just $2 through May 27.
If you’ve been reading this blog on a regular basis, you’d know by now that I despise Starbucks and everything they stand for (bigotry, racism, capitalism, communism, slimeballery, etc). This hate I have doesn’t exactly mean I’m Team Dunkin, but this latest move might just reel me in like the stupid fish I am. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Beautiful Traffic: Bad, but it’s a beautiful day Breakfast: Turkey sausage sandy and a shitty iced coffee… but it’s a beautiful day Zach arrival time: Good enough Mornings without Starbucks: 1 year
Monday Tuesday Mourning Morning Metaphor
A monumental day
The old saying goes that “time heals wounds” or “give it time,” that the concept of time will eventually ease tension and resolve any conflicts. Some would argue that a full year of reflection can allow one to be at peace with previous demons.Well, I can confidently say that as I type on this keyboard exactly one year from the day I began my boycott, I remain as bitter, spiteful, and salty towards the capitalist pigs known as Starbucks.
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In (on Monday)
Weather: Cold, rainy, and some snow Traffic: I wouldn’t know, I rolled out of bed and jumped online Breakfast: Some smoothie concoction Zach arrival time: When the good lord shined his light upon thee
Monday Mourning Metaphor
It was cold Monday.
My fitness evaluation recap
I mentioned in last week’s blog that I had an upcoming fitness evaluation compliments of the nice folks from my gym. Well, I did it. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cold. Really cold. Traffic: Road were ok, but classic MBTA delays Breakfast: Turkey sausage on an English and an XL Dunks that doesn’t taste great Zach arrival time: Later than I wanted
Monday Mourning Metaphor
All last week was a Monday
“Zach, Zach… where was the blog last week? We missed you!”
Yes, I know. Last weekend had some stuff going on and then the week just took over, so apologies for ruining your downtime at work. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Too cold for my liking Traffic: Not too congested, but not a breeze… so just right? Breakfast: Turkey sausage, egg, and cheese on an English… again. Zach arrival time: Little past 9:20? I don’t remember Mornings without Starbucks: 342
Anywho, I’ve done a few cardio-based classes and a bit of weight-lifting, no big deal (actually not a big deal since they were 20lbs dumbbells and I was struggling). But last week I tried yoga for the first time ever. My physical history includes high school wrestling, three years at poorly attempting baseball, a single season of freshmen football (shoutout fourth string and special teams), and beer league softball here and there. But no where in between all of that have I done yoga or anything remotely close. I’ve never been opposed to it, but I’ve never given thought to actually try it out. So when the lovely lady asks if I’d like to do a quick 30-minute yoga sesh, I’m saying yes. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Absolutely freezing Traffic: Too long for my liking (much like every other day) Breakfast: Turkey sausage, egg, and cheese on an English; large Thin Mint hot Zach arrival time: Little past 9:30 Mornings without Starbucks: 336
Monday Mourning Metaphor
I visited the west coast for the first time: my thoughts
Damn, there goes Zach again taking a business trip to a warm location during the winter. Yup, this time it was to Santa Monica, California. A nice change of scenery after snowblowing almost two feet of snow just last week. So here’s my recap and review from the weekend… Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cold and windy Traffic: I was too tired to know how shitty it was Breakfast: Sausage, egg, & cheese on a multigrain bagel, and a large dark roast (thin mint, two cream, one sugar) Zach arrival time: 9:28 a.m. EST Mornings without Starbucks: 322
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Me vs Mondays:
I refuse to pay for Spotify: MY COLUMN
Picture this: it’s Friday. Later afternoon in the office and the week is winding down. Projects are being finished, and some work is being pushed back as far as possible to avoid until Monday. Because it’s Friday, Zach has his world-famous playlist playing on his laptop speakers: Funk Fridays. Folks, if you haven’t gotten down with Funk Fridays yet, you haven’t lived. A little “Flashlight,” maybe some James Brown, or even a bit of Rick James never hurt nobody.
Anywho, the music is going and what comes on after three songs? An advertisement. Now I’m no ad junky, but I know it’s the price you pay in order to enjoy a little free music. I’ve had a Spotify account for five years now, and I’ve come to phase out the 20 Ziprecruiter advertisements much like a degenerate, alcoholic father tunes out his children on a Wednesday night. But my coworkers? Nope, they’re crying like their drunk daddy won’t play Legos with them in their bedroom. So what’s my response? Increase the volume to drown out their crying. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: 10, cold Traffic: Christmas gifts are scattered Breakfast: Coffee with coconut cream and sugar Zach arrival time: 8:55 a.m. (a.k.a, when I woke up on couch) Mornings without Starbucks: 245 (as of Monday)
Anywho, when the weather report said snow was expected Monday, I was thinking it would be a lovely ole time, like in the movies and such. Here’s the deal though: as a kid, it’s great… but as a grown-up, not so much. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Post-snow cold-ass breeze Traffic: Pleasantly not horrible Breakfast: Large hot caramel latte Zach arrival time: Late enough for people to notice me walk in, but not too late that people say, “Thanks for joining us!” like an asshole Mornings without Starbucks: 231
Monday Mourning Metaphor
When you befriend your co-workers over the weekend, but then hit you with some shit on Monday…
Should I convert to Judaism?
If you’ve been following this blog on a weekly basis, you would know that it’s been pumpkin then Christmas season in a matter of a week. Well, I’m happy to inform you it is now Hanukkah season. Well, not fully.
You see, I’m not Jewish. I’ve never celebrated Hanukkah in my life, but the influx of Jewish coworkers has sparked my interest. Do my motives not align with the true reasons to covert to a certain religion? Perhaps not. But I’ll make my case and see where we end up. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Rodney Harrison Traffic: I hate the subway Breakfast: Medium hot from Dunks with a glazed stick (both were awful) Zach arrival time: Not late, but not ideal? Mornings without Starbucks: 224
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cool, not terrible Traffic: The ole’ “welcome back to work after a holiday” commute Breakfast: Medium hot dark roast with a glazed stick (healthy morning) Zach arrival time: Middle of the pack Mornings without Starbucks: 217
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Did I curse Miami football?
If you read the previous blog, you saw the song of last week was the hot-fire-flames jam known as “Turnover Chain” from Solo D. I may or may not have hopped on the Miami bandwagon after they started 10-0 and trounced Virginia (ok, more like barely got by). I should have known they were in position to be upset by Pitt right after.
Let’s take a step back. I don’t have a favorite college football team because I went to a tiny fashion college whose biggest sports were soccer and rugby. So basically, I domestically studied abroad.
I had Boston College football season tickets for a couple of seasons, so I got watch exciting games against Maine and other community colleges. But I never had “my own” college football team.
So here we are. I need a favorite college football team for both Saturdays and when the Patriots eventually finally return to their 1990’s form. I’d go onto BuzzFeed and take a quiz, but I’m not a teenage girl. So instead, I’ll come up with my own questions and see where I land… Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Rainy Traffic: N/A Breakfast: French toast Zach arrival time: When I woke up Mornings without Starbucks: 210 as of Monday
Monday Mourning Metaphor
When you get a promotion, but clearly aren’t qualified:
First Thing’s First…
Yes, I know it’s Wednesday. But that’s what happens when you work all day Sunday, work the Monday before Thanksgiving, end up getting a cold by the end of the day, work through a cold Tuesday, and eventually work from home Wednesday. So yes, today isn’t Monday. You and I know this, but we’ll act like it’s not a big deal (because it isn’t). Continue reading →
