I can tell by the number of comments I've gotten that you're all dying to know how things are going at work...
Well, we have a new department head and he seems to have his head located someplace other than his nether regions so it's a good thing. He's very good at acting as a buffer between the tech staff and the incompetence that we've dealt with in the past.
Personally I'm doing wonderful since I embraced the idea that good is good enough. No need to strive for perfection. Of course my good is way better than anybody else's best... And if that's not good enough for the company, I got three job offers out of the three resumes I sent out so I know I am employable.
I've had to interact with one of the most difficult people in the company twice over the past week and not only have we both gotten something out of the exchanges, it was actually pleasant!
I've taken on two side jobs over the past month, one of which I am starting to regret. It's a big job as in I'll get enough money from it that I'll end up declaring it on my taxes, but it's starting to look like this is going to be a high maintenance user situation and I don't know that I have the time to devote to a high maintenance customer...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
WTHHLWeek
Random thoughts from this past week:
On Tuesday my mirror showed this:
On Sunday my mirror showed this:
My cat knows when I fill up the dog's water bucket in the kitchen. No matter where he is, no matter what he is doing, when I turn around from the sink after filling the bucket he is there wating:
You know you're a shutterbug when you see a four foot snake in your yard and the first thing you try to do is convince the dog to go fetch your camera (she didn't).
I think that wonderful change of life has begun. You know, that second one. You spend several years longing to be "a woman" and then you spend the next 40-odd years regretting that you receive that monthly reminder that you are in fact a woman. I wonder how bi-polar and menopause are going to co-exist in the same household.
Yeah, it's cheesy, but I like the Bionic Woman.
Yeah, he's a ham, but I like Shark. I think if I wasn't a lesbian I'd sleep with James Woods.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
WTHHLN @ Red Lobster
I don't know WTHHLN at the Topeka Red Lobster, but they sure weren't about to serve us dinner...
The original Saturday plans were for a picnic out at Rock Springs 4H camp. Rain changed those plans. The weather guessers said the rain would be gone by Saturday morning, but they guessed wrong. So we went to plan B. That was a Topeka run with shopping at Kohl's and Barnes & Noble, lunch/dinner at Red Lobster and a Topeka Roadrunners hockey game. The shopping and hockey worked out just fine.
Red Lobster was something else, though. They apparently were short of busing staff because we had to wait to get a table cleared off. Keep in mind we'd specifically arrived at 3:30 to miss the lunch and beat the dinner crowd. There were loads of empty tables in the place...almost all covered with dirty dishes. Our waitress passed our table twice with assurances she would be right with us before she did in fact come to take our drink order. We finally had drinks at 10 minutes after seating. Another 10 and she took our order. Maybe it fell apart at that point because we both decided to order something different. We are creatures of habit. No Lobster in Manhattan so we pretty much order the same favorite thing whenever we do go there.
10 minutes later we had salads and those yummy cheese biscuits that I love sooooo much. And then...nothing. Tables fill around us, orders are taken. 45 minutes later we have two assurances from our waitress that she's dinged the kitchen twice about our order, but on the second stop with us she takes the time to write our order down all over again! Did she forget to turn the first one in? After seeing the table of five that were seated after we arrived get their entrees, I flag down the manager, who is in the area to bus tables, and ask about the delay in getting our main courses (which, by the way, were promoted specials). He stands there pathetically, shaking his head, no explanation but to say he's very sorry. Magically our waitress appears with our order. Unfortunately it is too late, we've got a hockey game to get to...
And boy was it a game. MAHL hockey. The stars of tomorrow in action today. The players all seem so young, and no wonder! The oldest of them was born in 1987. They'd beaten the TX Tornado the night before and we were hoping for a repeat. When the Tornado scores two goals in the first five minutes, our goalie is thankfully yanked and replaced with last night's goalie, but is it too late? I watch the mascot for the Roadrunners and wonder why it looks like a Cardinal to me. Big, red, yellow beak. I don't recall ever seeing a roadrunner in quite those colors and I lived in the southwest for most of my life. If you're going to bring a team from Sante Fe and change the mascot to a Cardinal, a bird quite commonly seen in Kansas, why not simply rename the team the Cardinals? I don't get it. The Roadrunners manage to tie the score at 3, but the Tornado is relentless and pulls ahead by another goal. We manage to tie it and remain tied through the first overtime. It is not until the shoot out that we fall to the Tornado.
There were a couple of good fights, which surprised me, but maybe it was more to generate fan interest than an honest altercation with the opposing players. Still both teams netted severe 10 minute penalties on players for misconduct. Our team even caught two of those 10 minute penalties.
I hadn't planned on buying anything except maybe a pair of jeans, but I totally lost all resolve when I saw the price and selection on Henley's and 3/4 sleeve heavy T's. I love Henley's. My favorite shirt. I bought eight shirts and managed to keep it under $100. Score! We then adjourned to Barnes & Noble for S*t*a*r*b*u*c*k*s coffee and desert to the meal we never ate (I did end up having the worlds smallest, yet most expensive Brat at the game).
In all fairness to Red Lobster, I have to admit that it's the first time I've ever had bad service there so I will probably give them another try when next we get the craving for seafood. All in all, not a bad day at all.
The original Saturday plans were for a picnic out at Rock Springs 4H camp. Rain changed those plans. The weather guessers said the rain would be gone by Saturday morning, but they guessed wrong. So we went to plan B. That was a Topeka run with shopping at Kohl's and Barnes & Noble, lunch/dinner at Red Lobster and a Topeka Roadrunners hockey game. The shopping and hockey worked out just fine.
Red Lobster was something else, though. They apparently were short of busing staff because we had to wait to get a table cleared off. Keep in mind we'd specifically arrived at 3:30 to miss the lunch and beat the dinner crowd. There were loads of empty tables in the place...almost all covered with dirty dishes. Our waitress passed our table twice with assurances she would be right with us before she did in fact come to take our drink order. We finally had drinks at 10 minutes after seating. Another 10 and she took our order. Maybe it fell apart at that point because we both decided to order something different. We are creatures of habit. No Lobster in Manhattan so we pretty much order the same favorite thing whenever we do go there.
10 minutes later we had salads and those yummy cheese biscuits that I love sooooo much. And then...nothing. Tables fill around us, orders are taken. 45 minutes later we have two assurances from our waitress that she's dinged the kitchen twice about our order, but on the second stop with us she takes the time to write our order down all over again! Did she forget to turn the first one in? After seeing the table of five that were seated after we arrived get their entrees, I flag down the manager, who is in the area to bus tables, and ask about the delay in getting our main courses (which, by the way, were promoted specials). He stands there pathetically, shaking his head, no explanation but to say he's very sorry. Magically our waitress appears with our order. Unfortunately it is too late, we've got a hockey game to get to...
And boy was it a game. MAHL hockey. The stars of tomorrow in action today. The players all seem so young, and no wonder! The oldest of them was born in 1987. They'd beaten the TX Tornado the night before and we were hoping for a repeat. When the Tornado scores two goals in the first five minutes, our goalie is thankfully yanked and replaced with last night's goalie, but is it too late? I watch the mascot for the Roadrunners and wonder why it looks like a Cardinal to me. Big, red, yellow beak. I don't recall ever seeing a roadrunner in quite those colors and I lived in the southwest for most of my life. If you're going to bring a team from Sante Fe and change the mascot to a Cardinal, a bird quite commonly seen in Kansas, why not simply rename the team the Cardinals? I don't get it. The Roadrunners manage to tie the score at 3, but the Tornado is relentless and pulls ahead by another goal. We manage to tie it and remain tied through the first overtime. It is not until the shoot out that we fall to the Tornado.
There were a couple of good fights, which surprised me, but maybe it was more to generate fan interest than an honest altercation with the opposing players. Still both teams netted severe 10 minute penalties on players for misconduct. Our team even caught two of those 10 minute penalties.
I hadn't planned on buying anything except maybe a pair of jeans, but I totally lost all resolve when I saw the price and selection on Henley's and 3/4 sleeve heavy T's. I love Henley's. My favorite shirt. I bought eight shirts and managed to keep it under $100. Score! We then adjourned to Barnes & Noble for S*t*a*r*b*u*c*k*s coffee and desert to the meal we never ate (I did end up having the worlds smallest, yet most expensive Brat at the game).
In all fairness to Red Lobster, I have to admit that it's the first time I've ever had bad service there so I will probably give them another try when next we get the craving for seafood. All in all, not a bad day at all.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Target Practice
So my friend Bonnie and I go out to Fancy Creek Range on Saturday to shoot. I joked with the Range Master that like some people hire in people to exercise their horses, the missus hires someone to exercise her guns. I left the revolver at home because I hate it and had no intention of shooting it, but I took the .22 and the 9mm. Bonnie had her single action .38 which I have to admit is a sweet piece, but I frickin' jump every time it fires. The difference between the report of a .22 and a .38 is so noticeable when you are three feet to the side of the chamber. I did my best, but ended up mostly shooting when she was reloading. The .22 holds ten in the clip so I got in a good bit of shooting.
I suck with the 9mm. I only ran two clips through it, maybe three. All my shots went low and right. Well of course they did, the gun is sighted for someone else. When I talked to that someone else and mentioned how bad I did with the Luger, she said, "Well the sights aren't adjustable." WTF? A gun that you can't adjust the sights on? Does anyone make such a thing? No, they don't. It took me one minute of looking at the gun to see the three screws that obviously have to do with sight alignment. But I think I'll keep this piece of information to myself. See, if I adjust the sight to me and she sees how good I shoot with it, perhaps the gun will pass into my ownership...
As usual I did very well with the .22. It just doesn't pack enough power, but is good for practice. Since the range is open every Saturday for the next two months, I'll have to test my sighting on the 9mm and hone with the .22. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go clean the guns.
I suck with the 9mm. I only ran two clips through it, maybe three. All my shots went low and right. Well of course they did, the gun is sighted for someone else. When I talked to that someone else and mentioned how bad I did with the Luger, she said, "Well the sights aren't adjustable." WTF? A gun that you can't adjust the sights on? Does anyone make such a thing? No, they don't. It took me one minute of looking at the gun to see the three screws that obviously have to do with sight alignment. But I think I'll keep this piece of information to myself. See, if I adjust the sight to me and she sees how good I shoot with it, perhaps the gun will pass into my ownership...
As usual I did very well with the .22. It just doesn't pack enough power, but is good for practice. Since the range is open every Saturday for the next two months, I'll have to test my sighting on the 9mm and hone with the .22. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go clean the guns.
Friday, October 5, 2007
There's a new sheriff in town...
...and I think we think alike. Work may get immeasurably better over the next month. If not, I have a line on something on the other side of town. Less hours, more pay, better benefits. Oh, but that extra 10 minute commute is a big minus.
Went to the 'ville to see RSLC's gig at Rusty's Outback. Never been there. Not too bad. Outdoors, nice summer-like night. Place didn't get packed until about half-way through the first set. Russell looked good. He's lost a little weight...maybe he can afford to eat less now that music is a full time job and that was a major cut in pay. Or maybe his girlfriend keeps him well exercised. Whatever, the band sounded good and I know how much a comfort it is to play for a hometown audience filled with personal friends so they had a good time. So did I in spite of the fact that I got stood up by my co-workers again. Too bad, I was buying...
Went to the 'ville to see RSLC's gig at Rusty's Outback. Never been there. Not too bad. Outdoors, nice summer-like night. Place didn't get packed until about half-way through the first set. Russell looked good. He's lost a little weight...maybe he can afford to eat less now that music is a full time job and that was a major cut in pay. Or maybe his girlfriend keeps him well exercised. Whatever, the band sounded good and I know how much a comfort it is to play for a hometown audience filled with personal friends so they had a good time. So did I in spite of the fact that I got stood up by my co-workers again. Too bad, I was buying...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A Game Day
...and I'm not talking football. I should have known I was going to be intimately acquainted with the wild side of life from the moment I got up.
There were turkeys in the yard this morning...when I let the dogs out. They (the turkeys) must have not had anything to eat recently as they managed to vacate the yard without depositing any of Maverick's favorite parfume, eau de turkey poop.
On the way to work there was a deer speed bump on the highway...the 70 mph highway. I didn't see it until the last minute and wasn't of a mind to lose control of my car just so I could avoid the blood and gore. Fortunately it had been pretty well tenderized by the traffic that paved the way before me.
Then there was the matter of the game camera. It's a thing hunters use to identify good places to set up for shootin' stuff. Good places as in, Hey, this is a major animal trail here! Look how often the camera catches Bambi and family. And is that Turkey Lurkey and family strolling by? My boss got new memory cards for his game cam but his computer can't handle the size of the cards so we had to get him a new card reader for his laptop. The first picture on the card is him playing with the buttons on the camera. It's a nice big picture. All the other pictures are really small so he must have pressed the button that changes the resolution on the camera. He says that you can't change the resolution on a game cam. He's wrong. I looked up his model and it has four different resolutions you can choose. But I guess Mr. Big Game Hunter knows everything and isn't about to listen to some city girl tell him what his camera can and can't do.
The day is winding down and as I was browsing a friend's blog the dogs decided that there was something foreign in the yard that must be chased. Oh look, it's Bambi. I wonder what they'd do if they actually caught one...
There were turkeys in the yard this morning...when I let the dogs out. They (the turkeys) must have not had anything to eat recently as they managed to vacate the yard without depositing any of Maverick's favorite parfume, eau de turkey poop.
On the way to work there was a deer speed bump on the highway...the 70 mph highway. I didn't see it until the last minute and wasn't of a mind to lose control of my car just so I could avoid the blood and gore. Fortunately it had been pretty well tenderized by the traffic that paved the way before me.
Then there was the matter of the game camera. It's a thing hunters use to identify good places to set up for shootin' stuff. Good places as in, Hey, this is a major animal trail here! Look how often the camera catches Bambi and family. And is that Turkey Lurkey and family strolling by? My boss got new memory cards for his game cam but his computer can't handle the size of the cards so we had to get him a new card reader for his laptop. The first picture on the card is him playing with the buttons on the camera. It's a nice big picture. All the other pictures are really small so he must have pressed the button that changes the resolution on the camera. He says that you can't change the resolution on a game cam. He's wrong. I looked up his model and it has four different resolutions you can choose. But I guess Mr. Big Game Hunter knows everything and isn't about to listen to some city girl tell him what his camera can and can't do.
The day is winding down and as I was browsing a friend's blog the dogs decided that there was something foreign in the yard that must be chased. Oh look, it's Bambi. I wonder what they'd do if they actually caught one...
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